Chapter Text
John was sitting on the bed, a cup of black coffee in his hand, observing Anna, who was still fast asleep. She was lying on her side, back to him, unclothed. The thin bed sheet was barely covering her waist, leaving her upper body exposed. Her breathing was calm and steady. This must have been the first night since her arrival at Hope County that she was sleeping comfortably. In a bed, not a bunk. John was going to let her sleep as long as she needed to, or rather - he looked at his watch - for another half an hour or so. The night had been long for both of them. Long and wonderful. Sinful… Recalling the last few hours, John felt not only his body wanting Anna again. But there was no time for this now. And maybe never again.
Brushing off further dark thoughts, he let his fingers slide across her contours just above her skin, not actually touching her. Up and down her womanly curves, feeling the promising warmth she radiated.
John sighed. He had been working toward this right from the start. Anna had turned out to be easy prey to his advances. But he didn’t have to play-act that much anyway, to be honest. Not only that he relished every aspect of her sweet and caring nature. Most of the time, when Anna was around, he could be himself, with all his emotions, his passion, and yeah, sometimes even with his flaws. Well… apart from… He clenched his fist and withdrew it from her. She would never understand why he was doing what he had to do. Confessions had to go deep, had to hurt. And at times, atonement wasn’t reached before the body couldn’t take anymore. There was nothing he could do about it. It was the will of the Father. The path to Eden. The path to salvation. To his own salvation. The path to a future where he could finally start anew, leave the past behind, be happy, be truly free.
‘Oh Anna… come with me…’
Outside the screeching of tires resounded, followed by car doors being opened.
“John Seed. Come out!” Ah, Sheriff Whitehorse’s voice. Earlier than John had expected.
He carefully got up the bed, and stepped through the door outside. As anticipated, Anna’s welcoming committee had arrived. The Sheriff, the two deputies, the marshal and two other armed men, Kevin and Mike, if he remembered their names correctly.
“Good morning, Sheriff,” John said politely and leaned on the wall next to the door, leisurely taking a sip of his coffee. He was topless and wore sweatpants, no shoes, no socks. And as the sun was positioned behind the building at this time of the day, John felt a little bit chilly, giving his skin goosebumps. It made him crave for Anna’s warmth so badly, but these thoughts wouldn’t show in his expression.
The men had partially stepped on the stairs leading from the road to the house. Their guns were pointing at him.
“What have you done to Deputy Jason?”
John couldn't help but smile. “I am not going to tell you that.” He saw Hudson and Pratt looking at each other, hesitantly taking down their weapons. They obviously started to understand.
“We are here to take her with us, come what may. Release her, now!”
Anna had woken up as John could hear her rummaging around the room, getting dressed and cursing: “Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!”
“Awww, it is sweet to see how much you care for Deputy Jason, Sheriff. But let me assure you, she is safe and free to leave whenever she wants.”
The door slammed open and Anna dashed out on the balcony. “I’m alright, don’t shoot!” she shouted, trying to fix her hair on the go. In vain. “I… I overslept. I’m alright.”
Hudson and Pratt got visibly angry, while Burke was simply facepalming in disappointment. Sheriff Whitehorse on the other hand, tried to keep his composure but had to clear his throat upon the realization of what really happened to his deputy.
“Good morning, Anna…,” John whispered tenderly, then looked at her from top to bottom, taking her in, enjoying her, perhaps one last time. He wasn’t sure if she’d ever forgive him for not waking her up, shaming her on her colleagues. But he didn’t have the heart to let her go any second earlier, he needed to keep her with him as long as possible. He just couldn’t resist. Apart from that, he had expected the situation to be as amusing as it was.
“Why the fuck didn’t you wake me up? You knew I had to report at nine sharp!” Anna angrily whispered back and the disappointment in her beautiful brown eyes almost made John question his decision. Almost.
“I’m sorry, I just couldn't…”
When Anna furiously turned away from him, about to leave, John grabbed her arm, holding her off. Immediately he heard the men down at the road getting their guns ready again. But he didn’t care.
“Anna…” They both looked at each other and within these short seconds they exchanged countless subtle thoughts. Until eventually, anger got the better of Anna, and she broke free from his grip. Shortly after, she drove off with her committee, leaving John behind, not knowing when they would see each other again, or if ever.