The Long, Winding Road Home

[sciencegrl_fred]

Continued from hereEven though we've been walking without speaking for several minutes, the warmth of Wesley's hand holding mine is comforting, something that seems tangible after all the craziness we've been through in the last day...week...month...year. Years, even. At least there's something a bit normal in my life again

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[sciencegrl_fred]

"It's all right, sweetheart. You needn't explain anything to me. I understand; you were scared. Don't blame yourself for the choices you made then. It's in the past."

I want to tell him that it's hard not to blame myself when I had to make choices that meant the difference between life and death for so long, when I made choices that caused people to get hurt. For crying out loud, Knox almost killed him because I allowed the little weasel to convince me he wasn't evil and let him get close to me.

But when Wesley cups my face in his hands and kisses me like that, the way that makes me go melty and tingly all over, it all doesn't seem to matter anymore. I really can believe him that the mistakes I made are in the past.

"We have now, and that's all you need to be thinking about. We're together; nothing will change that, I promise."

I reach up and place my hands over his, taking a deep breath. I never want to let him go. I've never felt this connected to anyone ever in my life, and for once, I don't feel like I'm trying to find my way or running away from something.

"Take me home, Wesley," I whisper. I just want to be away from everyone and everything with nothing to disturb us.

I just want to be with him.

[_hot_wesley_]

"Take me home, Wesley..."

"Your wish is my command, my dear," I say with a smile. It has been quite a few days for the both of us. I think Fred is long overdue for some rest and relaxation.

An idea pops into my head as we step inside her flat, so I tell Fred to wait in her bedroom while I prepare a "surprise".

Moving fast to gather all my supplies, I zoom into the bathroom to arrange tea candles along the basin of her tub. I check the temperature of the water before running a bath, and once the candles are lit, I sprinkle some of Fred's bubble bath in the water before going back to the bedroom.

She's removed her shoes, rubbing the soles of her feet as if they're hurting. I'll have to give her a proper foot massage later as well. Sitting next to her on the bed, I pull the tie from her hair, watching in fascination as it cascades down to her shoulders. Taking her by the hand, I steer her in the direction of the bathroom. "Come with me."

Just before she reaches the door, I spin around to cover her eyes. "Uh, uh, uh. No peeking." I notice something and make a few last minute adjustments to her shampoos, so they are easily within her reach, then I tell her to open her eyes. "I thought you could use a nice, relaxing bath. What do you think?"

[sciencegrl_fred]

"I thought you could use a nice, relaxing bath. What do you think?"

I think my jaw must've hit the floor at seeing what Wesley's done for me. The bathroom looks amazing with the light down low and the candles flickering and the bubbles foaming on the water in my huge bathtub. I take in a deep breath of the misty, lavender-scented air and smile, my eyes closing for a moment.

"This is wonderful, Wesley." Rising up to him on my toes, I give him a kiss, feeling very loved and very lucky.

As I start to strip out of the clothes I've been wearing since yesterday morning, Wesley turns away, acting all chivalrous. I love him for that, for being so good to me, even when sometimes I wonder if I deserve it.

Dropping my shirt to the floor, I walk over to him and wrap my arms around him from behind, pressing my cheek against his back. He smells musky and warm and so Wesley. My heart starts beating loudly in my chest as I open my mouth to ask him the question that's been on my mind since I saw what he had done for me in here.

"Would you--would you like to join me? The bath is big enough for both of us, and you could probably use it too after the night we've had."

[_hot_wesley_]

She kisses me; that's a definite sign that she likes what I've done. However, I refuse to rush her into things, so when she starts to undress, I turn around to give her some privacy.

I hear her shirt hit the floor just before Fred's arms wrap around me, and I can feel the warmth of her cheek through my clothing.

"Would you--would you like to join me? The bath is big enough for both of us, and you could probably use it too after the night we've had."

I'm very glad, at the moment, that she is behind me, because I know I must be turning red as a radish at her suggestion. "Um...well. I, uh, wanted to do something special for you, love. I--drew the bath for you, not me. I just..." I can't seem to get a coherent sentence out of my mouth.

Bloody hell.

[sciencegrl_fred]

He's stuttering at my suggestion. He's so adorable when he does that, and it reminds me that I have a very special man in my life. He's definitely one-in-a-million. Well, two-in-a-million now, I guess.

Giving him a kiss on his back, I pull away and unzip my corduroys, pushing them down my legs with my underpants.

"Could you help me in?" I ask.

He takes my hand and supports me as I step into the tub. The water feels so good, so warm. With a sigh, I sit down, not letting go of his hand even once I'm covered by the water and bubbles. This is so wonderful - it feels like it's been years since I had a bath like this.

"Thank you, Wes."

He leans down so I can kiss him, and suddenly, I decide that stuttering or no, he's going to share this bath with me. With a grin, I tug on his hand, pulling him - clothes and all - into the bath with me, splashing water everywhere and causing some of the candles to splutter out.

"Whoops," I tell him, fighting the urge to giggle at the sight of him covered with bubbles and losing horribly. "Guess you might as well stay in here with me now."