Lighthouse in the Fog (Else/Hans)

[Simple Hans/Fletcher Fitch]

Their lips came together again, as Else pulled him down with her onto the bed. They set about peeling his wet clothes off and getting him under the covers. He kissed her belly, where, unknown to Else, Hans knew a new child grew healthy and free of curse... his child. He hiked her now damp shirt up her front, trailing soft kisses up higher. He slid her shirt off and reached underneath her to unclasp her bra. He wanted her warm flesh pressed against his. Feeling like one.

[Sally Fitch/Clever Else]

Else, now disrobed of her pants, found herself on top of her broad husband. His mouth was opened, breathing deeply, as he played with the thin strap of her panties. She smiled down lovingly and brought her lips to his, accepting of his tongue against hers as they breathlessly deepened the kiss. Her hands exploring his firm, muscled chest, reclaiming every inch of his form as hers.

She could never hurt this man again...he was still the innocent, tender, simple man that she had loved back in the other world. Else had almost thought he was lost. But this day he was before her once more, as he vowed with his body and spirit never to do her wrong... never, ever again.

[Simple Hans/Fletcher Fitch]

The next morning, after a long evening and night of... rekindling the flame, as it were... Hans laid in bed with his wife among red sheets. Else was tucked neatly beside him, her arm was stretched up above them with his, hands entwined in the air.

"So... then you and Hook never..." He didn't dare finish, fearing the answer. His wife just burst out laughing. He was a little relieved to hear that response. "Well... you were away in Neverland for MONTHS, and you weren't really the same after you came back..."

[Sally Fitch/Clever Else]

"No...no... NOT EVER... NOT IN A MILLION YEARS." Else laughed, though she quieted down after a few seconds. "But to be perfectly honest with you... I would be lying if I said that I didn't PONDER it every so often..." Hans' jaw clenched, but he seemed appreciative of an honest answer. She brought their hands to rest on his chest, turning on her side towards him. "I was MARRIED... so I was determined NOT to let any of those... ponderings... become a reality. But we did grow close. We... experienced things that bonded us to each other, whether we wanted it to or not." She looked up into Hans' blue eyes. "I know you don't care for him, most people don't,... but I care for him... as a friend. I ask that you TRY and respect that..." It was a plea more then a command. Hans held her tighter with a sigh; a slight confirmation.

"I know I went off on my own, so I was alone to grieve... but Killian was the first person to successfully reach through the haze and comfort me..." She continued, remembering a time long ago. "Perhaps because his grief was equal to my own." Hans shifted uncomfortably. This wasn't the right topic for this intimate moment between man and wife: discussing another man.

Else smiled. But there there was SOMETHING that would be perfect for this moment. "Hans..." She said, slightly sitting up, morning light spilling over her hair and shoulders. "There is something I wanted to tell you... the baby..."

[Simple Hans/Fletcher Fitch]

"Hook saved our child." Hans said. He wished it had come out more flatly... but he was too overjoyed with the prospect to let the moment be tainted with petty jealousy.

[Sally Fitch/Clever Else]

Else blinked. "But how did you...?" The realization dawned on her face. "Hook... I'm going to KILL him..." She muttered. That was supposed to be HER moment with her husband.

Hans laughed and held her closer.

"But wait..." Else looked at her husband. "...You knew, that the curse was gone... but you still would have let me walk away?"

[Simple Hans/Fletcher Fitch]

"Because I love you... even enough to let you go if you absolutely wish it." Hans answered, rubbing her shoulder. "And I wanted you to know that I wanted YOU... and not just to fulfill some duty out of guilt... even if it meant never seeing my child again, which would have KILLED me, by the way."

He sat up, kissing her lips, and then kissing her bare shoulder. "Apparently I said the right thing... because now my wife is beside me again, and with our child..." He kissed the other shoulder. He sighed into her neck. "My wife... you look beautiful today..." He took his arms around her and scooted her into his lap.

[Sally Fitch/Clever Else]

Else smiled at the familiar compliment. "Very clever, Husband..."