Journey Series: Ellick

Hope Like No Other

Ellie POV

Here they were again. The chopper was in the process of being gassed up. They sat facing the glow of the sun as it descended behind the dunes. Ellie closed her eyes and reclined on the bench. Nick hunched forward, his elbows on his knees. A soft wind whistled through the dry air. "Ellie," Nick began without prelude, "I feel like I'm even farther back from where I started when I came here." Her eyes popped open and she watched him closely. "I can't explain it. I just... I want you to know that if you get tired of waiting, I'll understand." Nick was giving her an out, she understood. After this moment, he could disappear forever as far as she knew. As far as either of them knew really.

But she smiled and sighed. She knew and had known, that she was in love with Nick Torres. Though she had yet to get to know him, she already appreciated his every movement, every attitude, every quirk that she did know. The way his eyebrows would knit together when he was considering something serious. His great compassion that she felt was an underlying drive for his action. The fact that as strong as he was, he could be so gentle. She loved those things about him. And they were a true part of him. It was a quiet and sweet feeling, and it put her at peace.

So she didn't say "Okay," she didn't agree with his escape avenue. She put her small hand on his shoulder and said, "Thank you, Nick. But I don't mind waiting." And she didn't. Not when a part deep within her knew that it would be more than worth it.

Nick POV 

"Ellie, I feel like I'm even farther back from where I started when I came here." "I can't explain it. I just..." what the hell was he trying to say? "I want you to know that if you get tired of waiting, I'll understand." He swallowed slightly, praying she wouldn't see how hard it was for him to say those words. But there, he had said them. He was giving her an escape route from the promise. He wanted to be selfish just once and hold her in it. But he knew that wasn't fair. Especially since he didn't know if he would ever really go back.

But then he felt her slight hand on him. And she was telling him softly, "Thank you, Nick. But I don't mind waiting." Those words were like an invigorating blast. They filled his heart with hope like no other. So when the helicopter took off and he was left alone, he felt a little more secure. He had an anchor in D.C. Maybe he would one day make it back to stay.