Survival
Disclaimer: These characters are owned by CBS
and the CW network. I mean no infringement of any sort and am only using the
characters for personal enjoyment and for others to enjoy as
well!
DISCLAIMER: THIS FIC IS RATED M FOR LANGUAGE,
CONSENSUAL SEX, AND REFERENCES TO VIOLENCE. IF YOU ARE UNDER 18, SCRAM! IT IS
NOT MY JOB TO POLICE WHAT YOU ARE READING! IF YOU DON'T WANT TO READ IT, SCRAM!
I WON'T TOLERATE BULLYING!
This story is told from Catherine's POV, in the first person. May throw in
Vincent's POV down the line.
#---------
Chapter 12
My relief knew no bounds. I wanted so badly to hug Vincent, but I knew he
probably wouldn't appreciate me doing that. Instead, I gripped his hand in mine
loosely, ready to pull it away quickly if he objected. To my surprise, he
gripped my hand tight, and gave me a weak smile.
"How long......?" he asked me. I knew what he was asking.
"Almost 3 days. Your back got infected. I didn't know what to do. I was so
scared. Then I remembered when that ranger came to school, and taught us about
the plants and such."
Vincent met my eyes. His blinked several times, before a smile curved on his
lips. "You saved my life."
I chuckled lightly. Quietly, I said, "Well, you saved mine. I guess that
makes us even."
He eyed me, his face troubled. He opened his mouth, quickly closing it again.
He sighed, and I couldn't help but wonder what he had been about to say.
Finally, he said, "Thank you, Catherine. I won't forget this.....ever."
I stared at him, my heart beating so fast, I was sure he could hear it.
Looking in his eyes, I saw things that scared me. Things.......I couldn't
accept. Not from him. Not anymore....
Quickly, I looked away, pulling my hand from his. I pushed my hair behind my
ear, desperately wanting to hide behind it.
Clearing my throat, I asked him, "Are you hungry?" Then I cursed my
stupidity. "Of course you're hungry. You haven't eaten in 3 days. God, how
stupid am I? You are probably starving, and here I am, asking you stupid ass
questions. Let me find something for you. Nothing too heavy though. Not right
now. Probably granola bars for now. And water. You need to hydrate your body
again," I said, rambling. I started to stand up, but Vincent reached out,
grasping my hand again.
"I think that is the most you have said to me in years without bitching me
out while doing it," he said with a smirk. I felt my face heat up.
"To be fair, the last half of that speech wasn't really directed
towards you," I told him. He smiled again, and I realized he was teasing me.
"So, can I sit up now, or am I expected to eat lying on my stomach?" he asked
me, winking. God, is he flirting with me? Heat pooled in my belly.
I couldn't breathe. I couldn't meet his eyes. What the hell is the matter
with me? This is Vincent! I took a deep breath, meeting his
eyes. "Eat with your toes for all I care," I bit out at him.
Vincent's eyes widened, caught off guard by the venom in my voice. I was
immediately ashamed of myself. He's literally just woken up from a seriously
life-threatening injury. I shouldn't be treating him like this. I can't seem to
help it though. While he was unconscious, I allowed myself to forget the bad
blood between us. I allowed myself to feel pity for him. I won't make that
mistake again. Now that he is awake, I need to put the wall back up between us.
I can't let him lull me with falseness. I can't forget what he did to me 4 years
ago. What was still happening to me now.
"Andddddddd.......the bitch is back. I was wondering when she would
make another appearance. I guess I should be grateful that you healed me,
instead of killing me while I couldn't fight back. Thanks for that," his voice
hard, his face expressionless. Suddenly, it felt like the first part of our
conversation had never even happened.
"Well, I need you to keep us alive. It was self preservation, really...." I
told him.
He sat up slowly, and I resisted the urge to reach out and help him. Don't
show him any more compassion. He got into a seated position, making sure to
keep his distance from me. Once he was completely upright, and didn't look like
he was going to topple back over, he asked, "Will I get my head ripped off if I
ask for a granola bar and some water? That took more energy than I thought it
would."
I stood up, and walked over to the food. I grabbed a couple bars and one of
the bottles of water. I walked back over to him, tossing them in his lap. "Only
cause I don't feel like lifting your heavy ass if you keel over again."
He ate the bars slowly, alternating bites with sips of water. I kept my
distance from him, needing the space between us. I was more confused than I
wanted to feel like. While he was out, I allowed myself to worry about him....to
care about him.
This place is screwing with my head. We have been stuck out here for almost a
week. In all that time, I haven't seen one other living thing, except for that
damn bear. That's it. That's why I feel like this. It's that Stockholm thing.
Has to be. Vincent has bullied me for years. It's from dealing with the
emotional trauma all these years.
Yes.......that's all it is............
#------------------------------
When bedtime rolled around, I watched Vincent make his way slowly to the
tent. I followed behind him, dragging the sleeping bag. He sat down outside the
tent, waiting as I laid out the bag inside. Once that was done, he crawled
inside slowly, laying down on his side. He looked up at me, a question in his
eyes.
"Ummmm........you get some rest. I'll.....uh.......be outside if you need
me," I told him. I crawled toward the door.
"Stay......please?" I heard behind me. I turned my head to look back at
Vincent. "I promise to behave myself," he added.
"Vincent....." I started to say, but he cut me off.
"Catherine.......I know you hate me. I know that......helping me wasn't what
you wanted to do. I get that you need me alive, so I just.....want to say that I
really do appreciate what you did for me. I want us to be friends again, but I
also realize that probably won't ever happen. But.....as long as we're stuck
here, can we call a truce? Please? I promise to leave you alone. I promise to
stay away from you. And.......once we get back to civilization........"
"Once we get back to civilization what?" I asked him.
He swallowed hard. His head dropped. "We can go back to the way it was
before. We can forget everything that happens here," he whispered. "I
just.......I don't want to fight with you anymore."
I was shocked. Was he being serious? I didn't know how to respond. I didn't
know how to react.
Vincent looked at me, his mouth in a flat line. He sighed. "Just....forget
it. Do what you want to do. I'm going to sleep. Good night," he said. He rolled
the other way, so his back was to me.
I bit my lip, indecision racking through me. Backing out of the tent, I made
my way over to the fire. Quietly, I banked it. As I watched the low embers
flicker, I sighed. God.......I'm such a bitch. I glanced at the tent,
sighing again. My legs were moving before I even fully realized it.
Opening the door, I crawled inside. Vincent still had his back to me, his
breathing even. Drawing a deep breath, I pulled back a corner of the sleeping
bag, and slipped inside. I pressed up against Vincent's back, being careful to
not hit the bear scratches. I felt his breathing catch, and then he turned his
head to look at me. "Hi......" he whispered.
"Hi......" I whispered back. I swallowed hard. "I can't be your friend,
Vincent. Not.....not after everything that's happened. I'm sorry. I just.......I
don't trust you. Not anymore."
His head nodded. "I get it."
"But......I don't wanna fight anymore either. So......I agree to your
truce."
His head turned further. His eyes clashed with mine. A million emotions
seemed to pass between us. "I feel like we are in this constant loop. We
fight.....we get along......we fight.....we get along. I don't know what to do
anymore. I just want us......." he cut himself off. I watched him. Finally, he
said, "Forget it. Tomorrow is a new day. Let's just.....go to sleep. Today had
been rather.....eye opening." He turned his head back around, so he faced the
tent wall again.
I listened as his breathing evened out again, indicating he had fallen asleep
again. I stared at his back in the darkness. I sighed. He was more right than I
cared to admit. We are in a constant loop. I just.......don't know to get
out of it.
Closing my eyes, I whispered into the dark, "Good night....."
#---------------------------------------
Disclaimer: These characters are owned by CBS
and the CW network. I mean no infringement of any sort and am only using the
characters for personal enjoyment and for others to enjoy as
well!
DISCLAIMER: THIS FIC IS RATED M FOR LANGUAGE,
CONSENSUAL SEX, AND REFERENCES TO VIOLENCE. IF YOU ARE UNDER 18, SCRAM! IT IS
NOT MY JOB TO POLICE WHAT YOU ARE READING! IF YOU DON'T WANT TO READ IT, SCRAM!
I WON'T TOLERATE BULLYING!
This story is told from Catherine's POV, in the first person. May throw in
Vincent's POV down the line.
#---------
Chapter 12
My relief knew no bounds. I wanted so badly to hug Vincent, but I knew he
probably wouldn't appreciate me doing that. Instead, I gripped his hand in mine
loosely, ready to pull it away quickly if he objected. To my surprise, he
gripped my hand tight, and gave me a weak smile.
"How long......?" he asked me. I knew what he was asking.
"Almost 3 days. Your back got infected. I didn't know what to do. I was so
scared. Then I remembered when that ranger came to school, and taught us about
the plants and such."
Vincent met my eyes. His blinked several times, before a smile curved on his
lips. "You saved my life."
I chuckled lightly. Quietly, I said, "Well, you saved mine. I guess that
makes us even."
He eyed me, his face troubled. He opened his mouth, quickly closing it again.
He sighed, and I couldn't help but wonder what he had been about to say.
Finally, he said, "Thank you, Catherine. I won't forget this.....ever."
I stared at him, my heart beating so fast, I was sure he could hear it.
Looking in his eyes, I saw things that scared me. Things.......I couldn't
accept. Not from him. Not anymore....
Quickly, I looked away, pulling my hand from his. I pushed my hair behind my
ear, desperately wanting to hide behind it.
Clearing my throat, I asked him, "Are you hungry?" Then I cursed my
stupidity. "Of course you're hungry. You haven't eaten in 3 days. God, how
stupid am I? You are probably starving, and here I am, asking you stupid ass
questions. Let me find something for you. Nothing too heavy though. Not right
now. Probably granola bars for now. And water. You need to hydrate your body
again," I said, rambling. I started to stand up, but Vincent reached out,
grasping my hand again.
"I think that is the most you have said to me in years without bitching me
out while doing it," he said with a smirk. I felt my face heat up.
"To be fair, the last half of that speech wasn't really directed
towards you," I told him. He smiled again, and I realized he was teasing me.
"So, can I sit up now, or am I expected to eat lying on my stomach?" he asked
me, winking. God, is he flirting with me? Heat pooled in my belly.
I couldn't breathe. I couldn't meet his eyes. What the hell is the matter
with me? This is Vincent! I took a deep breath, meeting his
eyes. "Eat with your toes for all I care," I bit out at him.
Vincent's eyes widened, caught off guard by the venom in my voice. I was
immediately ashamed of myself. He's literally just woken up from a seriously
life-threatening injury. I shouldn't be treating him like this. I can't seem to
help it though. While he was unconscious, I allowed myself to forget the bad
blood between us. I allowed myself to feel pity for him. I won't make that
mistake again. Now that he is awake, I need to put the wall back up between us.
I can't let him lull me with falseness. I can't forget what he did to me 4 years
ago. What was still happening to me now.
"Andddddddd.......the bitch is back. I was wondering when she would
make another appearance. I guess I should be grateful that you healed me,
instead of killing me while I couldn't fight back. Thanks for that," his voice
hard, his face expressionless. Suddenly, it felt like the first part of our
conversation had never even happened.
"Well, I need you to keep us alive. It was self preservation, really...." I
told him.
He sat up slowly, and I resisted the urge to reach out and help him. Don't
show him any more compassion. He got into a seated position, making sure to
keep his distance from me. Once he was completely upright, and didn't look like
he was going to topple back over, he asked, "Will I get my head ripped off if I
ask for a granola bar and some water? That took more energy than I thought it
would."
I stood up, and walked over to the food. I grabbed a couple bars and one of
the bottles of water. I walked back over to him, tossing them in his lap. "Only
cause I don't feel like lifting your heavy ass if you keel over again."
He ate the bars slowly, alternating bites with sips of water. I kept my
distance from him, needing the space between us. I was more confused than I
wanted to feel like. While he was out, I allowed myself to worry about him....to
care about him.
This place is screwing with my head. We have been stuck out here for almost a
week. In all that time, I haven't seen one other living thing, except for that
damn bear. That's it. That's why I feel like this. It's that Stockholm thing.
Has to be. Vincent has bullied me for years. It's from dealing with the
emotional trauma all these years.
Yes.......that's all it is............
#------------------------------
When bedtime rolled around, I watched Vincent make his way slowly to the
tent. I followed behind him, dragging the sleeping bag. He sat down outside the
tent, waiting as I laid out the bag inside. Once that was done, he crawled
inside slowly, laying down on his side. He looked up at me, a question in his
eyes.
"Ummmm........you get some rest. I'll.....uh.......be outside if you need
me," I told him. I crawled toward the door.
"Stay......please?" I heard behind me. I turned my head to look back at
Vincent. "I promise to behave myself," he added.
"Vincent....." I started to say, but he cut me off.
"Catherine.......I know you hate me. I know that......helping me wasn't what
you wanted to do. I get that you need me alive, so I just.....want to say that I
really do appreciate what you did for me. I want us to be friends again, but I
also realize that probably won't ever happen. But.....as long as we're stuck
here, can we call a truce? Please? I promise to leave you alone. I promise to
stay away from you. And.......once we get back to civilization........"
"Once we get back to civilization what?" I asked him.
He swallowed hard. His head dropped. "We can go back to the way it was
before. We can forget everything that happens here," he whispered. "I
just.......I don't want to fight with you anymore."
I was shocked. Was he being serious? I didn't know how to respond. I didn't
know how to react.
Vincent looked at me, his mouth in a flat line. He sighed. "Just....forget
it. Do what you want to do. I'm going to sleep. Good night," he said. He rolled
the other way, so his back was to me.
I bit my lip, indecision racking through me. Backing out of the tent, I made
my way over to the fire. Quietly, I banked it. As I watched the low embers
flicker, I sighed. God.......I'm such a bitch. I glanced at the tent,
sighing again. My legs were moving before I even fully realized it.
Opening the door, I crawled inside. Vincent still had his back to me, his
breathing even. Drawing a deep breath, I pulled back a corner of the sleeping
bag, and slipped inside. I pressed up against Vincent's back, being careful to
not hit the bear scratches. I felt his breathing catch, and then he turned his
head to look at me. "Hi......" he whispered.
"Hi......" I whispered back. I swallowed hard. "I can't be your friend,
Vincent. Not.....not after everything that's happened. I'm sorry. I just.......I
don't trust you. Not anymore."
His head nodded. "I get it."
"But......I don't wanna fight anymore either. So......I agree to your
truce."
His head turned further. His eyes clashed with mine. A million emotions
seemed to pass between us. "I feel like we are in this constant loop. We
fight.....we get along......we fight.....we get along. I don't know what to do
anymore. I just want us......." he cut himself off. I watched him. Finally, he
said, "Forget it. Tomorrow is a new day. Let's just.....go to sleep. Today had
been rather.....eye opening." He turned his head back around, so he faced the
tent wall again.
I listened as his breathing evened out again, indicating he had fallen asleep
again. I stared at his back in the darkness. I sighed. He was more right than I
cared to admit. We are in a constant loop. I just.......don't know to get
out of it.
Closing my eyes, I whispered into the dark, "Good night....."
#---------------------------------------