Beyond My Reach

Oracle Thunder

Waiting...

I've been sitting here for fifteen minutes now, shamelessly staring at you, the woman beyond my reach. You think you're an unlikely lady to attract love after what you've been put through, but you are hard on yourself. In a fight I trust you to watch my back. I trust you, Queenie, but I do not trust myself.

I see you talking to Frost and Sonya; about what I don't know but I can easily guess. You worry about your daughter since Kang's death. Don't be, if you saw her with Kung Lao your mind would be at ease. Maybe I should talk to her about telling you. It would give me something nice to do for you.

Strange though that of all the women I've ever known you are the one I fall for. Not that you aren't something, it's just that you aren't exactly what I usually go for. Although nothing I usually go for lasts longer than a month so I guess it's not that unsettling.

People, some of them I am ashamed to call my own, whisper behind your back and theorize about what you went through with Shao Kahn all the time. The kind ones call you the Returning Queen. The less kind call you Shao Kahn's whore. Would you guess my true sentiments if you knew how many of my peers I've beaten bloody for that cruel title? My blood boils every time I hear that damn depiction.

I know you didn't want to marry him. I know about the threats, the beatings, the torture. I know he probably did things to you I don't know about, things I don't want to know about. The thought of bruises and tears on your pale face makes my fingers itch for a weapon and blood covered walls. That worries me; how easily my rage slips at the thought of you in pain. Someone of my abilities needs to keep a level head, especially with my responsibilities.

Frost is leaving to train with Sub-zero and Sonya goes to find Jax and Johnny. You smile and wave goodbye to them. I suppose you think you're alone because you drop the guise of the cool, collected queen. I watch you tremble and stifle sobs against your hands as tears run down your face. I really want to wipe them away, I want to take away all your pain and protect you. However, I know you need this outlet for your pain, even if it is only a temporary relief.

Jax enters through the doors behind you. I watch you straighten your shoulders and tighten the clamp of your hands over your mouth. You're a proud one, much like myself. You can't stand pity.

"Yo Sindel you seen my jacket?" Jax asks as he looks around the room. He spots me sitting in the corner but I hold a finger to my lips and shake my head. You keep your back to Jax so he can't see the tears. You shake your head no and shrug your shoulders. "Well if you see it, tell me."

Jax leaves, giving me a questioning look. I ignore him and continue to sit in my corner with the chair legs up. I hear you swallow thickly and clear your throat. I see you swipe viciously at your face with the backs of your hands to wipe away the tears.

You turn around then and see me. "Lord Rayden! How long have you been there?" you demand suspiciously.

That pride again, it keeps any concern for you at arms length. I don't care really. I just want to stop your hurt, end your pain. I stand from my chair and hold one hand out to you. "Come here Queenie," I order you as gently as possible. What am I planning? What will I do? I honestly don't know. I leave the answer in fate's hands.

You walk hesitantly to me. Don't you trust me? I'd foreswear godhood before I ever hurt you. You stop two feet in front of me and bow your head respectfully. Ah, there it is again. This barrier you put between us, my godhood and your queendom.

I place my hands on your shoulders and feel you start just a little. Why so nervous, little Queen? Is it the size difference? Your head stops at my collar bone, sweet lady. You don't start when anyone else touches you. I pray I don't remind you of my brother. "Queenie if you ever need me I am here," I promise. You look surprised and a smile starts to play at the edge of your mouth.

Speaking of your mouth, I lean down, looking briefly from your impossibly dark green eyes to your lips. We are a hair's breath away when...

"Hey Rayden!" Johnny calls as he enters the room. I growl slightly as I pull away, but leave one hand on your shoulder.

"I thought I felt the prickle of electricity. What brings you here?" Johnny asks. He smiles and looks from me to you.

I have to purse my lips together to keep from saying something I'll regret. Johnny, as much as I love you though not in that way, you have the worst timing humanly possible.

You step away from me slowly. Your face is its usual ivory tones again, but there is a glow to your cheeks. You smile and say to me, "Thank you. I'll remember that." Your smile turns into a playful smirk, "Rayden." You pat Johnny's shoulder as you leave.

I fold my arms and smile. My usual 'I know something you don't know' smirk that drives my enemies and friends alike mad enough to want to kill me.

Johnny turns his head from watching you leave and asks, "Did I miss something?"

I shake my head and say, "Just visiting a friend who was out of my reach."

"Was?" Johnny teases me. He looks in the direction you left and gives me a knowing smirk.

I laugh and tell him, "Well, she's not so beyond my reach now."

Preview of next chapter:

I walked quickly, not wanting to be stopped by someone and have to make idle chit chat. Not now. Not after what just happened or what almost happened.

Disclaimer: Since no one reads these anyways I put it at the bottom. I don't own jack about MK so don't sue.

Author's Note: This is my second story and I have Word Perfect. Can anyone tell me what I have to do special to get my paragraphs to indent? I tried tab and spacing but it just doesn't transfer over.