Ramblers In the Wilderness

Lights Out - Edited

Ghost

Simon held Cade close to him in bed, feeling her slowly relax. He hadn't meant to be the cause of any issues. He only wanted to give her a little space and distance to really sort through her emotions.

He had fallen victim several times to being bored and pent up. Sometimes on base the sexual conquest decisions were caused due of a lack of options. He was aware of the fact that Cadence had been faced with being the only woman on the team of men, and the base was far enough away from civilization that nightly bar crawls and civilian meet ups were not really an option. When they had gotten together, it had been after several months of being stuck around everyone which can cause one to get pent up.
Then the release came when it was just the two of them. Her alone at a cabin with one man. The tension between them had been thick from the beginning and being with one another was the release they needed.
When faced with few options, sometimes decisions are made without serious thought and the last thing Simon wanted was for her to feel as if she had made a brash mistake.

Simon tensed around her gently and gave her forehead a soft kiss. As he did so, he inhaled her. Breathing her deep and relishing the scent. Cadence smelled like warm woods and jasmine, a scent she had left behind on his pillow at base. Every night as he faded to sleep, the lingering smell had made him miss her being so close.   
Every night however, it was more faded and harder to pick out. It was part of what pushed him to go to Price and demand he be returned to duty. 
The area Simon had been shot was still tender and fatigued after work outs, but he knew he would be able to work through it. 
From home base Simon had assisted Price in monitoring the 141's missions as well as sorting intel with Sandra. Monitored footage of the group during their extractions and fire fights. Every time he watched or reviewed footage he was on the edge of his seat. Holding his breath or cussing at choices made. He had worn a pacing path in Prices office and had downed too many bottles of whisky to try to stay passive. 
Nothing worked. He wanted to be back leading his team. Fighting alongside every single one of them. Ensuring he brought the team home safe. Ensuring Cadence was safe. 

He could deal with pain as long as it meant being a contributing factor to the team. Though he knew what he was doing with Price and Sandra was beneficial to the team, he still felt like a weak link. The only way he would feel productive, was to be in the fire fight, not the sidelines. 

"What are you thinking?" Cadences voice filled the void of the darkness, "You've had several deep sighs already." 

Simon let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding. So many thoughts had been crossing through his mind, but he still was unsure how to precisely put it into words without sounding like a bitch. He felt her head tilt up and her eyelashes tickle his chest, as if she was trying to see him through the dark.

"I just missed this." His voice was somber and low, "It's been difficult watching the team from the sidelines. Not being able to be a part of the missions. Just standing by and letting others work has never really been something I am about."

"Just the team, hu?" Dejection hinted in Cadences voice.

"And you. More than anything I have missed you close. I just got into my own head and wanted you to have the space. Not feel like you were pigeonholed into anything with me." Cadence snorted in response to his comment.

"I'm not sure that is the correct terminology, but I wasn't 'pigeonholed' into anything. Not with you." Her voice was gentle but held a stern tone, "If I don't want something I don't pursue it. We all make spur of the moment decisions from time to time, but you weren't that to me. I knew what I wanted, I knew what you were doing on the porch, and I knew where it would lead. But I also knew I could stop you at any time and you would have respected that."