It wasn't the first time she had felt this way. When her hometown had first found out about Misty liking girls, she'd felt eyes on her constantly… wherever she went, whoever she spoke to, someone was watching her. She felt it again now. Perhaps her instincts had heightened after the sheer number of unsafe situations Misty had found herself in over the years.

Her skin was prickling, and she found herself constantly turning around, expecting someone to be standing behind her. She had thought of telling Cordelia – but the idea of ruining her girlfriend's happiness, after she was content for the first time in her life, felt awful. She couldn't bare even the thought of it, not after all Cordelia had been through.

Despite her best efforts, however, Cordelia had noticed that something was wrong. After startling her for the fifth time that day, Cordelia touched her gently on the arm, frowning. "What's the matter, Mist? You've been jumpy all day."

Misty shook her head in amusement – of course Cordelia had noticed. She picked up on even the smallest changes in Misty's mood. She was just amazing like that – she had an eagle's eye for other people's emotions. Misty knew that there was no point trying to convince Cordelia that she was fine – she would see straight through it. "I just feel… nervous. I don't know why," Misty admitted.

"Did you have a bad dream, or something?"

"No. It's just – you know when you just get a feelin'? That somethin's not right?"

"Yes," Cordelia whispered, her eyes going far away all of a sudden. "I felt that way the day my daddy died."

"Well, I got that feelin now. I just feel like… somethin' bad's about to happen. Somethin' in the air. Do you feel it?"

"No, I don't." Cordelia frowned. "Have you thought, though, Misty, that it might be something else? Maybe something bad isn't going to happen. Maybe everything you've gone through in your life – all the feelings you've buried – are creeping up on you now that you're safe. Maybe it's –"

"-me?" Misty said, a prickle of frustration growing. "Maybe I'm the problem."

"No, that's not what I meant."

"Maybe you're right. Maybe there is somethin' wrong with me."

"No, Misty, I – "

"It's fine, Cordelia. Just, just – leave me be for a little while, okay? I got some thinkin' to do."

Cordelia pursed her lips. "Fine." With one last sad look, she turned her back on Misty and walked over to the vegie garden.

Misty immediately felt terrible. She should have known – she should have pretended everything was fine, because now she'd gone and made it all worse.

0o0o

Cordelia avoided her for the rest of the day. Misty had obviously upset her, and she wasn't sure how to make it right again – they'd never even come close to fighting before, and while this hadn't technically been a fight, it was certainly lurking close to 'fight' territory.

In an attempt to settle her nerves – and to distract herself – Misty decided to go for a long walk, around their shack. She wasn't sure what to look for, but even knowing that there wasn't anyone there, lurking in the shadows – she thought that might make her feel better. Because she felt really bad. She'd always been prone to anxiety, which she covered up in charm and false confidence – but it was particularly terrible today.

She felt a bit better once she was in the trees. The sounds of the swamp soothed her – the chirping of early crickets, the rustling of leaves, the light squelch her feet made in the mud as she walked. About a week after they'd moved in, they'd gone for a walk. They were about thirty minutes from home when they'd seen the alligator.

It had freaked Cordelia out so much that she climbed a tree, and only when she reached the top did, she notice that Misty wasn't with her. "Misty?" she'd called down the tree, her voice panicked. "Misty!"

Giggling, Misty stayed silent. She knew the alligator wouldn't hurt them if they left it alone – it was the alligator's home first, after all. Silently, she climbed the tree on the other side to where Cordelia was looking. Cordelia was still perched on the branch, looking down. Misty felt bad for teasing her – but it would be worth it to see her reaction.

"Boo!" she shouted, grabbing Cordelia from behind.

Cordelia let out a piercing shriek and jumped so hard she nearly fell out of the tree. "GAaaaah!"

Misty laughed so hard she nearly fell out of the tree. "Sorry," she giggled, wiping tears from her eyes. "I couldn't resist."

Cordelia smacked her on the arm. "Bitch! I thought you'd been eaten!"

"Gators rarely attack humans, and even then they gotta be provoked. We were fine."

"Well, I didn't know that!"

"Sorry." Seeing Cordelia's face, Misty really did feel bad. "Baby, I'm sorry."

"Don't do that again."

"I promise," Misty said, offering Cordelia her pinky.

Cordelia ignored the extended finger and wrapped her thin arms around Misty instead, pulling her close.

"Careful, Dee, you're gonna pull me outta the tree!"

"Serves you right," Cordelia mumbled into Misty's shoulder.

Misty pressed a kiss to Cordelia's hair, inhaling her sweet scent. "Let's go home, okay? I'll make it up to you."

"Oh yeah?" Cordelia grinned. "How are you going to do that?"

Misty kissed her deeply. "I have a few ideas."

"None of them involve alligators, right?"

"Damn, you guessed."

"Shut up," Cordelia said. "You climb down first, you deserve to get eaten before I do."

Misty put a hand over her mouth in pretend shock. "I am shocked and offended! Glad I know what you really think…"

Cordelia rolled her eyes, grinning. "Get out of my tree."

Misty smiled to herself at the memory. She knew how to make it up to Cordelia. On their way home from the alligator walk, Cordelia hadn't been able to keep her hands to herself. Maybe it was leftover adrenaline from the vicious alligator attack – maybe it wasn't. Either way, she'd pressed Misty up against a tree halfway back, and once they were finished, Misty had spotted a small patch of purple wildflowers. They had picked a few and pressed them. Misty knew that if she brought some back to Cordelia, apologised, they would be alright again, and back to normal.

0o0o

"I'm sorry, Delia," Misty said, holding out the messy bouquet of flowers. "I overreacted. I'm just nervous, is all."

Cordelia looked up from where she was chopping vegetables for their dinner. "It's alright, Mist. I overreacted too." At the sight of the flowers, she smiled, and reached out to take them.

Misty felt her cheeks heat up. "I know it ain't the prettiest present, but –"

"Misty, it's perfect. These are from that day with the alligator, aren't they?" Cordelia grinned cheekily, elbowing Misty gently.

Misty wiggled her eyebrows. "Well, how'd you know?"

Cordelia winked at her slyly. "How could I forget? I seem to remember pushing you against a tree and – "

Squealing, Misty covered her face with her hands. "Cordelia! Stop teasin'!"

Cordelia pounced on her, and began to cover her face with kisses. "I'll tease you all I want!"

Laughing, Misty dove onto the bed, and buried her face in her pillow. Cordelia jumped onto the bed next to her and flipped Misty over by the hips. A sharp pang of longing shot through Misty, and she gazed up at Cordelia, seeing her own desire reflected in her girlfriend's eyes. Cordelia leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to Misty's lips, before cutting it short and looking down at her tantalisingly. "Not before dinner," Cordelia whispered.

Misty pretended to pout. "But Dee, I'm hungry now." Grabbing the front of Cordelia's shirt, she pulled her back into a kiss. She felt Cordelia smile against her lips.

Cordelia broke the kiss. "Flirt," she said, panting.

"Tease," Misty retorted, smirking.

Chapter title from "Never Going Back Again" by Macwood Fleet

Sorry about the temporary abandonment. It will definitely happen again