Six Months

[hell_in_highheels]

She's eyeing the calender on her desk and the date.  Six months ago, she invited him to dinner.  Six months ago he said yes.  Six months ago, she was still human.  Six months ago and a day ago, she considered herself a ghost -- not among the living.  A memory of a life, perhaps, but not an actual life.

Six months ago, he reminded her that she was very much alive and he's spent every day since proving to her that life is very much worth living.

So she's sitting at her desk, trying to jot down something simple in a note to tell him how glad she is that she met him, how much she loves him, how much he's become a vital part of her existence.  She never thought it could be this good.  And it's all because of him.  But she doesn't think he'd appreciate pages and pages of her pouring her heart out.   She just wants to make him smile, and mark the day.  So she's trying for something quick and to the point.

All that's come out is a silly little ditty, and she's almost embarrassed by how naff it is, but it's quick and to the point.

I can't believe you shredded my knickers,
I can't believe you bit my nose,
I can't believe how much I love you,
Everyday it grows and grows.

Happy first six months,
~River

Completely naff.  So she adds a couple of hearts with an arrow through it, grinning as she tries to picture his expression upon reading it.

Maybe she'll stuff it in his holster or something.

"Oh I know..."

Damocles?

She tucks the note in his collar, and pets his face while she asks him to take the note to its intended recipient. It means she won't see his reaction when he reads it, but she wagers it'll be worth it.

Comments

[captainryan.livejournal.com]

The return note reads as follows:

And many more to come, love.

I don't suppose you have any knickers you want to replace?

Dam thinks this is an interesting new game, if only he knew how to read.

[hell_in_highheels]

River laughs out loud when she gets the note, quickly finding her pen.

R~

You aren't suppose to plan things like that, love. Surprise me and damn the knickers.

Where are you anyway? Dam won't tell me.

~R.

She gives it to Dam and sends him on his way.

[captainryan.livejournal.com]

I like to leave my options open.

And Dam's a smart lad. He doesn't want you to steal his job.

Dam is pausing to grab a drink of water.

[hell_in_highheels]

R.~

Well, I know you can't be too far, considering how quickly our dear friend returns from your hideaway. Do you know when you'll be home? So I can leave my options open, you see.

~R.

[captainryan.livejournal.com]

Truly? He must be running.

I'll be up soon enough. Why, did you need me for something?

[hell_in_highheels]

River sets out a fresh bowl of water for Damocles and pets his head as she reads his note.

She stares at it for a long moment. "I always need you," she says aloud to the room.

I was just curious, that's all. See you when you get here.

She folds the paper in quarters and presses a kiss to the front, not really knowing how much of her scent will transfer to the paper. She stares at it for another moment before slipping it down the cleavage of her blouse. She lets it rest against her breastbone for a long moment before slipping it back in the envelope. There. That should do it.

[captainryan.livejournal.com]

Tease.

Damocles returns with an oddly folded note in the shape of a tiny envelope. One of its bottom corners is slightly damp and Dam is begging to have it as River's fingers free it from under his collar.

Someone would choose this moment to knock at the door.

[hell_in_highheels]

"Good dog. Hold on a moment, be right there. Mmm, smells delicious..."

Her fingers work at the paper as she makes her way to the door.

"Now who could that be?" She's careful to check the peephole before she opens the door.

[captainryan.livejournal.com]

The envelope opens to reveal a small bit of beef, not the deli sort but the greasy roast sort, still warm.

"Room service," comes the oddly-pitched voice from the other side of the box and brown paper bag.

"Special delivery straight from the bar, ma'am."

He doesn't expect this to last any longer than a moment. He's scents pouring in under the food, but it's good fun.

[hell_in_highheels]

Of course, she feeds the morsel to Dam, knowing the good stuff is on the way.

She opens the door a crack, grinning like a fool. "Oh I'm so terribly sorry, I haven't anything to tip you with!" One hand extends up the door jamb and she leans her weight on one hip, a saucy smirk on her lips. "But if you're quick, maybe we can work something out before my boyfriend comes home."

[captainryan.livejournal.com]

"I don't know, ma'am, he's a pretty big guy and I wouldn't want him to kick my arse."

He drops his voice into a low rumble and lowers his things enough to look over the top of the bag.

"Anyway, it's not worth doing if we work it out quick."

[hell_in_highheels]

Her bright laughter rings down the hallway. She reaches out a hand to grab his arm and pull him close for a kiss over the top of the food. All right, maybe two kisses.

"You're absolutely right, love. Another delivery boy stiffed. That smells delish. Shall I open a bottle of wine to go with?"

[captainryan.livejournal.com]

"If you like," he says, licking her taste off his lips and already headed for the counter-top to put things down. He immediately starts pulling out take away boxes and opening them to let their smells fill the kitchen. Parodoxes, roast beef, fresh bread, lemon-buttered broccoli, and, because he was feeling indulgent, a pie for desert.

It should fill them up nicely.

[hell_in_highheels]

She follows, dipping into the pantry to retrieve a bottle of red, inhaling deeply. "I think you've outdone yourself. Don't you think, Dam?"

She sets the bottle down and moves behind him, her hands resting on his back. Her nose sniffs the air furiously. "What is that delicious -- sweet smelling -- is that pie?"

[captainryan.livejournal.com]

Dam wags his tail and follows after her, hoping the mention of his name gets him another treat.

"You gave him that bit of meat, didn't you," Richard says instead of answering her question. "You're going to make him fat."

Especially if he already had a tidbit downstairs.

[hell_in_highheels]

She laughs, bumping his shoulder gently as she eases him out of the way of the drawer where the cork pull is stored. "Oh I'm going to make him fat. Mister What's-One-More-Slice-Of-Bacon-Going-To-Hurt? Pull the other one, it's got bells on."

The last is addressed to Dam, who is prancing at her side, his mouth closing and his ears pricking up high at the B-Word.

[captainryan.livejournal.com]

"I don't know what you're talking about. I'm certainly not the one who feeds him from the table."

He keeps a straight face through that, too. Pity his scent is far more amused.

"Hand me a couple of plates, would you?"

[hell_in_highheels]

"Oh of course not. You would never do a thing like that." She sets the cork pull aside and hands him the plates, brushing against him as she does so.

She bends down to pet the dog, urging him out of the kitchen. "Poor Dam is lucky to get anything but dry kibble around here. So neglected and abused."

Go wait on the couch. I'll feed you in a minute.

[captainryan.livejournal.com]

Okay! As the lowest ranking pack member, Dam is well used to eating last.

"What are you on about? I know you sneak him scraps," Richard accuses as he starts portioning out food.

[hell_in_highheels]

She slips back behind him again, returning to the cabinets and reaching up high to retrieve the wine glasses. "I don't feed him scraps. I share with him, else he'd be skin and bones, poor thing." Her scent is rich with amusement and affection. This is one of her favourite parts of the day, sitting down with her mate to eat.

She pops the cork and pours two glasses. "And anyway, he gets plenty of exercise, keeping up with you."

[captainryan.livejournal.com]

He bumps her a bit as she passes, just because he can.

"That's hardly an excuse.

"Have you got the silverware?" He's almost done with the plates.

[hell_in_highheels]

She laughs under her breath, bumping him back. "Not an excuse, merely an explanation. Silverware, coming right up."

She grabs napkins too, because they both tend to be rather exuberant eaters.

"Did I forget anything else?"

[captainryan.livejournal.com]

"Silverware, napkins, wine, food; no, I think we're set." He starts bringing the plates over, setting them down in front of two adjacent chairs.

[hell_in_highheels]

"Oh! Wait!" She holds up a finger.

And darts into the living room, heading for the candlesticks on the mantle. She lights them with her sonic screwdriver before bringing them to the table, carefully putting them in the center of the table.

"There. That's better."

She leans down and nuzzles his cheek as she takes her seat.

[captainryan.livejournal.com]

Richard gives her a thoroughly amused (and fond) look.