Windows shut, doors locked, animals back in their homes, Shane had done his nightly check of the fences. The day had been good, work had gone on as normal and over the time that Shane and Jas had come to live with her, life had become almost predictable again. Well, except for the being taken to bed by the man she feared she was in love with. A man she knew it was a bad idea to fall for, but the years of knowing him... it was something she had come to accept. And repress. Light footsteps followed by heavier ones signaled that Shane was following Jas to her room to read her a good night story book, probably Outside Over There again, one of Jas's favorites but one that kinda wigged Laura out, even with all her experience monster slaying. Something about a child being stolen just upset her more than most things.

Tip toeing, she crept over to the bedroom door, intent to listen to Shane's soothing voice reading a tragic story, Jas shocked gasps sounding even though she'd heard the story so many times. It made Laura chortle quietly each time but marvel at the little girl's ability to grasp such tough emotional concepts. But with a life surrounded by so much tragedy, it seems that she had enough life experience to understand trauma when it struck even in a fictional world. It was tough to even recount Shane's experiences, it broke her heart and made her feel selfish for having that feeling, because she hadn't even gone through what he had. What right did she have to almost revel in his despair? Even though she knew she didn't love him to fix him- the desire to was still there, and it was hard to admit. Her mind had begun to wander and reflect, so much so that she didn't make her sneaky get-away in time before Shane quietly opened the door and came inches away from her face. Time once again seemed to slow by a few seconds, and his eyes seemed to her like knives piercing through her.

"Sorry, I'm... I'm sorry about that." she breathed, and as he shut the door behind himself it pushed him closer to her, with her taking a step back, but then stopping. They both stayed still, but Laura looked at the door and then back at Shane.

"She's asleep." he said quietly and she only nodded in response. And as if she'd moved beyond self doubt for a moment she uttered words that she feared were going to be the end of her working relationship with Shane.

"You... Shane... you mean a lot... to me." and raising herself up on tip toes that had gotten her here in the first place, she kissed his scruffy cheek lightly and quickly. But as her heels hit the floor, her cheek warmed to the placement of his hand, and her lips were met ever so softly with his. Rigidly, she stood- a fortress tumbling to the ground in shock and awe that her actions were being reciprocated so... so much so. He pulled away much too soon leaving her literally breathless and blushing deeply. There was apprehension that was thick in the air as they went back to their staring. Something neither seemed to grow tired of.

"You mean a lot to me too, Laura. It's... honestly taking me by surprise." he admitted, eyes lidded heavily as he looked down at her, further down to the floor, and then back up to meet her gaze once again. Laura sputtered a little, unsure of what to say, but settled for wrapping her arms tentatively around his waist, pressing her cheek against his chest, startled to hear it beating against his chest so hard. It made her smile though, to know he may feel just as nervous and unsure as she did. His arms came to encase her too, and it was all she could do to not give into the desire to just keep leaning into him and holding him tighter until she hoped they just melded together in that way lovers do. Blushing a little more deeply she whispered,

"I'm really glad. It makes me so happy to hear..." and she pulled away to look back up at him. There was a weight of desire, to kiss a second time, but as neither made the move they eventually pulled apart completely.

"Well..." she started.

"Yeah... busy day tomorrow." he agreed, without her needing to vocalize her own thoughts. She smiled up at him and to her extreme surprise, he smiled back down at her. It was dizzying to say the least, the surge of warmth that ran through her body and dove into places she rarely had time to think about. Her cheeks turned a different shade of scarlet, that wound it's way down into her neck and chest, her body flush with feelings rarely felt.

Eventually, she nodded, and turned to walk away, but not without giving another glance over her shoulder to peak at Shane who was still watching her go down the short hall to her door, as his was right next to Jas's.

"Good night Shane."

"Good night Laura."

And their doors clicked shut quietly, hers first, and his shortly after and though inaudible to either of them- they both sighed sighs of pleasure and desire and fear. The flowers between them were opening to blossom.

There were only smiles and blushes to be had the next morning, which Jas quickly picked up on and grinned each time she saw one of them glance at each other.

They're so cute... if only... she thought, a mind's sigh at the thought of Vincent so in love with Penny in that childish way children do. Something had to have happened the night before, she was young but she just knew it. People got red in the face only for a few reasons she'd observed, and Uncle Shane only ever got red when he was mad so far. But he wasn't mad when he looked at Laura and his face still became red... so Jas could only put two and two together one way.

As soon as her breakfast was done she looked up to see her Godfather still working on his plate... not very normal as usually he was the first one done. She giggled, and took her plate to the sink, setting it down with a bit of fanfare to alert Shane to her finishing. He barely noticed, but Laura happened to.

"Oh- Jas- hey, um, Shane- I'm actually done with breakfast and while you're working on yours, I can take Jas to meet Penny." Laura offered, and Jas flashed a grin. Shane saw her smile, and with a bit of thought, nodded.

"Yeah, if you wanna go with her, Jas." he said, and smiled a little as Jas jumped up and down.

"Great! Well, Jas please go grab what ya need and we'll be off." Laura said, and grabbed her sun hat while Jas ran off to get her notebook. She was excited, to walk with Miss Laura, maybe even get some information from her...

And soon enough they were out the door, walking in a compatible silence. A quiet that was abruptly ended by her own insatiable desire for answers.

"Miss Laura?"

"Yes Jas?"

"Are you and Uncle Shane going to get married?" there was a reaction she was expecting, of a loving sigh or dreamy eyes, but what she got was flustered sputtering.

"Wh-what? Why uh... why do you ask that?" Laura asked, her typically calm demeanor shattered and Jas could only giggle at this.

"Uncle Shane is in love with you. And you guys are always looking at each other all... weird." she said, grinning at her companion's growing embarrassment. They neared the bus stop, and it was clear they were as Jas could hear Pam crow a "Good morning" before a loud whistle.

"Well Farmer Laura! You and Shane taking turns now? Must be getting serious!" and she raised her brows suggestively at the woman. She giggled, Miss Pam had always been silly, sometimes a little scary when she was younger with her bright eye shadow and gruff voice, but soon enough she realized that she was as harmless as her daughter. Jas was always wondering how a loud woman could have such a quiet daughter, but she loved Miss Penny dearly.

"Oh uh... no nothing like that just... Shane was a little busy so I offered." Laura responded, but when Pam looked at Jas, Jas winked at her, a wink more like an embellished blink. Pam roared with laughter, and Laura was left to blush and look down, but was saved by Miss Penny.

"Oh, Farmer Laura- it's good to see you!" Penny spoke, seeming to be genuinely happy to see the other woman, and Jas looked between the two women and smiled. Of course they would get along well, they were both nice to her. She grabbed Laura's hand and tugged a little on it, bringing her down to her height, and then hugged her tight around the neck, happy to feel Miss Laura return the embrace.

"I hope you guys get married." she whispered into the farmer's ear. And then pulled away to smile largely at her, and skipped off to Miss Penny. They all said their versions of "have a good day" and Jas went off with Miss Penny and Vincent, each on either side of their teacher. She turned around at the bend to see Laura still patiently standing there, and waved at her, and Jas waved back gleefully.

Notes:

There's always a calm before the storm. Things get a little more intense after this, I've decided to split this story into two parts(this part still has more to go- with the possibility of a completely different ShanexFarmer fic being done before "finishing" this one. A much more dark and AU than this one, kinda riffing off the fairy tale Vasilisa the Brace and Baba Yaga. This chapter is for Avery by the way, I hope this small interaction is enough to sate! Thank you for reading! I appreciate the reviews and support so incredibly much. I would never have made it this far! I hope to improve slowly over time, it's such a fun hobby.