[following this:]
After Guppy takes Alex home, Kate eventually does make it to the fire to warm up. Of course, by this point her body is already warm; it's her heart that feels chilled. She dispenses with the tea, and just takes the whiskey for a second and third drink.
It's late by the time she's able to muddle through her thoughts well enough to drag herself upstairs. All she wants to do is collapse into her bed and sleep, but once she reaches the landing--
Doc.
He'll be expecting her.
She stands there for a moment, gathering her wits about her.
I don't want him to see me like this.
She swallows hard, steeling herself for what she knows she has to do next. She can't just bypass his room without a word; not when they've been spending so many nights together. Not when he'll be expecting her. Not when they've just had the intimacy 'conversation.' She'll pull herself together long enough to tell him she needs a quiet night to sleep. Everything's fine, she just misses her own bed. She'll be right as rain come tomorrow.
When she stops outside his door, she doesn't take out her key and walk in. For some reason, tonight she knocks.
.
After Guppy takes Alex home, Kate eventually does make it to the fire to warm up. Of course, by this point her body is already warm; it's her heart that feels chilled. She dispenses with the tea, and just takes the whiskey for a second and third drink.
It's late by the time she's able to muddle through her thoughts well enough to drag herself upstairs. All she wants to do is collapse into her bed and sleep, but once she reaches the landing--
Doc.
He'll be expecting her.
She stands there for a moment, gathering her wits about her.
She swallows hard, steeling herself for what she knows she has to do next. She can't just bypass his room without a word; not when they've been spending so many nights together. Not when he'll be expecting her. Not when they've just had the intimacy 'conversation.' She'll pull herself together long enough to tell him she needs a quiet night to sleep. Everything's fine, she just misses her own bed. She'll be right as rain come tomorrow.
When she stops outside his door, she doesn't take out her key and walk in. For some reason, tonight she knocks.
.
Kate awakens suddenly in the middle of the night. She can feel a thin trickle of sweat creeping across her temple, and beneath her nightshirt her heart is pounding.
'Dream of me'
Doc is fast asleep behind her, his arms wrapped around her middle securely. But she barely even feels him there. She's lost in a dreamlike state, her mind clouded as if by a dark pall. The fine hairs on her arms and at the back of her neck are on end, and, though she's not sure why, she feels the urge to get up.
Doc stirs and mumbles in his sleep, and she hushes him, saying she just remembered leaving a gate unlocked in the stables.
"Leave't fer th'morn'n," he mumbles, reaching for her.
"I'll only be gone a moment," she whispers, kissing his forehead and brushing her fingers through his hair. He's already half-asleep, and she uses that to her advantage, coaxing him back into restfulness with just the right touch and a quiet, hummed song.
Dream of me.
She pulls on clothes -- her boots, and a blouse, and a long, flowing skirt that cinches at her waist -- and gathers her hair back into a braid, before stepping out of the room and down the stairs, feet quick with a strange tremble of excitement that runs through her blood. She's not even sure where she's going until she has her coat on and the backdoor open, and soon she's on the dark path outside, blinking at her surroundings.
.
OOM: Room #25 - For Doc Scurlock and X-23
Jan. 4th, 2010 05:05 pmChristmas is over, and New Years is approaching. It's been a rather quiet week for Doc and Kate; there aren't very many good memories associated with this time of year for either of them. Kate's been craving the quiet, and solitude of being away from the bar, and Doc's been craving... well, her. So they've been passing most of their time in quiet togetherness, not caring about much outside their warm little cocoon.
But today, things are different. After several days of exchanging notes with the Bar, they are expecting company. X-23 received Kate's inquiry about the kittens, and has agreed to bring them back 'home.'
Kate is sitting on the couch with her knees tucked under her and an afghan around her shoulders, trying not to laugh out loud.
Why?
Because Doc is fussily moving about the room, 'cleaning' and making sure all the boy's toys are out and accessible, and all their dishes have been filled with fresh water and food. He has even 'accidentally' left a few of his neck rags out in the open.
"You're ridiculous," she eventually says, unable to bite back her smirk.
.
But today, things are different. After several days of exchanging notes with the Bar, they are expecting company. X-23 received Kate's inquiry about the kittens, and has agreed to bring them back 'home.'
Kate is sitting on the couch with her knees tucked under her and an afghan around her shoulders, trying not to laugh out loud.
Why?
Because Doc is fussily moving about the room, 'cleaning' and making sure all the boy's toys are out and accessible, and all their dishes have been filled with fresh water and food. He has even 'accidentally' left a few of his neck rags out in the open.
"You're ridiculous," she eventually says, unable to bite back her smirk.
.
OOM: Room #100 - for Doc Scurlock
Dec. 31st, 2009 07:35 am[following this:]
It's been a while since Kate has spent any considerable amount of time in her own room, so it has remained rather tidy. The only real exceptions are a stack of clean laundry on her desk chair she hasn't gotten to yet, and the bedspread, which is a little disheveled from stolen naps here and there between checking on and being with Doc. On her desk is the book of poetry she had taken from his room, along with the little orange paper crane that marks her place. The poetry and favors from the wake are spread out, including several little steel green cranes, which sit awkward and deformed in some small way ('first attempts' at origami that weren't so bad as to throw away). There's also a rather extraordinary little music box, and a half-eaten box of chocolate. On the table in the corner, there are a few newspapers and posters, handmade notes about Cuero, and the like.
The real focus of attention, however, is the bathroom; complete with all its fancy little soaps, and relaxing scents, and nice, hot water. That's Kate's focus, at least, once she unlocks her door and steps inside.
.
It's been a while since Kate has spent any considerable amount of time in her own room, so it has remained rather tidy. The only real exceptions are a stack of clean laundry on her desk chair she hasn't gotten to yet, and the bedspread, which is a little disheveled from stolen naps here and there between checking on and being with Doc. On her desk is the book of poetry she had taken from his room, along with the little orange paper crane that marks her place. The poetry and favors from the wake are spread out, including several little steel green cranes, which sit awkward and deformed in some small way ('first attempts' at origami that weren't so bad as to throw away). There's also a rather extraordinary little music box, and a half-eaten box of chocolate. On the table in the corner, there are a few newspapers and posters, handmade notes about Cuero, and the like.
The real focus of attention, however, is the bathroom; complete with all its fancy little soaps, and relaxing scents, and nice, hot water. That's Kate's focus, at least, once she unlocks her door and steps inside.
.
OOM: Room #25
Dec. 19th, 2009 07:44 pmThe room is ghostly still. Every shadow, every trick of the eye, is amplified in the low lamplight; every worry, every harrowing dread, looming like a pall spread over her head.
Doc's sleeping. It gives her small relief. Knowing he needs the rest, but done with seeing his eyes shut, his too pale skin, she watches to make sure he doesn't slip away from her again. She watches the rise and fall of his chest, the shift of his eyelids as he dreams.
She doesn't sleep. If she sleeps, he could disappear.
( Read more... )
.
Doc's sleeping. It gives her small relief. Knowing he needs the rest, but done with seeing his eyes shut, his too pale skin, she watches to make sure he doesn't slip away from her again. She watches the rise and fall of his chest, the shift of his eyelids as he dreams.
She doesn't sleep. If she sleeps, he could disappear.
( Read more... )
.
OOM: Outside, Early morning
Oct. 2nd, 2009 07:31 pmThey had discussed it. Kate had said she wasn't going to leave the bar until she knew that Bill, Boo, and Kate Warner were safe with Demeter. So when Doc got word that they were leaving, early in the pre-dawn hours when most folks would be sleeping, they agreed to get their belongings in order and see them off.
Satisfied that things were well in hand, she answered with a nod when Doc squeezed her hand, silently asking if she was ready to go.
She paused to drop off a few notes and things with Miss Bar, and once settled, she shouldered her duffel -- stopping to hush the kittens nestled carefully within -- and followed Doc out through the backdoor.
She watched his long strides in the gray light, his black duster occasionally billowing and allowing glances at the gleaming sixshooter at his hip. He reached out for her hand, and she gave it to him -- a bond that felt impossible to sever as they made their way towards a new life.
Together.
.
Satisfied that things were well in hand, she answered with a nod when Doc squeezed her hand, silently asking if she was ready to go.
She paused to drop off a few notes and things with Miss Bar, and once settled, she shouldered her duffel -- stopping to hush the kittens nestled carefully within -- and followed Doc out through the backdoor.
She watched his long strides in the gray light, his black duster occasionally billowing and allowing glances at the gleaming sixshooter at his hip. He reached out for her hand, and she gave it to him -- a bond that felt impossible to sever as they made their way towards a new life.
Together.
.
[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.
.
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.
.
OOM: Room #100
Aug. 28th, 2009 11:35 pm[following this:]
It's not the most romantic, or passionate, or perfect reunion in the world. There are the common problems that come with two people reacquainting themselves with each other, plus the nervousness of a novice and the eagerness of a man who's waited ten years for this moment.
However, their second go round goes off with much better success, for both parties. It's a learning process, committed with whispers and moans, gentle fingertips and patient bodies. Affection, tenderness, and devotion between two people not without their failings, but who haven't completely forgotten what it feels like to work together.
It's past sundown at this point, a red sunset painting the walls of Kate's room as Doc sleeps soundly in a tangle of sheets and blankets. The light breakfast Bar had brought up to the room earlier has been picked at, and now Kate is sitting on the back of the armchair again, a silk robe wrapped around her body and her hair loose at her shoulders, as she watches the sky burn.
It's not the most romantic, or passionate, or perfect reunion in the world. There are the common problems that come with two people reacquainting themselves with each other, plus the nervousness of a novice and the eagerness of a man who's waited ten years for this moment.
However, their second go round goes off with much better success, for both parties. It's a learning process, committed with whispers and moans, gentle fingertips and patient bodies. Affection, tenderness, and devotion between two people not without their failings, but who haven't completely forgotten what it feels like to work together.
It's past sundown at this point, a red sunset painting the walls of Kate's room as Doc sleeps soundly in a tangle of sheets and blankets. The light breakfast Bar had brought up to the room earlier has been picked at, and now Kate is sitting on the back of the armchair again, a silk robe wrapped around her body and her hair loose at her shoulders, as she watches the sky burn.
[following this:]
It's a long and restless night, both for the outlaw, and for the Russian astronaut.
Once or twice, Kate jarred Esfir from slumber by waking with a start and lunging for that trash can. Who knew a body that tiny could survive being sick so many times in one night?
Esfir finally decided to forsake her spot in the armchair after the last time Kate was sick, settling next to her in bed.
"Momma?" Kate had murmured, half asleep and disoriented.
"Go back to sleep, Katyushka."
It wasn't long after that when dawn broke.
.
It's a long and restless night, both for the outlaw, and for the Russian astronaut.
Once or twice, Kate jarred Esfir from slumber by waking with a start and lunging for that trash can. Who knew a body that tiny could survive being sick so many times in one night?
Esfir finally decided to forsake her spot in the armchair after the last time Kate was sick, settling next to her in bed.
"Momma?" Kate had murmured, half asleep and disoriented.
"Go back to sleep, Katyushka."
It wasn't long after that when dawn broke.
.
OOM: Room #100 - drinking aftermath
Aug. 8th, 2009 01:20 am[from here:]
With Doc carrying her, and Esfir holding the key, it's not so hard getting Kate to her room. She doesn't open her eyes or move, though she does continue to groan drunkenly, seemingly desperate to impart all of the important thoughts buzzing around her head.
Whether her two companions can make any sense of her mutterings, however, is another thing entirely.
The room is clean and organized. There's a chaise by the door where shoes can be removed and placed, and a desk to the right where they can set the room key. The chest of drawers in front of them has various clean clothes, including a few chemises and pajama sets.
Before anything else, however, a trip to the bathroom wouldn't go amiss.
.
With Doc carrying her, and Esfir holding the key, it's not so hard getting Kate to her room. She doesn't open her eyes or move, though she does continue to groan drunkenly, seemingly desperate to impart all of the important thoughts buzzing around her head.
Whether her two companions can make any sense of her mutterings, however, is another thing entirely.
The room is clean and organized. There's a chaise by the door where shoes can be removed and placed, and a desk to the right where they can set the room key. The chest of drawers in front of them has various clean clothes, including a few chemises and pajama sets.
Before anything else, however, a trip to the bathroom wouldn't go amiss.
.
Revenge is a dish best served cold.
May. 17th, 2009 04:55 pm[Following this:]
( The hot burn of daylight sun on her skin shocked her motionless )
( Part Two )
( Part Three )
.
( The hot burn of daylight sun on her skin shocked her motionless )
( Part Two )
( Part Three )
.
OOM: Room 25, Doc Scurlock's (cont.)
Feb. 18th, 2009 05:27 pm[following this:]
She leans against the sink for a moment, not immediately reaching for that empty drinking glass. Blood is caked and drying on the inside of her thighs, and she still feels just a little weak. When she looks up at her reflection in the mirror, she's not sure she likes what she sees.
She remembers the way her father's hands had trembled, passing her mother's wedding dress on to his young daughter. He had smiled, so proud.
She catches something out of the corner of her vision, through the blur of tears in her eyes, and turns her head. The bathtub is full, steam drifting off light blue, bubble-coated water. She blinks a few times, brow furrowed.
I didn't think Miss Bar could ... ?
There's a small piece of notepaper on the edge of the tub when she moves closer to inspect things.
'Special occasion.
Relax, and try not to panic.
Everything is normal.'
The bathwater smells like Epsom salt, and eucalyptus, and chamomile, and there's a small bottle of something on the edge she can't quite identify. It makes her smile, a little, carefully bringing her leg over the side of the tub.
She settles into the warm bathwater, laying her head back and stretching those tired muscles. It feels so incredible she can hardly bring herself to move for several long moments.
Her thoughts wander.
Her knees curl in to her chest before she even realizes she's crying, shoulders shaking with quiet, repressed sobs.
.
She leans against the sink for a moment, not immediately reaching for that empty drinking glass. Blood is caked and drying on the inside of her thighs, and she still feels just a little weak. When she looks up at her reflection in the mirror, she's not sure she likes what she sees.
'You're growin' up to be such a fine woman, sweetheart. She woulda been proud.'
She remembers the way her father's hands had trembled, passing her mother's wedding dress on to his young daughter. He had smiled, so proud.
'Now, don't you just look like an angel.'
'One-a these days, I'm gonna give you away to a good man, sweetheart. And you're going to be beautiful, and happy, and you're gonna love him the way I loved your momma.'
She catches something out of the corner of her vision, through the blur of tears in her eyes, and turns her head. The bathtub is full, steam drifting off light blue, bubble-coated water. She blinks a few times, brow furrowed.
I didn't think Miss Bar could ... ?
There's a small piece of notepaper on the edge of the tub when she moves closer to inspect things.
Relax, and try not to panic.
Everything is normal.'
The bathwater smells like Epsom salt, and eucalyptus, and chamomile, and there's a small bottle of something on the edge she can't quite identify. It makes her smile, a little, carefully bringing her leg over the side of the tub.
She settles into the warm bathwater, laying her head back and stretching those tired muscles. It feels so incredible she can hardly bring herself to move for several long moments.
Her thoughts wander.
(He'll never see me walk down the isle in that white dress. Never.)
Her knees curl in to her chest before she even realizes she's crying, shoulders shaking with quiet, repressed sobs.
.
[following this thread:]
He unlocks his room and holds the door open for her, letting her pass through first.
Wearily, she begins to think that if she continues to stay here, night after night, people are going to assume she's moved in.
.
He unlocks his room and holds the door open for her, letting her pass through first.
Wearily, she begins to think that if she continues to stay here, night after night, people are going to assume she's moved in.
.