Love Don't Come Easy
Disclaimer: I deny any ownership of any adult or adolescent transformed shadow warrior chelonians.
Chapter Twelve-Dilemma
Jessie heard those words, the very ones he'd been longing to hear for so long, and even though the wound in his belly hurt, suddenly the pain really didn't seem to matter. The only things that mattered at the present time was Rama curled in his arms, her warm touch on his skin, her mouth on his and the passion between them. Even locked in Rama's loving embrace he recalled Don's strategy.
"Whatever you do Jessie don't tell Rama you love her, she will sense the sincerity in your words and, then because, she loves another she will put up walls and deny any feeling for you." Don insisted the day following Leo's punishment.
"She is going know anyway she can sense it right?" He had protested.
"Yes, but if you don't tell her, she will feel you are respecting her feelings. As long as you do your best to not kiss her, or say I love you, to her, she will have no reason to think that those emotions are getting the better of you" Don explained.
"How is this going help me win Rama?" Jessie moaned.
"Easy, you will have more chances to be around her. Sparring, see if Leo may permit you some patrol time, he might you know. You have more time around Rama then Steven does use it to your advantage," Don gave a sly smile, "The beauty of this is as long as you treat Rama as a friend, no one, not even Leo, will condemn you when Rama starts to realize she has feelings for you too."
"She may have feelings but will she admit to them?" Jessie wondered curiously.
"She may, or may not, but it might slow down the relationship with Steven giving you a chance to get your foot in the door." Don replied.
Jen shook her head, "I can't believe I am hearing this Don."
Don arched an eye ridge and walked over to hug his wife from behind, "Why ever not, do you have something against love, my dear?"
"Not at all Don, it is just this seems so deceptive for you" Jen sighed relaxing in his embrace.
"Leo isn't the only one who knows strategy" Don murmured nuzzling her neck.
Jessie grinned, "So uh how long do I have to wait before I tell Rama?"
Don looked up blushing slightly as if he had forgotten they had an audience, "Well at least until she tells you, or she comes to you saying she refused Steven's proposal, which ever comes first."
Jessie didn't know if he cared for such a plan then, in fact it didn't seem much like strategy to him. In fact to him the plan seemed far more designed to let Steven walk away with Rama attached to his side. But Jessie began to see the beauty of Don's schemes later. The fact that Don had proven right, was wonderful news.
Jessie cupped Rama's head in his hands, looking at her familiar and beautiful face, his heart beat faster, and his breathing was coming quicker, "Rama, do you know how long I have been waiting for you to say that? Because I love you so much, and I never thought you could love me. I have tried not to let it get in our way, because I didn't want to lose you. I thought if I confessed to how I felt you wouldn't even want to be around me, not even as a friend."
Rama smiled, "Silly boy Jessie, I could never turn you away" Rama smiled at him reaching to kiss him again, "Oh Jess."
Jessie wrapped her tighter in his embrace feeling the blood course fast through his veins as he answered her deep and passionate kiss, his fingers tapped on her plastron, knowing that light touches on the thick shell were hardly noticeable but the tapping set up almost a vibration that Rama could feel. She trembled a bit, and increased her kisses along his face and neck.
Rama clung to Jessie, she had not felt anything like this for some time, but all of a sudden all she wanted was to be here and make love with Jessie, she wanted to give herself fully and worry about any consequences later. She truly hadn't felt anything like this since the last time she had been in Devon's arms and bed when they had come so close to making her a kunoichi, in every sense of the word. She nuzzled his neck "Jessie" she whimpered.
"I'm here Rama, I'm alright and I love you." Jessie assured her.
"Love me Jessie" Rama pleaded.
Jessie sucked air in through his mouth, "It isn't that I don't want to, for I do. But I don't think now is the time Rama love." Jessie replied." I don't want us rushing into things Rama. I don't want you to regret your decision to be with me." Jessie whispered softly.
Rama shook her head "I won't regret anything."
"No you won't because, they'll be no reason to" Jessie answered sticking to his convictions, "Besides won't Leo wonder where we are if we are back late?"
Rama scowled a bit "Yeah, I guess." she sighed, "I love you though." She said as she sat up fighting to get her emotions back under control.
"And I you." Jessie assured her, he really didn't want to turn down this chance with Rama, and yet he had promised Leo not to hurt her, and he didn't want to move in at the first opportunity, taking advantage of her feelings or emotions. Besides while Rama may have forgotten Steven, Jessie had not. He wasn't about to fulfill that wish until he was sure Rama was truly his girl. Though it took everything in him to turn her down. Jessie had known a few girls, early on that he had been willing to bed the moment they said 'go' . But Rama was not one of those girls. Rama was different and he cared for her too much, to go that way.
Rama gave a heavy sigh and pouted a bit, "I'll go check if things are safe. Stay here."
Jessie nodded, as he pulled his shirt back on watching her leave, giving him a chance to calm his own racing heart, still his breathing and calm down. Rama returned and they headed carefully back to the lair. Once home Jessie yawned "I think I'll hit the sack."
"How's your dressing let me check, see if it looks good or needs a change first" Rama insisted.
Jessie pulled up his shirt for her inspection and Rama ran a loving hand over his chest,"Looks okay. Have it checked in the morning Jess. Or you may want Uncle Don to check it now. I don't think it went past the muscle but if the trident did damage any internal organs that ought to be cared for quickly."
Jessie nodded as he let his shirt fall back into place, he pulled Rama into his arms and kissed her " You have a point," Jessie grimaced a little "Best check with him and see what his expert opinion is first. G'night."
XXXXX
Rama woke up a bit earlier then usual from a wonderful dream, her thoughts were on her dear friend Jessie, but as she glanced towards her calendar she realized that she had a date with Steven that night, ' Oh my, Steven, what have I done? What am I going tell him, when he's already been jealous enough, this will surely give him fuel for the fire. Even if I told Steven it was just a mistake...' Yet even in her panicked, frantic mind she realize that it hadn't been a mistake. She loved her friend, and he loved her, to deny what she felt for him would be to lie to herself, and that was not something she could do. She recalled lying in Jessie's warm comfortable embrace, how she had wanted to go further, all the way, and Jessie turning her down ever so gently. " Like he has more control then a trained ninja' She snorted to herself, then a sly smile crossed her face, ' Either that or he can cause this kunoichi to give in when other wise she wouldn't? Or maybe, it is that I'm more familiar with him. Whatever the case is I love him so much,' Rama shook her head uncertainly as she chewed a little on her bottom lip 'Maybe it is Steven I don't love, after all is it possible to love two people so much at the same time. I know they both love me...wait a minute. I have two guys who want me?' Rama beamed with delight at the thought, never in her entire life had she ever conceived such a thing. Any thoughts of dying a virgin were banished in that moment. No matter what, she knew she didn't regret one moment with Jessie.
Rama left her room some time later, suited up and humming a soft love song to herself, as she passed by Tessica's room she heard her little sister whimpering, and went in to check on her "It is much to early for you to be up little one" she whispered.
"Ama." the toddler sniffed and held her hands up.
Rama smiled a bit and checked her diaper, she was just starting her potty training and so needed the diaper over night, it was wet. "Ewww, guess we know why you woke up huh?" Rama wrinkled her snout a bit. Rama knew enough about her little sister to know Tessica wouldn't be going back to sleep any time soon. "Come on you might as well come with me. No need you waking up mom and dad too." she scolded gently. " I just hope the Master overlooks any tardiness on my part." Rama laughed knowing Leo was very permissive for these situations. Rama grinned, "Who knows Tess, in another year or so, I just might have a little girl or boy of my own, and you are going be a very young aunt."
"Not if I have any say about it" came a voice behind her.
Rama turned with Tessica in her arms to see her dad entering the bedroom, "Dad you're too much."
"Daddy, daddy" Tessica sang out quickly squirming to be let down to go to her dad.
Mike chuckled, "Of course I am. I'm your father and your not allowed to have children, not until you are in your thirties."
"Bull. I'm already older then you were when you had me, so you have no right to preach." Rama countered.
"Well you know the old saying those who don't know teach. In this instance those who don't adhere to that rule teach." Mike laughed as he strolled up, "I'll take care of this Monkey, you get on to your duties girl."He plucked Tessica from her arms, tickling the child who chortled merrily. "Don't be in a big rush to marry and have kids, you have the rest of your life Rama" Mike advised seriously.
"I know you care for me dad, and I appreciate that" Rama acknowledged, "Now you have to let me live my life" She stated as she pecked him on the cheek. A small smile creased her face and she giggled a little.
"What?" Mike inquired arching an eye ridge.
"Remember a few years back all the battles we had, over something as simple as this?" Rama hinted.
Mike nodded "I for one, am glad those years are gone Rama, guess you have grown up."
Rama pounced on those words "See you admit it I've grown up, so you don't have to be an interfering father."
"Part of my job description Rama." Mike declared, "You don't get off that easy."
Rama tugged on his bandanna and sauntered out of the room. Mike watched her go and turned to Tessica "As for you young lady you aren't growing up at all. You are going stay daddy's little princess, right?"
Tessica nodded "Tessa, daddy's gurl."
"That's right."
XXX
Rama managed to get a few minutes away from her duties, to talk with Jessie, while she didn't regret last night or her sudden feelings for Jessie she knew she had to speak with him about where things were going, though to be fully honest she wasn't fully sure where they were going for herself. She found Jessie in the dojo working out, just watching him perform a few simple katas caused her to watch him in awe, and admiration. ' Damn he is so hot.' She saw him wince slightly "Hey no straining the wound you won't get better that way boy." She cautioned.
Jessie smiled at her, "Come to tell me last night was a mistake?"
"Why would you say that Jess?" Rama asked puzzled.
"You have Steven." Jessie pointed out bluntly.
"I know, but last night, it..." Rama paused bowed her head, "Was more unexpected and a surprise then it was, a mistake. I care about you as a friend. I never thought I'd feel this way for you Jessie. But as you say there is still Steven and I love him too."
Jessie nodded " I can wait for a decision Rama. I don't mind waiting. But I don't want to be strung along either thinking I have a chance if I don't," he stated simply.
"Do you really think I'm that kinda girl?" Rama asked curiously.
"No, normally you aren't but having two guys vying for your love might make you act differently." Jessie explained with a shrug. He cupped her face in his hands " I love you Rama, I want to be with you and only you."
Rama gulped at his whispered words, as she gazed deep into his brown eyes feeling almost undone at his gentleness. There was just something about him, that undid her completely she knew that, ' Perhaps it is because he is so familiar. We know each other so well.' She blushed and ducked her head, "Jessie, I love you but I don't know if I can really decide just yet. I mean, I know I have to but I feel I owe Steven more than a quick brush off too. Steven is a good man, he is wonderful in his own ways and I do need time to figure out, the whole situation."
" I told you, I can wait" Jessie murmured as he leaned in to kiss her.
Rama's arm slipped around his neck returning the kiss.
XXX
Steven came that night to pick her up and Rama smiled at him feeling her heart skip a beat, she sidled into his arms inhaling the scent that she thought of as his. "So what's on the agenda for tonight?" She asked him.
"Well I was thinking..." Steven began.
"That's a bad thing to do think." Rama couldn't help but tease.
"Can't help it" Steven shrugged, "It is part of what I do."
Rama giggled and pecked him on the cheek, "So you were thinking about what?"
"That you might want to come dancing with me tonight?" Steven suggested.
Rama's eyes glowed "You mean it? Oh I would love to. It sounds like fun." She replied quickly.
Steven smiled, delighted to please her with something so simple, as a night in a bar with a couple of drinks and a few dances. He rather appreciated the fact that Ramiela wasn't into grand things, of course he knew a lot of that was due to her situation. It would be difficult for her to do ball room dancing, but she was willing to take what she could get, and didn't seem to fret over the things that she couldn't obtain or have. "Then what are we waiting for?"
"Well just let me get some clothes on. I don't think the usual coat will work for this." Rama purred, as she slipped gently from his arms and hurried away.
By the time Rama returned that evening, she knew one thing she still loved Steven very much. ' But what did you expect just for it to go away, because you love another now too?' Rama sighed hanging her head at that thought as she slipped into her bedroom, Ronin seeing her ankles pounced out from under the bed wrapping tiny paws around one foot, pricking claws into flesh. "Ow attack cat" Rama yelped jumping back, "Come here you trouble maker." she grasped the kitten as it went to run. "Ronin I'm in deep trouble. I didn't think it was possible to love two people at once, not in like the romantic sense, family sense sure. But everyone I know they have only been with one person at a time." Rama confessed to the ball of fur in her hands. Ronin merrily chomped on her fingers and purred. "Both the people I love are wonderful and great in their own way, but somehow I'm going have to pick one, and what if I choose wrong?" 'Better yet' her thoughts chimed in, 'how am I going to choose?'
Ronin squirmed free of her hands and mewed once or twice as if in reply before he turned to find a small ball to bat around, the kitten practically turning summersaults and flips over and about the ball causing Rama to giggle at his antics.
'Hopefully I can solve this dilemma soon.' Yet a part of Rama still thrilled to the thought that there were two wonderful men after her.
TBC