Kiss of Confusion

by Wesa

This is from a story I wrote some time ago, but never finished because the story was just dumb. I did like this scene, however, and I hope to be able to work it into another story at some future time.

Series: War of the Worlds

Category: Vignette

Rating: G (or a very mild PG-13)

Characters: Lt. Colonel Paul Ironhorse, Dr. Suzanne McCullough, Dr. Harrison Blackwood, Norton Drake, and Debi McCullough.

Disclaimer: I don't own these characters; I only wish I was creative enough to have invented them. They are the property of Paramount. I'm just helping them escape for a bit, and giving them something to think about when inevitably they have to go home.

By Wesa.

"Who was that?" Suzanne asked curiously as Colonel Ironhorse hung up the telephone.

He didn't react at first, staring into midair with a puzzled frown, his hand still on the receiver.

"Paul?"

"Hm? What?" He seemed to come to himself with a start. "Oh, hello, Suzanne," he said. "Did you say something?"

"Yes," she laughed. "I asked who called."

"Oh. ...It was General Wilson."

"Bad news?" she asked softly. "Should I call the others?"

"I don't know ... Odd news, at least. Strange ..."

"I'll get Harrison and-"

"No. No need." He smiled at her and added, "I'll investigate it myself."

"No," Suzanne said firmly. "No!" she repeated when he squeezed her forearm and went on past her. "Paul!" She chased after him, catching up her jacket as she went through the hallway.

He looked at her as she flung open the passenger door of his car and jumped in. "Suzanne, I can handle it," he assured her.

"You can't even define it," she retorted. "Drive. And while you're driving, tell me what Uncle Hank said and what you're planning."

Ironhorse stopped the car at the front gate and got out, coming around to the passenger side. "Suzanne," he said gently, taking her hand and drawing her up from her seat, "come here."

"Why?" she asked.

He locked her door and closed it, then started back around to the driver's side.

"Paul!" Suzanne chased him, got between him and the door. "You're not going without me," she warned.

He sighed, fists on his hipbones. "Suzanne," he said in a tone of long-suffering patience.

"I'm not arguing with you, Paul," she told him firmly.

"Suzanne," he said gently, putting his hands on her shoulders. "Suzanne ..."

She started to protest once more, but he quite suddenly pulled her into his arms and held her tight, pinning her arms to her sides while he kissed her firmly. He kissed her until she was breathless and dazed, until she stumbled as he swung her away from the car. "I'm going," he whispered into her ear, and let her go, to fall or stand on her own two feet, and climbing back into the car, he drove away.

Suzanne stared after him through the closing gates, touching her lips with trembling fingertips. After a moment, she turned and hurried back to the house.

***

"Wait - He what?" Norton demanded, delighted by Suzanne's account of what had happened.

"He kissed me until I was too out of breath to protest anymore, then dropped me and drove away." Suzanne sighed. "Whatever the source of my sudden appeal, I guess I lost it."

Harrison snorted softly. "Smokescreen, Suzanne," he said. "He did that to distract you - Yes, I'll hold," he told someone at the other end of the phone line.

"I know," she replied, "but he meant it, too. I could tell."

"Who could blame him?" Norton wanted to know. "He was probably glad of the excuse, but he would never have done it if he wasn't trying to confuse and distract you."

"But why?" Suzanne persisted.

"General Wilson!" Harrison exclaimed into the phone. "Harrison Blackwood ... Sir, did you call here a little while ago? Colonel Ironhorse took a call, he said it was you, then began behaving very strangely."

"Watch it," Suzanne growled softly.

"Well - not that strangely," Harrison amended. "He kissed Suzanne." He grinned. "He's laughing," he told the others.

"Uncle Hank!" Suzanne protested.

"Yes, sir," Harrison said into the telephone, and listened.

"Mom," Debi murmured, tugging at Suzanne's sleeve, "did you like it?"

"What?" Suzanne asked.

"She liked it, Debi," Norton said softly. "That's why she's so confused."

"Is that right, Mom?" Debi asked.

"Hush, now, baby," Suzanne told her daughter. "We'll talk later."

Debi looked at Norton. "All right, I owe you a quarter," she muttered.

"Debi!" Suzanne exclaimed, aghast.

End.