Miss Me

[Lovely]

October 23, 2008
10:35 pm
Veinna Estate - Richie's Room
follows: A New Champ

"Did you miss me?"

*sings*.... ....turn highways to dust.... break the law if you must... move the world only juuuuuuuust... come back to meeeeeee

She tipped her head a soft smile coming to her lips as she leaned heavily against the wall. She listened to his wonderful voice and the words he was singing, her eyes closed for a moment and then opened to meet his as he gazed at her. She pushed off the wall with a slight wince, drawn to him. Her fingers tangled into his hair, pulling him roughly to her lips, for the kiss that had been waiting for the chance to be given. Her lips parted in a slight gasp, pain, pleasure, longing, and something she refused to name.. pouring into the kiss.

The song was clipped blissfully away as he returned the kiss, reaching behind her to ensure the privacy of a locked room as he set the latch. It might have been only a second or maybe a whole day as he lost himself to the kiss, not wanting to part from her at the moment. Memories of loss and the pain from it washed away slowly as she melted him.

She felt him and heard the light click of the lock. She pulled back from his lips, to nip and nibble lightly. "Does this mean you're keeping me for awhile?" She teased softly, her dark eyes alight with emotion. "I missed you.." She finally whispered, like a confession.

"A while... a long... forever if I can," he said softly. "You're back," he assured himself, feeling her shoulders beneath his fingers.

The fingers of one hand played in his hair and she gazed into his eyes searching and finding 'home' there. Her eyes widened slightly and she kissed him softly. "I am.. I'm here.. I'm not leaving.." She whispered to him.

"Good to know," he smiled, trailing the kisses away so he could lead her away from the uncomfortable standing. "I'd dance you around this room for a week, but that wince told me all I needed to know. How bad does it hurt and where?" He asked gently to coax her into letting him help. "If you show me, maybe I can help, hm?"

She shook her head, dull pain behind her gentle gaze. "I'm alright.. I told you I'll be fine..."

"Mmm hhmmm... still, I'll hold off on the dancing for a few hours, okay? C'mon... told you I wanted to talk anyway. I might get around to it eventually," he murmured, leaning to kiss her again before leading to lay down.

"She nodded, grateful for his understanding, and that he didn't push her to do anything. "Yeah.. talking.." She smiled up at him as she lay back into the pillows. "mm I love your pillows.. your bed.. so comfy." She murmured, letting her eyes close for a moment, her fingers holding on to his still.

"You want anything? I don't know if you've slept.. if you've eaten...," he paused and grinned. "Sound like your dad, huh? Sorry... kinda habitual. I'm sorry. Would you like anything to eat?"

She chuckled and as she did her hand shifted to her abdomen. "You know me. I like to go on these week long vacations where i don't eat or sleep." She used sarcasm and jokes to cover the seriousness, her eyes fluttered open. "I don't really remember my dad anymore.. been so long... and it's okay... you care... it feels nice.."

"Yeah... yeah it does," he said softly, a little distant himself. He fell silent a long moment looking her over then reanimated suddenly, switching gears a little. "Tell you what," he said, changing the music to a soft jazz background and lowering the volume. "I'll have a tray sent up... stuff you can pick from as you want. Hungry... great... not hungry, it can sit there... I just don't want to leave the room... and I don't want you.... to go... anywhere." He slid to the cushion, curling up beside her.

[Lovely]

Her head turned, her smile still soft, a gaze that could be constrewed as loving met him. Her eyes taking him in and adoring him. "Right here is good for me.. how about you?"

"Right here seems to be where I am, too... glad to meet you. I'm Richie.. and you're...," he cut off, trying to clown but being far too enamoured to kid. He was relieved... she was safe and mostly alright. He reached to kiss her, nestling her gently into the pillows. "Yeah... comfy," he whispered, settling beside her.

Her fingers came like a whisper across his cheek and she leaned to his lips. "I'm... home." Her soft breath tickled over his lips, hers curling a little more. "So are my pajamas still here? You think you can give me a hand with that?" It was a big deal for her to ask for help, her teeth gently biting her lower lip.

"Help's right here, too... whatever you need. I didn't hear a thing," he grinned. "Okay you.. up gently, c'mon." He sat up and waited for her to adjust herself comfortably to allow his assistance without being too awkward. "If you want, I can sneak out and borrow some of Cassie's bubbly stuff if you want a bath."

"Mmm a hot bath.. don't worry about the bubbles and come with me?"

"You sure?" He raised an eyebrow and looked at the small room and then back. He grinned, "No waxy, peachy, berry-ish bubble-gummy sudsy stuff?"

"I'm sure.." She exhaled a deep puff as she rose up to sitting, her legs swinging over the side of the bed. She was moving slowly as the aches were setting in and she was starting to feel stiff. A warm bath would be a good thing, keep her from bunching up and causing more pain.

"Spandex.. nice choice. Mind if I use snips or can you raise up? Easy now... slowly," he said, helping with the hem and starting to ease the snug fabric off from around her.

"It suited it's purpose earlier." She mumbled, wincing and closing her eyes tightly as she lifted her arms above her head. Her breath was like a pant as she held in the whimper. Damn that bastard, he'd gotten her good with his knee. There were already dark bruises forming over her abdomen. The cut and buises on her face hurt less than her middle did.

"Easy does it...I gotcha," he said, reaching to support her arms and help peel the shirt away. He lowered her arms gently and held her, resting her against himself. "Easy breaths... slowly."

She closed her eyes and did as he instructed, her chest rising and falling gently with each breath. "I'll tend to heal pretty quickly... I'll be good as new before you know it.." Her fingers reached gingerly to her face and she sighed. "God.. I must look be a mess... right.. bath.. bath is good."

"I'd say you're doing pretty well," he said as he held her gently, his warm fingers on her skin. He concentrated lightly, hoping the tingle wasn't too noticeable as some of the tinier scratches faded away. That she hadn't reacted much to it yet concerned him that she was masking that much pain and didn't notice. "You rest here a minute and I'll start the water, okay? Right back," he said, reluctantly pulling away.

She caught and held his fingers for a moment and then let go, watching him as he went into the bathroom. Her hand went to the headboard of the bed and she propped herself on it a little. Her dark eyes dulled and clouded by the pain that she pushed away, her eyes clearing a bit as she used strength of will to keep herself going. Slowly she pushed up and stood, her boots had come in the car, before they came into the house and lay wherever Richie had put them. In just her jeans, she padded gingerly to the bathroom. The backs of her knuckles rapping lightly on the door as she leaned in the frame. "Hey... Thought I might join you in here.." Her voice was soft, a touch tired as well.

[Lovely]

ooooooo

I see you

oooo I see ... um.. me.. you... hmmm

I see you and me, too... *points back and forth*... know whut I mean, huh huh???

okay, so I think I'm Frank Sinatra from time to time... I can pull it off, so it's ok

eh.. as long as you keep singing sweet to this girl.. it's all good

*whispers and teases*... yeah and he'll make her sing sweetly too... know whut i mean?

*grins and cuddles*

grins.. you wanna be my personal back washer... and front washer too?

hmm... let me think about th... yes

so order us some nibbly foods and then let me nibble on you for awhile.

food? what? *blank stare for a moment*... oh yeah... yes.. sure... just a minute

mmmhmm

*grins* can't help it *leans in for a kiss* you distract me and I love every minute of it... of you...

Of me? *small shy smile*

*pulls closer*.. want me to be specific? Scientific terms? How many languages? How 'bout I just tell you, hm? Took losing you for just that short time to realize... I love you.

her heart beat faster, racing in her chest as she stared at him, slightly awed and deeply touched. She blinked, her dark eyes shining with unshed tears. "Y-you.. love me?" She whispered, searching his eyes, feeling the butterflies fluttering inside and she trembled. She'd never loved anyone and had been grappling with the unfamiliar feeling churning in her. She had missed him, ached for him , longed to return to his side, and she'd cried every night.... She was not the sort of girl who cried, but somehow he touched her deeper than anyone ever had. Her fingers brushed over his cheek, her eyes conveying the words that caught in her throat.

He caught her narrow hand in his own and kissed her fingers, offering a timid nod. "Yeah," he grinned. "I do. But don't let my brothers hear that... and certainly not the boys ... or Cass. I don't think I have the stamina for the questions." He looked around as if any one of them were at the cracks in the walls listening in and spoke quietly.

She sighed softly and nodded. "Alright.. I won't tell.. not that I'd tell them anything, anyway." Her voice was soft, starting to withdraw again, not understanding his meaning.

[Lovely]

"Hey, now.. not like that... it's not a bad thing at all. They're just ravenous and eager and likely to steal you away from me to ask you a million questions... and I just don't want anyone to distract me... from you... for a while, okay? I just got you back," he chuckled. "Please... I didn't mean anything bad by it."

A small smile came back to her face and she looked up at him. "I'm distracting you." She nodded towards the tub. "At this rate we'll never make it to that bath."

"And that's not a bad thing, either... well, not really. Be honest... how bad is it?" He smiled and then coaxed her gently, seeing more of the pain registering and her eyes looking more tired. His fingers ran over her cheek this time as he grinned again at her light smile. Beneath his touch, more of the lighter marks faded.

Without knowing, she leaned into his touch, her eyes closing and her smile brightening. "It's not bad.... this is nice..." She stepped closer to him and let her hands rest at the sides of his waist.

"Yeah it is," he murmured, content to just hold her and feel her there.. real... warm... comfortable. "About that bath... I believe I'm a designated washer if you want to get all soaked, hm?"

She kissed his lips softly and nodded. "Sounds good... better than good." She backed slowly away from him, not wanting to be out of his touch for even a moment.

The washroom was small, meant for function, not for fuss, but was warm and shadowed in deep, modest greens and browns. He set the water to running and offered various gels and soaps meant for guests, many that had been gifts and hints from family over the past ten years. He looked at the basket and chuckled with a shrug, "My kids... what can I say?"

"Say you have something with cinnamon or vanilla...?" She gently undid her waist and slid her jeans to the floor, the simple light pink, cotton thong remained covering the last little bit of her as she moved in the small space to lean into his arms and view the contents of the basket.

"Mmmmhmm... and she's wearing pink," he mused, pointing out the bottle of exotic vanilla spice gel that Cassie gave him for Valentine's Day. "Cass... is an amazing girl. She said this would do the trick. Whatever 'the trick' means to a 14 year old, I'm not sure I want to know, but it looks like she was right." He smiled and pulled the bottle out for her, snuggling her waist gently.

She glanced down and chuckled. "Well would you look at that... she is.." Her arms wrapped around his shoulders briefly as she kissed his cheek. "mmm love how warm you are." Her hand ran over his arm and she read the bottle , with a raised brow. "Hmmm... I think she was right... Cassie is a bright girl." She'd met his kids and though had spent more time with him than anyone, the kids had charm and spunk and were easy to become fond of.

[Lovely]

He chuckled lightly, still managing embarrassment at the littlest of compliments, both aimed toward him and about the kids. "You think I'm warm now, wait til you get in that bath. I think I forgot to turn the hot water on. Just a sec... you see what I mean about distracting me?" He slipped loose just enough to test the warmth of the water that filled the tub. "Nah, we're good. Autopilot works."

She pulled him back to her with a soft smile and a tender kiss greeting his lips. Her fingers caught his and guided them to the band of her thong as she kissed him, 'hinting' at what she wanted.

"Did I say I was warm? Mmm...," he hummed, nearly sighing in the kiss as his fingers were guided by hers to her sides. The 'autopilot' took over, guiding beneath the band and gently, slowly pulling the thin strap away and down, gracefully and lightly enjoying the feel of her skin and soft velvet as he moved to glide the garment away.

"mmm...hmmm.." Her fingers tickled lightly over his shoulders and slid up his front to remove his shirt. Her lips clinging to his and nipping him back if he moved away, she was 'melting' into him. Each passing moment and affection shared had her falling more and more.

The shirt slid from his shoulders revealing his own tight knots and tension from worry. He'd been hitting the weights to relieve some of the concerns, but nothing relaxed him as much as the light touch that met them now. "Better be careful," he teased."We might find a way to communicate completely by humming."

She giggled and pressed her lips over his skin, kissing and humming softly over his chest and reaching to release his waist and push his pants down from his hips. Her abdomen hurt too much to bend and crouch to remove them fully, but she got them started, letting them fall on their own after that. His lips brushed his neck and she paused to nibble lightly. "Sometimes words just get in the way..." She whispered softly. "Oh hun.. you're so tense and tight.... " Fingers stroked over the taunt muscles.

He nodded. "Nothing a little R&R can't fix. We'll worry about me later... you first, okay? Your bath... and your bruises... that's gonna take a little work, but you'll be good as new in no time, like you said," he said, smiling softly to reassure.

Talking that as her cue, she slithered against him and past to the tub, uncapping and tipping the bottle to pour some into the water. Tossing the bottle to gently rest in the basket she stepped into the tub and slid into the water. Her hands gripped the sides of the basin as she lowered and folded, her lower lip held between her teeth, keeping the pain response in check. Once in, the water and bubbles that were forming swirled around her middle and she felt the warmth easing her already, now all she needed was her 'washer'. Smiling though pain shone in her eyes, she beckoned Richie to join her. "Only one thing I need to make this bath perfect.."

His eyes brightened as much as his grin, both soft and caring. The bruise on her midsection was looking worse, though he tried not to focus outwardly on it. He reached for her hand and sat on the edge of the tub. "You soak for a minute and enjoy your down time.. just for a minute, I promise, okay? Food, remember? And.. a little something I forgot, too." He kissed her hand and slipped away. "Two minutes tops... I swear... don't go anywhere."

Fauve leaned back and closed her eyes, resting while he went to make the order for food. A small smile played on her lips, though her thought were troubled by the pain she was in and trying to mentally asess the damage done. Her hand rested lightly over her abdomen, pressing gently testing tenderness.

He was on the call to the kitchen for far less than the two minutes he needed. Sweets and veggies.. things to sustain him and things that could sit ignored a while. More importantly, while he talked to chef, he pulled a drawer open by the bed, pulling out a couple of sugar straws and a small pouch containing a syringe and small bottle. He nimbly opened the pouch, setting the needle to the seal and the mixture within, filling it to the proper level. Tearing open the sugar straws, he hurriedly swallowed the bittersweet candy and swabbed his arm from the foil enclosed square. The label stated the mixture he slammed into his arm was also a sugar... one of Armand's special mixes for this occasion... he'd need to boost to help her.

[Lovely]

He left everything as it was. He hadn't intended to hide anything... everything had its proper moment for explanation, but this hadn't come up until now. Reentering the room, he smiled, his eyes more alight with adoration and deep seeded caring, preparing himself to help her heal.

Her eyes fluttered and her hand stayed where it was, not hiding it now. "hey... " She leaned up to make room for him to slide in with her.

"Hey back...," he grinned softly, joining her slowly, letting the warmth hit his toes and work its way up. He choose to kneel in the water before her, letting her lounge and keep her legs comfortably in the warmth of the scented bath. "I think I like exotic," he grinned more, resting fingers around hers at her middle. "How tender is it?"

She rested back and let one leg slide along each side of him, bent and slightly curling around him. "A little.. pretty.. very.. okay.. very very.." She chuckled a little and looked up at him. "Don't tell... " She whispered. "but it really hurts."

He nodded and leaned forward, pressing his hand flat to her belly gently. "Not another word about it." His fingers were much warmer now and he didn't mask the tingle as he moved his hand along the outer edge of the mark. "Give me your other hand," he whispered, holding his free hand palm-up for hers.

Her brow furrowed a bit and she shifted in reaction the the feel of his hand. Her eyes were questioning as the hand on her abdomen covered his. "What..?" Her other hand lifted to rest lightly over the one he held out. "Richie.. what are you doing?"

"Making it all better... just relax and think happy, warm, gentle thoughts... shhhh."

"It.. tingles.." She frowned and glanced down at his hand then looked back to his eyes.

"Means it's working," he grinned. "It's fine... the pain should be less in a few minutes, okay?" He worked at it slowly, pulling pain and bruise to the surface, knitting tissue beneath slowly. He didn't dare go too fast, fearing more damage lay beneath the bruise that he couldn't detect until he could check her later. He was pleased to note that no shade of pink tinted the water from any bleeding he'd feared.

She grimaced umcomfortably once or twice but remained still and watched his face as he 'worked' on her. He was accurate in telling her the pain would lessen, as it gradually did. "Thank you." She said softly, appreciating all he was doing, even without the added gift of healing, all that he'd done to ensure she was alright and ease her.

"Least I could do... kinda my fault it happened. I'm sorry... you have no idea," he said softly, his expression fading distant behind the determination to make the marks fade as well.

"You're fault?" She shook her head. "No hun, it's really not.. I did this. Marcus did this... " She growled under her breath after saying the man's name.

He shook his head gently, neither wanting to provoke anger nor distract himself from the task of making repairs, even though he disagreed. Had he not lost his temper or given the suggestions that he meant her harm in any way, she might not have left to begin with. "Hold tight.. this may sting a little," he said softly, but sternly, waiting for her grip before sending a stronger surge through her.

"It always hurts alot when the doctor says that." She chuckled and then gripped his hand, feeling the tingle grow stronger, to near the point of pain. "Gets worse before it gets better right?"

He nodded, concentrating on the central area of the wound. Beneath his fingers it paled to dull green as if she'd been healing from it naturally well over a week. He pulled his hand from her and rested back, closing his eyes as he pinched his nose. His own stomach ached from absorbing her wounds, nearly to making him ill. A few labored breaths and his arm came back to reach for her, himself leaning forward to kiss her gently. "Nearly good as new... for the surfaces. I might suggest... a little more thorough treatment in a while, hm?" He grinned and leaned more, moving his hands to the tub on either side of her to prop himself up.

[Lovely]

At first she reached to push his hand away, seeing his 'condition' as he'd laid back, the breathing and how he pinched his nose. "no.." She murmured insisting he stop and give himself a break. "It's alright.. It's alot better, now."

He shook his head. "Not done yet.. and I'm fine. Just... you took one hell of a hit," he said, a light chuckle rolling the nausea away. "It'll go away in a moment.. just kinda... know how that feels." He winced and smiled to brush the expression away, setting a kiss to her cheek.

"No.." She murmured turning to nuzzle into his kiss. "I saw that wince.. and if you know how it feels.." She shook her head, bracing her hands on his chest to stop him. "No... I won't let you... "

He gave her a look indicating he didn't want to argue the point. "I'll need to do something with this extra energy then when the boost kicks," he grinned.

Gentle eyes moved over his face and a light chuckle floated from her lips. "How do you propose that extra energy be burned off?"

"I have an idea, but you told me no," he teased. "Actually, it involves you resting here a few more minutes and being totally pampered.. if you can handle that."

"Told you no?" She nipped his lips with hers. "Yes on pushing yourself in healing me.... pampering on the other hand, is something I've never tried.."

"Well now we're getting somewhere," he teased softly in a smug tone, arming himself with a bath sponge within reach in the basket, as yet still wrapped. He opened it, letting it poof open more. "As long as this thing doesn't call the mother ship while I have it cornered.. we should be good."

Fauve laughed soflty, her fingers running over his neck in affectionate caress. "What are you going to do with that?" She wiggled an eyebrow in question.

"I was hoping you could tell me," he shrugged. "I guess... we try a little of this gel stuff and see if it shrieks... oh look... bubbling. Reminds me of putting salt on slugs when I was a kid. This looks nicer... certainly smells better," he said, applying the gel to the sponge.

"Why would you put salt on slugs?" She tipped her head, a curious expression on her face.

"Why?" He shrugged. "Boys... salt... they were there... seemed like a good idea at the time."

She eyed the poofy sponge and then him again. "They were there? Good reason." She chuckled.

He nodded. "We were on Summer break.. visiting Nana out in Tuscany... it had been raining non-stop for a week and the things were everywhere. Not sure where we got the salt from," he mused, thinking back. "But.. no slugs here... just... this really nice vanilla I'm really startin' to dig a lot here... and the company... likewise."

"Vanilla is a comforting scent.. or so I have read." She smiled and leaned up to brush his cheek with her lips, her fingers gliding over him. "Tuscany?... Would you take me there some day?" She whispered. "I've never been very far from... where I lived.."

[Lovely]

"So much for my kidnapping attempt... guess it won't be if you're willing," he grinned, working the lather on her fingers before grasping them to run the feathery sponge up her arm.

"Eh.. I've been kidnapped this month... I have a limit of one time per month.. sorry.. maybe next month?"

"I was thinking day after tomorrow.. maybe the next day, really. And yes, I'm serious."

"Serious.. to go on a trip?" She let her arm fall as he grasped the other hand and followed down to her shoulder with the sponge. "Not tomorrow... I think rest... Maybe some time for you and I to really talk.. since you mentioned it in the car.. and I agree that we should. If your free to spend the day with me?"

"A day or two... or five.... dozen... how ever many you want," he grinned, letting the sponge cast softly over her shoulders, rivers of gentle bubbles cascading down.

She nooded slowly, her eyes following the trail of bubbles as they slid down her slippery skin. "And the nights?" She asked softly, reaching to gently pull him close to her.

"Take that first number... quadruple it," he whispered. "All the time you want and need... won't be nearly enough... and will all seem but a second compared to how it felt when you left. I can't even put it words, Fauve. You brought me back to life."

"I'm sorry... That.. I hurt you, by leaving." Her fingers caressed his cheeks, her eyes troubled as they dragged down and away from him. She paused a moment, gathering herself as she was genuinely upset that she'd caused him pain. "That was never my intent... I.. I.. " She bit her lip and then took a calming breath. "I wasn't right... away from you like that... it just didn't feel right." Her fingers grasped his and laid them on her chest. "The pain here.. was far worse than this.." Her fingers guided his down to her abdomen.

"Yeah... it was," he nodded, shifting the sponge back up a little to rub softly over her chest.

Her hand came to stop the sponge, her head shook and she looked at him sadly. "I'm sorry.. please tell me what I can do.. to make up for it.. to make it better..please?"

He smiled boyishly and chuckled, "You are..hey now... stop. You are, seriously. No pouting." He grabbed the puff in the other hand and tapped it off the end of her nose ever-so-gently. "What you can do... is be you."

"Who else would I be?" She wiped the puff of bubbles from her nose and lifted her leg from the water to rest her foot on the side of the tub. She leaned back against the end of the tub and gazed at him, letting her other leg curl and rub along his side.

He watched the movement from the corner of his eye and felt the heat and steam rise from her skin as her legs shifted. "I've got a few ideas... might share 'em... later," he said, running a light hand over her leg at his side, sliding it beneath her in the slick water. "I'm getting a few more ideas in the meantime."

"Planning to share any of your ideas?" An eyebrow arched as she reached sudsy hand to his shoulder and urged him to come share a few of her ideas.

'Mm hmm... oh absolutely," he nodded, sliding her up into his lap. "Hold on."

She giggled as she was pulled into his lap. "Hold on?" Her mouth finding his in playful sweet kisses.

"You're slippery... take that any way you want to," he teased and hummed.