Grim Echoes

Chapter 51 - Maeve

Maeve woke up to the sound of Disturbed. Will smacked the nightstand where Ander had put his phone.

"Yeah," his voice course and dry. "Ok, it's ready now? Then why in the nine hells did you fucking call me?" he paused and then growled. "Fuck off Mason. No, I do. Text me the address." He took a deep breath. "Please," he responded, and changed his grumpy tone to a pleasant one. "He's good. Nothing." He cleared his throat. "I'll keep watch." Will's hand flopped back onto the bed.

Maeve remained motionless during his conversation. She wasn't sure if Ander was awake. He hadn't moved, and her current view was his scrub shirt since he'd pulled her against him. She didn't think she could fall back asleep, but didn't want to disturb Ander.

"Andy, get up we need to pick up my arrows," Will croaked out and coughed.

Ander didn't move, and his breathing didn't change.

"Wake up reject. We need to meet with Pastor Mallory," Will said, louder.

Ander inhaled deeply. Maeve didn't move. She didn't like how Will barked orders at Ander before he was even awake. Ander's hands moved. He gently rubbed her back and probably thought she was asleep. It was a stark difference to how Will chose to wake people up. She moved, so he knew she was awake, and rolled back just enough to peer at his face. He was still tired. Alert, but still worn out from not sleeping. She slid her hand to his chest, near his heart, and gave him a small smile before she sat up.

"Why don't I go with you to see Pastor Mallory? Let Ander stay here to rest," she said and stabilized herself with one arm.

"Rest?" Will asked incredulously.

"Yes, rest. I know neither of you believe in sleeping for more than a few hours, but aren't you both looking at locations tonight and into dawn?"

"Yeah, so?"

"So, you had more rest than he did. You passed out, he kept working,"

Will grumbled. Ander hadn't moved. He'd turned his head to stare at her with parted lips.

"Fine, let delicate Andy rest for now. We can pick up my arrows. Be ready in fifteen." Will got out of bed and headed to the bathroom.

Maeve looked down at Ander. He'd opened his mouth, probably to protest, but she squeezed his hand with her free one and silenced him.

"Only if you don't take all fifteen minutes on your teeth," she called out to Will. The bathroom door shut.

"Why did you suggest that? I am fine," Ander began.

She laid back down beside him. "No, you're tired. It's ok to be tired."

He grimaced. For some reason, this really hit a nerve with him.

"Stay here and rest, as a favor to me."

His face contorted with mixed emotions. Why was he so against sleeping? She pulled his hand into hers.

"Please, just until we get back." her voice sounded strange again, foreign.

His body responded immediately. The tension seeped away, and the conflict left his face. "Alright, I will rest,"

"Promise?"

He nodded. His eyes were so green, this close, it was hard not to gaze into them.

"You have to say it," she breathed.

"For you, I promise to rest," he whispered.

His words were harmless, but when he spoke them, tingles spread over her body and her stomach fluttered. She didn't want to leave. She wanted him to put his arms around her again. Wanted to run her fingers through his hair. Noises from the bathroom broke the spell and allowed her to focus on something else.

She squeezed Ander's hand one last time and left the bed. She hurried to get her clothes, understanding how impatient Will was. If she wasn't ready for the bathroom when he was done, it'd put him in a bad mood and make the outing less fun. As Will exited, she entered the bathroom and quickly took care of her morning routine. When she came out, Ander still laid in the bed. Will had already finished a beer. He stood and headed to the door. His eyes flicked to Ander as he reached for the knob.