I do not own CSI
"I'm too tired to cook." Carmen groaned and sat down.
Jason got two bottled waters, and trail mix before sitting beside Carmen. She thanked him and took a handful of trail mix.
"How did your day go?" She asked.
Jason shrugged. "Talked with the locals a little bit."
"That's nice. I like it around here. We should make as many friends as we can." Carmen continued, "I had lots of fun. I got to help people find books."
"How do you do it?"
"Do what?"
"Talk to people so easily? I think I might've scared a few people because I was quiet."
Carmen shrugged. "I don't know. I guess you just treat them like a neighbor you know or a friend." She chuckled. "You scared people because you're so quiet?"
"Yeah, lots of awkward silence."
Carmen rubbed the back of her neck. Jason noticed and offered to massage her. She agreed.
As he massaged her, he wondered out loud, "Is this what married people do for each other? Give massages?"
"Probably." Carmen ate some more trail mix. "It's also what boyfriends and girlfriends do for each other."
After a while it was Jason's turn. Carmen had Jason lay across the couch and she massaged him. It really relaxed him. At some point, Jason almost fell asleep. When Carmen stopped massaging his back he woke up.
"Are you ok?"
"Yeah," Carmen rubbed her eyes. "I'm just really tired."
Jason rolled on his side, and offered Carmen to lie beside him. He kissed the back of her neck and draped his left arm over her. Soon he started hearing her deep breathing. Remembering the measuring ring, he took it quietly and carefully out of his pocket. Then tenderly taking her left hand and ring finger, he slipped it on. Carmen's fingers were slender. He gently adjusted the size and then slid it off her finger.
The next day he would get the ring back to Mr. Dandy. Jason carefully got up and then lifted Carmen into his arms bridal style. He tucked her in bed and kissed her on the cheek with a gossamer touch.
Through the week Jason and Carmen worked hard. They rounded up their pay and put it with the stash. Jason kept an alternative stash for the promise ring. Within a week they got into the rhythm of working. At the end of the day they both had more energy.
Carmen made supper most of the nights. Jason usually helped. Their relationship didn't get any deeper than kissing. One night Jason brought home flowers for Carmen. She put them by the window in a vase.
By the end of the week the hideout looked more like a home. Jason and Carmen were in their own world. Nothing stood between them. Life was getting better and younger for them. But nothing lasts forever.