ORP: The Things I Didn't Say

Awkward wasn't exactly the word that Lucas would use to describe that kiss but then again he hadn't been in Gracie's shoes. He laughed softly and nodded his head to let her know that he got what she meant at least, because in truth he did. His first kiss was awkward for both parties. "But now the worst is over. You did it and next time we kiss it won't be a first kiss." He responded. His first kiss had terrified him; he was fifteen and they were both virgins and were pushed into a closet together for seven minutes in heaven. It had ended as well as it could have. 

Lucas thought that he knew Gracie fairly well. He had figured after that kiss she'd want to cuddle up against him and turn her attention to the television show that was blaring in the background so when she crawled on his lap and kissed him again it was the last thing he had been expecting. A noise of surprise left his lips when her lips were back on him but he kissed her back in earnest as his hand found the side of her face before sliding back to cup the back of her neck. 

As his tongue danced with hers Lucas's hands began to explore her body. They moved down her spine and to rest on her waist before finally resting on her lower back. He wrapped an arm around her waist to lift her up with ease to lower her back down on the couch. One of his legs rested between hers as the other leg draped over the couch and his foot rested on the floor. As he broke their kiss to take a breath he panted softly and chuckled as he spoke, "You just keep on surprising me, Bridges." 

She was, without a doubt, one of those women that Lucas was starting to realize he would never be able to predict her every move. She had already thrown him off-guard twice tonight and he had a feeling it would happen more than that in time. He crushed his lips against hers this time, kissing her for only a brief moment before his teeth gently nipped at her lower lip. With one hand resting beside her head to hold himself up above her his other hand moved from her waist. His fingers brushed along the band of her sweats and he dipped his fingers under her shirt to feel her skin beneath her shirt. He moved them over her stomach, tracing a mindless design onto her flesh before he moved them up along her side. His weight rested on top of hers as he brought his other leg up onto the couch and he broke their kiss to press his lips down her neck.

So much for Lost.

Sleep was something that Lucas found hard to come by ever since the events that unfolded in Iraq. When he closed his eyes he pictured that night before Gracie's helicopter rescued him and Mike. He pictured the family that was in the house they invaded. He pictured the little boy who was holding a gun and the little girl who was scared in a corner. He pictured the looks on their faces when his CO shot their father, and the events that unfolded after that. It was too much for him, at times, and the darkness, which had once been his ally, became his worst nightmare. 

Tonight, tonight was different. Perhaps it was Gracie's presence or perhaps it was because he had finally reached that point of exhaustion - whatever it was, Lucas finally slept soundly, even if it was only for a couple of hours. When the sound of the DVD menu screen finally stirred him from his sleep Lucas opened his eyes and stretched his arms out above his head. His back hurt from the position he fell asleep in and it took him a few moments for him to remember where he was and what exactly had happened only a couple of hours earlier.

Gracie. She was here, or at least she had been. He looked around the living room only to be met with mostly darkness. She wasn't in here, perhaps she had went to the bathroom. He didn't think that she'd leave without saying goodbye so that thought didn't even cross his mind. He flicked the light on beside the couch and stood to his feet before turning the television and the DVD player off. As he stretched his arms above his head and yawned, the front of his shirt crept up his stomach before he pulled it back down and he shuffled out of the living room and towards the bathroom.

When he saw Gracie in the kitchen he gave her a small smile and diverted his course. He leaned down to rest his arms on the counter-top and he tilted his head to the side as he looked her over. "How long have you been up for?" Lucas inquired, reaching for his own slice of pizza and he took a bite. When Evvie jumped up on the counter he chuckled and pulled a piece of sausage from it before holding it out for her to eat. He finished the food that was in his mouth wiped at the corner of his mouth before speaking again. "What do you think about relationships, Gracie?"