Sweeter Than Wine

The Stand

***John's POV***

"Let's head out then. We're going to have to get there without drawing attention. And that's going to be difficult seeing as how there's four of us...." I say, tapping my chin as I look around.

"How did you do it before?" Ringo asks.

I hesitate before speaking, the sounds of Mabel preparing herself a bath being muffled by the bathroom door.

"I parked on the road near the woods and just trekked through them..." I tap my chin, "...but is that going to work with all four of us? It was suspicious enough that there weren't any other goons around..."

My thoughts are cut short as I hear the sound of glass breaking, and a blood curdling scream from Mabel as water sloshes over the sides of the tub onto the floor.

"bloo-" Ringo begins but I slap my hand over his mouth to silence him, nodding toward the door leading to our escape.

Paul shakes his head no, a defiant look in his shining hazel eyes. I gesture urgently to the door, tapping the watch on my wrist. We were running out of time. If they're here, then they may be already after her...

Paul sensing my thoughts nods his head in understanding, but the struggling has died down and now the house is eerily silent.

Suddenly Samuel's voice comes through the door, "I know you're all out there. I'm taking away your ace. Go ahead, run off to help _______, I've ordered my men to let you be. But this is between her and I. If any of you try to step in and interfere, I'll kill you all. The only one that I need alive is George. I'll see you all within the hour."

The three of us stand in tense silence for a few moments before I take charge and rush to the bathroom door, throwing it open hard enough to smash into the wall.

The bathroom floor is soaked, Mabel's bath items are scattered about the floor. The window is completely destroyed.

"Damnit..." I mutter, quickly turning on my heel. "We need to go. Now."

We waste no more time, sprinting out to the car and tearing down the road toward our house.

***Your POV***

I press closer to George's warm body, the heat radiating from him keeping my mind calm, pushing back the turmoil to almost non-existence.

He leans down to kiss my forehead gently, "we should probably get up, darling...."

I groan, "I don't wanna..."

He captures my lips, the sweet taste of him overwhelming.

Our lips move gently in sync as he shifts to hover over me.

I whine as he pulls away, about to protest again when the front door slams open, heavy feet pounding up the stairs.

George turns to face the door, a protective arm shielding me.

"No...no not now...I don't want to fight naked..."

A smile stretches across my face as John, Paul, and Ritchie burst into the room.

It takes them a moment of staring to see that I'm okay, then John kneels beside me pulling me tightly to him.

I relax in his hold as he gently rocks me back and forth. Paul and Ritchie join us, each taking turns hugging me tightly to them.

They all back away to give me room to stand up. I slide to the edge of the bed and stand, only to be engulfed again by the three of them.

I giggle, "It's really great to see you boys too, where's Mabel?"