T&H Excerpts

this is pure fluff... the romantic in me had to write at least one kiss scene

She was curled up at the bottom of the tank, head resting on the glass when she heard a creaking noise, and then a splash. She didn't even bother lifting her head- it was only Jasper. He told her once that it was easier to communicate if they weren't seperated by glass, and so often he'd risk the perflurocarbon to be with her. She ignored his jerking and spazzing body until it became still. She closed her eyes- it was extremely unpleasant to watch. It was like watching Jasper die over and over again, every time he came in here, a reminder of what he was sacrificing if he was caught or if the other sailors thought he was acting suspicious. He'd be jeopardizing his career and the whole Broken Alpha's mission.

A warm hand rested on her shoulder. Jasper. She looked up and through the swirls of her hair she saw his tightly lipped smile and sad eyes.

"What is it?" she whispered, afraid of what he might say. I can't help you or we've been found out or something else equally terrifying.

He sighed, bubbles coming out of his mouth.

"I feel responsible for you being here. I can see what captivity is doing to you and I hate it."

She shrugged, helpless. She trusted Jasper (somehow) to get her out of there and for her ghastly fate, but the longer she was there, the harder it was to have hope. Faces of her family were beginning to fade and she was forgetting what sand looked like, or how it felt to be in open water and not this cramped hell.

He saw the helplessness and hopelessness in her eyes and said,

"I don't think you understand. The water is doing something to you. Maybe it's because it's not giving you the nutrients you need, maybe it has too much oxygen. But I can see it in your face- even though we're feeding you, your eyes are beginning to sink into your face, you skin is gray and your tail is limp..."

She swam to the other side of the tank and rested her forehead against the glass and closed her eyes. "It's just the effects of captivity," she muttered.

"No," he said, "I've seen captivity before and it's never had this effect. Remember, this is the first time perflurocarbon has been used. I don't think this is supposed to happen."

Her chest felt tight as he was speaking. He was right. She often felt lightheaded and sick to her stomach, didn't want to eat and felt like the walls of the tank were closing in on her. She didn't mention it to him though.

"Look at me," Jasper said softly.

She turned towards him, back against the glass and tail swishing gracefully.

He lifted his hand to her cheek, white sleeves billowing with the movement. She watched him, eyes wide. "I hate knowing that I'm the only thing that is between you and your freedom-"

"Not the only thing," she said. "And it's not your fault. I know you're trying."

He came closer, his other hand touching her neck gently.

"All the same," he whispered, "I hate it."

His arm came around her waist, pulling her to his chest, her hands trapped between them.

Her heart beat in anticipation, and his eyes watched her. She moved forward slightly, which was enough for him. His mouth touched hers, warm and soft. She kissed him back, winding her arms around his neck. Bubbles from their mingled breaths tickled her cheek. His fingers touched the small of her back, and she shivered, pressing herself nearer to him. He pulled back and then kissed her neck, and then her fingers. She sighed.

"I'll be back tomorrow," he said, voice rough. Her heart skipped a beat and she nodded, blushing. She would have a lot to think about between them. And then he was swimming up toward the tank's lid, pulling himself out. And he was gone.