For Rachel, 5-23-2012

[likesthestooges]

With Henry far more stable, Aidan was able to get a bit more sleep than he had the last few days, which he badly needed. Seeing Henry for the first time in 80 years had brought back a flood of emotions and memories that he hadn't had to deal with for a long time. With Henry came thoughts of Suren and all that relationship had entailed. For some reason, thoughts of Suren made him think of Rachel.

The relationship they had was odd at best, although not unenjoyable. She had her issues but he didn't mind that. If he was honest, he would say he even liked that, it made him feel less like he was ruining someone because of his own issues just by being close to them. Not only that, but it gave him another person to look after, which is something that he knew he desperately needed. Not exactly the most healthy reasons to be with someone, but real ones all the same.

He figured that he owed her an explanation of where he had been the last few days. Maybe she had tried to find him and maybe she hadn't. He hoped she would have come looking though and found that he would feel a bit hurt if she hadn't. She didn't owe him anything, but still...

Aidan knew she taught on Wednesdays, and showed up just as her class was ending to ensure that he caught her. When he saw her, he gave a broader smile than he had in several days and gave her a wave. When she was done finishing everything up, he could talk to her about Henry.

Comments

[starchilde_lost]

"A picnic?" Rachel found herself brightening quite a bit at the idea, although she tried to keep from smiling too crazily at him. Jeez, what was with her? She should not be this fluttery over someone yet.

"I like that idea, gonna bring me another surprise?"

[likesthestooges]

Aidan liked it when Rachel smiled. She didn't do it nearly enough, at least not a genuine smile like she was doing now. He hoped that he could help her smile like that a bit more often.

"I think I can do that," he said, giving her a smile in return before reaching out to brush a stray lock of hair away from her face. It didn't really need to be brushed aside, but he wanted an excuse to touch her.

[starchilde_lost]

The light touch made her shiver a little, even in the heat and she met his eyes evenly for a moment before rising lightly to brush her lips against his. "I was worried, you know. Kinda surprised me, but you're good at that." She stayed close to him again, not touching, but close, she liked being close to him.

[likesthestooges]

"Sorry, it happened suddenly and I didn't have time to do anything but get the hook out of him and get him to the clinic," he said. He hadn't meant to give her that information about the hook, but her closeness was very distracting.

"Then I was just... I was worried about him."

[starchilde_lost]

She took his hand, giving it a squeeze of reassurance as she filed the word 'hook' away for later worrying. "The docs here are good, real good, I bet he'll be up and running again in no time."

A hook. It should surprise her, not with what she knew about him. His life had been as violent as hers once, but the idea that someone close to him had been hung on a hook sent a shiver down her spine.

[likesthestooges]

"They're very good," he said with a nod. "And once he's better... a picnic. I promise."

It would be a nice reward to look forward to, something to take his mind off of Henry. As much as he loved his son, Aidan could be a bit obsessive at times. It was also important for Henry to explore the island on his own.

[starchilde_lost]

"Is there anything I can do for this one? You shouldn't have to do all the work." She felt a little guilty, after everything he'd done, the cowboy picnic, taking her home after her little shock, the last thing she wanted was to put more pressure on him. Especially now, he deserved better. She needed to do better for him.

"I mean it, anything."

[likesthestooges]

"I think we can figure out a way for you to pay me back," he said with a grin. Letting him help her was more than payment enough, but that was something he was keeping to himself.

Pulling her close, he gave her a quick kiss that lingered a bit longer than he had intended.

"You can plan the next date. I promise."

[starchilde_lost]

She didn't mind the kiss, or the length of it. It felt... nice. Comfortable. Enough so that she wrapped her arms around him, humming lightly as they broke. "I'll plan something special. And make sure that I definitely pay you back appropriately."

[likesthestooges]

"I look forward to it then."

He definitely would be looking forward to it, more than he thought he should, more than if it was just hanging out with a friend. Was he stumbling his way into another relationship? Apparently he had forgotten how to do anything like formal courtship.

[starchilde_lost]

Still grinning like a fool, Rachel broke off so she could pick up he bag and her water bottle. "So you have time to grab a late breakfast? Or do you need to get back to the clinic?"

She didn't want to monopolize his time if his family still needed him, but she wouldn't mind the company. "I'm heading back to the compound for a shower anyway, we could see what was in the kitchen?"

[likesthestooges]

"I- I should really get back."

Aidan wanted to stay. Going for breakfast would be nice. Normal. Healthy. But his son who had been tortured was in the infirmary and he was worried about what would happen if Henry woke up and he wasn't there. It was unlikely that anything bad would happen but Aidan had made the mistake before of taken the normal path instead of the cautious one.

"Picnic soon though. I promise."

[starchilde_lost]

"Aidan, don't worry about it. It's totally cool. Do you want me to bring you something after my shower, or should I keep my distance until he's settled?"

She didn't mind either. She could imagine waking up here, hurt, confused (hooked), and if Aidan wanted her to give the guy space, not a problem. But she wanted to meet him. Sooner or later. If they were going to be... whatever they were, that was what happened, right?

[likesthestooges]

"That... I would like that."

It was a good way to balance the normal and whatever it was that his life regularly was. Maybe this would work out after all. Whatever 'this' was, which he should think about some time.

[starchilde_lost]

Rachel gave him a kiss on the cheek and squeezed his hand again. "Then it's settled. I'll shower and bring you something to snack on before I go home. That way you have something to snack on while he sleeps and I can work on a few things."

[likesthestooges]

"Sounds perfect," Aidan said, squeezing her hand and realizing it was something he was definitely going to look forward to. It was worth noting that even in the midst of Henry arriving, Rachel could give him something to look forward to.