Surprises Aren't Always Fun

[Vanessa Aldaine]

It had been nearly a week since Vanessa had unofficially moved in with Gabe. While he worked, she usually read, cleaned, or watched the home shopping network on his small T.V. Occasionally, she went for a run in the early morning, but more often than not she was on Gabe's laptop, idly surfing the web or writing.

Early in the morning, Vanessa had left Gabe's apartment and rode her bike to the grocery store. It felt good to sit on the sleek, black machine that purred when she touched it. At the supermarket, she bought an assortment of things, including lunch meat, fruit, rolls, and lots and lots of juice. She grabbed two Burts Bees lip balm and piled everything on the counter. The entire time, she pretended she was in a movie where she was married to Gabe and was doing the wifely duties of shopping. It made her giggle occasionally throughout the process of choosing foods, evoking the required interested yet concerned stares of a few of the women around her.

Arriving back at Gabe's, she began immediately to make sandwiches. One roast beef. One turkey. One salami. One ham. She poured the five different juices into five different, smaller, empty water bottles. She smiled at Gabe where he sat on the couch, and almost called him over just so she could be nearer to him. Singing softly to the song on the radio, she packed a small basket with the sandwiches, fruits, napkins, and drinks, and lifted it, eyes twinkling. Moving to where Gabriel was, she took his hand and pulled him gently after her. Together, they made their way out to the back of the apartments and wove through the trees, Vanessa leading. Finally, the reached the park and a small clearing close to where they'd met once again a few days ago. Smiling, Vanessa kissed Gabe's cheek and motioned to the basket.

"Surprise. I thought it'd be nice to have a picnic today, since it's such a beautiful day out." Her long curls were loose, tumbling freely over her shoulders. Her slim body was clothed in a black tank top, making her look even thinner than she was, and a pair of jeans. Her feet were once again bare.

[Gabriel Hartwick]

Ever since Vanessa had started living in his apartment, Gabe's routine had been a lot more relaxed, his schedule less erratic. He was no longer going out at all hours of the night; there was no reason to fill his hours with pointless partying. He stayed at home most of the time when he wasn't working, reading or just hanging out with his new roommate. Vanessa kept him grounded in his life, and she seemed happy enough sharing the apartment with Gabriel.

He awoke that morning to the sound of Vanessa's bike leaving. Stretching on the couch, he yawned and sat up. As he went to the kitchen, he saw they were running low on some food. Perhaps that's where Vanessa had gone. She had been very good at staying on top of the little things he tended to leave until the last minute. Taking down a box of cereal, he poured himself a bowl and sat at the table to eat it. When he was done, he was sure to clean up after himself. He hadn't made a mess at all since she'd been there, but somehow Vanessa always found something to clean.

When she returned, he greeted her, but she seemed to be on a mission. He returned to the book he was reading. However, Vanessa was soon coming to the couch and standing him up. He smiled softly. "What's up?" She didn't answer, and he followed her. Eventually, they reached a clearing. Blushing as she kissed him, he squeezed her hand. "'Nessa, that's an awesome idea!" He kissed her forehead affectionately, brushing the hair from her face with a grin. "Is that what you were doing this morning?"

[Vanessa Aldaine]

Vanessa blushed at his compliment. "Thank you, Gabers." She began unpacking all of her goods, placing the sandwiches and fruits on the ground before them, each carefully positioned so it wouldn't get dirty. She spoke while she worked. "I brought food. Uhme... sandwiches, fruit, and... Oh! JUICE! Lots and lots of juice." She narrowed her eyes at him playfully as she lifted two containers - one in each hand - of her beverage of choice. It felt good to have it so close at hand. She'd been craving some good apple juice for a while now, and finally, HuzzAH!, she had it. She lifted one of the sandwiches and handed it to him, before folding her legs so she was sitting in a more comfortable position and leaned into him, picking up her own roast beef sandwich. She closed her eyes as she chewed, content to believe that everything was all right in the world. Setting down her lunch, she lifted some juice and chugged it - very unladylike - before standing up and pulling Gabe with her.

"Dance with me, Gabers, pleaseeeee?" She smiled up at him, holding his hands level with her hips. She slid her hands up his arms and around his neck, leaning into him as she hummed softly. "I don't know what's happening to me." She laughed softly, eyes distant even as they gazed up at him. "I feel so fuzzy, and lightweight, and I know that sounds corny but... I don't know. I think it's the weather. Do you think it's the weather? Probably not the weather. I keep saying weather." She took a deep breath. "Sorry." She smiled apologetically up at him and leaned into him once more. She didn't need to move, just to sway slowly with him, held protectively in his arms. She didn't know if he felt that way, but for the time being, it's all that occupied her mind. She gently pressed him down to the grass and sat infront of him. For a moment, she didn't move. Then, slowly, she scooched forwards to sit in his lap. With a slowness that pained her, she leaned foward, eyes searching his for any sign that he didn't want her this close. Closing her eyes just before she hit his face, she gently pressed her lips to his, and her heart beat slowed and quicked at the same time. Her hands held his shoulders tightly, but if he wanted to get away it would be only a matter of pushing her away that would unlatch her hands. Every thought left her mind as she kissed Gabe for the first time in a long time and lost herself to the amazingness of an almost first kiss.

[Gabriel Hartwick]

Gabriel kneeled beside her, helping her spread out the food as she animatedly pointed out everything she had brought. He laughed as she held up the juice. "You finally got your juice!" Looking over the food, he smiled. "It looks good." He took the sandwich from her with a smile and a "Thanks." As she leaned into him, he retaliated with letting his own weight lean against her slightly. He poked her playfully as she chugged the juice. "Haven't you ever been told you're not supposed to drink straight out of the carton?" He scolded her playfully.

He set the half-eaten sandwich down and allowed her to pull him into a standing position. Laughing, he gently gripped her hips. "Alright, alright." His arms looped around her waist and he hooked his hands together as she leaned into him. Her words caused him to grin and he gently chucked her chin. "Don't be sorry. What are you so nervous about?" She leaned into him again and he closed his eyes, nuzzling into her sweet-smelling hair.

Suddenly, she began pushing him back down. He sat willingly enough, watching her. As she scooted towards her, he spread his arms to accomodate her, his heart thumping rhythmically in his chest. She was moving closer, and he blushed, but didn't pull away. He was tired of being afraid. The two of them had to take things one step at a time, and he knew full well what he was getting into with her. As her lips touched his, spreading fire through his body, he gripped her closer to him and tangled his hand gently in her hair. He wasn't running this time.

[Vanessa Aldaine]

Vanessa melted in Gabriel's arms. She hadn't remembered how good this felt - especially since they'd never really kissed before. A peck on the lips, perhaps. But nothing this serious. She hadn't wanted to let herself get that attached, so she'd shied away, keeping space between them. Of course, back then, Before Fight, she hadn't realized the depth of her feelings for Gabe. Now, however, was different. She could tell which each passing day how much she was falling, falling, falling. But the fact that he seemed willing enough to catch her when she took the final plunge. However, even knowing that Gabe had feelings for her, she wasn't prepared for him to pull her closer and tangle his fingers in her golden curls. She gasped against his lips, and wrapped her arms around his neck. Before she knew it, they were falling towards the ground and with a light thump were lying flat on the ground, her legs tangled with his.

She pulled away, propping herself up with her arms extended, hands braced on either side of his head. Her lips were parted and bruised from the kiss. Her cheeks were flushed, her hair messy, and her eyes glowing. She smiled and leaned down, kissing him gently once again. Pulling back, she blinked slowly, as if coming out of a trance. Rolling over, she lay on her back beside him, her hand searching quickly to find his. She smiled up at the sky. "You have no idea how long I've wanted to do that," she confessed, voice quiet. She squeezed his hand gently and curled into him, the sun making her hair shine gold, and warm her skin. She lay silently, just listening to their two hearts, suddenly both beating at the same tempo. Vanessa closed her eyes and let herself go to the immense feelings she had for the man beside her.

[Gabriel Hartwick]

Vanessa didn't pull away from Gabe, and that was a start. As she wrapped her arms around him, he held her tighter and suddenly they fell to the grass. He held her to him to cushion her fall, grinning against her lips as a laugh bubbled in his throat. She sat up, and he let her go with a sigh and a big grin. He felt giddy and the adrenaline was pumping a high through his veins. His arms bent up so that he could reach her hands with his own, then he let his right hand slide up her arm and to her hair, which he mussed even more with a playful, flushed grin.

He closed his eyes as she kissed him once more, and didn't open them until she lay beside him. His hand groped for hers, and he clenched it tightly as if he was afraid she'd get up and run away. A grin cracked his lips and he raised his other arm up to drape over his face in embarrassment. "I think you know how long I've waited for you to do it." He muttered. As she curled into him, he rolled on his side and wrapped his arms around her. "'Nessa? What brought this all on?" He asked timidly, running his fingers through her hair. There was part of him that wanted to just go along with it, but his curiousity was getting the best of him. He wanted to know where he stood in her eyes, but he knew better than to come out and actually say that.

[Vanessa Aldaine]

Vanessa held his hand tightly, but was surprised at his grip. She glanced up at him, eyes wide. It felt as if he was holding her, keeping her, not wanting her to leave - to run. She frowned, ducking her gaze. It was her own fault, and she knew it. He was simply preparing himself for her taking off, but it was clear that he was trying to get her to stay, silently, not pushing her, just making it clear - probably unconciously. She smiled slowly at what he said, but it was bittersweet. Yes, that was her fault to. Everything was her fault. Vanessa rolled over and sat up, reaching for her juice. She drank some, put it down, and stared at her hands. "I know, Gabriel. I know." Her voice was apologetic, but somewhat angry. She knew, damnit. She didn't need him rubbing it in that she'd left him, ran from him, thrust him away with enough force to knock him on his arse. She lifted her gaze to the blue sky. Suddenly, it didn't seem so blue, or so pretty.

Vanessa glanced over at him and shrugged. She figured it was time to come clean with him, or at least start to. "It came from me. I wanted to do that, but I was too afraid. So... I just went for it. Another shrug, another dropped gaze, another blush of embarrassment. She picked at the fringe on the hem of her pale blue jeans and ran her feet over the long stems of grass, pushing them into submission before they sprang back up to attention. A few pieces weren't so lucky. They lay, defeated, in the path of her feet. She frowned and leaned forward, pushing them back up, uncertain. I won't do it again. I'm sorry. Her voice was just a breath on the breeze.

[Gabriel Hartwick]

Gabriel's grip loosened as she turned to look at him in surprise. He hadn't really realized how tightly he had been holding her hand. Giving her an apologetic smile, he kissed her hand. He didn't see her reaction to his comment, since his arm was draped over his eyes, but her silence alerted him that something was wrong. She pulled away from him and he sat up to watch her. His brow furrowed and his jaw clenched. She had taken it the wrong way, completely. "Nessa, I didn't mean..." His voice trailed off. He had meant only to express how pleased he was that she had kissed him. He hadn't meant any animosity.

As she admitted she was afraid, he hugged his knees to his chest. He was relieved that she was finally being straight with him, but his heart squeezed in sympathy for her. He knew, after all, exactly how she felt. She was fiddling with the grass nervously, and as she apologized so quietly he could hardly be sure she was speaking, he sighed. It was painful to see her upset. He crawled up and kneeled behind her, his arms slipping around her shoulders and hugging her. His face was nuzzled into her neck. "Shh. I understand. Don't be sorry, Nessa. I'm sorry I brought it up." He reached over and picked up an apple, holding it up in front of her nose. Shaking it playfully, he grinned. "Let's not let this picnic be ruined, okay?" He asked hopefully.

[Vanessa Aldaine]

Vanessa let herself slide back against him - an impulse, done without any thought. She enjoyed the feeling of his arms around her, so it was natural to relax in them. But her insides were roiling and a mess. Her nerves were zigzagging up and down her spine. The emotions that coursed through her body would later drain her, but right now she was on overdrive. Every sense was heightened. She could sense ever fiber of herself that Gabe touched - including her heart. His smell was intoxicating and she nearly drowned in it as it wafted and poured over her. His voice was a distant rumble, like thunder on the horizon - a storm almost here, but not quite yet. The juice she had just chugged was a coating of candy over her tongue and a liquid fire all the way down her throat. She had to close her eyes against the intensity of everything.

And then it stopped. His joking manner had taken over, but Vanessa was slowly losing her energy once more. She pulled away from him and was five feet away in seconds. She stood, arms crossed, hair slightly mussed, with her cerulean eyes narrowed in his direction. Do you honestly think that joking around is going to make everything better all the time? Something gets hard and BAM! She slapped her palms down on her thighs before clenching them at her sides. Bam. Joke. Good. No. She ran a hand through her hair, messing it up even more. At one point, she would have laughed and said she looked like she'd just taken a tumble in the grass. Her cheeks were flushed with the emotions she felt. Gabriel, I can't do it. I can't always joke around. Damnit, Gabe, I put myself out there - which is a lot for me - and you just say to calm down and pop a smile. Yes, sometimes it works, but not now - not when I'm being honest and it's scaring me. My own feelings are terrifying me.

She turned slightly away, taking deep breaths, trying to calm down before she said something she regretted. I can't do it. I can't do 'always happy and joking.' I've gone through more mood swings in the past week than I have in over a year. I cannot do it. She slowly backed up, shaking her head, body trembling. I can't do it, Gabe. Her voice was quiet, and it was clear she was talking about more than just his jokes. Tears danced in her eyes. I'm sorry. She turned and ran, quickly disappearing into the trees.