AUSTRALIA DAY ROUND ROBIN....PARTS JO WROTE WITH HER CHARACTERS OR IN CONVERSATION

WITH OTHER CHARACTERS & bits that relate to my storylines:

Alistair had driven into the little town where Ahnna lived, picked her up, and now she sat in the passenger seat beside him as he drove his little car back toward the Glen. "I'm glad you could come today," he smiled, looking briefly sideways at her. She looked beautiful, as always, and today was wearing a pale pink dress that set off her dark hair and light skin. Her cheeks were slightly flushed, almost as pink as her dress.

Ahnna was happy. She'd almost forgotten what happy felt like. But Alistair just by being who he was, reminded her, brought it fresh to her again. "Were you in Australia for the last celebration?" she asked.

"Yes, in Coffs. But it wasn't the same. Not like today."  Not like he hoped today would be because she would be with him.

Joimus came out of the greenhouse, tucking a camellia in her hair. It was nearly white with a shading into pink at the edges of its petals. She smiled as she saw Maximus pull their roadster up and stop beside her. "Finishing touch," she grinned, as he leaned across the seat, opening her door.

When she'd slid into her seat, he reached up and touched the flower. "Much like you," he said, his eyes smiling. "My finishing touch. Always."

Sid stood in his garage, his eyes scanning the array of vehicles at his disposal. Deciding on the silver Fiat, he punched a remote button, causing a wide
doorway to open at the top of a ramp. His tie today was silver. He liked...coordination.

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

Maximus parked near the boarding house and came around to hand Joimus out of the roadster. It was simply always something he did, like opening doors and pulling out chairs. She placed her hand in his, smiling up at him. "Did I tell you yet today how much I love you?"

"Three times, I believe," he grinned, "but I do not mind a fourth." 

He leaned back into the car, lifting out a large dessert Joimus had made, an angel food cake, hollowed into a thinner shell and filled with chocolate pudding mixed with chunks of the removed cake portions. Dark chocolate syrup  dripped down the sides of the cake. "You know how much I like this," he said, turning with the big plate in his hands. 

"It's why I made it today."  She turned her head as Alistair's small car pulled up beside their roadster, delighted to see Ahnna sitting next to Alistair. For the last couple of weeks, she'd caught Ahnna humming to herself as she worked in the greenhouse. 

"I was hoping you'd come today, Ahnna," she said.  

Alistair took Ahnna's hand. "She may not actually live in the Glen, but she's definitely a part of it."  He noticed the cake Maximus was holding.

"Chocolate!" he murmured appreciatively.

 "Cardboard," said a voice from behind him. Sid was standing there adjusting a cufflink. "It's all cardboard to me." 

"Non-humans do not eat," Maximus replied, leaving Alistair completely puzzled.  

"Non...?" Alistair repeated, looking from the General to Sid. 

"Pay him no mind," Sid smiled. "He's not fond of me." 

"With good reason," Joimus said under her breath. 

"You...you know each other?" Alistair asked. 

"For a long time," Sid said. 

"Too long," Joimus breathed, taking Maximus' elbow and turning toward the boarding house.

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

 

Ben had spied Maximus and his group arriving.  "Come on, darlin'."  He took Liana's hand.  "I want to go and speak to Maximus.  I've been meaning to invite him over to take a look at the stables and the horses."

"Okay, Ben.  I see that Ahnna and Alistair Harris are here too.  I've been wanting to speak to them.  Oh, and I need to ask Joimus about some more ideas for plants for the yard!"

"Dan."  Ben motioned to him.  "Come and meet some folks."

Maximus had just set the big cake down on the dessert table when Ben approached, another man following in his wake. He dipped his head in acknowledgement.

"Good day, Mr. Wade," he said.

"Mornin', Mr. Meridius."  Ben nodded in return.  "Ma'am," he said, tipping his hat to Joimus.

"I wanted you folks to meet Dan Evans, my business manager.  He'll be stayin' with us for awhile.  Dan, Mr. and Mrs. Meridius.  And this is Pastor Alistair Harris.  And this young lady, I believe her name is Ahnna?  She works for Mrs. Meridius in  her green house."

Dan nodded at each of them in turn.  "Good day, ladies," he said to Joimus and Ahnna.  "Mr. Meridius.  Pastor."

"Business manager?" Maximus replied, looking intently at Dan, sizing him up as a man of some integrity. "Horse breeding must be going well for you, Mr. Wade," he added, turning his gaze back to Ben.

"It is goin' well, so far," Ben grinned at him.  "But not that well yet.  No, I have quite a few other investments and various businesses goin' on.  Without Dan here, I wouldn't be able to keep it all straight."

"He's been a life saver," Liana added.  "He came here and had the house built, the stables, everything.  Before we ever came.  Of course, he didn't do much gardening," she teased, winking at Joimus.  "That's why I'll be coming back to see you and Ahnna again soon."

"I like the sound of that, Liana," Joimus smiled. "Can't have too many flowers in the Glen as far as I'm concerned."  She was actually rather distracted from her conversation by being so aware of Maximus as he looked at Ben. She could tell he liked the fact of Ben's interest in horses, but was still somewhat reserved in his judgment of the man's character and trustworthiness.

 

Maximus wiped a hand briefly over his beard. "You have many businesses here in the Glen, Mr. Wade...besides your horses?"

,_.___

"Here in the Glen?  No," Ben told him, somewhat regretfully.  "Although I hope I'll be able to invest in a few somewhere down the line."

Here, Dan Evans broke in.  "Ben's interests are mostly in the States and Europe," he said.  "He owns a lot of real estate, as well as some other business ventures."  Dan liked Maximus.  He didn't normally make such judgements so quickly, but there was an air about the man that he found himself drawn to.

"No, we definitely can't have too many flowers." Liana returned Joimus' smile.  Then, she turned to Alistair and Ahnna.

"How are you, Ahnna?  Pastor?" 

Even as she talked, she was aware of Ben's inner struggle.  She could feel it in the rigidity of the arm she held.  Ben still did not feel comfortable in this type of setting.  Oh, he could lay the charm on thick and appear totally confident, but Liana knew him.  Was growing to know him better all the time.  And to love him more.

"Good as always to see you, Liana," Alistair said, aware of a certain tension in the air. More and more he was discovering that there was much he needed to learn about the different residents in his community.  "You, too, Ben," he added, smiling warmly at the man.

"Thank you, Preacher."  Ben wasn't sure about this Alistair.  He knew Liana had talked with him and that she liked him.  And something the man had said to her seemed to have made her more relaxed in their relationship.  More comfortable around Ben.  He just wished he knew what it had been.

"And how's business for you here in the Glen?" Ben was continuing to speak to Alistair.


Alistair smiled slightly at Ben's use of the word 'business' in relation to his pastorate. "Quite fine," he replied. "I keep meeting most interesting people as part of it."  He wanted to find out more about Ben, get to know the man better, see what might lie behind that obvious guard he had around himself. "I'd like to come over soon and see about that western saddle if that's all right with you."  He let his eyes meet Ben's directly, his open and clear, absent of guile.

"Oh, there's a lot of interestin' people around here.  That's for sure," Ben replied with a grin.  "And you're welcome any time, Preacher.  How would this comin' Saturday work for you?  Of course, this young lady's more than welcome to come with you." 

Ben turned his charming smile on Ahnna.  "I'm sure you and Liana could find somethin' to talk about.  Or maybe you're interested in some ridin' lessons too?"

This preacher seemed to have nothing to hide, but Ben Wade found that hard to believe.  In his experience, everyone had something to hide, something they didn't want known.  It was just a matter of finding it.

Alistair stood quietly, letting Ben probe his eyes. He had no shields, had never needed them. He had, indeed, known grief profoundly, intimately, but Ahnna's presence beside him brought a sparkle to his eyes that mitigated all but the deepest levels of that. And he didn't mind if someone saw through to that. It was his experience that every single person hurt more than anyone else ever really knew. If they found some fellowship with him in that, that was all right and could lead to a more open sharing.

 "Saturday's good, Ben," he said then turned to Ahnna. "Do you ride, Ahnna?"

 "Just a little," she replied. "Haven't had the opportunity to be around horses all that much."

 "Would you like to come with me Saturday?"

 She looked at Ben, who seemed rather formidable to her. "You...you would have something very...gentle?"

 Alistair's eyes went back to Ben as he looked at Ahnna, wondering how the man would respond to her hesitancy.

"Of course, miss."  Ben spoke to Ahnna, even though his eyes never left those of Alistair Harris.  He could see deep hurt there but, overlying it was happiness.  And this woman beside him was the cause of it.  Ben could tell it in the way he looked at her, in the soft way he spoke to her. 

"Anybody plannin' to give ridin' lessons better have some gentle horses, hadn't they Maximus?  Liana here hasn't been ridin' long herself."  He grinned at his wife.  "But she's taken to it like she was born in the saddle.  She can ride along with you, can't you, darlin'?"

"Of course," Liana smiled at Ahnna.  "Ben praises me too much.  I'm actually still a little nervous myself."  She wanted to calm Ahnna's fears, sensing her unease around Ben.  She understood it.  He'd certainly affected her that way in the beginning.

"And Mr. Meridius?  Joimus?  Why don't you come too if you'd like?"  Liana extended the invitation to them, knowing Ben would have done so if he hadn't been so intent on studying Alistair.  "We can all make a day of it.  I'll come up with a nice lunch."

Maximus liked the idea of being able to check out Ben's set up. Also he'd come to feel a certain protectiveness over Ahnna since she worked with his wife and was such a gentle young woman. "I should be most pleased to come on Saturday," he replied. "Is that fine with you, beloved?" he asked Joimus.

 

Joimus, too, rather watched over Ahnna. "Very much so. The picnic sounds wonderful."

 

Alistair was delighted at the concept of the picnic with Ahnna as well as the opportunity to get to know both Ben and Maximus better. "There'll be nothing to worry about," he whispered in her ear. "I'll make sure of that." 

"Well, seems like we're all set here then," Ben said heartily, not quite believing that it had all come together so easily.  He wasn't used to things just happening.  Things had to be meticulously planned.  But he had between now and Saturday to plan the day at least.

"We'll look forward to seein' you all then.  And now, why don't we all have some drinks.  Get on with celebratin' our new country."

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

 

Meanwhile, up by the stage....

"Hello, Katherine," Sid said, his voice deliberately low and sensual as he came up behind the dancing Kate and slid his arm around her waist. "Wouldn't dancing with me be better than eyeing the singer and swaying...alone?"  He turned her so her face was just below his and gazed down intently into her eyes.

 

 "Oh, Sid!" exclaimed Kate, startled by his approach. "You startled me," she giggled, looking over her shoulder to see where Colin had gotten off to. Satisfied that he was no longer around watching her at the moment, she smiled at Sid and replied, "Yes, Sid, I'd love to dance with you."

 

Sid smiled, tightening his arm about her, and swept her into a dramatic move ending in a twirl and a low dip. He kept her bent backwards a while, leaning over her, his eyes roaming her face and throat. His tongue came out just a bit, licking slowly across his lower lip, as he radiated an intense sexuality.

 

"You leave me breathless, Katherine," he said, his voice still low, though he was not in the least out of breath.

 

"Oh Sid, you flatter me," replied Kate, giddily, as Sid spun her around again. She looked nervously over her shoulder again for any sight of Colin. Not that she felt she was doing anything wrong by dancing with Sid, but she knew how Colin tended to overreact. She was having a great time and she really didn't want Colin to start any trouble today.

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

Sid was well aware of Kate’s anxious glances and knew the why of them. He smiled more broadly and pressed her body even more closely into his, moving his lips next to her ear, letting his breath blow gentle puffs into it. "You are lovely tonight, Katherine," he breathed, "the loveliest woman here."

He pulled his head back just enough to meet her eyes. "You know that, don't you? There is not one who compares to you. Not one."  Yes, that sounded good, even to him.

 

 Kate blushed. "Why, thank-you, Sid," she giggled. "If I didn't know better, I'd say you're flirting with me." She smiled, then added, "And, by the way, you look quite dashing tonight yourself. I like your silver tie. Very chic! Wish Colin would fancy himself up sometime, but I swear getting that man into a suit is near impossible."

 

"Getting me out of one can be...interesting, " he whispered, nuzzling his nose into her hair.

 

Sid's breath in her ear was having quite the effect on Kate. She cleared her throat, giggled nervously. "Kate, you've got a boyfriend! What are you doing!" her mind screamed. Her body, however, definitely wasn't thinking about her boyfriend right now, as she had suddenly broken out in a wave of goosebumps and could feel tiny beads of sweat on her brow. Besides, she wasn't sure what her feelings for Colin were exactly. Her mind raced, nearly as fast as her heart. "Umm...okay. ..," she finally managed to reply, though nearly a whisper. She was feeling quite dizzy and was only half aware when Colin suddenly appeared behind Sid - his eyes blazing and his fists clench and raised.


Colin grabbed hold of Sid's shoulder and spun him around. "And just what the fuck do you think you're doing with my girlfriend, Asshole?!" he screamed, as East, Jason and Jeff came running up behind him.


"Colin! No!" screamed Kate.

 

Sid had been waiting for it. He was always completely aware of his environment and all the players in it. Yes, players was the word, for everything was a big game in his mind. He spun lightly on the ball of his right foot, his arm lifting, easily knocking Colin's grip free. A tight little smile on his lips, he said quietly, "Asshole? You may wish to rethink that, Garageman."  Eyes glittering, his smile widened as he slipped his fingers around Colin's hand and began to squeeze, keeping the action close between them and so unobserved by others.

Colin felt as if his hand were being crushed in a vice. His jaw clenched as he gritted his teeth in an effort not to scream out in pain. He could feel himself began to sweat and he began to breath heavily, but there was no way in hell he'd let this Armani wearing wanker know what kind of pain he was really in. Regaining his senses a bit, he glared into Sid's eyes and replied, "You might want to let go of me, Mate. I wouldn't want you to get that fancy suit of yours all covered with blood when I kick your ass."

"Colin, get away from him!" Kate screamed, as she grabbed hold of his arm and tried to pull him back.

 

Another hand intervened into the mix. It was Jason Morgan's. He grasped on to Sid's wrist and dug his fingers into the cold flesh.

 

"I don't reckon you should hurt anyone here, mate. You'd have a world of shit coming your way." He nudged his head back toward East who stood with his arms crossed over his chest. Jason looked at Kate and nudged his head again, asking her to step back.

Kate shook her head in disgust. "Whatever." she told them, throwing her hands up and standing off to the side. "I'm so fucking tired of all this. When you boys stop fighting over who has the biggest cock, let me know. I'll be over at the bar." She stomped off in the opposite direction.

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

"Excuse me a moment,"  Maximus said suddenly, looking toward the area where so many of the people had rather quickly gathered. He could see Sheriff Biebe heading toward it. Sid seemed to be in the center and Maximus was concerned, because of that one fact, that things might get out of hand. He didn't want that, not with so many women present.

 

"What is it?" Joimus asked, catching the grim tone in his voice.

 

"Sid," he stated flatly.

 

"Oh," was her reply. "You will be careful?"

 

"Always," he said, touching her cheek lightly before striding away to join Biebe.

 

"What's that all about?" Alistair asked, watching the General.

 

"Sid," Joimus said, her voice as flat in the voicing of the name as Maximus' had been.

 

"Was he not just dancing with, I believe, Kate?"

 

"Sid never 'just' does anything, Alistair," she said, "not ever."

 

"You know this Sid...well?"

 

"All too well," Joimus sighed.

 

Alistair made a mental note to himself to get to know Sid better. He seemed to be a thorn in the side for many residents of the Glen and he needed to know why. "Wait here, please," he asked Ahnna quietly, then followed Maximus.

Ben and Dan went along as well.  "Looks like there might be some trouble, Dan," said Ben, his eyes twinkling.  "It might be nice to see someone else havin' trouble!"

"Just as long as you leave the trouble to someone else, Wade," Dan replied in a low voice, following Ben.


 

Meggie approached the group of men, knowing only Colin and Sid by sight.  "Colin, you okay?  Jeffrey is with Kate right now, over at the bar."  She blushed slightly as she glanced around the other men.  "Hi.  I'm Meggie, Meggie Ward."

 

 "Bloody hell, love," East stepped in front of her and shielded her from the impending brawl.  "Meggie, darlin, you are one brave sheila stepping into this mess. You best stay back. I reckon things might get ugly soon." 

She offered him a smile, admiring his blue-green eyes and the way they sparkled with fire.  "Well, thank you...." she responded with a pause not knowing his name.  Meggie looked over at Sid, who stood there smirking from all the attention.  "Jeffrey's right about you.  I could just shake the..." she muttered, taking steps toward the nanobot. 

"Now, now, Meggie. Best step back a bit. Odds here are a dozen or so to one and we wouldn't want to get any of the dozen's blood on your pretty dress."  Sid was not in the least disturbed by the odds. All alone he was impossibly stronger than the lot of them together. He was mainly disturbed by the fact that Katherine had wandered away and was now talking with the grey blubber by the bar. He turned his head slowly in an arc, smiling at each of the threatening men in return. Most of them had no idea why he could do that, why he wasn't taken somewhat aback by the obvious outnumbering of his person. But his smile faded as he saw Maximus walking toward their little group, accompanied by the bearhat that passed itself off as sheriff of this burg.  He let go of Colin's hand completely, leveling an intent gaze at him. "Next time, runt," he whispered so softly no one else heard.

"Alright, Alright, Alright. What's going on here, " Biebe growled in his most commanding voice. "I hope this isn't what it looks like." With Sid in the middle of it he figured he was probably on the right track. "Someone tell me what's up before I take you all in and question you individually."

"Nothing for you to concern yourself about, Sheriff," Colin replied, gruffly, still glaring at Sid and rubbing his sore hand. "Just having a bit of a chat with my mate, Sid, here, about keeping his filthy hands off my girl."

"Don't talk about her dress, you nano-rat," Jeffrey said, finally reaching the group.  "He's your problem here, Sheriff, not Colin."

"Here's the bottom line. This is a party. Steve and Millie were kind enough to be our hosts and they're working so hard to pull this off, I've hardly seen them around. If you all want to make a fucking joke of it, well, carry on but if you have any respect for this town, for your hosts and for me , you'll go back to what you were doing before all this started. I'm not beyond breaking up the entire party if you're going to change it into fight night." Eyeing each and every one present, John noted Siobhan and Bud White who had taken up strategic positions.  It was great to have Maximus with him as well. 

Colin glared at Sid a moment longer, then turned and nodded to the sheriff. "Sorry for the trouble, Sheriff," he said, then gave Sid one last glare before turning and heading off to find Kate. As he left, he passed close enough to whisper to Sid, "Keep away from my girlfriend."

"Colin, she's at the bar.  She's okay...a little mad, but okay," Jeffrey added as Colin walked passed.  "Good luck, mate."

 

Turning back to Meggie, Jeffrey frowned.  "What were you thinking?"

 

"To help Colin and Kate," she responded glaring back at Sid. 

 

"Come on, let's get back to the party."  He smiled, offering his arm to her.

Et tu, Maximus," Sid said, as the General stood quietly at Biebe's elbow.

 

"You cannot help being who, I mean, what you are, can you, Sid?" Maximus replied.

 

"And why would I want that?"  Sid turned his gaze on the sheriff. "I was but merely dancing with an unaccompanied lady, your lawmaness. She was not offended nor was she protesting. That is the extent of my role in this unfortunate brouhaha. I was the one assaulted and now I am bored." With that he moved smoothly through the gathering toward where he saw Kate sitting at the bar and Colin's back receding nicely into the distance.

 

"I didn't see him do anything wrong," Alistair offered.

 

"He is good at that," Maximus stated. "The doing and not being seen."  His eyes followed Sid's progress and he frowned.

 

Joimus joined them, sliding her arm through her husband's. "Come, darling. I'm hungry. Let's try some of this delicious food, all right?"

 

A last, low growl rumbled up the General's throat then he pulled his eyes away from Sid and lowered them to his wife. Perhaps the event could yet be saved?  He hoped so.

 

Alistair stood silently a while, wondering at the source of all the under currents he sensed. The Glen was not such a simple, uncomplicated place as he'd first imagined.

From behind Maximus, Ben took in everything intently.  "Interestin' to see how everybody here reacts to one another, ain't it Dan?" he said quietly to Evans.

There seemed to be a lot of friction between this Sid and the others at the Glen, Ben thought to himself.  The only one he could see not reacting to Sid was Alistair.  Seemed he and the preacher had that much in common.  They both liked to observe and study people.  Find out what made them tick.  Ben found himself feeling more respect for Alistair Harris.

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

Kate was sitting alone at the bar, drinking a tinny of VB when Colin walked up behind her.

"Was looking for you," he spoke softly to her, wrapping his arms around her waist and nuzzling her neck.

"Well, ya found me, I reckon," she huffed, taking another sip of her beer.

Colin stepped around and sat down beside her at the bar. "Why'd you run of like that?"

Kate let out a sigh, kept looking straight ahead and not at Colin. "I told you why. Maybe if you hadn't been trying so bloody hard to start a fight you might have actually heard me."

"Kate, what were you thinking? That bloke had his arms all over you. What was I supposed to do?!"

Kate took another swig of VB, set her tinny down, and turned to face Colin. "Oh gee, I don't know, Colin, maybe come up and try and talk to us first before you decide to just start punching?!"

"Kate..."

"Colin, we were just dancing. That's all. I like Sid. He's a friend. And, he seems to pay me a lot more attention than you do at the moment." Kate told him.

"What's that supposed to mean?!" Colin asked, defensively.

"Well, let's see...maybe if you had been spending time with me instead of hanging back with your mates, I wouldn't have had to dance with another bloke."

Colin sighed, placed a hand gently on her shoulder. "Kate, sweetheart, let's go home and talk about this."

She picked up her beer, took another gulp. "No, I don't want to leave yet. I came here to have some fun, see my favorite band perform, watch the fireworks. That's what I'm gonna do. You go ahead; I'll find a ride home."

"Kate, please, don't be like this."

"Colin, I really just don't want to be around you right now," she told him, flatly. "I need some time to myself. Go home. We'll talk tomorrow."

He stared at her a moment, and replied, "I don't want to leave you here, Kate. Just come home with me and I'll give you all the space you need."

"I'll get a ride. No worries."

Reluctantly, he gave in, realizing he wasn't going to change her mind anytime soon. "Fine. See ya at home then."

"Yeah, later."

Colin let out a big sigh and turned and headed off in a huff towards the parking lot.
 

Jeffrey and Meggie watched what happened from afar.  Slowly, Meggie walked up beside Kate. 

 

"Kate, you need anything, a ride home or anything, we'll be here, okay?"

"Thanks, Meggie. That's very kind of you. I might just take you up on that," Kate replied, trying to smile. "But for now, I'd just like to sit here and have another beer."

 

Meggie nodded.  She reached out and touched Kate on the shoulder softly.  "That's fine.  We'll be right here if you need anything."  Looking up at Jeffrey, she nodded.  She could tell Kate wanted to be left alone for a bit and respected that choice.

 

"Think I'll go check out the desserts.  Jeffrey, wanna come along?" she asked.

 

"Yeah, sure," he answered, still gazing at Kate.  They turned and headed back towards the main tables.

"That's ok, Wiegand, I'll be seeing the lady home." It was Sid, having come up so silently the other three were unaware of his presence.

"Sid," Kate said, a bit surprised to see him standing there. "I'm so sorry for Colin's behavior. I can't believe he did that."

 

"It doesn't matter, Katherine. All that matters is that you are here and I am here and," he smiled enigmatically, "I understand there are to be...fireworks tonight."

"Yeah, should be a nice show of 'em. You sticking around long enough to watch, Sid?"

 

"I am," he murmured, sitting smoothly beside her. "Perhaps I might even make a few myself."  He leaned more closely toward her.

Kate smiled, cleared her throat. She hadn't imagined it; Sid was definitely flirting with her now. She giggled, nervously, and decided to see where this all led. "Umm...okay...." she giggled again, not sure how to answer him. She'd had quite a few VBs and was starting to feel their effect.

Sid was pleased. Not only was she beautiful, but she was alone and had obviously had too much to drink. His fingers trailed lightly over her hair and he could feel her tremble at his touch. He let them continue on down her throat and when she gasped, he whispered, "I know a better place for fireworks."

Kate's heart was pounding. Sid was turning her on, and even though she knew she shouldn't, she just let him. She was angry with Colin and confused about everything. She breathed heavily, then finally answered in barely a whisper, "Where?"

He didn't really answer, just stood and with his hand around hers, guided her to stand and then walked with her to his car. His eyes darted quickly around, making certain no one was watching, then he leaned her against the car door and kissed her eyes, one by one, so that she closed them and kept them closed. His lips moved down her cheek then to her mouth and he smiled as he felt her lips part under his. He knew what he was doing, knew how to make a woman feel as though she were a rare violin and he a virtuoso. Her knees buckled just a bit and somehow, without removing his mouth from hers, he got her into his car.

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

 

Meanwhile, Meggie and Jeffrey no more than reached the table of snacks before Meggie heard Jeffrey swear under his breath. 

 

"That son-of-a-bitch.  He's at it again!  This time he's got her in the car!" 

 

Meggie looked up and saw Kate willingly getting in.  "Jeffrey, we have to...."

 

"That's it.  I'm going to...."

 

BOOM!  BANG!  A burst of fireworks went off while causing many of the guests to shout and applaud loudly.  

 

Before he could reach Kate and Sid, the silver car sped off.  "Damn it."  Jeffrey muttered, his face flushed with anger.  Where's Colin?"

 

"He left, I think.  But he'll kill Sid if he...."

 

"Yeah, so would I if that was you in there with that rat.  I'm going to call him, now."

 

Another round of fireworks went off, this time louder.  Meggie looked at the smoke rising from the ground and then back to Jeffrey who angrily punched his cell phone. 

 

"He's not picking up."  Jeffrey muttered, slamming his cell phone shut. 

 

"Jeffrey, I don't ..." Meggie started.

 

"What?  You what?"  he asked, his tone harsher than he meant.

 

"Nothing.  Absolutely nothing." She turned and walked away from him.

 

Kate's head was spinning. She didn't know what was going on between her and Sid or where it would lead. His mouth was still on hers when she let herself be led into his car. Her body tingled in all the right places. When Sid finally broke off his lip-lock from her, she just sat there, breathing heavily, staring into his eyes - which were entirely mesmerizing to her.

"Katherine," he said, making the syllables of her name flow in the air around her like wine. He kissed the hollow of her neck as she leaned her head way back, then with his left hand on the wheel and his right doing marvelous things over her thighs, he began to drive. No one seemed to notice their departure, the others occupied with listening to the music, helping themselves to food or drink, and in conversation. He had no idea where Colin had gone, but Katherine was in his car with him and his hand was moving ever more steadily up her thigh.

Kate gasped at Sid's touch and her lips began to quiver. "Sid," she managed to nearly moan. "What are you doing to me..." She closed her eyes and let her head lean back against the headrest.

Again he didn't answer. He merely let his fingers lift the hem of her skirt and explore more...inwardly. His whole body had become so tense that he turned quickly off the lane onto an unpaved dirt track that led into a thickly-wooded section of the Glen. Deep grass grew in a small clearing surrounded by trees and undergrowth and within the blink of an eye she was on her back there and he was leaning over her, his face buried in the lovely curve between her breasts.

Everything was moving really fast and Kate felt herself swept up in the tide and going with the flow. Her heart was pumping faster and faster and the feel of Sid's hands and mouth on her bare skin was sending her spinning over the edge and out of control. It was as if he knew exactly where to touch her, what she wanted, what she needed. She let out a soft moan as he pressed his body against hers and she could feel the huge bulge pressing against her.

She was responding to him. Of course she was! How could she not? His lips, his fingers moved knowingly over her body, claiming every inch of her flesh as she lay naked before him on the grass. He slid himself inside her and they arched and curved together as he took her and himself with her up into the night sky. Fireworks began to explode somewhere over the treetops, fireworks that were as nothing compared to the inner explosion he caused in her, followed immediately by his own. He laid, then, atop her, his hands fisted in her hair, his face again against her breasts.

Kate had never felt like this in her life. Every nerve ending in her body seemed to have been awakened and she felt alive. She lay there with Sid, her arms wrapped around him, still trying to catch her breath and make sense of everything that had just happened. She knew she should be feeling guilty for allowing herself to give in to Sid so easily, but at this moment she didn't care. Finally, when she felt she could breathe again, she spoke, softly, "Sid, that was...amazing."


Sid, being what he was, needed no recovery time and responded to her statement by immediately beginning again, this time even more intently, sweeping her into a vortex of feeling, pulling her along with him into places few humans ever realized were even possible. And he drew it out and out and out, lifting her, swirling her, then lifting her more and yet still more until she was little more than quivering flesh beneath his expert touch.

Kate was completely surprised and amazed when Sid took her again, so completely and so soon. She had barely time to catch her breath when he was on her again - taking her beyond anywhere she'd ever imagined going or experiencing. It was ethereal and when he had taken her to what she imagined was her limits, he didn't stop but kept going far beyond until she felt as if she were a mere puddle lying beneath him in complete orgasmic bliss.

He could have done it again. He could, in fact, have done it endlessly, but he'd discovered in his experience with the human female they tended to pass out after a while, so he decided, for now, to leave it at the two utterly profound orgasms he'd brought her to. He liked lying atop her, though, and so stayed there a while until he realized he must roll off to the side or else he'd be unable not to take her again and again. Even his hand curved around a breast was too much and so he sat up beside her, cross-legged, looking down at her through half-lidded eyes. He'd been pleased with her response and had no intention of not doing this with her in future days. There was the minor irritation of Colin, of course, but in the long run he was of no real concern.

 

Leaning over her, he kissed her lightly on her lips, then stood, taking her with him to her feet. Her naked presence there before him was also too much and he instantly needed her again, so stooped and picked up her clothing, holding it out to her. No, he must not overdo it, not this first night. There would be plenty of time for more. He'd see to that.

 

"There are fireworks, Katherine," he said, his voice low, "and, as I said, there are...fireworks."  He touched her cheek and she swayed slightly, making him smile as her body leaned toward his. 

__._,_.___

Kate felt dizzy and weak in the knees. Sid's touch of her cheek sent more waves through her body and she had to lean against his firm body to steady herself. Somehow, she managed to dress herself and allowed Sid to lead her back to his car. She didn't say a word the whole time. She didn't know what to say. She'd allowed herself to give in to her desires tonight, shutting her mind out completely from thoughts of her relationship with Colin. Colin. Oh Christ! What was he going to say or do when he found out about this?! She tried to block the thought out of her mind as she stared up into Sid's eyes. All thoughts of Colin seemed to suddenly vanish again and all she could think about was how she couldn't wait to spend time with Sid again.

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