OOM: Room #100 - Visit from Bill, following fight with Ramon

[ikissdhimbck]

[A few days after this:]


Kate isn't expecting company. Of course, she never is, when Doc already happens to be in the room with her. So when there comes a light, but steady, knock at her door this morning, they exchange glances.

Doc signals to her to step away from the doorway, taking quiet steps over to where he left his holster the night before. He quickly withdraws his Colt, and silently moves toward the door.

"Who is it?" he calls gruffly, while Kate waits on the other side of her desk, back pressed against the wall and sixshooter in her hand.

.

Comments

[ikissdhimbck]

"It wasn't just that," she sighs in frustration.

She's brushing her hair with long staccato strokes that look more appropriate for making hay.

"I know you got the right t'lead, an' I'm supposed t'submit. But we ain't even married! Y'aren't even my head. I felt like a child, not a partner."

[scurlock]

"Kate, y'ain't..."

I would never try to control you like that.

He steps into the bathroom and moves behind her, carefully shifting his hands in an effort to cover hers - not touching, but to get her to stop brushing her hair.



"...just stop a second, please?"

[ikissdhimbck]

Reluctantly, she lets her hand still.

She can see his reflection in the mirror. She looks down to avoid making 'eye contact'.

[scurlock]

"You're right."

A pause, to let that since in.

"I ain't your husband, and I ain't your head. But you are not a child...and I would never think I had the right t'control you like one. I'm sorry you felt like that was what I was doin'. If we were married, or if I was your head, even then...yes, there'd be a level of respect there, but it'd be mutual. I would never look t'control you."

[ikissdhimbck]

She silently soaks in his words.



"At least maybe then you'd bother conferrin' with me," she mutters lowly. "Or warnin' me. Or even just seekin' my opinion."

She tosses her brush back to the vanity with a loud clatter, leaning away from him to pick up her perfume.

[scurlock]

He nods, looking down.

Duly chastised and informed.





"Yes, ma'am."

It's not sarcastic - it's sincere, heartfelt, and respectful.

[ikissdhimbck]

Her finger pauses over the lip of the bottle.






"Thank you."

For understanding.

She applies the white pepper behind her ears and below the hollow of her throat before putting the bottle back down.

"It's not like I like the idea of all this. I just. I don't wanna give false hope. An' I'm tryin' t'show that I mean t'fix the mess I've made, not shove it off onto some man t'fix it for me."

[scurlock]

"You will fix it," he says quietly, watching her as she places the perfume on her skin and then the bottle to the counter. He allows the scent to 'settle' on her skin before he steps forward and carefully slides his arms around her middle, his hands skimming down her sides. "I know you will. You'll keep 'em safe."

Doc leans down and nestles his face into her hair, breathing deep.




"Love this scent on your skin, y'know. More'n anythin' in the world...s'sweet but it's spicy, got a hint of a kick and fire...jus' like y'do, darlin'."

[ikissdhimbck]

A thrill races through her belly as his hands slowly slide down her hips. She lets her arms drape over his and leans back, inhaling on instinct when he does.

Glancing back into the mirror at last, she smirks when she catches his eye.


"You're tryin' t'distract me, Cowboy."

Not that she sounds terribly upset about that.

[scurlock]

He fights the devilish grin that pulls at the corner of his mouth.

"Not entirely. We do have chores t'be takin' care of today."

Eventually.



After they go talk to a tree.

[ikissdhimbck]

She breathes a short laugh, shaking her head in 'disbelief.'

She turns her head until she can see him -- not his reflection -- out of the corner of her eye.

"That so? You troublemaker; you're settin' t'mess up my makeup, is what you're plannin' t'do."

[scurlock]

He tilts his head around so that he's looking at her, faces close.

"I'd kiss you, but I'd get that lipstick all over my lips and I'm afraid that shade'a red just ain't my color," he teases.




Of course, he's not entirely teasing when he leans in and briefly brushes his lips against hers.



"You'll fix this."

[ikissdhimbck]

She sighs. This is the most at ease she's felt all morning, and she's grateful to him for that.

Twisting an arm around, she wipes the tiny smudge of red from his lips with her thumb.

"I hope so."

All she wants is to ensure her friends will be safe. If she can do that one little thing, then maybe her life will not have been such the utter failure she fears it has become.

She gently nuzzles Doc's cheek, letting her temple rest against his. She squeezes his hand, as if to reassure him.

"An' you'll back me up."

[scurlock]

"Always, even if it's through hellfire n'rain strong 'nough t'drown Noah."

No matter what.

He interlaces their fingers and gently squeezes her hand in response.

[ikissdhimbck]

She draws in a calming breath and nods.

"Right, then. Let's go."

She'll fix this.





Even if it's the last thing she does.