justdidntseeit | [[ wheelsy, south carolina ]]

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[[ wheelsy, south carolina ]]

[ "i believe i have met your sister, kate." ]

Marie's been in the bar.

Kate all but stumbles inside the kitchen, gripping the back of one of the wooden chairs with her free hand as soon as the door closes behind her.

(She didn't want to show any more weakness than she already had as she left Milliways and Ramon's cruel smile.)

Knuckles bloodless around the smooth curve of oak, she can't stop the shuddering breaths that burn in her lungs and catch in her throat.

don't cry don't cry don't cry, Bill doesn't need this, not now

But her stomach's on fire and the walls are underwater; sinking into the chair, she squeezes shut her eyes. The ice pack is on the table in front of her, forgotten.

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"Patriots," she corrects, more than willing to lose herself in the easy banter.

But noticing the shadows under his eyes, her finger trails to his throat and down his chest before her arm drifts to the mattress between them.

"What had you up so early? Couldn't sleep?"

She's an early riser most mornings, and she'd been a little surprised to wake up alone, a fresh pot of coffee already waiting in the kitchen.

"Patriots," He shakes his head. "Don't worry, Kate, I'll make you a Colts fan yet."

At her question he gives a small shrug and rolls over again to settle on his back.

"Yeah. Just restless is all."

He's not going to tell her about Katherine and what happened with Doc, not after the day she's already had.

She wonders if he had nightmares he doesn't want to tell her about, but she doesn't press the issue.

Instead, her hand finds his and she gives his fingers a brief squeeze.

Eyes closed, she can't help the small smile that plays on her lips.

"I'll be a Colts fan when you wear Hello Kitty boxers."

He laughs, relaxing when she doesn't push, and squeezes her hand back.

"Kitty boxers, huh? If that's really all it'll take... "

It might be worth it, as long as no one else sees or knows about it of course.

"Careful, or I'll ask Bar for a pair and let Boo decorate them before I hand them over."

The amount of glitter involved will be legendary, she's sure.

"There you go, not playin' fair again."

Closing his eyes he makes a 'tsk' sound.

"An' here I was gonna buy you a Manning jersey an' everything."

Her fingers skate to his wrist, brushing his skin in a slow back-and-forth.

"I don't know if I can break Tom's heart like that."

"Tom?"

He shakes his head and turns his hand over, giving her his palm.

"You don't have to worry 'bout him none. He ain't even a real quarterback."

"But he's a family friend," she protests, tracing his palm with her fingertips while trying to hold in a chuckle and mostly succeeding.

"You're lucky I'm wounded over here, or you'd be in some serious trouble."

"I think you're just lucky I ain't the type to take advantage."

A flippant response lodges in her throat; she nods against her pillow, her smile softening.

"Yeah."

Her thumb outlines his.

"I'm pretty lucky when it comes to you."

"If you say so."

He gives her a warm smile and closes his hand on hers, bringing it up to press his lips to her knuckles.

"I'm still sure it's me who's been lucky with you."

"Mmm, well ... "

I don't think that's the case -- I'm a mess and never know how to tell you.

"I think we'll have to agree to disagree."

"I guess so."

He lays their hands back on the mattress and settles against the pillows.

"I'm still gonna make you a Colts fan. That's the only thing I'll change about you."

That earns a tired laugh.

"Sweet dreams, sheriff."

"You too, Kate."

With a slow breath he lets his eyes close, ready for sleep but not going just yet; wanting to make sure Kate gets there.

She adjusts the pillow under her knee one more time, and with her hand still tucked in Bill's, it's not long before her muscles relax and she starts to drift.

"Thank you."

The words are soft and slurred, and she's asleep before she realizes she's spoken.

His eyes crack when he hears her soft words and he looks over at her.

After her breathing evens out he watches her awhile, making sure she's resting easy.

He can't help worrying that what happened today is going to be something that will bother her for a long time, and there's really nothing he can do for it.

He also can't help wondering, a bit bitterly, how long they're going to have to keep enduring things like this; bad situations they can't control. There's so much going on and so much keeps happening, it's some kind of miracle that they've gotten this far.

"We just gotta do our best an' then pick up the pieces when the dust clears."

Doc was right, and even though Bill is tired as hell, he'll keep trying; keep working to make this work, to keep this and her, and get to the point when they can have what they want and he can finally give her what she deserves.

It's worth it. She is worth it.

With a worn but fond smile he turns, rolling onto his side facing her. His hand squeezes her fingers and his eyes drift closed watching the steady rise and fall of her chest as she sleeps.

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