Alice did her best to keep busy for the rest of the day, trying to fight the urge to look at Uncas. When would they have a chance to be together again? She knew they could not bring attention to themselves, but now that they had both become aware of their mutual feelings of affection, she could think of nothing other than laying with him again.

There had been a small pile of rubble she was meaning to investigate near the old cabin site, and she decided to do this in the afternoon to distract herself. She brought the poker with to make sure there were no snakes in the pile of stones before handling them, just as Uncas had taught her. As she methodically restacked the stones into a more organized fashion, she realized they covered a large piece of wood, a perfect circle that seemed to be a cover of some sort. She was afraid of what may be concealed within.

Uncas, Nathaniel, and Chingachgook were just beginning the barn, while Cora hung laundry to dry.

"Uncas, do you have time to look at something for me?" Alice asked when she reached them.

He stopped and looked at her expectantly.

"I found what I think might be a chamber of some sort, but I am afraid to open the lid."

Uncas's interest was piqued.

"Show me."

He followed Alice to the pile of stone and saw the circular slab of wood. His immediate impression was confirmed when he quickly lifted it and found a deep shaft.

"Is it a snake pit?" Alice asked with great trepidation.

Uncas could not hide his smile.

"Alice, you're thinking of a den, not a pit, and snakes do not line their den's with stone. This is man-made. It's a well. You may have just solved a big problem for us."

The well was soon surrounded by everyone as Nathaniel began to lower a bucket with rope. The rest looked on with anticipation.

"It's very deep," said Nathaniel with excitement in his eyes.

"That's a good thing," Uncas explained to Alice. "The water is more likely to be clean."

In time Nathaniel felt that the bucket had become heavier and began to lift it back up. When it reached ground level all looked on to see what appeared to be crystal clear water.

"I would not drink it ourselves, but it will be good for the animals, as well as washing and cooking," Nathaniel stated.

"No more trips to the watering hole?" Cora asked.

"Only to bathe and for our own drinking water from the spring," explained Uncas.

They all sat around the well, elated over the discovery, until Chingachgook reminded them of the work they had left to do. Uncas lingered behind when his father, brother and Cora walked away.

"Uncas, when can we be alone, again?" Alice quietly asked.

"Tonight, once everyone else is asleep. We can sneak out and find a more private place to be together."

The evening progressed as usual with Nathaniel and Cora "retiring early" to the wigwam, and the other three waiting for a reasonable period of time before they went to bed. Tonight, Alice was not so patient. She was envious that she had no such place to freely enjoy with Uncus. The evening dragged on for both.

The most private place they could find once everyone else was alseep turned out to be behind the partially finished barn, but neither complained over their lack of options for accommodations when they finally had the chance to hold each other again. Uncas had brought two woven blankets and some extra furs for warmth. He placed one blanket on the ground and they both quickly undressed so they could lay down and cover up with the second. Uncas arranged the furs over them and then nestled himself between Alice's legs.

"Alice, we have to try to be very quiet."

"I know."

"I mean, you can't make any noises."

"I don't make noises."

"Yes, you do."

"No, I don't."

"Oh, but you do."

"What sort of noises are these?" she asked indignantly.

"They're a little difficult to put into words. They're not a bad thing. I like them. I love them. But, we have to be careful when others are close enough to hear."

"How about we stop talking about these imaginary noises of yours, and you kiss me. It's been far too long since the first time I was able to just lay in your arms."

He complied with a deep and passionate kiss that drew from Alice a whimper.

"That, right there." Uncas pointed out as he pulled his mouth from hers. "Noises like that. You have to try not to do that."

Alice had to admit that she had let out a bit of a whimper, but it was hardly loud enough for anyone to hear.

"Okay, I'll be careful," she agreed as she impatiently pulled him closer.

"You're very eager." said Uncas in amusement.

"Well, now I know what I've been deprived of for so long."

"You're only just beginning to learn."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean there is still much for you to experience."

"And you are to be my teacher?"

"Most willingly," he said as he softly brushed his lips against hers.

They savored the taste of each other's lips and skin, until Uncas could wait no longer, and allowed himself to sink into Alice.

Uncas let out a deep, controlled breath. Alice began to moan and he had to place his hand over her mouth.

"Uncas," Alice whispered in frustration, "It's rather involuntary. I don't know how you think I can help it."

"Just try," he answered patiently. "Focus on your breathing."

They explored each other's forms with their mouths and hands, stroked their most sensitive parts against one another with their pleading bodies, and at times just lay still, bodies still joined, staring into one another's eyes. The heat that emanated from them forced Uncas to remove the furs covering them.

Uncas had to cover Alice's mouth a number of times throughout the night to prevent her from being heard, and sometimes she took it upon herself to take his hand and cover her mouth when she felt a stubborn cry rising up. He occasionally used his mouth to stifle her noises, when it was not otherwise engaged. He showed her several new ways to experience the act of love, and she found that she especially enjoyed when he laid behind her, holding her the way he had in the rock shelter, this time with no strategically placed shirt to interfere with their union. She felt engulfed by him and did not wish it to end.

He could not deny that her exuberance only made it all the better for him. He loved knowing when he was doing something that pleased her. She exhausted him, but he reveled in how she demanded so much from his body. Eventually, Uncas realized that the moon was descending and the sun would soon show its face. Alice had kept him up all night. He reluctantly told Alice they needed to get dressed and return to the wigwam before the others awoke.

"Can we wait just a little longer?"

She could not bear the thought of being torn from his arms.

He kissed her mouth in answer.

"You're sure the snakes are hibernating by now?"

"They are. How many more times are you going to ask me that?" Uncas asked as he pulled Alice closer.

"I promise, that is the last time."

"When should we tell them about us?" Alice asked Uncas as they lay naked and content in each others arms in a pile of leaves, the afternoon sun beginning to set.

"I want to have you to myself for a little while longer."

It had been a month since their continued love for each other had become known, and they had found a way to be alone with one another for a brief escape each day since. They knew it was dangerous, but neither had the strength to resist the other. They counted every minute in between. Especially Alice. In fact, Alice had taken to seeking Uncas out for hasty trysts throughout each day. She didn't know what had come over herself, but Uncas knew the look in her eye and always knew when it was time to find a secluded corner of the woods to answer to his lover's needs. He was always faithful to her desires, and her escalating yearnings brought about the same in him. He found tree branches to lay her over, bushes to seclude behind, and there was always the barn, against which he could prop her body inside. She had learned to control her cries of pleasure, replacing them with deep breathing and panting, when they were in danger of being heard.

Then there was the nest they had made for themselves. This particular spot was far enough from the cabin site that they could not be heard, and it was behind a berm, so they could not be seen. The space had become their own. Alice would wander into the woods to forage or fetch water. Uncas would sneak away under the guise of checking some traps he had set. Chingachgook knew better, but said nothing. He knew his son well enough to know his words would fall on deaf ears. Uncas had made his weakness clear, and his greatest strength had become answering to that weakness.

Uncas tucked one of the furs they kept here more snugly around Alice to insulate her from the now colder days. She shivered, and Uncas wished they did not have to resort to being together out in the woods like this. His brother was soon to enjoy a warm cabin lit by fire with his wife, and he wanted to share the same with Alice. As his wife. Soon it would be too cold for them to be together like this at all, even though Alice stated she would happily venture out into a blizzard if it meant she could be with him.

"What are you thinking about?" Alice looked up at Uncas recognizing the expression when he was deep in thought.

"I was thinking about when I was at Reverend Wheelock's as a child."

"You learned so much there."

"Yes, but not everything I was supposed to."

"What do you mean?"

"We were meant to return to our villages after we had received our education and become Christian missionaries."

"That is not why your father sent you there."

"Yes, but... every Sunday we were made to go to the chapel to worship. I didn't know how, so I looked around to see the other boy's with their hands clasped together, their eyes closed, and their heads bowed. I did the same. When I asked the reverend if I was doing it right he told me I would feel it in my soul. I never felt anything. When I make love to you, I feel like I finally know what it means to worship. I'm just not worshiping a god."

"Reverend Wheelock might say that is blasphemy."

"Then, I am a blasphemer."

Uncas ran his hand down Alices body, her sides, her belly, her-

"Alice?"

"Mmmm?"

"You've been looking much healthier lately, since you started... eating again... but I do not remember your belly having... a roundness to it."

"Are you trying to tell me I am getting fat?"

"No," he stated carefully as he sat up and pulled the fur down. He gazed at her body and noticed that her waist had filled out. More noticeably, her once flat abdomen now had a slight curve to it.

"Alice, how long has it been since we have been together again?"

"About a month."

It wasn't possible. Uncas knew that was far too soon for a woman to start to show.

"What about since the first time we were together?"

"Four."

"Alice, I think you are with child."

Uncas knew this would happen eventually, as Alice had declined to take any herbs to avoid it, but he had not expected it to be so soon.

Alice looked down at her belly. She rarely evaluated the shape of her own body as she had no mirror. She knew she filled out her dresses better, but she thought it was because she had been following the doctor's orders to eat more. She ran her own hand over her belly, and noticed the curve Uncas referred to.

"Uncas, there is no way this could be from the past month."

"Four months ago, then?"

"Konwakeri said I was and said it happened the night of the new moon, but I did not believe her."

Uncas recalled when Alice asked him about the new moon, and understood now her strong reaction.

"It happened our first night together?"

"I really let that doctor convince me that the only thing going on was that I was not eating enough. Now, I know why I didn't feel well enough to eat."

Uncas laughed and placed the fur back over her protectively.

"I think this explains a bit more than your eating habits," Uncas said as he considered the epic proportions her sex drive had reached.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean," Uncas said as he made sure to choose his words cautiously, "that is not the only abnormal tendency you have shown."

"Okay, out with it. What is it you are so afraid to say to me?"

"Don't be upset, because it does not bother me, and actually, I rather like it."

"What?"

"It's just not normal to... be together as often as we are each day. But, when you are with child, I have been told that some women want it more often."

"Well, then, I take that to mean you are responsible for putting me in this state so often, so I will continue to hold you responsible for relieving it," she coyly demanded.

"I would not have it any other way."

He lied back down beside her and they looked into each other's eyes.

"We're going to have a baby," Uncas said with a look of awe on his face.

"I have a little Uncas inside of me," Alice said with great fulfillment.

He kissed her and tears ran down his face.

"Uncas?"

"Yes?"

"Now, when should we tell them about us?"

"I want to have you both to myself for a little while longer."