Island Wolf: Hnggg it was so difficult to get this chapter out, I'm sorry it took so long but it is so difficult to find time to write now that I'm basically working full time. I'm much more pleased with the second half of this chapter than the first, but no matter how much tweaking I did I wasn't content so I just bit the bullet and pushed on. Now I will warn you guys that there is mature content (yes there is sexy times ahead - it only took me 12 freaking chapters haha) so brace yourselves for that. Other than that, I hope you all enjoy the chapter :)

Disclaimer: I own nothing as per usual *sigh*

On Friday morning the storm hit.

It came roaring down from the north-east with winds that howled and slammed into the house so hard that May could feel the floorboards shudder beneath her feet. The world beyond the icy panes of glass became a swirling void of white – she couldn't even make out the shape of the stable through the kitchen window. She heard Maxie stoke the fire in the living room. "Are you sure Maria will be okay out there?"

"Yes, yes I've got the building well battened down, she's got fresh hay and water and I put her blankets on before I locked up. I'll keep checking though."

"Good, I'd hate to think she was uncomfortable."

"She's fine, don't worry your pretty little head," he said as he came up behind her and pressed a chaste kiss to her temple. She smiled and handed him a cup of tea, for which he nodded gratefully. "Come on, it's much nicer in the living room."

He wasn't wrong. The fire had been stoked to a healthy blaze and the room had become a haven of warmth, lit by the yellow glow of kerosene lamps and the flames dancing in the hearth. She smiled at the lack of electric light they usually read by in the evenings and turned to him, arching a slender brow. "Trying to set the mood are we?"

"What can I say," he said, grinning as he eased himself down onto the couch and crossed one long leg over the other. "I'm a romantic."

May huffed into her cup, but sat down and nestled against his side nonetheless. Kella and Duncan seemed to mimic the actions of their trainers and curled up together on the rug in front of the fireplace. She smiled at the sight, if a little sadly. Kella had been very close to her Mightyena and the Manectric had felt the loss of her companion keenly. Duncan it seemed, had taken it upon himself to make her feel welcome throughout the week and while the electric canine had seemed wary at first she'd come to tolerate him after a while and was perhaps, becoming just a little bit fond of the Mightyena. So was she, to be fair. It had been hard, very hard at times, to see him so like Gabriel. It made the shadows rear and hiss in their darkened corners, but slowly her dread ebbed away and besides – she couldn't really resist that cute face looking up at her with those big ruby eyes. It was funny, she remembered him being so ferocious all those years ago, snarling and spitting in the red glow of the magma and now the canine in question was on his back, tongue lolling out and pawing at Kella in a playful manner. The electric-type huffed and batted his muzzle with a heavy paw of her own, but that did not deter the wolf-like pokémon. He rolled back onto his belly and laid his head down on Kella's back. The Manectric sighed and rolled her eyes, but laid her head back down on her paws and let him be.

Below the crackling of the fire May could hear the wind moan and felt another shudder run through the house. She shivered at the sound and nestled herself more securely against her companion. "How long did they say this storm was supposed to last?"

"Two days, going by the report from last evening – one moment," he said, setting his tea down on the coffee table. He rose and crossed the room to switch on the small radio on the mantle, carefully adjusting the tuner until he honed in on a clear signal.

" - winds northeast, blowing 80 kilometres per hour, gusting to 90 except the coast where gusts of 110 can be expected. Snow fall for tonight is expected to exceed 35 to 40 centimetres, continuing on into tomorrow evening where an additional 20 – 25 centimetres will fall in the eastern half of the region. Residents are advised to stay indoors until the storm system has passed. We will be updating the forecast every hour on the hour, stay tuned."

"Nasty," May said, pulling a face as she swallowed the rest of her tea. "We never got this much snow in Littleroot."

"This is fairly typical up here for February," Maxie shrugged. He paused for a moment and listened to the song drifting out from the radio station and barked a laugh. "Ah it's our old favourite."

May grinned at the sweet, dulcet tones of Dick Haymes as he sang the same song she'd heard in Maxie's quarters so long ago at the Magma headquarters when she'd smiled at him over that glass of scotch and glimpsed his softer side for the very first time. He turned to her and extended a hand. "May I have this dance?"

There he was, her gallant soldier. She set down her cup next to his on the table and crossed the room to take his hand. He settled his other hand on her waist while she placed hers on his shoulder and he guided her into a slow, swaying dance. She giggled when he stepped back to turn her into a spin and then pulled her back so she was flush against him and pressed a chaste kiss to her forehead. It was amazing, really, to think back on how different things had been when she'd last heard this song. She'd been afraid of him still, if just a little – he'd gunned a man down without flinching and at the time she'd been horrified, but now...now she understood. He'd only been protecting them, protecting her.

She laid her head against his chest and smiled at his heartbeat. "Thank you."

"For what?"

"For everything," she said, smiling softly as she looked up at him. "I wouldn't be here if it weren't for you. I – you amaze me; I never realized what a wonderful man you are and I'm so grateful that I got to see this part of you...that you let me love this part of you."

He was silent for a moment, swaying them in time to the music. When he spoke his voice was quiet, but filled with warmth. "I'm the lucky one May. I thought this part of me had died long ago...but you brought me back. After all I'd put you through, after everything you knew I'd done you still managed to smile at me. How could I not fall in love with you?"

He broke off their waltzing stance and wrapped his arms around her in a tight embrace. "I thought happiness was far beyond me...you proved me wrong."

"I've got a talent for that," she replied with a wicked smirk and he laughed. That made her smile – he had a nice laugh and she wished she could hear it more often. She laid her head against his chest, trying to stifle a yawn and felt him chuckle softly.

"Sleepy again already?"

"I can't help it, bad weather makes me tired," she whined, looping her arms around his waist. "I could never travel in it so I usually just slept the day away at my base or a pokémon centre."

"Well, I wouldn't be opposed to a nap myself."

"You're a saint," she sighed appreciatively as they made their way towards the stairs. The gesture meant a lot – she knew damn well he wasn't tired. Over the past few months she'd come to learn that once Maximilian Asher was up for the day he didn't even broach the idea of sleep until the moon was high in the sky. He knew that she couldn't sleep alone, but he didn't want to wound her pride by asking if she would like his company. It was thoughtful and she appreciated not having to verbalize her debility. Soon, they were both under the covers and she curled up against him with a pleased sigh as the world started to melt away with the sound of his low, steady breathing and the warmth of his presence.

The metal was cold beneath her bare back.

Leather straps were pulled tight around her ankles, wrists, and across her hips – rough and unyielding against her naked skin. High above a circular span of bright fluorescent lights blinded her and her eyes, no matter how hard she tried would neither move nor blink against the terrible brightness. Somewhere to her left a high, cold voice hissed words she couldn't quite hear and the straps were suddenly undone. Now, here was her chance -

But just as she could not avert her gaze from the lights above she couldn't move. Her arms and legs remained motionless and the best she managed to do was twitch her little finger. The voice was laughing now and had moved behind her. For a moment a shadow blotted out the lights and all she could see was a span of darkness barely concealing sharp, leering features and pale eyes the burned with an unholy fire. Cold hands settled on either side of her face and long, spidery fingers traced the outline of her features. She wanted to scream, oh gods why couldn't she scream. The hands slid down to her shoulders and the shadow bent down to whisper cruel promises in her ear.

The shadow retreated and she was blinded again by the wretched lights. She heard the soft 'snick' of metal sliding against metal and a scalpel, gleaming bright and terrible, slid into her line of vision. It moved down, settling just below her sternal notch. The blade's edge bit like winter's kiss as it touched her bare skin and dragged a long, slow trail up the centre of her chest, parting the flesh there like a hot knife through butter. She had no pain, but she could feel the blood welling up in the valley of parted tissue, filling the gap and spilling out to roll down the sides of her ribcage. The scalpel was raised again, now hovering over her face. Still warm blood dripped onto her cheek as it descended oh so slowly towards her, aiming directly for her left eye, but still she could not turn away. Laughter like wet silk resonated off of metal walls as blade met flesh and everything went red.

Finally, she could scream.

"May! May, wake up!"

She was pinned down again, firm pressure holding her flat against whatever she was lying upon and she screamed again, The pressure loosened and was replaced by an encompassing warmth as strong arms were wrapped securely around her beneath the blankets. When she opened her eyes there was no metal, no red, no leering, savage gaze – she was in Maxie's arms, sobbing and wailing as he tried to hold her still, whispering low, soothing words in her ear that weren't entirely English. She turned in his embrace, burying her face in his chest. "Easy, easy, May. It was just a dream mo gradh, just a dream."

He started humming softly, a low sweet tune that spoke of rolling green highlands and mountains that loomed high and tall through cloaks of mist, of deep roaring rivers and hushed forest glades that only sprite and spirit knew. Slowly, they chased the jarring images of the nightmare away leaving her drifting out of thought and time until she finally regained the ability to breathe. Maxie brought up a hand to stroke her hair. "Are you alright?"

His normally steady tenor trembled and she knew she'd worried him which made her hold him all the tighter. "I will be," she said hoarsely, scrubbing her eyes with the back of her hand. "I'm sorry."

"You have nothing to be sorry for," he said, sliding a finger beneath her chin, forcing her to look up at him. "Do you want to talk about it?"

"I – I'm afraid..."

"It's okay to be scared," he told her gently and wrapped her securely in his arms again. "But this will help. Keeping it buried will only make it fester like a bad wound...I learned that lesson long ago. Let's start with the dream, what happened?"

"I – I thought it was one of the surgeries," she said, swallowing thickly around the lump forming in her throat. "But it was so, so much worse."

Feeling her stomach roll May quickly rolled over onto her back, trying to take slow, steady breaths through her nose to stop the bile from rising. "I remember everything. From the very first incision, every cut, every implant. Everything he did to me...and everything he made me do. I was awake for all of the procedures, local anaesthesia was all they gave me – I couldn't feel the scalpels and the knives, but I knew what they were doing."

Her voice broke and she felt Maxie's grip around her tighten ever so slightly. She closed her eyes and focused on the warmth and security his embrace brought and used it as an anchor to keep her grounded as she dove back into the turbulent sea of memories. "I don't know if it was part of the experimental procedure or if it was Ardos' idea of a sick joke, but the first implants he gave me were the ones to heighten my senses – to make me hyperaware of everything that was going on. Then he took away my voice...I was strapped to that table over and over and over again and I couldn't even scream when he cut into me," she said, fighting to keep a sob from creeping into her voice. She glanced up at Maxie and saw the rage burning quietly in his dark brown eyes, smouldering with a such a fierce intensity she was almost afraid. Almost. "They started shutting me down after that. It was like being going numb I – I can't really describe it...how it is to not feel anything, to think in 0s and 1s and not be able to question anything I was asked to do. When he told me to undress for him, to touch him I didn't stop to ask why...it was an order, an input, a command that I was programmed to follow...just like the order to kill Gabriel..."

The sobs finally broke through and her voice gave out completely as she closed her eyes against the tears, hot and burning with shame as they slid unbidden down her face. She felt Maxie's hand settle on her cheek, gently turning her to face him. "May, look at me."

When she opened her eyes she found that the anger had disappeared and his coffee coloured eyes held only warmth and love – love for her. He brushed away her tears with the pad of his thumb. "None of that was your fault May. You are not to blame for any of it."

"I know...but that doesn't make it any easier to live with the scars."

Maxie sighed deeply and carefully took her hand in his, guiding it beneath the collar of his shirt and to his left shoulder. She felt the skin turn uneven and knew there was scar tissue beneath her fingers – one of the many she knew he sported. "Scars don't define us...they just remind us of where we've been and how far we've come."

For a moment May was certain her heart stopped beating for the simple fact that it couldn't handle just how much she loved this man.

She made a noise that was half-way between a laugh and a sob and pulled him into the fiercest kiss she could muster. He responded in kind and she felt him smile against her lips as he nipped at them teasingly. She parted them willingly, deepening the kiss and running her tongue along his, a pleasurable shiver running through her as he held her more firmly and a growl rumbled deep in his throat. They parted, breathing heavily and she settled a hand on the nape of his neck, tangling her fingers in his fiery locks. His eyes were even darker than usual, his pupils fully dilated and burning with fierce affection.

"May," he murmured. His voice was low and rough, and she knew he was struggling to keep control. For one brief moment she felt a pulse of cold dread deep in her core as pale eyes, cold and hungry flashed unbidden across her mind – but the memory was abruptly chased away when Maxie smiled and pressed a kiss to her forehead. There was only warmth now and for the first time she was no longer afraid. She kissed him again, gently at first, but quickly picking up the pace and intensity. When she pressed herself against him and hooked a leg over his hip he pulled away, panting. "May I – I don't –"

"Hush," she whispered, placing a finger against his lips to silence him. "It's okay...I want this."

"Are – are you sure, you don't have to -"

"Maxie, I want to. Every time I let him frighten me, every time I let him get in the way I'm letting him victimize me again, and again," she said firmly, pressing her forehead against his. "I love you, and I want to show you that in every way possible."

He was silent for a moment and May was starting to fear that she'd done something wrong until he kissed her tenderly and smiled. "Alright. Remember if you want to stop at any point, just say so. Don't be afraid to say no."

She nodded and he kissed her again, his tongue doing absolutely sinful things to her mouth while his hands slid up beneath her shirt, trailing up and down her spine. Heat started pooling deep in her belly and she felt a part of herself she'd kept buried for months rise to the surface with a primal growl. She shifted her weight against him, forcing him onto his back so that she could straddle him. May rolled her hips against him experimentally, grinning when she felt him start to harden beneath her.

"Minx," he growled roughly and pulled her down into another fierce kiss. Not to be outdone it would seem, he quickly used his greater stature to force them into another roll and reversed their positions so that he was above her, trailing kisses along her jawline until he came to her neck. He nipped at the flesh of her throat, smiling against her skin when she tossed her head back with a whine. He continued down her neck until he came to the junction of her shoulder and bit down before sucking at the bruising skin there. May swore softly and tangled her shaking hands in his flaming hair as a hot bead of pleasure shot straight down to her core and the heat in her belly started to coil into a heavy pressure. He slid a hand beneath her back, pulling her up so that he could slide her shirt over her head. He went to remove her bra next, but she stopped him with a grin.

"Hey now, let's even things up a little," she said with a husky laugh and made quick work unbuttoning his shirt, despite the fact that her hands were still shaking. With the garment removed she trailed her fingers down his chest, smiling at the coarse spread of hair she found there. She leaned up and pressed her lips against the scar she'd felt earlier. May felt him shiver at that and grew bolder, letting her hands slide further south, tracing the sharp lines of his hips to the hem of his trousers. He chuckled at that and quickly used his weight to pin her back down against the mattress before she could address the bulge straining beneath the fabric.

"Now, now," he said, cutting off her protest before it even began. "I want to take my time here and explore – every – inch – of – you."

He punctuated every word with a kiss, starting at the mark he'd left on her neck and continuing down to the valley between her breasts. With one deft movement he slid his hand beneath her back again and undid the clasp of her brassiere, pulling the straps off of her shoulders with his teeth. May closed her eyes and moaned – he was going to kill her, oh lord. He pulled the garment away completely and moved down to her left breast, flicking his tongue over the hardened nipple before taking it completely in his mouth. May threw her head back with a keening whine as he suckled at the sensitive flesh and buried her fingers in his hair again. He pulled away only to move to her right one and repeat the process and she arched herself against him, trying desperately to relieve some of the pressure that was building between her legs. "Maxie – oh – oh please!"

She felt him smirk as dragged his teeth down her sternum and kissed his way down the smooth plane of her stomach until he came to the top of her pants. Propping herself up on her elbows she watched as he hooked his thumbs in the belt loops of her jeans. Immediately she raised her hips, making it easier for him to pull the trousers off so he could toss them on the floor with the growing pile of discarded clothing. He cupped her through her panties and she bucked against his hand, whimpering as she tried to create friction.

"Liked that did you?" he breathed hotly in her ear. Maxie kissed her again, sliding his fingers inside of her underwear to skim against her slit as he did so. She thrust her hips against his hand again, breaking the kiss to plead to him. He smiled that wicked smile of his and slid off her underwear, leaving her completely and utterly exposed. He kissed his way down her torso again and May felt her breathing hitch as he settled between her legs. Oh holy fuck -

He splayed one hand over her lower abdomen to hold her still and flicked his tongue over her clit. May gripped the sheets tightly, biting her lower lip to keep herself from crying out. It was obscene, how good he was making her feel right now. He briefly dipped that teasing tongue of his inside of her and this time she did cry out against the waves of pleasure that startled rippling through her. She bucked beneath his steady hand when his tongue returned to her clit while he slid one finger and then two inside of her, thrusting at a steady pace and occasionally scissoring them in her wet heat.

"Oh, oh god – Maxie right there, don't – don't stop – I - "

The waves of pleasure grew more intense and she felt the pressure coil ever tighter until, finally with a particularly deep thrust of his fingers and a hard lick of his tongue, the dam burst and she was sent over the edge into the throes of an orgasm screaming his name. Through the haze of pleasure she heard him laugh softly as he withdrew his fingers and pulled himself up to gently kiss her. She could taste herself on his lips – it was strangely erotic and she smiled unabashedly in the warm afterglow of her climax. Maxie traced the curve of her hip with his thumb, kissing her softly every once and a while as she tried to regulate her breathing. Eventually her lazy grin turned wicked as she recovered and she traced a finger over the obvious bulge in his pants. "Ready for round two I see."

"Very much so," she said, grinning as she undid the button of his trousers and slid them down his hips, soon followed by his boxers. She took his length in her hand, running her fingers along the shaft with agonizing slowness. He growled, thrusting into her hand and she smiled. She ran a finger over the head, already dripping with precum and brought it up to her mouth, licking off the beads of salty moisture. Wordlessly he seized her in a fierce kiss and she relished the sensation and the heat of her bare skin against his. He returned his attention to her breasts again and soon she was mewling with pleasure under the ministrations of his tongue, bucking her hips against his and feeling the full length of his manhood rubbing against her entrance teasingly. He stilled for a moment, much to her chagrin and struggled to keep his voice even as he spoke.

"May, are you -"

"Yes, took the pill this morning," she ground out, hooking her arms around his neck and drawing him in close. "Please, I need you, now!"

"Far be it from me, to deny a lady," he said, somehow managing to sound debonair despite the fact that they were both naked and panting. Slowly he slid into her wet heat and May closed her eyes against the intense pleasure that rippled through her core as he stretched and filled her. When he was up to the hilt he carefully drew back and then thrust in again. She raised her hips to meet him, helping him set up a steady rhythm.

"Maximilian."

The sound of her whispering his full name seemed to strike a chord in him because he growled out her name and thrust deeply, hitting that spot deep within her that made her scream. She felt the pleasure build again and she hovered on the edge, just about ready to fall into the abyss of pleasure again. He hiked her leg over his hip and leaned down to whisper in her ear. "Come for me, May."

His voice, so hoarse with pleasure and lust sent her plummeting over the edge into her second orgasm, far more intense than the first, internal walls pulsing as she dragged her nails down his back and called his name over and over. He was quick to follow, thrusting in as deeply as he could before he let out a cry and brought his head down to nestle in the crook of her neck. He cried out her name and she felt a flash of liquid heat as he spilled himself inside of her, sending one last shock of pleasure through her system.

"Don't – don't let this go to your head or anything, but gods that – that was amazing." she panted when he finally regained his breath and pulled out of her. He huffed a laugh and laid down beside her, kissing the tip of her nose.

"You're not so bad yourself," he replied. His gaze softened and May blushed at such a tender look. "You're beautiful."

"Well you're pretty good looking too you know."

"I mean it," he laughed and pulled her into a close embrace. "You're so lovely I can scarce believe you're real sometimes."

"Like I said...I wouldn't be here without you," May replied softly, closing her eyes as she rested her head against her chest. His scent was all around her and she couldn't recall ever feeling so content before. "And I wouldn't want to be here without you either."

He smiled and tucked a lock of sweat-dampened hair behind her ear. She nuzzled his palm, sighing contentedly as he moved it down to her neck, gently massaging the skin there. She had almost slipped into a doze when she shifted position and felt the sticky combination of seamen and vaginal juices coating the inside of her thighs. "Ah...well as lovely as this is, I think I could use a shower," she said and then fired him an impish grin. "You're welcome to join me."

"Oh now that is a tempting prospect."

"It's a two day storm right? At least we've something to do – if an older gentleman such as yourself can keep up with a spry young thing like me of course."

May shrieked a laugh as he growled and pounced upon her, teeth bared in a playful if savage grin. "You'll be eating those words my lovely girl!"

"I've never been one to back down from a challenge Maximilian," she fired back. He pulled himself onto his knees and hefted her up into his lap where she wrapped her legs around his waist and settled her hands on his shoulders. Coffee brown met azure blue as she pressed her forehead to his. He was grinning as she whispered breathlessly. "Show me what you've got."

Two days passed and so did the storm, leaving clear skies and a bright winter sun in its wake. The vast majority of the day had been spent digging out, particularly in the rear yard where the drifts had come up tall and deep, touching the eves of the roof in some places. Maria seemed unfazed by it all and whickered a greeting when they finally managed to dig out the stable door. May fed the plucky creature an apple, stroking her nose and forelock while Maxie climbed onto the roof to ensure that the weight of the snow hadn't caused any structural damage. All in all everything had come through the blizzard fairly intact, save for a few trees that had fallen down near the edge of the treeline and they were made quick work of by Linoone's sharp, slashing claws. After the day's hard work early evening found them both back inside, basking in one another's company on the living room couch. Maxie glanced over at May, who lay stretched out with her legs over his lap and a cup of Earl Grey in hand. She had a pensive look on her face and an odd smile playing about her lips as she gazed into the fire.

Maxie smiled fondly before returning to his book. Oh, how lovely those two days had been.

It had been moving, really, that she'd trusted him so implicitly throughout despite the abuse she'd suffered during their captivity. He hoped that perhaps it was a sign she was finally healing the wounds that weren't seen on her skin and that the emotional hurt was beginning to fade away, if just a little. They'd been fortunate that Cipher had lain quiet, or at least quiet enough to leave them both at peace for the moment, but how much longer that would last was anyone's guess – in any case he doubted Ardos would bow out peacefully which suited a dark part of him just fine; that man would pay for what he'd done with his life and he intended to be the one to collect on the debt. But for now he would enjoy the quiet comforts of his isolation with May while he could.

He felt himself smile and nearly huffed a laugh, he couldn't even think about her without feeling the need to smile it would seem. Tabitha would rib him mercilessly about it no doubt – here he was, the supposedly fearsome leader of Team Magma, once the bane of the League's existence and the number one threat to Hoenn's integrity acting like a green lad of nineteen again. One look from her and he was done, though he doubted she realized just how much of a hold she had over him. His gazed flitted to the leather bound photo album which still lay on the coffee table and smiled sadly. For the first time in a very long while he wished his mother and father had lived to a much older age, to see that their son hadn't fallen completely into darkness and better still to meet the young heroine who'd pulled him back into the light. They would have loved May, of that he was certain – his mother, he thought, would've been especially fond of her. Maxie looked over at May who was still gazing at the hearth with that odd half-smile. Once this was over he would have to take her to Kanto to meet Aileen, show her the old family estate and what was left of said family...perhaps there, he mused, he would make her part of that family.

"What's got you looking so pensive? Happy thoughts I hope."

Maxie was jolted out of his reverie by May's voice and turned to look at her with a smile. "Oh, just thinking about future plans."

"Future plans hm, do tell."

"I was just thinking that I would very much like to take you to Kanto to meet my sister once all of this business is said and done. You two would like each other quite I lot a think and my niece and nephews would certainly adore you."

May blushed prettily at that. "You really think they would like me?"

"May they would love you."

"Then I would very much like to meet them," she replied with a gentle smile. "It would be nice to get to know your family."

"Good, since I intend to make you part of it," he fired back. She narrowed her eyes ever so slightly at his retort and then it seemed to dawn on her. What little shock she showed initially was quickly masked by an impish grin.

"Mr. Asher, are you implying that you intend to marry me?" she said teasingly, setting down her tea as she leaned forward to better face him. He set down his book and pulled her up into his lap.

"That is exactly what I intend to do my dear."

"Isn't that a bit presumptuous on your part," she huffed, though her azure eyes screamed mischief as they glittered in the firelight. "Just assuming I'd marry you if you asked."

Maxie leaned back against the couch, placing a hand over his heart as he feigned a pained expression. "Oh please Miss Maple, I don't think my poor old heart could bear the sorrow of your rejection."

"Drama queen," came her dry response accompanied by an exaggerated roll of her eyes. "Hm, I suppose I'd consider it – if you made a proper proposal of course."

"What, on bended knee by candlelight? Or perhaps during a moonlit ride through the winter woods?" he laughed. "Why May I had no idea you catered to such girlish fantasies."

"And you're saying you wouldn't do either of those things hm?" she retorted with a raised eyebrow and a knowing smile. He laughed again and held settled his arms around her waist, nodding to acknowledge his defeat.

"Of course I would."

They lapsed into a companionable silence as May slid off of his lap and curled in next to his side. For a moment he thought she'd fallen asleep until she looked up at him with a smile that was almost shy.

"Yes."

"Yes what?"

"Yes, I'll marry you."

For one brief moment Maxie felt his heart skip a beat and everything around him became strangely muffled. She was looking up at him with wide, trusting eyes – she'd meant what she'd said, whispered oh so softly. Had she really just said that? Surely he was dreaming, surely she hadn't just agreed to spend the rest of the foreseeable future by his side, surely...His heart finally seemed to catch up with his head and finally settled on a proper rhythm again though it left him gasping for breath.

"Are you -"

She never got the chance to finish her sentence as he pulled her into a tight embrace and set about kissing her as passionately as he could. She returned it in kind and he felt her smile against his lips as he held her.

"You have just made me the happiest man in the world I hope you know," he said breathlessly, nuzzling her neck. She smelled like vanilla and Earl Grey, like bergamont oranges and black tea leaves – it was absolutely intoxicating. "May, I love you so much."

"I know," she said softly, moving to cradle his head against her chest. He could hear it fluttering beneath her ribcage. She threaded her deft fingers through his hair and he couldn't help but let out a pleased sigh at her ministrations. "I love you too. More than I ever thought I could love anyone...I have to admit that, before this whole Cipher debacle started, if someone had told me that I'd be saying yes to marrying Maximilian Asher I think I would've have had to tell them to fuck right off."

"Oh that feeling is mutual believe me," he chuckled. "That I, the great Maxie, should fall for the charms of the most aggravating, self-righteous, meddling slip of a girl – perish the thought. I had no idea what a beautiful creature she really was, with a soul of fire and burnished steel and the most compassionate heart this world has ever seen despite all the darkness it had thrown at her."

May pressed her lips to his forehead and he knew she was smiling again.

"And I had no idea that behind the arrogance, the rage and the fearsome bite that the great Maxie was actually a gentleman at heart, and what a courageous heart it is. I had no idea that he was this gallant soldier boy, who at his core proved to be the one of the most brave and honourable men I have ever met."

Lowering himself down so that he could rest his head on her lap he took the hand she'd had tangled in his hair and pressed a kiss to her palm. "I'm never letting you go, you know that don't you."

"Good, because I intend to stay by your side for quite some time – what with you planning to marry me and all."

She was laughing, but Maxie knew there was a promise in her voice, a promise that whatever happened, she would fight tooth and nail to stay by he side – and he would do the same.

Dawn arrived with clear skies and the promise of a cold, but calm day now that nature's fury had been spent on the storm. Maxie, as per usual, woke with the sun and smiled sleepily at the young woman still sleeping in his arms...this lovely girl who'd agreed to one day be his wife. She must have felt him move because her eyes fluttered open. Bright blue was tinted gold in the sunlight slanting through the bedroom window. "What time is it?" she mumbled drowsily, closing her eyes against the brightness.

"About seven."

"Too early," she whined, burying her face into the pillow. He laughed and tousled her hair fondly. She glared at him with drowsy eyes. "How are you always so chipper in the morning?"

"Soldier remember," he said with a wry grin. "Go back to sleep. I'm going to take a quick ride around the property to see if there was any major windfall from the storm."

May nodded and rolled onto her stomach, hiding her face in the pillow again. He laughed and placed a kiss on her bare shoulder, but she waved him off with a grunt. "Go, I'll have tea ready by the time you get back."

"Ah, such a thoughtful fiancé I have," he said dryly, though he couldn't help but smile. He attempted to remain as quiet as possible as he pulled on his trousers and a heavy cable-knit turtleneck. His riding coat and boots were picked up downstairs and he pulled on his tweed flatcap as he stepped out the door. His breath misted on the cold morning air, biting at the skin of his face and the inside of his lungs as he inhaled deeply, but rather than discomfort him it brought him to full alertness. Maria pranced in place when she saw him, dressed as he was she knew they were going out for a morning ride which pleased the mare to no end after being cooped up in the stable for so long. He made quick work of saddling her and soon they were breaking trail through the woods at a brisk pace until they came to the clearing at the far northern end of the property. Usually standing at the crest of the bluff, gazing out at the rolling hills and distant mountains made him feel calm and at home, but as he stared at the far away shadow of Mt. Chimney he felt unease growing in the pit of his stomach. The light breeze abruptly changed directions, from west to north and a chill crept up his spine as wisps of loose snow were sent skittering across the banks with an icy hiss. Maria, sensing her rider's trepidation shifted her weight nervously, pulling lightly at the bit as she snorted her discomfort.

The wind died down again and everything became hushed and still again, but inside every survival instinct he possessed was sending up red flags in his mind. Being the war veteran he was, he tended to be naturally paranoid – but that paranoia rarely flared up without good cause and it had kept him alive more than once where ignorance would have landed him an early grave. Carefully, he eased Maria back closer to the treeline, slowly scanning the horizon looking for any sign that something was amiss.

There.

It had been quick, so brief that he thought perhaps that he'd imagine the bright, but distant flash from the top of a distant hill. Maria abruptly sidestepped and in doing so saved her rider's skin because a fraction of a second later he heard the crack of a rifle and felt hot metal zip past his cheek, splintering the trunk of of a tall larch behind him.

No matter how hard she tried May could not fall back asleep, though she remained in bed long after she heard Maxie close the front door behind him. Her lips quirked in a smile at the thought of his last words. Fiancé...how wildly wonderful, that as bad as things had gotten there was a silver lining at the end of it all. She rolled over and saw the clock nearing eight and sighed – he'd be back soon and she did promise him that cup of tea.

She rose, pulling on his discarded housecoat and smiling as his scent enveloped her. Gods she would never get tired of that. Tying her hair up into a messy bun she walked over to the window and gazed out at the yard below.

A scythe-like horn gleamed in the early morning sun, curving bright and terrible above ruby eyes the burned like hellfire. May felt her blood run cold and the weight of the forgotten dream slammed into her chest.

The earth chose you as its champion...the sea is in chains and the sky is angry...your enemy has an army, so too shall one come to you...your war will be terrible...The war will come to you when it is time. When next I come you must be ready to fly...

"Maxie," she breathed, bringing her hands in tight against her chest. When she looked out into the yard again the Absol was gone, but what had taken its place brought her far more terror than the doom-saying spirit ever had. Two figures in winter camouflage toting semi-automatic rifles came creeping out of the trees, one said something to the other and split away, circling around to the other side of the house while his partner looked around cautiously. He drew up to full height and May could see the logo stitched onto the sleeve of his coat. "Cipher."

Island Wolf: holy shit did this chapter contain fluff and a smidgen of plot? Why yes, yes it did. For anyone wondering mo gradh is Scots Gaelic and roughly translates to 'my love' or at least it does to the best my memory can recall. It's been a long time since I've heard Scots Gaelic spoken properly so my apologies for that! Also holy hell was it ever difficult to write a proper sex scene, Christ I could stop giggling!

Oh another quick note the line about scars not defining us was inspired by one of my favourite shows, Criminal Minds.