Date: Fri, 17 Nov 1995 15:01:30 -0600 Reply-To: Julia Kosatka Sender: Highlander TV show stories From: Julia Kosatka Subject: In the Dark, 21/21 (REPOST) ADULT with her dagger. Next she removed his belt, which let the careful pleats of his kilt untuck until it was merely a loose spiral of cloth around his waist. She pushed him gently backward until he lay flat. "Scoot," she said, nodding toward the headboard. He obeyed, making certain his kilt slid off and to the floor in the process, leaving him clad only in his shirt. She unlaced that as far as it would go, and slid her hands into the opening to caress his chest. He purred under her touch, sensing her warmth where she straddled him. Only the thin cotton of his shirt separated his flesh from hers; he could feel heat and moisture through it, and he arched upward. She closed her eyes and rubbed herself against him in long, slow strokes. The scent of clove and ginger grew stronger, and knowing its source aroused him savagely. He reached out to hold her lavish hips in his hands and guide her over him again and again, the tenuous shield of his shirt growing damp as she rode him. The fabric began to bunch and slid with her movements until there was nothing dividing them. She was slick, sultry, and as eager as he was. She stopped for a moment, maneuvering, and then she was sinking down, surrounding him. "Isn't this sort of duel much better, Duncan? Life, not death," she whispered, her hips circling, her body undulant, sucking. Her words brought back to him thoughts of the icy delirium he'd just avoided with her help, and his hands tightened on her hips. "There's no comparison, love, none at all." He slid his hands higher, to her shoulders, then down her arms to bring her hands in front of her, in reach of his lips. He edged his teeth along her wrists, wringing a gasp and shiver from her. The shiver went all the way inside, to where she held him. Unable to lie still he lifted beneath her and she lost her balance, falling forward, bracing her hands against his chest. She pushed herself upright again and shook her finger at him, smiling. "You be still, I'm the one doing the ravishing here!" He sat up, looping one arm around her waist. "It works better together," he said as he claimed her mouth with his again. She shifted her weight forward, tightened her legs around his hips, and began to move, a slow, subtle rise and fall, an internal kiss. He let one hand slide around to cup her rear, the other moved down into the moist heat of her, his fingers spread to trap the soft knot of nerves between them. She pulled her mouth from his, gasping. "Duncan... ah... please..." He massaged her, his fingers straying, only to return again and again to the seat of sensation. One of her hands slipped down, past his, to caress what little of him wasn't contained within her, then move lower, into the super-sensitive area just below. He tensed, trying to keep his control. She put her mouth by his ear. "Don't fight me Duncan, let go." "Did that last time... not this time!" he managed to pant. She laughed, and licked softly at his ear. "But I like it." He sucked in a breath through his teeth. "I know... but I think you'll like this better." Deliberately he leaned forward far enough to overbalance them. She looked surprised as she found herself on her back beneath him. The change pushed him into her hard, and very deep, and she arched, making a soft sound as her body adjusted to his. He could feel the changes inside her, the lengthening, the ripple of muscle around him. Now that it was done, he wasn't sure the change in position had been all that good an idea. He slowed down, moving just enough to keep the edge on her pleasure, not enough to trigger his own. "Mmm... that feels good," she sighed, lifting a hand to stroke his chest, letting it follow a line down the center of his body to where they merged. Her fingers were wet and slippery, teasing him unmercifully. He reached down and managed to grab her hand. "Not now," he hissed. "Please." She gave him an unrepentant look and her other hand came around to rest on his rear, then started to work its way down... "Damn it!" He let go of the hand he had and reached back to grab the other one. While he was at it, she went for him again in front. He managed to keep the hand he had while removing the other one from its adventuring. He circled her wrists with his hands drew her arms above her head. She stretched beneath him, her eyes liquid and mysterious. He loved her eyes, so dark, so full of life, humor, passion. He said as much, and she smiled, her lovely full mouth curving with pleasure. "You make me feel those things," she whispered, arching up into him. "You fill me." He laughed softly. "I'm doin' my best." She wiggled in a way that sent his pulse skyrocketing. "Do better," she said huskily. He looked down at her, and slowly nodded, accepting her challenge. He let go of her wrists and slowly sat back on his haunches, withdrawing from her. She looked disappointed, and started to speak, but he pressed a finger against her lips and shook his head. He moved from between her thighs and knelt beside her, placed a hand on her hip, and gently urged her onto her belly. She made a deep, approving sound, and stretched full-length, her fingertips touching the headboard. He reached up and put one hand around her wrists, making sure she couldn't reach back to torment him, then he swept her hair aside and began to kiss the back of her neck, working his way down his body as he had once before. Her response, arching and shivering under his lips, told him she enjoyed it. He let his teeth graze lightly over her skin, following it with soothing licks. She shifted her weight, coming up onto her knees. He needed no further urging. He knew what she wanted. He wanted it as deeply and passionately as she did. He slipped a hand between her thighs, parting her, then moved into the silky wetness of her, burying himself. He couldn't suppress a moan as he did, feeling the taut clasp of her around him. Letting go of her hands, he drew her up against him, hands cupping her breasts as their bodies merged. She reached back to pull him flush against her, her hips moving as he stayed stationary within her. He circled one arm around her, just below the breasts, and let his other hand slide down her ribs to her belly; stroking, reaching low to find the soft cleft of her sex. She shifted her thighs wider, and found her, stroking his fingers rhythmically over the swollen flesh. He nuzzled her hair out of his way and began to nibble at the back of her neck until she moaned, and her body tightened almost painfully around him, then exploded into a flutter of contractions. She sagged in his arms, and only his arm around her and his body inside her kept her upright. He wasn't sure what kept him upright. Sheer will, probably. He wasn't going to lose control this time. Gently he eased down, taking her with him, until they lay on their sides, still tangled together. He could feel the little aftershocks of her pleasure ripple the smooth walls of her sheath around him. He continued to move lazily within her, torturing himself with the feel of her. Creamy-slick-hot-close... the gingery scent of her arousal sharp in his nostrils. He let his hand cup her mons, fingers gently coaxing the last of her response from her, and hoping to arouse her anew. After a few moments she took a deep breath and rolled her shoulders, stretching slightly. "God, you're good at that," she said huskily. "It's so nice not to be the teacher this time." He smiled, knowing exactly what she meant. She tried to look back at him, but it was too awkward, and after a moment she gave up. "Duncan, I want to see you." She moved, sliding off of him. He managed not to whimper as she left him, feeling suddenly cold and abandoned. She turned over and pushed him onto his back. He propped himself on his elbows and watched her study him, her limpid gaze warm with pleasure, a secret smile curving her lips. Her palm cupped him, warm, though not nearly so hot or so welcoming as her body. He couldn't resist the urge to move in her hand, to thrust against her palm. She chuckled and her hand closed around him, stroking, then a moment later she was bending to engulf him in her mouth. He arched, a dark moan caught in his throat. He threaded his fingers into her hair and held her head as she greedily consumed him, not forcing, but following her movements. The touch of her lips, her tongue... the incredible heat and slick wetness, the power of her touch. He writhed under her expert caress, trying to hold onto his self-control Her hand moved lower, caressing him, lifting him, her fingers slid between his thighs and he was lost. He gave up and let her take him past the edge, waves of pleasure washing over him as she drank him in. He collapsed with a low groan as she lifted her head, her expression supremely self- satisfied. In fact, it could be called a smirk. He found himself grinning back at her, foolishly, as she crawled up so she was lying against his chest. "Now that was good for you too. I could tell." He nodded, still grinning. "More than good, love." She beamed. "I'll accept that compliment." Lower, her hand began to trace an idle pattern on his hip. He felt a flush of renewed interest. She glanced down at him and smiled. "I see those amazing recuperative powers of yours work in other ways as well." He chuckled. "You're not the first to notice that." "I'd imagine not," she said, winking broadly. **** Guinan stared out at the sunset, watching the light filter through the gathering storm clouds like some Turnerian painting, feeling a little sad, a little apprehensive. The view toward the mountains from the gardens behind Duncan's house awe-inspiring. No wonder he'd chosen this place to build his home. Of course, his home was no less awe-inspiring. How many people lived in an authentic medieval mansion that dated from seven hundred years earlier? He'd had the building imported, stone by stone, from Earth. She still couldn't believe anyone would have wanted to raze something this beautiful to make room for an apartment building. It even had a chapel. That she understood quite well. Being what he was, holy ground made this place not just a home, but a sanctuary. One thing was for certain, with forty rooms, he had plenty of room for a family. "I wish we had more time," she said finally. "You can come back any time you like." "I know." Guinan sighed, and looked at him anxiously. "You do understand, don't you?" Duncan nodded. "Of course. Kismet, fate... whatever you want to call it. You can't leave them yet." "Not yet. There's something left undone, something I have to finish. I don't know what it is yet, but when it happens, I'll know." He smiled. "You've told me that ten times now. Guinan, I understand, all right? I'm not angry. I'm not upset." She smiled and shook her head. "I know, I just can't help making sure. I don't want there to be any misunderstandings." "Don't worry, I think I'm old enough to handle this," he grinned. "Besides, we still have a lot of planning to do. You'll be hearing from me." "True. Sorry to be so insecure." He laughed. "It's nice to see it happens to you, too." She eyed him narrowly. "It's a good thing you said `too'." "I wouldn't dare do otherwise, my nose would start to grow." She laughed, then leaned back against him with a sigh. "I'll miss you." "I'll miss you too." The emotion in his voice told her he wasn't just echoing her sentiments. He meant it. "Whatever will you do without me here?" she asked, jokingly. "I'll endeavor to bear up manfully under the strain." She grinned and stood up, brushing grass and twigs off her rear. "Well, I guess it's time, they're going to leave without me if I don't get back." She reached for her communicator. "Wait..." She stopped, her hand hovering over the device. "What?" "I have something for you. If I remember right, you once expressed a liking for this." He dug in his sporran and came out with a small object. He caught her hand and placed the item on her palm. It was light, and oddly shaped. She regarded it curiously, then unwrapped the silk that shrouded it. In the fading light the amber turtle fetish gleamed warm and golden, like a little sun. "Oh, Duncan! I didn't even know you noticed!" she said, remembering the first time she'd seen it. He'd been making coffee, and she hadn't thought he'd been watching her at all. He looked a little embarrassed. "I have a good memory." "It's beautiful, but... why?" "I wanted you to have something from your past that you can look at with happy memories instead of painful ones. At least, I hope that's what you'll have." "Of course I will!" She smoothed her fingers over the back of the fetish, feeling the tiny lines of its carved shell, and grinned. "A turtle, eh? Are you saying I tend to live in a shell?" "Hopefully not any more. Maybe it'll help remind you not to go back in. It has other symbolism as well, turtles are long-lived." "How appropriate." "I thought so." "Anything else?" "According to the legends of the people who carved this, Turtle carried the world on her back. Without her, there would be no place for living things to rest, no peace, just endless wandering." She looked at him, saw the serenity in his dark eyes, and smiled. That was new. "That's lovely. Thank you. I'll put it in my quarters-- out where anyone can see it." He smiled happily. "And you'll let people in to see it, right? No more hiding by yourself?" She nodded gravely. "Nor will you?" "How can I, now? Or at least, in a couple of months." "True. I hope you know what you're getting yourself into." "I haven't a clue... but does anyone ever?" She shook her head, laughing. "No, or they'd never do it. And despite warnings from those of us who do know, they keep volunteering!" "It'll be good for me." "Tell me that in twenty years and I may believe you." Her communicator chirped at her, and she sighed. "Last call. I really have to go." "I know. Come back." "As soon as I can." She stood on her toes to kiss him, and stepped away, touching the communicator to signal her readiness. She lifted a hand and saw him do the same. "Godspeed, Guinan," she heard as the world disappeared. **** Duncan looked up from his workscreen, drawing himself out of the past he was putting into words and back to the present. The shrieks from outside had become a bit on the shrill side. He sighed and pushed his chair back, going to the door to look out. As he'd suspected, things were getting out of hand. He pushed open the door and strode out into the summer warmth, and managed to peel E'lan and Amber off Donal who lay on his back flailing feebly at his attackers. The boy scrambled to his feet and retreated a few steps to stand with Dhavi and Ewan. "I told you it's not nice to gang up on the boys, E'lan." "Donal started it!" Amber said, glaring at her brother who was now prudently shielded behind the other boys. "He said we were just girls!" Duncan chuckled, shaking his head. "Donal's too young to know that there is no `just' about girls. Don't mind him. He'll grow out of it." E'lan looked up at him, her dark face set in a frustrated scowl. "But how long will it take him? We've been trying to teach him for two years!" He laughed again. "Face it, love. Males are slow. I learned, but it took me several hundred years." E'lan stared at Donal in dismay. "But he's human! At that rate he'll be dead before he learns!" "No, he won't. Remember, they learn faster in recompense for their shorter lifespans." She nodded thoughtfully, and sighed. "Maybe soon, then." "If you keep teaching him, it should be. But next time, one-on- one. It's not fair to..." he broke off, feeling a powerful surge of Presence. E'lan and Dhavi looked around, curious. "What's that?" Dhavi asked, "It feels like you, but you're here." Duncan looked at the figure who stood between him and the house, frowning because the sun was in his eyes and he couldn't see them clearly. Whoever it was, they were strong. He hadn't felt a presence like that in a very long time. Dane hadn't even come close to this level. "I'm not sure who it is, Dhavi, but stay here while I find out." He strode back toward the figure, tensely realizing that his sword was in the house and he would have to pass them to get it, then stopped in his tracks as the shadow of the house blocked the sun and he could see who it was. "What the hell? Guinan?" He was confused. She'd never set off his `alarms' like this before. She put her hands on her hips and looked at him in mock offense. "That is not the kind of greeting I expect from you, Duncan." He covered the distance between them, and greeted her properly before speaking again. "I'm sorry, but..." he stopped, realizing the sensation wasn't coming from her, but from farther away, behind her. He looked from her, to the house, and back, noting her sly smile. "All right, what have you done?" he asked sternly. "I ran across someone I thought you might want to see." "Who?" She turned and waved to someone inside the house. A tall, slim, dark-haired man stepped out, looking as if he were a bit unsure of his welcome. Duncan stared, a slow smile spreading over his face as he realized who it was. "My God... Methos? Is it really you?" Methos nodded, looking oddly tentative. In all the years Duncan had known him, he'd never seen the man anything other than self-assured. He gestured at Guinan. "She said you wouldn't mind... that you'd want to see me..." "She was right. Welcome, friend. If it had been anyone else I'd have gone for my sword, but you're always welcome." "I wasn't sure, after what happened..." "Oh for god's sake, Methos! That was three hundred years ago! Live and let live, all right?" The other man smiled finally, the old, familiar, slightly irritating smile Duncan remembered all too well. He was about to say something about it when a sudden chorus of shrieks and yelps from behind him told him his earlier attempt to mediate the altercation hadn't taken. He sighed, looking from Guinan to Methos, who was looking rather puzzled. "Excuse me for just a minute," Duncan said as he turned and waded back into the fray. This time he grabbed the aggressors around their waists and stood with a squirming girl under each arm, waiting until Donal was again safely out of reach before he set them on their feet. "You two, go inside until you've cooled off," he said sternly. They protested loudly, but he held fast, and finally they turned and sulked off into the house. He turned to the boys. "You three, go down to the village and spend a couple of hours at the library reading up on gender equality. When you come back, I want essays." That set up howls of protest louder than those his other commandment had evoked, but the boys finally turned and headed off down the path. He turned to find Methos and Guinan grinning at him, and after a moment, found himself grinning back. "In fact, Methos, I'm glad you're here. I could use some help." Methos backed away, his hand spread. "I was just stopping by to say hi..." "Oh no you don't. You owe me. I said live and let live, not forgive and forget." Methos sighed. "All right, for a while anyway. But I don't owe you forever." "No, just long enough to get this bunch through puberty." Methos stared at him, appalled. "Oh my god..." Guinan chuckled. "I thought he might come in handy." "And you were right, as usual. Of course, we could use you around for the girls." "I've got to get back to the Enterprise..." she began, hastily. Methos chuckled. "Easier said than done. Which piece were you planning to get back to?" She made a face. "You told on me!" "I didn't want to be stuck here alone with *children*." He eyed Duncan meaningfully. "Besides, you said you wanted a change of pace." She smiled, her expression softening. "Actually, I'm looking forward to that." He smiled back. "So am I." The End *NOTE: Poetry used in sections 6 and 14 are from "Hymns to the Night" by Novalis (Georg von Hardenberg, 1772-1801), translation by Dick Higgins, c. 1988, MacPherson ed., ISBN: 0-914232-90-8 **NOTE: The flashback scene to Anne and Duncan in Paris is from the third-season Highlander episode "Mortal Sins," written by Lawrence Shore. No copyright infringment is intended. ***NOTE: The reference Picard makes to sculptor Rena Taylor referrs to the fanfiction "A la Q" by Kellie Matthews-Simmons and Julia Kosatka. We don' need no steenkin' permission to use our own story! :-) =========================================================================