We would like to thank ALL our loyal readers for your support while we have been away. In the next few weeks, you will see our stories being reposted here for all of you to read along with several NEW stories we've written while we've been away.

We appreciate all the kind messages we've received for our readers...we didn't realize how many of you were reading our stories, lol. It has brought HUGE smiles to us and we hope you'll continue to stick with us as we re-post some old favorites and hopefully new favorites. Thanks again!

CaineSpeedle & Speedfanatic05

Now for the good stuff!

**WARNING: STRONG SEXUAL CONTENT AND LANGUAGE! You Are Warned**

"But evil things, in robes of sorrow, Assailed the monarch's high estate. (Ah, let us mourn!-for never morrow, Shall dawn upon him desolate !,) And round about his home the glory, That blushed and bloomed, Is but a dim-remembered story, Of the old time entombed."

From "The Haunted Palace" by Edgar Allan Poe

Tipping the bottle up and taking a drink of the water, Calleigh, then placed the lid back on and looked up as Christopher brought over the saddlebag. After having rode all night into the Spring Mountains and up towards Red Rock Canyons, Calleigh had finally convinced him to stop so the horse and they could rest. Finding a hangover in one of the canyons, Christopher directed them down to it.

When he set the saddlebag down and took a seat next to her, Calleigh then handed him the bottle of water "Here, you need too drink some too. It's got to be at least a hundred already."

Christopher nodded and looked to her, seeing the profusion of sweat that dripped off of her. The heat was ominous, surrounding them completely and for the first time he doubted his decision to flee into desert. She was right, the temperature had to be around a hundred, and as he looked out to the vast area, he sighed heavily.

"This is insane. I could've thought of something else," he said woefully. Looking to her again, he asked, "How much water do we have?"

"Two canteen's and four water bottles. We'll have to ration it out between us if we want to make it last," Calleigh said as she pulled her hair up off her neck. Fanning herself she looked over at the horse, "I loosened his girth, so he should be more comfortable now."

Seeing her obvious discomfort, he shook his head as he wiped his brow, "I'm sorry, Evelyn. You're uncomfortable…" Unable to tear his eyes from her, he swallowed as he smiled slightly, "I guess you can put this one up there with all my other brilliant ideas."

Shaking her head, Calleigh moved further back under the shade, "No…clean slate remember. This, this is for survival."

Moving closer to her, but careful to give her space still, he arched a brow, "After this, I think a nice cold shower will do us some good. I know that I would love to cool off with you." Licking his lips, he smiled more, "As soon as we get back…"

"Shhh…" she said as she placed a hand onto his arm. Listening carefully, she looked around as the sound began to grow. Crinkling her brow, she looked at him, "It's a chopper. Don't move, stay as still and in the shade as much as you can."

Leaning to look out into the dense desert, he's expression narrowed, "A helicopter? They're still looking? We have to keep moving…" Returning his gaze to her, he shook his head, "As soon as it passes by, we're moving towards the Canyon. They won't be able to see us if we're within the canyon. We just have to be careful making our way down."

"If it's steep, I'll have to lead the horse down, we won't be able to ride. Last thing we need is to get hurt. We can take him until it get's to be too much of a grade," Calleigh said as the sound grew more and suddenly the aircraft passed over them, but kept going. Her heart raced as she watched the bird and then dropped when they didn't spot them. Waiting until it got out of sight, Calleigh sighed, "They're gone."

Christopher nodded and smiled, thankful that they hadn't been seen. He then turned to her and asked, "You think they're going to circle back around?"

"Probably not for awhile," Calleigh said as she stood up. Heading for the horse, she glanced back at him, "If we want to get to that canyon you mentioned then we'd best get going while we can."

Perceiving a different tone, Christopher approached her and reached out to her, "Evelyn, are you okay?"

Stopping, Calleigh turned back and looked up at him. Letting her shoulders drop, she looked around, "I just don't want us to get caught, Christopher." Looking back up into his eyes, she gave him a small smile, "Plus I want to get us out of this heat."

Moving a stray strand of her hair out of her eyes, he smiled, "You're always going to take care of me, aren't you, Evelyn?" When she smiled he sighed and dropped his hand, "We should get going."

Nodding, Calleigh moved to the horse and began to tighten his cinch. Once is was tight, she made sure they had everything and mounted up. Helping him up behind her again, she leaned back into him as his arms came around her, "Which way?"

"Head north, until you come to a break, there's a small stream that moves deep within the canyon," he said as he wrapped his arm around her waist. Loving how she felt within his arms, he nodded, "Yes…we can rest more when we get to the creek."

Turning the horse in the direction they needed to go, she nudged him on. As they began to head north, she sighed, "Any other time I'd be loving this, the riding that is. I've never been out in high desert before."

Smiling as they started to meander slowly, he asked, "You love to ride? Tell me about the first time you rode a horse." Increasing his grip, he bent to kiss her shoulder, "Tell me about your love for horses."

"Well, I was probably about thirteen the first time I rode. Momma and daddy took us to visit one of my aunts and she had a couple. We stayed with her about a week and I got to ride every day while we were there," she said as she nudged the gelding to walk a little faster. "Since then, I've rode when I can, I've got a few friends that have some and we'd go out when we all had a day off together."

Listening to the happiness in her voice, Christopher smiled more, "So…if I could get you a horse, that would make you happy?"

Turning and looking at him, she shook her head, "No. I'm happy with you. You're all I need." Unsure of how much longer she could keep the lies going without him trying to further the relationship, Calleigh sighed and turned back, "I don't need material possessions to be happy."

"True, but having a horse wouldn't be bad, would it? You'd get a chance to really ride, and you'd have something to do." Caressing her waist, he sighed, "I just want to make you happy."

"Would you ride with me? I could teach you," she said as they started up a hill. "Lean forward a tad with me until he reaches the top."

Doing as she said, he leaned forward, whispering against her skin, "I would ride with you. You'd be the greatest teacher."

"Then I guess well have to find us a couple really good horses, kinda like this guy." Reaching forward and patting the horses neck as he picked his way up, Calleigh looked around, getting a better view of the area, "There's hardly anything out here…except for rocks and sand. How could anything live like this?"

"It's all about survival. The plants that thrive out here are tough, and they adapt. It's the same with life. You have to adapt to survive, that's why we're able to live anywhere and thrive." Smiling, he finished, "You won't have to see much of the untamed wilderness, Evie."

Reaching the top, they both sat back up fully and Calleigh navigated the area. Both remained quiet sometime before Calleigh finally spoke again, "Christopher, tell me about how you found me again."

Christopher chuckled, and bent to kiss her shoulder again, "Every time you would go out on a scene, I got a chance to see…I saw you. I had to continue to see you…I had to make it happen. Ms. Martin, sadly, was the only way I could get you to come out to the university. It was unfortunate…"

"Jessica Martin? You…you killed her? But why, she was innocent in all this. Why didn't you just come to me?" Calleigh asked, the questions seemingly spilling out of her.

"Just coming to you wouldn't have worked. You would've never come to me willingly. I saw how you interacted with your surroundings, how you would all but stop when the red head was around." Stopping at that memory, Christopher groaned, "I had to get you away from all that you knew."

"Horatio meant nothing to me, Christopher, I wish you would have at least given it a chance," she said as they started back down the other side of the hill. Leaning back some, she shook her head, "We could have talked at least."

"I did not just want to talk to you. I wanted you, Evie. I had to have you- I have to have you. I couldn't just call you up and talk to you, you would've never talked to me." His anger built and he grasped at her waist tightly, "I saw how you interacted with him. How you allowed him to touch you- you allowed him to …to….Kiss you!"

Closing her eyes as he held her tight, Calleigh breathed out, "I told him it couldn't happened again…that I didn't want him…" His grip stayed tight around her and Calleigh opened her eyes, "Christopher, I didn't want him…"

"You seemed to not mind him in the least bit. I saw you…even after the kiss. I was there for everything." Rage seemed to engulf him and he bit out, "You've always wanted him. I could see it in your eyes…"

"But I want you now," Calleigh shrieked as she started to panic. Pulling up some tears, she let them fall, feeling the wetness as they ran down her cheeks, "I…I love you…not him."

"You love me…" he said bitterly as he closed his eyes. Opening them widely, he shook his head, "This was all a ruse. It's why you never wanted to sleep with me. You don't have anything…anything for me!"

Closing her eyes tight and pulling back on the reins, the horse stilled and Calleigh thought of the worst things she could to bring on more tears for him, Releasing a small sob, opened her eyes, turning her head to him, "I do love you…I do…"

Tempted to dismount, Christopher clenched his teeth together and glared at her tears. Things were starting to fall into place, her refusal to be intimate, the appearance of the police…It was now making sense. She had betrayed his trust somewhere down the line. Pressing his lips together, he continued to glare at her, "You talked to them…somehow, you called them…."

"No…" she pleaded with him, looking him in the eyes, "I'd never do that to us. Why can't you believe me…after all this…" Sobbing once more, she turned her head from him, seeing everything starting to fall apart, but hoping she could convince him once more. Covering her eyes, she shook her head, "I love you…I want to be with you…"

"You've just been biding your time. You've never loved me," he responded tersely. "How do I know that you're not lying to me right now? How do I know that you're not leading on…" Dismounting, he then brought her with him, his anger now overwhelming him. Bringing her close he gripped her arms, "You know they are out there looking for you, and that they aren't going to stop. You're just waiting for the right moment…aren't you?"

"No…" she cried as her tears continued to fall for her. Her anger spiked and Calleigh suddenly brought up her hands, and pushed him back hard enough to make him loose his hold on her. Glaring at him, she shook her head, "Kill me now, Christopher, cause its apparent you're never gonna to fully believe me, never fully trust me." Seeing his icy stare she yelled at him, "KILL ME!"

"Don't push me, Calleigh," Christopher answered back in a glowering tone. He approached her, reaching out for her and clutching her close, "Don't push me, you won't like what will happen." Seeing her inflamed with fury, his glare morphed into a sanguine smile, almost smug. Clutching her arms tightly, he nodded, "I think…I think I know how to fix this. We'll let your boyfriend catch up to us and then I have a surprise that none of you would believe. Grab the horse, we're going back up to the surface."

"Horatio?" she asked with a confused look. "He's not my boyfriend and beside that he wouldn't be able to be here. This isn't his jurisdiction…unless now you think that guy from last night is my boyfriend." When he let her go, Calleigh ran a hand through her hair, "What do I have to do to convince you that I want to be with you, Christopher? What? Tell me!"

Stepping closer to her, he grabbed her by her shoulders and simply said, "Show me."

Crinkling her brow as she stared up at him, Calleigh's heart raced, knowing what he was wanting. Breaking her gaze with him, she looked around, trying to find a spot, "Fine, where?"

Taking a cursory glance around the area, he smirked heavily and answered, "Right here is just fine." Another step brought him closer, his chest nearly touching her as he looked down at her, lifting his fingers to caress her cheek slowly, "Right here, Evie. Right now." His touch drifted towards her shoulders and then down to the shredded dress, clutching at the hem. His breaths were coming faster, anticipating the act, his smile growing impossibly wider as he arched a brow, "Are you not in the mood to convince me of your loyalties?"

Fearing what he would not to her, but to anyone else if she didn't comply, Calleigh reached up, placing her hands onto his shoulders. Maintaining eye contact with him, she pursed her lips, "Who says I'm not in the mood?"

At her tone, he nodded and lifted the skirting of her dress, looking around. In truth, this wasn't what he wanted, but he needed a reassurance of where her heart truly lain. Exhaling heavily, he shook his head, "I can't take you here…in the wilderness, but…" Slowly, he brought her to her knees and then laid her back, "there is a way."

Trying to remain calm as she laid back on the rocky ground, her eyes squinted from the bright sun as it beat down on them. Feeling a slight tremor run through her body, she asked, "H-How do you want me…to show you?"

Lying in between her legs, he reached down to pull up her dress, his fingers tracing the soft skin of her inner thigh, smiling down at her. Gently, he spoke as his fingers moved up slowly, "Enjoy my touch."

Swallowing hard as she tried to keep her breathing in check, Calleigh looked up at him, his blue gray eyes taking on a cold look to them. Parting her lips, Calleigh licked at the dryness there and then whispered, "Just don't hurt me, Christopher."

"I will never hurt you, Evie," he breathed out as he felt the heat of her core, his fingers skimming the material of her panties. Excitement coursed through him and he bent to nuzzle her neck, whispering as he pulled the material away from her body, "This is supposed to feel good." Yanking them down, his finger forged through her patch, his mouth salivating hungrily for her. Breathing heavily, he traced a path to her folds and parted them, seeking her hardened nub. The moisture was scarce and he crinkled his brow, kissing her neck softly, "I thought you were in the mood."

Closing her eyes and taking in a shaky breath, she nodded slightly, "I…I am. It's just…it's hard for me to get you know…wet."

Growling, he began to massage her clit, feeling the appearance of moisture and hearing her breath hitching. Her body began to move under his touch and he lost himself, rubbing her faster. As he assaulted her clit, with his thumb, he moved his forefinger to her entrance, slipping it in. At her sudden gasp, he chuckled lowly and bit out, "Need more, Evie?"

Knowing she was playing a loosing battle, Calleigh closed her eyes tight to keep her tears back as he continued to slide his finger into her. At his words, she whimpered softly and nodded slightly, wishing he would have just killed her instead.

Perceiving her whimper as a sound of pleasure, Christopher added another digit and groaned, his own arousal growing. Slamming into her body, he grunted, "You like that, don't you, Evie. It makes you feel good…"

A tear slid from under her eye lid and down her temple as he continued to push into her. Biting her lip to keep from yelling out for help, Calleigh shook her head back and forth and groaned in pain as he pushed his fingers in hard and rough. Opening her eyes and seeing him looming above her, Calleigh whimpered his name, "Chris…"

Her voice infused him with more power and he pushed harder, losing himself in the action. He could feel his heart racing, the surge of arousal clawing at the surface. With each stroke, he imagined thrusting into her willing body, mastering it. A smile peeled across his lips as he coaxed more, "Evie…scream for me."

Shaking her head no as he licked and suckled her neck, Calleigh groaned again, wishing this would be over with. Her body began to betray her and Calleigh could feel it giving into his ministrations against her will. Panting heavily, she dug her nails into his shoulders as her body turned on itself, her orgasm hitting her suddenly. Crying out in pain as he violently stabbed into her with his fingers, she was unsure how much more she could take.

Feeling her body releasing itself, he bellowed victoriously, continuing to push into her, determined to hear her ecstasy filled cry. Palming her breast through the dress, he grinned widely, speaking in a rough tone, "Scream for me, Evie."

Realizing there might be help near by and her scream would get them coming to her, Calleigh released one long high pitched scream as her body convulsed from her orgasm and the pain he was inflicting.

Triumphantly, Christopher grunted as he slowed his action, breathing heavily. Pulling away from her slowly, he released her body fully, sitting back, admiring her quivering form. Whispering lightly, he touched her softly, "That was good, Evie."

Laying there, Calleigh caught her breath and slowly opened her eyes, another tear running from her eyes. Staring up at the blue sky above, she barely whispered, "Is that proof enough?"

"Yes," he breathed out contently, turning to look at her. Perceiving something in her expression, he asked, "Are you okay, Evie?"

Pushing her dress back down to cover herself, she flinched some, "It…it hurt some. I'm not usta doing that so hard."

Standing he offered her his hand, "I'm sorry, Evie. I didn't want to hurt you. It's just….I had to know."

Sitting up some and cringing at the soreness she felt, she took his offered hand and stood up slowly. Pulling her panties back up, she kept her eyes down as she stood there before him, "I told you I wasn't lying…"

"No, you weren't," he answered her as he lifted her chin. Brushing his lips against hers, he whispered, "It won't be like this, Evie. Our first time won't be like this."

Nodding silently, she hated him with everything in her at this point. As much as she wanted to run, to do anything to get away from him, she was afraid more of him going after the one's she loved and cared about. Taking in a shaky breath, Calleigh looked into his eyes, "I believe you."

Christopher smiled lightly and then nodded, "Good. Now…do you need to rest before we get back out there?"

"No," she said as she shook her head. "I'll…I'll be fine." Looking over at the horse, she kept her voice low and soft, "Are we still gonna hide in the canyon? We can get water there if there is a creek like you said."

"There is a creek," Christopher answered matter of fact. He peered at her unsure of the reasons why she was feeling this, "Evie we can take a rest if you want."

"Let's just get there, then we can rest and clean up some, okay?" she replied as she looked back up at him. Wanting to slap him, she instead reached up, her fingers tracing his jaw, "I can rest as we ride."

Christopher smiled and then nodded, "We won't have long from here. Maybe we should camp out there at the creek?"

Nodding her agreement, Calleigh then looked in that direction, "I think it might be best. We'd have plenty of water and would be able to stay cooler that way."

Garnering her attention, Christopher held her face in his hands and caressed it softly. Staring into her eyes, his brow crinkled, seeing evidence of despondence in her eyes. Shaking his head, he asked, "Was it that bad, Evie? I didn't want to hurt you, it was supposed to make you feel good."

"It hurt, just, next time, I know you'll be more gentle now that you know. We have to learn each other," Calleigh said as she took his hand in hers and squeezed it. "You needed to know…and now you do."

"Yes, I do, and I'll spend the rest of my life making it up to you. I'm sorry for being so rough." Taking her into his arms, he embraced her tightly and sighed, closing his eyes, "I never want you to hurt again."

Letting him hold her, Calleigh wrapped her arms around his waist, wanting him to think she understood. Glaring out, she then closed her eyes as her head rested against him, "I'm sorry you can't trust me more, Christopher…"

Feeling as his stomach plummeted, he sighed and pulled away from her, cradling her face in his hands again, "I promise, I'm going to try harder, okay, Evie? I don't want you to feel this way ever again." He threw himself on her once more and then left her arms, casting his gaze on the ground, "We should start moving."

Nodding, Calleigh looked at him and reached for his hand again. Taking it in hers, she looked up at him as he looked to her and gave him a small smile. Starting to walk towards the horse, she kept hold of his hand, wanting him to follow her and not go into one of his moods again. Coming to the horse, she mouthed and then held her hand out to him, "Come on, cowboy. I need to feel your arms around me again."

Taking her hand, he smiled and nodded, "Lead the way."