It had been another beautiful day in SIMsCity and Ev and Rayden were getting ready to have Katherine and Connor over for dinner again for the evening. One of the things that made the evening so wonderful was that Rayden's mother, Jathelle, was about to arrive to be around for moral support for Ev. She didn't want to miss the birth of her grandchildren!

In honor of her arrival, and also to get ready for the babies, Rayden had done a little "redecorating." The front door now led to, not an ordinary condo, but something more the size of a small castle. Some of the bedroom windows looked out on SIMS city and the others looked out on to a beautiful grassy expanse dotted with flowering trees and benches.

There was a huge dining room that could seat at least 50 people, if they wanted to; and in back, one door led to the usual patio, while the other door led out to an area that was more suited to some fantasy castle. There were stables for horses, gardens, mountains in the distance...........

Ev was still getting used to the idea, as were the rest of the guys. It was kind of disorienting, but fun to explore!

Rayden had just finished his remodeling when Jathelle arrived. "Ev! You look......... Huge!!!!!!! How do you feel?" she said in astonishment. They chattered away happily for quite a while in the new garden, leaving Rayden to wander off and plan dinner.

Finally, it was evening and the doorbell rang. Jeremy scampered off to get it first. He was having as much fun as a kid at Christmas and was absolutely beaming as he opened the door.

Outside the door stood Connor and Katherine. Connor, looking very handsome in an Armani suit, had his arm resting lightly on her shoulders as they stood there. Katherine was wearing a long midnight blue halter dress that left her back bare.

Jeremy grinned broadly in welcome. "Hi! Rayden did a little remodeling tonight. You are not going to believe this place! Come on in! I'll show you where they are." He stood off to the side and let them in. As she walked past him, Jeremy finally focused on Katherine and he nearly tripped over his own feet. He had trouble forming words from that point on and could not take his eyes off of her.

Both Katherine and Connor exchanged wordless glances as they saw some of the changes to the inside of the house. Connor just shrugged and continued to run his hand lightly up and down her spine, supporting her mentally as she looked around. Jeremy could not help put wish it was his hand caressing her bare back like that. Katherine picked up on what the young man was feeling and she tipped her head and looked at Jeremy, a soft smile on her face as she tried hard not to laugh at his youthful eagerness.

The entryway was a huge room that had a wide curved stairway that led up to not only a second, but also to a third floor, with a balcony on each of them overlooking the front door below.

A heavy-looking chandelier hung from the ceiling far above and the floor was a mosaic tile with pictures of dragons worked into it. The walls are paneled with some dark wood, which shown beautifully. Jeremy led them through a door and down a hall with several doors opening off on either side. Then the hall opens into a sort of overgrown living room with a fireplace the size of the entire kitchen in the former incarnation of their place. There was comfy-looking modern furniture everywhere and TV, etc, but everything still had a very medieval atmosphere.

Ev and Rayden were cuddled together on a couch, and a beautiful tall and slender woman with long white hair was sitting on the opposite end of the couch talking with them. She wore an elegant low cut white gown that shimmered as she moved, with a pale blue trim around the bodice that accented her lovely eyes. Lord Greystoke and Gus were sitting on another couch, and they both stood up with Katherine walked into the room.

Katherine stopped when she entered the room and turned around, looking at everything in growing wonder. Connor had that *no comment* expression on his face as he tried to sort out what was going on in his mind. His face brightened up when he spotted Jathelle sitting on the couch with her son.

Rayden looks up and beamed at them. "What do you think? We needed more room, but we didn't want to move. This way we can have both!" He had that teasing gleam in his eyes. "Katherine, there's someone here I'd like you to meet. This is my mother, Jathelle."

Jathelle turned and smiled at Katherine, sending out the gentlest of mental touches. "I've heard a lot about you. It's so good to meet you."

Katherine turned to Jathelle, and for a second felt almost totally outclassed by her elegant beauty. She raised one eyebrow slightly as she looked from mother to son and back again. Remembering her manners, she dropped a graceful curtsey and said "It's nice to meet you too, my Lady". She tipped her head slightly to one side and reached out with her mind as well in response to Jathelle’s gentle mental touch.

Jathelle smiled with delight. To Rayden she said silently, ~ You're right! She is very talented! ~ Turning her attention back to Katherine she said out loud, "I think we'll get along wonderfully! I hear you can help Ev when the babies are born. That is so good to hear. I really don't know much about childbirth, even though I do have healing powers. Come sit!" Then she grinned at Connor. "You're looking very happy, Connor! I'm glad."

Katherine shot a quick glance at Connor and he blushed, knowing she has figured out that the two of them had had a previous *encounter* already. She turned back to Jathelle and smiled at her. "I'm glad to be able to help!" she said as she glanced over at the giggling Ev. Connor pulled Katherine close to him and smiled proudly at her. "My Lady here got an interesting proposition today." Rayden picked up on her happiness and looked up with interest, as did Ev. "What sort of proposition?"

Katherine was just about glowing with her elation as she answered. "Kimmer wants me to run her coffee shop for her!" Connor nodded, "She has it all arranged with Simon for Katherine to take over. We went by the afternoon and checked out the place after he gave us the keys."

"That's wonderful!! What a great opportunity! A great place to have singing and storytelling along with nice hot coffee", Ev smiled and hugged Rayden, since she couldn't reach Katherine.

Katherine just grinned broadly. "I have a picture in my head of what I would like it to be like, but the place will need a little work. It has been closed since Kimmer had to leave town."

Rayden grinned back. "I imagine we might be able to find a couple of people to help you out with whatever fixing you need to do."

Connor looks thoughtful for a moment. then said, "I will be there of course, but any other help will be welcomed, I’m sure."

Ev grinned at Connor and practiced a new skill she’d just learned. She thought to him, ~ I bet you have something in mind, don't you? Call me. ~

He nodded his head slightly to her, letting her know he received her message.

Katherine appraised her friends condition in one quick glance, thinking to herself it might not be to long before the little ones decide to make their entrance.

Ev picked up the look Katherine was giving her and couldn’t help asking, "What? You can tell something just by looking at me? What is it?" She was fascinated. She also noticed out of the corner of her eye that Rayden couldn’t take his eyes off of the petite immortal. The rest of the guys were in pretty much the same condition. "I've gotta say, you look great in that dress. You seem to have all the guys fascinated."

Katherine looked around the room at all the guys. Jeremy was looking at her with puppy dog like eyes in admiration. Gus was sitting with is his jaw dropped and mouth open wide as his gaze keep shifting back and forth from Katherine to Jathelle. Johnny sat relaxed though, a knowing and happy grin on his face. He thought she looked lovely in the gown but he was remembering the way she had looked the night before standing in the moonlight without anything on at all while she played the flute he had given her.

Katherine smiled back at him, then turned her attention back to Ev, crossing the room to sit beside her. "It looks like you have dropped a little. Are you finding it easier to breathe now?"

"Now that you mention it, yes! I've been able to eat almost a meal without heartburn since yesterday, too. What does that mean?" Rayden cuddled her closer, stroking her belly and kissing her cheek, as he looked at Katherine with interest, having caught John Clayton’s vivid mental memory of her.

"It means it may not be too long now. Are they playing soccer with your bladder right now?" she said as she reached out and touched Ev's belly, feeling the babies position. Rayden picked up a slight edge of concern from her as she did so but he said nothing.

"Not at the moment, but I do seem to need to stay a lot closer to the bathroom." Ev grinned. Then she picked up a hint that something may not be quite right. Connor in the meantime has crossed the room as well, stopping to rest his hand on Jathelle's shoulder, grinning at her as he watched Katherine, now acting the completely professional midwife.

Jathelle picked it up too. "Is something wrong, Katherine?" She can't help smiling as Connor's hand touched her, but her attention was on Ev and Katherine for the moment. She reached up and took Connor's hand, as though for comfort while she waited to hear Katherine's answer.

Katherine broadcasted support and reassurance to Ev, keeping her face composed and smiling, but inwardly she was concerned because the bigger baby was still turned sideways. She felt around a little more before carefully answering. "The lass is in position now. Her head is almost totally engaged. She will be the first one out into this world. The laddy might be a wee bit of a problem though if he remains sideways the way he is. But there is still time and he might turn on his own before labor starts."

Rayden didn’t seem concerned, but Ev had enough medical knowledge to take this very seriously. "A wee problem? What happens if he doesn't turn in time?"

Connor squeezes Jathelle's hand, trying not to broadcast his own concern at hearing this. Jathelle silently asked for and was given permission by Ev to sift through and see her medical information on the subject, then she carefully requested the same from Katherine, her eyes suddenly full of worry.

Katherine looked Ev in the eye and smiled encouragingly. "There are several things we can do to encourage him to turn on his own, especially once sis is out of the way." She felt Jathelle asking for the info, a little surprised to hear her words in her head but calmly accepting it. She opened up her mind and pictured some of the less stressful ways of turning the baby, but even the thought of those methods caused Jathelle to grow pale.

Ev fastened all her attention on Katherine. There had been a brief flare of annoyance with Rayden because he hadn't seemed to be taking this seriously. Everyone else in the room certainly was.

Katherine squeezed her hand gently, then looked at Rayden for a moment before shaking her head and smiling conspirately at Ev. "He still is clueless, isn't he?"

Ev chuckles and sighs. "Yes. Still. I don't know how he does it."

Jathelle chuckled. "He's a male. Doesn't matter if they're humans, gods, or whatever. They have some qualities in common. That seems to be one of them. Sometime I could tell you some stories......... well...... after the babies are born."

Connor chuckled, he has been around Katherine long enough not to be *clueless* even if the rest of the men in the room were. Katherine shot him a grin, not missing the fact that Jathelle still had his hand held tightly.

Ev hadn't missed anything that's going on with Connor and Jathelle either. She grinned and sighed, then took Rayden's hand and kissed it. "I still love you, even if you are clueless. You have a few other qualities that balance it out, most of the time." She turned to smirk at him. Jathelle couldn't suppress a chuckle.

Connor grinned back at Katherine, then glanced over at Johnny. Laughing softly to herself as she took the subtle hint from Connor, Katherine gave Ev a reassuring hug and walked over to Lord Greystoke. She sat down beside him as Connor sat down by Jathelle.

Rayden felt as though there's something he should have understood, but he's missed it. "Why do I feel like I'm being picked on?" he complained.

Johnny lifted his eyebrow at the turn of events that had Katherine at his side but he did not complain; instead he put his arm around her bare shoulders and drew Katherine close to him

Connor laughed out loud at Rayden's comment, while watching Katherine for any reaction as he pulled Jathelle close to him and gave her a big hug. "I am really glad to see you again."

Jeremy couldn't help looking longingly at Katherine and feeling a bit left out, but he brightened considerably when Katherine patted the empty space on the other side of her on the couch. Grinning happily he moved to the spot she had indicated He wanted to reach out and put his arm around her too, but there was something in the glance that John Clayton gave him that made him refrain from doing so. He sighed and leaned back onto the couch. Gus grinned at his young friend and shrugged his shoulders. He was thinking over some pleasant memories of someone he used to live with, while hoping dinner wasn't going too be much longer. In the meantime he was having a problem with trying to keep his eyes off Jathelle.

Katherine noticed Jeremy's frank adoration of her and smiled sweetly. She reached over and place her hand in his which caused him to almost melt with happiness.

Jathelle laughed softly as she said to Connor, "I'm glad to see you too! I'm so happy for you. It seems the two of you are very good together." She touched Connor's mind in the very lightest, gentlest way possible and saw the comfort and happiness in him, and just a hint of some of the trouble they'd been through. "It seems you've both helped each other."

"Aye lass, it just seems that when she is with me a missing part is restored" He smiled across the room at Katherine.

Jathelle smiled and nodded, a faraway look in her pale blue eyes. "I have someone like that. We're apart for now, but he'll be here to join us soon. Probably after the babies are born. I haven't seen him now in..........it must be............. Let's see............ about 1,000 years or so. And that last time was too brief." She sighed, unaware that everyone in the room is looking at her in interest and that Rayden is suddenly staring intently at her.

Katherine and Connor exchanged glances, as the little empath picked up on feelings of deep love, loneliness, regret and anticipation coming from Jathelle.

"So Theron will be here?" Rayden asked, still stroking Ev's belly. "It's about time! I've been asking him for a year now to come and at least meet Ev." He saw the puzzled expressions on the other’s faces, so he added, "I'm talking about my father."

Connor sat listening in interest, then chuckled to himself as he wondered if the father would be as interested in Katherine as his son was. Rayden suggested that they have dinner now and Ev was halfway up off the couch when the babies decided to wake up and get rowdy. Even through her lovely purple dress, the movement was visible. From her point of view, it was almost painful, as well. She sat back down, gasping a little to wait until they settled down.

Katherine looked up at her, feeling her discomfort. "Ev, remember that first stage breathing I taught you? Now would be a good time to practice it", she said reassuringly.

Rayden was on his knees in front of her almost instantly, resting his hands gently on her belly and whispering to the babies. Ev settled back and breathed slowly in and out, smiling as she heard a little of what Rayden is saying. Jathelle watched in fascination. She reached out mentally to learn what Ev was feeling and caught some of Rayden's fascination.

Katherine quietly counted for her as Ev breathed in through her nose and out through her mouth, focusing on a picture on the wall across the room, amazed at how much that seemed to help.

The guys watched with interest what is going on as they talked with each other in hushed voices. Katherine and Jathelle both have stopped talking to them, concentrating on Ev instead.

Suddenly Ev felt her whole belly tighten and harden, like a cramp. She's read about pre-labor contractions, but this was the first time she'd felt anything like this. She thought it was a little too early to have them just yet and she was hoping that's all it was.

Rayden was still down on the floor with his hands on her and felt her stomach tighten up. He could feel her discomfort and it surprised him. He looked up at her, but she had her eyes shut so he turned to Katherine with questions in his eyes.

Katherine had gotten up and was know kneeling by his side, elbowing Rayden firmly to make him move over a little. She placed her hands on Ev’s swollen belly, gauging the strength of the contraction. She crooned a little to the babies as she did so, keeping her hand there until it was over. She looked up and smiled up at Ev. "That was what is known now as a Braxton Hicks contraction. Your uterus will be doing this more and more in preparation for the real thing." She turned to Rayden and smiled. "It's ok. This is nothing, just a minor discomfort, easily controlled by proper breathing."

Now that it was over Ev sighed, wondering how bad the real thing was going to be. The babies didn't seem to like it, one of them gave her a nasty kick right under the ribs. "Ow!" she cried out.

Rayden stayed on his knees stroking her belly and looks up at her, his eyes full of concern and love. "Do you want to go lie down?" He rested his face on her belly and kept his eyes on hers. Jathelle was looking a little pale as she sifted through Ev's feelings and Katherine's vast experience in delivering babies. She had a lot to think about after what had just happened. It was clearer to her now why Ev was going to need someone there with her. This was going to be a much different experience from what she went through with Rayden.

Katherine patted the active baby moving around in its cramped quarters and said something to it in Gaelic before fussing at Rayden, "She's ok, don't overreact!" With that she jumped up quickly to her feet but lurched as the room suddenly wobbled around her. She had prevent herself from falling by reaching out and putting her hand on Rayden’s shoulder. He looked up at her in surprise. Katherine stood trembling as she unsteadily braced herself on Rayden's shoulder as he knelt on the floor. Both Connor and Johnny noticed the suddenly pale expression on her face and jumped up. Johnny makes it to her first, wrapping his strong arms around her to keep her upright as she gulped hard and tried to find her balance.

Ev grinned and winked at Johnny. "Good catch!" She gently reached out with her mind to Katherine. "When is the last time you ate, dear? You worry me!"

Katherine blushed a little. "Last night when John and I were at the Zoo. I must be a little woozy from the glass of wine Connor and I had when we got home to celebrate me getting the coffee shop. I guess I shouldn’t have drank that on an empty stomach"

"We'll fix that. Won't we, sexy?" She ran her fingers through Rayden's long white hair.

Rayden smiled into her eyes and kissed her cheek. He was so happy. He was surrounded by friends, his mother was there, and his lover was carrying his children, and they were soon to be born. He wanted to make all of them happy. "Yes, we will. Is everybody ready for dinner? We can try out the new dining room."

Connor grinned at Rayden and said "Sounds great! I'm starved!" he squeezed Katherine's hand and then went back over to were Jathelle was sitting, reaching out his hand to assist her up from her couch. Katherine arched an eyebrow at Connor as she stood with Johnny’s arms still wrapped tightly around her and giggled softly to herself, deciding that two can play at that game.

Ev giggled too as Rayden literally picked her up from the couch. She was basking in the happiness he was broadcasting to her and all the rest seemed to be happy too. It was so much fun watching the flirting. She thought to Rayden ~ You want to bet who's with who tonight? ~

Rayden stood her on her feet and snuggled against her back, kissing her and wrapping his arms around her. He thought back,~ My mother will certainly be enjoying herself tonight. I'm not sure with who yet ~

Gus maneuvered himself on the other side of Jathelle as Connor escorted her to the table. Not wanting to be outdone, Jeremy quickly moved to Katherine's side, feeling a little faint himself when she turned and smiled a radiant smile at him and reaching out to take his hand as well as Johnny's. Connor rolled his eyes at the love struck puppy look on Jeremy's face as they walk to the dining room but made no comment.

Ev got another attack of the giggles as she and Rayden lead the way to the dining room. She has to hold her belly when she laughed, but nothing could stop her. She was far too happy.

Rayden's eyes blazed with happiness as he helped Ev sit down at the table. He watched while everyone else sorted themselves out and picked a spot. He loved watching the flirting. If Ev didn't need him at her side all the time right now, he would be very tempted to flirt even more with Katherine than he had been.

The two women moved to the opposite sides of the table from each other, exchanging appraising glances. Jathelle's escorts almost knocked heads as the both tried to seat her. Connor shot a scathing glance at Gus, which he tried to ignore. This time its Jathelle's turn to giggle. She smiled at them both, her pale blue eyes glimmering softly. "No need to fight, boys. I'll be here for quite a while, you know."

On the other side of the table, John growled at Jeremy in a low tone as he sat Katherine like an alpha male warning off a pup who was in the way. The intense look in his eye made Jeremy back off slightly and shiver. This caused all the women at the table to break out in laughter at the blatant display of male hormones being displayed as they jockeyed for position around the ladies.

Rayden chuckled, glad that for once he was not the one being laughed at. Then he glanced at the table and place settings appeared in front of each of them. Lovely elegant gold-plated dishes and flatware and graceful gold-trimmed crystal goblets. And at each place is a miniature vase with a bouquet of violets and lily-of-the-valley and miniature roses. "I thought it would go with the place better than the usual things." He glances around at the elegant dining room. "If its too much, I can change it."

Katherine looked around the table in appreciation of Rayden's good taste. "I think it's lovely, sir" she said softly.

Ev reaches out to draw him close for a hug and a very warm kiss. "Its gorgeous."

Rayden nearly glowed with happiness. "Then let's have dinner!" Prime rib and baked potatoes suddenly appeared on the plates and a luscious salad appears in the bowls.

Something bubbly now sparkled in the goblets. "I thought we should have champagne for the first dinner in our new house. Would anyone like to do a toast?"

Connor and John both stood up at the same time, and they exchanged glances with each other momentarily before Connor deferred to Lord Greystoke’s rank and sat back down. John raised the goblet and said, "To friends! Both old and new."

Jathelle wasn't quite sure what a toast was, but she is sure this will be a great dinner from the lovely aroma she was smelling. Its the first time she has ever actually felt her stomach growl. Interesting sensation. She watched as everyone raised their glasses and clinked them together before taking a drink. Jathelle raised hers as well and drank when she saw else do it . The taste of the champagne was wonderful, and the bubbles tickled her nose. She has never had anything like this before and in the fun of the moment, she doesn't see that Rayden is barely tasting this wonderful stuff. Lovely custom! She smiled, waiting to see if there will be another.

Connor stood up next and raising his goblet. "And to lovers, both old and new", he grinned wickedly at Katherine who just shrugged as she took another sip of the champagne. It didn't taste as strong to her as the wine had and she thought she would be safe if she didn't drink to much of it.

Jeremy rose and made his own toast. "To Lady Katherine Dixon, may her new business flourish, and may she enjoy every moment that she puts into it." He sat down quite pleased with himself as everyone cheerfully responded to what he said and as Katherine smiled happily beside him. Connor cast a curious look at his goblet. He knew he should have drained a fair bit of by now but it still appeared full.

Jathelle giggled and drinks deep from her glass. She is delighted with the idea of toasts. She stood to her feet, just a trifle unsteadily, and raised her glass. Smiling at Ev and Rayden, she says "To new life and new beginnings."

Katherine knew that she was talking about the babies and smiled as she took another drink, starting to like Jathelle more and more as a person. But when Jathelle sat down and Connor gives her a peck on the check and another hug, a slight frown very fleetingly crossed Katherine's face. She quickly clamped down on what she was thinking though, not wanting anyone at the table to pick up what she was feeling.

Ev laughed and raised her goblet next, "I'm not standing to do this, but I have to do a toast." She smiles at Rayden and then around the table at her friends, "To the best friends I've ever had and to the most wonderful lover ever. Rayden, it doesn't matter to me whether you're a god, or a mortal or whatever, I would love you with all my heart and soul no matter what."

Everyone raised their glasses and said "hear, hear."

Katherine stood up slowly, hanging onto the edge of it to support herself as the room spun around her again. She looked around at everyone at the table. "To wonderful old times and exciting new experiences. May everyone here have someone to love you all the days of your lives." Johnny and Jeremy both reached up and helped her get back into her chair.

Rayden smiled at Ev, so happy he glowed faintly. He stood up as well and raises his glass and says, "To the love of my life."

Everyone smiled at Ev and toasted her with their champagne. Connor glanced over at Katherine, noticing she is no longer just taking very tiny sips of the champagne, but a good healthy swallow each time. He looked at his glass again frowning when he saw it was still full despite the large drink he had just taken from it himself.

Gus saw his chance and raised his glass. All eyes turn to him as he grinned at Jathelle and said, "To all the world's beautiful women, especially the three lovely ladies who are here with us tonight", to which all the men shouted, "here, here!".

Johnny reached out and turned Katherine to face him, and repeated the toast to her before kissing her gently. She didn't let it stay a gentle kiss, though. Throwing her arms around his neck she kissed him deeply.

Rayden smiled as he looked into Ev's eyes, glowing with happiness and his eyes sparkling. He couldn't resist taking Ev into his arms for the same type of kiss that was going on at one side of the table.

Gus leaned towards Jathelle. When she didn't seem to pull back and he got bolder. He reached out to gently stroke her cheek and then his lips met hers in a tentative kiss that deepened as she responded to him. When he broke the kiss and they separated, he was still stunned and he saw Ev stifling giggles as she looked in his direction.

In the meantime, Johnny deepened the kiss he is giving Katherine even more as Connor watched with an amused look on his face. He then tapped Jathelle on the shoulder and said "My turn!" Turning her around, he kissed her firmly, his hand entwined in her long white hair. He did not see the brief look of concern cross Katherine's face as she turned to watch what was going on.

She decided to stir things up by turning to Jeremy who is looking at her with adoring eyes. "Wa' ye be wanting a wee kiss too, laddie?" Her words came out slightly slurred and she had reverted back to her Scottish accent.

The young CLim gulped hard and his face turned beat red as all eyes turned to him, waiting for his answer, which came out as a stutter at first. With his voice so soft he could barely be heard, he managed to say, "I'd be honored to kiss you, Lady Katherine."

Connor chuckled his wicked little laugh at Jeremy. "Better watch out, boy. that little wildcat bites!" Katherine glared at him for a second before turning back to Jeremy and placing her hand behind his neck to pull his head to hers. Her open mouth crushed up against his and his eyes flew open wide in shock as she kissed him hard.

Eyebrows were going up all around the table as everyone watched. Connor just chuckled again and grinned at John Clayton who just shrugged. It soon very evident to all just how much passion she is putting into the kiss as she lost what little control she normally had of her emphatic transmissions. Both she and Jeremy were gasping for breath when she finally broke the kiss.

Jathelle and Rayden exchanged glances, some unspoken conversation going on between them, then he chuckled and turned to Ev for another kiss. Ev was happy to oblige him.

Jathelle smirked at Connor and then turned back and reached out to pull Gus closer for another kiss, making him blush almost as much as Jeremy had.

Katherine was sitting with her eyes closed, her head spinning even when while she was sitting now. She struggled to regain control but was not having any success. When she opened her eyes, she met Connor's intense gaze and she colored slightly and ducked her head, immediately closing herself off from him.

Jathelle grinned at Gus and noticed the serious expression on his face. She elbowed him in the ribs. "Hey! You have to smile or leave the table!"

Gus chuckled and grinned at her. "Its very weird. I haven't thought of that in a long time." His eyes danced with mischief. "I was thinking of what these plates might be worth to fence."

Ev heard Gus and giggled again. "You really don't get enough attention, do you?"

Jathelle was beginning to finally notice that she was having trouble focusing and sitting up straight and it seemed that nearly everything someone at the table said was funny. She found herself giggling and starting to slide right off her chair. Gus noticed and caught her before she could fall.

Connor shifted his gaze over to Gus and gave him a wolfish grin while putting his arm around Jathelle's shoulders to help steady her, in the meantime keeping an eye on Katherine, who was pretending to ignore what he was doing. Her face was flushed and she was weaving unsteadily in her chair. Connor thought to himself that if she didn't eat something real soon, he was going to have a very drunk and out of control Katherine on his hands. With that thought he stood up and reached across the table and took the glass from her hand. "You might want to slow down, Kat, this stuff will knock you on your pretty little buns."

Then to Rayden, he added, "And you might want to stop this never ending glass of champagne before we all get completely wasted!"

Gus just grinned and shrugged as he tried to scoot his chair over closer to Jathelle without being too obvious. Jathelle was having a hard time deciding which one to tease, but seeing Connor's growing concern for Katherine, she decided to focus in the other direction for the time being. She slipped her shoes off and lets one foot wander over to Gus and slide up his leg.

Rayden looked up from kissing Ev at Connor's caustic comment, and finally realizes what was going on. He looked over at Katherine, who was obviously having trouble sitting up despite Johnny's firm grip on her and then at his mother, who is leaning on Gus and behaving in a way he hadn't seen very often before. "I'm sorry. I've been somewhat distracted tonight."

The glasses sparkled momentarily and when they finished, there was lemonade in them. "I should have been paying more attention. You want to handle that one?" He nodded towards Katherine. "I'll deal with my mother."

Ev had noticed that her two women guests had been drinking a tad faster than might be a good idea for so early in the evening. Especially since neither one of them had ever had any experience with champagne before. "Why don't we eat now before the food is too cold? It smells so good." She gives Rayden a look and he made sure the meat and potatoes are nice and hot.

In the meantime Katherine's eyes had been flashing fire at Connor, but she remembered her manners and decided that they would have a wee conversation *later* about him treating her like a kid. Connor cringed for a second, recognizing that fierce look. He decided to try to reason with her.

"Katherine, honey. You really should eat something. Otherwise all the champagne you drank will go straight to your head and you know what happens then!" Katherine glared at him for a moment and retorted that she hadn't drank that much - the glass was still almost full. Connor then explained about Rayden's magical refilling goblets. She turned to question Rayden but gulped as the room started to spin in earnest around her. "I think you're right", she says with a lop sided grin while reaching for her fork.

Ev watched all this and sighed All she had was a little sip with each toast, the same way Rayden did. Johnny had barely touched his as well, so he was still sober but Jeremy was starting to look a little tipsy himself. Her stomach was growling with a vengeance, so she kept an eye on everything and started on the food.

Gus managed to pick up his fork and started to eat. The food was very good, but Jathelle's foot was distracting him as it explored higher and higher up his leg. He could feel that his face was getting red.

Rayden sent a mental inquiry to Gus, ~ You're not drunk, too, are you? ~ . Gus was feeling good but seemed to be all right. ~ Would you keep an eye on her for me? Just don't make her mad. She's still a goddess, even if she HAS had too much to drink ~ Then he turned back to Ev and they are immediately lost in each other again.

Connor looked at John with a *help me look*, John immediately responded by trying to encourage her to eat. But Katherine had now slipped fully into her stubborn mode and slapped away his hand. "Will you two stop treating me like a child!" she cried out. Connor looked stunned for a moment. "Katherine Patricia Ann Dixon! I have known you since just before you turned 16 years old and I have never, ever, treated you like a child", he growled at her, his eyes intense as he glared back at her. It was obvious to all that they were having a nonverbal battle of the wills between them.

Ev and Rayden were wrapped up on each other, feeding each other and giggling together. They knew what Jathelle was up to and keep glancing over to see what shade of red Gus' face has gotten to.

Gus decided maybe food would be a good idea for Jathelle, too. He cut a piece of the prime rib for her and teased her with it until she giggled and he finally popped it into her mouth. "Oh! That's good!" They keep on, giggling and talking softly, ignoring everyone else at the table, especially Connor and Katherine's mental battle.

Jeremy started on his food and watched curiously as the three couples at the table behave so differently. He caught Johnny's eye and they shrugged and smiled at each other.

Feeding off of Connor's growing anger, Katherine rose from the table and started to say something but all the color drained from her face and she collapsed. John caught her and eased her back to her chair as she trembled in his arms. "Make it stop!" she cried, looking like she was about to get very sick.

The battle of wills had become too much for Ev and Rayden to ignore. Rayden sighed. This wasn't the way dinner was supposed to be. He projected calm to Connor and Katherine, and walked over to take her hand to reinforce it. Then he spoke quietly to her. "Katherine, I'm sorry. I wasn't paying enough attention. I should never have allowed this to happen. What can I do to make it up to you?" He kissed her hand and projected as much peace to her as his talents allowed. She might have enjoyed that if she wasn't feeling so ill at the moment. Instead she pushed him away, her face a study in absolute misery.

Connor was at her side now and pulled her up into his arms, and nodded at Rayden. "She will be ok in a minute, I'm sure." He then asked where the nearest bathroom was. Johnny got up and led him to it as Connor carried the whimpering Katherine in his arms. Johnny came back shaking his head and chuckling. He looked at everyone at the table and smiled. "We made it in time. They will be back in a minute once she gets all that champagne out her system. And I don't think she will stay too mad at Connor. At least not after she if done chewing him out."

Rayden looked over at Jathelle and Gus giggling and feeding each other and rolled his eyes. Ev was eating like there's no tomorrow, making him grin. He turns to Johnny and said ruefully, "You see, things don't always turn out the way gods plan them, either."

Ev happened to look up at that point and giggle. "You're in for a whole lotta 'You ain't seen nothin' yet.' dear."

Johnny shrugged. "She just doesn't have any tolerance for alcohol. Some people are that way. It's not your fault". He then looks at Jeremy and smiled, "Connor is right about one thing though. Be careful, boy! She does bite!" He threw back his head back and roared with laughter as Jeremy sat there with a fork stopped half way to his mouth looking confused.

Ev, incredibly, had by this time finished all the prime rib on her plate and was working on her salad, but she couldn't help herself. Her eyes kept straying to Rayden's plate with all the stuff on it that he hadn't touched yet. "You planning on eating that?"

Just then Connor led a subdued and gray faced Katherine back in. John and Jeremy both rose from their seats as he sat her firmly down between the two of them. "Now eat!", he growled at her again. She mumbled "Yes, Captain" in a meek quiet voice which made everyone wonder exactly what conversation the two of them had in the bathroom.

Rayden couldn't help staring at Connor. He wasn't even sure he wanted to know what went on between them. He couldn't help a brief chuckle, which he quickly stifled, before handing over half the food on his plate to Ev.

Katherine started to eat, picking at her food slowly, then deciding it might stay put after all. She started to eat in earnest, still not looking at anyone. Connor returned to his side of the side of the table. He glanced up at Rayden and explained, "We've had a few battles before. Sometimes she wins. Sometimes I do. It all evens out in the end."

Rayden considered this as he studied Katherine. She did seems to be feeling better finally. He turned back to Connor. "Ev and I have never really fought. There have been disagreements, but nothing more. I don't know what that's like." He smiled at Ev, as she finally stopped eating and sat looking sleepy.

Katherine mumbled something under her breath which made John break out in laughter again. When Connor looked at him with a questioning look he just shrugged and said, "She said you may have won the battle but the war is far from over!" Connor just chuckled to himself, liking the show of spirit that had returned to her.

Ev chuckled and grinned at Katherine. "You know the two of you are welcome to stay here tonight, if you want."

Rayden joined in. "Yes. All the bedrooms have their own fireplace and full bathroom with a jacuzzi. And whatever else you want."

Katherine pushed her plate away, deciding she had enough. Connor caught Jeremy's eye and asked him to go give her a private tour of the house. Katherine looked at him intently, but he has his *no comment* look on his face as he replied, "Sounds great! we would love to stay." He watched Jeremy escort Katherine out of the room and he sighed with relief. "There is something I want to ask you Ev."

Suddenly Ev was alert and paying full attention to Connor. "Certainly. What?" She couldn't imagine what he was going to ask. Even Jathelle looks up from her giggling with Gus in interest.

"You know I used to act as the assistant for the CLim affairs before you took over. Well, Katherine is planning on renovating that coffee shop all by herself, but I think it would be better for her if as many people who could showed up to help, like an old fashioned barn raising. It would really make her feel good about herself and truly at home here." He looked at Jathelle, considering whether or not he should tell her what he wanted to say. "She also told me in the bathroom that she feels a little threatened by you, hon. She doesn't see how she can even begin to compete against a goddess. That was probably the reason she wasn't paying much attention to how much she was drinking."

Jathelle couldn't help being surprised. "Connor, could you please tell her that I have someone I love and that nothing between the two of us was ever more than play to me. I hope that doesn't hurt your feelings. I would never want to hurt her. I like her."

Ev was thinking while Jathelle replied and spoke up herself. "You want a group thing, hmmm...... We could invite all the CLims who would like to come help. There are all of us, Carol with her two guys. Katherine hasn't met Carol, Mullard and Monroe yet. There's Father Alec. Lemiuex, Dani, Jeremie, and Fred.

"It doesn't hurt my feelings Jathelle. I knew that from the beginning. And Katherine really likes you too." Connor ssaid quietly. He looked over at Ev and smiled. "Yes! That's want I had in mind. A 'calling all CLims' invite. I will even supply all the pizza and beer!"

"Oh! And there's John, Jack, Paul, Sal, Peter, and Hudson. So many guys. I wonder how many can make it?" Ev was already planning, her eyes unfocused and faraway as she talked.

Johnny chuckled on the other side of the table. "Count me in. I will twist Hudson's arm too. He still owes me big time for that time he interrupted me and Katherine in the aviary."

Gus was watching Jathelle, not quite listening to the conversation until Jathelle gives him a mental push. "Oh! Yes! I'll be there!"

Rayden grinned and smiled at them all. "It should be a very interesting day. I wouldn't miss it." He smiled to himself as he "read" everyone around the table.

Just then, they heard the musical sound of Katherine's laughter as the two of them walked back into the room. She looked much better now and was acting a little giggly and had a smug look on her face. Jeremy blushed beat red she reached up to pull his head down and nibbled on his ear before sitting back down.

He shot Connor an almost panicky look that left the Highlander shaking his head. From the look on Katherine's face he had a feeling something had gone on besides just a guided tour.

Ev couldn't help giggling at Jeremy's red face. "Oohh!! Jeremy! Having fun?"

Jathelle, leaning heavily against Gus by now, started reading Jeremy and after a brief giggle, pulled Gus down for a long kiss. She felt Rayden nagging at her mentally, but chose to ignore it. She was having way too much fun.

Ev sighs happily and leans back in her chair. She takes Rayden's hand and thinks to him, ~ Looks like Jathelle has a chosen victim for tonight. Is she going to be all right? Is he? ~

Katherine looked around, as if she is trying to make up her mind. She looked at Johnny, who faked a yawn. Connor chuckled and shrugged his shoulders non-commitedly. She then looked at Jeremy, who managed to look like he was about to faint. She then turned to Rayden with a mild disgusted look on her face and grumbled to herself, "And you're not available either! Hmmmppphhh!" She sat back and pretended to pout.

That set Ev and Jathelle to giggling again. Finally Rayden had to take Ev onto his lap to be sure she won't fall out of her chair. Then he grinned over at Katherine and sent just one brief message. ~ You mean not available YET! ~

This caused her to raise an eyebrow and she studied him intently for a moment, trying to see just how much of that comment was pure tease. He could feel her untrained but strong mental talents focus and push against his mental barriers.

He lowered the barriers just a bit and let her see just a bit. He didn't want to overwhelm her, just to know that he wasn't really teasing, and enough to show her that she could feel safe around him. He kept a close watch on her reactions to be sure it wasn't too much for her.

Jathelle knew what was going on. She grinned at them both and at Ev to see her reaction. She was immensely pleased to see that Ev wasn't bothered one bit, although she understood what was happening too. It was a good thing to like the mate her son had chosen. She was a good choice.

To Rayden's surprise, Katherine just nodded, her eyes bright and clear as she accepted all he was willing to show her. ~ Till then ~ She said mentally. It felt like a soft butterfly's kiss on his mind.

Ev sighed and grinned at her lovely god. She was so happy. "Hey, Cutie, when's dessert? Shouldn't we have that now, before other things start happening?" She glanced in the direction of Gus and Jathelle.

"Dessert would be good." Katherine said evenly. It seemed that she was recovering fairly quickly for one that had been so intoxicated not that long ago. One of the quirks of being an immortal probably.

Connor agreed with her, as he grinned at Jathelle and Gus necking like two teenagers. He then met Katherine's eye and she wet her lips, an inviting look in her eye which caused him to chuckle again.

"I'm not dessert, girl!!" He roared with laughter.

Rayden chuckled and smiled at the two of them. He saw that everyone is in agreement and said. "Dessert, coming right up." The surface of the table shimmers and all the dishes seem to evaporate into a cloud of miniature lightning. Then new dishes appeared containing strawberries and whipped cream with a generous helping for each of them.

He chuckled at Connor. "Maybe you're the midnight snack?" He suggested, helpfully.

Katherine reached for a bowl and popped a strawberry in her mouth sucking on it with a wicked grin on her face. Connor laughed. "Naww, she had her appetite whetted last night with our friendly neighborhood jungle man over there. Tonight I'll be the main course. Good thing I'm Immortal! And you, boy, will most likely end up as dessert tomorrow!" He said, teasing Jeremy unmercifully.

Jeremy grinned, his face flushing again, but he couldn't help watching Katherine. He licked his lips unconsciously at the thought of it, making most of the people at the table chuckle at him.

John looked over and joined in the teasing. "Or she just might play with all three of us tonight! How does that sound Katherine?" She looked a little startled at the suggestion, then that wicked little grin spread across her face again telling them she was seriously considering it. Connor just rolled his eyes up and shook his head. It looked like another interesting night was in store for them all.