Away from the world...

[Britwitch]

<<Closed for myself and marauder13>>

Elena threw another log onto the merrily burning fire and snuggled back into the warm embrace of the easy chair, pulling the blanket a little higher. Her green eyes sparkling in the firelight and the flames highlighting the auburn tones in her long dark hair. The wind and rain was steadily growing harder outside and the lights dimmed every now and then, making her curse the fact that in her haste to get here, she had forgotten to pick up spare fuel for the generator. But she had a huge supply of candles and she could always drive down to the village tomorrow to pick up some fuel.

The cottage was small and cosy, consisting of a kitchen, bedroom, bathroom and a little living and dining area, in the middle of woods about 5 miles from a small village. It had been in the family for generations but she was pretty much the only one who used it these days. She came up here, into the wooded hills to escape the city life and ‘find herself’.

At 26 she was pretty young to have gotten as high up as she had in the company in which she worked, but it had taken hard work on her part and it was a job she loved so the extra hours here and there that ate constantly into her free time were given up without complaint. Plus, the fact that she was rarely ever sick meant that when she requested time off she usually got it. Now, she had managed to organise a whole week from work, a week without mobile phones and emails, a week without the steady hum of traffic outside…it was going to be a week of pure relaxation out in the countryside with only her thoughts for company.

She was just reaching out for the glass of wine on the table beside her when she stopped and frowned. Certain a noise of a different sort had filtered through the air from outside. She waited, silently listening. After a moment or two she shrugged and reached back out for her drink when she heard it again. Rising slowly and biting her lower lip she padded towards the door. Her usual attire of a smartly tailored suit and blouse, with stockings and heels was hanging on the bedroom door and she had slipped into an old worn flannel shirt that had once belonged to one of her brothers and was now her favoured sleeping attire, it concealed her undeniable feminine curves and generous bust and was far more comfortable than the restrictive clothing she wore in the city. Her bare legs looked golden in the firelight as she crept closer to the door, certain it had been knocking she had heard.

Reaching it she swallowed nervously before calling out, “Hello…? Is there someone there…?”

 

[marauder13]

Jacob sat in the back of the transport truck, slowly swaying with the vehicle as it wound it's way through the quiet countryside. 15 months of hard work had finally paid off, and he was getting himself out of that backward excuse of a facility on the Ilse of Wight, and being sent up to the new facility west of York. While it would still be a prison, and the home until he was put into a canvas bag with a toe tag attached to him, it would be a better place for him to be, and work.

He was still surprised at the Boston Professor, Dr Carneigie, who vouched that Jacob's research work was a valuable contribution to his own research. Even knowing his true criminal background. That was the final straw that allowed him to be transferred. He would have much better facilities to work with, and occasionally, he would be permitted academic visitors to talk to face to face.

The truck swerved throwing him into the wall. "Sorry, fellas, we hit a bit of ice." The other warden grumbled, but he looked in on Jacob. Jacob gave the man the thumbs up. The warden nodded, and turned back to look ahead. Jacob took a deep breath, and closed his eyes, dreaming of his new life ahead of him.

Not long after that, his world turned upside down. The chains that held him secure to his bench acted like a safety harness as the truck rolled and flipped in seemingly every direction. He bounced off the wall, the bench and occasionally the floor before the truck came to a rest with its side, pointing slightly up.

It took a few minutes for his head to stop spinning, and when that happened, the pain kicked in. His left arm was sore. "Fuck," he swore as he probed his arm, find the slight break in the bone. what made things worse was that his left arm was pinned to the bench, by the chain that secured his left arm, and a broken piece of internal support. He looked around to see the wardens. He could only see one, and his head position relative to his body said clearly 'dead'. The window between him and the warden was gone completely, and Jacob could see keys. He reached as far as he could, but he couldn't quite get there. His left arm was preventing him from getting the keys.

"Are either of you still alive?!? Hello?!?" Getting no response he swore again. Jacob clenched his teeth, and grabbed the upper part of his fractured forearm. "One... two... three..." There was a loud snap and an equally loud scream of pain that devolved into swearing. Through tear filled eyes he found the keys. He took a few more minutes to get the chains undone, swearing more at the pain when his left arm was released. The climb out took ten minutes, but then he was free. He took the belt and the baton from the dead warden to make a splint for his arm.

He looked around, and the other warden, the driver, was dead too. He had bled out. Jacob took his belt, and quickly rigged up the splint. He scrambled away from the wreckage, not really thinking of where he was going.


He saw the light of the cottage about 30 minutes before. He acted quickly. He got rid of his splint, and his overalls, leaving him with a non descript T-Shirt and shorts. The pain was getting bad now, making it hard to think clearly. But where there was light, there were people, and then there would be an end to the pain. He staggered, fell, staggered, crawled, and staggered again before he reached the door.

“Hello…? Is there someone there…?”

"Help... crashed... need doctor..." Jacob croaked before he fell against the wall, sliding down into a heap. He screamed in pain when his left arm hit his knee. Then there was the peaceful soothing blackness that engulfed him as he passed out.

 

[Britwitch]

"Help... crashed... need doctor..."
The voice was barely audible through the wood and against the gale force wind but the scream that followed made Elena jump and caused the hairs on the back of her neck to stand on end. There was a muffled thump against the door and then only the noise of the storm.

Shaking Elena started to open the door, intending to do so only partly but the body leaning against it on the other side pushed it open all the way. Leaves blew into the room as a man rolled back almost onto her feet. She stifled a yelp before bending down to inspect the unconscious form on her floor. He was soaked to the skin and dressed most unsuitably for the weather. There were a few small cuts and bruises forming on his face and a nasty bulge on his forearm betraying the damage beneath the skin. To phone for help was obviously necessary but signal for her phone was patchy here at the best of times and in the storm, non-existent so her first job was to get this man inside and out of the weather.

Bracing herself she hooked her hands under his armpits and dragged him slowly but surely inside the cottage. She moved him before the fire, deciding that to try and lift him onto the couch would injure her and be an exercise in futility. She left him briefly to close the door now banging in the wind and then to head into the bedroom. She returned with pillows and a blanket. He was laid upon an ancient sheepskin rug so she knew he would be fairly comfortable. Gingerly, she lifted his head and pushed a pillow underneath. She was about to put the blanket over him when she glanced at his clothes, soaking wet clothes would eventually dry in front of the fire but he was not in good health to start with…
Kneeling beside him, she sat him up against her and worked to ease the sodden t-shirt over his head, being extra careful when taking it off his injured arm. She removed his shorts with similar care, making a conceited effort not to glance at the underwear beneath them, and then covered him with a blanket.

Next she had to do something with his arm. She had done her basic first aid training at work, having a doctor for a father and holidaying here as a child meant she’d seen countless injuries to her rambunctious brothers dealt with before heading off to the nearest hospital. Retrieving a basic first aid kit and a wooden spoon from the kitchen, she examined his injured arm. The bones were clearly out of place and even without medical training, she knew the longer they stayed that way, the worse the recovery would be.

Gritting her teeth, she felt along and when she sensed it was the right place, she pushed until the bone shifted back to something resembling a normal position. The man groaned in his stupor and she winced on his behalf, praying the unconsciousness was enough to dull what she had just done. Satisfied she couldn’t really do any more, she bandaged the wooden spoon to the arm to make a splint and then quickly cleaned the cuts to his face with some antiseptic, resting his arm upon another pillow to try and keep it elevated.
Tomorrow he would hopefully be awake and she could then drive him to the village and to the doctor.

All she could do for now was sit and wait. She placed a large glass of water nearby and some painkillers for when he woke and then settled herself in the armchair. Only now that the panic had passed did Elena consider what had happened. Injuries aside she had let a complete stranger into the house, she didn’t know his name, his background, nothing.
Glancing down at him she tried to glean what she could from his appearance. He was older than her, she guessed, not by much possibly. His physique was healthy and strong and she estimated he was probably a good half a foot taller than her when standing. Other than that, he was handsome in a rugged sort of way and Elena had to admit to herself if they’d met on the street she would probably have stolen a second glance at him.

Sipping her wine, she settled back into the chair, only moving when the generator finally blew and the lights went out. She grumbled to herself as she set about lighting candles around the room, bathing them both in warm, dancing light. For the rest of the night she dozed lightly, waking whenever he mumbled in his sleep just in case he needed her, but when morning came she was fast asleep, the blanket half over her and the last of the candles still burning.

 

[marauder13]

He relived the crash again and again. Each time a little different. Once, the chains broke and he was smashed to death in the back of the truck. Or there was one when the truck landed in a pool of water deep enough for him to drown. His arm was ripped clean out of it's socket in another while he burned to death another time. There were more but he fortunately didn't remember them but he knew that they were just as bad as those he did remember.

All the while too he felt the dull pain, but he could not place where it came from, only that he felt it. He rejoiced in the feeling, because it meant he was alive, and he knew that was important.


He slowly started to drift from sleep. He was warm, dry, and lying somewhere soft. He heard the faint crackle and pop of a fire. He could smell the odors of inside. He slowly opened his eyes to the dim light. He became aware of his broken arm, and that it had been seen too by someone. He rolled his head to look at the hearth he had been laid in front of. He was on some sheepskin or something similar, and a good blanket had been thrown on him. He became acutely aware that he had no shirt on, nor his shorts. He was momentarily nervous at that development. He rolled his head the other way and saw he was not alone.

Slumped asleep in a chair was a woman. She was younger than him, though not 'young'. Her hair was dark, and in the light of the few candles that burned, he saw hints of Auburn. She wore a flannel shirt, and the rest of her was covered by the blanket. He smiled to think that this woman stayed out to help care for a complete stranger. Maybe people like him hadn't ruined the world after all.

He reached for the glass, and tried to sit himself up a little to drink from it.

"Fuck!" The pain from his abused left arm ripped through his body as he flopped back down on the floor, spilling water over the floor. "What a God damned fool I am for doing that!"

Then he looked over to see the startled face of his hostess, saviour and all round nice person.

"Oh... sorry," he said through gritted teeth. "Umm... Hi... I'm Jacob. Thank you for helping me." He lifted his left arm a little to indicate what he was thanking her for.

 

[Britwitch]

"Fuck!...What a God damned fool I am for doing that!"
Elena was jerked from a dreamless sleep by the sound of a disgruntled voice and the sound of water hitting the floor. She frowned as she rubbed at her eyes, the events of the previous night taking a few seconds to slot back into place. Her slightly widened eyes focused on the figure upon the floor and remembered everything.

"Oh... sorry…umm... Hi... I'm Jacob. Thank you for helping me."
She threw back the blanket and immediately slid down onto her knees beside him, helping him to sit up against the couch and passing him the water.
“…I’m Elena and you’re welcome…” She smiled, almost shyly as she sat back on her heels and reached for the painkillers. “You were in quite a state last night,” She continued once he’d taken and swallowed the pills. “I hope you don’t mind but I took the liberty of setting the break…or at least I tried to. And your clothes are over there drying…” She gestured to the small dining table and it’s chairs, upon the backs of which hung his t-shirt and shorts. “Can I get you anything…? More water, cup of tea…something to eat? I’ll drive us down to the village when you feel up to it and we can get you to a doctor.”

“I have a mobile too, not sure about reception but you can call someone if you’d rather…”
She pushed some hair behind her ear while she waited for him to answer, pulling at the flannel nightshirt’s hem in an effort to cover her thighs which she was suddenly aware were almost entirely on show.
“I’ll…I’ll go and get dressed while you wake up a bit…” Elena finished before rising and heading into the back bedroom, realising she couldn’t comfortably remain in the nightshirt if she was going to be crawling around on the floor to help him, praying she hadn’t inadvertently shown him her underwear already.
She hurriedly shed the flannel shirt and pulled on some old, faded jeans and a vest style top, quickly running a brush through her hair, before heading back into the main room.

“So…” She smiled brightly, feeling far more comfortable now that at least one of them was fully dressed. “What would you like…?”

 

[marauder13]

The young woman, who he found out was called Elena, slid out of her chair and proceed to help Jacob sit up. He was embarrassed to be helped in such a way, but at the same time grateful for the help. Her status as an Angel on Earth went up a few notches when she handed him painkillers. He downed them dry, the water was an afterthought. He listened to her, half dazed as she explained what happened, and what plans she had.

He didn't really care. He was alive. His eyes caught movement, and in pure instinct, he looked down to where the movement was. Elena was pulling down her flannel shirt to cover her rather nice thighs. They were the first pair of real naked thighs he had seen since...

He closed his eyes and looked away. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have... Sorry."

“I’ll…I’ll go and get dressed while you wake up a bit…”

He nodded keeping his eyes off her while he heard her stand. But he couldn't stop himself from watching her as she quickly disappeared into another room. In the light of the various flames, her legs looked like they were made of gold. Even if they weren't, they were worth more than mere gold.

When she returned, if anything she was more a beautiful sight to Jacob. Old faded jeans hugged her hips and legs and she wore a vest like top that showed she had a delightful figure. He was surprised that a sweet looking woman like Elena was here alone, and not with her husband or boyfriend.

"Ummm... some tea would be wonderful, and if I could get something to eat...?" He watched her go into the kitchen area before returning his gaze to what was in front of him. "Once more, Elena, thank you for everything you have done for me. Once I get to the village, and see the doctor, I'll be able to make my own way. I'll be able to get transport easily enough."

'All I need to do is report to the local Policeman and I'll be back in no time. I'm sure they'll understand if I surrender myself peacefully.' Then he thought about his research and his new cell at the prison near York.

 

[Britwitch]

"Ummm... some tea would be wonderful, and if I could get something to eat...?"
“Of course, let me put the kettle on and see what I can find…” Elena replied, heading into the kitchen and filling up the kettle while her eyes glanced along the shelf. Once the kettle was on the wood powered stove, something her father had always meant to change but never had however given the state of the generator it was now a relief that he had not, she glanced in the cool room managing to find some eggs and bacon amongst the supplies. She leant around the door frame as her guest, Jacob, spoke again.
"Once more, Elena, thank you for everything you have done for me. Once I get to the village, and see the doctor, I'll be able to make my own way. I'll be able to get transport easily enough."
”Well, we can head off as soon as you’ve eaten…” She moved through into the main room and looked thoughtfully at him. “I think you’d probably be more comfortable on the couch and, well, now that you’re conscious I think I can move you if you think you can help a bit…” She admitted, hands on her hips.
He nodded his agreement and she moved closer, bending down to slip an arm around his back and raise his ‘good’ arm up and around her shoulders, bracing her knees she leant a little closer.
“Whenever you’re ready…”

With a groan she started to straighten, taking the majority of his body weight on herself until he found his feet and was able to push himself up. Soon enough she was easing him backwards onto the couch, although untangling herself from behind him once he was down was a little awkward, aware all of a sudden that bar his underwear, he was practically naked.
“I…er…I’ll get you something to put on.” She blushed once she’d managed to withdraw her arm from behind his back.
“That t-shirt wasn’t easy to take off and wouldn’t imagine we’d get it over the splint very easily…” She slipped into the bedroom and came back with another flannel shirt. “I know it’s not exactly high-end fashion wise,” She smirked slightly, “But I think the arms are wide enough that we’ll get it on you without too much discomfort…”

Sitting beside him, she helped thread his wounded arm through the sleeve and then, leaning across him, she helped eased the shirt up over his shoulders. Vaguely aware she could feel his breath tickling the back of her neck as she did so, causing fresh colour to rush to her cheeks. Luckily the whistle of the kettle cut through the air, calling her to the kitchen before she could embarrass herself any further. “B-bacon and eggs be ok…?” She called through, moving a pan to the stove and starting to cook. She made tea and a plate of scrambled eggs and bacon each, adding a thick wedge of bread and butter to the edge of his.

“Hope it’s ok for you…” Elena put the plate on a small table and pulled it over to the couch, choosing to balance her own plate on her knees.
“So…Jacob, where you headed? I mean, where would you have been heading if you hadn’t ended up on my doorstep…?” She asked with a smile before popping some bacon into her mouth.

 

[marauder13]

Jacob was brought back from his daydreaming when he heard Elena speaking.

“Whenever you’re ready…”

He looked up to see her standing next to him, getting ready to help him move on to the sofa. Between the two of them, Jacob managed to get onto the sofa with out further hurting his arm. Elena was stronger than he had first thought, something he was grateful for. Unfortunately, he caught her arm behind him, and it took a little effort to get them separated. He noticed that he was just wearing the regulation jocks and nothing else. At least he was not the only one to get some colour in his cheeks.

Elena offered to get him another shirt, one more friendly to his arm. He nodded and smiled wanly as she went into the other room, returning with another flannel shirt. She sat down beside him, and together they put his injured arm through the sleeve. But to do so, she leaned very close to him. He could smell her hair and skin. It had been years since he had been this close to a woman. She smelled so wonderful, so sweet. Not like the stench of some of the other prisoners. He closed his eyes and focused on her scent, wanting to lock it away in his memory. A nice, pleasant aroma of a woman.

The whistle of the kettle made her move away, which he was happy with, and sad about at the same time. He slowly finished getting himself dressed while she moved around in the kitchen.

“B-bacon and eggs be ok…?”

"Yes, thank you. That would be fine." He managed to get the shirt on by that point, only jolting his left arm once. This generated a pained expression and a hiss. By the time he had the shirt half buttoned up, Elena had returned with his breakfast. Even though it was close to prison fare, it smelled so much better.

"Thank you," he looked over at Elena as she settled her plate on her knees. "You... you have been most generous to me. A complete stranger too. You do need to be a bit more careful, Elena. You wouldn't want to invite in a murderer by mistake."

He took a forkful of egg, savouring the taste of a real home cooked meal. "Oh, Elena, this is wonderful. Thank you very much." He continued to eat slowly, enjoying every mouth full of his freedom while he had the chance. He would stock up on these good memories to last him a life time. Literally.

“So…Jacob, where you headed? I mean, where would you have been heading if you hadn’t ended up on my doorstep…?”

Jacob swallowed his food slowly, thinking of how to answer that question.

He looked over at Elena, watching her eating some of her breakfast. She was definitely interested in knowing, he could feel it in his gut.

"I was in the middle of moving. I was living down on one of the channel islands. I managed to get a good deal for a place up north that's a bit more modern." He took a sip of the tea. "It's got some great modern features which will help me with my research. I just hope people aren't panicking about me and what's happened to me." He took a piece of bacon, and almost drooled at the taste. "This meal was well worth the cost of a broken arm."

 

[Britwitch]

"I was in the middle of moving. I was living down on one of the channel islands. I managed to get a good deal for a place up north that's a bit more modern."
“Sounds wonderful but then, life in the channel islands sounds pretty wonderful too…” Elena sighed in between mouthfuls, listening attentively.
"It's got some great modern features which will help me with my research. I just hope people aren't panicking about me and what's happened to me…This meal was well worth the cost of a broken arm."
Elena laughed, her face almost embarrassed at the praise.
“Well, it’s hot and relatively fresh but I don’t know about it being quite so costly…” She eventually managed to say.

She finished up her breakfast and refilled their mugs with tea, sensing a quiet desperation on his part to leave she thought it best to at least start making arrangements to head into the village.
“You finish your breakfast and I’ll go get the car started…” Elena smiled before grabbing up an overly large hooded sweatshirt and pulling it over her head as she snatched up a bundle of keys from a hook beside the front door and went outside.

The storm had clearly been a bad one. Leaves and small branches littered the ground, which itself was little more than a muddy bog. She moved carefully, trying not to slip, making her way around the outside of the cottage to where her car was parked.
“Oh Jesus…” She exclaimed as her eyes fell upon the branch now sticking out of the windscreen, which had to be at least 5 feet long. Approaching cautiously, as if she was expected more branches to fall at any moment, she saw that the branch had managed to wedge itself between the seats and all but pulverise the gearbox. “Oh this is not happening…” She grumbled, pocketing the keys, starting to slip and slide her way back to the door. Just before heading inside she took her mobile from her pocket and waved it around, some small relief flooded her insides when she saw two small, precious, bars of signal showing on the screen, but only one pathetic bar of battery and until the generator got new fuel, there would be no way of charging it up again.

“Well, you’re not going to believe what’s happened to the car…” Elena exclaimed once back inside, pausing to pull the sweatshirt over her head and revealing most of her smooth stomach in the process before pulling the vest back down. “Looks like it’s out of action, for the time being at least. There is what looks like half a tree sticking out the front of it and, even if that were not the case, the track is little more than a swamp with a good 6 inches of rainwater resting on it…” She bit her lip sorrowfully. “I’m really sorry but…I don’t think we’re going to get out of here today…maybe tomorrow when the rain has dried up a little I can get down the track and walk to the village myself but I think that’s wishful thinking on my part…we do have plenty of tinned supplies and there is a first aid kit full of painkillers so I think we’ll survive but I am really sorry to be delaying your moving plans…”

Digging in her pocket she held out the mobile with a hopeful smile.
“On the plus side though there seems to be some signal so please, feel free to call anyone you want…I doubt anyone will make it up here from the road until the water’s gone down but you could let someone know where you are and that you’re safe…at least, I can promise I mean you no harm…” Elena joked, recalling his comment about letting a murderer into her home. With the car being as it was and the fact that she’d stripped him…she would understand if it was he who thought her a worrying character.

 

[marauder13]

"Well, my place down there was a bit run down, and wasn't the nicest of places either. But I never really got a chance to get out much."

He had a piece of the toast, listening to her trying to lessen the importance of his first meal outside of prison for the last 10 years.

"Elena, this is the best meal I have had in a long time. And a good part of it is the company." He blushed fiercely when he said that. He hadn't been alone with a woman in all that time either, and he felt like a school boy dealing with the girl of his dreams. He refocused on his breakfast nodding to her when she mentioned getting the car started. He decided that he would skip seeing the doctor and go straight to the Police. The less trouble he caused, the better for everyone.

He continued eating, continuing to remember every aspect of the meal. The taste, texture, aroma, look, everything. He didn't deserve this, not after what he had done. He deserved to remain in gaol for the rest of his days.

Elena returned, looking less than happy.

“Well, you’re not going to believe what’s happened to the car…” As she spoke she took off her sweatshirt. He turned to look at her in time to see her top ride up showing off her nice, mainly flat belly. He remembered seeing a belly just like that once before. The woman kept good care of herself, and she was grateful of that at the time. She was good company for the short time they were together. He enjoyed her... company. She had the softest skin he ever remembered. He sighed. He missed her.

He blushed again, looking down at the floor when he realised he was staring. He knew that it was not intentional, but all the flashes of her skin he was getting were having effects on him that he didn't want to be having. Not since they were alone together. He was determined to be a gentleman, and treat Elena with respect. After all she had done much to help him when she could have left him alone outside.

"I'm sorry, Elena. I didn't mean to... But you're the prettiest woman I've seen in a long time and..." He felt his cheeks burn. "Sorry, I'm rambling."

He listened as she explained their situation. That made him nervous on a number of levels. The longer it took for him to turn himself in, the worse the authorities would think of him. So, if he couldn't get to them, he would try and contact them.

“On the plus side though there seems to be some signal so please, feel free to call anyone you want…I doubt anyone will make it up here from the road until the water’s gone down but you could let someone know where you are and that you’re safe…at least, I can promise I mean you no harm…”

"Thank you," he said, taking the phone. There was a little power left in the battery, and the signal was good enough. But if they couldn't get to where he was, what was the point to telling them? The Police would be alarmed about Elena being with him. And he would have to explain everything to her. She would be rather upset and frightened, and he didn't want to repay her kindness in that manner.

"Oh, I feel perfectly safe around you, Elena. You've had ample chance to do all sorts of things to me, even take advantage of me... but you didn't. Well, I think that if it's only going to be a day, there's no need to call anyone just yet. It's better to keep the phone for an emergency." He placed it on the small table where his breakfast had been eaten.

He settled himself back into the sofa, letting his breakfast settle. He breathed deeply, enjoying the smells of the cottage and the lands outside. The air was clean, the clean you got after a good rain. He felt relaxed, at ease.

"So, I gather that you don't actually live here on a permanent basis. You don't look rugged enough to be a local. You'd be more a city person working for a big company. Yeah? How did you wind up having a charming place like this? I need to know who to thank in my future prayers."

 

[Britwitch]

"I'm sorry, Elena. I didn't mean to... But you're the prettiest woman I've seen in a long time and... Sorry, I'm rambling."
Elena only just heard his quietly spoken comment and found herself smiling shyly and having to look away. It seemed hard to believe a man in such good shape and with such looks would be so ill at ease around a woman, so…awkward.
She watched as he took the phone, appeared to think and then put it down on the table.
"Oh, I feel perfectly safe around you, Elena. You've had ample chance to do all sorts of things to me, even take advantage of me... but you didn't.”
Elena smiled again, any unease she had been feeling about having to spend another day and night with this stranger fading a little more at his joke.
“Well, I think that if it's only going to be a day, there's no need to call anyone just yet. It's better to keep the phone for an emergency."

Elena took the now empty plates to the kitchen and returned to put a couple of logs onto the fire which was beginning to die. It wasn’t cold but there was a chill in the air and she didn’t want Jacob to catch a cold after she’d worked so hard to keep him warm the previous night. She was just brushing off her hands on the back of her jeans and taking her seat when he spoke.
"So, I gather that you don't actually live here on a permanent basis. You don't look rugged enough to be a local. You'd be more a city person working for a big company. Yeah? How did you wind up having a charming place like this? I need to know who to thank in my future prayers."

Elena curled her legs up beneath her and lean her elbow on the arm of the chair.
“Believe me I love to live here permanently, but you’re right about two things. I’m not quite sure I’m tough enough to make it, leastways not on my own….and I am a city person, when it comes to the working week at any rate.” She pushed some of her hair behind her ear as she continued. “I come up here every chance I get. I’ve been coming here all my life really. It was my great-grandfather’s place and it’s been handed down in the family. My father died a couple of years ago and my brothers are all living abroad…living vastly more exciting lives than mine…” She sighed. “So the cottage has come to me.”
She leant forwards and whispered conspiratorially.
“Its my secret hideaway, even my work colleagues and friends don’t know where it is…” Elena winked with a broad smile before letting her eyes drift out of the window to the scenery beyond. “I haven’t shared this place with anyone…” She finished in a slightly halting voice, tinged with a little regret. She had meant to. She had dreamt of bringing a special someone here to share this special part of her life, but none of her limited relationships ever lasted long enough…and in reality she had never felt with any of them that they were going anywhere special enough to warrant bringing them here.
“So I guess that makes you my first ever guest here…” Elena turned her eyes back to Jacob who was sat listening with his full attention, although there was something akin to concern shining in his eyes. “Oh but don’t worry…” She added quickly, not wanting him to feel like he was intruding. After all, it hadn’t been his choice to come…or to have to stay… “Its lovely to have some company for a little while…and it’s always nice to make new friends, don’t you think…?”

 

[marauder13]

Jacob wondered if Elena knew how much she was showing off or drawing attention to herself. Her bare legs when they first met, then her current outfit that showed off her figure very generously and well. The candlelight that made her skin look like gold and her hair a rich, luscious red. Showing her wonderfully flat stomach taking off her sweatshirt. And now, drawing attention for her nicely rounded arse while she rubbed her hands on her jeans. He was grateful for the blanket, since it was hiding his reaction to her... demonstrations. It had been about 11 years since he was this close to a woman's body. And hers was very similar to Elena's too. But he didn't want to think about his past women, not here.

He listened to her as she answered his question about the cottage. Hearing about who had owned it before her gave the place a real sense of age and character. He could understand wanting to live here. He felt the peace of the cottage seep into his bones.

“I haven’t shared this place with anyone…”

He felt the pang of regret in those words as sharply as a blade. Elena was single, and this was going to be a place where she showed that special someone that they were special. Except, she had him. A never to be paroled prisoner who escaped a truck crash, and was waiting to go hand himself back in.

'Well, I guess I am special then. Just not the way she would like.'

He tried to think why this wonderful, caring woman had somehow managed to remain single for so long. If he were free, and they met somewhere, he would have tried his luck getting to know her. But circumstances were different.

“So I guess that makes you my first ever guest here…” He managed to twist what she said into one collective, rather than the two separate ideas and topics that Elena meant them to be. He felt truly sorry that her first ever male guest to her private place was him, and that she would be forever denied that truly special moment. He felt his eyes start to water at another special event in life that he managed to snuff out for someone. Again, something outside of his control which he thought he could have controlled. If he only made a different choice earlier, this would not have happened. Nor would have the other errors that fucked up his life.

“Oh but don’t worry… Its lovely to have some company for a little while…and it’s always nice to make new friends, don’t you think…?”

"Yes, yes it can be lovely to have company, particularly someone as nice as you are, Elena. And making new friends can be a good thing too... mostly."

His arm was starting to get sore again. He had a substantial amount of bruising around the break, and he was sure that he would need some surgical work one it. He'd probably wind up back on the Isle of Wight again after they got him. Well, he'd see.

"Could I have some more painkillers please, Elena?" The pain was starting to come back with a vengeance. He could feel the sweat forming on his forehead as he gritted his teeth. The best way to deal with pain like this was to distract yourself. "Elena, if you don't mind my asking, what is it you do for a quid that makes you long for a place like this? And what would you normally be doing here, if you weren't being Nurse Nightingale?"

 

[Britwitch]

"Could I have some more painkillers please, Elena?"
It only took a brief glance at the sweat starting to glisten on his forehead to see that Jacob was in some serious discomfort. Elena all but leapt out of the armchair to fetch the first aid kit. Handing him two of the strongest painkillers she could find, then adding a third as a second thought.
"They might make you drowsy but it's not as if we're going anywhere..." She admitted softly, watching as he swallowed them before hesitantly pressing her hand to his forehead, praying she wouldn't feel the heat of fever beneath it. Sagging with relief when she did not.

"Elena, if you don't mind my asking, what is it you do for a quid that makes you long for a place like this? And what would you normally be doing here, if you weren't being Nurse Nightingale?"
"Well, it's not exactly thrilling but I work for a law firm, not on the legal side, I'm on their PR team, assistant manager actually..." Her smile was bashful even though the promotions had come from hard work and nothing else.
"It's not the easiest of jobs and constantly eats into my evenings and weekends...which is why, I suppose, I look forward to my times up here so much..."
Unaware really, she had sat down beside him to give him the pills and simply stayed there to answer his question.
"If you...hadn't come calling last night, I would probably...in all honesty...still be asleep..." She admitted guiltily. "And then I would most likely have gone walking, enjoying the peace and quiet out here...and then maybe tried to continue work on what I once thought would be my first great novel..." She laughed as she sat back into corner of the couch and turned so she was facing him. "Now I think it will always be that manuscript I tinker with whenever I come here and that one day I might end up burning if I run out of firewood..."

Her smile faded a little as she saw that he was obviously still in pain.
"Is there anything I can do for you, Jacob...?" Her question was genuine. "I don't think I have any stronger medication to give but I could take a fresh look at your arm, maybe ease the pressure on it a little...? Or there's always the 'emergency' bottle in the cupboard over there...if you think that would help take the edge off..." She nodded at an ancient cabinet against the wall, inside which was a bottle of whisky that her father had insisted be kept there, in case of an emergency. He had never been able to explain just what kind of emergency could be helped with the application of alcohol but it remained there all the same.

 

[marauder13]

Jacob controlled his breathing, shut his eyes for he could focus on her words. Her voice would be the sole experience in his existence until he got other pain relief. He heard her run for the first aid kit, and felt her turn his hand to drop two tablets into it. He looked at them as a third was deposited. One tablet at a time, he popped them in and swallowed them.

"Thank you."

He closed his eyes again, focusing on her voice. She had a fine voice, smooth, very easy to listen to. It was easy to get carried away by her voice. He almost forgot to listen to the actual words he was so entranced. He let her go until she talked about her manuscript being used as emergency fuel.

"That would explain the fact that you're single right now. Not having the time for a boyfriend and all. I'm so sorry, I shouldn't have said that. One of the best ways of keeping the pain at bay is to ignore it and focus on something else... and you're one of the better things around here to focus on. And being so focused, I tend to put together little facts here and there and then I have the problem of blurting them out.

"I've lived a rather... uh... sheltered life recently. I have kept to myself mostly, and I am rather rusty with the social norms."

He knew the painkillers were starting to work. He could feel the effects in his cognitive processes, and they mapped well with the known biomechanical effects of that class of narcotic. But then Elena mentioned alcohol, and he nearly panicked.

"NO!" He fought to bring his breathing under control, to stop the slide into panic. "No. Never mix alcohol with opiates. The two together cause some rather nasty disruptive imbalances in the cerebral chemical balance, as well as having possible toxic reactions in the blood stream dependent on a number of different hormonal concentrations."

He opened his eyes to look at Elena. She seemed surprised at his outburst. "I have been studying the effects of opiate addiction on human beings, as well as the actual mechanics of the addiction on a physiological level, and how that effects the body when the source of opiates is withdrawn in part or in full. The effects can be rather devastating, or very subtle. Unfortunately, the opiate class of substances have enough variation in them that one rule does not fit all."

Jacob was now aware that his brain's ability to process the pain signals was reducing, and therefore the pain was 'going away'. In turn the body's own automatic reactions to the pain response lessened, which made a snowballing effect. It also reduced the tensions in the immediate area which enabled the body to continue the repair work without as many problems.

To Elena, Jacob stopped sweating, and visibly relaxed.

 

[Britwitch]

"That would explain the fact that you're single right now. Not having the time for a boyfriend and all..."
Elena blushed and sat back a little, she had hoped her relationship status was not as glaringly obvious as she knew it was but to have a relative stranger spell it out for her just emphasised the fact that all these years of putting a job she only entered because she showed promise in it before everything else had apparently robbed her of the chance of developing a serious relationship with anyone.

"I'm so sorry, I shouldn't have said that. One of the best ways of keeping the pain at bay is to ignore it and focus on something else... and you're one of the better things around here to focus on. And being so focused, I tend to put together little facts here and there and then I have the problem of blurting them out. I've lived a rather... uh... sheltered life recently. I have kept to myself mostly, and I am rather rusty with the social norms."
"It's ok...I mean, a 26 year old in a cottage in the woods on her own for a week doesn't exactly shout happily married or anything..." Elena admitted with a sigh. "Anyway, its my own fault I'm on my own so who am I to complain..."


"NO!"
Elena visibly jumped at his reaction to alcohol, her eyes wide and muscles tensed.
"No. Never mix alcohol with opiates. The two together cause some rather nasty disruptive imbalances in the cerebral chemical balance, as well as having possible toxic reactions in the blood stream dependent on a number of different hormonal concentrations."
"I...I'm sorry, I didn't...I guess I didn't think..." She apologised softly.
"I have been studying the effects of opiate addiction on human beings, as well as the actual mechanics of the addiction on a physiological level, and how that effects the body when the source of opiates is withdrawn in part or in full. The effects can be rather devastating, or very subtle. Unfortunately, the opiate class of substances have enough variation in them that one rule does not fit all."

When he'd finished his explanation Elena was sat with her mouth slightly agape and eyes still wide, although now with wonder rather than concern.
The man before her was clearly someone incredibly intelligent, something she found refreshing given that her first impression given his physique and appearance was that he would be considerably more brawn then brain. Something she had to admit in other circumstances she would have found incredibly attractive, although she did struggle for a moment to think what was wrong with this circumstance. They were both strangers, brought together by...she supposed some would call it fate. What would be so wrong if, and it was a gigantic if, something were to develop between them...?
However, he did seem pretty intent on reaching his destination and such things were usually confined to the pages of novels than real life. Besides, all being well, he would be on his way the next day and she could continue in her uneventful life...alone.

He seemed to relax in the following minutes, his position softening as he allowed himself to sink back towards the couch a little and Elena felt herself relaxing alongside him."That...that's quite the topic for research." She eventually replied once she was sure the worst had passed. "I would imagine such rigorous research wouldn't leave much time for another person in your life...am I right in assuming you're just as single as I am...?" She asked gently, hoping not to touch a nerve but to merely continue the conversation. "You don't have to answer that..." She swiftly amended before adding a little more lightly. "If you'd rather, we can keep talking about how tragic my life is..."

 

[marauder13]

"I...I'm sorry, I didn't...I guess I didn't think..."

"There is no need to apologise, Elena. It took me nearly five years to confirm that, and the others researching the same field are somewhat reluctant to accept my findings."

Elena had gone quiet beside him, and he could feel her tension radiating from her. The painkillers were working very effectively, and he was getting rather mellowed by the effects. He knew it would be good for him to stop any conversations, as the levels of codeine in his system would act like a primitive truth serum. He could not afford for certain truths to come out.

"That...that's quite the topic for research." She eventually replied once she was sure the worst had passed. "I would imagine such rigorous research wouldn't leave much time for another person in your life...am I right in assuming you're just as single as I am...?"

He heard her gently worded question. There was nothing wrong with answering that.

"Yes, it is a topic I am rather passionate about. I hope that the fruits of my work will help people with drug addictions break their habits. And yes, I am single. The research was something to fill the time that a partner would have filled. I knew a couple of very nice ladies, but things ended... badly." Tears welled in his eyes, rolling down his cheeks. He recognized he was close, too close, to telling her things she wasn't to hear.

"I... I think I need to lie down again." Jacob slid himself forward off the sofa onto the floor. He maneuvered himself so he was lying down where she left him the night before. Elena could see two more tears escape his eyes as he settled into a drug induced sleep.

Jacob had seen her enter the pub two hours before, already a little seedy from her time with her girlfriends. They had left earlier, the last of then only 10 minutes before. She staggered out, waving goodbye to a bunch of people inside who cheered her off. She wore ankle high boots, tight jeans that hugged her legs and arse well, a light colour long sleeved shirt under a dark coloured vest. The vest showed her narrow waist, generous hips and large bust. Her rich auburn hair flowed freely half was down her back.

She was singing some pop tune as she swayed down the foot path. Her occasional trip brought out an 'Oops' followed by a giggle as she shushed herself. Jacob thought she was perfect, even if she was smashed by alcohol. All he desired from her was a kiss from her perfect lips. He had waited two hours in the cold to get his reward of one kiss. He made his move.

Jacob caught up with her, smiling, not hiding his approach or trying to be sneaky. As he went to get his reward from her, she slapped him.

"Fuck off, you tosser." He ignored her words and her slap because he was getting his reward for his patience. He closed on her again, this time she kicked him in the shins, and tried to run. Jacob was angry that she refused him his rightful reward. He took off after her. She tried to cut across a small park, but her boots were not meant for soft grass. Along with her inebriated state, she could not stand before Jacob was on her.

"Tell me to fuck off will you," he snarled as he took a hand full of her hair. "I waited for you for two fucking hours. Just for a simple kiss from the most beautiful woman on earth." Jacob pulled her to her feet, the pain and terror too much for her to make a noise louder than a whimper.

"Well, I'm going to get my reward, and a fucking apology too." He half dragged, half led the crying woman into the near by trees. She tried to break free, and earned a vicious backhand blow every time she did. He finally got her to the most secluded fucking spot in the park. It was too late for any of the kids to still be there, and at least 3 acts of sex had occurred there that night already going by the used condoms lying around.

He threw her roughly to the ground, then her ripped her jeans and panties off. Her terror had already made her ready, and Jacob got his kiss as he repeatedly fucked her. Her cries of pain and fear were soon replaced with cries of pleasure and orgasms as he used her. He finally came in her. And she thought that her night with him was over.

He rolled her over, pulling her hips into the air, and raped her anus. He tore her with his brutal usage and left his seed there too.

He was about to continue his violations of his perfect woman when a hand appeared from nowhere shaking his head from side to side. In the distance, he heard a woman's voice calling him. "Jacob... Jacob... wake up."

His eyes snapped open to see Elena looking down on him, fear marring her face like it did the woman in his dream!

 

[Britwitch]

"Yes, it is a topic I am rather passionate about. I hope that the fruits of my work will help people with drug addictions break their habits. And yes, I am single. The research was something to fill the time that a partner would have filled. I knew a couple of very nice ladies, but things ended... badly."
Elena was seriously taken aback by the tears that escaped from Jacob’s eyes as he spoke of his past relationships. She had to stop herself reaching out to touch his shoulder, to squeeze it gently to let him know she empathised.
“I’m sorry to hear that Jacob…it…it can’t have been easy…” Elena apologised, again, wishing she’d thought better and never asked the insensitive question in the first place.
"I... I think I need to lie down again."
“Oh…of course, I…”
Before Elena could step forwards to offer her assistance, Jacob had moved himself onto the floor. Fresh tears slid down his cheek before he appeared to drift into sleep. She bent down and carefully covered him with the blanket, placing another glass of water by his side, and then tiptoed towards the door. She pulled her sweatshirt back on and slipped out of the door, intending to investigate the damage to the car and the state of the track.

As she worked to try and pull the large branch from the windscreen she kept hearing Jacob’s words echoing in her mind – “…but things ended…badly.”
They must have ended pretty badly if it had been enough to make him move to an island, at least she assumed that was why he had ended up there.
She’d never had a break-up that was ‘amicable’ but she’d never gone through one that had made her want to turn her back on the world, not for more than a day or so anyway. She couldn’t imagine what must have happened to have affected someone some much when they appeared to be as strong as Jacob. However, she knew she should not, and could not, ask any more about his life…unless he openly brought it up again.

Her face rosy with the exertions it took to remove the branch, Elena was finally able to open the door and slid inside. There were twigs and leaves everywhere, not to mention broken glass. The gearbox was, as she had feared, completely destroyed and it looked like the steering wheel had taken a bit of a battering too. There was no way she would get it moving without help.

Giving up on the car, she wandered down the track and found herself struggling to stay upright in the squashy, sucking mud around her ankles. She persevered for a little while, getting no further than half a mile or so from the cottage, but had to give up. Even with the sun shining through the trees, she knew the chances of it being traversable by the next morning would be limited. At least, it might be ok for her to struggle on but she doubted Jacob would make it with his injury, just a small slip could cause him no end of pain and goodness only knew how much more damage would done.
Sighing, she slowly made her way back to the cottage, pausing to fill the outdoor water tank with water from the well, so that the shower would be available later, warm water being provided from an ancient piping system that drew heat from the range in the kitchen.

Elena was just inside, pulling off her sweatshirt when she heard Jacob. He was obviously dreaming, and clearly dreaming something unpleasant given the frown on his face and the groans leaving his slightly parted lips. There were no discernible phrases coming forth but he was upset about something, she kept hearing snatches of things, about something being his. His entire body seemed tense, the hand on his good arm gripping the blanket, pulling at it, twisting it…

While she’d heard it wasn’t a good thing to wake people who were in a deep sleep but he was moving around so much, she didn’t want him to jar his arm.
She knelt beside him and tentatively laid a hand upon his shoulder, leaning over him slightly and shaking him gently.
“Jacob…Jacob…wake up, Jacob…” Elena spoke as loudly as she dared, hoping her voice might be enough to rouse him from whatever nightmare he was having but perhaps leave him drowsy enough to continue his much needed rest. She had just shifted her hand subconsciously to his cheek when his eyes flicked open and fixed on her concerned face.

“Jacob…Jacob, it’s me, Elena…you…you were having a nightmare, I think…” She said quickly and quietly, not wanting to worry or panic him, trying her best to hide how fast her heart was racing in her chest, how much the expression on his face had worried and confused her. “Was it the crash…?” She asked, reaching to offer him the water. “You had me worried there…” Elena finally admitted, a small smile curving her lips as she looked down at him.

“You’ve been asleep for some time…I’ve been trying to look at the car, although it’s almost completely written off and, that’s not all…” She figured she might as well tell him everything at once. “I’ve investigated the track and it looks like it might be more than a day before it’s in any state for you, at least, to be able to walk safely along it. I might be able to make it tomorrow on my own if you want me to try though…” She offered before looking at his face and adding.
“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t be boring you with this now…Do you want me to leave you…would you like to rest some more…?”

 

[marauder13]

'She's alive!!'

Jacob's mind was a mess from the effects of the dream, pain, stress and painkillers. He looked up at Elena, not really hearing anything she said. His expression was one of shock and joy beyond measure.

'I... I didn't do that after all. It was a terrible nightmare.'

"…Do you want me to leave you…" He looked panicked, and he acted on pure instinct. His good arm lashed out, wrapping around Elena's shoulders. Half pulling her down, half pulling himself up, he kissed Elena. He kissed her with a desperate passion that spoke of his joy. He broke off his kiss and dropped back on the floor without hurting himself.

"Thank the Lord. You're OK. I thought.. I thought I had..." Then his muddled brain started piecing together what had just happened. He blushed bright red,and tried to pull away from Elena, fearful of her reaction.

"Oh my God, Elena. I'm... I'm so sorry. I was still caught up in the dream and I thought that you were... and she was... I hope I didn't..."

His thoughts returned to the feel of her lips against his, the touch of her breath against his skin while they were kissing. He never felt that way about anyone before. No one had stirred such... delightful feelings within him as she had. But he questioned himself about whether it was Elena, or the woman in his nightmare, that stirred his passion. He soon realized it was Elena. The woman who showed so much care and concern for a stranger. A stranger that had, by strict definition of the Law, committed a sexual assault on her.

Sexual Assault. Two words that sent shivers down his spine. Two words out of four that defined his life now as he knew it.

"Elena, I am so sorry to force myself on you like that. It was unforgivable of me to do so. I... understand if you don't want to be around me after how I just treated you."

He closed his eyes, tears rolling down his cheeks as he saw his one nicest, most treasured moments vanishing before his eyes.

 

[Britwitch]

Elena barely had time to register what was happening when she felt his arm curl around her shoulders and pull her down. His lips capturing hers before she could say or do anything.

The kiss took her breath away. It was passionate and almost harsh, desperate in a way she couldn't understand. A kiss like no other she had ever experienced. She'd never felt such need in a kiss before. Just as her instincts were about to tell her mouth to return the kiss he broke it off, dropping back down onto the sheepskin. Leaving her with tingling, parted lips, sparkling eyes and his arm resting easily around her body, keeping her leant down, keeping her close.

"Thank the Lord. You're OK. I thought.. I thought I had..."
Elena frowned first with confusion and then her expression immediately softened as the blush coloured his face and his arm started to retreat.
"Oh my God, Elena. I'm... I'm so sorry. I was still caught up in the dream and I thought that you were... and she was... I hope I didn't..."
"It...it's ok...I'm fine, we both are...whatever it was, it was just a dream..." She soothed, seeing the confusion in his eyes and laying it's cause to the drugs and the adrenaline no doubt pumping through his system from the injury and the nightmare he had apparently been fighting against.

"Elena, I am so sorry to force myself on you like that. It was unforgivable of me to do so. I... understand if you don't want to be around me after how I just treated you."
"Please don't...don't worry yourself..." Elena urged gently, leaning closer, feeling guilt and something else prick her insides to see him so distressed. "It's ok...really...I'm fine. See..." She smiled a bit brighter, trying to hide the concern on her face as she looked down at him. "I'll...I'll stay with you, if you want...until you are asleep..."

She shifted slightly and moved to half sit, half lie beside him, resting on her hip, her hand moving to instinctively stroke through his hair. It had been something she remembered her mother doing after nightmares to calm her and her brothers in the middle of the night.
"Jacob...everything's alright, I'm not angry..." Elena insisted, trying to ignore the tingling that persisted on her lips.
'Far from it...' her mind taunted. 'How could you be angry with someone who's given you your first kiss in months, possibly your first real kiss in even longer...'

"Just relax, Jacob...I'm right here...I'm not going anywhere..." Elena whispered, her fingers playing through his hair while she propped her head up on her other hand. "I'm right here..."

 

[marauder13]

Jacob had the briefest fear that his nightmare featured Elena, not who it actually had been. But he knew that was not the case. The similarities were quite strong, at least physically. But this woman was very different. She was sweet, caring, considerate, open, and forgiving.

Elena spoke to Jacob, reassuring him that they were both OK and there was nothing wrong. He nodded to her, trying to make himself believe that she was speaking honestly.

'As she would lie now? After all the nice things she has been doing for you?'

He calmed down with those thoughts. He watched as she lay down beside him, rubbing his scalp, and running her fingers through his hair, like a mother would with a frightened child. That most simple of gestures felt so good, so loving, caring, tender. The tears he had been holding back started to roll again. He could not believe that she was being so nice to him. If she had known who he was, she would have left him out to die the night before.

"Elena... thank you for not getting angry, or offended by what I did. You are really turning into an angel for me. I... I shouldn't be this lucky. Not after...." He closed his eyes. He couldn't bear to look at her. "I shouldn't have kissed you like that. You deserve better than that. You deserve a kiss that is soft and tender like you are, and not like a -"

He stopped himself before he said the words. Rapist's current toy.

"I am so sorry. This is your special place, that should have had your special person, doing special things, but you've got me... a stranger with a busted arm and all sorts of problems." He put his good hand over his face, frustrated with where his mind was going, and what he was saying and how he was feeling. He had not kissed anyone in 11 years, and the kiss he shared with Elena was like nothing he had ever felt before. It had sent jolts throughout his body, making him feel alive.

Exhaustion, stress of keeping quiet and the confusion finally made him snap a little inside. He sagged, as if all the muscles had been turned off.

"I have seen my angel; her face bright as the sun; her lips the softest I've known; her kiss has brought me life renewed."

He slowly drifted to sleep, Elena's hand moving through his hair was the last thing he remembered before blissful nothingness washed over him.

 

[Britwitch]

"Elena...thank you for not getting angry, or offended by what I did. You are really turning into an angel for me. I... I shouldn’t be this lucky. Not after...."
Elena felt herself having to look away from him, suddenly feeling incredibly self-conscious.
"I shouldn't have kissed you like that. You deserve better than that. You deserve a kiss that is soft and tender like you are, and not like a -"
Her brow creased as he hesitated, wondering what word he was searching for but whatever it was, it never came.

"I am so sorry. This is your special place, that should have had your special person, doing special things, but you've got me... a stranger with a busted arm and all sorts of problems."
“None of this was your fault, Jacob…you didn’t plan to be here, I am quite sure you never intended to get yourself injured as you have. Certain things in life are beyond our control, some happen for a reason, some don’t. Perhaps this was fate’s way of telling you to take a break…” Elena suggested with a soft smile. “I honestly don’t mind about the kiss…it was quite flattering to be honest…” She admitted bashfully before noticing his eyes growing heavy.

"I have seen my angel; her face bright as the sun; her lips the softest I've known; her kiss has brought me life renewed."
She was glad he seemed to be falling asleep once more, at least that way he couldn’t see the genuinely bemused expression on her face, completed by the almost burning blush now painting her cheeks. No one had ever spoken of her in such a way and combined with the kiss they had shared Elena found it all a little overwhelming.

She stayed beside him, running her fingers through his hair until his breathing slowed and he was deep in what appeared to be more peaceful dreams. Elena watched him while he slept, the steady rise and fall of his chest and the calm, relaxed expression now on his face.
Some of what Jacob had said continued to replay through her mind. She decided something extremely tragic must have happened to the women in his life for him to talk about them the way he did. She couldn’t believe anyone who had gotten to know him would deliberately do anything to upset him. He seemed, in her eyes at least, to be thoughtful and compassionate. His talk of research, not for his own glory but to help those most in need, to help those with addiction simply reinforced her theory that here was a genuine man who had perhaps, make poor choices in the past when it came to relationships.

Jacob slept for quite some time, for most of the afternoon, Elena left his side briefly to restock the wood basket to ensure they wouldn’t run out of fuel in the night and to light the candles as the light began to fade. She made some soup ready for when he awoke, leaving in a pan by the stove, and returning to his side. She laid down beside him and cushioned her head on her arm, soon enough and without meaning too, she was soon sleeping soundly beside him.

 

[marauder13]

Jacob spent an eternity in a warm, dark place where he was at peace. No thoughts troubled him, no nightmares ravaged him. He rested and healed.

He then became aware of a dull pain on one side, and a soft comforting warmth on the other. He was drifting into being awake the same way a feather floats on the breeze, gently moving down swaying from side to side before settling to a rest. While half awake, he felt the slow movement of air against his neck that felt so soothing. He turned his head in the direction of the source of the moving air. His forehead touch another forehead, and he rolled his head a little to bring the face up closer to his. Noses brushed side by side and Jacob leaned forward a little to kiss the tender lips he knew were there.

The kiss was tender, loving and brought a moan from him as he cherished the taste of them. He continued to kiss the lips, so soon, they were returning the kisses with equal tenderness. A hand caressed his cheek as it moved behind his head to hold them together. His moans and sighs were joined by hers, along with the gentle smacks of lips parting from kisses before starting again.

Finally, Jacob was awake enough to know he was really kissing someone, rather than pleasantly dreaming it. His eyes opened in shock when he realised that he was kissing Elena. He tried to break off, but her arm hold him in place, and all resistance collapsed with the next kiss she gave him. He didn't care, they were kissing, and they were both enjoying it.

"Ummm -" kiss "Elen-" kiss "Elena?" The next kiss was longer, more passionate.

"mmmm..." she responded before locking her lips on his again. Then he felt her tense slightly, and the kiss stopped, though their lips stayed together.

"Ummm... Hi. And..." He pressed his lips against her in a quick kiss. "Thank you. That was... wonderful."

 

[Britwitch]

"Ummm...Elen-...Elena?"
The dream was tender and sweet and quite the nicest dream Elena had had in months and her brow creased as she felt someone trying to ease her out of it.

Laying on the soft, inviting wool of the rug, before the fire. The amber glow of the flames painting their flesh as their mouths melted into one.
At first tentative and shy, then growing in confidence...and desire.
Their tongues dancing back and forth as their bodies entwined.
Elena could feel the solidity and warmth of his body beside her own, pressing against her, her own body bending to fit alongside his as close as it could. She sighed into his mouth, her arm curling around his neck, fingers straying to stroke his hair, all of it to keep up the delicious contact between them.

"Mmmm...?"
The dream was fading but the kiss did not. Elena found herself trying to prolong it, drawing out the kiss before she realised she was neither dreaming nor asleep. She was actually kissing someone...Jacob...
Her body froze, eyes flying open to find his face immediately in front of her own, his lips pressed against hers. Blue eyes melting into green as the reality appeared to dawn on them both. Panic started to filter through the haziness, what had she done? He must be so shocked...upset...

"Ummm... Hi. And..."
She was still half unsure of whether this was all some dream, too dazed to respond as his lips snatched another kiss.
"Thank you. That was... wonderful."
"You're...you're welcome..." Elena smiled hazily, shifting back ever so slightly so that his face came into focus and she was relieved to see a similar expression on his face.
"I...I don't know how that happened...but I'm awfully glad it did..." She bit her lower lip shyly.
"Are you, are you ok? Did you sleep well...?" She continued, her eyes lazily moving across his face, taking in the shadow of stubble across his jaw and the more refreshed tone his whole face seemed to be wearing.
Her arm was still around his neck and shoulders and Elena found herself struggling not to roll onto her back and draw him into a tighter, more intimate embrace.

 

[marauder13]

"You're...you're welcome..."

Her words were almost breathed rather than spoken. He thought she would be upset, angry with him for being so bold, but it looked to him as though she enjoyed it as much as he did.

"I...I don't know how that happened...but I'm awfully glad it did..." He saw her shyness, as well as her pleasure at what had happened. He felt as though a boulder had been lifted off him. He was relieved more so to know that she enjoyed it. For he did too. More than any other kisses he had ever had. He smiled slowly.

"Are you, are you ok? Did you sleep well...?"

"Am I OK? No... I am... feeling great. I slept. No dreams, no nightmares, just this wonderful warm presence at my side and then I found you and..." He saw her eyes looking over his face, taking in all the details as he had done with her, and her dinner and everything else. Her hand was still holding his head, his arm was under her head, being her pillow.

Slowly, still unsure of the reception he would receive, he started to roll Elena over towards him, bringing her soft lips closer to his, in the hope that they would return to that blissful place they occupied while half asleep.

 

[Britwitch]

"Am I OK? No... I am... feeling great. I slept. No dreams, no nightmares, just this wonderful warm presence at my side and then I found you and..."
Elena looked back into his eyes, seeing so many mixed emotions shining back at her. Relief, something similar to peace, desire...
She sighed as she felt his arm drawing her closer, gently pulling her until she could feel her chest resting upon his, her face looking down, a hand resting on his shoulder.

"...and...?" She asked huskily, her teeth catching her lower lip as the silence drew out between them.
Afterwards she couldn't say if he pulled her lips to his or if she did it herself but within moments they were kissing once more.
She felt herself melting down into him as her eyes fluttered shut, sighing as she felt the warmth, the smoothness, the surprising softness of his lips as they kissed and kissed again.

What was so strange about it all was just how…natural it felt. Elena felt such calm and serenity now that she was laid in Jacob’s arms, the like of which she had never felt with anyone else before, even in her longest running relationships. Things had felt nice, even pleasant, but nothing had ever come close to feeling so…right.
She ran her hand along his cheek, running down his jaw line as her lips parted and she silently invited him to deepen the kiss. Her hair falling down around their faces as the world seemed to fade away, the sounds of their kissing mingling with the occasional crackle of the fire.