Came for the Low- Revised

Untitled Part 20

      Shutting the car door behind her, Christine stretched her legs and arms after their long drive. She reached high over her head twisting a bit, but her attention was instantly taken by the stunning world he'd driven her into.

     They'd come up a long stone road which carried them over a bridge and finally into the hilly village— she could have touched the buildings that lined the road it was so narrow— only to have it open up to this incredible plaza.

     With its yellow stone walls and plants hanging from nearly every window, she could hardly believe they'd almost left without seeing it—the beautiful authenticity was intoxicating.

     Feeling as though she'd stepped through time, Christine turned a slow circle taking it all in.  While the homes, shops, and church just across the way were in beautiful condition you could feel the weight of history in every worn corner and cobblestone path. This was an ancient place, some parts of it exactly as it had been when first built however many thousands of years ago—the hum of modern life keeping it vibrant and exciting.

     There were people out walking and chatting with one another, passing the large fountain in the center of the square, the echoes of their laughter floating on the cool mountain winds. It was nothing like the city of course, in fact the place was deserted when compared to the coast, but there were signs of real, grounded life everywhere. A woman carrying a baby crossed the road to show the child the water in the fountain, Christine waved to a pair of elderly ladies strolling arm in arm, granted they just stared at her but she didn't mind. Sitting just outside of a little cafe were two men who looked about the same age as the village. She laughed a little to herself imagining that they could never leave or they would turn to dust. One of them smiled at her and she gave a little bow of her head.

     "This place is beautiful Helmut," She said softly. "Where are we?" She called back, turning to find him.

     Zemo came walking around to the back of the car, hands in his tailored pants pockets looking casual but pleased. Christine turned fully facing him, almost as taken by the sight of him here in this place as she was the village. She'd never seen Zemo so relaxed, it actually became hard to imagine him having ever slipped on the mask and coat. This version of the Baron was soft, inviting—devastating to look at. Her crooked smile grew as she slowly walked back to him.

     Zemo leaned against the trunk of the Benz, crossing his arms, taking a deep breath of the fresh air. Resting his weight on one foot, crossing the other at the ankle, he felt as relaxed as he looked in his black leather low tops with the sleeves of his cashmere sweater pushed up.  He didn't appear so much dangerous as he did mysterious—like any man with money and impeccable taste should. Christine grinned when she was close and held onto his arms, rising up to kiss him just a little bit.

     Against her lips he spoke "Do you remember? I told you I would cook for you at my apartment in Spain?"

     She leaned back, caught by his interlaced fingers against the small of her back.

     "Of course?" Where was this one going, she wondered.

     Zemo looked around at the village then back down at her with a little shrug.

     "What? The entire village?"

     Now he laughed shaking his head, playing with the wayward strands of her curls while still holding her with the other hand. "No, no of course not. But, I would like to show you. It's just outside of the village at the base of the mountain."

     "Oh god, Helmut you weren't just flirting with me?" She gave a nervous laugh looking off to process this.

     "Well, I was, but no, I have a place here... but that's not the only reason why we've come."