Thanks GUYS! I hope that you enjoy this next chapter. There is a little Kurdy/Rita action in here so don't be offended and if you are... you have been warned. So with that said, please enjoy!

Chapter 5

Kurdy was awakened by the sound of footsteps walking into the room he had lain down to sleep in. His eyes shifted from side to side as he started to set up from the warmth of the overstuffed mattress he was on. As he began to lift the sheets from over top of himself he saw a shadow move around the corner towards his room. Slowly he let his nimble fingers slide towards his bag on the ground next to the bag to where he had a knife stored. He could feel the wooden handle in his fingers as he arose from the bed and slid up against the wall. The figure carrying a candle walked into the room and started to set the candle down on the table as Kurdy wrapped his fingers around the small throat and slammed the figure against the wall shoving the blade of the knife against the throat of the person sneaking into his personal space.

"No, no… please…" Rita's voice came with a terrified squeak.

Kurdy left the knife in place as he watched the woman in front of him drop the candle instantly extinguishing the flame. The moonlight illuminated every curve of her rigid frame creating an almost specter like glow as he continued to hold her hostage against the wall. He could see her feminine physique through the material of the gown she wore over her frame. He couldn't help but to feel the softness of her breasts beneath him as he held her tight against the unyielding wooden wall. Her breath was coming in ragged gulps as was his own. Her hair hung in wavy ringlets to the side dancing back and forth with each breath he expelled. Rita licked her lips in anticipation as her eyes pleaded for him to move forward with something… anything.

"What the hell are you doing sneaking in here? I nearly killed you." Kurdy whispered harshly as he pushed the icy steel of the blade back into its sheath and then back into the bag. She had no clue what her presence was doing to him at his moment.

"I… uh… it's almost morning… I thought that maybe you wanted me to wake you." That wasn't all the truth. I wanted to see if maybe you wanted to curl up together for a little bit. Maybe we could… I don't know… maybe we could spend some time getting to know each other… a whole lot better...What the hell was it about this man that was making her crazy? Yes… he had a beautiful, strong body. He commanded respect without saying anything when you walked by him. His clear warm eyes melted her heart each time he looked at her. His smile was just for her… like actually meant to smile at her. Like he thought she was worth getting to know. He made her feel important and protected. Why was it so hard to tell him that she wanted more? She had been with men before, but none of them held her at bay like Kurdy.

"Thanks…" Kurdy turned towards the bed and stated to set himself back down on the edge of the bed.

Rita leaned over to pick the candle back up from the floor. She then stood and looked over at Kurdy who placed his head in his hands rubbing his hands across the dark braids atop his head. He took a deep breath as he looked up to see her stand and take a deep breath. She ran her free hand across her face as of to wipe away a tear.

"W-Wait… Rita wait." Kurdy insisted rising from the edge of the bed to catch her free arm. He gently spun her around to face him. "I'm sorry… are you okay?" He asked tenderly pushing a stray hair from her face while cupping her cheek with his other. He could feel the warmth of her ivory skin beneath his large ebony hand. He felt the rush of desire again as it rushed over him. He wanted to treat her right. She was so beautiful… so perfect. He took his right hand and wiped another tear from her smooth cheek at the same time taking in the sight of her looking so helpless and scared in the moonlight night.

Rita closed her eyes lightly as she sniffled a little more. "I'm alright." She stated opening her eyes again fighting futilely to stop another tear as it streamed down her face. She could just imagine how childish she must have looked to him.

"Stop being a crybaby Rita… no one likes a crybaby." Her older sister Lacy's words continued to run through her head.

Before he could stop himself Kurdy lifted her lips to his own slowly brushing them against his. He could feel them warm beneath his own as he continued to kiss her. Soon he had his tongue in her mouth slowly, gently teasing hers. He pulled her closer as she made the slightest moan of approval. Her hands snaking tightly around his neck as he slid his hands down her frame finding her waist. He easily lifted her smaller body off of the floor and felt her legs wrap around his waist. She felt amazing next to him as the feeling in his stomach was more like fireworks exploding inside. The most amazing tiny explosions invading his body; feelings he hadn't felt since Elizabeth and hadn't allowed himself to feel since.

Kurdy felt her grasping at the shirt tucked into his trousers and pull it free. She then pulled it off of his masculine frame. He closed his eyes as he let her lips freely explore his neck and shoulder. He could feel the slightest nibble of her teeth as they grazed the surface of his deep brown skin. He then carried her over to his bed laying her gently on her back where he grasped at the base of her gown pulling it over her head and dropping it on the floor behind him. She lay wide eyed on the bed below him as he looked down at her body below him. Her flawless fair skin almost glowed in the moonlight. He ran his hand across her neck down to her ample bosom watching her rise towards his touch. He pushed his hands beneath her back raising her to him. At the same time she lifted her arms around his neck as the two continued to make love until the sparks of early morning began to dance on the floor below them.

--

"Good morning."

"Hmmm…" Her voice danced across his ears.

Kurdy kissed her cheek as she opened her eyes to see the man beside her. Rita smiled back at him as she awoke running her hand through her tousled red hair. She was so warm. She couldn't remember ever sleeping so well in her life. What time was it? They were supposed to meet Marcus and Blake to head to Molson and all she wanted to do was stay where she was warm, protected, and cared for. She didn't want to get up…

She rolled over and looked at Kurdy with sleepy eyes. She smiled as she connected with his eyes. He gently took her cheek in his hand and softly kissed her lips again.

"I don't want to get up." She whispered as she laid her cheek on his muscular chest.

"I know… but…"

"We're gonna get him back Kurdy. I know they'll help." Rita responded. She closed her eye to the tear that threatened to fall again.

"Whats wrong?" Kurdy lifted his eyebrow as he watched her face.

"Please tell me this isn't where… this… I mean… we end." Her face was red as she tried to hold the tears back. She took a deep breath as her wrapped his arms around her pulling her naked body to his. He buried his face in her hair breathing her scent in. His heart sank as he felt her shudder beneath him. He could hear her breath as she continued to fight back tears.

"No… not at all." He kissed her again letting his lips linger on top of hers. He then kissed her nose and than her forehead using her thumbs to wipe away her tears. "Not if you don't want it to be."

"No… I don't Kurdy… I know you can't stay, but I don't want to loose you."

"You won't. Now… I think that Marcus is going to be pacing in about ten minutes. So we should probably head that way." Kurdy started to rise out of the bed when he felt her hand on his hand. He turned and looked at her as she sat with a blanket covering her chest.

"Thank you Kurdy."

Kurdy furrowed his eyebrow as he looked back at her. She smiled softly at him and he knew that she had been feeling the same thing he had. The couple had needed the same release.

--

Lacy watched as a red headed girl crossed the street and approached the house she and her brother shared. She knew instantly who it was as she walked out onto the porch as she approached. She had a man she had never seen before with her.

"Lace!" Rita shouted as she walked faster approaching the nearly identical redhead standing on the porch.

"Wow Rita… you actually came back to Molson and after how long." Lacy was sarcastic as she greeted her sister turning and walking into the house closing the door behind her.

Rita looked back at Kurdy who had the look of "What the hell" on his face.

"Wait here… I need to talk to her alone." Rita responded as she left Kurdy standing on the porch.

Rita opened the door and then closed it behind her. She walked through the house noting the pictures on the wall. A few were of Cole, Lacy and herself, but most were of artwork. She smiled as she saw the small picture of her mother and father holding a seven year old Rita, flanked by a ten year old Lacy and twelve year old Cole. She picked up the picture to be flooded with memories of the past. She smiled and put the photograph down as her older sister walked back into the room.

"Lacy… we need your help." Rita stated urgently.

"I'm not helping you. You left leaving me and Cole to clean up your mess." Lacy replied bitterly.

"Lacy… you don't…"

"I don't understand? Is that it? Let me guess. This guy has knocked you up…"

"Lacy… please…"

"NO Rita! That's what you left us when you shot out of here. We work for Roger now. You left him and we work for him. We both told you to stay away from him. He's bad news and now you're back…"

"Lacy that's not why I'm here." Rita pressed forward as her sister began to shove her backwards.

"Do you have any idea what Cole and I have gone through? The beating he took when you left Roger. That man nearly killed your brother and you haven't even been back to…"

"Lacy please!" Rita screamed as she felt the tears streaming down her face. "I know what Roger did. I also know what Cole did. What Roger had planned to do? I wasn't about to become a whore for that man…"

Lacy watched her sister emotionless as she continued to shout back.

"I caught Roger with another woman when it was supposed to be me with him. Cole took that beating so I could get away from him. He told me to run Lacy. He told me to get out and run. He told me to get away from here and not look back. So I did. I ran. I have wanted to come back for two years and couldn't. Cole would send word that you were ok, but I wanted to see for myself. He promised that you would come to get me… but you never did. I didn't want to leave Lacy…I swear. Cole told me to go he said it was for my own good."

Rita looked back at Lacy who had lowered head shamefully watching the floor. She walked over to where her sister stood wiping her face with her hands. She quickly gathered the girl up in her arms holding her tightly against her. Lacy had played mom to her little sister for so long that he had felt almost betrayed when Rita had left.

"He never told me… I'm so sorry…" Lacy apologized.

"I told him not to. I didn't want you hurt too?" Rita hiccupped trying to regain her composure.

"Is everything alright in here?" Kurdy walked in after hearing the shouts.

"Fine…" Rita responded looking at the strapping man in the doorway.

"Who…" Lacy pointed at Kurdy and looked at Rita.

"This is Kurdy… he's from Thunder Mountain and his friend Jeremiah is the one Roger is holding right now. Rita relayed urgently. "He's the reason we're here."

"Oh my GOD…" Lacy shook her head as she looked at Kurdy and then at Rita.

"What!" Kurdy nearly flew apart at the reaction on Lacy's face. "What did that bastard do to Jeremiah?"

"He's in the middle of the square…" Lacy's eyes jutted from one to the next. "They have Cole guarding him. He's hurt pretty bad."

"Where?" Kurdy demanded.

"I'll take you… Rita you better…"

NO Lace… I'm going too." Rita responded forcefully. "I can take care of myself."

"And she can too." Lacy responded with a snicker.

"Stay close to me." Kurdy responded. He had heard the conversation between Lacy and Rita and now he had something else to worry about.

"Come on." Lacy stated motioning for the two to follow her.

--

The crowed roared to life as the crack of a whip tore through the morning air. Kurdy felt a knot in the pit of his stomach as he knew this wasn't going to be pretty. He swallowed hard as they stopped short of the town square. There was a near scream from someone fighting desperately to hold in his emotions.

"We have to stop here. We can't risk Rita being spotted." Lacy stated.

The threesome stopped and one by one peered around the corner of a large brick building. Kurdy nearly bolted around the corner as the sight of Jeremiah fighting to hold himself up as he was tied to a column being beaten by a leather whip in front of a crowd of people ignited a fire in him. His friend was badly battered and appeared to struggle against the offers to bring his suffering to a halt if he would just surrender any information he had about the location of The End of the World… were they going to kill him for the location of Thunder Mountain? He felt Rita's hand on his shoulder as he tried to move forward.

"Kurdy… we have to tell Marcus where he is. We can't do this alone." Rita looked sternly at Kurdy as he turned and snapped.

"Do you see what their doing to him? We don't have time for Marcus!" Kurdy shouted quietly through his clinched teeth.

"Kurdy please… we're no use to him captured or dead. We have to get help." Rita pleaded as she watched the bigger man continue to seethe. He looked back at Jeremiahs gnarled expression as someone kneed him heavily in the stomach causing him to gasp in tortured agony. "Please Kurdy…"

Kurdy closed his eyes as he heard the words;

"…string him up high… We'll leave him to think about his answer for a while…"

He heard his friend drop heavily to the floor and then cry out weakly as he was hoisted back up into the air by his already raw and aching wrists. The hand on his thigh brought him back to reality.

"We have to act fast…" Kurdy demanded as the three crept away and then ran in the direction of the Rover and Marcus and Blake while Kurdy pleaded quietly to himself for a higher intervention…

"Please GOD… if you're there and you care at all… please tell him to hang on. Please let him know were almost there. Please GOD… please…"

Ok! Great! That is the longest Chapter I have ever written... I love this story so far. If you do too... or even if you like it just a little... or if you are reading it because you are board out of your mind, drop me a note! I want to hear from all ya'll! Later Folks... Firebunee