Day Off: Part IV

She had convinced him... and now they lay together under the inky black sky, the stars seeming to wink at them as their day together wound to a close. She smiled softly, realizing perhaps that he needed this day, this moment to go on as much as she did. So they decided to spend the night out... and return at sun's light.

As her thoughts drifted... pictures came to her. Not those of Second Sight, but pictures of the heart, and the life she had made with Ian Blackthorn. Or rather, the life he had made for her. She recalled Ian's stoic nature, at first only bowing, and sipping his coffee. She had teased him a bit, asking him to tango and had gotten a lofted brow in response. How could she have ever thought him cold and remote? Somehow... her heart had known that beneath that facade was the man she would love forever. The attempt on her life... and the only thought besides Arista's safety was somehow getting to Camelot. Without realizing it, he had led her there, she knew she'd be safe... and she was. She had collapsed quite literally in his arms, and he had protected her. She had noted something, was it anguish perhaps? Lurking there, and as she lost consciousness, in a blinding flash she knew that she loved him, and that on some level, he needed her. Smiling now, curled in his arms, his heartbeat steady and warm beneath her cheek, the memories came fast and furious. The masque at Elspeth and Lerrad's... Michael ... the first wedding ... telling him of their impending parenthood ... the birth of the twins. Skye put a hand over his chest, the muscled flesh smooth as marble but warm... so warm.

How had he put up with her? For entangled in the many happy scenes, was the knowledge of the fights she had put him through, and the reputation they had gotten for feuding and fighting. To their defense, they hadn't known one another well when they married, but instead found their way, sometimes rather loudly as they built together and stepped forward.

Losing him had changed her. Cedric's return, and the torment she felt... she would never be the same. How could she have been so blind? Da was right. Loyalty sometimes was something you gave to your emotions first... to thine own self be true. And the truth was, she belonged with this man now sleeping wrapped around her. Watching the death of the impostor Blackthorn had been no easier, for it was all too poignant to see the life flee the eyes that looked so much like his. Yes... losing him had changed her. For now instead of loving him, she cherished him as well.

Drifting off, scenes from their day together filled her mind. Riding upon the meadow... the laughter and the warm kisses... Skye kneeling behind him to dry the burnished gold of his hair after their third... or was it fourth... swim. Making love with no restraints for the first time in their lives together, and the talks, him voicing his hopes and desires... and his overwhelming love for her which all at once strengthened and humbled her. Feeding each other the food from the basket, and then the nourishment of themselves... and when it was over and Skye lay weeping from the sheer beauty of it all, Ian had held her, and kissed the corners of her eyes, murmuring sweet disjointed phrases of love until her control returned.

Control... that's what it was all about. The giving and taking, and Skye had learned a lesson. This life with Ian wasn't a war to be waged with harsh words and cutting actions... she had stopped looking upon it as such. Learning instead, that the only way to win such a war with Ian Blackthorn was to be willing to lose the battles. They had both emerged victorious. They had each other. "I love you, Ian... the words sound so small... but I love you. You are my entire life, now and forever". The whispered words washed over him, as he slept, and Skye smiled, feeling better for having said them, even if he hadn't heard.

And as Skye drifted off to sleep in the warmth and security of her husband's embrace... overhead she could have sworn that Fate and her father were smiling upon them both.