Flesh Wounds

Part Six

"Athena…" he slowly moved closer to her. "I've…I've dreamed of you responding…responding to my touch like that." His fingertips brushed over her arm; her eyes fluttered shut as a shiver ran over her. "Athena…" he whispered. "Look at me."

Her lashes parted, and she focused on exactly how close he was to her. Still stroking her arm, he reached up with his other hand to trace her lips. She unconsciously licked them, and he half-whimpered before closing his mouth over hers.

It was a chaste kiss, no brush than a brush. Then he angled her head to the side; her fingers weaved through his hair as the kiss deepened, almost dangerously.

Reluctantly pulling away, he gently bit her bottom lips before resting his forehead against hers. "I know you're probably going to be scared later…Athena, if you're…" He stopped, grinned ruefully, then started over. "I want to take the risk if you do. If you want to try this, believe me, I won't say no. But if you don't, tell me now. I'll leave, and this will never come up again."

She reached up to stroke his face, staring into his warm brown eyes. "Tell me what you imagined again?"

A grin split his face, and he stretched out on the couch, settling her until her head was nestled under his chin. "How 'bout I demonstrate that one at a later date?"

"Mmm…okay," she replied sleepily, snuggling closer. "Stay here tonight?"

"I'll sleep on the couch."

"But I've got this really big bed…" she said.

"Now who's tempting who?"

"Hey, I'll behave if you will."

A few minutes later, they were both under the sheets, Gabriel loosely spooning Athena, one arm around her slim waist. "Sweet dreams, sweetheart," he whispered.

"You, too, Gabriel," she replied; bathed in the Witchblade's new green glow, they slipped off to dreamland.

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The next morning, Xander silently let himself into Athena's apartment with one of her extra sets of keys, a box of pastries in his hand. Glancing into the bedroom, he saw the still-sleeping couple, grinned, and slipped out just as quietly.

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A few hours later, an annoying bee started to buzz, becoming louder as Gabriel became more conscious. Blindly reaching over to the bedside table, he fumbled for the first cell he could find, luckily finding the right one. "Hello?"

"Is this Gabriel?" A male voice asked.

"Yes…"

"I'm Xander, Athena's…aide. Is she awake?"

Bowman glanced down at the still form in his arms. "Doesn't look like it."

"Okay. Tell her I'm making her take the day off, and I'll call if there's an emergency. I think you'll be able to convince her better."

"Listen, man, nothing…"

"Hey," Xander interrupted. "There's nothing between 'Thene and me. We just work together and are friends. So, you know, if you hurt her, I will hunt you down."

"Uh…okay."

The teen chuckled. "Just tell her stay home today. There are some bagels, doughnuts, croissants, etcetera, on the kitchen table. And tell her good morning for me."

"Okay. Later."

"Later."

Gabriel clicked the phone closed and just watched his sleeping beauty. She was half-laying on top of him, her head nestled on his shoulder and one leg over both of his. Half-wondering why she had not awoken with the phone ringing, his gaze fell on the Witchblade. The stone had finally regained its normal color, but pulses of green still streaked through on occasion. "Why are you doing that?" He asked softly, brushing his fingers over the stone. It chose not to answer, however.

Athena stirred, feeling someone watching her. Slowly blinking, she remembered the previous night and looked up to see Gabriel smiling down at her. "Morning, sweetheart."

"Mmm…morning," she purred, unaware of the effect it had on him.

"Darling, purring is very bad for my gentlemanly side," he grinned.

"Bad gentlemanly side."

A cell ringing shattered the teasing mood. "If that's Xander, I'll kill him," the girl mumbled, burying her face in Gabriel's shoulder.

"Nah, he called earlier. Besides, it's mine. Hello?" He said into the receiver.

"Gabe?"

"Sara?"

"Where are you?"

"How are you, too?" He grinned. "I'm at Athena's."

"I called your place, and you weren't there, so I was wondering if you were okay."

"Just peachy," he replied, running his fingers up and down Athena's shoulder. "You okay?"

"A little tired."

"How much have you been sleeping?" He asked, concerned.

"Well, usually, the Witchblade sends me dreams, but so far there's been nothing."

"No visions or anything?"

At his question, Athena glanced down at her bracelet, a questioning frown wrinkling her forehead.

"No," Sara replied, pushing back her long, mahogany hair. "Nothing."

He sat up. "That's…unusual, to say in the least."

"Don't I know it. Hey, has Athena learned anything?"

"It doesn't seem so."

"Well, if something does drop into your lap, call me, okay?"

"Of course. Later, Chief."

"Wait, Gabe?"

"Yeah?"

"Do you trust Athena?"

The said girl looked up at him seriously; there was no hesitation in his voice as he replied, "Yes. With my life."

"Why?"

"Do you want the entire list?"

That earned him a strange look from Athena, who then rolled off the bed and dug some clothes out of her closet.

Sara chuckled. "Maybe later."

"Okay, then. I'll see you later."

"Yeah."

Athena came out of the bathroom, dressed in a bulky blue sweater and jeans. "You should probably get dressed. I think I've got some clothes that will fit you somewhere."

"Um, when Xander called? He told me he was making you take the day off. And he brought breakfast. And to tell you good morning."

"Really? Funny, I should have heard him. You want some coffee?"

Frowning slightly, he nodded, and she went into the kitchen.

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"You okay?" Gabriel finally asked.

Athena paused mid-bite of her croissant, and put it back on her plate. "Why do you trust me?"

"Because you fell asleep in my arms. Because you let me touch you…kiss you. And if you had ever wanted me dead, I would be," he replied without hesitating.

"How do you know I'm not just biding my time?"

"I'm trusting you aren't. Besides, why would you?" He shook his head. "Athena, those are just…added bonuses. I trust you because of a little incident in college, remember?"

She half-grinned. "I warned you about that frat party."

"And I didn't listen…we've been over this."

"Well, since you brought it up…" Cheerier, she put their dishes in the sink and was then pulled into his lap.

"I owe you my life, sweetheart," he said in all seriousness. "Why wouldn't I trust you?"

"Because…"

He silenced her with a soft kiss. "It doesn't matter." When she opened her mouth to protest, he placed a finger across her lips. "It. Doesn't. Matter. I still trust you, and I always will."

The next thing he knew, a desperate blonde attacked his mouth, and he fisted one hand in her hair, showing her the exact intensity of his feelings with lips, teeth, and tongue. "Wait…wait," he murmured against her lips, pulling back. "Not like this."

When she quested after his mouth, he forcefully held her back. "Athena, no."

Her lashes lowered. "You don't want to?"

Taking her hand, he placed it on his erection. "Does this feel like I don't want to?"

She flushed, and he gently cupped her cheek before setting her on her feet. "Ah, sweetheart…I want you to love me when we make love."

"But I d---"

Again, he silenced her with his finger. "No, not yet. I know you feel for me, but can you honestly tell me you love me? After all those years of not feeling?"

"How did you…?"

"I researched. Are you sure you love me?"

Her gaze dropped; he gathered her close. "It'll happen when it's ready to happen. Let's not rush, okay? I promise, neither of us will regret it."

Closing her eyes, she relaxed against him; he ran his fingers through her hair, pressing his lips to the top of her head.

Then the phone rang.