Hi Sorry for the delay, busy times unfortunately but i have a month off soon so updates might get quicker!

Chapter 9

Something wasn't right with Gordon she decided. They had been home a week now and he had slept in every day, yet he still looked exhausted. Dark shadows had formed under his molten brown eyes, his fair skin dulled in its glow leaving him looking washed out and worn. Gordon was a classic early riser; she rarely woke before he did, so why had he suddenly started with these late mornings? Even when he had been severely injured in an underwater mine blast, he had risen early every day to train and exercise. At the time she'd had to rein him in so he wouldn't hurt himself. Now she couldn't get him up. She was worried about him.

Tin-Tin had tried to tentatively ask him about it, but he just shrugged it off and said it must be because he was on holiday, and it was a luxury to be able to lie in. His chewed nail beds told another story. One she desperately wanted to get to the bottom of, she wanted to help him.

Despite what ever he was going though he was still so willing to learn more about her life here. He'd asked to see the local temple and wanted to know about her beliefs and her early life. They'd been to dinner with her friends, and he charmed them completely with his easy smiles and gentle humour. He'd even started assisting the builders and completing the odd job around the house himself. She felt she was the centre of his world; it just wasn't on its axis, and she struggled to understand why he couldn't confide in her when he obviously in some conflict.

She rounded off chopping the carrots more harshly then intended before scooping them up into the pot on the stove. She resolved to subtlety tackle him over dinner and if that didn't work, she'd have to be brave and confront him outright. Which was hard because she didn't like confrontation, just thinking about it made her cringe inwardly.

Tin-Tin pulled the wooden board with the spring onions towards her, scraping it along the counter. Just as she was poised to slice them, she heard the bedroom door go. She peered around the door to see Gordon in a slim orange running shirt and black shorts. "Going somewhere?" She asked putting down the knife.

Gordon grabbed the back of his neck with one hand. "Yeah, just thought I'd take another evening run."

"Again? We went swimming this afternoon, surely you must be tired?" She smiled warmly at him, concern etched in her gaze.

"Erm, no not really and I need to keep in peak shape. Never know when we might get called."

"Hmm, well dinner will be in about an hour and a half." She walked out to meet him in the lounge, wiping her hands demurely on her apron.

"Okay I won't be that long; I'll just take the usual route." He gave her a soft kiss on the cheek. "I love you."

"I love you too." She replied, kissing him on the lips. Maybe the exercise would do him good.

Gordon shut the door, jogging down the steps in quick succession before slowly running down the main thoroughfare towards the beach. He stumbled before catching himself, running a hand down his face, tonight would be the night he slept. He'd done press ups, gone rowing, swimming and was now topping it off with a three-mile run. There was no way he couldn't drift off into a slumber, yet a horrible nagging voice in the back of his head was taunting him with how it didn't believe him.

The nightmares were steadily getting worse, between Glenn shouting at him for how he could be sleeping with the enemy to him and Tin-Tin diving together in Sunkissed waters for her to suddenly morph into him. Amber eyes boring into his like hot coals, the pain coursing through his body as he was engulfed in agony. Gordon remembered waking with a jolt, drenched in sweat. Short of knocking himself unconscious, he couldn't think what else he could do to try and calm his mind other than exercise. It hadn't not worked for him before. His feet stamped through the damp streets, the spray flicking up at his calf's as skirted around the main market square through a short cut he'd found on one of his nightly runs. It was quieter here, a lone side street with low lighting, casting spools of shadows between the luminescent halos on the ground. His feet pounded onwards, echoing in the gloom as he flicked on his head torch. He was nearing the coast now; he could scent the sea on the air.

Just running in this humidity would have been enough to lull him into a dreamless sleep at home. The perspiration was already streaming off of him, the heat radiating under his armpits a timely reminder that he would need to shower when he got in. At least he would have a valid excuse to be alone for a little longer. He didn't want to avoid her, but it was getting harder not to say anything. He'd done a bit of careful digging locally and discovered her uncle was something of a saint here. Many locals still told stories of his miraculous healing of their children, how his blessings had brought fortune to young married couples and his generosity had helped fund a local homeless shelter to aid those who could not afford their own roof over their head. Several people lamented at his absence, but he was a renowned traveller, and it was not unlike him to disappear for several years only to reappear.

He didn't want to be the one to break her heart, to dissolve such a legacy but it was a lie. All of it, and the worst thing was he suspected her father had been feeding her this white lie for years to protect her. Would she see it that way or would it destroy her relationship with her father? He couldn't be the catalyst to that. It would devastate her. Just thinking about it brought a lump to his throat. She adored her father.

He wanted to protect her and yet she needed to know the truth, but he couldn't tell her or anyone. Their relationship would be built on a foundation of untruths, could he really live with that? It was that or live without her and he certainly couldn't do that. He wouldn't survive. No; he was far too selfish to give her up now for he loved her entirely. He sighed as he came to a halt, his breath coming in sharp pants as he stared out at the horizon. Either way he was screwed.

The front door shut firmly. Ears pricking, Tin-Tin stepped back into the lounge just as the bathroom door closed with a click. Her heart dropped; he hadn't said hello. Turning and a little unsure of herself she decided to lay the table and have dinner ready when he returned. She crossed the room to the sideboard where she rooted in the drawer for the candles and matches. With a surprise she noticed one of the pictures had fallen. It was the one of her with her uncle and father. She picked it up and carefully set it back next to the one of her in her aunt's arms with her father. Sadly, she had died young too like her mother. Her hand ghosted over her aunt's form before retrieving the candles.

By the time Gordon emerged Tin-Tin had laid the long low table and placed two cushions next to each other rather than either end. She popped out of the kitchen plates in hand and laid them side by side.

"This looks delicious." he gestured towards the warms toasted rolls and generously filled bowls of broth.

"It has taken most of the day, so I hope it tastes as good as it looks." She smiled and gestured to him to sit. He sat with freshly tousled wet hair in his lounging clothes feeling suddenly underdressed.

They started to eat, the steaming food giving Tin-Tin contented vibes to be enjoying a meal in the comfort of her own home. She carefully watched under her lashes as Gordon pushed the food around his plate. Usually, he tucked right in and cleared his plate. She leaned into him gently.

"Do you not like the broth?"

"No, it's great." He replied quickly scooping a mouthful in. "I think it might just be a bit rich on the stomach after my run. I'll be alright in a minute."

"Don't feel like you have to, if you're not up to it."

"I am. You know me I can eat the amount Scott does twice over." He grinned tucking into the soup.

There it is, deflection one thought Tin-Tin. This would be where people would laugh and the conversation would move on, leaving Gordon to fester on whatever was bothering him. She'd come to identify his tells early on in their relationship. She steeled herself.

"Gordon I can't help but notice you seem troubled of late?" She watched him intently. Saw him blink away.

"Troubled? Am I?" He gave her a bemused look.

"You know you don't have to act with me. I'm here for you, whatever you need. I want to be there for you Gordon."

He smiled, the beautiful one that lit up all his features in the most gorgeous manner. "I'm not acting Tin; this is me and I know you're here for me."

She cocked her head to one side in exasperation, setting her spoon on her plate. "Gordon. This isn't you." She spoke softly like trying to soothe a wild animal. "You've not been sleeping, you've been playing with your food, working or exercising yourself in the ground in between. What's going on? I'm worried for you."

"Nothings going on. I love being here with you and the time we finally have together, can't you see that?"

"I can see. Everything you've done this week has been for me, I've never felt so loved in a relationship. You've given me so much and I want to do the same for you. I'm concerned you're not well, or hurting in some way. I love you Gordon, but it saddens me to see you like this and that you feel you can't confide in me." She looked across at him forlornly. "I just want to help you."

"Look; rest assured I don't need help, I'm fine." He chuckled trying to diffuse the seriousness of the tone of conversation. "Its sweet that you care so much, and I know that you will always have my back but honestly there's nothing to confide. This soup is great by the way - what's for dessert?"

She sighed, looking at him earnestly as he began mopping up soup once more with his roll. He was being so stubborn! Why? She dug at the rest of her meal before finally dropping the spoon with a clank. She stood to get dessert.

"Can I help?"

"No, its fine."

Fine. Oh no he'd gone and gone it now. Fine wasn't fine in Tin-Tin's language. It was her non-committal way of signalling she was pissed. He was desperately trying not to hurt her, yet he was. She came back in, and he plastered a smile on his face. "Gee; are they giant smores?" Smores were his favourite.

He looked so hopeful she couldn't help but smile even though she was irritated with him. "They are." She placed the tray in front of him with a clatter.

Gordon swallowed a little uncomfortable at the atmosphere. "Ah man, thank you. I mean, that run might as well be void but I appreciate the thoughtfulness." He bit into one with a soft groan. It was so fluffy, and the chocolate ratio was spot on. Enough to coax his appetite back.

By the end of the meal, they'd reached a delicate détente. Tin-Tin still wasn't satisfied with his response but wouldn't say so. Gordon was relieved the conversation hadn't come up again and was doing his upmost to ensure it didn't. As she sat brushing out her hair at the dresser, she knew it was clear she wasn't going to get anywhere soon. Eyeing him getting ready behind her in the mirror, she decided she could bind her time unless he got worse.

As Gordon pulled back the sheets, he tried not to think how close he'd been to divulging everything, she'd always been good at pulling the truth from people. He needed to think of a plausible excuse for his apparently obvious changes in demeanor. He needed to pull himself together, he was slipping.

All these thoughts raced through their minds as they tucked themselves in for the night, Gordon spooning around Tin-Tin, her scent calming his mind slowly. After awhile he drifted into an uneasy sleep.

It was pitch black when Tin-Tin came to, Gordon had rolled into her before landing back on his back, mumbling. She sat up rubbing the sleep out of her eyes, confusion evident on her face. "Gordon?" She whispered softly.

"Glenn, no, please god no!"

Worried now, she flicked on her reading light, the soft glow lighting up Gordon's features, his eyes were scrunched closed, and he was leaning as if he was trying to shield himself from something, burying his face into the pillow.

"Glenn." He keened softly, the rawness in his voice was enough to bring tears to Tin-Tin's eyes. She tentatively reached out to brush his hair out of his eyes, gently skimming her fingers over his forehead. At her touch he seemed to relax, his body becoming less rigid and his breathing becoming more settled. She continued to stroke the side of his face till he was sleeping once more. A single tear track stained one side of his face.

She carefully leant back against the headboard casting her mind back to what she knew about Glenn. Gordon had only ever mentioned him once when explaining about his diving computer. That Glenn was involved in the same accident that paralysed Gordon, except Glenn didn't make it. He'd died from his injuries. According to Scott Glenn and Gordon had been as thick as thieves and his death was not something his brother had ever recovered from fully. Scott had called it survivor's guilt.

But as far as she was aware, it wasn't the anniversary of the accident so why was it affecting Gordon so much now? If it was about Glenn, it made sense why Gordon hadn't been talking about it. Poor Gordon. There must be something I can do!

Morning Broke, both of them struggling to wake after the night before. Tin-Tin got up her mind still occupied with Gordon's struggles. What she needed was a sound board, someone who could listen and offer some wisdom. She gave Gordon a peck on the cheek which he snuggled into her, peppering her face and neck with kisses. She smiled before extracting herself to get a shower.

The day passed more or less as the others had, except the carpenter and builders had now left that the work was complete leaving Gordon at a little bit of a loss, the labour had been cathartic for him.

They went diving again, Tin-Tin deciding that was the best course of action as Gordon had started to take marine life logs and scope out potential fields of future study he was interested in. After his brother's success with his journals on astronomy, Gordon was wondering if he could have similar success in the marine world. This was something Tin-Tin was keen to encourage, it would give Gordon a secure purpose, a goal to work towards to avoid him falling into one of his melancholy periods on the island when he wasn't required operationally. It also might help him through the grief he seemed to be experiencing once more.

On their return Tin-Tin announced she was off to see her friend Kai who was home for a short period before heading off to a new start up tech company in San Francisco. Gordon knew she hadn't seen him in person for a couple of years and knew they were friends from childhood. It would be good for her to catch up with him.

"I'll catch you tonight then?"

She kissed him at length on the lips. "I'll be home for bedtime."

"Alright, well if you come home early and I'm not here, I've gone for a run." He reluctantly released her from his embrace.

"No worries, see you soon."

"C ya."

Gordon sighed. Maybe he should check in with Scott, see how he was? That would pass the time a little and he had dinner to warm up. He only wanted something light so he could go for his run.

An hour later after discovering Scott was not better but coming to terms with his diagnosis and that he and Rose were otherwise well, he got changed and took his usual route around the village. Feet pounding down the now well-worn path Gordon ran through the village and along the coastline revelling in the peace that washed over the village in the late evening. It was refreshing being able to run somewhere other than the island and being able to change his route. Their home was lovely, but the island was small with very few trails to traverse.

Hot and sweaty he returned forty-nine minutes later, pleased he managed to shave five minutes off his time again. he dragged himself up the steps, his legs just starting to burn. He let himself in over the threshold, dumping the keys in a china bowl on the sideboard. Heading to the kitchen he poured himself a large glass of water, gulping it down greedily before wiping his mouth one handed.

A sharp knock resounded through the house. Gordon opened the fridge and peered at the contents before the knock resounded again. Realising it was the door, he frowned and walked back to the front of the house, glass still In hand. Maybe Tin had forgotten her keys and was home early?

Gordon pulled back the door. "Hel" –

"Gordon Tracy?" Two officers stood on the threshold, the streetlight glinting off the brass on their hats and belts and the star pinned on one of their chests. Gordon's heart plummeted to his feet in a rush of anxiety. Had something happened?

"Gordon Tracy, we're arresting you on suspicion of kidnapping Tin-Tin Kyrano. You will accompany us to the station to assist our enquiry."

The glass smashed across the floor.