The Wolf and the Lamb

The Day After

Edith~

Everything slowly fell into place after John sat beside me. He rambled and mumbled for a moment before finally making a move. This side of him was one I hadn't seen often, whenever he felt nervous or embarrassed he spoke quieter. His voice gentle and he often tripped through his words, his cheeks slowly blushing. 

As his lips touched mine I knew this was where I was meant to be. My hand in his, lost in the moment. His hand gently touched my cheek as he pulled away, worry in his eyes.  I could only smile at the soft side of the outlaw, "It's about time Marston" I whispered. 

His expression softened and he cupped my face. I nuzzled against his rough hand and laughed. He let his hands fall and leaned in to rest his head on my shoulder, "I love you, Edith" he spoke softly. I ran my fingers through his hair, my cheeks flushing red, "I love you too." 

The night floated on, we sat near the shore just enjoying each other's presence.  As the commotion around the fire died down we separated as we went into our tents. It wasn't far, John's tent being beside mine, but the separation was what I didn't like.  

Despite the serenity of the evening, my night was plagued by nightmares. Most of them revolved around the O'Driscolls, but some about John were sprinkled in as well. After most of the sleepless night I gave up. I left my tent, the cool morning mist from the lake gently kissing my skin. I stretched out and took a deep breath before letting out a soft sigh. 

I moved to the horses, the morning light still dim as the sun was only then beginning to rise. Gently patting my horse I decided what better way to christen a new camp than to kill an animal. I climbed onto the silver horse and made my way out of camp, waving to Javier as he made the rounds around camp. 

I wasn't too far from camp when I noticed a nice wooded area. Hitching my horse to one of the entrance trees, I removed took a bow and a varmint rifle. I made my way though the dimly lit forest, the sun had crept higher as I left camp. The morning air still lingered between the leaves. Soon I spotted a nice sized buck between the trees, lining up my shot I heard a snap behind me. I quickly turned and aimed my arrow at the dark haired man. John held his hands up and smiled at me. "You scared away breakfast" I whispered shooting him a dirty look. 

"Sorry, I just didn't want you to be out alone here. I assumed you'd never been in the area" he said as he moved closer to me. I lowered the bow and sighed. "I'm not even that far from camp" I laughed lightly. He shrugged and moved past me. I shook my head and moved toward the last place I saw the buck. I crouched down and looked at the tracks before following them. John moved quietly behind me. 

As we followed the tracks, the forest soon opened up into a clearing, and only a few feet away was the buck. I lined up my shot once again, holding my breath. The sound of the arrow flying through the air was all I heard. A shot through the neck took the buck down quickly and I smiled softly. I stood and whistled for my horse as John moved toward the carcass. "You scared it on purpose" I accused him listening to the horse's hooves moving through the woods. "Did not" he replied hiding a smile. "Did too, you made it all the way over here without a sound, yet when you first come in you made noise." He lifted the deer onto the back of my horse and kissed my head, "I didn't want to scare you more than I had to, you would have shot me" He commented. "I'm still thinkin about it" I answered. 

I climbed onto my horse and John smiled up at me, "I don't know how much I like this smiley John" I teased. He climbed onto Old Boy and looked at me, "Me bein happy is a problem for you?" he joked. I shrugged, "Maybe, reckon I'll have to do somethin about it" I shrugged as I gently kicked my horse into a trot. John followed close behind, and we soon made it out of the small forest. 

After returning to camp and giving Pearson the deer I moved to the fire and sat on a log. John joined soon after helping Pearson. "You look like hell Princesa" Javier commented with a laugh as he handed me a cup of coffee. "I didn't get too much sleep, probably from all the stomping around camp from whoever was on guard duty" I poked at him. Javier gave a small laugh and I felt an arm wrap around my waist. "John" I whispered, as I looked at him he looked away. I couldn't help but smile.

Sean joined us soon, and like always had some comment to make. "Is that a man's arm around ye Edith!" he laughed, "Didn't think I'd ever see the day." My cheeks flushed which only made Sean laugh harder, "it'll be your last if you don't pipe down" John growled. Sean sat across from us and would often poke fun at me in between his story telling. 

Everyone disbursed after Micah chimed in, "When you goin to share her Marston?" he asked, "I'd like next" His voice deepened. I stood up and glared at the blonde man, "Shut the fuck up Micah, in your dreams" I scoffed. Sean erupted with laughter as I walked away.  

The day was calm, after the campfire I joined Charles on a bounty job. By the time we returned the sun was starting to set. My shoulder ached from my still healing wound, I retired fairly quickly to my tent. 

"How'd the bounty go?" John asked softly as he entered my tent. I smiled at him, "It went well, Charles is very skilled when it comes to that sort of thing." I replied. "It was really simple too, no surprises or nothin" I said happily. John nodded and softly touched my head. "What?" I whispered, "Nothin" he replied moving his hand away. I looked at him and smiled, "John Marston, are you jealous?" I asked teasingly. He shot me a glare, "No" he answered. I laughed slightly, "Are you sure?" He rolled his eyes, "Yes, why would I be jealous of Charles?" he scoffed. 

As he turned to leave, a voice called from outside, "Edith, I got a job if you're not busy" Arthur spoke. I moved "I'll be out soon" I answered, John turned around and cupped my face before kissing me. It was passionate, but needy. As he pulled away, he held my waist close to him, "She's busy Morgan" He called.