BLOOD BY THE HAND OF GUILT

Chapter Ten

Present times, Las Vegas

"I can't believe you talked me into doing this"

Leia smiled.

"I told you the view would be beautiful up here"

Dave smiled, taking in a deep breath of the free refreshing breeze.

"This has to be the highest point in all of Las Vegas" Leia held tightly unto Dave, the breeze was strong and it sent her hair flying in all directions.

"Yeah, maybe" He laughed

"You are crazy" Leia giggled and slid her hand into his. He welcomed it, tightening his grip.

"Your palms are sweaty" He teased.

"Give me a break, it was one helluva climb, you've got to give me credit for this"

"Yep, this is one step away from getting rid of your fear of heights"

Dave said.

"How did you know I was scared of heights?" she frowned with a smile evidently drawn across her face.

"You get uncomfortable on high floors, you always try to avoid the elevators, you never stand at the windows at the hospital, you avoid balcony's.

"And you noticed all that?"

"I have known you for like what?, five years?, and yeah, you are pretty interesting to not notice"

"What else do you know about me?"

"You hardly open up, you keep everything strictly professional, you don't mess around, and damn you are one tough lady" He giggled she laughed.

"Hell yeah....to survive, you need to be tough"

He stared at her for a while as she stared at the view of the setting sun over the mountains in a distance.

"I have always wanted to visit the Smoky mountains....." She said, and then she turned catching him staring.

"What?" She smiled.

"You really have been through a lot haven't you?" He asked and then her smile slowly disappeared, then she turned away and sighed.

"Yeah, we have" She said, it barely could be heard but she was certain he took the cue from her sudden change in mood. Then he tightened his grip on her hand.

"No one is going to hurt you ever again"

She turned to stare at him and he saw the pain in her eyes and something else.....it scared him.

She was obviously a wounded soul and he was scared he probably may not be able to change that, to remove that pain.

"We should go now, thanks Dave for today, I appreciate it" She smiled and pulled out her hand from his then turned to begin her climb down. He waited a while then he followed.

He was never going to let her go, not ever.

***

Dave drove Leia home that night. They had had a wonderful day together and he was glad she had agreed to go out with him. He had siad it was a surprise till they arrived at the mountain, she had screamed....

'NO WAY! with a laugh Dave was sure he had never heard before.

"Hell yeah, we are so climbing. There were others going up and they seemed to be enjoying it, couples,, friends, siblings but there was no was Dave was going to get her to go up but when he finally convinced her and they got to the top, she was glad she did. It was weird being so close to him as he guided her, holding unto her as they climbed with the support of te ropes.