The World at Her Feet

[Kelle Lindsay, EMTP]

Holding her breath, Kelle pressed back against him, trying to convince herself that this was all nothing, just locals who were checking on a historical site and making sure that whoever was roaming around wasn't doing any damage.

Still, she couldn't help but be concerned, and sure enough, the men started going through the camp, tossing things aside in a manner that meant that they didn't really care if they did damage. Then they looked toward the castle ruin, eyes scanning the upper walls before they headed that way...

((OOC: Do whatever you want with it!))

Scott Cooper,

[Scott Cooper]

Scott wished it was locals just checking things out, local’s didnt usually go around trashing your camp site and it wasnt like he hadn’t gotten permission to be there. Probably one of the first times in his life he had asked but still, he wanted to do things the right way for Kelle. When he saw the men doing through the camp site he grumbled quietly.

The campsite could be fixed, that was fine but the minute they looked toward the castle. Nope, Kelle was there and he wasnt about to have her dragged into anything. “No matter what, just stay here and keep quiet.” Scott whispered to her as he moved away from her quietly. “It’ll be okay.” Well he knew he couldnt exactly promise it would be but then he wasnt about to let anything happen to her.

Scott made sure he didnt make a noise until he swapped onto another set of steps as he whistled lightly as if he hadn’t seen the men at all. At least if the guys weren’t too smart, they might only look up the one set of steps if at all. “Oh hey there.” He said happily, well there wasnt any point in kicking their backsides just yet, maybe they would get the message and run off while they still could run. “Nice night for camping here and great view too. Are you guys looking for a good camp site too?” Scott asked still smiling in the most genuine way he could manage.

((Thanks, will do ))
Kelle Lindsay, EMTP

[Kelle Lindsay, EMTP]

“No matter what, just stay here and keep quiet.” Scott whispered to her as he moved away from her quietly. “It’ll be okay.”

Silently, Kelle nodded, her heart racing. It was evident that the men were not there for a social call, and while she was confident that Scott could deal with it, she knew that if she got in his way or distracted him it could be fatal for him...

And then it occurred to her that if something happened to him she would be in a world of hurt, and while she was by no means knew what she was doing if it came to a fight, she figured something was better than nothing...

To that end, she started slowly down the stairs, making certain of her footing so that she didn't end up accidentally kicking any stones loose and giving away her presence. For the time being, she stopped just at the entrance, pressed to the wall, listening...

“Oh hey there.” He said happily, well there wasn't any point in kicking their backsides just yet, maybe they would get the message and run off while they still could run. “Nice night for camping here and great view too. Are you guys looking for a good camp site too?”

"Yeah, yeah, that's it." While the men took a casual stance, it would be more than evident to Scott's trained eye that they were squaring up for trouble, positioning themselves so they could overwhelm him if they decided to.

And, at least the one man was not Scottish...no, he was pure American by his accent.

"Lookin' for a nice spot, just like this, nice little girl to keep us warm." His grin was feral as he held up one of Kelle's bras. "Or is this yers? 'Course, man like you, not into frilly things...keep yer hands where we can see 'em, turn around real slow..."

At that, one of the men moved off toward the fortress, moving with arrogant confidence.  "She hiding in here?" he called.

But that was enough to alert Kelle and she scrambled back toward the steps, knowing that at least it would be disorienting, or she hoped!  Half-way up the spiral staircase, she slipped, going to her hands and knees, feeling a sharp pain in her left hand, but she didn't hesitate to close her fingers around the chunk of rock she'd been cut on.

At that, she hunkered down and waited, hoping that the man coming up wouldn't expect her to be so low down.  She braced herself for what she might have to do.


(I added the bit at the end just for fun, we can have some tussling!)
Scott Cooper
Scott Cooper ,

[Scott Cooper]

Scott made sure to keep the men in his line of sight as he watched them and listened to them talk about the nice night. Well it had been a great night for him up until this and sure he had promised Kelle that he wasnt a bad person. She knew exactly what he did for work and he could only imagine what was going through her mind right now. Scott could see how the men were casual but could easily overwhelm him if they wanted to though the shock might be their own when they had a taste of what he could do to them.

Even the accents weren’t local which alarmed him a little. Not that American’s couldnt be there but he was British and having come from America he had to wonder exactly why they were there. Scott simply smiled and nodded though when he saw Kelle’s bra he could feel his face flush a little red. “Oh what makes you think that it isn’t mine?” Scott said knowing full well it wasnt but then again, who knew what people did in their spare time. “Was meeting someone up here and thought that she was you because I had her things with me.”

It was weak explanation but the one that didnt require too much thought. “No she’s not hiding anywhere, I told you, I’m meeting her unless you’ve spooked her and if so thanks a lot for running off my date for the evening.” Scott said backing up as he tried to block the man’s way to the fortress. He knew where Kelle was and he wasnt about to let anyone of them near her. No he had said she would be safe with him, this wasnt safe but then he hadn’t even started yet. No he wasnt going to let the guy buy to let him near Kelle. It just didnt work that way.

Scott went to reach out to grab the guy who was getting a little too close to the fortress for his comfort. Not that this was comfortable in anyway but he had been in worse situations though never with anyone he cared about as much as Kelle. “Now why don’t I give you a last chance to just walk away from here, no hassle, I won’t follow you or harm you.” Scott said not entirely sure that was correct.

Scott held out his hands to where the men could see them as he just glared at them. “Or if you want to continue them I’ll let you call for an ambulance first because trust me. Once I’ve finished with you, you’ll all need one.” He said seriously before chucking, “Your choice of course gentlemen, so back up before I start to break you one by one and believe me you want to just back up and leave this site.”

Kelle Lindsay, EMTP

(Yay let the tussling begin lol)

[Kelle Lindsay, EMTP]

For a brief moment there was a lull as the men perhaps mulled over his options, but, of course, they already knew what they were going to do and what their goal was, and all three charged at once! Two of the men had drawn knives -- gunshots would draw too much attention, even this far from town -- and the third had Maglite, effective as a club...

With Scott momentarily distracted, one of the men barged past him and into the ruins, sliding on loose rock but keeping his footing as he swung the beam of his flashlight into the murky darkness.

Above him, on the stairs, Kelle could hear the scuffling, and as much as she was pushing down panic inside, she maintained her composure. Even as a child, her dad had prepared her, told her how to fight back...to fight back, and she had known that, should the situation ever arise, she would do what she had to.

She just had never thought that the situation would arise.

Now, she held her breath, gripping the stone, hoping that the pounding in her chest didn't give her away...she had the advantage, she knew where she was, she knew where 'he' was, it was just a matter of when...

A flash of light, swaying and crazy, told her exactly where the man was, and she could hear the steps getting closer on the spiral stairs. Rather than wait for him to come to her, she supposed that it would be better to keep the upper hand and catch him by surprise...

...once she mustered the courage...not that there was much time to contemplate on things if she was going to keep her advantage.

Drawing a deep breath, she tensed, and the instant she heard the footfall on the step just below her, she moved...

Still low, she lunged at the man, putting her full weight, such as it was, against his legs and knocking him off-balance. The momentum put her off as well and she skidded down a few steps, managing to stop on her hands and knees, but rather than run, she regained her feet and charged down the stairs after the man.

One of the things that always had bothered her was in those stupid teen-massacre movies was that the idiots always stopped after one blow...hit the monster and run. Nope, not for Kelle...she'd always wondered why they didn't make sure that Jason or Freddy or whoever couldn't get back up...

Now, she had no intention of letting him up again. Well, provided he wasn't already, which he was in the process of when she got to him. The man was struggling to his feet, his form silhouetted in the light of the dropped flashlight. It was dim, but enough that Kelle could take aim with the stone in her hand, directed at his temple.

Having no experience in actual fighting, it startled her how much it hurt her hand, and her fingers went immediately numb. She dropped the rock, her intention still to press the fight, but as she surged forward, the man shook off the blow and came at her, getting her around the waist and driving her back.

But there was fight in Kelle, and she had damaged him. It was just a matter of which would prevail.

Scott Cooper

[Scott Cooper]

Scott could see the glint of the blades in the moonlight, was he foolish to think that they wouldnt have had weapons. Sure he was as he tried to tackle two of them only to see the third get by and head right for where he knew Kelle was. This trip wasnt going as planned at all he thought as he managed to punch one of the guys seeing him stagger back only for the other guy to take his place. This really wasnt the plan for a quiet night of smores and trying to work things out.

Scott felt the second man lunge at him, he tried to twist out of the way but between the two he felt one of the blades cut into his upper arm. He could feel the wet sting of blood a few seconds later as the grappling of hands and feet and blades seemed to make the whole thing more difficult. Scott felt his hand slip as he managed to finally grab one of the knives though it was at the expense of several blows to the face which hurt like hell. He watched as one man out of the two scooted back quickly before the second one again took another lunge.

Scott debated ending things there and then, he knew he could but two bodies on his hands when he was trying to tell Kelle he wasnt a monster. Yeah doing his usual tricks had just gone out of the window as he tried to be on his best behaviour but these two weren’t making that easy at all. “I told you to leave.” Scott grumbled, “Leave and I won’t hurt you anymore.” He said as he landed a punch square to the jaw of one of the men. Sure his hand felt it probably as much as the guys jaw did but it wasnt like he could do much else.

Again the two just wouldnt be told as he tussled with them again, his hand still clutching the knife he jabbed it into one guys leg. Close enough to cause a serious problem if medical attention wasnt sought pretty quickly. Nope it wasnt killing them but he had no issue with maiming them either. Scott glanced toward the ruins trying to hear Kelle if she was okay or not. Scott could hear one of his two screaming in pain but then he wasnt too bothered with the noise either as the other one was staggering to his feet.

“Kelle!” Scott called wanting to hear her voice, wanting to hear that she was alive at the very least. He had just broken about ever rule he knew to keep but this was different. This was Kelle and he loved her he couldnt keep quiet and say nothing when he knew she was in trouble. “Kelle! Are you okay?” Sure he had told her to stay quiet but as he made his way to the ruins he wanted to know she was alright which he was just about to see until he felt the weight of someone tackle him. He went flying to the ground as he could see the face of one of the men he thought were down trying to stick the knife into him from several angles.

Scott felt the second slice against his lower arm this time as he managed to pull the knife from the mans hands as he threw it in the direction of the ruins. He heard it hit against the stone as he landed a few blows to the mans torso trying to shove him off in an effort to get to Kelle before the third guy did. He could only hope that she was well hidden in the shadows.

Kelle Lindsay, EMTP

[Kelle Lindsay, EMTP]

There wasn't a chance to answer Scott, although Kelle did hear him and was relieved that he was alive. But at the moment she was struggling to keep the man from getting a hand around her throat.

Fortunately, her earlier attack had considerably weakened him, and she was finally able to get a hand free to hit him in the head, aiming for the same spot over and over with force driven by desperation. It took some effort, but the man finally slumped and crumpled.

Quickly, Kelle kicked away from him, taking advantage of the opportunity to scramble away, pausing for a moment to catch her breath. Then she heard the scuffle just outside and started to crawl that way, not sure that her legs would hold her. Part way there her hand closed over the hilt of a knife. She had no idea where it came from, but she wasn't going to let the opportunity pass and she grabbed onto it.

Still, she wasn't really prepared to use it, and even after emerging from the doorway and seeing the scene in the dim moonlight, she held back. But it was obvious that Scott was in trouble, and honestly, if anyone was going to kill him, she had dibs!

It was a gamble, but it was a shot, and Kelle surged forward, charging into the man on top of Scott, hoping to push him off and give Scott a chance to get the upper hand!

Scott Cooper

[Scott Cooper]

Not hearing from Kelle he could feel the lump in his throat and the panic tighten across his chest. No he hadn’t brought her to Scotland for her to get hurt, that wasnt it at all. He needed to get to her as he forgot about trying not to kill people, it was like the flip of a switch as he hit the guy about ten times harder than he had done before.

What was the point in playing nice for Kelle if he wasnt there to help her when she needed it. Scott looked up when he saw Kelle with the knife, he smiled relieved that she was okay but her holding knife. No it wasnt right at all he thought as he watched her for a second. The moonlight making her look like an angel as he felt the mans fist hit down against his face. It hurt like hell but she was okay he told himself, she was stood right there as he felt another blow his face.

Scott hated to get angry but this guy just wouldnt quiet as he struggled some more with the man. “No Kelle. Don’t.” He spluttered seeing her take the gamble and surge forward. He felt the man buckle under the hit as he freed himself from the struggle and managed to get the upper hand. A few well placed punches later and he knew the man would be writing in agony before Scott slammed his fist into the mans face. It wasnt pleasant but it worked as he saw the man drop to the floor.

He didnt care about that though, all he cared about was Kelle as he stumbled over toward her. “Kelle.” He gasped trying to look over her. “Kelle, are you alright? Talk to me tell me you’re okay.” He asked her trying to stop from asking a million questions as he reached out to pick her up into his arms.

Kelle Lindsay, EMTP

[Kelle Lindsay, EMTP]

As soon as Scott was free, Kelle pushed back and away to give him room so she didn't get in his way. Eyes closed, she winced with each smack of fist to flesh, but she still had no sympathy for any of the jerks that had attacked them, and she knew that she and Scott had to win.

Finally, she heard his voice again, and he was beside her, touching her, sweeping her into his arms, and she opened her eyes to look at him.

"Fine, I'm fine." Her voice was shaking -- heck, she was shaking -- from the adrenaline that surged through her body, now with no avenue of release. "Just my hands..." she raised her bloodied palms to show him in the waning moonlight. "But it's okay, had worse." Certainly, she wasn't one to be the drama queen, especially over something so simple.

"What about you? Are you okay? And what about them? We need to...do something before they get up." No, her medic instincts were not to go tend to the idiots, but to make sure they were safe, and there was no more need to fight.

Letting out a breath, she relaxed and rested her head on his shoulder.

"Man, you sure know how to show a girl a good time!"

Scott Cooper,

[Scott Cooper]

Scott didnt want Kelle to see any of it, he had just told her the truth about who he was and now this happened? He thought he was lucky that he had her camping with him but now, what was looking to be the perfect night. It was gone because of three men that had caused him the most annoyance. Despite the fact that he couldnt really do what he might normally do which explain that might be more trouble than it was worth.

Hearing her voice shaking, fine was definitely not fin he thought as he glanced at her hands the minute she raised them. “No you’re not fine, you’re hurt.” He said staring at her in the moonlight. Scott didnt even want to think about what worse things could have happened to her as he shook his head. “This is worse.” Scott said as he nodded to her.

“I’m fine. Just worried about you that’s all.” He said as he knew the cut on his arm wasnt too deep and everything else was just scrapes and bruises. Nothing major. “I’ll take care of them.” He added before he realised how that might sound given what she now knew of him. “Nicely I mean.” Scott added as he tried to smile the minute he felt her rest her head on his shoulder.

“I try to, I mean castle ruins, camping, moonlight and three more annoying guys... what more could a girl want?” He joked as his hand rubbed over her back slowly. “First things first though, let’s take a look at those hands and get you fixed up.” Scott said as he glanced at where their stuff was. It wouldnt take too long to pack up and take what they needed and he could get someone to go back for the rest in day light just in case. Though fist he wanted to make sure her hands were alright.

Kelle Lindsay, EMTP

[Kelle Lindsay, EMTP]

"Really, I'm okay." Kelle managed a small grin, but held her hands out to him. "I was just wanting to smuggle home some souvenir castle gravel, and what better way than in my hands?"

Taking a breath, she let it out slowly. "Nice is nice...thank you..." Not that she didn't think the men deserved what they got, but she drew the line at killing them while they were unconscious...and it reassured her, that Scott wasn't going to mete out vengeance.

"Then what? I mean, you don't think there are more of them?" She let out a little snicker as she shook her head. "Man, we are just not destined to stay at a castle, are we? But we can't stay here...maybe someplace else to camp...kind of off-the-grid unauthorized, where no on will even think to look for us?"

She wasn't necessarily afraid, but then, she would be happy not to have a recurrence of what had just happened.

"What do you think they wanted?" She looked into his eyes, hesitating a moment before adding, "No hedging, I can take it. I'm just disappointed that we won't get to have S'mores."

Scott Cooper,

[Scott Cooper]

“I guess they don’t really check your hands at customs for that so smart idea.” Scott said grinning at her though it didnt take away the fact that she had been hurt. “Better yet how about we get some castle gravel in a bag for you to take home, that might not hurt as much?”

“Nice is only because I’m trying here. They don’t deserve nice at all for what they did.” Scott said knowing that if he had been there on his own, it might have been a different story. So yes it would have been a totally different story but tying them up and making sure they couldnt follow them would have to do for now.

“No likely not but just in case you know.” Scott said smiling at her. “Sure we can camp elsewhere off the grid, and yes if you want a castle we will get you a castle. Just a different one without crazy people trying to kill us. I mean authenticity for the middle ages is great but i’d rather just enjoy it you know.” He joked though really he wasnt all too keen on people trying to do that when Kelle was there.

“Honestly, there could be a list of things.” Scott said not wanting to make things any worse. “But I’m not the most loved guy in the world so there is a number of things. Also I’m not really a free agent over here either, I’m sort of wanted for a few things by the law not anyone else that I know of.” So Scott had a history of people who might want to see him hurt or worse. He wasnt exactly an angel and he had gone far from the path of his military career.

He had his reasons, he lost his family for the military but now he wasnt about to make the same mistakes twice. “I’m sorry you didnt get to have S’mores but we’ll make them at the next site? Lots of them and we can eat them for breakfast too if you want?”

Kelle Lindsay, EMTP

[Kelle Lindsay, EMTP]

"S'mores for breakfast? I like the way you think." Grinning, she closed her eyes for a moment and rested her head against his shoulder as he patched up her hands. "I guess that kind of makes up for everything, right? And another try at a castle..."

Finally, she pulled back to look at him. "Once we leave...can we break camp now?" She really did want to be away from here, as beautiful and fanciful as it was, and the chances of finding somewhere else this time of night were pretty slim...they may very well end up sleeping in the car...but then, that was just part of the adventure.

"And no, I'm not going to let you do it by yourself, my hands are just scraped up, and maybe my ego a little, but I can..."

Pausing, she frowned, then reached for his arm. "You're bleeding," she muttered, then she gave him a quick grin, "and it's red. Let me look." She certainly wouldn't take 'no' for an answer!

Scott Cooper,

[Scott Cooper]

Scott grinned right back at her as he felt her rest her head against his shoulder while he patched up her hands. “I’m sorry, I really wanted this to be perfect for you and then...” Yeah he knew and then what, they were interrupted by idiots who had a point to prove. He was trying to make up for dumping the fact that he was a contract killer on her who had taken her to a foreign country. He had a lot of making up to do that was currently ruined.

“Sure we can break camp now, anything you want to do consider it done.” Scott said not really wanting to hang around to have a repeat of the former. No he wasnt interesting in killing people though right now he wanted to go and strangle the people who had hurt Kelle. If anything she was innocent of everything and having her hurt, no he was trying to do the right thing and not harm other. Though the others in this situation were making it very difficult.

Scott just smiled but he shook his head, “No you’re not helping with this you’re staying out of it because...” Scott paused seeing the frown on her face as she reached for his arm. He glanced down to see that it was bleeding as he laughed and nodded. “Yeah it is... what colour did you think it would be? Green?” He teased though then again he might have questioned the colour of his blood too.

Maybe if he even had a heart but then Kelle had managed to get through to that pretty easily as he shook his head. “Just a scratch, it’ll be okay.” He stated, sure he was a guy and a killer and even if his arm was broken or missing it would all still just be a scratch because making it out to be anything more. Sure it was a knife wound but then still a scratch he thought.

Kelle Lindsay, EMTP

[Kelle Lindsay, EMTP]

"'Just a scratch...' Where have I heard that before?" Kelle grinned as she pulled away his jacket sleeve to get a better look. "Ah, right...'Tis but a scratch'! Next thing your leg will fall off!"

She laughed, then sighed as she examined the wound. Of course they couldn't go to a hospital, unless they had a good story, and the doctors weren't idiots, they would know fight wounds when they saw them, and then there would be awkward questions.

"I will stay out of things," she told him as she wrapped his wound with bandages from the first aid kit, "but only when they don't come to me. I'm not a shrinking violet, and I'm not going to roll over and play dead...but I reckon you know that."

She grinned, then kissed him on the cheek. "It's part of the package, and I know that...I'm willing to..."

Well, the best way to express that was the kiss she pressed against his lips, chaste at first, but then more aggressive and passionate.

Scott Cooper,