<Troy says that her rider would like us to accompany her to 
the lake this afternoon.>>

        *I guess, the patrol schedule should be figured out by then, but..
why?*

        <Maybe she wats to mate with you again!>

        Gerald felt the blush slowly move across his face and neck.
He dared not look at the Warrenlady's eyes, knowing that she knew why
he was blushing. Then, a cold chill ran through him. He was just
assuming, going on Random's guess. Maybe Jayleigh just wanted to go 
to the lake. And here he was, thinking improper thoughts, his red face
plain for everyone to see-

        G'ther interrupted him. "You coming, Gerald?"  He stood up quickly,
noting that G'ther had crossed the room whilst he was gathering wool.

        "Don't know what it is, but ever since this boy showed up at my
apartment this morning, he's had his head in the clouds." He followed 
Gerald out the door, slapping his back after the door closed.

        "Not going to get up in the world if you keep falling asleep 
like that," he commented. "What's the matter, boy, didn't you get enough
rest last night?" He roared at his own joke.

        Gerald's mind was still on another subject. *I don't know if she's
interested! Maybe she just wants an escort. I don't want to embarass myself
by trying something if she's not.*

        <Her office is right behind you. Why don't you find out?> Random
sounded smug.

        *Oh, no, I couldn't-*

        <Yes you could. Would you rather find out the hard way later?>

        Gerald screwed up his courage. "I forgot something, G'ther. I'll
be back in a minute." He left, not even noting that he had forgotten to
call the man "sir," something he had never done before. G'ther waited,
smiling slightly, noting the change that had come over his charge- a 
change for the better, he reckoned.

        Walking at a quick pace, Gerald headed back into Jayleigh's office.
She looked up, asking, "Forget something?" raising an eyebrow.

        Gerald didn't dare speak for fear of losing his resolve. He marched
around her desk, gently pulled her to her feet, and kissed her.

        <I meant ask her, my rider...I didn't expect you to do that.>

        *Oh...oh well, she doesn't seem to mind.*

        As he was about to break, he felt her hands grabbing his biceps, 
holding on to him tightly, swaying a bit. He broke the kiss, smiling
slightly at her expression.

        I just wanted to make sure I read your invitation right," he said.
Silent and breathless, she looked up at him with wide eyes. He turned
back towards the door, aware of her eyes on him. "Just have your Queen
bespeak Random when you're ready to go."

        *Maybe she is interested, after all.*

        <Humans are dense.>

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

        Practice went well, with only a few riders commenting on G'ther's
absence. Gerald had them all laughing with a few guesses at the fish 
stories the man was bound to tell the next day. Suprisingly, no one
balked at the patrol schedule. As they dismissed, Gerald realized he had 
some time, so he stopped by the dining hall.

        "Gerald!" Realee beamed at him as she walked out of the main 
kitchens in a flour-covered apron. " I haven't seen you in a while.
Just as thin as ever, I see. When are you going to put some meat on those
bones?"

        "I'm just fine the way I am, ma'am," Gerald stammered. The woman
had been trying to fatten him up for months. "I-I'd like to ask a favor."

        "What's that?"

        "Ah, I'd like to set up a picnic, for two, but I don't know what
 to get..." He gave her a helpless look.

        "For two, eh? I believe I can come up with something to help you 
out." Realee was already putting things in a wicker basket. "Just don't
tell anyone, if word gets around I'll have to do this all the time! Who's
the lucky girl?"

        "Oh, it's not like that...Jayl...the Warrenl...Jayleigh wanted to
go to the lake, and I was supposed to escort her, and..."

        "Oho, I see. Well, you don't need this." Realee put the basket
back down.

        Gerald stared wide-eyed at her. "Did I do something wrong?"

        "No, dear, you were late. I already have one made up for 
Jayleigh." Realee searched around several cabinets, then left the room.
Gerald stood there, patient and confused. Finally, the short plump woman
returned carrying a bottle.

        "Take this with you-it'll be perfect for the meal. I had to hide
it from G'ther," she added with a wink.

        Gerald didn't even have to look at the label. "Marrid wine."

        "Enjoy it, there aren't many left."

        Gerald tried to hand the bottle back. "Oh, I couldn't..."

        "No, no, go ahead. Just don't give it to G'ther, he's had enough."

        "Yes, ma'am." Gerald smiled and left.

        Not long after, Random's voice echoed in his head. <They're ready.
Troy also said that Jayleigh is bringing food>, he added.

        Gerald decided to dare another chance. *Ask her if she fixed it, 
and if it's safe to eat,* he thought with a smile. The Warrenlady's 
cooking was famous. Or infamous, depending on what side of the plate 
you sat.

        <Troy says she got it from the dining hall and that she had no
hand in it's making.>

        Crossing to the green, Gerald adroitly mounted his dragon.

        "What's that?" Jayleigh asked, pointing.

        "Marrid wine. Just something to go with the meal."

        "Delightful!"       

        They took off into the air, blinking into nothingness within
seconds.

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

        "That hit the spot. I didn't realize how hungry I was." The 
warrenlady scanned the remnants of the food spread out on the blanket.
Thankfully, it was a fairly temperate late afternoon at the lake.

        Gerald had already taken out his gitar and was strumming chords.
"I forgot to say thank you for bringing me."

        "Not at all! You have a job to do, mister." She smiled at him.
"Would that I had such a talented escort more often."

        <I want to swim>, Random thought. <Are you going to scrub my
back?>

        *Not in this water. I know you don't feel an itch because *I* 
would feel an itch.*

        <It's not cold!>

        *Not for dragons, anyway* Gerald thought as he worked his fingers 
down the frets. *Maybe later, if that's okay with you.*

        <Suit yourself.> Random waddled into the water, followed soon
by Viktroy.

        Gerald put down the gitar and looked at Jayleigh, who was 
favoring him with that weighing stare again. Gods, she's beautiful, he
thought.

        "I don't see how they do it," he said.

        "Me neither," Jayleigh replied.

        There was a moment of quiet, then they moved together as if
to some silent signal. Before, Gerald had some hesitation, even in the 
face of his dragon's overpowering lust; this time, there was no holding
back. Kissing passionately, forcefully, they embraced and clung to each
other like some frenzied dance. A rustling of clothes; then Jayleigh 
was against him, holding him, calling his name, moaning as he entered
her...

        Much later, with the sky rapidly turning a dark purple above 
them, she rolled onto her side, toying with his blonde chest hair.

        "How did you do that?"

        "What do you mean?"

        "How is it that you are so good at this? You seem to be the 
shy type."

        Gerald blushed. "Well, um, in my villiage, there were a number
of girls who were interested, I guess, though I never understood why.
They, well, taught me what do do...although of course, there weren't 
that many," he added lamely.

        "Let's hear it for good teachers," Jayleigh said as her lips 
found his.

        "We've, ah, got to get back," Gerald protested.

        Jayleigh sighed. "Yes, we do. But," placing her finger against
his lips, "we'll have to continue this...conversation...another time."

        Gerald smiled. "As you wish, Milady."

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

        Kiree watched the two dragons wink out above the warren. She
was thoroughly depressed. Well, he's found someone, she thought. He
completely ignored me and now he's with someone else. What's wrong 
with *me*?

        She sat, chin in hands, as a rider walked in front of her, 
ignoring his greeting until he stopped and sat beside her. She looked,
finally; it was R'ven. 

        "What's wrong, Kiree?"

        "Nothing."

        "Well, all right, but if you want to talk, I'll be there." R'ven 
stood to go.

        "R'ven, wait..."

        "Yes?"

        "It's...silly, I guess, but it's about Gerald...and Jayleigh."

==========================

Tag Lyn or Lea!

	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)
	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