Read Between the Lines

[Nikoleta]

It was one of those odd weather days in Chicago. For some unexplainable reason, the Chicagoland area often had dramatic changes in the weather, and we're not talking about just the temperature. Sometimes it would snow, rain, and then snow again just before the sun came out to melt everything away. It was rather mind boggling.

So here it was, early January and it was 63 degrees. A wonderful Spring day when it should be Winter! Of course last week, the temperature was 9 degrees and horribly freezing. Many cars had frozen shut unless you had a garage.

Nikoleta enjoyed this amazing afternoon at the Lake Side Cafe. She was picking at her salad while looking over the Chicago Tribune. She glanced over the world news, more interested in the local but nothing out of the ordinary caught her attention. Mason was still in hiding.

Then she turned to the sports section. American football fascinated her and was a guilty pleasure. It was not an elegant sport, nor did it require the stamina as futbol, or soccer as it was called here in the States, but there was strategy involved that reminded her of how countries used to wage war; facing each other out in the open. Whoever had the better strategy in using the land their troops often won. That was somewhat mirrored in football (minus the death), at least in her eyes. Methos would probably laugh at her analogy but appreciate the comparison.

The Bears were out of the playoffs, and with the home team out of the hunt for the championship, she had to find some other team to root for. The Packers would get her flogged, as would the Colts. Perhaps the Patriots?

"What the?" She was left scratching her head after reading the Divisional Play offs article. It said that the story continued on page 12D, the Lonely Hearts section. That made absolutely no sense and it made her cautious. She didn't feel the familiar buzz that an Immortal was nearby, but that didn't mean someone wanted to play a trick on her.

She looked around and didn't see anything out of the ordinary. Maybe it was some stupid reality TV show gag, but it was more then likely a bad misprint. Regardless, she turned to the page to get the rest of the story on the off chance that something may be there.

[Rod Stafford]

In the Loneliness Hearts section, nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Nikoleta scanned the page, unsuprised to find the continuation of the play-offs article absent; no doubt it had been a lazy misprint. Yet just when she was about to turn close the newspaper, an advertisment caught her eye:

Old Orion seeks Greek Goddess
for a magical reunion beneath the stars.
Turn to Page XXVII.

[Nikoleta]

Nikoleta's eyes lit up and she laughed so abruptly that the table next to her looked at her with a mixture of annoyance and confusion.

She shrugged her shoulders and grinned like a school girl that got caught talking in class. "Sorry!"

Why this ad had tickled her so is because it was a secret message from a former lover that she had met in Greece. Since flying became available, Nikoleta returned to Greece during the month of her first death. It was a tradition she adopted to remember her roots, and it was this past visit that she had met a Mage by the name of Rod. It was wonderful that she could be up front about what she was and be honest. Utterly refreshing, but Rod was special. He wasn't your typical Mage. He was someone thrown out of his time period who landed in the 21th century. They had so many things to talk about and his innocence was charming, even if it were a dorkish sort of way. They had spent almost the entire month of July together until she had to return home. She mentioned to look her up if he'd ever passed through Chicago.

Old Orion was his secret name and Greek Goddess was just him being sweet. She turned to page 27 and saw a picture of the Alder Planetarium. Peering closer to the page, she saw writing on it.

9 o'clock, with hope, O

Seems she had a date tonight ...

[Rod Stafford]

It was nearly nine and Rod's palms were sweaty. He sat hunched over a small crackling fire, its flames whipped by a light evening breeze, he gazed beyond the orange glow at the twinkling Chicago skyline across the harbor. Perhaps she was over there somewhere; maybe she was with someone, sharing a romantic meal in a fancy restraunt, or enjoying an evening stroll hand in hand with a handsome man, laughing together, or even lying close to her lover, feeling his hands on her smooth bare skin and breathing on his neck. He had waited too long. Rod threw a stone into the slick, rippling water, it sent a sparkling shower into the air. Could she ever be coming to him?

Around the burning fire he'd assembled an assortment of items. First, a blanket he'd laid over the crisp grass, upon which sat himself, an open bottle of wine and two empty glasses. He'd dismissed bringing music as too tacky but now he longed for something to break the silence. Somewhere on the other side of the harbor, he heard small sail boats bobbing and creaking. He suddenly felt alone and exposed. Behind him, the planetarium loomed, its great dome framed against a blanket of glittering night sky. His eyes panned all around for movement. There was none and then he felt a sinking feeling. It sank all the way down through his chest, his heart pounded, his eyes darted this way and that. The feeling sunk lower, his stomach turned, and lower. His pulse raced and he rubbed his sweaty hands. It was hopeless. He had to go.

"Damn it!"

He suddenly took off, abandoning his romantic little camp to race across the grass, past the rustling trees, and beyond the horizon until he found a place to stop behind the planetarium itself. Gasping for breath, he took one cautionary glance to the left and right, and closed in on the wall. There was a sharp zip then a crunching and splashing sound akin to pouring a large jug of water into the grass. He sighed happily with relief.

"Ahhh!"

[Nikoleta]

The gorgeous weather continued on into the evening, so she drove with the top down of her silver Z4 Roadster. Brown hair whipped against the chilled night air and made her cheeks turn rosy, but it was refreshing. It reminded her of the chilled breezes the Ionian sea carried inland.

She pulled into a parking space and straightened her hair, not wanting the wind blown look for tonight. The rest of her was dressed simple but elegant. The blouse she wore was midnight blue, loose and comfortable underneath the black leather jacket with slacks that matched her cavort pumps. She tightened her hair into a braid and locked down her car ... And smelled smoke?

"Oh no ..." It had to be Rod. Only Rod would be foolish enough to light a fire on city property. This wasn't Greece where you could do those sorts of things on the beach without worrying that someone was going to call the fire department.

Once passed the Planetarium proper, she saw the small fire crackling next to a blanket. Yet no Rod.

Now she was wondering if something had happened to him and scanned the area for anything unfriendly. Maybe that message was a trap after all. Her hand slipped under the back of her jacket and grabbed the hilt of her sword to be ready ...

[Rod Stafford]

His business done, Rod retreated the scene of the crime to return to his camp. Through the few trees in his way, he saw someone standing near the fire and by the dark curves he could make out, it was a woman. He felt his heart skip a beat and then it thumped like mad. Slowly, he weaved his way through the trees, her back was to him but it was her, he was certain. He could never forget her.

He smiled, then vanished. Light and colour wrapped itself around him and he crept forward, the sound of crunching grass diminished until it couldn't be heard over the sound of the sloshing harbour or the crackling fire. He was close now. Close enough to smell her. And for a moment, he watched her. She looked radiant by the glow of the moon and the fire. He stood in awe of her. Then he regained his composure, circled her, and settled carefully onto the blanket. Her back was now to him and feeling quite pleased with himself, he ceased his trickery and picked up the wine bottle and glass. His voice was masculine and smooth. He was James Bond.

"Good evening, Nikoleta."

[Nikoleta]

For one moment, Nikoleta was by herself with only the soft crashes of lake Michigan riding the air. In the next, someone had snuck up behind her. She was so tense and riding high on adrenaline that she failed to recognize the voice. All she knew is that someone got the drop on her, and it could have been one of Mason's religious fanatics.

It was at 'Good' that Nikoleta was already on the move, turning around and pulling out her broadsword. At 'Evening', her 'attacker' could see a glint of metal shining in the moonlight. By 'Nikoleta', the blade of the German broadsword was pointed an inch away from his nose...

[Rod Stafford]

"Jesus, Joseph, and bleedin' Mary with a goblin up her skirt!"

Had he been in a seat he would've truly leapt out of it. The empty glass went first, followed by the wine, which emptied its contents onto the picnic blanket. He threw himself away from the sword's gleaming tip and stared at it like he'd never seen one before. He looked up, saw Nikoleta's face, and felt something soaking through his jeans - he hoped and prayed it was wine. He dared not move another inch.

"Is everything... alright?"

[Nikoleta]

Her eyes were ablaze with an intensity that could melt steel in expectation that a gun wielding zealot was waiting for her. But it was an utterly terrified wine soaked Rod that had turned several shades paler then natural.

It wasn't a trap. There wasn't an Immortal that wanted her head. No crazy Vampires or Werewolves that wanted to take her out. It really was just Rod.

Instantly her eyes softened and she felt terrible. Her face fell into a helpless frown. "Yes everything is fine ... I ... aah ..."

The blanket was ruined. His jeans were ruined. The night was probably ruined because she had a twitchy sword hand.

"Gods! I'm sorry. I thought you were someone trying to kill me."

[Rod Stafford]

"Yes," he said weakly, gazing at her sword, "I know how you feel."

He swallowed, and sat upright. He felt a sudden warmth in his face and tried to wrestle off his shame. The wine still glugged out of the bottle, he scrambled forward and turned it upright. There was still enough for two. The corner of his mouth twitched into a grin. He climbed to his feet and stood still for a moment, staring at Nikoleta. After a moment's silence, he spoke.

"It's good to see you."

[Nikoleta]

Her sword! His eyes were fixated upon it! She quickly sheathed it since there was no need to have it drawn any longer. Rod's nerves needing calming too and having a sharp pointed object directed at him wasn't going to help him regain some composure.

She winced as he scrambled to save the wine. It was a red one of some sort so it would stain horribly. So yes, his jeans and blanket were ruined.

Damn, she cursed mentally. This was not the reunion the Immortal had hoped for.

Yet when Rod stared at her, any worries she had that he was angry simply melted away. He looked at her like the first time they had met in Greece ... Well, that wasn't entirely true. Rod was utterly confused because he didn't understand the tradition of plate breaking and was inadvertently harassing the staff. Nikoleta came to his rescue and afterwards, shared a cup of tea together. That was when he started to become enamored with her ...

"It's good to see you too, Rod." She smiled and stepped closer to take a hand in her own. "I wasn't sure if I would again."

[Rod Stafford]

Her skin was soft like silk, there were some callous spots on her palm from swordplay, and immediatly, Rod was back in Greece when he held her hand for the first time on the beach. His fingers explored her hand, he remembered her touch and her contours, and his hand slid slowly up her arm. He moved in close. Their bodies were almost touching, and her eyes enveloped him. He leaned in, and paused to feel her warm sweet breath on his lips. She was no mage but she had him under her spell. He kissed her.

[Nikoleta]

His kiss was uncertain, but it had been six months since they last shared one. She could sense that Rod wanted to revel at the moment their lips touched and obliged with pleasure. Her arms slid across his waist, tightening the embrace further and was also taken back to Greece.

... the sand was wet and coarse between her toes as they walked hand in hand down the beach. Salty air tickled their noses as the waves came crashing down over and over from the Aegean Sea. It was a full moon that dominated the sky that night ...

Just like tonight ...

[Rod Stafford]

Her mouth was like velvet strawberries. Rod saw with his hands; her arched back, her slender neck, her meandering locks, her rose cheeks. He didn't fumble, his hands roamed with the certainty of a man who'd planned this moment long in advance. Her chest heaved against his, amidst the smacking and the panting, he whispered.

"I've missed you."

[Nikoleta]

Rod's passion had not diminished since the last moment they were together. It only continued to burn and build in fervor with each day since they parted.

Breathless, her forehead rested against Rod's and held him tightly. Throughout the years, Nikoleta had only fallen in love six times and married them. Now she was bordering on a seventh.

"I've missed you too."

[Rod Stafford]

When he heard those words, Rod smiled with quiet joy. He sunk into a brief kiss then was content to remain still, pressed against Nikoleta, lost in her eyes. The cool wind blew strands of her hair onto his cheek, he caught its scent; rich and alluring. Everything about her was rich and alluring. Slowly, his senses returned despite her incandescent beauty; the glow of the fire, the creaking of the boats, the wine on his pants.

"I wasn't sure you'd get my message," he confessed.

He took her hand in his.

"I wasn't sure you'd come."

[Nikoleta]

"Why didn't you'd think I'd come?" she asked candidly and squeezed his hand. When they had been pressed together tightly in the embrace, Nikoleta had felt his heart quicken against her chest; beating like a drummer gone mad with inspiration.

Rod's face had reddened from the blood rush. His cheek warm to the touch as she stroked it. "I told you I'd be here if you came looking."

[Rod Stafford]

"You did," he said, nodding.

He avoided the question, and remained in a subdued state of content, staring at her. The last thing he wanted to do was confess his insecurities. The last thing he wanted to do was to confess how everything made sense when she with him. His hands fell to her hips.

"And here I am."

His face fell into her shoulder. He took in her smell, the scent bringing myriad memories to mind, and he kissed her neck. He moved slowly upwards and gently bit her ear lobe. He felt her body surge and smiled.

"Where have I been all of your life?"

[Nikoleta]

"Waiting," she answered, her voice as sweet as honey. "Waiting for the right time and place for our souls to meet."

A shiver ran down from the nap of her neck to the tips of her toes. Gods! She missed that feeling of desire erupting inside her within a warm bed, while the cool breeze from the sea gently passed over their glowing forms ...

"Everything happens for a reason."

[Rod Stafford]

"I'll take your word for it," he said with a grin.

The words she spoke made him do cartwheels inside. The touch of her skin made him want to do all kinds of things, but she was a lady and he, so he told himself, was a gentleman. Their lips met for a fleeting moment. Behind him, the soggy red stain on the carpet suddenly dried out.

"Wine?"