Chapter Twenty: Deliver Us From Evil

"In your eyes
the light, the heat
I am complete.
The resolution of all my fruitless searches."
-Peter Gabriel

Her heavy eyelids labored to open as her head twisted to one side. Blurry and teary eyed, she forced them to flutter open, but moaned when bright lights from a single light bulb high above her head assaulted her sensitive, tired eyes. It was then that she noticed that her hands were tied with heavy, twine rope and her mouth had been gagged with a coarse cotton material. Lying on her side on a cold, red and black tiled floor, she tried to sit up, but this resulted in a sharp wave of spinning dizziness causing unsettling queasiness to establish itself within her tense stomach. The air around her was stale in the small, pale room, yet it held a faint scent of ammonia and possibly other harsh chemicals. As she lowered herself back onto the hard floor, she slowly breathed in the foul smelling air hoping to get the nausea under control.

Suddenly, the door swung open and a tall figure entered the white-washed, small room. Trying desperately to get her eyes in focus, Mel realized that her glasses were gone. She squinted as the slender figure crouched down by her side.

"Well, looks like Melinda has decided to join us again." The voice was cold and clear, enunciating every syllable in perfect, sickening pitch. Madaline's long, pale fingers were wrapped around her dark revolver, almost causally pointing it at Mel's head. "Right on schedule." Mel pulled against the restraints and tried to shift her head so that the gag would loosen, but her effort was futile. "Oh, don't bother struggling. I've made provisions to see you will be with us for some time."

Reaching out, Madaline lightly touched Mel's black hair pushing it aside away from her forehead. "Hmm...I wonder if my destiny had been different if I could have been you. Had your life." Shaking her head, she grinned. "No, I don't think I'd like to be you. It would probably be really, really tedious." Madaline's fingers stopped around Mel's nose. "You're going to help me bring about order in the world, Melinda. As it should have been thousands of years ago. Consider it an honor. A privilege. You will witness history in the making."

Violently jerking Mel's head back by her hair, Madaline smiled down at her the way an animal hunter sometimes plays with its already dead prey. "Janice will play her part in the plan perfectly. She'll walk right into the trap." Madaline liked to watch the distinct and conflicting emotions make their way into Mel's blue eyes. "She'll be too blinded by love to see anything but you. And because of that I have her." Madaline let go of Mel's head letting it hit the floor with a hard thud.
===========================
"You are asking too much," Armand responded pacing around the hard wooden floor of the wide room, his voice echoing, bouncing off the faded green walls. "I can't let you do it."

"Let me," Janice replied harshly "I'm not asking your permission!"

"But you are doing precisely what she wants you to do. You are playing directly into her hands." He ran his fingers threw his short dark hair while blowing out a breath of air.

"Exactly." Janice stated simply. Leaning forward in her chair, she watched as Armand stopped his pacing and began to listen. His hand rubbing his chin as if trying to figure out what Janice planned to say before she opened her mouth. "If what you say is true, Madaline's too caught up in the belief in her destiny to see straight. She believes it will happen no matter what I or anyone else does to stop her. She proved that by kidnapping Mel in broad daylight without any sort of protection or cover. This is her weakness. She has gotten careless. People who believe they can no longer make mistakes will be bound to make them!" She took a breath and continued. "Besides, she won't kill me. She can't. She seems to need me somehow to fulfill her destiny."

"That may be so, but ... are you willing to risk your life on her carelessness?" Armand forcefully slammed his fist against the hard, black table.

Pausing for a moment, Janice replied softly, "My life doesn't matter anymore. She's got Mel. The only thing that matters to me now is getting her to safety." Janice rose from her chair and walked toward the broad shouldered man. "Two hours. That's all I ask. Then you can come after me with your guns and your bombs. Trust my judgment, Armand."

Armand clenched his jaw and looked up considering her offer. "All right. Two hours no more...no less," he said after a moment. "Do you really think you can do this?"

"Ask me again in two hours," Janice replied slipping on her jacket. "This is the only way I can think of that might not get us all killed."

"Janice, my men are willing to die for the cause. For you."

"I'm not going to take their sacrifices." Janice grabbed a long knife and another pistol before walking toward the door. "I'm sure their families would prefer them alive." She tucked the knife in her right boot and the extra pistol in her waistband. "Two hours."

He nodded. "Pure soul," Armand said under his breath as she left the room he had used as a command center for months. "Much luck to you, my friend."
===========================
Tossing her bent and dirty hat toward the passenger's side, Janice pushed her red blond hair back away from her eyes before shutting off the truck's engine. Looking from left to right, she took in the silence of the lingering moment before finally wrapping her hand around her bulldog revolver. She had parked her faded brown truck just below a ridge, near a low line of sickly trees. Across the dirt road, Janice could see the roof of the deteriorated white building which used to house the military's infirmary. A one-floor, long structure, it was the ideal spot for killers and raiders to hide out. It was well off the beaten path in the middle of nowhere. In fact, according to Janice's current maps, the complex did not even exist. But Janice knew Mel was here. She felt it. Her hair stood on end as their energy and connection sent waves through her body settling into her soul. Her other half was nearby. Releasing the safety from her silver, scuffed gun, she carefully closed the truck door and climbed over the small ridge.

A stern look glossed over her face upon her approach. The two guards dressed in green military fatigues never saw her coming. Immediately cocking her gun, she fired rapidly at them hitting them both in the legs. Dropping to their knees, they looked up at their assailant both begging for mercy as their faces registered the intense pain. Cowards, Janice thought as she heard a thunderous commotion from inside the compound. Three men appeared at the large double doors, long rifles aiming directly at Janice's head. With their steady fingers on their respective triggers, Janice felt her heart rate increase and a cold sweat break throughout her body.

"NO," a familiar voice shouted from just inside the building. Pushing her way through her men, she looked around at them. "You fools, lower your weapons. NOW," Madaline commanded before stepping out onto the dirt ground slowly approaching Janice who still had her gun aimed squarely in front of her body. "Oh, Janice. How good of you to come to my little ... piece of heaven!"

"Well, I got your invitation. Hard to miss." Janice scowled before spitting on the ground in front of her. Leveling the gun straight at Madaline's head, she asked, "Where is she?" Janice's voice ripe with antipathy.

"As you wish." Madaline yelled for one of her men to bring out their hostage. Mel, in a large man's secure grasp, walked slowly and feebly out of the building. Her eyes were full of an odd mixture of concern and comfort. Mel did not struggle. She looked like she did not have the energy. With a long knife in one hand pressing firmly into her pale neck and a dirty hand clamped tightly over her mouth, the tall, robust man planted himself firmly against the tall southern. Janice wanted to the kill him. But her anger was replaced by concern and a quick survey of Mel's physical appearance. Her clothes were wrinkled and her right sleeve was torn along the forearm. Janice noticed a fresh bruise on her cheek just below her eyes.

"As you can see she is unharmed ..." Madaline paused and cast a sideway glance at the woman by her side. "Relatively unharmed." The large man quickly released Mel from his grasp and brutally hurled the unsteady Mel over to Madaline's awaiting arms. Madaline's long fingers tightened around Mel's neck while the barrel of her long revolver rested on her right temple.

"What did you do to her you..."

"Ahh...before we start the name calling just remember you are in no such position to do so." She emphasized her point by jamming the barrel more firmly into Mel's temple. "Weapons." She motioned for the large man to relieve Janice of her gun. The large man then frisked the archaeologist who now had her hands in the air, but her face was still marked by a streak of defiance. "Check her boots. I suspect she probably has a piece in there too." The large man crouched and came up with the long blade Janice had stuffed there in hopes that she could sneak it inside. "This was too easy, you know. Love makes people too blind to simple reason. Because once I had her. I knew I had you. You would never let anything happen to your precious lover would you. Of course not."

"This isn't over."

"Oh, but it is. Everything will be over. Life as we know it will be over. In a few hours, a new world order will be brought forth. Something you will happily take part in."

"I can't believe you would bring an end to it all," Janice said unbelieving.

"What so special about life anyway? It all ends eventually. That is the great thing no one seems to factor in when looking at their life. We are all going to die. So what difference does it make if it happens sooner rather than later. Life is about pain and suffering and death," she said loudly emphasizing each word. "But you see, once Dahak has entered the world. I will live forever. The suffering of death will only come upon those who defy his orders...my orders."

"You're insane!"

"Maybe so, but..." Madaline nodded to the large man behind Janice. "you're dead!" In a painful flash, Janice felt the butt of her own revolver hit her squarely and savagely in the back of the head, just above the base of her spine. Knocked forward on to her knees, she only had a moment to glance above her head to see the look of terror in Mel's eyes before another merciless blow was delivered to her skull. She thought for sure she was dead as she drop on the dirt ground. In the distance, Janice heard shouting, but then her world went black.
===========================
"Janice." Slowly the soft, single word almost pleaded entrance into the foggy, absolute darkness. A warmth filled her. She thought for a moment... is this heaven? But those thoughts were immediately pushed aside when she heard the familiar voice call again. The soft, fluid voice washed over her like a ray of light over a black empty plain. Invading the murkiness of unconsciousness, she recoginized the familiar accent she had come to love. Mel, her thoughts screamed before her voice could. She felt Mel's warm skin run along her cheeks and down the line of her neck, the fingers hovering over its base. The intimate touches bringing her back to life. Then, she felt something ... removed from her mouth. Her lips were now free to move as her eyes slowly opened trying to focus in on the figure in front of her. "Are you okay, please... say something Janice," her voice pleaded. "You're scaring me."

Looking up into concerned blue eyes, Janice could feel Mel's love invading her, breaking down every single defense, with just one look. How does she do that, Janice thought before finally opening her mouth to speak. "Sweetheart," she said hoarsely, her body instinctually reacting to Mel's slow, comforting strokes. Janice tried to move her arms when she realized they were tied firmly and tightly behind her back. Her arm muscles burned and cried for relief as her entire body weight rested on them. On her back, she struggled with the rope, but it only intensified the pain. Finally getting up onto her knees, she leaned back onto her heels. "I...I'm sorry. I..."

With her hands tied in front of her body, Mel's hands were free to roam around Janice's face as her touch lightly examined Janice's new cuts and bruises. A small, deep gash immediately caught her attention and fascination as she settled her fingers along the clotted abrasion. "What did you do?" Mel had also noticed the conditioned of Janice's clothes. Her shirt was completely filthy with dried blood and mud stains as was her pants while her hair hung disheveled around her ears having completely fallen out of her pony tail. "What did she do," she asked quietly.

Janice closed her eyes enraptured in the sensation of Mel's touch. She could get lost in it forever. Between that skin... those soft, warm fingers erasing any pain, a remedy for her ailments, physically, emotionally and spiritually. "Nothing," she said after a few moments. "Nothing I can't handle." Leaning in, Janice placed her head against Mel's right cheek, her lips settling around her neck. A soft kiss elicited an equally soft moan. She stopped when she realized where exactly they were right at the moment. "We have to get out of here. We have to find that stone," she said quickly looking into Mel's eyes.

For the first time, Janice took in her surroundings. The small, white room had only one doorway and a wide window at one end. The window had broken and cracked glass, but a black steel window guard blocking the only means of escape. The room looked as it was used as an examination room when the facility was an infirmary. One wall had high cupboards and a steel countertop with several smaller drawers and cabinets reaching the floor while the opposite wall was bare except for a fading eye chart, a poster about dental hygiene, and an air conditioning vent a few feet off the floor. The red and black tiled floor had tiles missing, the concrete peeking its way through, while the heavy, white door had no window or holes. "I have to think," Janice said over and over again pulling herself away from the distraction of Mel's skin. "Mel, check all the cabinets. See if there's anything that can be used as a weapon or cut us outta this rope." Mel simply nodded and rose unsteadily off the floor. "Sweetheart, are you okay?"

"Yes, it's just some of the after effects of the chemicals she used on me. I'm a little nauseous," she said almost sheepishly.

Janice recognized Mel's tone. She used it when she thought Janice would be disappointed in her revelations. She smiled. "So am I," she replied silently acknowledging that Mel's concern was genuine. With the fate of the world in her hands, Janice knew there was no faking her growing sense of anxiety.

As silently as possible, Mel opened the rickety, old cupboards, but all were empty except for a few dead insects and a roll of thick gauze. Bending down, she opened the remaining drawers. When a smile spread across her face, Janice knew she found something. Carefully, Mel wrapped her hands around a pair of surgical scissors. Although they were severely rusted, they opened and closed between Mel's fingers. Cutting away at the thick, heavy rope, she let out a sigh of relief when the last piece dropped to the ground. Immediately, she crouched behind Janice and cut fast and furious away at the cumbersome rope. She noticed how bruised and raw Janice's knuckles were.

Once free, Janice turned around and captured Mel's lips. Mel fell back, her body hitting the wall, from the force of Janice's kiss. Holding the smooth surface of Mel's face, Janice kissed her deeply finding relief and strength for the battle yet to come. She held on to her full lips until they breathless broke away; the need to breath becoming only slightly more overwhelming than their mutual passion. Their foreheads touching, Janice whispered, "you are the best thing that has ever happened to me." She did not know why she said it, but it escaped her lips without thought. Perhaps she knew that this would be their last opportunity to exchange devotion before something happened. There was apart of her that knew she might die protecting the world. It was a sacrifice she would gladly make, but she needed to tell this wonderful person, the one who made her feel complete, exactly how much she felt...if that were even possible. She looked up and saw Mel's questioning gaze examining her features. "I mean it. My life meant nothing until you walked into it. And I don't care about the...past...about...anything but you. Remember that."

"No, no. You are not saying good-bye to me." She clutched Janice's hand which still lingered on her face. "We will make it through this."

"I know."

"We'll love each other, live together, grow old together."

"Grow old, huh? Will you be able to put up with me for the next fifty years," she asked with a smile.

Mel nodded. "And I'll love every moment of it."

"First, let's get the hell out of here." Janice got up slowly off the ground, her fatigued legs finally cooperating. Holding the back of her throbbing neck, she looked around at her limited options.

Mel approached the door and pressed her ear against the hard wood. She couldn't hear anything. The silence was broken suddenly as a loud car engine backfired in the distance. Lying on the ground, she looked underneath the inch crack in the door frame. There seemed to be no one around. She saw no shoes or shadows. Getting up from the floor, she noticed Janice paused just below the wide air conditioning vent on the opposite side of the room. "The vent," Mel asked questioningly.

"The air has to get out somehow, right? Maybe its just wide enough for us to crawl through." Standing on the tips of her toes, Janice tried to jerk the silver protective metal from the opening. "The nails looks rusted through." She jerked again as some white paint chips drifted their way to the ground.

"Janice...I don't think there's anyone guarding the door," Mel said as Janice continued to pry to vent open. "I don't hear anything. And I heard a car engine start up. Maybe a part of the group has left."

"Why would Madaline leave us unguarded?"

"She's gotten careless," Mel replied thoughtfully.

Janice turned around at the sound of her own logic. "Maybe," she mumbled. "How are we going to get that door unlocked?"

Mel reached behind her head and removed a long, black hair pin from her long strands. She held it in her fingers and smiled.

"That only works in the movies," Janice stated, her dirty hands planted firmly on her hips. Turning back around, she focused her attention back on the vent. "I still think this may be our best bet."

Arching an eyebrow, Mel began to bend the long metal. She moved some of her hair away from her eyes and kneeled on the ground. Without her glasses, she leaned forward so that the doorknob was practically a few inches in front of her eyes. Inserting the long flat metal strip into the small, curved hole, she now used her ears to listen for the familiar click of a door unlocking. She hoped the sound would not be loud enough to attract unwanted attention. The metal hooked onto the wanted groove and Mel turned. Click. She grabbed the nob and turned. The door was open. Looking past her shoulder, Mel noticed Janice was still pulling on the vent cover without much success. Mel got up off the ground and cleared her throat to attract Janice's attention. "The door's open," she whispered as Janice's face registered a momentary look of shock.

"How did you..."

Mel held up the bent hair pin. "I guess I've watched a lot of movies."

Janice smiled approaching the tall southern. "I...how..." At a loss for words, she leaned forward, and brought Mel's face closer to hers. Looking into the deep blue eyes, Janice gently brushed Mel's lips with her own before breathing out, "God, I love you."

Mel held on to Janice's shoulders and whispered simply, "I know."

Opening the door slowly, Janice winced when it creaked, the faded metal hinges old and corroded, but she was greeted by the welcome surprise that, in fact, there was no one guarding their door. Janice paused near the door frame, her ears picking up the distinct sound of conversation down a long, narrow corridor. The corridor seemed to lead to a more open space and a lengthy window with torn drapes filtering in dark, cloud-covered sunlight.

Motioning for Mel to hand her the surgical scissors, she slowly walked down the corridor with Mel following closely and silently behind. As she drew closer to the voices, she could only make out two different inflections. Two men, their voices deep and throaty, were laughing at a joke as Janice paused at the end of the hallway, just beyond the men's line of vision. Peeking around the corner, one of the men stood a few feet in front of her, his gun tucked away in his holster on his side. The other had a rifle, its dark, barrel long and thin, securely around his shoulder and two holsters, one on each side. Leaning against the wall, Janice looked down at her only weapon, the old, rusty scissors, and knew things just might turn ugly.

The voices stopped their conversation. For a second, Janice had the horrid thought that they might of heard the sound of her heartbeat, which had increased two-fold and seemed to echo through her body louder than a garbage truck, but she was relieved when they simply parted ways, each probably heading to respective patrols of the complex. The man nearest to Janice position, a short, balding man with a three-day growth on his face, turned around and began to make his way down the hallway. Janice knew it was now or never. From her crouched position, the man had barely time to register Janice's presence when she forcefully buried the scissors into the skin of his thigh and grabbed a hold of his gun. His excruciating screams resonated through the corridor and Janice knew they had to get out...fast. The man, bleeding all over the floor, tried to pull the rusted metal from his body, but Janice immediately delivered a hard blow to his stomach and face which knocked him back against the wall unconscious.

Emerging from the corridor, Janice saw the other guard approach and immediately fired two rounds into his legs, one of which connected with his knee cap. Chaos had broken loose in the compound as the guards patroling the outside perimeter of the ran inside. A few fired from outside the window, shattering the glass sending shards flying through the air. Janice, using her body as protection, guided Mel through the open air and set them behind a counter that was probably used a recipation area when the building was used by the military. To their direct right, not more than three feet away was a side door, but running toward it would mean leaving their protective covering. Breathing hard, a few beads of sweat running down her temple, Janice closed her eyes waiting for the gun fire to die down. Flipping the gun chamber open, Janice realized she had four bullets left. The gun fire and screams continued to echo through the building. Fishing through her pockets, she found one spare bullet to fill one of the empty chambers. Janice looked into Mel's eyes before clicking the chamber closed. A silent vow of trust and devotion was exchanged before Mel grabbed the back of Janice's head and pushed her forward placing a firm, wet kiss on her lips. Nodding, she signaled she was ready. Clutching her smaller hand, Mel rose from their hiding position and ran headlong into the door. Pushing the door open, shielding her face in the process Mel ran out onto the hard, sandy ground. Right behind Mel, Janice looked back and saw three guards readying their weapons. Turning around, Janice quickly took aim and fired. The sound echoed through her ears as the bullets embedded themselves in the men's flesh. She heard shouting behind her, but Janice turned around and ran after Mel who had sprinted a few feet away.

Janice shouted for Mel to head for the ridge, near the line of trees, hoping to make a fast getaway in the truck. Climbing over the low ridge, Janice opened the driver seat door and turned the key. The engine roared, but then died. Cursing and kicking the truck, Janice turned the key again, but the engine would not start. Janice could now hear the shouts of the men from the complex. Mel anxiously pulled on Janice shirt as she tried once more. "Fuck." She kicked the truck once more before allowing Mel to pull her away. Janice did not know where she was being lead, but she knew it was probably going to be safer than if she stayed.

Mel had caught sight of the small, wood structure before they ducked behind the ridge. She had an idea. The men had horses so this might be the place where they corralled the animals. Running toward it, she hoped her deduction would prove correct. As she breathless ran toward it, she could smell the distinct scent of ... well a certain horse product.

"Wait," Janice shouted as Mel ducked into the building. "I...I...don't... know... how to ride," she said between pants for much needed air.

Catching sight of a pale brown horse with white hair and faded leather saddle, Mel's foot used the stirup and climbed up gracefully sitting comfortably on the horse. "I do," she replied grabbing a hold of Janice's forearm helping her up into the saddle behind her. "Now, hold on tight." She snickered and held on tightly to the thin leather reins tugging them as they rode out onto the sand ground.

"With pleasure." Janice quickly encircled Mel's waist with her strong arms and felt Mel lean back into the caress. We are running for our lives and all I want to do is touch her, Janice thought. "Head east," Janice said into Mel's ear.

As the shouts of the men grew louder and drew nearer, Janice reached behind her and grabbed hold of the gun she had tucked into her waistband moments before. They galloped onto the dirt road increasing their speed while Janice tried to keep a firm hold on the gun. Riding away, the shouts growing fainter, Janice allowed herself a feeling of relief. "I thought I was supposed to be the hero."

"I just thought you could use a little help," Mel replied lightly touching the arm around her waist.

Suddenly, a car came speeding up the road heading in the opposite direction causing the the horse to rear up tossing Janice onto the dirt ground. Mel circled around trying to calm the horse down and recover the fallen archaeologist but the car continued to head at a high velocity in their direction. By the uneasy feeling filling her body, Mel knew that there could only be one person in the car. The car screeched to halt only a foot in front of Janice's fallen form.

The slender blond emerged from the passenger side of the long, gray van. "Well, well... an escape attempt. Looks like my dear friends are more difficult to control than I originally anticipated. No matter. All has been set."

Mel raised her hands in the air defeated as two men aimed their black rifles at her. Another man jerked her off the horse and held her by the forearms.

Madaline walked around the front of the car and looked down at Janice who held the back of her head with one hand. "And Doctor Covington. Looks like you could use a doctor yourself."

Janice looked up at the foreboading form, her vision doubled by the force of her fall. Moving her head from side to side, she tried to focus in on the woman in front of her. Jerking her hand from under her thigh, Janice's hand still firmly around the gun, she fired twice at the form above her trying to hit the one in the middle. Madaline fell back and Janice laughed, "so could you."

Madaline clutched her forearm as the torturous pain worked its way through her body. The ruby, thick liquid flowed freely down the front of her shirt and pants. The bullet had lodged itself just below the elbow. Reacting as quickly as the pain would let her, Madaline stepped on Janice's wrist with all her body weight forcing her to release her grip on the gun. Wrapping long fingers around Janice's neck with her good arm, Madaline looked Janice in the eye and spit out the words, "you are going to pay for that." Releasing her grip, she backhanded Janice across the face before grabbing her gun and pistol-whipping her across the face. One blow to her right temple reopened the clotted wound. "Sweet dreams," was the last thing she heard as she felt herself fall onto the ground. Janice's world was thrown into darkness.

===========================
A single finger touched her face along her cheekbones, then trailed along the edge of her chin. A boisterous voice called, "wake up." Suddenly, Janice felt her head yanked back by her hair and she knew that this was not like the last time. Her sea green eyes fluttered open, and she was greeted by a sinister, lop-sided smile. Her arms were held out in firm, almost painful, grips by two men on either side of her as her legs, all but limp beneath her, held most of her weight. "Ah, the guest of honor has arisen. It is time."

Janice's vision, although somewhat blurry, was able to take in her surroundings. Pale brown, jagged rocks encased a man-made, dusty floor, and a large circle, made of concrete, was set into the rocks in the middle of the dreary space. Heat seemed to rise from the ground and settled on her skin adding to her sense of fear.

Swallowing, Janice frantically looked around the room for Mel. She was somewhat relieved to find her in a tall man's secure grasp. Her eyes finally lingered on a wooden table a few feet in front of her and to her right which held the smooth stone, but the stone had become part of a larger piece. It had been joined with a significantly large stone forming a square tablet which sat along side a dagger with a long, thin blade and a curved handle, and a lustrous, metal sword.

Unsettling tranquility and eerie calm filled the room as Madaline approached the archaeologist in a long, dark robe which seemed to highlight, even intensify, the darkness in her pale, tan eyes. Janice felt a shiver run up her spine as she looked upon those dark circles...the rage, the anger, ready to hand humanity an unjustice sentence. "Why," Janice muttered. "At least answer me that."

Madaline's face almost gained an amused look. "Is this the part where I'm suppose spill my guts? Tell the 'would be hero' why I feel the world order should be changed? Why the world as we know it should be destroyed? My motivation in all this...." Madaline paused and delivered a hard blow to Janice's face. "Hmm...very well." Janice winced as the stinging settled into her sensitive skin.

A moment later, however, Madaline's scowl seemed to soften. "This world took away the people I loved more than my life. My parents. I learned every young... at that very moment how cruel and unmerciful life was. How unforgiving. My uncle told me of my destiny. He said I was to inherit the power of dark one. It seemed one of my ancient ancestors was allied with him once. This dagger." Madaline admired the long blade carefully running her finger along the sharp edge. "It has been in my family for generations. It holds the power to bring him into the world. He will rule through me. The divine embodied in the human to rule over everything. My kingdom the world. Once I make the proper sacrifices according to what has been written on the sacred stone, it will happen. So you see, I will end misery and suffering in the world by bringing it to an end. I'm doing humanity a favor."

"I'm sure your parents didn't want their little girl to become harded to life." Janice forced a lungfull of air into her body, but flinched when it made her sides hurt. "To turn to the ways of evil." Madaline turned away as if considering what Janice had said.

"If you are trying to get to me through my heart, you are barking up the wrong tree. I lost it years ago when I watched my house go up on flames. My parents helpless screams before the fire silenced them both." Madaline's hardened look returned. "Now, wouldn't you like to know your little part in this grand production?"

"No, but I have a feeling you're going to tell me anyway," Janice said sarcastically. Blood now flowed down her face from new and reopened cuts. She swallowed, the unwelcome metallic taste assaulted her senses making her feel even more nauseous.

"Oh, don't be so negative. I assure you, you will be the center of attraction." Lifting, Janice's head, she slapped her across the face trying to remove the look of complete defiance. "I need something only you can give me."

"What's that?"

"This," Madaline said as she grabbed Janice's left hand and opened the tight fist. Janice struggled with all the strength she could muster, but that only made the men tighten their grip. "The blood of the betrayer." Opening the palm fully, Madaline ran the thin blade diagonally across the warm skin, directly over her life line. Janice closed her eyes as the deep gash released a steady stream of blood.

"You see, I realized when you found those scrolls your connection to the betrayer was more than just academic. I realized then that the rumors I had heard about one of your last digs was true. You encountered Ares, didn't you. I knew then that my uncle had spoke the truth. Up to that point, I wasn't sure if my destiny was real. But it is isn't it...all of it." The liquid turned a deep crimson as it flowed down her fingers. Madaline held a small, wooden bowl beneath her fingers collecting the drops of vital fluid. Dipping a few fingers into the thick liquid, she held the digits up to her face. Slowly, she uttered, "Blood. Such an interesting substance. It can create life, nuture it. As it flows through your veins, it will preserve it. But, it can also end life. I can take this dagger and bury into her flesh and watch as your life slowly slips away. The blood flowing from the open wound."

Janice watched as the pool of her blood found its way into the bowl. "If you are going to bore me with your life philosphopies, kill me now. Please!" Janice said complacently.

Madaline, satisfied with the amount of blood in the bowl, placed it on the wooden table beside her and slowly approached Janice. Beads of sweat forming along Janice's upper mouth and brow, Madaline silently wiped the liquid from her face before forcefully spreading streaks of her blood across her cheeks. Wrapping her fingers around Janice's neck, she squeezed. "That's one of the things I like about you, Janice. Always facing life with a sarcastic word and a smug smile." With a smug smile of her own, Madaline wiped the remaining blood from her fingers on Janice's bottom lip. Janice tried to jerk back, but Madaline grabbed the back of her head with her other hand and pushed forward. Madaline kissed Janice hard on the lips in a display of power more than passion. Dragging her palm past her blood-stained lips, Madaline snarled, "but, I'll put an end to that ...soon enough." She released her hold on Janice who desparately gasped for air.

Disgusted, Janice spit on the ground before Madaline's feet. "One of the things..." She breathed in hard. "Can you tell me what the other ones are? I wanna put an end to those really nasty habits."

Silently, Madaline transfered the stained, steel dagger from her left to right hand and held up the family heirloom before cutting her own palm, her blood trickling into the bowl as well. "We are one. Our lives are joined. With this blood, I take your power, your vitality.. your life." She grinned.

Wincing in pain, Janice closed her palm and made a fist, "I'll see you in hell."

"Not if I see you first." Madaline walked to the large opening and peered down into the pit. An eerie red-orange glow bounced off her face as she stood over the opening. Carefully pouring the red liquid down the hole, she backed away and seemed to wait. Janice could feel it. The heat began to rise and suddenly a line of red-hot flames shot straight into the air making the whole temple hum with energy. "I will serve you, my lord." Bowing to the flames, she backed away and yelled. "True believers. Come forth."

Two figures emerged from behind Janice. A medium sized man stepped forward and kneeled at Madaline's feet. "The lord will honor you for your sacrifice." Closing his eyes, the man leaned his head back as Madaline's blade pierced his tanned skin cutting into a soft flesh easily and directly across his neck. His eyes shot open, but it was too late. The blood flowed continually from his wound. A low groan escaped his lips before he finally slumped forward onto the hard ground. Madaline looked down at the lifeless body before turning it over on its back, the blood pooling at her feet. Her cold glance then focused on the flames. She rolled the body into the pit. The wall of flames seemed to welcome the corpse as the heat consumed the flesh. The temperature in the temple seemed to rise. The sacrifice bringing Dahak closer to the world.

The second man, a shorter and younger man Janice recognized as a worker from the site, slowly kneeled before her feet. Janice closed her eyes as the steel blade drew the deadly, deep line across his neck. Madaline held her fingers against his throat as the blood flowed between her skin. She relished the sensation of feeling a person's heart slowing down and then finally stopping, their lives finally slipping away. Letting go of his body, the young sacrifice jerked and thrusted upward as his lungs took their last breath. Madaline then slowly lifted his body off the ground with only one hand tossing it into the flames. The heat again increased as a flash of blinding, white-hot light ripped through the temple.

Turning around, her long fingers stained with warm, dark blood, Madaline smiled. Her eyes now completely filled with lustful anger and unquenchable power. It was then that Janice noticed the gash on Madaline's palm seemed to be slowly healing itself. Madaline noticed too. Looking at her palm, she saw the blood running back into her body. Within a few moments, the wound was completely clotted. And finally her pale skin grew rapidly sealing the wound completely. Only smooth skin, without a hint of an abrasion or even scar, remained. Rubbing her hands together, Madaline turned around toward the flames and raised her hands in the air triumphantly. "It has begun."

"Bring her," Madaline commanded, her voice growing louder and deeper, bounced off the dark stone walls. Janice felt her whole body shudder at the thought of her death, but more importantly at what this monster was about to unleash. She had failed. She hoped for a miracle. She hoped someone would impart wisdom to her on what she could do to set things right. She closed her eyes as Madaline slowly approached her. She knew she had to do something. Instantly, a thought came to her. Images invading her thoughts like flashes from a half-remembered dream. She knew what she had to do. When the time of her death came, she knew she had to find some way to take Madaline with her. She was sure this was the only way. She was ready to make the sacrifice. As the moments passed however, Janice realized that Madaline was not talking about her. The tall man came forward stopping just beyond the pool of blood in front of the orange-red flames with a struggling Mel in his arms.

"NO," Janice screamed, her body almost lifeless, fought against the strong grasps holding her by her arms. "Take me, you fucking bitch. TAKE ME!."

"Oh, don't worry dear Janice, you will be next," Madaline replied coldly. She held her arms out waiting for Mel to be handed to her. But as the tall man released his grip on the tall southerner, three loud bangs pierced through the air before he fell forward. Moving away from the falling body, Mel dropped to her knees as she wondered what had happened.

Armand, his long brown and black rifle firmly in his grasp, moved forward as the man fell emptying his weapon of the bullet shell casings before firing two more slugs directly into Madaline's chest. He stopped firing and watched as the slender blond woman jerked back, her body then hunched forward but she didn't collapse. Instead, she slowly rose to her full height. All watched as the blood stopped flowing from the three bullet wounds. She smiled regaining her strength. He fired several more times until his shaft was empty.

"Get out of her Armand," Janice yelled, but his body did not react. He simply stared in disbelief.

Madaline quickly took advantage of this moment of weakness, grabbing the long, engraved sword from the table top. At full force, she swung the weapon powerfully and wildly. Armand blocked the first blow of the steel blade with his rifle, but then she delivered a blow to his arm sending his weapon flying from his hand. Now defenseless, Armand waited for the next sword thrust. Jumping back from a down thrust of her sword, he took a knife from his boot and buried it within her shoulder. Holding her shoulder, Armand then kicked her hard in the stomach. Madaline was knocked back, but she simply removed the offending blade from her shoulder, tossing it on the ground, and continued her assault. Hitting him in the face, Armand was throw back by the force of the impact. As he delivered a punch of his own, Madaline thrust the sword directly through his chest. Armand let out a low grunt as the long metal emerged from the other side of his body streaked with beads of bright, sanguineous blood, his head thrown back in intense pain. Armand slowly fell onto his knees as his life began to slip away. Burying the sword deeper, Madaline said, "you are a true believer, aren't you."

He looked up into her brown eyes without an ounce of fear. "You will not win," he stammered before his eyes rolled up into his head.

"I think I already have." Placing a foot onto his chest, she removed the long sword and admired the blood stained blade. She kicked his body with her foot watching as it rolled into the firey pit finally disappearing in the flames.

A moment later, a few dozen men ran into the temple with their guns drawn. Turning around from the pit, Madaline watched as her soldiers began fist fights and fire fights with the other men. Almost admiring the chaos, Madaline stepped forward and nodded at the two men holding Janice.

Mel watched as Janice's weary frame was handed to Madaline's awaiting arms. Janice tried to struggle but her body had been through too much. With blood running down her face from old and new wounds, she almost collapsed into Madaline's arms. Mel knew she had to stop her. It was up to her now. Looking around for something, anything that would help, her body sensing the growing heat and her instincts reacting to the flying bullets being lodged into the jagged rocks above her head, she saw it. Her eyes settled on the bloody knife Armand had planted into Madaline's shoulder. It was only a foot in front of her. Lunging for it, she tightened her grip on it and ran full force at the slender woman. Madaline, however, sensed Mel's approach. Knocking the knife on the ground, she picked Mel up by the throat completely lifting her off the ground. "I will deal with you later." Her words full of menace and a hint of annoyance, Madaline tossed Mel's form a few feet away onto the hard floor.

Using the momentary distraction, Janice summoned all the remaining strength, her body pulling from reserves she did not even know she possessed. Knocking away the two men still beside her, Janice lunged forward for the knife, her knees hitting the ground hard. With a secure hold on the long, engraved handle, Janice rose from the ground and plunged the nine inch, metallic blade straight into Madaline's spinal column.

Arching her back, Madaline turned around, her hands trying desperately to remove the knife from her back. Although the blade could cause her no harm, the feeling of cold metal in between hard bone was enough to send intense pain shooting through her body. It also provided the necessary distraction. Atar appeared from amid the chaos at the temple's entrance. His clothes were torn and tattered. Blood ran from large cuts on his cheeks as he approached the slender blond, his long rifle aimed directly at her. Once he believed he had his shot, he pulled the trigger. A single shot then rang through the air, piercing the silence of the moment, as Atar's bullet lodged itself in Madaline's forehead. Now struggling to keep herself up straight, Janice launched a direct and thunderous kick to her chest. Madaline fell back again drawing dangerously close to the hot flames raging from the pit. Approaching faster, Atar fired again, this time hitting her in the shoulder. This was followed by another kick by Janice's booted foot directly into her stomach. Stumbling back, Madaline teered on the edge of the pit. As Janice delivered a final hard kick to her right knee, Madaline momentarily leaned forward and grabbed the front of Janice's shirt. Faltering back, her legs finally loosing their delicate balance, Madaline did not release her grip. Instead, she seemed to tighten it as she dragged Janice forward into the high wall of blinding, intensely hot flames.

Janice realized too late what was happening. The sensation of falling forward was coupled by the need to yell Mel's name. Her skin instantly reacted to the intense inferno. Closing her eyes, she knew she was descending into the heart of darkness. Heat surrounded her body. She was going to die.

Atar ran forward, dropping his gun to one side, but he missed Janice's boot by mere inches. A loud laugh seemed to boom through the cave before Janice and Madaline disappeared into the fiery pit. A flame shot straight into the air touching the ceiling a couple of hundred feet above their heads. Then, the tall wall of hot flames simply retreated back into the pit disappearing as mysteriously as it had appeared.

Deafening silence filled the stone-walled room.

Mel ran to the large pit, her blue eyes brimming over with salty tears. "JANICE," she screamed. She collapsed back when she saw the utter blackness that seemed to go on forever. Atar ran up to the hole behind her. He reached out to the shaking woman urging her back from the circle's edge. Atar took a deep breath and peered over the low edge of the gapping cavity. It seem bottomless... endless. No one could survive that fall. No one.
Atar hung his head and closed his eyes praying that the souls of Armand and Doctor Covington would find their way through the darkness and into the light. Into paradise.

A single, small hand emerged unsteadily from the pit struggling to grasp the jagged part of the rock just below the concrete circle. Janice forced herself to open her eyes as she felt her fingers and nails sink in between loose dirt. The cut across her palm made it painful to grip, but she was holding on for dear life, her knuckles white from her effort. Breathing hard, she struggled to get her right hand in a small hole just below the concrete. Her swinging legs felt like two blocks of steel threatening to send her falling into further into the gapping hole. She tried not to look down, but when she glanced down, her heartbeat jumped from a mile a minute to ten miles a minute. Finally, her legs found a small crevice with only room enough for her toes, but relieved, she anchored her legs in the small space. She tried to pull herself up, but her body denied her any other movement save for the small strength she had in her hands. She buried her face and entire body into the uneven sediment, almost hugging it, hoping that someone would think to look down the hole beyond the concrete while at the same time, she tried to reassure herself that everything was going to be all right. Looking up, she saw the welcome smiling face of Atar's tanned, dirty face.

"Doctor Covington," he said lowering himself close to the edge. He grabbed a firm hold of Janice's forearm as she tried to push herself up. Carefully, he placed his hand over her other arm and pulled her up and out of the large hole.

Mel ran toward the edge of the pit, tears in her eyes, the last few hours finally catching up to her, as she watched Janice's body emerge from the darkness of the deep hole. She held her breath until Janice was completely out of danger.

Janice crawled out and immediately rolled onto her back. Her green cotton shirt, now a dark brown, was ripped along the collar and the buttons in long strips while any visible skin was covered in black ash. Her hands, raw and bloody, had minor welts along the knuckles, and the only color visible were the streaks of red still running down her cheek, nose and mouth. She liked like hell. She felt like hell. Janice struggled to breath, her lungs full of smoke.

Looking up, she saw Mel approaching her. Rolling onto her knees, Janice collapsed forward into Mel's awaiting arms. Breathing her in deeply, Janice knew this is what it meant to be alive. Mel's body gently hugged and covered the smaller woman's weak, damaged body relishing in their connection. Janice's hands reached up and took a gentle hold of Mel's face. Wiping away the tears, her fingers left a streak of ash across Mel's warm, wet cheeks. Leaning forward, she struggled with the words, "I ...told you ...I would.... never leave... you. A Covington always... keeps a promise."

"Is it over," Mel asked uncertain after all she had seen.

Atar walked over to the wooden table and slowly lifted the ancient tablet. He let the piece fall to the ground. The tablet shattered into large, jagged pieces. Atar then used his boot to toss the large junks into the large, bottomless hole. "Now it is," Janice said breathlessly. "Now it is." Closing her eyes, comforted by the warmth of Mel's body, Janice slowly slipped away into unconsciousness.

Chapter Twenty-One: Together-Colored Instant

"Is it wrong to be swallowed whole?
To disappear in her.
To give to her the priceless peace
of giving up control."
-Billy Corgan

She felt free. Weightless. Floating above the lush, green treetops, the warm, white sun in a clear, sapphire sky hugged her body as she watched as the flat, arid land turn into rolling, olive hills stretching out as far as the eye could see. Boundless, the land was pure and unspoiled by the hands of man. She smiled breathing in the calm, cool, fresh air. Paradise. Peace. This was serenity. Flying above a large willow tree, she touched the drooping branches with her toes, the leaves feeling soft and warm to the touch, and then she floated lower, almost ground level, as she tugged on a long, arced branches. The color, the smells invaded her senses until she felt a mild breeze rustle her clothing. As she continued to fly, the contented smile left her face. She realized how empty she felt. Alone. Her heart and soul had become a barren wasteland standing in direct contrast to the Eden below. A dull ache settled into her chest just above her heart. She clutched her chest. She did not want to fly anymore. She wanted to go home. Home! She wanted.... "MELINDA!" She screamed the name at the top of her lungs. Her voice echoed through the flourishing emerald valley shattering the absolute silence. She screamed again. The name was the only thing the seemed to alleviate the pain, if only for a moment. She hung in mid-air for a moment. She could see her feet dangling below her body, and the hard ground below that. Suddenly, she was falling as if being pulled by an intense, powerful gravitational force straight into the ground. She was being pulled toward green paradise. Falling... falling...

She hit.

It was dark.

Slowly, the darkness faded away around her being replaced by a bright, white light surrounding her on all sides. The silence was broken by a familiar rhythmic sound. It grew louder. And louder. Stronger. It was constant. The beat was steady. Her heartbeat. Her heart...

Janice felt her fingers twitch, her thumb and index finger jerked to the side and then rubbed together. The contact insured her of her physical reality. It was how she knew she was alive. Did I just leave paradise, she thought as she slowly opened her eyes, the vivid green images becoming pushed away by the invading light source at her side. Lying flat on her back, Janice was first aware of the ceiling and the track lighting fixtures directly above her head, but they were turned off at the moment. Looking to her right, Janice saw three large windows. The strong, mid-day sunlight filtering through the sheer drapes and casting odd, cross-shaped shadows on the floor near her bedside. The white room seemed to trap the warmth of the sun glowing brightly from the white-washed ceiling to the tiled floor. She knew this small room, just not from this distinct position. She was in the military infirmary where Mel had made her recovery. Her chest slowly rising up and down, Janice noticed the opaque, plastic oxygen mask over her mouth and nose. This must be serious, she thought, I've never had one of these on before.

Sensation returning to her body, she felt the slim, warm fingers around her left forearm. Their grip, gentle yet reassuring, acting as an anchor to Janice's still wavering senses. The heavy cloud around her consciousness, however, could not eliminate the feelings the slim fingers induced. Turning her head to the other side, she saw the black strains of hair cascading on the white sheets of her bed while the long, frame was hunched forward from its position on a wooden chair. As gently as her aching body would let her, Janice slowly removed her forearm from Mel's grip. Her fingers, slightly hindered by a thick gauze around her palm and index finger, found their way into the long, sable locks pushing them back away from the face, over the small ear, before her hand found a few strands to play with. She let the hair slip between her fingers wanting to reassure herself that she was indeed alive. She had found her paradise, her home. It was with her all along.

As Mel's blue eyes slowly drifted open, it only confirmed her conclusions. Melinda is worth living for. You were wrong Madaline, she thought. Life is about love. Plain and simple! Lifting her head off the bed, Mel's lips was silenced by Janice's still unsteady fingers before she could even open her mouth, but Janice could not prevent the few teardrops that rolled down Mel's red cheeks. The concern was washed away by relief as Janice's eyes held Mel's and quite simply took her breath away. Janice felt Mel's pulse increase as her fingers continued to linger along the edge of her full lips. The silence survived as Janice took her fingers away and removed the mask covering her face. A gasp of regular, hospital air sent a tickle down her throat. But she ignored it. Hoarsely, she muttered, "Now there's a sight to wake up to every morning." Janice caught a single tear with her finger and let it roll down her own skin.

"Is that an offer?" Mel replied back inhaling sharply.

"No," Janice fingers drifted back to Mel's face. "Consider it a proposal."

"Well in that case, I happily accept." Mel kissed the fingers as they passed near her lips, her mouth then curling into a small smile. Closing her eyes, Mel let Janice's fingers drift over her skin. "I...I should get the doctor." Mel opened the wooden door and called out to a nurse in the adjacent emergency room.

Janice saw an almost empty IV bottle hanging above her head on a shiny, metal rod. The tube was attached to a blue vein on her right hand. Her body felt heavy. Her muscles were constricted and tense like she had been in this position for a long time. An odd taste made swallowing unpleasant. But all of this was overshadowed by the continuous thumping pain at the back of her head. Trying to suppress her discomfort, Janice swallowed and said, "How long have I been..."

"Almost three days."

"Three days," Janice said weakly shifting more of her weight onto her right side. No wonder I feel like complete shit, she thought. She tried to sit up, but she realized that was a very bad idea when a dizzy spell ran through her as soon as her head was slightly elevated. It was then that Janice realized her head was bandaged around the forehead, the thick, white gauze visible from her peripheral vision. "Have you been here the whole time?" Janice asked concerned.

"As much as they would let me." Mel nodded and leaned forward placing her hands on Janice's covered forehead gently touching the injured area. "For a while, I thought you'd never... wake up."

"I've got a lot to live for," Janice said softly. She wrapped her smaller hands around Mel's palm. "Just tell me one thing." Mel nodded. "Do I look as bad as I feel?"

For a moment, Mel examined the woman lying in the hospital bed. Janice had dark circles under her sea-green eyes. Her normally rounded, rose cheeks were sunken in and pale. Several healing cuts and multi-covered bruises littered her ashen face. "Yes," she answered honestly doubting she could tell Janice she looked good without having her facial expressions give away the truth.

Janice seemed to take the news in stride. She then smiled. "Do you still love me anyway?"

Mel shook her head. "I love you more."

"So do I." Janice interlaced their fingers as the wooden door was pushed open a crack. Doctor Nikolas peaked his head in before opening the door fully.

"I did not want to be interrupting anything." His accented voice was laced with a hint of embarrassment before he cleared his throat fumbling with his clipboard. His white lab coat matched the room as his graying hair was neatly pushed back. His brown eyes glanced down at his clipboard as he scribbled something on a piece of paper.

"No," Janice said, her facing registering a sly, characteristic grin. "But I hope to be doing 'anything' sometime real soon." Mel blushed slightly burying her face in her free hand, but the innuendo seemed to be lost on the doctor who was busy examining Janice's chart. "Nice to see you again, Doctor."

"Always under the worst of circumstances it seems." He placed the chart back on the metal rack just below Janice's feet. He moved a small, black stool up to hospital bed checking the IV before sitting down. "I treat one and then the other," he said in his usual, exasperated tone. "My god, what do you two do for a living?"

"Trouble just seems to follows us wherever we go," Mel replied.

"Maybe trouble will stay in Greece and not follow you back to America." Taking out a small light, the Doctor examined Janice's eyes checking their response to the light, and then tested her ability to focus on certain objects. "Pupil response is normal." He carefully moved her arms up and down at the elbow and finally checked the dressing on her left hand. "No pain, anywhere," he asked while placing a cold stethoscope against Janice's warm skin.

Janice jumped as the cool instrument touched her chest. "My head feels like it was used as a battering ram, but other than that..."

Satisfied with the strong heartbeat, he motioned for her to lean forward. He asked her to breath deeply and placed the stethoscope on her back. "To be expect with an injury like yours..."

"And what kind of injury is that?" Janice asked looking back over her shoulder ignoring the pain at the left side of her body when she took and let go of her deep breath.

Wrapping the instrument back over his neck, he sat back on the stool. "You suffered a severe concussion, Janice." He crossed his arms over his chest. "We were afraid that there might be damage to skull, but thankfully there is no evidence of that."

"So, what else is wrong with me?"

"You were brought in unconscious with bruised ribs and kidneys, several cuts, smoke inhalation, and minor burns along your back."

Janice whistled. "Is that all?"

"We were able to treat your minor injuries, but we were concerned about your head injury. It appeared that you were hit several times in the back of the head with a heavy, blunt object. It was surprising to me that you did not have more trauma than you did."

"Hard heads seem to run in my family. So, what's the verdict? When will I get out of here?"

"Hard to say." Doctor Nikolas looked at her chart writing down some general information. "You require much rest, Janice. Your body has been through much. I would like to keep you here for the next four days, minimum, so we can monitor your injuries. And if nothing occurs, you will be free to go, but take it easy. No fist fights. No guns. No falling off horses."

"I'll try."

Doctor Nikolas rose from this chair and padded Janice on the shoulder. "You'll be fine. I believe you are too stubborn to let anything happen to you. Am I right?"

"Yeah."

"You'd probably come back to life just to prove the doctors wrong," he laughed. "A nurse will be by in an hour or so to take some blood, your temperature and your blood pressure. I will check on you later." He paused to whisper in Mel's ear. "She needs her rest, Melinda. You need some too." He turned around and said before he left, "Rest. Both. Now." He closed the door softly behind him.

"Well, he always seems to get right to the point," Janice sighed. "So, no fist fights. No guns. What am I going to do for fun?"

Mel placed a thick wool blanket over Janice's legs and tucked her into the bed. "Well, I can think of a few things." Her eyebrows arched as she slowly traced a finger along Janice's arm.

"If that's not an incentive to get back on my feet, I don't know what is."

"Hmm..." Mel leaned in an placed a gentle kiss on Janice's chapped lips. "I don't think you are your feet was exactly what I had in mind."

Janice smiled as she reached out to Mel's face. "You are my dream girl."

"So are you." Mel kissed her hands and put them back at her sides. "Now, go to sleep."

"Alone?" Janice asked disappointed.

"Yes!"

"You'll be surprised by the things I can do in a hospital bed," Janice replied teasingly with an amused grin on her face.

"Janice!"

"All right," she finally said defeating before closing her eyes.
===========================
Hours later, as the sun began its slow descent into the horizon just beyond the large window, Martin and Rebecca came to visit their injured colleague before going back to the States under military escort. Charles, who had fully recovered from his gun-shot wound, would be joining them on the trip back.

Everyone still had to come to grips with Madaline's deeds and the reality that Jonathan and the dig worker had both died at her hands. Their bodies were recovered by a small volunteer force from the base the day after her army's raid. The dig worker was found hidden underneath deep brush in the woods while Jonathan was found below a dirt mound. At least their respective families could put their sons to rest. It was the only consolation anyone could offer.

As far as they could put together, Madaline was responsible for the first raid which resulted in the missing water jugs. Some members of her army were members of the work crew establishing themselves in the local village only a few weeks before the crew's arrival in Greece. Madaline communicated with her army via these few men who would get their orders directly from her every night when they would return to the village. Once the stone was located, the men were sent in to steal the remaining recovered water jugs because Madaline thought they housed the other pieces of the tablet, but these pieces were recovered inside the Temple. Most of Madaline's men were captured at the Temple, but the others who managed to escape had long since disappeared from the run-down infirmary and the village.

Although thrilled by the finds at the dig, their excitement was bittersweet as the loss a of a trusted friend would forever cast a shadow over the artifacts recovered, but Martin hoped once those deep wounds healed, they could return and fully excavate the town.

Exchanging fond and heartfelt good-byes, Janice told her colleague she would see them soon in Charleston. After all, there were reports to do, artifacts to catalogue, and scrolls to translate.

For the next couple of days, Janice could only handle being out of bed for a few hours at a time, her bruised body protesting any strenuous movement. She had to lean on Stavros or Mel when her legs or arms gave out, but she had regained the coloring in her face and her hearty appetite, despite the horrid military meals. Her tender ribs ached whenever she took a deep breath. Black and blue marks covered her sides and back which made lying down a bit uncomfortable. The dressings on her burns were removed after the first day and allowed to heal. Despite her wounds, Janice was in good spirits. She played poker with Stavros and some of the staff doctors. She had a couple of cigars, but this practice was soon stopped when a nurse found her puffing on one.

Janice knew why she was in such a good mood. For the first time in a long time, she was looking forward to a future. And she was sure of one thing, she would never be alone again. Mel noticed the subtle change in her partner. Gone was that hint of anger that seemed to pervade everything Janice did. She seemed geninunely happy, and that happiness was reflected in Mel's eyes as well. Mel was always by her side fussing over Janice's every need and whim, but she constantly had to halt Janice's sensual advances even when she did not want to. She ordered Janice to sleep, helped her walk around the base and put her back to the bed. She enjoyed the role of nurse, and Janice finally let herself be a little helpless. Stavros brought over some of Janice's clothes which made her feel a bit more like a normal, healthy self.

It was mid-morning. There was only blue skies as far as the eye could see stretching out into infinity. A warm breeze blew into the small, white room as the heat and humidity returned after a long absence. Above her head, a old wooden ceiling fan hummed and creaked betraying its age, but Janice did not seem distracted by the noise. Instead, her toes were moving underneath the light, white cotton sheets as a big band with a powerful brass section played a familiar tune on the radio at her bedside. She had been awake less than twenty minutes feeling better than she had in days. Her side was feeling almost normal as the tension in her arms and legs seemed to recede away. The dull ache in her head was almost gone as well, but it was strong enough to be noticeable.

Janice hoped Mel was off getting some well-deserved rest. This was the first morning, in fact, that Janice had woken up to an empty room. Inwardly, she was a bit disappointed not to see the smiling southerner's face, but logically, she knew that her recovery over the past few days had to be hard on Mel. She almost never left her side. Not the Janice minded. She loved it, in fact. She just hoped she could make it up to Mel back in the States. That was something she was really looking forward to.

Mel broached the subject of home a few times with Janice. Janice did not have a home in America. She had been in Greece for almost two years with only short visits back to her Aunt's home in Boston. Mel insisted on Janice moving into her Charleston estate. Janice did have to take too long to think about it. She would follow Mel wherever she decided to go.

Flipping through a six-month old Life magazine, she looked up when the door cracked open. Atar's tanned face peaked in. A small smile spread across his face when he saw how much better the archaeologist looked then when he dropped her off at the base almost a week earlier. "May I?" he asked uncertain.

"Come on in," Janice replied genuinely happy to see the small, dark man. The cuts on his cheek were healing and his appearance was cleaner than the last time she had seen him. He had a white shirt and black slacks. "The guy who saved my life is always welcome." She turned to the her bedside and lowered the volume on the radio.

He shrugged off her statement as he sat in the small chair by her bedside. "No, no. It was my duty. I need no thanks or praise for it. I should be thanking you. You almost died to protect us...the world."

"That was my duty," Janice said. "I would have done anything to prevent Dahak for coming here."

Atar glanced at the healing abrasions on Janice's face. The cuts seemed small relative to how much blood covered her face after he pulled her out of the pit. "I wanted to see how you were doing. You were in bad shape when we brought you in."

"I'm good," she said truthfully. "I'm checking out tomorrow."

"Glad to hear it. You had us worried when you passed out on us. We couldn't wake you up. Luckily, this place was only about twenty minutes away," he looked around the white room. "I trust that they are treating you well."

"Yes. Can't complain." Janice smiled. After a moment of silence, she asked, "So, is all of this really over?"

Atar pushed his short, black hair back. "This part is, yes. We have destroyed the Temple. It now lies under thousands of pounds of solid rock. I can only hope that this gateway is permanently closed."

"What do you mean this part?"

"Dahak will probably try again. He will never stop until he succeeds, but as long as there are people with pure souls who are willing to do anything to stop him, he will always fail."

"What will you do now?"

"My people will go on fighting evil, await the next prophesy." Atar leaned forward in the chair. "For now, I think there are people who need our fighting skills to prevent invasion. Hitler is still alive, and for goodness to triumph he must not win."

"Resistance fighting." Atar nodded. "Well, they are getting a soldier with good aim and a pure heart."

"I think my aim could improve some."

"I hope our paths cross again one day."

"I hope so too. You and Armand will forever live in the stories of our people."

"Armand was a good man," she said sadly.

"He was." Atar paused. "I know he regretted shooting Ms. Pappas. He just thought... he was protecting us. He thought you were the enemy."

"That... that's the past. Mel has forgiven him. He saved her life." Janice swallowed as the horrid images of those few moments in the temple came rushing back to her.

"He was my friend. Like you, he did not want any of us to die. He sacrificed himself at the Temple hoping that his would be the only death. It was."

"I know how hard it is to deal with loss."

"Yes. But it reminds us to cherish life." Atar rose from his chair and gently took Janice's hand. "I don't want to keep you from your rest. I do hope we met again someday. You will always be welcome among my people."

"Thank you."

"Have joy, Janice. You are indeed a pure soul." He bowed slowly in a sign of respect. and opened the door. He smiled as he closed the door.

"As are you," she said once the door closed.
===========================
The hot sun beat down on the gray concrete of the long, wide runway. Large, white clouds swept through the cerulean sky and hung weightlessly above in their heads. Holding a large duffel bag in one hand and Mel's warm palm in another, Janice silently approached the open steel fence which marked the entrance for passengers. Slowing down, she turned around and looked at Stavros' face. His features were almost inexpressive, but Janice recognized that face. He put it on whenever she left Greece. A mixture of sadness and love always filtered through in his eyes, and now Janice looked directly in them. "So, is there anyway I could convince you to come back with us... for a while? See America."

He shook his head. "I belong here. My heart is here. I could never go anywhere else." Stavros took a hold of her face and kissed her soundly on both cheeks before giving her a firm embrace. "It is amazing how much... you have grown up. You make me feel so old sometimes."

"Thank you for everything." He let go for her small frame.

"For what? Telling you to follow your heart," Stavros smiled at Mel. "She loves you, you know."

"I know," Mel said softly before kissing Stavros on the cheek.

"I will miss you both."

"Don't worry, I'll be back before you know it."

"I'll have your room ready. I might even work on truck while you're gone."

"Something to look forward to."

Stavros leaned in and embraced Janice soundly again. Before letting go, he whispered in her ear, "Trust your love for her." Janice nodded and he let go. "You're going to miss your plane. Go on. Get out of here before something else happens to you." He brushed them both away with his arms while smiling happily.

Walking out toward the awaiting plane, Janice looked down at her fingers happily interlaced with Mel's warm hand. She felt complete.

Halfway toward the plane, Mel leaned in and whispered, "what did he tell you back there?"

"Just some advice I'll try my best to follow."
===========================
The brilliant porch lights glowed warmly on either side of the enamel, oak door illuminating the pale, cream deck in the dark, mild South Carolina night. The towering, white pillars along the porch seemed to radiate in the light welcoming the returning, weary travelers home. From leather interior of the black sedan, Janice stifled a yawn, the hours of travel taking its toll on her still healing body. The tall, thin driver stopped in the middle of the curved driveway directly in front of the door. Janice's body had stiffened from the long hours of immobility. As she opened the car door, the humidity surrounded her skin as she felt the weight of her body against her tired muscles. Looking behind her, Janice saw the bright, wide smile across Mel's face. She had ever seen Mel so happy and the thought that it was in large part due to her presence made Janice smile as well. The driver opened the large truck and stacked the luggage and bags onto the moist ground; dew all ready forming on all surfaces.

Once the driver deposited the bags and suitcases just inside the wide corridor at the entrance of the massive, ivory house, he tipped his hat at Mel's generous gratuity and closed the door. Carefully removing her leather jacket and fedora, Janice placed them on the steel coat rack by the door, but hesitated to move before Mel said what their next step should be. Instead, she stood still as Mel approached her. Gently, Mel touched the healing bruises on Janice's face. Melting into the touch, Janice closed her eyes relishing in the warmth of Mel's fingers. "Are you tired," she asked softly.

Janice lifted Mel's hand off her face and kissed the delicate palm finally interlacing their fingers. "A bedroom is a good idea." Mel blushed. Janice smiled at her reaction. "To sleep in. I pretty tired. I..." But before she could finish her sentence, Mel lead Janice up the wooden stair case. Reaching the top of the stairs, a long red carpet silenced their shoes as they made their way to Mel's bedroom.

Pushing the door open with her backside, Mel promptly guided Janice's strong arms around her waist before leaning in to capture her red lips. The soft, sweet kiss caught Janice off guard as her senses reeled from the warmth of Mel's touch, the lavender smell of her smooth skin and the overwhelming sensation of Mel's perfect lips slowly sucking her mouth. Her hands now tangled in Mel's long, dark locks, Janice pressed their mouths together again wanting to savor everything Mel had to offer. Mel broke away breathless, "I thought you were tired."

Janice smiled. "I thought we were going to sleep. But I'm feeling kind of..." Janice's sentence was interrupted by a yawn. Covering her mouth, she watched as Mel broke into small fit of laughter.

Kissing Janice's forehead which still bore the marks of Madaline's pistol-whippings, she motioned toward the wide, queen-sized bed. "Sleepy."

Janice climbed onto the soft mattress and bounced on it a few times before removing her high motorcycle boots and her worn, dirty socks. Free from her shoes, she leaned back on the bed and felt the soft cushion support and relieve her body from its aches and pains. Placing her hands in back of her head, she said, "Wow, nice ..." Yawn. "Bed." She motioned for Mel to join her. Instead, Mel sat on a chair near her vanity removing her navy blue leather pumps. Rubbing her feet, she sighed as she removed her glasses. Rolling to left side of the bed, Janice settled her head into the firm, white pillows watching Mel move closer toward the bed, but she could not fight the tidal wave of exhaustion hitting her body at full force. She tried to keep her eyes open, but they only managed to stay open seconds at a time. She looked over once as Mel climbed into the bed along side her. Her eyelids finally closed for good, but before she felt herself slipping away into sleep, she felt Mel's arm settling possessively over her waist.

Mel watched as Janice's breathing slowed into a steady almost hypnotic rhythm, her chest rising up and down, her heavy eyelids closed once, and she was asleep. Pushing the soft, red-blond hair away from her small, healing face, Mel kissed her cheek before covering Janice's body with a pale, green cotton blanket. Mel rose from the bed to undress, her navy blue skirt pooling by her feet and her white silk blouse tossed onto a small chair by her dresser. Left only in a salmon-colored slip, Mel pushed away the rest of the blankets and settled into bed next to Janice. Her body slipped into the warm contours of Janice's muscled back, her head settling just below Janice's shoulder blade. Holding onto Janice's body by her waist, she drifted off to sleep. Her last memory before the soothing darkness was a soft sigh of contentment escaping her smiling lips.

A ray of warm, white sunshine filtered through a small crack in the heavy drapes casting light against the bed. Mel shifted her weight as she stretched her arms above her head, her eyes now sensing the changing of light in the room. Opening her somnolent eyes, she saw Janice's sleeping form nestled into the side of her body. Mel's movement caused Janice to shift onto her back, her hand, however, still lingered on Mel's stomach. The warm contact caused Mel to smile.

The early morning light made the large room glow mirroring the growing warmth within Mel's heart. Shifting sideways, she supported her weight on her elbow. Cautiously, Mel's fingers touched the healing bruises along Janice's face. Just below her left eyes was a fading black and blue mark which had turned a pale shade of green with a hint of yellow, and to the side of that bruise was a clotted cut running along Janice's temple. Touching Janice's wounds made Mel cringe. She wondered how Janice was able to deal with all the pain these wounds must have caused. She suddenly felt protective. She never wanted anyone to harm Janice ever again. No one should be able to touch this face but her. No one.

Her fingers drifted over the plains of Janice's face, her skin memorizing the sensations of the curves and the valleys; her thumb ran along the darker eyebrows and the small, fair hairs along her temples, the smooth, tan skin of her cheeks, the small, pointed nose and finally her fingers sauntered near her soft, slightly parted lips. A shiver ran down her spine as she remember all the times those very lips pressed into hers and the response those lips always seemed to bring forth. As those moments ran through her mind, she flashed back to their first kiss in this very room. The intensity of their passion was unmistakable. In one moment, her whole life turned upside down. Mel watched as Janice's eyes moved under the lids and her mouth began to register a slow, sly grin. This is the face that she would do anything for. The woman who captured her heart, possessed her completely.

Janice's eyelids slowly opened as Mel's thumb rubbed the smooth, rose-colored skin of her lower lip. Janice turned and looked into Mel's deep turquoise eyes, the hazy uncertainty of sleep quickly replaced by the concrete awareness of consciousness. Her body suddenly reacted to the slow, deliberate strokes of Mel's fingers across her mouth. Closing her eyes again, Janice wanted to be lost in the sensation of the touch. For a few moments, it was her only reality. Her world contained only those fingers brushing against the ridges of her mouth. Mel's touch was electric, and she could only imagine how she would react when this sensual contact reached other parts of her body. "Good morning," Mel's voice called coaxing back to known reality.

Janice's eyes opened. "Have...have you been awake long," she stammered.

Mel shook her head, her fingers still dancing across Janice's face. "I was just thinking.." She breathed out sharply. "How cute you look when you're asleep."

Janice smiled. "And what about when I'm awake?" she asked wiggling her eyebrows.

"When your awake, you're drop, dead gorgeous." She placed a gentle kiss on Janice's lips.

"Well, if I'm gorgeous." Janice said shifting her body onto its side. "I don't think they've invented a word for what you are." Janice moved a few stray strands of hair away from Mel's eyes. After a few lingering moments of staring at her perfect face, Janice took a breath. "You are the most amazing..." Her hand stroked Mel's cheek. "Woman... Sometimes I...don't know why...." Janice tried to find the words, but she simply gave up and closed her eyes.

"Can I ask you a question?" Janice looked into the bluest eyes she had ever seen. She would say 'yes' to anything those eyes ever asked. She nodded. "You...you don't have to answer, but." Mel looked down at the bed as she wondered how to proceed. "Why did you decide to leave me that night when we...we kissed?"

It was a question Janice was not expecting. She saw a momentary look of pain flash through Mel's eyes as she asked the question. She wanted to hit herself for being the one who put it there. "I...I thought..." She swallowed. "I thought that you wanted to marry Charles. I thought he could provide you a better life than I could ever hope to. So, I thought I would make the decision easier on you if I..."

"If you left," Mel completed her sentence.

Janice nodded. "I never thought someone like you could...could love someone like me."

"How could you...I love you. I always have. I always will."

"I know that...now." Janice paused gathering her thoughts. She was prepared to peel back all the layers, to reveal herself...her ultimate insecurities. "But, you have to understand, everyone I have ever loved...they always seem to leave." She choked on the words. "First my mother, my father and I thought you were next, so I thought I would leave you before...before you got the chance." A few tears formed in Janice's eyes, and as she tried to blink them away, they were released leaving wet streaks down her cheek in their wake.

Moving her palm across Janice's cheek, Mel wiped away the tears and with it the pain of abandonment, the fear that she would be the next to walk out of her life. "I..I'm so sorry. But, I'm not like the others, Janice. I will never leave. Ever." Mel pressed her hand into Janice's skin hoping to emphasize the point. This was forever, and nothing could ever come between them again.

"When we kissed that night, I...I felt something pass between us, but I couldn't open myself up to the hope. I felt like I had opened myself up too much already." She sniffled. "I was running away from the past, the pain, the love I had for you. Standing by as you married Charles was more than I was willing to take."

"I only agreed to marry Charles after you left because I thought you didn't want me."

"But you came after me," Janice whispered.

"Yes. I realized I never belonged with him. It's always been you. I couldn't marry Charles and live the rest of my life as the perfect homemaker. The prize wife on display for all the world to see."

Searching in her blue eyes for any hesitation, regret for her decision, Janice asked, "don't you want a family, Mel? Children?"

"A few years ago, I did." Moving closer, Mel brushed the soft, cooper hair away from Janice's sea-green eyes amazed how the woman positively glowed in the morning light. "But now, I just want you." Her fingers drifted near the small, ruby mouth. Mel leaned in and brushed her lips lightly over the warm, soft skin. Their lips mere inches away, Mel smiled as Janice reflexively closed her eyes. "You are the only person who can make me happy. Complete."

Opening her eyes, her body now a-buzz with sensual energy, Janice watched as Mel's eyes lingered over her face. "I just can't believe you are here...with me."

"Well, believe it. I don't plan on going anywhere, anytime soon."

Janice immersed her hand in Mel's dark hair watching it disappear between her fingers. So soft. Janice's eyes drifted over Mel's body, half hidden underneath the light covers. The slip hung over the smooth curves of her body. Her eyes traced the arched lines as they disappeared beneath the silk material. So beautiful. "Stavros was right," she remarked absently.

"About what?" Mel knew Janice's eyes roamed over her form. She liked the way this made her feel.

"He said I would learn to love you more. Fall in love with you over and over again."

"Is that what he said?"

"I've loved you... since the first moment I saw you and every moment since." She saw Mel's face begin to redden. "I love your mind. I love your gentleness." She looked into those pools of blue, and she knew she was about to lose herself in them. Let go. "I love your eyes. I love you mouth. Everything."

"And their yours," she said overwhelmed by Janice's honesty.

Mel separated Janice's hand from her hair. She looked at the small hand. A healing cut ran across the palm. She placed a single kiss just above the wrist tracing the deep line with a single finger, the skin tickled by the stitches which held the wound closed. She wanted to erase the pain, all that her body had been through. Her slender, single finger than ran up Janice's smaller digits rubbing the hard, callused skin. Finally, she brought those fingers to her lips, kissing the tips before placing the hand over her cheek. Janice looked into Mel's clear, blue eyes and was taken aback by the intensity she found there. She found her breath growing more shallow and her heart thumping rapidly against her chest.

Silently, Mel begged to be kissed. Janice could not help but comply. Drawing Mel's face closer, she ran her hand down to her chin slowly stroking the skin with her thumb as the rest of the fingers guided their lips together. Everything else disappeared. Mel entangled her fingers through Janice's free-flowing, red-gold locks pushing their lips closer together, deepening the kiss. Running her tongue slowly around the outer edge of Mel's mouth, Janice was granted entrance as their union became more heated. Mel rolled Janice back onto the soft mattress allowing her torso to pin down the smaller woman. Mel pushed up and into Janice's body, her hand running down her face. Janice's hands found their way onto Mel's back, pushing her black hair back over her shoulder, her fingers relishing in the briefest contact with skin. As her hands worked their way down, the thin silk the only thing preventing contact with bare skin, she settled into the curve of Mel's sides, just above her hips, and pressed their body's further together. Mel now settled all her weight directly on Janice, her body falling in between Janice's thighs. The kiss started as an affirmation of what was, but soon it became a quiet plead for was yet to be. As Janice's hands squeezed the soft flesh of her sides, Mel whimpered as the kiss continued. Settling her arms on either side of Janice's head, Mel now assaulted Janice's senses sending her reeling, slowly loosing all control, disappearing into the abyss of absolute devotion. She wanted nothing more than Mel offered. She loved this woman: mind, body and soul.

Slowly breaking away, Mel's lips hovering above mere inches away, Janice opened her eyes and wondered if Mel was truly ready for what was about to happen. Pushing the dark, thin strands back over her ears, Janice's hand than roamed back over the smooth curve of Mel's back. "We don't have to do anything you are not ready for, Mel. I...I don't want you to be afraid to put a stop to things. I'll understand."

"Janice, I would be lying if I said I wasn't a bit nervous. I..I've never done this before." Janice was about to voice her opinion, but Mel silenced her with a soft kiss before she could continue. "But, when I envisioned us being together...making love..." She swallowed. "I want this. I want you."

The words ripped through Janice. It was all she needed to hear.

Mel's hands settled on the front of Janice's gray, cotton shirt, and slowly, she ran them down. Hesitantly, she lingered on the curves of Janice's breast before capturing the collar in her hands. Breathlessly, her long fingers fumbled with the ivory buttons. Janice rose off the bed as Mel slipped the shirt off her strong shoulders. Janice tossed it to the side of the bed as she leaned forward and placed her forehead against Mel's. She pulled her undershirt out of her pants, but did not take it off. She wanted Mel to set the pace. "We'll go slow. I promise," Janice said struggling to find oxygen. Silently, they both listened to their increasing heart rates and could almost hear the blood rushing through their veins.

Mel now straddled Janice's hips, her bare, long legs stretching behind almost touching the wooden headboard. Because of Mel's height, Janice's face was mere inches away from her chest. But instead of focus her attention there, Janice ran her hand up the soft skin of her long legs stopping mid-thigh. Her hands made their way up to the back of Mel's head and gently lowered her face so that their lips met again. A long, heated kiss followed as Janice urged Mel back onto the mattress.

Janice could feel her body reacting to the increasing passion. Lightheaded, she settled her body directly on top of Mel's; the contact rushing waves of desire throughout her. She could feel an aching need beginning to built.

Trailing kisses along the soft, smooth skin of Mel's jaw, her lips finally settled just below her chin. Her head thrown back, Mel allowed Janice access to her perfect neck. Janice seized the opportunity. Slowly, she moved her mouth down the curve capturing the sensitive skin between her lips. Nipping and sucking, she found her approval in Mel's shallow breathing and her increasing heart rate. Janice's mouth kissed the length of a vein as it thumped against her warm mouth. Mel found it hard to breath as stimulating sensations swept her away. Her hands wrapped around Janice's head adding to the pressure. Her body arched arduously into Janice once her tongue snaked out and trailed down to the base of her neck. Quickly, Janice moved her lips back up capturing Mel's mouth in another burning, breathless kiss.

Breaking away, Janice inhaled as she silently stared, watched as Mel's eyes closed at the light touch of her fingertips around her soft, pursed lips. She marveled at how she was giving into the sweet surrender, the passion and love that engulfed them both. Moments passed as Mel's breathing lightly surrounded a few digits now hovering just above Mel's mouth. At this moment, Janice knew what beauty was, what love was. She had never felt such joy, such contentment, but most of all she felt whole. The void, built on insecurities from her past, haunting her for many years, closed as she stared at Mel's slow breathing and the sweet smile slowly spreading across her face. This woman was pure perfection. And her heart belongs to me, Janice thought. She smiled as Mel's eyes slowly fluttered open.

She was amazed at Mel's responsiveness. It was as if she knew what to do, where to touch, to bring her the most pleasure. She wanted to give her other half everything. She knew she could never express half of what she was feeling in words. Words no longer had any meaning, but she tried by saying, "it's like you were made just for me."

Pressing the probing finger against her lips, Mel drew Janice's face close. Looking deep within the sea-green eyes, she said only slightly above a whisper, "I was."

Mel placed Janice's hands on her shoulders blades. Silently, Janice brushed her hands down the perfect, muscled blades and then ran her hands along the smooth skin of her collarbone. She stopped however when she caught sight of the dark, thicker skin of scar tissue from the bullet's point of entrance. She flinched as part of her felt the guilt associated with the scar.

Mel's calm voice broke through the increasingly self-loathing feelings, "it doesn't hurt anymore. Especially now."

Janice gently touched the skin and looked up to see if Mel winced at the contact. Instead, Mel closed her eyes as she sighed, her face registering a sweet smile. Lightly, she kissed the bullet wound and with it, those doubting voice born of insecurity were silenced. As she kissed the length of the collarbone, her nimble fingers pushing the thin straps of her slip passed Mel's shoulders and down her arms. She kissed the newly exposed flesh before pulling the silky material down to Mel's waist. A shiver ran through Mel as her bare skin touched the early morning air, but she nearly jumped when she felt Janice's warm, rough hands run up the length of her sides passed the curve of her stomach, up her ribcage settling underneath her arms, near the swells of her breasts, but Janice's hands did not move. Instead, it was her eyes which danced across her skin. Mel never knew she could be so turned on by the mere act of watching someone look at her. Janice was enraptured by the sight of two soft, perfect pale curves. Touching the swell of her left breast, Janice watched as Mel's breathing suddenly became more labored, her eyes closed and her head fell back against the soft cushions. She could feel Mel's heartbeat underneath her fingers. Slowly, Janice moved her fingers closer, past the tan circle and to the darker nipple and watched as it hardened once contact was made. Mel's breath caught in her throat. Continuing to caress Mel's breast between her fingers, Janice placed her hot mouth just below Mel's neck. Janice slowly worked her tongue and mouth down the valley between her breasts relishing the contact, the sensation and the moans now emanating from Mel. As she left a slick trail down the southerner's body, Janice felt her longing increase as she saw a thin layer of sweat coat the surface of Mel's skin. Finally, Janice's mouth stopped just below the soft curves and worked her mouth toward the firm nipple between her teeth while running her tongue along its outer edge. Mel arched higher into Janice urging her on, forcing her to take more of her inside. Reflexively, Janice's hand ran up and down the plains of Mel's back, propelling her off the bed.

Janice loved everything about Mel's body; the way it tasted, the way it smelled. Unconsciously, her body, overwhelmed by its own throbbing need, began to rock against Mel in time with the gentle suction against Mel's breast. Mel responded by slipping a firm, bare thigh between Janice's legs causing the archaeologist to smile and moan against her heated flesh. Engulfed in her out of control passion, Mel breathlessly moaned, "I want to see you. Please."

Mel's long, slender hands ran down Janice's firm back, grabbed hold of her undershirt and began to pull upward. Mel's insistent, yet quiet, pleads forced Janice to separate Mel's intoxicating skin. Pushing back onto her knees, Janice took hold of her thin undershirt and lifted up revealing her firm, muscled stomach, the smooth curves of her sides and her full, rounded breasts. It was Mel's turn to be mesmerized.

Mel noticed fading bruises along Janice's sides and long-healed, brown scars along her ribcage. Timidly, Mel ran her hands up Janice's stomach amazed by her soft, tanned skin, despite the marks. She was reward for her exploratory action as goosebumps forming everywhere she touched. Her hands ran upwards and finally cupped both of Janice's breast. Mel loved the way their weight felt in her palms. She ran her fingers over the nipple and watched as Janice's face took on an excited, frenzied look.

Rising to her knees, Mel slipped out of the silk material and was only left in her small, white cotton underwear. Her hands left Janice's breast and traveled to the button of Janice's khaki, gray pants. This time there was no fumbling with buttons. She knew what she was after. Her growing, dizzying arousal gave her the confidence to actively bring her closer to her goal. She casually unbuttoned the pants and opened the zipper. Sensing Mel's growing excitement, Janice quickly jumped out of her pants and tossed them over Mel's head to the other side of the room. She smiled as she crawled forward over the length of Mel's body. Looking down, she sighed as bare skin made contact. Janice's mouth again found Mel's as their bodies entered into an unconscious union.

As their tongues touched and caressed inside their mouths, Janice moved her hand down between Mel's thighs. Touching the outside of the underwear, Mel's hips rose to meet Janice's hand. Janice felt the heat emanating from Mel's center and knew she was ready. Dipping a few fingers passed the cotton barrier, Mel accidentally bit down on Janice's tongue. The kiss broke as Janice winced in pain. Mel muttered she was sorry, but Janice waved it off as their moist, warm lips met again more intense this time. Resuming her exploration, Janice ran a finger down Mel's wet opening as she arched into the touch. Slowly, Janice took hold of her panties and tugged down Mel's long, shapely legs. "You take my breath away," she said once she caught sight of Mel's naked form. The woman was absolutely perfect.

Janice lowered herself over Mel's body kissing down its perfect shape. Janice's strawberry blond hair tickled as she descended toward her sex. "Perfect," she whispered as she kissed the soft, wet curls causing Mel to shudder and whimper at the intimate contact. Soaked by complete and total arousal, Mel did not know how long she could hold on with Janice mere inches away from her. She held on to the back of Janice's head and pushed her forward into her, but Janice held steadfast. She wanted to look, to feel, to memorize. The first time only happens once. Breathing slowly against Mel's aching center, she dipped her head forward and ran tongue down the opening. Tenderly, she parted the moist folds away and began her skilled assault on Mel's most sensitive area.

Immediately, Mel threw her head back and pressed her body up into Janice's mouth. Again and again in a steady, pulsing rhythm, Janice swept her tongue around the swollen nub increasing Mel's arousal and wetness. Mel moaned and screamed Janice's name as the pleasure reached heights she never thought possible. Janice knew Mel was close, but she wanted to prolong the pleasure. She wanted Mel to savor the moments. She stopped and drew her face away to look upon Mel. She was consumed by the overwhelming desire and passion. Her head was thrown back as her body arched high off the bed. Janice now cupped Mel's buttocks and drew her off the bed, her legs over Janice's shoulders as her hips thrust upwards. Holding onto the highly aroused woman, Janice ran her tongue over her once more and it was over. Mel, lost in the hazy cloud of complete intoxication, fell into the sublime, sensual sensations as her body felt a freedom she had never known. Floating and falling at the same time, she climaxed as waves of pleasure invaded her, paralyzed her and made her feel alive. She screamed. Janice held on and drew out the climax as her tongue rested within her feeling the contractions and movement of the velvety walls.

Once movement had stilled, Janice kissed up Mel's inner thigh sending another involuntary shudder up her spine. Slowly, Janice drew up Mel's body and kissed her lips cementing their connection, completing the nexus.

"I love you," Mel said breathlessly, her breath still ragged as her body struggled to regain equilibrium. She kissed Janice's lips still stained with traces of Mel's sweet, honeyed fluid.

Janice then rested her head against the heaving chest wrapping her arms completely around the southerner wanting to be lost within its grip. "You are overwhelming."

"Me? I...I didn't think I could survive that."

Janice smiled and drew her hands into Mel searching for the muscled tunnel. "Let's see if you survive part two."

"Part two?" Mel's heart beat began to increase again as Janice's finger now entered her.

Slowly, Janice found the thin layer of tissue at her entrance. She pushed and drew her fingers in. Mel now rocked against the experienced, graceful fingers as they pumped to a steady rhythm. Janice lowered herself and kissed Mel's breast. The actions combined sent Mel reeling. She was pushed further then ever thought possible. Heated moans and loud groans passed both their lips as Janice pushed forward once more into her warm, moist center. Mel's tired frame cried out as she rose off the bed, but her arousal demanded the release. As she was sent over the edge, she opened her eyes and stared intently into Janice's intense, emerald gaze. Connected in that moment, the single look filled her with complete love bringing her back from passionate oblivion. Only when Janice captured her lips did she loss herself in her touch. Again, she was sent tumbling toward erotic ecstasy, falling forever over the peaceful, powerful precipice. But this time, Janice held onto her as her body covered her, anchored her into this reality, in their love.

Janice brushed her lips against Mel's as her breathing began to steady. Carefully, she brushed some matted hair away from her forehead, leaning to kiss the sweat-soaked forehead before looking into her heart-melting blue eyes. "Are you okay," she asked gently.

"Okay." She nodded. "More than okay. I'm incredible." Holding on to Janice's shoulders, she wondered, "is it always that good?"

"No, doing it with the proper partner always helps."

"Hmm...and how many other proper partners have you had?"

"Just one." She lowered herself onto Mel's shoulder and snuggled close. "Just you."

Mel then rolled Janice over and captured her ruby, lips while running her fingers through her hair. "I want to...I want to," she said over and over again.

"You don't have to, Mel." Janice closed her eyes as Mel's mouth nibbled on her ear and than traced a line just below the jaw. "This isn't about...doing anything. You've given me enough." Her breathing suddenly became labored as Mel found a sensitive spot on her neck. She began to suck while pushing herself into Janice.

"Janice," she moaned. "I want you. Please let me." The plead ripped through Janice as only words uttered from Mel's mouth could. "Please."

Janice took Mel's hand and settled it on her chest, over her heart. "Just touch me. That's all I want."

Holding her breath, Mel's hand gradually descended over her chest and settled on a round breast. Janice inhaled sharply. Mel rolled the flesh in her hand and heard the pleasurable moans. She continued as she kissed the sensitive area of Janice's neck and slipped a leg between Janice's thighs slowly parting them. She felt Janice's hips slowly rock against her strong thigh and knew she had done something right. Slowly, she brought her lips to encircle her heaving breast. The action made Janice arch into her, her back now fully off the bed. Cautiously, she inserted her fingers inside the elastic of Janice's boxer shorts and tugged them down to her ankles. She paused as she stared in wonderment at the light blond curls of Janice's intimate area. A discolored, rounded scar caught Mel's attention along Janice's hip. It looked old and she knew this was the "flesh wound" Janice had told her about. Carefully, she touched its uneven surface. She looked into Janice's face. The archaeologist smiled. Then, Mel brushed a few fingers over down along the light curls and found them wet with her warm fluid. She lowered herself over Janice and kissed her deeply before inserted her fingers inside the warmth. The soft, fluid walls surrounding and welcoming her fingers. She could feel them pulse and throb as she gently pushed further in. The sight of Mel's loving blue eyes focused on her face and the feeling of her long fingers within her proved too much. She felt herself spilling away. If this were anyone else, Janice would have been disappointed at the quick release, but Mel's slow, soft, loving caress were beyond comprehension. She wanted to be lost within her touch. She arched once before her muscles tightened, her senses overwhelmed by absolute arousal born of love rather than hollow passion. Mel felt the muscles tighten and watched as Janice's body was racked by continuous tremors. She screamed Mel's name as the climax washed over her. Mel laid her head on Janice's tight stomach muscles and waited to hear her heartbeat return to normal.

"I'm never going to let you go," Janice said breathlessly. She ran her fingers through Mel's raven hair and tightened her grip around the taller woman's body.

"I'm not complaining," she said nestling into Janice's naked form. "I never want to leave this bed. Of course, we'd die of starvation."

"You taste pretty good," Janice said laughing. Mel playfully slapped her on the stomach. "Well, you do."

Janice grabbed the green cotton blanket that had somehow ended up on the floor during their lovemaking. She gently laid it over Mel's nude body covering her own legs as well. "What will everyone say...me and you sharing the same bed? Charleston society will be shocked I am sure."

"In the immortal words of Rhett Butler, 'I don't give a damn!'" She shifted her body and interlaced her fingers with Janice's still healing hand. "I don't love them. I love you. People who don't understand will have to learn to live with it because I'm not giving you up, ever." She softly kissed Janice's stomach. "Besides, you'll be surprised how tons of money can change how people treat you no matter who you have in your bed."

Janice draped a shorter leg over Mel's thigh and settled into her long body. "This was quiet a wake-up call. I could definitely get used to it."

"Mmm..." Mel said closing her eyes. "So when do we get to do it again?"

Janice smiled. "Whenever you're ready." Mel opened her eyes and climbed up Janice's body, her lips possessively capturing warm skin. "I think I've created a monster."

Chapter Twenty-Two: Rejoined

For once I have something
I know won't desert me.
I'm not alone anymore....
For once in my life
I have someone who needs me.
-Stevie Wonder

Janice enjoyed the calming, silence of Charleston just before dusk. A sliver of dim gray was being pushed farther down toward the horizon, the bright, orange-red almost completely invisible, as darkness settled into the sky; a bright, round moon taking its place directly over a large willow tree. She walked slowly up the curved driveway, her leather jacket in her left hand, her skin delighting in the slightly chilled breeze taking over from the moist, warm air coming in from the Atlantic Ocean. Janice looked above her head at the first few stars that highlighted the pitch black night. The growing dimness was broken by the bright porch lights of the Pappas estate. She felt a sudden warmth fill her body as she approached home. This was home.

Janice and Mel had delighted in each other's company over the past few days with no outside distractions. No gunfights. No noisy, dig crews. No insane woman trying to kill them. Just quiet, cozy time alone discovering everything each had to offer the other. Not to mention the passionate lovemaking which had found its way out of the bedroom and into almost every other comfortable place inside the house to the uncomfortable shock of some of Mel's hired help. Although Janice had made mental note not to seduce Mel on the kitchen floor when she was cooking a meal. Luckily, the grease fire which ensued was brought under control quickly after they realized that their bodies weren't the only thing in the room that was ablaze. She couldn't help but smile at the memory however.

Today was the first day they had spent a significant amount of time apart since they returned from Greece. Dean Richardson and the rest of the high ranking university deans wanted to hear a full report and the events of the dig at Potediaia. Although well-preserved, striking artifacts and more of Gabrielle's journal were found on-site, there could be no denying the tragic aspect of their time in Greece which seemed to cast a damper on any real celebration.

Dean Richardson wanted a full investigation into Madaline Rosa's assignment to the dig and if any blame could be assigned anywhere. Could the University have avoided these deaths? Martin, however, was very vocal in his belief that no one could have foreseen these tragic events, and that no blame should be assigned to anyone. He went on to say that if they tried to use Janice as a scapegoat, her father's past dealings with criminals as an easy way out of liability, he would quit his teaching job and go public with the truth. Although the threat was presented in a completely formal and respectful manner, it was a threat nonetheless. Janice was touched by Martin's absolute belief in her.

Everyone was curious of Madaline's true motives. Since Janice was the only one who had fully witnessed all of Madaline's psychotic behavior, the burden of explanation was passed to her. She felt reluctant to reveal her true position in the ensuing chaos and left out the parts which she felt were too fantastic for anyone presiding over a university to believe. Dean Richardson seemed satisfied with her concise explanation of Madaline as a mentally disturbed woman who believed she could rule the world if she just made the proper sacrifices to a long-abandoned, pagan god.

The topic of discussion soon moved to more scholarly business as the artifacts and, most importantly, the journal were to be investigated, catalogued and studied. A job which would fall to Martin, Rebecca and Janice because of their immediate knowledge of the material. Mel would complete the journal translation begun by Madaline. Dean Richardson seemed satisfied with the report and wished his colleagues much luck on the impending research. After the meeting adjourned, the dean personally wished Janice luck and left open the possibility for a full-time position as a professor during the upcoming fall semester. Wow, Janice thought to herself, a job, a lover and a home all at once. She was becoming more settled into domesticity as the days went by. Truth was, it didn't bother her one bit.

As cool breeze blew against her face, Janice pushed some of her loose, strawberry blond hair away from her face. She was getting slightly annoyed at having to do this all day. Her dark, brown fedora had remained at home all with her other "tough" archaeologist gear, at Mel's insistence. She felt odd without her hat. At least she managed to sneak out of the house with her leather jacket. Not that she wore it all day, the afternoon temperature reached a balmy sixty-five degrees, but she just felt better with it by her side. She had gotten semi-formal for his afternoon's meeting with properly pressed black slacks, polished black shoes and a silk, white shirt. Mel had insisted on that too acting like a proud mother sending her daughter off to the first day at school. She couldn't wait to get out of her clothes and the awful make up. She touched her lips and still felt the lingering waxy feeling of Mel's bright red lipstick. She rolled her eyes at the thought that she actually had it on her face all day. I must be in love, I'm wearing make-up to please her, she thought.

Janice stepped onto the porch and fumbled with the small, silver key. The old door locks were tricky. Finally hearing the familiar, welcoming click, Janice pushed the wide door open expecting Mel to greet her, but all she found was absolute silence. After months on a noisy dig, the sound of utter stillness unnerved her. She shook off the feeling and moved cautiously through the corridor before placing her jacket on the coat rack. She wondered where Mel was. She walked into the warmly lit living room, but there wasn't a single sign of anyone. "Hey, Mel," she called, her voicing echoing through the spacious room. She walked back toward the wide staircase and the study door caught her eye. It was slightly ajar and a distinct noise emanated from just beyond the door. Pushing the oak door open, she saw the soft, red-orange glow of a roaring fire.

Janice walked over to fireplace and crouched down to warm her slightly chilled skin. She enjoyed hearing the fire crackle. It was a sound that reminded her of her father. He would always gather his dig crew around a campfire to tell dirty jokes, funny stories and sing loud songs. It was how he got to know them better. She smiled at the memory of hearing her father's deep voice singing traditional Greek folk songs. That is how she loved to remember him, a sentimental man who loved his crew like family. Although Harry Covington made many mistakes in his life, he was the first to admit that, Janice knew raising her among his men was not one of them. She ran her hands up her forearms completely lost in the memory.

A loud pop of the firewood broke the spell as she then fished through her pant pocket for her other connection to her father. Slowly removing a small cigar, she promptly placed the sweet smelling, tan tobacco between her teeth and fished through her pockets again for her silver plated lighter. She sighed heavily when she remembered it was probably in her jacket. Rising from her position near the fire, she heard a small squeak from behind her. "Are you looking for this," a calm, sultry voice asked.

Janice turned around and found Mel's tall silhouetted form sitting on the high leather chair behind the oak desk. She was half hidden by the growing darkness of the settling night, the dim light of the fire only stretching so far. Her face hidden in shadow, Mel smiled at seeing Janice still wearing traces of the make-up she helped put on Janice's face this morning. Mel flicked the lighter in the manner she had seen Janice do it countless times. She hoped she had the swagger down as well. She lit a few candles resting on each side of the desk. One by one, the light increased as the soft, warm glow of the flickering, orange ambers illuminated her side of the room. Janice swallowed. Mel's long, sable tresses flowed, almost wildly, down her broad shoulders as a loose fitting, white shirt hung on her body, the tails forming a V-shape between legs. Her long, bare legs stretched strongly below her as she moved gracefully out from behind the desk. Janice could only stammer, "I...I..." She cleared her throat unaware that the cigar had fallen from her lips. "Hi," she finally said as she looked at the striking vision slowly, yet confidently, approaching her.

"What's the matter? Cat got your tongue." Mel said in a distinctive seductively southern drawl. She picked the cigar off the floor and placed it back between Janice's lips. "Looks like you lost something." She smiled, but Janice still silently stared. She never imagined how turned on she could become by seeing Mel with her clothes still on. Her strong, shapely legs seemed to go on forever underneath the shirt. Her deep, blue eyes illuminated under the soft, warm glow of the candle light. She was simply the most beautiful woman she had ever seen. "So I take it you like what you see?" Janice nodded. "Well, I just wanted to do something for you." Mel leaned forward and grabbed Janice's hands before relieving her lips of the cigar she was barely hanging onto. "Something you wouldn't be expecting. Something special."

"This sure is surprising," Janice said slightly distracted by contact with Mel's skin and the proximity of Mel's enticing body. "Special."

Mel still had to get used to the fact that she had this kind of effect on Janice; the way Janice would completely forget what she was saying, stammering, mumbling, and losing her coherent train of thought had become common occurrences of late. She had never thought of herself as all that attractive or beautiful, but the way Janice looked upon her now, she knew Janice thought otherwise. Her confidence grew each passing day, and now she was ready to give Janice everything she deserved, but never demand. It was her turn to make Janice positively melt at a mere look. She was in command tonight.

Taking Janice's hands, Mel placed them on either side of her face. She sighed when she felt the familiar warmth on her skin. The warmth then seemed to spread through her leaving her wanting more. Janice smiled. "Are you trying to seduce me," she whispered.

"Is it working?" Mel asked as Janice's thumb traced distracting circles on her cheek.

"I'll let you know tomorrow." Janice captured Mel's warm lips and slowly lost herself in their distinctive caress.

Mel wrapped her arms around Janice's neck as the kiss grew more intense. Mel's tongue touched Janice's top lip and the action sent a shiver down Janice's spine. It was Mel who pleaded for entrance, who forced Janice to surrender more. Mel invaded slowly swirling her tongue and sending Janice closer to oblivion. The kiss grew more desperate as if they could become one through their mouths. After a few lingering moments, Mel broke the kiss and held Janice's face inches from hers. Silently, she moved her hands down to the front of Janice's silk shirt smoothing the surface out with her palms. Reaching Janice's waist, Mel tugged the shirt out of her pants and lifted upwards. Janice knew then that Mel was going to be the one running the show tonight. She had to let go and hold on.

Janice smiled and let the smooth silk material separate from her skin. Lifting her arms above her hand, she closed her eyes when she felt the warm, room air touch her bare skin. Mel tossed the silk garment on the floor besides them, her hands now touching Janice's naked arms, marking her territory; the smooth, sculpted biceps, the muscled, strong shoulders, the slightly pale skin of her collarbone untouched by the sunlight. All of it....Hers. Janice swiftly slipped out of her bra threw it again the wall. Janice watched Mel's eyes take her in. She felt herself become aroused at her unrelenting gaze and the mystery of what exactly Mel had planned. Mel ran her hands across Janice's bare, smooth shoulders, up her the soft skin of her neck and down the valley between her firm breasts wanting to take things slow this time, take it all in.

Slowly, Mel dropped to her knees, her hands never ceasing to further excite all ready warm skin and her eyes never releasing sea-green from its locked, steel-blue gaze. Her fingers reached the cotton waistband of Janice's black slacks, and she unbuttoned them, but her hands then she moved back up Janice's ribcage marveling at the softness of her skin. The bruises from Greece still lingering on Janice's tanned skin. Mel lightly touched the healing marks and brought her lips to the outside edge of the discoloration. Janice inhaled sharply in surprise. Mel's finger then trailed down to her waist again and tugged her pants and underwear down around her knees. Mel looked up. Janice had her head thrown back and was lost in the sweet surrender of the moment. Janice never knew how much a simple touch could rock her to her very core.

Mel resumed her exploration of Janice's body as her fingers traced the jagged, long scars across Janice's ribcage. They were old and long-faded, but Mel was fascinated by them, their texture, their feel. Slowly, she brought her lips to them and followed their marks with her tongue. Janice moaned knowing that this might just prove to be her undoing. Janice's hands found their way to Mel's charcoal locks and held on silently pleading for Mel to continue, but also keeping herself anchored in the moment. She heard Mel whisper hotly against her warm, aroused skin, "what are these from?" Mel wanted to know who had marked Janice forever. In a way, she wanted to claim these marks as her own, reclaim their meaning and translate them into something beautiful rather than a memory of something painful.

Janice's eyes slowly fluttered open at Mel's pleading tone. Mel continued to softly kiss the darker scar tissue. "I...I was young and stupid. I thought could take some tough guys in a bar outside Cairo. They insulted my dad. I understood so I cold cocked one of 'em. Of course the guy's brother wasn't too happy about his missing teeth and broken jaw so he taught me a lesson."

"He stabbed you," she asked, a hint of pain in her voice.

Janice nodded. "It wasn't so bad." She continually ran her hands through Mel's long, soft hair. The action comforted her and soothed her like nothing else ever would. "I got in a few good kicks and punches before he got me. He cut me on either side though. I was bleeding enough to scare my dad and Stavros, but it only took about ten stitches on each side to patch me back up. I healed pretty quick."

Seemingly satisfied with the answer, Mel's finger then traced circles around the faded bullet wound near Janice's left hip. "And this?"

"A bit older and still just as stupid. I stood my ground when I should have run. Raiders when I was nineteen just outside of Knossos." She paused and swallowed. "I cost one of my father's friends his life. He was trying to save me." Janice closed her eyes, the horrible memory seeping into her from all sides. "He did. The bullet went through him and then got lodged in me. I couldn't walk for two months. But I didn't care about it. I should have gotten out of the way when I was told to. Maybe then, he would still be alive."

"You've been through so much..." Mel buried her forehead in Janice's stomach and wrapped her arms around her waist. "So much pain." Janice relished the contact and the comfort Mel's embrace seemed to magically produce. She eased the pain.

After a long moment, Mel's mouth ran softly up the smooth curves of Janice's stomach causing the muscles to tighten against the sensual assault. Her hands held lightly on to Janice's sides as her kisses danced around her stomach muscles. Janice tried to ground herself, wanting to experience Mel's actions with a relatively clear head, but that was relatively impossible. Slowly, Mel rose from the carpeted ground, her lips never leaving Janice's skin, until the crusading, eager mouth found Janice's soft, responsive lips.

Mel urged Janice back onto the ground next to the warm glow of the fireplace, her long, slender body pinning Janice into the wide, soft throw-rug. Mel ran her hands up the length of Janice's arms as the sensual kiss broke through all barriers. Janice broke the hot kiss and looked into Mel's eyes, darkened by desire. Mel's skin glowed against the warm light of the fire, and in that moment Janice decided she had to see the rest of her. Without hesitation, Janice grabbed hold of Mel's shirt and simply ripped releasing a shower of buttons. The action completely took Mel by surprise, but she regained her composure as she touched Janice's face. Slowly slipping the cotton fabric off her shoulders, she tossed it toward the growing pile of clothes before pulling off Janice's pants completely off. Mel climb back up Janice's body, her lips softly grazing and nipping on slightly damp flesh. As their bodies sank into one another, bare skin touching intimately, their lips came together fiercely, each realizing their growing mutual need, united by their arousal.

Mel parted Janice's thighs with her a long leg before slowly trailing her mouth down towards her ultimate goal. Janice held on to the back of Mel's head, guiding her, anchoring her, urging her, while she watched Mel's gradual descendent. The sight brought her closer to the edge as if the sensation coupled with the visual could make the experience all the more real. Her other hand grip the soft rug beneath her insuring her she was indeed not dreaming. Mel kissed Janice's moist mound before looking up and locking eyes with the other half of her soul. Finally released from all her inhibitions, Mel parted the wet folds slowly with a single finger to the vocal delight of the writhing archaeologist. She ran her tongue inside and felt the sweet sensation of complete arousal surrounding her on all sides. She found the swollen circle and ran her tongue against it again and again as Janice pushed against her. Mel filled her completely, cherished the sounds she urged Janice to produce. Pushing further, Mel felt the familiar first waves of release washing over her. United completely, Janice held on as Mel pushed up, but once her mouth came upon her again, she was lost. Her body rose up off the ground, arching higher. She fell over the deep, desire-induced edge. A wild shudder ran through her body unlike anything she had ever experienced. She felt herself scream, but that was all. Her heart thumped against her chest as she struggled for precious oxygen. She felt Mel's mouth over her solidifying their connection.

Before Mel knew what was happening, Janice slipped a strong thigh between her legs and held on her shoulders. Unconsciously, Mel rocked against her seeking her own release. Janice broke the kiss and silently stared into Mel's darkened, dilated eyes. Running her hands up Mel's strong back, Janice kissed her way down Mel's chest and took hold on her hardened nipple gently sucking and tugging before grounding her thigh firmly into her. Mel let go as her release overtook her, slamming into her and shattering all her senses. Janice held on to the shuddering woman before gently lowering her near the fire. Holding each other, their sweat-covered bodies fitting comfortably against one another, Janice relaxed her head against Mel's still heaving chest. Silently, they relished in their complete connection. Absently, Janice traced small circles on Mel's flat stomach while Mel played with a few strands of red-blond hair. "I don't think I could ever get tired of this. Of you," Mel said softly.

"Well, that's a good thing to hear. If you kicked me out, I'd have no place to go," she laughed and settled further into the warm body below her.

"Could never give you up. I think I'm addicted." Mel interlaced her long, slender fingers with Janice's smaller ones.

After a long moment of just enjoying each other's touch, Janice spoke. "You know Stavros says we share the same soul. We met each other before and we'll continue to met again. Over and over until the end of time."

"Xena and Gabrielle. It all started with them."

"It's continuing with us."

"Forever. That's a long time."

Janice ran her hand down Mel's stomach. She loved this woman's smooth skin. It comforted her to think that they would be together always. "As far as I'm concerned, not long enough."

"Not long enough," Mel echoed.

Soon after, Mel heard the soft, steady breathing as Janice settled into the crook of her shoulder. Her reddened face took on a pure innocence when she slept. It was something that always amazed her whenever she watched Janice sleep. Hugging her, she was rewarded by a sleepy, contented moan as an equally contented smile spread across her face. Mel closed her eyes feeling safe and complete. She was ready for whatever forever had in store. She had found the one.

Epilogue: The End is the Beginning is the End

"In the end,
I want to be standing
at the beginning
with you."
-RM/DL

Opening her sleepy eyes, she blinked the blurring away summoning the full alertness of consciousness. She paused however when she remembered. Her weary blue eyes looked down at her shoulder as the blond head nestled further into its warm, comforting safety. Softly, she ran her fingers through the long, silky strands and sighed. The action stirred her companion to shift her position, her small, strong arm now possessively pinned her to the ground. Looking up at the gray dawn sky, Xena smiled. Her long, tanned arms now hugged the smaller woman's body not wanting the moment to end. Her thoughts turned to how she had almost lost Gabrielle not too long ago, how she thought she had died sacrificing herself for the greater good of humanity. Xena had to admit to herself she was selfish. She never wanted Gabrielle to part ways with her again. Ever. A long time ago, she had told Gabrielle that in even in death, she would never leave, and it each passing day, she realized how much she actually meant this vow.

Xena watched the ever brightening purple sky and wondered about the vision. As much as she tried to avoid it, the scene always managed to find its way into her mind's eye, always shattering any moment of happiness, lurking just beneath the surface during every encounter with strangers, forever haunting her. When would be the day when she would lose Gabrielle forever? How much time before destiny would seal their fate? The thought sent cold shivers down her spine. Shaking such thoughts from her still awakening mind, she knew she had to relish whatever time they did have left. Even if Alti's vision proved to be false, she knew eventually the day would come.

Gabrielle sighed and shifted her position again bringing Xena back from thoughtful contemplation. She is all that is important, Xena thought. All that matters. Xena closed her eyes again hoping to join Gabrielle in a few more hours of peaceful slumber. No matter what happens, they would always be together. This thought eased Xena's mind wrestling away the last few lingering worries. Forever.... is not long enough. And with that, Xena fell asleep.

This story is dedicated to Alice and the rest of my Peeps for continued support and for being as insane and obsessed as I am, and lovin' every moment of it.

To Robin for being my number one fan.

And to Lucy Lawless and Renee O' Connor...for creating two, wait, make that four of the most interesting and complex characters on television and more importantly for just being themselves.

Liner Notes:
-I took some liberties with how things are at a real dig site to add to dramatic tension so please forgive if you thought any of this was inaccurate. I know where I flubbed, I just hope it didn't take away from the story.
-Is Pergamum a real place? Yes! Is there a Great Altar? Yes. I did a research paper on it fact. I'll send it to you if you like. Was there a picture which featured weird, ancient writing on it? Nope. This was from my sick, twisted imagination.
-And I was so obsessed with the pursuit of perfection in this fan fiction that I actually took a semester of Introduction to Archaeology...scored an A-....hey, at least I earned four credits in the process.

Acknowledgments:
-I wish to thank the producers, writers, and actors of Xena: Warrior Princess for creating characters we all believe in and, more importantly, love.
-Inspiration for this story came from many sources:

• "Next Lifetime," a song by Erykah Badu found on her debut CD called Badiuzm... if you like great music, you should buy yourself a copy. Available on Universal Records (see how all of this is connected).
  
• Alice (aka Bliss/Pinky/Pink-Haired Girl)...thanks a bunch for being my story editor (even when I didn't want to take your edits) and "partner" in this all. You give me much inspiration and I never could have done it without ya! Much love, much props...ya my peep! Ah....National Television Coverage!
  
• The Films, Dead Again, The English Patient, and The Indiana Jones Trilogy were all instrumental in the creation of this story....treat yourself and rent them today.
  
• Watching countless archaeology specials on A&E. And especially watching In Search of History which airs every night on The History Channel at 8 pm. Not to mention taking a courses in Ancient Religions, archaeology, and my own research into Ancient civilizations.
  
• And finally my own painful experience with having to watch someone I love walk out of my life and walk away with someone else...and just letting them go. This is my form of therapy...you can all cry with me if you want. With this said....for anyone who has gone through a similar experience...this story is also dedicated to you.

Final Disclaimer:
No Ancient Religion doctrine was harmed during the production of this fan fiction, but a few human sacrifices were made for some divine inspiration and guidance. Regrettably, however, a small-town orphan with delusions of world domination and a bit of a god-complex did lose her life.

Comments, criticism, and just about anything else, except hate letters and death threats, are welcome and should be directed to the email address at the beginning of this story. This was my first feeble attempt at fanfic and I hope it was worth reading...if not....I'll try to do better next time...if there is a next time...