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Sarge POV
I'm not much for romance stories, or watching plays about love. I used to think that the whole concept of "love to die for"
was pretty much farfetched.
That was until I met her.
I had long since journeyed back through time to join Xena, the Warrior Princess, and her friends in the fight for justice.
Befriending Xena herself, Amazons, and even Raina, a villain of the future, I had quite a social circle around me. I never
ran out of people to talk to.
One day, my friend Solari approached me.
"Sarge," Solari began, sounding apprehensive, "I have a date tonight with Grinhilda. You know how I feel about her."
I listened, taking note of the tension in her eyes and voice. "And?"
She hesitated. "I've been taking care of my young friend, Jedi. She's been sick with a fever, yet she refuses to accept help
and has been running around and causing trouble instead of resting. I normally just watch her to ensure that should she become
sicker, I'll be there to help her." Solari sighed. "This girl has gotten in so much trouble in her short life that it's a
miracle half of Greece isn't out to get her."
I looked her squarely in the eyes, curious at what she was getting at. "What are you asking me, Solari?"
"What I'm asking is, could you watch her tonight?"
I raised my eyebrow. "You want me to watch a child that can't handle herself?" I let out a groan. "Just what I need. A babysitting
job."
Solari looked at me pleadingly. "You told me yesterday that you've been bored lately. This will give you something to do for
the night."
I glanced at my friend's tense expression, and gave in. "Oh, all right. Where is she?"
She gave me directions to the girl's hut. Before I turned to leave, Solari gently grasped my arm. "Just to let you know, she
hates being called a child."
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Knock
The door to the hut opened, and I found myself gazing into a bright pair of dancing hazel eyes. A silent moment passed as
our eyes bore into each other.
Finally, she spoke. "You must be Sarge." Her voice was a reminder of the trickster I had been warned of.
"And you're Jedi," I responded keenly.
She grinned, and her smile lit up a flame in my heart. Dimples on her face curved into form, and white teeth gleamed from
beneath full lips. I regarded the girl from head to toe. Short, shaggy bleached blonde hair framing a lightly tanned face.
A pleasantly curved, athletic body, taller than my own by about two and a half inches. This girl, unique of any other in
the world, was beautiful. My mouth watered at the sight of her slightly revealing white wife beater, and I longed to view
the shape of the legs beneath her baggy pants.
"Old Feather-Butt mentioned me to ya, huh?" She remarked, yanking me back to reality.
Feather-Butt? I opened my mouth to question her, but she beat me to it.
"I guess she said I'm a trouble-maker, eh, and that she wants you to watch me, right?"
I nodded. "Yes, she did say that."
Jedi smirked, and though I hated to admit it to myself, it was still the most amazing smile I had ever seen. "I have methods
of escape that I bet you don't know."
A tough one, eh? I smirked back. "I have methods of keeping people still that I bet even a child trouble-maker like
you wouldn't know about."
Her expression darkened as she scowled. "You're calling me a child?" Then, just as quickly as the scowl appeared, it vanished,
and a fun grin replaced it. "I'll show you a child!" Before I could stop her, she pounced on me, pinning me to the wall of
the hut. Her face inches from mine, Jedi grinned. "Now who's a child?"
I grinned back, and in one balanced move, I flipped out of her grasp, and kicked her gently in the back, knocking her to the
ground. "I wouldn't do that if I were you, Jedi."
She looked up at me from the pine needle-covered ground with a strange smile on her face. I realized with shock that it was
attraction. "You know, your boobs look great from this angle."
I was shocked. This girl likes me?! I pondered being with her for a moment. This child- no, this young woman- was attracted
to me, and I to her. But she's so much younger than me, I thought to myself sadly. Seeing her sexy grin still shining
towards me from the ground, I inconspicuously flipped a switch on my gauntlet, setting the laser to low power, and carefully
aimed at Jedi's rear end before taking a shot.
She didn't even yelp. She turned to glance at the burned, sizzling hole in her pants and... -oh my- boxers, and then turned
back to me with that same sexy grin. "You know, I'll just take that as a sign that you wanted to slap it, but you were just
too shy."
Her response evoked a laugh from me. "While it is a nice ass, I think you have a high fever," I paused to press a hand to
her forehead, "and yes, you do. Come on, now, into the 'hut', or whatever people call them in this time." I extended my arm,
which she grasped, and pulled her to her feet. I led her inside her small residence, and she settled onto her bed, lying on
her stomach.
"It's hardly a fever," she grumbled. "I've been doing all kinds of things with it, so it really can't be all that bad."
I raised my eyebrow. "Doing all kinds of things with it? No wonder you haven't gotten better." Seeing her frown, I couldn't
help but want to see her smile again. "Don't you ever listen to your elders?"
Jedi propped her head up on her hands by digging her elbows into the mattress, and gave me that sexy grin again. "You're hardly
my elder. I'm eighteen, nineteen in five months." She paused for a moment, and drew her tongue across her lips in a way so
seductive that I felt a haze of lust building up inside me. "And why don't you come over here and make it better then?"
I kept my best poker face on. "You're delusional. I'm sure that if you got enough rest, you'd be better in no time." I threw
in a sexy grin of my own. "And I'm in my late twenties."
She gazed into my eyes with such intensity that I felt myself begin to blush. Images of making love to this young, yet sexy
woman taunted me from the back of my mind. Then, she smirked knowingly. "You're thinking about it, aren't you?"
Embarrassed, I snapped out the quickest retort I could think of. "Yes, I'm thinking about it. I'm thinking you're hallucinating
or that you need to get laid quickly." As soon as I said it, I regretted it, and I gazed into her eyes for fear of finding
pain.
She blinked, and then grinned at me once more, as though I had never snapped. "Hallucinating? Really? Then what was that lost
look in those pretty eyes when I said that?" Then, she gave me a sultry look. "And does it have to be quickly?"
I gaped at her. This... vixen is determined to get me! I have to say 'no'. I can't give in, no matter how much chemistry
we have! "You are unbelievable, and so incredibly lucky that I haven't knocked you on your ass yet." She raised her eyebrow
at me, as if to demand and? I smirked. "And for your information, it's never quickly with me."
Jedi's eyes twinkled as she sat up, her long legs dangling from the bed. "Babe, the only way you'd knock me on my ass would
be if you let down that stubborn front, jumped on me, and knocked us both to the bed."
I felt my mouth fall open in shock. I couldn't help but imagine the imagery suggested by this stunning young woman. Clearing
my throat, I turned away from her. "Right. Well, how about I get dinner ready, and you do what you have to do? Good? Okay."
I exited the hut, leaving the door open behind me.
"Oooh, but Sarge," Jedi called after me. "For me to do what I have to do, you need to be here with me. Or," she began, and
I could hear the teasing in her voice, "we could do it in the cooking hut, if you'd prefer."
I felt a heat begin between my legs. Forcing it back down, I walked on. "You can do it in your own room, on your own time!"
I called back over my shoulder.
I reached the cooking hut, and strode inside, waving away the Amazon cooks. They gladly stepped out of my way. Being known
for my super strength, I don't normally encounter challenges among those who have heard of me. I settled a pot over the primitive
stove, and sighed. "She is so frustrating, and in more than one way."
The chicken broth cooked, and I found myself wishing that I was back in the hut with Jedi, just to stare at her. Funny how
I'd been trying to fight off her advances, yet she was taking over my thoughts. I noted the haze of lust clouding my mind,
and realized she had begun taking over my body as well.
Suddenly, I heard her.
"Sarge! There's a big snake in here and he's trying to eat me!";
I did a double take. "A snake?!" Turning off the stove, I charged off into the direction of the hut, thrust open the door,
and took a step in...
...only to have a bucket full of chocolate poured on my head from where the bucket hung above.
"Oh. Hi Sarge. I thought you were making dinner?" Jedi said innocently, her eyes twinkling. "The snake left after giving me
all this chocolate, and look, silly woman, you've spilled it all over yourself! Let me get that off of you."
Not knowing what she had in mind, I stared at her. She looked so adorable when she was trying to look innocent. Grinning myself,
I pulled her into a bear hug, covering her entire upper torso in chocolate. "Looks like you've got some on you, too." I sighed.
"You might as well get it off of me."
Jedi stepped back, grinned sexily at me, and drew her tongue across her lips. "With pleasure." She leaned in, and began licking
the chocolate off of my shoulder.
It was more than I could take. I felt myself become hotter and hotter, and then I lost control. Grabbing Jedi's head, I pressed
it to where she was determinedly licking the chocolate from my body. "Why do you have to be so irresistible?"
Her tongue found its way to my other shoulder, licking the chocolate from me. "Irresistible, eh? That's the first time I've
been called that."
As her mouth found my pulse point, I felt her suck gently on it. "Been a long time since I was the first at something good,"
I moaned, and I felt her fingers working skillfully to remove my top.
My hands found her face, and cupping her cheeks, I pulled it toward me, and brought my lips to hers. Lightning bolts exploded
through my body, and I swore I could feel the inner volcano of my heart erupting from within my chest.
After several moments into the kiss, we broke apart, gasping for air. "Nice. Very nice," Jedi whispered, and continued discarding
my clothing as my hands worked in turn to remove hers.
Sounds filled the air as Jedi and I made love for the first time.
-------------------------------------------------------
I stirred the next morning to feel something warm beneath me. Snuggling closer, I opened my eyes to see lightly tanned skin.
"Now, was really so bad?" An amused voice asked me.
Oh, god. I rolled over and gazed into the eyes of my bed companion. Jedi's eyes twinkled as she regarded me with a
smile different than any I'd seen on her... I realized it was compassion.
"No, it wasn't," I replied softly.
She reached out, and her fingertips lightly brushed my ribs, making me draw in a deep breath. "Told ya I'm not a child."
The truth hit me like a hammer. "Oh, god," I muttered, pulling the sheets from my naked body and sliding my feet over the
side of the bed. "No, no, no." I stood, and paced in the hut. "I just had sex with someone seven years younger than me! What
is wrong with me? I'm going to be called a rapist, or-,"
"-Hey now. Sitting right here," Jedi indignantly interrupted. "First of all, you didn't rape me. I like you, you like me,
I wanted you, you wanted me. I hit on you, and you responded. It's human nature to do that when you like someone. Secondly,
what's wrong with me being not ten, but seven years younger than you? A lot of couples are years apart as far as age is concerned.
Does it really matter what other people think if you're happy?" She paused. "Thirdly, it's cold in here. C'mere!" She extended
her hand towards me.
I looked into those dancing hazel eyes, and remembered every part of the night before. The feel of Jedi's kisses covering
every part of my body... the prowess she showed in setting my soul free... her own delightful moans of abandon when the tables
turned. "All right," I heard myself acquiesce, and I took her hand. Lying back down on the bed, I snuggled up to her, and
lay my head on her shoulder. "You win."
I could almost feel her smile when she replied. "I win? Go me." I felt her arm wrap around my waist, and the movement in her
body as her other arm reached to pull the covers back over us.
Pressing a kiss to her shoulder, I leaned my head back on her. "Sorry about that. I guess it just got to me for a moment there."
Her fingers gently brushed the strands of hair in front of my eyes behind my ear. "It's okay," she replied softly, "as long
as you don't do it again."
I chuckled nervously. "I can't promise that, but I can promise that I'll try. I'm not an easy person to deal with, Jedi. There's
going to be a lot of bumpy roads ahead with me."
Her hand gently held my chin, and my head was lifted until I was looking into her eyes. "I know what you mean. I'm not an
easy person to deal with either, but," she paused to kiss my forehead, and my heart fluttered, "I'm game. Are you?"
I felt my mind drift as I gazed into those brown, green-flecked eyes. After the night we had shared, how could I deny that
it had been more spiritual than physical? "I'm game," I replied, and I leaned in to kiss her lips.
Jedi smiled softly, compassion shining in her eyes. I was beginning to realize that there was more to her than a stubborn
yet sexy, tough yet cuddly trouble-maker. "You know," she began, then stopped. "Well, you said that wasn't so bad, right?"
I smiled back at her. "It wasn't bad at all. It was wonderful. I haven't felt this great in a long time."
She grinned mischievously. "Well, um, did you know it was my first time?"
I stared at her in shock. A memory flashed into my head of me disregarding an obvious penetration of the barrier within her.
I felt myself get up and out of bed, and begin pacing again. "Oh, my goodness," I exclaimed over and over.
Jedi laughed and stood herself, walking over to me and putting her hand on my shoulder. "No need to freak out, Sarge. I'd
say that for a first time, or anytime, that," she paused to peck at my lips with her own, "was," another kiss, "perfect."
She kissed me for longer, and my whole body shivered in response to her touch.
I forced myself to break from the kiss, when I then squeaked out, "Really?!"
The young woman smiled. "Really."; She gave me a once over. "Just like you."
I grinned, touched by her words, and leaned into to kiss her. "You are just too adorable," I told her in between pecks.
She laughed. "Funny the stuff you say about me when you're not resisting," she remarked bemusedly.
I mock-glared at her. "Well, someone, and I won't say who, dumped a big bucket of chocolate on me, and," I winked at her,
"that's my one weak point."
Jedi raised her eyebrow. "One weak point?" She repeated, and she leaned in to suck on my collarbone.
I felt myself become weak with desire. Not this early in the morning, I told myself. "Okay, okay," I moaned, "two weak
points, one of them being you." I lifted her chin and kissed her long and passionately.
"Mmmm," Jedi purred after the kiss. "Well, that works out perfectly, because you're one of my weak points now as well."
I blushed as her words enveloped my heart in warmth. Slow down, Sarge, I chided myself. Don't fall too fast... remember
what happened last time you cared deeply for someone. "T-thank you. That's very sweet." I hugged her sideways.
She hugged me back, and I heard her chuckle. "And to think yesterday you shot me in the ass with a laser." She stroked the
part of my arm where my gauntlet usually resided.
I smiled and let out a small laugh. "Oops." A thought dawned on me. "Where is my gauntlet, anyway?"
She put her hand under her chin in thought, and I had to hold back from giggling; it was too adorable! "Well, let's see. We
were at the door of the hut when she started to...," a wink, "and then at one point we were on the floor," a grin, "and then
we ended up in the bed." She stepped away to kneel and look around at the floor, and I stared unconsciously at her nude, deliciously
muscle-toned body. "Here they are." Her voice broke my thoughts.
"Oh, um, thanks," I managed to get out.
Jedi raised one of her dark eyebrows at me. "S'matter?"
I blushed. "Nothing." I took the gauntlets and put them in a neat pile near the door.
She looked around. 'Well, impossible though it is to tell time around here without a watch, I'd say it's about noon. You hungry?"
Then she grinned. "Not that we have to get dressed, or anything."
I frowned. "Then how are we going to get food?"
Jedi grinned wider. "Gimme a sec." She walked over to a desk in her hut, grabbed a roll of parchment, and scribbled something.
Then, using what looked like a rubber band, she attached it to a rock, and leaning out of the hut's door slightly, she chucked
the rock to fly inside Solari's hut nearby. "She owes me."
I burst out laughing. "I hope you didn't break her window!"
She shrugged. "I'm not worried about her windows. It's more of it hitting her, and she kicking my ass that I'm concerned about."
I smiled and stroked her arm. "She won't be kicking that ass if I have anything to say about it."
Jedi's eyes widened, and I could see deep in those dancing hazel orbs that I had touched her heart deeper than I could imagine.
Then, she caught me watching and blushed. "Thank you. Same goes to Hope, Alti, Dahak, and whoever else tries to mess with
you in the next battle. Those fuckers lay a hand on you, and I'll-,"
Suddenly my hand was covering her mouth. "As sweet as that sounds," I removed my hand and pecked at her lips gently with my
own, "you never know when they could be listening. Plus, you need training."
She smiled. "I've been receiving training. Well, kinda. Varia's been teaching me to use a sword."
I returned her smile. "Varia's a good teacher. You'll learn a lot from her."
Jedi nodded. "Yes, she is. So far, I've learned to strike, and parry other's strikes."
"Yeah, I'm okay with a sword, but I prefer my gauntlets," I said with a shrug.
Her hazel eyes twinkling, she smirked. "Yes, you're excellent with your gauntlets. I've got holes in my boxers to prove that
point."
I laughed, and she led me to the bed, where we slipped under the blankets.
Just then, Solari ambled in with a tray. She was muttering what sounded like, "Damn kid, always hungry." She looked up, and
saw my uncovered shoulders. "Sarge, what are you-," She noticed Jedi was unclothed as well, though we were both covered by
the blankets. "Did you two-," she stammered. Then, she looked down for a minute, collecting herself. Raising her head, she
smirked at us. "Wild night?"
Irritated, Jedi growled. "Shut it. Don't get me started on what you, Grinhilda, and her flying horse do all together when
you're-,"
"That's enough!" Solari interjected. She scowled. "And the horse is never involved." She looked down at her tray. "Well, ladies,
I have roast beef sandwiches for you two. That good enough?"
Feeling a rising need to be alone with Jedi (though it shocked me), I nodded. "Thank you, Solari. That's great."
She nodded, placed the tray on the foot of Jedi's bed, and turned to leave.
Jedi and I ate the sandwiches, exchanging cheery, humorous banter.
"So, how have you been occupying yourself since coming here from--- what era are you from?" I asked her.
She brushed back a strand of her shaggy white-blonde hair. "Well, just before coming here, I had turned eighteen and it was
2005. Now, back home, it's almost through 2006."
My mouth fell open in shock. "2005? I have a friend, Cleo, who was an erotic dancer in 2001, and who had to be frozen. My
friend Hel and I found her, and she became part of our resistance group against the Bailies."
Jedi smiled. "I heard about that. When I heard there were people from 2525 here, I did a little research, just so I could
know a bit about what people were saying."
I leaned my head on her shoulder, surprised by the softness. "And what did you learn?"
"That you're a hero."
I blushed, and she grinned.
"And to answer your question, I've been keeping myself busy by doing a number of things. Training with Varia, reading Gabrielle's
scrolls, checking up on Cyane and Ephiny, and writing a bit."
Interested, I pursued the conversation. "Writing? What kinds of things do you write?"
Jedi shrugged lightly. "Poems, mostly. Not always about me. Sometimes, I watch other people, and write about what I see in
their soul."
I frowned. "What do you mean by that?"
She smiled. "Here, I'll show you." She reached to her bedside cabinet to bring out a few scrolls. "This one," she said as
she unrolled it, "is about Gabrielle's affection towards Xena from the beginning, while Xena still rejected her. I kinda read
some of Gabrielle's journal entries, and that glimpse into her soul inspired me."
I took the scroll from her and read, noting with affection the untidy scrawl in which Jedi had written it.
Lovely Hell
Why do you run from me?
You've set yourself in a cage,
Locked away from love or feeling.
Can't you see you're causing your own rage?
You refuse to laugh;
I've never even seen you smile
In all the time I've known you
And it's been a while.
I've tried to make you happy;
I bring you gifts, and I compliment you.
Why can't you even look at me?
What is it that I must do?
Day after day, I travel by your side.
I never refuse your commands,
Nor question your decisions,
Yet all you give me are reprimands.
So many nights now
I've tossed and turned in my sleep.
I wish that you knew the truth:
My feelings for you run deep.
Maybe then you wouldn't scorn me so;
Maybe you even feel the same.
Just once I wish you'd look at me,
That you'd even say my name.
Maybe this love is hopeless,
And my undying devotion as well,
Yet my heart refuses to release me
From the clutches of this lovely hell.
Amazed, I turned my head to meet Jedi's eyes. "That was... wow. I'm moved beyond words."
Jedi smiled. "Thank you." She pulled out another scroll. "Yet did Gabrielle know what Xena was thinking during this 'lovely
hell'. Here's a hint."
She handed me the scroll, and I read silently.
Defying You
Though my mouth might say I hate you,
That is not the case at all.
On the contrary, I find myself needing you;
The day we met is when I began to fall.
I can't go a day without your voice,
Always so pleading to gain my acceptance.
I know deep down I shouldn't reject you so,
But my past forces me into this defensive stance.
Maybe if just once I gave into you,
I'd see for myself that you mean no harm.
Though it feels so strange to admit it,
My heart pounds whenever you stroke my arm.
I know I shouldn't behave this way;
I should just accept your sweet affection.
I can't help but worry, however, that should I say yes,
Things will start to flow in the wrong direction.
Give me time, for I know that one day
I might finally face that I love you.
Now, a test comes into play:
Is waiting something you are willing to do?
"Wow," I exclaimed. "Jedi, this is amazing! You've got some real talent here."
She blushed. "I have more, if you're interested. They're not much, but-,"
I silenced her with a kiss. "Don't say 'they're not much'. You definitely have a way with words."
She blushed deeper, and handed me the rest.
The day went on, and after reading several of Jedi's poems, our conversation turned more inquisitive. I asked her about her
family, to which she didn't reveal much, though I could tell by her scowl that she wasn't very fond of them. Not wanting to
be the cause of her sadness, I told her about my life. She seemed very interested, asking several questions.
After I told her several details of my life in 2525, I saw that Jedi was holding something back. "What's wrong?"
Jedi gave a little smile. 'Nothing... just wanted to ask you something, but you don't have to answer."
I grinned and stroked her hair. "Ask. Whatever it is, I don't mind."
She hesitated, then opened her mouth to speak. "Have you ever had deep feelings for someone before?"
Thoughts of him rushed through my head, and I winced. "Yes, I have."
Jedi's face fell when she saw my brief expression of pain. "Sarge, I'm sorry! I didn't mean to-,"
"Shhh," I put my finger to her lips. "It's okay." I sighed. "Yes, I cared very deeply for someone, and he betrayed me."
Her hand came up to take my hand, squeezing it gently and running her thumb over my fingers in a way so endearing that I thought
I might cry. "I'm sorry he did that. For him to do that to you, he's an ass, and extremely low. Who would do that to you?
You're amazing, more so than anyone I've ever met, and so beautiful, and who wouldn't want your lo-," she stopped, as though
angry at herself to have revealed so much of her feelings.
I stared at her, shocked. Was she about to ask me who wouldn't want my love? Is she falling for me? I paused to consider
the thought. I realized that as the day was progressing towards night, I was feeling deeper and deeper for this young woman.
Younger or not, she portrayed a certain maturity, a definite strength, like no other I had seen in anyone else ever before.
Do I love her? I questioned myself.
Forcing a smile, Jedi tried to change the subject. "You know, at the end of yesterday, I lost my favorite pair of boxers."
I laughed, distracted for the moment. "Oh, really?"
She grinned genuinely. "Yes, but it's okay. I didn't end up needing them, did I?"
I blushed. "True, but what about tomorrow? Or the next day?"
She laughed. "I have more than one pair of boxers, Sarge. I'll be fine," she winked, "assuming you don't decide to shoot them
as well."
I let my mouth curve into a sexy grin. "I won't shoot them, but I can't promise not to rip them off."
"Oooh," Jedi replied, her voice growing somehow even more sexy, "you mean like you did last night?"
My mind flashed to the night before as I remembered tearing the said garments from her body. "Yes, and that was while we were
on the table. Although," I smirked, "your shirt came off in the doorway."
Jedi winked. "And that's where the majority of yours came off, if I remember correctly. She eased out of my arms, and stood,
going to the doorway and picking up my clothes to fold them and place them on a chair. "I just thought I'd bring them away
from the door in case it rains. It's not like we need them right now."
I suddenly had an urge to grab her. Sliding out from under the warm covers, I approached Jedi, stroking her cheek with my
palm. "We definitely don't need them right now." I put my hand behind her neck, bringing her head down for a long kiss.
Somewhere in the kiss, our desire began to grow more demanding. Jedi broke the kiss, her breath as ragged as my own. "Nope,
we don't." She began to kiss my neck, dropping her hand to an even more sensitive region.
I moaned aloud, and felt myself go weak in the knees. "Take... this to the bed... please? My back is kinda sore."
Her muscles flexed as she reached to lift me from the floor, my legs straddling her waist, and she carried me to the bed.
In between giving butterfly kisses to my collarbone, she replied, "Anything for you." She turned to fall onto the bed, landing
on her back, and rolled over to continue kissing her way down my chest.
Crickets chirped and a full moon rose as for the second time in a series that would last us our lives, Jedi and I made love.
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"Sarge."
I felt the heart beneath my body pounding. I rolled off of Jedi, turning on my side to look at her. "Yes?"
She, in turn, rolled on her side to look into my eyes. "Do you still think of me as a child?"
Even though her hut was dark, those hazel eyes were shining more than ever, and they gazed into mine with an intensity that
captured my soul. "No, Jedi," I said softly, "definitely not a child anymore."
"Then, what?"
I sighed. "I, I don't know. All I know is I've never felt this deeply for anyone before."
I heard her take a breath. "Not anyone at all?"
Sensing her nervousness, I reached out to caress her soft cheek. "Not anyone. What I feel for you goes deeper than any relationship
I've ever been in, or any one person I've ever cared about." I sighed. "These feelings are rushing at me so quickly, and to
be honest, I'm kind of afraid of them. I know, though, that I don't want it to end."
Her mouth turned, kissing my palm, before she replied, "It doesn't have to end."
What do I feel for her? I wondered. This goes so much deeper than everything I felt for him. He could never make
my heart pound this way, nor bring a smile to my face just by smiling himself. He could never make me blush like a little
girl whenever he winked. He could never be the pure essence of my soul, mind, heart, and body... is this love? "It's not
going to end."
She took my hand in her own, and kissed the back of it. "Never."
"Never," I replied softly as I leaned in to kiss her.
The kiss was slow and passionate, revealing much to both of us of how the other felt. When it ended, she put the hand of mine
that she'd been grasping over her chest, where her heart lay pounding beneath my palm. "Can you feel that? That's how it is
when I'm with you. No one else makes that happen."
Teary-eyed, I took a hold of her other hand, and pulled it to lay her palm over my heart. "I beat for you."
Jedi's eyes grew shiny, and I realized she was fighting back tears. "I beat for you... I breathe for you... I live for you."
She took a breath. "Sarge, I'm in love with you."
Tears leaked from my eyes to flow over my cheeks as I realized that I felt the same. "My heart knew it was you, but convincing
my mind was a completely different issue. That's why I spurned your advances, and I'm sorry, but now, my heart is in sync
with my mind." I breathed, trying not to sob. "I'm so in love with you that it makes my head spin. I'm afraid, but I never
want it to stop."
Her fingers reached over to brush the tears from my face. "It's okay! I know now, and I feel the same way. Everything you
felt when you saw me, I felt it, too! I felt it when you rejected me, and that's why I kept trying. I knew deep down that
you wanted me just as much." She leaned over to kiss my cheek. "I love you so much that it's a fire burning within me. Every
question about love that I've ever had has been answered since you came into my life, and now, I've never been more assured
that whatever comes at me, I'll get through it," she gulped, "because now I have you."
I wrapped my arms around her neck, determined to feel the constantly impossibly-warm skin that covered this entity of my affection.
"You're like this bright light in my life, and I never want that light to go out."
Jedi smiled, and for the first time ever, I noticed that the depth I'd always seen in her eyes was her love for me. "I'm your
light? Well, don't worry, because I'll never go out. I could never do that to you." She kissed my lips briefly, and the taste
of her was as intoxicating as ever. "I love you."
I smiled as I leaned forward to kiss her lips again. "I love you, too." I blushed as I realized an interesting truth. "I've
never said that to anyone before."
"Neither have I. I guess that makes me your first," she winked, "and you mine, yet again."
"I love being your first, in oh so many ways," I told her. "What you gave me last night was beyond my imagination. That you
even had an interest me was the greatest gift I could ever want. I wonder how I even survived before without you."
"I feel the same," Jedi replied, and she stroked my hair gently. "I feel as though I've known you my whole life. It feels
as though my mere existence, although centuries before yours, was for me to love you... as though us going back in time and
meeting here was meant to happen."
I smiled as I nuzzled the hand stroking my hair. "It was meant to happen. This bond we have.... it's destiny. There's no other
word to describe it."
"Destiny," Jedi echoed. She smiled. "That fits perfectly." She yawned, and I realized how worn out both of us were, first
from spending the day with each other, and then from making love.
"Sleep, love. Tomorrow is another day," I told her, and I kissed her lips.
Jedi nodded, and her arms wrapped themselves around my waist. Within seconds, her eyes drifted shut.
---------------------------------------------------
Morning came, though Jedi and I weren’t awake to see it. Finally, sometime in the afternoon, I awoke feeling her body
shifting. I opened my eyes and gazed into the hazel lights that now accentuated my affection. “Morning, love.”
Jedi smiled, though I could tell in her eyes that there was something distracting her. “Um, morning. Ummm…,”
I begin to fear that she had completely forgotten the feelings we had expressed the night before. “What’s wrong?”
“Well, um, love, could you move your hand? You’re making me…,” she let her sentence fade.
I smiled at the endearment, then looked at my right hand where it was curled around her neck. No problem there. I felt
a warm, somewhat moist sensation on my left hand, and looking down, I saw the problem. “Ohh,” I yanked my hand
away, and blushed, “sorry.”
Jedi noticed my embarrassment, and being the sweetheart that she is, she looked elsewhere. “Hmmm. Rainy day.”
She glanced at me. “Some things are fun in the rain.” She winked.
I grinned. “Only with you, love, only with you.”
Kissing my hand, she hoisted herself out of bed, and I closed my eyes, awaiting her return to my side. I heard the rustling
of clothes, and then felt extremely soft, full lips kissing mine. “Mmmm,” I moaned into her mouth, but then the
lips pulled back. “Mmm- wait, where are you going?” I reached for her, wanting to bring her mouth back onto mine.
“Meet me outside, love. I wanna surprise you,” her voice said from the right of me, and I heard her exit the hut.
I sat up, stretching my arms, and opened my eyes. With a big smile, I realized that in a way, this hut had become my new home.
I’ll have to ask her about letting me move in, I decided mentally. I arose from the bed, and pulled my clothes
on before walking outside the hut. Rain poured down on me, and I put my hand to my forehead to search for my lover.
“Over here!” Jedi’s voice called. I turned to my left, and there she was, sitting on a fence. I walked until
I was within ten feet of her. “You know… the rainy, wet look,” she winked, “very sexy on you.”
I grinned as I tried not to blush, and then glanced around. “Is there any chocolate that I should be aware of?”
She laughed, and patted a spot on the fence next to her. “No chocolate. I promise. I have a different kind of surprise.
Come here.”
I started to step towards her, but then realized that I should at least surprise her a bit. After another step I performed
a frontal flip, and then twisted in mid air to land sitting on the fence in the very spot she had pointed to. I turned to
my love. “Hi.”
Jedi laughed, and the sound warmed me to the core. “You just had to make an entrance, didn’t you?” She wrapped
an arm around me, warming my shoulders against the chill of the rain which was coming down hard on us both. She pulled something
from her pocket, and handed it to me. “I wrote this for you sometime last night when you let go of my arm for long enough.”
I blushed and took the item, which was a folded piece of parchment. Unfolding it eagerly, I read in Jedi’s untidy scrawl
a poem she had written for me.
I can finally see, can finally breathe
Since darling I found you.
What was unknown and questioned
Suddenly is erased by what is true.
Maybe this is a dream, I hope not,
But if yes then I never want to awaken,
For out of the darkness and my soul
My heart has been taken.
Tears welled up in my eyes, and a few drops drizzled down my face. “Oh, baby,” I sighed, trying not to sob, “I
love you so much. I’m going to treasure this forever.” I drew in her for a tight embrace, then pulled back to
kiss her soundly on the lips.
Jedi smiled as she held me close, and then leaned forward to whisper in my ear lyrics from a song. “’You know
I’d die just to hold you, stay with you. Somehow, I’ll show you that you are my night sky. I’ve always
been right behind you, now I’ll always be right beside you’.”
Now, the tears started coming down in torrents. “No one has ever shown me with this much dedication as you show me,”
I told her, trying not to sob. “Hades, Jedi, I love you so damn much!” I pulled her body against me, squeezing
her to me.
Surprisingly, Jedi didn’t mind the strength of which I was holding her against me. “I love you, too, so, so, so
much,” she gently replied, and she stroked my hair as I cried on her shoulder from the bliss of it all.
“Jedi,” I whispered.
“Mmm?”
“Don’t ever leave me.”
The warm body in my arms gently held me at an arm’s length, and I looked into her hazel eyes. “Never. I’m
with you forever.”
I smiled weakly. “Forever until the end? I like the sound of that.”
She leaned in to kiss my nose, and pressed her forehead against mine. “Forever until the end. I promise.”
I pecked at Jedi’s lips softly. “Thank you.”
Long minutes passed in silence as the cold rain came down on top of us, but we were anything but cold. Jedi’s arms warmed
more than the parts of me to which they lay tangent; my whole body felt like it was on fire, and enjoying the sensation pleasurably.
Finally, Jedi broke the silence. “We’d better get inside so we don’t get sick.”
Smiling, I reached my hand up to lay it over her forehead. “You’re still a little warm. I guess all the strenuous
activity we’ve been partaking in hasn’t helped.”
She winked at me. “Oh, it has helped. Believe me, love— it has DEFINITELY helped!”
I laughed. “If you say so, baby.”
She grinned, and with a quick maneuver of her arms, she lifted me into the air, cradling me in her strong arms. “Allow
me the honor of carrying you inside?”
Surprised at her strength, I smiled and gave a brief nod. “Of course.”
She carried me towards her hut, and when I reached out to turn the knob, she pushed it open her with her side, and carried
me towards the bed. Laying me on top of the sheets, she gently unbuckled my 2525-made combat boots before reaching down to
untie her own 21st century ones. My heart fluttered at her soft touch as she undressed me, and then quickly reaching into
a wardrobe closet behind her, she redressed me in a pair of soft, silky sleep clothes. Lifting my head, I watched as she stripped
to her boxers and wife-beater, and then she climbed into bed next to me.
“My, you’re getting so strong,” I murmured, running my hands up and down her arms.
Jedi smiled proudly. “Six months before coming here from the future, I had my trip all planned, and I predicted that
with all the violence of this period, I should start some weight training.”
“Mmmm,” I purred, “well, I have no complaints. You have a delicious body, and I don’t only mean the
taste.”
She blushed, and wrapped an arm around me, and I in turn leaned my head on her shoulder. “Thank you. You are quite the
yummy type yourself.”
I yawned. “Long day. I’m glad I can fall asleep in your arms now that it’s over.”
Jedi smiled and pecked my lips in a promising kiss. “Always. Goodnight, love.”
I closed my eyes, absorbing the softness of her shoulder, and pressed a kiss to it. “Goodnight, baby.”
---------------------------------------------------
“Sarge! What are you doing?!”
I snapped awake, sitting up from my spot next to Jedi (who remained sleeping peacefully), and peered around the hut. Raina
was standing at the foot of the bed with a look of horror on her face. “Raina, what do you want? Do you know what time
it is?”
Raina gaped at me. “I came over because Solari told me you were hanging with Jedi, and I thought I’d see how you
girls were. Now, I’m wishing I had never wondered.” She shook her head as though trying to clear it. “I
think I’m going to be sick.”
I rolled my eyes. “Why are you going to be sick, Raina?”
“Because it’s you, and Jedi, and you’re all huddled up like a couple after a night’s fun! Sarge, are
you kidding me with this?”
I stared at Raina, feeling anger rise in my chest. “Jedi and I are involved, Raina. In what way could that possibly
bother you?”
Raina blinked in apprehension. “The kid is just barely outta diapers!”
“Don’t get me started on you and your boy toy, Raina!” I snapped.
“There is quite a difference between a baby doll and a boy toy!” Raina retorted. “But, you know what? Fine!
You be with your CHILD! See if I care.”
I glared at Raina. “She’s not a child and you know it. She’s almost nineteen, for god’s sake, and
she acts a lot older than you.”
Raina’s eyes flashed. “You want to play rough, Sarge? Play it with someone else. I’m out.” She spun
on her heels and strode out of Jedi’s hut, slamming the door behind her.
“Heh. Looks like someone’s a bit bitchy.”
My head turned at the sound of Jedi’s voice, and I gazed deeply into her half-lidded eyes. “That’s Raina
for you. She has her opinions, and she’s not afraid to share them.”
Jedi yawned, and sat up halfway, her elbows digging into the mattress. “What’s your take on her views?”
I looked at her, and everything that I’d been feeling for the past three days flooded my mind. How can anything so
lovely, so relaxing, so beautiful as our love be wrong? Screw Raina. I’m in love with my one true soul mate, and no
one can stop me from being with her. “I feel that she needs to back off, because I’m in love with you and
that’s all that matters to me. I don’t give a damn about anyone else’s negative views about ‘us’.
You’re the one I want, and no one can stop me from loving you.”
Jedi’s eyes grew watery, and I realized she was fighting back tears. “I love you so, so much. Thank you, love.
Thank you for giving me a chance.”
I smiled, feeling a bit like crying myself. “Don’t thank me. Thank the Fates for entwining our destinies this
way.”
Jedi POV
Over the next few weeks, Sarge and I grew closer and closer. It became apparent to others that we were an item, and that any
competitors would just have to give up. Only Raina seemed to have a problem with our relationship, but after Sarge’s
reassurance on that night, I was confident that I would never need to doubt our love.
I sat at the desk of my hut, contemplating carefully how to prepare it before Sarge came over for our nightly dinner and cuddle.
Although we were as close as two peas in a pod, she had retained her residency at her hut just outside the Amazon village.
That night, I hoped to finally ask her to move in with me so that we could be even closer.
Knock, knock
I turned at the sound of a hand gently tapping my door, and grinned widely. She’s here! Approaching the door,
I swung it open, but to my grave disappointment, Sarge was nowhere to be seen. In fact, my only visitor was Raina.
“Look, kid, we haven’t met, but we need to talk,” she announced, and suddenly I felt myself stepping backwards
out of her way, sitting down on a chair, and she entered my dwelling. “This whole thing with you and Sarge? It’s
wrong. It needs to end.”
I realized that my unplanned movement was the result of Raina’s mind-controlling abilities. “One, stay out of
my head. Two, no, it doesn’t need to end. Really, Raina, what’s your problem with Sarge and I?”
Raina breathed a deep sigh. “My problem is that it’s wrong. And gross. And not right. Look, kid, you’re
all right, but with Sarge? She’s twenty-five, and you’re- what did Sarge say?- sixteen?”
Sixteen?!?! “Almost nineteen,” I growled, “and it’s not wrong or gross. We make each other
happy. We love each other. We complete each other. How could any of that be wrong?”
“Because it is, okay?!” Raina snapped. “Don’t argue with me! I’m not someone you want to piss
off, Jedi.”
I glowered at her. “Look, Raina, I’m sorry that it bothers you. I’m oh so sorry that you can’t handle
it. But guess what? We’re not ending it. I love her, and you can’t stop me from being with her, no matter what
capabilities you might have.”
Raina fixed me with a steely gaze. “Oh, really?”
“I’ll take that bet,” said Sarge from the door of my hut.
I immediately went to her side, facing off Raina, two-to-one.
Raina rolled her eyes sardonically. “What are you getting at, Sarge?”
Sarge put an arm around my shoulder, and I slid my arm around her waist. “I’m getting at this: Jedi and I are
soul mates, and you have no entrance in this equation. In fact, we’re going to move in with each other by the end of
the week, and you’re just going to have to accept it.”
Whoa! Moving in?! I grinned happily. Score one for the Jedster!
Raina didn’t look so happy. In fact, she looked royally pissed. “Fine. I give up. Be with each other, if that’s
what you want. Just keep it to yourselves!” She stormed out of the hut.
I looked at my lover hopefully. “Did you mean it about you moving in with me?”
Sarge grinned sheepishly. “Yes, that is, if it’s all right with you. I’ve been meaning to ask you, but I’ve
been a bit nervous that you’d feel I was rushing you.”
I crossed the distance between us in three strides. “Rushing me? Of course not. I’ve been meaning to take this
step as well,” I kissed her soundly on the lips, “and many more, in due time.”
Sarge’s arms went around my neck, and she leaned in, nuzzling my cheek before kissing me. “I can hardly wait.”
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sarge POV
As time flew by, it was soon our second month together, and since the move-in, our love had only proceeded to grow. Over the
past two months, much had occurred in the world around us, as Greece and Rome broke their truce, and what looked like the
early stages of war was brewing.
I opened my eyes, seeing the familiar lightly-tanned skin of my lover, as Jedi continued to sleep. Glancing at her face, I
noticed that her expression was troubled, and her sweat dripped from her brow. A soft whimpering could be hurt from those
full-lips. Suddenly, her eyes opened and she sat up with a start, looking around frantically, before noticing me watching
her concernedly.
"S-Sarge," she panted, looking around, "our hut. Greece. Right."
My worry grew at her startled recognitions. Why in the world does she seem so surprised? "Baby, is something wrong?"
Jedi's eyes seemed distant as she looked back into mine, the normally dancing hazel eyes reflecting a deep inner worry. "I
saw... Romans. Not an entire army, but ten scouts, coming to forge false alliances with the Amazons. I-I tried to get there,
but I didn't make it, and then I saw you, and--," tears formed in her eyes, and her jaw clenched as she fought to stay strong,
"I saw them surrounding you, and there was nothing I could do."
Finding myself oddly unnerved by her dream, I stroked her stomach with the hand still around her waist, gently pushing her
back down onto the bed. "Shhh, Jedi," I whispered, leaning my head on her shoulder while looking into her eyes, "nothing like
that is going to happen. It was only a dream, nothing more. I'll be fine." I paused, pressing a kiss to her bare shoulder
before returning my head to it. "And I know you can protect me. You've come along very well in your training, and although
there is much to learn, you impress me everyday when I watch Solari teaching you."
Jedi smiled weakly, reassured by my words, though I could tell that her anguish still boiled beneath the surface. "There
is nothing I wouldn't do to protect you. Sarge, you are more important to me than anything, and I would never back down if
you were at risk. NEVER."
I smiled, stroking her bare stomach, then moved my hand up to caress her chest. "I know. And I love you for that." Noting
the cool sweat still damp on her skin, an idea came to me on how to cheer her. "Jedi, we've always bathed separately, but
if it would be alright, would you join me for one right now? I would love your company."
Jedi's eyes took on a more light warmth, and I beamed, knowing that I had pleased her. "I, I would love that." She sat up,
flipping to her feet on the floor beside the bed, and offered me her hand to help me up. When I grasped it, she pulled me
to my feet, and we entered the small bathroom, where the water in the tub was warm from the sunlight of the windows. "Looks
like it's all ready."
I smiled, kissing her cheek, and stepped into the warm water, walking to the side of the tub opposite Jedi, and leaned against
the side, smiling at her. "Coming?"
Jedi smiled softly, stepping in to join me, and as she approached me in the warm water, I put out my hand to stop her.
"Turn around," I told her with a smile, knowing she'd love what I had planned. As she obeyed, I grabbed a sponge and coming
up close to her back, started to rub it clean, pausing to kiss her shoulder.
"Oooh," Jedi moaned lightly, "love it when you do that."
I grinned, knowing that my seduction was working. "You do, huh? I guess I'll have to do it more often." I moved my head to
kiss her other shouder, then trailed my lips to her pulsepoint, sucking it gently.
"Gods, Sarge." Jedi's breathing appeared to be getting much faster. "D'you know what you're doing to me?"
I smiled, tearing my lips from her neck and returning them to the opposite shoulder, showing the same teasing attention to
the pulsepoint on that side. "Oh, yes. I definitely know just what it is I'm doing." My hand disappeared underneath the water
as I sought out-- then found-- a place of sensitivity on Jedi's body.
Jedi moaned deeply, and I could almost see from behind her the way she bit her lip. "And what are you doing?"
I grinned, withdrawing my hand to put both of mine on her shoulders, turning her around gently and looking into her now misted-over
eyes. "I'm just showing my thanks." Without another words, I gently pushed her against the side of the tub, leaning in to
kiss her hungrily, delving my tongue into her mouth.
Jedi moaned beneath my fierce liplock, returning the kiss with a growing desperation, mumbling, "Oh, by the gods."
I pulled back from the kiss, and ran my hands down the front of her body, looking into her eyes as they passed over her chest.
"I love you."
Jedi looked back into my eyes. "And I love you."
Without wasting any more precious seconds, I leaned in, kissing her, as my hands began a slow exploration.
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