T/W:

****

Rafferty felt better once he awoke. Whatever Everly gave him, it kicked his pain right in the ass. He rolled on to his back, staring up at the ceiling. His stomach growled. He wondered what time it was. It wasn’t too dark out so perhaps mid-afternoon or early evening. He struggled to a sitting position. He gave himself a once over. He looked like total crap. He was surprised Everly hadn’t fainted when she first found him.

"Everly?” Rafferty called out. He listened for the sound of footsteps, but didn’t hear any.

"Everly?” Rafferty called louder. Finally, he heard her coming. The door opened slowly and Everly stuck her head in.

"Hey. How-how are you feeling?” Rafferty couldn’t miss her red, puffy eyes.

"Much better. Thanks to you.” He tried to smile.

"Oh, yes,” Everly snapped. “Thanks to me!" Rafferty frowned.

"Is something wrong?”

"It’s my fault!” Everly burst out, looking like she might start crying again. “I shouldn’t have forced you to walk to the bathroom! You must have been in such awful pain!”

"It was my decision,” Rafferty said quietly.

"I could have brought you a bucket or something,” Everly went on, as though Rafferty hadn’t spoken.

"I don’t blame you, Everly. I wasn't in the greatest condition before you even helped me,” Rafferty said firmly.

"Maybe so. But I certainly didn’t help you by any means,” Everly argued. Rafferty sighed. Women. Why did they insist on turning every little thing into a federal case?

"Fine,” Rafferty said. “You wanna blame yourself, then go right on ahead.” Everly just glowered at him.

"Would it be possible for me to get something to eat?” Rafferty asked, eager to change the subject. “And then after I eat, maybe we can do what I suggested so I can try to get cleaned up some?” Everly nodded.

"What would you like to eat? There’s some leftover potato soup. Or I could make you some tuna fish sandwiches.”

"The tuna sounds good,” Rafferty replied. Everly’s face softened ever so slightly.

"I’ll get that for you. And while you’re eating, I’ll get some hot water heated up for you for your bath.”

"Thanks. I really do appreciate everything you’re doing for me.” Rafferty tried to give Everly a genuine smile. She just nodded at him, turned and retreated to the kitchen. Rafferty just shook his head.

****

After Rafferty had eaten, Everly brought in a big, wooden bucket full of hot water, a little container of soap and a big, blue bath towel. Then she brought in some clean clothing that appeared to be men's.

"I-I’m not sure these will fit you. But you’re more than welcome to them.” Rafferty searched Everly’s face. She smiled a little before turning to go.

"Thank you, Everly,” Rafferty said quietly. She nodded, but didn’t turn back around. She simply pulled the door closed behind her. Rafferty slowly and carefully peeled off first his shirt and then his jeans. He sat there in his boxers and studied them. They looked disgusting. They were caked with dried blood, dirt and there were several long claw marks on the back of the shirt where that thing had attacked him.

Rafferty leaned over, soaking the wash cloth with the hot water. He applied some soap on to the cloth after squeezing out the excess water. Rafferty slowly and carefully washed himself. It felt good on his achy, tired body. He longer for a shower, but he knew there was no way he’d be able to stand long enough for that. He’d have to wait until his leg had healed more fully before he’d be able to have a shower. Rafferty slowly rubbed the dried blood and grime off his arms and chest. He suddenly realized he wouldn’t be able to reach his back.

"Everly!” She returned so quickly  Rafferty thought that maybe she must have been right outside the door.

"Yes?”

"Would you mind wiping my back off?” Rafferty asked.

"Sure.” Everly sat down behind him and gently scrubbed his neck and back. Her touch was gentle and tender. Rafferty closed his eyes, enjoying the feel of it. It had been several years since he’d allowed a woman-to-touch-him.

"It might be a good idea for me to try and wash your hair. There’s dried blood in it,” Everly said.

"We’ll do that. But let’s figure out good way, huh?” Rafferty was teasing her, but Everly wasn’t sure she liked it.

"Yes.” She handed the wash cloth back to him and got up. “Let me know if any of clothes fit. Would-would you like me to wash the ones you were wearing?”

Rafferty nodded "Go ahead.” Everly gathered up the shirt and jeans.

"And let me know when you’re finished.” With that, she was gone.

***
Rafferty couldn’t say he felt clean exactly, but he felt a heck of a lot better than before. If Everly could help him wash his hair, he’d really be doing good. His left leg wasn’t hurting nearly as much today. He was glad, too. He slowly unwound the bandages that covered his wound. It looked like Everly had done a pretty good job of sewing his leg back on.

Rafferty traced a finger along the edge of the stitches. Talk about some rotten luck. Would his life ever change? There was a knock on the door. Everly must be back from emptying the bucket.

"Come in.” Rafferty carefully slid back on the bed. Everly entered the room. Her long brown hair was hanging loose. It was slightly curly at the ends. Rafferty couldn’t help but think it suited her.

"I see the clothes fit well enough. I’m pleased,” Everly said. Rafferty grinned.

"I am, too. You don’t know how much better I feel being in some clean clothes.”

"I’m sure.”

"My leg’s feeling a lot better, too,” Rafferty added.

"I-I hope it’ll-heal-all right,” Everly said quietly.

"I’m tougher than I look!” Rafferty laughed, but Everly just stared at him.

"Is there a problem?” Rafferty asked.

"Not at all.”

"Then why the somber face?”
"You just-remind me of-someone I know.” Then, “No. I take that back. It’s been a very long time since I’ve been in the company of another-person. Especially a-man.”

"I get it,” Rafferty said. “I’m a loner myself."

"I’m not,” Everly said. “But it just ended up that way.”

"You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to,” Rafferty said quickly.

"I will," Everly murmured. "Just not right now.”

"Understood. Say, do you think you could help me out of this room?” Everly’s face contorted with concern.

"Are-are you-sure?”

"Do you still have any of that medicine that you gave me before?” Rafferty asked.

"I do.”

"Great.” Rafferty moved to slide closer to the edge of the bed. “I’d just kind of like a different view.”

"All right.” Everly handed him the crutches and Rafferty hoisted himself up. Everly helped steady him. She stood back, but stayed close enough that if Rafferty needed some help, she’d be right there. Rafferty slowly made his way out of the bedroom. His leg still was bothering him, but the pain wasn’t nearly as intense.

Everly led him out of the bedroom and out into the living room. Rafferty thumped over to the couch, easing himself down and leaning the crutches next to him. Rafferty took a quick inventory of the living room. It was small, almost cramped. There was the couch and an old arm chair off by the window. There were some old dingy lace curtains that hung over the one window. There was a small, wooden table sitting in the middle of the room, with a plastic pink flower vase, holding a dusty bouquet of plastic red roses.

"I apologize for the cramped quarters," Everly said quietly. "My-my husband only built a house big enough for us two."

"No worries,” Rafferty said.

"Would you care for something to drink?”

"Sure. Water's fine.”

"Oh, I still have some lemonade if you’d like.” Everly hurried to the kitchen and returned with a glass of cold lemonade.

"Thanks.” Rafferty accepted the glass and downed most of the cold liquid.

"Not bad,” Rafferty said. Everly just gave him a tiny smile.
"Do I make you that nervous?” The words just tumbled from Rafferty’s lips.

"Yes,” Everly replied. Rafferty blinked in surprise. He didn’t expect Everly to be so blunt.

"I’d never try and...hurt you,” Rafferty said softly.

"Oh, it isn’t that,” Everly spoke quickly. “It’s just that-my-my-husband was the only-man I’ve ever been-with.” Rafferty scowled.

"I don’t want to sound rude, Everly, but I’m not exactly looking for any kind of relationship.”

"I didn’t mean that, either.” Everly scowled as well.

"Well, what exactly did you mean?”

"I only meant that I haven’t been around a lot of-men,” Everly explained.

"Oh.” Rafferty felt like a fool. Leave it to him to automatically assume some attractive woman could be interested in him.

"Oh. Right. I-I apologize,” Rafferty mumbled, careful to not make eye contact with Everly.

"Don’t. It was my fault. I should have explained it better.” Rafferty dared to look up at her. Was she-blushing?

"I-I’m not very good at explaining myself.”

"Maybe we should just move on from this conversation?” Rafferty suggested. Everly looked terribly relieved.

"Yes!” Rafferty drank some more of his lemonade.

"I..I suppose once your leg is healed, you’ll be moving on?” Everly said softly.

Truth be told, Rafferty wasn’t sure what would become of him. For all he knew, the militia of Cannan could be hot on his trail, eager to lock him up. But Rafferty didn’t feel as though he ought to bring up that bit of information just yet.

"Yes,” was all he said. Why ruin the moment? Things would go to hell soon enough.

****

Rafferty heard the loud shrieks of several Grund that night as he lie in bed that night. He had told Everly he’d be perfectly comfortable lying out on the couch. But she wouldn’t hear of it.
“You need more room to stretch out,” Everly insisted. “It’ll be much more comfortable for your injured leg if you’re lying on a bed.” Rafferty didn’t like it, but he also didn’t really feel like arguing about it, either. He thought about his and Everly’s earlier conversation. Talk about awkward.

Leave it to him to make things uncomfortable. Another shriek ripped through the air and a moment later, the bedroom door creaked open.

"Rafferty?”

"I’m awake.” Everly turned the light on.

"I’m sorry,” she said, coming to sit down on the edge of the bed. “But those things terrify me." Rafferty grinned.

"And yet you faced one just to help me.” Everly actually laughed. Well, chuckled anyway.

"Sometimes I can’t believe I did that.”

"You did, though,” Rafferty murmured. Everly nodded, moving to slide back further on the bed until she was sitting next to Rafferty.

They sat there in silence. Another shriek. Everly’s entire body stiffened. Rafferty reached over, gently taking one of her hands.

"Don’t worry,” he said softly. “I wouldn’t let one of those things hurt you.” Everly smiled faintly.

"I’m glad you’re here.”

"Wow!” Rafferty said, trying to lighten the mood. “You must really be desperate for company if you’re glad I'm here.” Everly chuckled again.

"Yeah. I must be.” She moved to slide off the bed, but Rafferty stopped her.

"You could stay here. If you want. I wouldn't mind." Everly hesitated long enough for Rafferty to think she might stay.

"No,” Everly said softly. “I wouldn’t want to accidentally-kick your injured leg. Good night.” Rafferty felt disappointment wash over him briefly.

"Right. Good night.” Everly flipped the light off, left the room and Rafferty laid there, wishing she would have..stayed.