Snowbound

Part 1

Posted: February 2003
Type: RPHet
Author: Mayetra and Alex
Rating: NC-17
Disclaimer: This is Mary Sue through and through. Jessy and Kim are suspiciously like some real people we know, but we don't know Marton and Craig nor do we claim this is true. We just wish it were so. This is a parody of real life and we are making no profit from writing it.
Special Warnings: Graphic Het and Slash; Language
Beta: May and Alex - be afraid.
Characters: Marton Csokas, Craig Parker, and two Original Characters
Timeline: AU - This takes place after Elf Ears and Latex.
Author's Note: This was a bunny that I [May] threw to Alex. Somehow, I got conned into helping her write it. I'm still trying to figure out how that exactly happened. If you don't like it, I have this to say: It was all Alex's fault - [May points frantically at Alex, who smiles wickedly.]

Summary: This is a story of what happens when idiots go hiking.

*~*

Chapter One: Are We There Yet?

Marton and Craig grumbled as they loaded the four backpacks and the empty cooler into the back of the Jeep they had rented. The girls' packs were suspiciously heavy for a simple weekend camping trip.

"Do you think they packed rocks in their packs?" Marton asked Craig as he shoved Jessy's pack into the Jeep.

Craig simply shrugged as he added Kim's pack. "Women."

"So, what do you think about Jessy?" Marton asked Craig. "She's kind of cute."

Craig blushed and just shrugged his shoulders. "Bit of a spinner* if you ask me." He had been looking forward to spending some time alone with Kim and Marton. Jessy was simply a complication, cute, but still a complication.

"Jessy?"

"Well, I had hoped to have the two of you to myself for the whole weekend."

Marton looked at him a moment, and touched his shoulder lightly. He almost leaned down for a quick kiss, but decided against it. "I know, but what can we do?"

*~*

Jessy slipped the map she had bought in Wellington out of her thermal jacket. Kim laughed and showed her the one she had bought too.

"You never know when you're going to need a map," Jessy muttered as she stuffed her map back into her jacket.

"Especially with men and their refusal to ask directions," Kim added.

Marton overheard Kim's comment as they walked up and snorted.

Craig walked towards the front passenger door.

"What do you think you are doing," Kim called to him.

"I'm getting in the car," Craig said simply and opened the door.

"I'm riding up front with Marton. You get to ride in the back with Jessy," Kim said firmly, as she walked over to stand by the open door.

Craig looked over at Marton with pleading eyes, but Marton refused to get in between them. He ignored the look and opened the back door for Jessy.

Craig muttered a soft curse and jerked open the back door on his side of the Jeep. He got in and slammed it shut.

Kim just sighed; she could see that this was going to be an interesting weekend. She got into the car and shut the door. She had talked Jessy into coming with them camping in the mountains. Kim knew she'd be outnumbered if she came alone with Marton and Craig, and she knew Jessy needed some fun. Jessy was a bit of a workaholic.

Jessy was oblivious to the real reason for her presence, to keep the boys from wearing Kim out. She had hinted to Jessy about the relationship she had with the two men, but she wasn't sure if Jessy had picked up on it.

Kim had hoped that Jessy and Craig would hook up. Both of them were a bit shy, and Kim couldn't remember the last time Jessy had been out on a date. In any event, Jessy and Craig seemed to be trying their hardest to disappoint Kim. They had been arguing like two five-year-olds from the time they met on the ferry in Wellington. Kim could see the sparks flying between them. They would make a cute couple, if they didn't kill each other first.

The ride was relatively quiet, or started out quietly anyway. Then Craig and Jessy started arguing. Jessy had gotten her map out and was looking at it.

"What do we need a map for?" Craig said to Jessy, grabbing the map from her hand.

"To figure out where we're going," Kim replied from the front seat

"We're going up the mountain and back down again." Craig said, sarcastically.

"I'd like to have a map anyway." Just as Jessy said it, Craig tossed it out the window.
.
Jessy just turned at stared at him. "You...you..."

"We. Don't. Need. A. Map." Craig said slowly as if she were too stupid to understand.

"You IDIOT!" Jessy shouted.

Kim turned around. "Children! Marton's going to turn the car around, if you don't behave."

Both Jessy and Craig glared at her and then decided to stare out their respective windows for awhile, making sure that even their elbows didn't touch in the small back seat.

Craig sat with his nose pressed to the window. Why did Kim bring Jessy? He would have been happy with just her and Marton. Maybe Kim wanted to get rid of him, hook him up with this silly girl so she could have Marton to herself. He looked across the seat at Jessy and then at Marton and Kim, chatting away in the front seat and went back to feeling sorry for himself.

Jessy stared at the passing scenery feeling sorry for herself too. She wished that she hadn't let Kim talk her into coming on the trip. It was obvious that Marton, Craig and Kim were good friends, and Jessy felt like a fifth wheel. It didn't help matters that Craig seemed to hate her guts. Every chance he got, he delighted in tormenting her and reminding her that she didn't belong with the trio of friends.

Marton stared straight head and concentrated on driving, not wanting to get involved. He asked Kim if she wanted to eat lunch together in town or did everyone want to wander around on their own for a bit. They decided they'd eat together, not bothering to consult Jessy and Craig, who were still pouting.

Marton knew Craig was upset. It did seem to him, too, that Kim had sort of left Craig out. Jessy was a sweet little thing and he liked her, but she did seem to take an instant dislike to Craig. He wished Kim had left the girl at home, but since she was along, he supposed he should take every chance he could to make Craig feel better. He was pretty sure the uptight fourth in their little hiking party wouldn't want to play the games he, Craig and Kim liked to play.

Craig mumbled something rude, but everyone chose to ignore it. It sounded a lot like "cold ass bitch" to Kim.

When they finally got to the little town at the foot of Fox Glacier, Jessy ran off as soon as the Jeep stopped. Kim nodded toward her and looked at Marton. He took off after her. If anyone could smooth ruffled feathers and make a person feel wanted, it was Marton.

"You're behaving like a child, Craig," Kim said as soon as Marton and Jessy were out of earshot

"I know. I... just... she's irritating!" He was pouting still. Kim thought he was adorable, but wasn't looking forward to this for a whole weekend if he continued with his childish behavior. "Come on, let's go for a walk and get some lunch and some groceries for the trip."

They ate lunch in a small deli, soup and sandwiches, because it was a chilly day. Craig didn't say much during lunch and didn't eat much either, neither of which were normal for Craig. When they got back out on the sidewalk, Kim reached for his hand and squeezed it as they walked.

Kim spotted a park with benches and lots of trees to offer them a moment of privacy. She pulled Craig into the park and to one of the more secluded benches. He was a bit reluctant. As soon as they sat down, Kim moved close to him. She leaned over and kissed his cheek.

"What's wrong, baby?"

"Why did you bring her? She hates me, and I just want to be with you and Marton. I feel like you were trying to get rid of me."

Kim hadn't realized it, but it was not unreasonable for him to feel that way.

"She just needed a holiday. I really didn't mean to hurt you. I love you, silly boy." She kissed his mouth, meaning for it to be a friendly kiss, but Craig was having none of that as he slipped his tongue into her mouth. She was soon lost in sweet kiss after kiss with him.

*~*

Jessy bolted from the Jeep as soon as Marton turned off the engine. It had taken all of her willpower not to break down when Craig had called her a 'cold ass bitch'. She didn't understand why his childish name-calling had affected her so much.

Jessy stopped outside the small storefront, which served as part travel agency and part bus line. She looked over the placard showing arrival and departure times for the buses though tear filled eyes. She wasn't going to stay where she obviously wasn't wanted. She would catch a bus back to Wellington.

Marton sighed as he approached Jessy, he could hear her sniffles as she tried to stifle her tears. He loved Craig dearly, but sometimes, he went too far. Whenever he felt threatened, he lashed out and could be downright cruel at time. Despite this, Marton knew that Craig was as sweet and loving as anyone he knew.

He walked up and gently draped an arm over Jessy's shoulders. "Going somewhere?"

"Back to Wellington," Jessy muttered between sniffles. "I can take a hint."

Marton rubbed her upper arm gently and then squeezed it. "Before you do that, why don't we take a little walk and get something to eat. Okay?"

It was hard to resist Marton, and Jessy nodded.

Marton caught sight of Kim and Craig entering a small deli and led Jessy in the opposite direction. He and Kim were trying to defuse the situation, not make it worse. They went to a small café nearby, and Marton bought them lunch.

"I'm sorry that Craig said what he did," Marton said between bites. "He's not usually so mean."

"He hates me," Jessy said softly. She was busy pushing her food around her plate with her spoon.

"He doesn't hate you. He is just feeling a little put out." Marton studied her for a minute. "He really is a nice guy, if you give him half a chance. You haven't been that nice to him either."

Jessy's head shot up and she stared at him. "He started it."

Marton sighed. "And you finished it. Look, I don't want to fight with you. I just want you to know that you are welcome to stay. I would like it if you did. I think we'll have a good time, if you just give it half a chance."

Jessy sighed and nodded. She would stay and try to get along with Craig.

They finished lunch in silence. As they left the café, Marton caught sight of Kim and Craig talking in a nearby park.

"Why don't you go back to the Jeep and I'll find Craig and Kim. Then we'll go get the groceries we need," Marton said to Jessy.

Jessy nodded and headed back to where they had parked.

Kim was right about one thing, Jessy really needed to relax, Marton thought to himself. If she got wound up any tighter, she would snap in two. Still, he liked the young American and hoped that she and Craig would start to get along.

Marton watched in amusement as his two lovers groped each other on the park bench.

Kim was completely unaware of anything, but Craig and his naughty hands. One of which was under her sweater and working on the clasp of her bra.

Craig wanted Kim so bad that he thought he would explode. He had just about worked her bra open when the sound of someone clearing their throat got his attention.

Kim and Craig broke their embrace like two teenagers who had just been caught by their parents making out on the couch. They looked up wide-eyed and breathed a sigh of relief, when they saw Marton standing there with a bemused expression on his face.

"Shall we go hiking or would you two rather spend the weekend in jail for having sex in public?" Marton drawled.

Both Craig and Kim blushed.

* spinner: usually used to describe a female who is a little flakey/stupid (an air-head), as in "she's a real spinner!".

*****

| Chapter Index | next

If you enjoyed this story, please send feedback to: Alex