Hello, all! I'm back with another installment which I hope makes up for Jack and Sue's little interruption.

So enjoy!

Linny

Two Worlds

Chapter Twenty Two

Quickshot's dark flesh quivered under his touch as Jack took a brush to it. He'd managed to avoid Sue all morning by busying himself with grooming the horses in the community stable, but he couldn't keep it up for much longer, especially when he could feel her eyes upon him. Glancing over his shoulder, he saw her staring at him out of the side of her eye while she was helping Tara bring inside the items they couldn't afford to get wet from the looming rain.

He was amazed by her. She'd lived her entire life to not want anything, yet she handled these menial chores as if they were part of her everyday routine. He'd always assumed that her life had been filled by the glamour and beauty of royal life, but there was perhaps an underlying part he was not privy to.

She was truly a remarkable woman and would make a wonderful queen some day. He'd been certain of that last night and this morning only made him more certain of the assumption.

Thunder roared overhead, yet no rain fell. It was on the verge; Bobby and Jack could both smell it in the air and the horses were becoming anxious. His grooming seemed to calm them, but he would tie them tightly up before the storm began just in case they decided to run.

Returning his attention back to the surprisingly calm horse, Jack finished with him an tied him to a post beside an uneasy Stargazer. She shifted from one side to the other nervously, but calmed instantly as Quickshot gently nudged her with his nose.

In awe, Jack watched the mare relax against her companion, his head resting atop hers in a comforting manner. He'd never seen anything like it before and a chortle escaped him at the sight. It looked like he was the only one who'd lost his heart to his true love on this journey. If only it was just as simple for Jack.

He gave the stallion a proud pat on the broad expanse of his back. Quickshot responded with a simple snort. Knowing that his simple action had been understood, Jack smiled.

He turned to work on the next horse, only to find his heart's desire standing right in front of him, balanced on the balls of her feet ready to gather his attention. Surprise filled him and he stumbled back a few steps. A flash of the woman he'd seen standing underneath the fall of water appeared in his mind, but was quickly replaced by the comfort of her presence and the beautiful smile that curled at her lips.

"Hi Jack," she said softly.

"Sue?" he asked, his voice raised a few octaves higher than normal. He cleared his throat and felt relieved that she hadn't been able to hear that little slip. "I thought you were helping Tara." Why did it suddenly feel like a vice was gripping around his throat and making it more than a little difficult to breathe? He pulled at his collar before realizing that it was wide open and fluttering lightly in the breeze.

Her smile was soft, yet confident; that had been what Tara had told her. A confident smile was key when love was on the line, even when your stomach was tied into knots and your heart felt like it was about to jump out of your chest. Swallowing once, she never let her smile waver. "I was, but Bobby decided he would be of more help." She gave a shrug of her shoulders with a chuckle as she glanced over at the married couple. Technically, it had been Tara who'd planted the idea in Bobby's head so he could think he made the decision to help. Now, she was sitting back proudly, watching the love of her life happily flex his muscles for her as he carried the heaviest perishable items under the safety of some shelter.

"So you came to see if I needed help?" he asked. A single eyebrow rose in mischief and a playful smirk pulled at his lips. His expression was more than a little cocky and he decided this was definitely better than bumbling over his own words. Plus, that little blush that dusted her cheeks when he lovingly teased her like that made his blood pump a few degrees hotter and soon it wouldn't be just his collar that felt too tight.

"Actually, I came to ask why you've been avoiding me all morning." Her arms steadily crossed over her chest, but she had to bite at the inside of her cheek to stop herself from smiling. Tara had also opted to add a little advice on the sudden appearance of insecurity in Sue and reassured her that in its own way, Jack's avoidance was actually a compliment. She still didn't quite understand it, but she'd felt one hundred percent better at those words.

His eyebrow fell back into place and his smile disappeared. Instead, his brow furrowed in defensive confusion as he danced awkwardly from one foot to the other and back. "I... I... have... haven't b-been... a-avoi-oiding you, Princess," he stumbled and the fact that he'd used her title told her that he was lying... or trying to at least. Her eyebrows merely rose from their adorable questioning position that stoked at the glowing embers deep within his belly to one of disbelief while her chin rose upward in a fire starting motion. "I-I-I mean, yes I have... but I haven't? Oh, I don't know what I'm saying!" Why is it that words just seemed to get muddled every time she was in his presence? That was an answer he didn't have, and he hoped he never would.

He groaned as his hands ran over his exasperated face.

He'd almost missed her soft, melodious chuckle as a loud roar of thunder rumbled from overhead. "I can see that."

"I can't believe you're laughing at me." He felt like he was lost in a nightmare he'd had as a young man about standing in the middle of the courtyard with hundreds of people standing around him, pointing and laughing at him because he was naked. But, somehow, this was not as frightening. In the nightmare, the passers-by had been laughing at him, but sweet Lady Sue was laughing with him and he was making quite a fool of himself.

"What? A princess isn't supposed to have a sense of humor?" she challenged flirtatiously, the edge of her bottom lip being nipped at by her own teeth. It was usually a nervous gesture, but the special sparkle in her eye told him that nerves held no part of this conversation. She was certain of what she wanted and inside the smoky depths of her hazel eyes, he could see what she wanted and the scene suddenly turned serious.

Reaching out to her, he took her small hand in his, pulling her closer. The cleanliness of her skin was evident as she drew near. Her scent was unique and it was now mixed, not with lilac, the scent that he'd attributed solely to her, but rose oil. It was different, but she was still his same Sue. His Sue.

He chuckled inwardly. When had he started assuming she was his? The first moment they'd spoken, he'd concluded.

He couldn't resist placing his mark upon her. Bringing on of her hands up to his lips, he gently kissed her knuckles in the same manner as he'd done the night of the ball. He heard her sharp intake of breath and felt a tremor race through her body. He smiled with manly pride if only to disguise his own inner turmoil. She was driving him completely wild while just standing there before him.

"We should be careful about what we say around here, Sue," he emphasized her name so she would understand. "There are eyes and ears everywhere. I don't want someone finding out who you really are... at least until you decide to go home."

A smirk quirked at the corner of her mouth, her eyes staring up at him in wonder. "So, you're not going to drag me back?" Anyone else would have taken the initiative and most likely tight her hands and feet together if it meant getting her back to the palace safely.

"I haven't done it yet, have I?" he asked, cheekily. She only shook her head, tears welling up in her eyes from his generosity. No one else would let her set out to do what she wanted and even those she still wasn't certain what that task was, she knew Jack would be there every step of the way.

She sniffled loudly, her tears held back for the moment as her lips parted for her to say something, but a loud thunder crash shook the earth and lightning flashed brightly. Frightened, she jumped the rest of the way into Jack's arms.

Both were startled at her action, but no more than at what they saw reflected in each others' eyes. Hers carried a dazzling sparkle that, despite her tears, created an angelic halo about her irises. She was his angel, his world, his true love. She was the woman he thought he could never have, and yet there she was, in his arms, just waiting to be kissed.

His chocolate pools were almost black under her gaze, his body trembling suddenly between them, his breaths coming in shallow gasps. She'd been told what love looked like, but no amount of storytelling could ever have prepared her for this. To see his emotions on his sleeve, to know that he loved her as much as she loved him make her heart both soar and ache at the same time. One was lucky if they found their soul mate and Sue had definitely found hers.

His lips drew nearer, his hands taking a protective hold upon her arms. It wasn't a painful hold, but it was firm and steady. She could tell he was trying to hold back, to not give into the primal urges that were raging inside of him. Little did he know that those urges were raging inside of her all the same. She wanted to taste him, to feel his lips against hers just once. And if all she received was one simple taste, she was certain she could die a happy woman if the earth opened up and swallowed her whole.

Her neck eagerly arched up toward him and despite her efforts, the tender flesh of his pouty lips was still out of reach. A soft whimper escaped her and a breathy whisper escaped her without her realizing. "Jack..." His nose lightly brushed against hers to tell her he'd heard without using words. They would do no good, now. "...kiss me," she pleaded.

Self control thrown to the wind, he allowed himself to swoop in and claim her lips for the first time and with it, going all of the thoughts and feelings he wished he could say, but could find no words.

The pressure of his lips was light at first, steadily increasing with his ardor. Her taste was sweet like a peach, the tartness of her lips only making the fire low in his belly instantly to life. Years of wanting and desire for what he could not have were being poured into this one simple kiss.

And she wasn't holding back. He'd expected her to be timid, to be frightened of him as he attacked her every sense. She trembled in his hold, yet it was no longer from fright of the storm. She trembled with desire, leaning into him, wishing and hoping this moment would never end.

Her lips parted on a sigh and he didn't hesitate to lightly run his tongue against her lower lip, allowing himself to test the unknown waters. Only when he felt her tongue tentatively brush against his did he completely delve.

His brain swirled in a hazy fog as her similar actions took him to a place he'd never been before. He was floating through Heaven and never wanted to come down from the cloud he was on.

His lungs burned from lack of oxygen and though he was tempted to remain in the recesses of their love, he gentled his pressure until their lips parted.

A smile of manly pride curled at his lips as her shallow breaths danced across his cheek. Unable to resist, he leaned in once more to nip at the reddened, tender flesh of her lower lip.

"Wow," she breathed. She couldn't form anything more coherent than that and yet the simple word was enough.

"Yeah," Jack said as he studied her surprisingly disheveled appearance. His hands had gained a life all their own when they became tangled in her long tresses until they stood at unnatural angles. And she still looked more beautiful than any other woman in the world.

Smiling, he brushed a stray strand of hair out of her eyes. Sue responded with her own smile and a flustered blush and still she could not look away. Words could not describe what they were feeling at that moment which is why they chose to remain silent and gaze into the other's eyes, letting the emotions reflecting back in the stormy hazel and turbulent brown colors speak for them.

"Ahem."

The cough was slight and could barely be heard over the raindrops tinkling down upon the roof of the small shelter. Unable to deny that they were no longer alone, Jack dragged his eyes away from Sue, her gaze following instantly behind. Bobby stood there, an apologetic slump to his shoulders.

"Sorry," he both signed and spoke, noticing the reddened tinge upon Sue's cheeks. His gaze shifted to Jack who's also had a similar tint. Smiling knowingly, he could have spoken any number of jibes that had come to mind, but decided to stave them off and keep his lips shut on the subject.

"What is it, Crash?" Jack asked, clearing his throat nervously as he addressed his closest friend.

"Uh, Tara and I were thinking about going into the village for supper. The pub is having a sing tonight." A sheepish grin tugged at his lips and he shrugged his shoulders in silent question of whether they would like to come along.

"A pub... sing?" Sue asked, shaking her head at him to show him she didn't understand.

"A pretty sheila like you's never been to a pub sing?" Her only reply was another shake of her head. "Well, Luv, you're in for a real treat... if you want to come along, that is?"

Sue looked toward Jack who readily agreed, saying: "What's better than good food and drink and a few songs to lighten your mood?"

Feeling both his and Bobby's gazes settle upon her, Sue could only comply. "Why not?" She wasn't always into new experiences and it would certainly be interesting.

Bobby's hands clapped loudly together, startling a nearby mare that uncomfortably shifted away from him and the loud noise. "Great! I'll let the wife know and we can get saddled up." He quickly made his exit, though he was certain he wouldn't be missed.

Looking at her, Jack could tell that Sue was uncomfortable with her decision. She chewed nervously at her lower lip, her eyes filled with fright. "What is it?" She shook her head and dipped her chin in refusal to answer the question. Not allowing her to just cut him out of her thoughts, he placed a crooked finger underneath her chin and gently lifted. "You can tell me."

His voice, she couldn't hear, but his eyes showed her the caring and compassion he was giving to her without hinder. She had no choice but to comply. "I-I'm not very good in crowds," she admitted with an obvious heat rising once more to her cheeks. She instantly wished this heat wasn't from embarrassment, but from Jack's torturous and fulfilling kisses once more.

She was surprised when she watched his eyebrows come together in confusion. "But, the ball..." he couldn't even form it into a question; that was how much he didn't understand what she was telling him.

Her eyes lowered, but she still put voice to the words she hated to admit. "The girl that you saw there is not the same one who stands before you, Jack. Besides, when I only have one pair of lips to concentrate on, I'm fine. That's what it had mostly been that night. But, surrounded by the constant conversations and everyone speaking at once... I don't fit into those situations."

He could tell she was thinking about changing her mind on going, but perhaps this was something that she needed at the moment. "All right," he thought quickly. What could he say or do to make her go? It struck him instantaneously. "How about... if it gets too difficult for you, you and I can just sit alone and talk... officially get to know one another?" When coming to this conclusion, he hadn't thought about the benefit of a quiet conversation between them. She knew about Jack's family, about a past that was still only fuzzy blurbs to him. She could tell him things he'd dreamed of knowing since he'd arrived at the orphanage. And perhaps, he could learn how to communicate with her on her own level. "And maybe you could teach me a few signs? I already know 'sorry'," he signed it for emphasis, "so we can continue from there?"

Her unsteady gaze slowly grew into a grin as tears filled her eyes. He was wiling to learn sign? This man was too perfect to be real! She was afraid that she would wake up tomorrow morning and discover this was all a dream, but it was a dream she would treasure for the rest of her life. She nodded. "All right. It's a deal. I'll teach you how to sign and you can tell me why Bobby calls you 'Sparky'." Her grin turned mischievous and his face turned a deep shade of red.