Mc'Key was increasingly excited, realising that Ghost would be coming home
today if all was well. She would be his and not Norik's, even if it was 'in
name only'. He was arranging the apartment (no longer thought of as *his*
but *theirs*), having transferred most of her belongings from her apartment.
He re-arranged many of his own things, even throwing some out, so that he
could make her feel at home. When he was finished he looked around the
place. It was good, but it was not enough.

The previous day, he had decided to arrange something extra special for
Ghost's return. He thought long and hard about it and eventually made up his
mind. He checked with those in charge at Western Chalet, known to all as a
premier locale for love. Not only could he go, but they would have the place
to themselves if they didn't mind looking after themselves. He didn't mind
looking after them both one bit. He had arranged to take the place.

***************************************************************************
Laden with bags, he stepped through the doors of the Chalet. He had an
idea to make this special. He had taken over four of the rooms and had
thought of a theme for each. But he had little time to arrange it. He got
busy fixing the rooms to his satisfaction. Tomorrow, she would be returning
with him. Some of the items he had fetched back and forth were 'unusual',
but he knew it would be worth it.
***************************************************************************

Back at the Warren, he met Phaedra and the entourage who would go with them
to hear the Lord's decision. His excitement, already piqued, was still
greater now that he had his little surprise to chuckle over. As they all
took off, he was thankful he would soon see her and hopeful that all would
be well.

As they arrived at Lago Vista, Mc'Key began to wander the corridors towards
Ghost's room. On the way, he bumped into Norik.

"Good morning Mc'Key, looking for Ghost hmm?"

Norik looked very cheerful. Mc'Key could be mistaken, but he seemed to have
that special glint in his eye. Mc'Key smiled back at the man.

"Yes Sir. Did everything go well last night?" Mc'Key's smile broadened as
the man turned crimson. "I mean, was everything quiet. What did you think I
meant?"

The man looked at Mc'Key and saw the knowing smile on his face.

"Don't play the innocent with me Mc'Key," he grinned. "Anyway, I was on my
way to see Ghost too. Dellanie is there."

[Insert [DL-D] Homecoming]

***************************************************************************
She knew she would never forget the sight that greeted her as Vas popped
back into the air above the Warren's domain...Though she had been expecting
him to take her back to the Warren and... his.. apartment...

She never expected him to bring her to the Western Chalet, a large
manor-type house that sat on the western face of Carnos.  It was long known
to be a favourite meeting place of the dragon riders and she had *heard* a
place where some of the Lords sometimes brought their current mistresses.
Some of the rooms were said to be truly lust inspiring....A place for
lovers...

Was this what he had in mind?
***************************************************************************

As they walked into the Chalet, Mc'Key started to explain.

"I thought that since we had spent so much time apart and I had waited for
you for so long, I'd make up for it."

He gave her a tour of the four rooms he had taken over. The first he called
the 'Autumn' room. The room was golden coloured. Incense was burning,
wafting the odour of fallen leaves. The bed linen was all rich golden browns
and the satin material was so smooth to the touch. The room was full of
plants which were regenerating. There were even fallen leaves around the
bed. Lying on the bed was a satin gown, golden brown, and a tiara of woven
vines and heathers.

The 'Winter' room was creamy white, and so was the linen. There was a log
fire burning brightly and they could smell chestnuts roasting. The window
had been given a 'frosty' look and the light was filtered so that it looked
like a cosy winter hideaway. Lying on the bed, a silk gown of ivory slinked
over the edge.

In the 'Spring' room, there were many colours. Flowers had been scattered
all around the bed; bluebells, snowdrops and daffodils. Aromatic oils were
burning, giving the whole room the smell of new growth and regeneration.
Everything in the room said Spring and the plants here were coming into
bloom. Once more, a gown was provided. Soft to the touch, the pastel floral
print blended with the cream colour of the fabric beautifully.

Lastly, he took her to the 'Summer' room. The whole decor was bright and
beautiful with vibrant warm colours. Yellows and greens abounded and the
room seemed to have the feel of the outdoors. It felt fresh and yet earthy,
with the smell of cut hay, which to her surprise Kayla discovered was due to
the cut hay which lay in a small stack in a small room off the main one.
Again, a gown had been provided for her and its yellow satin seemed to glow
like the sun.

She looked at him incredulously. How could he have done this?

"I just thought it would be like making up for lost time," he told her. "We
can live a whole year in four days. Each of the seasons is here and we can
be together through all of them. Do you mind? I thought ..."

"Mind? Oh Key, I love it! How could you do all of this? I don't know what to
say."

"Well, let's go down stairs and we can eat lunch."

In the kitchen, a lunch was already waiting with fresh salad, crusty bread,
cheeses and many other things. A bottle of crisp white wine was also
breathing on the table.

With everything she saw, Kayla looked more and more amazed and happy. He
loved to watch her face light up as she each new surprise. As they ate lunch
they looked at each other, sometimes laughing because of the sheer joy of
being together, other times simply silent, enjoying the chance to share each
other's company at last.

With lunch finished, both Mc'Key and Ghost looked at each other. Mc'Key felt
shy and a little nervous. He wanted everything to go just right. He did not
have to worry. They arose from the table and went to each other and began to
hold hands. They touched each other's faces, stroked hair and began to
explore each other's bodies almost in disbelief that it was happening.

Mc'Key swept Ghost up in his arms. Kissing her, he carried her to the
bathroom with the bath designed for two. They washed each other, each
treating the other as if they were so fragile they might break. Once dry,
Ghost left the bathroom, saying "Spring is here."

He went to the 'Spring' room and saw something that made him crumble. His
love was standing facing him in the golden brown gown and she looked so
radiant and had such a glow, Mc'Key felt dazzled. As she began to approach
him, he didn't feel worried anymore...

NRPG:

I wasn't sure about the age level of Geode, so I didn't take anything too
far I hope. I guess a guy like Mc'Key is just an incurable romantic. So
Barb, is that surprising enough do you think?

Respectfully submitted,

FCO Lt.(jg) Olivier Patru, USS ORION NCC-1997, Starfleet.
Special Agent-2 Jim Reaper, X-Files Division, FBI.
Ar'Aman Bowright and Darar, Daere Warren, DragonLands.
Mc'Key and Vasleth, Geode Warren, DragonLands.

aka Peter Shillan.