xp_logs | Nathan and Moira, Wednesday evening

After Moira comes back from the spa and Nathan returns from hugging everyone who won't smack him for it, the two of them share some ginger tea. They discuss the kids and their post-Asgard adjustment a little, Nathan finds out he's still feeling the effects of that training exercise gone wrong, and they make plans for the evening, post-poker game, which may involve them making something of a spectacle of themselves.

Moira closed the door to the rooms behind her and rubbed her neck, pleased to see that the tension was completely gone now. The day at the spa had been just what she needed and it had been good to relax and enjoy everyone's company, especially the one's who had been missing. Straightening up, she walked over and ducked her head into the bedroom, only to find that Nathan wasn't there.

Shrugging, she nudged the bag of products she had splurged on away from the door and went to make herself some tea. The ulcer was still bothering her, so she was still taking it rather easy.

Nathan was happy to see Moira in the kitchen making tea when he got back to the suite. "Trying the ginger tea?" he asked hopefully, coming around to hug her from behind. "Apparently that's supposed to be really good for the stomach."

She nodded as she leaned back against him, still messing with the teapot. "Aye, figured tha' looked like th' best choice," she answered, poking at the tea bags. "Miss th' caffeine, though."

He closed his eyes, his arms still wrapped around her. "I like hugging," he proclaimed suddenly.

Moira blinked at that and tilted her head against him so she could peer up. "Ye do?" she asked, smiling as she took her hands off the teapot to wrap them around his arms.

"It's definitely growing on me," Nathan said, grinning. "Is it possible to get addicted? Because I've been wandering around today looking for people to hug. And Cain looked at me funny."

"Did ye try ta 'ug 'im?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. "Because if ye did, I'm nay surprised tha's all 'e gave ye."

"Well, I grinned at him and told him I was happy to see him," Nathan said innocently. "And then he was all suspicious-looking and backed away muttering about ditches to dig..."

After a few seconds, Moira was finally able to stop giggling and she shook her head. "Goin' ta give him grey 'air," she murmured, relaxing in Nathan's arms.

"Wouldn't that be a shame," Nathan said mournfully, watching the teapot. The grin came back almost immediately. "So how was the spa? You smell nice."

"Absolutely lovely. I need ta do tha' more often, 'twas verra relaxin'. An' I enjoyed bein' out wit' everyone, glad everyone's back safe." She glanced up at him and grinned. "An' they actually 'ad th' scent o' th' 'eather flower there, can ye believe it?"

"Mmm. I can smell that." Nathan turned her towards him, grinning. "And you know, as fond as I am of the hugging, I like this better..." He kissed her, long and lingeringly, opening up the link all the way.

Moira sighed softly and shivered, both at the kiss and from the sensations of the link opening gently in her mind. Standing up slightly on tip toe so she could get a better angle, she had to brace herself against him so she wouldn't unbalance herself. Not that she minded.

He broke the kiss finally and wrapped his arms around her gladly, closing his eyes. "Your hair smells amazing," he murmured. The heather-scent brought back all kinds of memories. "Not just nice."

Looping her arms around Nathan's waist loosely, Moira liad her head on his chest and smiled. "Thank ye. Glad tha' I bought a few bottles o' th' stuff while I was there."

Nathan glanced at the cupboard, reaching out with his mind to pull the door open and get her a mug - and stopped, stiffening, unable to help a wince at the brief stab of pain behind his eyes. He didn't cover it well, and Moira pulled back a bit, blinking at him.

"Wha' was tha' all 'bout?" she asked, worried. Reaching up, she got a firm but gentle hold of his chin and forced him to look at her so she could check out his eyes.

"TK's been a bit iffy since Monday," he said, surprised that she hadn't noticed him not using it. He had refrained completely yesterday - his head had still been aching when he got up yesterday morning - and had planned to continue to do so today, but it had just been instinct, reaching out like that. He smiled wryly. "Possible I sprained something?"

Moira frowned deeply. "Damn, shouldnae 'ave pushed ye tha' 'ard so soon," she muttered. "'ow much does it 'urt?"

"Kind of sharp, but it only lasted a second," Nathan said and then looked at the cupboard again, his eyes narrowing. The door opened and a mug sailed out to a soft landing on the counter. "There," he said, rubbing at the spot between his eyes. "Huh. That only hurts a little. Maybe it was just because I hadn't used the TK deliberately since Monday."

"Probably." The frown didn't go away, though. "Start usin' it again, jus' slowly like ye did, for th' next couple o' days, love. Treat it like a sprained ankle, I guess."

He leaned forward and kissed the crease in her forehead. "Don't worry," he reassured her. "You get sprains or worse in physical training all the time. Why not psionic sprains?" He grinned at her. "And my head is perfectly clear. Even if I'm feeling a little giddy."

A smile finally broke through and she shook her head. "Only man I know tha' sprains 'is brain," she said, sighing but laughing quietly. "An' giddy is good, espicially wit' everyon returnin' last night."

"I've been having lots of interesting conversations today," he said more seriously. "Makes me think that it's going to be a while before we really understand the impact of everything that happened to each of them in Asgard."

A response was forming but the kettle suddenly whistled sharply and Moira turned back to the stove. While she started pouring tea, she answered. "Aye, I think yer right. They spent several mont's there an' 'ad ta go through some verra different situations. I mean--look at Manuel's post, for example."

"He and I definitely need to talk," Nathan said with a nod. "I've volunteered for this poker game. Should be an opportunity to watch him for a bit..."

"O' dear." Moira grinned a little. "Tha' should be one verra interstin' game, tha's for sure. Think 'e's sincere?"

Nathan gave it a moment's thought. "I wouldn't be surprised," he said finally. "It sounded remarkably promising... his post, I mean. And there was something different about him when I saw him last night." Not that there had been any hugging when it came to Manuel, but Nathan had indulged himself with a pat on the shoulder. He had actually been kind of surprised at how honestly delighted he'd been to see Manuel back and intact.

She nodded, she had seen it too and she trusted Nathan's judgement. "It'll be interestin' tha's for sure." Turning around, she handed him one of the mugs and settled back against the counter with her own.

She did look more relaxed. He ought to have Alison steal her away to the spa more often, Nathan thought deviously. "So," he started casually. "About that tent...."

Blinking, Moira stared at him over the mug and then giggled. "Imagine Charles' reaction," she teased, sticking her tongue out at him, though the idea of the tent still appealed to her.

Nathan met her eyes steadily, grinning. "Imagine," he said. "We don't necessarily have to be blatant about the announcement. Subtle innuendo could be just as funny."

"Yer verra evil," she said, giggling, as she leaned over to give him a quick kiss.

Ginger-tasting kiss, Nathan thought, intrigued. "So is that a yes?" he persisted as she drew back.

She grinned a little impishly at him. "Maybe," Moira remarked, leaning back against the counter.

He sipped at his tea. Quite gingery. "So what do I have to do to make it a yes?" he asked, grinning.

"Hmm." She leaned her head back and stared at the ceiling while she thought. "I dinnae know--convince me."

Nathan set the cup of tea behind him on the stove and took a step forward, until there wasn't even a breath of space between them. "You and me," he murmured, bending his head to nuzzle at the side of her neck. "Out there where it's quiet... all the night sounds, just outside the tent..."

Vaguely, she felt him remove her own mug of tea from her hands and put it somewhere. Tilting her head slightly to give him better access, she smiled, eyes closed. "Sounds nice..."

#Big, fluffy sleeping bag. Lots of pillows. Nice air mattress...# He let his hands roam downwards.

A pleased noise escaped Moira and she leaned into Nathan, hands gripping his waist tightly. #Almost 'ave me...# she giggled mentally.

#And then a dip in the lake in the morning...?# Nathan suggested whimsically.

Giggling, she finally gave in and leaned up to kiss him fully. #Ye win, ye bi' bully.#

He kissed her back enthusiastically, then drew away, grinning. "After the poker game, then?" She nodded, smiling. "So... shall I pitch the tent and leave you to announce where we can be found if aliens land on the lawn or the person coming looking for us wants to die slowly?" He actually managed to get that out with a straight face.

"Dinnae mention aliens, they may come true," Moira deadpanned, not wanting to let go just yet. She grinned. "But aye, I'll make th' announcement."

The look in her eyes was worth the world, Nathan decided abruptly, staring down at her. That happy, shining, joyous look, with a healthy helping of horrified amusement at what she'd just agreed to. The look in her eyes, the feel on the link...

He swept her up in his arms again, suddenly and impulsively. "I love you so much, I sometimes think this can't possibly be real," he whispered into her hair.

A yelp escaped her but then she relaxed, getting over the surprise. Blinking, she buried her head into his neck and held on tightly. "'Tis verra real," Moira murmured, closing her eyes. "Ta wonderful ta be a dream."