DECISIONS, DECISIONS

After the welcome party at the coffee shop, Sarah Jo and Connor helped Katherine clean up the mess. Once done, she closed up the shop; and they dropped Sarah Jo off over at Ev's house so she could get settled in there. Telling her they would pick her up again at eight to take her to Joe's, Connor and Katherine then paid proper respects to the newborns and their proud parents. Rayden raised a questioning eyebrow at Katherine, curious to know whether or not she had discussed his offer with Connor yet, but Katherine shook her head slightly and shrugged. The white haired god acknowledged her response with a gentle mental caress of support and encouragement. Excusing themselves, the two of them left and walked hand in hand to their house next door.

The door had barely closed behind them before Connor without warning swept Katherine off her feet and into his arms. Depositing her on the couch, he pinned her down with his body and began to kiss her passionately. Katherine put up a mock struggle for a few seconds before she surrendered to his kiss. Connor struggled to undo the lacing of the tight bodice she was wearing while his tongue explored the confines of her mouth. Finally he gave up trying to do it strictly by feel and broke the kiss so he could turn his full attention to removing her upper garments.

Katherine chuckled at the intense look on his face as he straddled her small hips and quickly unlaced the bodice. He then loosened the neck of the muslin chemise she was wearing under the bodice and pulled it down far enough off her shoulders so that her small breasts were exposed for his pleasure.

"Methinks the Captain has missed his Lady fair!" she teased with a wide grin on her face. Her chuckle turned into a shriek of laughter when Connor attacked the side of her neck, sucking and nibbling on it playfully while his fingers played with the nipple on one of her bared breasts.

"Connor, stop! What if John comes in?" she said with a groan as his open mouth worked its way down from her neck to her chest and then over to a now hard nipple. He flicked the end of it with the tip of his tongue before taking it into his mouth and sucking it hard. Giving his prize a playful little nip with his teeth that caused her to groan again as she arched up under him, he released it and looked deep into her eyes, a wicked grin on his face.

"Hee Hee. Then I will tell him he will just have to wait his turn!"

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Later on, while cleaning each other up in the shower; Connor had teased her royally, saying that the fun they had been having downstairs over the last couple of hours was only been an appetizer for what was yet to come after they got back from the party at Joe's.

"Oh?" Katherine laughed sweetly as they stepped out of the shower together. "And just what do you have in mind?"

"Well, to start things off, I plan on keeping you on a slow boil all evening", he said with an evil grin on his face. He proved his point by insisting on drying her off with a wonderfully plush towel, making sure that he did not miss rubbing down a single square inch of her small body.

"Stand still now", he ordered as his hands moved the towel over her body. He had to repeat the command forcefully several times before

Katherine stopped wiggling, stood still and submitted quietly to his administrations. Connor kept his eyes on her flushed face, watching her reactions as her eyes shut and her mouth opened slightly. Her breath came out in short little gasps and she started to moan softly.

The bond that was between them became even stronger as she became lost in the sensual pleasure of his touch, causing Connor to know exactly what was causing her the most physical enjoyment. With almost maddening slowness he brought her up to the brink of climax as she stood in front of him. Then with another soft caress he brought her up and over the edge and she collapsed into his arms.

It took a few moments for her to catch her breath and then she reached down to caress him, wanting to please him as well. Connor slapped her hand away gently. "Not yet!" he whispered hoarsely. "We have a party to get ready for right now." With that he swatted her on her bottom and walked out of the room. Katherine stood there in shocked surprise for a second before calling out after him, a broad grin on her face.

"Connor MacLeod! You are a terribly wicked man!" His only response that was to laugh that odd little laugh of his.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

By the time they returned home from the party at Joe's, Connor had Katherine all fired up and ready to go and he was feeling quite pleased with himself. All that evening he had stayed in close physical contact with her, his arm either draped across her shoulders or his hands caressing her body. Once the music had started, he had used the opportunity to get her worked up even more and more that one eyebrow was raised at some of the moves the two of them made while dancing.

The two of them had stayed out on the dance floor almost the entire evening while Dani, John Clayton, Paul Racine and the new AIM called Duende kept Sarah Jo happy and occupied. It took a great deal of Duende's charm to finally convince Sarah Jo to get out onto the dance floor with him, but once there she had enjoyed herself thoroughly.

This time when the door closed it was Katherine that was the aggressor, but Connor just laughed and held her hands away from the particular region of his anatomy she was trying to get at. "Nope! You are going to have to wait for that, sweetheart! I'm not done with you yet", he said wickedly. He then led her upstairs, made her stand still in the middle of the bedroom while he stripped off her clothing as she watched him with a bemused expression of her face.

"Your are enjoying this altogether too much, Sir!" she said with a giggle.

"Hee Hee. Just paying you back for all the pleasure you gave me the other night. Now the tables are turned and you, my dear, are going to just lay back and enjoy all the things I have planned for you", he said as he led her to the bed and laid her down. For the next hour he concentrated on nothing but causing her the most pleasure he could with his hands, mouth and tongue. By the end of the hour she was almost frantic in desire for him, and he finally gave her what she wanted so desperately. He spread her legs gently, teasing her with his achingly hard penis poised to enter her.

"Connor! Please!" she begged, arching up hard underneath him, wanting him inside her. With a triumphant chuckle he plunged in deep and hard. Katherine cried out in immense pleasure as he filled her completely and she climaxed almost immediately. He gave her a few moments to catch her breath and then finding his rhythm he started to move in and out slowly, building up the tempo with agonizing slowness as her pleasure and his became inseparable. Finally, with a series of quick thrusts the two of them cried out in release in unison and he collapsed in exhaustion on top of her.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Basking in the afterglow of their lovemaking, Connor held his beloved Katherine in his arm. He was just about ready to drift off to sleep when she mumbled a question as she lay with her head on his chest.

"What? I didn't quite hear you", he said, sensing Katherine had something that concerned her deeply on his mind.

Katherine raised up and looked him into the eyes. "I just asked if you thought I would be a good mother", she said quietly.

"Hmmmm, well if Sarah Jo is a good example of how you raise a child I would have to give that question a resounding 'Yes' for an answer. Why are you asking that? Did Rayden find a baby for us to adopt?" The expectant look on her face made him think it must be that.

"No. Something better. He and Jathelle figured out a way for us to have our own baby!" she said happily.

Connor was now completely awake and he sat up beside her with a confused look on his face. "How?? How can this be?" A glimmer of hope was starting to grow in his heart as well. "My God, Kat! Can they really do that?"

Katherine heart was leaping with joy as she saw and felt his growing excitement. He actually was going to like the idea! "She has to change me", she said hoping he would accept the next part.

"Change you? Just exactly how are they going to change you?" he asked.

Katherine ducked her head for a moment and took a deep breath. "They would make me mortal", she said in a whisper. "For about a year. Just long enough for me to get pregnant and have the baby. Your baby."

Connor's world wobbled around him and his face lost all color. Katherine looked at him in growing panic as she felt the maelstrom of conflicting emotions overcome him. Then he cut his thoughts and emotions off from her, closing her completely out.

"Hell, no!!!" he said with a deep growl as he jumped off the bed, grabbed his clothes and fled into the night.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Numb with the shock of Connor’s reaction to Rayden’s proposal, Katherine wandered aimlessly down the streets of SIMsCity. Unaware of where she was, or even where her footsteps were leading her, the little immortal ended up crossing the bridge across the river over to the K’immie Estates. Unconsciously following the path she had followed the night she and Ben had spent together on the beach, Katherine came out onto the beach where the two of them had made love.

Collapsing onto the sand, Katherine sat huddled up into a tight little ball of misery, trying to reconcile her bondmate’s actions in her heart and mind. As she sat staring out at the sea, the faint tingle of the presence of the approach of other immortals sent her self-preservation instincts into action. Suddenly acutely aware of what danger she could be in, Katherine scrambled quickly over to the bushes that lined the edge of the beach. Diving in to the thickest part of them, she made herself as small and inconspicuous as possible. As she lay in hiding, snatches of what was being said came floating through the clear night air.

.. Saw her heading this way ..

.. Doc Adam’s little slave ..

.. Somewhere near .. feel her presence ..

.. Take MacLeod’s head ..

.. Teach the little bitch a lesson ..

.. Never forget ..

The last voice caused Katherine to shudder as she recognized it as belonging to the immortal who had come into her coffee shop and threatened her. Then another voice sounded out, one that sounded vaguely familiar.

.. Belongs to Adams .. Mine then ..

.. Share her when I’m done ..

.. Go look by the beach hut.. Bring her to me ..

.. Guard the bridge ..

The voices gradually faded and Katherine took the opportunity to come out of hiding so she could make a dash for the river. Push comes to shove, she thought she could swim across it to the safety of the other side. She had no sooner left her dubious hiding place when she was grabbed by the hair and yanked off her feet, a large hand over her mouth to keep her from crying out.

"Quiet!" The man ordered as he held her trembling body up against his. "I’m going to help you get away." When she nodded in acknowledgment of what he had said, he uncovered her mouth and then he pushed her ahead of him back in the direction of the bridge.

A few minutes later he had her safely over the bridge and he grabbed her by the shoulders and turned her to face him and she gasped in recognition.

"Methos?" she whispered.

"They call me Bronze Age. You owe me, little one! Remember that!" he said in a low voice. He ran the back of his hand down her cheek and stared intently at her for a moment, actions that sent shivers down her spine. Then without another word, he turned and walked back across the bridge.

Katherine watched him till he disappeared into the darkness of the night and then she turned herself to head back to her house, thoroughly shaken by the incident. As she passed the clinic, she remembered Giles was working the night shift that evening. She stood in the street, debating whether or not she should go in and have a talk with him about all the things that had been going on in her life. But before she could make a decision, her early radar went off again and she could hear the sounds of footsteps running down the street towards her.

Instinct again taking over, Katherine took off in a dead run, ducking around the corner of the clinic and making a dash for the small catholic chapel, a place she knew she would be completely safe in. She pushed the door open and dove inside, hearing a muffled curse outside as she did so.

After a minute or so the presence of the other immortal faded away completely, and Katherine heaved a huge sigh of relief. Looking around the darkened chapel, she knew that it was a good thing she had chosen it as a place of refuge. Walking up to the front of the chapel, she fell on her knees and began to pour out her heart to her one constant source of strength and hope.

Father Alec suddenly sat upright, wide awake with a feeling something was wrong. Jumping out of bed, he dashed over to the window and looked outside, just in time to see a shadowy figure moving quickly stealthily away from the little chapel located beside the rectory. As he watched, the figure disappeared into the darkness of the night. Glancing at the clock by his bed, he saw it was almost four in the morning. Deciding to check out the chapel to see if anything was awry, he dressed quickly and went outside. As he approached the door, all seemed well; but as he open the door he heard the sounds of soft weeping from inside the darkened building.

Flipping on some lights, he walked up to the front of the church where he found his friend, Katherine Dixon on the floor and leaning against one of the pews. Dropping to his knees beside her, he took her into his arms and gently held her until her emotional storm passed and she pulled away from his embrace, wiping the tears away from her face with the back of her hand. Pulling her up off the floor and onto the pew beside he, he asked with deep concern in his voice, "Katherine, are you alright? I saw a man leaving the chapel. He didn’t hurt you did he?"

"No Father, he couldn’t. This is holy ground," she said softly, with a slight smile on her face"

He looked at her closely; she seemed to be alright, so he said "Alright, why don't you come back with me, and we can have some tea and talk about what happened here tonight?" He stood up and helped her up off the pew and then guided her back to his rooms.

They walked over to the rectory and he escorted her into the small sitting room which adjoined his bedroom. He offered her a chair and put some water in a coffee maker to heat up. He then pulled up a chair beside her, looking at her in concern. "Kat....what in the world happened to bring you here tonight, and who was that man? Please tell me, I'd like to help you if I can." he said, sympathy plain in his light eyes as he looked at her.

Katherine buried her face in her hands as a new torrent of tears started. Father Alec pulled her into another embrace and held her until she was able to get herself under control again and then handed her a handkerchief for her to dry her eyes with. "Father, do you remember that offer from Rayden I told you about?"

"You mean about becoming mortal for a year, so you could have a child? Yes, what about it?" he asked, getting another handkerchief ready just in case.

Katherine nodded her head sadly. "Yes. I told Connor about it. He didn't take it very well." She then told him about how Connor had responded and the subsequent events that had sent her fleeing for sanctuary to the chapel. "I just wish I knew why he was so upset about the offer!" she said broken heartedly.

Father Alec considered what he was going to say carefully as he fixed them both some tea. Father Alec sighed, then said softly "Kat, I don't know if he ever told you this, but he used to be involved with his OIC, a woman named Shawn. They fell in love, and somehow, she was able to become pregnant with his child. Then, they decided to move outside the city, and when she lost the child, they argued bitterly, and she abandoned him. He came back to SimsCity a heartsick, saddened man, and it took him a long time to be able to smile again, and enjoy life as he used to. When you came to him with your offer of a child, it must have brought all the memories and all the feelings of that time back to him, in a rush, and his first instinct was to act the way he did with you. Do you see what I'm saying? He's no doubt afraid, that what happened before could happen again; that he could lose you, or the child, or both."

Katherine closed her eyes as she considered all Father Alec had told her. She knew in her heart that was most likely the reason why he had responded the way he had. Sipping on her tea, she considered her options while Father Alec watched in silence as she sorted out all the facts in her mind. Then looking up, she smiled softly at the priest who was both her confessor and close friend. "I need to talk to him then. I believe he is on the beach. Would you mind walking with me till we find him? I really don't want to play tag with that other immortal right now."

Father Alec nodded, and as they started to leave the rooms, he asked "Are you ever going to tell me who that was? If I know, I can keep an eye out for him, and warn you when he's around."

"I'm not sure, but I think it was Kronos again." She paused at the door, closed her eyes and tipped her head to one side, reaching out for the presence of Connor. "That way," she said, pointing towards the beach.

As they left the rectory, he asked "Kronos? You mean the one that came to the coffee shop and threatened you and your friends?"

"That's the one. He is bad news, Father," she said as they walked down the street and crossed over to the beach. It was then they spied the still form of Connor MacLeod, sitting on the beach and staring out to the sea. Turning to the priest, Katherine squeezed his hand tightly. "Thank you Father. Thank you for everything." She then turned away and walked across the sand, dropping to her knees beside her lover and moving into his arms.

They sat and looked out over the water in silence for awhile, and then, softly, Connor said "Love...I'm sorry. I didn't mean to do what I did and hurt you like I did, but-well, your news triggered some memories in me that I'd rather stay forgotten. I'd thought I was over them, by now; I guess I'm not. Forgive me."

Katherine snuggled up against his chest, feeling safe and secure within his strong arms. "I know. Father Alec told me all about it. I don't think I would have asked you if I had know before," she said quietly. The two of them sat in silence, holding each other tightly as they watched the sun creep over the horizon, bathing the smooth sea in a fiery light.

She could tell he was deep in thought, even as he idly stroked her hair as his arm rested around her; and then, finally, he said softly "I know how much this means to you, and I'll tell you what. If you can get Rayden to convince me that doing this should not put you in any danger, and if you can get a medical clearance, I....well, I guess I'm ready to become a father, if you're sure you'll have me.", smiling as he looked at her, his love for her obvious in his eyes even in the still-dim light of day.

The bright smile that crossed her face rivaled the light of the rising sun as Katherine threw her arms around his neck and embraced him tightly, her heart filled with joy. "Oh yes, Connor! Oh yes"