Notes: Chapter 4! Wohoo! Hope you guys (all three of you… O.o) like this. Um, there is a lemon in this chapter… my first attempt at it. So be kind! You can skip over it if you want.
A few days after the group's arrival on earth, things had settled down and sleep had been caught up on. Blade and Alec, who shared the room right above Vegeta and Bulma, were disturbed several times during the night by various noises coming from below, but by now were used to it. The pair shared a small bed, but respectfully kept their distance. A few times Blade had awoken to the soft touch of a golden-red feather on her cheek, but each time it was drawn away with an uncomfortable apology.
One particularly quiet Saturday, Alec decided to check his ship for tracking devices and to repair the shields. For no apparent reason other than her own capricious ways, Blade decided to accompany him. She knew about ships, anyway, and would be useful in the repairs. They both trekked down to the ship, tools in hand. Alec had changed into a pair of loose blue jeans and a functional white shirt, and Blade had borrowed some of Bulma's casual clothes.
"We need to check the hull first," Alec said as he set his tool box down. "Look for anything unusual."
"All right, Cap'n," Blade said cheekily as she ducked under the ship. Alec rolled his eyes with a laugh and spread his plumes. He leaped skyward and flew up over the ship, the backdraft from his wings kicking up dust and sand. Blade's silvery mane flickered in the breeze playfully as she completed her inspection and stood beside the ship, hands on hips. "Everything's fine here," she said, brushing a wayward strand from her eyes.
Alec swooped down and scooped her up, arms locked around her waist. Blade clutched his hands in fear for a moment as the ground disappeared from below her, then relaxed, tail flicking in indignation. "Put me down this instant!" she exclaimed.
"Sure you don't want to check things out up here?" he asked, grinning.
"Positive," she said dryly.
"As you wish." He shrugged and carefully deposited her back on the ground. She smoothed her ruffled shirt, looking down as if to inspect it in order to cover her embarrassment and her beet-red face.
"Men," she muttered as she strode up the ramp into the ship. Alec followed, still grinning broadly.
"We need to check the shields now," he said, stepping past her into the cockpit. "I'm going to activate them. Can you tell me what the meters in the cabin say?"
"Sure," she replied. She stepped back into the cabin and located the shield meter on the far back wall. The ships engines rumbled to life moments later, setting the steel floorboards under her rumbling. The bright yellow indicator blinked on and glowed merrily, showing the shields at full power. Blade noted the exact meter number and began to turn around to tell Alec when she felt his presence behind her.
"Everything running well?" he asked. Blade was suddenly aware of his warm breath on her neck, the heat from his wings filling the cramped space. She felt suddenly like her chest was in a vice, like the air was being squeezed from her lungs; she could barely breath. She was lightheaded, tingling, completely debilitated by his proximity to her, and felt as if something else was controlling her, moving her feet, turning her to face him. She stared up into his blazing azure eyes, so overcome with love and desire that she was unable to speak.
He sensed her feelings, and knew instinctively what to do. Gently he encircled her waist in his arms, wrapped his great wings around her, and kissed her. Warmth flooded the Nekojin and she pressed against him, fingers burying themselves in his ebony hair. Trembling hands traced patterns down her back, and her skin twitched and shivered at his touch. They both fell against the bulkhead, limbs entwined, unaware of anything else but the other's skin pressed tightly against their own. Alec's hands wandered slowly downward, and he felt her stiffen and flinch back slightly. Slowly, he pulled away, questioning in his deep azure eyes.
"Are you afraid?" he whispered, his voice sending little shivers down her spine.
"Are you?" she replied, brushing his leg with her tail. She reached out for him, looping her fingers in his belt loops, and pulled him closer. She could feel his hips press into hers instinctively. "The sages always tell us to face our fears," she whispered into his ear as she nuzzled his cheek, nipping his ear lightly.
"Perhaps our fears are better faced somewhere other than a cramped starship." He picked her up in both arms and carried her out of the ship and across the grassy field towards the Briefs house. She held on tightly to his shoulders, face buried against his chest. She heard his heartbeat, quick and steady, and compared it to her own flitting pulse. She was afraid… but of what? Certainly not him…
Alec swiftly checked to make certain that nobody else was in the house, then carried Blade upstairs to their shared room. He gently laid her down on the bed, then eased himself next to her. She was as stiff as a board, completely unsure of what to do next, but it was obvious from her eyes that she was only waiting for a signal, or for someone else to show her what was appropriate. Alec would have loved to teach her, but… he knew nothing, himself.
"We're both novices at this," he laughed softly, tracing a finger down her cheek.
"Isn't there a manual or something?" she replied, quirking a small grin. He saw her relax slightly, and took that as a cue. Slowly he bent to kiss her again, and felt her respond by pressing up against him and tangling her fingers in his soft mane. Slowly she drew her hands downward along his spine, across the strong curve of his wing joints, stroking the individual golden-red feathers that lay like silken scales across the middle of his back. He responded by kissing a trail down her jaw and across the hollow of her throat, then found his progress impeded by the cotton fabric of her shirt. He propped himself up slightly, and she took the hint and pulled the clothing off. He discarded his own shirt, then bent and returned to what he was doing. She drew a swift, sharp breath of surprise and pleasure as he kissed a blazing trail down her body, across her navel, then back up towards her breasts. He gasped in turn when he felt her hands below his waist, working at his belt. Her eyes seemed to shimmer with mingled laughter and desire as she slowly began easing his jeans off.
"You're thoroughly incapacitating," she breathed, sliding her hands across his thighs. "I have to make this game equal somehow…"
He groaned with sudden pleasure as her hands moved from his thighs to the source of his arousal, then panted as she drew away. "Equal? I think you're winning." Then, with a smirk, he reached for her belt. "But not for long." He mantled his great glowing wings around her protectively, then leaned down to nuzzle her abdomen. She dug her fingers into his hair again, tail twitching with sensation as he moved lower.
"For a… novice… you're very good," she gasped. Her ears were ringing slightly now, and she felt as light as air. All she could see was him, all she could hear was his voice, and all she could feel was the touch of his fingers and his lips as they slowly explored every part of her.
"I'm a very thorough man," he answered, a roguish gleam in his eyes. She groaned slightly as he stroked the inside of her thigh, then moved to cover her with his warm bulk.
Blade would have replied, but she had lost her voice. A deep rumbling purr built up in her chest, and she pulled him down on top of her. She kissed him deeply, then nibbled his ear, mustered the last of her self-control, and whispered, "I'm ready for whatever you've got to throw at me."
He leaned back slightly, a hint of concern flickering in his expression. "There will be pain…"
"I… don't… care," she whispered. "I trust you… I need you…"
And that was all he needed to know. He bent to kiss her once more, and as he did, gently pressed into her. She whimpered slightly as a flash of pain burned within her, a small amount of blood tricking onto the sheets, but the whimper soon became a cry of pleasure as the pain evaporated and gave wayto a new and totally different sensation. Her pulse raced as he thrust into her again and again, each time a little harder, a little quicker, but never too quickly for her untried body. She arched her back and pressed up to him with each thrust, the sensation overwhelming her. Their cries mingled and blended, heartbeats synchronizing with one another as they joined, broke away, and joined again. Then, suddenly, almost without warning, the dance of life was fulfilled, and he fell upon her, utterly spent.
They lay like that for many moments, breathing slowing down with their heartbeats. Blade inhaled in his scent deeply, a smile crossing her face lazily as warmth spread throughout her body. After a time he eased himself off of her, then gazed into her emerald eyes adoringly. "I think that's a tie," he whispered, his voice a bit rough.
"No," she murmured, snuggling close to him, "you won. But I'd be glad to have a rematch any time."
He gently folded his wings over her and wrapped them both in a blanket, running his fingers slowly through her hair until she fell asleep. He watched her peaceful slumber for a time, half-disbelieving that he was really here, with her. Then, as the wonder faded into a happy feeling of well-being and contentment, he too drifted off to sleep.
~-~-~-
They awoke several hours later to the glimmer of sunset shining in through the window. Everyone else was at the party at the Kame for Celeb's safe return… a fact that Alec pointed out to Blade as the pair curled up with each other.
"We have to go," he murmured softly, stroking her hair. "Everyone will be suspicious."
"Let them," she said, snuggling up closer to his chest. One of his wings was wrapped around her, and she was more comfortable than she had been in a long while. "Don't move. I'm tired."
"Well, as you should be," he said, laughing lightly. "Are all Nekojins so feisty?"
"Oh quiet, you," she muttered, lightly punching his shoulder. He grinned and kissed her forehead.
"As m'lady wishes," he replied.
They lay there for a few more moments in comfortable silence, Blade nearly falling asleep to the slow rise and fall of Alec's chest and the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. Alec smild softly down at her, gently caressing her bare shoulders and silky hair. He felt her tail twitch against his ankle.
"What if they come home and find us?" he whispered into her ear.
Blade heaved a sigh. "You're right," she muttered. "We should at least make an appearance."
"I'm glad you agree," he said, quirking a grin. She stretched languorously and slipped out from under his protective wing to the closet. Alec sat up slightly, admiring her graceful form appreciatively. She sensed his eyes upon her and turned around indignantly.
"D'you mind?" she asked.
"Sorry," he said, laughing slightly. He stood from the bed as well, stretching his wings out, then turned to face the wall. Blade turned back to the closet and picked out a silvery gown that Bulma had provided. She slipped it over her head, admiring the way the silky fabric seemed to ripple like waves in a pond when she moved. She turned to a mirror and pulled a face at the disheveled mess of her hair. She began to brush it out as Alec pulled on a suit that seemed several sizes too large for him: it was Vegeta's. Blade yanked at a particularly tough tangle, growling irately as the tines of the brush refused to move. Suddenly she felt Alec's warm hands on hers, gently taking the brush from her. He worked it slowly through her hair, and she smiled and purred with contentment.
"Thank you," she said. "You don't have to do this."
"I always clean up the messes I make," he quipped.
She smiled. "How thoughtful of you."
"You're welcome."
"I love you, you know."
"And I love you back."
"I'm glad that's settled."
"So am I…"