You didn’t really think that was the end did ya? Really!?
I’m sure I put something like ‘just kidding’ further down… Oops… But anyway, on with the story!
This is a few days after the last chapter folks.
Tis fluffy. (Isn't it
always?
) Hey, the world needs a bit more love.
A Little Affection And Some TLC
Bailey was first aware of the warmth, then she felt softness and then she felt safe. The feeling spread through her heart and mind and Bailey let out an unconscious sigh of contentment. She opened her eyes.
The Grubbs’ infirmary hut came into focus. Bailey sat up, wincing slightly at the dull ache in her fingers, she was tucked into a bed with crisp, white shirt that smelt of lavender and camomile. Bailey looked around, she was alone in the hut, although it seemed a visitor had just left as on the bedside table was a jug of water, a beaker filled with a vaguely green liquid, a folded piece of paper and a little bunch of daisy-type flowers knotted together with a very familiar Steef hair-tie. Bailey smiled broadly.
“Mental note, give Stranger a big kiss when I see him.” she went to pick up the paper and noticed that her hands had been bandaged. She could feel the wrappings on her fingers but all she could see was a mitten, made of a cotton-like material that went up to her wrists but then more bandages wound up to her elbows. Bailey smiled slightly at the care and attention put into those bandages and then picked up the folded paper, smoothed it out and read it, she grinned again as she recognised Stranger’s scrawl.
Morning kid
You were asleep when I came to see you, but I’ve left you your medicine. I know it tastes foul, but it’ll help you sleep and kill the pain.
I’ll come and see you later. Promise.
Stranger
Bailey picked up the beaker and eyed the medicine distastefully, it smelt terrible. She wrinkled her nose and reread the note.
I know it tastes foul, but it’ll help you sleep and kill the pain.
“Alright Stranger, if you say so…” Bailey steeled herself and downed the medicine. And nearly gagged. But she kept it down and scrunched up her face. “Yur-ack.” She muttered. She poured water from the jug into the beaker and downed a couple of gulps to swill the disgusting taste from her mouth before refilling it, setting it back on the table and putting the flowers in it.
For a second Bailey considered leaving the hut and going to find Stranger herself, but then a wave of drowsiness swept over her and Bailey yawned hugely.
“Maybe…I should just take a small nap…” she snuggled back into the pillows and pulled the sheets over her nose, taking in a deep breath of the calming scent of lavender and camomile. Her eyes closed and with a deep, calm sigh and a smile of her face Bailey drifted off into a deep sleep and pleasant dreams.
¤§¤
Bailey woke up with a pleasant feeling of unexplained happiness and contentment and most of all, complete safety. She opened her eyes slowly and stared at the ceiling for a while,
“Wow, that stuff really works…” Just then Bailey heard someone else’s breathing in the room with her, she turned her head slightly to the left and broke into a sleepy smile, Stranger was sleeping next to the bed, his head resting in his arms on the sheets, he was back in his green Grubb shirt and overalls. Bailey moved slightly, drawing her arms from under the sheets she stroked Stranger’s hair.
Stranger stirred and lifted his tousled head, looking at Bailey groggily, he returned the tired smile and stood up, stretching before he settled himself down again, eye level with Bailey.
“You feelin’ better liddle darlin’?” he asked, tenderly taking hold of her hand, Bailey shrugged and nodded.
“Yeah, I’m alright… How’re you?” Stranger smiled,
“A lot better now I got you back.” Stranger heaved a deep breath and looked down at the bandaged hand he held. “I thought…fer a second back there…that I was too late…” he glanced up at Bailey for a second before dropping his gaze again. He saw the scars forming on her cheeks and he flet guilt rush through him, he should have been there to save her from the pain of receiving those marks. “I’m sorry Bailey.” He said in a low voice. Bailey cocked her head to one side curiously.
“Sorry? What for?” Stranger didn’t look up, just stroked the back of her bandaged hand with his thumb, “Stranger, look at me.” He picked his head up, Bailey was sharply taken aback when she saw Stranger’s neon green eyes glistening. “Stranger?” she whispered questioningly, “Stranger, talk to me.” Stranger chewed on his lip and didn’t answer, just held Bailey’s hand, stroking it.
Bailey waited for an answer that didn’t seem forthcoming, finally she sighed, took her hands from Stranger’s grip, pushed down the sheets and wiggled out onto the bed. She knelt on the bed in a clean white nightshirt and baggy pants and placing her mittened hands on Stranger’s furry cheeks Bailey made him meet her gaze.
“Stranger, please talk to me,” Bailey put her arms around Stranger’s neck, nuzzling into the thick fur on his jaw, “You’re scaring me.” Bailey felt Stranger put his arms around her tightly and take a deep, shuddering breath.
“Yer know I love yer, don’t yer kid.” He finally murmured in a low purr. Bailey nodded into his fur.
“I love you too.” Stranger seemed deeply affected as he swallowed hard and closed his eyes, Bailey felt a warm wetness drip on her cheek. She pulled away quickly, a thin, dark trail snaked it’s way down Stranger’s furry cheek. As soon as Stranger felt her pull away his bright green eyes opened.
“Don’t leave me.” He croaked. “Don’t leave me alone.” Bailey, in complete surprise put her arms more firmly around his neck, stroking his cheek and leaned her head on his chest.
At a glance it would seem as if Stranger was comforting Bailey, but a closer look would see the pain in Stranger’s eyes, the tear trails on his cheeks, the desperate way he clung to the human, pressing his cheek to her hair.
“You’re not alone. You’ll never be alone. I won’t leave you, I love you.” Bailey said earnestly, rubbing her cheek against his fur. It seemed important for Stranger to understand, for Bailey to convince him.
“I’ve never been afraid before.” Stranger admitted quietly. “I’ve never been afraid of getting’ hurt, of dyin’… I’ve only eva had meself to look after and I was never afraid ter be reckless. But then I met you.” There was a pause. “I was so scared Sekto would kill yer before I got there. Before I’d told yer how much I loved yer. Yer my world kid.” Bailey pressed closer to Stranger’s heartbeat, she swallowed and nodded, her own eyes misting up. This creature from an alien world, this stranger, had shown her more love and attention in the short time they’d been together then Bailey’s own mother had shown in over ten years of life.
Impulsively Bailey lifted her head and kissed Stranger on the nose. Stranger’s eyes went wide at Bailey’s unconcealed, unabashed show of affection, Bailey nuzzled at his snout with her own nose and smiled crookedly.
“What? You think I was lying when I said ‘I love you’?” she asked teasingly. Stranger grinned, returning to himself.
“Course not.”
“Then stop worryin’. I ain’t gonna leave you alone.” Stranger’s eyes became pained and sad again. Bailey saw this with concern. “Stranger?”
“What about Abe ‘n’ Slick? Yer can’t jist leave ‘em. Yer need them, ‘n’ they need you.” Bailey pulled away, looking suddenly withdrawn and depressed, she sat on the bed. Stranger crawled onto the bed, putting his arms around Bailey again. “It doesn’t matter. I love yer, I love yer enough to know that I gotta let yer go. You have ta go back.” Bailey clutched a double handful of Stranger’s fur, pressing her forehead to his chest.
“I miss them.” she whispered, Stranger felt his heart being wrenched, twisted into tiny pieces. “But I don’t want to leave you. I love you too.” Stranger looked up to the ceiling, trying to keep his eyes dry, he swallowed. The Steef held the human close and it seemed, for an instant, they could converse without words.
I love you, so much.
I know, I love you too.
By silent, mutual consent Stranger and Bailey decided that now was not the time to worry. They were safe, they were together and they should enjoy themselves. Time to worry in the future.
Stranger relaxed on the bed and Bailey curled up next to him, it was quiet and peaceful.
Later, when Jolee came to check up on them, she found them sleeping, curled up together. Anyone could see, without any doubts in their minds how much the two bounty hunters cared about the other. Stranger held Bailey close and protectively, and Bailey was snuggled up to him, her face buried in his fur. Their chests rising and falling and their hearts beating together.
Jolee smiled.
“Each need the other as much as the air they breath.” She whispered to herself before quietly leaving them, closing the door of the hut inaudibly behind her.