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~ TM - VH and Anna - back to Rome ~
((TM - post-Wendigo - continued from here))
**They're still in Venice**
VH: *kisses her again*
Anna: *kisses him back softly, all too aware of her heart in the palm of his hand*
VH: *doesn't stop - b/c he can't think of anything to say*
Anna: *pulls away after a long moment, breathless.*
VH: *doesn't move; just breathes*
Anna: *just looks up at him, at a loss for words--praying that he can't hear her heart pounding...*
VH: *he probably could hear hers if his wasn't throbbing in his ears* Um... *is all he can manage*
Anna: *a small giggle escapes her lips. This is comical, to a point.*
VH: *closes his eyes for a moment, collecting his thoughts and* Are you hungry? *is the first thing that leaps from his mouth; he almost slams his head against the wall, but figures that would look really ridiculous, thus, he refrains*
Anna:*begins to laugh--she cannot contain herself. She shakes her head, pressing a hand to her mouth as she raises her eyebrows to him apologetically, but is unsuccessul in her attempts to control her wits.*
VH: *blinks, confused - he thinks - then begins to back away*
Anna: *reaches for his arm, pulling him back to her, and brushes her lips against his*
VH: *kisses her back for a moment, then pulls away again* All right, I'm really confused now, but is this going somewhere, or are we just playing?
Anna: *blinks*
VH: What?
Anna: *hasn't been able to form a clear thought for quite some time now...and is, as a result, without an answer.*
VH: *thinks - this is going well*
Anna: *looks away, a bit embarassed*
VH: *turns away, pushing a hand through his hair - not sure what he should do now*
Anna: *takes another breath, closes her eyes for a moment, and tries to clear her mind*
VH: *closes his eyes and rubs his face with one hand*
Anna: Have I said something?
VH: Pardon? *turns around - looks a little tired*
Anna: Did I say something wrong?
VH: What? No.
Anna: *nods*
VH: Okay, you do know that sometimes non-verbal communication doesn't work, right?
Anna: *merely quirks an eyebrow tauntingly*
VH: *smirks and moves to sit on the bed*
Anna: We both need to improve on that area. *sits own next to him*
VH: Something like that.
Anna: *smiles faintly, and is quiet for a moment* *suddenly* My head doesn't hurt anymore.
VH: That's good. Can't really say the same for my leg. It's not as bad, but still - painful when I stand for too long.
Anna: Are you certain it's...alright?
VH: Yeah. Just sore.
Anna: *nods comprehendingly* Do you think I could risk sleeping yet?
VH: *blinks* Yeah. I think you're all right now. *stands and moves away, turning to face her*
Anna: *looks up at him*
VH: Now what?
Anna: You tell me. *exhausted--though would never admit to it. At least, not in a straightforward manner.*
VH: I thought you wanted to sleep?
Anna: Perhaps.
VH: So, sleep. I'm not tired.
Anna: *doesn't need convinced any further. She situates herself, and curls up, closing her eyes. Her manner is almost joking...though, not quite.*
VH: *corner of his mouth quirks up* Did you want me to stay with you?
Anna: *murmurs* If you want.
VH: *sighs* Yes or no. *a pause, then* Please.
Anna: Yes.
VH: Thank you. *straightforward answers are so nice* *he crosses to the bed and sits, settling with his back against the wall where a headboard would be if the bed had one* Come here. *motions for her to move closer*
Anna: *turns, nestling closer to him*
VH: *puts an arm around her and brushes a hand over her hair* Rest.
SCENE: *skip ahead - both are asleep*
Anna: *is jolted halfway from her sleep when she feels VH tense next to her. She ignores this...*
VH: *is not sleeping well - at all - tense is just the beginning; there's jerky movements, mumbled words, gasps, and minor thrashing, until he jerks so hard he pushes Anna across the bed and rolls out of the bed to his feet - breathing heavily*
Anna: *jumps up as well, immediately on the alert. She looks to VH, eyes wide*
VH: *still just breathing hard; doesn't speak; he's not even aware that Anna's there*
Anna: *A quick glance around the room tells her that there is nothing to be frightened of...that he has had a nightmare. Suddenly, this dawns on her, as a memory, tucked in the back of her mind, comes to surface. She moves closer to him, in an attempt to determine if he was entirely awake*
VH: *a hand snaps out to clamp around her neck; he's aware of something in the room, but still not completely out of the nightmare and fully aware of his actual surroundings*
Anna: *stands rigid, a wave of fear rising in her heart. She doesn't struggle--doesn't move....*
VH: *has a very defensive demeanor about him; stock still; hand on her throat; breathing heavy, deliberate; he's lost somewhere between the nightmare and reality*
Anna: *collects herself, and her hands go to his at her throat, pulling at his thumb in a way that will loosen his grip enough for her to breathe. From there, she can get away*
VH: *reflex - and he pulls her close against his body; her back to his chest, but his hand moves from her throat to lay across the front of her shoulders, holding her in place; it's more protective than agressive*
Anna: *Eyes still wide, and more than a little frightened, she begins to speak. She hesitates at first, then finally manages:* G-..Gabriel?
VH: *blinks, still staring across the room toward the wall that the bed is pushed against* Anna? *he sounds confused*
Anna: Yes. *her tone is still a bit shaky, and though she does not move, she wants to get away from him.*
VH: *more blinking; still staring* Where am I? *hazard of the job*
Anna: Venice. Inn
VH: *loosens arm around her shoulders, but doesn't quite let go* Venice?
Anna: *simply* Train needs repairs. Do you remember...?
VH: *breathing has regulated a bit* No. What are we doing?
Anna: Do you remember the Wendigo?
VH: *growls* Yes.
Anna: The train needed repairs...we're in Venice...*breaks free of his grasp, a sure sign that something is wrong. She stands facing him, at a safe distance.*
VH: *hand falls to his side* Anna... *lowers his head* *softly* I'm sorry.
Anna: *waits for him to continue-she's not sure where in time he is functioning, or what exactly he is apologizing for.*
VH: *takes a deep breath* You were trying to sleep... *it's half question; half statement*
Anna: Yes...
VH: *somehow knows he's only a couple inches from the wall, he leans against it and slides to the floor, elbows on knees, head in hands; says nothing*
Anna: *swallows, and makes her way to him, sinking to her knees beside him*
VH: *doesn't move; just focuses on breathing*
Anna: *reaches over to touch him, caressing his upper back consolingly* *Collected* I am fine.
VH: *jumps at her touch and is on his feet again; heavy breathing back*
Anna: *alarmed* Gabriel?
VH: *looks at her* Fine. *closes eyes* Just - don't... *almost cringes* touch me.
Anna: *perplexed, but respectful* All right. I won't. *pauses to see if her words will merit a response. If not, she will resort back to the 'If you want to know, ask' rule.*
VH: *blinks, breathes, clenches hands into fists* Venice, right?
Anna: Yes.
VH: Train? Wendigo?
Anna: Yes.
VH: *looks up at her* Sorry.
Anna: *simply* You are forgiven.
VH: *looks up* What?
Anna: *gently* You are forgiven.
VH: Oh. *frowns, confused* Thank you. *moves to the bed and sits down; head in hands, elbows on knees*
Anna: *is really concerned now* Gabriel, are you feeling ill?
VH: *head still down* No.
Anna: *Wants to reach out to him, but doesn't* Something is not right.
VH: *pushes fingers through his hair and clasps them at the back of his neck* I'm fine.
Anna: I worry for you. *looks at him, the pleading 'let me in' expression back in her eyes.*
VH: Really. *looks up* I'm fine. It'll pass.
Anna: What will pass?
VH: The fog in my head.
Anna: *nods, and sits down against the wall* We will wait, then.
VH: *narrows his eyes at her* You sure you don't want to sleep?
Anna: *shakes her head with a little too much conviction* Yes.
VH: *gets up from the bed and walks to the chair; sits* Go. Sleep.
Anna: I am not tired anymore.
VH: The sun's not up yet. And you should sleep.
Anna: *with a bit of an edge* I do not need to sleep.
VH: Why do you think that?
Anna: Why do you doubt?
VH: Why do we always stand around asking each other questions?
Anna: Why do you-*stops herself and throws her hands in the air in frustration*
VH: Anna... *stands and reaches out to, maybe, touch her, but pulls back*
Anna: *looks away for a moment, biting her lip, then turns back to him.* What, Gabriel? *said in a calmer, quiet tone*
VH: *takes a deep breath* The nightmares are worse now.
Anna: *expression softens considerably. She knows of nightmares.*
VH: *doesn't know what to say now*
Anna: What about?
VH: Everything.
Anna: Do you want to talk about.....?
VH: No. *he shakes his head* No.
Anna: *draws from experience* Is there anything specifically that causes them?
VH: *looks up at her* My work.
Anna: *purses her lips, and reaches out, then hesitates...*
VH: *narrows his eyes a little and tilts his head*
Anna: *looks away* I wish...
VH: Wish what?
Anna: There was something for me to do.
VH: How do you mean? You have... you can do anything you want.
Anna: To help you.
VH: I'm afraid you can't.
Anna: I know. *doesn't look back to him*
VH: Are you afraid of me? *is something he's quite afraid she will admit to being*
Anna: *Sharply* No.
VH: Why not? Why are you not afraid of me?
Anna: Gabriel...
VH: You don't know. I could return to Rome and they could tell me that I must kill you. That you should not be here. That it is wrong that you are alive. And did you know that if they tell me that, whether I love you or not will make no difference, I will have to kill you? I sense no evil, but that doesn't mean that they won't order me to do it.
Anna: *bites her lip again, blinking rapidly* Gabriel...
VH: What? *almost snapped, not quite, but it's more harsh than usual*
Anna: *looks away again, with a slight shake of her head*
VH: Look at me, Anna.
Anna: *looks back to him*
VH: Do you understand? *voice calmer now*
Anna: I do. And I still...*stops herself before she says the final two words*
VH: You still what?
Anna: *quietly, looking away again* Love you.
VH: I know.
Anna: Do you?
VH: Yes.
Anna: And I'm willing to take that risk.
VH: You're willing to risk death - again - to stay?
Anna: Yes.
VH: Then you are stronger than I am.
Anna: *looks at him questioningly*
VH: *doesn't look away* I don't know that I could continue, do what I must, knowing that, one day, they might find out you're here and tell me to do something I don't think I could do. *yeah, vague-ish and non-committal much?*
Anna: I understand. *She would not be able to take his life, if she were in his place instead*
VH: *uncertain* What do we do now?
**They're still in Venice**
VH: *kisses her again*
Anna: *kisses him back softly, all too aware of her heart in the palm of his hand*
VH: *doesn't stop - b/c he can't think of anything to say*
Anna: *pulls away after a long moment, breathless.*
VH: *doesn't move; just breathes*
Anna: *just looks up at him, at a loss for words--praying that he can't hear her heart pounding...*
VH: *he probably could hear hers if his wasn't throbbing in his ears* Um... *is all he can manage*
Anna: *a small giggle escapes her lips. This is comical, to a point.*
VH: *closes his eyes for a moment, collecting his thoughts and* Are you hungry? *is the first thing that leaps from his mouth; he almost slams his head against the wall, but figures that would look really ridiculous, thus, he refrains*
Anna:*begins to laugh--she cannot contain herself. She shakes her head, pressing a hand to her mouth as she raises her eyebrows to him apologetically, but is unsuccessul in her attempts to control her wits.*
VH: *blinks, confused - he thinks - then begins to back away*
Anna: *reaches for his arm, pulling him back to her, and brushes her lips against his*
VH: *kisses her back for a moment, then pulls away again* All right, I'm really confused now, but is this going somewhere, or are we just playing?
Anna: *blinks*
VH: What?
Anna: *hasn't been able to form a clear thought for quite some time now...and is, as a result, without an answer.*
VH: *thinks - this is going well*
Anna: *looks away, a bit embarassed*
VH: *turns away, pushing a hand through his hair - not sure what he should do now*
Anna: *takes another breath, closes her eyes for a moment, and tries to clear her mind*
VH: *closes his eyes and rubs his face with one hand*
Anna: Have I said something?
VH: Pardon? *turns around - looks a little tired*
Anna: Did I say something wrong?
VH: What? No.
Anna: *nods*
VH: Okay, you do know that sometimes non-verbal communication doesn't work, right?
Anna: *merely quirks an eyebrow tauntingly*
VH: *smirks and moves to sit on the bed*
Anna: We both need to improve on that area. *sits own next to him*
VH: Something like that.
Anna: *smiles faintly, and is quiet for a moment* *suddenly* My head doesn't hurt anymore.
VH: That's good. Can't really say the same for my leg. It's not as bad, but still - painful when I stand for too long.
Anna: Are you certain it's...alright?
VH: Yeah. Just sore.
Anna: *nods comprehendingly* Do you think I could risk sleeping yet?
VH: *blinks* Yeah. I think you're all right now. *stands and moves away, turning to face her*
Anna: *looks up at him*
VH: Now what?
Anna: You tell me. *exhausted--though would never admit to it. At least, not in a straightforward manner.*
VH: I thought you wanted to sleep?
Anna: Perhaps.
VH: So, sleep. I'm not tired.
Anna: *doesn't need convinced any further. She situates herself, and curls up, closing her eyes. Her manner is almost joking...though, not quite.*
VH: *corner of his mouth quirks up* Did you want me to stay with you?
Anna: *murmurs* If you want.
VH: *sighs* Yes or no. *a pause, then* Please.
Anna: Yes.
VH: Thank you. *straightforward answers are so nice* *he crosses to the bed and sits, settling with his back against the wall where a headboard would be if the bed had one* Come here. *motions for her to move closer*
Anna: *turns, nestling closer to him*
VH: *puts an arm around her and brushes a hand over her hair* Rest.
SCENE: *skip ahead - both are asleep*
Anna: *is jolted halfway from her sleep when she feels VH tense next to her. She ignores this...*
VH: *is not sleeping well - at all - tense is just the beginning; there's jerky movements, mumbled words, gasps, and minor thrashing, until he jerks so hard he pushes Anna across the bed and rolls out of the bed to his feet - breathing heavily*
Anna: *jumps up as well, immediately on the alert. She looks to VH, eyes wide*
VH: *still just breathing hard; doesn't speak; he's not even aware that Anna's there*
Anna: *A quick glance around the room tells her that there is nothing to be frightened of...that he has had a nightmare. Suddenly, this dawns on her, as a memory, tucked in the back of her mind, comes to surface. She moves closer to him, in an attempt to determine if he was entirely awake*
VH: *a hand snaps out to clamp around her neck; he's aware of something in the room, but still not completely out of the nightmare and fully aware of his actual surroundings*
Anna: *stands rigid, a wave of fear rising in her heart. She doesn't struggle--doesn't move....*
VH: *has a very defensive demeanor about him; stock still; hand on her throat; breathing heavy, deliberate; he's lost somewhere between the nightmare and reality*
Anna: *collects herself, and her hands go to his at her throat, pulling at his thumb in a way that will loosen his grip enough for her to breathe. From there, she can get away*
VH: *reflex - and he pulls her close against his body; her back to his chest, but his hand moves from her throat to lay across the front of her shoulders, holding her in place; it's more protective than agressive*
Anna: *Eyes still wide, and more than a little frightened, she begins to speak. She hesitates at first, then finally manages:* G-..Gabriel?
VH: *blinks, still staring across the room toward the wall that the bed is pushed against* Anna? *he sounds confused*
Anna: Yes. *her tone is still a bit shaky, and though she does not move, she wants to get away from him.*
VH: *more blinking; still staring* Where am I? *hazard of the job*
Anna: Venice. Inn
VH: *loosens arm around her shoulders, but doesn't quite let go* Venice?
Anna: *simply* Train needs repairs. Do you remember...?
VH: *breathing has regulated a bit* No. What are we doing?
Anna: Do you remember the Wendigo?
VH: *growls* Yes.
Anna: The train needed repairs...we're in Venice...*breaks free of his grasp, a sure sign that something is wrong. She stands facing him, at a safe distance.*
VH: *hand falls to his side* Anna... *lowers his head* *softly* I'm sorry.
Anna: *waits for him to continue-she's not sure where in time he is functioning, or what exactly he is apologizing for.*
VH: *takes a deep breath* You were trying to sleep... *it's half question; half statement*
Anna: Yes...
VH: *somehow knows he's only a couple inches from the wall, he leans against it and slides to the floor, elbows on knees, head in hands; says nothing*
Anna: *swallows, and makes her way to him, sinking to her knees beside him*
VH: *doesn't move; just focuses on breathing*
Anna: *reaches over to touch him, caressing his upper back consolingly* *Collected* I am fine.
VH: *jumps at her touch and is on his feet again; heavy breathing back*
Anna: *alarmed* Gabriel?
VH: *looks at her* Fine. *closes eyes* Just - don't... *almost cringes* touch me.
Anna: *perplexed, but respectful* All right. I won't. *pauses to see if her words will merit a response. If not, she will resort back to the 'If you want to know, ask' rule.*
VH: *blinks, breathes, clenches hands into fists* Venice, right?
Anna: Yes.
VH: Train? Wendigo?
Anna: Yes.
VH: *looks up at her* Sorry.
Anna: *simply* You are forgiven.
VH: *looks up* What?
Anna: *gently* You are forgiven.
VH: Oh. *frowns, confused* Thank you. *moves to the bed and sits down; head in hands, elbows on knees*
Anna: *is really concerned now* Gabriel, are you feeling ill?
VH: *head still down* No.
Anna: *Wants to reach out to him, but doesn't* Something is not right.
VH: *pushes fingers through his hair and clasps them at the back of his neck* I'm fine.
Anna: I worry for you. *looks at him, the pleading 'let me in' expression back in her eyes.*
VH: Really. *looks up* I'm fine. It'll pass.
Anna: What will pass?
VH: The fog in my head.
Anna: *nods, and sits down against the wall* We will wait, then.
VH: *narrows his eyes at her* You sure you don't want to sleep?
Anna: *shakes her head with a little too much conviction* Yes.
VH: *gets up from the bed and walks to the chair; sits* Go. Sleep.
Anna: I am not tired anymore.
VH: The sun's not up yet. And you should sleep.
Anna: *with a bit of an edge* I do not need to sleep.
VH: Why do you think that?
Anna: Why do you doubt?
VH: Why do we always stand around asking each other questions?
Anna: Why do you-*stops herself and throws her hands in the air in frustration*
VH: Anna... *stands and reaches out to, maybe, touch her, but pulls back*
Anna: *looks away for a moment, biting her lip, then turns back to him.* What, Gabriel? *said in a calmer, quiet tone*
VH: *takes a deep breath* The nightmares are worse now.
Anna: *expression softens considerably. She knows of nightmares.*
VH: *doesn't know what to say now*
Anna: What about?
VH: Everything.
Anna: Do you want to talk about.....?
VH: No. *he shakes his head* No.
Anna: *draws from experience* Is there anything specifically that causes them?
VH: *looks up at her* My work.
Anna: *purses her lips, and reaches out, then hesitates...*
VH: *narrows his eyes a little and tilts his head*
Anna: *looks away* I wish...
VH: Wish what?
Anna: There was something for me to do.
VH: How do you mean? You have... you can do anything you want.
Anna: To help you.
VH: I'm afraid you can't.
Anna: I know. *doesn't look back to him*
VH: Are you afraid of me? *is something he's quite afraid she will admit to being*
Anna: *Sharply* No.
VH: Why not? Why are you not afraid of me?
Anna: Gabriel...
VH: You don't know. I could return to Rome and they could tell me that I must kill you. That you should not be here. That it is wrong that you are alive. And did you know that if they tell me that, whether I love you or not will make no difference, I will have to kill you? I sense no evil, but that doesn't mean that they won't order me to do it.
Anna: *bites her lip again, blinking rapidly* Gabriel...
VH: What? *almost snapped, not quite, but it's more harsh than usual*
Anna: *looks away again, with a slight shake of her head*
VH: Look at me, Anna.
Anna: *looks back to him*
VH: Do you understand? *voice calmer now*
Anna: I do. And I still...*stops herself before she says the final two words*
VH: You still what?
Anna: *quietly, looking away again* Love you.
VH: I know.
Anna: Do you?
VH: Yes.
Anna: And I'm willing to take that risk.
VH: You're willing to risk death - again - to stay?
Anna: Yes.
VH: Then you are stronger than I am.
Anna: *looks at him questioningly*
VH: *doesn't look away* I don't know that I could continue, do what I must, knowing that, one day, they might find out you're here and tell me to do something I don't think I could do. *yeah, vague-ish and non-committal much?*
Anna: I understand. *She would not be able to take his life, if she were in his place instead*
VH: *uncertain* What do we do now?