GBFF | "Kiss the Rain"

Warning: This is designed to make you feel good inside... you have been warned!

"Kiss the Rain"
By Helen-Kylie

*"Don't let me SEE your face 'til tomorrow!" Eduardo's father screamed, as Eduardo was thrown into his room. Big welts were rising where his father had beat him - again.*

The old memory still seemed brand new in Eduardo's mind - he was only eight then. The old pain always hung around ever since. He had many memories just like it, all the way up until he was fifteen, when he finally had sense enough to leave. Eduardo's mind raced with the thoughts 'til he finally decided to get dressed and eat something.

He put on a pair of black jeans, white T-shirt and his trademark brown jacket. He remembered how the jacket had once been Carlos', but Eduardo claimed it when Carlos moved out and left the jacket behind. Eduardo heated a bagel, but today he didn't want to eat, he just felt lonely. He absently ate the bagel, lost in his thoughts.

"I think I'll go to the firehouse," he thought aloud. "At least it's not so quiet there!" he began to walk out the door, grabbing his portable radio on the way. "And you never know, Kylie may be there!" Then a thought crossed his mind *Yeah, then she sees me and a war breaks out!* He looked at his watch, 5 PM. He sighed and continued walking.

*****

*Kylie, young and terrified, slammed her bedroom door. She leaned against it, then slid down the door, 'til she sat on the floor. Downstairs she heard a bottle slam against the wall and shatter into a thousand pieces. More angry voices filtered into the room, as Kylie held her knees to her chest and sobbed.*

"Time doesn't heal some wounds!" Kylie said after the memory passed. She was sitting in an old, wicker rocking chair that had once belonged to her Grandma Rose. She stroked Pagan, who laid in her lap and rocked, staring into space. Her face was blank, but her eyes gave away sadness. A mounted clock chimed, signaling it was 5 PM. Kylie sighed and Pagan jumped off her lap. Kylie stood up and walked to the door, grabbing her thin, nylon coat as she left. *I'm better off at the firehouse, at least someone who cares is there.* She walked out the door, closing it behind her.

*****

Eduardo looked up at the sky, black clouds were threatening to drench him in a downpour. He hoped it wouldn't start to rain before he finished his hour walk to the firehouse.

Kylie had the same thought as she turned the corner. "Kylie!" a familiar Spanish-accented voice called. She turned around to find Eduardo walking over to her, he was holding a small, pocket sized, portable radio.

She smiled warmly. "Eduardo!" He was surprised by the unusually warm greeting from Kylie, but he smiled and came up beside her.

"Hey, you don't look so well. You okay?"

"I've had a bad day." Kylie sighed.

Eduardo sighed too. "Yeah, me too. That's why I'm heading to the firehouse."

"Ditto."

The two began to walk toward the firehouse. Suddenly, Kylie stopped and looked up.

"What is it?" Eduardo asked, turning to her. She held out her hand and a wet drop hit it.

"It's starting to rain!" Eduardo felt a few drops hit his head. "Egh!"

The two began to walk a little more briskly but in a few minutes the shower became a downpour. Kylie couldn't see anything, the rain came down in sheets, making it next to impossible to see her hand in front of her face.

Eduardo held his jacket over his head and shoved the radio into his pocket. "We can't stay out here!" Eduardo called above the noise of the rain.

"It's over a mile to the firehouse!" Kylie yelled back.

"And even further home!" Eduardo held up one end of the jacket for Kylie to shelter under, her thin jacket was already soaked through.

"Where can we go?" Kylie called. Eduardo grabbed her hand and lead her down the road.

"I know a place we can go, if it's still standing." They turned down an alley, Eduardo leading and pulling Kylie behind him. Neither one could see exactly were they were going, but Eduardo had a pretty good idea. When the came out of the alley they were facing an old, empty, two-floor building. Across the door in faded, chipping, red paint was MY CLUBHOUSE in big letters. Eduardo pushed open the door and the two stepped in out of the rain. He shut the door.

"This was my clubhouse when I was a kid," Eduardo explained. "I used to come here to get away from my dad and Carlos."

"Really?" Kylie looked around the high ceiling of the empty room.

"Yeah," Eduardo walked to an old wooden staircase. "Come on!" he called, motioning Kylie to follow him upstairs. She followed him up the stairs and down the catwalk. Eduardo pushed open a door to a large room. Not much was in the room, an old, folding bed, a few blankets, a space heater and an old desk.

"Hasn't changed." Eduardo smiled, running his fingers across the dusty desk. Kylie sat on the bed and listened to the rain.

"How long do you think were stuck here?" she asked, rubbing her drenched arms. Eduardo shrugged and flicked a switch on the heater, thankful that it wasn't out of battery power. He took the radio from his pocket, placed it on the desk and turned it on.

The rainstorm isn't supposed to let up 'til tomorrow at the earliest...

Eduardo sighed and removed his saturated jacket, laying it on the desk. Kylie shivered, Eduardo walked to her. "I'm freezing." she chattered. Eduardo opened the desk drawer and pulled out some old clothes.

"I don't know if these will fit you," he said handing her the dry clothes. "But, I think five years ago I was about your size."

Kylie took the clothes. "Thanks."

"Welcome, chica," he said, walking to the door. "Just open it when you're ready." He exited and closed the door behind him. Kylie peeled off her wet clothes and put on the dry garments. The jeans and black short-sleeve shirt fit her well.

Kylie walked to the door and opened it for Eduardo. He was leaning against the hall's wall, his arms folded and head down. He looked at her and smiled. "Thought they'd fit!"

Kylie smiled and let Eduardo in, then closed the door. Eduardo looked out the window. He couldn't see anything because of the rain, but it was obvious night had fallen, as it was darker out.

Kylie sighed and sat on the bed. She pulled a blanket from the pile and wrapped it around herself to protect her from the cold. Eduardo took his soaked coat from the desk and hung it on a hook on the wall. He visibly shivered. Kylie raised her arm, letting Eduardo sit beside her in the warmth of the soft, gray blanket.

"I think I'm going to freeze to death." Kylie moaned, rubbing her arms. Eduardo nodded. Kylie felt cold, hungry and tired, she closed her eyes and shivered.

Eduardo looked at her, she looked so delicate and fragile right then. He felt an urge, a need to protect her, keep her safe. Before his head could really act, he put his arm around her.

Kylie was suprised by the move. It confused her, scared her. Scared, that was a big word. It meant so many things, to be abused, to run, to hide, to panic, to feel threatened. Kylie felt threatened. The wall of knowledge, intellect and secrets that she had put up to keep from getting hurt was close to breaking, leaving her vulnerable. But, something else inside the wall was telling her to let him in, let him see her for what she was. Her heart seemed to cry out for the love and affection she wanted, at the same time her head told her not to be hurt again. Her heart won. She rested her head on Eduardo's shoulder and curled up comfortably against the warm body beside her.

Eduardo suddenly felt both thrilled and like he was in over his head. He felt he made the perfect choice and, at the same time, also made a horrible mistake. But why?

Like Kylie, he felt threatened. He never really had anyone love him before, nor had he loved anyone. All he knew of love was that it was a downfall, that's what he had been taught. Confusion and infatuation mingled together 'til the feeling of affection won out. He wrapped both arms around her and pulled her close, as if to protect her from some unknown attacker.

Kylie listened to the sound of Eduardo's gentle breath, any other time she would find the sound annoying, but now it seemed to soothe her, calm her. She rested her head on his chest and listened to the sound of his heart beating. For the first time in her life she felt safe and protected.

Eduardo closed his eyes and prayed he wasn't dreaming. He opened his eyes to see Kylie, still there, in his arms. The angel of his dreams was lying on his chest. He ran his fingers through her hair and then placed his hand to her cheek. She looked up at him and their eyes locked. Both of the felt an arc of attraction flow from one to the other, both strong and pure.

Kylie looked into his soft, brown eyes and could swear she saw his whole soul, every emotion and every secret he had ever held. She raised her hand and gently placed it on his cheek. "What's going on between us?" she looked at him lovingly.

"Maybe it's fate." Eduardo whispered in her ear. She turned her head to look at him. He put his hand on her neck and watched her, intently, to see what she would say.

She smiled. "Maybe. Or perhaps," she kissed his cheek gently, "I'm just in love," she whispered. For some reason, Eduardo wasn't surprised, like it was something he already knew, but was only just discovering. He was more... content, happy... just to know what was in Kylie's heart. Kylie held him close and Eduardo wrapped his arms around her.

"I could never love anyone more then you," he whispered softly. Kylie rested her head on his shoulder and the two stayed like that a long time. Neither spoke, neither had to. Their hearts spoke for them.

Finally, Kylie raised her head and put her hand to Eduardo's cheek, and turned his head so he that he was facing her. Eduardo put a finger under her chin and tilted it up. He leaned down and kissed her. The two shared a wonderful kiss and when they came up for air, they were breathless.

Kylie looked into Eduardo's eyes, so filled with love. She sighed contentedly and tucked her head under his chin, listening to his heart.

Eduardo closed his eyes and thanked god for the angel in his arms.

The two stayed like that for a long time, then Kylie giggled.

"What?" Eduardo asked her. Kylie giggled again.

"The radio's on!" Kylie closed her eyes. Eduardo remembered that when he turned the radio on, he forgot to turn it off again. Kylie closed her eyes and listen to the soft music. Eduardo was captivated by the song. It was Monica:

When I first saw you I already knew
There was something inside of you
Something I thought that I would never find
Angel of Mine

I look at you looking at me
Now I know why they say the best things are free
Gonna love you boy you are so fine
Angel of Mine

How you changed my world you'll never know
I'm here for now, you helped me grow

Chorus:
You came into my life
Sent from above
When I lost the hope
You show my love
I'm checkin for you
Boy you're right on time
Angel of Mine

Nothing means more to me then what we share
No one in this world can ever compare
Last night the way you moved is still on my mind
Angel of Mine

What you mean to me you'll never know
Deep inside I need to show

(Chorus)

I never knew I could feel each moment
As if they were new
Every breath that I take
The love that we make
I only share it with you
You, You, You, You

When I first saw you I already knew
There was something inside of you
Something I thought that I would never find
Angel of Mine

(Chorus)

How you changed my world you'll never know
I'm here for now you helped me grow
I look at you looking at me
Now I know why they say the best things are free
Checkin' for you boy you're right on time
Angel of Mine

"Never leave me," Kylie said quietly, sheltering into Eduardo's arms. She listened to the heavy beat of rain on the roof. "I've been alone all my life and I don't want to be hurt again."

Eduardo held her tight. "I'll never hurt you," he swore. "Whenever you need me, just pick up a phone, or come over, I'll always be there for you. Like I always have been." He looked at her and stroked her hair.

"And you'll always have me," Kylie told him, "whenever you need someone to listen to you, I'll be here."

"Ditto," Eduardo chuckled and Kylie giggled. She snuggled into the warm body beside her and closed her eyes. "It must be late."

"Yeah," Eduardo looked at Kylie, "Go to sleep, Ky, you need it." He held her head to his shoulder. Kylie closed her eyes again. In a few minutes she was asleep. Eduardo stayed awake a long time, just listening to her soft breathing. He cradled her in his arms 'til he drifted to sleep himself.

Kylie woke to find the sun beginning to peek through the window. She smiled and looked up at Eduardo, still sound asleep. She carefully slipped from his arms and leaned him on the bed. She kissed his forehead and got up. The radio had long since run out of battery power. She looked out the window, the sun was rising and steam from the drying water could be seen, rising from the edges of the puddles. She heard a soft groan from behind her.

Eduardo rolled over, his eyes fluttered open and he looked at Kylie. "Okay," he smiled, "Either last night was a dream, I'm dreaming now, or both." Kylie smiled and sat beside him.

"No dream," she said softly, as she leaned down. Eduardo put his hand on her neck as they kissed. The two parted and smiled.

"Guess we better go to the firehouse." Kylie said "We have day shift." Eduardo nodded and they both stood up.

*****

At the firehouse, Garrett waited impatiently for Ed and Ky. He was about ready to run them over when they came in the front door. Instead his jaw dropped two feet and he let his basketball fall from his hands and bounce across the floor. The two didn't notice or care, but continued up the stairs to the living room.

Garrett rubbed his eyes. *Did I really see that?* he thought. *Were they were holding hands?* Garrett shook his head, some things were more confusing then all the James Bond movies put together. He got in the elevator and went up to the third floor.

In the living room, Eduardo foolishly chased Kylie with a pillow. The couple laughed and occasionally yelped as one or the other got clubbed.

"Ky?" Eduardo asked, in confusion, as she seemed to disappear. Suddenly, he felt a force thwack him, he jumped and lost his balance, falling to the floor. He looked up to see Kylie standing above him holding a pillow.

"Sorry!" she laughed. "No offense!"

"None taken!" Eduardo smirked. Kylie dragged him to his feet. Eduardo accidentally hit the radio on the end table and it came on:

How you changed my world you'll never know
I'm here for now, you helped me grow

You came into my life
Sent from above
When I lost the hope
You show my love
I'm checkin for you
Boy you're right on time
Angel of Mine

The two laughed and as the next verse started, they closed in for one more kiss, long and passionate...

Garrett watched the lovers from the top of the stairs, he was about to break out laughing, when a hand over his mouth shut him up. He looked up to see Janine. She slowly took her hand away and gave him a 'mind-your-own-business' look. Garrett shrugged. Egon came up beside them to see what was going on.

He smiled. "Well," he said, "looks like a perfect ending." He smiled again and went back to his lab. Janine shook her head.

"No," she smiled. "It's a perfect beginning!"

Garrett nodded and the two when into the lab, leaving Eduardo and Kylie alone...

*FINIS*

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