Huntington by Cheeya.

Chapter 3

Disclaimer: The characters in this story belong to me but between you and me, they do slightly resemble two characters from an excellent TV show. No copyright infringement is intended.

Sex/Love: This fic is primarily a love story and contains scenes of love between two consenting females. If this offends you, if you're too young to read it, or if it's illegal where you are, please don't read any further. Please note that this chapter contains graphic scenes of sex.

Bad Language: Mild

Archiving: If you'd like to archive this, go ahead, but I'd appreciate it if you let me know!

Dedication: For my new friend, Melissa. Looking forward to that picnic, Hon!

Comments/Constructive Criticism to cheeya@xenafan.com

My other fic/poetry/other stuff can be found at my website... http://www.geocities.com/cheeya_2000

"Oh God!" Raven rolled over, averting her piercing blue eyes from the bright sun that streamed in the bare window of her tavern room. "Kill me now, please!" Her head was pounding and her mouth was dry. Moving was a bad idea though and she clamped her mouth shut to hold back the wave of nausea that moved through her. "I'm never drinking again," she groaned but when the memories of the previous night came to her, she buried her face in her pillow and allowed the tears to come. And come they did... in great hitching sobs that wracked her long frame and made her tremble violently. She wrapped her arms around her herself as an ache in her chest made it hard to breathe. "Anna, I love you."

After a long night of riding, Anna climbed wearily down from her horse and entered the third tavern she came across. It was old and run down but she was pleasantly surprised at how clean it was when she entered. The sun was just beginning to rise and she knew that if she didn't find Raven soon, there was a good chance that she'd take the wrong direction and miss her all together. And missing Raven was something she had already enough of. She wanted her like nothing else before. She walked across the quiet room, her eyes locked on the only man in the room. The tavern keeper was wiping down the bar with a cloth and smiled at her as she approached.

"Good morning, Ma'am." He tipped his cap. "What can I do for ya this morning?"

"I'm looking for someone... a woman. She's very tall with long, dark hair and very blue eyes."

The man looked at her blankly for a moment and then grinned, flashing rotten teeth.

"How much is it worth to ya?" he asked as he leered at her.

Anna gritted her teeth in anger and her fists clenched at her sides. She was far beyond taking any cheek from this man and she forced herself not to just go for him over the bar... Lady or no lady.

"Tell me where she is and I won't have to hurt you," she replied in a growl. The tavern keeper's smile slowly dropped as he thought about this and suddenly remembered how the dark woman had almost cut his hand off so he nodded contritely.

"She's here. Upstairs, first room on the left."

Profound relief hit Anna so hard that she had to grip the bar to hold herself upright. Her hands were shaking like leaves and her body joined them in their trembling.

"Thank you, Sir," she whispered as she turned to walk shakily to the stairs.

"She's not awake yet, Lass, and she drank quite a lot last night so be prepared," he called after her but Anna just smiled.

"I don't care," she muttered as she climbed the stairs. "As long as she's here."

~*~

Raven slowly pulled herself out of bed and went to wash at the nightstand. Her eyes were swollen and red from crying, not to mention bloodshot from the copious amounts of alcohol she'd consumed the night before. She took a long swallow of water from the pitcher and then poured the rest into the basin. It was freezing but refreshing and she began to feel a little more human. Raven rubbed her tired eyes and ran a hand through her night-black hair, trying to order the errant locks a little. Then she stripped out of her clothes and washed from head to toe, trying to erase the memories of the night before. She was disgusted with herself as she remembered the way she just lowered back pitcher after pitcher of ale. Just then, she heard a low tap on the door.

"Just a minute!" she called as she pulled her shirt and leather pants on. She sighed as she tucked the shirt in and then padded to the door in her bare feet. "Yes?" She pulled opened the door and froze in her tracks, a look of shock and disbelief on her face. "Oh dear Lord! A-Anna?"

"Raven," the younger woman whispered as she stepped forward, reaching blindly for a handhold on her love as she gazed into her piercing blue eyes. "Oh God, Raven."

The dark woman pulled her love into her arms and held her tightly as tears streamed down both their faces.

"I love you, Anna. Lord, how I love you. What are you doing here? Did you follow me? What did your father say?"

"Raven, My Love, I couldn't let you leave without me. I have to be with you..."

The dark woman pulled back a little, her face serious and worried.

"But your father..."

Anna shook her head , her happiness tainted by a pang of loss.

"He is no longer my father. He told me that if I left the house, I was no longer his daughter."

Raven hugged her again, rocking her softly and kissing her hair.

"Oh Anna. I am sorry."

"I'm not," the younger woman stated coldly. "I don't know him at all and he does not know me. We barely spoke while I was at school." Raven took her hand then and led her across the room to sit on the bed. In the brighter light, Anna could see the bruising to her love's face and body. She traced the purpling bruise along the dark woman's jaw with her fingertips. "Is this very painful?" She received a shrug and rolled her eyes. "Always the warrior," she whispered as she leaned in and fluttered kisses along it. Raven's eyes closed as she soaked up the gentle affection and she wrapped her arms around the younger woman, ducking her head to kiss her neck and then hug her.

"Only your warrior. I'm never leaving you again, Anna. I can't be without you." She brushed her lips against her love's and then deepened the kiss when a soft, warm tongue flicked against her lips. They kissed slowly and passionately, each woman trying to convey her feelings to the other. Anna's hands slipped under the dark woman's shirt and Raven gasped as gentle fingertips brushed over her stomach and then higher. Anna's tongue danced in her mouth, teasing there as her fingers did the same along the bumps of strong ribs. "I want you," Raven whispered as unlaced the bodice and pulled the younger woman's blouse down to expose creamy shoulders. She forced it down even further until it gathered at her waist, revealing firm, soft breasts to her hungry eyes. "So beautiful," Raven murmured as she ran her hands over them, loving the gasp of pleasure that came from Anna as she brushed over her already hardened nipples.

Half lidded emerald green eyes gazed back at her, telling of desire and passion that needed to be sated. Anna's hands pulled her lover's shirt fully out of her pants and lifted it off over her head, letting it fall to the floor as she immediately went to work on her button fly.

"Off, Raven. Everything off," she said in a throaty whisper that made the dark woman's hair stand on end and began a rush of warm wetness between her legs. Soon they were both naked and lying on the bed, their bodies entwined as one as they touched and kissed each other. Raven's gentle strokes brought her lover nearer and nearer climax and Anna threaded her fingers through dark hair as the pleasure rose to epic proportions. She sucked in a breath and then her body convulsed, her hips lurching as a soft cry of her lover's name ripped from her throat. Raven wrapped her arms and legs around her, holding her tightly as the shudders abated.

"Ssshhh, I've got you," she whispered as she kissed damp, golden hair. Green eyes full of love gazed at her and Anna's jaw worked as she tried to speak.

"I... I... Dear Lord, Raven..."

The dark woman grinned.

"Was that your first time?" she asked softly. She received a nod and a slight blush. "Did it live up to your expectations?"

Anna pulled her closer for a long, passionate kiss.

"It was everything I'd hoped for... and more," she finally whispered. "Raven, I want to make love to you but I'm not sure I know how."

A tender smile lit the older woman's face.

"Anna, My Love, you're doing everything perfectly. Just relax and do what comes naturally to you. Let instinct guide you."

Anna nodded and began trailing kisses down Raven's chest, stopping to explore her breasts curiously. The older woman raised herself up slightly and watched as a small pink tongue happily danced around her nipple before finally sucking on it gently. Raven fell back with a groan, threading her fingers through golden hair as a deep throbbing sensation began between her legs. Raven wasn't an innocent. She'd been with other women before but none of them made her feel what Anna made her feel. They had a deep connection and could feel each other's emotion heightening their lovemaking. Anna moved lower, washing her tongue over her lover's ribcage and drawing a deep moan of pleasure from her as she parted her thighs and settled between them. At first, she wasn't sure how to proceed but she remembered the place that Raven had touched to bring her to climax and decided to search it out. Her tongue moved slowly through silken folds and she experimented, noting the places that made her tall lover moan or squirm. Finally she found what she was looking for, a small, hard nub and when she brushed it with her tongue, Raven cried out and her hips flew off the bed.

"Dear God, Anna! More! Please!"

The younger woman grinned and returned to her task and after only a few moments, Raven's body lurched and she cried out loudly. When the shudders had quietened to trembling, Anna moved up her lover's body and lay alongside her, her head pillowed on her shoulder and her arm snugly around her ribcage. She squeezed gently.

"I love you, Raven."

Long, tanned arms wrapped themselves around her and she sighed as she was enveloped in total warmth.

"I love you too, Anna. I'll love you forever."

Sleep easily claimed them and they sank into it, holding each other tightly and each vowing never to let go.

~*~

"So what now?" Anna asked as she dressed. Raven grinned and looked down at her own clothes.

"We're probably going to do some travelling so I think we should get you some trousers, a shirt and some boots. I have some money and I can easily make more when I find another job."

"I have a small amount of money too," the blonde replied as she held up her purse. "I grabbed it on my way out of Huntington."

"Good. Let's find a place and get you some proper travelling clothes."

They paid the tavern keeper and left the tavern at eleven, heading out into the village to do some shopping. Raven led her lover into a man's clothing shop. They picked out a white shirt, black trousers and a black jacket along with black boots and when Anna changed into them, Raven's eyes hungrily took the sight in. The young woman looked beautiful, having braided her hair so that it hung down her back. When she was sure no one was looking, the taller woman wrapped her arms around the blonde's waist and nibbled her ear.

"Can we go back to the tavern?" she growled, sending a thrill of excitement down Anna's back but quickly released her as the shop owner returned with the correctly sized boots for the young woman's petite feet. They paid the man and then left the shop, hiding the blonde's old clothes in a nearby bush.

"Are you ready to begin our new life?" Anna asked as she mounted her horse and then gazed at the love of her life. She reached out and stroked Raven's cheek, a tender smile creasing her face.

"I've never been more ready for anything," the dark woman replied with a grin. She patted the gold horse's neck. "Good girl, Argo," she said gently. "Are you ready too?" The mare tossed her head in agreement so Raven climbed up onto her own black stallion and nudged him with her knees. "Let's go then."

They took off at a canter toward their new life...

To be continued in part 4...