Disclaimers: None.  If you’re still reading my stuff at this point, you pretty well know what you’re getting into.  If you don’t have an open mind, why exactly are you still reading this far into the series? However, if you do read it and you find something you think needs disclaiming, you are still more than welcome to let me know.  It won’t change anything, but it may make you feel better.   Ugliness will earn you a smack to the back of your head.

Thanks: To Phil for sticking around to beta read for me.  She’s picked up all kinds of dropped letters because Pink and Fluffy tend to leave a trail of them.  All errors belong strictly to me.

Special Thanks: To the many of you that have taken the time to send your kind words about the Valiant Series thus far.  I greatly appreciate your feedback and your patience in waiting for this installment.  It took a lot of doing to convince Randi and Gwen they’d had a long enough honeymoon.

Author’s Note: The Storyteller’s Cardinal Rule has been suspended for the telling of this tale!!!  That’s right – the ending of this story is not a happy every after... yet.  So if you want the happy ever after ending, please wait to read this.  It will happen eventually – just not here.  Consider yourself forewarned.  This does pick up where A Valiant Life left off.

A Valiant Mind

By D

Prologue

A rasp of air and the click of a lock in place were the only sounds the door made as it shut then stillness was all that was left in the room, save the occasionally popping from the fireplace.  A flick of a wrist and even that comforting sound disappeared, leaving the tense figure alone in the abrupt silence.

For long moments, the woman stood ramrod straight, clenched hands at her side the only testament to the frustration running through her body.  Without warning, she brought both fists down on the low table in front of her, watching dispassionately as it splintered.  Then her body sagged in defeat, and she slumped into a chair and stared unseeingly at the silent flames as the coldness in her soul became unbearable.

When the torment grew to be too much, she brought her clenched fist up into her lap and slowly opened her hand, revealing a ring she’d never expected to hold like this again in this lifetime.  The Soulmate’s Ring.  Her mind turned to the last words that had been spoken between them before Gwen walked out of her life.

“I never thought I would do this Randi,” she said, slipping the platinum band from her finger.  “What we had together.... It doesn’t seem to mean anything to you anymore.”  She held up her hand when Randi opened her lips to speak.  “Let me finish.  I know what this means to me... what it symbolizes for me, for us.  However, I don’t want to hold you to a promise you are no longer capable of keeping.”  She took Randi’s hand in her own and placed the ring in the center of her palm, closing it gently and watching as the fist clenched reflexively around it.  “You decide what it means to you, if anything, and you let me know.”  Gwen kissed the balled fist then slipped from the room without another word.

The sound of a shuttle preparing for take off interrupted her reverie, and Randi closed her hand protectively over the ring she still held.  Then she rose and turned off the fire completely, moving out the door without a backward glance.  The door closed with definite purpose and the room was left in cold, dark silence.

The Marine made her way to the bedroom they had shared together for such a brief time here, finally understanding instinctively that there was no happiness in this house... not then and certainly not now.  Blue eyes stared out the window, tracking the progress of the small blonde woman towards the shuttle.  The grief was almost overwhelming now, and the warrior couldn’t stop the lone tear that slowly, silently rolled down her planed cheek.  She leaned her head against the cold glass, wondering what had gone so wrong that they’d come to this place.

The shuttle rose, and the Sabre felt her heart break.  Randi couldn’t see the corresponding tears slip from green eyes as Gwen left her behind, and headed for home... alone.

The Marine watched the craft fade out of sight, and still stood staring sightlessly into the void into which it had disappeared.  She cast her mind back, trying desperately to find the compelling cause that had brought them to this point in time.

It had all started out so wonderfully....

Chapter I

The slight warmth of the waning sun was decidedly welcome against the sharp cold of the wind that blew against them, even as they slowed upon reaching the bridge.  Randi absently keyed in the codes and lifted her helmet, then yelped when icy, gloved hands slid under her jacket and shirt and hit bare, warm skin.  She turned her head slightly and cut her eyes in Gwen’s direction, getting an innocent smile and batting eyelashes in return.

“Ya know, Little One,” she growled low in her throat, though the twinkle in her blue eyes could be readily seen.  “I’m sure I can find a payback for this when we get home.”

Gwen squeezed the firm abdomen under her hands lightly before beginning to stroke the soft skin in random patterns.  “Oh, I hope so, Stud,” Gwen whispered in the ear closest to her lips.  She was thankful they had removed their helmets as they waited for the bridge to extend.  While she understood and agreed with their purpose, they really got in the way of teasing sometimes.  She smiled when she felt the ripple of excitement course through Randi’s body, feeling its twin echo in her own.

“It’s different this time, isn’t it?” Gwen continued softly. 

“Yeah,” came the quiet reply.  “It really is.  I don’t understand it.  We’re still the same people we were when we left.  How do a few words spoken in front of our friends make such a difference?”

Gwen pinched the warrior’s muscled belly lightly, earning her another squawk and an outraged glare.  “I’m a bard and you’re asking me about the difference words can make?”

Randi shrugged.  “Well, yeah,” she said seriously.  “We’re the same people.  Nothing really changed between us and yet....”

“And yet everything changed.  It’s real now.  Not a dream or wishful thinking or private hopes.  This is real, and the reality of us together is simply beyond anything we had imagined.  What we have is....”

“What we have is a gift beyond price that no one can take away from us, and now everyone knows that.”

“Exactly.  That’s what makes it real.”  She let her hands drift upwards, eliciting a soft moan.  “I love you, Randi.  Now take me home so I can show you how much.”

“Helmet,” the Sabre commanded gruffly before revving the bike and shooting across the bridge.

 ************

“Guess who’s home?” Tommy said to Ella as he came out of his office.  “The bridge extension codes just came through.”

Ella smiled back at him.  “It’ll be good to have them home again.  But it’s gonna be so different now.”

“How do you figure, hon?  Things’ll be back to normal finally.”

Ella gazed at her husband with something akin to pity in her eyes.  “Sweetheart, have we been married so long that you don’t remember how things changed for us when we got married?”  He stared at her blankly and she rolled her eyes.  “Nevermind.  I love you anyway.  I’m sure it’ll dawn on you eventually.”

“I... but....”

Ella chuckled and shook her curly head.  “C’mon.  Lemme go get Randall and we can go invite Geoff and Jill for dinner – give Randi and Gwen a little privacy to settle into tonight.”

Tommy looked at her with a funny expression on his face.  “Why?  It’s not like we don’t know they’re married.”

Ella cuffed the back of his head.  “Will you come on?” grabbing a jacket and stomping out the door that led to the shortcut between their property and Randi’s.  She kept mumbling under her breath, and though Tommy couldn’t understand the words, he realized by her looks in his direction that he was going to be in the doghouse for a while.

************ 

Jill was curled up on the couch reading, grateful for the peace that had finally fallen over the boathouse.  At her feet lay three shepherds – Ditto, who went everywhere Randall did, and the two pups that Geoff was training.  Jill shook her head and smile reflectively.  She wasn’t sure Randi was going to appreciate some of the tricks her husband had patiently been teaching Carbon.

Her expression became pensive.  Although truth to tell, she wasn’t altogether sure they were going to be able to give the puppy up when Randi and Gwen returned. Carbon had been such a motivating force for Geoff and she hated to take that away from him.  On the other hand, she wasn’t sure either daughter would forgive them if they took Carbon away.  Well, Randi might, but she was willing to bet Gwen wouldn’t.

Carbon opened an eye at her and let out a long yawn, then looked at her reproachfully before returning to his slumber.  Jill had to chuckle – they had totally worn one another out. 

She cast her eyes in the direction of their bed where Geoff and Randall were both safely ensconced sound asleep.  It had been a long time since she’d and Geoff had had quite so active an afternoon and coming on top of his regular exercises....

She smiled again.  It was a pleasant exhaustion for a change though, and one they were both happy to have.  She was hoping the memories of their time here would help Geoff once they returned to the capital city to continue his regimented therapy. 

Her mind continued to wander freely from subject to subject as she rested, her eyes unfocused on the vista before her until a movement from the direction of the Steele house caught her attention.  She wondered if Ella was still angry over her unwilling participation in Tommy and Geoff’s post-nuptial practical joke on Randi and Gwen.  She didn’t think so, but something was up.  That much was evident from her body language.

Jill got up and went to the door, motioning them for quiet before they could knock.

“Come in,” she said.  “Sorry... they just fell asleep about twenty minutes ago.  It’s been wild around here today.”

Ella took off her coat and handed it to Tommy who hung them both by the door.  “I’m sorry, Jill.  You should have called me if he was giving you problems.”  She stopped speaking when the older woman held up a hand.

“Are you kidding?” Jill asked with a light laugh.  “I haven’t seen Geoff this happy in months.  They wore each other out.  This was great for him, so thank you.  Now, what’s up?” directing them to a seat on the couch.

“Well, Randi and Gwen should be driving up in a minute.  I thought I’d see if ya’ll wanted to come over for supper and give them some time to settle in.”

“A little privacy for their first night home, huh?”

Ella cut her eyes at Tommy.  “Yeah.  Some of us can actually remember being newlyweds.”

Jill laughed at Tommy’s blush and patted his leg. “Don’t worry, Tommy.  I’m sure you’ll remember eventually.”

“I think I’m being pandered to,” he said with a scowl, crossing his arms over his chest.  “I just don’t see....”

A chuckle from the bed made three heads swivel towards it.  “Tommy, my boy... do yourself a favor and let it lie,” Geoff said in a voice still rough from sleep as he eased himself out from under Randall’s small body and scooted to sit upright.  “You’ll be farther ahead.”

“But....”

“So, Ella, what’s for dinner?” Geoff cut in before Tommy could protest further. 

 ************

Randi and Gwen pulled into the garage just as the sun touched the horizon.  Together they wiped down the bike and tarped it before joining hands and making their way towards the beach house.

“So do you think the folks will be offended if we skip the hellos this evening?” Randi asked.  “I mean, Tommy and Ella won’t care, but....”

Gwen chuckled.  “Randi, I think if we show up at the boathouse tonight, my mother will chase us out with a broom.  In case you haven’t noticed, my folks still act like newlyweds after nearly thirty-five years of marriage.  Somehow, I think they’ll forgive us for wanting whatever time we can spend alone together.”

Randi smiled, noting a bit of movement at the boathouse windows.  “Good,” she said, scooping Gwen up into her arms and angling them towards the front door.

“RANDI!” Gwen squealed, having been startled by Randi’s unexpected move.  “Put me down.”

Randi stopped and gazed at her bard with soulful eyes, but she didn’t move otherwise. 

“Randi!  Don’t look at me like that. C’mon... you carried me over the threshold at the cabin.  You don’t need to do it here too.”

The eyes widened slightly and the bottom lip stuck out just the tiniest little bit.

“AUGH!!  Randi....”  Gwen bit her lip and closed her eyes in defeat, then she tightened her arms around the warrior’s neck.  “You better not make this a habit, or I’ll have to do it to you just to be fair.”

She missed the almost comic look that crossed Randi’s face from the visual Gwen’s words painted for her.  She could just see the bard hefting her into a fireman’s hold or dragging her into the house like a cavewoman because she just couldn’t picture herself being cradled like she held Gwen now.  The visuals made her want to giggle and she covered her exuberance by swinging around in a circle, causing Gwen to shriek before dissolving into laughter.

Randi forgot about the audience they might have as she keyed in the codes and pushed the door open.  She leaned down and caught Gwen’s lips in a fiery kiss before kicking the door closed behind them.

 ************

“Well,” Ella said as Randi cradled Gwen in her arms and moved out of sight.  “I think the coast may be clear.  Shall we try to head home for dinner?”  A squeal and laughter answered her question, followed by the distinct slamming of the beach house’s front door.

The four adults looked at one another, then Tommy said with a look of enlightenment, “It should be safe now,” he muttered, causing a tittering among the other three.  A small voice stopped ant further comment.

“Mama?”

Ella walked over to the bed and Randall held his arms up, still blinking the sleep from his eyes.  “Ready to go home, little stud muffin?  We’ll take Auntie Jill and Uncle Geoff and have some dinner?”

“O go too?”

“O go too,” Ella confirmed as she lifted him up.  “Oof!  My goodness, you’re getting to be a big boy.”  She handed him to his father.  “You can carry him back, my love.”  She turned to Jill and Geoff.  “Now, if ya’ll think we can make it over with just Geoff’s chair and no transport, we will head on over before it gets dark.  Otherwise....”

The older couple exchanged glances and nodded without words.  “We’ll try.  Worst that happens is we wait on the path through the woods, right?” Jill asked.

“Absolutely,” Ella replied.  “And we’ll bring you back tonight regardless.”

“Good,” Geoff said.  “Let’s make tracks... or not, in my case,” gesturing to his hover chair.  They moved forward in parade fashion, taking care not to be noisy, though no one for a moment believed Gwen and Randi were even aware of their presence.  Geoff didn’t see the grateful smile Jill donned at his light reference to his handicap, but Tommy did and he returned the smile with a wink.

Then the troupe slowly made their way to the Steele manse, unnoticed by the couple inside the beach house.

 ************

They separated just slightly, eyes still closed and breathing one another’s air as they absorbed the sensations of being together for the first time as a married couple in their home.  Slowly their eyes opened and they gazed at one another, smiles crossing both faces before Gwen curled up and hugged Randi tightly.

“I love you, Randi.  Always.”

“I love you too, Gwen.  Forever.”

“Now, you wanna put me down before you hurt yourself?” Gwen asked, pulling back enough to look Randi in the eye.  Randi returned the look thoughtfully, giving the question the serious consideration she felt it merited.

“I think you overestimate yourself there, bard.  You’re no heavyweight, ya know,” said with a big, teasing grin and a twinkle.  Gwen looked back at her in mock outrage and withdrew one arm from the warrior’s neck, poking her in the chest to emphasize her words.

“Are you calling me a lightweight there, gunny? Huh?  Are ya??”  She bit her lips to contain the laughter she felt bubbling up.  “Why I’ll have you know....”  Then she clutched at Randi’s shoulders as her world tilted and she found herself nose to nose with the Sabre.

“Yeeeessss?” the warrior drawled, pecking Gwen’s lips lightly.  “You were saying?” stealing another quick kiss.

Gwen wrapped her legs around Randi’s waist which gave them enough stability to allow Randi to brush her lips against the bard’s again.  Gwen tightened her hold and deepened the kiss for a long moment.  Then she unlocked her legs and slid down the tall body until she was standing once more.  Gwen tucked her head under Randi’s chin and mumbled, “What was the question?”

“Um, there was a question?” Randi muttered.  She blinked her eyes and then let them flutter closed when Gwen tightened her hold into a hug once more.  She smiled, captivated by the feeling of completeness that washed through her by simply holding Gwen in her arms.

They held each other in the same position for some moments before Randi pulled away slightly and extended her hand to the bard.  “C’mon, Little One.  I hear a nice hot shower and a bottle of wine calling our names.”

************ 

Gwen had surprised her – insisting on separate showers and a little preparation time as well.  When the bard knocked on their bedroom door half an hour later, Randi almost forgot to breathe at the vision the blonde woman presented to her.

The gown was sheer almost to the point of translucent, leaving only teasing glimpses of the assets it protected.  The warrior felt almost overdressed in the royal blue silk robe she had donned until she caught the look of lust and desire shining from the verdant eyes now locked on her own.

Gwen reached out a hand and ran it from Randi’s waist to her collar and easing her hand into the raven tresses that hung loosely down the Sabre’s back.  She kneaded the muscles gently, causing Randi to momentarily close her eyes.

“You look wonderful,” Gwen whispered.  She felt Randi’s hands come up and rest lightly on her waist, clenching convulsively as the bard’s touch continued to massage away aches and anxieties she hadn’t realized were there.  It was all the warrior could do not to moan aloud at the sensations Gwen’s touch was sending cascading through her body.  Instead, she bent her head and let her lips and tongue speak for her without words.

Finally, they pulled apart a little winded. Gwen smiled up into Randi’s eyes which caused a reciprocal smile to light the warrior’s face.

“C’mon, beautiful.  I wanna dance with you tonight.”

Randi grinned and allowed herself to be led into the living area where Gwen had obviously been hard at work.  A nest of throw pillows and rugs was prepared on the floor in front of the fireplace and a bottle of... something... was chilling in the bucket to the far side.  A tray of finger food resided nearby and scented candles had been lit around the room.

“Music,” Randi called out, not surprised to hear the soft strains of their favorite jazz artist stream from the recessed speakers strategically hidden throughout the room.  Then she pulled the bard into her body and they began to sway gently together, allowing the music to cocoon them in their own private world, not even cognizant of when their dancing became something more passionate and private between them.

 ************

“Welcome home, Reed,” Chief Screaming Sky beamed, giving the Sabre a careful embrace.  The tribe had spent the few days since Randi and Gwen’s departure from the tiny town preparing for Reed’s arrival.  The people knew how crucial it was to have the shields in place for the seer, having been exposed to the energy the couple had generated during their brief visit, and they had worked tirelessly to ensure that everything was ready for her arrival.

Reed stepped into the chief’s embrace, feeling the welcome of home surrounding her and the comfort of the barrier they had erected for her shielding her.  Even through the barrier though, she could feel odd strains in the flowing currents and briefly wondered how strong the force was behind them that caused them to be felt through the shielding.  Then she stepped back to allow the chief to greet her lover.

“Hello, Tiny.  Welcome back,” he offered, extending a hand for the big man to grasp.  Tiny did so gladly, happy to be in a place that looked out so well for his beloved.

“Hi, Chief.  It’s good to be back here, regardless of the reason.”

Sky nodded with a smile, though his eyes turned somber.  “It is always nice to have you both here, though I wish it was just for a visit and not....”  He glanced around, noting the unobtrusive looks they were garnering among the clansmen.  “Come,” he said quietly.  “Let us go to my home.  There is much for us to discuss, and I think you would prefer to see what I need to show you in private.”

Reed nodded.  “It’s that bad?” she asked, the feeling of foreboding growing in the pit of her stomach.

His hesitation was answer enough.

Reed looked plaintively at Tiny and he nodded.  “Right.  I’ll get the bags and take them....”

“Bring them to my house,” Sky cut in.  “I thought it best for you to stay with me this trip.”

“Oookay,” Tiny drawled.  “You two go ahead.  I’ll be there as soon as I get the bags from the shuttle,” assuming they would like a little time alone to discuss what had happened.  He was surprised when Sky shook his head.

“I will give you a hand and then we will all go together.  I would prefer to only have to do this once.”

“But I thought....”

Tiny’s flow of words was halted by Reed’s hand on his arm.  “Sweetheart, trust Sky.  If he thinks you need to be there, then there is a reason for it.  He wouldn’t ask otherwise.”

“All right.  I just didn’t expect... I mean usually....”

“It’s all right, my friend,” Sky commented as they began their short trek back to the shuttle Reed had piloted in to the small landing area just outside the town.  “You’re correct – usually I would prefer to show Reed privately, but I think she will need your strength for this.  Ravenhawk desperately needed Little Dove’s.”

“Randi and Gwen,” Reed said to the unspoken question Tiny threw at her in a glance.

“Oookay,” he drawled again.  “Are they part of the tribe that they’ve been given names, or...?”

“That is part of the long story,” Sky replied.  “I promise things will make a lot more sense for you both very shortly.  Even if you don’t like the picture they make,” he added with dark intent.  The two Sabres exchanged glances and followed the chief towards the shuttle.

************ 

“On the day that Nanny died,” Sky started, handing them each a cup of herbal tea before seating himself.  Then he shook his head.  “No, that’s not right... on the day Nanny was killed, I saw a darkness I had never seen before.”

“You mean Randi?  When she went into Sabre mode?”

“Well, yes, sort of, but not exactly.  I mean,” Sky continued rapidly at their confused looks.  “Seeing her function in the capacity of a Sabre was almost... frightening.  She has a darkness within that she calls upon to become the person she needs to be to do the job she’s been tasked with.  But no,” he said shaking his head again.  “It wasn’t that, though that experience was enlightening.”

Sky set his cup on the table and leaned forward with his elbows on his knees.

“Before the incident... before those animals came in and tried to destroy our home, I chanced to touch Ravenhawk very briefly.  The flashes of images I saw... well, see for yourself.”

He extended his hands, palms up and waited for Reed to place hers on top of his.  She reached forward hesitantly, knowing that what was coming was going to be painful.  Sky’s words made her halt her efforts.

“Wait.  Tiny, sit behind Reed and place your hands on top of hers.  She will need your strength.”

The big man nodded and hastened to do the chief’s bidding.  Momentarily, they were arranged to Sky’s satisfaction and the chieftain proffered his hands once more.  With Tiny’s support, Reed felt more comfortable in allowing Sky to share his vision with her, and she tendered their hands to meet his.

Time slowed for Reed as her hands touched Sky’s and she was able to see the same images he had seen with much more clarity.  The darkness she felt engulfing her was almost overwhelming, and she spared a momentary thought of thankfulness for the stability and strength that Tiny surrounded her with.

For the two men the encounter was mercifully brief and they opened their eyes slowly, Sky looking exhausted and Tiny was more than slightly confused by the impressions the images had left him.  But what was shocking was the look of pain so evident on Reed’s frozen features.

Sky removed his hands from hers and Tiny wrapped himself carefully around his partner, surrounding and shielding her as much as was physically possible.  Without warning, Reed collapsed in his arms and the big man looked at Sky in alarm.  The chief placed a comforting hand on Tiny’s shoulder.

“It is to be expected, my friend.  She has absorbed much, and she sees and understands more than most.  She needs to rest now.  When she awakens, we will talk.  Come,” he continued as he rose and waited for Tiny to lift his burden into his arms.  “Let me show you where you can rest.”  And he led the way to the same room Randi and Gwen had shared mere days before.

They mounted the stairs slowly, and Tiny was reassured by Reed’s deep, even breathing.  He understood more than most outside the tribe and even by many within it just how draining these episodes were for Reed.  And given how tired he felt from his transitory impressions, he could only imagine the bone-deep exhaustion she was now experiencing.

Sky pulled back the covers and Tiny gently deposited Reed onto the soft cotton and turned to tug the bedding over her form.  A hand on his arm stopped his motion, and he looked up into Sky’s dark brown eyes.

“No, my friend.  Stay with her.  It is time to rest... for all of us,” and he allowed Tiny to see the sheer weariness he felt in his very being.  “A few hours will make no difference in the outcome of things at this point, and we would all do better to start fresh.”

Tiny nodded, suddenly uncomfortably aware of the extreme lethargy in his mind and body.

“Thanks, Sky.  We’ll come find you.”

Then the house settled into silence.

 ************

“But, Master... I don’t understand.  Usher was my right hand and my best friend. I don’t see what letting him die... letting that she-demon kill him, accomplished.  I’m going to need him....”

“ENOUGH!” Ares roared, wrapping a strong hand around the young man’s throat and lifting him up negligently. “You don’t question me.  You do as I command.”

Bramble nodded, swallowing hard as he realized his allegiance to this god might be more costly than he had initially planned.  The war god was simply supposed to give him the means to defeat the woman who had cost Bramble the mother who’d been indoctrinating him from his birth.  Instead, Bramble was beginning to feel more and more like a pawn in a game he hardly understood.

He cast his mind back to his mother’s words when they’d discussed religion and gods.

“Remember son, there is always a price to pay.  Religion is a power base, and the gods take advantage of man’s greed and desire for that power.  But there will come a time, maybe sooner, maybe later, when payment will come due, and it never comes cheaply.”

Her words rang truer in that moment than they ever had, but Bramble had decided long ago any price was worth Randi Valiant’s demise – even his own life.  He would die happy if he knew he could take her with him.  He reaffirmed that belief within himself, then refocused his attention on the war god that stood before him, angry brown eyes locked with his own.

Bramble lifted his hands to the one around his neck and gently removed the tight clasp, trying not to gag as he found himself suddenly able to breathe again.

“My apologies, Master.  I did not mean to question; Usher’s death was just an unexpected development for me.  But it’s nothing I can’t work around.  We will still have Miranda Valiant when all is said and done.”

Ares gave the young man a cold smile.  “Yes, we certainly will,” the ice in the words sending chills skittering up and down Bramble’s spine.  The young man had no way of knowing what having Miranda Valiant was going to cost... everyone.

************ 

Ares stood in his dark domain, handsome face distorted into a hideous snarl.  He was looking in his scrying bowl, watching with malice the loving interaction between Miranda Valiant and Gwenivere Goldman.  He was unmoved by the love and passion they shared, except for the anger it produced in the depths of his heart.  He embraced the burning in his guts, knowing that his time had finally arrived – that soon the world and Randi would be his for the taking.  He twisted his features into an evil smirk.

“Eat, drink and be merry tonight, my dears, for tomorrow, you shall surely die... or at least be MINE!!!”

His laughter rang throughout the halls of Olympus causing a cold, unreasoning fear to follow in its wake.  Randi and Gwen continued their silent dance to the music of their heartbeats, blissfully unaware of what lay on their horizon.

Chapter II

Few things in life were worth waking up before daylight for, Randi mused idly to herself in the gray dawn.  She closed her eyes as the touch that had awakened her from such pleasant dreams became a reality that skimmed over her eyes, nose and lips.  The Marine felt Gwen smile when she puckered up at the touch and kissed the bard’s fingers as they brushed over her lips. Blue eyes blinked open to meet sparkling green and they smiled at one another.

“Good morning,” Randi said hoarsely, voice burred with sleep.

Gwen didn’t answer verbally; she simply let her lips replace her fingers for a long moment.  Then she curled back down into Randi’s side and gave the warrior a full body hug before she resumed the tracing over Randi’s features.

It wasn’t sexual in nature, but at once both sensual and comforting in a way that so few things in their lives had been, and they sighed in unison at the feelings the exchange evoked in them.  Finally the sunlight began to creep over the horizon and Gwen slowed her fingers, letting them follow the curves and hollows of Randi’s body and sliding around and on top of the Sabre until she was in perfect tickling position.

“I’d think real hard about that, bard,” the warrior growled giving Gwen a mock-glare but unable to completely hide the twinkle in her eyes.

“Oh yeah?” Gwen challenged with a mischievous grin.  “Whatcha gonna do about it, Stud Muffin?  Hmm?  I pretty much got ya where I want ya.”

Randi tucked her hands behind her head and crossed her ankles, biting her bottom lip when Gwen used her location to good advantage.  She just managing to swallow the laugh that wanted to erupt at the touch.  She cleared her throat.

“You um... you think so, huh?”

“Yeah, I do,” Gwen said, tilting her head to one side and surveying the long body beneath her own. 

“Well, I’m glad we decided to come to bed last night,” the Sabre said conversationally.  Gwen scrunched up her face in thoughtful confusion.  The change of subject was somewhat baffling, but she couldn’t help returning the frank grin Randi was bestowing on her from her fairly vulnerable position.

“Me too,” the bard agreed.  “Making love with you just about anywhere is a wonderful experience, but I prefer waking up in your arms in our bed.  Besides, every time we’ve fallen asleep in front of the fireplace, one of us ends up walking funny.”

Randi laughed silently, shaking the body perched above her and causing Gwen to review her words before blushing a deep red.  The blonde smacked the muscular belly beneath her lightly.

“Smart ass!  You know what I meant,” Gwen huffed but couldn’t keep the smile from her face.  She crossed her arms over her chest and looked down at Randi haughtily.  “Just *why* are you glad we came to bed?”

The world moved and tilted so quickly that Gwen barely had time to realize what was happening before she found herself wrapped snugly in Randi’s arms securely cradled beneath the Sabre’s firm body.  Randi just smiled at the bard.

“Because it is much more comfortable for me to do things like that.”

“Hmm... good point.”  Gwen draped her arms around Randi’s neck and urged her down until their noses were touching, hoping the warrior would conveniently forget the incident that had brought them to this latest entanglement.  “So now what?” she asked, realizing her error a moment too late when a expression she characterized as pure evil looked back at her from beneath dark lashes.

“Well,” Randi drawled, slipping down just enough to reach Gwen’s neck with her lips.  “I thought....” nipping the skin at the bard’s shoulder juncture.  “We should....” licking along her collarbone.  “Finish....” moving her lips up Gwen’s neck and across her jawbone to her ear. “What....” tracing the shell of the bard’s ear and smiling at the muffled moan it elicited.  “You....” biting lightly on Gwen’s earlobe and feeling the smaller body squirm beneath her.  “Started....” leaning over and licking Gwen’s pert nose before launching an all-out tickle assault.

Gwen’s focus was somewhere else entirely and Randi caught her completely by surprise.  Squirming and squealing, she struggled to fight back, to get away... anything to get an edge in the tickle war, but her laughter was severely hampering her retaliatory efforts.  Fortunately, Randi was plagued by the same malady and it wasn’t long before they were comfortably tangled up together still giggling softly and trying to catch their breaths.

“Whoo,” Gwen said as she fanned herself.  “That was a great way to wake up.”

Randi chuckled and ran a hand over her face.  “Yeah, it was.  But it always is when I wake up next to you.”

The bard turned on her side to face the warrior and cocked an eyebrow.  “You think so?”

Randi turned on her side facing Gwen but let her eyes drop to the bedding, a little stung.  “Well, yeah,” she said slowly before lifting wide blue eyes to Gwen’s.  The bard gasped at the hurt she could see peering back at her from them.  “Don’t you?” continued in a whisper.

Gwen took the large hands in her own, chaffing them lightly to restore the warmth that had fled from them.  She wondered idly where the bout of insecurity had come from in light of everything they had been through to be together.  She shook her head.

“No, love.  I *KNOW* it is.  Enough to know I never, ever wanna wake up again anywhere other than in your arms.”

Randi didn’t answer.  She merely wrapped herself around Gwen and held on, burying her nose in the blonde hair.  Gwen didn’t understand the vulnerability she felt coming from the warrior, but she knew it was there, so she simply returned the embrace until she felt Randi’s grip loosen.

“Better?” she asked.

The Sabre dropped a kiss on Gwen’s head before she pulled back completely.  “Yeah,” she replied softly.  “I’m, uh... I’m not sure where that came from... but thanks.”

Gwen smiled so brightly Randi returned it reflexively.  “Anytime, Stud.  I have an unlimited lifetime supply just for you.”

“A lifetime supply, huh?”

“Yeah, an eternal lifetime.”

Randi’s grin turned rakish.  “I like that idea.”  She rose from the bed, pulling Gwen up with her.  “Now c’mon.  Enough mushy stuff.  I’m going running.  You wanna come?”  She moved away from the bard and walked over to the dresser, pulling out her workout clothes.  Gwen just watched the play of light over muscle, completely losing the thread of conversation in lieu of focusing her attention on the very real body in front of her.

Randi looked back over her shoulder, noting the unconscious clenching and unclenching of the bard’s hands, the flared nostrils and the uneven breathing she could hear.  Then she realized where Gwen’s attention was concentrated and felt the blush rise up her body even as the smirk crossed her face.

“Gwen?”

“Huh?  Uh... oh... um....” realizing she’d been caught staring.  Then she straightened and smiled.  Suddenly, being married took on a whole new meaning.  She sauntered up to Randi and wrapped her arms around the warrior’s neck, bringing them into skin on skin contact all along their length.  Gwen pulled Randi’s head to hers and claimed her lips with a possessive passion, not releasing them until they were both a bit breathless and then only letting go with small nips and kisses when they finally pulled away.

“Mine,” Gwen growled.

“Yep,” Randi replied, running her hands lightly up and down Gwen’s bare skin.  “Always have been.”

Randi found the blush that traveled over Gwen’s body at her words charming, but the blaze of possessiveness in the green eyes started a burn in her belly that had her seriously rethinking the need to go running.  Surely there were other ways to expand the energy she now felt beating a pulse through her body.  She jumped when Gwen’s nails raked her ass, ending with a light pinch to the firm muscles.

“Go for your run, love.  I’ll clean up here and start breakfast.”  She looked around the scrupulously neat room, seeing their bags still packed on one side.  “Not that it should take much effort,” she noted with a smile, “so don’t be too long.”

“Waffles, maybe?” Randi asked, eyes wide with only the tiniest hint of pleading.

Gwen grinned.  “I imagine I could do that.”  She smacked Randi’s bare behind.  “But if you’re going, you’d best go on.  It’s not gonna take me that long, and I like my waffles hot, ya know.”

Randi finished dressing and was putting on her shoes before Gwen was done speaking.  “Once around,” she promised.  “I just need to shake the cobwebs loose.”  She headed out the French doors and down into the sand.  “Be right back.”

Gwen stood at the door and watched Randi stretch before she took off at a good clip down the beach.  Then the bard went back inside, and started preparations for what she considered to be their first real day of married life together.

************ 

There was something soothing about the rhythmic sound of the waves rushing to meet the shore.  Unconsciously, Randi’s footsteps joined that rhythm, keeping pace double-time as she began running.  Her focus was broad this morning, not concentrated on anything except how good she felt, and how wonderful simply being alive and part of Gwen’s life again truly was.

She felt the presence before she saw anything, and it brought every defensive instinct she had to the fore.  A low chuckle rewarded her reaction.

“Some things never change,” the deep voice said before a good-looking masculine figure formed around it.  He reached out a hand towards Randi, only to find himself flat on his back, squinting up into the early morning sunshine.

“I don’t know who you are or how you got onto this island,” Randi said darkly as she knelt on his chest, “but I can fix that little problem.  Get up,” she added, grabbing him by his ear and pulling.

He winced at the pain that caused, then simply disappeared from her grip to rematerialize right behind her.  She whirled and glared at him, her eyes boring into him.  He grinned sinisterly to himself.  He couldn’t have chosen better and to know that her darkness finally, finally lay within his grasp made him shiver with excitement.

“Allow me to introduce myself,” he said, folding his hands together and giving her the minutest of bows.  “I am Ares, god of war.”

He wasn’t sure what reaction he was expecting, but it was a sure bet it wasn’t the one he got.

Randi raised an eyebrow at him and gave him the most skeptical look he had ever had the misfortune of being the recipient of.

“And?”

Ares cleared his throat, visibly thrown of stride by the obvious disdain she felt for him.

“Hey, a little respect here would be nice.  I am a god, ya know.”

The Sabre actually looked at him a long moment before snorting and shaking her head.  Then she turned and continued her run down the beach.

Ares raised his hand.

“I wouldn’t,” the warrior commented loud enough for him to hear as she continued to run, increasing the distance between them.

“What’s to stop me?” he asked, a little frustrated at the way the encounter was going so far.  It wasn’t at all like he had envisioned it.  He tried to pop in beside her, but found he had to run to keep up, a fact he wasn’t entirely happy with.

“I will,” Randi said matter-of-factly. 

Ares laughed.  He had to.  He was simply overwhelmed by the brash impertinence of this mortal, and it reminded him of her ancestor that he had coveted for his own so long ago.  In his desire to have her, he had forgotten the utter aggravation she presented to him because of her strength of mind and will.  She may belong to him now by virtue of his efforts and deviousness, but she had to come to him of her own free will.  Otherwise, his victory would be hollow and incomplete.

“You probably could, too,” he noted with a hint of satisfaction and pride coloring his voice.  “Look, I’m not here to cause you trouble.  I, uh... I need a... favor.”

Randi finally stopped running, a fact Ares was devoutly grateful for.  The passage of time had made the Olympians more susceptible to physical exertion.  Despite his outstanding physique, physical activity wasn’t something the gods were entirely suited for, and he felt the pull in his legs and the windedness in his breathing.  It wasn’t a pleasant sensation, especially in light if the fact that the warrior stood before him apparently untouched by the exercise at all.  Her breathing and heart rate were only slightly elevated and her muscles stood out in stark relief.

Now she regarded him from wide, blue eyes framed by thick, dark lashes.  “You?” she said incredulously.  “Need a favor from me?” pointing to her own chest and watching as the war god bent over at the waist trying desperately to catch his breath. 

“Look, Ares... or whoever you are.  The war god is not my patron.  I have no desire to make life on this planet harder than it already is.  So why don’t you go back to whatever rock you crawled out from under, and we’ll just forget this whole exchange ever happened, capice?”

She turned and headed back down the beach.

“But this would make things better,” he muttered, sure that she heard when he saw her shoulders stiffen.  She didn’t stop running though, but Ares didn’t care.  He had planted the seed – now all he had to do was wait for it to take root.  He watched her run until she disappeared from sight, enjoying the play of muscle and form.  He could be patient.  The outcome of this battle was a foregone conclusion.

With a wicked laugh, he dissolved from sight, not even leaving footprints to mark his place on the mortal plane.

************ 

Randi was troubled by the odd appearance of the supposed god of war.  Not that she didn’t think it that it hadn’t been Ares.  She’d had enough godly interaction in her life during the last year or so to make practically anything a believable possibility, and he did do that weird popping in and out thing after all.  But there was something beyond that here; something that set off every hazard meter she had.

The Marine shook her head, wanting to clear the encounter from her mind.  Her return from the dead had given her a second chance at life and her marriage to Gwen felt like a new beginning.  She wasn’t going to allow anything to mar that. 

Randi picked up speed, allowing the cold wind to cleanse her thoughts and the rhythm of the waves to become her focus once more.

************ 

It didn’t take Gwen long to put things away.  More and more the house had taken on an air of being theirs until now it was impossible to tell what belonged to who.  So she put their clothing away and moved to take a shower before preparing the waffles for breakfast.

The water was warm and Gwen stepped under the spray with a sigh, closing her eyes and letting it run over her before turning and grabbing the soap.  Then she nearly screamed when she came face to face with Aphrodite.

“Jesus!” the bard exclaimed.  “What the hell?!?”

Her first instinct was to cover up, then she gave a mental shrug.  It wasn’t anything the goddess hadn’t seen before, and since Aphrodite had never appeared to her like that before, she figured it must be fairly important.  So Gwen girded her mental loins and continued to bathe.

“Sorry to drop in on ya like this, babe... though you’ve totally got nothing to like, be ashamed of.”  She held up a hand to stop Gwen’s protest.  “Chill.  That is so not why I am here, though like I said.... Be glad the warrior babe finds you so luscious.  We have a problem,” Dite continued, her demeanor suddenly turning serious.

Gwen’s head whipped around so quickly that Dite ducked instinctively to avoid the water that flew in her direction from the action.

“What’s wrong??  Is it Randi?  Is she hurt??  I need....”

“Whoa, Cutie.  Take a chill pill, wouldja?  She’s not hurt.  She’s....”

Gwen finished rinsing and grabbed her towel, wrapping it around her with determined focus and stepping from the shower.  She methodically began drying off and Aphrodite watched with bemusement as the bard began to dress.

“Gwen,” she said softly, gaining the blonde’s attention easily by addressing her by name.  “She’s all right.  She’s just had a visit from Ares.”

Gwen’s eyes met the goddess’s with a slight look of panic.  “Ares... as in the god of war Ares?”

“Yep.  He’s the only one I know of.”

“Why?”

“Why what?” Dite asked.

“Why?  What does he want with her? ”

Dite shrugged, her eyes not giving away anything, except....  Gwen wasn’t sure, but for a moment there, it almost looked like pain flashed in the goddess’s eyes. 

“I dunno,” Dite answered.  “But I thought you deserved a warning.”

Gwen stared at Aphrodite, suddenly understanding what was not being said and wondering why the deity was being deliberately vague.  A chill skittered over her spine as a foreboding premonition flashed through her consciousness.  And then it was gone, leaving only a determination to win at whatever game was being played upon them.

The bard nodded slowly at Aphrodite, watching as the relief flooded her being.

“Thank you, Aphrodite.  I’m glad you’re on our side.”

The goddess smiled.  “Oh, babe.  You’d be so totally amazed at the absolute throng of bodacious immortals on your side.  But we have to be very careful.  It’s....”  She tilted her curly head in a listening pose for a moment, then turned back to the bard.

“Listen, I gotta jet.  But I’ll be back to check on ya later.  Bye now.”  And she was gone before Gwen could even take a breath to answer.

Footsteps pounding up the deck drew her attention, and Gwen smiled in pure reflex.  Randi ran across the flooring and through the open door that Gwen held, sweeping the smaller woman into her arms and laughing when Gwen squealed.

“Randi!! Put me down!!  I’m all clean and you’re....”

The Sabre pulled her head back slightly and cocked an eyebrow at Gwen.  “Yeeeesssss?  I’m *what*, exactly?”

Gwen looked up into the face she had grown to love more than life itself.  She gently stroked the area that no longer had the horrendous scar, the touch on the smooth skin making both of them tremble.  She allowed her fingers to trace over Randi’s features, watching as the blue eyes closed in primal enjoyment.

“You’re beautiful,” the bard whispered, enjoying the look of wonder that crossed the warrior’s face as their eyes slowly met again.  “I’ve always thought so.”

“Even now, sweaty and smelly?” asked with a chuckle.

Gwen made a show of taking a deep breath.  “I happen to like the way you smell, even all sweaty.  I just don’t want you sweating all over me.”  She watched as the brow climbed back up into the dark hairline and reviewed her words.  A blush rose over her face.

“I mean, I do like you sweating all over me... just not right now.  I mean I....”

The body cradling her began to quake with laughter and Gwen swatted at the strong shoulder.  “It’s not funny.  You know what I mean.  I’m gonna stop talking now.”

Randi leaned down and captured her lips for a timeless moment before releasing them and setting Gwen on her feet.  Then she leaned her forehead on Gwen’s.

“I love you, Little One.”

“I love you back, Stud.”

“Always?”

Gwen smiled up into the blue eyes just above her own and cupped Randi’s face in her hands.  “Forever,” she answered with such conviction that the Sabre smiled in pure reflex.

Randi let her lips brush the bard’s forehead before she pulled away.  “I’m gonna go shower,” she said, patting the bard on the butt and stepping back.

Gwen caught her hand.  “’Kay... I’ll go get the waffles started.  You want bacon or sausage?”

Randi turned and waggled her eyebrows before disappearing into the bedroom.

“Brat,” the blonde commented to herself with a smile and then walked into the kitchen to start working on breakfast.

 ************

“How long do you think it will take before someone starts knocking on our door?” Gwen asked as they sat down to eat.

Randi shrugged her shoulders.  “Dunno.  To be honest with you, I was expecting a knock about daybreak.  Tommy’s never been known for his patience.”

Gwen chuckled.  “Yeah, but Ella is, and I get the feeling she keeps him on a tight leash about things like that.”

“Heh heh heh.  I think you’re right, though she generally makes him think it out for himself so he thinks it was all his idea.  What about your folks?”

“They’ll wait.  Especially knowing we are newlyweds.  Do you REALLY think they wanna take the chance of interrupting something?”

“Guess they’ll never be coming over again then, ‘cause I see us being newlyweds for the next fifty or sixty years.”

“Is that all?”

“Well, I figure we’ll need to slow down a little bit then, just in deference to our age.”

Gwen blushed and Randi just smiled.  It was quiet for a bit while they consumed their breakfast.  Then Randi spoke up again.

“Do you wanna do the polite thing or the just married thing?”

Gwen answered thoughtfully.  “Well, the good girl in me says we should do the polite thing.”

“And do you feel like a good girl today?”

Now the thoughtfulness turned to a rakish smile.  “No.  I feel selfish.  I want as much time alone with you as I can get.  I have plans for you.”

Dark brows hiked up into an equally dark hairline.  “Do you now?”

“Um hmm.  I certainly do.  It’s one of those just married things.”

“I see.  And what exactly does this just married thing entail?”

Gwen waggled her eyebrows.  “That is for me to know and you to find out after a nice long ride on the bike.  I will tell you it involves you, me, a blanket, a bottle of wine and our meadow.  Other than that, you will just have to wait and see.”

Randi leaned back, stroking her chin with a contemplative and introspective air.  “Hmm... so I can spend the day alone with you engaging in all sorts of fun, newlywed type activities or I can stay here and have to be polite to the family.”  She cut her eyes at Gwen.  “Tough decision.”

It was silent a moment longer as Randi waited for Gwen to comment.

“I’m sure you’ll make the right one.”

“Well, I do have one rather pertinent question.”

“Yeeeessss?”

“Why exactly are we still sitting here when we could be riding?”  Randi rose and extended her hand out to Gwen.  “Go get ready.  I’ll clean up here and be in right behind you.”

The bard planted a kiss on the warrior’s face and ran off towards the bedroom.  Randi just chuckled and shook her head, then removed the dishes to the kitchen.

 ************

Tommy laughed as he saw the bike shoot across the access bridge.  He’d wondered if Randi and Gwen would manage to sneak off on this, their last official day of honeymooning before having to return to the real world.  He was glad that his instincts had been right on about that at least; he was going to hear about his gaffe in expecting them to be social right away for quite some time to come.

“They get away all right?” Ella asked as he came into the kitchen.  She was preparing breakfast and Randall was sitting in his chair throwing cereal to the shepherd, who sat with stately dignity catching every bit that was thrown his way.  “Randall!!”

The child giggled and threw a double handful in Ditto’s direction.  The dog barked obediently and snapped up the food bits as quickly as she could manage.  Tommy tried to hold a stern visage, as did Ella, but they caught one another’s eyes and burst into laughter.  The canine contributed her own vocal efforts, and Randall shrilled in sheer delight.

Finally, Tommy brought his mirth under control and took a deep breath.  “Whoo!  Oh my God, that was funny.  Yeah, they just left.  How did you... scratch that.  You remembered better than I did, and I distinctly remember hating having to return to the real world.”

Ella smiled.  “There is hope for you yet, love.  There is hope for you yet.”  She ruffled his hair affectionately.  “Why don’t you take Geoff to Midas today?  I wanna take Jill shopping before they have to go back to the capital city.  And I think we’ll make something special for dinner tonight and coax Gwen and Randi to join us.  It shouldn’t be too difficult since Geoff and Jill are supposed to head back tomorrow.”

Tommy nodded his agreement.  “I can do that.  I get some of the most interesting scoop from Geoff when it’s just the two of us.”

Ella’s ears perked up and her eyebrows rose.  “Scoop?!?  And you’re not sharing with me?”  She reached for his ears and he shimmied out of her grasp, heading for the door at almost a run.

“Gotta go, babe.  See ya later.”  Tommy took off across the beach at a near run.

Ella stood in the doorway chortling under her breath.  “Wonder how long it will take him to realize he left his jacket here.”  She turned back to Randall who was now content to eat his cereal.  “C’mon, little man.  Let’s get you cleaned up and go find Auntie Jill.  We have shopping to do.”

Randall simply dropped his head on the tray and Ella burst into laughter.

Chapter III

The ride out was smooth and almost silent – the only sound being that of the wind that whipped around them and the slight purr of the engine.  Talk wasn’t necessary between them.  They were in tune enough to simply relish the joys of being alone together. Randi rode along the ocean for a while and let the wash of the waves accompany them as well before heading inland and allowing the relative peace total reign.

Gwen tugged on Randi’s jacket eventually, and without comment the bike turned towards the meadow.  The weather, while warmer than it had been at the cabin in the mountains, was still cool enough to have a distinct chill in the moving air as they rode on the bike.  So they were both more than glad to see the outlines of their favorite grotto come into view.  Though not their ostensible reason for stopping, they were glad for the chance to warm themselves away from the brisk wind said movement created.

With very little fanfare, Randi parked the bike and shut it down, curious to see what exactly Gwen had in mind.  Creativity was something the bard possessed in abundance.

Gwen took the blanket and spread it beneath their favorite oak, then placed the chilled bottle of honey mead down beside it, sparing a moment’s thanks for the insulated wrap that had kept it cold.  She also withdrew a wrapped package from the saddle bags they’d carried and Randi wondered when she’d had the time to put anything together.  Then the sound of soft music wafted into her hearing and she smiled, recognizing an orchestral version of what they considered to be ‘their song’.  She saw a matching smile on Gwen’s face and took the hand the blonde extended to her without thought.

“Dance with me,” Gwen whispered huskily, and the warrior gladly complied.

They wrapped themselves around one another, barely moving, each giving a sigh at the completion they felt simply being together.

Gwen kept one arm around Randi’s neck, and let the other drift to her collar, almost casually undoing the buttons of the oxford shirt she wore until more than a hint of cleavage was showing.  The bard took a deep breath, absorbing the warrior’s scent and laid her head on the warm, bare expanse of skin that was now exposed.

For her part, Randi enjoyed the goosebumps that now trailed up and down her skin, knowing the effect was caused by Gwen’s nearness more than the cool air that surrounded them.  Though, if she was completely honest with herself, she’d admit to feeling very little chill.

The Sabre let herself sink into the sensations caused by Gwen’s warm breath.  The light touches the bard was absently patterning on Randi’s neck and back created ripples of awareness in the warrior’s strong body.  She started humming softly, gratified when she felt the bard smile into her skin.

“I love listening to you sing to me.”

Randi kissed the blonde head tucked beneath her chin and smiled.  “You are the reason I sing, love.”

Gwen pulled back just slightly, enough that she could look into Randi’s eyes.  “Really?”

Randi nodded.  “Yep.  Wasn’t something I ever did much of even when I was alone, and certainly not something I did for anyone else, except when I sang for Tommy and Ella’s wedding ceremony.  You are the only one I have ever sung to, though.”

Gwen blinked.  “Oh, um... wow.  So the singing with the band was... um....”

“Just for you.”

“Oh,” Gwen said breathlessly, her eyes reflecting her pleasure in the knowledge Randi had just handed her.  Without another word, she laid her head down on the warrior’s chest once more, absently kissing the smooth skin.

It only took a moment to notice the hitch in Randi’s breathing pattern and the kissing became something much more deliberate.

Gwen brought her hand from behind Randi’s back and gradually loosened all the buttons of the warrior’s shirt, not even realizing they had stopped moving.  She allowed her hand to slip inside the open fabric, stroking the soft skin while continuing to nuzzle Randi’s chest and neck.  Gwen was so engrossed in the sensations she was experiencing that she was surprised to feel firm, gentle fingers guiding her chin up and away from the Sabre’s chest.

The burning look in Randi’s blue gaze when their eyes met made her catch her breath... just as her lips were consumed in a fiery, ardent kiss.  Gwen was never quite sure how they made it to the blanket or how she ended up half-clothed without realizing it, but she didn’t have time to give it much thought before she was swept away by the passion that flowed between them.  And by then, she didn’t much care.

************

They were laying on less than one half of the blanket, the other half pulled over them to ward off the chill the cool breeze wanted to bring to their damp, overheated skin.  Their clothing served as a pillow of sorts for Randi’s head while the warrior’s body served as a full length pillow for the bard to wrap herself around like an octopus.  Not that either of them were complaining about the situation.  On the contrary, they both wore the contented smiles of two completely relaxed, well-loved individuals.

Randi’s hands moved up and down the bard’s arm and back in random patterns while Gwen gently traced the features so well-known and loved to her now.  Even when she was completely at ease, wrapped in the surety of their love for one another as she was now, it was so comforting to sketch Randi’s face and body with her hands... a reminder of how precious what they shared really was.

“Ya know something?” Gwen breathed out lightly, watching the goosebumps skitter across the tanned skin under her cheek.

“Hmm?” Randi replied lazily, not anxious at all to have to stir herself from the delicious twilight her senses had settled into.

“I like being here with you.”

Randi raised an eyebrow as she raised the blanket just slightly, taking in their naked, tangled bodies.  “Well, that’s probably a good thing – oof!  What was that for?” the warrior mock-growled, a sound which became a purr when Gwen began rubbing the spot she had just smacked.

“Not like that, you goof... well, not *only* like that,” watching the eyebrow that had shot up to join its mate in Randi’s hairline slowly lower.  “I’ve never not enjoyed being with you, especially when we make love together, but that’s not what I meant.  I like being here, in this place, with you.  It is the one place, aside from the cabin, that I have always felt is just ours.  No one knows where we are, and no one can take you away from me here.”

Randi sat up heedless of her nakedness, bringing Gwen with her so she could look the bard directly in the eyes.  The warrior placed either side of the bard’s face and held her gaze intently for an eternal moment.  When she finally spoke, it was in a mere whisper, but intensity behind her words could not be misconstrued.

“I want you to understand something... to believe this if you never believe anything else, all right?”  Randi waited for a nod from the blonde head, their eyes never breaking contact with one another.  “As long as I am still breathing and in my right mind, nothing - *NOTHING* - will ever take me away from you again.  Death could not keep us apart, memory loss could not destroy what we shared, and I would fight madness with every fiber of my being to stay at your side, all right?”

Gwen held Randi’s gaze for another long, silent minute.  Then she nodded her head and drew the Sabre’s lips down to meet her own passionately for a breathless moment, reaffirming the connections they shared together – physically, emotionally and spiritually.

“Thank you,” Gwen whispered, pulling away and burrowing her face into Randi’s neck, taking comfort in the scent that surrounded her and the arms that held her tightly.

Randi exhaled, kissing the top of the bard’s head before raising her chin to allow their eyes to meet once more.

“Anytime, Little One.”  She let her lips brush lightly over Gwen’s, smiling in response to the smile she felt there.  “I’m here to provide whatever reassurance you need.”  The Sabre hesitated then continued more softly.  “I know there are still things that haunt you.”

“How...?” the word its own confession and Gwen hid her face again in Randi’s smooth neck.

“Look at me, love,” Randi said, waiting until hesitant green eyes met her own.  “You talk in your sleep.  And to be quite honest,” the warrior continued without pausing, “I’d be more concerned if there weren’t.  There are things that still haunt me as well, and probably always will.”

“Really?”

“Really.”

“In a totally selfish way, it makes me feel better to hear that, but it also makes me sad.  I don’t want you to have regrets, love.”

“Not about us.  Never about us.”

Gwen smiled at that, a full-blown genuine grin that lit up her entire visage.  “Me either.  You’re the best thing in my life.  But I want you to know anytime you want or need to talk about those things that still bother you, I’m ready to listen, all right?”  She held up a hand before Randi could speak.  “Not that you have to share with me if you are uncomfortable, but I’m here.”

Randi squeezed Gwen in a fierce hug before she laid them back down again and recovered their naked bodies.  “Thank you, Little One.  Just the offer means a lot to me, but that darkness isn’t meant for the light of day,” she finished firmly.

Gwen returned the hug, hearing the finality in Randi’s words.  She stroked the body beneath her fingertips, warming the chilled flesh with her touch.  The silence wasn’t uncomfortable, just slightly awkward, and after a bit of it, Gwen leaned up on an elbow so she could look into Randi’s face.

“Yes?” the warrior drawled, seeing the hesitation in the bard’s expression.

“Promise me something?”

The Sabre leaned up on her own elbow and faced Gwen.  “Anything, sweetheart.  You know that.”

Gwen smiled shyly, a faint flush crossing her cheeks.  “Promise me when summer comes and we start getting those warm afternoon showers... promise me we can come back here and dance naked in the rain.”

Twin dark brows rose into an equally dark hairline before a rakish grin appeared on Randi’s face.  “What a decadent idea.  You’ve got yourself a promise, Little One.”

************ 

The rolling sound of thunder brought Randi out of her reverie and the smile that her memories had brought her was wiped out as the reality of her situation crashed down around her with stunning force.

“You promised me forever, Gwen,” she muttered fiercely, pounding her fists on the windowpane.  “What happened to forever?”

But there was no answer save the rain as it fell from the heavens and lashed at the window Randi gazed out of sightlessly.  The silence let her mind drift back again to a time her mind remembered as happy – before she had become what she was now.

************ 

“Now, no teasing them, Geoff,” Jill said as she straightened his collar, scrubbing her hand through his short, graying hair.  “They’re still newlyweds, and you know how we were.”

The weapons smith wrapped his hands around Jill’s waist and swung her into his hover chair.  The device barely registered her added weight, and it adjusted automatically to compensate for it.

“GEOFF!” she squealed, draping herself over him with a squeeze and giving him an almost girlish giggle.

He waggled his eyebrows and cleared his throat rather loudly.  “AHEM!  How we *were*?  I beg to differ with you, Mrs. Goldman.  We never got past that stage, you know.”

Jill’s embrace turned into something more of a caress and she met his lips in an ardent kiss.  “I know, lover, and I am so very glad about that fact,” she said when they separated.  Then she poked him in the chest.  “But I still don’t want you teasing them – not yet, anyway.  Give them a chance to settle in.  *Then* you can tease... just a little bit.”

“You’re taking all the fun out of this.”

“I know,” she answered soberly, sliding from his lap.  “But....”  She moved away from him to stand at the window that overlooked the beach house, staring sightlessly at the empty shell.  She didn’t even notice when Geoff moved his hover chair next to her to join her observation of Randi and Gwen’s home.

“Jill?  Sweetheart?”  He placed a warm hand on his wife’s arm, patiently waiting for her attention to return to him. 

She turned, finally, gazing at him with tears just evident in her eyes.

“Oh honey... what’s wrong?” he asked with evident concern.

Jill shook her head, giving him a sad smile.  “Just being a hormonal mom, I think.  She’s been an adult for a long time, but this makes it official, you know.  She belongs to somebody else now,” she said, unable to shake the uneasiness that had swept through her moments before.  Jill shrugged slightly.

Geoff sat quietly for a moment, stroking the shepherd puppy that had unceremoniously jumped into his lap without invitation.

“I thought you liked Randi....”

“Oh sweetheart, you know I do.  She’s a wonderful daughter, and absolutely perfect for Gwen.  It’s just....”

“It’s just Gwen is now her responsibility, just like Randi is Gwen’s.”

Jill nodded.  “Something like that, I guess, yeah.”  She paused and visibly took herself in hand, taking a deep breath and shaking her head to clear it.  Then she patted his arm.  “I told you it was hormones.”

Geoff took Jill’s hand in his own, smiling at how well they fit together and how her fingers curled right into his.  “I think all good mamas have those kinds of hormones, hon.  It’s what makes them good mamas.  And Gwen had the best.”

Jill leaned down and kissed the top of his head.  “She did pretty well in the dad department too.”  Geoff would have replied, but Carbon decided he’d given up enough attention and started licking their linked hands.  Jill squeaked in surprise and Geoff chuckled.  The little dog was tickling him.  But the laugh was good for both of them, and soon they were gasping for breath while Carbon sat on Geoff lap, tongue lolling from his mouth looking insufferably pleased with himself.

“You going talk to Randi about him?” Jill asked, motioning to the dog.

Now it was Geoff’s turn to shrug lightly.  “We’ll see how it goes.  I’d like to keep him, but is that fair to her?  Or to him for that matter?  It’s not like I can run with him and we don’t have a lot of space.”  He blew out an impatient breath.  “On the other hand....”

“He’s been a big help in your recovery and they are newlyweds after all.”

“Exactly.  Now c’mon, my dear.  I’d like to be to Tommy and Ella’s before Randi and Gwen get back.”

“Let me grab a sweater and we can be on our way.”  She was only gone a moment before returning with the garment around her shoulders.  “How was your day at Midas?” Jill asked.  “We haven’t even talked about that since we got home.”

Geoff laughed, a full-bodied sound, as he motioned her out the door ahead of him.  “Poor Scott,” he said still chuckling.  “I don’t think he’s getting any sleep now that the baby’s been born.”  The door closed on the rest of their conversation, and they made their way to the Steele home.

************ 

“Now, no teasing them, Tommy Steele,” Ella said with a tug on his ear, “or I will just have to share your little... um... assumption with them.”

“Aw, honey,” the man whined.  “Not even a little bit?  C’mon, they’re newlyweds.  It’s tradition.”

“Yes, they are; yes, it is; and no, you can’t.”  Ella held up her hand when Tommy would have spoken, giving credence to the seriousness of her words and tone.  “Tommy, love... think about this for a minute.  Given the trouble the two of them have had getting together, do you really wanna tease Randi about them wanting to spend every minute they can together?”

He shrugged.  “I don’t see why not,” he muttered.  “She sure did tease me a lot about us.”

“It’s not the same thing and you know it,” Ella replied sternly, though her eyes twinkled in mirth over the picture of childish defiance her husband made trying to win a point he knew was a lost cause.

“I know,” Tommy whined, “but it’s not fair.”

“Well, tell ya what – we’ll go through what they have and then you can tease to your heart’s content.”  She smiled at the bulging brown eyes and the gaping mouth, realizing she’d just struck pay dirt in making him understand.

“Nope, that’s all right.  I’m quite happy living without that kind of drama in my personal life, thanks.”

“So no teasing?”

“No teasing,” he mumbled.  “But you can’t tell about me expecting them to be sociable last night either, deal?” licking his thumb and sticking it out.

Ella rolled her eyes, but licked her thumb and met his.  They rubbed them together for a moment before she reached over and scrubbed her hand through his thick hair.

“You’re a nutcase, you know that?”

Tommy chuckled and wrapped his free hand in her curls, gently tugging her until they were merely a breath apart.  “Yep, but I’m *your* nutcase, and that makes all the difference,” he said softly before capturing her lips with his own.

How long the kiss would have lasted was anyone’s guess... had it not been interrupted by a childish call.  “MA!”

The couple broke apart laughing.  “Hold that thought til later?” Ella asked.

“Oh yeah... you betcha,” Tommy confirmed, even as the call came a second time, louder and more impatient than the first.

“MA!!”

“We’re gonna have to teach that boy some patience.  He’s gotta have the world’s worst timing,” the man muttered as he slid from the seat to go gather up his offspring.  A light touch on his arm halted his actions and caused him to look at his wife with an eyebrow raised.

“I’ll go,” Ella said as she took the hand he proffered to her to help her stand.  “He’s calling for me and he needs a bath anyway. Geoff and Jill should be here shortly so you wanna fire up the grill?”

“Yep, I can do that.”  Tommy leaned over and pecked Ella on the lips.  “Holler if you need me.”

Ella nodded and headed inside.  Tommy turned towards the deck with a whistle, glad for the unseasonably warm weather, and looking forward to seeing his family again.

************ 

Gwen shut off the bike, then turned around as far as she could manage still seated and grabbed Randi by the ears, cutting off her protest with a hard, fast kiss.  When she let them up for air she panted, “Next time, YOU drive home and I’ll drive you to distraction!  Do you realize how close we came to running off the road?  Not once, but several times??”

Randi smirked, looking infernally pleased with herself, despite the fact that Gwen still had a rather intense grip on her ears.  “Paybacks are a bitch, aren’t they?” she replied, reaching up to gently loosen Gwen’s hold before sliding from her grasp and swinging herself off the motorcycle with ease.  For her part, Gwen sat there stunned.  Finally she turned back to face Randi who was calmly unloading the saddlebags before she wiped down the bike.

Without warning, she jumped up and grabbed Randi by the arm, turning the warrior around to face her, scowling with mock-ferocity.  “I have never... not there... I mean not like that!!” she finished with an awkward squawk when she found herself lifted nose to nose with the Sabre.  “RANDI!!” she squealed for good measure, loving the feeling of strength and power she could feel flowing beneath the hands she had clasped around Randi’s biceps.  She drew back just slightly, trying to keep her eyes from crossing – a futile effort considering Randi simply followed her motion.  So she pushed on the warrior’s forehead slightly until they were both upright once more.

“Yes, you have,” Randi said, deliberately dropping her voice into an octave set to give the bard chills.  “You do, every single time you ride behind me.  I just have a better ability to stay focused than you do, huh?”

“Oh you do, huh?”

“Yep,” a teasing glint sparkling out of very blue eyes.

“Hmm... I sense a distinct challenge there, Valiant.”

“Oh you do, huh?”

“Yep,” an answering twinkle illuminating green eyes now.

“Well then,” Randi said with a slight drawl.  “I reckon you’ll just have to see what you can do about it there, my bard.”

“Oh, don’t you worry, warrior mine.  I will... and when you least expect it too.”  Gwen retrieved the items Randi had removed from the saddle bags and moved towards the house.  “I’ll go take care of this stuff.”

“All right, love.  I’ll be inside in a few minutes.”

Gwen nodded and Randi smiled, already looking forward to the many and varied ways she and Gwen could test one another’s ability to focus.

By the time she finished wiping down the bike and tarping it, Gwen was finished putting their picnic supplies away and had moved to the message center.  She shook her head with a smile and turned to go let Randi know about their apparent supper plans when the warrior crossed the threshold and caught her around the waist, wrapping her arms fully around Gwen in a full body hug before leaning down and seizing her lips in an ardent embrace. 

Gwen melted against her, returning the hug fiercely and letting the intensity of their passion engulf her for several long moments, before pulling away just enough to gulp in some much needed air.

“What say you and I go practice focusing?” Randi asked as she nibbled her way down Gwen’s neck.  “God, you’re like a narcotic, my drug of choice, because I sure can’t seem to get enough of you.”

The bard sucked in a deep breath.  The sensations Randi was causing to ripple through her body were fast making any resolve to mention dinner with the family fly right out the window.  Then she remembered the warrior’s comment about focusing and realized she honestly wanted to say good-bye to her folks before they headed back to the capital city for more of Geoff’s intensive rehabilitation.   She pulled away slightly.

“Sorry, Stud.  Your next fix is gonna have to wait a bit.”  Gwen bit back a chuckle at the petulant expression the settled on the Sabre’s face.  “Seems we have a dinner date with the family,” she teased before becoming more serious, “and I’d like the chance to say bye to Mother and Daddy before they leave in the morning.”

Randi scowled a moment longer before she relented.  “You know I’m only doing this for you, ‘cause Tommy’s gonna tease me to death.”

Gwen snuck a brief kiss before sauntering off in the direction of the bedroom.  “I know, but I’ll bet he thinks twice before doing anything drastic.  He knows he’ll never win with this bard on the loose.”

Randi chuckled, but the glance she gave Gwen was one of unadulterated affection.  “My protector,” she murmured into Gwen’s hair and she squeezed her again.

“Always, love.” 

Then they moved into the bedroom and set about preparing themselves for a night with the family.

************ 

There was something to be said for having all the family gathered together, Randi thought as they were greeted at the door with shouts and laughter.  It was loud and noisy, for one thing.  It was also warm and comforting in a way so many things simply couldn’t be.

The whole family was there – Tommy’s dad, Ella’s folks, and of course Geoff and Jill.  Randi spared a wistful thought for her own parents, wishing they could have know the group of people now clustered together in the Steele living room.  She was sure they would have been welcome and happy with being part of this family.

Then a shrill voice took her thoughts from her musings and placed them squarely on the present and Randall.

“WUV!!!” 

He scrambled from his grandfather’s arms as quickly as he could manage to climb down, then he ran across the floor before running straight into the warrior’s knees.  Randi spared a moment to be thankful for both her good balance and Gwen’s hand at her back before she swooped down and scooped the child up in her arms, blowing raspberries on his tummy until the entire room shook with sympathetic laughter to his squeals.

“Hey, boy!  How are ya?” Randi asked with a smile when she stopped to take a breath.  “Have you been good while I was gone?”

He nodded his head affirmatively.  “Yes.  Ran’all goo-dah boy.  O goo-dah too.”

“Oh really?” Randi said.

“Yes.  Play frow.  O go up... catch goo-dah!”

“Oh you did, huh?”  Randi said seriously.  “And how does Mama like that?”

“Goo-dah!  Ma laff,” the boy intoned solemnly.

“Uh huh,” Randi replied just as seriously.  “Well let me tell ya a little secret ‘bout Mas, okay?” Randi asked in a stage whisper, knowing everyone else was listening intently to her words.  Fortunately, Randall was totally focused on her, not realizing they were the center of attention.

“Sometimes, Ma’s laugh so they don’t cry or get angry.  You may wanna remember that next time you and O decide to play catch in the house, all right?”

“Wuv goo-dah!” he answered.  "Aww wite," he agreed before reaching for Gwen over her shoulder.

Randi looked back a caught the barest traces of tears in Gwen's lashes and raised an eyebrow in concern.  The bard gave the merest flicker of her head to indicate she was all right as she took Randall from the warrior's arms.

"My goodness, you're getting to be such a big boy, aren't you?" Gwen asked the child as he clasped his arms around her neck and gave her a sloppy kiss.

"Ran'all big boy!" he said proudly with a big grin.

"Oh yeah, you're a big boy, all right," Ella answered, tweaking his toe as she walked by and almost causing Gwen to fall when Randall jerked in her arms.  "Sorry 'bout that," Ella muttered, taking the child from Gwen easily.  “I forget others aren’t used to handling him like I do.”

“No harm, no foul,” Gwen said a smile.  “I can’t get over how much he grew in the two weeks we were gone.  You’d think we’d been gone months instead.”

Ella laughed.  “Tell me about it,” she said, motioning them towards the dining room with a nod of her head.  “I had to practically go out and buy him a new wardrobe last week.  He keeps growing like this, he’ll be taller than I am before he turns five.”

Gwen shook her head with a chuckle.  “There’s a scary thought – you’re taller than I am!”  She paused a brief moment waiting for someone else to make the comment, then added with a wry laugh. “I know... it’s not like that’s saying a whole lot!”

There was a ripple of laughter as everyone filed into the room after her.  Strong arms wrapped around her from behind, and she automatically leaned back into the firm body they were attached to, laying her arms on top and closing her eyes in contentment.

“I dunno,” Randi offered quietly.  “I think you’re just about the perfect height.”

“Hmm,” Gwen mumbled before realizing that total silence had fallen in the room.  She opened her eyes to see seven pairs of eyes watching them with undisguised amused indulgence.

“What??” she asked innocently, not moving out of Randi’s embrace though she blushed beautifully under the scrutiny.

“Yeah,” the warrior agreed.  “Nothing to see here.  Move along,” she said, hoping her darker skin hid the flush she could feel climbing up her face.  She waved an arm for emphasis, then kissed the blonde head before easing Gwen’s chair out.

Ella’s mother Monica looked at Jill with a distinct twinkle in her eyes.  “Ah... young love.”

“Yeah, I remember those days.”

“You should,” Geoff quipped before anyone else could speak.  “It’s not like we ever outgrew it.  Remember yesterday?”

Jill flushed so dark her skin glowed. “Well, our love may be young, old man, but we still qualify as old marrieds.”

Monica laughed and turned to her husband.  “Ya know, babe... they sound a lot like us.”

“And us,” Tommy chimed in with a grin at Ella.”

Randi looked at Gwen seriously.  “We are not becoming old marrieds.  We will stay newlyweds for the rest of our lives.”

Tom Sr. piped up.  “You don’t know what you’re missing, Randi.”

“Neither do you,” she responded without thought, causing Gwen to bury her face in the warrior’s neck and the room to howl with laughter.  Dinner was off to a great start.

Part 2

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