Light flickered in a small lamp that was placed in the centre of the dining table. Matthew sat at the table, opposite his wife, a small hand of cards splayed out in front of him.

“You got an ace of spades?” Valary asked with a smile as she watched the concentration on his face. He smirked and popped a couple of peanuts in his mouth as he fiddled with his cards. She raised her eyebrows in expectation. He just smirked at her and shifted his weight glancing out the window into the cool, yet peaceful night.

“Matt?”

“Hmmm?” He glanced at her, noticing for the first time, in probably a long time, how beautiful she looked. She had her hair down, the dark strands framing her face and her eyes were bright, open, trusting.

Val tilted her head, obviously feeling his eyes on her then she said, softly, “Penny for your thoughts?”

Matthew sighed as he laid his cards, face down, on the table. He stood and walked over to the window, not immediately responding. He braced his palms on the window sill and craned his neck to look out at the trees surrounding the cabin.

“It’s so quiet, Val.”

Val smirked as she said, “Too quiet?”

Matthew laughed and turned to face her. “Anything could happen.”

“Yeah…you could murder me and no one would hear the screams,” she said with a soft smile. He rolled his eyes and shook his head.

“We could have wild sex and no one would complain.”

Val giggled. “I definitely wouldn’t complain.”

Matthew moved to stand behind her chair, walking slowly to brace his hands against her shoulders. She tilted her head to look up at him. He smiled broadly then leaned down to kiss her softly on the mouth. She reached up to touch his cheek.

Since they’d arrived at the cabin her husband had been extremely attentive toward her. And considering the morning she had had it was a real blessing.

When she had arrived home from the meeting with the Mayor and Jason, Matthew had taken one look at her and insisted they leave for the Forest right then and there. The original plan was that they would leave on the Saturday morning. But, that plan was scrapped when Matt saw the state his wife was in. Val had looked pale as a ghost and she hadn’t been able to open up about what had transpired, but whatever it was he knew it had shaken her to the core. Getting away then became the number one priority.

“Val,” Matthew murmured against her lips. She trembled at the sound of his voice a frisson of delight causing her to moan softly. He nuzzled then pulled her up into his arms and against his hard body. She wrapped her arms around his waist and buried her face in his shirt. He held her close and smoothed a hand over her back. She leaned in more and inhaled deeply, nuzzling into his chest, as her breath caught slightly.

Matthew shushed her gently, stroking her back more. “You want to talk about it?”

Val blinked at him; he smiled slightly. She nodded and drew back from him, sitting back on her chair. He pulled his chair around next to hers so he could be close. She shifted so she could lean against his shoulder. He ran his fingers through her hair and waited for her to speak.

“Don’t hate me for saying this,” Val said, quietly.

Matthew stroked her cheek gently, “I’d never hate you…”

She trembled and looked away. “Jason knows you’re up to something. And he knows that I know some of it…he made me tell him everything I knew…I…” she swallowed hard. He frowned slightly but nodded for her to go on. “I didn’t have a choice. Matt, I’m sorry…I couldn’t lie.”

Matthew exhaled roughly, but kept up the tender stroking. “No, of course not. I wouldn’t expect you to.” Val looked down a pained expression passing over her face. He tilted her chin up. “I’m not mad at you, love. You did the right thing.”

She bit at her cheek, a surprised look lighting up her eyes. “The right thing? But…I practically ratted you out.”

Matt smirked slightly. “You realise why I haven’t told you everything?” Val stared at him then nodded as it dawned on her the reason he was keeping the full extent of his plans from her.

“You knew something like this would happen.” It wasn’t a question. He sighed heavily as he leaned back against his chair, crossing his arms in front of him. “Matt?”

He dragged a hand over his face. “I figured something might.” He smiled sadly. “I’m not…I’m not doing anything safe here, Val.”

Val nodded then said slowly, “But, you wouldn’t be doing it if you didn’t think it were important, right?”

Matthew gave a grim smile. “Right.”

Val reached out for his hand. He closed his fingers lightly over hers and smiled. She shivered. He stroked his thumb over the back of her hand then twined his fingers with hers.

“The Creed will come after you,” Val said after several moments had passed anxiety in her voice. Matthew continued the motion of his thumb but said nothing, just frowned. “Jason said your actions would not be tolerated.”

Matthew chuckled, darkly. “I’m not surprised. He does his job well. It’s why he was my second in command.”

Val squeezed his hand hard, her voice catching. “I can’t…I can’t lose you…” She finally voiced the fear she was feeling; the fear that she wouldn’t have admitted to except that they were in a safe, secluded space where she felt she could be honest.

Matthew frowned at her statement and pulled her onto his lap, holding her close. She trembled and looked up into his face, a hint of fear in her eyes. He ran the tip of his nose along her cheek and murmured gently to her.

“I’m being careful, hun.”

She shook her head and whispered, “Jason said what you’re doing is treason…and…and treason is punishable by…” she couldn’t finish the thought. Matthew pressed his fingers to her lips and shook his head slowly.

“I know, love. But, you need to trust me, okay?”

Val shivered, lips parting at his touch then slowly she licked at the tips of his fingers. He chuckled low.

“Enough talk, hey?”

She nodded emphatically as she sucked at the end of his index finger. He smiled and stood, and she released his finger, wrapping her arms around his neck as he carried her out of the dining room.

* * * * *

Val lay back on the bed eyes glazed, breaths escaping in soft pants as Matthew lay between her thighs, and stroked her slowly. They were both half undressed not in any hurry to move any further than touching and kissing.

“Mattie…” she moaned as his fingers found her core and pressed in deep. He chuckled softly and stroked slowly as she moved her hips. Then he leaned down and pressed his lips to the sensitive spot just below her navel. She groaned and arched to him. He pressed her hips down again.

“Patience, babe…we have all night,” he soothed as she shuddered at the movement of his finger inside her. Val clutched at the sheets, breathing hard as he twisted the digit brushing the knuckle against her spot. “Though…maybe your body disagrees…” Matthew chuckled as she groaned and jerked slightly at a small rush that ran through her. He ran the tip of his fingers across her stomach and smiled as she came down after a moment, breathing deeply.

“Damn it…” she laughed softly and met his amused eyes. “Not usually that fast…”

Matthew just smiled. “I love you anyway.”

Val rolled her eyes.

He frowned. “What? I tell you I love you and all I get is an eye roll?”

“Um…”

Matthew pulled back, his mood abruptly shifting.

Val’s brow furrowed at the change. “Mattie?” She reached out to him.

He turned away and sat on the edge of the bed. She moved so she was kneeling behind him, one hand resting on his broad back, the other sliding around his shoulders. His big body tensed at the contact. Val sighed.

“Can’t get passed it?” she murmured against the back of his neck. He exhaled roughly and glanced at her from the corner of his eyes.

“We’ve been married how long?” he rasped out. She sat back and looked at him hard.

“Why should that matter?”

Matthew just glowered at her then groaned and dragged his fingers through his hair as he softened. “I’m sorry. I’ve…forgotten how to do this.” He closed his eyes and hunched his shoulders. Val stroked his back and then leaned against him.

“You’re doing okay,” she said. Matthew shook his head. She frowned. “You are. Considering…”

He sighed, “That’s the thing. This is…really hard.” He flopped back on the bed, looking up at her. Val sat next to him and ran her fingers over his stomach. He blinked at her then said, “And…I need to tell you what’s really going on.”

“Now?”

“Why not now? No one to interrupt us…” Matthew smirked as he added, “And no prying eyes or ears.”

Val tilted her head to the side. “Why would that…” her voice dropped off as she realised that was a stupid question.

“I told you what we’re doing is illegal.”

“You did.”

“Well,” Matthew shuffled up and took hold of her hands in his, squeezing them gently. “You know I’m helping PG with his campaign…”

Val nodded. “You’re helping him with a song, right.”

“That’s all it was meant to be…well, that’s all PG was expecting,” he said, watching her face. She nodded again. He licked his lips. “But, it’s become more than that.”

“More?”

Matthew drew in a deep breath before continuing in response. “Yes.” His breath hitched. “Fuck, Val…I’m putting Brian and Jimmy and Zack in a lot of danger…but…they want to help and they’re my friends. I can’t…”

“Mattie, just tell me what it is you’re doing,” Val interrupted gently, sensing that if she didn’t he’d lose himself in his anxieties. Matthew screwed up his face and she couldn’t help but smile at the expression. He looked so cute when he was worried. “Matt?”

“We’re forming a band.”

Val blinked several times just staring at him. Matthew waited, not wanting to press her for a response. She swallowed hard and then before either of them realised what she was doing, she leaned in and kissed him hard on the mouth. That was not the reaction he had been expecting, but Matthew wasn’t going to argue with it. He caught hold of her shoulders but responded, groaning softly and kissing back.

She shifted so she was astride his legs and pressed closer; he blinked at her and opened his mouth to speak but she pressed her fingers to his lips and shook her head.

Matthew realised as she reached down between his legs and grasped him firmly that this was probably the only way she could clear her mind. His statement had shocked her; it still surprised him in all honesty, to say the words out loud. And, of course they were both still aroused from their earlier touching and kissing.

He grunted as she pushed herself down onto him. She held still for a moment as she framed his face with her hands. He smiled and nuzzled against her nose. She kissed him softly then moved gently on him. He smirked and rolled his hips upward eliciting a soft cry from her. He repeated the motion as she clutched onto his shoulders.

“Mattie…” Val murmured his name against his skin; her breath caused him to shiver. Matthew stroked her hair as they moved, and he just held her close.

They stayed like that for a long time; joined together the physical closeness all that they needed to settle their anxieties, to help get them passed the oddities of life. At least, for the time being. There would be plenty of time later to think about what they had just spoken of. Now was time for them to… just be.