The World at Her Feet

[Kelle Lindsay, EMTP]

When she woke up again, it was a little lighter out but there was still drizzle, the soft pattering on the shed's roof somehow calming and reassuring. And Kelle was warm and comfortable, so she just lay for a time, listening to the rain, and Scott's even breathing, her mind languidly pondering until she finally opened her eyes to see him.

"What?" she whispered, reaching to gently comb her fingers through his hair, then caress his stubbly cheek. There was a surge of emotion and affection for the man who was holding her, and she decided that today she'd initiate a serious talk, once she figured out how to start it. For now, she'd just enjoy the fantasy and pretend that it could be real.

"You have a cute nose, you know." To emphasize, she kissed him right there.

Scott Cooper,

[Scott Cooper]

[googlefont="Oswald"][googlefont="Allura"][googlefont="Abel"]

INTO THE HEART

of the jungle

The rain on the roof seemed just as perfect as it felt to be there with her. Scott was trying to work out what had happened to even allow this, to even let his mind thing that there might be a possibility that Kelle wouldnt run off. He was in that state of almost sleep but still reasonably in the present as he felt her gently comb her fingers through his hair as he smiled.

“No place I’d rather be than here with you.” Scott replied smiling as he laughed a little not sure what to feel in that moment at all. He didnt usually let people closed to him, if they were then he was doing his job pretty badly and that mean that either he was going to die or someone else would. Kelle on the other hand he was trying to make it up to her for kidnapping her but somewhere in all of that.

There was this and what was all of this because his mind wasnt even sure what to do. Scott felt himself dragged from his thoughts when she kissed him on his nose. He had cute nose? Well that was a first he though smiling. “You have a very cute nose too... and face to match.” He replied as he leaned over and kissed her cheek lightly as he made sure to keep his arm around her. He was attempting romantic but then again he didnt have much practice in that field.

Kelle Lindsay, EMTP

SWANSKI

[Kelle Lindsay, EMTP]

"You have to say that," she giggled, "you owe me!" Then she sighed and snuggled against him, still separated by the sleeping bags, wishing the details were different, but they weren't and she'd have to decide what she thought about that one way or another.

But first, she had to believe, to trust, that the man beside her was who he now claimed to be, and wasn't just playing a game to keep her quiet without resorting to...

She knew in her heart that that was not the truth, so now it was a matter of figuring out where they were, or even if they were a 'thing'.

Of course, the way he was looking at her pretty much told her all she needed to know, and answered the 'thing' question.

"I think this is better than a castle any day," she murmured with a grin, "and I bet there are plenty of ghosts here."

How many were his?

She didn't care...at least, she didn't want to care.

Scott Cooper

[Scott Cooper]

[googlefont="Oswald"][googlefont="Allura"][googlefont="Abel"]

IN THE HEART

of the jungle

“You think I’m that guy to just say anything.” Scott said with a light laugh grinning as he felt her snuggle against him. Scott knew that choices would need to be made at some point but it wasnt right then, it wasnt right in that moment and for now he was happy to believe that there was still a possibility of something.

It might not be the singing and dancing movie version of life, a knight in shining armour or a highly educated business mogul. No technically he was a paid serial killer that was the head of a mafia, then again not everyone could get the Disney version of life. Scott certainly wasnt that at all and there was nothing Disney about what he did, then again he could count to ten and had his own teeth so there were a few things going for him.

“Oh sure plenty of ghosts here, the farmer and family, the cows, pigs and sheep that were here even a few ghosts of dogs too... I really dont think we’re alone a tall.” He said grinning, ghosts were real yes he believed to a point though he was also practical and had passed a phsyc exam for the military to he wasnt too nuts to believe that there wasnt things he couldnt understand out there either.

If there were ghosts then Scott was sure there would be enough to drag him back to wherever ghosts came from the minute he was one. Still that was a later problem, he could go to hell at a later date and deal with it. Before then he had a life to lead and one to live too, one he hoped involved Kelle in some way even if she chose friends.

Tag: Kelle Lindsay, EMTP

SWANSKI

[Kelle Lindsay, EMTP]

"Cow ghosts?" Kelle's nose wrinkled up and she laughed. "Never even heard of those! I wonder if they have wings and halos, or are all shimmery. And i bet pig ghosts are just as mean as the real thing."

This was all silliness, and even though there was some serious discussion that needed to take place, she was enjoying this, just them, being them without all that other stuff intruding. And it was a way of learning about him, not that she wasn't already smitten and had her mind made up to give this a go.

"I can almost smell the ghost bacon." Her grin widened. "Guess we'll have to settle for...what do we have? Soda bread and marshmallows?" But who needed eggs Benedict and mimosas when you were roughing it out in the country? This was half the fun!

"Do we have stuff to make coffee? If you want to get the stove out, I'll get what we need for that." She sat up in her sleeping bag. "Or we can look for a nice cafe in town...there is a town close, right?" She had no idea where they were.

Scott Cooper,

[Scott Cooper]

[googlefont="Oswald"][googlefont="Allura"][googlefont="Abel"]

IN THE HEART

of the jungle

“Sure they do, Cow Ghosts are a little difficult to see though because of their patterns you know, so sometimes it’s just the face with glowing eyes and halo.” He joked grinning at her as he laughed. “Oh the pigs are mean, chicken more so though, need to watch those cranky lot.” So sure they might have ghosts but then again he wasnt sure that cows or chickens would choose to haunt the place though where they might haunt was a good question.

Any conversation that avoided the main one they needed to have, sure ghosts stories and the like were great but then as long as it avoided the major one. Scott was happy enough to talk castles, princesses, ghosts and food. He managed to find out more about Kelle it was worth talking about and it deflected any conversation away from himself which he liked even more. It might not be the normal every day conversation but it beat the ones he knew they needed.

“See living the high life right here, soda bread and marshmallows.” He joked as he nodded though really given how things had gone he figured that it wasnt too bad and it could have been worse. “I can do that you just stay where you are and relax.” Scott said moving away to pull out the stove and start making the coffee. “We can have the first coffee here and then we can find the nearest town, get cleaned up and go on with the holiday if you still want to?” Scott said not entirely sure the closest town was close but still there would be something he was sure.

Tag: Scott Cooper

SWANSKI

[Kelle Lindsay, EMTP]

“See living the high life right here, soda bread and marshmallows.”

"As high as I need," Kelle commented with a grin, really quite satisfied with the fare since it was the company she was interested in. Besides, there were times that simple was all that was needed.

When he got back with the coffee, Kelle was sitting up, nestled amid the sleeping bags. She'd made marshmallow sandwiches that she had set proudly out on napkins, as if it was gourmet food.

When he asked about continuing their adventure she hesitated, her hands suddenly cold as she wrapped them around the hot mug.

Finally, she looked at him and smiled. "Yeah, yeah, I want to...Scott...I don't know where to start or how to do this...I've never been in...I mean, never..." she shrugged, "well, never felt like this about anyone, and I'm not really sure what it means, but...well, I think I like it, and you...I like you...no, that's not right...I'm starting to feel..." another shrug, but she was on a roll. "But this is craziness, isn't it? I mean, not even just all that other stuff before, but you...you have all this...can do all this and I'm just a stupid paramedic trying to renovate a house and go to work and even then, what do I tell my parents...I mean all that with what you do...did...and it's funny, that showed me what kind of a man you really are...in a good way, right? And you've been so good to me...and really, am I reading something into this that isn't really there, except I really want it to be, you know..?"

She took a breath, looking at him as her nose wrinkled up. "I talk too much..."

Scott Cooper

[Scott Cooper]

[googlefont="Oswald"][googlefont="Allura"][googlefont="Abel"]

IN THE HEART

of the jungle

Scott grinned, he wished he could give her the high life right then and there because he knew he could just the circumstances didnt exactly allow for a private jet and dinner in the Bahamas right then. Not that he wouldnt have tried but he was pretty sure that Scotland was what she wanted to see and he intended to let her do that as much as possible. Watching Kelle make the sandwiches he grinned pouring the coffee once it was done.

It wasnt exactly fantastic but it was what they had and he wanted to make the best of it as he took a sip from the mug he had. He saw that Kelle was looking at him as he smiled back at her listening as she spoke. She liked him but she didnt? Was he really hearing this as he started to feel the dread from earlier, he knew this had been too much he shouldn’t have told her anything about why or who he was. Just be that guy who she didnt get and who didnt know anything about him because once people did, they went all... moral and cops on him.

Scott let Kelle finish before he took another drink of coffee, right now he felt like he needed a bucket of coffee with what she had explained to him. Yip, he was the issue here or at least what he did was even though he was trying to find the way out of it. It was a complicated mess right now and until a certain two people had a child Scott was stuck with it. “You’re not just some stupid paramedic, you’re a very smart, brave and caring paramedic that is trying to renovate a house and work.” Scott stated with a smile.

“You talk but I love that and we need to talk about this.” Scott said as he placed his coffee down. “I can’t immediately change what I do or who I am so this... this is me right now.” He added as he took a breath. “Yes I have killed people, I might still but it’s for a reason. I try to do the right thing and I don’t hurt anyone that doesn’t... well if you’re innocent you wont get hurt. I like you Kelle and it’s why I told you what I have but I... it depends on what you want or what you think. I can be this guy some of the time but other times I have to be that guy who had to do something bad for something good to come of it.” Scott said trying to explain though really he wasnt sure he could without telling her it all.

Tag: Kelle Lindsay, EMTP

SWANSKI

[Kelle Lindsay, EMTP]

She really did understand what he was saying, although she had never thought that she'd actually meet someone like that, they existed in movies, not in real life. Yet here he was, sitting across from her.

"I don't want you to be any guy," she explained, "I just want you to be you, no pretenses, no...I don't know, trying to guess what I'm looking for?" She shrugged as she looked at him, then continued. "I know who you are, you told me and I can't say how much that means..."

Well, now that she thought about it, the very fact that he had told her who he really was answered most of her questions and eliminated her doubts. After all, the only reason to take that chance was if he was interested in exploring more than just a friendship.

And she'd already done enough talking, so the just took his hand, then leaned forward and kissed him.

Scott Cooper,

[Scott Cooper]

[googlefont="Oswald"][googlefont="Allura"][googlefont="Abel"]

IN THE HEART

of the jungle

Scott didnt really know what was expected of him when it came to dating, sure the few and far between dates he had over the years usually had a purpose to them. He needed information, a way to get to someone but with Kelle it was different. She was different and that he didnt have a clue what to do with. Sure when he was younger he figured that the family had backed the wrong ‘brother’ for the firm but then the brother thing came with a wife.

That wife being a Voight now, it was something he wasnt sure had happened for the better. Sharon had a family and he ended up with mafia branch to run. Sure there was a time when he wanted a family, he had imagined that house, the steady job, a few kids, a dog or two and doing a school run. It seemed a pipe dream because who would want to risk getting to know him. It was safer to be at arms length and sure when he mentioned the trained killer part, it wasnt exactly a great introduction to ‘welcome to my job and life’ moment.

Not that he had done that at all but usually if anyone found out they were horrified and terrified in equal measures. “I want to be honest with you but I know it’s a lot to take in. I can be me, no pretences but just so you know if you don’t like or want me as I am I cannot change it right away.” Scott said knowing about the future plans for the mafia but it wasnt like it was happening over night. There was no quick fix to who he was or what he did for a living and even after that Scott wasnt sure he would be able to walk away from it all.

Feeling her take his hand and kiss him, Scott froze for a moment sure he would wake up and Kelle would be gone. It wasnt a dream at all because it felt real as he ran his fingers through her hair for a moment just to check. Kissing her back was a dream, not the kind he ever wanted to wake up from as he smiled glad she was right there with him.

Tag: Kelle Lindsay, EMTP

SWANSKI

[Kelle Lindsay, EMTP]

"I don't want you to change." Kelle was smart enough to know that would never work, and likely he'd eventually resent the relationship, if not her directly, and that would only mean trouble.

"I'm not going into this blind....well, completely blind, anyway, since you told me about..." she shrugged, "all that. And really, that tells me as much of who you are as that night...and remember, you risked your life, letting me stop, then letting me go..."

While she did wish that he didn't do what he did for a living, she was certain in her heart that he wouldn't hurt anyone who didn't deserve it, and...well, that she could push that aside and carry on.

"I want to give it a chance, if you do. Just so we keep it open and honest...but I promise not to be too curious..." There were things she was sure she didn't want to know, and that was just fine for her. "I know it will be complicated and hard, but..." she shrugged, "we'll figure it out as we go."

Scott Cooper,

[Scott Cooper]

[googlefont="Oswald"][googlefont="Allura"][googlefont="Abel"]

IN THE HEART

of the jungle

Kelle had to be the first person to say that to him, she didnt want him to change. There were a million reasons why he should but if she didnt want that then sure. He would make sure to keep himself the same. It wasnt that he wanted to change overly but then again ‘hey honey, don’t go into the basement I’m working’ had a whole new meaning when he did his job.

“You didn’t know who I was, letting you go was a good end to the day.” Scott admitted, it had been a risk because if she knew his voice or figured it all out then yeah he was sure he would have had cops at his door later that night. Letting her treat the kid, it made sense given the fact she was brave enough to stand up for it and no one had done that before.

No one really stood up to him like she had, usually people were yes people. The ones that agreed to everything and said sure Scott lets do it that way because I want to live my life. It wasnt that Scott didnt appreciated those people but then someone telling him no once in a while was welcome too.

“I want to give it a chance too but please don’t be curious and if I tell you not to go into a room... I do mean it for your own welfare.” Scott added figuring there might be a moment or two like that as he didnt really know his day to day schedule. “We will and if you can see past what I do to who I am then I think we’re off to a pretty good start. I mean, today, this week this holiday, it could have gone a whole other way and I wouldnt blame you if you ran you know. I get it, it’s not easy to deal with at all.” Scott added having expected that to happen most of the time especially now.

Tag: Kelle Lindsay, EMTP

SWANSKI

[Kelle Lindsay, EMTP]

"I thought about running," she confessed quietly, "at least in my head." She looked at him with a quick, melancholy smile. "But not because of what you are so much as what that meant...means for us, for any chance of 'us'." She laughed. "It just figures that I'd have to have things be so complicated. I sure don't want it to be, but...here we are."

She took his hands, feeling as though there was a chance for this, that the doubt was lifting away and somehow it would all work out.

"But please don't tell my that you'd bring 'work' home! God, I don't even want to imagine you using the basement as a dungeon. I mean, it would make it so awkward to do laundry, you know?" She laughed, but there was a nervousness to it, not that she thought he'd actually have his work anywhere close to her.

Then she sighed and scooted closer to him, snuggling against his chest and closing her eyes. "Just...hold me for a minute and tell me I'm not totally insane."

Scott Cooper,

[Scott Cooper]

[googlefont="Oswald"][googlefont="Allura"][googlefont="Abel"]

IN THE HEART

of the jungle

Scott smiled that was the very reaction he was expecting from her, it wasnt that he wanted her to run but he hadn’t thought much about her staying around until she had done just that. “We make it as complicated as we want to make it, if it’s not about what I do then that is the biggest thing that I can see causing an issue. I mean it’s not like I have a nine to five but I can try and make it work that way when it can. And if you didnt think about running I’d be worried.” He added chuckling as he nodded to her.

He felt her hands around his and for a moment he felt like a normal human being, that normal guy who didnt have to worry about much else than a few things at work and the night and weekends were his own. “I won’t bring work home, at least from my side of thing. It isn’t exactly safe to do that. But sure if you just close your eyes and remember not to see anything I could work.” He joked grinning for a moment. “But I promise not to bring work home with me at all.” Scott didnt want to leave his work with Kelle, in fact it was better she stayed well out side of it.

Family and the business he was in didnt mix and that he didnt want to put Kelle through, he had done enough already to her. Feeling her snuggling against his chest Scott sighed and smiled happily. “Sure I can do that, you’re not totally insane, maybe a little insane but not totally besides life would be boring without insane.” He added as he wrapped his arms around her holding Kelle tightly. He wanted to thing to work out but he knew that it either would or wouldnt and he could exactly change the world in one day. Baby steps sure but not the world he worked in.

Tag: Kelle Lindsay, EMTP

SWANSKI

[Kelle Lindsay, EMTP]

"Good, good, because I think we'll need some insane." She smiled as she relaxed into his embrace, relishing the feel of being safe and content despite how odd and 'complicated' the situation was.

"You know, though, you're the one who made this complicated, not me." Her grin was hidden against his chest, but her fingers twined in his squeezed lightly to show she was joking. After all, there was no sense in trying to ignore what had happened, there was no 'starting over', and pretending that it hadn't happened was just stupid.

"So, now what? Isn't there traditionally a dance we do or something? Or maybe cutting our fingers and mingling our blood...nah, that's blood brother/sister, right?" She looked up at him and giggled. "You are definitely not a brother!"

She twisted a bit so she could caress his cheek, and looked into his eyes, for a long moment silent. Then she laughed and snuggled into his arms again.

Scott Cooper,