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Post by fallingn2ct on Jul 24, 2012 12:10:55 GMT -5
*********Bare with me as this has been running rampant in my head for weeks!*****************
The icey black water was rising faster and faster. He was pushing her into the boat. His face, she couldn't see his face. It was as if her eyes wouldn't focus, she tried to fight, to scream. But it was lost among the chaos. The seperation was a physical pain as his hand left hers. She grabbed furiously at the empty air, but he was gone. Who was he? Why did it hurt so bad? Everything was losing focus and her body was being shaken.
"Penny!", hands grasped her firmly,"Penny, wake up."
"No!", she gasped as her eyes sprang open. She met the eyes of her roommate,"I was............I was.........dreaming."
"That same dream", she smoothed back the sweat dampened hair,"Penny, you should talk to someone."
She shook her head, taking a deep breath,"Lucy, they will think I'm nuts."
"How many years have you been having these nightmares?"
Penny felt the familiar sting of tears that always followed the nightmare. Tears of loss, confusion, and tears of pure, aching love that had been taken away too soon,"I just want to get a shower and go back to sleep. Okay, Luc? Please?"
"Okay", she conceded,"I'll be in my room."
"Thank you", she nodded as her friend left the room. Her sheets were drenched with sweat, her night shirt clung to her back as she made her way into the bathroom. Dark circles plagued the cornflower blue eyes that looked back at her as she rinsed her face. She pulled the hair tie from her long auburn hair as she peeled her pajamas away and climbed into the shower. Who was the man that had been plaguing her dreams ever since she was thirteen years old? What was she doing on a boat in the dreams? It was always so cold in the dream, she could feel her face being chapped from the frigid air, her lips dried, and her fingers numb. But who was he? and what did he mean to her? He was the only reason she wanted to continue the dreams, she needed to know who he was and why she dreamt of him.
She put on a fresh night shirt and pulled the sheets from the bed. Curling under the comforter, she watched as the shafts of light from the street lamp cast small, dancing shadows on the carpet. She willed sleep to find her and when it did that it would be peaceful and that she maybe, just maybe she could awaken without the tremors from the dream.
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Post by fallingn2ct on Jul 24, 2012 14:10:52 GMT -5
Penny awoke to her alarm blaring like a fog horn on a misty night. The sound echoed through her sleep deprived head causing a throbbing pain in her temples. She fumbled blindly and finally got the loud beeing to stop. Sighing, she threw off the blanket and made her way to the kitchen.
"Coffee for the walking dead?", Lucy said holding out a steaming mug.
"Bless you", Penny said sleepily. She poured in creamer and stirred it, watching as the colors blended.
"Penny, you know I love you right?", she began, choosing her words carefully.
She sipped the hot liquid and eyed the brown eyes of her best friend,"Do you need or want something?"
"No", she placed her own mug on the counter,"But I got something for you."
"I like presents", she sat at the table curling her legs under her.
Lucy sighed and bit her lip,"I'm not sure how much you will like it," she placed a business card on the table.
"What is.......", she trailed as her eyes focused on the words psychiatrist,"Seriously, Lucy? Are you kidding right now?"
"Please Penny, I have watched you for years now. These dreams, nightmares, what ever they are. You lose sleep constantly, or just don't sleep. Something has to give."
She shook her, raking her hands through her hair,"I am not going to tell some shrink that I am having weird dreams about someone I don't know, on a boat that I would never get on. I hate boats! I don't need to be analyzed."
Lucy sat opposite her friend,"I am worried about you, so are your parents."
She groaned closing her eyes,"You called my parents? It's not like they don't know about any of this."
"We just think you should start taking it seriously. You're not a kid any more."
"Well, thanks, Mom", she stood up,"But I think I can handle things on my own. I have to get ready for work," she took her coffee and went back to her room. She had been dealing with the dreams for almost fifteen years. Most of it she kept to herself, unless she had an episode like the previous night. She sat on the edge of her bed staring blankly at her stack of books about past lives and reincarnation. If any of them saw this, then, only then would they call the men in the white jackets. She sipped more of the coffee and forced herself to get ready for the day.
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Post by fallingn2ct on Jul 25, 2012 8:29:59 GMT -5
Ryan Kelly slipped on his white, doctor's jacket over the plain blue scrubs. Taking a long pull from the black coffee, the scorching liquid scalding down his throat. He knew this first day in a new hospital was going to be a long one. Made more so by his lack of sleep. Since med school he hadn't slept well, mostly it was stress. But then there were the dreams; dreams about drowning, about water black and cold closing around his throat. His body was so cold it was on fire. He closed his eyes briefly and shook his head,"Get yourself together", he took another sip of the coffee and made his way to the conference room where he would be meeting with the team of other doctors and nurses for the pediatric wing.
"Doctor Kelly!", said an older african american doctor as he came into the room.
"Walter", he smiled,"great to see you."
"Ready to meet our pediatrics team?"
"Certainly", he nodded as the crossed into the larger conference room. He nervously sipped the coffee and allowed his eyes to flow over the small group of people gathered. They stopped briefly on a woman with deep, cornflower blue eyes who hugged a mug close against her chest, a stethescope hung loosely around her neck. Auburn hair twisted into a clip with small wisps escaping at the base of her neck. He was struck as her eyes locked onto his. He looked away quickly as Walter began to speak.
"Morning everyone!", Walter began,"As I am sure you all know, I will be relocating to Boston in the coming months and the person who will be resuming my position has joined us all the way from Ireland. This young man", he gestured to Ryan,"is Doctor Ryan Kelly, I will let him tell you about himself."
"Em.... Morning all", he gave an awkward wave,"Name's Ryan, no need to be overly formal. As Walter said I hail from Ireland, little village in the North. Needless to say, Washington State has not disappointed in the weather department. I look forward to working with you all." He smiled and nodded his thanks as everyone clapped,"I'll be going on the rounds, so I'm sure I will meet you all very soon."
"Everyone, check the board for assignments", Walter said as chairs skidded across the floor.
"New doc is a cutie", Lucy said nudging Penny's shoulder.
"You think every guy is cute", she laughed rinsing her coffee mug in the sink.
"And that's a problem how?", she leaned against the counter eyeing the new man.
"Problem is, he's your boss and mine and well you should know better."
"Oh Penny, all work and no play", she teased tossing her braided hair over her shoulder.
"And you all play and a little work", she teased as they checked the board for assignments.
"See you for lunch?"
"We'll see, looks like I still have a few babies that haven't been cleared yet."
"Later!", she called over her shoulder.
Penny picked up her charts and began flipping through them as she walked to the NICU. She looked up suddenly as she ran into a mass of a person,"I'm so sorry", she looked up into the grey, blue eyes of the new doctor.
"No, it's my fault", he said leaning down to pick up the papers.
"I tend to get absorbed in thought", she took the papers from him and strightened them into their folders.
"I'm Ryan", he extended a hand.
"Yeah, Dr.Walt introduced you this morning," she nodded taking his hand. There was jolt that registered quickly behind her eyes and she forced a smile,"I'm Penelope Carter, but I usually go by Penny."
"Nice to meet you Ms. Carter", he dropped her hand and smiled,"I'm sure I will be seeing you around the wing."
"I'm sure", she shrugged and quickly made her way to check on her first patients of the day.
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Post by fallingn2ct on Jul 25, 2012 12:58:54 GMT -5
Penny checked in with the over night nurse and they reviewed the files for the day,"Get some sleep Vi", she waved to the elderly woman. She went into the wash room and began to scrub up for her rounds to check on the babies in the NICU. Being a nurse had been her dream since childhood, she loved being around children and babies. Seeing them in pain broke her heart, but knowing she could help to ease that pain made it worth her while. She had been assigned to the NICU for over a year and she relished every moment with the little lives she got to touch every day. She put on the thin scrubs, booties, mask, and gloves that were required as she made her way to her first patient.
"Good morning, Molly", she stroked the premature baby's hand through the incubator and smiled as the tiny fingers wrapped around hers,"Let's see about getting you ready to go home," she looked at the monitors and jotted down a few notes, warming up the stethescope, she listened to the baby's heartbeat,"You are sounding stronger," she cooed softly. She continued with an examination for breathing, skin color, and other physical attributes,"Let's get you fed baby girl", she quickly made up a bottle of formula and sat in the rocking chair next to the incubator with the small baby in her arms,"You keep eating on your own and you'll be home with mommy and daddy soon." After the feeding and changing she tended to the three other babies in the unit, parents were beginning to arrive and she had to coordinate their visitation periods. She never liked to tell them to leave, but the babies needed rest after long periods of exposure out of the incubators. She had just sat down to do discharge paper work when Ryan and Walter came in.
"Penny, you've met Dr.Kelly right?", Walter asked.
"Yes, Walt, a few times", she stood up,"How is the day treating you sir?"
"Very busy pediatric wing", Ryan said with a smile.
"Penny, I though you could spend some time showing Dr. Kelly the NICU. I know it's your baby, no pun intended."
"Walt, I um.........I have discharge paper work to get done and I still have a set of parents with baby Charlie right now", she clicked the pen in her hand repeatedly.
"I'm sure he knows about discharge paperwork and you could show him around the nursery."
"Walt, we can wait", Ryan said looking at Penny who was avoiding looking directly at him,"Maybe after lunch, would that be okay Ms. Carter?"
"Hmmm", she looked up dazed,"Oh yes, after lunch. That would be fine. The babies will be down for their nap and afternoon rounds completed."
"Fine then," Walt smiled at the two,"After lunch you can work the rest of the afternoon with our Penny here. One of the best nurses on the floor."
"No doubt", Ryan smiled as they walked out the door.
She had to sit down before her knees gave out. Who was this Ryan Kelly and why did he look at her the way he did? It was if he knew her and was trying to place how. She attempted to ignore the flash behind her eyes again as she got busy with the paperwork.
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Post by onyxfyrefly on Jul 25, 2012 15:10:08 GMT -5
Oh my gosh, I love it! This is soooo good! I love the idea of Ryan as a doctor. And it seems that he's having the same dreams as Penny! I can't wait to see where this goes!
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Post by fallingn2ct on Aug 4, 2012 9:23:26 GMT -5
The Seattle spring day was currently cool and bright with sunshine. A rarity for the time of year. Penny took her tray to the small out door table where Lucy sat scrolling through her phone,"So I will be working with Dr.Kelly after lunch" she took a bite from her sandwich.
"That is so not fair!", Lucy sighed placing her phone on the table" It's probably because you're the NICU go to girl."
"Jealous?", she laughed.
"Just means one on one with the hot, Irish doctor", she winked at her friend.
"You would go there, Luc."
"Then why say anything?" she plucked a chip from the bag and popped it into her mouth,"I'm just saying, nothing wrong with maybe getting a little flirt on."
"Accept that he is the new attending and I am a nurse. Things like that just don't happen."
"Not that people talk about", she grinned,"Never know, he could be your one and only."
"What is this? Grey's Anatomy?", both girls dissolved into fits of laughter over the analogy,"I have to hurry up, I have a doctor to walk through my unit." They finished their lunches quickly and headed back into the hospital.
"Penny", Ryan smiled as he saw the two women approaching the elevator,"I was just on my way up to find you."
"See ya", Lucy smirked as she took the stairs two at a time.
"I just finished up lunch, actually", Penny said with a smile,"We can go on up and get started."
"Perfect", he followed her onto the elevator,"Who was the other young lady you were with?"
"Oh, that's Lucy, my room mate. She works with the older kids in the cancer wing."
"Both of you working with sick children, must be difficult at times."
"Can be" she nodded studying the changing numbers on the elevator panel.
He sighed running a hand through his hair. She didn't seem much for talking or even looking at him, not something he was accustomed too. He was also not accustomed to being so drawn to someone he had now met a total of three times. But there was something about her, something familiar and it unnerved him.
"We'll need to get scrubs, caps, gloves, booties, and masks on before going in," Penny led the way into the scrub room,"Although I know you know all this."
"I do", he smiled warmly,"But it's good to know you follow protocol."
"These babies are under my care for twelve to sixteen hours a day, I have to be a stickler for rules." she handed him an unopened bar of soap and opened one for herself,"Right now I have a four babies in the unit. Baby Charlie should be going home in a few hours. He's been in here for nearly a month now and got cleared to go home", she finished scrubbing her hands and arms and slipped on the pale yellow scrubs. She handed Ryan what he needed and nearly stepped back at the electricity that coursed through her as his hand brushed hers,"I'll..................I'll.........get the charts ready for you to review," she quickly stepped through the automatic door tying the mask in place.
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Post by fallingn2ct on Aug 7, 2012 11:04:48 GMT -5
Ryan watched Penny as she moved around the small nursery. She talked to each baby, stroked the small hands, and treated each one as if they were her own. So much of her was familiar to him and yet he had no idea why. He had never met her before this day. He knew she felt it too; she was careful to keep distance between them or not fully meet his eyes. His thoughts flickered briefly to the dreams he had had over the years. He shook his head rubbing his eyes.
"Are you okay, doctor?", Penny asked checking the oxygen levels of the incubator.
"Yes", he nodded,"Suppose my lack of sleep is settling in."
"Nervous for the first day?"
"Guess so", he laughed,"You have one of the best NICU's I have seen Ms.Carter. The way a nurse cares for these babies is something special. Most time it's the attendings paying such close attention."
"Thank you", she smiled as they left the nursery and discarded the scrubs,"I know the attendings are busy and most times I have interns and residents in here. I am here to give the babies stability and to help their parents with feeding and holding, and anything else they may need."
"You're dedicated", he said with a smile,"It's quite refreshing, I assure you."
"I appreciate it sir", she said looking at the computer screen and pulling her hair back,"Is there anything else I can show you, or questions?"
How do I know you? He thought to himself, but quickly smiled,"No, I have seen everything I need to. I will be on rounds later, so I will see you then."
"Great! Well, it's been a pleasure", she extended her hand.
"You as well", he gave her hand a brief shake before leaving the area.
Penny exhaled with relief as she watched him walk away. Flashes of her dreams crept through her mind as she sat down at the computer. Work, work would help clear her mind. She shouldn't be so attracted to a man she had met for so brief a time. She wouldn't let him be a distraction. The last thing she wanted was to be a bumbling, blithering girl who couldn't think straight in front of an attractive man. Attractive seemed to be an understatment; with those cool gray/blue eyes, jet black hair, and the accent. That had nearly done her in on its own. His accent carried the lilt and magic of Ireland. She sighed as she dropped her head in her hands.
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Post by fallingn2ct on Aug 13, 2012 12:37:50 GMT -5
Ryan mindlessly stirred the cream into the black liquid that sat in front of him. He watched as Penny Carter wished baby Charlie's family well and had them sign the final paper work. Her auburn hair had been freed from its clip and hung in loose waves just past the shoulders. She talked with her hands, not large gestures, but she was creating the scenario for those listening. She waved as the new family walked away. She moved with ease as she reviewed the paper work and then handed it to the nurse at the desk, placing the pen in the pocket of her scrubs, she turned just long enough to meet his eyes before looking away and moving quickly to the elevator. He rose before he realized what he was doing,"Penny, em..Ms.Carter", he called from the door way of the coffee area.
Penny sighed, no, no, no! He couldn't be talking to her, she chastized herself for not taking the stairs. She quickly placed a smile on her face and turned,"Dr.Kelly?"
"Could I have a moment of your time?"
"I suppose", she tucked her hair behind her ear and made her way towards him. Why did he have to look like an Irish faeiry prince? All dark hair and blue eyes, just waiting to steal her away to his palace.
She looked worried; why would she look worried to talk to him? He was sure he hadn't said anything to cause the look on her face,"I'm very sorry to bother you," he began.
"It's fine", she shook her head,"I was just finishing..........up some discharge paperwork. What can I do for you?"
"I know this may seem odd, but I was wondering", he felt nervous,"I'm quite new to town and I thought maybe you would know a good place to eat."
"Oh", she felt her face grow warm,"There are some really great local places. I can print you a list."
He laughed lightly,"Would you like to show me a few of the places? Perhaps this evening, I should be finished by about six or so."
Penny felt her insides twist with nerves and excitement. She took a moment to compose herself before responding,"I.....I.... don't have any plans. I guess.........that would be okay."
Ryan grinned,"Should I call you when I am done, we could meet?"
"Oh....yeah, sure", she pulled out a pen and wrote her number down,"Just let me know when you're done for the evening and we'll figure out what to do."
"Okay then", he folded the piece of paper,"Until later", he gave her a wink and took his coffee.
A date with the new attending and she was a nurse. How did this happen? And why was she so excited about it? She laughed to herself as she took the elevator back to the NICU.
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Post by fallingn2ct on Sept 6, 2012 10:47:05 GMT -5
It was after six and Penny had yet to be done with her shift. They had had a woman come in after a car accident and deliver her baby prematurely. The doctors had finished their inital evaulations and left the nurses to take over hourly reports.
"Hey girl", Lucy said leaning against the desk,"I'm heading out."
"Hey Luc", Penny answered rubbing her eyes,"I would say I'll be home, but with the new baby I don't know. We are monitoring vitals every hour and checking the oxygen levels."
"Want me to fix you a plate and bring it back?"
"Oh no!", she groaned dropping her head in her hands.
"What?" Lucy laughed.
She stood up,"The new doctor asked me for a good place to eat and asked me to go with him", she nearly whispered.
"Wow Penny! No time wasted", she grinned,"I won't wait up."
"What ever", she rolled her eyes with a laugh,"I'll page him and let him know. He's on this case anyway."
"You crazy kids have fun!", she waved as she left.
Penny checked her watch that read 6:45, she picked up the chart for the new born and went to check on the baby,"Hey little one", she said softly as she looked at the monitor and began writing down information,"Your mommy is doing very well, she can't wait to see you."
"I see you're still working", Ryan said coming into the nursery.
"I am", Penny looked up at him and nearly lost her breath,"Just waiting for the other night nurse to come in. Don't want to leave him with just one nurse, she'll be busy with the other babies."
"He's doing very well for only being twenty seven weeks", he placed a hand on top of the incubator,"Are you still up for dinner?"
"Yeah", she closed the chart placing the pen in her pocket,"It's okay if you're not though. I mean I know you said six o'clock and I don't want you to feel like you wasted an evening."
"It's fine", he chuckled holding up a hand,"I will make another round on patients and by then the night nurse should be here."
"That works", she nodded with a smile,"See you in a bit." she watched him as he walked away and sighed. What was happening? She felt like a high schooler being asked out for the first time. She had just met the man and already her pulse was racing far too quickly and there was a strange feeling in the pit of her stomach. She shrugged off her feelings to nerves and sat down to enter information into the computer.
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Post by onyxfyrefly on Sept 6, 2012 12:13:34 GMT -5
Well my pulse would race too if a handsome Irish doctor asked me out to dinner!
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Post by fallingn2ct on Sept 12, 2012 8:09:45 GMT -5
"Anything else you need, Vi?", Penny asked signing off on the last bit of paperwork.
"No sugar, you get outta here. Go eat something", she smiled squeezing the young woman's hand.
"Thank you", she returned the squeeze,"See you in the morning", she headed to the nurses lounge to gather her things. She wanted desperately to be able to shower and change after the long shift, but felt bad enough already for making Ryan wait on her. She took the clip out of her hair, running her fingers through any tangles. Sighing she sat on the bench and opened the locker.
"Anyone home?", Ryan knocked opening the door.
"Come on in." she said.
"You look tired", he said sitting next to her.
"Just a long day."
"That it was", he nodded,"I.....understand if you're...too tired. I mean, we can reschedule."
Penny sighed and looked at him, the shadow of stubble from the day was showing. His eyes were tired, but warm,"How about a drink instead? We're both exhausted."
"Know any good hotdog stands then? Nothing like a beer and a hotdog after a long day."
"Actually, I do" she laughed,"Let me get changed and I'll be right out."
"Great!", he said with a grin and left her to get changed. He was nervous, he realized as he closed the door. He had been nervous before, but this was different. There was the feeling that he knew her, but there were other butterflies that tripped up his heart. There was an honesty and an innocense to her, he was drawn to her and had barely had a moment without thinking of her since that morning. He shoved his hands into the pockets of his jeans as he leaned against the wall and let out a breath. He wanted to know Penny Carter, more than he wanted to admit.
"Ready?", Penny said adjusting her purse as the door closed.
"Absolutely", he smiled,"You lead."
"I thought we could take my car, I can bring you back to get yours. If that's okay with you."
"I actually live just a few blocks from the hospital, I walked this morning."
"Then I can drop you at your place", she clicked the remote on her keychain. The lights of a dark blue Honda CVR blinked as the doors unlocked,"This is me."
"Lovely color", he said climbing into the passengar side.
"It's part of why I picked it", she started the engine and backed out,"I like unusual colors."
"Blue isn't unusual", he laughed.
"This color is", she smiled,"It's not the normal blue, but enough about the color of my car", she eyed him,"What, pray tell, would make someone move from another country to Seattle, Washington?"
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Post by onyxfyrefly on Sept 12, 2012 19:04:49 GMT -5
Beer, hot dogs, and a hunky Irishman. Sounds like the perfect date to me!
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Post by fallingn2ct on Sept 20, 2012 14:34:59 GMT -5
"No interesting story there", Ryan said looking at the passing scenery.
Penny cast him a sideways glance,"Never said it had to be interesting", she pulled the car to a stop in front of a small strip mall,"There's an old guy named Charlie who came here from Chicago and runs an all night hot dog place. Kind of like Steak and Shake."
"Eat here often?", he laughed as the walked to the door.
"Through a lot of nursing school", she smiled,"Hey Charlie!", she called.
"My favorite nurse," the elderly man came out from behind the counter.
"Does your wife know you're still working tonight?"
"She's in the back cooking", he hugged her,"New boyfriend?", he looked at Ryan.
"New in town", Ryan extended his hand,"Penny here has taken pity on me."
"She's good at that", he shook his hand,"Order what ever you all want. It's on the house."
"Thanks Charlie!", Penny kissed the wrinkled cheek. She led the way to a booth and slid into one side while Ryan sat on the other,"Why did you leave Ireland?"
"Not going to let it go are you?", he studied her.
"You are talking to the girl who has never left the United States, so I am interested."
He sighed and scratched his head,"Have you ever felt pulled? Not literally, but figuratively?"
"Trying to follow....." she shook her head.
"I was happy in Ireland or so I thought, but there was something bigger than me. Something was urging me to move forward with my life, away from the tiny place I had lived. One night after work, I went home and started looking at a map and I picked Seattle."
"Did you at least throw a dart or stick a tack with your eyes closed?"
"No", he laughed,"I just knew this was where I wanted to go."
"So that's it? No major reason, or person, or anything."
"Told you it wasn't interesting", he paused as a waitress came to take their orders,"Now it's your turn Ms. Carter. What is your story?"
"I basically grew up here. My parents moved us here from California when I was about five." They continued talking until their food came and then fell into an amiable silence exchanging small talk about the food every so often.
"This is probably some of the best food I have had since arriving here", Ryan wiped at the corners of his mouth with a napkin.
"Glad I could introduce you to Charlie's", Penny smiled taking a sip of her soda,"Sorry about them not serving beer when its late."
"No worries", he waved her off,"Probably better that way." They strolled back out to her car. Both of them knowing the evening was winding down. He didn't want to tell her good night, not yet."Would you like to come to my place for a bit?"
Penny felt crimson creep into her face,"It's only a first date."
"I meant nothing by the invitation", he laughed as they drove back towards the hospital,"Simply thought we could talk for a bit longer."
She chewed her lip for a moment,"I'd like that."
"Okay then", he began explaning the directions to his apartment. After parking the car they climbed the two flights of stairs quietly. Penny felt his hand brush hers and quickly held her arm down to her side. She knew he felt the rush too as he had pulled away almost as quickly."It's not much yet", he opened the door,"Barely been here a month."
"It's fine", she assured him as they stepped into the open space. Boxes were stacked, some open, som already broken down. A black leather couch sat in the middle of the room, french doors over looked the terrace. A door was open showing an unmade bed and clothes spilling out of a suitcase,"Living out of the suitcase still?", she teased.
"What?", he looked at her and then noticed the open door,"Sorry about that", he moved quickly to close the door,"We just won't look in there."
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Post by laurenne on Sept 20, 2012 22:18:39 GMT -5
I loved it. I agree with cb, I think they'll be going to Charlie's a lot. More soon, please.
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Post by fallingn2ct on Oct 9, 2012 14:16:05 GMT -5
The silver fingers of the moon played across the balcony as Ryan and Penny each nursed a beer. They lounged in plastic chairs with a small table in the middle. The smoke from their breath filled the cold night air. Ryan enjoyed the way her eyes sparkled in the moonlight and the music of her laughter. There was an ease between them, something he had never had on a first date with any woman. She was definitely shy, but readily open to talk when asked a question.
"It's getting late", Penny yawned toying with the label on her bottle.
"That it is", Ryan replied,"One more question though."
"Haven't you asked enough?", she laughed.
"You would think", he took a final swig of his beer,"I was just wondering about this place and the ferry boats. Seems to be a big deal here."
She sighed and shook her head,"I wish I could tell you, but I hate boats, so I am of no help."
"Not a fan?"
"Not in the least, everyone has tried to get me to go on one and I won't."
"Welcome to the club," he grinned,"I don't like the water and since boats travel on the water...."
"You don't like those either", she finished his thought.
"Why don't you like them?"
"Why don't you?"
He laughed and held his hands up in defeat,"Fair enough', he reached across the small table and took her hand in his. He felt the familiar jolt pass between them and then she pulled away.
"I.....I should...should go," Penny stood up zipping her jacket.
"Penny, wait", he followed her,"Did I say something?"
"No....no, just it's late and work tomorrow," she pulled her purse onto her shoulder.
"Okay then", he shoved his hands in his pockets to keep from reaching for her,"I'll see you tomorrow?"
"See you tomorrow", she nodded and slipped out the door. She took the stairs two at a time and nearly held her breath until she was in the car. She rolled the windows down hoping the whipping, frigid night air would clear her crowded mind. When he had touched her hand there had been the familiar flash behind her eyes. Who was he to her? What were the flashes behind her eyes? There was something strangely intimate to his simple action. She sighed with relief when she pulled into the driveway and saw the lights were off. She wasn't ready for a barage of questions from her friend. She shrugged off her jacket as she unlocked the door, tossing it onto the couch. She was exhausted and work was barely five hours away. She quickly changed and prepared for a few hours of restless sleep.
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The sun rose quiet over the small garden. She stood with her arms wrapped around herself as she breathed in the cool spring air. The bottom of her skirt was damp from the early morning dew that dripped quietly from the leaves, the drops sparkling like diamonds as the sun's early rays caught them.
"What are you thinking?", he asked as the strong arms came around her. The lilt and melodies of Ireland thick on his tongue.
"That we are leaving all this", she answered in the same melodious lilt.
"Tis for the best though, a ghra", he rest his chin on her shoulder.
She turned her face to his, feeling the stubble of over night growth on his cheek,"I think a part of me is frightened, what will it be like? Will it be better than our home?"
"It will," he quickly turned her to face him. His face was a blur and fading faster.
"Wait", she reached out,"Wait, please." Penny woke gasping for breath and reaching out to the empty air. She scrubbed her hands over her face as the alarm sounded,"Stupid dreams", she sighed tossing the blanket aside.
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