Thanks for following along!! Hope you enjoyed the squee of last chapter!

Reunion (Chapter 4)

They lay in each other's arms as the sun slowly peeked its way over the horizon. Richard softly drew circles on Kahlan's back, her head resting on his chest. She could hardly believe it had been possible for them to be together but they had and Richard wasn't confessed. He was completely hers and still Richard.

"Kahlan, what are you going to do about your father?" he softly asked, concern still gripping him about the threat her father represented to their happiness. He hated to bring it up, wanting to just revel in the feel of her naked body pressed against his, their limbs still wrapped around each others, the sensations and feelings of bliss that still flowed through them from having made love hours earlier. His fears, however, would not allow it.

"I'm going to listen to what he has to say, but nothing more. He lost his right to be my father when he forced Dennee and me to do those terrible things, when he tied us up and locked us in the closet for not obeying him. Whatever trouble he has gotten himself in, he'll have to get himself out of it. I'm not leaving your side, Richard. You're my family, my life," Kahlan decisively replied.

She felt as though a weight had been lifted by finally voicing what she had been struggling with inside. She could feel Richard physically relax even more with her response. Lifting her head, she pressed her lips to his chest.

"You're my family too, Kahlan," he murmured as he pressed a kiss to the top of her head, his heart melting with her words. He wanted nothing more than to be her family, her everything. "I would have supported whatever you wanted to do, but I really don't want him around you. I don't trust him. It was all I could do not to beat him last night as it was," Richard admitted.

"I know; I could tell…and I love you for it," she smiled at his protectiveness of her. It made her feel so safe, so secure. With him she could handle anything that life threw at her, including her father.

"I love you, Kahlan. I never want you to be hurt like that ever again."

Overcome with love for this man she now shared a bed with, Kahlan reached up and began planting warm kisses on his chest. Richard arched his head back, the feel of her lips and tongue on his chest and nipple setting his nerves on fire.

Kahlan slowly moved to straddle him, never letting her lips loose contact with his chest for long. Richard kept his head planted to his pillow as his hands moved to hold her hips, allowing her the chance to explore him no matter how desperately he wanted to roll her over and take her again.

Richard was rewarded for his patience when Kahlan lightly ran her tongue over his lips before capturing them in a heated kiss that sent shivers throughout his body as they began to experience each other all over again.

XXX

Coming down the steps hand in hand, a glow settled on their faces, Richard and Kahlan were met at the bottom of the stairs by Cara who was glowering. Richard was curious about what had Cara so annoyed so early in the morning.

"Cara," Richard greeted her as they approached the Mord'Sith. "Is there a problem?"

"You might say that. The Mother Confessor's father is here already. He asked to see you, but I wouldn't let him in. I told him he had to wait outside until you were ready to see him…if you wanted to see him at all," Cara answered, disdain dripping in her voice.

Even though dreading having to see her father, Kahlan couldn't help but smile to herself at the Mord'Sith's protectiveness of her. It wasn't something she was use to seeing Cara direct towards her. It was something Cara usually reserved only for Richard, her Lord Rahl.

Richard felt Kahlan's grip tighten again on his hand. He was a little surprised that her father had arrived so early and yet, on the other hand, he didn't trust him as far as he could throw him. Richard was on guard with every word, every movement her father made. Something was definitely not right.

"Where's Zedd?" Richard asked, wanting to make sure they were all ready for whatever this man wanted with Kahlan.

"He's over there eating breakfast," Cara huffed with a roll of her eyes. "I swear there is something not right with that Wizard to be so hungry all the time."

"Well, the sooner I get this over with, the sooner he'll be gone and we can continue our search for the Stone of Tears," Kahlan sighed with resignation.

"I'm going with you," he told her, tightening his grasp on her hand. She could see by the resolute look in his eye that she wasn't going to be able to change his mind.

"I'm coming too," Cara added.

"I'm not a child he can manipulate and control anymore," Kahlan informed them. Neither of them appeared as if they were going to back down.

With a sigh, Kahlan headed for the door, Richard still clutching her hand and obviously not about to relinquish it any time soon, with Cara in tow following close behind.

Stepping into the bright morning sunlight, Kahlan was glad to see the streets were already beginning to bustle with people starting their day. She quickly spied her father sitting on a bench across the street from the tavern.

"Stay here; I'll be right back," Kahlan instructed them.

"Kahlan…" Richard began before Kahlan interrupted him.

"Richard, I'll be fine; just let me do this," she replied, turning to place her free hand against his cheek. "I need to do this if I want him out of my life forever."

The feel of her hand caressing his face caused his resolve to falter just long enough to allow her hand to slip free from his secure grasp. Watching her as she made her way across the street towards Phillip, Richard couldn't help the heated rush that flooded him.

Last night had been magical beyond belief. He always thought he couldn't live without her; now he knew that to be true. He just could not push away the unsettling feeling that kept creeping into his soul, the sense that he was about to lose her.

Leaning against the outside of the tavern, Richard and Cara watched as Kahlan approached her father. Richard was tense with apprehension. He did not like the idea of Phillip showing up out of nowhere after all these years. Whatever Phillip wanted, it was not good. He wished Kahlan would have let him go with her, but he understood she needed to do this on her own. He would be here for her, though, when she returned. They would get through this just like they'd gotten through everything else that life had thrown at them.

They had thought for so long that they could never consummate their love, but they had overcome that obstacle and spent a night of pure rapture together. Richard's passion for his Confessor was fueled again as he remembered how Kahlan had looked standing in his bedroom last night in her nightdress. As he recounted her kisses, he relived the feel of her soft skin pressed so urgently against his, her want for him smoldering in her blue eyes, the feeling of being inside of her, connected to her body, heart, and soul…

"You slept with the Mother Confessor," Cara flatly stated, rousing the Seeker from his lustful thoughts.

"What makes you think that?" Richard asked as he turned to look at her, stunned by her comment.

"Well if the fact that the Mother Confessor is practically glowing doesn't give it away, then that ridiculous grin that keeps showing up on your face does," she replied with her trademark smirk.

"That obvious, huh?"

"Transparent," she answered. "It's about time. I thought I would have to throw cold water on you and the Mother Confessor if you didn't figure it out soon."

"Well, you no longer have to worry; we figured it out. A couple of times…" he added under his breath with a grin spreading across his face. He couldn't wait for the chance to explore her all over again. It was an expedition he was thoroughly going to enjoy for the rest of his life.

XXX

Phillip rose to meet his daughter as she approached him, noting the cold emotionless look that was set firmly on her face. He knew she had already made up her mind not to help him, but he hoped that his charm and skills of persuasion would alter that decision.

"Good morning, Kahlan," Phillip began. "You look radiant this morning."

"Don't bother with the greetings and flattering compliments. Just tell me what trouble you have gotten yourself into so I can be rid of you once and for all," Kahlan retorted, crossing her arms against her chest.

"I am sorry, Kahlan. I do hope that you will understand and forgive me one day. Please sit down," he offered as he retook his position on the bench.

Eyeing him warily, Kahlan reluctantly sat next to him on the bench. Even being this close to him made her blood run cold. He had caused her and Dennee so much heartache and so many nightmares. She could never forgive this man who held the title of father.

"Why do you need my help?"

"I'm afraid I've gotten myself into a bit of trouble. I have a map that leads to a great treasure and the only way to get to the treasure is with a stone. I have both."

"So why do you need me? Sounds like you have everything you need to make you happy."

"The stone and the map only work for one with a pure heart. You, Kahlan, have the purest heart I know."

"You want me to leave my duties to my Seeker, to our quest to find the Stone of Tears, to seal the rift, and defeat the Keeper in order to help you find buried treasure for your own selfish purposes?" Kahlan exploded, standing to her feet.

Across the street, the Seeker and Mord'Sith suddenly stood upright and on guard as they witnessed the Mother Confessor abruptly jump to her feet. Even though they couldn't hear what was being said, it was obvious Kahlan was furious.

"I'm going over there and put a stop to this once and for all," Richard finally spat out as he began to walk away from Cara.

"Wait, give her time," Cara patiently replied as she grabbed the Seeker's arm, pulling him back to her side. "She needs to handle this herself. You can't jump in and rescue her every time she's hurt or upset."

"You obviously don't understand loving someone do you?" he snapped back, angry that he was helpless to keep Kahlan from pain while at the same time angry that deep down he knew Cara was right. It just hurt so much to stand idly by and watch the one you love suffer.

"I understand more than you think," she calmly replied, keeping her focus on the activities across the street as Richard began pacing back and forth beside Cara. He was like a caged animal, ready to pounce on its prey.

"Kahlan, I understand how petty it must sound compared to the importance of your mission, but you'd only be gone for a week at the most and then you can return to the Seeker."

"I will not leave Richard's side. He is my family, not you," she spit out through gritted teeth.

"Kahlan you don't understand. There are very dangerous men after me. If I don't get your help and find the treasure, they'll kill me!" he exclaimed, praying his fear would get through to her.

"I guess you better start looking for a good hiding place then," she spat out, turning to leave.

Only gaining a couple of steps, Kahlan was jerked back by her father who now had an iron-clad grip on her arm. Seething with rage at this man who now had his hands on her, Kahlan attempted to pull out of his grasp.

"Let go of me!" Kahlan hissed at him, rage dancing in her blue eyes.

"Kahlan, you're making a very grave mistake," he heatedly replied as a dozen large men seemed to appear from nowhere to surround Kahlan and her father.

Enraged at the site of Phillip grabbing Kahlan as she attempted to leave, Richard began to make his way towards them, Cara right behind him. Before they had even made it half way across the street, several large men had suddenly surrounded them.

Pulling the Sword of Truth from its scabbard, Richard began racing towards Kahlan and her attackers only to be brought to a sudden halt by the site of Kahlan being held by her hair by Phillip, a knife at her throat.

"One more step, Richard, and I'll slit her throat," Phillip warned, his indigo eyes flickering with fury…

*I'm getting a little too good at these cliffhangers…