The Threat Of Fear

chapter 8

        "I got in!" I cheered, running up to Shade and hugging him tightly. "You'll be looking at an official officer in about a year!"

"Really?" he gasped, picking me up by the waist and spinning me around. "That's amazing! I knew you could do it."

"Thank you." I giggled as he set me back down. "I don't think that would have been able to do this without you."

"Of course." he smiled, hugging me to his chest. "I will always do whatever it takes to help you."

He's been working out more lately, so he has more noticeable muscles. He says that it's because he wants to be more fit for his new job as an FBI agent; that he doesn't want to be that nerdy and lanky profiler.

"I know." I sighed happily. "And I appreciate that. So, so much."

"I'm just glad that you allow me to help you." he murmured. "It allows me to know that you are getting better."

"Slowly but surely," I added.

"Yeah, slowly but surely," he repeated quietly.

        "Rachel," Shade whispered. "Breakfast is ready. It's time for you to wake up."

"I'm up," I mumbled, rolling over onto my back.

Last night.

"Good morning, Rachel." Shade said, kissing my forehead.

Last night actually happened, it wasn't just a dream.

"Good morning, Shade." I smiled softly.

We're going to have to talk about it later.

"I'll leave you to get dressed." Shade murmured, standing up straight.

I wonder what this is going to mean for our relationship.

"Alright." I sighed.

What's going to happen next?

"Right." Shade nodded, walking out of the room and closing the door behind him.

I should get dressed.

I let out a breath as I sat up on the bed.

My lower regions are slightly sore, but nothing too bad.

I stood up, getting off the bed, and went to my suitcase.

I grabbed my black sweater, a pair of sweatpants, and undergarments before going into the restroom and changing into them.

        "Man," Alec gasped, leaning down as he tried to catch his breath. "You guys weren't kidding."

"Told you I was good." I laughed, sitting down on the bench.

"Man, even now I'm learning new things about you." he breathed out, plopping next to me. "I now know that it's wise not to go against you in skating and skiing."

"And chess," I added.

"And chess?" he groaned.

"And chess," I repeated.

"Yeah," Shade said, sitting down on the other side of me. "She's a mean one in chess."

He's breathing heavily too.

"Only to you." I teased. "I let others think they have a chance."

I stuck my tongue out at him.

"Aww," he cooed, wrapping an arm around my shoulders. "Thanks."

"Weirdo." I huffed, shoving him away.

I bend down and started taking my ski boots off.

"I know I am." he agreed, laughing.

I sighed, hiding my face beneath my hair.

I can't seem to keep my mind off of last night. It felt like a dream, but it was very real.

"What now?" Nick asked. "What do you want to do now?"

"I think we should go back to the cabin and rest up for a few hours. I don't know about you three, but I'm pooped." Alic responded.

"That sounds like a good idea." I agreed. "Also, I saw a poster saying that at 6:30 there's a tour of part of the mountain, we could go to that later too if you boys would like. Apparently, there was this old civilization that used to live here."

"Really?" Shade wondered.

"Yeah," I nodded. "I did some research on it and they moved to a different part of the mountain for some reason and it's the descendants of that civilization who lead the tour."

"I think that's cool." Nick gasped.

"We should go to it," Alec said.

        "So, umm, I guess we need to talk." Shade murmured, rubbing the back of his head nervously. "About last night, it was..."

He shut the door behind him and I sat on my bed.

"Wonderful." I interrupted, my face starting to burn. "I, I thought that it was wonderful."

"Me too " he whispered, a soft expression on his face as he looked at me.

He slowly walked over and sat on his bed, facing me.

"So..." I trailed off, not knowing what to say. "What, umm, what happens now?"

"Well, that's up to you," Shade responded. "I would hate to force you into doing something you didn't want to do."

"And if I don't know?" I asked.

I got up as sat next to him.

"Then we can figure it out together," he answered.

"I would prefer that if it's alright with you." I murmured.

He nodded in response. "I do have one thing."

"And that is?" I asked.

"Well," Shade hummed. "Would you like to be my girlfriend, Rachel?"