Sleuth

Pairs

Scottlin flashed his brilliantly bright smile as the twins entered the room.

"I like you in yellow" he said immediately, before either twin could say good morning.

Kyrrian gulped and fingered the bright yellow scarf wrapped around her neck. Kaddian recalled her mumbling something about a "touch of color" this morning as she had run back up to her room prior to leaving. She still wore her customary black, a pair of leather pants, camisole, and leather jacket, but she had added the scarf and seemed to be quite enjoying the change.

"Thank you" she murmured. "I brought you fruit" she said quickly.

With a smile, Kaddian sat the cooler down and unloaded food for his sister while she chatted pleasantly with the Alpha. Quietly, so as not to disturb them, Kaddian snuck out of the room with the rest of the food and headed to Lauren Hale's room.

But she was gone.
_____________________________________________________________________________

"She's right here Mr. Grayson" the small nurse said, opening the door to the recreation room where Lauren Hale sat with her vivacious mother. They were both violently yelling and laughing, watching The Price is Right.

"Oh Bob! You let me down!" Mrs. Shue yelled in disappointment.

Kaddian's heart rate slowed when he finally laid eyes on Lauren Hale. It had rapidly sped up as he had briskly made his way to the he nursing station. Now he breathed easy as he watched her interacting with her mother, until she got too excited and threw an arm up a little too high, causing her to quickly drop her arm down and subtly grab her stomach. He walked over to the two ladies and placed one hand on the back of Mrs. Shue's chair and the other on Lauren's shoulder. Lauren tensed slightly, no doubt knowing she was in trouble, but Mrs. Shue turned excitedly when she realized who it was.

"Kade! There you are, come join us!" she said, eagerly looking toward a spot next to Lauren.

Lauren Hale turned slightly and looked up at him. He gave her a pointed look, and she mouthed 'I'm sorry'. He sighed and gave her a soft smile before saying "I certainly will" and taking a seat next to Lauren.

They watched the show for thirty more minutes before Mrs. Shue excused herself to use the "little girls room".

As soon as she was gone, Kaddian leaned forward and lifted hem of Lauren's cotton t-shirt. She immediately smacked his hand and he growled instantly, shooting her a look. She put her hand down but gave him a frustrated look.

"You could at least ask" she murmured, a blush beginning to show at her collar.

"You could also avoid injuring yourself" he replied. He looked at the four claw marks. Only one was slightly irritated and raised, the rest looked relatively sedate.

She sighed, assertively but more gently pulling her shirt down, blocking his scrutiny. "You're right, I just get excited watching this show".

"I can tell" he answered, satisfied with the brief glance he had received.

"You're telling me you can watch The Price is Right and not get excited?" She asked with a challenging look.

"This is my first time ever watching it" he replied.

Her mouth dropped open as she begin to shake her head vehemently, "well that's gotta change".

He smiled and then responded, "I like it when you spend time with your mother".

"Why?" It was her turn to cock her head curiously.

"Because it makes your accent stronger".

"Oh... Sorry about that" she muttered.

"Do not be... I honestly like it" he said right before Mrs. Shue returned.

Again Lauren Hale was left blushing in nervousness as someone interrupted a moment between her and Kaddian.

"Are we ready for the next round?" Mrs. Shue yelled.

"Always!" Lauren cheered back.
_____________________________________________________________________________

"Tomorrow? That's kind of early don't you think?" Anxiety flitted across Kyrrian's face as she watched Scottlin eat his breakfast.

"No, I'm doing much better. I think spending time at the Grayson house will do me quite a bit of good. I must confess, I miss walks down that winding path from your front porch" Scottlin remarked as he enjoyed his hot oatmeal and toast.

"Are you sure you're better?" Kyrrian asked, scooting her chair closer to the bedside.

"Yes" Scottlin Reik assured her with a laugh.

"Alright" Kyrrian murmured. "But if you're not and you hurt yourself, I'll kill you".

"That's a little counterproductive don't you think?" He asked with a smile, offering her a bite of oatmeal. She hesitantly stared at the spoon then took the proffered bite.

She had never been fed by anyone before... And she sort of liked it.

"But effective" she mumbled around her bite.

He smiled then offered her a bite of toast.

"You know I'm a grown adult with capable hands... I can feed myself" she said, but her tone didn't quite have her usual bite, "in fact, it should be me feeding you".

"I know you can, but just because you can doesn't mean that you should. I like doing it" he responded. She glared at him but took the toast bite anyway. He chuckled and leaned over to get his water. Kyrrian watched him as he opened his straw gracefully and put it into the cup. Kyrrian was captivated with the way his lips touched the straw, and the way his throat moved with the drink. When he set the cup down and turned back to her, she quickly leaned forward and gave him a swift peck on the lips.

Shocked but pleased, Scottlin gave her a curious glance, but offered her more porridge. She quickly took the bite and avoided eye contact, but felt his happy eyes on her all the same.