Ch 42

The morning rays hit Raven's crosslegged pose as she meditated outside beside a beautiful, sparkling blue ocean. Her eyes opened to the scene before her, and she smiled, feeling quite content and at peace, which she hadn't felt in a long time accept with Gar. Thinking of him made her smile widen and her face blush just thinking about the night they got to their hut on the beach.

'I'm still exhausted,' she thought as she settled herself on the sand, letting her bare feet disappear beneath it. Before she could close her eyes and rest her head on her bent knees, she felt something slither past her leg, giving her a warm feeling inside. Looking towards her leg, she saw a green snake. She smirked. "Nice try Gar, I know it's you."

"You know I'll keep trying Rae."

"I'm sure you—Her words got caught in her thought when she realized her boyfriend's state of undress. "Gar! Why are you naked?"

"I put on sunscreen if that's what you're worried about," he smiled as he lied down on the sand beside her.

"Something tells me you've done this before," she said as her eyes wandered over his form.

"Yeah but only one other time. It was a few months after I escaped some poachers for a little while as a kid. I was free, and I just shed my clothes and ran through the jungle. It was one of the most exhilarating things I've ever done."

"It sounds like you really needed to let loose in that moment."

"Yeah," he smirked as an idea formed in his head. "So, you want to let loose with me on the beach?"

"I'm not hanging out with you naked on the beach Garfield."

"Why not? I could undress you right now and run sun tan lotion all over your body. Now doesn't that sound the least bit appealing to you?"

Raven laughed. "No, that sounds more appealing to you Gar."

"How can you even say that Rae? You'd be the one feeling good, and I'd be happy to bring you happiness."

"Your logic astounds me."

Gar smiled. "I don't want to make you do anything you're not comfortable with, so let's just enjoy this day in the sun," he said as he felt his body relax, closing his eyes, he sighed and then he felt something wet on his body. Opening his eyes, he was surprised to see Raven rubbing sun tan lotion on his naked body. "Raven?"

"Just enjoy yourself Gar," she smirked.

Lying back down, he closed his eyes and concentrated on her hands all over his body. Every touch felt hot and pleasurable as he tried to contain his moans and growls but he knew he was making a lot of noise until her touch stopped and her body lied on top of his.

The night breeze came through their bedroom window as the couple held each other while they slept. Their clothes weren't needed as they rested comfortably together with a lite blanket covering them. It was a peaceful night until something intruded in Raven's mind.

'Who's there?' asked Raven.

'Raven.'

'Linda, how are you here in my mind?'

'Your life doesn't have to be this way my child. Everything you have done doesn't have to come to pass.'

'Why would you want anything to do with me? I killed you, your husband, New Azarath, and all our people.'

'I know it was not done out of malice but of grief. It won't be your burden to bare anymore Raven. There is hope.'

'How?'

'I am no longer of this world, so I can't preform the spell. There is something at your tower that can be of help if you really want to return to a time when you were free to roam the world as yourself and not a holo ring human.'

'Messing with time is a dangerous thing. I could screw up my life and the life of my friends and Gar forever.'

'You must ask yourself if the life you lead now is the one you want for the rest of your life, always paranoid that someone will find out who you really are. You would be locked up forever Raven. Is this the life you want with Garfield for the rest of your lives? You have time to think about it my child. The tower is going nowhere.'

'I—I'm sorry.'

'I know Raven. I can feel your pain my dear. You should not have to feel it anymore. I must go now, good luck.'

'Thank you Linda and goodbye.'

'Goodbye.'

Raven woke up in the night, tears down her cheeks. She wiped them away, not realizing she had cried during her time with Linda. She felt Gar's grip tightly against her body, but he was still asleep. She smiled at the gesture. It was like his body subconsciously knew she needed comforting. 'I love you Gar,' she thought and then she felt his lips kiss her forehead. 'You always know just what I need.'

"Gar," Raven said in his ear, "I want you," she said as she watched his forest green eyes look deeply into her eyes.

He didn't question her as he took her in his arms and held her for a bit before touching and kissing every part of her body in a delicate and tender way, taking his time to cherish every inch of her body. It was what she deserved, and he would give her everything she wanted.