B'rand rolled to the side, held in the cage of Lenna's arms and
legs, holding her tightly in return. Slowly, his heart eased from its wild
thumping as they relaxed, still in the aftermath of their passion. 

        It had never, never been like this before, he thought. How was it 
so different with Lenna? She was incredible. Her touch and kiss brought
him to new heights, made him want her so badly he could taste it. Just
a look from her blue eyes and he was lost; and of course the passionate
look she was giving him now...

        It was almost more than mortal man deserved. 

        <<You're in love. Should I be jealous?>>

        *You bet.*

        <<You made me very embarassed just a few minutes ago.>>

        *Now what did I do?*

        Those eyes were just too inviting. B'rand leaned forward to kiss 
Lenna, his arms tightening, her eyes closing, responding to him...a small
sound escaped her, almost a low moan, as they sank deeper into the kiss.
Would it always be like this? B'rand hoped so; it was like he couldn't get
enough of Lenna, even though she was right there with him. Headstrong, 
impatient, temperamental, she was a mirror of himself; we may butt heads
from time to time, he thought, but somehow now that we're together I couldn't
bear to lose her. They moved together, sharing their warmth, as if their
bodies' contact still wasn't close enough...

        <<Ahem.>>

        *Oh, sorry. I was a little preoccupied.*

        <<Is that what you call it?>>

        *So. How did I embarass you?*

        <<I was down at the hatching caverns and- >>

        *Wait...what were you doing at the hatching caverns?*

        <<Checking on the little queen, to see if she was affected by 
all the fuss.>>

        *Uh huh. What do hatchling dragons say besides, 'I'm hungry'?*

        <<Well...she did say that, almost as soon as she woke up. But
I had a chance to talk to her. Sort of.>>

        *What do you mean, sort of?*

        <<You and Blanchie's rider picked that moment to mate. Here I was,
concentration completely broken, sounding like a scatterbrained hatchling
just out of its shell. Very embarassing.>>

        *Poor dragon. I'll try to be more considerate of your feelings 
next time.* B'rand mentally chuckled.

        <<Sure you will. Here I am, abused, left out in the cold...>>

        *Sleep well, my dragon.*

        <<That's a first! You *must* be infatuated. You too, my heart.>>

        B'rand moved to pull the blanket over them; Lenna reached out to 
him, wanting him to stay.

"Hush love," he calmed her with a smile. "It's getting cold and I 
was only reaching to pull the covers over us."

-----------
**Morning after the rescue**
-----------
He woke to the most amazng smells, it smelled like...steaks? His mouth
watered, remembering he had not eaten the night before. Lenna stood in the
doorway, holding a steaming cup of coffee in her hand.

"Why is it that I fear you're beginning to know me too well?" he 
smiled as he accepted the hot beverage and then followed her 
towards the table.

"Don't let it worry you love," she threw over her shoulder as she 
reached for the skillet with the stakes and turned back to the 
table and dished them out. "I'm sure you still have some surprises 
I've yet to discover."

"As do you," he beamed after taking his first bite of the perfectly prepared
meat. "Whoever would have thought you could cook something 
that tastes this good?"

"Surprised you, did I?" she grinned while taking a sip of coffee.

"You are constantly surprising me," he said shaking his head. "I 
never know what to expect from you next."

Lenna laughed, her smile widening. "Life is full of surprises 
lover. You'd soon grow bored with me if I was predictable."

"I don't think there's any chance of that happening anytime 
soon," he quipped raising his cup to salute her.

"I've a challenge for you if you think you're up to it," she 
grinned then winked as if daring him to ask her about it.

B'rand took a deep breath and then let it out. His emerald eyes 
narrowing to look at her suspiciously. "I'm almost afraid to 
ask," he said. "But I will. What is this big challenge of yours?"

"A sword fight," she replied. 

"Between you and me?" he was clearly amused at her request. 
Wondering if she really thought she had any chance of lasting long 
in the fight. Much less beating him.

"Between you and me," she smiled in acknowledgment. Placing her 
elbows on the table and lowed her chin to rest in the palms of 
her hands. Her big blue eyes lit with her mirth. "Unless you're 
afraid of what it might do to your ego to be beaten by a... a 
mire female."

B'rand nearly choked on his coffee when he heard her words.
"Beaten by a.. Woman you're too much. Do you honestly believe 
you'd have any chance at all of winning?" 

"If I didn't have any faith in my own abilities to defend myself, 
do you honestly believe I would make the challenge?" she asked him. 
"I want to show you that I *can* take care of myself, then maybe 
you won't worry so much about me if we have to face another 
incident like we did back at the Nomad encampment."

"If you're so sure of your a... abilities..." He said slowly as 
if an idea had just come to him. One Lenna wasn't sure she was 
going to like.

"Then why don't we make a wager on the out come?" he threw in 
his own challenge.

It was her turn to look upon him with suspicion. He was up to 
something, but she couldn't figure out what. "Okay," she asked, 
hoping she wasn't going to regret it. "What kind of wager?"

"Well the winner of this fight... should have some kind of 
reward..." 

"Like if I win... "  her hand reached for the tiny dragon hanging on the
leather string around her neck. 

"If I win you have to ... do everything I tell you for a week. No questions,
no arguments, just a 'yes dear' and then do it."

        "And if I win?" Lenna's eyebrows raised questioningly.

        "If you win, the same. No arguments, no backtalk, just immediate
complicity."

        "Anything?" Lenna was clearly amused. "I kind of like the
thought of that."

        "Me, too. I get the feeling that there's some things we'll both
want to happen," he said with a wink, "and some things we don't. But
remember, it's only for a week, no more. That'll keep the winner from 
going too far, I think."

        "I like it! When?"

        B'rand smiled. "I'm the one challenged, right? I'll pick the time."

        "All right."

        Soon after the excellent meal, B'rand and Lenna bathed (which 
took quite a bit of time), and B'rand dressed for patrol with Lonnie.
He paused to kiss Lenna soundly before leaving.

        "What was that for?"

        "Because I love you, why else? Also for an excellent meal. And...
dessert." He waved as he mounted Rook and flew down to ground level.

        *I'm in trouble I'm in trouble I'm in trouble...*

        <<You really stuck your talons in it this time, didn't you? Why
did you have to say all that? You know you're not any good with a sword.>>

        *I know, I know. Maybe she'll go for spears.*

        <<And you'll have to tell her why? I doubt she'll accept that, if
she knows she has the upper hand.>>

        *Of course, I move pretty fast...maybe I'll have a chance.*

        <<Said the crippled buck as the dragon swooped down on him.>>

*****************

        Morning after the rescue...tag if anyone wants to meet B'rand,
otherwise he'll be patrolling with Lonnie :) 

	Respectfully submitted by:
	Allen Veazey
	wolf@dbtech.net
	Warrenlady Phaedra and Melith (Geode); Gerald and Random (Daere)
	Ash'chenon  (Telnor); B'rand and Rook (Cleft)
	Orbus of Amber (Amber)
	Geode Warren Page: http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Acropolis/3043/crystal.html
	
     "Fortunately, ah keep mah feathers numbered for just such an emergency."
			--Foghorn Leghorn