Abe Sapien and the Witch

Chapter 7

Chapter Seven.

Red had spent the whole mission telling everyone about what had happened in the practice area earlier that day, and Abe found himself feeling quite proud when he spoke of her, of how clever she was and how powerful he was going to be against those monsters now, he and the Samaritan would be unstoppable!

He might be showing off a bit, but Abe had to agree, with her helping them they would be at a much better advantage against their enemies. She had also helped Krauss identify a new species of freshwater Selkie that they had not known about, she seemed always so willing to help and her lifetime in the coven had taught her a lot more than merely reading from books ever could.

"Your cheeks are pink again" Liz said, a playful tone distracting him from his daydreaming as they were driven back to HQ in the back of the fake dumpster van, and he turned towards her. "Hmm?" "I said your cheeks, they are pink again. Thinking about something in particular?" "Or SomeONE!" added Red, her attempt to be modest on the subject going right over his head.

"Oh, now..." Abe said, stuttering a little and the two laughed, Red holding Liz by the shoulders as he squeezed her close. "Abe, it's obvious buddy, you can't get her out of your head." "I was just thinking about today..." "It was awesome! I flew across the damn floor!" "Yes, well, that too, but..."

"You were thinking about HER" Liz finished, elbowing Red in the stomach lightly to get him to quieten down for a second.

He smiled, head tilting as he wrung his hands together. "I was thinking...about her. Yes."

"Aww buddy, ya see? When you drink some beers, the whole world becomes a better place. You should drink with me more!" Liz rolled her eyes up at Red, turning back to Abe "I think you need to see HER more, she's good for you. I've never seen you like this. You seem happier after seeing her."

"I do, don't I..." he whispered, turning back to look out through the one-way wall of the truck, more to himself than anyone else.

***

She had paced up and down the red carpet what had seemed like a hundred times, not knowing when he might get back from his mission but hoping it might be tonight, so she could see him. She didn't know what came into her, running after him like that with the note to meet tonight but the thought of not seeing him again soon had left her with an unexpected feeling of panic in her throat.

Krauss had come along at dinnertime, already finished with the task she had asked of him and she had hugged him, grateful. He had pretended that the fuss was unnecessary, but he had appreciated the hug. A lot of people saw him as non-human, like a strange metallic mannequin that pottered around HQ giving orders, but she treated him like a person, and it made him feel close to her like she was a niece. Maybe even a daughter. Not that he would ever admit it, of course.

***

In he walked, a hushing sound as he removed his breathing apparatus. She sat up from the Professors old desk, where she had managed to doze off while she waited for his return. He came towards her as she stood up, placing the apparatus down on the table next to her.

His eyes searched hers, and he laughed a little at her dazed expression, reaching up to remove a small piece of paper that was stuck to her cheek. Her face blazed at the closeness of him, he smelled so fresh. Like a fruit she thought, and he let out a small titter "I hope I'm not a banana, I hate those things."

_Abe_ she said, touching her hand against his. _Can you hear me? _ "Yes." He said, taking her hand in both of his. _I...well, I have something for you. Will you please close your eyes, just for a second? _

"Why, yes of course" he said, eyes closing without any hesitance. She took her hand from his, rummaging around in what sounded like an envelope and then she was behind him. She touched his hand again _Can you bend down a little, please? Tall_ and he complied, head cocking to the side out of curiosity.

He felt the air change as her hands moved over his head and she was carefully fiddling with something behind his neck, vigilant that whatever it was lay under his gills. He felt nothing for a moment as she moved around to his front, and then she placed her hand in his again.

_OK_ she said, her voice quavering in his mind, clearly, she was nervous about something. He looked at her, and her eyes were looking at the floor as she bit her lip, waiting to see his reaction. He looked down at his neck, reaching up to feel the gold necklace she had tied there. "Is this..." he whispered, lifting the small white gem higher while she reached under the collar of her dress and fished out an identical piece.

"Our rock, from yesterday!" he said, stepping towards her so he could see both pieces together. The heart shaped rock had been expertly halved, and a tiny gold ring had been drilled through the top, the pieces looped on two delicate golden chains. Together, the heart was whole, and each wore a part. "Oh, I...I don't know what to say..." he said, feeling like the entire world could melt away at that moment and everything would be alright as long as she stood alongside him.

She reached up, her hand touching his face _Then say nothing_ she replied, stepping closer so their bodies were pressed together. His arms found her waist, bending down lower to whisper in her ear "I am yours." His eyes closing, he leaned towards her and pressed his lips to hers, a warmth engulfing them both as her lips parted to meet his. His tongue met hers, exploring each other in a gentle way, his chain dangling against her chest.

He moved to kiss her cheeks, under her ear and she tightened her grip on his arms as he placed gentle kisses down along her neck, careful over the bandages that covered her scar, her eyes half-closed as her head tilted back.

_You do strange things to me, Abe_he could hear her whispering, and she moaned a little as he smiled into her neck, giving her a playful nip just under her jaw.