TITLE: Paradise Found

AUTHOR: LOTSlove®

CHARACTERS: Richard / Kahlan / Zedd / Cara/ Darken Rahl / Other Seeker Characters (Surprise Appearances)

RATING: R/M

WARNINGS: Author Chooses Not to Use Warnings

TIMELINE: Alternative Universe

DISCLAIMER: I'm completely obsessed with the show Legend of the Seeker and all things Richard and Kahlan. I love to write about them even though they cancelled my show and now I'm fighting to get it back!

SUMMARY: My very first AU fic! Team Seeker and gang set in the Wild Wild West. Hope you enjoy the adventure!

Chapter 12

With nervous fingers, Kahlan finished the last of the pearl buttons on the back of her wedding dress. Through eyes awash in tears, she moved to stand before the mirror, her hands smoothing over the pristine white satin, wishing more than anything that this was all for Richard.

With an unexpected flutter in her stomach, she suddenly remembered how he had looked upon her in this very dress a couple of days ago, the warm desire that swam in those deep chestnut eyes that seemed to know her so completely.

She remembered the overwhelming desire to kiss him, how badly she had wanted him to take her away from here and never look back again. He had appeared somewhat nervous as he had talked to her, his eyes full such curious wonderment as he had stared at her.

She felt herself flush even now with the obvious draw she had felt between them, the exhilaration that had heated the very air around them every time she was near him. She had never felt anything like it until him.

Brushing a lock of hair behind her ear, she bit her bottom lip in a futile effort to keep the threatening tears at bay. Richard wasn't going to be coming for her, wouldn't be there to save her from the terrifying fate that awaited her. He wasn't here to love her, to hold her, to build a life with her.

Richard was gone…forever.

A shuddering sob suddenly filled the room as tears spilled down her cheeks again. How was she supposed to go on without him? He had swept so unexpectedly into her life showing her compassion and love like she'd never experienced before. Her life had been devoid of love for so long, leaving her so very cold and lonely, but Richard had opened her eyes as well as her heart to a whole new world.

It was like being reborn, her heart long buried beneath a protective wall of ice only to be suddenly shown the full brilliance of the sun's heated rays. He had awakened within her a deep need, a yearning to know love as well as a lover's tender touch.

She never wanted to go back to the way that her life had been, the way that she had felt before she had met him. She had been so dead inside, a cold and barren wasteland of heartache and pain and loneliness.

But now he was dead and it was all because of her. If Richard had never met her then he would still be alive right now.

Her legs suddenly gave out on her with the thought, giving way under the unbearable weight of grief. Collapsing to the floor, she repeatedly slammed her fists against the wooden floor as she wept bitter angry tears. Why had he been taken from her? Why had he been brought into her life only to be snatched away?

Wasn't she allowed to know love for just once in her life?

Breathing hard, she shifted her position, pulling out the knife hidden in her boot. Sitting back on her heels, she sat there for the longest time just staring at the blade, turning it over in her trembling hands. Richard had been so upset when he had found out what she had been planning to do if he couldn't save her, but she knew in her heart that she couldn't go through with the wedding to Rahl.

"I'm so sorry, Richard," she sobbed, the heaviness of her pain and guilt crushing her heart.

She longed to see his beautiful brown eyes that seemed to see directly into her very soul, to feel the brush of his lips against hers that hinted at what would come someday. She wanted to feel his powerful hands gripping her, to feel the urgent hunger in his touch.

She lightly ran her finger along the length of the cool steel, knowing that she'd rather be dead than ever submit herself to Rahl and all that he had in store for her, the pain and humiliation that he would force her to endure as he broke her spirit. She'd suffered enough at the hands of her father. She had sworn to herself that she would not be controlled like that ever again.

And if she couldn't be with Richard, then she didn't want to live.

XXX

Gun drawn, Richard cautiously eased around the corner, his eyes darting anxiously about. He and Chase had managed to surprise Rahl's men guarding the ranch, sneaking in and taking them down with little trouble.

Now, he just had to find Kahlan and stop her before he lost her forever. Turning down the hall, he could hear her muffled sobs coming from behind a closed door. His heart began to race with the agonizing sound of her crying, relieved that she was at least still alive for the moment. He ached to hold her close, to comfort her.

Holstering his revolver, he softly opened the door, not wanting to scare her. His breath caught at the site of her kneeling on the floor in the middle of the room, dressed in her beautiful wedding gown. Her long raven curls tumbled over her bare shoulders, partially concealing her face from him. She held a knife in her trembling hands, prepared to thrust it deep into her chest.

He quickly made his way to her, kneeling down behind her. "Kahlan, please…don't…" he softly protested, his fingers gently wrapping around hers to keep her from doing the unthinkable, his arm slipping around her chest and trapping her in his hold.

Kahlan gasped at the sudden sound of his voice so sweet in her ear, his warm breath soft against her cheek, his firm grasp on her hand as he carefully pulled the knife free from hands before tossing it aside.

Richard released a sigh of relief, pressing his forehead against the back of her shoulder as he held her tightly against him. "Kahlan," he softly breathed her name, a cross between a desperate sigh and a tender plea as he fought to calm his hammering heart.

"Richard?" she cried as she slowly turned in his arms to face him. "You're alive…" she gasped.

He immediately took her face wet with tears into his hands, his lips capturing hers in a heated kiss filled with desperate need as well as longing. His fingers slid up into her hair, keeping her close to him as he drank her in.

He could feel her melt into him, her falling tears wetting his face as well. She gripped his hair that hung along the back of his neck, pulling him unbelievably closer as she moaned into his mouth.

Reluctantly retreating for air, he rested his forehead against hers as he fought to catch his breath. He couldn't tear his eyes off of her as he held her just absorbing the tender moment, the feel of her in his arms once more. This was where she always belonged.

"You're alive," she whispered through a veil of tears, her fingers caressing his face in effort to prove to herself that he was really here with her. "I…I thought I'd lost you…"

"Shhh…it's alright…" he softly soothed her. "I'm here and I'm never going to leave you ever again."

"What about Darken Rahl?"

"He's dead, Kahlan," he told her. "I killed him. He's never going to be able to hurt you or anyone else anymore."

Kahlan buried herself in the warmth and safety of his sheltering embrace, pressing her face into the crook of his neck as the full meaning of his words crashed down upon her. She had been set free by this amazing man holding her in his arms. And on top of that, he loved her in return.

She never dreamed her life could ever be this happy, that a love like this could exist for her. It was beyond imagining.

Richard held her as she cried, understanding better than anyone what she was feeling. Rahl would never again interfere in their lives, would never be able to hurt them.

Pulling back, Kahlan stared into his eyes, her hand coming to rest gently against his cheek. "I…I can't thank you enough…" she softly cried, suddenly losing the ability to speak.

"Marry me, Kahlan," he suddenly proposed, taking her hand and holding it against his chest.

Stunned, she looked down at their joined hands, her mind trying to tell her that this was just a fantastic dream, one she didn't deserve. Why would someone as handsome and amazing as Richard want her?

Gentle but firm fingers beneath her chin forced her to meet his gaze, so intense and so full of love that it caused her to flush from the sheer strength of it. "I know we just met a few days ago, but I already know that I don't want to spend a single day apart from you, Kahlan," he confessed, his words coming out in a heated rush.

"After my father's death, I thought that I'd never feel anything but pain and anger for the rest of my life," he continued before she could respond. "But then I met you and you turned my life upside down. You reached into my heart like no one else has ever been able to do, breathing new life into me."

Kahlan bit her bottom lip, overcome with the happiness that his words brought to her. Her heart was pounding beneath her breast, her head spinning with what he was saying. Could this really be happening to her?

Richard stared into her eyes, overwhelmed with the emotions swarming inside of him and threatening to drown him in its intensity. His throat constricted with fear, suddenly scared that she didn't share the same feelings he felt for her.

"Kahlan…I…" he began.

"Yes…yes," she interrupted him with beautiful smile that caused a shiver to tingle through him. "I would love nothing more than to marry you and be your wife."

Richard stared at her for a long moment before pulling her into a heated kiss that left them both breathless. "I love you, Kahlan," he said, stroking her hair.

"I love you too, Richard," she replied, her bottom lip beginning to tremble. "I've been…so alone for so long…so lost and scared. I never thought that I would ever know true love until you swept into my life."

Richard smiled softly in response, his hand cupping her face again. "You'll never be alone again, Kahlan. I'm never going to leave you."

Leaning in, he brushed his lips so softly against hers, something so sweet and tender that it caused tears to resurface in her eyes once more. She sighed against his mouth and he almost fainted right there with the sweet surrender he felt in her touch as her fingers began to gently caress his chest through the opening of his shirt.

He felt his need for her begin to expand in its demand, his heart beating a little harder as he kissed her deeply. He began to lose himself in her as heated desire began to take over his body, his blood growing warm with arousal.

She tilted her head and parted her lips, beckoning him to taste her. He readily complied, his tongue gliding along hers before caressing the roof of her mouth. He moaned with the sweet taste of his Kahlan, hungry for so very much more of her.

As his hand softly stroked along her neck and collarbone, the sound of someone clearing their throat caused him to pull away against his will. "What is it, Chase?" he frowned as he stared at the woman who was going to be his future wife.

"So, are you two getting married or not?" he asked with a smirk as he stood in the doorway.

"She said yes," Richard beamed, taking her hand in his and helping her to his feet, his attention completely captured by her and her alone.

"There's a justice of the peace still waiting downstairs ready to perform a wedding for someone," Chase hinted. "And Kahlan is wearing a wedding dress you know."

"Chase, I can't marry Kahlan looking like I've been to hell and back," Richard shook his head as he glanced down at his beleaguered state.

"I think you look very handsome," she softly told him, squeezing his hand.

Richard couldn't stop the smile that suddenly lit his face even if he had wanted to. "Do you want to?" he asked, holding his breath in anxious anticipation of her answer.

"More than anything in this world," she replied, her other hand finding his cheek before kissing him.

XXX

Richard nervously stood beneath the shade of a blossoming cherry tree with Chase at his side. It felt as though butterflies were furiously flittering around in the pit of his stomach. He could scarcely believe that this was really happening.

"Stop fidgeting," Chase hissed under his breath. "It's your wedding, not your execution."

"I can't help it," Richard frowned. "I feel like I've waited my whole life for her…for this very moment. I'm about to marry the most beautiful woman I have ever met and I'm suddenly terrified that I'm not good enough for her."

"That's exactly what makes you the very best for you," Chase reassured him, squeezing his shoulder.

"You go up against a dangerous tyrant like Darken Rahl and now all of the sudden you're nervous?" Cara rolled her eyes. "You need your head examined."

Just then, Kahlan came into view, a bouquet of wildflowers in her hands and a look of love sparkling in her bright blue eyes. Richard abruptly forgot how to breathe as he stared at her, his pulse racing. There was a sense of peace that seemed to envelope her; a radiant glow about her that seemed to be lit from deep within, further enhancing her beauty if that was even possible.

This was the real Kahlan approaching him, a woman that longed to be loved and love in return, to be held and cherished for who she was. What he had noticed in her when he had first met her was finally allowed to shine brightly for all to see, no longer shielded behind a thick layer of fear and pain.

He allowed his gaze to roam over her, to drink her in and revel in what would soon be his. Her raven curls hung past her bare shoulders, her white wedding dress hinting at the beautiful form that awaited him beneath it.

She shyly averted her eyes under his scrutinizing gaze, her cheeks growing warm with the longing she could see burning there. She felt that same longing simmering in her core and warming her blood. She found that she could hardly wait to be alone with him.

Meeting his gaze once more, Kahlan found herself mesmerized by how handsome he was, the new blue shirt that he had been able to find accentuating his warm chestnut eyes. His long brown hair framed his bronze face, the smile that danced on his lips causing her heart to skip a beat.

Coming to a stop by Cara, she turned to face the man who had won her heart, a soft sigh escaping her lips. This was not the wedding that she had been planning for, but was the one that she wanted above all else.

"Hi," he breathed.

Kahlan smiled her special smile for him as she took his hand in hers. "Hi," she whispered.

"You look breath-taking," he softly said.

Kahlan's face brightened even more with his compliment. "You look very handsome."

Chase smiled at how in love these two were, reminding him so much of him and Emma. They both deserved this, deserved the love they shared. He couldn't take his eyes off of them as the minister began the ceremony. The love that shined in their eyes was so very evident as they recited their vows, pledging their lives and eternal love to one another.

This was the dawning of a new era for D'Hara now that Darken Rahl was dead and it was beginning right here with these two and the life they were about to build together. He was thrilled to be a part of it, to be here to witness this new beginning.

He cast a glance at Cara standing behind Kahlan, relieved for her sake that she was free now as well. Rahl had spread so much tyranny for far too long, destroying so many lives, but Richard had managed to bring it all to an end.

"I now pronounce you husband and wife," the man happily announced. "You may kiss your bride."

Richard swiftly leaned in before the words were barely out of the minister's mouth, kissing her deeply as he pulled her to him. "I love you," he whispered against her lips.

"I love you more," she smiled in response, returning his kiss.

"So where are you two going to live?" Cara suddenly asked, interrupting the sweet moment.

"I never thought about that," Richard suddenly frowned. "I don't have a home."

"Neither do I," Kahlan admitted, her brow creased in thought. "I guess we're homeless."

"No, you're not," Chase shook his head as if the answer was so obvious.

Richard turned his attention to the sheriff. "What do you mean?"

"Well, I believe that all that Michael owned gets passed to his next of kin which would be you, Richard," Chase informed him. "All of his money, his enormous ranch, his herds of cattle…it's all yours now if you want it."

Stunned by the revelation, Richard turned back to his new wife. "I guess we have a home…if you're willing," he told her.

"I don't care if we live on a beautiful ranch or a shack in the woods," she replied, caressing his cheek. "My home is with you now, Richard."

He couldn't suppress the smile that broke across his face or the overwhelming need to kiss her again. For so long, he'd known nothing but deep heartache and pain. He had never dreamed that when he had started this quest to avenge his father that it would ever end like this, married to a beautiful woman or owning his very own cattle ranch.

He had begun this journey feeling as though he was in the lowest depths of hell and in the end, he had found paradise.