| Day 1: Old Friends |

"Naw man, naw! You don't get it... Chase Rosewind... Let me say it again... Chhhaaaaasssseeeee Roooossseeeewiinnnddd." She had the stage manager against a wall. For a lanky little thing she was tough. The man was stammering a bit while the pink haired devil stood there. She look rougher than rough around the edges, almost as if she had kicked the habbit only months ago. When the man continued to stutter she started off with," I uh.. dur uh... gee uh... uh uh uh... Why are men always so tongue tied around me?" She said mocking a hurtful tone.

Apart of the appeal of this place for exiles and runaways alike was that nobody knew anybody here. It was like a city, but far less comforting. Any shape or form was here, like a year round zoo without bars. It was why Chase was here in the first place. Rainbow dreads were strewn across the surface of a table. She lied on it as if it functioned doubly for a bed. She rested on her side, a spread of cards on the table. Holding the deck, she studied the cards carefully.

"Do, you, hear, the, words, coming, out, of, my, mouth?" She still had that poor man pinned. Golden eyes were narrowed in agrivation as those marked fingertips gripped at the collar of his shirt," I will gut you if you do not tell me where I can fin-." Her head jerked to look out over the bar from right behind the curtain. She knew that rainbow hair anywhere," Poop me a pot o' gold." She patted the sweating man's cheek before she casually started to stride out on stage," A rock is twenty bucks but I can cut you a deal... Just will cost ya later Rosewind."

Just as the words of another came into the bar's space, she flipped the next card. She smiled at the flipped card. The Queen of Cups. Chase smiled down at the card, as if the very card had the face she had yet to see with her own two eyes. Palms drummed on the table before she practically sprung off of it. "Riddle me this! I don't believe my specs!" Mouth was wide with surprise, as she approached a familiar face with open arms. Her feathers fluttered, and beads seem to clap together in their own
: form of applause.

"Best be believin em punk, I don't plan on leavin em." She winked, hopped off the bar and started towards the friend with a bright grin," Man oh man is it good to see your damn face." She laughed and embraced Chase in one of those bear hugs. Yet again, this would prove, she was hardly muscle, but still packed a punch. To Chase it was possibly better than when she had last been seen by the Gypsy.

"Same could be said 'bout you!" Her arms came to squeeze. Biceps came to contract and harden into geometric shapes as she held her smaller friend. They were two tiny thunders, these broads. Pulling away, a thumb came to the chin of her friend. "Skull, it's good'ta see ya, lookit cha mug!" It was a compliment. Her old dealer was far worse for wear than she was in the here and now. "Whaddya doin' here? Business?" Brows rose, grinning. Somehow, she had a feeling she knew.

"Business, psh, ya know business is for the thick headed. Naw. I'm here for the fun of it." Waving her hand a bit airily as if she was trying to avoid the truth of it all. She gave a sweet smile to Chase before it faltered and she sighed, no way to start. Keeping secrets from the one she planned to hide out with. Bad Scully! She shrugged," I quit the habit, had to quit the job. And you know how well that works." Pointer finger and thumb were shaped into a gun and put to her head.

A receptive nod evolved into a warm grin. Her hand came to softly swat away the handgun from her temple. An index finger came to press against that very same temple. "'Bout time y'got outta that ***. I'm squeaky clean m'self." She paused. "Okay, I still booze up like there's no tomorrow, but the stamps? None'a that." With a proud nod, she came to flick her ear. "Skull, I'm glad ya took the leap. Rehab begins now, huh?" Chase spoke of it casually. She had gone through it like the best of them.

"Rehab began a few weeks ago when the doc said I was gonna die if I didn't cut the ***." She shrugged, lanky shoulders rolling as she stood there," Cut the crack, dope made me hungry, so I packed on meat. Pretty much the only reason why I have that battle left to fight." She was half way there, a good measure if any. Pink hair flicked as she snapped her gaze to the man peering from behind the curtain," All men here chicken?"

"Far from it, schway." Chase wiggled her fingers slowly in a feigned display of dainty greeting. The man laughed at himself, and disappeared behind the curtain again. "Sounds like y'made the good start. Y'look juicier." Playfully, her hand came to pat her abdomen. Chase felt like she could be herself, her full self, with someone whom knew the worst of her and didn't head for the hills. It was liberating to feel so light. "Y'know, it's worse here. May not look it right now. It has its ups and -
: downs. Think'a all those stupid movies we used to see while rollin'. Now, think about trippin' hard. Them runnin' round the place comin' to getcha. That's all here. Stone sober, it's here."

Took her a moment to process all of what had been said. She even crossed her eyes a bit while she stood there. Her frame wriggled, she turned on her feet and shrugged," Betcha it's better here. Yer not sellin anythin to have a hit. It got so bad I was sure as *** sellin myself for a bit of sweetness. A trip here is probably safer than a trip there any day." She turned and groped at her own rump," See I even have a but now. I'm not all bone... Magically I somehow sprouted things on my chest too." She hmmed as she grinned back to Chase.

Chase hadn't looked, but with indication, slitted pupils peeeeered downwards. A small study later had her grin with approval. "Hello twins!" A slow nod followed. The former story had her silenced good and tight. No contest, Skull had it worst. She was too close to all of it. Chase treated it like dessert, her bread and butter. But Skull? She was in cahoots with the distribution. All the things the Gypo was happy to be miles away from. "Y'came here on vacation?" There was doubt in her tone. But she wanted details. And playing coy was the way to get them.

Scully was always able to talk clearly with the woman. She grinned at the announcement of twins. Her arms folded about behind her back," Vacation. Teh, I wish." Shaking her head softly before glancing towards the stage," Vacation would be the least of my worries if my rosey shades were still on." She shook her head as she plucked a roll of green from her pocket," This is not vacation money honey." She was in trouble, the look on her face showed in obvious lines that Scully had made a boo boo. A big one.

(Rped between Chase and Scully!)

| Day 4: Confession |

Confession. The dread was tense in her gut as she eyed the booth that held her doom. A Catholic priest was waiting within. Pink locks bobbed, swayed with each head banging motion she made. She hummed and danced on the bench, not eager about seeing a priest. She hadn?t in almost ten years.

A nun had moved over to her, holding a bowl of Holy Water for her. She bowed her head, dipped her fingertips in it, moving her hand over in a cross motion about her. In that moment she began to wonder why in the world she was even there. Why oh why was she even there?

It wasn?t because of anyone other than herself. Another step on coming clean. Making amends for the crimes she so eagerly had done. Yeah, that was it. She did another cross over her chest, the nun smiled,? Relax my child, you will be just fine.?

Scully jerked her head up,? Haha, ya think so? I?m scared shitless.? Blink. She gulped and crossed her self again as she muttered,? I am so doomed.?

Taken back a bit by the swearing, the nun coughed for a moment. She composed herself, gave Scully a kind smile before murmuring,? Relax and all will be well dear child.?

Doohh doohh doohhh doooommmeeeddd. Repeated in her head. Her eyes watched a gray old man leave the booth, he was all? chipper. If she felt like that when she left, she would kiss the priest and the nun?s feet.

?Father Michael will see you now child.? The nun said as Scully wheezed. It seriously looked like the poor lanky frame was going to faint,? My child are you alright?? Seeing such a horrified person for confession made everyone around her, including the nun, worry.

Nevertheless, Scully burst from her feet, trembling and quaking, but ready to let it all out. Let it all just was away. She moved on her feet, her eyes searching the heavens as she prayed for mercy. She had ten years to confess and lord help her, she was never going to be forgiven.

Once inside she folded down onto her knees. Once more she crossed her chest as she drew in a deep breath. She could do this. She could- swear that the nun had posted guard to keep her from running. Thin lips pursed,? Forgive me Father, for I have sinned.? I?m going to hell?

?Bless you child, all sins, no matter how small or large can be forgiven at confession.? The priest?s voice was returned,? Tell me these sins that you have committed.?

?Ya sure?? Stupid question had needed no answer,? Okay, okay?? She gulped and started with year one,? I ran away from home at 13 and met a pimp named Slick Ricky?? It was a good start and after roughly thirty minutes of telling him about the pimp, among other sins, she started on year two.

?I met a dealer shortly after a year of working for Slick, his name was Bubba Duce.? She nodded into her folded fingers,? That?s when I started sellin dope.? Oh lord save her now. What was she thinking? Then again, this was confession after all. An hour passed, the Nun was pacing at the entrance of the confessional.

Scully went on and on, soon after hour three she was hitting year six. Things were getting heavier. People were loosing their patience, but again, she wasn?t done with year seven by hour seven. She was surprised that the priest had sat that long with her. Her knees were killing her. After two more hours of confession, Scully ended year ten with,? I robbed Slick and Bubba, took them for all they owned. I?m sitting real pretty in life now. Nearly 2 mil stored away because of it. But now they want to kill me and everyone who knows about me and what I?ve done.? She paused and peered at the screen separating her from the priest,? I suppose I should say I?m sorry for getting you involved? I fled for my life and here I am? In confession. Oh and I said shitless to the nun outside while I was waiting.?

There, now she was done. Did the priest just sigh in relief? She eyed the separator again. A weight that was on her shoulder was gone. She was at ease, but she was sure she had just added a few gray hairs to the priest?s head.

The priest would need a confession for himself by now, but he remained reserved through all the hours,? I see? Well?? His frame shifted, she could hear him moving. He then began to pray, obviously for her doomed soul,? My child, you have done a brave thing? You are forgiven despite the severity of your sins. God bless you.?

Scully?s eyes shot wide and she squeaked,? Really!?? She clapped in delight,? Bless you father, bless you! Thank you so much.? She hopped up and fluttered excitedly towards the door. She kissed the nun as she passed.

Scully had no idea that once she was gone, the Priest had stepped from the booth. Whiter than a ghost,? Sister Katherine? I need to pray?? And pray he would, for the next four days. Amen.

A hound dog is baying loudly somewhere in the Rhydin.

"Gauge! Jesus!" he crawled out of bed and went to the back porch. The hound dog had chased a raccoon up a tree at the early morning hours. When Shane appeared he wagged his tail violently and let out another stream of howling. The tree wasn't large, perhaps one and a half stories but isolated to where the raccoon was having a time trying to relocate to another. It wasn't a very big raccoon and he held with little black hands onto the branches at the topmost branches, hair on end.

"Gauge, leave him alone," and he went to the dog, hand going under the collar as he literally had to drag the dog away. Pulling Gauge inside, he shut the door behind him.

"Christ, I wasn't meant to be up this early today."

Gauge was still attempting to paw at the door, his nose pressed flat to where the door and threshold met. Tail wagging fiercely.

He went to the kitchen and looked into his cooler, standing there for several minutes. He mumbled to himself, "I gotta make start making some decisions." He leaned in, taking the orange juice and pouring a glass. After a swallow he squinted at the window before looking over to Gauge, "Yah happy now? I'm up and anyone within a mile is up. On a Sunday. You know, that day of rest thing we talked about?"

Gauge regarded him briefly, tag not wagging before pressing his nose back at the break of the door. One paw tested the wood of it again. He could see through the window the raccoon still where he was and only now deciding to pick his way down the tree and to a better hiding spot.

Skulls had been fun for him. Most importantly, they laughed a lot when they were together. Sometimes he blurred her fun-loving nature with that of Darcy's and perhaps made inaccurate associations. That, perhaps, her affection for him is a widespread one. When he thought about her, he smiled and shook his head like she'd already told him a really bad joke.

When he went into work it was slow. Harvey had hired a temporary third hand for the shop because of the pressure of Halloween alterations and work. Shane's garments had seemed more challenging than they were, for a change, and done early he had helped Harvey with some side projects before he took up scrap pieces of cloth and began pieces them together. Asymmetrical with different patterns. One he stiches over the face of the other in the swirl cut it had had. It was precise work, work he was use to doing and stitches he'd had to execute a thousand times.

Several hours later, at the end of his shift, he was just trimming off the sides so that it's width was uniform. It was a rather wild looking scarf. It would suit her, he thought. He snipped off any "Irish pendants" and folded it into a box. He wrote a note and paid a boy to run it over to her.

When opened the note read:
You owe me a date now!

| Day 7 : Just Dessert |

It was long after work and he came from the inn, having done one scouting look about it then he went to teas n tomes. No dice. He was hoping that his game didn't expand to all reaches of Rhydin and was beginning to wonder if a joke was being played. He stopped outside the Taylor shop he worked at, scratching the back of his head as blues darted in the dark for her familiar image.

Hot chocolate was a fine thing for a cold night. She was wrapped in a scarf some Irish guy gave her. Her pink hair was hidden under a purple knitted beanie. She held up his cup while she rounded the corner to his tailor shop," I know it's not a Whiskey sour, but... It will warm ya up." She said as she started to walk up to him from behind," Don't move, I like the view.'

He twisted at the sound of her voice, eyes widening like he were giving her grief for the run around. He grinned at the glowing cups in her hands and his eyebrows arched up as he noticed the scarf she was wearing. Extra deep are dug the dimples. His hands scoops the cup out from her hand and he chuckled, "So now I've found you that means I win, yea?"

"I suppose it does." She beamed to him, devious grin growing on her lips. She sipped at her cocoa while murmuring," I love the scarf Shaney. It's doing a wonderful job of keeping me warm too." She continued to beam at him. She may look a bit extra dolled up, clothes that fit her frame, sorta, but nothing with holes in them.

"Oh yea?" he said with a more relaxed smile as he started to walk. He cocked his head to call her over to keep pace with him. A swallow of the hot chocolate heating his mouth and tingling his stomach. "You wouldn't wear it just to humor me, would yah?"

She was keeping her pace with him. Steps moving her after him," Nah, I really do love it Shaney." She smiled up to him. Cocoa was sipped at again while she murmured," I got you something to make you giggle. I wasn't thinking of winter at all. So you'll have to forgive me. I wasn't thinking about getting things to keep you warm."

"Something to make me giggle?" he paused and then looked down at his hot chocolate and then chuckled, "Well it works, it'll keep me pretty warm yah know?" and then his stride slowed and he looked at her, "Okay, now the question of the night is... what do we gotta do to make this hanging out a date?"

"Dinner?" She looked to him, a bit curiously before hrmming. She reached her arm out and looped it around his. She gulped for a moment or two in thought then murmured," Usually there's maybe a flower involved, but the scarf covered it I think." She looked to him, smiling to him," And something to make you giggle." She said as she pulled out a monkey bobble head," For your desk at work." Each time it bobbled it looked like it was scratching its head and its rump.

"Yea, did the gift thing, check." he said with mock seriousness. Then he grinned at her, "It's a bit late for dinner, we'd have to do burgers or something again at the bar. I haven't gotten to that drunk part of the night where I think that's a good idea." and then... came the monkey. He chuckled outright when he saw it, reached out and gave it's head a good bobble. Monkey in one hand, hot chocolate in the other, "I didn't think that the woman was supposed to spoil the man?"

"It's worth a shot, we could just do the compition thing and see who gets spoiled out first." She teased him, laughing a bit as she hugs his arm. She paused and turned infront of him. Looking up in his eyes she murmured," We could skip dinner, go for desert, then see where everything goes from there. There's no point in being nervous or not knowing what to do. Technically we sortal already had our dinner date."

"Weren't we suppose to dessert before? What happened to that?" he tilted his head to the side in thought. Then he turned on a heel back towards the market, towards the shop, "I should put monkey in the shop now so I don't set him down and forget him or have some envious guy snatch 'im up." he said offhand. Then, "So what dessert did you have in mind?"

She nodded," We can do that. I don't mind one bit." She was glad he liked his gift, she was going for make him grin, sort of effect. She thought over dessert then sipped her hot chocolate," How about we go for Cake or even pie. Something that isn't so cold sounds great tonight."

"Pie, man," he stopped outside the shop, unlocking the door with a metal clash against metal and set the monkey off to the side fast. He'd figure a better place for it tomorrow at work. He had a date to do right now. He shut and locked the door, sipping the hot chocolate once more and smiling at her, "I don't know where the shop is though. Lead the way, hero."

She slid her arm back into his, her smile growing with each step she took. Scully led him along the paths, until they came to an old Mom and Pops diner. It looked like one of those back from the sixties, getting old and decrepit. But once they were in, they were able to see a clean and well organized shop. Once they were situated at a table, a menu was offered, a page and a half of it was divoted to pies and pies alone," It's not the best pie place in the verse, but it's still pretty good."

"The best pie place in the world closes earlier," he said with a chuckle to her, the uplifted chin that said he knew what he said was right. Don't question it. Then he slid into the booth and caught her just at the belt loop of her pants and gave her a good tug down to sit beside him.

She squeaked just a bit as she was pulled down besides him. She grinned at him, her smaller body nestling into him. Her fingers laced in her hat, pulling it from her head before she shed her jacket. Soon she was settled besides her, the scarf still around her neck," So what kind of pie are you gonna get?"

"I was thinking... blueberry?" he had been having cherry and strawberry stuff shoved at him as of late. Sort of wanted a different color and flavor to be happenign to him. Eyes half mast in yummy thought, "With vanilla ice cream..." and then he pinched the tip of her nose playfully, "What about you, squeeker?"

Soft laughter came from her as her fingers poked his side," I was thinking banana with some whipped cream and banana pudding." She nodded," but blueberry sounds good too." Banana had been her way of mixing it up, she'd try everything at least once, this time it was banana that caught her eye, among a certain Irish man. She propped her head on his shoulder.

"Want some banana with your banana?" he chuckled and shook his head at her, one arm looping around her to tuck her into his side. When the waiter came around he ordered a blueberry banana split. Okay, it earned a kinda skewed look but he reassured the man it was what he wanted with a smile and a nod. A look down to her once more, "So has my monkey gotten into any trouble today?"

"More or less the monkey scared a little boy when she got a package." She looked up at him, her fingers tracing along the side she was tucked into. She rose up, kissing at his chin softly," What about the Taylor? Was his day good? Not over worked i hope?" She reached up, brushing pink hair from her eyes.

"Oh man," he said, shaking his head at her when he heard it, "Now who will ever deliver anything to you?" Oh, he supposed there would always be young boys wanting to make a buck or two on the side. When she then turned the question onto him he chuckled and then nodded, "Yea, the day was pretty nice. Not especially rushed or stressful. Harvey temporarily hired this kid to help out and that's made a big difference."

"I know." She was snickering," It means you might actually have to bring your presents in person. Just imagine how creeped out I'll make ya." She teased him, one of her hands moving to his, teasing at it just a smidge before lacing fingers," Glad to hear you're getting some help, I imagine this time of year is busy for you.." She was looking back towards his eyes, a gentle smile on her lips."

"You wouldn't have been able to play hide and seek with me, that's for sure," he remarked, grinning as he felt the bug-crawl touch of her fingertips coming up to his skin and lacing in. Eyebrows arched up and then he nodded at her, "Oh yea, definitely." He chuckled at her and gave her a little squeeze, "So you haven't maimed me once yet. Losing your edge?"

"Just biding my time until I have the right opportunity... Ah like now." More hot chocolate was delivered, whipped cream on top. She dabbed her finger in the whipped cream on her glass then transferred it to his nose. He even had a glass of cocoa to retaliate with.

"Hey!! You clean up the messes you make missy!" he demanded of her with a strict pout on his face. All kinda wilty looking and all that. His thumb rubbed the inner palm of the hand that was held with his.

She smiled to that, and shifted, giving a small lick to his nose. It was effective in cleaning the whipped cream off of it. More it was effective for their eyes to become level as she whispered," I usually do, you won't have to worry about that." There was a coy grin curling on her lips.

"Yea?" he leaned in just so his lips are over her's. That threshold where you're so close that you can feel the heat coming off the body of another person. Smiling at the air-hold tease and kissing her, just like a whisper before pulling back, "I think I can live with that. Will only banish you to the couch once a week, I promise."

There was a kiss in return, her smile growing before her jaw dropped to give an offended look," I don't know about that. You may end up on the couch with me coming to get you in the middle of the night." She snickered softly. Her head tilted to the side and her thumb brushed at his laced hand. Dessert was coming, which would have been the only reason she pulled back from such a warm position.

When she did he looked up and saw the waiter bring it out, "Thanks!" and then he reached over to unroll the napkins that circled around the forks and spoons. He undid her's as well and handed her the spoon handle first, "Couch sex is always like... something that should be respected. It can go terribly wrong if you're not open minded."

"Well the same thing goes for kitchen sex and under the table sex. Each has to be approached with caution." The spoon was taken from him as she spoke. At this point she had eyed up and down Blueberry Banana split. She licked at her lips before musing," But then there's just classic bedroom sex, best kind there is in my book." she winked to him then took a bite.

"The couch is different!" he defended to her with a smile, "Cause it's also where you sleep in the end. The other's are like destination vacations? You go to have fun but you don't intend on staying. But with the couch it's like one fourth of a bed that you got to play with." he said with a matter-of-fact nod towards her. He stayed away from the banana-- he had a blueberry focus, and began picking them off with some of the ice cream one by one, "You know, this isn't in any way a piece of pie."

"Doesn't matter it's still good." She saw more whipped cream, this time in attempt to bloop his nose, she got his cheek instead. Devious as ever, her grin grew while she spoke on the first piece of subject," I see, I will need to experience this couch sex you speak of." She even giggled mischievously at the thought of it. Her fingers squeezed at his. Almost like reassurance that this was real and not her dreaming.

"It's an art form." Okay, two people dancing around each other figuring out how to make couch sex great had a very comical aspect to it. Almost one that you couldn't flatly ignore. He dabbed her lips with the whip cream and gave her a 'so there' look and winked at her, "You have a lot of boyfriends growin' up?"

Slowly, teasingly slow, she licked her lips for him to enjoy the show. She then leaned in, gave a soft kiss to his cheek while she masked licking off the cream. She heard his question, drawing back to look in his eyes," No... No boyfriends really." Shaking her head," And not so much as a guy like you for that matter. You're pretty damn unique." She nodded then took another bite out of banana.

"Yah think?" he didn't think so. He thought rather that he was normal, close perhaps to bland. If it weren't for that mouthing off of his, anyway. But the compliment was a rich one and it made him smile. "So what's a guy like me like, anyway? Other than awesome and a fantastic kisser." Had to slip in the self compliment somewhere.

Another laugh came and she sighed out lightly," You're a breath of fresh air Shaney. One that I'm glad to get when I can." She shifted in the booth," You see a girl like me, and you don't judge right off. You look past the ink and the past to find out who they are... it's a quality I had forgotten about in people." Smiling to him," I enjoy every moment I have to spend with you." She ended with a kiss to his cheek.

"Well, to be fair, we are in Rhydin," he said with a chuckle at her, eyebrows raised, "You're not like a naked demon or a huge dragon or like a half clad slave with green skin. Relatively speaking, you're pretty damn normal." and she knew how to soften the Irishman up with her words, "It's been fun getting to know you. You shoulda showed up sooner, yah know?"

"Darn me for being late." She frowned to his last bit of words. She looked to the devoured dessert and then to him," Feeling up for that walk, or would you rather sit here for a bit?" Her fingers moved up, brushing through his hair while she smiled lightly. For the most part she was enjoying just looking into his eyes," So if this is a date then does that mean I'm your girl?"

"Nah. Wake up beside me and it means you're my girl," he said with a smile and kissed her again before looking at what was left of the dessert. Desserts always looked pitiful in the end. All their former beauty munched away. Blues turned to her, "Yea, let's walk. But not too fast, yea?"

She nodded to him, sliding out of the booth then sliding on her stuff. Golden eyes were looking to him, she smirked and before he could she was moving to pay for dessert. She glanced back at him," How much of a tip for our waitress?" Pinks had yet to hide under a beanie.

She was fast like a snake, that one. He shook his head at her when she paid and then reached in, tossing some cash atop the table and grinning at her, "I'll cover tip, then." and he moved behind her, thumbs hooked in the front loops of her pants and legs moving behind her's when she stepped along, "That should do it."

Arms looped back around his neck as he moved behind her. Her broad grin was back as she set her purple beanie on his head and nodded," Sounds good to me." She pulled down one of her arms to open the door for them, making sure he stayed the way he was. Fingers teased through his hair and they were off along the street. She made sure to put her arm back where it had been," Ya know. I think we should see if there isn't somewhere, where I can't stuff snow down yer, erm... can make a snow angel." All the while casting an innocent smile his way. Yeah, like that would work.

"You are the worst plotter ever," he said flatly, those hands looped where taking up the initiative to be infectious tickling agents. He slid them under her shirt to exact ice-cream cold finger tickling revenge upon her sides. Don't mess with the Irishman!! As it were. Yes.

She squeeked as she was tickled, her body wriggling back into his as she laughed. She was doing her best to get away from his hands. She squirmed and laughed. She was trying anything to break free.

"Hey, come here you. We agreed this was to be a walk, no...chasing or anything," and he ducked so that his arms wrapped around her, bear hug from behind and his lips and breath down at her neck as he held her this way. Like her neck was hiding his grin from the world.

She was absolutely shivering at the feel of his breath against her neck. It was enough to darn near make her freeze on the spot. A small wriggle came again and she sighed contently," So long as you don't let me go I'll walk as long as you want me to." Scully was moving with him, her smile bigger than ever.

His arms loosened up from around her so that she was no longer his captive. Infact, he stopped their walking all together and looked down at her. His grin was long and slow and he said with a tired tone, "We totally left your hot chocolate mugs in that restaurant." and shook his head at their folly. They couldn't even claim that it was cause they'd been drinking.

She looked up at him, giving a small shrug," I'm not worried about it, it went for a good cause." She stated and slowly began to turn to face him," Mugs are mugs, easily replaced... there are other things that can't. Those things are a few of the things I'm trying to focus on right now." Smiling up to him, fingers brushing at his chest a bit.

"Aw," he said with a smile as he looked down at her as well, "No woman has ever told me I mean more to her than two chocolate filled mugs." he batted his eyelashes at her in a playful flirting expression then. With her facing him he made the bolder move of slipping his hands into the back pockets of her pants. Couldn't help it really. There was a fantastic pink haired woman in his arms he wanted to have his way with.

She giggled when he 'Aw'ed at her. Her arms folded around his neck, her head tilted, and she grinned," You mean more to me than not only two chocolate filled mugs, but more to me than all the money I own." Answered semi honestly, because she should have put: everything I own. Her nails began to dance a bit on the back of his neck, every now and then teasing his hair. His hands in the back pockets of her pants were hardly a bother because this fantastic woman wanted the same thing the Amazing Irish man wanted.

Icer had been headed home for the lair, but a detour had been taken over the market streets, the dragoness took a deep breath as she landed near the fountain.

"All the money you own? My... that better me more than pocket change, lady," he said with a smile. Shane and Skulls had just left a restaurant, full and happy with dessert in their stomach. He smiled as her hand went through his hair. Something blew across the air-- he saw Icer passing over and landing not too far off. "Hmm, I wonder if everything is okay."

Her head turned up to watch Icer fly by. She bit her lip then looked back into his eyes. She turned her head to kiss at his hand," Do you want to go check." Scully didn't mind, she still would get time with Shane.

"Check on Icer?" he chuckled at the thought and looked to Skulls like she'd lost her mind, "If there is something going on that that Dragon can't handle I sure as hell don't want to go walking on into it."

That was a very true point. No need for two humans to get involved in all of this. She had to think for a moment. Should she be brave? Yeah, why not? Leaning into him, she traced her fingers besides his neck and pressed her lips to his. Like she had been wanting to.

He was about to yammer on about something about Icer. He'd come to know the dragon fairly well and tended to spout off facts about her. It really was weird and didn't particularly make sense. Chest fills with the beginning of icer trivia facts when he finds that they are warmed with the petal flesh of lips against them. He smiled beneath the kiss.

There was a mirrored smile on her lips. She didn't stop it either. She tipped her fingers under her purple cap and tangled them through his hair. Her thumb grazed at his cheek all in sync with this particular dance.

One hand goes to the small of her back like to steady her against him. With a little more of a backwards lean he made a spin of them together, easing her back those necessary inches back to the ground. Lips broke away and he nuzzled her, "You certainly have a way."

"The same could be said about you.." The nuzzle was returned. Her forehead fell against his. A grin spread from ear to ear on her lips, her fingers teasing at his hair. She locked her eyes with his, not sure of what to say beyond what was said. It was obvious that even with her starting the kiss he had managed to steal her breath away.

Her ribs are cradled like a bowl in his hands as he surveys her face and then releases a very, well, torn-felt sigh. After all, men weren't the ones well known for their patience, especially when it came to something desirable that they wanted. Being single a minute aided the cause. She could have been wearing a moo-moo and he would have checked her out. So it didn't help that she was wearing worthwhile clothes with cute pink hair and likes that could skin a cherry.

Hearing the sigh, her brows furrowed just a smidge. She was suddenly frowning, a bit worried that she had done something wrong. She lifted one hand to cup his cheek," Shane?" Serious forced her to drop the 'y'. She whispered," Don't think for a moment that I won't understand what's going on in your brain. You can tell me anything, promise. If there's something on your mind, just tell me and I'll listen... Even if I don't like what I hear."

He wishes what was going on right now had the complexity deserving of her worry. He smiled at her and then let out another breath, eyebrows arched up just slight, "Just thinkin," which sounded better than his real thoughts. His mind was starting to validate all of the wanton thoughts he had. "You're just... someone I'm glad I've met."


She nodded, another breath was exchanged, but the frown never really left. She was still worried, perhaps a bit more worried than she should be, but ya can't really blame her. Her fingers fumbled at the collar of his jacket and she whispered," i won't ever regret meeting you Shane. Just won't." She said softly to him.

"That's a loaded promise. I could, you know, be a terribly wicked person underneath you know," he challenged her with a smile and then wilted like it occurred to him to face the inevitable truth, "I suppose I should walk you home, then."

"I... uh... sure.." She was a bit pink at that thought. Not because she was nervous for some reasons, but because she wasn't sure she wanted him to see the place she lived in. She bit her lip and nodded, taking his hand, and leading the way. She had this nagging feeling that she had done something or said something. She just really didn't want this night to end.

He did. It wasn't that he didn't enjoy it or that there were better things to do, but that he found his thinking was getting dominated by a desire which was unconcerned with anything to do with foresight or planning. No, it just wanted what it wanted to happen instantly. He was attempting to have a cooler demeanor about it, not to left on how very keen he was with her, "It's gettin late and I don't wanna keep you until all hours of the night."

She nodded," Mmm... " She didn't say much, she wasn't sure what to say. Things were getting awkward and she didn't know what to do to make him breathe easy. She turned on her feet towards west end and those pesky docks. Pink strands of hair falling in her face as she pulled the scarf up to cover her cold nose, not even hiding the sigh that parted from her lips in the slightest.

"Where did that smile go, squeeker?" he said as he watched her thoughtful dance of motion move around him. Spades of auburn hair spilt forward and sidelong with the wind and he looked away from her to where the docks were, "Huh. Where do you live, exactly?"

"It's an Inn down along the docks, or a pup, I dunno." Still, she was tired of being cat called and groped at by drunk to get to her room. Her golden eyes looked down along the path as she mused," I could ask the same about your smile dimples." She really wished he'd talk to her, that's what she had ears for.
Shane Michael: "I'm smiling!!" not his deepest of smiles, but it was still there. She could tell he was holding back something from her and that was, well, difficult. It meant he wouldn't be able to keep much of anything from her. He reached out and pulled her over to him, dipping his head that slight, necessary bit to take in her lips.

The take of her lips caught her off guard. She sort of blinked, closed her eyes, and sighed wistfully. Letting the sheer enjoyment of his lips lift her spirits, slightly. There would still be a piece of her that wanted him to talk to her. Her fingers were back in his hair a moment later, the kiss was being returned as if everything and anything that she was, was being poured into it. Like her telling him in that moment that he could trust her, she wanted him to trust her, that she would do her

best to understand anything he tossed at her. She felt the need for him to know that.
Shane Michael: The gust of cool salty air from the docks causes chills against his skin with the added passion of her returned affection. His arms wrapped around her so tightly it was like he was fighting to keep her instead of holding her. The embraces gains slack and his smile appeared, full as it ought to be, "I think you're great, you know that?" Eyes traced behind her like he was trying to figure where she'd been leading them.

It didn't look like any place she wanted to be caught alone in. But seeing that smile, it only let her smile grow and grow it did. Not to it's fullest as it should have been, she was still worried about him," I think you're amazing Shane, quite damn amazing." She then looked behind her, the edge of the docks in sight some eighty feet away and the loud call of drunkards still rasing hell at the nearest Inn.

"You're going there?" said like he was surprised. Eyes traced to some of the nearer buildings, "I mean, if you don't take it the wrong way, I got some space at my place if you'd like?" he didn't want to sound like, well, that he was saying more than he meant to. He was also hearing a voice of warning in the back of his head that said he did, in fact, have the intention to have her over.

She gulped, hearing what he said she sort of sighed in relief, but she didn't want to press it. She looked back to him, thinking over it, a lot. The fact that she didn't like where she was staying was enough for her to want to scream she'd do it, but she didn't want to intrude. That fact showed clearly upon her face.

His eyebrows arched upward, he slipped his hand into her's and smiled reassuringly, "Whatever you want. I could even spot you a night at one of these quieter inns," Yea, they were more expensive but... he kinda liked Skulls. Okay, he really liked Skulls and whatever she wanted would be worth it.

"I don't want to push or put you out, but I don't really want to stay here." Yeah, she had told Chase that given the time, she would find a place all her own. A small gulp was taken before she spoke," I promise, just for a few days. I won't be weird or get in the way."

"That's cool," he said and he tugged her along with him and away from the noise. It was just at the southern glen he lived in. As they walked he perked up suddenly with a, "I hope you're not allergic to dogs or anything. I got a hound dog at home. He's real friendly though, just a loud feller, you know?" Truth was, even from the distance they had on the docks HE didn't want to go there.

Her hand squeezed at his," No allergies, I love pups. No need to worry. I'm sure once he's done sniffing me we'll get along." The further and further they had gotten from the docks the broader her grin got. She looked towards the glen and then back to him," I shoulda grabbed some clothes before we left the docks, but I can do that tomorrow. Just means I'll have to sleep in my panties." Oh yeah, she was back to teasing him.

"Oh god no, anything but that." he said with a shake of his head at her. The walk was not too long of one, and when they reached his house it looked a bit like a bachelor's home. That is, not much had been done with the yard and it was single story, prolly two bedroom. Rock driveway and a short porch at the front of the house.

There was said noisemaker. Gauge was laying on the porch and when he saw two figures approaching he bayed wildly. Shane shouted, "Gauge it's me!" and the dog was just too excited to stop barking right away, though his tail was now wagging. It was good that the dog wasn't huge or he'd knock Shane down with his friendly hello approach. Skulls was dead on with the dog. Half of what he wanted to do was sniff at her.

She started laugh as Gauge sniffed merrily. Watching that tail wag she dipped down and began the ever friendly skritch at the ears with her nails," Hey there Gauge, are ya Daddy's little guard? Huh? Do ya keep Daddy safe at night? Ya better be cause I kinda like seein yer Daddy's dimples." She tried to get him to roll over, in attempt to skritch the hound's belly. She laughed again, her golden eyes looking back up to the Irish Man," He's quite a charmer, just like his dad. Both of you have to be quite the charmers when working together. I can tell it al-" She laughed as another sort of bark came from Gauge and she answered," That's right I'm talkin about ya." She gave him another skritch.

She didn't have to try to get him to roll over so much as barely suggest it for it to happen. He grinned at Gauge and kinda shushed at him for being a little too wound up around her. Eyebrows arched up at the charming comment and he chuckled, "If we were half as charming as gauge thinks he is we'd be celebrities." Shane shook his head at the hound dog and the sound of his keys sliced at the air as he opened the door. He reached in a bag, using an old coffee cup and poured gauge a cup of dog food.

When the dry pebbles hit the dish the dog was over it, no manners necessary. Shane grinned and set on some lights for her to see around. It opened up to a lightly furnished living room that was openly connected to the kitchen. "Bedroom," he pointed to the utmost door on the left, "Guest bathroom," the door to the right of it. Then, across the room and to the right wall he signalled, "Work room there."

"Ta-da. You have the tour of the palace m'lady." He smiled.

She nodded over the house as she entered. Her smile grew, wondering if the kitchen was fully stocked, she was an early riser at times and liked to make hearty meals when she had the chance. She looked to the door of the bed room, over the living room then back to the helpful host. She smiled as he did, nodded," Thanks Shane." She still was set in semi serious mode. Sort of understanding how much this was probably nagging at him for having her there. She somewhat kept distance, not wanting to give into urges that would bring him to regret. She didn't want him to regret a single thing about their time ever.

"Yea... sooo..." he signalled her to follow him into his bedroom and he picked up some discarded clothes off the floor and chuckled, "The sheets are clean, I promise. I changed them like... three days ago." He had three pillows and one of them he took up. The wave of a hand to make herself comfy. He went back towards the living room and tossed the pillow at the end of the loveseat and dropped into it, "Don't get lost in the palace gardens outside. We're going for an all natural look."

"Hold it... You're not really going to sleep on the couch are you?" Yeah, she was frantic. She didn't want him to make special previsions just for her. She was already moving to pluck the pillows for him and make herself get situated on the couch," Noo... No... Cause I know me and I know that I'll end up walking out here in the middle of the night to either come get you or snuggle you and I don't want to have it come to that if you aren't willing to risk it."

"So if I sleep in my bed that won't happen?" he saifd with a chuckle as he looked at her rather flustered reaction. Arms spread open in a "hey!" expression as he said, "You're the lady. Gotta get the bed and I'll do the couch. I'll see totally... rude otherwise? What guy lets a lady guest sleep on a couch?"

She pointed a finger at him," You know I'm gonna feel bad and come to get you." She peered at him. For all honesty she was being serious," I don't want you to have to surrender your bed just for me. How is that fair?" She didn't think it was. She was now standing right in front of him," It's wonderful, yes, but honestly... I don't want ya to give up your bed."

He yielded to her and got to his feet, standing in front of her. Close. Slight uplift of his chin as he looked at her, "If you absolutely insist... I'd rather you be comfortable but... okay," and he began to side step around her then, surrendering up the couch to her.

She smiled to him," Thank you." She shifted a bit to side step him. Her fingers poked at his stomach. She peeled off her jacket and plucked her hat from his head. The scarf again didn't leave her as she moved to get situated.

He hesitated as he watched her and then forced those steps away from her, to the doorway of his room. He smiled at her softly from the frame and gave a small wave in her direction, "Goodnight beautiful," he shut off the light and went to his room, the sound of his door coming close like a whisper behind him.

"Double damn." she said as she lay there. She was really hoping for a kiss. Her eyes looked up, listening to nothing but the sound of Gauge eating. Her body shifted on the couch as she mused," Night Gorgeous." Mused to the door, all the while a wishful sort of sigh came from her lips.

The note had a slow morning.

From the floor it watched the sun come up, lighting a large square on the floor that started to give it a sunbath. The dust of the room floating like circus dance that to the giant eyes of people was boring and unseen. The last of the ladybugs crawled along the floor, stopping at the edge of its paper and tip-toeing across it tentatively. Outside there were barking conversations between birds.

A big wet dog nose hovered overhead. Go away!! Don't lick me. God that's gross. What? Don't walk on me you mutt!!

This is boring. The floor wasn't doing anything and all the couch wanted to talk about was all the change Shane dropped in it and crumbs he hadn't cleaned out from his cushions. The blanket was still asleep, which was prolly for the better because, as blankets go, he was a bore.

What's that? Someone's moving!

Feet are crossing the floorboards, whispering along the wood in socks! Oh Yes!! Something is about to happen to me! Finally... What? What's he doing? No! Don't fold up the blanket!! Jesus Christ, do you know what it's like to hear about all the different ways he's been folded and what he likes best? No one else is a blanket so we just don't care! Or even understand what that means. Now he's awake and you didn't line his corners up right.

Come on. Pick me up off the floor, man! I'm right here. I've been here, waiting. Oh, you're getting close again! Now just look down and pick me u-- YEOW!! Jesus H Christ!! Why's it so bloody dark? And dusty... and... oh no. Oh no no no no no. Not. Under. The. Couch.

Scully could feel a weight pressing down against her chest that night. She had fallen asleep on the couch, it wasn?t half bad either. Each time she moved, it seemed the weight kept her chest stationary. When she tried to sit up, she found she couldn?t. She grumbled. Where was her blanket?

One eye popped open, then the other. Each one working, squinting, doing their best to gain her sight in the darkness of Shane?s living room. When she tried to sit up again she was met with a sleepy groan. Gauge was using her as a pillow.

Her head plopped back on the pillow. Was it fair for her to say the things she had said to Shane? If so? Why hadn?t she went off on the things that Jacinta and Darcy had done to him? She knew she wanted to have it out with both the women, hurting someone like Shane should have been seen as a sin.

Chase was right; the Irish man was a saint. Everything would work out. If it was to happen, it would. If it wasn?t, Scully would do as she usually had. Survive, learn, and live on. She pitied the poor smuck who tried after Shane, if that ever happened. Shane had made her standards in men higher than it had been in a long time. One thing was settled, if it didn?t happen, no tweekers. Never.

Inked fingers moved to rub her eyes. Scully couldn?t sleep just yet. She glanced down to the dog on her chest and then up. Small curiosities were running through her mind. What did Shane look like sleeping? Did he snore? Well, she didn?t hear a sound coming through the bedroom door, so if he did, it wasn?t loud. She had it bad. Bad.

?Gauge? hey? Gauge?? She grunted again,? Get off of me I have to pee.? She nudged the dog again before grunting out,? I have to peeeeeeeee.? The dog was pushed again, this time rousing him to life. He got up and chose to climb off the couch by means of walking on her bladder,? Geeze Gauge.? When she was cleared for it, she moved for the bathroom.

Gauge sat outside the bathroom door. His head tilting as sounds were made within. After a moment or two he had moved on. Her spot on the couch was now his. When she got back to that spot she sighed out,? Okay? The couch is big enough, but why?d you have to choose the middle?? Scully said as she scooped up the hound dog and moved him to her side.

She skritched along his head as she used him as a teddy bear. He was a kisser. One slurping lick was given after the other forcing her to giggle out and cover her face,? Yes, yes, thank you for the lovins? But I?m good. Honestly.? Scully sighed, her skritch falling at his ears as she spoke to Gauge,? I don?t know what I?m gonna do Gauge..? The puppy got a kiss to the head a moment later,? You?re one lucky puppy, all you have to do is be cute.?

She snickered as the dog groaned, finally settling down to sleep. Both her eyes closed to let dream land take her away.

Scully hadn?t heard Shane rouse, hadn?t even heard him shuffle to the kitchen. When the brew was put to stew she didn?t even shift. Her arms were still wrapped about the puppy, sleep still firmly holding onto her. The sound of him calling Gauge had no effect on the sleeping woman. However, when the dog barked she jumped awake. Eyes of gold were wide from the very start.

Pink hair was wild, care free, and bed heavy even though she had never slept in the bed. Inked fingers pushed through her hair. Her breath came in and out, nerves calming one by one. Golden eyes watched the hound dog climb over her for the kitchen. That was truly when the smell of coffee filled her nostrils.

Her head turned on Shane, looking at him with a smile. A grin curled on her lips, a small laugh fell from her lips. Slowly her body turned towards the coffee table and she rubbed her eyes. She didn?t feel the eyes looking towards her, she was still too busy trying to wake up.

A long yawn parted from her lips, her arms rose up over her head for a lengthy stretch. Blue and black flannel pj pants were adjusted as she stood. Her tank top was tugged down over her skinny little torso. On her toes she turned towards the kitchen, her hair still a wild mess.

?Morning Shaney. Dream of good things? I hope.? She smiled impishly to him. Her body moved for the fridge, the orange juice selected. Scully glanced towards the skillet on the stove top and grinned,? Whatcha makin?? She loved the smell of bacon in the morning.

As she passed Gauge she dipped down to ruffle her snuggle buddy?s ears,? Weighs a ton when he sleeps. And he knows just where to step on you to make it count. Still, he?s a good teddy bear.? Another ruffle fell to his ears, and then she moved on for a glass.

Orange juice sloshed in the glass, but never was spilt. Once more her eyes were on the Irish man. He looked cute in the morning. A long yawn came again, forcing her to glance towards the clock. Seeing the time she grunted. She was going to become an early riser while staying here. Speaking of which,? I?m gonna start looking for a place today I think. I promised you I?d not be around for more than a few days. I?m sure with some help from Chase I?ll find somewhere in this city.?

Scully wanted him to know she didn?t plan to be a bother to him. She was just the friend that needed a place to crash. Soon enough, she?d be living on her own and missing Gauge as a snuggle buddy, but for now she was enjoying what she could.

As Shane cooked, Scully would busy herself. She?d help him with breakfast by doing the little things. Dishes were put up and set besides him, two plates if he was willing to make a double portion. A glass of O. J. was poured for him despite his coffee.

Soon as the table was set she cleaned up her work area. Making sure that the blanket was folded, it was possibly complaining to the couch by now because of it. The pillows were set besides her bag of clothes, knowing someday she?d need to go get the rest of her things from that Inn near the docks. It was a dreading thought. Even then her grin remained.

For a while she was just watching him, sipping her juice. It was almost like studying a book, learning as much as she could from every aspect of it. From cover to pages, she never judged, never held reservations, just knew that each page had to be treated like the next.? Tell me about you Shane. Anything. You tell me a story and I?ll tell you one.?

?Haha, coulda sworn I was squeaker yesterday.? She was grinning from ear to ear. One arm reached out, fingers running along his back. She gave him a kiss to his cheek before he even attempted to start his story. When he started, she was leaning back against the counter, toes shifting to skritch under Gauge?s chin for a second. Honest, her feet didn?t smell bad and Gauge appreciated the skritch.

All the while she listened with an A+ attention. Her smile was soft. He did so well of reminding her that she had an actual family out there. Pink hair draped down over her eyes when she began to wonder about them. She wondered about her sisters and brothers, if they were alright. Hell she even wondered about her mother.

When he dared her with those eyebrows she thought for a moment of what to tell. Her smile grew as a memory came from deep within her child hood. A sigh came, she started,? It was way back when I was with my family ya know? My dad usually drank himself silly or something.? She shrugged, pausing a bit,? I remember the first time he beat me. My older sister Violet hugged me all night long; she let me cry as much as I wanted. I remember her brushing her fingers through my hair and singing to me. She was more of a mother to me than my own mother. There were times she?d take the beating for the rest of us. Even after everything, she kept humming and singing, telling us that Daddy could never kill our smile. All we had to do was keep it on our face, no matter how mad he got.?

She was still smiling as she spoke,? I always wondered how she could smile when things got bad. But when I was on my own, there were times where all I had I had was my smile. It always lifted my spirits and made me think of home. There were times where I thought about going back, but that was only to check on my brothers and sisters.? For a moment she frowned,? Not once did they ever come lookin for me. I guess my Father?s way of thinking was, he could always make another.? She shrugged,? My mother seemed aware of that too. With how many kids were in the house. God I don?t think I could handle that many.?

There was a small snicker from her. She sighed a bit, thinking over it all before she finished with,? I think to this day, I smile at times, but when I have hard times falling to sleep I usually just imagine her singing and brushing my hair. Her voice was amazing.? Even thinking over those days made her hope her family was alright.

After a moment or two she cleared her throat and took a sip of her juice,? Bacon?s smellin good.? Her ear to ear grin was flashed to him.

They would not be exchanging blows. They both knew how much it would hurt to do so. It would be the step they never took. The two of them knew when it was safer to walk away and not bring their parent?s traits into the mix. There was not a question of who would raise the first fist, because that?s just not who they were.

There were times where Scully carried a weapon, yes, but she didn?t have them with her here. It was not her place to bring her weapons to Shane?s place. It would be a cold day in hell before she lifted a finger to hurt the Irish man cooking breakfast. He was one of those too darn cute to hurt kinds. His dimples would always be her downfall, that along with other things. Poor Scully. She wasn?t complaining.

While he cooked potatoes she was sneaking bacon. Taking a bite here and there, but not eating it all. She?d be sure to leave some for Shane and the one glued to the stove. About the time she had had a piece he was getting another skritch and being slipped a piece for himself. One thing was sure, Scully was going to make Gauge fat if she kept up the spoiling, but something told her he would be just fine. He did chase things after all.

Her brows rose after the story, she nodded, and looked towards where she had been sleeping. A frown lingered for only a small moment then it was gone. She was in need of a change of subject,? Did ya have any good dreams Shaney?? She grinned,? Ya know, the kind that sorta stay glued in the back of your brain for the rest of the day??

It was a way to get things rolling on a positive side. One of those things that kept the movements flowing and the positive air charged. Scully didn?t want to be depressed the rest of the day thinking about her family, but for some reason she knew she?d wonder about them more often.

Now that she had a sober mind, Scully would do a lot of wondering. Her family was those people she wanted nothing to do with, but in the same sense, they were her blood. What if they were looking for her after all these long years? Someday she?d find out what happened to her father, brother, sisters, even her mother, but she didn?t feel ready to. Did she? It had been ten years since she had last seen them.

Scully scratched her brow, trying to process the jumble of ideas flowing through her head. Her head tilted to the side for a moment or two, eyes back on Shane,? Ya have to work today Shaney? Or can we do somethin?? She was hoping the latter was possible. It would be fun to spend the day with the Irish man.

Scully was washing the dishes for dinner. Her hum coming as she looked over to him. A large slice of feel better cake, home made, chocolate on top of chocolate with a few bits of melted snickers on top, was settled before Shane at the table. Gauge was nomming on a rawhide bone she had bought for him, his tail thumping with abandon.

Golden eyes locked on the dish in hand, a plate that suggested he had devoured BBQ pork ribs, mashed potatoes, corn, and even sweet honey rolls. All of it home made by none other than Scully. If it was one thing she knew how to do, it was cook. She had learned all she needed to know from the strongest woman in her life before she left it behind at 13. And now Shane was getting the full brunt of that training to his benefit.

Shane was unusual in that he was an old world guy. When people talked about sewing they normally thoguht of women, but that change didn't occur until the industrial revolution. He'd grown up in a world with male tailors and those were the ones handy with a needle. Also had learned to cook a few things-- but it was all Irish dishes and nothing like the spread that she did. Mostly, he enjoyed being cooked for. Even if she cooked was everyday, it would have still been appreciated.

As it was, though he was lucky. Well fed and spoiled, him and Gauge. When the cake came out he whistled low and looked to her, "Gonna give me diabetes." *

She laughed softly, her head shaking as the common smile spread upon her lips contributed to none other than the Irish man," Oh come on, you know you'd die happy with just having had a single bite of that slice." She teased. She set up the clean dishes with another set of snickers.

The loud thumping of Gauge's tail was like a rhythm she couldn't help but hum to. When she was done there, she glanced back to him," Ya don't have to eat it all. Just take a bite and you can save the rest for later."

He smiled at her proposal and then shook his head no, "I got this. If you don't mind... I'd love a glass of milk with it." Gauge didn't know what it was; just that he wanted it to. Of course, that wasn't destined to be. He got his rawhide and that was enough. He sunk the fork into the cake and took a bit, smiling and giving her a playful applause which she deserved. Then, "You know you didn't have to do all this for me."

"Milk it is!" She announced. She went back to humming gently, a healthy glass of milk filled in the process. When she set it before him he also gave a light kiss to his cheek. Her smirk grew at the applause, along with a blush," I wanted to Shaney.. you deserve it." She nodded firmly, intending to make sure that the Irish man had only what he deserved. It was the least she could do for letting her crash on his couch and then some.

"I do? For what?" he shook his head and then took another bite, washed down with milk. He leaned far back into his seat and chuckled at her, "I feel like I won a medal for something but I don't recall competing."

She flopped down in the chair across from him, her smile softening a bit towards him," Ya've let me crash here. Not even complained once about me snoring, or not making the couch at times." She nodded," Hell ya haven't even complained about Gauge getting a little bit chubbier." She laughed, eyeing the content puppy. He was a bit heavier, but again, a cat running along his path was exercise enough for him.

"Gauge can be, well," he looked over to the dog, who appeared to know when he was being talked about, "he can be loud...you know, a right handful. Sometimes he just wakes yah up callin out like he does. Or gets so excited that he wakes up up anyway. But you know, a good heart," he shook his head and then shrugged his shoulders, "Well, you've been very patient with me, considering."

She sipped her O.J, one of her all time favorites. Her head shook from side to side, a palm lifted to stifle her yawn. She glanced to him and shrugged," I know you have had a lot on your mind. I wasn't going to get in the middle of that Shane, at all." It was the truth, the last thing she wanted was for him to feel pressured into anything with her. She rose up, moving to the sink again with her glass and setting it down," I think I'm gonna get ready for bed.."

"Yea?" He said with a nod and got up, wrapping up the piece of cake and leaving it out on the counter. He went to the door and opened it and gauge shot outside. The sound of doggy sprinting and leaves forfeiting their resting ground like a dry tussle in the air. He looked at her as he shut the door with a smile, "shouldn't take him too long to figure he wants to cuddle and sleep."

She nodded to him, her smile growing. She moved over to him, arms opening for him. When she was close enough she wrapped her arms around his torso and paused, just letting her head rest there," You sleep sweet, kay?" She hugged him tight to her, her yawn falling against his chest.


"You too," and he kissed her on the cheek, an arm resting high on her back that wrapped her close. He heard something panting at the crack of the door and he opened it. Gauge kinda... sauntered in, tail at low bounce and dog breath and rolled out tongue and all. Shane shook his head, "If he ever catches a squirrel and drags it in here... I swear."

Her snicker fell against his chest," I know what you mean... I think I would have a heart attack if I found that thing in my bed." Her head shook; she gave his lips a kiss. Her grin was ear to ear as she pulled away from him and meandered towards the couch. Inked fingers ruffled through her pink hair as a weary sigh came and went. She had to wait for Shane to get in his room, she hadn't really brought P.J.s with her and sleeping in her jeans was not so comfortable.

"Goodnight squeaker," he said with a smile and winked at her before he went to his room. Gauge naturally preferred sleeping with her. She rubbed the top of his head and was easier to "fit with" than Shane. When he slept with Shane they were like two bachelors that partied all night, sprawled out the whole span of the bed.

When he had slipped into the room, her top and jeans were kicked off and under the blankets she went. It didn't take her long to yelp at," COLD NOSE ON THE STOMACH!" Or something along that line. It was loud enough to echo through the house, but hell, it was a cold nose after all. Soon enough she fell silent, sleeping soundly with Gauge curled under the blankets and wrapped up in her arms.

The days were strange ones for the Irishman. He wasn't sure what to make of them but his stomach had this unsettled feeling about the Halloween party on Saturday. That something unforetold would happen-- more than usual, that is. It wasn't often that he felt so apprehensive and he didn't know if the weather changing had created the feeling or if he actually had, deep deep DEEP down, some intelligent intuition.

He spread out the end lengths of the dress he was hemming and wasn't satisfied. Ross approached him but he hadn't realized.

"Shane?"

"Huh?" he was sitting on the short stool they had, his knees jutting upward and two pins pressed between his lips. He looked up to Ross whose face had a nervousness about it.

"You feeling all right? You're normally, I dunno, more upbeat?"

Shane smiled and took the two pins out of his mouth and squared his eyes off on Ross, "I guess so. Just got a lot of stuff on my mind, you know. The party this Saturday and all. We got a lot of costumes to get ready for that night."

"You're gonna go?"

He looked at his work on the ends of the dress and made a frowning face, "No, I don't think so." He smiled politely at Ross and indicated to all the orders, "You know we're backlogged with non-Halloween stuff that needs to get done that folks will be picking up Monday so I'll be workin' all weekend."

"Oh," Ross shrugged his shoulders, "that sucks. Oh, I had something to ask you."

"Shoot."

"Mind if I get off work early tonight? I got a date and I want some time to get ready for it and all."

Shane gave him a half smile and brushed his hand at the air to signal that Ross should get going. Then he turned back to the dress at hand. When the bell sounded that Ross left he got up and locked the door. It was after hours, anyway. He sat back down and sighed at his work. Nothing he did today pleased him and he felt the mounting frustration grow monstrous with his additional feelings of anxiety.

He got to his feet and decided that he shouldn't try working on any of it when he felt like that. He'd ruin something with an attitude like that dwelling. Sometimes, as gregarious a creature he was, he enjoyed being in the tailor shop alone like this. It didn't feel spooky, or empty or hollow, even with the odd Halloween costumes hanging up everywhere. There'd be a rush on Friday with everyone picking them up for the party on Saturday. He wrote a note that the shop would be open Saturday as well and posted it in the front window display of the shop.

He counted the money and put the total in the ledger for Harvey before closing up. Shane had worked there long enough that Harvey trusted him to close up shop. He stopped just before leaving to see the bobbing head monkey Squeaker had gotten him and smiled. He reached over and gave its head a tap before he left and locked the door. He thought he should pick up a small bottle of whiskey for them. Honestly, for himself. His mind was a tangle.

Going to the inn didn't help. All the liquor stores were closed at the late hour so he just bought a bottle off the inn. Sure, it was more expensive to do it that way but surely worth it. Of course, Darcy was there. Naked. Under a cloak. Not even acknowledging he was there. He thought about the necklace she had returned and how it hung from the front column of his house like a talisman. She wouldn't even look at him. Why was that? He had thought he was the one slighted again by women and wondering, exactly, what he had done to deserve it to continue.

He still hadn't gone on his date with Jacinta. Nervous about it, not sure what it would mean or how it would feel. Skulls was still sleeping on the couch because of his great indecision. Jacinta had accepted the date and yet it had not gone through yet. He hadn't heard from her. He was standing at the bar, joking with Mira when he thought about that. What about Jacinta? Where was she now that Maria was back?

Maria. The ex-wife that he wanted to believe was better and still he was waiting for her mouth to spew its same old insanity. He thought it was unfair that she should wake up and snap her fingers and make him jump. That she should criticize his decisions. He'd been a young boy when he left her. It was selfish. It was a red flag that showed a lack of faith.

Whatever happened to his faith? It'd never been as certain as his mother's and now with disappointments and confusion rolling in he found that he was expecting Scully to disappoint him. One day he'd come home and it would be her and another man on his couch and she would tell him that she got tired of waiting. That life was short and she wanted to get on with it.

And he would open his mouth like a gasping fish, unable to say a damn thing because it was exactly how he left Maria. Not knowing how long the wait was, not handling the pressure of it well and caving in because he didn't know what to do and so selected what would make him happy. That stupid, selfish, egocentric attitude of "what I want" and "what makes ME happy."

Mira and Lilli go on and tease him at the bar and he smiles and plays along as he does. His only sidelong comment about wondering if he had, in fact, seen a barely clad Darcy in the Inn. Confirmed. Well, that was Darcy for you. He didn't think any more on it.

He shouldered his bottle of whiskey and with a smile, bid his friends goodnight and went home. That place with a loud, goofy hound dog and a woman that thought there was something still worth liking in the Irishman even though his faults were glaring neon signs right now. He began to wonder, perhaps, if Scully was simply being a fool and that he was no better to her than the men before him. That if it weren't for a charming smile and lighthearted joke he'd be just another jerk in a lineup of jerks. Actually, that he was another jerk in her lineup of jerks and she didn't see it just yet, but her running record of dating jerks, actually, hadn't changed at all.

Why did he have such a bad feeling about Saturday?

When he gets home he looks as though someone took the smile right out of his soul, but he makes a smile anyway, for Skulls. He hands her the bottle of whiskey and says softly, "Some day."

-- 2 Days after Halloween --

The smudge of that dish didn?t seem to want to go away. No matter how many times she rubbed at it with the sponge, it just wasn?t working. It had been a day or two since the ordeal down at the dock side. Ever since then she had been doing anything and everything to try and keep her mind off of it.

Still that smudge had done more than bother her. In its defiance, she had gone back to thinking over what had been said in the darkness. Every time she had to set it in the water to soak, she had to pause and think on the only thing her mind seemed to dwell on. It was driving her insane.

She could be seen at the sink, bringing inked fingers through her hair time after time. Scully had never looked so tired in her life. Even her apatite was suffering. It had taken her the better part of three hours, scrubbing to get the smell of iron out of her nose and off of her body. She still could smell it if she dwelled to hard on it.

Her hands were better, her sore body was mending, but her mind would take longer. The sound of Gauge?s paws padding on the kitchen floor towards her even made her tense. Every time he bayed out to announce a squirrel at the window or someone coming towards the house she jumped. A few things had gotten broken because of that.

Again and again, Scully promised Shane every broken thing would be taken care of. She was just a nervous wreck and it would pass. Wouldn?t it?

Every night she had fallen asleep, she had curled so tightly in her blanket and nestles under the blankets. One small movement in any part of the house had her wide awake and very alert. Golden eyes would stare at the fabric of the blanket in horror for an hour or two before she forced herself to relax and rest.

The first night after the situation she had hardly slept. The second night was just tears. Mess after mess of tears that just flooded her pillow. Each morning she had roused before Shane had even a chance to meet her. She would rub as much of the weariness as she could from her eyes, put a weak (false) smile upon her lips, and beg him not to worry, to have a good day.

Each day was met with fear and doubt. Eventually, and alone, on the second day she very cautiously made her way back down to the docks to gather her things. There was few left. The Inn keeper had managed to salvage one thing for her. Her bible.

He had seen her hug that thing to her like she would die if it left her. When it was returned to her, she nearly cried right in front of him. Nevertheless, after wandering in circles and running about this way and that, she would stop by one place, sneak out the back, and make towards Shane?s home. She did not want him to get hurt the way Chase had.

The amount of guilt that was still weighing on her shoulder was hard to get rid of overnight. It had tormented her sleep. The nights reminded her that she had gotten Chase stabbed. There were times where Chase?s altered voice echoed in the back of her mind and woke her with a start. On the second day after the event, she had to wash the blanket. It smelled like sweat and fear.

Dinner had not faltered; it seemed to be the one time she could really smile. She had managed to make dinners on better scales. Shane would be greeted with grand displays and soon the fridge was filled to the brim with leftovers. He could pick and choose what he wanted to take to lunch even, there was so much there.
Another night was threatening to break on her after dinner the third night. She was curled up on the couch, eyes heavy but refusing to close. Her lips were pursed slightly, but it wasn?t entirely obvious. She had tried so badly to be normal around Shane, but failed miserably. There were times, plenty of times, where she could have sworn she had caught him watching her stare at her hands.

She didn?t know what had bothered her more, the men dying so instantly, or Travis possessing Chase. All of it had her disgusted with herself. The fear that gripped her was all too real, even for Gauge. Many times he refused to leave her side. No matter what had happened. A squirrel could have been mooning him at the window, but he wouldn?t budge.

She was staring at her hands again, this time Gauge was helping her. He would nudge his nose against her fingers and whine a bit. He would lick at her hands, but her daze seemed too strong. After a few moments her hands had turned over; shortly after one of them was moving to skritch at the pup?s ears. All the while, Scully had closed her eyes and shook her head.

Since the bible had been recovered it had been hidden. Not in Shane?s house, not near it, and not anywhere any had seen. She had asked someone else to hide it. Someone she perhaps could trust with this. Father Michael.

The priest who she had confessed to was baffled, but never the less the book was taken without question. At least with it far away from everything, she could relax just a little smidge.

Scully was still finding it hard to process. Now more than ever Scully doubted everything that she was, everything that she had done, and everything she was trying to do. Was running away the right thing to do? Was getting clean and straight minded what she needed to do? Was that she loves safe here with her here?

That last question tormented her the most. After all, look at what happened to Chase.

The early morning hours are painted with blues and greys and cold fall mist everywhere. It was... insanely early for him to be awake to begin with. He was crossing a field, Gauge bouncing behind him and giving up after twenty years to turn around and trot home. He thought he saw a few fireflies throw specks of color onto the scene.

The water soaked the bottom of his pants and he felt the grin of some sand get down into his sock. When he got to the inn it didn't look like the inn he had come to know. It looked unfriendly and worn down. It asked him why he bothered coming.

Stepping inside a quiet inn early in the morning like this felt like he was sneaking into his parents bedroom. He looked down. The manilla envelope was still in hand. He exhaled to relax. He climbed up the stairs and set the envelope at Maria Michael's door and turned around, going outside.

Annulment was a funny word. It was like to imply that something never happened. Something did happen. A lot happened.

When he thought about going back to Ireland and working at the tailor shop there, the idea made his soul sink into his feet. Rhydin was just so different from his homeworld and different in all the ways he loved. He liked all the species, the chaos, the coming and going. He liked the nonsense and sense that was Tara. Mira in her pressed poodle skirt. The matriarch dragon, Icer. It felt like anything could happen here. That there was love and freedom, even if loss and grief were short on its heels. Mostly, this city felt more like his city. he got it and loved it, even if he hadn't been living there all that long.

And simply, he didn't want to go.

So he left the papers that said... that they should pretend nothing happened. That the years were a hiccup and all the changes were incidental.

Everything about it seemed like a lie but also like it was the only explanation to be had.

"It's good we're not getting married," it wasn't a harsh, out loud laugh, but a low chest-hugging chuckle. he reached down to help pull her to her feet, "Cause you know they consider that to be bad luck, yea?"

Skulls was something of a chameleon to him. There were days she reminded him a lot of Darcy with her punk-ish get up and fun having attitude. Then there were days he was like the women who never dated him, who had seen him in passing and shrugged in indifference at the thought of being with him. Today she looked like that sort of woman. Rich women never really took to Shane. They were bred with something quiet and subtle, qualities he might lack his entire life. She was a bit like Mira, who always wore skirts and dresses, never swore or drank a lot. Mira who, for some ungodly reason, tolerated him and at times enjoyed his company. Mira had never made him feel that there could have even been a romantic interest between them, crass as he was it was inevitable that she would be fed up with what was him.

So what was it when a woman embodied two different sort of spirits? One that drank with him late to the hours and laughed and ate greasey food and fell asleep on the couch. One that had her nails done and her hair up and pearls glossy soft on the skin of her neck.

He didn't pretend he understood the tangle of what she was and represented to him. That juxtaposition of status and appearance.

She'd find his lips pressing on her cheek, and arm tugging her in close to his ribs where it was warm and dry and holding her there. These days lately had been sensitive ones for her and he did his best to be what a woman needed when she shuddered like a leaf when she never had before in life.

"You're lucky I'm not superstitious. Well, about this. The mistletoe thing I devotly believe!"

With her, he would always encourage her. If she asked him what he thought of their relationship he would have told her that she didn't need him. Right now she didn't believe it, and maybe never would no matter how many times he told her. But should something happen he knew his death would not be her death. That he chin would lift up and he knew that behind the worry and the pain of what happened was a strong woman. One who would look adversary in the eye and not blink.

"The truth is a wicked little thing, you know. It rats you out," he grinned as she leaned against him and he moved in to kiss her. She asked him what he wanted for dinner and all he could do was smile in a distant, far off way and tell her, "I'm not that hungry."

Though the heels were abandoned he still lifted her up, once again and carried her into his room. Scully was unique with her potential, with her spirit that revived itself from ashes and could smile again.

He thought a woman like that would never need him. Without need and yet still requesting he'd be there. That sort of feeling, he thought, was more honest.

Such thoughts remain and haunt his mind and he watched the way her pink locks of hair fell. How ink-sketches fingers played with her necklace. There was, though, some part of the night which was not to her liking which he needed to resolve.

Her dress.

Which he did with a happy certainty.