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The Phoenix Ch. 01

By: curiouskatty



Hello!

Sorry I've been gone for so long. Y'all know how life goes. A special thanks to my super amazing editor. Feel Free to leave constructive feedback if you please. Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoy it! 

*

My toes are going numb.

Erin Wright stared down at her thin boots, soaked through by the snow. She wiggled her numbing toes, willing them back to life. She frowned at the creeping stiffness. She did the same with the fingers in her left hand. They were stiff as well, but for an entirely different reason.

My toes are going numb. And Morgan is late.

Erin sighed and looked over her shoulder at the motel. She squinted and flicked moisture off her glasses. The lights were off, except the flashing 'No Vacancies' sign.

Why did I even look back?

She knew there'd be no more rooms. She'd personally given up her room when Morgan called to promise her a ride home.

But now she's late and my toes are going numb.

Erin wrapped her arms around herself and sighed, annoyed. She pulled her cell phone from her pocket and sighed again at the lack of messages or calls. The temperature was dropping and she knew it was about to start snowing again.

I would get discharged in the winter. Just my fucking luck.

Erin tilted her head back and closed her eyes. She inhaled deeply through her nose, the cold air spiking her senses. She took deep breaths, calming her anger. In the midst of her meditation, a bright light disrupted her. Erin opened her eyes and saw Morgan's black Toyota Camry come cruising to a stop in front of her. She sighed once more before grabbing her duffle bag and hurrying into the car.

"I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry!" Morgan chanted the moment her sister opened the car door. "I was busy with Dannie and I completely lost track of time! I swear I'd planned to meet you here on time, I swear."

"Eh, don't sweat it. You were with your daughter. I can't complain about you taking care of my niece." Erin smiled and reached over to hug her driver.

The sisters held one another, clinging tight, eyes closed, drenched in relief.

"I missed you mini-me." Morgan whispered. She pulled back and eyed her younger sister, trying to hold back tears.

"I missed you too big-me. But none of that." Erin touched her sister's cheek, swiping away a falling tear.

"I'm here now. No longer on active duty as of 2 days ago. I'm here to stay Morgan. Ok? I'm not going anywhere."

"Yeah." Morgan held Erin's shoulders at arm's length, examining her, scrutinizing her. "And how are you taking that? Not going back and all?"

Erin pursed her lips into a tense smile. "I'm fine."

Morgan was tempted to press her about it, but decided not to. She hugged Erin to her one more time before pulling away and driving off. Erin rested her head on the passenger glass window and closed her eyes. She was asleep before any of the bad thoughts came creeping in.

--------------------------------------------------

"Slow down honey! There's plenty more where that came from." Morgan laughed.

Erin scarfed down the eggs and bacon, muting out Morgan's objections. She grabbed the syrup, slathering her pancakes, letting it drip onto the bacon. Morgan wrinkled her nose at her.

"What, didn't they feed you in the military?" Morgan asked jokingly.

Erin shook her head and swallowed. "Not like this. God damn, I missed your cooking. So fucking much." She forked more syrupy bacon and filled her mouth. She chuckled when Morgan wrinkled her nose again.

"You planning to get fat now that your home?"

"Yes. Definitely. Where's baby girl at?"

"Still sleeping. She wanted to wait up to greet her aunty but she was knocked out by the time we got here. She'll be up to see you soon."

Morgan waited and watched Erin eat. She wanted to reach out and touch her short hair, but refrained. Erin cleaned her plate and sat back, grateful.

"Ok Morgan. Lay it on me."

"What?" Morgan tilted her head.

"Whatever it is you're itching to talk to me about. What is it?"

Morgan looked down and played with her fingers. "Well um, Erin, honey, I was just wondering if you'd given any thought to what you wanted to do since you won't be going overseas anymore."

Erin frowned. "No. Why?"

"What do you mean why? Erin you're going to have to do something. You're only 25. You have so much of your life ahead of you."

"Not according to the United States Marines, I don't."

"Of course you do! Just because you're not serving anymore doesn't mean you can just sit down and die."

"I wish I had died." Erin mumbled under her breath.

"What?" asked Morgan.

"Nothing." Erin said back quietly. She copied her sister's habit, looking down at her entwined fingers before she spoke. "Look Morgan, if you don't have any room for me, I can go. I mean I'm not exactly broke and there are all these benefits I get since I'm now technically a 'veteran.' I could go if you want. You have a kid to look after all on your own. I would completely understand, since, well, you know."

"You will do no such thing!" Morgan said suddenly. 

"I have waited 6 years to get my sister back. And now you here. Your safe and sound and that's all I've ever wanted."

The corners of Erin's mouth turned up. "Well I'm not exactly sound." She said, patting her right thigh, then the frame of her glasses.

"Whatever. Erin, I love you and I've missed you something fierce. I only ask about your future because I know how much being a marine meant to you and I'm worried about how you're going to be now."

"I'm not exactly sure yet, honestly." Erin said, shrugging. "I mean, it was my plan to be in the service for the rest of my life. Serve and rise in the ranks. But now that plan is shot to hell. I was hoping for some time to figure it out."

Morgan grabbed her hand.

"Take all the time you need mini-me. And until you're sure, you're staying here with me. No arguments. I've got plenty of room and I want you here. Dannie wants you here. I want to look after you, like a big sister should."

"Morgan you don't have to look after me. I'm fine. I'm not even in any pain."

"Well maybe not at this second. I'm going to take you to the vet hospital sometime this week for your leg and your eyes and arm. And then we are going to book your meetings with the psych guy."

Erin grimaced.

Morgan saw it and tightened her grip on Erin's hand. "You're going to see a doctor Erin. They said you have PTSD, along with all your other injuries. You HAVE to see a doctor."

Erin tried to pull her hand away, but Morgan refused to let go. "Erin, I'm not going to make you tell me everything. I'm not going to try and dissect all the bad shit you went through over there. But I also won't let you bottle it all up and end you hurting yourself because of it. The psych guys the military have are experts at helping people like you."

"People like me?" Erin smirked. "The war crazies?"

"No." Morgan said sharply. "The people who had to endure over and over and over again and need a little help getting back up from it. It's just a little help. That's all. Ok?"

Erin just nodded.

"Promise you'll try and cooperate with them? For me? I'll sleep better at night knowing that you're sleeping better at night too."

Erin looked at Morgan saw a world of worry in her sister's eyes. She bit her lip, the guilt crawling in her throat.

"Ok. I'll get the help."

Morgan sighed contently and patted the back of Erin's hand before letting go. It was something Morgan had picked up from their mother. Erin touched the back of her hand fondly.

Morgan got up, grabbed Erin's plate and went into the kitchen. "Still hungry?" She called out.

Erin rubbed her hand again and looked up. "Fuck yeah!"

Just then, a high pitch squeal caught their attention. 9-year-old Dannie Wright came barreling down the stairs.

"Aunty Erin!" She screamed as she launched her 

small body into Erin's open arms.

"Dannie girl!" Erin screamed back. She squeezed the little frame closer herself, relishing in the feel of her niece's arms around her neck.

"I missed you aunty! When did you get back! Are you ok? How long are you staying? Did you miss me? Did you miss mommy? What was it like? I really really missed you!"

Erin delighted in the little girl's multitude of questions. "Of course I missed you. I got back last night. I am perfectly fine sweetheart. I'm staying forever. I super-duper missed you. I super-duper missed your mom. It was bad but it's fine now and I really really missed you too!" Erin hugged Dannie again, closing her eyes, appreciating every second of it. She stroked Dannie's soft black curls and felt her breath on her ear. She pulled back and looked at the girl up and down, smiling at her Dora the Explorer pjs.

"And my have you grown! What grade are you in now?"

Dannie held up 4 fingers. "Fourth grade!"

"Really!" Erin acted taken aback. "Well my my my aren't you just a grown up little miss."

Morgan walked over then and set two full plates in front of Dannie and Erin. She bent down and kissed the top of her daughter's head.

"You came back just in time mini-me. You'll get to see little Dannie here in the upcoming Christmas play at school. Dannie's going to be the star of the show!"

"Mooommmm," Dannie groaned playfully, "I'm not the star. I'm just the narrator."

Morgan sat down across from her daughter. "But tell aunty Erin what your teacher said. Why you get a costume and everything."

Dannie blushed, her light brown cheeks pinking. "Mr. Evans says I have a big personality and that I'm chara-hara-"

"Charismatic." Morgan helped.

"Yeah! Charismatic! So I get to be the angel that tells the story. Do you think you could come watch me aunty?"

Erin looked up, tapping her chin with her finger. 

"Hhhmmm. I don't know. When is it?"

Dannie looked up at her aunt, her eye turning into big brown saucers. "In 2 weeks. Right before Christmas break. Please aunty! You have to come!"

"Of course I'm coming baby girl! I wouldn't miss it for the world!"

Dannie clapped in delight. She finally the noticed the food in front of her and began stuffing her face like her aunt had. Morgan shook her head.

"Slow down honey."

Dannie ignored her. Erin laughed and Morgan frowned at her before laughing too. Dannie swallowed and looked back at Erin. She frowned and poked a finger at her. "You're wearing glasses! You didn't have glasses last time. Are they new? When did you get them? Are you blind or something?"

"Hush now Dannie! Don't be rude." Morgan scolded her.

"No. It's ok big-me." Erin said before turning her attention back to Dannie.

"Yes the glasses are new. I got them 2 weeks ago. I'm not blind but I got hit really hard on the head while I was away and now I can't see as well as I used to."

"Was that when they blew you up aunty?"

Morgan was about to reprimand Dannie again, but Erin held up her hand.

"Yes honey. But they didn't blow me up. They tried and missed."

"The bad guys?" Dannie asked between a bite of bacon.

"Yeah, uh, the bad guys."

"I remember. Me and mommy were really worried about you. Mommy said you got hurt real bad but that God would take care of you and you would come home. And here you are!" Dannie chirped.

Erin sighed inwardly. "Yup. Here I am."

"Well I think the glasses look nice on you." Dannie complimented.

Erin stroked her hair and smiled. "Thank you sweet heart."

"Well I disagree." Morgan piped in. "Those frames do nothing for your face."

"What would you suggest?" Erin asked.

"Black vintage frames!"

Erin frowned again. "Those hipster lookin' ones? Why those?"

"You have a sweet round face. They would look cute on you! And make you look younger."

"Yeah!" Dannie agreed. "Those would look super awesome! You should get bright red ones! Or blue ones. Or purple ones! Or orange ones! Or green ones!"

Erin laughed. "Those are kind of expensive aren't they?"

"Yeah, but I got it. Call it an early Christmas gift. These loaner glasses have got to go. Since you refuse to wear contacts, some chic shades would do you good."

"Ok then." Erin submitted. "I'll get 'em. But only black ones. I don't wanna look too young. People will think I belong in school with Dannie."

The little girl shot her a look, which made her mother laugh. "What's wrong with my school? I have friends and a Christmas play and a pretty man-teacher."

Erin shot a sly grin at Morgan. "A pretty man teacher?"

"Yeah! Mr. Evans. Mommy says he's got a nice face. Like a pretty man." Dannie giggled.

Erin gave her sister an accusatory look.

Morgan held her hands up, palms out, in defense. 

"What? I couldn't help it. Her teacher does have a nice face. He has a nice everything."

Dannie groaned dramatically. "Mommy! That's so weird!"

The adult women laughed.

"Ok honey. No more pretty Mr. Evans talk."

--------------------------------------------------

Wyatt Evans held the cigarette in front of his face, frowning at it.

"I will NOT smoke you." he grumbled. He moved the cigarette between his fingers before returning it into his desk drawer. The kids would be back from recess soon and he didn't want them to see it. He stretched his long body in his chair, leaning back to stare at the colorful paper lanterns hanging from the ceiling. He smiled, remembering the fuss it took to teach the squirmy 9 year olds how to make the lanterns. But they turned out great. Each little lantern presented the children, who they were as individuals and what they love. He glanced over at the light green, dark green, and brown lantern and his smile faltered a bit. The lantern belonged to Dannie Wright. He remembered the day she'd made hers.

Everyone one else had finished their lanterns and gone to lunch. Wyatt had asked Dannie to stay behind, since she'd spent the time just staring down at her paper, looking like she was on the edge of tears all morning. And now, with everyone else gone, she let loose. Wyatt had walked over and knelt down at the next to her.

"Hey little D. Why are you crying?" Wyatt had asked the sniffling girl.

"Because my aunty got blown up." She'd whispered.

Wyatt had been taken aback, not sure how to react to that answer. He had expected her to say she lost a favorite toy or something. Not this.

"What do you mean your aunt was blown up honey?" he asked softly.

"My mommy told me my aunty got blown up in Iraq. Mommy was crying on the phone this morning. I'm scared Mr. Evans." Dannie let loose big fat tears that ran down her light brown cheeks. She wiped her nose on her sleeve. Wyatt got her a tissue and gave her a comforting pat on the back. It all clicked into place. Her sadness was understandable.

"It's going to be ok sweetheart. I can't say for sure how ok your aunt is, but I can bet she was probably thinking of you and wishing she was here with you."

More tears bloomed in Dannie's eyes. Wyatt bit his lip, regretting his words.

"I have an idea, if you're willing."

Dannie looked at him, blowing her nose and sniffling some more.

"How about you make a lantern for your aunt." Wyatt suggested. "I bet she'd love it."

Dannie looked down at the sheets of paper on her desk and frowned. "What should I draw?"

"What's something that reminds you of your aunt?"

Dannie thought for a second. "Camelot!"

Wyatt tilted his head to the left, confused again. 

"Camelot? Like knights of the round table?"

Dannie looked confused too. "What? No. the green and black colors for the army. Camelot."

"Oh sweetheart, you mean camouflage. But that's a great idea!"

Wyatt got the color pencils and helped Dannie color the different shades of brown and green.

"It's awesome!" Wyatt exclaimed once they were finished.

Dannie giggled. "Do you think my aunty will like it?"

"I bet she'll love it. Maybe you could show it too her one day"

"I hope so."

Now Wyatt stared at lantern. He worried about Dannie. Up until today, she was a quiet, withdrawn child. She never spoke up and Wyatt couldn't say whether or not she had friends. But today, Dannie came to class a whole new girl, giggling and talking and interacting well with the other kids. Wyatt had even had to reprimand her for talking while he was.

The school bell rang, shaking Wyatt form his thoughts. He stood up and prepared the board for the kids. The jumpy 9 years came filing in, hanging up their coats and laughing loudly. Wyatt spotted Dannie with 2 other girls. She was hanging up her jacket dramatically, pretending to be an opera singer, from what it looked like. Wyatt smiled.

"Ok everyone, let's settle down. These math problems aren't going to divide themselves!"

--------------------------------------------------

"Dannie, is your mom coming to get you?" Wyatt asked.

The school day was over and Dannie was the last child still in the classroom. Wyatt's 4th grade classroom faced the drop off/pick up zone. Dannie was standing by the window looking out.

"No. She had an appointment today in her office. My aunty is coming to get me."

Wyatt walked over to her. "Your aunty? The one that got blown up?"

Dannie nodded enthusiastically. "Yea! She's all better now! Except now she has to wear glasses. But it's ok cause the army says she doesn't have to go back. She got a special medal and everything!"

Wyatt nodded, understanding. He was looking at Dannie and didn't notice the car pull up or the woman who shot from it and into the school.

Moments later, the woman came flying into the classroom, panting hard and almost falling over one the desk.

"Aunty! There you are!" Dannie squealed and ran to Erin. Erin knelt down to hug her, still trying to catch her breath.

"I am so sorry baby girl. I got super lost trying to find your school." She said as she hugged Dannie apologetically. She pulled back and inspected her niece, making sure she was ok.

"It's alright aunty. Mr. Evans stayed with me." 

Dannie said and pointed behind her.

Erin stood up and finally noticed Wyatt then, who was staring at her. Her mind immediately evaluated him.

6'1. Caucasian. Dark brown hair. Light green eyes. Athletic build. Mid to late twenties. Cute nose.

Erin looked away suddenly. 

Cute nose? What the hell?

She stood up and pretended to dust off her knees. She could practically feel his gaze on her and it bothered her. When she looked back up, he was walking towards her. She forced herself not to swallow and keep his gaze.

Full pink lips.

Stop.

Once he reached them, Dannie's teacher extended his hand. His skin looked smooth, except the palm, which had a rougher wear and his nails were clean. He had big hands and when Erin extended her own, she could have sworn his hand engulfed hers.

"Hello. My name is Wyatt Evans."

"Erin Wright." She said curtly.

"Nice to see you're in one piece."

Erin frowned.

"Oh," Wyatt blushed, trying to explain. "Um Dannie told me about the... explosion... um and yeah it's good that you seem intact. She was very worried. "

Erin looked down at Dannie and patted her soft curly hair. "Yeah I'm ok."

"I'm glad."

Wyatt was nervous and it was written across his face. Erin sensed it and made her frown inside. She realized then that she hadn't let go of his hand. She pulled it away quickly.

"So you're Dannie's teacher. I've heard good things." Erin said, trying to keep her eyes focused on his. He was wearing a crisp white shirt with a skinny black tie and dark pants. His starring had created and awkward air between them.

"Likewise. Dannie's a good kid." Wyatt said and smiled down at Dannie. She blushed and looked away.

"Yeah she's the best. I'm glad I could come back to her."

Erin felt like the air was slowly compressing around her.

The pause between them was thick and heavy. Neither Wyatt nor Erin said a word, both trying to find a way to engage. But the silence seemed to be enough.


The Phoenix Ch. 01



"Aunty can we go? I'm hungry." Dannie asked, pulling on Erin's coat sleeve.

"Yeah sure honey."

Erin held Dannie's hand and allowed herself to be led towards the classroom door. She gripped the knob, held it for a second, then turned back to 

face Wyatt.

"It was very nice to meet you Mr. Evans. " She said.

"Wyatt, please." He said back.

Erin gave a soft smile. "It was nice meeting you... Wyatt."

Erin turned away then and rushed through the door.

"It was nice to meet you too Ms. Wright!" Wyatt called after her.

"Call Me Erin!" He heard her chime in.

Erin rushed through the building, back out into the cold air with Dannie in tow. She wasted no time open the doors and getting her niece situated in the back seat. She sat in the front and gripped the steering wheel. And there she sat, for what seemed like hours.

"Aunty? Are you ok?" Dannie asked timidly.

Erin shook her head and turned back to give Dannie a reassuring smile. "Of course sweetheart! I'm fine! Now let's go get some grub. Sound good?"

Dannie clapped excitedly and they were off.

--------------------------------------------------

Wyatt stood in front of the window and watched Erin's car pull away. He sighed and began gathering his papers and messenger bag. He went around the classroom, giving it one more good once over, cleaning it up a bit and putting everything in their appropriate places. He then pulled on his coat, scarf, cap and gloves and made his way to outside to his car. The chilly air hit his face hard. The temperature was slowly dropping and Wyatt felt he could feel every degree. Even the whiskers of his scruff felt cold. He bum rushed to the car, quickly opened it and got in. A dull ache roared to life in his jaw and he had to stop and massage it away. He realized then that he'd been smiling the whole time.

--------------------------------------------------

"How much longer do we have doc?"

"About half an hour Erin. Do you have something pressing to do after this?"

Erin shook her head. "Nope. I just want to be out of here."

"Erin, why are you so stubborn at our meetings? I'm only here to help." asked Dr. Regina Sullivan, Erin's assigned psychiatrist.

"Why do you think doc?" Erin asked back snidely.

"I think that you think our meetings here are useless and that you don't need them."

"Ding ding ding!" Erin clapped, "Someone give this lady a medal."

"What, you mean one like yours?"

Erin was silenced. She glared at the doctor. "You want to say that again?"

"I said one like yours. You did receive a medal didn't you? For valor and all that."

Erin stayed quiet, her eyes trained on Dr. Sullivan.

"I notice you never bring it up. Or anything else for that matter. We've been meeting for 3 weeks since you got home and not a single mention of your rewards."

"Reward? Is that what you call it?" Erin scoffed.

"Yes. Erin you received a Purple Heart. You don't consider that a reward?"

"No."

"And why is that?"

Erin was quiet again.

"If I were you, I'd show it off to every pair of eyes available. I'd be tempted to wear it around." Dr. Sullivan was baiting Erin, and she knew it.

Erin grit her teeth and glared harder at the woman sitting across from her. "You don't know anything. 

Why the fuck would I show it off?"

"As a point of pride for your accomplishments overseas."

"If I'm so accomplished, then why am I here and not there?"

"Because Erin. You were very severely injured. Your medical report states that the shrapnel that hit your back almost tore off your left arm. And you sustained a head injury that impaired your vision. And then there's your leg injury. Not to mention, Erin, that you have been diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder."

"And there it is!" Erin said exuberated. "The nail in the coffin of my military career. Post- Traumatic blah blah blah."

"Erin, PTSD is a serious affliction."

"Don't I know it doc. They kicked me out of the Marines because of it."

"You were discharged with the highest of honors."

"Fuck the honors!" Erin growled. She leveled fierce gave with Dr. Sullivan's. "I got fired. They just put a pretty medal on top and sent me to you. Said I was too screwed up in the head to keep doing my job. It's bullshit."

"Erin you pulled a gun on a fellow solider during a flashback."

"I didn't mean for that to happen!"

"And the nightmares?"

"Oh come the fuck on! EVERYONE gets nightmares doc!"

Erin was standing now, unconsciously pacing back and forth. She could feel sweat blooming on her skin. She felt as if words had been carved into her skin.

Broken.

Damaged.

Fired.

Useless.

Traumatic.

She could feel each letter burn on her flesh, like someone had seared them in. The feeling was all over, etched into her, making her someone different than she used to be. But she wasn't going to tell the doctor that.

Dr. Sullivan sat patiently, keeping her voice even and calm. She watched Erin's movements, examining her closely. "Not everyone tries to shoot themselves with their service revolver Erin."

Erin stopped. He ears felt hot and full of blood.

"That wasn't what it seemed."

"No?" Dr. Sullivan pressed. She grabbed Erin's file and held it as she spoke. "Incident report, filed almost 2 months ago. Private Erin P. Wright. While in the hospital in recovery, nurses were alerted by Ms. Wright's writhing screams of agony and fear. She'd had a night terror. After seemingly calming down, she snuck out and found her service revolver among her belongings. She then climbed to the hospital roof and attempted to shoot herself. She was seen by one of the nurses, who alerted a guard and caught her before she could pull the trigger. Does that sound about right to you Erin?"

Erin looked away.

"I thought so. Erin, you weren't fired. You were discharged because you ran the risk of harming yourself and others."

"I wouldn't have harmed anyone except the enemy."

"You don't know that for sure Erin."

"Neither do you!" Erin shouted suddenly. She was breathing heavy now. Her fists were clenched tight and her eyes were ablaze. 

The tension was static between the two women. Dr. Sullivan knew she had to defuse the situation. The goal for today was met. She got Erin talking.

"Erin, calm down. I'm just relating to you what I know."

"That I'm some fuckin' war crazy? Is that what you know?"

Erin's left fist was trembling. She opened and closed it without noticing. Dr. Sullivan saw this and frowned.

"Is that what they taught you to do during physical therapy?"

Erin deflated somewhat and looked down at her left hand. She frowned at it too. "No. They wouldn't want me tensing it like I did." She relaxed both hands and took deep breaths. Her anger slowly left her through her fingertips. She plopped back down on the couch and leaned her head back. She closed her eyes as she worked opened her hands over and over, releasing the tension.

"When's your next session?"

"Today. After I'm through with you." She said without looking at the doctor.

"And after that?" Dr. Sullivan prodded. "It's a Friday. Got any big plans?"

"Nope. I'm going to pick up my niece from school. She's staying after with her teacher. She's having trouble with division so Wyatt is helping her."

Wyatt.

Erin's eyes opened when she said his name. She sat up straight again, avoiding eye contact with Dr. Sullivan. The doctor noticed.

"Wyatt? You're on a first name basis with Dannie's teacher?"

Erin shrugged, acting more nonchalant about it than she felt.

"Are you attracted to him?"

"Jesus Doc!" Erin felt her skin get warm. She bit her lip and her frown deepened.

"I'm sorry Erin. I'm just curious. You haven't mentioned any men at all in these sessions."

Erin stayed quiet, so Dr. Sullivan tried again. 

"What's Wyatt's last name?"

"Evans."

"Wyatt Evans. W. E. Like Erin Wright. E. W."

Erin finally looked back at the doctor. "So?"

"Well. Maybe that could mean something."

"It doesn't."

"Why are you so sure it doesn't?" Dr. Sullivan asked.

"Because he's so civilian that he could be a poster boy. He wore a skinny tie like a kid. And he seemed fidgety."

Erin had yet to look Dr. Sullivan in the eyes and the good doctor noticed.

"You're wearing different glasses Erin. And I'll say they look nice on you. But wouldn't people say the hipster-looking style makes you look like a kid? Like this Wyatt guy?"

"These are at the request of my sister and niece. And that's not the point. If I'm as fucked up as you say, then there's no point pretending."

"Pretending?"

"Yes. Pretending like it's ok for me to be attracted to anyone normal."

"So you are attracted to him. At least as much as you could be from what you know and seen of him?"

Erin said nothing.

Dr. Sullivan continued. "You don't think you're good enough for him?"

"No. I don't think I'm right for...anyone. I'm different. I became different the day I joined the Marine Corps."

"But now you're retired. You're a veteran. You were different for the last 6 years and 3 tours."

"Once a Marine, always a Marine doc."

Dr. Sullivan nodded her head. "Well, even marines have friends Erin."

Erin just looked at her.

A friend.

"Maybe you're right doc."

--------------------------------------------------

Erin felt like a stalker. She was peeking into Wyatt's classroom, watching silently from the hallway as he helped Dannie and two other students with their math.

Wyatt was sitting at a desk half his size in front of the three kids. Dannie was in the middle, scribbling furiously on her sheet. Erin smiled. She loved that little girl.

Wyatt was correcting another student's work. The child was explaining his reasoning and Wyatt was listening intently. He wore an expression of enrapture. Whatever the student was saying seemed to be the only thing Wyatt cared about in the world. His green eyes were soft, yet focused. Erin got a chance to really look at him. His short hair reminded her of dark chocolate. His skin was a bit pale, but smooth. He had a curve to his top lip which was almost feminine. It was offset but the dark stubble on his face, which had gotten fuller since she'd last seen him. He kept his facial hair in check. It was clean looking.

Wyatt glanced up and saw Erin in the doorway. He smiled automatically.

In a panic, Erin, ducked behind the door. She heard a chair scoot back and she closed her eyes.

Stupid. Stupid. Stupid. What the fuck are you 

doing?

Wyatt pulled open the door and Erin turned back around quickly to meet him.

"Hello." He said pleasantly.

"Uh, hi." Erin said. She made an effort to look everywhere else besides his face.

"You checking on Dannie?"

Erin nodded and peered back through the cracked door.

"Well you're welcome to come in. We're just about finished."

Wyatt stepped back and opened the door for Erin. She tried to scoot by, painfully aware of the closeness. She caught his scent and almost swallowed hard. Erin was used to men being commanders and fellow soldiers, but Wyatt wasn't either one of those. He was just simply, a man.

Erin walked in and over to Dannie.

"Aunty! Hi! Wanna see my division!"

"Of course sweetheart!" Erin bent over and examined the sheet.

Wyatt took the time to look over Erin's presented bottom.

Nice. Very nice.

He automatically felt sleazy for checking her out.

Jesus dude, what's wrong with you. She's a student's aunt. Get it together.

He didn't linger there. He walked back to his seat and resumed his tutoring, checking over each student's work. He tried to ignore Erin's presence, but failed miserably. Every so often he'd look up and take in just a little more of Erin each time. Her dark hair. Her dark mocha skin. Her full lips and high cheeks.

Erin was pretty. It was a weird pretty to Wyatt. Like a withdrawn beauty that required a second look. And he was happy to look.

15 minutes later, the other parents arrived to collect their children. They each thanked Wyatt profusely for his time and effort.

"I'm going to draw you a picture Mr. Evans!" Dannie chimed as she slipped on her coat.

"I'd absolutely love that Dannie. Thank you. Are you excited about the play?"

Dannie nodded quickly. "YES! I'm so ready."

"Are you coming?" Wyatt asked Erin.

She tried not to look like a deer in headlights. 

"Yes. I wouldn't miss it."

Wyatt smiled and it Erin smiled back. The tension returned, filling the air and silencing them both.

Dannie stepped between them and called to her aunt. "Ready?"

Erin took her hand and the ladies walked towards the door.

"I'll save you a seat." Wyatt said behind.

Erin just looked back and smiled.

Wyatt stood and watched her and Dannie depart. He brought his hand to his face and felt that his smile had returned.

Erin's mind was far away as she walked Dannie to the car. So much had changed the past few months. But here, right now, the world was quiet and calm. She had Morgan. She had Dannie. And though she resented it, she had Dr. Sullivan.

And then there was Wyatt.

Erin thought of him and thought of what Dr. Sullivan had said to her earlier.

"Marines have friends too."

Wyatt.

A friend. 



The Phoenix Ch. 02



Hey readers! New year, new chapter! Thank you all for your comments and feedback. You help me learn and grow. Please keep them constructive and keep them coming. A special thank you to my fantastic editor, Nehkara. I hope you enjoy!

-Kat

*

Erin gasped for breath, her hands clawing at the air above her. She was trembling and felt a sheet of cold sweat on her skin. The darkness in her bedroom was foreign and terrifying. Her heart was pounding so hard it almost hurt. She closed her eyes and bit her bottom lip. Hard.

Calm down. Calm down. Calm down. Calm the fuck down.

The taste of blood in her mouth brought her back. She opened her eyes again and recognized the guest bedroom of her sister's duplex. She fussily kicked the sheets off, then instantly regretted it as the sweat cooled her skin and reminded her it was winter. She yanked the covers back on, pulling them over her head. She turned over onto her side and sighed heavily.

Get it together Erin! This is bullshit. You know it is.

But with all her tough talk, Erin couldn't calm her pounding heart. Hot tears began to bloom in her eyes. She tried, and failed, to push them back. She closed her eyes again, but was brought back to the dream.

To the roof.

To the feel of the rifle in her hand.

To the screaming.

She opened her eyes. A tear slid from her left eye, over her nose and into her right eye. She squinted as she sobbed, trying to darken the world without going back to the dream.


-------------------------------------------------- 


In the morning, Erin stood in the bathroom, bent over the sink. She'd filled the basin with cold water and was staring down at the clear ripple of it. She looked back up at her reflection and instantly saw the puffy swell of her eyelids and the pink hue around her irises. She plunged her face into the water, the chill temperature causing goosebumps to rack her body.  The water was bracing, but soothing on her eyes. She stood there, not breathing, taking it all in. Eyes closed, she was transported back in time again...

She was lying back on rough sandy ground. The hot Iraq sun blared down on her broken body mercilessly.  There was a high sharp ringing in her ears. Her head quaked like someone had taken a sledgehammer to it. She wanted to open her eyes, but they were sealed shut and gritty.

Oh God no... what happened? Where are the others? Where is Iman? David? Tristan?

Her lips were dry and cracked badly. She wanted to open her mouth but was afraid that she'd choke on her own blood.

Blood. The world around her reeked with it. Sand and blood.  

But something stronger pierced through of disorientation in her mind.

Pain.

White hot and apparent. Pain everywhere. Her leg. Her arm. Her back. The agony was all too intense, all too real again. Her body was on fire, it felt like a raging inferno blazing deep within her flesh, until even her bones felt raw. It rushed to her in sudden flashes.

The cargo truck. The guys. The man....

I know you. But, why are you here? You shouldn't be here?

The man's face. The man's tears.  The man's finger, moving, pressing down.

The explosion.

Erin began to scream.

Cold water filled her nose and mouth and she started to choke. She screamed into the water, air escaping her lungs into bubbles that left her gasping. Instinct finally kicked in and Erin's arms push her back from the sink hard, flinging her back onto the tile floor. She gasped and kicked back until her back hit the wall. Sobs and breaths racked her chest. Her head shook from side to side, trying to escape her memories. A moment later, Morgan was in the room.

"Erin!" she cried as she got down to her knees next to her sister. Morgan kicked the door closed and held Erin's face in her palms, trying to steady her.

"Erin honey come back! Its ok! You're ok!"

Erin looked up at her like she was seeing a stranger.

"Deep breaths little sis. Do it with me now." Morgan placed a firm hand just beneath Erin's neck, on her chest. She looked her in the eyes and slowly inhaled and exhaled. When she didn't see Erin mimic her actions, she pressed harder. Erin began to focus and copy her sister, heaving in deep breaths through her nose and out her mouth. The sisters stayed like that, breathing and focusing for an unknown period of time. They were only disturbed by a soft rapping on the bathroom door.

"Mommy?" Dannie's worried tone captured their attention. "Is everything ok?"

"Yes baby," Morgan replied, "auntie just had a little fall and I was helping her up."

"But you've been in there forever," Dannie said suspiciously.

"I fell really hard Dannie," Erin said, her voice cracking.

"Ok..."

They heard her walk away slowly. They looked back at one another then, trying to assess.

"Morgan-"

"Forget about it," Morgan said quickly.

Morgan crawled over to the bathroom floor towel and started wiping up the cold water. She didn't look at Erin.

"Morgan..." Erin said pathetically. Her voice was filled with tears, making the sound of her sister's name crack in the air.

Morgan looked back. Erin was crying again. She'd never looked so young to Morgan as she did right then. She saw the round sweet face of her baby sister. Her heart could have shattered in her chest right then. She stood quickly and yanked Erin up with her. She threw her arms around Erin and held her tight.

"It's ok little me. It's ok, I promise."

"I'm so sorry Morgan."

"Sssshhhh." Morgan rubbed her back and felt Erin bury her face in her hair. She smiled. Erin hadn't done it in years. "You still are going to therapy?"

Erin nodded.

"Then don't worry about it. It's ok. You're ok."

Erin pulled back and smiled a sad smile at her sister. Morgan mirrored it.

"Mooooommmmyyyyy!!" Dannie wailed from downstairs. "I'm hungry!"

"You hungry?" Morgan asked as she flicked away a tear from Erin's cheek.

"Ain't I always?"


--------------------------------------------------


The chip had warmed on Wyatt's forehead. He almost couldn't feel it anymore.

Almost.

He rolled over to his side and let the chip fall to the pillow next to him. It was cheap little thing, red and yellow checker edges. He stared at it.

18 months. 18 long, dry months.

His body ached and he could practically feel the bags under his eyes. But it was Saturday. And thank God for that. He'd caught up on all his grading; he had no school meetings or specials this weekend. No fundraising events or "Become a better Teacher" classes. Just him and his chip. And the good folks at Alcoholics Anonymous.

He dragged the covers over his head and closed his eyes. He knew he'd have to get up soon. The Thirst liked to creep in when he wasn't otherwise occupied. It liked to invade his quiet moments, break the silence in his thoughts. It took over his tongue. Made him fidget. Made him jumpy.

Made him angry.

Why the fuck can't I have a drink? I'm a grown ass man. I'm not hurting anyone. I should be able to have a drink in my own home, in my own private sanctuary, without going through this bullshit!

That was the Thirst talking. Trying to trick him. But the last time he'd allowed the Thirst in, someone had died.

"Never again," he swore aloud.

Wyatt opened his eyes at the memory. He sighed heavily and grabbed the sobriety chip. He strung the leather chain through it and slipped it back over his neck. His cell phone buzzed on his nightstand then. He pressed the green button without looking.

"You up?"

"Yeah Casey. I'm up."

"Good man. I'm at the door."

"And I'm naked."

"Ugh!" Casey scoffed. "Well put some clothes on. I brought treats!"

Wyatt smiled. "Alright. One sec."

He hung up the phone and set it down. In less than a minute, he was in boxers and a shirt and was at his house door. He opened it to see his sister was holding up a pink pastry box.
"Did someone order cupcakes!" She beamed.

"No." Wyatt grunted in response. He turned around and walked back into the house, knowing his sister was following. He sat down at the island counter and Casey plopped the pink box down next to him.

"What's wrong with you, grumpy?" she asked.

Wyatt just stared at her. Her red hair was piled sloppily on top of her head. A fading bruise encircled her left, light green, eye. Her slender frame was wrapped tightly in a black mini and she was wearing a man's black button up. She smelled like alcohol and cologne being poorly masked in body spray. He frowned at her.

"What was his name?"

Casey tensed visibly.

"I don't know-"

"Case."

She sighed and plopped down in a stool next to his. "Duchanne. Professor Duchanne."

Wyatt dropped his head. "One of your professors Case? Are you kidding me?"

Casey rested back on her elbows. "Not MY professor. A professor. His name is Andrew and he's a very distinguished man, don't you know. I'm dating up!"

"Case-"

"Don't start." She got off the stool. "I came to check on you. Not to be lectured."

"Casey, how old is this guy?"

"Does it matter?"

Wyatt glowered. "Yes. Your only 21."

"And you're 27. What's your point?"

Wyatt sighed dejectedly and rubbed his eyes. "We seriously can't both be this fucked up." 

"I'm not fucked up." Casey said snidely.

"Only fucked?" Wyatt mumbled.

Case stared at him, openly hurt. "What the hell, Wyatt?" She looked close to tears. Wyatt instantly regretted his words.

"Fuck. I'm sorry." He grabbed for her arm, but she yanked back. They stared at one another, tense with unanswered questions.

"Why are you acting so mean?" Casey asked childishly. Her pale skin was flushed. "I just came to check on you and you're treating me like a slut."

"Bad morning. 18 months dry."

Casey sighed and wiped away the tears. She looked at him earnestly. "Damn. That sucks."

Wyatt smirked. "Aren't you supposed to be congratulating me?"

"For struggling? No." She walked up to him and wrapped her arms around his waist. He wrapped his arms over her shoulders. She closed her eyes and pressed her face to his chest. She seemed so small and fragile, like a bird he wanted to protect. He felt the weight of his failure to do so. He closed his eyes and pressed his lips to her widow's peak.

"I'm sorry," He said quietly, "I shouldn't have taken my bullshit out on you. I just want to look out for you."

"And I'll look out for you."

She pulled back and smiled up at him. "18 months, huh?"

Wyatt nodded.

"That sounds god-awful. Not a drop?"

"Not a drop."

"Want me to throw you a party or something? Isn't that what people do?"

Wyatt laughed. "No. No parties."

"Then what do you want?"

Wyatt looked away. "To not be an alcoholic anymore."

"Aren't you not?"

Wyatt sat down with Casey. He pulled out a cupcake and handed her one before taking a big bite into his own.

"It doesn't work like that. I am what I am. I'm just smothering it."

"Then how does it end?"

"I don't know. I guess that's what I'm trying to figure out."

He set the cupcake down and sighed. Casey rubbed his back. "You're doing real good Wyatt. I know I'm not always the best help-"

"You check on me like every day."

"When I'm not screwing my own life up, yeah."

Wyatt patted her on the back of the head. "Naw. You're doing pretty good. How are finals?"

"Some good, some bad. I'm studying, I swear."

"You better not just be saying that."

Casey gave her brother a wry smile.

"What about you? How are your kids doing?"

"Good. The winter play is the weekend after next. Lots of parents."

"Geez. Talk about reasons to drink."

They laughed and munched on cupcakes.

"Did I leave some clothes here?"

Wyatt nodded.

"Good. I'm gonna bum a shower before I head out."

"Please do. I think I smell old guy ball sweat on you."

"Why do you know what old man's ball sweat smells like? Got a secret to tell me?"

"Naw. I'm just used to smelling it on you."

Wyatt laughed as Casey rained her small fists over his back. "Asshole!"

Wyatt smiled as she shuffled off. He raked his fingers through his hair and sighed. Casey was there, always checking, always worrying. But he knew couldn't really talk to her. She was carefree at heart.  He knew he couldn't talk to her. Not really. He couldn't talk to anyone.


--------------------------------------------------


"Have you spoken to Wyatt?" Dr. Sullivan asked.

"Not a bit." Erin answered lazily.

"May I ask why not?"

Erin shrugged. "I greet him when I pick up Dannie. I smile. He smiles. We talk about the weather, Dannie's school work, etc."

"And are you satisfied with this relationship?"

"There is no relationship."

"But you want one? With him?"

Erin sighed.

"You've got to give to receive, Erin."

"You know you're right Doc." Erin sat up. "Maybe I'll blow him beneath his desk next time."

"I suppose you could take the direct approach, yes."

Erin smiled at the doctor, and the doctor smiled back.  "Our time is up. Any last bits? Anything else you want to tell me about the attack in the bathroom?"

"Nope. I think you got it all."

"Next session, I'd like to hear about progress with Wyatt."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah."

Dr. Sullivan escorted Erin through the door.

"Is the rehab here only for veterans?" A man was talking to Dr. Sullivan's receptionist.

Erin thought she recognized the voice. She turned away from the doctor and walked to the lobby.

Wyatt was standing at the front desk. He was dressed simply, dark jacket and jeans, white V-neck and converse sneakers. But he was startling to her, like she'd somehow summoned him here.  She'd wanted to try more with him, to make a friend, but had lost her tongue every time they met. Now here he stood looking rather sexy, if not a bit messy.

Without thinking, Erin's legs propelled her backwards. She scurried behind a wall, away from Wyatt's line of sight.  Dr. Sullivan walked up and hid next to her.

"What are we doing?" She whispered gleefully.

Erin jerked a thumb towards the lobby. "Wyatt."

Dr. Sullivan edged from the wall and peeked around to see.

"Mmm. He's damn adorable."

Erin glared at her.

"Go on Erin. What are you hiding for?"

"How do I explain why I'm here?" Erin whispered fiercely.

"You don't. Start simple. Say hello. Ask him to lunch. You want to, don't you?"

Erin gnawed on her bottom lip. 

"You'll thank me later." Without warning, Dr. Sullivan grabbed Erin by her shoulders and shoved her forward, creating a noisy ruckus as she did so.  Both the receptionist and Wyatt looked up at Erin. She flustered and straightened up.

"Hey Erin." Wyatt greeted her.

"Hello Wyatt." She said back.

Come on Erin. Do this. Stop being a pussy. Just do this.

She walked up to him. "What are you doing here?" She asked.

"Uh, just getting some information for a friend. What about you?"

"Um..." Erin froze.

Shit. Shit. Shit. What do I say!

"I have post-traumatic stress disorder." Erin mouth blurted out a million miles a minute. "I get nightmares and panic attacks and flashbacks from my time in service. I think I'm crazy and I suck at making friends. And you make me nervous. I can't really say why, but you do. So now you know. So goodbye." Erin finished in one breath and almost sprinted out of the office.

"Fuck!" She cried to herself as she trotted to her car.

What the fuck was that? Is that how you talk to people?

"Erin!"

I mean, you let it all out! You're ridiculous!

"Erin wait!"

Fucking keys! Open the door. Get me out of here!

Erin felt a hand on her shoulder turn her around. Wyatt was standing over her, panting a little. He was close, occupying her entire world, though they were standing outside in the snow.

"Sorry. If I scared you Erin. Just, sorry."

Erin frowned. "You're apologizing?"

Wyatt nodded. "What you said back there-"

"Please forget about it."

"No Erin." Wyatt took a step closer to her. Erin felts her back press against her car. She struggled to keep eye contact with him.

His hair. It's kind of red too. Not just brown. Green eyes, such green eyes.

Erin stared. He looked as nervous and enclosed as she felt.

"We have things in common, I think." He said softly.

Erin was afraid to breathe. A breath too big could make them touch. And if they touched...

"What would that be?" She asked.

"I suck at making friends too. But, I think... I feel like we could be friend's maybe."

"I was in therapy Wyatt. That's why I was there. And all those things I said-"

"I lied," he spoke abruptly, "back in the lobby. I lied. I was lying. I wasn't in there for a friend. I'm..." he stuttered then.

"It's ok. You don't have to say it."

"I drink. I mean, I used to drink. Alcohol I mean. Lots of it. I mean not extreme, but, like, a lot. Way too much. But I don't anymore. I mean I'm trying. Shit."

Wyatt took a step back, taking Erin's breath with him.

"Shit. Ok, so I'm telling you all this," he continued without looking at her, "because I can't tell people. I mean I'm a teacher, you know? But don't get me wrong, I haven't drunk since I got the job. I swear to it. Not a single drop."

Erin just watched him, wide-eyed, listening. He dared not look at her, not until he was done.

"I was in there because I wanted... I need to talk about it. I mean I go to AA every Sunday, but I kind of hate everyone there. " He gave an gawky laugh. "I thought maybe they could help me. I don't know. But then I saw you and you said all that stuff and I thought... maybe I could tell you."

"Me?"

Wyatt looked at her then.

"Why me?"

"Because you're a mix."

Erin frowned. "A mix."

"Yeah. You see," Wyatt explained, "people usually want to unload on two kinds of other people: someone who knows the implacable and can speak on their character or a total stranger that can speak objectively or whose opinion they can disregard. You're a mix. We've both already said what's fucked up in us. But not everything. I don't know you well enough, and you don't know me well enough, but we aren't strangers. We still have potential. We can be... friends."

Wyatt smiled at the last word. "Hello. I'm Wyatt Evans. I'm a recovering alcoholic. I get nightmares, I fidget a lot, and sometimes have a hard time staying on the wagon. I'm an elementary school teacher, if you can believe it. I love my job and I'd never let my crap at home affect it." Wyatt held out a hand to her.

Erin stared down at it, frowning. "What is this? What are you doing?"

Wyatt's smile faltered. "I just..."

"What is this? Why do you want to know about me?"

Wyatt withdrew his hand. "Nevermind I guess."

He looked dejected. Guilt spiked in Erin's heart, which pissed her off.

"You just told me you're a drunk, teaching my little niece, and what am I supposed to do? Spill my guts? Pretend like this is ok?"

"Hey." Wyatt frowned. "I've NEVER drank while teaching. Not a drop. Not a beer. I don't even put alcohol on my cuts. I'm trying to get better. I thought maybe you'd understand that."

Wyatt turned away and started walking.

Erin stared at his back.

I owe him nothing. I don't even know him. Why should I let him in?

Wyatt looked back then, only for a second. His eyes met hers, before turning away.

Fuck.

Erin ran towards him. When she caught up, she grabbed his elbow.

"Are you busy?" She said in a huff. "I mean now. Are you busy right now?"

Wyatt frowned. "No."

"Good. Let's go. I'm hungry and I know a place nearby."

Wyatt stayed still. "Why? What changed your mind?"

Erin looked up at him. "I need a friend."


--------------------------------------------------


He really does fidget.

Erin watched Wyatt order a cheeseburger and she had to bite her lip as not to smile.

Why does he have to be so adorable?

He was bouncing a straw on the table and stuttering on "no onions." He hadn't spoken much during the walk from the Dr. Sullivan's. Just stuffed his hands into his jeans and avoided eye contact.




The Phoenix Ch. 02



"Um... so how was therapy?" He finally spoke.

Erin raised an eyebrow at him. "Really? That's how you want to start this?"

Wyatt blushed visibly. "Oh uh, well this wasn't really planned so..."

Erin smiled. "My middle name is Ruth. I used to have a cat named Cyrus. My favorite color is blue."

"My favorite color is red. I've never had a pet. I don't have a middle name." Wyatt answered back.

"You don't have a middle name?"

"Yeah. I think I'm from another planet or something."

Erin laughed. Wyatt relaxed.

"I enlisted when I was 18."

"Wow what a coincidence! I started drinking when I was 18!"

Awkward silence.

"Don't worry Erin," Wyatt said comfortably, "I can joke about it."

"Maybe you can teach me to joke about it," Erin said earnestly.

"What does an alcoholic ghost drink?" Wyatt asked with a grin.

"What?"

"Boos."

Erin didn't want to laugh but she did. Out loud. "That was so bad."

"Yeah, I know. But I got you laughing. It's a start."

"Yeah," Erin said giggling. "It's a start.


--------------------------------------------------


Erin lost time with Wyatt. Instead of diving into deep issues, they laughed. They joked about music, tv, their families. Wyatt talked about his love for teaching. Erin liked this aspect about him especially.

"I've had a kid literally eat paste in class. No joke. I almost cried!"

Erin burst out. "Why'd you almost cry?"

"Cuz I had no clue what to do! I was half tempted to hold him upside down by his ankles until he puked. Thank God for non-toxic."

Gone was the fidgety guy from before. Wyatt was out-going and charming. He was charismatic and damn funny.

This could work, Erin thought.

Wyatt covered the tab and walked Erin back to her car.

"This was fun!" Wyatt said happily. He was walking close, his arm grazing hers with every step.

"Yeah. It was."

When they reached her car, she stood and looked up at him. "Thank you Wyatt," Erin said sincerely.

"And thank you Ms. Wright."

Wyatt's hands returned to his pockets. He was looking at her different. His bright eyes were hooded and trained on her.

Uh oh.

Erin swallowed. "Wyatt."

It was happening again. All the air between them had be vacuumed out. Wyatt just seemed to be getting closer and closer.

He's going to kiss me. Fuck. Do I want to?

She glanced at his flushed lips. Pink and moist. He slipped his bottom lip between his white teeth before letting it pop out again. Erin thought, for no particular reason, that it was probably the most erotic thing she'd ever seen.

Yes. I want to. Bad.

"Erin." Wyatt's voice was low and husky. She could practically feel his warmth through their clothes.

"Erin, look at me."

She stayed with her eyes downcast.

I can't...

Wyatt traced a finger along her jaw. He tilted her head up until their eyes met.

"Erin..."

He was a breath away. Erin's eyelids began to close. "Wyatt..."

"May I-"

"Yes!" She said quickly. She leaned forward and closed her eyes.

Yes. Yes, Wyatt.

Wyatt smiled. "May I see you again tomorrow?"

Erin's eyes popped open. "Oh! Uh yeah!" She sputtered out.

Fuck. Of course.

Erin shifted away. "Yeah. Cuz we're friends now."

She was aware that Wyatt's fingers still caressed her chin. They were warm. Tempting.

Stop. It's not like that.

He was still looking at her. He was still close.

"Same time? Same place?"

Erin nodded.

There was an intense silence between them, a lingering silence. Wyatt finally moved back. Erin felt the air rush in to fill the space.

"Bye Erin." Wyatt shoved his hands into his pockets, turned on his heels, and all but ran off.

Erin watched him walk to his car before getting in hers.

She placed her face into the palms of her hands.

"I'm so not trained for this."


--------------------------------------------------


"You fucking? You look like you've been fucking."

Casey lounged in the backseat of Wyatt's car, her booted-feet sticking out the window, an unlit cigarette leaning lazily in the side of her mouth.

"No. Do we really have to talk about this now?"

"Yes. You're keeping a secret from me. What's her name? How long have y'all been bumping uglies?"

"Case!"

"Wy!"

Wyatt sighed. "Erin. Her name is Erin. She's the aunt of one of my students. We aren't fucking. We've just been having lunch the past couple of days. I'm going to see her tonight at performance."

"Past couple of days? You mean every day this week?"

"Yeah." Wyatt smiled. 



Every day that week, while the kids were at recess and music class, Wyatt and Erin sat in his classroom, ate homemade sandwiches, and talked. And laughed. And stared awkwardly at one another. It was the best part of each day.

"I mentioned you with the doc yesterday." Erin had said the day before. They were squatting awkwardly in tiny kid chairs and munching on ham and cheese hoagies.

"Did you now?" Wyatt grinned. "All bad, I suspect."

"You got it. I said Doc! There's this nosey nerdy teacher trying to get to know me. Trying to befriend me. Acting kind and funny and it's creepin' my shit out. What do I do?"

Wyatt chuckled. "And what did the good doctor advise?"

"That I kill you with kindness. That I invite you out for pie after the winter play this Saturday."

Wyatt looked at her, surprised. Wyatt had almost always initiated their get togethers. "Really?"

Erin nodded and looked away. "I mean only if you want to. Morgan and Dannie will be there too. To celebrate."

"Of course I want to!"



Wyatt fidgeted as he gathered the supplies from the car. It was 4. He and the other teachers had an hour to set up before the kids would arrive for one last quick rehearsal.

Erin's coming tonight.

He smiled at the thought and kept on smiling as he and Casey set up. He smiled as he greeted the children and their parents as they arrived. He smiled as he went over the program with the other teachers involved. He smiled as the children rehearsed the Christmas and Hanukkah songs. He smiled as he got the Kwanzaa costumes together and checked the lights. 

Dannie Wright came bursting into the auditorium, squealing with delight!

"Mr. Evans! Mr. Evans! I'm ready! I'm ready!"

Wyatt turned around and smiled at her as she ran onto the stage. He mother was bustling behind her.

"Dannie! Stop running girl!" She called out.

Dannie stopped, but trotted in place impatiently. "Come on mommy! I need to get into costume!"

Wyatt walked over and patted Dannie on the head. "Dannie, if it's ok with your mom, you can follow Mrs. Clark over there and she can take you to the girl's dressing room and help you get ready."

Dannie jumped and ran to her mom. "Mommy! Can I have my costume please! I gotta goooooooooo."

Morgan handed her the dry cleaning bag. "Ok sweetie. I'll see you later. Break a leg!"

Dannie frowned. "Why would you want me to break my leg mommy?"

Wyatt chuckled. "It's just an expression Dannie. It means good luck."

"But," Dannie said, unconvinced, "why didn't she just say good luck?"

"I'll explain later sweetie," Morgan said, exasperated. "Just go get ready."

Dannie didn't have to be told again. She rushed backstage to find the female teacher and get ready.

Wyatt gave Morgan a sympathetic smile. "She been like this all day?"

"And all last night. She's so excited."

"Gotta love her enthusiasm."

Morgan scoffed. "Yeah I guess."

Wyatt looked past Morgan, looking to see if anyone had followed her in.

"She's not here yet." Morgan said.

"Huh?"

"Erin. She'll be here soon though."

Wyatt felt his face turning red. "Um, I don't-"

Morgan held up a hand. "It's ok. I know about you and my sister."

"You do? She told you about me?" Wyatt said, a little too happily.

"Not in too much detail. Just that you two were talking."

"Oh."

Just talking? Just talking? Crap.

Wyatt gnawed his bottom lip to stop the disappointment from showing on his face.

"I hope it's ok. I mean, I won't let it interfere with my teaching or how I treat Dannie or anything."

"Naw," Morgan said and slapped his arm playfully. "I'm glad for it. You seem like a nice guy and my sister has only ever dealt with bad guys."

Wyatt thanked her and excused himself. He left the auditorium and walked straight into the  brisk night air. He frowned up at the stars. He could feel the Thirst creeping in the back of his throat.

I should have known better. The veteran and the alchie? Ridiculous.

He pressed the balls of his palms into his eyes. He could feel an ache awakening in his skull.

Well, if I'm going to be seen as some dumb drunk no matter what, why shouldn't I indulge? It's not like it matters anyway.

"Stop it." Wyatt growled aloud.

This isn't you. It's the Thirst.

Wyatt ground his teeth. He wanted a drink. He wanted to drink until he wasn't disappointed anymore.

"Wyatt?" Erin's voice broke through the noise in his head.

Wyatt opened his eyes. She was standing a few feet from him, staring at him with concern. She looked...different. Every time Wyatt had seen her, Erin's hair had always been tied back severely in a bun. She wore dark colors and no makeup. She was always in big coats, jeans, and boots. Erin stood before him now, her curly hair free and cascading down to her shoulders. She wore a knit cap and had curly black hair for bangs. She wore a red knit dress that hugged her, exposing more curves that Wyatt hadn't known existed before. She had on black tights and black knee-high boots, these ones with heels to them, making her look taller. Her full lips were stained with red lipstick and her round eyes were accented with dark eyeliner and mascara. Even the little things like the gold earrings and necklace, the dark blue pea coat, the white scarf, the peach-colored cotton gloves, added to a new Erin. Wyatt stared at her openly. His eyes took her all in, landing finally on her lips again, which were moving. He blinked when he realized she was talking to him.

"I'm sorry, what?" he asked.

"I asked if you should be inside, getting ready."

"Oh!" Wyatt ran a hand through the back of his hair. "Yeah. I should. I was just getting some air."

Erin walked closer to him. He caught a whiff of her.

Vanilla. She smells like vanilla. I wonder if she tastes as sweet...

"Are you ok?" She asked, her brows furrowed together.

"Yea! I'm fine. Don't worry about me." Wyatt said with an awkward laugh.

Erin eyed him skeptically. "Because you know, I'm the one to tell if you're not ok."

Wyatt nodded. "Yeah, I know."

Because we talk. That's all we are. People who talk.

"You look all nice and cleaned up," Erin said with a grin, "a nice sweater, dress shirt, a tie! And no sneakers tonight. I'm impressed."

Wyatt's cheeks hued. "Thanks." He looked at her seriously then. "You look extraordinary."

There was no laughter in his voice, no jokes.

The weight of his gaze made Erin shift her feet.

"Thank you." She said softly.

Wyatt saw that he was making her nervous.

Snap out of it dude!

He shook his head and brought back his smile. He jutted his elbow out.

"Shall I escort you in, milady?" He asked.

Erin grinned and curtsied. She encircled her arm around the crook of his and the pair walked back into the elementary school.


--------------------------------------------------


"Don't do it Erin! Control yourself!" Wyatt cried out.

"I can't help it Wyatt! It's calling my name!" Erin said dramatically.

"But you promised Dannie! You don't want to disappoint an angel. Take a note from Supernatural."

"That's a TV show. This is real life, and in real life, I want to eat this last slice."



Erin and Wyatt were walking towards their cars, joking in the chilly December night air. The pair had gone out with Morgan and Dannie to Village Inn after her performance. The adults had showered her with adulation and praise, which the 9 year old drank up. It was getting late and Morgan had dragged Dannie out by her little white wings for bed. Erin had opted to stay and have coffee with Wyatt.

"I won't wait up." Morgan had teased.

Erin blushed at the thought now.

We haven't even kissed. We're just friends I think. I don't even know him that well.

"Erin?"

She turned around and looked at him. "Yeah?"

"Thanks for inviting me out tonight. I had fun."

"Me too."

The silence between them was back.

No no no no no!

Erin acted suddenly, grabbing Wyatt by the shoulders.

"Wyatt, I don't understand this."

Wyatt frowned. "What?"

"Us. Are we friends, sponsors, companions, what?"

"Erin-"

"I mean I know we said friends, but there are these times where-"

"Erin-"

"And I've already told you things, intimate things, things I don't tell friends-"

"Erin!"

"What?!" She cried dramatically.

"Will you go on a date with me? A normal, person to person, date?"

Erin stared up at him, shocked silent.

A date? That means that he... he wants... with me?

"Really?" She asked, disbelieving her ears.

Wyatt nodded. "Feel free to say no. It'll be a crushing blow, but I'll accept it." He put his hand over his heart and feigned fainting.
Erin smiled.

"Yes. I'd love to."

They kept walking again, the silence between them heavy but comfortable.

This could work. Erin thought to herself as they walked.

This really could work.



The Phoenix Ch. 03



Hello Reader! 

Look's whos finally gotten a new laptop and is almost out of school for the semester! Woohoo! More time equals more stories equals more feedback from you, my amazing support. And a special shout out to my fantastic editor, Nehkara. Your patience knows no bounds. As always, please leave me constructive comments. I feed off the stuff. Enjoy! 

-Curiouskatty 

***** 

"In darkest night hour, I search through the crowd, your face is all that I see, I'll give you everything, baby love me lights out, baby love me lights out, you can turn my lights out." 

Erin swiveled her hips as she danced slowly around her room. She closed her eyes and Beyonce's voice lulled her into a fantasy world. Wyatt was there, his brown hair and green eyes looking celestial in the moon light. She moved her body for him, with him. His smile was subtle and alluring. 

"Your heart is glowing, and I'm crashing into you. Baby kiss me, before they turn the lights out." 

His lean body was closer, his breath tickling her skin. Erin smiled and leaned into his frame. She felt him all around. She was light on her feet as she twirled around him. Wyatt was whispering to her, but she couldn't quite understand the words. But it didn't matter then. They were together. 

"Nobody sees what we see, they're just hopelessly gazing, baby take me, before they turn the lights out, before our time has run out, baby love me lights out." 

Erin was aware of Wyatt's hands upon her, gripping her waist, trying to steady her and hold her close. But it was as if he wasn't there, like his hands were caressing her skin, like his lips weren't brushing themselves on her neck. So she kept moving her hips seductively to the beat of the music. She was lost in it, the music, her fantasy, her excitement. It was as nothing she'd ever felt before. All strange and unfamiliar. But she wasn't afraid. Not at all. She was calm, yet full of energy. That was, until her sister burst into the room. 

"Hey Erin!" Morgan scream happily as she kicked the door open. 

Erin's eyes shot open too late and she fell backward in fear, effectively landing square on her ass. 

"Son of a bitch!" She shrieked. 

"Oops," Morgan said, looking down at her guiltily, "my bad." 

"Morgan, what the fuck!" Erin cursed at her, "this is how people get ptsd in the first place! Shocks like that!" 

"How was I supposed to know you were practicing your twerking." Morgan walked over and offered her sister a hand. Erin smacked it away, hard. Morgan yanked her hand back and glared down at her. 

"Well damn. I'm trying to make up for it." 

"Fuck off." Erin growled as she used the side of the bed to get up. 

Morgan stared at her peculiarly. Erin was standing, clad in a tank top and white boy cut panties. Her hair was thick and coiled and free around her head. Her deep complexion was hued and her faced was face was twisted in annoyance and something else. 

Embarrassment? 

"Erin, what's up?" Morgan puzzled. 

Erin frowned at her. "My fucking butt cheek hurts, what do you think?" 

Morgan waved that away. "No I mean what's with you. You don't dance, ever. Your hair is never down except on occasions and I think this is the most naked I've seen you since were children. What's happening?" 

Erin looked away. "Nothing. It's just hot." 

Morgan didn't believe it for a second. "Bitch it's December. Don't try that shit with me. Does this have something to do with Wyatt?" 

Erin still didn't look at her. 

"I knew it! You fucked him!" Morgan screech. 

"Can you shut the fuck up?! Dannie's still in the house." 

"Oh shut up. She's watching TV downstairs. So tell me, you get the D?!" 

"Morgan can you sound anymore childish?" Erin shot her a look. 

But Morgan wasn't having it. She reached out and pinched Erin's bicep. Erin squealed and swatted her hand away. 

"Morgan!" 

"Stop stalling. It's a yes or no question. Did you shag that adorable nerd?" 

"NO!" Erin said loudly and punched Morgan's shoulder. Morgan groaned. 

"Are you lying to me little me?" Morgan asked, rubbing her shoulder, "Because if you are-" 

"What you gonna do about it?" Erin smirked. "I'm trained in combat, remember?" 

"So?" Morgan challenged, "I can still whoop that ass little girl." 

"Bitch, who you calling little?" 

"Stop!" Morgan stomped her foot, "what happened, you're still not telling me!" 

"He asked me out!" Erin finally said, exhausted. She sat on the corner of the bed and smiled up at Morgan, "he asked me out, big me. On a real date. Like a normal person. Me? Can you believe it?" 

Morgan felt a pang of emotion in her heart right then, looking down at her sister. What seemed so normal to the rest of the world was so extraordinary to Erin. It was another one of those moments when Morgan really saw how much growing Erin had missed out on in the military. Erin was tough and cold and strong, but in matters of the heart she was naïve and scared. She saw how truly young and lost she was and it almost tore her apart inside. She walked up to Erin, leaned down, and kissed her on the forehead. 

"Oh honey, of course he did. He'd be a fool not to." 

Erin sensed Morgan's change in emotion. "You ok?" 

Morgan just smiled. "Yeah, I'm fine little me." She sighed, then shook it off, "but what about you? Did he tell you where you all are going? And when is this date anyway?" 

"On the 28th. He said it should be after Christmas but before New Year so he could say we went on our first date 'last year'." 

"First date?" Morgan quipped, "is he planning on more than one?" 

Erin smiled. "I certainly hope so! But he didn't say where we are going. Just that I should be prepared to have my socks knocked off." 

Morgan couldn't help but roll her eyes, which made Erin grin more. 

"I know, I know, he's a giant corn ball. But I've never been with a corn ball before and I've got to say, I really like it." Erin paused. "I really like him. Which is so strange 'cause I hate everybody." 

"Yeah, you do." Morgan nodded. 

Erin looked up at her sister seriously. "Ya know," She said, "I still think about the bad things with him." 

Morgan sat down in the desk chair across from Erin and listened. 

"I mean, I didn't understand at first, you know? The movies and books say that when you're with a great person, you forget the bad things. They melt away. Even he says it's sort of like that for him when we talk. But for me, it's different. I think about those things, heavily. I tell him about it. About the hot days and lonely nights. About the other soldiers, the people I've met. I tell him about the nightmares and the shakes and the random bouts of throat-clenching fear. And I think about it. I consider it. I turn it over in my head all day long. But with Wyatt, it's not bad. Not at all. It's like, when I tell him... when I know that he's the one that's listening, the bad things lose their power over me. I mean, it's awful, just not as much. I shake less. I sleep more soundly. The dreams don't rack me like they used to. I don't know if I'm explaining this right." Erin looked down and bit her nail. 

Morgan smiled and patted her on the head. "I understand." She suddenly gained resolve and stood up. "Wyatt sounds like a special guy, so you need to wear something special on this date. You are trying to get laid right? Let's look for something for that." 

"Morgan no," Erin protested, "I won't slut it up. It's our first date!" 

"So? You guys will have been talking for pretty much a month by the time you go out. The date's this Saturday right?" 

"Yes. And that don't mean I need to screw him." 

"I'm not saying you HAVE to do the ookie doke," Morgan said as she rifled through her closet, "I'm just saying: bring a condom, just in case. And wear a push-up bra." 

Erin rolled her eyes. "My boobs are fine." 

Morgan turned her head and gave Erin's chest a glance before turning back around. "Eh." Was her only comment. 

"The fuck you mean 'eh'?" Erin protested. 

"Well, they fit your frame at least. And they're not little." 

"They're just not your D-cups." Erin grumbled. 

Morgan laughed. "Damn straight. Now where are those crotchless panties I know you've been hiding from me." 

Erin gaped, shocked. "Morgan!" 

'Abdi?' 

Erin stared at the copper skinned man standing in the middle of the dusty dirt road. 

'Abdi, what are you doing here? You're not supposed to be here.' 

The man stared at her, his clothes tattered and crusted with blood. His left hand stuck out to the side and was trembling visibly, but she couldn't see his right hand. 

"Who the fuck-?" Tristan asked before Erin cut him off. 

"Slow it down. Stop the truck. It's Abdi." 

"What?" David piped up from the back. "Where's Abdi?" 

"Standing in the middle of the road. He looks fucked up." Tristan answered. 

"Fuck. Some assholes probably attacked him after seeing him hanging out with us." David sighed. 

"Oh no, his kids!" Erin remembered suddenly. She stared at Abdi. He appeared to be weeping. "We should help him." She reached for the door, but Tristan put a hand on her shoulder to stop her. 

"Erin no. Think for second. Why is he here? If the local thugs roughed him up, why come here? And how did he get here before us?" 

Erin's jaw stiffened. "What? No Tristan, you didn't say that." 

"And why was he just standing there Erin?" David said in the back. 

Erin turned around and looked at him. "No. David you didn't say that either. This is wrong. You're saying things all wrong." 

Tristan's grip tightened on her, focusing her attention on his face. "Erin think. The village we just left. The men. The suspects. What kind of man is Abdi." 

Erin frowned in confusion. "What?" 

"What kind of man is he!" David yelled in her ear. 

"I don't know!" Erin yelled back and looked at Abdi. The sun shone on his shaking body. His eyes were pitiful as fat tears rolled down his dusty face, creating a trail. His expression was pleading to them. 

"Answer me Erin," Tristan said, "what kind of man is he?" 

"A... a sad man?" Erin stuttered as deep apprehension crept into her throat. 

"No! Erin, think!" David yelled again. 

Erin saw Abdi's right arm move. 

"He's... a, um, shy man?" 

"No!" It was Tristan that yelled this time. "Think!" 

Fear burst within her now, expanding her chest. Her eyes became moist as she watched Abdi's right arm extend itself further. She was running out of time, and out of answers. 

"He's a scared man." She whispered. Abdi stopped moving entirely. He was stone still, watching her. 

"Yes Erin," Tristan whispered, "he's scared. He's afraid. And what would a scared man, with children, with a home, desperate to protect it all - what would he do to save all that he loves?" 

Abdi's left hand shot forward. He was sobbing again, reaching for her. His cracked and bloody lips were moving fast, but Erin couldn't make it out. His right hand emerged. He was holding something. He stretched it out towards her. 

An icy terror seized Erin. She ripped her arm from Tristan's grip and pressed her palms to the windshield. 

"Anything!" She spoke the answer. Erin started pounding her fist on the windshield. 

"Abdi no!" She screamed with all her might. 

Then he pushed the button. 

Erin vomited over the side of her bed. 

Hot sticky mess poured from her and onto carpet below. She sobbed as it dribbled onto the bed skirt, but she kept on retching. Her nose clogged and her teary vision was completely blurred in the darkness of her bedroom. It burned her nostrils and mouth on its way out. She heaved until most of the Christmas Eve dinner was on the floor. Once the gagging subsided, Erin's body slumped weakly. She felt a small tremble pass through her. She closed her eyes and forced herself to stop crying. 

'C'mon. Get it together.' 

Drained and exhausted, Erin forced herself up and tiptoed into the restroom. She washed her face, brushed her teeth for what felt like an eternity, and changed her pajamas. She grabbed a bucket, scrub brush, carpet cleaner, a towel, and disinfectant and crept back into her room. She spent the next hour cleaning up the mess. She scrubbed and sprayed and pushed back tears. 

"This can't keep happening." She said aloud. She looked up and saw that it was 2 am. She swallowed a lump in her throat and pushed back the dream. She scrubbed and scrubbed and changed the sheets. She poured out the bucket in the restroom and scrubbed it out as well. She worked numbly. Once she was satisfied that everything was clean, if a bit damp, she grabbed her cell phone from the charger and crawled back under the blanket. 

What am I doing? He's asleep, I know this. 

Erin's mind spoke, but her fingers kept moving. She scrolled down to the last name in her contacts, which didn't take long as she had no friends. 

Wyatt. 

She dialed. 

'Just wish him a Merry Christmas. Just leave a quick message. That's not so bad. Even though it is almost 3 am now.' 

She bit her lip and shut her eyes and the dial tone rang through. Her body curved and she seemed to surround the phone in a fetal position. 

"Wyatt..." She whispered his name. 

"Yeah?" A groggy voice on the other end of the line answered. 

Erin hadn't known she'd shut her eyes until they popped open at the sound of his voice. 

"Wyatt?!" she said almost frantically, "what are you doing up?" 

"I'm not up," he answered in a hoarse voice, "I'm asleep. Besides, you're calling me. Why are you up?" 

Erin paused before answering. "Um, I uh, wanted to wish you a Merry Christmas," she lied pathetically. 

Wyatt didn't buy it. "At-" he stopped to check the time, "2:50 in the morning?" 

"The Christmas spirit can hit you at any time, don't you know?" Erin chuckled weakly. 

Wyatt wanted to laugh, and he would have, if he wasn't so worried. "Erin." 

And that's all it took. Just the sound of his deep soothing voice, the soft way he spoke her name, was enough to break her. Erin let out a sob. 

"I know this is childish, but I had a nightmare." 

"It's not childish when you are dealing with the traumatic things you've had to endure. What happened?" Wyatt's voice was clearer now as he forced himself awake. 

"I don't want to talk about it." 

Wyatt sighed. "Yes you do. That's why you called me. You want someone to hear you." 

"Yeah, I do. But not about this. I can't-" Erin's voice broke and trailed off again. 

"Erin, sweetheart listen to me. Listen to my voice. It's real." 

"Wyatt-" 

"No Erin, hear me, right now. My voice talking to you over the phone, this is real. That dream is based on something very real, but it wasn't. That's gone now. It's done. But I'm here. Hold on to that. Hold on to me." 

"I wish I could right now." 

There was silence from the other end. 

"Wyatt?" 

"I'm coming over." 

Erin heard shuffling and a jingle of keys. "What? Wyatt no, that's not necessary." 

"What's your address?" 

"Wyatt-" 

"Erin, I'm coming. Even if I have to break into the school at 3 am and get Dannie's records to find the address, I will. But I'm hoping you'll make this a little easier for me. Please Erin." 

She quietly rattled off the address. 

"Thanks. I'll be there in 20." 

Wyatt hung up before she could utter any more objections. 

He's coming here. Now. Right now. 

Erin hopped out of bed. She quickly wiped her tears and ran to the restroom. She examined herself and frowned. 

'You look like shit on a shingle. Geez.' 

She grabbed her knit hat and stuffed in her curls. She pulled on a cardigan over her tank top. She looked down and decided that nothing could be done about her checkered purple pajama pants. She shuffled downstairs and waited by the window. 

'Fuck. I should have stopped him.' 

She stared out expectantly for his car. She was glad that Morgan had made her get contacts. She didn't have to squint anymore as she gazed out into the blackness. She felt like a puppy waiting for their owner. She fidgeted and bit her thumbnail. In a sudden panic, she made a mad dash for the restroom. She brushed her teeth for the umpteenth time and spritzed herself down with vanilla sugar body spray. 

'What are you doing?' 

She sighed and went back downstairs as headlights pulled up on the curb. She watched the car park and the tall figure come out and up to her door. Before he could knock, Erin unlocked the door and opened it. 

"Wyatt." His name fell from her lips, light and weak. 

Wyatt didn't hesitate. He wrapped his arms around her shoulders and pulled her body to his. He pulled her hat off in the process and buried his face in her hair. She closed her eyes and drank in his closeness. It was strangely exhilarating. His body on hers, her skin on hers, his warmth mixed with her own, it all felt like an immense hunger had been sated. Her skin was hungry for his. It occurred to her then that it had been years since she last allowed a man to touch her, to hold her, to fulfill this need for human contact. 

Erin felt starved for him. 

While Wyatt caressed her back comfortingly, whispering soft soothing words to her and rubbing in slow circles, he felt Erin's hands scan his frame in short frantic spurts. She shifted backwards and pulled him in until they were out of the doorway. She pulled away only to close the door before wrapping herself around his body again. Wyatt obliged, hugging her tightly. He wanted so much to be the warm friend she needed, but her hands were distracting. 

He couldn't exactly recall when they made their way beneath his hoodie and the shirt underneath, but he felt her small cool hands excite his skin. Gooseflesh broke out as her fingers raked down his back slowly. The blood in his body started to change directions. 

'No no no no. I can't be sleezy. Not now. Not here. She needs a friend, not a horn dog.' 

But then Erin pulled back and slipped off the cardigan. She pushed Wyatt's hoodie over his head and tossed it aside. Her face set and determined. She knew what she wanted from him. And she was going to take it. 

"Erin." He spoke her name tenderly. "Do you want to talk about it now?" 

"No." 

Her answer was short, as she wasn't really paying attention to his words. Her fingertips were dancing along his exposed arms. Her eyes were burrowing their way through his shirt. 

Wyatt watched her devour him with her gaze and it only made his temperature rise. He felt oddly vulnerable and a little awkward. 'I don't understand. I thought she was sad.' 

"Erin-" 

"Hush." 

Without warning, Erin got up on her tip toes, leaned to Wyatt's neck, and bit him. 

Wyatt was stunned silent. 

The bite was soft, but what got him was the feel of her tongue on his skin. It was hot, like a torch on his neck. Wyatt gasped as his cock hardened. 

Erin didn't stop. She pulled him back close, her braless breasts mashed against his chest. Her nipples were hard and jutting enough for Wyatt to feel them beneath his own shirt. 

'What the fuck? God yes.' 

Wyatt fell in line and pushed a hand through her hair. Her mouth suckled at the spot on his neck. She licked and tasted and moaned against him. Wyatt caressed her back and went so far as to give her round ass a shy squeeze. When she didn't immediately push him away, Wyatt did it again. Erin sighed. 

'She likes it!' 

Wyatt grew bolder and pushed his hands into her pajama bottoms. He groaned when he felt her soft cotton panties clinging to her ass. He palmed both cheeks before giving them a generous squeeze. 

Erin's mouth pulled away from Wyatt's neck so she could moan out loud. A flood of wetness dampened her panties. His big hands and tempered body were making her want to scream. She felt the bulge in his thin bottoms. She admitted to herself that she was shocked at its apparent size. She looked up into his dark eyes and she ground her body against it. 




The Phoenix Ch. 03



Wyatt hissed. "Erin..." 

She loved the way he reacted. She did it again, moving herself up and down against his hardening shaft. Wyatt's grip in her hair tightened. 

"Erin fuck. I'm trying not to-" 

"To what?" she asked in a whisper. 

"You were sad when you called. I don't want to take advantage of that but-" 

"You're not. Trust me." Erin decided to prove this by stepping back. Wyatt watched her as she tucked her hands beneath her tank top and slip it over her head. It was dark in the living room, but the moonlight from the windows were enough. Wyatt saw the round curve of Erin's breasts, the smooth deep tone of her skin, her even deeper dusky brown nipples. His swollen cock twitch and Wyatt did all he could not to grab it while he drank in her image. He took a step forward, ready to attack, when she held up a hand. 

"Take off your shirt," She said in a low voice. 

Wyatt immediately obeyed. He stood, eye glued to her tits, as he waited for her next instructions. 

Erin swallowed hard and hugged Wyatt again, pressing their naked upper halves together. 

'Shit yes. I knew he would be warm.' 

Erin closed eyes and pressed her ear to his chest. His beating heart echoed her own. She smiled. His heart was pounding in his chest. 

'He's nervous. Like me.' It was a comforting thought. 

Wyatt's arms were around her again. He understood the moment for what it was. He set soft kisses on her forehead and in her hair. He lulled her softly with his words. 

"You are so beautiful. Do you know that? Do you understand how beautiful you are?" he whispered. 

"No," she said, "but I'm sure with you, I'll become convinced." 

Wyatt smiled. 

"God, your body feels so fucking good." Erin spoke just above a whisper, almost to herself. She inhaled the smell of his skin and committed it to memory. It was clean and sweet. It was Wyatt. This was Wyatt. She didn't know that Wyatt was doing the same thing, savoring her. 

It was all well and good, until a door upstairs creaked open. Wyatt and Erin separated and looked at one another as the same thought crossed their minds. 

Oh shit. Dannie! 

They hit the floor and scrambled in the dark for clothes. Erin found Wyatt's hoodie and tossed it at him, hitting him in the face and almost toppling him over. 

"Shit!" He said in surprise. 

"Shhhh! Sorry!" Erin hushed him. She found her cardigan, but not the tank top. 

'Fuck. Fuck!' 

Wyatt shoved his body into the hoodie, inside out of course. Erin pushed her arms into the cardigan, knowing it wasn't enough to hide her bare torso underneath. 

Before either of them knew what was what, the light in the living room was flipped on. 

It was Morgan who greeted them with a shocked smirk. 

"Well, well, well. You don't look like Santa," she said, addressing Wyatt. He and Erin stood awkwardly. He blushed a deep crimson, while she glowered at her sister. 

"Um," He tried, "I just wanted to come wish Erin a Merry Christmas." 

Erin couldn't help but giggle at his use of her lame excuse. 

"And what are you laughing at, sinner?" Morgan turned on her. "It's a day of holiday cheer and here you two are, fucking under the mistletoe." 

"We weren't fucking," Erin retorted, "I had a bad dream and Wyatt came over to comfort me." 

"With his dick?" Morgan said incredulously. 

Wyatt put his face in his palms and groaned. "No ma'am." 

Erin elbowed him. "Stop ma'aming her. We didn't do anything dirty." 

"Y'all are half naked in front of God and the Christmas tree, and you didn't do anything wrong." 

Erin tried not to yield. She jutted out her chin defiantly. "No. He just, held me. That is all I needed." She looked over to Wyatt with an appreciative look. 

He smiled. 

"You're welcome." He said softly as he gazed at her. 

Morgan watched them and smiled inwardly. But she spotted Wyatt's t-shirt on the ground and decided to break things up. She picked it up and shot it at his head. 

"I think Erin is okay now. And Dannie will be up in a few hours. I don't know how understanding she'll be about this." 

Erin rolled her eyes at her sister and turned back to Wyatt. 

"I can't thank you enough." 

Wyatt leaned down and kissed her forehead. "Anytime. We still on for Saturday?" 

Erin nodded eagerly. "Most definitely." 

"Merry Christmas Erin." 

"Merry Christmas Wyatt." 

She walked him out and shut the door slowly. She was in a happy daze. 

Wyatt. 

That was, until Morgan found her tank top and threw it at the back of her sister's head. 

"You're getting coal in your stocking!" 

"Is that a hickey!" Casey pointed as she exclaimed. 

"What? No!" Wyatt slapped his hand over the spot on his neck. He had noticed it when he took a shower that Christmas morning. He'd woken very late, but very happy. Casey had come over so the two of them could prepare for Christmas day with both of their parents. They now sat in the car in front of their mother Ana Thompson's house. 

"Wy! You got some Christmas nookie?!" Casey burst forth with laughter. 

Wyatt felt a blush coming on. "No. I did see Erin, but we didn't-" 

"Do the horizontal tango?" Casey snickered. 

"Will you grow up please?" Wyatt chided unconvincingly. It wasn't as if he hadn't thought about it the night before. Or then again in the shower. He had brought himself to climax thinking about her breasts, supple and warm, and her ass, tight and full. 

"Aww, does my big brother have a bad case of blue balls?" Casey teased and poked at Wyatt's arm. 

He swatted her hand away. "Shut up. No more about my balls. We've got to get through this fucking day." 

Wyatt was right. Casey laid on a somber expression as they prepared to exit Wyatt's car. Casey hadn't seen her mother in a month, but spoke with her often as Wyatt did. She hadn't seen her father in a year but spoke with him occasionally over the phone. 

Wyatt hadn't seen or spoken with him in three years. Frank Evans was mean, crass, and rude when he was actually around. When Frank told Ana he would be coming for Christmas, her kind heart couldn't refuse him even though no one wanted him there. Wyatt wasn't looking forward to seeing him at all. He glared at Frank's pickup truck sitting in Ana's driveway. 

"Why did he show up this year?" He frowned. 

"Because he's got cancer." 

Wyatt's head snapped to look at his sister. "Are you joking because, if so, that's not fucking funny." 

"Unfortunately not. We found out around the time you two stopped talking." 

Wyatt was livid. "Casey, what the fuck!" 

She cringed. "I know, I know. But they swore me to secrecy!" 

"I don't give fuck!" Wyatt growled, "you tell me shit like this no matter what! Mom wanted you to keep this a secret too?" 

Casey looked at him and nodded guiltily. 

"Why?!" Wyatt yelled. 

"It was Frank's idea. He didn't want you to feel obligated to come back to him." 

Wyatt rolled his eyes. "No. He just wanted me to slink back like a little bitch and wouldn't take me any other way." 

Wyatt's hands gripped the steering wheel tight. His knuckles turned white. He tried to deep breathe his rage away, but it wasn't working. 

"As a side note, he's in remission. That's good right?" Casey added shyly. She tried to touch his arm, but he shook her off. 

"Don't." 

"Wyatt-" 

"I said no. Don't touch me." 

Casey pouted. 

"And you're sleeping here tonight." 

"What!?" Casey squalled. "The hell I am! Wyatt?" 

"Well I'm sure as shit not driving you anywhere. Now get out and let's get this shit show over with." 

"Wyatt please!" Casey whined. "I had to." 

"No you didn't." Wyatt snarled. "Years Casey! You kept this shit from me for fucking years! Why did you even tell me now? So I can be the asshole that ruins Christmas? He's my fucking dad too." 

"You sure as hell don't act like it," Casey mumbled under her breath. 

Wyatt saw red. "Get. Out. Now." 

Casey frowned. "Fuck it Wyatt. If you want to be pissed, then be pissed. I made mom and Frank a promise and I kept it. You choose to isolate yourself from the family. And this is what you get for it. No one can tell you shit anymore." 

Wyatt was gearing up to yell at her again, but Casey wised up and got out the car. She fixed her dress and heels and walked to the house, leaving Wyatt there to stew. 

Fuck them. Fuck them all. 

Wyatt wanted to drive away and spend Christmas with Erin, Morgan and Dannie. He'd cook for them and get them presents and kiss Erin all he wanted. 

But no. I'm stuck here with a bunch of liars, phonies, and bastards. 

He sighed, letting out a deep, ragged breath. He knew he couldn't leave. It would break his mother's heart. So he gathered his gifts and finally got out of the car. 

Casey opened the door for him when he walked up to it. 

"Better?" She asked snidely. 

"Fuck off." He shot back. "And I wasn't joking before. You're not getting a ride home with me." 

"Why do you have to be such an a-" 

"Wyatt!" Their mother Ana appeared before them, dressed in red and green from her Christmas hat to her reindeer slippers. Wyatt immediately noticed how thin she was and didn't like it. 

"Hey mom." He said, mustering up warmth. Unfortunately, the resentment he harbored was made apparent in stiff hug he gave her. 

Ana frowned. "What's wrong? Are you drinking again?" 

Casey's mouth dropped. 

Wyatt grit his teeth. "No mom. I'm fine. You look...different." 

"This is what a kept woman looks like. Carlo takes good care of me." Ana smiled and winked. Wyatt stayed frowning. 

"Where is Daddy number 2?" Casey asked, hoping to deflect the tension. 

"In Miami with his family. His mother was too sick to travel so he went down to celebrate the holidays with her. He's just the sweetest." 

Wyatt wasn't as angry, but he wasn't very keen on listening to the goings-on between his mom and unofficial stepfather. 

"Where should I set these?" He asked. Ana eyed him before pointing under the outrageously large Christmas tree. 

He walked over and set down the gifts. When he looked back at his sister and mother, Ana had a hand over her mouth while Casey whispered in her ear. 

Probably telling her the jig is up. 

Wyatt figured he was right on the money because his mother tried to walk towards him with an apologetic look on her face. 

"Wyatt, let us explain-" 

"I'm going to greet everyone else." Wyatt turned on his heel and walked further into the house. He would listen to his mother's explanation, but first he needed a drink. A stiff one. 

'If only I could.' 

He instead got ginger ale and made the rounds, catching up with various cousins and aunts and uncles. Ana kept trying to get his attention, but he'd slink his way from relative to relative to avoid what he knew would be an unpleasant conversation. 

She gave up and returned to the kitchen to help finish preparing the meal. Wyatt saw how dejected she was and felt a pang of guilt. 

'I'll talk to her. Later.' 

Once the food was ready and the table set, the relatives began migrating to their chairs in the dining room. Wyatt kept an eye out, but saw no sign of Frank. Ana sat at the end of the table. Wyatt swallowed hard and pulled up a chair to her right, across from Casey. The ladies looked at him skeptically. Wyatt held up his napkin. 

"Peace." 

Ana smiled and held out her hand. Wyatt held it and returned her smile. "We still need to talk about it." 

"I know baby." Ana kissed the back of her son's hand. She reached out and held Casey's as well. "I love you both." 

The trio didn't notice Frank Evans until he plopped down loudly next to Casey. 

"Well, ain't this sweet." He drawled. 

Wyatt's mood instantly soured. Casey seemed shrink into herself, looking down at her hands now in her lap. Ana tried to keep things light. 

"Franklin. Welcome. Merry Christmas!" 

"Merry Christmas Ana!" Frank said loudly. "You look more beautiful than ever. Guess Ricky Ricardo is treating you right." 

'Better than you ever did.' 

"And my sweet baby girl!" Frank craned an arm around Casey. He planted a wet sloppy kiss on her cheek. "How's school honey?" 

"It's going well Frank." 

"Ahahaha! That's my girl. You all watch," Frank bellowed. "This girl is gonna be somebody one day." Frank shook Casey as he laughed out loud. His breath reeked of whiskey, making Casey wrinkle her nose. She looked suffocated in Frank's jolly quake. 

Wyatt's jaw set. The Thirst seized his throat. He forced himself not to eye Frank's drink. 

'Just a drop or two...' 

'No.' 

He couldn't take it anymore. 

"She is somebody Frank. But of course, you wouldn't know that." 

Frank squared his gaze on his son. 

"And the prodigal son speaks!" Frank cracked. 

"Do you even know what prodigal means?" 

Frank laughed, but there was no humor in his eyes. 

Casey's eyes bounced between them nervously. Frank still had an arm around her shoulders, his grip on her shoulder tightening. Ana fidgeted with her fork. 

"Let's eat!" She cried, feigning joy. But her guests moved slow and steady, all ready for the show down. 

"Still a smartass little prick I see." 

"Still an asshole I see." Wyatt fired back. 

Frank finally released Casey and shrugged. He frowned and took a generous sip of his drink. 

"You still spending your days chasing after snot-nosed little kids?" He raised his eyebrow. 

Wyatt leaned forward. "Yup. You still... doing nothing?" 

"See, that's where you're wrong boy." Frank shook his fork at Wyatt. "I do a man's work. I get rough and dirty and I make money. When do you do that? Making mud pies with the kiddies?" Frank laughed out loud at his own joke. 

"Frank stop it!" Ana scolded. "It's Christmas. Let's eat and enjoy the family company." But no one seemed to hear her, other than Casey. 

"Mom's right. Let's eat!" She helped pass around mashed potatoes and greens, but Wyatt didn't see any of it. 

"I'm fine Mom." He assured her. "It's only Frank." 

The two men stared off, tension filling the room like a thick cloud of anger and resentment. Frank smacked his lips and smirked. 

"And tell me boy," Frank chided. "You able to find a woman into kiddie teachers?" 

"Matter of fact-" Casey started, but Wyatt shot her a death glare. She caught his look and shut down her sentence. 

"Not yet Frank." 

Frank grinned wide, satisfied with his answer. "I didn't think so. Girls aren't fighting for the whiny Mr. Rogers who can't handle a beer on a Wednesday." 

Casey and Ana dropped their utensils, as did a few of their cousins. 

'Well if it wasn't a secret before, it sure as shit ain't one now,' Casey thought. 

"Franklin!" Ana screeched at him. "How can you say such an awful thing!" 

But Wyatt just smirked. "Don't worry mom. Frank's just boasting since his little health scare is over. Testicular cancer ain't no joke." It was Wyatt's turn to have the whole family gape at him. 

Frank's face transformed. "What are you talking about boy?" 

"You heard me. They snip off a ball or two there Frank? I was wondering why it was so imperative that I not find out about your little condition. You got neutered." 

"Pssh. I still got more balls than you boy." Frank growled. 

"You mean ball? No more plurals Frank." Wyatt grinned at his father, setting the older man off. 

Frank stood over Wyatt. "Listen here, you little shit-" 

"No!" Wyatt shot up as well, his fists clenched, his eyes narrowed on Frank. "I'll never listen to you again. Sorry everyone, I must be taking my leave." Wyatt pushed back. 

"Yeah, watch him run off with his tailed tucked between his legs." 

Wyatt shot him the finger. He hoped Frank would throw his drink at him. 

'Just a taste.' 

'What the fuck?' 

Wyatt felt shame at his urges. It was time to go. 

"Bye mom. I'll call you." 

Casey stood to follow. Wyatt shot her another look. She pouted and sat back down quietly. 

"Merry fucking Christmas." 

"Y'all better not be hiking, because you are not dressed for it." Morgan said, admiring her work. 

Erin looked at herself in the mirror and smiled. She'd borrowed Morgan's black-sleeved tight dress. She felt simple in her dark tights and boots. The gold spiked earrings and necklace added the edge she never thought she had. Her curls fell to the left, untamed and framing her face. 

Morgan applied her make-up, dark shadowed eyes and red stained lips. She raked her fingers through Erin's hair. 

"You look like a rock star." She gleamed. 

Erin smiled. "Yeah? I mean, you know I don't really look, feminine." 

Morgan frowned. "What are you talking about? You're gorgeous. You have weirdly perfect skin." She turned around and searched through her make-up bag for mascara. 

Erin watched her sister and smiled. She felt a sudden burst of appreciation and love. She wrapped her arms around Morgan and pressed her face into her back. 

"Thank you, big me." She said sincerely. 

Morgan smiled and squirmed a bit. "You're welcome, little me." 

Right then, they heard a knock on the door. 

Erin shot up straight. "Fuck, he's early." 

"Of course he is! What a gentleman!" Morgan chimed and gathered up the make-up. "You wearing panties?" She asked suddenly. 

"Yes." Erin stated with a hint of exasperation. 

Morgan frowned at her. 

Erin rolled her eyes. "For god's sake Morgan. It's our first date!" 

Morgan shrugged. "Whatever you say!" 

Wyatt was floored. 

Erin stood before him, like a figure he'd dreamt up. 

'Jesus, has she been this hot the whole time?' 

His eyes languidly crawled over her curves. He knew he wasn't hiding his lust very well, but he couldn't help it. 

"Hi Wyatt." Erin smiled. She admired his outfit. Her eyes went straight for the navy blue tie. It was perfect and she could close her eyes and imagine him standing in front of the mirror, tying and retying it until it was perfect. She could see him adjusting it in the collar of his crisp white dress shirt. She could envision him ironing down any creases in his grey sweater before sliding it on top. She imagined him cleaning off his boots, as they looked perfect now. 

"Um, hello." Wyatt coughed out. He randomly cleared his throat, and only then remembered that he'd brought her flowers. "Shit, um these are for you." His clammy fist shot the lilies out in front of him. 

"Thank you, they're beautiful. These look fresh!" Before she could grab them, Morgan appeared next to her and yanked them out of Wyatt's hands. 

"I'll take those!" She disappeared again. 

Erin shook her head. "Sorry." 

"No problem. Was she standing there the whole time?" Wyatt joked. 

"I don't know." Erin laughed. 

"Here you go!" Morgan appeared again, this time shoving Erin's coat and small purse into Erin's jumpy arms. 

"What the fuck? Did you just phase next to me?" Erin exclaimed. Wyatt chuckled. 

"Yes. Now leave." Morgan hustled her out the door. "Take good care of her Mr. Evans!" 

"I certainly will," Wyatt said cheerfully. 

"And feel free to stay out late. Very late." Morgan winked. 

Wyatt blushed. "Um... uh thanks?" 

Erin shot her fist out and slugged Morgan on the shoulder. 

Morgan just laughed as she shut the door. 

Erin sighed and shifted on her coat. "Sorry about that." 

Wyatt didn't hear her. He just stood awkwardly, watching her chest come forward and her back arch as she slipped on her coat. 

'Jesus, I'm in trouble.' 

"So where are we going?" Erin asked, calling back his attention. 

"Oh uh... it's a surprise." Wyatt grinned. He seemed to gain a surge of energy and stayed that way the entire drive. He spoke excitedly, careful to avoid his Christmas escapades. He kept a smile on her face the whole ride and when Erin reached over and held his free hand as he drove, he almost jumped. 

'He's always so warm,' she thought. 




The Phoenix Ch. 03



They reached an old small warehouse. It was a bit out of the way and gave Erin the creeps. 

"Wyatt, where are we?" She asked, trying not to frown. She didn't like it. 

"It's a surprise. Follow me." Wyatt walked ahead of her, but Erin stopped. 

"Wyatt." She eyed him. 

Wyatt frowned, then smiled softly. He extended his hand. "Do you trust me?" 

Erin looked down at his hand. She looked back up at his green eyes and smile. 

'Here goes nothing.' 

She clenched her left hand and gave her right hand to him. He pulled her along into the dark warehouse. It reminded her of the one from The Departed, and that didn't help ease her apprehension. They entered a freight elevator and began to ascend. Erin frowned deeply and held Wyatt's hand tight. He smiled down at her and squeezed her hand. 

"Ok, so-" he said as they came to a stop, "this is going to be a little unorthodox." 

The doors opened and Erin gasped. 

Before her, a jungle emerged. Gorgeous flowers and shrubs burst all around her. The intense floral smell hit her, filled her nostrils, her mouth, her lungs. Green vines draped from the glass ceiling. The colors and scents overwhelmed her. Her mouth hung open; her eyes darted every which way. 

"Welcome to one of the last greenhouses in the city," Wyatt said proudly. 

"What?" 

"Yeah. It was a pet project of mine when I started rehab. I know it's not very big-" 

"It's breathtaking Wyatt," Erin said up to him, "It's like a dream in winter." She walked through the aisles, caressing the delicate flower petals with her fingertips. 

"Casey helped me build it. My kids volunteered here once, but we couldn't swing it again. They don't like the area. But I do. It's old and industrial, but it's quiet. I've never had any trouble here." 

Erin listened, but she was in wonder. She saw roses and lilies, which she recognized, but most of the other flowers she didn't. 

"Is this real?" she asked herself. 

Wyatt answered. "Yeah. And it wasn't easy, believe me." He held her hand as he showed her the different buds and blooms. She was fascinated by each and every one. 

'She likes it! She really likes it!' 

Wyatt was happy. He described the planting process and all the reading he had to do. 

"The guys at Lowes only knew so much." He laughed. He led Erin into an office in the back. 

There was a cozy office with a table for two set in the middle. Erin smiled. 

"This is lovely Wyatt. What made you pick here?" 

"You," he said, admiring his work. 

"Me?" 

"Yeah." He sat her down and took her coat. 

"How did I inspire any of this?" Erin watched him. He placed her coat and his on the couch by the door and sat across from her. He shoved his iPhone into its home and turned on Pandora. 

"The rest of the world is loud and harsh and it feels inescapable at times," He said, "you told me once that you used dunk your head in water sometimes when you have attacks. I figured that was a way to drown out the noise in your head." 

He looked at her earnestly. "The world is quiet here." 

Erin wanted to cry. 

"You heard me." 

Wyatt nodded and smiled. 

They ate heartily and lounged on the couch. Wyatt was stretched out with Erin on top of him. The sweet smell of flowers lingered in the air. His heartbeat was steady and soothing in her ear. His hand was buried in her hair, while the other was around her waist. 

"Thank you Wyatt," She said against his chest. 

"For what?" 

Erin sat up and looked him in the eyes. "For this. For all of this." 

Wyatt gave her a lazy half smile. "Thank you for coming." 

Erin couldn't help but laugh. "Of course I came." 

"Yeah but," Wyatt shook his head, "you didn't have to. You didn't have to choose me." He sat up, speaking seriously. "I know I'm not exactly normal. I spend so much time trying to fight off..." He trailed off. 

"The Thirst?" 

Wyatt nodded. "I'm alone a lot. Trying not to give in. It's like-" 

"Like you're not a real person. Not like everyone else. You're some anomaly, but not interesting enough to study." 

Wyatt swallowed. It just occurred to him how close their faces were. They'd yet to kiss. 

"Yes," he whispered. 

As if on cue, the words of the playing song crept between them. 

Honey just put your sweet lips on my lips, we should just kiss like real people do. 

Wyatt's eyes darkened. Erin watched him brush her hair from her eyes. Her gaze slid down to his lips. She studied them. Wyatt did the same, moving his thumb to lightly glide along her bottom lip. He opened his mouth then and sang along, his voice hushed and deep. 

"I could not ask you where you came from, 

I could not ask it and neither could you. 

Honey just put your sweet lips on my lips, 

We could just kiss, like real people do." 

Erin leaned forward and pressed her lips to his. Their tender kiss was more than she expected it to be. Wyatt's lips were as warm as she hoped they would be, but they were also sweet and supple. She opened her mouth and took his bottom lip between hers. His tongue slipped forward, like a guest she'd been waiting to arrive. She greeted his with her own, eliciting a drowsy rumble in his chest. Her lips parted wider, inviting him in. Wyatt held her head still with his grip and plunged forward, trying to taste all of her at once. Erin's breath was gone, making her lungs ache. But she was afraid to breathe. She didn't want it to end. 

It was Wyatt who pulled back. 

"Are you real?" He murmured. 

Erin shook her head slowly. "But then, neither are you. We're perfect for each other." 

Wyatt grinned. 

He hadn't felt Thirsty all night.