Ev hung up the phone and turned to Rayden. "Katherine and Connor are on their way over. This the big night for her lessons?" She grinned at her white-haired god. "Yes. That will be tonight." He kissed her and ran a hand through her hair, messing it up.

Katherine clung to Connor's hand as they walked over, feeling a little nervous. Jathelle had prepared her some for what was going to happen while she had been giving her the basic lessons of controlling her emotional emissions but she still didn't quite know what to expect. The last week had been hard on her, Connor had not spoken of the *mortal* issue for a couple of days now and Katherine hoped that he would ask any questions that he had while they were over there. They walked up to the door, and rang the doorbell.

Ev and Rayden raced each other to the door, laughing. He let Ev win this time. "Hi! Come on in!" Ev grinned and giggled as she opened the door. "I guess you're all nervous, hm, don't be. Really, it'll be fine." She gave Katherine a hug, then turned to Connor and gave him one as well, along with a big kiss on the cheek. Rayden stood by grinning at them. "She's been almost too happy since the babies were born." He grinned at Katherine. "You are ready for tonight, aren't you? Jathelle says you've been doing well."

Katherine nodded her head solemnly; she had no problem being with Rayden, but the idea of him messing around in her head still scared her a little "Ready as I ever will be," she said as she glanced up at him. Connor squeezed her hand which was still clutching his and he grinned at her and said, "Still don't know why I'm supposed to be here for this!"

Jathelle entered the room, finally, wearing jeans for the first time, with a silk shirt. She grinned at Connor. "You don't know why you're here?" She chuckled and made a mental comment to Ev that had her giggling.

Connor did a double take when he looked at Jathelle and then chuckled as the anvil hit. "Alright Ev," he said with a grin. "What are you up to now?"

Ev giggled at him again. "Moi? So suspicious, Connor." She cuddled up against Rayden and whispered in his ear. "Ask them to call Johnny over. I wanna play too!"

Rayden reached over and mussed her hair again. "Yes, dear!" He teased. Then he grinned at Connor. "Women are all alike, aren't they?"Jathelle raised an eyebrow over that remark, but didn't say anything.

Connor just shrugged, deciding anything he said would get him into hot water. "I was hoping to talk with you though about the proposal you had for me and Katherine," he said as he looked back at Rayden, a serious look on his face.

Rayden smiled. "Of course. Let's go to the living room and be comfortable." He grinned at Ev practically danced down the hallway. "What did you want to ask?"

Glancing over at Katherine he said quietly, "I went and talked to Giles today, Kat." She cringed when he said that and looked down at the floor, not wanting to met anyones eyes.

Jathelle was instantly alert to the conversation. Katherine hadn't yet told her what Giles had said. Now she knew it was something that wasn't very good. Ev calmed down and studied her friend's face. "What did he say, Kat?" She reached out to hold her hand.

Katherine sighed deeply "The results weren't that good. no hips" Connor reached out and hugged her, whispering to her that as far he was concerned her hips were perfect. Then looking up he told them all "The doc thinks she will most likely end up having to have a c-section. She is just too small"**

Jathelle sent mental questions to Ev and sat quietly with a thoughtful look on her face while Ev gave Katherine a hug. "That's not so bad! What's important is not how the baby is born, its that you have one. Right, Connor?" She studied the Highlander's face. Rayden watched them both, offering mental support to them and waiting to hear what Connor would say.

"I know that. I'm just concerned about her safety. that's all" he said, reaching out to squeeze Katherine's hand tightly.

Jathelle finally spoke up. She had gone over a number of things in her mind in a very short span of time. "There really won't be much to worry about, Connor. I will be close by for any healing she might need, especially afterwards, and you, Rayden and most of the rest of the town will be watching over her, too."

Rayden smiled at his mother then turned to Connor. "Exactly! No one has ever had more people watching over her. She'll be fine. And just imagine how happy you will both be afterwards. Your own child!" He smiled. "I never knew how wonderful that would be!"

Connor nodded his head and grinned at Rayden before turning back to Jathelle. "That is what I've been thinking too. But I still have some apprehensions about all this. Maybe you and I can talk more about it after Kat and Rayden go do their thing together."

Ev giggled and poked Rayden in the ribs. He chuckled at her and said, "Ev is wondering if Johnny is busy tonight. She's been almost too much even for me, since she's been recovered from the babies." He ducked, laughing, as she aimed a pillow at his face.

Katherine smiled at the two of them and walked over to the phone and dialed her number. "John, darling? Come on over next door will you?" she paused as she listened. "None of your never mind. this is your OIC talking. Get that tail of yours over here." she hung up the phone and giggled. "Just don't let him get you near any trees" she said with a wicked grin on her face.

Ev giggled. "Not me! I'll keep him so busy, he won't remember what a tree IS! Until tomorrow, anyway." She stuck out her tongue at Rayden. Jathelle shook her head and grinned. "It's a good thing Sarah Jo is taking care of the babies for tonight. You have entirely too much energy." She turned and studied Connor's face, wondering how much talking they would be doing and how much of other things.

Rayden grinned at Katherine, his eyes sparkling in complex patterns even Ev was having a hard time following. "Are you ready? I have a place in mind where we won't be interrupted during your lessons." He raised an eyebrow and gave Ev one brief look when she snickered over his choice of words.

Katherine gave Connor one last hug and then walked over to Rayden. "Let's go then!" Connor blew her a kiss as he reached out to hug Jathelle to him "Have fun!" he said with his funny little laugh.

Rayden winked at Ev and gave Connor a little grin before he and Katherine disappeared in a shower of controlled lightning.

Jathelle smiled at Connor and snuggled against him. "I have a place in mind that we won't be disturbed, either." She grinned. "Is that all right with you, or do you have something in mind?" She chuckled at Connor's expression and the two of them disappeared as well.

Ev sighed and started to reach for the TV remote, but the doorbell rang. She skipped down the hall and giggled as she let Johnny in. "What took you so long? Come on in!" John Clayton looked around and saw he was the only one around. Then a broad smile crossed his face and he reached out to pull Ev to him.

When Rayden and Katherine reappeared, they were in his mountain cabin. It was inaccessible except by magic. He immediately started a fire in the fireplace. "Why don't we have a little dinner first? This could be a long, tiring evening."

"If you want, but I'm not really that hungry," some of the stress she had been through since Connor's return slipped through her control. Looking around, she said" Wow! this is a really nice place!"

"I like this place. The view here reminds me of some very special places in my past." He led her to the window. It was obvious that they were VERY high. There were no trees in sight and the clouds were practically on a level with the top of the window. The mountains that were visible below the clouds were truly spectacular.

Katherine was very aware of the Rayden's strong male presence as he stood next to her pointing out the scenery. She felt her breath quicken and her heart start to beat faster. This was the first time they had ever been completely alone together.

He felt her nervousness and projected reassurance to her. "Let me show you the rest of the place. I've tried to think of everything someone might want for a weekend. There is TV and a VCR, music..... There are lots of tapes and things here. The kitchen isn't huge, but it has nearly everything. I make sure it has all the favorite foods of whoever is using it. He grinned as Katherine looked at the things he had put there for her.

He sensed that she was beginning to relax a little more. "Down the hall is the bedroom. It has a fireplace and everything I could think of to make it comfortable." At the moment, the fire there, was just a small one, to take the chill off. There was a large white bearskin in front of it. The bed was large and cozy-looking.

Then he led her to the bathroom. It was about the same size as the bedroom. It had its own fireplace and a huge tub. A collection of scented oils was arranged on a shelf near it and a window gave not only light, but the lovely view. "What do you think?" He grinned at her.

Katherine was getting a kick of how proud Rayden was of his little mountain hideaway. Somehow it reminded her of a little boy showing off his marble collection to her and it made her giggle. But as they walked into the bathroom the giggle turned into a "Oh wow!"

He grinned. Really, this room was the one he was proudest of. The others were a lot like other places he had been, but he had really put a lot of thought into the bathroom. It had everything he could think of to make it really nice. "You approve? I'm glad. I like this room." His eyes glittered softly with delight.

"This is great!" she said as she looked around the room. Then her eyes shining with a bit of mischief in them, she motioned to the tub with a little tilt of her chin. "I don't suppose we can try it out?"

He grinned, mischief dancing in his eyes, too. "Of course. That's why it's here." He paused, and took her hand. "You sure you don't want to eat first? I don't want to rush you."

She was starting to feel hungry but it wasn't for food. Looking up at him, her tongue moistened her lips just slightly and she moved up close to him. "I'm fine, really I am"

Rayden gently slid one arm around her and bent a little to kiss the top of her head. Katherine moved into his embrace, and snuggled up close. Her nervousness was fading away rapidly. As he held her, she allowed her mind to open like Jathelle had taught her. He smiled and drew her against his chest, looking into her eyes and gently showing her in his mind some of the lessons he was planning to teach her and how they would need to be taught.

Katherine's eyes opened wide with surprise. then a bright smile crossed her face and she giggle. "So that is why Jathelle said you had to do the next bit of teaching!"

He grinned. "It would be difficult to teach you how to keep the mental emissions to yourself without doing the thing that sets them off. I hope you won't mind too much." His eyes glittered with mischief.**

DKirckof: "Not at all!" she said with a soft purr to her voice. Then pulling herself out of his embrace, she crossed over to the tub and started to fill it with hot water.**

Scrnsmth2: He quietly watched her for a minute, just smiling and thinking. Then, with a glance, he got the fire going hotter to warm the room more. "What oil would you like? If I don't have what you want, just ask."**

DKirckof: "heather" she said without hesitation as she leaned over to test the water. Then she stood up and pulled the top she was wearing over her head, glancing up to see his reaction.**

Scrnsmth2: He was grinning and watching her, pleased that she wasn't nervous any more. A bottle of the oil she requested appeared in his hand and he poured some into the water. The scent instantly filled the room. It was perfect. He returned his gaze to her and licked his lips.**

DKirckof: she had managed to slip off her skirt while he had poured the oil into the water and now she stood before him wearing nothing but a lacy pair of panties. It was not the first time he had seen her body, but the other time had been when she had been lost in her nightmares. she did not remember that of course.**

Scrnsmth2: He drank in the sight of her and zapped away first his shirt, then the jeans and stood before her in some sensuously soft, silk boxers with lightning bolts on them. He glanced down at the silly things and chuckled before zapping them away.**

DKirckof: katheine threw her head back and laughed sweetly. Then she pushed the panties off and stepped into the tub, keeping her eyes on him.

DKirckof: "Well?" she asked "Are you going to join me?"**

Scrnsmth2: He chuckled. "What do you think?" He stepped into the tub and as he did, every level surface of the bathroom seemed to suddenly bloom with candles, scented with heather to match the oil. He took her into his arms and bent down to kiss her, his lips gently meeting hers, and his tongue lightly exploring her lips.**

DKirckof: "Hmmmm" was all she was able to get out as his mouth met hers. She reached her and entangled his long hair in her hand as she accepted the gentle kiss and then pushed for more.**

Scrnsmth2: His tongue slid into her mouth, tasting everywhere, while his hands stroked her back. He very carefully eased her down into the warm, scented water where he drew her closer into his arms, letting her feel his body against hers, with the oil lending an extra dimension of sensation to their skin.**

DKirckof: she felt so tiny compared to Ev. Everything about her seemed to be frail and delicate, but yet strong at the same time. Katherine was beginning to respond to his embrace, her mind becoming more and more open to him.**

Scrnsmth2: He opened his mind to her as well. Words were inadequate to the things he was trying to convey. With an effort, he controlled his body, which by now was quite ready for other things than a lesson. He concentrated on exactly the things he had planned earlier to tell her and was very pleased at how quickly she learned.**

DKirckof: As their minds became one, Katherine could see the paths of control she would need to learn to follow. It was time for the next step of the lesson.**

Scrnsmth2: Rayden gently moved them both so that Katherine was on his lap in the water. As she wrapped herself around him, he trembled slightly, then very slowly, teasing until she was making little noises in protest, he entered her, making them both moan a little. He forced himself to concentrate again and went on with the lesson.**

DKirckof: kat was responding a little too fast for what he wanted to do.Suddenly he remember something from a movie he had watched with Ev one night. With a chuckle, he caused a cd to appear out of nowhere on the player.** (bolero)

Scrnsmth2: She understood the hint and slowed down to open her mind to the lesson again. He helped her to understand that once she had learned this, the intensity of sex would be even more than before and it would become easier not to broadcast, as she was having a better time.**

DKirckof: Her body and his moving slowly to the seductive rythmns of Bolero. she allowed him full and total access to her inner most being. As her pleasure mounted he was there in her mind, helping her to control and to focus the pleasure she was feeling. The seconds turned into minutes, the minutes turned into hours, as the two of them slowly and maddenly built the tempo up.**

Scrnsmth2: As she understood more and more of the lesson, he opened his mind more and more to her, giving her access to things that few but Ev had ever seen. There wasn't much more he could teach her for this lesson. He let the tempo increase, bringing them maddeningly close.**

DKirckof: her mouth devouring his, katherine felt his leave to let herself go and she responded quickly unitl her pleasure exploded inside his mind and echo into his body as she followed the focus paths he had taught her.**

Scrnsmth2: He responded with an overwhelming physical pleasure that took his breath away and left them both gasping for air and clinging to each other, totally spent and deeply satisfied.**

DKirckof: Katherine collasped against his chest as he held her on his lap with him still inside her. Gradually her breathing slowed and she drifted off into sleep in his arms.**

Scrnsmth2: (Sure.)

Scrnsmth2: He smiled and very gently stroked her head. Then he began to wonder what Ev was up to. Still gently holding Katherine, as she slept, he connected with Ev, by their bond. He suppressed a chuckle. One of the bedrooms was going to need some serious cleaning tomorrow. They were into the ice cream and strawberries. With chocolate sauce.

DKirckof: *snicker*

Scrnsmth2: She was licking Johnny like a giant popsicle and he seemed to be very much enjoying it.**

Scrnsmth2: (She's feeling really great since the babies have been born. <giggle>)

Satisfied that his mate was having a grand time with John Clayton, he allowed his mind to wander till it touched Jathelle's.**

Jathelle nearly made him laugh. It seems he had very bad timing. She had convinced Connor to go ahead with it and she would bring him there in the morning to do the transformations, before he had any time to change his mind. Then she gently but firmly told Rayden to get lost.

Katherine stirred in his lap and looked up at him with sleepy eyes, calling out Connor's name softly. Then realizing who she was with suddenly became instantly awake. Grinning up at him she said, "Mind if we move to the bedroom, I'm getting a little waterlogged here!"

He kissed her forehead. "Your wish is my command." They disappeared in a shower of sparks from the bathroom, which simultaneously was deprived of its candles and had the lights off and the fire burning low. They reappeared in the bedroom on the luxurious white bearskin. Not a drop of water had moved with them. They were completely dry and cozy in front of the fire. "How's this?" He murmured into her ear.**

DKirckof: Her answer was to reach up and pull his head down to hers, kissing him deep and hard. Her little nap had completely revived her and she was ready for another round.**

Scrnsmth2: He held her close and returned the kiss, finally pulling back enough to look into her eyes. "Do you think you're ready to solo?" He chuckled deep in his throat, his eyes sparkling gently into hers.**

DKirckof: She grinned wickedly at him and pushed him hard back onto the rug. "Sure!" she said and she leaned onto his chest and pushed back his long white hair so she could nibble on his ear.**

Scrnsmth2: He grinned. "Connor warned me about you." He brushed a lock of hair from Kat's face and winked at her. "Are you enjoying your lessons?"**

DKirckof: "Very much so!" she said with a grin. "Now lie still and behave yourself and let me play!" with that she began a systematic assault on his body with her tongue and her mouth. He allowed her to feelwhat her attentions

DKirckof: had accomplished in his body. Working her way down his body, she concetrated on nothing but making him feel pleasure.**

Scrnsmth2: He laid back, letting every muscle in his body relax into the white fur and drank in the sensations. He let his body respond without his conscious control. The only sound he made was something between a purr, a moan, and a sigh. **

DKirckof: She showered his hard belly with tender kisses, teasing him by sticker her tongue in his belly button as her hands expertly explored the lower regions of his body.**

Scrnsmth2: He was beginning to tremble. His body ached to be inside her, but he forced himself to be still. Her hands and tongue were setting him on fire.**

DKirckof: Sensing his need for her, Katherine straddled him and positioned her self maddingly close to where he wanted to be. Then very slowly she lowered herself down until he was completely encased within her.**

Scrnsmth2: He moaned softly as she lowered herself. His hands reached out to her and gently stroked her shoulders, gradually moving lower until his hands cupped her breasts. It was taking nearly all his concentration not to let his hips move, but he sensed that she had something in mind.**

DKirckof: She started to move, sliding up and down, setting up a smooth and steady rythmn as her mind actively sought out the paths of control he had taught her earlier. He could feel the pleasure her body was feeling beginning to wash over him like a shower of warm summer rain.**

Scrnsmth2: There was a brief flicker of a plan that he needed to teach this to Ev, but the pleasure erased all thought. His hips began to move to her rhythm, and his breathing was changing. She was very good at this....... He moaned a little.**

DKirckof: A soft chuckle escaped her lips as she started to speed up the tempo, merging her pleasure with his in both of their minds. This times was different though. Instead of uncontrolled *leakage*, what she was feeling was now being deliberately focused and sharpened, then shared with him wholeheartedly.**

Scrnsmth2: One corner of his mind was pleased and proud that she had learned so well and so quickly. The rest of him was building towards a peak of excitement that was so intense, it was almost painful.**

DKirckof: Katherine leaned forward and wrapped her arms around his neck and allowed him to flip her over onto her back as she whispered "Now!" into his ear.**

Scrnsmth2: He took over the rhythm from her and within seconds, drew them both over the edge, spasming together, lost in each other's pleasure.**

Scrnsmth2: (I'm gonna need a cold shower!)

DKirckof: Katherine lay underneath him with her fingertips gently caressed his shoulders and back as he pinned her down with his collasped body, her eyes closed as she basked in the afterglow of their lovemaking, Glancing up he saw a smug look on her face. "Not bad, huh, teach?"**