Lake Tahoe.

[dontchaserabbits]

The elevation in Lake Tahoe is something that requires getting used to. Raleigh's out of practice with altitude but settles in okay once once he downs the water bottle Tendo put in his rucksack like a doting mom. That man needs to get back with his kid, stop working so much.

"We're here," Mako's quiet voice announces, clear as a bell in Raleigh's ear.

"Mmm?"

"You fell asleep. Pay the nice driver so we can get out of the taxi?"

Comments

[co_pilot]

She only has to nudge him gently before he wakes up, reaches into his pocket to pay the driver.

The cool, crisp air hits her face first, and she takes a deep breath, pulls it into her lungs, and breathes out with a smile.

She's only brought one bag. It's all she'll really need. As the driver slowly pulls away, she turns to look up at the house nestled in the trees, across from the lake.

"It's beautiful."

[dontchaserabbits]

"Mom had cousins around here somewhere at one point; never met any of them, but the imagery was in enough stories that we all came here now and then when we could."

Which was all of twice - traveling for vacations wasn't a thing that happened much to the Beckets.

"I'm just happy there was an empty house. No more hotels for a while."

[co_pilot]

"Just us."

She smiles up at him and then shoulders her bag briefly, starting down the small gravel path leading onto the porch. It barely creaks under her feet, and she fishes around in the pocket of her jacket for the key they'd been given before they'd started the trip up into the mountains.

"Did you take the key?"

[dontchaserabbits]

Raleigh's mouth curls up on one side.

"You didn't notice?"

He looks smug.

[co_pilot]

She takes a step to one side, motioning to the door with one hand and giving him a pointed look.

"I was distracted by the view."

[dontchaserabbits]

"Likely story."

Key comes out of sliding out of Raleigh's jacket sleeve, walking up to the door and opening it with a decisive turn of the knob.

"One-zero."

[co_pilot]

She twists her mouth to hide a grin, brushing past him and inside.

It's a modern layout, but comfortable, with lots of windows in the back looking out onto the lake and the mountains in the distance, and bedrooms on the second floor.

Even if she's not convinced they'll need more than one.

[dontchaserabbits]

In a true swagger of nonchalance, Raleigh's things get unceremoniously dumped in a dining room chair. He doesn't hide his admiration for the house - and the complete lack of technology lying around. The fanciest thing in here is the refrigerator.

"Nice. A man can get nice and soft in a house like this."

Not that this is Raleigh's plan, but still.

"I was going to go for a run. Want to come?"

[co_pilot]

She begins to set her own bag down before he makes the offer, and then she lifts it up by the strap again, nodding once.

"I will change."

She's already ascending the stairs, one hand trailing along the banister. Using the first room she finds, she quickly shucks off her clothes and slips into something more appropriate for running in - a tank and a pair of spandex pants that cover her legs to the knee. She dons her sneakers, lacing them up tight, and then reappears in the hallway.

[dontchaserabbits]

Raleigh has a change of outfit as well - wifebeater and sweats, old sneakers.

"Try not to beat me too bad."

[co_pilot]

One eyebrow rises, almost disappearing into her bangs.

"So there will be a winner, then?"

[dontchaserabbits]

"Could be."

Especially since going running at altitude with no practice at it is usually not a great idea.

"Or not. Lady's choice."

[co_pilot]

"It will be interesting."

She takes a few steps out onto the porch again, idly winding one arm behind her.

"In the final stretch."

[dontchaserabbits]

Raleigh's kind of looking forward to it now. "Let's go."








'Let's go' apparently means seven miles later, Raleigh is trying to hide his wheeze.

[co_pilot]

It is slightly difficult for her, but he seems to be having a harder time of it.

"Do you - want to turn back?" she asks, panting lightly.

[dontchaserabbits]

"No." Stubborn and more irritated at himself than anything.

"Might have to though."

[co_pilot]

"Let's stop for a moment."

She slows gradually, hands bracing on her hips.

[dontchaserabbits]

Raleigh groans, but he stops alongside, still moving his legs as though he's ready to sprint off somewhere.

"This is horrible. I'd have my ass handed to me by now."

[co_pilot]

"It is the altitude," she promises, leaning forward.

"The air is thinner."

[dontchaserabbits]

"Still. I miss feeling like..."

It just fades off.

Feeling two hundred fifty feet tall and a walking nuclear reactor.

[co_pilot]

She grins knowingly.

That kind of invincibility - it's difficult to walk away from. A part of them will never completely leave the Jaeger.

[dontchaserabbits]

Raleigh shrugs an I don't know sort of response, breathing settling in towards normal.

"Going back?"

[co_pilot]

She pauses, and then her grin widens.

"I think I will go for a swim."

And then she backpedals for a few steps before spinning on her heels, turning in the direction of the lake house.

[dontchaserabbits]

Swimming, huh?

Once they get back to the house, Raleigh's beat. And gross.

"Shower, immediately in my future," he says to nobody in particular. Mako'd beat him to the house, so he trundles up the stairs to find the bathroom.

[co_pilot]

She ignores the shower altogether, lightly jogging around to the back of the house and down to the end of the dock.

It's quiet, peaceful, barely a ripple on the surface of the water, and she slowly toes off her shoes and socks -

- and then, with a quick glance over her shoulder, begins to peel out of the rest of her layers, leaving sweaty clothes behind in a pile before diving in.