The World at Her Feet

[Scott Cooper]

“So you’re that kind of dancer, well that might make two of us because I never said I was any good at it.” He said grinning as he walked with her. He was glad that it had turned out just to be them, he had requested it but it was one of those ‘can make no promises’ about it kind of deals. If it was busy then his chance was nil but off season things had worked out fantastic for a dinner without others around.

It was a beautiful place and the candles and then Kelle just made it like a dream. He had tried to make everything as perfect as possible for her but just being with her for him made everything perfect. She was the sort of person you only met once in life and the sort of person that could make him smile no matter what was going on. Even down to going for a burger after gunfire it had been a strange evening but simply made better that she was there.

Scott smiled when she spoke only the two words, he half wanted to add to it but felt that putting words into her mouth wasnt the way to go about things. He wished he could give her things like that all the time, castles and ghosts and farm for however many animals she wanted though start small he thought not wanting to scare her off since despite their first meeting he was the only one who knew of it as such.
To see her smile there was nothing he could have wanted more as he grinned looking at the Renaissance period costume staff. He had been a little worried at first about how she might take it or think that he was nuts but so far seeing her smile the way she did was the best thing.

He could feel himself blush a little when she kissed him on the cheek. “Thanks and yeah it’s so all that. You’re like a Princess Warrior and Wonder Woman all in one.” He said still thinking she was amazing for all she had done. He had watched her safe the life of a child and a man who had been shot. She had shown true courage and made a difference to a lot of people already from what he could tell.

“Well you know me, it wasn’t like I can out run bullets so I kind of had to stay but helping out was fun. Watching you work more so and getting to go get a burger with you afterwards made getting shot at worth it.” He said smiling as he moved to the table to pull out a chair for her, “Simply because you’re an amazing woman.”

Kelle Lindsay, EMTP

[Kelle Lindsay, EMTP]

"Just...getting a burger?" She knew she was giving him an odd look, but that little statement meant so much, she wasn't sure he would even understand. So instead of saying anything, she turned to face him, taking his hands in hers, and kissed him again, this time on the lips.

"You are amazing, too," she murmured, "it's not easy to deal with injuries when it's out of your element, and then you...well, this is all grand, and I love it, but you can..." She shrugged. "Well, you like burgers!"

Yeah, kind of odd...but burgers were down-to-earth, 'regular' fare for every-day life, so that once the fantasy ended and 'real life' encroached again he would still be there...and she was finding that she wanted him there.

Scott Cooper

[Scott Cooper]

Hearing her words he immediately thought he had said the wrong thing which normally might not have bothered him but with Kelle he didnt want to say the wrong thing, ever. He was about to try and dig himself out of whatever bad side he might have gotten himself on to when he saw her face him, take his hands and kissed him. Scott was entirely lost in her kiss as he never wanted it to end.

It wasnt until she spoke about him being amazing too he couldnt even agree with that, not with what he did or had done especially to her as he shook his head. He was used to causing the injuries that she had dealt with, there might not have been so much collateral but still the bullets flew and it wasnt a leap to think that it could have been him at the other end of the gun that night.

Scott grinned and nodded as the conversation turned to burgers. “Yeah I burgers, especially if you’re there too and I’m glad you love it. You really are a fantastic person and deserve the best in life so this, this isn’t even half of what you deserve Kelle.” He said knowing that sure he could do fancy but there were days when burgers just were the right thing too. He didnt want the holiday to end because what if she didnt want to see him after that, well it was no strings and he had said that himself but now, now he didnt want her to leave and to go back to his life without her. That was the worst thought he had in a long time.

He squeezed her hands lightly for a moment as he leaned toward her to kiss her, well he figured if he had miss read things then he was about to find out. He knew there were a whole list of ways this could go wrong and he could ruin the entire holiday if he had but then she kissed him so he was only returning it he told himself even if he had enjoyed the first kiss a lot.

Kelle Lindsay, EMTP

[Kelle Lindsay, EMTP]

Her parents had taught her that she had value, so she had never had question as to her worth, but to actually hear someone else say it, unsolicited, sent a little trill through her. Well, sure, it sort of embarrassed her as well, but...well, the thrill overrode that, and kind of muddled her head just a little...all right, a lot!

And then he squeezed her hand and pulled her in for a proper kiss, not the chaste little pecks she'd been doling out, but a real, lingering kiss -- her first, really, from a man -- and she relaxed into it, not exactly sure what to do, but she had the feeling he knew exactly how to do this, and she was more than willing to let him guide her.

In the mean time, she instinctively pressed against him, the little thrill morphing to a full-out tingling all over her body!

Scott Cooper

[Scott Cooper]

For a criminal his childhood had been fairly straight forward, he was brought up right with being taught how to treat people and of course women too. It had all taken a turn around eight years ago and now stood there with Kelle he felt like he could be an entirely different person. She was the best person he knew even if he hadn’t known her that long and couldnt honestly say he knew well other than the character it took on their first meeting to do what she had done.

His head tilted to the right slightly as he felt her relax, he hadn’t considered this to be her first kiss from a man at all if fact he hadn’t really thought much along those lines other than he had wanted to do it for a while now. The minute their lips met he felt butterflies, the likes he had never felt before. They were the good kind the sort that took over as he tried not to over think things.

Her lips were soft as he wrapped an arm around her, at least she wasnt screaming to get away he thought which was a good step at least. When she pressed against him he felt like she had just sent a wave through him. He pulled away for a moment gasping slightly as he gazed at her and smiled, she couldnt have been anymore wonderful in his eyes.

Kelle Lindsay, EMTP

[Kelle Lindsay, EMTP]

Had she done something wrong?

The thought surged though her mind as he moved back from her, causing her to doubt herself, something easily done, as she had little experience in this sort of thing. But then she saw the way he was looking at her and she knew that wasn't it. Her cheeks burned hotly under his gaze, but her heart was hammering in her chest and she was starting to feel kind of numb all over.

She started to say something but then realized that she really didn't have anything to say, so she just giggled a little nervously, looking down at the floor, then quickly looking back up into his eyes. For a brief instant,she hesitated, then just leaned against him and rested her head on his chest, listening to his heart beating as fast as hers was.

Scott Cooper

[Scott Cooper]

He couldnt tear his eyes away from her at all, she was an amazing person and someone who he cared about more and more. Even being stood there with her gazing at her could take his breath away as he wasnt entirely sure what to say as he didnt want to ruin anything. It felt like the world was standing still, waiting for them or at least he hadn’t noticed anyone else in the room at all as he was simply focused on Kelle.

Scott smiled hearing her giggle as he watched her wondering if he was about to be yelled at for crossing a line. Staring into her eyes when she looked back up to his he could hardly breath as he didnt want to move at all, he saw her hesitate as he was about to say something or make a noise that might ease things some though when she leaned against him he just stood there contently with his arms around her.

He could only hope that his heart didnt sound like it felt as he could feel it beating in his chest as he smiled holding her happily. He never wanted the moment to end as he kissed the top of her head lightly for a moment careful of her tiara in the process. He honestly couldnt get enough of her as he felt like he was walking on air.

Kelle Lindsay, EMTP

[Kelle Lindsay, EMTP]

Kelle had had boyfriends now and then, nothing serious, just the typical teen stuff, and then she had gotten older and her concentration was on school. Of course, she'd never been in a hurry to 'find a man' and had never felt pressured or less of a person for not having a 'Universal Companion', and her silly, romantic notion was that it would be a friend who she one day would discover was more...

Was this 'one day'?

It was nice, just to stand there and be held as the staff swirled around them, setting out food on the table, and then a costumed band came out and set up by the fire place, then started to play period music.

It wasn't exactly something that Kelle would ever have thought to dance to, and she had no idea what dance would be appropriate, so she just started swaying gently to the slow tune, improvising a dance that didn't require them to move apart...

Scott Cooper

[Scott Cooper]

Scott had always figured the right person would come along and that he hadn’t found that person, he hadn’t time to find that person and now given what he did it wasnt like he was associating with the best of people. Well that was until Kelle, if kidnapping could be called association then sure but he was pretty sure she might have an objection to that sort of thing. Ironic that he met a person by taking them against their will but in that one night she had him thinking differently, doing things he wouldnt have done under any other circumstances.

The food being set out and the costume band coming out to set up he smiled as they started to play and Kelle began to sway gently. Was it wrong to be glad that they didnt have to move apart as he held her? He hadn’t a clue what dance went with it but then as long as Kelle was there he didnt much care about a lot of things other than her.

To him they could have been anywhere and she still would be the most beautiful woman in the room and the one person his attention was focused upon. If she was the mysterious ‘one’ that everyone talked about finding then he was glad of it and he never wanted to let her go as he gazed at her and tried to sway gently with her to the slow tune following her lead with the dance.

Kelle Lindsay, EMTP

[Kelle Lindsay, EMTP]

In the times that she'd dreamed and imagined a moment like this, the 'real thing' was far better, more than she could have ever hoped, and she didn't want it to end. Yes, Kelle was a romantic, she had wild notions and loved the thoughts of fairy tales, but she was also practical enough to know that those sorts of things didn't happen in real life.

But this...she never could have imagined how it felt to be in a man's arms, to feel cherished and cared for, protected and doted on...She wasn't sure that this was love, but she had a feeling that this was the groundwork.

The music ended, and still for a moment she stood with him, her head on his shoulder, eyes closed as she took in the sensations. But finally she stepped back and looked around, feeling a bit like she was coming out of a daze, and honestly, had it not been for other people in the room and the fact that they were ready to serve dinner, she would be happy just to stay right there.

"So, um...dinner smells really good, huh?" She laughed, shrugging off the awkward moment as she took his hand. "I sure hope they don't make us sit at opposite ends of the table! Oh, and you are a great dancer!"

Scott Cooper

[Scott Cooper]

It felt like a dream, it was the furthest thing from what he thought might ever happen and now it was far better than anything he could have thought of. Any idea that he could try and be the least bit romantic or even have a woman look at him that way, it was a sensation he never wanted to let go of. The groundwork for something he had was unfamiliar with or something that could be great which had the sense of guilt in him tug that little bit stronger.

As the music ended and the stillness came he was enjoying the feeling of having here there, her head on his shoulder as he could have been stood anywhere with her and she would have his full attention. Was it crazy that he felt that way after knowing her such a short while and yet when she stepped back he felt like he had just lost the most precious thing. It also gave him a moment to hit back to earth as he tried to work out what to say as he could only smile at her.

The mention of dinner and he realised that he was hungry as he nodded and agreed. “Yeah it smells great.” He said happy that she took his hand as he squeezed hers lightly for a moment as he escorted her to the table. “I hope they don’t either but I’m sure we can fix it if they did.” He said as he pulled out a seat for her with his free arm. “Thank you but you are the fantastic dancer. You really know your moves.” He said grinning glad that she had had danced with him as he hoped to do it again as he had enjoyed every single moment of it.

Kelle Lindsay, EMTP

[Kelle Lindsay, EMTP]

Kelle blushed a little at the compliment, then laughed. "Well, if that is all we have to do to qualify as 'dancing', then I'm good!" She smiled, shaking her head. "I learned some of the traditional dances, waltz, polka, jitterbug..."

The meal passed quickly, amid sumptuous food, idle chat and banter, mostly on Kelle's part, and Renaissance music. Most of the time, Kelle was in a bit of a daze, alternately meeting his gaze and looking away...his eyes were so expressive and kind, with a familiarity to them, and she loved looking into them, looking at him, and then she would think that maybe there was more, that this was deepening past friendship. She was at ease with him, felt safe and comfortable, like they were old buddies, and that, more than anything, assured her that progressing might be a possibility.

Then she had doubts, not really sure that he felt the same way, although she suspected, but she wasn't sure, really, how to progress, afraid that if she made the wrong move she'd ruin everything.

But then the meal was over and before she had a chance to worry about what was next, they were dancing in the courtyard, bathed in the light of a half-Moon and sparkling stars, the world faded to the two of them, and the distant music of lutes, a harpsichord, and flutes.

Scott Cooper

[Scott Cooper]

Scott grinned at her and nodded, “Very good.” He stated as he nodded to the dances she mentioned of those he knew Waltz which was about as far as he went for the formal side of dancing. Waltz and foxtrot though he didnt usually have much cause for them to be used.

The food and idle chat and banter, Scott listened to Kelle intently in everything she said. He could have sat there all night and said nothing about himself happily listening to her talk. Her eyes had a kindness and strength to them, a kindness he had seen in what she did and how she handled everything that had been thrown her way. She was gorgeous the sort of beauty he was sure was inside and out as he tried not to stare too much though he couldnt quiet help it.

She made him feel like he could be himself, like there was nothing to hide no line to be drawn just the two of them there. It was a strange way to feel given he spent most of his life hiding and recently trying to figure out what to do when running a mafia. Not something he was entirely used to. Scott didnt know what Kelle thought about anything past friendship, sure had his mind wondered that path yes it had and more often that it should have for friends but that depended on what she wanted or even if she was looking for that.

Then before he knew it the meal was finished and they were dancing in the courtyard the moonlight and sparkling stars above. The music, the light and she looked more and more beautiful the more time he spent with her as they danced. The light against her eyes the depth to them, she could have asked him anything and there would be little he wouldnt have told her in that moment. The distant music kept him quiet as he didnt want to ruin the moment at as he just smiled contentedly at her holding her close to him.

Kelle Lindsay, EMTP

[Kelle Lindsay, EMTP]

Most of the 'dancing' was just them kind of swaying to the music and holding each other, with occasional words passed, and then, even long after the music had stopped and the players retired, they still danced.

"It's so pretty." Kelle finally stopped and looked up at the sky, turning to lean against Scott. "It's so sad that there's so much light in the city that you can hardly see the stars."

Sure, you could spot most of the major constellations, and a passing planet here and there, but out here, with only flickering torch light and muted electrical lights from the castle that they had drifted away from, the stars sparkled brightly overhead, and the canopy of the Milky Way spread over them.

"There's Scorpius and Libra and Virgo..." she pointed out the constellations, then leaned back in his arms, looking over his shoulder, then pointing sort of above them. "And Cygnus, the Swan, my favorite!"

Scott Cooper

[Scott Cooper]

It was wonderful to be a world away from everything and to be lost with someone like Kelle. No music the band had retired but still they were dancing. Swaying and holding each other on a night that seemed perfect to him though he only hoped Kelle felt the same way.

Scott looked up to the sky and smiled, “It is and yeah the light does take away the beauty of it but lucky we can see it.” He said happy that they could, the night sky was always filled with fascinating things. It was a way of navigation, infinite possibilities and above all fantastic to gaze at when you had the chance to.

Looking at where Kelle was pointing Scott tried to make out the stars for each constellation. It wasnt something he was used to doing taking the time to look at the sky though when she leaned back in his arms and looked over his shoulder he smiled as he followed her pointing as he wrapped his arms around her. “The swan? What makes that one you’re favourite?” He asked her curiously, “And where did you learn all of this?” He asked her in an almost whisper fascinated by it.

Kelle Lindsay, EMTP