h2_muses: doll modified to look like House leaning on his hand, sitting on a stair railing (VH2-z0mbiegirl)
h2_muses ([personal profile] h2_muses) wrote2004-12-30 09:16 pm

~ 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?


i_vanquish_evil: (VH-evilfear-struttrems)

[personal profile] i_vanquish_evil 2005-01-02 03:26 am (UTC)(link)
Anna: *pauses* Carl already knows.

VH: *rolls his eyes* Carl talks a lot too.

Anna: Meaning-?

VH: Never know what he might say.

Anna: That's...bad.

VH: It could be.

Anna: *is trying to think optimistically* But why would this 'Order' be threatened by my existence? They did send you to help me...before...did they not?

VH: Yes. But that was before you died. You've come back and unless they know something that we don't, they won't see it as a good thing.

Anna: *meets his eyes* I am not evil.

VH: Neither was the Frankenstein monster.

Anna: But I am human.

VH: Yes. And also formerly deceased.

Anna: *looks away again*

VH: *sighs* People are not known for returning from the dead.

Anna: Perhaps I was not meant to die in the first place.

VH: *softly* Perhaps.

Anna: I don't...I don't know what to think.

VH: That makes two of us.

Anna: What do you want to think?

VH: *turns away and pushes a hand through his hair* That I don't have to go back.

Anna: *crosses her arms, and leans her head against the back of the wall* That makes two of us.

VH: *just looks at her over his shoulder*

Anna: *looks back at him* I don't want to leave again.

VH: *narrows his eyes in question* Leave where?

Anna: Leave. Forever. *meaning, 'die'.*

VH: *lowers his eyes* *looks at the window* Sun's up.

Anna: *sighs-perhaps a bit relieved*

VH: You hungry? *still looking at the window*

Anna: I can't tell. *She tries to concentrate on feeling something other than numb.*

VH: What's wrong?

Anna: *She can't find the word she needs, so she simply looks at him, hoping to convey the overwhelming emotions inside of her.*

VH: *walks to her and puts his arms around her, not sure if it's what she wants or needs, but the only thing he can think to do*

Anna: *buries her face in the curve of his neck*

VH: *wishes he knew what to say*

Anna: *wraps her arms around him. She also is at a loss for words.*

Scene: Walking along the canals and over the little bridges. Past a little shop and they stop in a little place to have lunch.

Anna: *Resumes enjoying the sights of the city, but this time manages to keep a steady walking pace*

VH: *stops on a bridge and looks down into the small canal below; there's a gondola not far from where they're standing*

Anna: *pauses as well, taking in the sight, then looks up at him and repeats:* I like it here.

VH: *still looking into the canal* Yeah?

Anna: Yeah. *She smiles lightly, though he can't see her*

VH: *smiles, though she may not be able to see him*

Anna: *turns to him to make another comment, and sees his rare smile. Her's widens.* You should do that more often. Smile.

VH: *tilts his head a bit so she can't see the color rise in his cheeks*

Anna: *shakes her head at the tinge of colour in his face. She resists the urge to just...kiss him...but compromises by taking his hand in hers.*

VH: *looks up at her, draws her hand to his lips and kisses the backs of her fingers*

Anna: *Her smile turns soft* What are you thinking?

VH: *looking at her hand* That we should take a ride.

Anna: Lead on.

VH: *keeps her hand in his and leads her down to the gondola; asks the gondolier if they may, then helps Anna into the narrow boat*

Anna: *greets the gondolier and sits down, looking around at the buildings, then down at the water, and then back to VH, a light in her eyes.*

VH: *sits next to her and looks around* I was told you're supposed to do this here. *he tells her*

(( cont next post ))
i_vanquish_evil: (VH-evilfear-struttrems)

[personal profile] i_vanquish_evil 2005-01-02 03:26 am (UTC)(link)
* cue: gondolier paddling through the canals *

Anna: By whom?

VH: *he kinda glares* Carl.

Anna: Ah.

VH: He reads a lot.

Anna: He can read all that he wants. We are the ones who are here.

VH: Yes, we are.

Anna: *she looks back out to the water* Thank you.

VH: *he nods and settles into his seat, just - relaxing - which, he doesn't think he's ever done before*

** on the Grande Canale **

Anna: *points suddenly* Is that 'your' church?

VH: *looks up; laughs* No. That's San Marco. 'My' church is much smaller and much farther back on the mainland.

Anna: Oh. *smiles a bit sheepishly*

VH: *grins a bit* It's okay. The square there, behind the church, floods in the evenings. *yeah, he *really* lied about that previous trip to Venice*

Anna: *quirks an eyebrow*

VH: What?

Anna: How many times have you been to Venice?

VH: Just once.

Anna: And all you saw was the back of a church, and the kitchen at the Inn? *A bit teasingly*

VH: *shrugs* Might've had to run through a flooded square.

Anna: *laughs and shakes her head* Right.

VH: Demons and vampires don't care if your feet get wet.

Anna: No. No, I suppose they don't.

VH: And since vampires are only out at night...

Anna: *smirks* We don't have to worry about them.

VH: Actually, I was going to say, that's why I'd be running through a flooded square, but yours works too.


(( to be cont ))