Abe Sapien and the Witch

Chapter 9

Chapter nine

She woke late in the night, confused as she found herself wrapped up tight in blankets until realisation dawned, and she remembered where she was. She sat up with the duvet around her shoulders like a cape and took a moment to adjust her vision in the dim room.

He lay around her, the big spoon to her baby spoon with his head on his arm, and she smiled, touching her fingers along his cheek for a moment. Her body ached, not in a painful way as she rolled her shoulders, but with a pleasant sort of a sensation that made her think back on what had happened earlier.

She hadn't expected things to turn out like this, and from what she could tell neither had he. She bit her bottom lip as she hugged her knees, her mind lost within recent memories. A warm hand slid up along her back under the covers and she squirmed, smiling down at Abe as he leaned up to greet her. "Hey," he said, drawing her closer. "Are you alright?"

She leaned her head against his chest, hearing his heart beat within and let out a contented sigh, rubbing her forehead against him before taking his hand in hers and kissing along his thumb.

*****

He left not long after that, needing a dip in the water to refresh himself and she decided to get dressed. It was a bit early, but she headed down to the cafeteria to see if they had anything good in, her stomach rumbling her into action.

The only other person in the room besides the lady behind the counter was Liz, sitting at one of the smaller round tables and she waved an invitation to sit near her. She nodded her hello, choosing a sandwich and coffee from the menu before joining her.

"Hey!" Liz said, her own empty coffee mug the only thing on the table in front of her. "You're up early too, huh?" She smiled her agreeance, holding up her steaming coffee and Liz laughed, "Yep, I know the need for caffeine well enough."

*****

"Wait, you did what?! Buddy, no way!" Red shouted, practically broadcasting Abes news to everyone in the locker room as Abe tried to quieten him. "Red, please, some decorum."

"Yeah, yeah- decorum shmorum, Abe! This is great news! Look at you, a regular Casanova." he said, nudging him into the ribs. "I just hope that this won't change things too much between us..." Abe said, while Red leaned against the lockers, reaching down for a beer from the bench.

"Please! What's it gonna change but how lonely you've been feeling? I mean, we've been friends a long time, I can see she's been good for you to have around." "Yes..." Abe said, twirling his fingers together, "but you know, what if now that we've...well, you know...what if she didn't like it as much as with anyone else, or what if she gets tired of me? She could be with anyone here..."

Red rolled his eyes, taking a deep gulp from the can before crushing it and reaching for another. "Give her some credit, Abe. She ain't exactly been hanging around any of the other guys around here, right? The second she sees you coming she perks up like a tent at the circus!"

Abe smiled at the analogy, and Red laughed at his own innuendo. "Heh. Tent. You know, you gotta just take it easy is all. Things happen like they're supposed to, so just enjoy it and let them. That, and have a beer with your old pal?" he said, holding one out towards Abe.

"Please, my body is a temple." he said, shaking his head. "I'd rather keep it that way, the last time you convinced me to drink with you my temple was in ruins for days." The two laughed at that, and Red opened the can for himself instead, downing the contents in one go.

*****

If anyone noticed her walking a little bit funny, they had the decency to say nothing as she felt rather undignified rambling through the halls with her legs aching as much as they did. She decided to spend some time in Krauss' lab, helping him to translate some old spells from a Gaelic tome into English, and even in her seat she kept squirming.

"Do you still haf a bad pain in ze ribs?" he asked, as she swivelled her bum in the seat. She blushed scarlet and shook her head, quick to distract him with the next word in the book that needed translation.

"Krauss?" a soft voice asked from the doorway, and her head all but twisted on its axis as she turned to see Abe poking his head in. "Ah, Herr Sapien! Come in!" Krauss gesticulated, and she could feel her cheeks flushing as he approached. She smiled up at him, and when he returned the smile, she could feel her heart missing a beat between her ribs.

"I wondered if I might borrow your lovely assistant for a while?" he asked, holding his hand out towards her. "Ah, good timing, ve ver just about to take a break!" Krauss said, his suit jostling around as he nodded. She took his hand, rising from the seat and for a moment they looked like two dancers, his body lithe as he leaned towards her, hers curving to meet him.

"Would you care to join me for lunch?" he asked, and her fingers twined through his _I would love to, Abe_

He seemed relieved at her agreeance, his body straightening even more as he led the way, an arm straying around her waist as they headed towards the doorway.

"Take your time!" Krauss called after them, watching the two leave arm in arm with a light heart.