Broken Wings

Chapter Twenty Three.

Skye:

"I'm sorry. But you never said to stay put."

"Common sense Skye. Jesus." He runs his hand through his hair.

"Look I'm sorry that you were worried but...."

"I wasn't."

"Could've fooled me. If not then stop talking to me like I'm your child."

"You know what you're right. You are absolutely right!" He growls then walks out the door.

"What the heck just happened?" I ask the group. They were trying to look like they hadn't heard any of that.

"I think he likes you a little bit more than he'd like." James says.

"I'm afraid he's right. And that's not good." Niall says.

"Really? And why is that?" I say defiantly crossing my arms over my breast.

"He better explain." Niall says. "I'll go talk to him."

"Don't bother. He's a big boy." I say.

"He's also my brother." He says that and leaves the room.

"Well. That went well didn't it." Steven says.

"Look." Jesse says. "It's none of my business but the boy obviously has a thing for you. I thought we were a couple the way he looks at you. Just go talk to him."

"Maybe but I have kids to tend to. So it has to wait. Anyone want to know what we were doing?"

"You know you can't avoid him. We're kind of stuck here." James says.

"Alright I got the hint. I'll try ok. Now. Which one of you can help us with the hot water heater?"

"What? Are you serious? Where?" Dan ask.

"Yup next to the bunk house." Rachel says proudly.

"We need to light the pilot on it but it's there. And the water works." Lucy says.

"Well. I have a Zippo lighter." Jesse says. "Show us where."

We all leave to go light this thing. My mind drifts to Harry. I hate the thought of him being alone. I don't even know where he went. Maybe I did over react. But I'm not a child. He could have just ask me.

When we get to the shower building Jesse follows me in.

"It's right over here." I lead the way.

"Wow you girls are full of surprises huh." Steven says smiling. "If this works I'll make dinner tomorrow night."

"Umm no thanks." Rachel teases.

"Ok. Let's try this." Jesse leans over and turns on the generator. It kicks on right away. "Alright now for this!" He gets on his knees and looks at the heater. "Yup pilots out. You guys didn't mess with it did you?"

"No Sir." Lucy says.

"Good ok. Here it goes." It takes a few tries but we hear it kick on. "Ladies and gentlemen we have lift off. We just have to wait til it heats up."

"Aww how long?" Rachel ask.

"I'm guessing a few hours. By morning at least."

"Awww." Moans everyone in the room.

"Sorry." He says getting up. "It's the best I could do."

"It's fine. We can wait." I say. Michael yawns behind me. "I have to get this little guy settled it's getting late anyway."

"Can I stay up and write?" Lucy ask.

"Of course dear. Come on." After I get them settled I'll go look for Harry.

____________________________________

Harry:

What was she thinking?" What could have been that important to risk her life. I'm sitting against the front gate when Niall finds me.

"What's going on with you?" He ask sitting down with me.

"I wish I knew."

"Well. I think I do." He leans his head against the fence.

"It's a good thing that's not electrified yet." I chuckle

"Right. I can see it now. Feathers everywhere." He chuckles back.

"Do we still have them?"

"I saw my shadow earlier. I think I saw them."

I just sigh. "I tried talking to him you know."

"Really? What happened?" He looks over at me not lifting his head.

"Nothing. As always."

"Did you get angry?"

"Frustrated maybe. Not angry. I wish he would talk to me. Something, anything, just tell me what to do." I look at him. "I'm so confused. I feel lost. I have these feelings that I never had before."

"I see that. I don't know Harry."

"That makes two of us. Everything used to be so clear. I knew what was expected. I don't know anymore. I'm feeling more human every day. And I'm not sure I like it."

"Have you thought about how it would be. To be human. I mean you have been in this body for two years."

"So have you, and you're still the same."

"Oh my dear brother but I'm not. Do you know that I'm starting target practice tomorrow?"

"Are you? Why? I thought you hated guns."

"I do. But we have to protect the women here. The thought of some monster getting to that little girl urks my soul."

I think about Skye, and what I would do if anyone hurt her. I know exactly what he means.

The look on her face haunts me. I know my words hurt her, but I said them anyway.

"Where are they?" I ask him. He lifts his head.

"I left them in the mess hall. They may still be there."

"Any ideas on who's on first watch?"

" None."

I haul myself off the fence and stand up. "Well let's go see." I extend my hand to help him stand.

"What are you going to do about Skye?"

"No clue. But I guess I should talk to her huh."

" It couldn't hurt the woman's a heck of a cook." He smiles.

I smile at him and we start walking.

"Are you going to tell her?" He says as we're walking.

"Tell her what?"

"The truth. Maybe that'll help. Then you can tell her how you feel."

"I wish I could. But what do I feel?"

He slaps me on the back. "Well whatever it is, it's pretty strong."

His words linger as we make our way back to the group. What do I feel. Good question.