Runaway Marriage


By: Tasamin


The smooth motion of the train lulled her to sleep as she watched the quickly passing landscape through the window. Entering the world of dreams she slipped into sleep. Although that was not Rita's intent when she first boarded the train. It had been a long week at work that had drained her. She was looking forward to this weekend for a long time. The planning for this event took on a life of its own. She was to meet her friends, Sherry, North, Nabiki, Curlly and Trace for a weekend of fun.

So in order to have a stress free weekend she had attempted to complete most of her pending work. So that when she returned her desk would not be overflowing with work requiring her immediate attention. Thankfully she had finished most of it but the grueling schedule that she set for herself had left her drained. Her plan was to wait until the train picked Sherry up and while she waited she would read some cases. The contents of her briefcase were strewn around her. But alas Morpheus had other plans for her.

In her sleep state she felt her head lolling back and forth. These actions threatened to pull her into consciousness. Until the movement stopped and her head was comfortably at rest.

When she finally awoke, her eyes remained closed. She made the ascent from sleep slowly. Not willing to relinquish the pleasant dream she was having. She was dancing with a handsome stranger whose scent was divine. Trying to burrow into the pillow hoping to recapture the dream she realized something was amiss. She was resting against something and now she was lying down instead of sitting up. What was beneath her was something warm and she knew it wasn't her arm.

At this point a flurry of panic began racing through her brain. What had she done in her sleep? Now she did not wish to open her eyes at all. Perhaps the person would go away. Nope fate was not going to be that kind to her. She knew it. An added incentive to get up and face whoever was the fact that Sherry would be on the train soon. And if Sherry caught her in this position. Well, Rita knew she would never hear the end of it. Of course she would confess to the girls all in good time.

Rita bit the bullet and opened her eyes. Her eyes trailed past the belt buckle, up the black turtleneck, and right into a pair of green eyes that seemed to sear her soul. He was looking straight at her. I must look a fright she thought. Meanwhile he looks delicious and unruffled. He was taking this whole situation in stride. Her heart began to pound furiously. She could have sworn the man could hear it. The blood rushed into her face. He just smiled at her.

"There is no need to be embarrassed." He said as he continued to smile warmly at her.

Meanwhile Rita thought she slipped into the Twilight Zone without a map. "Well, I hate to disagree with my generous benefactor but it is not everyday I wake up in a stranger's lap." Rita still made no movement to get up. The sight above her mesmerized her. All thoughts of her friends flew out of her mind.

"I saw you trying to sleep. I merely provided some assistance that you required."

"Thank you that was very nice of you. I must have worked harder than I thought. I am usually a light sleeper. I have a difficulty sleeping in strange places." She noted that the contents of her briefcase had been packed away.

"You know that falling asleep with someone is a sign of trust."

At that statement Rita moved to sit up when his hand deterred her movements. "Don't," he whispered softly. "It is not often that trust is bestowed so sweetly."

Rita stilled and looked at the man. He had a look of guarded caution. His eyes were filled with complex emotions that shone through his eyes. They were the most expressive orbs she had ever been a witness too. They pleaded with her to stay put. She responded to the call in those eyes. They tugged at her in a place she thought untouchable. Instinctively trusting him not to be one to cause her harm. He read her perfectly and without saying a word he thanked her for her acquiescence.

One of the train employees walked by. As he passed he commented, "Oh I see you found your wife, sir. I am glad to see she didn't miss the train."

**********

At that stunning statement Rita bolted straight up and out of the man's lap. She was about to speak when he looked at her. He was asking for help. She was always a sucker for someone in need. Plus it didn't hurt that he a damn good-looking man.

"Miss it's all right to lay down like that there are no rules against it"

Rita was still pondering what kind of mess she had gotten herself into to pay attention to the employee. When suddenly she felt the mystery man's arm go around her.

"Thank you, but my wife needed to wake up. It is almost time for dinner Could you please arrange to have my wife's belongings taken to our sleeper car. Thank you for your assistance." The man effectively ended the conversation with the employee. The employee tipped his hat as he said, "Not a problem if you need anything let me know." The employee then moved along down the aisle.

Rita finally found her tongue, "Darling husband, I believe you have some explaining to do."

I admit that I neglected to mention somethings but don't you think you'd process it better after dinner. That is probably the reason you fell asleep. low blood sugar."

He was such a smooth talker. But she thought I might as well have all my wits about me and what would be the harm. She was on a train filled with people and Sherry would be here eventually. Plus he was right she had skipped lunch "I accept your invitation. But first what is your name?"

"Michael." He said so simply. "And yours?"

"Rita."

He walked in back of her towards the dining car. They walked between the cars as they made their was down the fast moving train. His fingers were placed to the small of her back barely discernable. Yet their warmth betrayed their presence. She could not based on the evidence say she imagined their placement there. She was sure that the picture they presented to the other passengers was that of a loving couple. When that was far from the case. Well, Rita thought to herself to be honest lust not love was the emotion at play here at least on her part. But she could not allow her emotions to go there until she knew what trouble he was in.

Finally they made it to the dining car and were seated by the matre'd. They sat across from each other studying one another.

Rita began fingering the stem of the empty wineglass that was placed before her.

"I should explain."

Rita lifted her eyebrow in a signal to continue. As she patiently waited for his next words.

"I am in some trouble and in dire need of assistance. I know that you have probably determined that on your own. I have some damaging information that some people would kill for. They determined that I would be on this train. Yet they are searching for a single man. Not a married one travelling with his beautiful wife." He said this all in a whisper as he leaned across the table. He took her hand away from the wineglass and held it. "When I saw you sleeping and your head looking for a place to rest the idea took shape. I improvised. I realize that I did not consult and you have no reason to trust me you but will you help me?"

Rita had no time to form a response because she heard someone call her name. She pulled her eyes away from Michael's questioning gaze and looked across the room. It was Sherry. Sherry was all smiles as she made her way to the table.

**********

"Rita you weren't in the sleeper car or the common area where you promised to be. You had me hunting all over this train for you. And for what." Sherry paused mid sentence as she took in the couple seated before her. Then her mischievous nature kicked in. "Rita, what have I told you about picking up strange men. You know it's supposed to be an all girls weekend. North is going to kill you. Unless like you are always telling me and you are willing to share." At that point Sherry started laughing. Rita face had taken on a look of shock.

Rita did not know what to say. She really did not want to lie to her friend. Michael could see the conflict in her and took the choice from her.

Michael rose. "Hello, Sherry. Rita has told me so much about you and the others. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Michael, Rita's husband." He stuck his hand out to shake Sherry's but at his revelation it was ignored.

Sherry was agog. Her head bounced between the two people before her. She began to sputter "Hus.. Husband?! I didn't even know she was dating anyone seriously."

Rita could see this escalating out of control and it was drawing unnecessary attention to them. "Sherry, honey, see it all happened so quickly and you know me sometimes I just get impulsive."

"Yeah but it gets you into trouble 9 times out of 10."

"True but Michael is going to be that one. Plus I wanted to surprise you guys."

Michael chimed in with; "I am only accompanying her until we reach our destination. I have business in the area and I just couldn't let her out of my sight."

Sherry looked at her friend skeptically. It is not as if she married an ogre. As a matter of fact the man was to die for but the timing of the event lit the suspicious nature in Sherry. She began to think that perhaps it was an elaborate prank on Rita's part. She always said if she got married she was going to have a big party and now she did this. Something was up. So she decided to play along and see how far she took it. Plus she had to the girls' reaction to this.

"Well, who am I to stand in the way of true love. Congratulations!" Rita got up and hugged Sherry tightly. She felt guilty deceiving her friend and she knew going to have a lot of explaining to do when it was all over with.

Michael watched the two friends. He knew Rita might be tempted to tell Sherry everything. So he would have to make certain that she wasn't left alone with her friends. Thankfully Rita had left her planner out among other things and it had given Michael a great deal of information on his faux bride. "Sherry would you like to join us for dinner?"

"Oh yes. Thank you. It will give me a chance to get to know you better." Sherry sat down and began looking at the menu.

Dinner passed with Sherry holding her own inquisition. Michael answered the questions admirably well under the circumstances. Rita wondered where he was getting his information. It wasn't as if they had an in depth conversation about her life. He made it sound so believable. The man was an accomplished actor. She did not know what to think about the man who sat in front of her. He was acting like the besotted husband. She really didn't mind that part. All right to be honest she was enjoying more than she was supposed too.

*************

Dinner ended and they decided to retire for the night. Sherry wished them a goodnight. Rita slowly followed Michael to his sleeper car. Michael turned to make sure she was following him. He could see that she was having second thoughts. He opened the door to the room and allowed her to step in first. Rita walked to the window and looked outside but not really seeing.

"Rita, I wanted to thank you again. This will all be over tomorrow and you can explain to your friends that it was a lark."

"I know. They will think it was one of my pranks." Rita still had a troubled look on her face.

"Then what is the matter. I can assure you I have only honorable intentions towards you."

That was the least of her worries. She wished he might have had some dishonorable intentions but no. "How did you know all that information about me?"

Michael knew she would ask that question. He had to give a response that would not endanger her. "I work for the government. I placed a phone call and ." He looked at the ground in embarrassment. " I read your planner and it contained some other information."

"Oh." Her mind began to think about what was in her planner and was it embarrassing. "You know you are a very good actor. I almost believed your performance out there."

Michael walked over to stand next to her. He placed his fingers underneath her chin and lifted her head up to look into her eyes. "It wasn't all performance." His head leaned in towards her and his lips gently brushed hers. After an evening of playing the romantic duo the passion suddenly flared between them and the kiss intensified.

Time passed when they finally pulled apart, Rita's head rested against his chest. She was tucked under his chin in a gentle embrace. She could hear his heart racing in tandem with hers. They both knew without saying a word that there would probably be only this night. She looked up at him. He was leaving the decision up to her. Rita decided to take him up on his offer. Her impulsive nature kicked in.

The next morning someone was knocking on the door. Rita woke up and found herself in Michael's arms. She saw that Michael was already awake and staring at her. "Who is it?" Rita yelled from the bed.

"Rita, we will be pulling into the station soon and the girls will be meeting us there. Get your butt out of bed because I want to see you tell them your news. Don't forget to bring that gorgeous husband of yours with you." Sherry informed her from the other side of the door.

"All right we'll be ready soon."

"I'll be in the dining car grabbing some breakfast."

"Ok."

She looked at Michael their interlude had come to an end. Then someone else knocked at the door. Rita reluctantly got up and put on her robe and opened the door saying, "Sherry I swear we will be there." Then she realized it was not Sherry but a menacing looking man.

*********

"Miss, sorry to disturb you but have you seen this man?" He held out a picture of Michael to her.

Rita quickly responded, "No I have not. Has he done something wrong?"

"Oh no. He's my cousin and he was supposed to be on this train."

"Well, sorry I can't help you." The train jerked to a stop. They had arrived at their destination. "Excuse me I need to get ready to disembark."

"Thank you."

Rita closed the door behind her. She saw that Michael was already up and dressed and he was carrying a semi automatic pistol. Rita gasped at he sight of the weapon. "I see you heard. We have to get you off the train." Rita moved quickly and put on her clothes.

They moved out of the room with Rita leading the way. Walking quickly down the hallway. She found the exit and walked down the steps. Glancing both ways she did not see the man. She signaled to Michael to follow her.

Michael looked at Rita. "Thank you for everything." Rita was looking around the station for the man. "I know you didn't have to .." Michael did not get a chance to finish that sentence because Rita had begun to kiss him fervently. She had seen the man approaching and thinking on her feet knew the man would not look twice at them. It was a train station there were couples greeting each other or saying goodbye at anytime. Then she forgot about the danger and was swept away by the kiss.

Then she heard her name being screamed by a group of females. She broke away from the kiss and saw the on coming group. North led the group. "Rita is it true?" North got to the point.

"Sherry told us." Curlly informed her.

"Some of us were beginning to think you were hiding." Nabiki said as she laughed and the others joined her.

"But we can see that you were otherwise occupied. I would be too if I were in your shoes." Trace added.

Five pairs of eyes shifted to study Michael. They gave him their seal of approval without saying a word. Rita looked at all her friends. "Michael, these are my friends that are ogling you, North, Nabiki, curlly, Trace and you already met Sherry."

"Ladies it is a pleasure meeting you. I truly regret cutting this short but I do have a meeting that I must attend."

The girls made noises of disappointment. Rita knew they were looking forward to grilling him. Michael grabbed Rita's hand and pulled her towards him. "Rita, I will get in touch with you later." He then kissed her. She knew it was a goodbye kiss. It was a bittersweet moment. He pulled away. "Ladies take care of her." With that he walked away without a backward glance.

************

Rita had spent the weekend trying to explain the situation to her friends. They were not going to let her live this one down anytime soon. They still insisted it was all a practical joke. She still had a blast that weekend although some lingering twinges of sadness hit her about Michael. Walking into her kitchen she noticed a small wrapped box on the counter. She picked it up and read the card. It said: "For my wife. M."

She tore the paper off the box and opened the jewelry box. Inside nestled in the satin was a ring with opals in a platinum setting. It was breath taking. Rita just wondered if that meant she would see him again. Anything was possible and he knew where she lived.

The End...

This story ©copyright Rita/Tasamin, 1999


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