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[Sometimes immortality sucks at the wrong moment.] Adam thought. He flicked the switch, the house was once again darkened, but the shimmer of the moon and the faint glow of the falling snow dimly illuminated the bedroom where Gypsy lay, fast asleep.
If Adam were forced to name a fault of Gypsy's, it would be the fact that she fell asleep straight after sex. No sooner than their bodies were disjoined and Adam had left the bed, she curled up in an almost fetal position and drifted off into a deep slumber. It still brought a smile to his face whenever he thought about the 'quickies' that had just occurred between them during their time together; it was short, simple, and to the point, but in the end, she was too exhausted to do much more. She would have to catch a nap for several minutes before even attempting to move again. He guessed that even orgasm had its price, no matter how ironic, on the body. Yet, Adam loved to watch her sleep. She looked so innocent and lovely, at rest and at peace, without any worries of life surrounding her. He quietly slipped back into the bed and pulled the covers up and over their bodies. He would lie awake that night, looking out through the window and at the falling snow. It had once been fierce and blowing, now gently falling and drifting from the darkened clouds above.
Adam didn't know when he drifted off to sleep that late night, but when he awoke in the late morning, the sun almost mid way up in the sky, he would learn some more things about my precious Gypsy. He woke with a sudden shiver and he looked around him, he would have seen a sight that is familiar to him now… Gypsy, her cherubic face nestled by his shoulder, her body curled tightly together, hugged close to him and that some time during the night, she had rolled her still nude self into a tight ball will all of the covers wrapped around her, from head to toe. He had gotten used to that unconscious habit of hers quickly. He woke up a few hours before dawn and tossed a few of the covers to the floor before being able to drift back off into a dreamless sleep. Gypsy woke a few minutes later and grabbed another blanket off of the rack near the closet. Then she crawled back into bed.
Patti Hill's Apartment.
Seacouver.
December 25, 2003.
11:00 am.
Adam could distinctly remember that it was sometime after ten in the morning when he lifted up Gypsy's limp arm off his chest, slipped out of bed, and into the adjoining bathroom. Even after the noises of the shower, his angel, as he now loved to call her, slept soundlessly. Had it not been for the fact that her chest slowly rose and fell, one could mistake her as being lifeless. The small 4-foot Christmas tree was still glowing its red, green, and yellow colors in the living room. Presents from her adoptive family were still tucked under her tree; their flight had been canceled due to snow conditions, but they had thought ahead, just in case and sent their gifts for her early. Gypsy had sent hers on the same day they sent theirs.
Even the frying and the smell of a late Christmas breakfast fit for Saint Nick, did nothing to raise the slightest reaction from Gypsy. After the half hour or so of preparation, the meal was set and Adam sat idle at the kitchen table. Now, call it what you may, but Adam always thought that the girl was supposed to have awakened already on the first morning together and make him breakfast. Of course, he was still a bit new at this with Gypsy and there was nothing to do but live and learn.
"Morning," a voice yawned. Adam turned around to see Gypsy let out a long yawn, stretched her arms out over her head, and then she disappeared into the bathroom. She wore a cotton red bathrobe tied together with long sashes around the waist.
"Hey, there. You sleep well," Adam asked in the general direction of the bathroom door. "You know this is almost lunch."
"Wonderful on both counts," Gypsy said opening the door a crack as she brushed her teeth, then she shut the door.
A few minutes later, hair and teeth brushed, Gypsy crossed the small hall into her kitchen. She smiled as she made him bend down to peck his cheek and wrap her arms around his neck. The smells of a warm, late breakfast/early lunch floated around her nostrils, bringing life back into her almost immediately. She caught him off guard when she jumped up into his arms and wrapped her legs around his waist like a flying squirrel hugs a tree.
"Hey, Adam, when did you get up," she asked, already looking more animated.
"Not long ago. I just got up and decided to make some food," was his reply.
"Just got up, huh," she asked, amused. "Don't tell me. I hogged the covers again, right?"
"Okay I won't. Just as long as you know what happened," Adam said, laughing along with her. Gypsy let go of the tall tree.
"Sorry," she said, sweetly. "It's just that, you know, living alone for so long, I just figured that if no one's next to me, why waste all that warmth?"
"I can't blame you," Adam said as she sat down at the card/dining table, already piling some food on the plate in front of her.
"Mmm… Lukewarm," she mumbled after her first bite. "Why didn't you wake me?"
"I wanted to," he said, "But you looked so pretty in bed, it would have been a sin to wake you."
"You're so sweet. Besides, this is the first time I've had a real breakfast in a long time. So much better than a cold bagel on the run," Gypsy said, stuffing a fork full of eggs into her mouth and chewing slowly. He returned to his seat with two cups of coffee, Gypsy had already piled some food onto his plate as well, and they began eating silently together and Adam couldn't help but smile as they ate.
[We're having breakfast together…] Adam thought. [Yeah, I know what that means.]
Ah yes, among several other moments, that morning together would be something unforgettable. Adam still smiled at the thought of her foot rubbing against his leg under the table as they ate. He still felt the sensations as she gave him a loving and premiere blowjob at the kitchen table. Adam laughed as he remembered the panic that flowed through their systems as the doorbell rang and they scrambled from the couch where his head was nestled between her legs. He still felt the awkwardness of meeting Duncan and Joe as she opened the front door in a bathrobe and he having just zipped back up. Adam still blushed at seeing Duncan and Joe, the confused, but all too knowing of their status, greetings, and pleasantries. Adam was going to stay with Gypsy for the day and they did enjoy a joyous time of their post-Christmas family celebration.
Duncan and Joe stayed a few minutes to chat a minute and return Adam's coat to him. Joe and Duncan obviously had no doubt that Adam was "having relations with the new waitress. She had that certain glow and Joe pulled Adam aside later during the opening of Gypsy's gifts from her family to have a watcher-to-new-boyfriend talk with him.
"You haven't told her yet have you?"
"No. You two kind of put a kink in my plan."
"Would you like us to go?"
"Yeah, and I'll catch up with you later."
"Ok."
"Thanks for understanding."
"No problem man."
"If you will excuse us Gypsy, Duncan, we're leaving. I need a lift back to the bar. I forgot something that needs to be taken care of now."
"Well ok Joe. It was nice to see you again Gypsy."
"You too Duncan."
Patti Hill's Apartment.
Seacouver.
12:30 p.m.
Gypsy followed them to the door and closed it after they left. Suddenly she felt the hairs stick up on the back of her neck. Something was wrong and she felt it in the air.
"Gypsy, could you come here a minute and have a seat?"
"Sure. What's wrong Adam?"
"We have to talk."
"Oh," Gypsy looked at the floor, "You've got a girlfriend, you're married, you're separated, you're getting divorced, you don't want to leave her for the sake of the children, do you have children?"
Adam smirked as he heard her run through all the various scenarios that she could've imagined.
"Oh god, please don't tell me you're gay, and that last night was your last romp in the sack with a woman."
Adam laughed out loud, "Stop Gypsy, stop. I'm not gay."
"That's a relief. I couldn't live with myself after what we did last night to find out you were… Lord I'm rambling."
"That you are," Adam says as he takes a very sharp knife out of the knife block.
"You're not going to kill me are you?" Gypsy suddenly scared as he walked back over to the table.
"No, no, no I'm not," Adam sets the blade on the table.
"What's going on?"
"Gypsy, do you remember when I asked you if you wanted to fight me?"
"Yes… You freaked me out a little."
"Sorry but I had to… Do you remember getting injured so bad that you lost consciousness?"
"Um… No… Well there was one time when I was 21 when some friends of mine and I went horseback riding at this ranch and the girls dared me to ride a bronco. I thought they were nuts, but I had thought about doing it for so long that I talked myself into it," Gypsy started.
"Go on," Adam softly urged.
"Well I got on this horse that nobody wanted to ride. His name was Ghostrider, as I heard the announcer say. They strapped me on and let me fly. I hung on long enough and looked good at it and then things went bad. My boot got caught in the stirrup. Then somehow I remember being under the horse. Then all I remember was black."
"And?"
"And then I remember I was in a hospital. Later on from what people tell me I was badly mauled by Ghostrider. They decided to put him down because he went crazy. I suddenly I came back from the darkness. I heard people talking like someone were coming to clean me up to send me to the mortuary. But I ran from the hospital… I was so scared. I went to my adopted parents' home. And took a shower. My family came home and of course it was a shock. They couldn't understand why I was still alive after what happened. My mother decided it was an answer to her prayer for a miracle."
"Did you notice anything else?"
"All my cuts and injuries were gone. I didn't hurt. There was one time when this woman passed me and I got a headache and fell on my ass."
"What happened?"
"She helped me up and sent me on my way. She looked at me like I was trash and went on her way. Then more people like her started running into me. I'd get a headache and fall. I started learning how to hold on to things so I wouldn't fall, but then they came after me with a sword a few times. Never explaining why only saying, "There can be only one," and I would get up and run. I remember feeling safer when I bought my own gun when I moved here. Then I met you and your friends. I got more headaches and I tried to keep from falling."
"There's a reason why you have those headaches. It is because you are like me and like those others, you are immortal."
"What?"
"You are immortal like me. That headache is sometimes called a buzz, or a presence, a sign, but it lets us know when another of our kind are nearby and we have to prepare for battle or run."
"Whoa… Wait a min-izzle. I am immortal? How? When? What? Where? Who?"
"Take it easy. We'll go through everything in time. If a pre-immortal, while they are still mortal, dies by violent means, they become immortal. As for where and when, as you said, you had an accident. Who, you ask, and I am assuming you want to know who others of our kind are. Duncan, Amanda, Richie are all immortal."
"Joe?"
"No, I am sorry to say he is not. He and I are also part of a secret organization that watches immortal activity. We track and record battles and lives for posterity. I mostly am in charge of my own past… But more on that later."
"Battles, what battles?"
"Gypsy, you will have to learn how to use a weapon."
"I can fire a gun. I'm a pretty damn good shot too."
"I mean using a sword… Because there is one way you can die for good."
"A sword?"
"If someone separates your head from your body, it's all over. The power of the quickening is released into the winner of the fight."
"What is a quickening? Oh my god. I'm shaking," Gypsy said as she lifted her hand to show Adam.
"The quickening is our life force. We kill other immortals for this power because it makes us stronger and allows us to have an advantage over other immortals," Adam said as he picked up the knife in his hand, and held it like a dagger.
"Oh my god. What are you going to do with that? Oh no Adam! Don't…"
Adam hissed as he cut his hand to show Gypsy the quickening blue sparks. His hand bled all over the table as he held his wrist. Gypsy made a move to clean up the blood.
"No, stay and watch this. I'm only doing it once."
Gypsy watched in wonder, horror, and fascination as the little blue sparks began to knit his hand back together. Then Adam got up and went to the sink. He washed his hand off and dried it in the sink with a paper towel. He came back to the table and held out his hand for Gypsy to see.
"There's no scar…"
"Right, the quickening heals us so we don't bleed to death. That is unless the wounds we have are so bad we can't live any longer."
"So what else do I need to know?"
"You will look 21 forever, while others around you will age. Immortals can't have offspring, and we have no parents. At some point you will have to either age yourself or disappear for a decade or more until those that knew you are gone or they think you are the descendent of yourself."
"Oh I don't know if I can deal with this."
"You have to. I'll help you. We live in the time of the gathering…where we are in a game if you will, we are fighting for a prize. No one knows what it is, but the last immortal standing wins. There are evil immortals out there that think it is world domination. So Boy Scouts like Duncan MacLeod go out there and try to save all humanity and other immortals from darkness reigning."
"Must be a big job and a heavy burden. What do you do?"
"I survive… By whatever means necessary. We will have to find you a teacher to start your training right away. I would suggest you keep a low profile. Stay out of the papers, off the television, and radio. Our immortality has to be a secret, a very huge amount of lives depend on it. Have you thought about your final arrangements?"
"What do you mean? Like funeral and will stuff?"
"Yes. A lot of pain and heartache will come with your new life. Sometimes immortality really sucks. Especially when you watch loved ones and dear friends die. Immortal friendships are not excluded… But the friendships we do have get us through the rough spots," Adam expression turned sad.
"You've lost someone, very close? My will is done all though I should update it. I haven't thought about my funeral arrangements. I've always wondered what it would be like going to my own funeral."
"Now you can but at a safe distance so that nobody sees you. Yes, I did. About 4 years ago. It was cancer."
"I'm sorry," Gypsy said and then got up to give him a comfort hug.
Adam hugged her a little tighter than neither one of them expected.
"But on the other hand there are so many things you'll see. I've seen civilizations live and die. I was there when Mary Shelley created Frankenstein. I was there when the vaccine for small pox was created."
"Is there anything 'else' I need to know?"
"If someone comes after you I want you to run if they challenge you if you can. Shoot them if you have to. But I want you to get to holy ground; it's the only place where we are safe," Adam said as he sat back in the chair at the table.
"Holy ground?"
"A church, cemetery, synagogue, etc. Go there, call me, and hide."
"Ok. What do I do if I can't run?"
"Use your gun or, you may have to fight. I am going to be training you for a while, just to teach you the basics and then I will send you to other teachers to finish your training."
Gypsy came over and straddled herself across his lap…
"So tell me, are you a good teacher," she toys with the button on his jeans.
He felt the heat of her groin over his wetness tester. Adam pulled the t-shirt he borrowed from her closet back over his head.
"I…I… I'm a very good teacher."
"Good, because I'm a very bad student and I'm going to need all the help I can get."
"I'll be sure to set up late night study sessions…" Adam undid the belt of her robe.
Adam tilted her back over his thighs and kissed his way down her neck to pause in her bosom.
"No sleeping with the teacher for better grades Miss Hill."
"The teacher will get fired if he doesn't feel me up… Now," Gypsy ordered as she rubbed her groin to his.
"Oh, yes ma'am," Adam said as he stood up and took her through the living room to the bed they had yet to make up.
Gypsy laid her he head on his chest she began to play with his nipples. She licked, sucked, and nibbled on them. She heard a sharp intake of breath; she paused before she gave the one in her mouth another nibble. Gypsy used her tongue, flicked it back and forth before she bit down on it lightly. With this he raised upward towards her hot, tantalizing mouth. Adam placed his hand behind her head, moaned loudly as she increased the pressure of her teeth and gently pulled back on the nipple, and flicked it with her tongue.
Little did they both know that this would be their last night together and they were going to make this session last. Gypsy wanted to give him pleasure he would never be able to forget. She moved her hand over Adam's chest and abdomen; she found the fine hairs of his pubic area. She ran her fingers through them and she continued her oral assault on his nipples. Oh Adam truly delighted in the feel of her hot mouth on his nipples and the grazing of her teeth sent electric waves through his body. Gypsy liked the soft, silky feel as she ran her fingers through it again.
Gypsy moved her hand lower and wrapped her fingers around Adam's now hardening manhood. It seemed the stimulation of his nipples and the nearness of her hand had caused it to come alive. It felt so hot to the touch, as it began to grow harder, longer and thicker. She began to stroke it, moved slowly up and down it as the veins filled with blood causing it to throb and pulsate against the soft warmness of her palm. She enjoyed the touch and stroke of it, felt how smooth, hard, and hot it could be all at the same time. It was a little more than average length, and very thick. She enjoyed the smooth silkiness of the head as she ran her fingers over it.
She straddled Adam, placed a nipple on his lips. Adam captured her nipple in his mouth, sucking it deeply into his hot, wet mouth Gypsy moaned loudly and moved towards him more. How he used his mouth to tease her nipples till they stood hard and aching. Adam kissed her until she was breathless, staring deep into her eyes he asked…
"Do you want me to stop?"
Gypsy closed her eyes, she softly moaned, "No, please don't."
Her hand never stopped stroking his dick and she rubbed his ball sac. Adam's balls were filling up with the hot rich come he so enjoyed pumping into her body. He opened his mouth and captured a nipple causing her to moan softly. Her warm hand moved up and down over his now harder than steel manhood. Gypsy could feel the heat radiating from it, the veins as they popped out on it, how it throbbed and pulsated. She leaned over, blew her warm breath over it, and watched it jump in her hand. She moved her head back, again blew on it; it caused a cool sensation to spread over it. Her hands massaged Adam's come filled balls. They were so full and tight in her hand and heat radiated from them.
Adam repositioned them on the bed; he sat up against the headboard with her lying across his stomach, he stroked Gypsy's breasts with his hand. She stroked his sausage upward towards her; she lowered her head to rub the head over her lips. It felt so hot and smooth. Adam knew what was coming next… Gypsy opened her mouth she moved her head down over the head and began to lick around it; she put her tongue in the slit. She felt Adam jump and pinch down on her nipple. He had to restrain himself from pushing her head down onto his manhood. He knew he had to allow her to go at her own pace.
Sensing his need Gypsy took as much of his manhood into her mouth and began sucking and moved her tongue around it. It tasted of him, mild, and clean. She moved her head up and down, from side to side and she sucked, stroked his cucumber. To her surprise it seemed to grow harder and longer in her mouth. She slid up with just the head inside her warm mouth she used her teeth to graze the crown; this brought a loud groan from Adam. He could take it no longer; flipped her around, Adam entered and thrust his manhood into her.
Slowly at first, then gradually faster and going deeper into her. Gypsy tried not to moan but did so, caused him to go even further into her wet slick folds. As she met his thrusts her muscles massaged his meat. Adam was at the point of no return. Suddenly his rod began to spasm, he jerked it back from the mouth and then rammed it all the way back into Gypsy as he began to come. Big globs of hot come began to shoot from the end of his love gun. Adam used his member like a fire hose; shot come forcefully and deeply into her. He shot what seemed to be a quart of come into Gypsy. Her body spasmed around his deeply buried love muscle as she moaned and cried out his name.
"Adam… Oh god Adam… Adam yes…"
It felt as if an electrical current shot from her head to her toes, as her orgasm ripped through her with such intensity she fainted.
"Gypsy? Gypsy? Can you hear me? Love? Gypsy wake up," Adam was deeply concerned but he knew she would return to him soon.
As Gypsy slowly opened her eyes, she felt his arms as they held her close to his body. The warmth comforted her and made her wish Adam didn't have to leave her. That they could stay in bed for a hundred years. She looked up into his eyes; she moved closer and kissed his lips as a tear slid down her face. He smiled at her and Adam touched her face, kissed her lips…
"Gypsy, love. What are those tears for? I didn't hurt you did I?"
"No, no, Adam no. It's just I'm so happy I don't want you and I to leave this bed for a hundred years. Making love like we just did, every day, maybe 3 to5 times a day," she wickedly suggested.
Adam rose from the bed, "Well I hate to not fulfill that wish, but I have to go pay my respects to John…"
"Oh by all means go. Say hi for me," Gypsy kidded knowing he had to go to the bathroom.
Gypsy got up and finally changed her sheets, and then she got dressed, opting for a shower later.
"Now that we are just about in the middle of the afternoon, we still have time to do something special for Christmas…"
"Yeah and," she said as she crossed the room to take him in her arms.
"Is there something special you would like to do?"
She thought for a few moments and returned with an answer…
"Yes. I want to go horseback riding, and play in the snow."
"All right then. You get changed and then we'll stop in so that I can change and we'll go."
"Ok it's a deal."
"While you get changed I've got to call Joe and make some arrangements."
"Right. When did you want to start my training?"
"That's partially what the calls are about, but I would like to start as soon as possible. Tomorrow would be good if I can get things in order."
"Ok that's fine. Well I'm off to change," Gypsy said as she shut the sliding door to the bedroom leaving Adam in the living room.
Adam called in a few favors and found a ranch open near the mountains. He went outside for a little more privacy and called Joe.
"Dawson."
"Hey Joe, Merry Christmas. I've told her and she seems to be taking it well. She wants to start training right away."
"I'll be putting in the request for a field agent after the new year, in case you wanted some time to teach her the basics."
"I'll be her watcher."
"Adam, you know you can't."
"Fine, then at least get Amy. She could do me a favor. No, never mind. I'll be her watcher and I'll give reports to you. Look, I don't want this one watched because I am going to take her on as a student."
"You're what?"
"I'm taking on a student."
"Do you remember what to do," Joe joked.
"Yes, foolish mortal. Listen, we're going up to the mountains for a few hours. You want to get together at Mac's for dinner?"
"Yeah sure, it's still early enough to go to the store. I'll call Mac and we'll see you about 7. Is that ok?"
"Fine. We'll bring ourselves. Thanks Joe."
"Your welcome, bye Adam."
"So are we all ready," asked Gypsy as she came out with Adam's coat and her cell phone and purse.
"All set, I'll drive us to Joe's and you can follow me home and I can change and then we can go in my car."
"Fine by me," she said as she tossed the keys to Adam, "Could we stop some place for a snack?"
"Yeah, oh um by the way, not too big of a snack, we're invited to dinner at Duncan MacLeod's tonight around 7, Joe will be there."
"Do you all spend the holidays together?"
"Not usually, but sometimes we conference call. I'm usually somewhere much warmer than here, Joe tries to see his daughter on Christmas, Duncan's where ever the bloody hell he wants to be, usually somewhere cold. Amanda, our vixen of the bunch is off with our youngest of the bunch, Richie, or Rich when he wants to be older. I believe they are still here in town but through some checking I know they have a room reserved at the Atlantis Resort. I haven't said anything because Mac would flip if he knew it was on his credit card. You see, Amanda has very sticky fingers and I know she's been rubbing off on Richie," Adam said as he waited for her engine to warm up.
Adam Pierson's Apartment.
Seacouver.
2:00 pm.
They drove to Joe's and then to his apartment 5 minutes away. Adam got out of his Jimmy and went back to her forest green Jeep Cherokee. She put down the window as the car was still running.
"I would prefer if you came up."
"I know. It's written on your face," she said as she knew he didn't want to leave her alone because she wasn't trained enough to be on her own, "You know, you're cute when you're protective."
"It's all part of my charm."
"If the circumstances were different, I'd say that you preferring me to come up to your place was a good line. I would have come up."
Adam smirked and went to lock up his Jimmy. Gypsy got out and locked up her Cherokee with her purse and jacket on her other arm. She put her left arm around his waist, his right arm around her shoulders. In the elevator her hand slipped into his left jeans pocket. He pulled her around and kissed her forehead. He knew she was trying to cop a feel before they reached his floor.
"We won't have time for horseback riding if we pursue this further."
"I'll take a rain check," Gypsy smiled.
Adam opened his door and the sights and scents of his apartment caressed Gypsy. It was a one-bedroom apartment, sparsely decorated, and the walls were white, bare as a hospital ward. The floors all hardwood and a redwood color. A three person sofa in chocolate brown, an almost floor to ceiling book case with 5 books, a 20 inch television, and a CD boom box stereo was all he had in the living area. He had a small kitchen with a breakfast bar and three high back, black leather, square, swivel seat stools anchored to the floor.
Gypsy smelled incense in the room. Sandalwood and musk she thought. Adam pulled her in by the hand and closed the door behind her.
"I'll be just a minute."
"Yeah sure, go."
Adam crossed the rest of the way to the bedroom and opened the door. Gypsy got a quick look at his bed before he closed the door. It looked like a double bed but still low to the floor. The coverlet, was her favorite shade of blue… Navy. He quickly changed into a pair of long john's and sweats over which he managed his jeans. Over his long john's upper half a t-shirt, sweatshirt, and a sweater. Next came the thick boot socks. He put an extra pair on and slipped into his snow boots. Adam grabbed his trench coat and threw on a little cologne before opening the door.
"Ready," Adam came out of his bedroom and noticed Gypsy looking at the titles of his 5 books.
"First edition, each autographed, Frankenstein, Byron, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Scarlet Pimpernel, Jane Eyre. How did you get these? They are impossible to get, and in such good condition! I am almost drooling. Oh never mind. I shouldn't ask, you were there right?"
"Yes as a matter of fact. I was there the nights as Mary Shelley developed the story. She said it would be a story about how terrible immortality is for us and the lives we have to lead."
"I can see this is making you sad. Lets go and have some fun," she said as she put the book back and took Adam's hands to lead him out of the apartment.
"I'll give you the grand tour later, I promise."
"Good, because I want to christen that bed of yours…" Adam groaned and dragged her by her hand to the Jimmy.
The apartment secured and her Cherokee all set, Adam pulled out onto the street. It was a two-hour drive out of Seacouver up to the ranch. During the ride Gypsy put her left elbow over the center console and leaned over to put her head on Adam's shoulder. They stopped after hour one and Adam went into the little Mom and Pop General store and bought some beef jerky and two hot chocolates. Gypsy wanted to complain at Adam's choice of a snack but the hot chocolate was calling her name and it felt good in her hands since Adam had to turn off the heater while he was gone. After the hot chocolate she took up her former spot with her head on Adam's shoulder.
Stovall Ranch.
Whistler.
4:30 p.m.
A while later Adam pulled into the ranch and honked his horn, as the owner had instructed over the phone. The owner came out to meet them.
"Merry Christmas, you must be Adam Pierson and Patti Hill. I'm Joshua Stovall. This here's Stovall Ranch. One of my hands has your horses saddled and ready to go."
"Merry Christmas, very nice to meet you," said Patti.
"Merry Christmas, Joshua. Thank you for doing this on the holiday."
"No problem, you're paying for it partner," Joshua laughed.
"Yeah, I guess I am," Adam smirked.
Joshua led them out to the stables where Dan McCord had Hero and Liberty saddled and waiting.
"This here's Hero, Dan McCord, and Liberty. Guys and Gal, this is Adam Pierson and Patti Hill. They're going out for a ride in the snow."
"Nice to meet you folks. I'd say you have about 2 hours before the sunset. We're expecting a snowstorm tonight up in the peaks. We could get anywhere from 3-10 inches of snow or more here," Dan said as he shook their hands and helped them mount.
Gypsy got on Liberty and giggled as she watched Adam mount, settle, and look like he was born in a saddle.
"What's so funny," Adam asked.
Gypsy and Liberty caught up with Adam and Hero and the four of them rode up the trail marked by wood fencing up to the peaks. In the valley they stopped and took in the scenery. The green trees with some snow on them, the fresh crisp air biting at their noses, the snow already on the mountains around them and on the ground. All of a sudden, it began to snow slowly.
"Oh My God Adam, it's snowing! I have never seen it snow. Since you came into my life I have experienced many different things. Now I can say, I have seen it snow. Thank you," Gypsy leaned over and gave him a sweet lingering kiss.
"Your welcome."
Stovall Ranch.
Whistler.
5:30 p.m.
Dan was on the radio with the Ranger getting the latest weather news. He found Joshua making coffee in the kitchen.
"Hey Josh, that storm's coming in faster than I thought. I just got off the radio with the weather service. It'll be here in within the next half hour. The winds are getting stronger up there. Maybe those lovebirds will be heading back now that they may be able to see the storm coming."
"And if they can't see it?"
"There's Old Man Bell's shack up there. If they can find it."
Ransom Lake.
Near Whistler.
5:30 p.m.
Adam dismounted and helped Gypsy down.
"Okay, 15 paces, turn, and fire. I'll count."
"What? What are you doing?"
"Just do it."
"Okay. Marching…"
Adam counted off the 15 paces, bent down, and began to make a snowball. Then Gypsy got it, a snowball fight.
And Gypsy let him have it. She made the kind that were small enough like baseballs where Adam was throwing them a little bigger like a grapefruit. She quickly built herself a fortress behind a log. All the while they fired snowballs at each other, the ominous storm moved closer and closer. The snow began to fall harder and faster. The winds began to get stronger.
"I think we better head back," said Gypsy.
"Yeah. It's getting colder."
Adam helped Gypsy mount Liberty and then he mounted Hero. They started to ride what they thought was the way back to the ranch. There was a sudden gust of air and Liberty took off into the snowstorm. Adam tried to catch up with Hero but the visibility was so bad. He had lost Gypsy, but he didn't want to settle on that.
"Gypsy! Gypsy! Patti! Patti!" Adam called and heard no response. Now the snow was melting and making him cold and wet, and now he was concerned and very frightened for Gypsy.
"Adam! Adam! Adam! Adam!" Gypsy called out and heard no response. She was lost in the middle of a snowstorm and without the only protection she had from other immortals or any other obstacles.
Liberty slowed down and came to a stop a few feet away from this form. It looked like monolith in the snow. Gypsy dismounted and went to take a closer look. She didn't feel like she was in danger. Liberty turned around and headed back the way they came.
"Please follow me. We need to get out of the storm," an Irish woman's voice called out to Gypsy.
Gypsy followed her voice into a well-hidden tunnel. The tunnel led to an inner sanctum of more tunnels and little niches where there were candles, books, and she had rooms, no windows of course and it looked to be her home. Something familiar about this woman seemed familiar to Gypsy.
"Better get close to the fire there. You're probably freezing."
"I'm Gypsy."
"I am Saphyre Ravyn."
"I know you. You're the woman from that day."
"Yes."
"What do you want with me?"
"Oh I figure, I'll get a little payback from Adam and then he can have you back."
"What do you mean payback," said Gypsy realizing her gun was in her purse back in Adam's Jimmy.
Saphyre shrugged off her coats and threw them over a wooden stump chair she made.
"You see, Adam and little I have a history together."
She pushed her classically gothic flare hair style, dark and deep red hair with black low lights and cascading curls away from her face as she bent down to start a fire in the fireplace she had built. Gypsy remembered her accent, being slightly faded Irish. She was tall and slender, around 175 pounds, and about 5'9 she guessed. Her skin was almost white, pale, but just enough pink to make it beautiful. No freckles and she was a beauty and Gypsy silently understood why she and Adam had been together. The fire showed her green eyes and Gypsy almost felt jealous of this woman that was holding her hostage. Her chest was a nice large 36 B and Gypsy noticed her tongue piercing, wondered if she sucked off Adam with her metal work. She almost wished she had a larger chest, but that brought it's own problems. Like back pain all the time. She thought it was funny that her name was Saphyre, but her eyes were green as the Emerald Isle.
Saphyre wore a red bustier, a black leather jacket, a black leather skirt, fishnet stockings and black leather heeled boots. Gypsy noticed her tattoo, on her right upper arm, an ivy vine moon with a monarch butterfly on the crest, just below curve of shoulder. She also noticed a red leather Prada bag, and a diamond hair clip, up on a shelf over her make shift sink.
"How do you keep warm in that?"
"I am like a polar bear. I'm always warm in anything I wear."
"How old are you?"
"I'm 320. I was 29 when I died at the hands of a serial killer. Has Adam ever told you how old he is?"
"No. What are you going to do with me?"
"Certainly keep you here until the storm has passed and maybe then dome after that."
"Adam will come for me. I know it."
"I know. That's what I'm counting on."
"You haven't told me exactly what you want him for. How close were you? What did he do to you?" Gypsy spat at Saphyre.
"Adam and I were a couple in every sense of the word once upon a time. Then one day he started spending more time at his work, at home and at the office. He started spending more time with his friends and drinking more I noticed. The man doesn't even get a hang over because it works through his system so fast."
"So you're just a former jilted lover?"
"No, it was more than that."
"So you're upset he dumped you and now he's with me, the younger model?"
"Age has nothing to do with it. He promised me the world and to never break my heart. Adam didn't just break my heart and my world; he squashed them like a bug and left me no answers as to why. He broke my soul," Saphyre looked to the dirt flooring.
"I am sorry he hurt you, but why do you need me?"
"Don't you see it? You're my lure, my leverage to get him here."
"Then what?"
"I might just kill you both. I haven't decided yet," Saphyre chuckled just to scare her.
"Great! I just had to come to the mountains," said Gypsy wanting to shoot herself in the foot.
"Tea?"
"Yes, please."
"It's not much, but it will warm you."
Gypsy took the mug and it warmed her hands. Would the storm last long? Would Adam be able to find her? God, she didn't know what to think of this mess. What if this woman, Saphyre Ravyn got close enough to kill him and won? She'd be an easy target to kill. God, she wished she could fight back. Suddenly, she didn't want to. She felt sleepy. Gypsy set the cup on the small dining table. She knew she had been drugged.
Saphyre was pleased with her efforts. Now all she had to do was keep Gypsy locked away in one of the caves she had turned into a bedroom.
Ransom Lake.
Near Whistler.
6:00 p.m.
Adam and Hero could barely see through the heavily falling snow. Then Liberty came charging right at them. Liberty found her mate, Hero. Adam looked at Liberty horrified. Somewhere out there was Gypsy. Maybe she was hurt and had fallen off, lying in the snow and getting covered by the minute. Panic began to set in as he let he snow melt on his clothes and he began to get wet. He was concerned he would never see Gypsy again. Adam could remember at least 30 mortals getting lost and dying in the snow during freak storms, like the one they had gotten caught in, in the past 20 years. He had to try and make it back to the ranch.
Stovall Ranch.
Whistler.
8:00 p.m.
Two hours later, somehow in the dark during the storm, Hero and Liberty brought Adam safely back to the stables. Normally Hero and Liberty were never put in the same stall, but Adam was in a hurry to get help. He pulled off their saddles and they went into one of the bigger stalls. He put their blanket coats over their backs to help them warm up and closed the stall. Adam hurried as fast as his legs would carry him to the main office.
Joshua heard the banging on the front door and opened it to find a cute, wet, and concerned Adam Pierson on his doorstep. He saw the blank look of shock on his face.
"What happened, come in son. Dan, go get some hot chocolate started."
"We were watching it lightly snow, and we had gotten into a snowball fight. Then we noticed the weather got colder and began to take a turn for the worse. We were on our way back when the visibility turned bad. Liberty took off with Patti. I tried to keep up, but I couldn't see either of them," Adam sat down in a chair near the blazing fire in the living room.
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