CAREER ARENA PLOT Rematch (Marree)

With each passing step, I feel more and more weak. A person's body should only handle so much before wanting to give up on them and succumb to sleep or passing out but I feel that I'm far enough away from that for now. The thought of sleep does sound good right now. I would give anything to be at home right now and give my body the comfort of a bed and a pillow as well as the heat from the blanket to wrap around my petite, frozen body. If I was to go home right at this moment, my dad would flip out. My brother would fret. I'm sure I look a mess with the blood all over my face and my pale looking skin. I could only image what they'd do if Matthew was to take me home at this exact moment with the wolf's blood all over his torso. I could only imagine, they'd expect the worse out of him. Maybe, even think he's the one that injured me when really it was my own idea come to life. My own need for a rematch with Matthew, the smartass, that was the whole cause of this. Though, I still can't fathom everything that occured in just one day. Every peice of this day just feels like a nightmare and a dream come true.
I make a suggestion to Matthew about seeing a medical profession that can take care of our wounds. With what occured with the wolf, I can only imagine the pain that Matthew would be in with the deet teeth marks that were pushed through his skin. I have to grimace even more when I realize again, that it was the same arm that the knife shot through. I hate that I did that to him. I hate that I've caused him that injury. He can handle the pain in the ass better than most people. That's just payback. I feel somewhat in a lighter mood with that thought and as we happen upon town, I see where he tells me where his uncle's house was. Then he points further down the street to this buidling that has its light on. We're actually going to see someone for our wounds... how are we going to explain this? How are we even going to be able to say what happened without getting in trouble. Doctors have laws to keep things hidden right? Patients rights? Oh, please say that whoever Matthew is taking us too, doesn't know my father.

"Alright." Is all I can say to Matthew in my barely audible voice. We make our way to the house, which should have taken five but we're slow and tired. Upon the doorstep, Matthew take the intiative to knock on the door until the doorknob begins to turn and there in the door stands this man with tiny glasses and grey hair. I get this feeling and the pit of my stomach drops. Help us, please... I feel myself pleading with the man through looks alone because my voice doesn't seem to work. Matthew, though, speaks very clearly through chattering teeth. My body refuses to shake anymore. It just feels numb to the cold.

Come in. How long have you been out there?

The man dealt with my head wound with the upmost professional way. He was gentle. Soft. Even tried to use reassuring words to keep me from lashing out, but I'm in no shape to lash out at him. Instead, with every movement of the brush in the wound, I let out this whimper of pain. The alcohol and the touch is just enough that I almost refuse to let him do anymore but he declares it done. That's when he gives me the gel on my forehead and then turns his attention to Matthew. I watch diligently as I lay there on the table with my blanket wrapped around my body. Just my chest exposed enough that I feel my chest rise and fall with each breath. My eyes moving slowly against the antagonist of sleep.

The doctor moves over to Matthew to care for his wounds as I wait for the stitches that he declares I'll need. That's when I remember that he hasn't seen the wound on my shoulder, and I know he needs to look at it as well. There won't be any debris in it, but I do need something to kill off any germs that might have gotten inside of it that might cause an infections, but I'm almost too afraid to mention it to the man. Not now. I'm not sure how I'm going to explain how I've got such a deep puncture wound in my shoulder without making Matthew look bad? I search for Matthew's eyes as the doctor begins to work on him and then once again, demands to know what happened. He cracks and lets out this small story that seems plausible, leaving ou the whole part of target practice that we ended up playing with each other. I feel like smiling, but the action never reaches my lips. Instead, I keep my eyes trained on Matthew and what the doctor is doing to take care of his arm. Even when Matthew had threatened him with 'our business' it doesn't stop him from doing what he needs to.

There's a moment when the man looks over to me, and I give him this most pitiful of looks. I don't have to try to hide it anymore. He can see what kind of shape we came to him in. There's not point in trying to hide my weakness from someone who has seen it all before. I'm being my true self right now. I'm hurt. I'm cold. I'm ready for sleep. I'm showing all this in front of someone whom knows my story and one who don't. Both of whom, will keep whatever happens in this room, here. My eyes close suddenly only to be jarred back to the waking world to hear Matthew's voice whisper out to me.

You'll be okay.

I let this half smile form on my lips and I mouth the words 'You, too' to him. The doctor tends and cares for Matt's arm like an artform. Working medicine into the teeth marks, and using the same liquid he used on my headwound on his arm. I close my eyes because the memory of the pain is all too real, though the gel that's been left on my head has completely been numbed now. The gel had done what it was suppose to.

"Now, lets see about getting your head all fixed up, my dear." He says to me and turns away from Matthew. I don't move from where I'm at. He goes to a drawer opposite from where he got the gel and comes back with the materials needed to stitch up the gash that I managed to get in my fall due to the wolf. I nod to him and he doesn't say a thing about the way I'm laying. He works around it. There's no pain as he pulls and tugs on the string. I keep my vision on Matthew the whole time, only to flinch when I think something is going to hurt but don't. Just as soon as he gets done, he puts this ointment on it. "That's done. Now, your other wound there on your shoulder. May I?"

I figured it might not be wise to keep hidden what can't be covered. The tank top I wear barely hides it and I'm sure since it looks dirty from the fall, he only expects it to need attention as well. "Go ahead." I tell him as he takes the bandages off that Matt had done and reveals the blood soaked guaze. Once again, I see his head shake. He lets out this sigh and I finally close my eyes and just let him work with a whimper everytime he touches it with alcohol or ointment until he finally has it rewrapped until he's pleased.

"I'd rather not do stitches on that right now. Just keep your arm as still as you can. Come back to me in a few days if it doesn't start healing." He tells me and lets me lay still where I am. There's this moment in my life, that I want to give Matthew the worse moment in his life and as I lay there still feeling the sting in my shoulder, I glance at Matthew.

"You going to... to show him your other wound?" For some reason, through all of the pain of the day and our adventure, this small bit of amusement might be good to make both of our nights better. I curl up into a ball on the table, letting the blanket wipe at my eyes from the water that began to form out of pain. I flash him a coy smile and wait. More than likely, if Matthew lets him deal with the wound on his behind, I will have to leave the room, but I don't mind. I just want to make sure that while we are here, we are taken care of.

As the doctor tends to my wounds, I glance over to Matthew to see his reactions through slitted eyes. He seems, either angry, or upset about something, I can see. It makes me curious. How he looks into my eyes and my face with so much force, I want to close my eyes and let the doctor work, but I hold my gaze until I see him turn his head. Something in the pit of my stomach drops and I feel as though he's really mad at me now. He's totally going to blame everythign that has happened to me only on me. He's going to go back to that career I met two days ago that took a cheap shot when his fist hit right against my shoulder. That thought makes me feel sad. It makes me feel anger for the moment because I just don't understand why all of a sudden he refuses to look at me. Is it the situation or the wounds?

Not long after starting the cleaning process and patching up my shoulder, he lets me know to keep it immobilized for the time being to try to get it to start healing. I intend to do just that cause I've learned to follow orders when it comes to healing. I also know that the knife might have done a bit more damage than it should have and the doctor just isn't able to take care of it here. I'm assuming that's why he's let me go with a warning. I retake my comfortable position on the exam table, letting the blanket be pulled back up to my chin as I rest my head on my good arm. The warmth beneath the covers starts to put my body back into order for the moment. My judgements are starting to get clearer again. My vision starts to even out. I still can't feel my forehead where the man had just done the stitches at, but it'll wear off soon, I know.

And the moment the doctor is done with me, I ask Matthew a question about the wound I gave him on his backside. I feel this grin coming to my face and I can't seem to hide it anymore. I let it show as Matthew takes a minute to fully comprehend what I've just said to him. Then it seems to hit him and that's when I hear him laugh. It sounded like the sweetest thing to hear from him thus far.

Wouldn't you like to see that. Comes his reply to me and I can feel something simliar to warmth start in my cheeks. I remember the first time in the cabin I had to try to take care of his backside only to keep my eyes trained somewhere else as I tried to patch and stop the bleeding only to fully envelope myself with the rest of him not long after that ordeal. Actually, I would like to see that again. All of it... I hide my eyes in the blanket for a mere moment and when I pull the blankets down he's already leaned over with his backside shining in my direction. He teases me with another comment, then the doctor makes his comment and I feel my lips spread wide into this grin. I'm just glad the man is trained on the wound of Matthew's and didn't see me.

The moment that Matthew replies to the doctors question, I make a noise similiar to a small chuckle and give myself a few moments to hide the embarrassment in my cheeks. Career love making... yeah. Nice answer Matthew.. you telling me in order to get that close to you every time, I'm going to have to stick a knife in you, cause I can do that. I close my eyes until I hear that they are finished and Matthew comes over to me extending out a hand.

Are you good enough to go? His voice seems light for me. Is he just putting up a front because we're in front of the doctor or have I earned his concerned voice from everything I've done to him? I nod and sit up and leave the exam table, my hand in his until I get a grip with reality. I look to the doctor as he says something about paying. I need to find out how much to fork out over my injuries and I'll ask the doctor at a later date. When he comes near me, I see this look in his eye as he calls me a sensible young woman.

"I will do that. Thank you sir, for all your help." I feel my voice crack a little but the faint smile he gives me looks like one of concern or sadness. I return it with a real smile before he whispers in my ear. Do you want me to call help? From him?

I can't help but watch pitifully when I see how Matthew is walking. Even though I'm not suppose to feel regret for the wound to his arse, I hate that it's has done enough damage to effect his ability to walk and I know the pain with it has to be unbearable. Subconsciously, I reach up to my shoulder and rub the spot, allowing a bit of pain to register within my brain to keep myself functioning and awake because at this point, I'm about ready to fall over where I stand. My body is just about ready to give in and say 'fuck it' and I'll deal with the reprocussions of my actions later. I keep moving though. I keep following Matthew to his uncle's place cause I know my brother will be able to come and get me. It's just still that daunting question of 'who' will answer the call. Will I be willing to handle the questions from my dad?

After explaining my need to foot my side of the bill, he agrees with it heartily. I never expected him to pay for it anyways, but It's just something that I will owe him for and I'll have to come see him about in a few days time when the doctor sets the price for tonights needs. I have to wonder though, what will become of us after tonight. When I leave with my brother, will anything be said or asked? Then he comments on the doctor as he's already in my thoughts telling me that he's went to him several times for things that needed to be kept secret. I'll make sure to remember that the next time I decide to do something stupid like this with you or anyone else.

As we continue down the road, his uncle's house finally comes into view. I begin to feel lighter now. My head starting to throb as the medicine begins to wear off from the numbing gel. It burns slightly and I find myself grimacing even though I don't mean to. I'm so over feeling all this pain and everything today. I can take it any other day, but for some reason it's particularly aggrivating today.

We come to the house and Matthew tells me that his uncle works at night and that we can go to the guest house in the back. It doesn't occur to me until we reach the fence that I might not be able to call due to the lack of a phone. That's when I feel this jolt through my body as if to say that I'm done for; no more; just sit down right here and pray that the cold don't take me but just as he reaches the gate's door, he mentions the dog.

"Lovely... another dog. HOpefully, this one is more friendly?" I say and get the responce that I dread as Matthew calls teh dog by name and gets a snarl and bared teeth in return. "Matthew!" My voice comes out with more than just a whisper, but in fear for some reason. The wolf was enough to send this enormous amount of dread in me when I see the reactions of the dog, then the dog takes a 180 degree turn in its manner and jumps on Matthew. I can't explain the releif in my voice.

"You are crazy Matthew." I say as my bottom lip begins to shake a bit. The chilling wind begins to bite through the blanket of mine and I know that trying to take the 20 minute walk home will end up being the death of me. Instead, I follow him to the small guest house and as he unlocks it, he offers for me to stay there... with him. These butterflies begin to beat within my belly, just like it did when we had been in the cabin. Though, will these circumstances be different? We aren't totally soaked. We aren't bleeding anymore. We've no use to keep each other warm but the standing offer is hard to refuse. If for only tonight, I may have to come up with an excuse for my father as to why I didn't return all day. He's liable to have a fit already, but with all the extra training he's put me through, I can only guess he thinks I'm still at the gym. With a heavy sigh and my left arm, pulling the blanket tighter around myself, I nod to him.

"Just for once, just for a while... cause I just don't think I can make it home on my own. If I try, I know I"ll end up in the streets somewhere passed out and I don't fancy that happening. Maybe I can just stay for a few minutes, then I can try to make it home." I say to him and allow him to lead the way inside, all the while, my mind is screaming that all I want is to be nearer to him. The reasonings behind these feelings has got to be that I'm just too physically exhausted to allow my mind to make me think and act the way I normally would. Although, part of me begging to just stay a few minutes then leave once I get warm again.

Once inside, I look around and find the small armchair almost instantly. As much as I would like to wait on Matthew, I find no other choice then to make my way over to the armchair, finding my body already slumping into its inviting comfort and warmth.

I comment to Matthew about him being crazy, and he actually seems to agree with me. That puts a faint smile on my face as we reach the small guest house and when he comments saying "you're a little on the wacky side yourself", I have to agree. Everything I've done today has been completely out of my norm. Everything from running off to the outside of the fence, to target practice with real moving targets to the romp in the cabin, I can fully blame Matthew for that. With no other person, have I ever been truely able to let my outter shell be broken like that. Then, just as soon as I want to agree with him that I am just as crazy as he is he mentions something that sets up the reason I give him a strange look. I actually like that about you.

INteresting. I know our little dance in the cabin was a little unplanned or whatever, but here you are saying that you actually like me? Or well, that you like that I'm crazy? Did I earn this by getting a knife by you or by killing the wolf? How did I accomplish this amazing feat? I don't reply to him, instead, I slump quickly into the armchair that's inside of the guest house. My body molding against the curves of the cusions. My body seems to just want to give up even though I know I've got to be heading home soon.

"You're probably right and I can honestly say, the training today has..." I yawn, but turn my head away from Matthew, to hide the fact of why my eyes seem to be heavy. "been the most fulfilling yet. I think that 'moving targets' is going to be off my list of recreational activities for a while, though." I tell him with a small chuckle and lean my head on my hand. I watch Matt as he kicks the pull out bed on the couch and it pops out almost instantly. The movement on my lips curves slightly as I watch him. He doesn't stay long by the couch and goes to the fridge instead and throws me a bag of something. Instantly, my left hand goes up to catch the bag before it can hit me and I lower it. At this moment, I realize how hungry I am. It has listerally been all damn day that we both have gone without proper food or water. Though, he opts for beer instead because apparently that's the only thing that is kept in here. For once, I won't be picky, not to mention I've had my fair share of drinks when I snuck into the local clubs. Some random guy totally drunk off his ass will buy anything for a lady with just a few simple words.

The beer that Matthew hands me, is released of the cap rather slow. The grip in my fingers seems to be hindered by the bite in my shoulder, but eventually, I get the top popped off. I take a few drinks and open the bag of chips. I prop my head backwards on the chair for a few moments and my eyes close for moments at a time. I don't even get halfway through the bottle when Matthew offers the bed with me. I have no clue if it's the exhaustion, pain or just sleep that is coming on, but I lay the half eaten bag of chips and the bottle on the table beside the chair. It's inviting to be sleeping on a bed at this moment. I'm sure it is for the both of us seeing as how the last sleeping place we had was on the floor of that cabin and we were so frozen that I never felt the effects of the wooded floor. I do now though. I push off from the chair and walk slowly over to the bed. The blanket is still all around me as I take the spot next to him and lean against the back of the couch. I draw my legs up to my body and sigh.

"Thank you." I say in a half sleepy tone. "You didn't have to drag me into the water though, you know. I was planning on taking the wrap for the both of us. I was ready to give up so you could get away when that ole dog was chasing after us. Why did you? Why didn't you give up on me? You could have easily made it back. Taken care of yourself. I would have been just fine. I could have lied. Used a wolf for an excuse or something. I fell. That one always works. They have come to believe me as the clutz anyways." I glance over at Matthew, my eyes searching his. I'm not sure what's going to happen now with us, but I feel like things are about to change and I'm not sure which direction they are going to go.

I never realized that I would end up beside Matthew again. I never expected to stay here in this little guest house. There might have been moments that I had thought about it, but as it happens, it seem surreal once again. Now that we aren't depending on each other for strength and heat, we are mainly depending on each other for comfort reasons, I feel. For the moment that he patted the area next to him for me to share the couch, I took up the offer because trying to mold myself into the odd shape of the arm chair would have been rather uncomfortable to deal with and find a spot where it wouldn't hurt my shoulder. Luckily, I feel that my shoulder is so tightly wrapped that any movement wouldn't hurt right now, though the wound on my head is starting to ache. I keep the throbbing to remind me of the efforts it took to try to take out the wolf. If it hadn't of been for its weight against my body and using me as a spring board, I would have killed it before it took off after Matthew and sunk its teeth deep within his arm.

When I began to tell Matthew about my plans to take the heat for the little journey outside of the fence, he acts as though he was surprised. You would have taken the blame? I nod my head to him. My eyes close slowly and open back up as I watch his features. I notice the movement in his eyebrows as he says those things. I don't speak because he begins to complete his last question with a statement. Though, his confession has me grinning if just a little.

"You're serious? What a horrible man you are." I say teasingly. I was thinking that was what he was going to do when all of it happened. What really surprised me was that he didn't let it happen. Even with the circumstances, he still tried to save me no matter what he said. I just let it be though. No use in tryingn to find out more information until he continues and his hand begins to rub my arm. It has goosebumps raising on my arms already. Just the mere touch of Matthew is enough to set this warmth down my spine.

Why? Would you have rather stayed and taken the blame? He questions me. I have only but a few seconds to answer and I do without hesitation.

"After knowing what would have happened, I wouldn't change it now. Mind you, next time... you had better learn to do as your told." I say with the most serious voice I can muster, but the way I feel makes it seem more as a joke. I sigh and stare at him as I can't help but love the grin that he's giving me. With another statement and the moment I'm going to answer him, he takes his hand to touch my cheek and he leans in to kiss me.

Kyanite... this boy is definately trying to win. Why do you let him win so easily? Fight back. Don't give him the satisfaction of getting to kiss you again... I hear myself the moment his lips move against mine and once again, I feel helpless against him. After all that we experienced today, this feels like the most wonderful way to end it. Our adventure ends somewhere between the moment that he begins to kiss me and the moment he wraps me up in his arms.

I feel him as he pulls me closer to his body yet again. I didn't realize how much I had missed it from the first time, and this time seems so much more sweeter. What happened to the jerk? What happened to the guy who threw the knife? The attitude. The snide remarks. The cheap shots? You are a complete mystery to me, Matthew. I want to know you more. My thoughts come out loud and clear to myself only. The longer I stare into his eyes, he doesn't seem to look elsewhere either. We are both completely at a loss because I think the rest of the day has already spoken for us. What lies ahead for us can only be set for smooth sailing, right?

As I feel his arms around me tighten, I close my eyes. I revel in the comfort of someone who is showing me what it feels like to be wanted. The gentle touch. The hug. The way he holds me close. This feeling I never want to lose.