xp_logs | Nathan and Moira: Lake George, Day One (Friday)

Day one of their 'sanity break' begins with Moira trying to keep it together in the car. Later, they wake up at the inn and talk about how they wound up here. There is a successful shopping trip after dinner, and then, much straight talking in the jacuzzi.

The wind was cool on her face and Moira felt her body start to relax behind the wheel. She and Nathan had been on the road for about an hour and it was a good thing he was asleep for it. Between the stress and the wrong side of the road, it had been a rather bumpy beginning to their impromptu vacation.

But now, Moira had gotten the hang of which side was which (much to the relief of the local wildlife), and started to relax. The last few days…weeks…had been stupidly insane and she hoped this weekend away would be good for the both of them.

She glanced over at Nathan, who was snoring softly in the passenger seat. The car jerked a little when she took her hand briefly to touch his but she righted it soon enough. Worry lines creased her forehead and she sighed.

But she swore to try and focus on this weekend, the now, and not anything else if she could help it. She *needed* the distraction, the break from real life. Once again, she was finding herself closer to the edge than she wanted to admit. Everything was centered around her fear and worry for Nathan and she was driving herself crazy trying to make everything right.

Well, maybe this was a good start towards making it right again.

The car's engine purred as she pressed the gas a little harder. This was something she had missed. A nice, sunny day, open car windows, soft music. Yes, this would help.

She chanced reaching for Nathan's hand again and was pleased that the car stayed on course this time. Her head felt fuzzy but she knew that was from the stress and the sleepless nights this week, staying up to watch over Manuel followed closely by only a short cat nap in her office, watching over Nate.

It seemed lately that her life consisted of watching and not enough doing. She gave his hand a squeeze. But it was worth it, they'd find a way with Nathan. Everything else would work out as well.

She hoped.

***

Noise. He awoke to the sound of someone knocking on the door and calling out "Room service!" in far too cheery a voice. Nathan frowned fitfully and pushed the comforter back, not sure why he had pulled it over his head. He blinked up at the roof beams for a moment, until they came back into focus, and then looked sideways at Moira. She was curled up in a tight little ball, her hair hiding her face, and he frowned more deeply for a moment, worried, until his head cleared enough to let him notice the peaceful quiet on the link. She was deeply asleep, not dreaming.

"Hello?" the person at the door called, a little more hesitantly. Nathan slid out of bed, only to have to grab at the headboard to steady himself as the room started to spin. Whatever Moira had given him this morning hadn't quite worked its way out of his system, he realized dimly, and made his way more carefully over to the door.

Five minutes later, after establishing that Moira had ordered the late lunch earlier and it would be charged to the room account, Nathan closed the door behind the rather pleasant young man and went back to the bed. "Hey," he murmured, sitting down beside Moira and reaching out to smooth the hair back from her face. "Lunch is here."

Moira murmured at him in her sleep but started to wake up. She'd been having a peaceful sleep, without dreams, and was reluctant to come out of it. But there was food, and Nathan, so she cracked open an eye and blinked up at him. Nathan looked tired, and she realized the drugs probably hadn't worn off yet. He had been out for nearly the entire car ride, after all.

Popping noises could be heard as she slowly untangled herself from the ball-like position she'd been in and the blankets. "Mmm, forgot I ordered," she mumured tiredly.

Nathan took her hands, helping her sit up. "It looks good," he said with a faint smile. She blinked at him, starting to pull one hand free with the obvious intention of rubbing her eyes, but he held on for a moment, his head still foggy enough that he needed the close physical contact to assess her mental state. "Do you remember much about the drive?" he asked slowly, finding the residue of alarming turmoil in her thoughts, like smears of darkness across the brightness of her mind.

"Nnghh." Moira blinked and tried to clear her mind of fog and sleep. She didn't tug her hand away, just enjoyed the contact. "...nay, nay really." She yawned. "'s all a blur. ...nearly hit a squirrel leavin' th' mansion..." Another yawn escaped but she found herself slowly waking up finally. "Somethin' wron'?"

"I think you probably shouldn't have been driving," he said dimly, not quite sure what he was basing that on. It just--felt that way. "You're better now, though."

"Were ye goin' ta drive?" She reached up to kiss him on the cheek. "Aye, I think I am. 'ow're ye feelin'?" Moira eyed him with concern, she hadn't meant for him to be that thoroughly drugged.

He managed a lop-sided smile and a half-shrug, bringing her hand to his mouth and kissing the back of it. "Little more like myself. A doped-up version of myself, but the coffee will probably help."

Moira smiled softly at him and squeezed his hand. But at the mention of coffee, she perked up. "Tha's right, I ordered coffee." Relief settled in her. She'd been so worried about him that it had nearly made her sick. Moira thought. No, wait, it had made her sick.

Nathan eyed her. "Stay here," he said, squeezing back before he let go of her hands and rose, walking over to the cart. She made as if to follow, but he waved at her. "No, seriously," he said. "I need to move around a little, clear my head. I'll bring the food over to you." He waited until she rearranged herself in the bed, leaning against the headboard and pulling the comforter back over her lap. Only then did he turn his attention to the food cart.

He poured two cups of coffee first, floating one over to Moira telekinetically. It was a little harder than it should have been and the cup wobbled alarmingly in the air a couple of times, but he managed to get it to her without spilling a drop. She reached up to take it out of the air and sipped at it, making an appreciative noise. Nathan smiled slightly and looked back at the cart. "Soup, sandwich, or both? There's a cheese plate here, and some fruit--" He picked up a slice of what looked vaguely like Brie and nibbled at it. Stronger than he'd expected, he reflected.

"Ooo. Everythin' but th' soup, please." She closed her eyes as the coffee started to hit her system. It wasn't strong enough by her standards (then again, not a lot was) but it was still pretty good. Her stomach made a growling noise that reminded her she hadn't eaten since they'd left the mansion that morning. And that had only been because Nathan refused to get in the car without seeing her put something in her stomach. Drugged as he was, it was still a valid threat but she was glad she had. The drive would have been harder on an empty stomach.

Moira opened her eyes and smiled as she watched Nathan putter around the tray. He was better, much better, than he had been the other night and she was pleased. There was still a long way to go, but for now she was content with this.

Nathan examined the sandwiches, settling on one of the grilled, Italian-looking ones with some combination of meat and cheese. He added a healthy helping of the strawberries, half a kiwi, and then topped it off with a few random pieces of cheese. The color and smell of one caught his attention and he nibbled experimentally at another piece of it, then made a thoughtful noise. "Tastes like real Guernsey cheddar," he said, adding another few pieces to her plate and then bringing it over, not sure he should trust himself to levitate this when he'd so nearly dropped the coffee.

Moira blinked. "Tha's impressive." She set her coffee cup down on the nightstand next to the bed and reached for her plate. The bed creaked as Nathan settled down and she scooted over to let him sit next to her. It was surprising how hungry she was and she dug in.

Nathan leaned back against the headboard and watched her eat. He really ought to go get a plate for himself, he knew, but instead he stayed where he was, sipping at the rather good coffee. His stomach wasn't precisely unsettled, but whether it was the drugs or just the excessive amounts of sleeping, he wasn't sure how well he'd handle an actual meal. He shifted, rubbing at his ribs with a wince.

The wince didn't go unnoticed and neither did the fact he hadn't grabbed anything to eat for himself. With a sigh of concern, Moira nudged her way under his free arm and snuggled close, putting the plate on his lap. She ran her hand along the spot on his ribs where he'd been rubbing, and she smiled as he made that familiar rumbling noise. A few moments passed before she stopped and reached for the plate again.

A large strawberry caught her eye and she scooped it up. Moira bit at the end, smiling in pleasure at the taste. With a mischievous look, she offered the rest of it to Nathan, still concerned he hadn't grabbed anything.

Nathan laughed softly, taking it. "Those kids would be cooing at us something fierce at the moment," he said. The strawberry was actually very good, for winter fruit. Moira was still gazing up at him, a smile on her lips but concern in her eyes, and Nathan stroked her shoulder lightly, trying to send reassurance down the link. "I'm fine," he murmured. "Just a little sore. Shinobi told you what happened?"

"Good thin' they're nay 'ere, isna it?" Moira kissed his shoulder and nodded at the question. "Aye, 'e did when I was gettin' ye inta th' car." She shuddered slightly. While she had managed to stand up to that woman...Askani?...it didn't mean she didn't have a healthy dose of fear of her.

Nathan couldn't help a frown. He stole a piece of the Guernsey, more to have something to do than out of any real desire to eat. "She smacked me down with my own telekinesis," he muttered. "I suppose it should be reassuring that she can't just reach back across the centuries and do whatever she wants. But I didn't like her borrowing my power like that."

"I dinnae either," Moira replied, burrowing closer. She didn't like that woman having -anything- to do with Nathan, let alone interfering with something that was his to control. What right did she have to that? To him? She closed her eyes tightly and breathed deeply, trying to find her center again. That was the reason it probably hadn't been such a good idea for her to drive, on top of the whole lack of sleep issue. She'd been so angry, so worried...

"I'm so sorry," Nathan whispered, his throat tightening. "About yesterday. You shouldn't have had to deal with that." He remembered all of it, too, every detail up until he'd finally passed out on the couch in Moira's office. "It's been a long time since I lost control like that... I didn't think I was capable of it anymore."

"Shh, dinnae apologize." Moira reached up and cupped his face, rubbing her thumbs gently across his cheeks. "'Tis wha' I'm 'ere for. Ye shouldna 'ave ta deal wit' it either, remember?"

"It scared me," he confessed softly. She tilted her head at him, and he explained, struggling with the words. "It was so--easy, what I did out by the lake yesterday. Changing the ground, those trees--I think I even boiled part of the lake. And that was just what--slipped out, Moira."

Moira closed her eyes tightly. She'd known he was this powerful but still, to see it and know he was holding back...she opened her eyes again. "I know," she whispered, knowing that was what had made the link so...bright. "Ye've got so much control..." Unless his mind was being hijacked by insane women from the future, of course.

"You would know," he said, more lightly. "You're at least partially responsible for it."

Moira smiled at him. "Because ye were willin' ta actually listen ta me fer once," she teased, blushing slightly at the compliment. She knew he meant it too.

"I always listened," he protested, taking another strawberry. "Where I have problems is with doing what I'm told."

***

Moira stood in the middle of the store, armes crossed over her chest, jaw set. She'd only just managed to drag Nathan's reluctant form into the clothing shop and he was trying to leave again. "Nay ye bloody well will nae," Moira warned, trying to herd him towards the men's section. "Ye need more clothes, so stop tryin' ta get out o' this." The look on her face was one of determination. She was tired of seeing him in the same three outfits all the time, and she wasn't going to budge.

"No, I don't," Nathan protested weakly as she hustled him farther into the store. "I have plenty of clothes. Lots and lots of clothes--" There was a saleswoman advancing on them with a bright smile, and he nearly cringed. Two of them, and no clear escape route... this could be bad.

"Nay ye dinnae. I left them behind, remember?" Moira grunted when he stopped suddenly but pushed against his lower back and he moved forward. Reluctantly. "Come on ye bi' baby, 'tis nay like 'tis goin' ta *'urt*." She smiled brightly as the saleswoman came up to them.

"Hi! Can I help you?"

Even Moira winced at the perky voice. "Aye." She pointed to Nathan. "Me boyfriend needs clothes." Moira smirked slightly when she felt him stumble when she said that. It wasn't something they said out loud often...if ever. But she was pleased by the embarrased, yet pleasant, thoughts on the other side of the link.

The next thing he knew, he was in a fitting room, being handed various items of clothing through a curtain. He really would have preferred a door, Nathan thought balefully, eyeing the latest shirt skeptically. A door he could have locked. The curtain let Moira threaten to come in and force the subject if he didn't try on the clothes like a good boy.

#O' like ye wouldna enjoy tha' jus' a wee bit,# Moira sent cheerfully, standing on the other side of the curtain. The saleswoman kept giggling at the two of them, but she paid her no mind. She'd really, really enjoyed checking him out in several of the outfits, most of which were in the shopping cart next to her. This was too much fun, she decided, eyeing the dark suit next to her she had picked out for him. What shirt, though?

#I wouldn't,# he said a bit sullenly, glaring at the heap of discarded pants with loathing. There were times he really wished he were a few inches shorter.

#Well, fine.# She'd even managed to get across the sniff of indignity. #If'n ye want ta be difficult, we can leave an' I'll jus' 'ave ta get dressed up fer whenever we go ta dinner by meself...# Moira tilted her head back and smiled. It was an evil smile. #I 'ad been thinkin' o' jus' wearin' th' dress an' necklace, but, really no use now...# She made it clear along the link that that's *all* she'd be wearing was the dress and nothing underneath. Moira waited patiently.

Nathan stopped, blinking at the imagery. #Tease,# he accused half-heartedly, and succumbed to the inevitable. #I don't suppose there's a pair of pants in this place that wouldn't look like culottes on me?#

#O' course I am.# Moira turned to the saleswoman. "Think ye can find somethin' tha's a wee bit longer in th' leg? 'e's a bit tall." The saleswoman, glad to have something to do apparently, scuttled off in the direction of the pants. #She's lookin' fer some. I've also got a suit for ye out 'ere. 'avena found a good shirt ta wit' yet, though.# She frowned in thought.

Nathan hesitated for a moment, then reached down the link, looking through her eyes and at the suit. #Blue,# he sent. #A lighter blue, I mean.#

Moira shivered, though it was a pleasant feeling. She wasn't sure what he had done exactly, but she'd felt *something*. It was like when he breathed down her neck. #Silk?# she asked, a little hopefully. She had a thing for muscular men in silk.

Nathan looked up at the ceiling, briefly entreating patience from any passing divinity. #If you like. But I get to pick the tie.#

***

Moira sank gratefully into the hot water of the jacuzzi. The bubbles felt good, she decided, purring a little. So did the hot water. She swore she could feel the muscles start to unclench one by one and she sank lower, up to her chin. This felt really, really nice. Moira watched as her hand floated up to the top of the water and giggled a little, feeling rather sleepy and incredibly comfortable. This was something she could get used to. Oh yes.

When Nathan poked his head into the background, her eyes were closed and the feel he was getting from her end of the link was 'asleep, or nearly'. He studied her thoughtfully, assessing his options. She looked so peaceful, but he certainly wasn't letting her sleep in there. Apart from the whole drowning issue, a woman with skin like hers had no business getting permanently pruny. He grinned, suddenly and mischievously, and 'fuzzed' the link delicately in order to facilitate sneaking up on her as he slipped out of his clothes.

The bubbles tickled her slightly but she paid them no attention. If she thought about it, falling asleep in the jacuzzi would be a bad idea, but she didn't want to think about it. It was so soothing. It was like she was floating in warmth and quiet.

The shadow falling across her was her only warning as Nathan snuck up behind her and jumped in. Moira jerked, shrieking in surprise and spluttering as she got a mouth full of bubbly, warm water. She nearly lost her balance but managed to sink back into the water.

"Nathan Dayspring!" she gasped, clutching her heart in shock.

"You forgot the 'Christopher'," he said, unable to help a snicker as he slid his arms around her.

Moira smacked his shoulder and blinked the water out of her eyes. "Bloody 'ell, ye scared th' livin' daylights out o' me," she grumbled at him, trying to slow down her heart rate. She was rather irritated by his impromptu cannonball, but she didn't push him away.

"Couldn't help myself," he said semi-apologetically, reaching out and tilting her chin upwards so that he could kiss her. The babble of startled thoughts on the link faded, and Moira melted against him with a contented little noise. "You looked so beatific," he murmured when they finally drew apart. "It was downright unnatural."

The blush was small but still there. She ducked her head to nuzzle into his shoulder and then stopped, eyes drawn to his chest. Moira drew back with a alarmed noise. "O', Nathan," she murmured, running her hand gently on the bruised areas. There seemed to be too many of them for her taste. Worry flooded through her again.

"Don't fuss," he said gently. "I've had a lot worse, and I heal fast, remember?"

"I'll fuss if'n I want ta." Moira ran her fingers down some of his older scars gently. "I'm always goin' ta worry."

Even with the heat of the water, Nathan shivered a little. For the first time since their unexpected dip in the lake back at Xavier's and everything that had happened after, he was suddenly feeling a trace of discomfort at Moira's touch. Not enough to make him pull away, but it was there. She traced gentle fingers over the freshest of the scars, a set of parallel lines on his upper chest, and this time he did flinch, remembering the gleam of enjoyment in the eyes of one of his interrogators in Tibet as the man had wielded his knife.

Images tumbled down the link, the flash of a knife the main one, and she whimpered. Moira closed her eyes tightly and sank back down to her chin in the water, trying to chase the chill from the memories away. She wanted to reach for Nathan but she held herself still, not sure if that was what he wanted.

Nathan took a deep, shaky breath, pushing the memory away. "Moira," he said quietly, moving towards her and wrapping his arms around her again, but slowly, giving her the chance to pull away if she wanted. She didn't, and he let the air in his lungs out on a sigh, closing his eyes for a moment. "Just--a little too recent, still," he confessed, managing a weak smile. "And you know how I hate being helpless."

She nodded and laid her head on his chest. "I know. I'm sorry, I dinnae mean t' stir anythin' up." She swallowed thickly.

Nathan was silent for a long moment. "I think--" he started hesitantly and then stopped, grimacing as words failed him for a moment. No chickening out, he told himself harshly. "I'm wondering if it's maybe not past time that some of this stuff did get stirred up," he said slowly. "If this--if you and I are going to make this work, I can't just--repress everything. It worked when I was on the run, but if I'm going to stop--"

The breath she had been in the middle of taking got stuck in her lungs. Moira tilted her head slowly to look him in the eyes. Her throat didn't seem to want to work, so Moira reached out. #Ye...ye are goin' ta stop?# Even that was incredibly quiet, as though she really didn't want to ask right now. Hesitant, unsure.

His chest tightened at the look in her eyes. "I want to," he murmured tentatively, his arms tightening around her. "I'm just not sure whether I'll be any good at it."

The smile that spread across Moira's face was bright if slightly shakey. "Guess I'll jus' 'ave ta teach ye, then, aye?" she murmured, blinking back the sudden tears in her eyes. She reached up and looped her arm around his neck and tugged his head down towards her so she could kiss him. #I love ye.#