Disclaimer: Oh, you know.
A few choruses of "Just Before the Battle, Mother" would come in handy here. Was going to make this go farther, but there's so much stuff to squeeze in before the end! A belated sorry to all who were skeeved by the grat'lest… though that was sort of the point.
Legacy, part 27
Not far from the back of the docking bay was a makeshift canteen, more of a gathering place than a cafeteria, though there was no shortage of volunteers to help in passing out provisions. The Ranger men were busy on various projects: Billy in the lab (no surprise there) ably assisted by Adam; Jason with his father; Rocky and Zack in the docking bay, the former to learn the finer points of piloting Xeryan craft, the latter to scrub out the hoverskid he'd borrowed to help rescue Peter and Kim. The Ranger women, at loose ends, decided to scout out Aji and Taia.
"There they are," Trini said as they entered the canteen, waving to the Xeryan women, who'd staked out a table.
"I am so hungry," said Aji by way of greeting, rubbing her midsection. "Think we can get anything out of Medja now? Or is it all for tonight?"
"So there is something going on," said Tanya in a tone of discovery as she scooted her chair in. "I though there was an awful lot of hustling happening."
"And there's an air of anticipation. Everybody's excited about something. So what is it?" Kat wanted to know, blue eyes alight.
"Battle celebration. It's a tradition, begun by the first to defy So'Vran. You are honored guests tonight; I hope you enjoy it." Taia beckoned to a middle-aged woman, her once blonde hair liberally streaked with gray, her blue eyes kind. She wore a spattered white coverall and carried a large silvery spoon. "Any food for a hard working Guardian, Medja, dear?" Taia wheedled, her dark eyes large and puppylike.
"Don't make us wait for later, we're starving," added Aji with a mischievous smile.
Medja shook her head, a half-smile on her face. "Some things never change. One less hoarfruit pie for tonight won't matter much, I suppose. But there is a price."
Kat, Trini, and Tanya exchanged surprised glances. "We thought Xerya used no currency –" Trini began, then broke off with a laugh of understanding as Taia and Aji scrambled to their feet and embraced Medja affectionately, kissing her soundly on both cheeks.
"Payment enough?" Aji gave her an extra squeeze.
Medja smiled broadly. "That will do for now, my dears. I am so very glad to see both of you! First I thought we had lost you," she tapped Taia on the nose with one finger, "and no sooner had we got her back than you disappear." She waggled her spoon at Aji. "No more of that, now. A mother can only take so much." She nodded at the other three women. "Forgive me, I've known them since they were children."
"And they were lucky to have you," Kat said with an answering smile.
Medja blushed. "I'll be back with the pie." With that she bustled off, skirting empty tables as she headed toward the kitchen.
"What a lovely woman," said Trini, looking after her.
Taia nodded. "Medja is mother to all who have none, favorite aunt to the rest."
"Has she any children of her own?" Tanya asked, absently sliding a palm over her belly.
Aji grinned. "Just one, and a spoiled brat he is. Oh, hi, Deorth, didn't see you there," she added mock-innocently as the blond soldier slid into the seat next to Trini.
"Shut up," he said good-naturedly. "Billy sent me to track you down. Hi, Mum."
Medja placed the steaming pie in front of them. "Don't spoil your appetites, now." She gave her son an affectionate buss on the forehead before getting back to the kitchen.
"What did Billy want?" said Taia, getting to her feet.
"What's the hurry? Got a grat'lest in your pants?" Aji bit into her slice of pie with gusto. "Mmmm, so good."
Deorth reached across the table and flicked a finger against Aji's head, chuckling when she made a face. "Enough out of you. Go ahead and eat, Tai. He just wanted me to tell these three," he smiled at the Rangers, "that he's about done with the Zeonizers."
Kat licked her two-tined fork with an appreciative purr. "Yum. What was he doing with them again?"
Trini held up a hand until she had swallowed. "Wow. Good pie. He was fine- tuning the – oh, no you don't," and she pretended to stab Deorth in the hand that was creeping across the table toward her pastry. She relented with a laugh when he gave her a reproachful look, pushing her plate toward him. "Oh, go ahead. Billy thought the bright colors of our usual uniforms might be something of a liability, so he's toning them down a bit. We'll look more like the rest of the Xeryan rebels this way, not be such obvious targets."
"Hey, anybody going to eat that last piece?" Tanya waved her fork at the serving platter.
"They'll have to go through me to get it," Trini said with a meaning look at Deorth, who had opened his mouth.
"What? I was just going to tell her to go ahead." Deorth stood with a grin. "I'm going to go anyway; I'm on a mission from Iannos. Aji, don't forget about the ethrull desyerti, and don't forget to talk to Tommy. Will I see you later?" The question was general, but his gray eyes were focused on Trini, who blushed.
"Of course you will, Deorth. I have already talked to Tommy; and I have never been late for an ethrull desyerti except for once, and that was your fault," Aji said, rolling her eyes and shooing at him with her fingertips. "Now go away so we can talk behind your back." He grinned, and gave a small wave as he left.
Trini tore her gaze from the door. "Did you get enough to eat, Tanya?"
The dark-skinned beauty smiled. "Yes, thank you, mother. I'm stuffed. You and Deorth seem to be getting along well," she added airily.
Trini ignored her friend, who started to giggle. "What did he mean by a mission from Iannos? And what's an ethrull whatever-it-is?"
Taia and Aji exchanged amused glances. "That's the beginning of the festivities. You'll see. As for Iannos, we're on a similar mission, actually," the redhead said, looking past them toward the door, "and I was expecting – " Aji went white suddenly, and the others turned in their seats to see what had rattled her.
A woman stood uncertainly at the entrance to the canteen. Taia growled low in her throat, her dark gaze locked on the woman. "If she's looking for trouble, she'll get more than she bargained for."
Trini looked the woman over as she approached. Her hair was dark and close cropped, setting off exotic features: a wide mouth, long, aquiline nose, light brown eyes that contrasted startlingly with her dusky skin.
Taia jumped to her feet so fast her chair fell over with a loud clatter; Aji stood slowly. When she was close enough the woman spoke, her voice sounding strained and nervous. "Aji."
"Hezia," Aji nodded her bright head rather warily.
Taia frowned a warning, and Hezia flinched. "I'm not here to make trouble," she said hurriedly, then took a deep breath. "What we did to you, before – we were wrong, Aji. Terribly wrong. And I just – I'm sorry. I know it doesn't mean anything now, I just wanted you to know."
Aji studied her for a while. "All right," she said after a pause.
"Are you finished?" Taia asked the woman, her voice frosty.
"I won't bother you again," Hezia said sadly. "I hope you believe me, even if you can't forgive me." She began to walk away.
Aji stopped her. "Hezia, wait." The exotic woman turned in surprise. "What I meant – it's all right. You only did what others wanted to do. What I wanted to do myself. The circumstances were damning, the situation frightening. I don't blame you."
Hezia nodded, looking uncertainly at Taia, who scowled. "She's more generous than you deserve. I do blame you, you and those fools Bubo and Beni. You would do well to stay away from Aji. And from me." The other woman nodded, her shoulders slumped as she left the canteen.
Aji turned to her friend. "That was harsh."
"So was practically beating the life out of you when it was your father who betrayed us."
Trini, Tanya, and Kat's heads were swiveling back and forth, their eyes wide as they tried to follow the conversation.
Aji shook her head. "It wasn't that bad."
"Huh." Taia folded her arms. "You didn't see yourself."
Aji sat down again, a frown drawing her russet brows together. "And when you saw what had happened to Iannos, and came after me, what exactly were you planning? Do you remember?" Taia was silent, a mulish expression on her face. "Can't you forgive Hezia for doing exactly what you yourself wanted to do?"
Tanya raised a hand. "Hold up a sec. What happened here?"
Trini narrowed her eyes. "I can make a pretty good guess. That woman and a couple of her friends decided to make you the scapegoat when your father ran to So'Vran, is that right?" Aji nodded shortly. "I'm glad she apologized, then. Saves me the trouble of hunting her down and beating the crap out of her."
Taia chuckled. "Deorth already did that, to all three of them."
"I knew there was a reason I liked that boy. You have my permission to jump his bones, Tri." Tanya burst out laughing at the look on Trini's bright red face.
Kat shook her head with a grin. "So you have been thinking about it. You're not as inscrutable as you think."
"Right. Ignoring you." Trini turned her back on her friends to the sound of chortled merriment. "So this mission from Iannos?"
A slim, pretty, blonde girl came rushing to the table, slightly out of breath. "Sorry, Aji."
Aji chuckled at the Rangers' startled looks and pushed out a seat for the girl, who flopped into it gratefully. "Late as usual, Kee. Ladies, this is Keely Todith."
Keely smiled, showing a pair of deep dimples. Taia leaned forward to explain. "P'tyr mentioned to Father that you sing quite beautifully, Tanya. He wanted you to meet Keely, who is also a singer of merit."
Tanya looked embarrassed and pleased. "Hi. Nice to meet you, Keely."
Keely, for her part looked equally pleased. "Your voice is quite melodic and modulated. Lovely. Will you walk with me for a little? There are things I would like to discuss with you."
Tanya was slightly bewildered but not reluctant. "Um, sure, if the rest of you don't mind…" Nobody did, so the two walked off, Keely talking animatedly as Tanya listened, a smile growing on her lovely face.
***************
"I still don't like it, Father," Jason said, his dark eyes stony. "You need the protection that Paladin can give. Without it you wouldn't have survived that disruptor blast."
Iannos inclined his head. "But I shall not be the one in the line of fire, my son. You need the full power of Paladin at your command if we are to defeat So'Vran once and for all. With the addition of Light and Shadow and the help of your friends the Rangers, we are closer to getting out from under the fist of tyranny than we have been in a thousand years. It is time for me to let go, and for you to embrace everything you are." Dark eyes met the same, and they looked at each other for a long time. "I have missed so much of you, Jason," Iannos said quietly. "P'Tyr did his best to show you to me through the years, but… even now it is hard for me to really believe you are here, standing in front of me. I do not have the right to claim authority over you as a father, but… will you trust that this is the best thing for us to do? From one warrior to another?"
Jason nodded finally. "All right. I do trust you."
With that Iannos took his son's face between his hands, as he had done before, and closed his eyes, pushing the power of Paladin into this new vessel, until there was no more left to push. "It is done," he said. "You are now Xerya's only Paladin. Carry the power well, my son."
*************
Aji nodded to Medja as she came towards the table. "Time for me to go. I'll see you later," and she pushed out her chair and linked her arm through the older woman's, leaving the canteen.
Trini played with the remains of the hoarfruit pie on her plate. "I'd like to talk to you, Taia, if you have a minute," she said quietly.
Kat smiled and got up to go as well. "I think I'll go grab a shower and leave you to it." With that she left.
"What may I do for you, Trini?" Taia folded her hands and waited.
Trini sighed. "This is the last question I thought I would need to ask, but…" She sighed again.
The dark-haired Guardian chuckled, looking so much like Jason that Trini felt herself relaxing. "Stop trying to blow me away and ask, Trini. I won't bite. Or laugh."
"All right." Trini paused, trying to frame her words, then gave up with an irritated shrug. "How do you know if you're doing that Bloodsong thing?"
"Oh…" Clearly surprised, Taia studied the other woman. "Oh!" She thought about it. "This is not something I can really address for you adequately, Trini. If you were Xeryan, you would simply know. I suppose in your case the easiest way would be to find out if Deorth Sings for you. I don't think he would do so if you were not meant for each other." Taia thought further. "Though that might prove somewhat trying to do without embarrassing yourself."
Trini blushed brightly. "It's not the sort of thing I can just ask him, is it? I mean what if I'm wrong?"
"Exactly." Taia thought some more. "What would you do if he were human?"
She shrugged. "Spend some time together, see how we get along, if we're really as attracted as it seems."
Taia grinned, again reminding the Red Zeo Ranger of Jason. "Isn't that what you and he are doing tonight, at the celebration?"
"Why, I – " Trini was taken aback. She'd nearly missed it. "Yes, I guess we are."
"Then I think you may have your answer."
***************
Rocky entered his quarters just as Kat was coming out of the shower, the towel that was wrapped around her body barely meeting in front. He whistled in masculine appreciation, his dark brows rising. "Very nice."
She looked up with a smile. "Hey, hi. I just had to rinse off. I was so bloody hot."
He came up behind his love, moving aside her curtain of buttery hair to kiss her neck. "I'll second that; you're very hot. You're beautiful."
"I'm glad you think so."
"Kat, I'd have to be a dead man not to think so." He turned her around to face him, pulling the towel free and dropping it to the floor. "I still can't figure out what an angel like you sees in a mug like me. But I'm damn thankful you do."
She gave him a mischievous grin, sliding her palms up over his chest and around his shoulders, nestling her fingers into the dark hair at the back of his head. "I only love you for your body."
His dark eyes lit. "Oh, really?"
Kat reached up to touch her lips softly to his. "Really."
Rocky pulled her close, nuzzling the elegant length of her neck. "Prove it."
So she did.
A few choruses of "Just Before the Battle, Mother" would come in handy here. Was going to make this go farther, but there's so much stuff to squeeze in before the end! A belated sorry to all who were skeeved by the grat'lest… though that was sort of the point.
Legacy, part 27
Not far from the back of the docking bay was a makeshift canteen, more of a gathering place than a cafeteria, though there was no shortage of volunteers to help in passing out provisions. The Ranger men were busy on various projects: Billy in the lab (no surprise there) ably assisted by Adam; Jason with his father; Rocky and Zack in the docking bay, the former to learn the finer points of piloting Xeryan craft, the latter to scrub out the hoverskid he'd borrowed to help rescue Peter and Kim. The Ranger women, at loose ends, decided to scout out Aji and Taia.
"There they are," Trini said as they entered the canteen, waving to the Xeryan women, who'd staked out a table.
"I am so hungry," said Aji by way of greeting, rubbing her midsection. "Think we can get anything out of Medja now? Or is it all for tonight?"
"So there is something going on," said Tanya in a tone of discovery as she scooted her chair in. "I though there was an awful lot of hustling happening."
"And there's an air of anticipation. Everybody's excited about something. So what is it?" Kat wanted to know, blue eyes alight.
"Battle celebration. It's a tradition, begun by the first to defy So'Vran. You are honored guests tonight; I hope you enjoy it." Taia beckoned to a middle-aged woman, her once blonde hair liberally streaked with gray, her blue eyes kind. She wore a spattered white coverall and carried a large silvery spoon. "Any food for a hard working Guardian, Medja, dear?" Taia wheedled, her dark eyes large and puppylike.
"Don't make us wait for later, we're starving," added Aji with a mischievous smile.
Medja shook her head, a half-smile on her face. "Some things never change. One less hoarfruit pie for tonight won't matter much, I suppose. But there is a price."
Kat, Trini, and Tanya exchanged surprised glances. "We thought Xerya used no currency –" Trini began, then broke off with a laugh of understanding as Taia and Aji scrambled to their feet and embraced Medja affectionately, kissing her soundly on both cheeks.
"Payment enough?" Aji gave her an extra squeeze.
Medja smiled broadly. "That will do for now, my dears. I am so very glad to see both of you! First I thought we had lost you," she tapped Taia on the nose with one finger, "and no sooner had we got her back than you disappear." She waggled her spoon at Aji. "No more of that, now. A mother can only take so much." She nodded at the other three women. "Forgive me, I've known them since they were children."
"And they were lucky to have you," Kat said with an answering smile.
Medja blushed. "I'll be back with the pie." With that she bustled off, skirting empty tables as she headed toward the kitchen.
"What a lovely woman," said Trini, looking after her.
Taia nodded. "Medja is mother to all who have none, favorite aunt to the rest."
"Has she any children of her own?" Tanya asked, absently sliding a palm over her belly.
Aji grinned. "Just one, and a spoiled brat he is. Oh, hi, Deorth, didn't see you there," she added mock-innocently as the blond soldier slid into the seat next to Trini.
"Shut up," he said good-naturedly. "Billy sent me to track you down. Hi, Mum."
Medja placed the steaming pie in front of them. "Don't spoil your appetites, now." She gave her son an affectionate buss on the forehead before getting back to the kitchen.
"What did Billy want?" said Taia, getting to her feet.
"What's the hurry? Got a grat'lest in your pants?" Aji bit into her slice of pie with gusto. "Mmmm, so good."
Deorth reached across the table and flicked a finger against Aji's head, chuckling when she made a face. "Enough out of you. Go ahead and eat, Tai. He just wanted me to tell these three," he smiled at the Rangers, "that he's about done with the Zeonizers."
Kat licked her two-tined fork with an appreciative purr. "Yum. What was he doing with them again?"
Trini held up a hand until she had swallowed. "Wow. Good pie. He was fine- tuning the – oh, no you don't," and she pretended to stab Deorth in the hand that was creeping across the table toward her pastry. She relented with a laugh when he gave her a reproachful look, pushing her plate toward him. "Oh, go ahead. Billy thought the bright colors of our usual uniforms might be something of a liability, so he's toning them down a bit. We'll look more like the rest of the Xeryan rebels this way, not be such obvious targets."
"Hey, anybody going to eat that last piece?" Tanya waved her fork at the serving platter.
"They'll have to go through me to get it," Trini said with a meaning look at Deorth, who had opened his mouth.
"What? I was just going to tell her to go ahead." Deorth stood with a grin. "I'm going to go anyway; I'm on a mission from Iannos. Aji, don't forget about the ethrull desyerti, and don't forget to talk to Tommy. Will I see you later?" The question was general, but his gray eyes were focused on Trini, who blushed.
"Of course you will, Deorth. I have already talked to Tommy; and I have never been late for an ethrull desyerti except for once, and that was your fault," Aji said, rolling her eyes and shooing at him with her fingertips. "Now go away so we can talk behind your back." He grinned, and gave a small wave as he left.
Trini tore her gaze from the door. "Did you get enough to eat, Tanya?"
The dark-skinned beauty smiled. "Yes, thank you, mother. I'm stuffed. You and Deorth seem to be getting along well," she added airily.
Trini ignored her friend, who started to giggle. "What did he mean by a mission from Iannos? And what's an ethrull whatever-it-is?"
Taia and Aji exchanged amused glances. "That's the beginning of the festivities. You'll see. As for Iannos, we're on a similar mission, actually," the redhead said, looking past them toward the door, "and I was expecting – " Aji went white suddenly, and the others turned in their seats to see what had rattled her.
A woman stood uncertainly at the entrance to the canteen. Taia growled low in her throat, her dark gaze locked on the woman. "If she's looking for trouble, she'll get more than she bargained for."
Trini looked the woman over as she approached. Her hair was dark and close cropped, setting off exotic features: a wide mouth, long, aquiline nose, light brown eyes that contrasted startlingly with her dusky skin.
Taia jumped to her feet so fast her chair fell over with a loud clatter; Aji stood slowly. When she was close enough the woman spoke, her voice sounding strained and nervous. "Aji."
"Hezia," Aji nodded her bright head rather warily.
Taia frowned a warning, and Hezia flinched. "I'm not here to make trouble," she said hurriedly, then took a deep breath. "What we did to you, before – we were wrong, Aji. Terribly wrong. And I just – I'm sorry. I know it doesn't mean anything now, I just wanted you to know."
Aji studied her for a while. "All right," she said after a pause.
"Are you finished?" Taia asked the woman, her voice frosty.
"I won't bother you again," Hezia said sadly. "I hope you believe me, even if you can't forgive me." She began to walk away.
Aji stopped her. "Hezia, wait." The exotic woman turned in surprise. "What I meant – it's all right. You only did what others wanted to do. What I wanted to do myself. The circumstances were damning, the situation frightening. I don't blame you."
Hezia nodded, looking uncertainly at Taia, who scowled. "She's more generous than you deserve. I do blame you, you and those fools Bubo and Beni. You would do well to stay away from Aji. And from me." The other woman nodded, her shoulders slumped as she left the canteen.
Aji turned to her friend. "That was harsh."
"So was practically beating the life out of you when it was your father who betrayed us."
Trini, Tanya, and Kat's heads were swiveling back and forth, their eyes wide as they tried to follow the conversation.
Aji shook her head. "It wasn't that bad."
"Huh." Taia folded her arms. "You didn't see yourself."
Aji sat down again, a frown drawing her russet brows together. "And when you saw what had happened to Iannos, and came after me, what exactly were you planning? Do you remember?" Taia was silent, a mulish expression on her face. "Can't you forgive Hezia for doing exactly what you yourself wanted to do?"
Tanya raised a hand. "Hold up a sec. What happened here?"
Trini narrowed her eyes. "I can make a pretty good guess. That woman and a couple of her friends decided to make you the scapegoat when your father ran to So'Vran, is that right?" Aji nodded shortly. "I'm glad she apologized, then. Saves me the trouble of hunting her down and beating the crap out of her."
Taia chuckled. "Deorth already did that, to all three of them."
"I knew there was a reason I liked that boy. You have my permission to jump his bones, Tri." Tanya burst out laughing at the look on Trini's bright red face.
Kat shook her head with a grin. "So you have been thinking about it. You're not as inscrutable as you think."
"Right. Ignoring you." Trini turned her back on her friends to the sound of chortled merriment. "So this mission from Iannos?"
A slim, pretty, blonde girl came rushing to the table, slightly out of breath. "Sorry, Aji."
Aji chuckled at the Rangers' startled looks and pushed out a seat for the girl, who flopped into it gratefully. "Late as usual, Kee. Ladies, this is Keely Todith."
Keely smiled, showing a pair of deep dimples. Taia leaned forward to explain. "P'tyr mentioned to Father that you sing quite beautifully, Tanya. He wanted you to meet Keely, who is also a singer of merit."
Tanya looked embarrassed and pleased. "Hi. Nice to meet you, Keely."
Keely, for her part looked equally pleased. "Your voice is quite melodic and modulated. Lovely. Will you walk with me for a little? There are things I would like to discuss with you."
Tanya was slightly bewildered but not reluctant. "Um, sure, if the rest of you don't mind…" Nobody did, so the two walked off, Keely talking animatedly as Tanya listened, a smile growing on her lovely face.
***************
"I still don't like it, Father," Jason said, his dark eyes stony. "You need the protection that Paladin can give. Without it you wouldn't have survived that disruptor blast."
Iannos inclined his head. "But I shall not be the one in the line of fire, my son. You need the full power of Paladin at your command if we are to defeat So'Vran once and for all. With the addition of Light and Shadow and the help of your friends the Rangers, we are closer to getting out from under the fist of tyranny than we have been in a thousand years. It is time for me to let go, and for you to embrace everything you are." Dark eyes met the same, and they looked at each other for a long time. "I have missed so much of you, Jason," Iannos said quietly. "P'Tyr did his best to show you to me through the years, but… even now it is hard for me to really believe you are here, standing in front of me. I do not have the right to claim authority over you as a father, but… will you trust that this is the best thing for us to do? From one warrior to another?"
Jason nodded finally. "All right. I do trust you."
With that Iannos took his son's face between his hands, as he had done before, and closed his eyes, pushing the power of Paladin into this new vessel, until there was no more left to push. "It is done," he said. "You are now Xerya's only Paladin. Carry the power well, my son."
*************
Aji nodded to Medja as she came towards the table. "Time for me to go. I'll see you later," and she pushed out her chair and linked her arm through the older woman's, leaving the canteen.
Trini played with the remains of the hoarfruit pie on her plate. "I'd like to talk to you, Taia, if you have a minute," she said quietly.
Kat smiled and got up to go as well. "I think I'll go grab a shower and leave you to it." With that she left.
"What may I do for you, Trini?" Taia folded her hands and waited.
Trini sighed. "This is the last question I thought I would need to ask, but…" She sighed again.
The dark-haired Guardian chuckled, looking so much like Jason that Trini felt herself relaxing. "Stop trying to blow me away and ask, Trini. I won't bite. Or laugh."
"All right." Trini paused, trying to frame her words, then gave up with an irritated shrug. "How do you know if you're doing that Bloodsong thing?"
"Oh…" Clearly surprised, Taia studied the other woman. "Oh!" She thought about it. "This is not something I can really address for you adequately, Trini. If you were Xeryan, you would simply know. I suppose in your case the easiest way would be to find out if Deorth Sings for you. I don't think he would do so if you were not meant for each other." Taia thought further. "Though that might prove somewhat trying to do without embarrassing yourself."
Trini blushed brightly. "It's not the sort of thing I can just ask him, is it? I mean what if I'm wrong?"
"Exactly." Taia thought some more. "What would you do if he were human?"
She shrugged. "Spend some time together, see how we get along, if we're really as attracted as it seems."
Taia grinned, again reminding the Red Zeo Ranger of Jason. "Isn't that what you and he are doing tonight, at the celebration?"
"Why, I – " Trini was taken aback. She'd nearly missed it. "Yes, I guess we are."
"Then I think you may have your answer."
***************
Rocky entered his quarters just as Kat was coming out of the shower, the towel that was wrapped around her body barely meeting in front. He whistled in masculine appreciation, his dark brows rising. "Very nice."
She looked up with a smile. "Hey, hi. I just had to rinse off. I was so bloody hot."
He came up behind his love, moving aside her curtain of buttery hair to kiss her neck. "I'll second that; you're very hot. You're beautiful."
"I'm glad you think so."
"Kat, I'd have to be a dead man not to think so." He turned her around to face him, pulling the towel free and dropping it to the floor. "I still can't figure out what an angel like you sees in a mug like me. But I'm damn thankful you do."
She gave him a mischievous grin, sliding her palms up over his chest and around his shoulders, nestling her fingers into the dark hair at the back of his head. "I only love you for your body."
His dark eyes lit. "Oh, really?"
Kat reached up to touch her lips softly to his. "Really."
Rocky pulled her close, nuzzling the elegant length of her neck. "Prove it."
So she did.
