A Rather Appealing Tree

[Griff Aubert]

Despite himself, and despite the reason for Caitrin’s laughing, he found himself joining her. Even he had to admit that the thought of him trying to protect anyone against anything was a humorous one. It was a well-known fact that Griff was not good in any sort of conflict. He much preferred to try and charm his way out of any bad situation, and when that didn’t work? Well, that was what legs were for. “Well you’d do a much better job than I.” He replied, managing to suppress his laughter. He’d had enough arguments with Caitrin to know she could hold her own. Anyone who tried to cross her was likely to regret it.

“Erm…nothing…” Griff replied, still staring at her legs. They were very distracting. He managed to tear himself away from them and focus his attention back on her, and their conversation, rather than her anatomy. “What did you say?” That was a sure way to hide the fact that he hadn’t actually been paying attention to anything she’d said since her skirts had ridden up. Well, she must know he was going to look given any opportunity by now.

He matched her grin with his own, an extra flashy one, and replied, in all earnest. “Well by making it such an enjoyable experience of course.” His mock-innocence was betrayed by the smirk that now formed across his lips, but then, Caitrin knew fully well what he was implying, there was no need to try and pretend he meant anything else. There was a challenge in his tone, Caitrin was one of the few women he knew who would flirt back so well, and he was going to take full advantage of it.

His flirtation however, was somewhat dampened by her teasing. Yes, he did know how to lead on, he was just too busy being inappropriate. With a quick glare, again, one that was betrayed by a suppressed grin, he replied, “Of course I do, I’m a very experienced rider.” If Caitrin thought she was going to stop his flirting and inappropriate behaviour by doubting his riding skills, well, she clearly didn’t know him very well. After a click of his tongue, Demetrius started moving. Griff shot her a satisfied smile. See, he was able.

[Caitrin de Archer]

Caitrin was surprised at how readily Griff admitted that she was probably the better out of the two at protecting themselves. Didn’t men always want to seem as if they were physically superior or something like that? Well, most men she had met in the past had, but then again, Griff was not like any man she had ever met. She beamed at him in a rather proud way, one thing she prided herself upon was her ability to take care of herself, and Griff agreeing with that just put her in a good mood overall.

Caitrin shot Griff the kind of look which said she knew exactly what he had been looking at, just so he knew that she wasn’t fooled in the slightest. As Griff focussed back on her, well, at least he tried to, she rolled her eyes and playfully his arm with the back of her hand. “I was just wondering what you found so suprising about how I got on the horse.” She resisted the urge to use any more euphemistic words, Griff didn’t need any more encouragement than she was already giving him.

Caitrin matched Griff’s smug look with ease. Of course she knew exactly what he meant. She raised her eye brows at him and pressed her lips together, then moving to nip her bottom lip softly before even thinking to reply to his flirts. “Well in that case you must enlighten me to how you intend to make it more enjoyable.” She grinned at him, putting more emphasis on the last word than was probably needed. She was more than enjoying her flirts with Griff, mainly because he rose to them. Too many men didn’t know exactly how to answer her, or were too innocent to catch the ulterior motives in her words, either way, he was the first man she had come across to actually be able to challenge her flirts.

Ah, so they were back to the ‘riding’ comments. She knew full well that Griff’s words had another dimension to them and she grinned back at him, “I’m sure you are.” She replied, almost trying to feign innocence but it was ruined somewhat by the suggestive look she was giving him. “Perhaps you would like to show me just how much of an experienced rider you are sometime.” That was enough, she didn’t need to add anything because Griff knew exactly what she meant. She was however glad when he did get the horse to start moving in the direction of the house. She placed her head on Griff’s shoulder, and held him tightly so that she was pressed right up to his back. Just enjoying the sensation of being in such close proximity with him for the moment.

[Griff Aubert]

It was not that he found the way she had gotten on that horse surprising - although that was quite unexpected, women should ride side saddle, having said that this was Caitrin. He shouldn't surprised by anything - anyway. It wasn't surprising. It was just something nice to look at. And anyway, not ten minutes ago he'd been without a shirt, so really, seeing some of her, unfortunately hose-covered leg, was some kind payment. He didn't voice this theory, however, somehow he had a feeling Caitrin wasn't going to agree. "It wasn't surprising." He replied after too long a pause, finally managing to once again revert his gaze to her face. "Interesting. Enjoyable," he winked, "But not surprising." If she was going to leave her legs to uncovered he was going to stare. It was an unwritten Law of Griff, and something he had expected her to be aware of.

“Well in that case you must enlighten me to how you intend to make it more enjoyable.”

"Oh I'm sure you can imagine." He replied suggestively. In actual fact, he couldn't think of anything to use as an example. It was rather difficult to try and be seductive whilst on a horse, so hopefully leaving it to Caitrin's imagination would be adequate flirtation for now. She would be expecting more, of course, but she would only tease him for whatever he was going to say. At least this way he wasn't being overtly inappropriate - well, not with words anyway - so he could keep up the pretence of innocence. He couldn't help it if she imagined something inappropriate, now could he?

Despite all of his, what he would call, witticisms, as soon as Caitrin said the word 'riding' he turned into an adolescent teenager and had to physically prevent himself from laughing. He pressed his lips together, and made a rather stange, almost muffled, sound from the back of his throat. Luckily, in a mere matter of seconds, he'd managed to compose himself, and the only thing that remained of his very near outburst was a smirk. "I'm sure it's something you would appreciate." He replied before reverting his attention to the horse. He felt her lean further against him, a small smile forming on his lips and a feeling of genuine happiness running through him.

[Caitrin de Archer]

Caitrin didn’t flush again as she fiddled with the end of her dress, trying to make the best of a bad situation. She had done a lot of things in the presence of men, but she had never readily had her hose on show. It was made more irritating because she kept catching Griff staring. In the end she just gave up fiddling with her hem, it wasn’t going to cover her entire leg so she might as well just leave it for the moment. They were only a short ride away from the house anyway. She raised her eye brows at his words, not bothering to chase them up as she knew exactly what he found enjoyable. In a way she could not even reprimand him for staring as he had been without a shirt for a lot longer than her hose would be exposed for. "Well don't get used to it." She replied in a sort of playful way, accompanied with a small grin as she left her exposed hose alone for the moment.

In truth, Caitrin could imagine exactly what Griff was getting at. She didn’t really want to feed his ego and tell him exactly what she was thinking, she’d already learnt better than that with Griff. Instead a small mischievous grin pressed onto her lips and she raised her head so she could whisper into his ear softly, “I’m sure I can.” And with that she settled her head back down on his shoulder and just enjoyed holding onto him for those few moments. Of course Griff’s next words were just as suggestive as his first, and he could look as innocent as he wanted but Caitrin knew that he was anything but. “Then you shall have to show me sometime, as then I can make my own judgement to whether I will appreciate it or not.” She left it there with a grin, after all they had the rest of the afternoon, and hopefully most of the evening to make their own. She was sure between the two of them they could come up with suitable entertainment; after all there was more privacy in her home than out in the fields.

As they neared the house, it was with great irritation that she saw her father’s messenger still lingering about. Honestly, couldn’t he have just got the hint and have left? She rolled her eyes slightly at him, he was watching the pair with raised eye brows but she honestly could not care less, he was nothing so he could think whatever he wanted. As Griff stopped the horse outside the manor she jumped off it straight away, not waiting to see if he would get off and offer her his hand. She didn’t need his help in getting off the horse so why would she wait to see if he would offer it?

Ignoring the messenger for the time being she gestured for Griff to follow her into the house, a servant was already rushing forwards to take the horse from him anyway. Caitrin pressed her lips together, they never really had many noble guests to the manor very often so she felt slightly awkward. Oh well, this wasn’t going to be incredibly formal anyway was it? She entered the house and spun round so that she was facing Griff, “Well this is home.” She said softly, shrugging slightly and running a hand through her hair. Right what next? Oh right, the letter, “I need to write my father the letter, you can either come with me to the study or wait for me in the solar?”

Notes: Slight godmod, shall edit if you don’t like

[Griff Aubert]

Griff, although he would actually like to get used it, and he was more than willing for Caitrin to get used to him without his shirt on, was in possession of a rather impressive memory – especially when women’s legs were involved. So although he might not be “getting used to it” he was certainly going to continue life with a rather vivid memory. This was especially true as Caitrin's had yet to adjust her skirt, so really, she was asking him to look. He was, after all, only a man, and those were rather lovely legs. What else was he to do? "I don't need to." He grinned, a wider grin that unusual, one that was reserved for when he was being particularly clever or impressive. "I have a memory."

He wasn't surprised by Caitrin's words, which probably said quite a lot about the both of them. They both had mind inappropriate enough to warrant this sort of talk, and it was part of the reason why he liked her so much. A lot of women would never dream of saying something so "outrageous". Caitrin, however, Caitrin said whatever she wanted, which, alright, was usually quite annoying, but when she was speaking like this it was anything but. "I will show you some time," he replied, his grin now looking more like his signiture one, "And trust me, you will definitely appreciate it." He had, at present, an untarnished record and was rather determined that it should remain just so.

As soon as his horse came to a stop Caitrin dismounted and he was slightly disappointed that they were no longer in such close proximity. He kept this feeling silent though and simply followed her, too busy taking in his surroundings to notice the servant take away Demetrius. It was bigger than he expected, and there was definitely an odd sensation at not only being in Caitrin's home, but in being in Rouland's as well. But he was supposed to be away, so that was something.

Although the prospect of watching Caitrin write a letter was hardly filling him with excitement, it was probably better than sitting by himself, probably rather awkwardly, in the solar. So he shrugged and said, "I'll come with you. Wouldn't want to deprive of a second out of my company."

[Caitrin de Archer]

Caitrin pulled a slight face at Griff as he said he had a good memory, well he would wouldn’t he? Then again from what Caitrin already knew of Griff’s personality, if he would be able to remember one thing it would be how a woman’s legs looked. However, two could play at that game. “So do I” Caitrin replied with a grin, of course referring to Griff without his shirt on. On the whole she hadn’t been complaining in the slightest that he had taken his shirt off, this was turning out to be one of her more successful courtships. It was certainly her most enjoyable one to date. Griff certainly was quite different, but in a good way. Caitrin smiled softly to herself; she liked different.

Caitrin was quite surprised that Griff was just playing alone with her words without even looking the least bit taken aback that she was speaking in such a euphemistic way. “I shall look forwards to it.” She said in a rather slow way, almost emphasising the suggestion in her words. Hopefully he would be able to show her how much she would ‘appreciate’ it sometime soon. After all, it would be rude of him to leave her hanging like that for too long. However it probably wasn’t wise to be thinking of such things right this second, after all, she still had to pen a letter to her father. It would be a fleeting note at best; she was not in the mood to write to him. Then again was she ever? But the sooner she could dispatch the messenger the sooner she and Griff would be left in relative privacy.

She was glad somewhat that Griff wanted to come with her, she didn’t particularly want him to leave her side so quickly. She merely smiled at his words and inclined her head slightly, “Then I shall write quickly.” Caitrin then began to lead the way up to the study, which was down the corridor from her own room, though of course Griff wouldn’t know that. She gestured for Griff to enter the room after her and she set about sourcing out some parchment so that she could set about writing.

She set herself down at the small desk and grabbed one of her Uncle’s quills and ink and set about writing. Of course she couldn’t write down exactly what she wanted to say to her father, and if she did so it wouldn’t help anything really. “I wonder if I should write exactly what I want to say to him.” She said softly and looked around at Griff. She wasn’t going to give him up on the word of her father, there was no chance of that. She turned back to her letter and began to put ink to paper, Dear father....

[Griff Aubert]

Griff wasn't entirely sure what reaction he was supposed to have following Caitrin's words. He wasn't the one trying to be modest. If anything, her words just fuelled his ego even more - which was obviously not that easy a task. He had no problem whatsoever with her remembering him without a shirt on, he had no problem with her seeing it again either, although he would request another look at her legs. It would only be fair. "Is that supposed to worry me?" He tilted his head, eyebrows raised and giving her a questioning look. "I take it as a compliment."

"I shall look forward to it."

And now his mind had gone completely blank. Surprisingly enough for an embarrassingly long time he was only capable of staring at Caitrin with a rather wide-eyed look. It was a huge relief, therefore, when he finally managed to control himself and after clearing his throat managed a rather squeaky. "I'm sure you will." He cleared his throat again. This was not good. He was supposed to be being charming and alluring, not high-pitched and embarrassing. "I mean, I know you will." Well, that was well handled.


Griff wasn't sure if that comment was aimed at him or not. It seemed like she was just speaking aloud, in which case he didn't want to embarrass himself by replying, only to be told she wasn't actually talking to him. That was annoying. He had no problem with people talking to themselves, he did it often enough, but it was just rude and confusing when people did it when he was in the room. Instead he walked over to the desk, leaning against to the side of Caitrin with his arms folded across his chest. He was watching her hand as she wrote, before deciding it was none of his business so he should probably stop reading it.

He instead averted his gaze forwards, taking in his surroundings. This was certainly new territory for him - he'd never been invited into a woman's house before, wait, no, he had, but that was under very different circumstances. This, however, was a new experience, and, if he was honest, slightly unnerving. He wasn't sure how he should be behaving, and it didn't help that he could feel Rouland. It seemed like his presence was standing over his shoulder; very distracting when he was going to attempt to seduce Caitrin. "So," he began, drumming his fingers against the desk, "Am I going to get the grand tour?"

[Caitrin de Archer]

Caitrin smiled in an amused way at Griff’s change in tone of voice. She was sure she would enjoy whatever it was he had to offer her. The more they spoke of it, the more she hoped that he would be able to show her exactly what he meant sometime in the near future. Caitrin was sure she could show him a thing or two as well; well that would be the idea, and he would certainly appreciate it. "You can take it however you like." She grinned, referring to his earlier words with a smirk. Caitrin then blinked, this really wasn’t helping her write this letter. She looked back down at the page and began to put pen to paper once more, and began to write.

Eventually Caitrin set the quill back in its stand as she read over her letter. Her eyes were skimming the words and not really reading them at all. The gist was of course that Caitrin was not going to sever her acquaintance with Griff, and that she would be keeping his company more often in the future. Caitrin wanted that to be true, and it would wind her father up no end. He couldn’t do anything about it, he could advise her not to disgrace the family name but he couldn’t physically do anything. Her Uncle held all power over her, and he had not told her to get rid of Griff; though she wouldn’t listen to him if he did. She nodded to herself; that would do.

Griff’s words pulled her from her thoughts and it took her a few moments to process his words. A tour? Oh yes, he hadn’t been here before had he? It was funny, but it felt like Caitrin had known Griff a lot longer than she actually had. She nodded but didn’t verbally answer yet as she tied the letter together with a ribbon, and got out a stamp. She poured some hot wax to seal the letter and stamped it softly to give the wax her family emblem. Caitrin now stood up, the letter in hand and smiled back at Griff. “I’ll dispatch this, then I’ll show you around.” She promised and took his hand in hers. She had missed his touch, even though it had not been too long since she had had her arms around him.

She led Griff downstairs where the messenger now was standing inside the manor, tapping his feet. Caitrin rolled her eyes at him and half shoved the letter into his hand. “Send my father my best wishes.” There were tones of sarcasm there; why should she care about her father? He clearly didn’t care a jot about her or what she was doing. He hadn’t even visited her in Camelot yet, and she had been here for four years. Anyway, that was enough of being irritated with her family. Caitrin turned back to Griff, whose hand she was still holding and she smoothed her thumb across his hand. “Where would you like to start? Upstairs or downstairs?” It would make more sense to start downstairs, but it was really up to Griff what they did because he was the one who had asked for a tour in the first place anyway.

[Griff Aubert]

Griff simply followed, rather submissively, as Caitrin pulled him through the house. He was still trying to take it all in, but she appeared to be a woman on a mission. There was a definite tone in her voice when she spoke to the messenger, and usually he would have made some comment or other, but he knew she had a strained relationship with her father. As someone who knew what that felt like he thought it was best to just let her carry on, besides, if he annoyed her now it would ruin would the plan he had in mind.

“Where would you like to start? Upstairs or downstairs?”

His flashy grin was about to make another appearance. Surely the answer to that question was obvious? Knowing Caitrin though she would probably make him spell it out. How annoying of her. He stepped forward so their bodies were nearly touching and just grinned at her. She must know what he was thinking - they had hardly been subtle about it before. He tilted his head, his grin now becomming more of a smirk. "Oh I think upstairs will be a lot more interesting."

[Caitrin de Archer]

Caitrin was quite glad that the messenger had finally been sent on his way. She doubted she would gain a reply from her father. Honestly, she didn’t know why he bothered with her anymore; no matter what she did it always seemed to be the opposite to what he wanted. But of course he wanted to protect her inheritance, as well as the family name. Right, the messenger was gone, there were more pressing things on her mind; like the man who was now standing to her side. He was the one who really deserved her attentions.

The fact Griff was now standing so close to her was quite distracting in a way. His words however brought a smirk to her lips; had that been his agenda in this tour all along? Well, she couldn’t say that she was complaining, it seemed they were both on a similar wavelength with this particular topic. She raised a hand and brushed it down his arm slowly; her eyes fixing on her fingers before looking back up to Griff. “Then we won’t waste another moment downstairs.” Was her rather smug reply as she turned away from Griff and headed back towards the stairs.

This time Caitrin did not take Griff’s hand as she took to the stairs. It was more alluring in a way to have him pursue her of his own accord. She cast a knowing look at him over her shoulder and pressed her lips together. She didn’t say anything because she didn’t have to; they both knew what the other was thinking so what was the point in trying to profess innocence really? Hitching her skirts up, Caitrin took the last few steps rather quickly, and stopped on the landing and headed straight for her room. Her room was quite near the stairs, so she paused as her hand was on her handle, waiting for Griff to catch her up.

As he did catch her up, a suggestive smile pursed her lips and she fixed her eyes with his and looked to the door with another grin. “I’ll show you the best first, for this is my room.” Of course he knew that this would be her room; where else would she be leading him really? She opened the door, leaving it open for Griff to enter, as she waited for him to join her.

[Griff Aubert]

Well. That had been easy, but then Griff was just that good. He shouldn't be so surprised. His following her up the stairs was perhaps a little too eager, but he managed to slow himself down to a more reasonable speed. He didn't want Caitrin thinking that she was the one in control here, that simply wouldn't do.

When they eventually reached the top of the stairs and what was presumably her room - or rather what he really, really hoped was her room - he matched her grin. It was obvious they were both thinking the same thing now; there was no point in attempting any subtlety. And yet Griff found himself attempting it all the same. He walked into the room as casually and nonchalantly as he could. This was not the first time he had been in a young woman's room. In his arrogance and probably naivety - or was it hopefullness? - he assumed this was a new experience for Caitrin. He should, of course, know better, and yet strangely he didn't. But at present his mind was rather preoccupied.

He closed the door, leaning against it with his foot against the wood and his arms casually folded across his chest. For a moment he just watched her, a small smile on his lips. It soon turned into a smirk however, and he tilted his head, looking at her with a curious expression. "Well well, Lady Caitrin. It's hardly appropriate to be in your room with a young man and no chaperone. Some men might take advantage of the situation..."

[Caitrin de Archer]

Caitrin of course was not surprised that Griff had followed her upstairs. She supposed that he too must have had the words of their previous conversation rolling about in his mind. The conversation after all had been rather euphemistic on the whole, and it was hardly how young courtiers should be speaking. However, Caitrin had never been one for following the rules of courtship, and it seemed that Griff was that way inclined as well.

Her grin continued as he closed the door behind him. She inwardly felt relieved; they were finally alone. Out in the fields they had been exposed, but here they had privacy, so they were free to do as they willed. She folded her arms as he spoke and matched his smirk with ease. She knew where this was leading of course, but there was no harm in a bit of teasing beforehand was there? Caitrin knew she no longer had her maidenhead, and that was really something she didn’t want to go into, this was still all quite new to her. Of course she couldn’t remember anything of that night, neither did she want to, but she wouldn’t think of that now. All that was important was what she was feeling now with Griff.

“Are you trying to say that you won’t be taking advantage of the situation?” She asked him rather playfully. She stepped towards him, but didn’t draw herself up too close to him. She didn’t want to appear overly eager after all; there was no harm in a bit of self restraint after all. Caitrin locked her eyes with Griff’s, priding herself with supposing she knew exactly what thoughts were running though his head at this current moment. After all, they were probably running parallel with her own. To make sure they were both on the same wavelength Caitrin bit down on her bottom lip slowly, keeping her eyes locked with Griff until she spoke once more. “Or were you saying that you will be taking advantage?”

Notes: A rather fitting 400th post

[Griff Aubert]

Well he thought it was perfectly obvious he was saying. Or at least to him it was perfectly obvious. But then he didn't have the most complicated of thoughts, so yes, it was perfectly obvious. He was a man, what else would be suggesting?

And she was doing the lip-biting thing again. She really shouldn't do the lip-biting thing if she was expecting something other than staring. After what seemed to be a rather long time, but was probably only a few seconds, he regained the ability to think coherently and was therefore in a position to reply to her earlier words.

"Oh I will definitely be taking advantage." He said with a grin and put a hand on her back so he could pull her closer to him. "Do you mind terribly?" He didn't give her time to answer - she'd only start teasing him again - instead he kissed her. It seemed far too long since he had last done so, and unsurprisingly her lips were just as soft and warm as he had expected them to be. When he broke away he found himself just looking at her, one hand cupping her jawline. God she was beautiful, and right now she was all his.

[Caitrin de Archer]

Caitrin was of course about to retort to Griff's comment, but his kiss took her by slight surprise. Her cheeks twinged slightly; she hadn't been expecting Griff to be so quick to act, though she then wasn't sure why she was expecting him to be restrained; she was giving him no reason to be. One of her hands found the small of his back, and she used that to support her as she pressed her body up against his. It may have only been a short time since they had been in an intimate position, but to Caitrin it felt like a lifetime ago.

Her lips moved over his slowly at first, before her confidence relighted itself and the intensity of her kisses increased. When he broke away she was already quite breathless and her skin just tingled under his touch. Jesu, how could he just cause her to lose control like this? She was Caitrin de Archer, men weren't supposed to have this effect on her. It was supposed to be the other way around! She quickly decided that she didn't care, this was worth losing control.

She moved her spare hand up to run through Griff's hair, and began to run her fingers down the back of his neck; stopping just before her fingers would have gone under his shirt. Instead then her arm dropped to her side and a small grin found its way onto her lips. "You didn't give me chance to answer." She teased softly and used her other hand to draw him closer once more. Jesu, she just wanted him to stay here with her forever. Right now, Griff was the only man she wanted in her life; it was a new, yet not unwelcome thought in Caitrin's mind.

[Griff Aubert]

No, he hadn't given her the chance to answer. That was because there was no need. And no, that wasn't just Griff being his usual egotistic self. It was just common sense. "Did I need to?" He asked with his signature flashy grin. Again, it was a question that he already knew the answer too. But it would be nice to hear it. Obviously right now he really needed his ego fuelling.

He had, of course, been in positions like this with women before. It was one of the few things he was actually good at, practice made perfect after all. And yet even though he prided himself in that this was something he could do, this was something he did often, and this was something that, let's be honest, most of his life revolved around, he couldn't stop himself being quite so nervous. It was a ridiculous situation. He had no need to be nervous.

Caitrin was supposed to be just another name in a long list of conquests. This was how this had all started in the first place. He'd seen her in the stables and decided that he would do all that he could to get to where he was now. Somewhere along the way he'd fallen in love. She had been rude and angry and annoying and clever and charming and quite frankly, she was the most wonderful person in the world. And here she was, stood in front of him, all that beauty and fire and he was so horribly nervous. As he had had to tell himself over and over again, he was Griff Aubert, women didn't make him nervous. He was supposed to be the one in control, well, that was until Caitrin had come along.

He kissed her again, revelling in the tingling sensation in his lips, how she tasted, how everything else seemed to melt away and didn't matter anymore. It was just her and him, and the bed of course... When he eventually broke away there was that glint in his eye, because if there was something else he was good at it was hiding his true feelings, pretending he wasn't nervous at all. "So milady," he began to speak, before lowering his head and kissing his way down her neck. "I guess the next question is," he looked back at her, a smirk across his lips, "Which one of us is taking my shirt off?"

[Caitrin de Archer]

Of course she hadn't had to answer, and if she had then it would have only fed Griff's ego really. As she placed a soft kiss on his lips something in her stomach shifted uncomfortably. Caitrin had shared many kisses before, and many experiences with men, but this was something else. Her heart began to race as he flashed his grin at her and a warm sensation dawned over her as she continued to hold him close.

Everytime she looked up at him her heart simply skipped a beat and she felt colour almost rushing to her cheeks. Jesu, what had he done to her to make her feel any of this? She was Caitrin de Archer, and she certainly wasn't falling in love. However, as she placed a small kiss on Griff's lips, she suspected she had no say in the matter. Love was the only way she could describe her current feelings, and it was safe to say she never wanted this to end. She never wanted Griff to leave her.

At Griff's question her fingers drop to the hemline of his shirt, and found the soft warm flesh beneath. Her fingers smoothed over his chest as her lips found his once more. Caitrin's heart was thudding in her chest as she deepened the kiss, her hands still running over the flesh beneath his shirt. However she wasn't just about to take his shirt off; no that would be far too easy really wouldn't it? "If you want to take your shirt off then do, it is not for me to decide." She whispered softly; her breath tickling the flesh of his lips.

At that, she merged their lips once more, but it was a short kiss at best as she drew back, a small idea erupting into the front of her mind. She locked her eyes with Griff's and looked down at his lips, resisting the urge to merge them once more. Instead she stepped backwards from him until she was by her bedside. Her eyes still locked with Griff's she shifted herself onto her bed and half lay down on her bed covers; her hose extended from underneath her skirts.

She threw her head back, and began to bite her lip again. Her heart was racing, everything in her mind told her that this as right; they both wanted this. "But if you still want me to take your shirt off; come here and I will be happy to oblige." Of course it did not take Griff long to make his mind up, and soon enough Caitrin found herself pinned between Griff and her mattress. Her lips found his once more as her hand shifted to relieve him of his shirt as the temptation of her extended leg proved worthy of his particular attention

Fade to Black

Notes: I had permission to god mod [/color][/size]

[Griff Aubert]

There were very few moments in Griff's life which could be described as happy. There was always something going on, something nagging him at the back of his mind, telling him that he shouldn't get used to this new feeling, things were going to change, he might as well just stop whatever he was doing and accept this. This was not one of those times.

Caitrin was asleep, or rather he assumed she was asleep, he didn't want to disturb her to find out. She was just lying there, looking perfect. He smiled, one of those genuine smiles that were so rarely across his features. He shuffled closer to her and kissed her shoulder. For once he wasn't thinking of some reason why he had to leave, or wondering where he was going to run off to next. He was just watching Caitrin and running a finger lightly down her back.

Right now, he just felt happy, there was finally something good in his life because she was here, and actually being quiet which was a first, even if she probably wasn't conscious. He'd have to learn to appreciate moments like this, they probably wouldn't occurr very often. And that was when he caught himself thinking about the future, something he'd never done before. He used to live in the moment and not care about anything or anyone, not even caring about himself most of the time. Yet here he was, deciding that actually he did want to think about his future and what he wanted in life - he wanted her.

[Caitrin de Archer]

Caitrin shifted slightly as the veil of sleep began to leave her. It didn't take her long to remember why she felt so happy and her lips curled up into a soft smile and she sighed softly. She truly could not remember feeling this happy before. Her smile could only increase as she felt his lips at her shoulder and his fingers down her back. He was still here with her and that was all that mattered. She stayed there for a few moments, the sensation of his touch still fresh on her skin. The peace was quite welcome, just for a while anyway, for a few moments she could enjoy the fact that while Griff was here he was completely hers. And in return, she was his.

Another soft sigh escaping Caitrin's lips she turned over so that she was now lying on her side facing Griff. Opening her eyes gently, she bushed some of the hair back off her face and just smiled back at Griff. She just stayed watching him for a few moments and shifted so that there chests were almost touching. It just felt so perfect. She had never just wanted one man in her life, and she thought she would miss the thrill of the next chase if she was ever tied down to one man. But here she was, just wanting Griff in her life and no one else.

She raised a hand softly to brush some hair back from Griff's face tenderly and then returned her hand back to her side. He looked just as handsome as he ever did, with his lips curled into his signature smile. She loved that look he had, it just made her heart flutter in her chest. Jesu, was this truly love? Could it really be happening to her? "Good morning." She said softly, raising a hand to brush down his chest and settle on his waist, "Now tell me Griff, is it possible to be so happy?"

[Griff Aubert]

"Good morning." He replied, still smiling at her. It certainly was a good morning, one of his best by far. Her words made his smile even wider, something which a few months ago would have been horribly embarrassing. He was supposed to be the one making women feel like this, not the other way around, but then he'd have to give up on that way of thinking. He was turning his life around, and hopefully becoming a better person for it. He was certainly a much happier person.

He was probably supposed to answer her words seriously, with sincerity, and say that yes, it was entirely possible to be this happy because he was that happy too, and to tell her it was all because of her. But if he behaved like he was supposed to then he wouldn't be in this position in the first place. If he was anything it was a narcissist, and one which would never give up such a good oppurtunity. "Yes, it is." He said and kissed the tip of her nose before continuing. His start was conventional, that was enough surely. "Anyone would be happy after waking up next to me..."

[Caitrin de Archer]

At Griff’s words Caitrin pulled a face in jest and grinned back at him. She hadn’t really expected anything else from him, but that was what she liked in a way. Any man could be sweet, or romantic, but very few could combine the two. “Well, there are worse things to wake up to I suppose.” She teased softly and shifted so that she could rest her forehead against his. She felt like she could only smile back at Griff for a few moments of silence. Usually she had so much to say to him, but for now she was just speechless. It was a new experience to say the least, but of course it would be Griff that she was lost for words for. He had just come along in his rather bold way and changed everything. Caitrin had almost given up on the world of suitors and had resided herself to an almost solitary life; never letting herself get attached to someone for too long. However, Griff had just changed all that, now she didn’t want to be alone. She wanted to share her time with him, and take him on her journey no matter how long or short that turned out to be.

The chill in the morning air was evidently there, so Caitrin pulled the bed covers over their shoulders, which left them both in a rather cosy position together. Right now she almost wished that time could stop, so that neither of them ever had to move. They could just stay here for as long as they wanted, just wound up in each other because that was all Caitrin wanted, and she suspected it was what Griff wanted as well. Jesu, it was just perfect.

As their foreheads were resting together, it didn’t take much for Caitrin to merge Griff’s warm lips with her own. It was only a short gesture, almost like a good morning kiss. She grinned at the idea and settled herself down beside him once more. “And you must know that I now expect to be this happy everytime I wake up and you are lying beside me.” It was a challenge, perhaps a promise of things to come. Griff could see into it what he wanted. For now all Caitrin wanted was Griff, and for him to be hers and no one else’s.