Huntington
By Cheeya
Chapter 4
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.
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 friend, Melissa. Glad you're feeling better, Hon!
Comments/Constructive Criticism to cheeya@xenafan.com
My fic/poetry/other stuff can be found at my website... http://www.geocities.com/cheeya_2000
Biting off a grin, Anna lowered her eyes as her tall lover stalked toward her, a predatory gleam in her pale, blue eyes.
"Raven, I didn't mean for you to... " A low growl made her giggle as she slowly backed up. "Please... don't do it... Raven... come on now... I..."
The petite blonde squealed as the tall woman pounced, wrapping her arms around a trim waist and propelling them both back onto the bed. Landing on top, but being careful to hold her weight on her arms, Raven lowered herself gently and kissed the soft lips beckoning to her. Anna sighed and her arms went around her lover's neck as she willingly returned the kiss. As they slowly separated, Raven smiled.
"I love you."
The younger woman ran her fingers through soft, dark locks, loving the silky texture.
"I love you too, Raven... so much." She gently stroked high cheekbones and then sighed. "Where will we go now?"
The dark woman rolled off her lover and lay beside her on the bed, lacing their fingers together comfortably. She shrugged slightly. "I don't know. I really didn't have a plan when I left Huntington. I couldn't really think straight at all." She smiled a little as she felt Anna's fingertips tickle her palm. "How would you like to go away somewhere? Maybe to Ireland?"
There was quiet for a moment as Anna considered this. "We could, you know," she replied softly. "We have enough money for the voyage and we can always earn more when we get there."
Raven suddenly felt excited about the prospect of getting away. "Anna, my Love, wouldn't it be wonderful to find a quiet spot and maybe build a house for us?" She brought the petite hand to her mouth and lovingly kissed it. "Maybe start a family?"
"A family," the blonde smiled sadly. "Sweetheart, despite your many skills, I don't think even we could manage that."
Raven merely winked. "Love can overcome anything, Anna. I believe that." Anna's smile widened at the earnest look in her tall partner's blue eyes.
"I know you do," she conceded. "And maybe it's true. I want it to be, Raven. Don't ever doubt that."
"Come here." Raven pulled Anna closer, wrapping her strong arms around her and nuzzling her hair. "I know you do. We'll make it happen... somehow."
And with that final thought, the two halves of a single soul drifted into dreamless slumber.
**
Pulling on her boots, Raven glanced over at the still form of her petite lover, sleeping in their bed. Anna looked so innocent when she was sleeping. Her golden, sleep-tussled hair sat still on the pillow and the dark woman felt a quiet tranquillity steal over her as her eyes moved slowly over the tender face. How she loved this beautiful, petite woman. Her heart was almost bursting with emotion and she had to swallow the lump that formed in her throat as she thought about how lucky she was to have her dear, sweet Anna in her life. Things, she acknowledged, could have been so different. If it hadn't been for Anna's courage and strength, Raven knew she'd be alone right now, not gazing at the peaceful countenance of the other half of her heart and soul.
Fumbling a little with her shirt buttons, she stood and walked to the bed, surprised but happy to see a pair of sleepy green eyes gazing back at her.
"Good morning," Anna said softly as they shared a kiss. "Did you sleep well?"
"Very," Raven grinned as she remembered the death grip her lover had had on her ribcage, making it slightly difficult to breathe. She hadn't minded in the slightest. "Hungry?"
The blonde giggled as her stomach answered for itself. "So it seems. What shall we have for breakfast?"
"Hmmm." Raven pretended to think about that for a moment before pouncing once again on the unsuspecting blonde. She was rewarded with a yelp and a giggle. "How about we start with you," she growled as her hands slipped under Anna's shift and her fingertips found some rather warm and interesting skin. Raven smiled as a loan moan escaped her lover's throat. She smoothed her hands over the bumps of slightly pronounced ribs and then scowled a little. "You've lost weight."
Anna was enjoying herself too much to worry about that. "Sshh," she replied. "Don't fuss. It's only a few pounds."
Raven opened her mouth to protest but was rudely interrupted when the blonde gently grasped her face and pulled her down for a long, sweet kiss. Needless to say... breakfast had to wait.
Hours later, Raven and Anna left their room and, after a pleasant meal, saddled their horses and headed out.
"What do you think?" Raven asked as she eyed her steed. "Sell the horses when we get to the port? I don't think we can take them with us without having to pay a hefty passage."
Anna sighed as she leaned forward and patted Argo's neck. "Sorry, Girl," she said softly. "I have to leave you behind. I know you understand. This is what I've wanted all my life." The golden-coated mare whickered a little and nodded her agreement. Anna threaded her fingers through the blonde mane and nodded. "Thank you, Argo."
**
Leaning against the wooden deck rail, Raven watched her lover write with a half smile on her face. Anna's feather quill moved steadily over her diary, penning the day's activities in a neat yet fluid hand. On her face was a look of quiet, determined concentration, burnished by the golden rays of the setting sun. Raven thought she was the most beautiful thing she'd ever seen. It must have been written on her face because, when green eyes lifted to catch hers, Anna's face changed and settled into a warm, loving smile. Raven's eyes twinkled gently in reply and green lowered back to the half finished diary. It was moments like this, when they could just... be... and love... that were the most precious and the tall woman kept every one safely inside her heart.
Seeing the wistful expression on her partner's face, Anna rose and walked to her, leaning against her tall frame as she gazed out over the sunset. "Any regrets, Love?"
Raven sighed softly. "Only that you had to choose between me and your family."
With that heartfelt admission, Anna turned and gazed into blue eyes full of love and devotion only for her. "No competition," she said softly. "You're the love of my life, Raven. I didn't even know them and, more to the point, they didn't know me. I'm not the little girl they wanted me to be."
A soft chuckle floated to her on the gentle sea breeze. "No, you're not. You never could be. You have too much spirit, Anna. It's one of the many things I love about you."
"I love you too," Anna replied, gently rubbing the broad back under her hand. "So..." She tickled a little. "Where shall we go when we arrive in Dublin?"
"I think we should find a place to sleep for the night and then head out into the countryside. Maybe we can build ourselves a miniature Huntington?" Raven chuckled a little. "Although, I don't think my back would be quite up to that. How about a small cabin in the woods?"
"You're a hopeless romantic," the blonde replied with a little grin, desperately wanting to kiss her tall lover but knowing that people were in plain sight.
A wry chuckle. "You think so?"
An answering arching of pale eyebrows. "I know so."
"Heh."
Breaking the tender moment, Raven scowled as angry voices sounded out across the deck.
"You stupid pile of pig shit! Watch where you're going!" A big ugly man grabbed a small boy by the collar and shook him ruthlessly, rattling his teeth. "I'll teach you to watch out!" He pulled back his hand to crack the boy across the face but he froze as an immovable force grabbed his wrist and held it in a strong, tense grip.
"Why don't you pick on someone who's able to defend themselves..." Raven smirked. "Or are you a bully who runs at the first sign of a challenge greater than a small boy?" The man turned to focus on a sharply elevated eyebrow.
"Get your hand off me, you bitch," he growled as he yanked his hand away. "Don't you dare touch me. I seen you with yer little, blonde whore over there." He jerked his chin toward Anna and stared disgustedly at the tall, dark woman.
Ooooh. Ok, almost hitting the boy was bad enough but Raven was willing to let it go. However, no one... NO ONE... would speak about her love like that. With a growl that turned into a furious yell, Raven drew back her fist and hit the man so hard that he almost went over the deck rail. She didn't even feel her knuckles breaking, such was the power of her rage and she was on him an instant later, dragging him up by the collar of his shirt and kneeing him hard in the groin. The man doubled over in pain, a strangled squeak wrenching from his throat.
"Stay out of our way," Raven said in a low dangerous voice. "Or next time, I won't just crunch them. I'll cut them off too."
With that she felt the fight drain out of her and she pushed him back onto the deck, suddenly feeling very tired. Her hand was beginning to throb too so she went back to Anna who was standing motionless where she'd left her. "Damn, that hurt," the dark woman admitted as she took in the gentle look on her lover's face.
"My warrior once more," Anna smiled as she shook her head in bemusement. She wanted to feel annoyed with Raven for what she'd done but instead, all she could feel was a fierce protectiveness and love for her instead. She took the dark woman's hand and examined it carefully. "We should soak this in cold water," she commented. "They're already swelling up."
Raven pulled back her hand and examined the split skin. "Hmm, looks like a few are broken too. Ok, let's soak it and bandage it up."
Back in their cabin, Anna was very quiet. She worked steadily on treating the damage to her lover's hand but didn't offer any comment or conversation. Raven sighed. "You're angry with me, aren't you?" It was more a statement than a question.
"No," came the even reply. Anna continued working.
"Yes, you are."
The blonde stopped then and looked into blue eyes. "Why would I be angry? You only jumped into a fight and could have possibly been killed. Why would I be angry about that?"
Uh oh. Raven winced. "I was in no danger, Love," she offered. "I knew that man was nothing but hot air."
"Really?" The bandaged tightened painfully around the dark woman's injured knuckles and she hissed with pain. "Sorry." Anna loosened the bandage a bit. Then she stopped. "Raven, if anything were to happen to you, I'd die too."
"I know. I'm sorry." The taller woman drew the blonde into an embrace. "I just couldn't bear to see that boy being beaten."
"I know you couldn't and I wouldn't expect you to. Just, please, don't put yourself at risk."
"I won't, My Love, I promise."
Anna smiled then. "Ok."
The rest of the journey was uneventful and they arrived in Dublin, looking forward to building a new life for themselves. The procured a room in an inn for the night and sat down to a meal of thick Irish stew and a glass of ale. There were lively musicians playing traditional Irish music and, before long, Anna had persuaded her more stoic partner to dance. Following the steps being performed by the more experienced dancers, the two women got tangled in each other and ended up almost falling in a heap on the wooden floor.
Raven laughed as she caught her balance and helped Anna stay on her feet. "Enough! I think I may have drunk a glass too many of the fine Irish ale!"
"Oh, Love, this has been wonderful but I think it's time we retired for the night," Anna replied, noting the slightly off focus look to her lover's eyes. "Come on, Gorgeous, let's get you into bed."
"Ok." Raven allowed herself to be led up the stairs and into their room. She sat on the bed, trying to help as Anna slipped off her boots and clothes. Then the blonde undressed and they climbed into bed, cuddling close and sharing a long, tender kiss. "I love you, Anna."
"I love you too, Raven. Tomorrow, we head out to start our new life in Ireland."
"Our new life," the dark woman whispered. "I really like the sound of that."
To be continued...
