Surprised

As you round the bend in the trail, the two of them are standing slightly apart, their eyes looking startled as you appear. You jog to a stop, smiling at them, noting the range of emotions that run across their faces, enjoying the irony.

"Hi there," you smile. "Great morning for a run."

"Yeah," Brian says nervously. "Perfect morning. Ms. Fulton and I just ran into each other." Monica smiles and nods, her eyes searching your face.

"Looks like you both fell down," you observe, keeping your face neutral and nodding at their disheveled appearance. Brian flushes, glancing down at his dirt smeared knees, while Monica shakes her head and grins.

"Something like that," she smiles. "I didn't know you ran Kyle. We should run together. All of us I mean." Brian glances at her quickly then nods agreement.

"I'm not sure I have the stamina to keep up with a couple of young people like you," you say deprecatingly.

"I think you have lots of stamina," Monica giggles, then bites her lips together to suppress her smile. Brian gives her a questioning glance, then looks at you, his eyes uncertain. You can see a question forming in his face, but you sense that he's unsure what to ask or even if he wants to ask.

"I think it would be really cool to run together," Monica adds, mischief and excitement flickering in her eyes. "We could have lots of fun, the three of us. Out here in the woods, all alone. It could be a real bonding experience." Brian looks at her again, a slight frown creasing his forehead, before glancing back at you.

You're amused by Monica's playful mischief and by Brian's obvious confusion and growing suspicion. You grin at her, then smile at Brian before speaking.

"Bonding is always a good thing. And it's usually easier to exercise with a partner."

"Or partners," Monica adds quickly. You can see that her imagination is working, and she's imagining fulfilling another of her fantasies. "I love these woods. They're so...secluded and peaceful. But sometimes running alone here makes me a little...I don't know...uneasy I guess. That's why it was great when Brian started running out here too." The young coach flushes slightly but smiles and nods.

"Always a good idea to run together," he says. "Especially in the woods." You nod thoughtfully.

"Especially if you fall...or something like that," you add, seeing both of them blush, and Monica's eyes flash at you with excitement.

"Especially then," she breathes, biting her lip for a moment.