<div style="text-align: justify"><br/>
Indeed she had followed, trailing in behind him in slow pursuit, coming to join his side more or less as she hopped herself up onto the counter. Straight posture, he minutely noted with a loose glance toward her, reminding him of her certain confidence if her earlier demeanor hadn’t already said so before. And she’d every right to be, though whether that would stir more trouble for them or not had yet to be seen. Despite that though there was also a particular ease about her too, comfortable still in spite of her situation, keen to adapt and accept. He supposed she’d really had no other choice and there were definitely worse places to be stowed away indefinitely, and worse company.<br/>
He could say the same.<br/>
<br/>
<br/>
She shifted into a comfortable position as she spoke, the crossed swing of her leg sparring him the slightest glimpse of her higher thigh. He’d noticed, but it remained unobvious, the sweep of his gaze brief and purposefully passive, forgiven with the quick ascent back to her own eyes as she inquired whether he’d be joining her on her morning runs.<br/>
<br/>
<br/>
“Probably, at least at first.” And knowing his luck she’d be up at the ass crack of dawn ready to roll, day in and day out. Keeping tabs on her from a distance had too many variables, though he wasn’t planning on tethering himself to her perpetually. Once they had a feel of this place and he could track some semblance of routine and predictability, then perhaps the invasiveness of his existence could retire to something less <i>always</i> present. She still had a life to live, making best of what hand she was given, and he understood that it likely didn’t plan to involve his constant attendance.<br/>
<br/>
<br/>
Mia continued then, figuring aloud that if they were go head into town they could probably stock up on groceries, inquiring thereafter if he knew anything about what to do with them.<br/>
<br/>
<br/>
“The basics,” His shoulders rose for a brief shrug as he drew another careful sip from his cup. “Enough to get by, I guess. But I’m certainly no Alain Ducasse.” Really, was anyone? He’d be so lucky if she was thoroughly versed in the art of the pan, but Will wasn’t particularly picky either and could happily survive on a short list of take-out options. His job didn’t often allow him the time for many hobbies let alone to finesse the art of cooking for himself after a sixteen-hour shift. Regardless though, his answer didn’t need any vindication, her attention already divided to a soft scuttle at one of the further windows.<br/>
<br/>
A squirrel busied himself outside the age worn glass, thick-bellied and red and wild, certainly contrast to the dull-coated pigeons that had ever preoccupied the sills of their prior city life.<br/>
Mia made a soft quip about the animals’ intrusion before, with an almost finishing bite of her bagel, she slipped off the counter and back to her feet.<br/>
<br/>
Will watched her, small chunk of bread in hand, make her way over to pry up the frame and make good with their new neighbor for the offering. Surprisingly the animal didn’t scamper off, apparently far too enamored with such a rare and delicious treat that he’d dropped free from above and perched himself right in her hand.<br/>
<i>Damn Snow White in the flesh. </i>He mused, lingering the cup at his lips a thoughtful moment longer before polishing off what remained.<br/>
<br/>
<br/>
Her attention returned, after a passive consideration that maybe on their outing they ought to get seeds to draw and better feed the wildlife, among other provisions.<br/>
She’d only have to change, and then they could go.<br/>
<br/>
“Sure.” He replied with a nod of acknowledgement, setting his hollowed cup aside as he shifted to straighten from his partial lean.<br/>
<br/>
<br/>
<br/>
With that she was off to gather her things, the sound click of heels replaced with the softer pad of bare feet, shoes discarded by the door as she departed. In the meantime he eyed the bag of bagels, testing the thought of eating just yet only to find the slightest promise of a craving. So, while she collected her essentials and moseyed back through he lingered in the kitchen, having procured himself breakfast to idly munch in wait as he inactively followed the sounds of her footsteps from the stairs to the halls above.<br/>
<br/>
This house would be hard to sneak through, at least in this level of quiet, wherein he was more attuned to the much more boisterous nature of the city. It made the vacancy of noise seem almost echoing. However, whether it would begin to bother him or not had yet to be seen, considering if he’d be <i>too</i> keen on every shift and sigh of the timeworn home. Well, cheers to a few nights of restless sleep then.<br/>
Surely over time he’d adjust.<br/>
<br/>
<br/>
Done and redressed, Mia eventually appeared again beyond the threshold of the kitchen, more casually clad but no less appealing– which he found slightly off-putting. And if it wasn’t his attention she would be garnering than it was others’, he realized, a new and awfully pretty face in a small town sure to turn some heads. So, he’d had his work cut out for him then, though they’d yet to establish the rules about any potential love-interests. Maybe that was a conversation they could avoid, for now, less he feel more like an over-involved father than her professional warden.<br/>
<br/>
<br/>
“I’ll drive,” he offered aloud as her query pressed through his idle drift of thoughts, encouraging him to move at last, finding his way easy around and over to join her. Pausing at the door his hand slipped into the pocket of his coat, nabbing the keys to his truck free before a habitual check for his wallet displayed with the pat of his free hand. The gesture found it safely stowed in the back pocket of his jeans before he reached for the door next, pausing to wait for her ready, speaking in the meantime.<br/>
<br/>
<br/>
“And just Will… is fine. Probably a bit too obvious to have ya callin’ me officer.” He afforded her a half smile, the suggestion gentle but no less serious. Here he was just simply Will, as she was just Mia, and they were to be as unassuming as realistically possible.<br/>
<br/>
<br/>
<br/>
_____<br/>
<br/>
<br/>
The road was vacant, though he hardly figured it would ever really be busy, the slow winding stretch of asphalt leading their way into town almost meditative in route.  Though their little abode was only a few miles outside of the nearby township it still felt departed, set back and secluded in a way that he’d never really known.<br/>
<br/>
Trees stretched for miles on either side, their finger-like trunks and straggly pine canopies diffusing the western-lapsing sun as they cruised.<br/>
<br/>
The silence of the cab, to him, was comfortable enough to sustain, however therein too was a more sensible opportunity to get to know her better. So he took it.<br/>
He passed a glance to the review mirror then across the cab toward her, the acknowledgement brief, his eyes returned casually back ahead as he spoke.<br/>
<br/>
“So, you asked me if I cook, how about yourself? Or are we lookin’ to get experimental with the microwave?”<br/>
<br/>​</div>