Logan

147. Don't Worry

*Natalie's POV*

I thought I saw a mark on Desmond's neck and felt hot rage, I tried to ignore the way my body stiffened and felt sick at the thought of her lips, her body anywhere near Desmond.

Shut up, you're going on a date with Hux, Natalie.

So? Desmond's your friend.

Not really, he's got a friend he's getting neck kisses from, Elena.

Skinny, perfect, tall, blonde, Italian Elena.

Hardly perfect if she has to make fun of you.

I sighed, shaking the thoughts from my mind. I tried not to think about the way Desmond's silence said so much about him, I mean he didn't even want to deal with it the way he excused himself all the time. Then again... maybe something else was at play. It had to. I remember it was how I responded when-

"Natalie, what do you think about Desmond?" Elena said behind me, handing me some of the groceries.

I shook my head, "Me? Why would you want to know what I think?"

Elena looked at me, "You're the second person to say that to me."

I shrugged.

"I heard you two were friends," She said to me.

"We are friends," I said, pouring broth into the pot. I set down the broth and started cutting the vegetables I just washed.

"Isn't he the sweetest? I mean, damn he's so good in bed."

The knife I was holding hit the celery with a THWAK! and I looked at Rhodes, the same look of disbelief on her face. Rhodes looked at Giordano. "I'm sorry, what? Raleigh, you had sex with Desmond Raleigh, I call bullshit."

My hands shook, everything went numb as I listened to her tell Rhodes about the date, the movie, the food, the food...

No fucking way he shared food with her, he hated when people touched his food. Once I saw him politely snap at Frankie for stealing a blueberry off his plate when we went to Trixies. I just smiled to myself, listening to the way she described Desmond's penis, completely off the mark. If she did to him what I think she did, I couldn't wait to punch her in the face someday. Not now, there were still hours in the day.

I remembered him telling me he was a virgin, the way his hands shook when he touched me sometimes, how he'd never even done more than kissing with Remy. Elena was lying and I knew it, but I knew her moment would come. Before I could say anything, Desmond walked through the door and everyone went silent.

"How's everything going?" He asked, coming up beside me. I handed him a piece of celery and he took it, and I handed the little cup of ranch to him. He mumbled a thanks and that's when I saw it. A pink mark on his neck, not a hickey or a bite, a perfectly intact lipstick kiss. Deliberate.

My hand instantly went to his neck and he grunted as I turned his neck, "Looks like someone left you a little love mark, Raleigh." Desmond gave me a look of disbelief, "Who put that there?" I giggled.

His hand immediately rushed to his neck, "What?" He looked at his reflection in the refrigerator and a look of terror in his face. He looked like he was going to cry and my smile faded. I grabbed the sponge and turned his head to me softly, "Desmond I'm sorry, I'll wipe it off," I whispered, wiping the lipstick off his neck. His arm touched mine, his breathing steadying and I stood closer to let him compose himself. "There, all gone." I said, wiping the water off with a paper towel. I tried to ignore the way his eyes closed at my touch. I tried not to see the way he clenched his fist and the grunt that vibrated his throat when I stepped into his space.

I blushed as I looked down to see him *very* happy, and I placed my hand on his chest. I heard Rhodes and Giordano talking but it felt as he and I were in our own world. Population two.

"Maybe you should sit down," I whispered, quickly motioning down. He immediately slumped down to the floor, looking up at me, "Hand me some more celery? Please?"

Elena leaned over the counter and I could see her cleavage, and couldn't help but roll my eyes.

"Desi, did you know Natalie's going out with Huxley tonight? I just heard from Conrad in the hallway."

Desmond looked back up at me, unable to hide the hurt in his eyes, "Really?" He started chewing angrily, but his tone was the same softness, "Good for you, Huxley's a good guy." I tried to talk but Elena just laughed, and Desmond kept going, "I hope things go well for you, you deserve to be happy."

Oh, this was too adult of a conversation to be having for this table.

"But I mean, you'll be fine. You're this cool folk artsy singer who's been in duet with Canyon Carrigan, I mean, you two had to have had a thing? That's the rumor I've heard?" She smirked and I knew she was trying to get a rise out of me.

I cleared my throat, "Canyon and I were strictly professional, nothing else. His wife is one of my best friends."

Elena rolled her eyes at me, "Okay, but what about Logan Grey? I know you two dated, thats what the blogs said. Too bad he died."

Everything inside me either wanted to smack her in the face with the cutting board or run away crying. But then... Desmond.

He stood up and his hand rubbed my back, "Elena, why don't we table this for now. We have a long day ahead of us, and Natalie has her date tonight." He looked at me and then shot her a shy smile, "We could probably watch that show you like... that medical drama."

She gasped, shooting up from her position on the counter, "Ooh! You mean you'll watch Grey's? With me?"

"Sure, why not?" Desmond shrugged. I saw him drop the mask for just a moment and saw him cringe. The klaxons sounded and he kissed my cheek, then fumbled, "Uh, well, duty calls."

-

-

-

Another day of soup drive went well, the roads were able to be cleared up, but parts of the countryside still remained untouched. It didn't change how cold it was either, we'd passed out more gloves than the day before, especially since it was only -12 vs the -20 from the night before. I carefully pulled on my winter tights, pulling them up over my shape wear. I had to mend the dress a little, careful not to show too much 'skin' thank goodness for nude colors with the black tight overlay.

"Wow, you look..." Ripley was trying to find a word, but the man was positively beaming at my dress. "Beautiful." Part of his expression seemed sad, but if he was he didn't let on. "How late are you guys staying out?" He asked.

I laughed, "Don't worry *Dad* I'll have him bring me back by 11:00, don't forget to leave the light on for me."

My sarcasm stung as Captain Ripley was quiet, his expression faded from a smile to hurt, "well, don't let me keep you." He started to walk away but I grabbed his arm.

"Wait, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to sound snarky. I'm only staying out a few hours, I promise. I'm sorry about the dad thing, I didn't mean to touch a nerve-"

"It's okay, really," He said, patting my hand and walking away, "If you need help or anything you know who to call."

I ran up to him and faced him, looked into Thomas' eyes and saw my own staring at me, I softened and wrapped him in a hug.

"Don't worry, I'll be okay, I promise." I felt his body relax, pulling me tightly. "I love you."

"I love you too, kid." He waited a moment and then pulled away, clearing his throat, "Alright, you better get outta here and have some fun."

His smile was still wistful but he turned and walked back up to his office, leaving me with my thoughts.