Part 7-Another Step

<---Over the Ocean

The inside of the airport was different from typical American ones, but it was not much of a shocker looking extremely similar to the ones seen frequently in movies.

We retrieved our luggage and grabbed a taxi, me staying quiet and following all the while.

Once we were on our way Rob pulled out his cell phone. I watched him as he waited for an answer and saw him frown to what I assumed was him getting the answering machine.

"Hey mum, dad. We're on our way um, but I guess you guys are out, so if you get this message give this number a call. If you don't call before we get there we'll just let ourselves in, okay? Bye."

He hung up the phone and glanced at me as I was still watching him. I wanted to know if letting ourselves in was really okay, but again, I was talking as little as possible at least out in public, so I turned my attention back out the window being mindful of my posture.

The city passed by along with the people and none of it seemed strange to me, I was abnormally calm.

The taxi came to a stop in front of a regular house on a regular street surrounded by other just as regular houses as it was getting dark.

We got our things out of the trunk and Rob paid the driver while I stared at the ground. He then began to rummage around the yard for a spare key.

"Should I not look?" I asked.

"Don't be ridiculous." he answered as he pulled it out from under a small statue. I shoved the knowledge in the pack of my mind as emergency only knowledge.

The door opened to a dark abyss inside and we walked in. Rob stopped close to the door and set down his things closing the door after I walked in and passed him. I didn't have a chance to set down my things before his arms wrapped around me with his breath on my neck; he hadn't even turned the light on.

I laughed for a moment and struggled to pull away from him, finally managing to set my things down feeling a smile on his lips as they grazed my cheek.

Doing my best to ignore him I reached up and pulled the beanie off of my head and let my hair fall. He made a sound as it hit him.

"Can I change? Please?" I pleaded.

"Yeah." He sighed, releasing me and finally turning on a light.

I didn't allow myself to look around feeling like I was invading when the occupants weren't here.

"There's a bathroom right down the hall." he informed me and I slid my suitcase down the hall straight into the open door.

I walked toward it as he went back for his things. I pulled his shirt over my head as I entered the bathroom tossing it at his back and then practically slamming the door shut before he could turn around.

I smiled almost smugly as I heard "Hey!" and then laughter, hoping I actually hit him this time.

I took of my shoes and stood there in my pants in front of the mirror as I brushed out my hair and then put it up in a ponytail.

I resisted the urge to wear a dress and settled for a nice pair of jeans and one of my favorite sweater-shirts(?), it was gray.

I went out, remaining barefoot, after grabbing all of my things.

"Rob?" I called after I didn't see him.

"Up here." He called. I followed his voice up the dark wood stairs and into the room with the light.

Rob's suitcase lay open and nearly empty on the bed and he was putting things into a dresser.

"Where should I put my things?" I asked.

"In here for now." he gestured to a bit of floor space and I set my things down.

"So this is your room huh?" I took a look around the room that seemed strangely still, but appropriately so since its normal occupant had not been around for a long while.

"Yup." He straightened. "Great isn't it?" he said sarcastically.

"I like it actually," I defended this place even if he felt passed it. It was a part of who he was, regardless. "It seems calm and cozy."

Rob's eye brows rose and a sound escaped his lips in a way that made it relevant that it all meant something that he wasn't going to share with me. A past and childhood that I understood more than I ever let on.

He closed the suitcase and set it aside then practically threw himself down on the bed in a sitting position. He teasingly patted the spot next to him and I joined him. He wrapped his arm around my shoulders as I entwined his other hand in mine.

He pressed his lips to my head while I snuggled into his chest, closing my eyes and forgetting about my surroundings just concentrating on his all too familiar scent.

"So what do you think?"

"I'm not sure yet." I answered truthfully, "I haven't gotten any bad impressions though."

"It's just a matter of time." he chuckled.

"Bad influences are another story though." I taunted when his hand stroked my exposed neck.

"I might have to do something about that." he whispered leaning in to give me what I really wanted.

After a moment I pulled away suddenly glad that I had decided against the dress. I stared at him with a worried expression, his hand resting on my thigh.

He looked back confused, and then we heard the door open and close and quiet voices drifted up the stairs.

Rob rolled away and quickly out the room and I heard his footsteps on the stairs, my heart pounding in my head. I was suddenly terrified now that his parents were home.

I heard their excited greetings as I slowly clambered off of the bed. With heavy feet I made my way to the staircase, tripping and nearly falling but catching myself on the rails. I steadied myself and tried to silently make my way down the stairs and made it halfway when I saw them.

I had seen what they looked like before, but it felt so strange to see them looking so real in front of me. They turned having heard me and I felt like a deer and couldn't take another step.

Rob registered my expression and ran up the stairs, taking my hand. I wasn't sure it really helped. I felt like puking, but he got me to move. He looked back at me with such an adoring smile cracking the horror.

"Mum, dad, this is Katie." He said once we reached the bottom of the steps.

I forced a smile on my face. I was happy to be meeting them, but my self confidence wouldn't allow it to be that easy.

"Hello." I said.

"Well it's nice to finally see what you look like!" his mom blurted.

I knew I blushed through my giggle, especially after Rob's dad gave him a raised eyebrow "impressive" look.

"Yeah, Robert wouldn't send us any pictures." his dad mentioned.

"He'd do that." I said.

"It was all for effect." he said squeezing my hand.

We shook hands as his mother asked, "So, where are you from?"

I turned to the sound of Rob's sigh just in time to see him roll his eyes.

I laughed a little, "California. Central. Lived in the Bay Area, like a few hours from San Francisco, until I was thirteen, then moved to small-town Hughson. Which I doubt I could reference you to in any way." I said as Rob walked us all into the living room and sat us on the couch. He never released my hand.

"California?" His mother frowned looking at me and I felt my stomach flip. "See, when Robert told us that, I asked if you were good and tan especially next to him and he laughed. So, I thought he was lying! But here you are, just as-"

"White as he is?" I finished. "Yes, I am. And I've tried to tan. It does no good."

There was slight laughter and I felt ridiculous again. Silence followed and I stared at my hands.

Rob stirred at the silence at almost the same time as his father did. I smiled in my head seeing where he got the discomfort from.

His dad cleared his throat, "So is the boy any good?"

What?!

"Dad." Rob said looking away awkwardly as his mom tried to hold in her laughter.

It took me a moment to be able to respond. I blinked, but still all I managed to say was "Um." Before Rob interrupted.

"You don't have to answer." he said through his teeth. I had never seen him so enraged.

"Oh, you're just saying that 'cause you don't want her to say-" his dad retorted.

"Who's hungry?" his mom interrupted, jumping up and putting her hand on Rob's shoulder. "Why don't you come help me?"

Rob didn't respond, but began to stand and mumbled to me, "Come on, let's get your food counted."

I followed without comment, and twisted my arm around his continuing to hold his hand, giving it a small squeeze as I discretely stroked his arm with a finger on my other hand. I made myself as small as possible as we entered the kitchen. Rob pulled me to the side as his mom went toward the fridge and cabinets. He released my hand and wrapped his arms around me from my side, laying his forehead on the side of mine and I could feel the tension in his muscles.

"I'm sorry." he whispered and we swayed a little.

"It's okay, really." I whispered back not allowing myself to say the apology that was on my own lips for not having an answer before. But that was a darker side of me that I'd never willingly admit to him.

I turned and ever so lightly kissed his head then breathed deeply repeatedly until he began to relax. His mom left us be.

With a sigh he released me and joined his mom at the counter. "What do we have?" he mumbled as she gave him instructions and they went to work.

His mom didn't let him do too much and I stood in the back just watching.

Once his mom left the kitchen, I silently walked up next to him as he monitored the stove.

"Anything I can stir?" I asked.

"What if I said no?" He answered without looking at me.

"I'd figure something out anyway." I said stubbornly with a smile.

"Stir the noodles." He handed me a spoon.

"Thank you."

I stirred and watched the bubbling water in silence.

"So, the only things that would count would be the noodles and bread. Not a problem, yes?" he glanced at me and flashed a smile.

"Easy peasy." I answered.

We were quiet again.

Almost without my realizing it, Rob left my side and after a moment returned, adding flour to the sauce he was stirring. His wrist continued in the circling motion, but his eyes were far away. I watched his face as his stern frown flattened as he fell into whatever world his eyes were seeing.

The flower had been stirred quite a few strokes ago, but he still stirred. I reached my pinky into it, retrieving a dab and smearing it across his cheek.

He slowly turned to me with wide eyes and then his mouth widened into a smile and he laughed.

I turned away, mission accomplished. Suddenly he bumped me with his hip and I stumbled.

"Lick it off!" he said as I regained my balance.

"What? Ew! No!" I said, realizing how I got myself into a sort of trouble again.

"Come on it's not that hard!" he responded, sticking his finger into the sauce and before I could get away, smearing it on the edge of my mouth.

He captured me in his arms while I was still shocked. His face came closer to mine and I nearly leaned away, but he held me tight. My breath caught in my chest as his tongue, warm and wet, came across the edge of my mouth. I shuddered as my breath escaped me and I felt its heat as it flowed off of his face. Then I heard him inhale and a second later our lips met. My blood boiled, feverish under my skin and my hands found his face.

I frowned, pulling my hand away from his face and he stopped at my reaction. I looked at my hand with the now cold creamy sauce smeared across it. I shifted my eyes to find it similarly across Rob's face.

I stifled a laugh.

"Sorry." I said with a smile as I wiped what remained on his face onto my other hand.

I walked over to the sink and began rinsing off my hands as his mom came back into the kitchen.

"How's it going?" she asked.

"Fine, mum." Rob answered. "Just about done."

He walked up behind me reaching his arms out on either side of me and putting them into the water gently rubbing mine. His lips repeatedly met my neck softly.

I nudged him with my elbow.

"Later then." He whispered, almost to himself.

I turned off the water and searched for a towel while Rob wiped the side of his face with his still wet hand. I handed him the towel once I was done and helped him as he brought dishes to the dining table.

Dinner went as most firsts do. There was small talk and the almost always consistent questions regarding my diabetes. I answered them without difficulty.

The tension that was there before had seemed to disappear by the end of our meal.

Later, Rob and I went to relax in his room. I wasn't tired yet even though it was getting a bit late and I had a "deadline," so I pulled out my laptop and began to write. Rob settled down next to me with a book and I leaned into his side.

I don't know how much time had passed as my hands flew across the keyboard, but after a good while I paused as the thoughts started to come not so easily. Before I realized what was going on, I slipped into the dark.

I breathed as thought slowly began to come back to me. I felt the thick comforter around me and the pillow against my cheek. I turned over toward the warm mass next to me as I forced my eyes open.

Rob sat next to me with the glow of my laptop screen across his face and reflecting in his eyes. It was almost blinding to my tired eyes with the rest of the room being dark.

"What're you-" I began, my voice thick.

"Shh." He said gently, his eyes not leaving the screen.

I was too tired to make the effort to stretch myself up to see what he was so intent on. I laid back down with a sigh and cuddled into the covers.

Images swirled and flashed in my head uncontrollably as my mind continued on without my body. Smells and sounds met me when suddenly I was pulled out of the euphoria by a hand on my cheek.

His lips were warm on my forehead and I reflexively pulled myself toward his warm chest.

"Are any of those finished?" His voice loud in the darkness.

I frowned and shook my head slightly. "Rough drafts." I managed to mumble.

When my thoughts began to clear I opened my eyes again to meet his as he lay next to me. "You read my-"

"I know. I'm sorry, but when you fell asleep...I was horribly curious." he whispered to me.

I snuggled my face deeper into his chest. "Doesn't matter. I was going to show you soon anyway."

"I wish you had earlier!" his voice rose, but then quieted again as he said, "Those were amazing. So that's what's going on in that head of yours?"

I smiled. "Now you see why I like the quiet. It's loud enough in my head already." He laughed quietly and I continued. "It's just so many, so much all the time and I don't have enough time to get them out...do them justice. It's really frustrating."

My consciousness wafted in and out as his arms wrapped around me and his lips explored my face softly.

"What am I doing here?" I asked.

"Hm?" he mumbled against my shoulder.

"Shouldn't I be on the couch or something?"

"Originally...I guess. Is this so bad?" he asked the hint of a taunt in his voice.

"It's not necessarily good...or appropriate." I frowned. My eyes had closed again.

"Do you want me to carry you to the couch?" he whispered though he didn't shift his position.

"You wouldn't make it down the stairs." I replied.

"Right." he said, not denying it.

I breathed and began to let myself fall back into sleep in his arms, though part of me argued dimly.

"If it helps...you fell asleep and I couldn't move you." he said.

"Sounds good." I sighed.

Colors emerged in my mind when he moaned, "I want to know what happens!"

"Not now." I whined.

"Alright." He sighed.

I let the dark take me once more as his scent began to cloud my mind.

 I woke up to the muffled sound of a closing door and quickly sat up to find myself alone. I looked around to find a muted light coming through the crack in the curtains. I smiled at the thought of a cloudy, possibly rainy, day.

I turned at the footsteps coming into the room and Rob emerged in the doorway.

I smiled sleepily at him.

"Good morning." He said returning the smile and coming swiftly toward me, taking my hands and kissing them.

"They've gone to get Patty from the kennel." He told me with a sparkle in his eyes.

"How exciting." I mumbled, pulling my hands away so that I could stretch.

As I leaned backward his arms wrapped around my waist and we fell back. I laughed as he began kissing me, but was silenced as he continued. Everything turned hot.

My eyes flashed open and I pulled away.

"Can I…take a shower?" I asked as his lips traced my jaw to the hollow of my throat.

He froze and took a moment to breathe, "Sure." He said rolling off in a swift movement heading out of the room.

I sat up and rubbed my eyes and temples with a sigh. I climbed out of the bed and grabbed my toiletries and a change of clothes out of the suitcase then I went down the stairs.

I found him coming out of the bathroom, towels in his arms. "Here you go." He said and turned around before I could react.

He showed me how to use the shower without looking at me. He was about to leave when I grabbed his hand and gently kissed his cheek. "Thank you." I said quietly.

With a sigh he wrapped his arms around me and held me to him with a sad look in his eyes.

He kissed my forehead and left, closing the door behind him.

I got in the shower, grateful for the hot water as it ran down my spine. Once I was good and wet I closed my eyes and laid my forehead against the tile letting the water flow around my face.

It was getting harder. Every time we got close it was harder and harder not to get even closer. He was rather serious about this. The fact that I was here in his parents' house was proof of that. Was I serious? Did he really mean that much to me? Did I really love him, or was it just physical desire?

I wrapped my arms around myself as the fear and shame washed over me. After a moment I collected myself and began to wash.

Regardless of that answer, I had to control myself.

……………….

The soft pitter patter woke me from my slumber in his arms. I opened my eyes to see the raindrops mercifully crashing on the window.

I smiled and rolled out of bed carefully to let him sleep and gently opened the window a crack.

The smell of fresh rain hit me and I took it in hungrily.

I didn't get enough of this.

I tiptoed out and down the stairs, opening the front door as quietly as I could, stepping out still in my pajamas out into the rain.

I walked down the pathway onto the sidewalk out front letting my feet take in the water on the ground. No one was about, and I would have cared anyway. I wrapped my arms around myself and swayed as I welcomed the cold water fell on my skin. I breathed, feeling refreshed and clean. After a few moments a song entered my mind and I began to move in a small circle with myself to the music in my head.

"What are you doing?" the voice wasn't shocked, it was curious.

I opened my eyes again to see Rob having followed me out here, with his arm over his head.

I smiled. "Dancing." I said simply, then continued my waltz.

"Oh really now? To no music?" he asked.

"Oh, there's a song in my head." I replied matter-o-factly.

"Ah." He said, then fell silent.

I peeked just in time to see him turn his face up toward the sky and I looked away when he turned his gaze back to me.

"It's hard to waltz without a partner." He whispered, parting my arms and taking one hand in his, wrapping the other arm around my waist. That was about as far as we got to really waltzing.

"I have a song in my head now too." He said after a moment of moving back and forth. "Wonder if it's the same as yours."

"Could be." I said as I looked at him wanting to tell him the words, but scared to show how much I meant them.

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