Let's try for a happy ending this time

[neverwrongagent]

Between the runs and drills and weapons practice, there was still time for the kind of exercise that lowered stress rather than ramping it up. Boys being boys, pick up footbal games happened fairly often. Not just a way to let off steam, they were a way to increase bonding between the team, particularly with a new member. For Carrie, it was a way to watch Brody and evaluate his health and stability. That watching him made her belly clench with need was something she was going to have to deal with on her own time. She added it to the list.

When the game ended and the men headed for water, Carrie caught Brody's eye and nodded slightly to the space beside her. He nodded even more slightly, then worked his way over amidst much back slapping and macho posing. When he flopped down beside her, she shook her head. "It never changes, does it? That particular brand of macho."

He laughed softly and glanced at the guys. "With this bunch? No." And he clearly meant himself in "that bunch". He watched her for a long moment, then looked away. "Little disappointed you weren't waving pom poms."

She rolled her eyes. "Really? Can you pic-- Okay, sure you can picture it, but do you really think I ever did it?"

He sighed deeply. "That's it, kill my fantasy." He bumped her shoulder with his. "You'd have looked adorable."

She rolled her eyes again, but at the same time, she rested her head on his shoulder. "I was even skinnier and jumpier. It wasn't a good look." What she meant was more crazy, but she was sure he knew that. She didn't mention that she'd seen plenty of pictures of him as a teenager, most of them with an equally young Jessica. There was no way she was heading into that minefield.

He took her hand and lifted it so he could kiss it. "It helps, but you know that."

She swallowed hard, then shrugged. "Goes both ways. But you know that."

He nodded, then let the conversation go for a while, seemingly happy to enjoy her company. Not that she had an idea what he was really thinking. All she could go on was how he was with the Seals, how he was during briefings, and how he was when he didn't know she was watching. If asked, she'd say he was doing well and to her eye he was doing better than she'd hoped. Stronger, healthier, calmer. Of course, she knew how fragile it all was.

What she wanted to do was get him alone and use the connection that had always proved so efficient at stabilizing both of them, but the quarters were just too tight and he was already geetting enough grief from the team. Still, she didn't let that stop her from kissing his hand again. There were parts of him she'd prefer to kiss, but privacy was at a premium. Instead she leaned hard against him and sighed softy. Being close was like a battery recharge and she drank it up. She hoped that she was giving him the same thing.

Comments

[neverwrongagent]

She had to turn away from him, so she got to her feet and put his boots near his closet. Her hands clenched into balls, tight enough to go white for a moment. "I know what you are. Who you are."

[posterboymarine]

While she was handling his boots and her feelings about what he'd said, he stood and stripped his shirt off. "I'm glad we are clear on that, then."

[neverwrongagent]

She laughed softly, shaking her head. "Oh yeah, perfectly clear." When she turned back and saw his bare chest, she sighed softly. "You're filling out."

She licked her lips. "Looks good."

[posterboymarine]

He glanced down at his chest, then smiled. "Amazing what not being an addict can do to a person." With a wink, he shed his pants, then started toward the cubicle that someone thought was a bathroom.

[neverwrongagent]

She didn't follow him right away so she could hide the burst of hot tears. He wasn't supposed to end up that way, half dead and hooked on drugs. He was supposed to be safe. But she'd fucked up and left him alone.

After a long moment she followed him into the bathroom. Or to the door, at least. She leaned against the frame and watched him.

[posterboymarine]

He was stripped bare, his new scars offset from his old ones by their color. And the fact that some of them were track marks. He turned when she settled against the door frame. "Why do you look better in my clothes than I do?"

[neverwrongagent]

"Bias." She stepped forward enough to run a finger over one of the newer scars, sighing softly. "And they are big enough to fall off me."

[posterboymarine]

He glanced at her finger, then kissed the top of her head. "I don't know that both of us will fit in this shower."

[neverwrongagent]

She glanced down at her clothed body, which was getting damp with the runoff from his body already. "No, probably not." She sighed deeply and stepped back. "But I reserve the right to watch. If you don't mind."

[posterboymarine]

"Go ahead." He stepped back under the water and set about the very utilitarian process of washing away a day's worth of sweat and grime. Being alone, it took him very little time before he was facing her again, rinsing the last of the soap from his body.

[neverwrongagent]

She watched him shamelessly, enjoying how he moved more than she cataloged injuries. They didn't matter right now. Her memories of watching him crept in at the edges, but she ignored them. This was different. "I missed you."

[posterboymarine]

Her statement was so loaded he almost didn't comment. But he decided to just go with the truth. "I missed you, too." It was a statement with so many levels he wasn't even sure if he knew them all.

To keep from having to think about it, he shut off the water and grabbed his towel. There was a lot to be said for losing yourself in such a basic task as drying off, but it was a safe defense mechanism for him.

[neverwrongagent]

She'd only meant it on the most basic level. She wasn't trying to be vague or hidden with him. Not now. She came forward with another towel while he worked and reached up to dry his short hair. It was more about touching him than anything else since he didn't really have much hair.

[posterboymarine]

Wrapping his towel around his waist, he leaned toward her. It felt so good, being touched, being cared for, that he wanted to enjoy as much of it as he could. At least, that's what he told himself, that it wasn't out of fear that he would never feel her touch again, that he was going to die on this mission and everyone knew it but him.

He shuddered slightly at the thought, then swallowed hard, hoping against hope that she didn't notice.

[neverwrongagent]

When she realized what he was doing, she took her time, rubbing not just his scalp, but his neck and shoulders. When she finally stopped, she rested her head against his back. She wrapped her arms around his waist and squeezed gently. "I should let you sleep." She didn't let go.

[posterboymarine]

He frowned slightly as he rubbed her arm across his waist. "Don't leave."

[neverwrongagent]

She couldn't hide the sigh of relief, even if she'd wanted to. She hugged him firmly and managed a muffled, "Okay." against his back. After a long moment, she shrugged. "I don't have to go. Not right away."

[posterboymarine]

He smiled at that. "Good. Of course, I don't know that two people fit on one of those things." He indicated the bunk with a nod of his head before turning in her arms and wrapping her up in his arms.

"Glad you're here." They both knew their time was limited, that his team would be shipped out soon and he would probably end up dead, so every stolen moment was a blessing.

[neverwrongagent]

She glanced up, taking in the difference in their heights and grinned. She could fit. She wriggled closer and shook her head. "I'll fit. On top of you. I promise not to squirm." That, frankly, was a lie.

[posterboymarine]

That got a laugh. "Of course you won't." After a moment he sighed deeply. "Let's go lay down, before I collapse." He was suddenly feeling his age and the abuse he was putting himself through.

[neverwrongagent]

She led him over to the bed, unwieldy looking thing that it was, and she waited for him to fold his long limbs into it before sliding right on top of him. She managed to pull the blanket over them without falling out. Then she wriggled for a moment as if she were getting settled. She wasn't. She was just imprinting his body into her memory.

[posterboymarine]

By the time she settled, he was groaning softly and his body's response was evident. He wrapped his arms around her to still her and rolled his eyes. "You are cruel."

[neverwrongagent]

She rubbed a little more deliberately, hiding her grin against his chest. Her reply was muffled. "Am not. Just getting comfortable." She moved again. "Okay, that's better."

[posterboymarine]

Two could, in fact, play this little game. He slid one hand down her back to her ass and just left it there, heat radiating from his palm. "I'm serious, Carrie."

[neverwrongagent]

She snorted again. "You are always so serious." She leaned up and kissed a spot on his throat. "I'm serious, too. Serious about getting comfortable." She shifted very slightly. "Right here. With you."