It had become a habit of Gaius to haunt certain places when he needed to unwind and think. He was exhausted, more or less, but the thoughts swirling in his head weren't allowing him to sleep. Going outside to smoke, he apparated off and began to wander. His gaze slowly drifted off to the house in the distance, the occupant therein the object of his tangled up mind. The last few days of recovery had given him numerous opportunity at some quiet time to reflect on the ordeal that was too closely behind him. Some of the things that had happened to him stuck out clearly in his mind, but others swirled together like some kind of twisted nightmare. Not nightmare, but memory, he reminded himself. Nevertheless, they were on the other side of that, perhaps a bit worse for wear in some cases. Still, those moments that stuck out were the ones he most treasured. He didn't think he'd have seen the other side were it not for those. Still, he circled the house, silently crunching last years leaves underfoot, a moonless night with no light save the soft red glow of his cigarette and the house in the distance. Circling, he stopped abruptly at the view of one particular window, noticing the light still burning beyond the drapery. Listening to the cigarette burn as he took a drag, he was left with the thoughts that he ought to do something. Tell her that he was grateful or ... something. With that, he snubbed the cigarette rudely against a tree and let the butt fall, three steps toward the house before it even hit the ground. Keeping an eye on the dark grounds, he stole across the clearing, stealing a glance at the light above him from time to time. Levitating upward as he got to the foot of the house, he stepped lightly onto the roof just outside the window and sat down on it, thinking for a moment before waving away the flags of caution going off in his head. He'd never listened to them before... why start now? Crawling up to the pane, he scratched lightly on it. If she was asleep, it might not stir her, but if she was up reading or something, then she'd hear. And - Merlin forbid - if she had company, she could pass it off as something else. Shivering slightly as the wind whipped around this higher exposed position, he wrapped his arms around himself. He still didn't feel super swift but he convinced himself he was okay. Figuring he'd give her just a few minutes and scratch again, he leave if she didn't answer a second time.


Rae closed the wardrobe as she finished slipping on a silk nightgown and undoing the loose braid that held her hair together. She tossed the robe aside to the chair. Gathering her hair to one side, she made her way to bed, checking her reflection in the process. Slowly, she ran a hand through those long, wavy locks, smiling softly to herself. She stroked her cat's head distractedly as she picked it up from the vanity where it was curled up, looking rather content. Rae was going about the room, doing things even though her mind was elsewhere. As though remembering something, Rae turned around and headed for the door. She opened it and looked out the empty hallway before closing it and pointedly turning the lock. It had been alright, at first. But now... Constantly checking up on her whether she is sleeping or was yet again taken was starting to get on her nerves. <i>That</i>, she thought dully, <i>or maybe they were afraid I'd take off.</i> Vaska jumped out of her arms and stretched; the graceful animal slowly made its way to its basket on the other side of the room. Rae's attention now turned to the window. Initially, she froze, but later, she clamped a hand to her mouth to stifle the laughter upon realization of who it was. Leaning back against the door, she watched the shadow of the figure outside her window in amusement. With a chuckle, she crossed the room, one hand fingering the necklace she had yet to remove, Rae pushed back the drapes, slow enough to not startle him.  From the other side of the glass, she gave him a mock scolding pout. Her hand finally unlatched the lock and pushed the window open. Laughing softly, she leaned out the window. One hand was held out to him while the other was keeping the breeze from messing up her hair. "Kind of cold out here. Come inside? I didn't know loverboy was this romantic to be climbing up windows at this hour just to pay his muse a visit." Once he was safely inside her room, as safe as he could be, considering he wasn't meant to be there to begin with, she looked at him. She placed a brief kiss on his lips; a gesture that's quickly becoming somewhat of a reflex. A troubled frown crept to her features, "Touching and all, but what are you doing? You shouldn't be here," Her voice was reduced to a murmur. "You look tired; you should be sleeping."


Almost giving up, the voice in his head that said he was really pushing the limits of danger very nearly became too loud to ignore. He rubbed his hands together to warm them up a little, and looked down at the ground below. Something about the house suggested that the protection charms had been strengthened. His mind briefly floated over to her parents, wondering how her mother was. That was, until Gaius caught a glimpse of the dainty hand parting the drapery behind the window and the light beyond spilled out to illuminate his section of the roof. Turning to look at Rae fully, he paused for a moment as the light behind her created a halo on the edges of her hair, giving her an almost ethereal quality. He was frozen just looking at that until she gave him that forced look of scolding. He blinked at that and then smiled widely. With that mild amusement, the thoughts that he shouldn't be there were banished to some other plane of existence. The plane of 'wise things to do' that he never visited. The warm air of the house rushed out as the window opened slowly and Gaius moved closer to the window to attempt to block the cold wind from getting to her too much, "Hey, couldn't sleep." A weak excuse perhaps, and he shrugged, "I guess I've become too accustomed to hearing my Muse sing to me and whisper before sleeping." He smiled then at her comment about it being a romantic gesture. He hadn't thought about it before climbing up there, he was following an instinct, more or less. An instinct that he couldn't seem to break that led him down certain paths, "It takes a lot to chase your Loverboy away." Nothing had done it yet. Taking her hand, he swung his feet over the window ledge, and slid into the room, turning to close the window behind him. As he turned, he automatically leaned down and accepted the kiss, a smile gracing his lips when he straightened again. Keeping his voice down to barely audible, he glanced at the closed door before looking at Rae again, "I just thought... well, I didn't really get the chance to thank you for taking care of me." His eyes were honest and sincere, a soft look he rarely displayed, "I don't know how I could have made it without you." He realized somewhere how cliche it sounded, but with the injuries and the interrogation - it had genuinely been rough. Feeling suddenly weary with the memory, he attempted to shake it away and took Rae's hand. Feeling not top notch just yet - well, he hated it, and he walked over to sit on the bed. Looking up at her as she stood before him, he studied her, concerned, "How are you doing?"


She ran her free hand through his hair, still looking unconvinced. She shook her head, "You couldn't sleep so you took a very, very long walk? Right." Unable to help it, Rae smiled softly. "That's a bad habit, dear. As much as I'd love to sing you to sleep, don't get used to it, there are times and places where I can't give that to you." She smirked faintly and stroked his cheek tenderly, tracing a healing mark, "And you are most definitely not sleeping here." It was all very flattering, she had to admit that. And sweet. But sometimes she just had to wonder whether he knows what could happen if he keeps tempting fate by pulling almost-suicidal stunts. She gave the door an apprehensive look before turning her attentions back to him. She pressed her lips against his, slightly abruptly, as though cutting him short. "I did promise you that I wouldn't leave you, didn't I? You're very welcome and I know you know that I'm glad to see you too, but if that meant them catching you here I'd rather have you express your gratitude in a note until we actually do see each other." Her tone was soft, but anxiety was evident and her seriousness was expressed quite clearly. A sigh. Her hand trailed down his neck and she rested her forearm on his shoulder, still fingering his hair as she stood before him while he sat on the edge of her bed. Rae peered into those icy depths before she gave him another smile. Colour rushed to her cheeks briefly as Gaius studied her, as though having been reminded that she was in her nightgown and almost just having come out of the bath a few moments ago, evident by the flowery scent still lingering on her skin. "Missed you, dear. But other than that, I'm fine. They're making sure I'm fine." She stepped back a bit, masking her shyness as she looked him over in concern. "How are <i>you</i> healing?"


He winked at the substitution comment. He choked in spite of himself at the 'sleeping here' comment. "Oh no, I..." he started and looked at the door again, as if to ward off the omen, "wouldn't dare close my eyes here." Suddenly seeing her turn more serious, he nodded that he knew full well that he was playing with fire, although the kiss he'd received gave him little motivation to leave. But it was brief, rushed. He didn't want to go, but the reality of their relationship was just a little too pressing, "Yeah. I'll go. I feel better already, just having seen you. Thanks for helping me. That's all I wanted to say." He hesitated with her light touches, definitely reluctant to let that go. Catching her slight blush, he smirked as if to apologize for watching her so intently, and nearly rose when she stepped back until she asked how he was healing. Modesty never being Gaius' concern, he shrugged off his leather coat and opening his shirt to show the healing scars and bruises, "It's good, see? You did a good job." Looking up again, he smiled before his mouth turned to a regretful line, "But I should go. Tuck you in? I can see myself out."


Rae folded his jacket and placed it neatly to one side. Looking over her shoulder, she playfully pushed him to sit down again and removed his shirt completely. Wordlessly, she winked at him before crawling to bed, going to sit behind him. Thoughtfully, she traced the many healing lines on his back, all too familiar with them, having seen them when they were still raw and bleeding. They were healing quite well, but the memory of almost having nothing to use to heal the wounds with still haunted her mind. She didn't want to think of what could've happened if sheer determination was not enough of a fuel. Shaking those thoughts away, she traced a finger down his spine. "You came all this way for a free consultation? I could grant you thatt, at the very least, for your trouble." She chuckled, resting her chin on his shoulder. Rae leaned in and softly kissed a fading bruise on the side of his neck and on his jaw. Gently, she turned his head to face hers. Before closing the gap between them, she whispered, "Leave?  So soon? I suppose you can stay for a bit longer. That is, if you want to." Rae smirked; she touched his lips lightly. "Just keep quiet."


Snickering as quietly as he could, Gaius fell back down on the bed and allowed her to remove his shirt. He was rather comfortable with this scenario by now and obligingly allowed her to inspect him. Now that they were out of their situation and he was feeling better, it was too easy to remember everything that she'd done for him. Gratitude wasn't something he was familiar with or even necessarily comfortable with, but he was learning. He closed his eyes as he felt her fingertips, mentally making notes where the marks were because he couldn't very well see that himself. He'd wear the scars, he figured. Every one of them - a reminder of what he'd survived. Also, a reminder to never let anyone get the upperhand with him again. Opening his eyes when he felt her fingers trace up his spine, he straightened and shivered involuntary and turned his head to look at her out of the corner of his eye, "Cruel. Hmmmm. Free consultation? So, miss, do you reckon that I will live a wee bit longer?" He smirked then, reminding himself to keep his tone low. He leaned back into her when she came forward to rest her chin on his shoulder. Her warmth and her skin against his was comforting. Rae always seemed to have that calm, soothing affect on him that he felt rarely anywhere else. His former tension was beginning to fade and a lazy sleepiness was overcoming him. Catching the slight fragrance of her shampoo, he gave an almost purr, softly grinning that this was an awfully nice place to be - beside her - this close. Her attentions were a nearly intoxicating thing and he closed his eyes again until he felt her fingertips turn his head toward her, "Well, I suppose a few more moments won't hurt..." he whispered back, "I can keep quiet," he answered back just moments before their lips met. 


She wasn't sure how she knew when to break away from a kiss; abrupt and more than enough to know he'd probably want more. In truth, she was quite surprised at herself too. She chuckled softly as she pulled back slightly to lean back against the pillows, her hand tugging at his invitingly, "Just a reminder, Loverboy, that if you fall asleep in here we're going to be in so much trouble," The last three words were punctuated with kisses in between. Her hand moved to the nightstand to dim the light, just in case somebody passed her door, ever so slightly before resuming its position on his shoulder as he leaned over her. Her fingertips lazily and most tantalizingly, drew designs on his skin. Her free hand was twirling a her lock of her hair playfully; stalling, trailing it slowly down her neck and shoulder to nudge the strap of her nightgown just so, leaving it on the edge of her shoulder and moving to finger the necklace that gleamed against her skin. A small pout made it look as though she was contemplating about what to do next. She inclined her head; a curtain of dark hair cascades over her shoulder. Cruel, but Rae was enjoying the effects of all of this, most especially on him. She could only picture what they must look like; a mischievous smirk curled the corners of her mouth as she looked at her 'patient'. Rae pulled him closer, giving him another kiss. Chaste, deep, lingering and tempting. She broke off again, knowing how frustrating it must be for him - all the better, she thought with a smirk still on her face. Rae whispered against his mouth, "My diagnosis... Your wounds aren't life-threatening." 


That voice in his head prodded Gaius a bit about urgently having spent too much time with Rae already, but he was too caught up in being with her to listen. Just as he wanted the kisses to be deeper, she seemed to cut him off. It wasn't a thought that she was flirting with something like fire, but a thought that it was just a tease. Following her over to the pillows, he leaned to stay close to her and just stared into her eyes between kisses. A permanent smirk was on his face, playing along with this tease he found himself wrapped up in. "I don't think I could sleep now. My muse keeps me awake," he said, whispering against her skin. Watching as she nudged her nightgown strap slightly to the side. He widened his eyes for just a flash, almost challenging, as his eyebrows inched upwards in curiousity for a minute. Hands going to Rae's shoulders, he pushed the straps over to the side and softly rubbed her shoulders. When he got his next kiss, his arms went around to the back of her shoulders and he rubbed her back lightly, his hands playing over the silky fabric. The sight, sound, and touch had him totally captivated and her little gestures etched their way into his mind until there was nothing else. When she declared her diagnosis, he smirked, "That's good... I want to be around a little longer." Moving his hands to her shoulders, he eased Rae back into the comfort of her pillows. Moving on the bed so that he could lean over her a little more comfortably, he braced himself over her, one hand on the pillow beside her, the other lightly caressing her arm, shoulder, neck, and then tangled in her hair. Leaning down, he inhaled deeply of her fragrance, pausing only slightly and then closed his eyes to lean in to kiss her, this time parting her lips and giving her a deeper kiss than they'd shared thus far. There were no more thoughts now - only the closeness and warmth, his barren skin fully aware of her form nearly beneath him.


Her eyes closed as she relaxed under his touch. Rae whimpered softly in contentment. With his body pressed against hers, the hand on her chest that she used to prevent her nightgown from sliding down further, was removed and placed on his cheek instead as she returned his kiss. Rae raised her knee on his side, the slit on the side of the silk nightgown parting to reveal a slender leg up to her midthigh. Her other hand stroked his side and back as his did hers. In the dim light, Rae flushed slightly, suddenly feeling the room getting to be a bit hotter by the second. Her almost translucent attire was quickly starting to cling on to her form. Pulling back slightly just to breathe, a smirk crept to her features. She brushed the hair away from his eyes; hers never leaving his. "I'm glad you took that very long walk just to tuck me in, Loverboy." Leaning up slightly, she whispered into his ear, "You lead, I'll make it worth your trouble." It sounded like the hint of a challenge. A smile was offered before she pulled him back, lips meeting in another kiss, her eyes slowly closing. She slid her hands back between them, running them slowly from his stomach to his chest; a slow massage. Under her hands, she felt his smooth skin and toned body. She never had the chance to enjoy the feeling of the firm muscle, especially the past month as her attentions usually were on how he needed treatment; although from time to time she would admit a vague thought about it crossed her mind. No matter, she told herself. But a sudden, panicked thought struck nagged her. A hint of a frown formed at that pretty face. She hesitated, but unable to keep it in, she opened her eyes reluctantly, "Gaius?" Rae whispered against his mouth, kissing his lower lip, one hand moving back to stroke the side of his face. It was probably a useless question considering how immersed they already were and both probably knew neither would want to end this rather abruptly. Although her voice carried faint anxiety, her actions suggested otherwise. "Should we be doing this? What if..."