Only a few patrons were left besides the employees, now beginning to clean up. Lachlan and East were still flattering several excited lurkers, who had only recently discovered the Crowe's' Nest. Jeff Mitchell and his waiter friend, Rick - who was off-duty that evening - waved good-bye to Tina as they left. Alex Ross was still trying to hang in there, but the brunette across from him was making little hand gestures. Obviously, she was ready to 'retire' because Alex was slowly getting the hint. Yes, Michelle's fall had put a damper on things, but this was all Bud and Colin's fault, Tina fumed to herself. Damn fools! Damn men! Sometimes they were so useless.
/Okay, mustn't generalize or man bash. Not fair. Some of them are great// She watched as John hurried downstairs, toiletry kit in hand, and now wearing an off-white sweater over his faded jeans. Smiling, she realized it would complement her own pullover sweater and just at the knees skirt. John stopped to talk to Lachlan for a moment. /Yeah, some of them are positively wonderful...like you, John Biebe. I jut wish - -// She shook her head.
"Tina." Liz walked up behind the counter, placing a small picnic basket on top of it.
"Hey Liz."
"Think I'm going to ring the last call bell, and this will be it."
"I don't blame you. I don't think I've ever seen it like this."
"Well, it's gotten insane around here before, but with all these contrasting personalities, what do you expect? But Bud and Colin..." She threw her hands up. "Okay, that's enough. I'm preaching to the choir now. Here's what I whipped up for you and John. Hope this will be okay."
"I'm sure it will be."
"You're just a couple of regular insomniacs, aren't you?"
"More like night owls. We can sleep when we need to at night, but staying up late, I've been doing this forever."
"Well when you're not around, John doesn't sleep much anyway."
Tina tried not to look too stunned. First, Max's comments, now Liz's? "He doesn't?"
"Nope. He's just - I don't know - quieter than usual. He really misses you I think. No, I *know* he does. Okay, I've talked enough. Let me show you what I've got." Tina nodded, but half of her mind was on Liz and Maximus' words. "Let's see...he told me find what I could...I did. Mild and medium wings; some potato salad - actually scrounged up some low fat kind; uh...got you a few rolls; ah, had them make you up a mini veggie tray with sour crËme dip...Fresh fruit."
"Sounds great, Liz, especially considering how late it is."
"Well consider it late dinner or early breakfast. John will be hungry anyway, no matter what you call it." Tina laughed. "Oh, I hooked your wine glasses and utensils inside the lid, and there's...paper plates and napkins in there too."
"You've thought of everything."
Liz shrugged. "I supplied the food and drink. It's up to *you* to supply the atmosphere, Tina...Hey John. It's all set."
John walked up, easing a hand to his companion's back. "Thanks Liz. You ready, darlin'?"
"More than ready." Tina moved off the stool while the sheriff grabbed the basket. "Night Liz."
"Yeah, good night Liz."
As they departed, they took one final glance toward the corner where Colin sat, face in his hands. Thankfully, he didn't have a bottle in front of him.. The last call bell sounded just as Tina and John walked out the door. It was amazing how the crisp night air could awaken the senses. The Tavern itself had started to feel near claustrophobic, although neither suffered from that malady, but the night's events had left everyone stifled. The two were standing at the spot where the path forked to the parking lot on the left, or off to the right and the hotel. Tina took a deep breath, letting a slight breeze stir her hair.
"This feels great," she said, wrapping her arms about herself.
"Beautiful night too. You can see every star; the moon's almost full. Amazing how this place has such perfect weather."
"Well it's an *almost* perfect place." She sighed. "I almost hate to go back..." Her voice trailed some, and then she snapped her fingers.
John immediately knew she had thought of something. "What's up, darlin'? Forget something?"
"Why don't we... I mean, it *is* so nice out, and the sun will be up before we know it. Could we maybe just have our picnic outside somewhere? I'm sure we could find a great spot, and with the moon being so full...."
"The lighting is fantastic. Sure sweetheart. That'd be a wonderful idea. I feel like stretching my legs some anyway."
Her stomach wrenched in pain and Michelle opened her eyes wide as she gasped for breath. From the tips of her toes to the top of her head, her body was reminding her of the fall she had taken only a couple of hours before. She curled herself up underneath the sheets and clenched her teeth as spasms flooded through her. Breathing deeply, she tried desperately to control the aches and pains, but each breath forced her lungs against her bruised ribs and she found that even the smallest movement caused her to wince.
She closed her eyes, wishing that sleep would overtake her once again, but she only saw visions of her nightmare as she stared at the back of her eyelids -- the tug of war as Colin and Bud fought over her, the ringing in her ears, the look on Maximus' face as he gazed down at her, and then there was the swinging of the sword. She opened her eyes again and blinked into the dim light of the room around her. She shivered, sweat beading her forehead as another spasm overcame her. She waited for it to subside before she let her mind wander to the events of the past evening. What had started out as a fun evening had quickly turned sour and Michelle struggled to figure out why.
How could she have let it go as far as it had? What had possessed the two guys to fight as they had? And over her, nonetheless?! It was completely and utter foolishness. Michelle cursed as these thoughts ran through her head. Then her dream? -- Did it mean anything? Was she being forced to choose between the two? Her brain hurt and she just didn't understand any of it. Her heart aches as she thought of Colin. What had possessed her to even allow Bud White to go as far as he had?
"Quit beating yourself over the head, Michelle..." She forced herself to sit up, but regreted it as she was overwhelmed by nausea. She bent over, hugging her knees and closed her eyes as she tried to focus her breathing. She hissed between her teeth as spasms racked her body again. "Oh God..." Michelle moaned. After several minutes she slowly sat up straight and scanned her surroundings.
A folded piece of paper on the bedside table caught her eye. Worn at the edges, and folded in the middle, it felt fragile in her fingers as she picked it up. Realizing it was a photograph as soon as she touched it, a lump rose in Michelle's throat. She unfolded it carefully and gazed at the worn picture. A sunny beach in the background, with an old wooden railing in the near foreground and gulls soaring overhead, Colin was embracing her as they both smiled into the camera. She could remember that day as if it was yesterday -- the day she and Colin had officially become an "item". It had been her birthday and Colin had taken her down to the pier. They had spent the day walking along the shore and exploring the seaside shops. At the end of the day, Colin had driven them to a secluded spot and had asked her if she would become his. She had answered immediately, and they had been so happy ever since.
Michelle gazed at Colin's smile, biting her lip as she remembered. It had been the perfect day, filled with innocent awkwardness, laughter and kisses... such gentle kisses. Michelle traced a finger along the folded contours of the photograph and brought the picture to her lips. It smelled of old leather and Michelle knew that Colin carried this picture with him in his wallet.
"God... what have I done!?" Michelle gasped as tears ran uncontrolled down her cheeks. She clutched the picture to her chest and rocked back and forth on the edge of the bed. Life without Colin... she shivered as the thought crossed her mind. "I have to find him..." She looked towards the door, willing herself to stand as her body protested painfully. She leaned against the bedside table for support, clenched her teeth and stood on her feet. Her muscles groaned and complained bitterly, spasms running up and down her spine. Her hand slipped along the surface of the table and the glass of water fell to the floor, shattering into several pieces. Steadying herself, Michelle breathed deeply. "C'mon 'Chelle... you can do this..." She took a first step and then another, reaching for the door but finding it to far beyond her reach. Feeling her knees weakening, Michelle made one final attempt for the door. But she tumbled to the floor, loosing her grip as her feet slipped on the spilled water. Her head hit the wooden floor and she fell into unconciousness again.
"Would you rather walk, or take a ride? I rented a convertible again."
John raised one eyebrow. "Chrysler Sebring?" Tina nodded and listened as he sighed like the proverbial kid in a candy store. "I love those cars."
"Well, I guess we could drive along the oceanfront - - find a nice secluded area so we won't be disturbed."
The sheriff took her arm, playfully tugging her along. "Well just don't stand there, Stewart. Let's go. I know just the place, too."
They moved along the winding path, walking the decline to the lot. Although neither had voiced it, they were more than ready to leave the Tavern confines behind. It was past time for them to be alone. However, as they neared the paved area, which bordered several strips of landscaping, Tina glanced to her right, and stopped.
"What's wrong, darlin'?" Using her head to motion, she indicated the direction in which he should look. Bud White was pacing back and forth in a small clump of trees, the illumination from several well placed outdoor lights revealing his face once in a while. At one point, he would slam an open hand against an innocent tree trunk. In the next second, he reached up to one strong limb; shaking and pulling it so angrily it began to crack.
"Oh God," whispered Tina, and John pulled on her as he softly said, "Let's go, sweetheart." It was too late unfortunately - - the cop saw them and rushed toward them, the desperation easily readable. His face was florid; the blue eyes were almost the same color.
"John! Tina!" he shouted as he ran up to them. "How's 'Chelle? Is she okay? Have either of you seen her?!"
The sheriff raised a hand to keep him from coming too close. Both of them detected the strong odor of liquor. "No, we haven't seen her since the fall, but Sy said she'll be all right."
"You're sure? You're not just telling me that?"
"No *Wendell*, we're not just telling you that," John replied, a tinge of infuriation in his words. When he stressed the name 'Wendell', it was like a mother scolding a naughty child. "Dammit you think I'm in the mood to play after all the shit that's gone down tonight?" He looked down at Tina, seeing that she appeared ready to explode again. "Come on Tina. The air just got stifling again."
Bud stepped forward. "John,...I'm so sorry."
"You know what, White? If I hear 'I'm so sorry' one more time tonight I'm gonna scream. I'm sick to fucking death of hearing that: first from Colin, now you. Don't apologize to me. Apologize to Michelle."
"But not tonight," Tina added coldly. "Leave her alone tonight, Bud. Can you do that?" The icicles in her eyes were enough to leave Bud casting down his eyes. He respected Tina's opinion of him. Hearing her talk to him that way, he was worried he'd lost her high regard for him.
"But I have to tell her...."
"Nothing!" John interrupted. "You're not telling her a freaking thing tonight! And if it takes both me and Max to tie you up and sit on you all night..." He looked at his companion, praying it wouldn't come to that. The evening had already been screwed enough. "Bud...don't make us do that."
Bud gulped. "I wouldn't... You and Tina oughta have some time together. Ain't fair that...." He kicked at some stones. "Shit John, I'm the one who told you that it wasn't worth losing Tina over...." White saw the technician look up at Biebe; obviously Bud's advice had been mentioned between them at some point. "I'll...uh...I'll stay away. I promise, John, Tina."
"I just wish you'd stayed away from 'Chelle to begin with; you knew how it was with her and Colin. And I'm not taking up for him either. He's already heard my lecture." He moved so he was eye to eye with his 'brother'. "So let me pretty much repeat what I told him, and if I was you, I'd listen for once. Stay away from Michelle! Stay away from Colin!"
"But...."
"I *said* stay the hell away from Colin!" John exclaimed through clinched teeth. "If I even *hear* that you two got into it again, I'll kick both your asses from here to the real world. Clear?" Bud nodded, unspeaking. "Fine. Now if you don't mind, I've neglected this lady for too long. Good-night!" Without another word, the sheriff took his companion's hand and the two went on their way.
Bud stared after them, a hollow ache in his stomach. He felt a momentary tinge of envy. Why couldn't he have a relationship like Tina and John's? They were so obviously meant to be together in this universe. Bud had noticed it when he introduced the two. She may have been ready to genuflect to Max, but.... White sighed. You could almost hear violins when she and John first met, as if one knew at some point, they'd pair up. Yeah, Maximus might have been the catalyst to her arrival, but John Biebe.... He wondered if anyone saw that coming, including Tina.
He looked up towards the Tavern, where the few last stragglers were finally leaving. He wanted to return inside, but there was the Colin factor. White knew they'd collide if they saw each other, and the only way to his room in the Tavern...was unfortunately *through* the Tavern. Even if he did manage to slip past O'Brien, there was the matter of Michelle, recuperating in one of those upstairs rooms. He would like to have seen her, too, but he had promised John. Why did shit have to be so complicated? Sighing again, Bud started pacing, just as he was before the interruption. Maybe he'd finally think of something.
"A nail in your coffin, mate?" Lachlan approached from the bar and offered a cigarette. Colin smiled weakly and accepted.
"Thanks, Lach." He mumbled absently as Lachlan held up a lit match. His gaze was glued to the bedroom door. Lachlan shook his head and smiled.
"Why don't you just head up there, Colin? She needs you..."
"Does she?" Lachlan raised an eyebrow to the reply. Colin's shoulders slumped forward and he lowered his gaze to the floor. "Does she need me? Does she still even want..." Colin's voice faded and he held his head in his hands, the lit cigarette quickly forgotten.
"You know better than all that, mate... I've seen the two of you together."
"Bloody hell..." Colin cursed under his breath, "That doesn't mean it can't end..." He turned abruptly and slammed his fist into the wall.
"Whoa there! Take it easy, Colin..." Lachlan rested a hand on his shoulder. He'd seen fights before, minor brawls when the guys had gotten a little too drunk, but any of these quarrels had been resolved quickly and everything always ended in a good laughing session. This, however, was something completely different and Lachlan couldn't see it getting better any time soon, especially not with the way these two blokes were carrying on.
"Just leave me alone, Curry!" Colin glanced around the now empty tavern. "Get out of here and leave me the fuck alone..." He shoved Lachlan back roughly, his now bloody fist clenched in anger.
"Suit yourself, mate." Lachlan backed away, but stopped before he reached the door. "But let me say one thing before I bug out for the night." Lachlan narrowed his eyes, "You have to do something, mate... besides sitting here and sulking. I say, you've got two choices." He gave a quick glance outside. "You can either go and beat the shit out of Bud White... or you can go upstairs." Lachlan raised an eyebrow. "What's it going to be?" Colin bit his lip and glanced out the window. Bud White hovered near the large oak tree, pacing a furious path in the grass.
"Neither..."
"Neither?"
"Yeah, neither! I promised Tina and John I'd stay away..."
Lachlan shook his head and chuckled softly. "You're going to drive yourself insane, if you sit down here much longer, Colin. I suggest..."
"What the fuck do you know, Curry!?" Colin interrupted, growling as he shoved a chair across the floor. He slumped back against the wall, breathing heavily. Lachlan didn't speak for a moment, then his face softened and he lowered his eyes.
"Because, mate... I've had... no... I let someone I've loved more than life itself fall out of my grasp. I know what it's like to loose someone. She walked out of my life and I let her go." Lachlan looked up and met Colin's gaze. "Don't lose her mate..." Colin was surprised to see tears fall down Lachlan's cheeks, "Don't let her go."
Colin gave a weary glance outside, "What if she wants him?"
"Do you honestly believe that?!" Lachlan chuckled, wiping the moisture from his cheeks before he stepped forward and rested a finger on Colin's chest. "Listen mate. She loves you, not White. Pull yourself together and get you ass upstairs. She needs you...." Lachlan gave Colin a final pat on the shoulder, and emphasized the last word, "She needs you." With that he turned and walked out the door, leaving Colin standing at the bottom of the stairs.
"Bugger all...." Colin breathed deeply and kicked the chair again before he turned towards the stairs. His heart pounded in his chest. What if she told him she never wanted to see him again? What if she did want White instead? The thought of Bud with Michelle sent cold chills down his spine. Colin clenched his fists together and walked to the door. White was now using the tree as a punching bag. He had the urge to pound his fist into White's face again. Groaning, Colin rested his head against the door frame.
"God help me, 'Chelle..." His lower lip quivered. Neither option was looking terribly appealing at the moment. If he went outside, he and White would probably end up killing each other, and there was no one around at this time of night to intervene if they into another dog fight. And if he went upstairs.... Colin shivered at the thought. He'd have to look Michelle in the face and see the truth. "'Chelle... I don't want to loose you..." Sighing deeping, he stepped towards the stairs without giving Bud White a second glance. He closed his eyes, his heart pounding in his ears, and took the first step up the stairs.
After a pleasant half-hour drive, the Sebring sped around a curve on the two lane road, and on straightening its' wheels, slowed to take a right turn. After moving along a non-existent trail about fifty yards, the convertible came to a stop.
"How's this?" John asked as Tina set the emergency brake and cut the engine.
She stood up, holding onto the trim along the front windshield, and carefully studied the scenery. "Oh, it's perfect. I *know* it isn't Peaches' ideal spot, but it's just as nice."
Biebe was already out of the car, reaching in the back seat for the basket. "You got a blanket, cape, anything we can use if we get cold?"
"I haven't unpacked yet." She popped the trunk release. "My raincoat's in there. Look in my garment bag."
"Okay, got it. Hey, nice outfit."
"Which one?" she asked, scooting over to the front passenger side just as the sheriff came back to the door to assist her out. "Thanks. Which one?"
"There's a little blue number in your bag. Sleeveless; clingy..."
"Oh *that* one," she smiled coyly. "You'll see."
"Okay...be that way. I'm holding you to that young lady."
The couple walked a few feet, then located a slope which led them near the beach. John wrapped an arm around her waist, so as to lower her to the next level. They stood still, not speaking for a little, gazing out to where the waves lapped the beach. Their spot would be on enough of an incline so that the tides would not endanger them, but they would have plenty of room to spread out.
"This is great, John."
"Thought you'd like it. Found it one day while I was out exploring. The moon's practically on top of us, and we're facing east so we'll have a great view of the sunrise. And if we doze off, hey, we won't drown," he joked.
Tina smiled broadly. Growing up in Kentucky, she had known only the Ohio River most of her life - until her first cruise, and her introduction to the Caribbean and the Atlantic. She had always loved the idea of oceans and seas and what they represented to her personally; what was here in this universe was as she had always dreamed. Raising an eyebrow, she said, "Question." John nodded. "Remember the day...well, of course you do, when we all came out to watch the sunset?"
"Sure. The day you girls took us to the mall, and we tried to drown Sid," he grinned.
"Yeah, well...we were watching the sunset over the ocean that day...but now... Well now, we're going to watch the *sunrise* over the ocean. I mean, in the real world...."
John laughed. "I know. Doesn't make sense, does it? But wait 'til I take you out to see the Aurora Borealis, or we have a few days 'round here where it's daylight for twenty hours."
"Like in Alaska?"
"Yep, just like.... Sweetheart, remember, this may sometimes *feel* like the real world, but it really isn't. I know it doesn't make sense all the time, but you still don't know how you get here...."
"And I've given up trying to figure that one out," she admitted, smiling.
"Or how we hire real people to work here. Or..." His voice grew even quieter. "Or how I've taken you back to Mystery with me." Her smile increased at that - - it was something she loved doing with him, now that she had been there more than once. "Like I told Laura once, it's all part of the magic of this place. Most of it is like reality; we don't have purple cows or gold grass, but some of it isn't. It's not so *illogical* that it's ridiculous though. But if the two of us want to have an oceanside front seat to the best sunrises and sunsets in the world, *all* in the same day," Tina laughed, "then we get to. It's not completely logical...."
"I can deal with it. Mr. Spock couldn't, but I can." She inhaled the sea air, her stomach rumbling a bit. "Sorry," she apologized.
"Hungry, huh?"
"Yes! Haven't eaten since about 11 or 12 this afternoon...well, yesterday."
"Well, let's dig in, darlin'. I haven't eaten since, well, since about 8 or 9 - - right before you came."
"Then you're *way* overdue, aren't you?" she teased as they walked a few feet to their chosen spot.
They settled in, spreading out a small tablecloth Liz had thoughtfully provided, then laid out the items inside. While Tina uncorked the Beringer white zinfandel, John arranged the dishes, and began to fix her plate first. Within minutes they were eating and discussing *anything* but the night's events. For an hour, Tina talked about work and what movies she'd seen both at the theater and on video. The summer was almost over, and only 'X-Men' had been her favorite movie so far...after 'Gladiator' (and she was up to five viewings of that). And they chatted about what had been going on at the Crowe's Nest during her two-week absence, purposefully skipping what happened before and after her most recent arrival.
"So in September, I'm hoping..." she was saying as she bit off the meat on a peg leg, "...well, that you'll be able to join me. That's why I wanted to give you plenty of notice."
"Sounds nice. 'Puccini and Pasta'. And it's not fancy?"
She shook her head. "Nope. Casual dressy. A nice suit will work. It's just an informal event my Kentucky Opera Guild does every year as a fundraiser. They serve fantastic food and plenty of it. I promise," and she rubbed his stomach, making him chuckle. "you won't get hungry. Oh, and the wine's included with dinner this year. It's not extra. So I thought...." She paused.
"You thought what?"
"Well...since we'll be having drinks, I thought maybe it'd be nice if...well, if we stayed overnight, down the street, at the Seelbach."
"I've heard that name be- Didn't they film some of 'The Insider' there?"
"Yeah, several scenes. The lobby; one of the rooms. There's a staircase there that predates the one on 'Titanic'. And I've...uh, already uh...." She lowered her head, a blush warming her cheeks. "I already booked a room." John raised an eyebrow, smiling. "Uh...it's a.... Well, it's practically a suite: four poster bed, a marble Jacuzzi tub."
"Sounds great, darlin'. Jacuzzi tub, huh?" Tina nodded, putting her plate down when she felt John's arm ease about her shoulders. "So that means... Hmm, guess we ought to think about another trip to the Body Shop. We're out of 'Oceanus'." Her soft, shy laugh reverberated in his chest when she leaned close, and he felt a sudden surge through his lower regions. She was wearing 'Dune'. Geez, he loved that on her. It was layered too, for her entire body exuded the scent, the fragrance beginning to permeate her clothes. He pressed his nose against her almost shoulder length hair, sniffing how sweet it also smelled. Her hairdresser had styled it into the straw set he remembered on their first meeting. She told him they used drinking straws instead of rollers to achieve the tight curls, then fingered them to a soft texture. It was so silky when he touched it, taking his time to savor how the coiled tresses retained their effect. The reddish hues of the spring were gone in favor of a brilliant light summer blonde with highlights as golden as -
Gulping, he put his plate aside. When he spoke, his voice was husky, the ache in his loins reflected in what he said. "Tina...sweetheart...have I told you...Did I...tell you...how much I've missed you?" She shook her head, and he felt her closest fingers brush his chest in an over and under motion. He had put her through so much, but she still cared.
"I don't remember anymore," she admitted.
"Well if I didn't, I should have...My fault..." His breath grew sharper, and he allowed his hands to guide her closer until she was practically in his lap. "I shouldn't have.... That mess with Hando I...."
"Sh," Tina whispered, beginning a trail of tiny kisses from his forehead.
"I was so scared I...."
"Sh," she repeated, this time pressing her mouth on his while her right index finger traced the edges of his beard. Her lips, John thought, were so soft, the rosy colored lipstick leaving them even more desirable. The berries from the wine were there, too, and combined with Tina' own natural chemistry and the perfume, the sheriff was intoxicated. The tip of her tongue teased at him until he parted his lips, permitting her to probe inside. He felt his own tongue being sucked and he groaned, twisting impatiently beneath her. For a woman still quite innocent in lovemaking, he considered, Tina's little efforts left him overly pleased. She'd become a quick learner since they became lovers. And if *this* was what being her 'love slave' was all about, he would happily surrender.
"Sweetheart," was all he could say when she pulled back, and they stared into each other's eyes, both of them breathless. His large hands ran across the front of her pullover sweater, letting the lightweight fabric ripple through his fingers. Tina gasped - - even through the layers of clothing and underwear, she felt the sensation all the way to her bones. Pulling the sweater over her head, John moved to fondle her full breasts, pushing them free of the ivory brassiere. With great efficiency, he unhooked it and laid it beside her sweater, watching as she modestly covered herself. Smiling, he yanked off his own sweater, and Tina immediately took the incentive. Leaning forward, she took one of John's nipples in her mouth, and after running a tongue over it, gently sucked at it until a grin of gratification appeared on the Alaskan's face. She kissed his birthmark, her mouth lingering there as if it was the most precious thing in the world.
He moaned - low, nearly guttural - his hands reaching underneath her form to massage her mounds until each nipple was almost at attention. Listening to Tina's own feminine whimpers, John eased his fingers along her waist, to her hips, and after some maneuvering, bunched her skirt out of the way until her panty girdle was within his grasp. Tina shuddered when he touched her around the crotch, and John smiled. The material was soaked with her moisture; she was likely as wet as he was hard.
"I need you," she whispered, hurriedly turning to remove the skirt. Tina's hands had briefly rested in her lover's lap, and she could feel his erection throbbing against the denim, eager to escape.
"I want you, too, darlin'," came his reply, his mind growing dizzy with anticipation. He unzipped, and for a few seconds the couple paused long enough to strip off what clothes remained, each piece added to the growing pile off to the side. Tina even remembered to move the plates and glasses out of the way, then she returned to John's lap, her small hands groping for his length. It pulsed as she massaged it, her fingertips skillfully running imaginary lines between his balls and what was now his steel hard manhood.
John's head went back, his eyes shut, as he reveled in what she was doing to him. He could barely swallow - it had caught somewhere, but when he finally did, Tina bent forward to kiss his Adam's apple, an action that made him grunt louder. His own fingers moved to find her clit, and through the moisture, he massaged it, smiling when he heard her little gasps.
"Come inside me, John," she gulped. He did, gently, gliding through her wetness until she had taken him fully. She sighed gratefully, her hips beginning to keep pace with his as they swayed and pushed at a languid rate, neither in a rush. Their hands continued to stroke each other's upper bodies, the coolness from the ocean breezes caressing them as well. The massage techniques he was teaching her were evident, and her arms snaked about his at differing angles, caressing those beefy muscles she knew so well, until she was practically curled within his body. And still he continued to push and pull, in and out, Tina capably accepting each action.
It crossed her mind again, as she closed her eyes, murmuring softly, taking a whiff of his pheromones. She had always wanted her intimate area to be shaped to accept one lover. As John shoved all the way to the hilt, she realized it had finally come true. That made her feel that she really belonged to him.
The pace increased, now beginning to take a certain urgency. Her gasps, her cries became more prominent as her figure arched backwards, and the warm familiar throbs of ecstasy penetrated her mind and body until it no longer seemed real. Briefly she merged with her sheriff and when a soft scream escaped her throat, she began to calm...just as John began to come himself, that wolf-like howl emptying from his lungs as he held her tightly. Tina laughed. She loved to hear him climax; she called it his "Alaskan coming out" like a beast in the wild baying at the moon.... They both collapsed within the other's embrace, John stroking Tina's sweat dampened curls as they tried to breathe normally again, each one feeling his seed running from between their legs. Neither spoke as they enjoyed the warmth from their coupling, John deciding to remain inside her for a time, the way she enjoyed it, occasionally rocking a bit to hear Tina's contented sighs. They had both revealed that this was one of their favorite moments in lovemaking - - the quiet interlude when they were still connected, guiding one another back into reality.
For a moment he recalled chasing after her when she'd grown rightfully angry with him. Seeing tears in her brown eyes had torn him apart, knowing what he had put her through. He looked down at her. Tears were there now, but the emotion behind them had changed. She was happy again. How could he have forgotten his promise that for however long she came to the Crowe's Nest, he would never see her unhappy. He had wounded her so deeply....
/Never again// he scolded himself, then he whispered his pet name for her. "Sunny?" He almost thought she had dozed, until she sweetly looked at him. He heard a quiet "Hmm?" as she reached up to caress his hair. "Sunny...I'm sorry."
"Sorry?" She giggled, pressing against him. "You were wonderful," she purred.
"No, I mean...I mean...earlier...I'm sorry." Those were the words he'd told O'Brien and White he did not want to hear again, and now he was using them. /Shit Biebe. You jumped all over Colin and Bud for what they did to 'Chelle. What you did to Tina - - that was just as bad. //
Tina didn't speak as John watched for some reaction, worried she'd pick up her clothes, return to the Chrysler, and leave him deservedly stranded. Instead she wrapped an arm around his neck, and pulling him down to her, kissed his mouth. He heard her murmur, "Teddy Bear" in his ear, then she kissed him again, longingly, passionately. He had his answer and John smiled, wrapping her in his arms again.
Standing in the hallway, Colin paused as he reached for the doorknob. He silently hoped that Michelle would be sleeping soundly. He just wanted to sit on the edge of the bed and watch her rest; to gaze on her soft skin, and listen to the sound of her gentle breathing. He could watch her for hours, especially tonight. Tonight he didn't want to look her in the eye, he didn't want her to know he was there, he didn't want her to wake up and tell him that she never wanted to see him again.
A muffled sound from the other side interrupted his solitary thoughts. Colin pulled his hand away from the door, unsure of what to do. He couldn't go inside, not if she was awake. He knew that he couldn't face her yet, he wasn't ready. But what if.... Colin cursed under his breath. "You're a bloody coward, O'Brien." He leaned over the railing, holding his head in his hands, as he mentally kicked himself and struggled over what to do. A sudden shattering of glass, followed by a very disturbing thud behind the door, caused him to jump and turn around.
"Chelle?" He reached for the door, listening carefully as he turned the knob. There was no reply, so Colin spoke a bit louder as he tried again. "Chelle?" He opened the door slowly, and gave a puzzled looked when it stopped after only a few inches in. He pushed harder, but found resistance. "Love..." Colin glanced inside, his eyes adjusting to the dim light within as he surveyed the space he could see from the hallway. His gaze fell upon an arm laying on the floor. Leaning farther inside, he saw her body laying motionless in the shadows.
"Bloody hell!" Colin's heart pounded as he tried to push himself through the four inch space, but the door wouldn't budge any further. He knelt down and carefully pushed her arm away from the door. "I'm coming, 'Chelle. Hang on, love..." His own voice sounded far away and hollow. He took a deep breath and tried the door again. By moving her, Colin had given himself less then two inches but it was enough to get inside.
His heart now in his throat, Colin squeezed through the tiny space between the door and the wall. He knew that she had stopped breathing after she had fallen, and the thoughts racing through his head were of the worst kind. He cursed the buckle on his belt as it caught against the solid wood of the door, hindering his passage momentarily. But he sucked in his stomach and was soon on his knees beside her.
She lay in a puddle of water, face down and definitely not breathing. Colin winced as her rolled her over, firmly supporting her neck as he did so. "Michelle..." He lifted her chin and brushed the wet strands of hair away from her face. Tilting her head back, he breathed into her mouth and watched her chest rise and fall as her lungs filled with air. Suddenly she coughed and sputtering and Colin leaned back, lifting her to his chest.
"It's okay, love... everything's going to be fine..." He ran a hand through her hair. "I'm right here..." The words came out without thought as he held her to him. The feeling of her in his arms again was more than he could bear and Colin pressed her against him even tighter as he felt his eyes welling up with tears.
