They rolled into the lot of Chipotle and she glanced over to find a huge grin on Eragon's face. She rolled her eyes at him and waited for Jonathan to climb off before she followed, waiting for Eragon. He approached and she took note of his insanely windblown hair. Without thinking, she reached her hand up and brushed her fingers through it, returning it to its original style. It was so natural for her and she didn't even notice his surprise as she turned away. She couldn't bring herself to understand why she'd done it, although it had made her feel closer to him. For some reason that made her feel better as well. If he could just allow it to be like this, maybe she'd be able to get closer at her own pace.
They'd been waiting in line for over ten minutes before Jason and Elva entered the building. Eragon waved them up despite the annoyed looks from the people behind them. She listened to him order and was beyond amused as he piled almost everything possible inside and they even had to double wrap it with another burrito tortilla. She just asked for white rice, black beans, chicken, sour cream, and cheese. Just as he had, she asked if they would mix it up so that the ingredients were mixed. All the while, Eragon looked at her in disappointment.
"I can't believe that's all you're getting."
She shrugged, watched as they slid the foil wrapped meal toward the cashier.
"That's all I want. It tastes good."
He shook his head.
"No. You have to try mine and then you can tell me that's all you want."
She smirked.
"I'm good, thanks."
Eragon held his hand to his chest.
"You wound me. Are you afraid of koodies, Arya?"
She was about to answer when she saw Jonathan nodding to the man behind the counter.
"Woah, no you aren't paying for our meals."
The teen grinned, his card already being slid through the machine.
"Too bad. It's done."
She frowned but Eragon just laughed.
"Well we owe you guys."
The kid shook his head.
"Nope. It's really on us."
Accepting it against her better judgment, she followed them to the table and sat beside Eragon, noting that he moved his chair a bit to close. Instead of mentioning it, she allowed it, not having the heart or even reason to tell him to back off. They sat and talked throughout the meal but she kept her eye on Elva. The girl was obviously tired but she was hiding it very well. She input in sarcastic comments but they held no depth and it required no thought. Eragon went to grab a napkin and suddenly Bethany had his drink, taking off the lid and sliding an open ketchup packet on the bottom of the straw. Arya chuckled, almost having forgotten that they'd planned on pulling something on him.
She had no idea where they'd gotten a packet of ketchup but it was going to be a riot to watch his reaction. The teen had just put his lid back on when Eragon turned around and headed for them again. She winced as she realized his lid was not completely on and the cup had been placed several inches from where it had been. He would obviously see it. But it didn't mean any normal person would so he would be forced to go on anyway. He sat down and she was startled as he gripped her knee as if letting her know he'd figured it out. His hand was gone just as fast and he reached for his drink, glancing at her at the same time. She realized what he was doing just as his knuckles knocked the cup. It fell, the already loose lid popping off and allowing his water to spill across the table.
She hid her laugh as he pretended to be mortified, looking apologetically at everyone.
"Crap, crap, crap. This always happens to me."
She kicked his foot, enjoying the guilty looks from all around as they saw him take in his straw. He burst into laughter and pulled it off, holding it out in front of him.
"Very clever, I must say. I did not see that coming in the least."
He lied like the spy he was, his words smooth and believable. She had to give him credit, he played the whole situation very well. Following a sudden thought, she looked over at Elva. The girl was watching intently, her weariness forgotten as she took in the scene. The hairs on the back of Arya's neck rose, a chilled feeling shooting through her. This girl was trouble and if they weren't careful she'd end up asking more questions than they were allowed to answer.
-E-R-A-G-O-N-
As they'd driven back, he'd wondered to her actions earlier. It had been shocking to say the least. For her to openly show physical emotion or whatever that was that she did was unheard of and completely amazing. He'd have closed his eyes if he hadn't been taken off guard by it. What was even crazier was that she didn't even seem to notice she'd done it. Now, as they raced through the streets with Elva and Jason with them, he kept wondering if maybe that was her trying to show him she was closer to accepting him. Maybe she was slowly warming up to the idea that he was trustworthy. He smirked. Or maybe she was just fixing his hair and he was over-thinking it. But, as they dropped the teens off, both of them parked just next to each other, she did it again.
"You look completely ridiculous with your hair all crazy like that."
He grinned, enjoying the scrape of her nails against his skull.
"I think I look sexy."
A small chuckle left her lips.
"That's debatable."
Behind them Elva and Jason were waiting for their friends and watching the exchange in amusement. He nudged her arm, sticking out his tongue.
"You're just being rather cruel to me today, aren't you?"
A smirk formed on her lips but she didn't reply, only turned to wave as the teens joined up.
"We'll see you guys soon, yeah?"
They nodded, bidding them farewell as they went inside. He watched as she slid on her helmet, almost forgetting to do the same as she started the engine and kicked the stand back. He shook himself out of his thoughts that revolved solely around her and jammed his onto his head. Damn her and her ability to wipe his mind completely clean of any intelligence.
Two day time skip
Again he gasped his way back to the double-doors, his hair plastered to his head with sweat and his body barely remaining upright. This was their night run that Arya had so brilliantly added on to their schedule. Beside him she was, as usual, in a much better state. She was breathing heavily yes, but her stride hadn't faltered one single iota since the start. And it wasn't the type of 'in-pain' breathing that he was showcasing at the moment. He leaned tiredly against the building, glaring at her through drooping eyes.
"You are killing me, woman."
She gasped out a short laugh and sat down, already beginning the ending stretches as he slumped tiredly against the cold cement. He collapsed next to her, purposefully falling into her and knocking her to the side. She shoved at him but he remained where he was and all her efforts to shove him off led to him falling lower and his head resting on her knee. She grinned down at him and then grimaced.
"Your head his gross and you're getting sweat all over me."
He reached back, running a finger down her sweaty calf and holding it up.
"Nah, that's you girl."
It took him a moment to recognize what he'd just done but she didn't even seem to think about it. It had been like this the past two days and he was beginning to gather hope for them. Whenever she did something like it, it was like she didn't even find it odd. A brush through his hair, a straightening of his shirt, a grip on his arm to get his attention. After the first day he'd begun testing it, seeing exactly- or at least trying to- what was going on. He started off by sometimes guiding her out of places with his hand on the small of her back. She didn't notice. A casual grabbing of her hand to pull her in a certain direction. He'd even been so bold as to lay next to her on the bed while they watched television. The weirdest thing was that she never asked him to leave. It led to them falling asleep just next to her every night and led to them waking up, usually much closer, the next morning.
He had thought that maybe she was just showing him that she wanted to try and be with him, that maybe she was ready. But it never went that far. She didn't go past the casual things a friend might do. And as much as it pained him, he believed that must be all she could offer at the moment. Now though, as she shrugged him off, he couldn't help but wish that he could lean up and kiss her. It had been happening a lot on this trip. There would be a moment that would just strike him as he was with her and he wanted desperately to just be with her. To be able to hold her hand and hug and kiss her whenever he wanted to. It was bitter-sweet agony to be on this vacation and he was in the process of trying to deal.
When they finished and strutted inside, he looked again at the pool room they passed as they headed for their room Pausing, he glanced in to find it completely empty. Snatching her hand, he pulled her back.
"Swimming?"
She raised her eyebrows, her hand resting loosely in his as he waited for a response. Disappointment filled him when she didn't answer and he shrugged, heading for the steps. But she held still and he was forced to stop as they were still linked. Taking a look he found that she was shrugging.
"Why not? They packed us both one."
He jumped in joy and sprinted up the steps, his tiredness gone as he imagined the cool water washing over his skin. She chuckled at his childish behavior and followed him at a walk. As he slammed noisily into his room he sprinted to his luggage and tugged out his swim trunks, glad Angela hadn't been ridiculous and given him a speedo. Within minutes he was changed and knocking on their connecting door.
"Hang on."
He waited and pushed inside as he heard the bolt turn, only to stop dead in his tracks as he caught sight of her. His blood burned and his heart hammered loudly in his chest as he took in her long slender legs and smooth, muscled back. For some reason he'd expected a one-piece training suit, and yet here she was in the most gorgeous black bikini he'd ever seen. Really, it was totally plain, but with her in it he didn't think he could find another that was remotely as amazing. She was just tying the knot at the neck and he found he had little time to gain his composure before she caught him drooling.
Because it'd be too obvious if he looked at her, he pulled out his phone and scrolled to Jason's number. Shooting a text without thinking, he asked if they'd like to join them for a swim. As soon as he'd hit enter, he cursed his ridiculous head and stupidity. Now he'd have to share her. Before him, Arya slid on a pair of shorts and a t-shirt and headed for the door. He followed, receiving a text as they exited the room. Shit. He glanced at her.
"Jason and them wanna join in. They'll be here in thirty minutes or so though because they have to find Elva."
Arya nodded, her brow furrowing, and again he wanted to slap himself in the face. He'd finally convinced her to let it go and not get into the girl's business and now he was the one to bring it up again. Way to go, Eragon. Way to go. She spoke, her voice questioning.
"I wonder who her parents are?"
He shook his head.
"Nope, no Elva. We've discussed this."
She frowned beside him.
"But she is playing a very dangerous game. Those guys she got the car from are pretty heavy hitters when it comes to violence and illegal doings. They might be out for blood."
He sighed.
"They wouldn't hurt a teenage girl. It's not their style."
Arya was silent for the rest of the trip down the steps and he knew that he had to get her mind off of it before she couldn't. The opportunity came when they pushed into the pool room, the chlorine assaulting their noses and eyes. Without warning he wrapped his arms around her waist and picked her up, walking swiftly towards the water. She gasped and struggled against his hold.
"Don't you fricken dare!" He laughed, ignoring her threats as they exited her mouth and leaping out into the pool. They hit the water hard on their sides and he got the wind knocked out of him. Arya on the other hand choked and shot out, her eyes out for revenge. "You idiot!"
He laughed and sucked in air at the same time, not really able to breath in any way. She shook her head and lunged at him, gripping his hair and pushing him under the water. He gagged coming back up, spitting liquid from his lungs and shaking out his hair. Arya was climbing out of the pool, her clothing drenched and dripping loudly on the ground. He worried momentarily that she would leave, but instead she just gave him a death glance and pulled off her overclothes to reveal the deadly swimsuit again. He closed his eyes, trying to get a hold of his racing heart and heated skin by ducking under the water.
A splash was heard and he looked up to find her diving expertly into the pool and free styling to the end before flipping and coming back. He got in her way before she could continue and caught his breath as she went lower, swimming through his legs. Her soft skin brushed his and he took a deep breath, calming himself. This woman was going to kill him. She continued to do laps and so he joined in, his tired muscles screaming at him for putting them through such hell. It wasn't until he could barely lift his arms that he stopped, pulling himself on the edge and waiting until she realized he wasn't beside her. She continued swimming until she reached him and she surfaced, giving him an annoyed look.
"You are so lazy."
He snorted.
"Whatever! You're just crazy. But come here, we have to get in the hot tub."
It was then that he saw the flash of desire in her eyes and he gulped subtly. Damn her. She questioned him.
"Why?"
He held out his hand and she ignored it, pulling herself out gracefully beside him. Again he averted his eyes from her perfect form and stood as well, walking toward the smaller body of water with steam rising from it. It made him glad that while she was questioning him, she didn't wait for his response before doing as he suggested. They slid in the scalding water and he chuckled as it scorched his skin.
"Because we have to sit in here until we've accustomed ourselves and then jump back into the cold."
She frowned.
"What's the point?"
He gaped at her.
"That was like the highlight of hotel pools growing up! It was like a game I played with whoever was there. We'd all see who could just jump in and take the freezing feeling without flipping out."
She looked down a little.
"Yeah I never did that."
Suddenly he wished he wasn't sitting across from her as he saw her mind travel to her past. He itched to take her hand.
"Really?"
She nodded, glancing at him with a small smile.
"We had a pool but it was off limits to me. I found out why later when I started to train. It was the room that had a hidden entrance to their major weapons collection. And when I was finally allowed in there, I swam sprints and only used the hot tub to ease the ache in my muscles." He waited for her to continue with bated breath, hoping she would. Arya ran her hand over the top of the bubbling water, her head in the past. "I missed a lot because of my parent's jobs."
He tilted his head.
"Do you wish you had been raised differently? Like, would you not want to be an agent?"
Surprising him she nodded slowly.
"I think my father would still be alive if they hadn't been spies. But I can't really answer the second question. I've never really been anything but this. And I know I'm needed and without me, they would have a harder time. I'm not trying to be prideful or overconfident, because if they didn't require my help, I'd probably be off traveling the world."
He absorbed this new information, locking it all away in his brain so he would never forget.
"You get to travel with the Varden."
She nodded.
"Yes. But it isn't for pleasure. I don't enjoy my job, Eragon."
That news startled him and he wanted even more now to comfort her. She was opening up to him and he doubted she'd ever told anyone that before.
"I'm sorry."
It was really all he could say and it killed him. Any more and he would reveal just how much her sadness effected him. He had so much more to offer but she wasn't ready to hear it. Not yet. She chuckled.
"Me too." They were silent for several minutes as he debated whether to try and egg her on. He didn't get the chance as she stood suddenly, her pale skin dripped deliciously with water. "Come on. Let's test this game of yours."
He sighed to himself and followed her, severely unsettled by the fact that she had been forced to become who she was. She had no choice. Glancing at her, he saw that her face was somewhat shielded, as if she was trying to hide the emotions that flitted through her eyes. He didn't know how but over the course of his time with her, he'd come to memorize every glance, every motion, every shift in her demeanor. Now, nothing she did could truly ever hide what she was really feeling. She jumped and he watched with slight amusement as she tensed, the cold biting her skin and giving her goosebumps.
But the joy in this was gone for him. He had the strongest desire to help her in some way and he was going to at least try. Landing in the water, he ignored the temperature and walked towards her, his upper body still out of the pool. He sat on the steps and looked at her.
"Arya. . . ."
Her eyes studied the floor as she responded.
"Forget it, Eragon. It cannot be helped."
He reached over and took her hand, feeling her tense. Now was different than before. These were real emotions and she was obviously afraid.
"I can't. . . .I can't just forget it when you're in pain. But I don't know how to fix it."
She grinned softly at him and squeezed his hand.
"It isn't something that can be done. The past is the past and now I am needed. I don't think it can be made any better at the moment."
A boldness swept through him and he moved closer, his empty hand reaching up to brush along her jaw. Arya's entire body went still and her eyes shot to his, panic filling them.
"Eragon."
It was a warning, but an incredibly weak one as he noted the fact that her voice was breathy and her eyes were on his mouth. He continued to caress her cheek as he moved closer, his eyes piercing her own. Her lips parted slightly and he released her hand so he was able to hold her face gently in both of his. His voice was a whisper when he responded.
"Yeah?"
He would give her an out and wait for her decision. When she closed her eyes, he took that as an answer, leaning forward and brushing his lips across her own. Her hands wrapped around his neck and pulled him closer, their bodies molding together. Skin against skin was a new feeling and he gasped as it electrified him. She seemed to feel it as well as she deepened the kiss, her hands sliding down his bare chest and slipping into the water before she had them at his head again, her fingers dragging into his hair. He slid one hand into her wet hair and the other remained on her cheek, stroking along her jaw and neck almost with reverence.
It was impossible, what was happening, it had to be. There was no way he was finally getting his shot. It seemed so far away when he talked to Orik before they left and now, here she was, needing him just as desperately as he needed her. He pushed her further into the wall, hoping it didn't hurt her, but needing to be nearer. She only responded with a slight gasp into his mouth and he breathed her in, feeling her skin slide along his fingertips and her body press itself to him. He slid his hand slowly down her spine, taking in the expanse of skin he'd never been witness to before. Moving from her mouth, he kissed roughly down her jaw and to her neck, biting teasingly at the flesh before soothing it with his tongue.
He felt her nails dig into his shoulders and grinned, nipping at her ear. She exhaled loudly and yanked his head back to catch his mouth again. Her tongue broke through his lips and he joined in eagerly, fighting for control while also trying to keep his rational. Slowly, he was forgetting where they were and her ever-present boundaries. He lifted a knee between her legs and parted them, moving between them in his need to have nothing separating them. He'd just settled his hands on her hips when a loud laugh caught his attention and he yanked back, the sudden distance ripping his heart from his chest. Looking up he saw a very amused group of teenagers watching them through the glass.
-A-R-Y-A-
She knew she was crossing the line every time she allowed him in. It wasn't fair to him because she wouldn't be able to give in yet. Something, although she didn't know what, was holding her back. But every time she was around him she found it hard to keep her hands to herself. Even if it was just a simple as making him look presentable. She sighed to herself as they walked inside the building and almost ran into his back when he stopped to look at the pool. And of course, when he grabbed her hand, her heart stuttered in it's pattern.
Why she agreed to swimming though, she had no idea whatsoever. She hated swimming with other people. It was like you were a spectacle for the whole world to watch. But, the most emotion-driven part of her mind wanted it. She wanted to bare herself to him because she knew how he would react. And she wanted to see him because he had one hell of a body. Now though, as she was picked up, his warm and powerful arms around her waist, she was thinking it had been a very bad idea. She was off her guard and she couldn't help it. That lack of control filtered into the conversation when she went on about her desire to be something else. As he'd brought up the hot tub, her mind had gone places it shouldn't and she blamed that for her sudden openness.
Why was she saying all of this to him? It wasn't like she wanted to complain or anything of the like. As she tried to decipher it, she realized it was because he actually cared about her in a way that nobody else had. It was terrifying really, but it made it so easy to share with him. She could see his sympathy and for once it didn't infuriate her. Anyone else who knew of her past always wanted to console her by using empty words and giving meaningless hugs. But she could see it. She could see into his soul and she knew that he wanted to help her.
Still, she wasn't planning on him to act on it and so, when they returned to the cool water, she was at a loss of what to do when he spoke so kindly to her. Instinctively she shut him down, wanting to switch topics to something that wasn't her. His hand slipped into her own and all of those walls slammed into place only to be shattered by his next words.
"I can't. . . .I can't just forget it when you're in pain. But I don't know how to fix it."
It was all it took to crash into her chest with the force of a thousand pounds and make her heart overrule her mind. He wanted to fix it. To fix her. And she was so broken. Still, her mind warned him away, mostly for his own sake, but her heart had already won the battle. His hands were soothing against her cheek and she knew she should stop him. The words were right on the edge of her tongue. But then he offered her a way out and she couldn't take it. Not when she knew what she would miss if she did. So she made the choice, closing her eyes and allowing him past every wall yet again.
-A-N-G-E-L-A-
She whistled loudly, holding out her hand for everyone in the room. Grumbling in annoyance they all slammed various amounts of cash on her palm. At the moment, she was very glad she'd bet on Eragon pulling it off. Because, as of right now, they were busy sucking face at the pool. Running through the bills she counted a total of two thousand dollars. A short laugh left her lips and she looked back at the screen. When they'd first arrived she'd been keeping close eye on the two, noting the innocent enough gestures and the casual talking. But, as she looked closer, she could see the hidden glances and the heated moments. It was amusing of course and immediately she'd thought of a way to use it in her favor. She'd made the control room workers promise to keep quiet or she'd have their organs ripped out by rabid squirrels, but none the less, she'd bet against them all.
Everyone had said Arya was too distant and heartless to ever feel for anyone and yet here she was, basically devouring the boy who obviously had feelings for her. It made her grin because she'd called it all along, even going so far as to telling Saphira her little insight when they brought Eragon in. And she'd been completely right. Boom. But she was always right so it didn't really change anything. A sudden silence filled the room and she glanced back to find none other than Islanzadi Drottingu, the girls mother and ice queen of all bitches. Shit. The woman's deep green eyes were completely focused on the security screen where her supposedly perfect daughter was being super inappropriate in a public setting. She watched Islanzadi's eyes shrewdly calculate the situation and a hint of nervousness filled her. The woman was planning something and she did not think it was going to be very generous.
Ok so I decided that since you've all been waiting so long for ExA, I'd give you a little hint. Here it is: 5. Do with that what you will. I doubt you'll be able to guess though ;) Oh and the Angela part will be explained later so don't worry.
Morzan's Elvish Daughter: Hehehe
FanBoyNinja: Thank you! And I'll do my best :D
Rainxoxo: :D And no Roran is in no way as good as Arya. Or Eragon for that matter. He's new to the FBI and stuff. I thought it correlated well for her because she needed a talent and I wanted it to deal with emotions in some way, even if it was just her ability to read them well. Thanks!
The Hero of the Dark: :)
TheLoneVoyager: There will be some fun stuff afoot for Roran. It will hopefully not be boring because no, they're not joining the Varden. At least not now. Yeah I totally agree. But she's with Eragon all the time, at least on the vacation, and it's kind of like she's in another world with him so she feels safer being herself. Yeah I'm planning on her being the one to teach him about Varden and then future stuff. Yep, Elva is definitely going to be necessary later.
TheeRoyalJester: Lol people and their craziness :{) . . . .(Dude, it makes a mustache face). Lol what do you mean you probably look just like them haha? We totes could. If I went to the same school as you we could create a no hugging club and punch people when they tried to make physical contact. I got four cavities filled and now my front teeth look back to the way they were before! Like, they were always nice, but you could tell they weren't as good. Now they're like, perfect haha. And I think the reason I felt so weird when I took the Valium the night before wasn't because of the drug but because I was tried. Because I took another in the morning and it barely changed anything at all. I felt almost nothing. Oh it totally makes sense. STRANGER DANGER! That she did haha.
Ocadioan: Yeah he'll catch up eventually. It'll take a ton of work though hehe.
Hbt: I hated Roran's chapters in the book. They made me annoyed beyond belief haha. I'll only really include chapters of his when I need it for later plot developments.
burning book: Oh yes :)
Jill: They really are lol. I always enjoy any scenes in movies or shows that include them haha.
ht289: I'm sorry! I just haven't found the right moment yet. But it's coming!
Elemental Dragon Slayer: Hahaha true that. Thank you very much. And it's . . . well, I don't want to ruin the suspense for everyone. I will go back and give a hint before all of these comments haha.
mr rophone: Thank you!
Gazamidori: Yeah haha. They didn't give me enough to really help my fear because the moment I sat in the chair I about cried. Thanks!
The Tinker: Not even lol. There's still a long way to go. Dear goodness no. I hated Roran's parts as much as the next guy. But it was definitely needed in the last chapter for future stuff. So I do suggest reading it considering it's only like, a few hundred words and it will be supremely important later on lol. I promise though, there wont be an abundance of Roran in the story.
A Dark Noon: Do you have an awesome accent? Because Australian accents are the best. Sweetness I think it sounds pretty awesome and I don't mind a little smut lol. I will try my hardest to surprise you although there isn't any unicorns so my efforts may be for naught ;) Thank you!
Walter Peterson: Thanks! And it did actually. They gave me four shots of Novocain so I was numb to the max. It was a rather quick procedure too.
Raz'ac Slayer: Thank you very much!
Renaissancebooklover108: Oh ok I was like, where do you live that it encompasses all types of vehicles! But yeah, that makes more sense. Good luck.
funnelwebs: Sounds like a plan :D We sort of are lol. Too bad he lives across the world from me. Yeah I think I missed that. I was really tired and although the Valium wasn't that effective, I think it just boosted my exhaustion. When I took it again in the morning I barely felt anything at all. Roran is just kind of necessary for later so yeah, that's why I put him in. I don't think he needs a whole chapter though considering a lot of people didn't like his parts in the books. Me included lol. Will do!