The Curse and the Traveler's

[RedHairedandFriendly]

Serena stayed for several hours talking to the officer behind the desk. Her eyes would burn with tears as she tried to convince them that David was the only person she knew and he was all she had. Eventually a man appeared and told them that the hostages were free and they were questioning them.

Serena spun around and looked at the man. “David, he’s my friend. . . is he there?” She felt her pulse race. “Is he okay?” she asked him. She stood up and was immediately told to sit back down.

Her eyes grew wide. She looked at the two officers and felt her blood boil. She gritted her teeth and curled her small fingers into fists. “No. I want to go to David. Is he alive?” she shouted somewhat louder. Her heart was beating faster.

She didn’t want these police officers angry, she remembered what Skye had told her. She remembered what the man Wellington had done when she’d made him angry, but she wanted David. Wanted him desperately. Needed him with her and she wanted to be with him.

“They’ll bring him to the station. He’ll be questioned again and then you can see him. You two can’t leave the city. Not until we tell you too.” The officer behind the desk, stood up and then moved toward Serena. “Look we’re putting the girls without families up at a local hotel. Officer Donnally will take you there. Go with him and when we are finished with David, he’ll be taken there to find you.”

Serena nodded her head and an hour later she was in a hotel room sitting on a bed, looking at a clock, waiting for time to move so she would be with David again. They’d allowed her a room alone, since her friend was believed to be her boyfriend and she did not dispel the myth, because she didn’t want anyone with her. She was still scared and she only trusted one person.

 

[only_more_so]

On one hand, Max was a bit surprised at how drunk his mother had gotten. But on the other hand, he wasn't that surprised, she hadn't really been able to unwind in a very long time.

While waiting for Skye to help his mother in the bathroom, Max flipped on the television. There really wasn't anything on, but Max needed something to occupy his thoughts now that they weren't in a noisy bar any longer. Beatrix and Skye came out of the bathroom with Beatrix dressed for bed and looking a little less drunk, but even more tired.

Max handed the remote control to his mother and said, "You might want to watch a bit of TV before you go to sleep. It will help you unwind a bit." He then showed her the basics, gave her a hug and walked out of the room with Skye close behind him.

"So then, do you want me to stay with your mother or with you tonight Max?"

Max wrapped his arms around Skye and gave her a very deep kiss. His hands roamed over her firm bottom, and tried to sneak down the back of her jeans. "I think if you don't stay with me, we are both going to have a long restless night."

Max kissed her again and was pressing her against the wall outside his room, which was next to his mother's. He was too busy kissing her to fish the cardkey out of his pocket. He was just about to free his hands from exploring Skye's body to get the key when he heard his name being called. Skye's mouth was busy, and it took a moment to realize it was his mother.

"Max! Hurry, David is in the box!"

Max groaned in frustration and it took a moment to realize the full import of what his mother had said. Max looked over to see his mother regarding them. She disappeared quickly once she knew Max had heard her. Max gave another quickly kiss and dragged a reluctant Skye back to his mother's room to see what was on TV.

 

[poohlive]

David did what he could, answering everything. It didn't seem like he was going anywhere, until Marissa showed up. She started to explain, leaving out some of the other parts, like him going insane and going on a one man killing spree.

David thought if that got out, he would probably be spending the night in jail along with most of the other kidnappers and rapists.

She smoothed the wheels, and could get them out of the police station. She took him herself outside, where now the whole street was littlered with reporters and cameras. This has turned into a big story, it seems.

Bordello of Sin, Sex House Unmasked. They were becoming clever in their titles, and every one of them seemed to want to ask him questions.

He tried his best to answer, shrugging his shoulders at most of them. They asked weird questions ones he didn't understand, ones he couldn't. In the end he just smiled weakly, waved to them, and moved into the car with Marissa.

At the hotel, she handed him a key, telling him where Serena was. He moved down the hallway the last little parts of seperation between them. Oh, he hoped she was ok, he hoped nothing had happened to her. She had been through so much.

He had to take care of her, keep her safe.

"Serena," He said, moving to the door, opening it wide enough to get through, "Are you here? I was told-"

 

[RedHairedandFriendly]

She’d tried to fall asleep. She’d kept her eyes closed for several minutes, they merged to hours and yet she didn’t sleep. . .not really. She dreamed, but never did she find that place where dreams ended and sleep began. She’d open her eyes and the room would still be empty and she would still be alone. She’d close her eyes and the sight of Wellington raping her, never once going far enough to tear her virginity from her, but in reality it had been stolen. Her mind and body raped, but as she lay there a calmness settled over her, a small one, but one just the same. David was alive and they would bring him to her. She had thought him dead, but he wasn’t. He was somewhere out there and someone was going to bring him back.

The sound of the door opening startled her and she jumped up from the bed, her fingers wrapping around the light that rested on the table. She saw a foot enter the room, then a leg, hip, torso, hand and finally a full figure of a man. There was a shadow, but not one that distorted the image of her Prince.

Serena’s mouth dropped and her eyes filled with tears. She released her hold on the lap and as the image before her began to speak her lips trembled in both fear that he wasn’t real and in awe that he was standing before her. “David,” she cried as she closed the distance between them in quick strides. Her arms wrapped around his neck and she held him tight, fully knowing that if she let him go she would lose him and she didn’t want that she needed to hold him, love him, not let him go.

Her lips smothered his face with kisses, her fingers left his neck and ran down his shoulders and arms. She wrapped herself in his arms again, her head burrowing itself in his chest as the tears raked her body and her soul cried out for release. In time she pulled herself together and the list of apologies began to flow from her lips.

 

[poohlive]

"What have they done to you?"

It was the first time he had gotten to look at her, the true state she was in. God, it looked horrible, as if she had just gone through the ordeal he did. She was distressed, with bandages all over her body. Even in this blissful state, holding onto him, refusing to let him go, he could see it.

"Ok... ok, yes Serena," He moved her to the bed, afraid she might collapse with all this excitement, "I know. But, I wanted to tell you something. I want you to know, ok?"

He had to tell her, it was too long not too. She deserved the truth, and more importantly she deserved a way out.

"I lied to you when we came here... to Earth. I told you we were stuck and couldn't do any magic, and I had no money. I have lots of money here, just the same as Max when he comes here. We can do little magic here, not a lot but some. This world is no different than ours, except people have stopped believing. When that happens, magic dwindles a little. The more people don't believe, the less it works. There are still some here who believe, some who keep it going."

David opened his hand, revealing a small seed, like one she knew.

"And, we could have gone back any time, Serena. I know how to get home. It is easy to make it home. All you need to do is find a fairy ring. That will take you anywhere."

He took her to the window, showing her a small shop on the other side of the street. It said Fairy Ring on it, a bookstore.

"I own a whole chain of Fairy Ring bookstores around the world, put in places that if anyone ever gets lost, they can just go there, and will make it home. The employees are understandable about who my people are, and how to get us home."

He led her back to the bed, "I didn't want to do any of it because you wanted out soo badly. You wanted to stay here and find a mate. I thought I would delight you in your fancy, show you it isn't some dream world you thought it would be, and then we could come home. But... it didn't turn out that way. It got much worse, and for that I am sorry."

He hugged her once more, pushing aside the strands of hair from her forehead.

"I can make it go away, Serena. All the past memories, everything from Weelington, even your cut finger. All the pain, it will just be a bad dream, a faded bad dream, one which you hardly even remember. I can take it all away, I have that magic. You can be your old self again, Serena. The young cute lovable Serena we all know and love."

 

[RedHairedandFriendly]

The more David talked, the more he showed her and the more he showed her, the more hurt and angry she became. Her fingers curled into fists and as he led her back to the bed; her body shook with pent up rage and frustration. She swallowed her fury, but little good did that do.

Her insides were twisted into knots and before she knew it her hand reached out and slapped David’s face. The sound resonated through the room and it brought a well of tears to the surface of Serena’s eyes. Her lips shook as she took in the red welt she’d delivered to her friend, the man she loved more then anything, and her Prince.

She stared at him, then her hand, that was red and stinging. She closed her eyes and slipped to the floor. “Just take me home David. Just take me home. I want nothing else. I just want to go home.”

He had the ability to take her home before they went to the party. He could have taken her home after she confessed her love to him. He could have taken her home the moment they arrived. But he hadn’t. He said it was for her. To teach her a lesson? Was she that naive that he thought she had to go through all of this to grow up and know her place. She loved him. He’d saved her, but in the end what had he destroyed, what had she destroyed?

Serena stood up and turned toward him. “I think I have grown up David. I don’t think I will ever be that Serena again, nor do I want to be. She was stupid. Young. Childish. And ill equipped to live as someone’s mate. I’ll go home and do what needs to be done and that’s all. So if you’ll heal the bruises and the marks, but leave my memories and my. . .” she looked at her hand, “my deformity. . .even though my new mate may not like that.”

She looked through David. She still loved him, she loved him more then her life, he’d saved her and for that she would always love him, but she knew her place. His touch still burned her. His fingers, though they no longer touched her skin still felt as if they were there marking her and making her his, but she knew, David was meant for Skye or some other noble. She was Serena, a different Serena. She was no longer the witless woman she had been when they left her world.

 

[poohlive]

"If that's what you want," He said, moving her to the bed. He just stood nex to ther, solemnly, silently. She had such a sparkle in her eye before, such life. It was still there, but different now. He could see it.

She would never be the same.

If she wanted it...

He moved in, holding her close to him.

"Shhhh," He kissed her, hard, his lips coming to hers, meeting with hers. In a moment he could feel the heat of her body as it washed through him. Their kiss was kind, romantic, insufferable overdue.

But, he could already feel her slipping. After a moment, she was gone, limp in his hands. He helped her onto the bed, pulling the blankets over her. Already the magic was working, making the pain slip away from her, her skin looking better, her cheeks rosey once more.

It would take a while for her to sleep. David kissed her forehead and then went out to get something to eat.

Outside though, more reporters were waiting for him. He could barely get to the parking lot, much less anything to eat. He decided instead to stay in the hotel room, getting room service.

He made sure there was plenty left for Serena once she woke up.

He turned on the t.v. but the only thing he could see was his own face, and the aftermath of the ordeal at the mansion. Instead, he switched to an old rerun of I Love Lucy.

What a fun show. He liked it.

 

[RedHairedandFriendly]

It was the kiss that worked the magic inside Serena, that and a small bit of her own. She was not like David or Max. She had magic, but nothing like the others. Her bruises and cuts would have taken weeks, if not months for them to heal on their own, even with the small magic she possessed inside her, but with David’s kiss she was able to heal. Her skin was once again clear of all wounds, the missing finger her reminder of the horrors her body endured, though in her mind she continued to live the pain of each mark, each vile touch that was placed upon her skin.

As she slept she felt the weight of her troubles collide over her, pictures of the events flashed and then closed themselves from her. As if in a dream something or someone called out to her. She saw a woman rise up and offer her the choice of a lifetime. She would erase everything and she would be the girl from the ball right up to the point of her innocense being still in tack. She could erase all the events that had transpired all the love that she had started to form for David could be removed and he would simply be her friend.

The dream revealed Skye and Max and the love they shared, but in so choosing to change her memories and reverse everything that would have changed Serena she would also pull the two apart and they would not know the experiences that they know now.

The other side of the dream was darker. It showed her and her life at the palace. She would continue to live her life, but she would live it with the memories. She would recall every detail until in time they faded. If she chose that route she could not go back, she could not ask for the pain to be dismissed ever again.

Serena woke up startled, but alert to everything around her. Her eyes searched out David and when she saw him, she looked over him and saw that he was looking better, though concerned and worried. “I’m ready to go home David. I have to face your mother and father, the Queen and King and ask them to forgive me. I will not ask for leniency. What I did was wrong and I know the penalty will not be one I will like. . .it may even be death, but I endangered the life of the heir to the throne.”

She stood up and walked to him. “Can we go now? I am finished here.” Her eyes were steady as she looked down at him, waiting for him to take her where she most desired to go. She thought it funny as she studied her Prince, a thought had crossed her mind at the last minute. He had shouted for her to grow up she touched his face and smiled softly. "I'm grown up now David, take me home." Her hand lingered for a moment and she felt herself hurt, but she released him and let her hand fall to her side.

 

[caela]

"Max! Hurry, David is in the box!"

Skye's groan matched Max's and at that moment she could have happily gagged Beatrix! Granted she'd thought they needed to move away from the wall...eventually...but not to go back into the Queens room! Couldn't the woman just pass out like any normal drunk?

It took her a moment to realize that Beatrix was saying something about David being on TV. When she did she rushed into the room with Max and stared at the screen in disbelief at the news story unfolding before their eyes. She searched the shots for Serena but there was no sign of her and no mention of any of the victims names, only that they were all recieving medical treatment as necessary and would be returned home to their families as soon as they could be contacted.

When the news went on to the next story her gaze flashed between Beatric and Max and she simply didn't know what to say. They'd spent the whole day searching for David and Serena but they'd spent their dancing and drinking while David and Serena had been in mortal danger. What did you say when you found out such a thing?

It was a sobering thought.

Moving without thought she wrapped her arms around Beatrix and reached for Max as well, drawing them both into a tight hug.

"Airports, we'll need to watch the airports. The authorities should return them to Vegas. If we keep an eye on incoming flights from that country we should be able to be there when they get back."

 

[only_more_so]

Max was stunned watching the scene on the television. How did his brother end up on the other side of the world? Was it because of Serena? Was it that Wellington person who's party David was last seen at?

Now Max understood why he had been feeling so sore all day. Max hadn't realized that it would work in this world, perhaps there was more magic in Skye's world than he had imagined.

How to get there, that was the real question. He had to get his brother out of that situation.

"Airports, we'll need to watch the airports. The authorities should return them to Vegas. If we keep an eye on incoming flights from that country we should be able to be there when they get back."

"I don't know... David will probably try to get out of this with as little official paperwork as possible. Somehow I doubt that he will be flying in, at least on any official flight."

Max held to Skye and his mother as thoughts raced through his head.

"Well, at least we know he is alive, now if there was just some way to get in touch with him."

 

[caela]

"I don't know... David will probably try to get out of this with as little official paperwork as possible. Somehow I doubt that he will be flying in, at least on any official flight."

Skye's mind was spinning as she watched the rest of the news cast. As Max pondered how to get in touch with David a small smile curved Skye's lips. That at least she could help him with! Pressing a kiss to his cheek she moved to the phone and dialed the front desk.

"Yes, good evening to you too, I need the number for the station that does the news telecast on station 54 please. You can connect me! That's even better please do so."

Tapping her foot she waited while the front desk put her on hold and dialed the newstations number and then put her through. This was going to be the tricky part but after 20 minutes she was finally transfered to the phone lines set up for family members of the missing girls. It took some convincing but she got one of the producers to agree to meet them in the morning so that they could confirm that they were indeed related to David and they would then be given the number of the hotel the survivors were being housed in for the moment.

Hanging up the phone she offered Max and Beatrix a smile, "We'll be able to reach them tomorrow once we show Max off to some station executives to prove he's related to David."

 

[only_more_so]

"We'll be able to reach them tomorrow once we show Max off to some station executives to prove he's related to David."

Max felt enormously relieved, but also terribly anxious. He hoped they would be able to contact David before David did something else that was terribly reckless.

"So we have to wait until morning?" Beatrix said, breaking Max out of his revelry. Looking over at Skye to get confirmation, Max nodded.

"We'll go to the station tomorrow and get in contact through them. They won't give out the number in case another predator, or friends of the person who did this were to try to find them."

"Well, then I really should get some sleep. I had a bit too much to drink, and all that dancing made me tired. Now you two run along and let me sleep."

Max's shock didn't last long, before he grabbed Skye's hand and hurried her out of the room, and down the hall to their room. When the door was safely closed behind them, Max grabbed Skye and held her tightly. The whole situation finally started sinking in, and Max worried about his brother.

 

[caela]

"Well, then I really should get some sleep. I had a bit too much to drink, and all that dancing made me tired. Now you two run along and let me sleep."

Skye was still blinking at Beatrix when Max grabbed her hand and all but pulled her from the room. With a soft laugh she followed him to their own room and when he pulled her close she simply held him tightly to her knowing he needed comfort now.

"David will be fine Max. So will Serena. They might be a little worse for the wear however and they've had a trying ordeal but we'll get in touch with them tomorrow and then we'll bring them home. Everything will be alright, I promise."

 

[only_more_so]

Max sat on the edge of the bed, more collapsed than sat. He felt so overwhelmed suddenly. For some reason, having no idea where in the city David was hiding, was easier to deal with than the idea that he was on the other side of the world, if reasonably safe.

He was so involved in his introspection that he nearly forgot Skye was there with him. As he sat he pulled off his shoes and socks, took off his jacket and shrugged out of his shirt. He stood to drop his pants when he truly realized that Skye was there staring at him.

"Skye, my princess," he said cupping her cheek in his hand. "Do you really think it will be alright? This is very nearly the longest we have ever been separated in our lives. And definately the furthest geographically, excluding being in different worlds for brief periods.

Max felt very silly, holding his pants on with one hand while touching her cheek. "Would you join me in bed? My mind is so atwirl, I don't think I could... could... well... But I would like to hold you, and be held by you." He kissed her gently, before letting his pants fall to the floor and sliding between the sheets, holding the covers back to let her join him.

 

[caela]

Skye smiled softly up at Max when his hand cupped her cheek and he asked if she truly thought everything would be alright. Reaching up she held his hand against her cheek and tipped her head to press a kiss to his palm, "Yes Max, I believe everything will be alright. We'll reach David and Serena and we'll bring them home."

Watching him climb into the bed there was no way she could deny him and she stripped from her own clothes before sliding into the bed beside him and wrapping him her in her embrace. Her arms wrapped around waist and her legs twined with his.

"Rest love, sleep and dream sweetly and know that tomorrow we will make the arrangements to bring your brother home."

 

[only_more_so]

Max held Skye's body against him, inhaling the fragrance of her hair. He let her presence and her scent relax his mind. More quickly than he imagined possible he fell asleep.

As he slept his dreams took a dark turn. He kept chasing his own shadow, only to have it grow longer and longer, stretching all the way to the distant horizon. While he chased it, he could feel the fog growing around him, making the shadow's edges faint. He hurried faster and faster but couldn't get any closer.

Max woke suddenly, still deep in the night. He didn't know what woke him, but he could see Skye's beautiful face, seeming to glow in the room's faint light. Again he let her presence fill him with peace. This time when he drifted off to sleep it was a restful and dreamless sleep.

 

[RedHairedandFriendly]

They did not go home. Some excuse was given and so they spent the night in the hotel. Serena slept in one bed. Her Prince slept in the other. Her eyes had closed several times, each time they were jerked open from dreams that clawed at her. Each time she awoke it was with the swallowing of a dream. Inside her pulse raced faster and faster. She felt her fingers shake as did her body when she finally gave up sleeping and went into the bathroom.

There she ran a hot bath and slipped into the water. Eventually she was asleep again. This time the heat of the bath, the full enveloping warmth of it surrounding her, kept her asleep and as she slept her dreams were no more. She awoke in time, the water extremely cold.

Serena stepped out of the tub and pulled the plug. Her body shivered in the cold air and she grabbed a towel, cursing herself for falling asleep. She combed out the tangles of her curls with the small black comb the hotel had provided as complimentary items. Her fingers braided the long tresses and she twined a piece of dental floss to the end, to hold it closed. Patting her head she went back into the room and sat down on the bed.

There she stayed waiting for David to awaken and either take her home, or take her back to Vegas. Either way she wanted away from this horrible place and she would not take no as an answer.

 

[caela]

Skye whimpered softly in her sleep as Max moved in his nightmare. It seemed that even asleep she could sense his mind to some degree though she couldn't reach into it when she was awake. Still her arms tightened around him seeking to hold him closer and her own dreams became disturbing though not enough to wake her up.

When he suddenly started awake it pulled her from her dream and she stared up at him drowsily. Opening her arms to him she smiled and drew him close to her once her laid back down. Snuggling in against him she nestled her head on his chest and pressed a kiss above his heart before drifting back to sleep herself.

Waking to the feel of the sun on her face a few hours later she glanced at the clock and saw it was still early. She pondered simply going back to sleep for another hour or so but knew Max and Beatrix would want to rise early to get into contact with David and so she shook him awake.

"Max, Max wake up darling."

 

[only_more_so]

"Max, Max wake up darling."

With Skye's sweet voice in his ear, Max slowly woke from his sleep. Usually he snapped awake suddenly, but feeling her warmth against him made the trip to waking a slow and pleasent one.

He turned his head to face Skye and found her lips without opening his eyes. He pulled he on top of him and continued kissing her, while hugging her body tightly against him.

Reluctantly he broke the kiss and said, "We will finish this soon. But we should get going, however reluctant I am to leave this warm haven."

"Would you like to shower first?"

 

[caela]

A soft laugh filled Skye's throat as Max pulled her to him. She met his lips with a passion and hunger to meet and feed his own. When he drew away she whimpered reluctantly, knowing she needed to let go but not wanting to. She would have happily remained in this bed with him all day long.

"We will finish this soon. But we should get going, however reluctant I am to leave this warm haven. Would you like to shower first?"

Sighing softly she rolled off him to minimize the temptation to just dip her head and kiss him once more. Lord but she was obsessed! Even knowing all they needed to do today, all she really wanted was to stay in this bed wrapped in his arms. Since that wasn't an option she nodded her head.

"Yes please. Oh, I don't know if our bags ever made it up. If they did would you leave mine open on the bed for me please, and if not would you call the front desk and have them send them up so I can get dressed please love. I don't think wandering around Vegas in just a towel would make a good impression," she teased before slipping off to the bathroom and leaving him with that mental image.

Calling from behind the closed door she added, "You should go wake up your mother so she can start getting ready too!"

 

[poohlive]

"Hope you had a good night's sleep," David said, as soon as he saw her emerge from the bathroom once more. He had ordered them breakfast already, knowing she would be hungry, and the mob outside wouldn't let them go out without bombarding them once more.

And he just could not do that to Serena anymore.

"I've had the best sleep in a long while," He didn't know what to say, whatever it was, it sounded stupid and pointless. AS if he were talking to a wall. There was nothing really to say, she just wanted to go home, and never speak to him again.

It was all her fault, really. He wanted to teach her some lesson, and now... now she had learned it she blamed him for it.

He just wished it hadn't gone soo far.

"I called to have a limo pick us up. It should be here soon. Then we'll go home. Won't take more then ten or fifteen minutes. Is that ok with you?"

 

[RedHairedandFriendly]

Serena smiled up at him as she enjoyed her breakfast. She was going to be safe and he was going to see that she got home. For the first time in a long time she relaxed and she closed her eyes, took a deep breath, exhaled and then looked at him again.

“Yes. That will be fine. It’s time I go home and face the music isn’t it.”

She finished her meal and started to make the beds. As she did she felt herself filling up with a sense of rightness of the whole situation. She was going to be the dutiful servant. David would be the Prince. He would marry Skye. . . that thought stopped her short and she turned back to him.

“David. . . I -” she stopped.

Did she interfere again? Did she tell him that Max was in love with Skye? Did she offer to stay on Earth so he could find another woman he’d like to marry? The questions ran through her mind, but in the end one thing remained constant, she’d caused enough trouble and adding more fuel to the fire wasn’t the wisest thing to do. That was what the old Serena would have done.

She would have been all over David asking him the questions about finding a more suitable mate, but she wasn’t that witless girl anymore. She was still full of humor and fun, but now she was more reserved and would keep her smiles and laughter for those of her station, which David was not.

She turned away from the one man that held her heart and coughed. “Never mind. Home is fine. Whenever you are ready I am too.”

 

[only_more_so]

Max watched Skye's lithe form disappear into the bathroom and felt his arousal growing. He gently chastised himself, with everything going on, his lust was still running rampant. He felt like breaking into the bathroom and pushing Skye's glistening wet body against the counter and... He shoke his head, trying to clear the image. He never had this much difficulty with control before, even when he was being doused with aphrodisiacs.

He didn't feel like putting on dirty clothes, or dressing before showering, so he merely threw on one of the hotel robes, which were in the closet by the door. Inside were their suitcases which Max placed on the bed. He then grabbed the key to his room, and the spare key to his mother's room and headed next door.

He knocked gently on the door and waited for a reply. He knocked again louder this time and still couldn't hear her calling out to him. He knocked still louder and pressed his ear to the door. He could hear the TV on rather loud and some sort of noise. Had she left the TV on last night? He felt a moment of panic that something might have happened, she was pretty drunk last night.

Finally he took the key out and unlocked the door. Of all the things he expected to see when he opened the door, this most certainly wasn't it. His mother was dancing in front of the television, naked as a jay bird. In her hand she held the hotel hairdryer and was using it to dry her entire body, as well as her long swaying hair. He had seen her scantily clad before, but never without a cover, and only once or twice bare below the waist.

He stood rooted to the spot, mouth half open. He watched her swaying to the music blaring from the TV and was amazed. For having twins and being at least thirty five (she would never tell her children how old she was) she had an amazing body, a dancer's body, all supple muscle, with just enough cushion in just the right places. He also became aware that she had obviously taken advantage of the hotels other amenties, when he realized she had no hair on her body aside from her head.

Only when he heard voices coming down the hall did he realize he was still standing in the open door. He quickly shut the door, which broke him out of the trance, and alerted his mother to his presense.

"Maximillian! So you two are finally awake? Does this mean we are going soon?" the queen asked. When Max didn't answer she continued, "Max, are you alright? You look a bit pale?" Looking down at herself she gasped and put a hand over her navel. "Oh, I'm sorry Max. I shouldn't have let you see me like this, but that's what you get for walking unannounced into a ladies room." Her other hand still held the hair dryer and she shook her head and continued drying.

"Mother, I did knock. But you didn't answer, so I was worried that you had too much to drink and were sick or something."

"Oh Max, I didn't have too much to drink! Silly boy. I was pretending so that you and Skye would have an excuse to enjoy each other's company without me looking over your shoulder. Fine good that did with David showing up in that little box."

Max was still stuttering, trying to integrate all of this new information. He also realized he was staring, at his own mother! Beatrix looked down again and grinned before saying, "One of the women last night asked if I shaved. Back home it is such a hassle, and in my world we had barbers who did those sorts of things, since we don't have the neat little razors that Skye's world has. I did it all myself and it didn't even take very long. They have such marvelous things here! And none of it relies on magic."

"Now be a dear and go tell Skye that I'd like some help getting dressed. These clothes are pretty easy, but I want to make sure I'm not doing something wrong."

Without another word Max turned and left the room, leaving his mother shaking her head in puzzlement. He walked back to his room and opened the door just in time to see Skye emerging from the bathroom with steam curling out after her.

 

[caela]

Even though he didn't answer Skye heard the door to their room open and close and guessed that Max had gone to talk to his mother. With soft sigh she turned to the shower and turned the dials so that hot water came rushing out. As she adjusted the temperature she tried not to think about the fact that Max had left the room and was likely having a very dull conversation with Beatrix. It hadn't been until she'd heard the door open outside that she'd even realized that part of her had wanted him to follow her into the bathroom.

As wicked images of both of them in the shower filled her mind she realized it was likely better that he hadn't followed her. They had a lot to do today and as much as she wanted him she also knew none of it would get done if they started something now. No she would have to wait to thoroughly ravish Maximillian and next time she didn't think she'd be able to settle for not finishing the deed. Her body ached to feel him filling her.

Finally getting the water the way she liked it - almost hot enough to burn - she climbed into the shower and tried to banish the fantasies that were plauging her. She tried to think about David and Serena but couldn't hold those thoughts long. Especially once she started to actually wash her skin and her hands here sliding along her body in the way she wanted his to be. She was tempted to bring herself to release there in the shower but didn't...she wanted Max to do it for her. Just the thought made her smile.

At last she climbed from the shower and wrapped a towel around her body while using another to dry her hair. Tossing the damp towel into a corner she emereged from the bathroom to see Max returning from Beatrix room looking slightly peaked and didn't even think of how she must look with her damp hair curling around her face ands houlders and only a towel covering her.

"Are you o.k. Max? You look like you've seen a ghost!"

 

[only_more_so]

Seeing Skye dressed only in a towel, with her hair wet and her skin still glowing from the hot shower, brightened Max's mood considerably. Of course, Max had to admit at least some of the arousal he was feeling was from seeing his own mother... He tried to put it out of his mind but was having a hard time. Maybe if he hadn't been so aroused by Skye before seeing his mother, he wouldn't have... Oh it was pointless.

He hugged Skye and planted a kiss in the center of her forehead. He held her for a moment longer and said, "No... not a ghost, unless that is what my mother's clothes... and body hair... turned into. She was dancing to music on the TV and blow drying her hair, I still don't know how she figured out how to use that, naked as the day she was born."

Max couldn't help but laugh a bit at the next part, "She started talking to me, and didn't seem to notice anything unusual. Eventually she realized she was being indiscrete and modestly covered her navel."

Max walked with Skye to the bed where the suitcases were laid out and then remembered the last portion of the conversation, "Oh, I think she said something about wanting you to help her make sure she was dressed properly. And now, I think I need a shower."

He kissed Skye again, and ran his hand along her side where the towel was peeking open. He quickly withdrew his hand and murmered, "A very cold shower."