Nick awakes with a groan in the middle of the night. Another
nightmare, damn. He looks over to his side at Ellis, who's gently breathing and
is curled up with his gun. It's dark in the safe house. Nick turns on his
flashlight and gets up, goes into the other part of the house where Coach and
Ro are keeping watch. Ro is sitting on the floor, leaning her head against the
wall, her gun in her lap. Coach is stretching his neck by rolling his head
around. He spots Nick.
"Whatcha' doin' up?" he asks Nick, catching Rochelle's
attention.
"Couldn't sleep." He replies.
"Want to switch out?"
Coach offers.
"Sure." He says. Picking up two pistols, he sits across from
Ro on the other side of the room. Coach goes into the room where Ellis is.
The two are silent until the snoring of Coach fills the
room.
"I know you like him." Ro speaks up, smiling. Nick turns off
his flashlight to hide the blush on his cheeks.
"Who?" he replies.
"Ellis." She whispers.
" He really likes you, I know why you're so bitter towards
him." She adds.
Nick is silent.
"You're afraid. Afraid of your feelings. Afraid that you
like a guy. Afraid that he likes you back." she explains.
"Why are girls so smart, damn." He mutters. She giggles. She
gets up and walks over to him, sitting by his side.
"You need to treat him right, like he's the most beautiful
girl in the world." She says.
"My wife always told me that I could be a really good kisser
if I practiced." He chortles, looking at the ceiling.
"For some people it does just take practice." Ro agrees.
"Ro, would it be weird…if I…if I practiced on you? I mean it
wouldn't mean anything…I just need someone's opinion." He asks awkwardly.
"I guess not, I mean
I know you like Ellis." Rochelle replies, looking at Nick. Nick turns his head
towards Rochelle. Slowly, he closes his eyes and leans forward. Their lips meet
delicately. Nick's hand caresses Ro's cheek as they both deepen the kiss.
Rochelle's eye slowly opens to peek at him but she notices Ellis in the
doorway, mouth open in shock and eyes full of betrayal and pain. She pulls back
quickly and stands up. Nick's eyes open and he looks up at Ro.
"What?" he asks and looks behind him. He sees Ellis and
stands up as well.
"Ellis, it's not what it looks like." He says.
"Really it's not." Ro adds quickly.
Tears stain Ellis' cheeks as he wipes them away.
"Why…?" Ellis' squeaks.
"This wasn't…we weren't… Ellis this meant nothing." Nick
stutters.
Ellis falls to the floor with defeat as his feelings pour
out and down his face. Ro goes to hide in the room with tears in her own eyes
after whispering an apology to Nick.
Nick rushes over to Ellis and sits next to him. He pulls
Ellis into a hug and cradles him.
"Ellis that kiss meant nothing…it's a long story." He
explains. The crying hick sniffs. Nick wipes away the hick's tears and pets his
hair.
"If you want to know the truth, I was practicing. It sounds
lame. Come on, kid. You gotta' believe me." The conman exclaims.
The hick sniffs again and looks up at Nick.
"Practicing for who?" he asks. He's stopped crying now and
leans his head on the conman's shoulder. Nick leans his forehead on Ellis', his
hand on the back of the hick's neck running his fingers through his dusty brown
hair, his other hand holding Ellis close.
"You." He whispers to the hick's lips. Ellis' eyes glow with
love. The conman smiles. Ellis' hugs Nick's neck and pulls his face closer.
Their lips meet with passion. The rest of the world seems to fade as both of
their lips slightly part and their tongues start to do a dance together. Ellis'
hand disappears up the conman's shirt and starts to unbutton it. Nick moans
quietly as Ellis' hand rubs the conman's chest, being careful of the bandages
across his abdomen. Nick lifts the hick's shirt over his head and smothers his
torso with desire. The hick's legs wrap around the conman as Nick lays Ellis on
his back. His hips push against the hick's, causing a moan to escape both of
their lips.
"I love you." Ellis whimpers.
"I love you too." Nick whispers.