Shadows of a Different Life

By Marie S

"She stirs. Should I kill her Sir?"

"No," he said emphatically.

"But, Sir, she could be a sorceress."

Another voice spoke with awe and fear. "She could be a goddess. We would bring down the wrath of the gods if we harmed her."

"She is a woman. We’ll take her back to camp. She will be under my protection. Bring her." There was the sound of a horse pawing the ground; the jangle of a harness. No one moved to retrieve the woman.

Maximus was not used to insubordination from his men. He could smell their fear. Instead of ordering them again to get the woman, he reined in his horse and dismounted. As he strode toward her one of his officers spoke up.

"Sir, what if she bewitches you? Perhaps you should not touch her despite how beautiful she is."

He’d reached her and looked down at the still unconscious woman who had moved once, but not awakened. She was a flame haired beauty with porcelain skin. The thin material that clothed her was fine like nothing he’d seen before. There was a luminescence to it. As soon as the thought crossed his mind he discounted it. Despite her mysterious arrival she was neither sorceress nor goddess as his men feared, but a female of their world.

They had seen her appear before their eyes. One moment nothing and then a disturbance in the air and she was lying on the ground before them. He picked her up in his arms. A light floral scent wafted off her skin. She smelled very good. Maximus was not immune to the charms of her scent or form. He was a soldier who had been without a woman for a long time.

His trained eyes took in no signs of tracks on the ground surrounding her. She had suddenly just appeared. He held her in one arm as he swung into his saddle. His men remained silent as he felt their eyes on him.

Maximus looked up and a small smile momentarily crossed his face.

"No bewitchment. Back to camp," he ordered. A small laugh spread through the group of men as they jumped to his orders and moved their horses into formation to protect their leader.

After a short ride they returned to their encampment. Maximus swung off his horse, leaving him for his aide to tend to.

"Advanced officers meeting after eating."

"Yes, Sir."

His aide saluted. Maximus nodded and disappeared to the interior of his tent carrying the woman. He laid her on his bed and sat down on the edge to look at her. What he discovered was a pair of frightened blue eyes staring back at him.

He put up his hand to calm her as she tried to edge away from him. Her eyes took in the imposing man before her in full helmet and armor.

"Who? Where arm I?" Her voice was a whisper, but he could hear her in the silent interior of his tent.

Maximus removed his helmet to put her more at ease. He stood and gave her a small bow.

"I am Maximus Decimus Meridius. A general in the Roman army. You are in my camp. This is my tent. You will be safe here. Who are you, little one?" She was very petite. Her small feet peaked out from beneath her gossamer gown. They were clad in slippers that matched the rest of what she wore. The material was finer than anything he’d ever seen. Even that worn by the daughter of Caesar. No one but the finest lady would be clad in this manner.

Ashley was dumbfounded. How had she gotten here? She didn’t remember going through the doorway again as she had the other two times, yet she must have because here she was before one of ‘them.’ The resemblance was unmistakable although this man had a beard and was a bigger man than Sid or Cort. He wasn’t larger than Bud. Wasn’t this impossible? She should be in her bedroom. Her heart tightened. Where was her baby?

"Was I found alone?" The panic rose in her voice as her hands clasped together.

"Yes, there were no others where you appeared on the ground. My men checked the immediate area. Now who are you?"

Ashley was greatly relieved. Their baby must be safe at their home with Sid. She’d given birth to her and Sid’s daughter nearly two months ago. It had been a very happy time for both she and Sid. How could this have happened or why would it have happened? The man cleared his throat. He wasn’t used to waiting for an answer. The second time he’d asked her who she was had been closer to an order than a request. As was her way, she answered truthfully.

"My name is Ashley Iris Weston. I’m from Los Angeles, California. Currently I live in Paso Robles." She almost said she wasn’t of this time, but decided that it might be a bit too early to make that declaration.

My, this Maximus was an impressive looking man. The oddest song popped into her head as she inspected him. ‘I love a man in a uniform.’ She covered a smile. It sparkled in her eyes. She truly was bent to think of something like that at a time like this. The word impressive along with handsome invaded her head again.

The fear that Maximus originally saw in her eyes had faded. She inspected him with a curious gaze. He saw laughter light up her beautiful eyes and found he would like to see a smile on her face.

Her Latin was perfect. Her name and the places she mentioned were completely foreign to him. Maximus had traveled much of the modern world. The intonation she used to say Los Angeles and Paso Robles sounded similar to that of his native land, but he knew no towns of these names. Neither her name nor her appearance resembled the women in Spain where he originated.

He didn’t know what to make of her. Maximus was surprised when a strong desire to protect her swelled up in inside him. He had no idea where the feeling had come from considering she was a stranger.

"Are you well?"

"Yes, I feel fine. Thank you for asking." She gazed into his eyes and held out her hand. "Will you help me to stand? I may be a bit unsteady for a moment."

"M’lady." Maximus took her small hand in his. It was like a current passed between them. He knew she felt it as she bit her lower lip, but said nothing. It was almost as though she’d expected it.

She gracefully got to her feet and then began to sway. He jumped closer to steady her with his hand grasping her small waist.

Ashley’s free hand went to the breast plate on his chest as she steadied herself. The disequilibrium had accompanied each of the journeys in time she’d taken. This was by far the largest skip in time. Cort had been a mere 100 plus years in the past. This man could be 2000 years prior to when she lived. Her head went to his chest as she feared she would lose consciousness again. She felt his hand tighten on her waist.

Maximus was overwhelmed as the scent of Ashley’s hair filled his nostrils. He breathed in deeply of her. Her soft curves pressed against the hard muscular lines of his body. At that moment he knew she would be his.

The gown she was wearing was made of a diaphanous material. He could easily feel the heat and smoothness of her skin through the sheer cloth. His voice rumbled low from his throat.

"M’lady, Ashley. I will return you to my bed." His hand caressed her waist. He wanted to take her to his bed, but not for rest. Where was his control?

"Thank you, sir. I am fine now." Her voice was shaky. She attempted to stand on her own, but Maximus’ caressing fingers held her body close to his. That was when she felt his arousal which left no doubt as to what the General wanted.

Ashley knew where this would lead. This man’s presence was overpowering her good sense. Damn Sid. This was entirely his fault. Her Sid.

"Please, sir. Maximus."

She said his name for the first time. Her voice was like a soft caress to his cheek. But the edge of urgency in her voice reminded Maximus that he had promised her safety here. If he took her against her will now he’d have lied to her. Reluctantly he helped her stand apart from him. He still grasped her hand in his.

"I must return to duty. You will remain in my tent. I’ll have food sent for you. Ask for anything else you desire. Rest. I will return this evening."

Maximus gave a short bow to her and released her hand. He strode quickly from his tent.

Ashley remembered when she had driven Cort from his rooms in Redemption. Had she just done the same to this man, Maximus? She felt like a Jezebel. She hadn’t tried or wanted to seduce the General. Perhaps it was unavoidable considering who they were and their connection to one another. Overwhelming attraction and desire had flared between her and each of the men she’d met in the past through the time passage. This time it was immediate.

She sighed and walked over to his bed. Ashley was tired. Her hunger could wait to be assuaged until after she slept. The journey had been draining. She still didn’t understand how this journey could have happened. Sid, please come for me. She thought of her sweet baby girl. God, please protect her until I return.

The interior of his tent was cool. She pulled the warm animal skins on his bed over her. They smelled of outdoor wildness and game. They smelled of this man, Maximus. For a moment before she slept she thought of how magnificent and fierce the man had looked in his full Roman regalia.

Maximus was troubled by thoughts of the woman, Ashley, as he made his way to the officer’s tent to eat. He had intended to eat in his tent with the woman, but knew he needed to leave before he took what he wanted from her.

His eyes closed for a moment as he remembered her scent filling his nostrils. Her soft womanly curves pressed against him had awakened a hunger inside him like he’d never felt. Maximus had been deeply in love once in his life to this point. His relationship with Lady Lucilla had ended badly. Maximus was not meant to marry the daughter of Caesar.

His friends had encouraged him to throw himself into the pleasures of the flesh with camp women to forget the woman he loved, but that wasn’t what Maximus had wanted. His family had devised another solution. Marry him on his next leave from the army.

His father and mother had arranged a marriage for him to the daughter of a neighboring wealthy land owner. He vaguely remembered the girl when he was home on leave as a younger man. He’d not seen her since she was grown to womanhood. In a few months Maximus would return home and marry. The expectation was that he would father a child, preferably a son, before he returned to duty.

Maximus was a man used to duty. Duty to the army and the Roman Empire. Duty to his family. His thoughts strayed to the beautiful woman in his tent. She had nothing to do with duty. She was about want and pleasure. Ashley had appeared before him from nowhere. She seemed to be a gift from the gods.

He shook his head. Maximus would deal with his ‘gift’ later. Now was time to fill his belly and return to his responsibilities.

Ashley slept for some time and awoke refreshed. She was disappointed when she didn’t awaken in her bedroom with Sid by her side. A coldness passed over her heart at the missing basinet filled with her beautiful daughter Sydney Iris. A realization struck her. Why were her breasts not engorged with milk?

She was breast feeding Sydney. By now she should have needed her daughter to feed from her. Her breasts were more like her pre-pregnancy breasts. Ashley had managed to return her body to her pre-pregnancy weight and dimensions except in the breast area which was bigger.

Ashley touched her breasts with her hands. Another mystery. Was it the result of traveling through time? Tears slipped down her cheeks. She wanted to go home and be with her family. She got angry at Sid for a moment. How could he have allowed this to happen? She sighed. Considering where she was, she felt Sid had no idea. Ashley knew this was exactly where Sid feared she had ended up when she was drawn into 1950s Los Angeles. That had been a much less scary place.

Food had been brought into the tent while she’d slept. There were dates, bread, cheese and some watered down wine. Also a suspect meat she couldn’t identify. Ashley helped herself to everything except the meat. She drank two goblets of the wine hoping it might help to relax her. Considering what the General wanted from her perhaps she shouldn’t be too relaxed. She set the cup down with a small clunk against the wooden table.

Ashley spoke to the soldier standing guard outside the General’s tent. She wondered if he was there to keep her in or keep others out. The young soldier surreptitiously glanced at Ashley. He was curious about her. There was something more; fear and some longing as he looked at the woman.

This was an army camp in the ancient world. A place populated by men. Wouldn’t most of the women around be…whores or slaves? Women trying to survive by any means. She shuddered. Indeed this was a scary place to be a woman. Was she really safe here with General Maximus? He had told her she was. The others had always protected her. Like Sid?

An unladylike snort escaped her mouth. Sid had pursued her, taken her and done completely as he wanted. He’d also fallen in love with her and her with him. As crazy as it might sound considering their beginnings, Ashley felt loved and protected now by Sid.

The young soldier called to her.

"M’lady. I have the wash basins you’ve requested."

"Yes, please enter." Ashley had covered herself with a robe-like garment that belonged to Maximus to give herself more protection. She had immediately noticed that it smelled like him. It wouldn’t hurt for there to be talk that she belonged to the General. If she belonged to him, no one else would try to touch her.

Once the basins were set and the water was heating on the fire she dismissed the young soldier. Ashley was glad that he seemed less fearful of her. Superstition could be a strong thing and she had heard the word ‘sorceress’ whispered. She’d also heard the word ‘goddess’ said. Okay, that brought a smile to her lips. Sid had told her she looked like a goddess in this gown, but she knew he’d meant it in an entirely different way.

Sid would spare no expense in what he spent on her. As his woman she deserved all the finest the world could offer. As the daughter of an immensely rich man Ashley had always had the best money could buy and missed the love her father couldn’t give her. But with Sid it was different. She enjoyed his spoiling her because he took such pleasure from doing it. And there was always great affection behind it. She felt completely loved by Sid. Even if he’d never said the words, "I love you."

She sighed. Ashley so wanted to hear Sid profess his love for her, but she knew he considered love an inferior human emotion. He’d never realized that when he laced his own nanotechnology with human DNA to be able to mate with a human woman, along with some manipulation of her own DNA, he’d opened himself up to human emotions and fallen in love with Ashley.

This gown that he’d given her was the most beautiful garment she’d ever seen. It hugged her curves perfectly. The color was ivory. The draped straps were in a halter style that came together with a beautiful fastener at the nape of her neck. She swore the jewels were real white and yellow diamonds. Considering this was a gift from Sid she didn’t doubt it.

The satin gathered around her breasts to an empire style waist. The material then hugged her hips in perfect silhouette and extended to the floor. Shot throughout the material were gold ribbons of material that sparkled from 24 karat gold. The tiny panties matched beneath. The robe was a sheer diaphanous material that left nothing to the imagination of what was below it.

Ashley had worn the gown today as a clear invitation to Sid. The first time she’d tried it on after he’d given it to her she’d seen the lust sparkle in his eyes. Unfortunately at the time she’d not been cleared to have sex since the birth of their daughter. Yesterday had been her follow up appointment with her OB doctor. Ashley had planned her appearance carefully today to the minute detail as her grand seduction for Sid. Her preparations had been so fun.

Yet she had enticed the wrong man with all her efforts. It had been a long time since she’d thought about the ‘others’ who had a clear link to her and Sid in different times. She’d spoken to Bud White on the phone several times. He was doing well at home after his knee replacement surgery. She was so happy for him and considered him a friend. When she and Bud spoke Sid got extremely jealous despite the fact the man was now 80 years old.

Bud certainly hadn’t been 80 when Ashley first met him. Bud had been kissing Ashley when Sid had come to rescue her. It had almost gotten Bud killed and ensured Sid’s enmity toward Bud forever. And while over 50 years had passed until Bud had seen Ashley again, it had been a short couple of months for Ashley and Sid.

She pulled herself from her reminisces as she poured the hot water into the basins. What Ashley needed to concentrate on was how she was going to get through this current time leap? She had no idea except to take it one minute and situation at a time. Right now leaving this tent would pose much more risk to her than staying right here. Plus the guard on the outside would make leaving rather impossible.

Ashley removed her robe and inspected it for tears or mud. It was surprisingly clean and intact. She washed the one dirt spot off and hung it over Maximus’ bed. Then she removed her gown. It appeared perfect. She shook it and laid it down.

Peering around one last time she removed her panties and washed them out before she proceeded to bathe herself. After finishing Ashley put her gown on and Maximus’ robe so she could have the water and basin’s removed. Afterwards she wandered around his large quarters clad in her gown.

Ashley inspected all she could discover. She knew she was prying, but she was so curious to look at the things Maximus used in his day to day life in this time and place so far removed from hers. She lost herself in the trunk that held his uniforms and weaponry. So much so that she never heard him enter and stand to watch her with an amused expression.

"Perhaps m’lady could see more easily if she lit the candles." The laughter was apparent in his voice.

Ashley whirled around and shut the trunk so quickly she ended up perched gracefully on the lid.

"Um, I didn’t notice that it was getting dark."

There was still enough light in the room for Maximus to see her blush prettily. He strode across the room while unfastening his cape and threw it over a chair. He took a taper and lit it from the fire’s flame to illuminate two large candles on the table.

He moved very quietly for such a large man and with great grace. Rather like some magnificent four legged predator she thought wryly.

"That should be better in case there is something you missed." The amusement was still there.

"Yes, thank you. Much better." She stood up tall and proud. Ashley was not a shrinking violet. She’d meet this challenge head on. Even if at this moment he had every right to be laughing at her or scolding her.

Maximus swore he’d see her smile tonight when it would reach her eyes. This one didn’t though it did light up her face. She was dazzlingly beautiful to him. He took in her form. The wrap was gone and the gown beneath hugged her form. Her shoulders were bare as was her upper back before she’d turned. The candlelight illuminated her body through the rich material. He would possess that flesh tonight.

"Are you feeling well tonight, Ashley?"

"Yes, much better. Thank you for your hospitality." His presence filled the tent and made it more difficult to breathe.

"You received all you required?"

"Oh, yes. Very much so. I was even able to bathe."

As soon as the words slipped from her mouth she’d have liked to knock her hand against the side of her head. Just what she needed was to put her naked image in his head considering the sexual tension and attraction between the two of them already.

Again the amusement lit up his eyes. They sparkled in the darkening room. Despite her desirable appearance there was an innocent quality about her which made her more intoxicating. His eyes hadn’t left her.

"How was your afternoon, General?"

"Maximus. My afternoon went well. It was busy."

He didn’t add that she had invaded his thoughts entirely too often. Maximus was unused to anything distracting him from his legion.

"Busy is good, Maximus…" Ashley trailed off as there was a call from outside to enter the tent.

"Yes, enter." Maximus commanded.

Ashley scurried to hide behind a screen. It was bad enough for Maximus to see her in so few clothes. She wasn’t about to let his servants or soldiers do the same.

She heard him chuckle as he instructed where their dinner was to be placed. Did he have to laugh at her? Ashley smiled. She must have looked pretty amusing as she’d dashed for cover.

Maximus dismissed the servants from his tent once the food was set up. They were not needed to serve the General and the lady. A minute later his hand extended around the screen.

"My lady, Ashley. It is time to eat. I was unsure of where you’d disappeared to for a moment." He chuckled.

She took his hand and stepped around the screen.

"It wasn’t that amusing," she retorted. A smile quirked her lips.

"I think it’s difficult for you to judge, Ashley."

"True, without a mirror." She gave him a sassy smile this time.

Maximus was truly bewitched by this woman. He saw her to her recliner. His fingers brushed against the warm soft flesh of her upper arm as he aided her to sit. A shiver spread across her skin.

"Wine, Lady Ashley?"

"Yes, thank you, Maximus." She took the cup from him and waited to drink until he was settled. Ashley watched him over the rim of her cup. What kind of a man was he to be a general in the Roman army at such a young age? He couldn’t be more than five to seven years her senior.

"You appear to have a question, little one. Ask." He smiled.

"And I thought I was the one they called sorceress. You appear to be the one with the mind reading capabilities, General." The dimples shone in her cheeks as the full smile broke across her face and her eyes sparkled with mirth.

He set his cup down and stared at her. Maximus knew once he finally saw her smile the effect would be truly dazzling. He wasn’t disappointed.

"Maximus. Ask, Ashley."

"You must be a truly amazing and impressive leader to be a general in the Roman army at your young age, Maximus." Ashley thought the only other way would be a family with a huge amount of wealth to buy his commission. She didn’t think that was the case with this man. He appeared to have too much substance. Plus she’d feigned sleep for part of the return to their camp out of fear. The men had addressed him with much respect.

"That wasn’t a question and I’m not that young."

"Have you passed your 30^th birthday yet?"

"No, I’ve not entered my 30^th year. I am recently promoted as general of this legion."

She shook her head. As she thought promoted, not appointed was the word he’d used.

"What are your unique qualifications that advanced you to general?" Ashley sounded as though she were interviewing him.

Maximus regarded her closely. He’d certainly never had a woman ask him a question such as this. She leaned toward him as she awaited his answer.

"Hard work, dedication and attention to duty. Full allegiance to the Roman empire and Marcus Aurelius."

"Hmm." She felt he was being modest and there was much more.

"You doubt my answer, little one?"

"No. I’m certain there are other qualities you possess that make you the strong leader that you are. I was trying to ascertain what makes you tick, General."

"Tic?" He was unfamiliar with this word except as an annoying parasitic bug that burrowed beneath the skin.

She smiled. Ashley had mistakenly used a modern word on a man who was anything but modern.

"Yes, tick. A word from where I originate. It means I was trying to discover the sum of your parts. What makes you the man you are? Hence, what makes you tick? She grinned at him.

"You must tell me more about where you came from, Ashley." Maximus was very curious from where she’d appeared. As a general concerned with his legion he also wanted to know if anyone would be coming for her. He had a hard time believing a woman such as this would be abandoned. Great armies had fought over Helen of Troy. He doubted she could have been more comely, intelligent or desirable.

"Perhaps later, Maximus. We were discussing you." She smiled brilliantly. "Would you like more wine?" Ashley jumped to her feet and grabbed the pitcher of wine. She offered to fill up his cup.

Both were completely aware of her attempts to divert the attention away from her. Maximus nodded. He would allow her to stall for the time being and help out his cup for her to fill.

Ashley looked into his eyes with apology. "You’ve worked hard all day, Maximus. I have been remiss as a hostess. You must be hungry. May I serve you your meal?"

"I believe it is I who am host, Lady. But I am hungry." He smiled at her. Their eyes locked upon one another.

Ashley felt a flush that covered her face and upper chest. A little voice inside reminded her not to drink too much wine this evening and keep her wits about her. She needed them around this man.

"Yes, you are a most capable and generous host, sir. I was schooled from the time I was a young girl to be a hostess whenever the need arose in my father’s household. My mother died when I was young."

Ashley had often acted as a hostess for her widowed father’s business meetings and once she lived on her own she’d loved to host dinner parties for her friends and charity events.

Maximus nodded. He saw the flicker of sadness on her face at the mention of her mother’s death. Although she was reluctant to speak of how she’d come to appear before his scouting party she didn’t seem to mind talking of her childhood. She began to fill a platter for him.

"Is there anything you don’t prefer, General?"

"The advantage of having a cook that’s known you for years is he tends to always serve your favorite things. I like everything." He glanced wryly at her. "You can stop heaping meat onto my plate as I am just one man."

She giggled. "A hard working man who’s worked up an appetite all day." She switched to putting bread slathered with butter, cheese, olives and dates onto his plate.

"And will certainly need energy for the activities of the evening." Her laughter was like sweet music to him. Maximus’ intentions were clear. From the pretty blush that covered her again he knew she had understood him. Surely she was not a maid. She had to be at least 18 years. Certainly past marrying age.

Ashley handed him the plate of food. She didn’t meet his eyes this time. This was going to be inevitable. She would be expected to share his bed for the night. ‘To the victor come the spoils’ came to her mind.

She put food on a plate for herself in a much more modest amount. Ashley knew his eyes were watching her. She cursed again the way her face and body showed off her emotions so easily. As she was about to put a piece of meat on her plate she stopped short.

"Maximus, what is this meat?"

"Venison. My expert archers went on a hunting expedition. It is good to have fresh meat from the woods."

"Deer?" Her hand remained frozen in mid air.

"Yes, is there something wrong?"

She thought of Bambi’s mother. That was best left unexplained. "No, I’ve just never tasted deer before. I was raised a city girl."

"Then you must try it. Come here." Maximus pulled a small piece of meat off a bone and held it out to her.

She put down her plate and moved toward him as all the warning sounds were alarming in her head. Ashley extended her fingers to take it from him, but Maximus shook his head. He intended to feed her the piece of meat and held it out to her.

Ashley leaned forward and took the meat from his fingers as carefully as possible. His fingers still brushed her lips. Again the contact was electric. Maximus made a small sound akin to a grunt of surprise. She’d tried not to react, but the change in her tone of voice betrayed her.

She quickly chewed and swallowed the meat. Ashley had no idea how it had tasted.

"Thank you, General." She retreated back to her plate. "Please eat." Ashley sat down on the recliner without adding anything further to her plate. She heard no sound of him eating and kept her eyes averted.

"You didn’t like the stag? Cook will be offended."

"Only if you tell him." She arched an eyebrow as she met his strong gaze.

Maximus threw his head back and laughed. "You are an enigma in more ways than your sudden appearance Ashley Iris Weston from Paso Robles."

The man paid attention to detail. It was something that would be important and helpful in his line of work. She nibbled on an excellent tasting olive.

Their conversation became sparse over the next several minutes as each of them supped. Ashley finished first as she wasn’t very hungry. It had only been a couple of hours since she’d eaten her lunch meal delayed from sleeping. Despite Maximus informing her she was putting too much food on his plate she noticed he finished nearly all of it.

She remembered his statement about needing energy for this evening. Unless Sid made a sudden appearance Ashley felt that their night was set. And she wasn’t so sure that Maximus wouldn’t kill any man who tried to remove her from his tent. He was a warrior and he’d expressed his intentions. If Sid challenged him, whom he inevitably would, Maximus would try to strike him down. Sid would react in kind.

Ashley laid her plate on the table when they finished. She turned to collect the General’s as he held it out to her. Peering into his cup she noticed he needed more wine and filled it from the pitcher. He stood and moved lithely toward her with such grace, strength and speed.

"You cannot deny you feel the attraction as strongly as I do, Ashley." He lightly grasped her wrist.

She set down the pitcher without looking at him. "No, I can’t deny it, Maximus. But I must not give in to this. I am…" Ashley fought with the words to use. "Claimed by another man. My heart and body belongs to him."

Maximus put his fingers beneath her chin and tipped her head up to meet his gaze.

"You are alone in this world."

"Yes," her voice faltered, but her gaze was steady.

"Where is he that he’s not protecting you and claiming you?"

"I don’t know." Her voice was softer though her eyes were still riveted on his.

"You are under my protection now and I claim you." Maximus pulled her into his arms and kissed her. The pressure of his lips was light at first and explored hers, but when Ashley’s lips yielded beneath his, he truly claimed her with his lips and tongue.

And when Ashley arms encircled his neck he picked her up and carried her to his bed to also claim her body. He set her gently on her feet at his bedside. Quickly he had found and undone the clasp of her gown around her neck. The material fell to rest on the curve of her hips.

Maximus’ battle roughened fingers traced across the silken bared skin of her back as his lips found hers again. The warmth of her smooth nubile flesh flamed a heat in him he hadn’t felt for so long. He needed to possess her immediately.

He easily lifted her at the waist to stand on the bed before him. It put her chest directly before his face. He rubbed his bearded cheeks against her full breasts and kissed the soft valley between them.

Ashley shivered as his thumb brushed across her nipple. The flesh puckered and reacted to his touch. Her treacherous body betrayed her want for him. Maximus knew what they both wanted. His mouth encircled the flesh as he drew on her nipple. Her body arched toward him as his wet tongue lathed her flesh.

He licked and suckled on first one nipple and then the other. Ashley’s head fell back and a moan escaped her lips. There was no turning back now. She no longer wanted him to stop. Her fingers stroked through his hair and massaged his temples as he feasted on her breasts and nipples.

Maximus felt the change in her as she completely gave herself over to him. He couldn’t wait. There was time for slow caresses and patience later. He wanted to possess her flesh now. Maximus tugged on her gown to pull it down over her hips, but met with resistance. Just as he was about to tear the material to remove it her hand stayed him.

"Maximus." Her voice was like the caress of her fingers on his temples. His body was full of his want for her. Ashley’s fingers deftly opened a stay on the back her gown that his large fingers hadn’t felt. With her help the material easily slid down to pool at her feet.

He drank in her body with his eyes. She was more beautiful beneath the gown than he’d imagined. His hand brushed down over the smooth skin of her flat belly. He marveled at the neat curly small patch of pubic hair. Maximus had never seen a woman with hair removed as such. He cupped her sex and stroked his fingers through the red curls.

"Now, Ashley." He picked her up and laid her on his bed.

"Yes, Maximus."

She helped him remove his armor as he moved down between her legs. He parted her thighs after the breastplate was tossed to the ground. Maximus smoothed his hand up her silky hairless thighs. His fingers pressed between the curls to find her wet sex beneath.

Her legs parted further to allow him access to her. He prepared her for his cock. Her want had released the necessary moisture to give them both pleasure on his entrance to her body. Maximus grasped his throbbing manhood and released it from the cloth binding it. Once free it throbbed full and erect in his hand.

He pressed it to her weeping tight entrance. Maximus moaned her name as he pushed inside her flesh.

"Ashley…" He steadily penetrated her body until he was deep inside her. She wrapped her legs around his hips to draw him deeper still. Her soft lips kissed his bearded chin. He captured her lips possessively with his as he whispered, "Mine."

His want and need drove him forward. He moved as soon as her body stretched to adjust to his girth. Her body exquisitely encased his throbbing cock. In a short time he moved quickly in and out of her body as he drove to find their mutual release.

Maximus wanted to feel her shudder beneath him before he released his seed inside. Never before had he felt such a strong and base need to claim a woman as his. She clutched the flesh of his back muscles tightly in her fingers as he drove forward. The sounds of her soft whimpers and moans alerted him to her nearing release.

"Come for me, Ashley." He commanded her in his low melodious voice.

She arched her body hard against his as he drove into her again. Her release rippled across her body and pounded through her flesh as she cried out to him.

"Maximus!"

The feel of her body gripping his so tightly pushed Maximus over the edge of his own release as her body claimed his. He filled her body with his seed in wave after wave. She was now his completely.

He collapsed on her body, but quickly drew her to their sides as to not crush her with his full weight. Maximus held her body close to his to prevent slipping out of her. They both panted in the recovery of their frantic coupling.

The soldier on duty outside General Maximus’ tent smiled as he heard the mysterious beautiful woman cry out for their general in pleasure. Their strong general had claimed the woman as his. Surely there would be no danger from her whether she was a goddess or sorceress. He silently stomped his feet to warm them in the night as the temperature began to drop. None of them had truly worried about their general’s mastery in this matter.

Maximus gently kissed her brow. A contented sigh escaped her mouth and a smile quirked her lips.

"Wow," she whispered.

He chuckled and again was taken by her beauty which was heightened further by the flickering candle light. Her long red curls fanned out beneath her. He was bewitched by this woman.

"Indeed, lady." He gently kissed her lips once and then again. Maximus hands began to explore her flesh in a slow unhurried lazy manner he’d been unable to find before their coupling. As they found their energy again they drew off Maximus’ remaining clothes for him to lie naked with her.

Maximus greatly enjoyed the feel of her soft curvy yielding flesh against his harder body. She too explored his flesh with her small fingers. Ashley kissed his furred chest and ran her fingers through his chest hair with delight. As the two of them rubbed and kneaded the others bottoms they found their need for one another grow again.

This time Maximus made love to her slowly and gently until the need for release came again. Afterwards they whispered together until Ashley began to get drowsy in his arms.

"Sleep, little one. You are safe." He drew the animal skins over them for warmth. The two of them fell asleep together.

Maximus made love to her again in the night. Each time he awoke his thirst for her was great and had to be quenched in her flesh.

When he woke in the early pre-dawn hour the space beside him was empty. For an instant he wondered if he had just had the best dream of his life. His body told him otherwise as he felt the reality of their multiple couplings. He turned to find her bathing in the candle light from a basin of water. The beauty of her form enticed him as he watched her move the wet cloth across her body.

Maximus threw the skins off his body and sat on the edge of his bed.

"Come here, Ashley." He held his hand out to her. "I will wash you again when we are finished."

She smiled at him and dropped the cloth into the basin. Gracefully she walked toward him and took his offered hand.

"Good morning, my lord." With his help she climbed onto his lap and wrapped her legs around his waist. As she settled against him she found him ready for her again. She nibbled on his earlobe and whispered in his ear. "You are truly awake, Maximus."

He positioned her body and sunk his manhood into her.

"Yes." She gasped as he entered her. He smiled into his kiss and drew her lower lip between his. "Good morning, Ashley."

"That’s some good morning, Maximus." She grinned and kissed him until small moans were pulled from her as he moved inside her body.

After he stood still as she washed him. He took pleasure from the feel of her moving her fingers and the cloth across his flesh. And he quite enjoyed his turn at washing her. He frowned as she drew on her undergarment and gown when they finished. She caught his displeasure and laughed lightly.

"I can’t stay naked all day, Maximus."

He arched an eyebrow. "I don’t see why not." He grinned at her as her giggle filled the tent. His heart felt lighter than it had in a very long time. When she kissed him good-bye as he went off to perform his duties he liked knowing that she would be waiting for his return later.

But while Maximus’ heart was lightened by Ashley, hers was in turmoil that day. She was in love with Sid and had a child with him. She’d been wrenched away from both of them without her choice, missed them terribly and had now cheated on Sid with another man.

She may not have had a choice, but she didn’t think she’d exactly protested much either. This wasn’t the type of woman she wanted to be or how she lived her life. Sid’s entrance into her life less than a year ago had turned her life upside down.

Her life was not the life she’d once led nor was she the same women. And now there was the added mystery of being drawn through the portal into another world without physically stepping through it like the other two times.

Why was she here? There had to be a reason. Or was it just some crazy random pull through the doorway into time? No, she was convinced there was a reason. And the reason had to be Maximus. She was here for him. Ashley had been placed right in his path so he couldn’t miss her. And the draw between them had been unmistakable and immediate.

Was there some reason that Maximus needed her now? He seemed very strong and well adjusted if just a bit lonely. She sighed and hoped she hadn’t been sent here to cheer up a lonely man. Ashley prayed the reason she’d been sent wasn’t to be a prize for another man during her life.

In some ways the only time she felt she wasn’t a prize to a man was when she’d been with Dino. There was a man with whom she had regrets. She’d spoken to him a few times since she’d left his protection in Los Angeles and returned to Sid. He’d forgiven her even if he didn’t understand how she could be with Sid.

Ashley curled up on Maximus’ bed and cried. She missed her baby Sydney desperately and wanted to hold her in her arms. Thankfully she had some milk pumped ahead so their nanny would be able to feed her breast milk for at least a day or two.

Eventually she drifted off to sleep. Maximus and she had a very busy night and she could use the extra rest. When she awoke her cheerfulness and optimism had returned. No matter what Ashley would make her way through this and find her way back to Sid and her baby.

As she ate a light lunch her thoughts returned to Maximus. It was hard not to think of him with great frequency despite the pain she felt over her separation from Sid and Sydney. He was an amazing man who was handsome, strong, self assured and powerful. Those were all heady qualities; ones that she’d been drawn to in a man her whole life. She knew he was a man who could capture her heart along with her body if there was time.

Was she the sort of woman who could also capture Maximus’ heart? It was good that there wouldn’t be time to find out and cause her more conflict. Sid must be coming for her soon; maybe today. Ashley told herself that, but for some reason she didn’t believe that she would leave this place today.

She exercised in the afternoon. If the soldier standing guard outside Maximus’ tent saw her he would think she was either crazy or truly a witch with the way she was jumping around. And then she began to both dance and sing. They had been her passion as a girl and even now as a woman she enjoyed both.

Ashley had a love for musicals and South Pacific was her favorite. She had once done a dance routine in recital to Some Enchanted Evening and felt it was a very passionate and romantic song. And if there was one thing Ashley knew, she was a hopeless romantic.

She lost herself to the music in her head as she sang and danced around the tent. Her eyes slipped shut as she remembered the steps. She already knew all the dimensions of his tent. Her steps didn’t falter as her clear soprano rang out.

Some enchanted evening
You may see a stranger,
you may see a stranger
Across a crowded room
And somehow you know,
You know even then
That somewhere you'll see her
Again and again.

Some enchanted evening
Someone may be laughin',
You may hear her laughin'
Across a crowded room
And night after night,
As strange as it seems
The sound of her laughter
Will sing in your dreams.

Who can explain it?
Who can tell you why?
Fools give you reasons,
Wise men never try.

Some enchanted evening
When you find your true love,
When you feel her call you
Across a crowded room,
Then fly to her side,
And make her your own
For all through your life you
May dream all alone.

Once you have found her,
Never let her go.
Once you have found her,
Never let her go!

Maximus watched her. He was enthralled by her grace and beauty. Her beautiful voice sang out. He was near and knew it had to be her when he heard the singing. There were no other women near by. She’d drawn him back to his tent. He’d left his aide and the young soldier standing guard outside his tent as he’d silently entered.

He heard the lyrics to the unfamiliar song. Once you have found her, never let her go. She danced toward him. Maximus reached out and grabbed her around the waist and pulled her to him.

"Fly to her side and make her your own?" He smiled at her before his lips claimed hers. She had gasped in surprise when he’d touched her. Finally he broke away from a deep kiss.

"You have to stop doing that." She was breathless from his kiss.

He grinned. "Kissing you?"

"No, I mean sneaking up and startling me." She slapped his arm playfully and laughed.

He protested. "I was not sneaking. It is not my fault that you get so focused on what you’re doing that you’re unaware of your surroundings. You would make a terrible soldier, lady."

Ashley laughed heartily. "I think we have found a point we will most definitely agree on, General. I would make an awful soldier."

"Maximus." He corrected her.

"Yes." She answered coyly. "That is your name."

He crushed her against his body as her eyes met his. "You were made all woman."

"Perhaps that’s best for both of us, General?" Her eyes flashed with humor and challenge.

"Maximus." His lips found hers again. This kiss was even deeper, longer and more passionate than the last.

"Mmm, Maximus." She giggled. Her voice was throaty and sexy.

He picked her up and started towards his bed when he remembered his aide was waiting outside his tent. Duty. Maximus reluctantly set her down before he got any closer.

"I must go, lady."

"Ashley." She leaned toward him. Lips turned toward his with her eyes closed.

Maximus kissed her again. She could make him forget his duty. "Ashley."

She wanted him again. He said he needed to go. Ashley knew she could delay him, but instead she whispered in his ear.

"Go back to your duties, Maximus. I will be here for you when you return." She kissed his cheek.

He nodded and released her. Bowing to her he turned and left his tent.

Ashley dropped onto his bed. She sang softly. "Once you have found him, never let him go. Once you have found him, never let him go." She shook her head. Hopeless romantic indeed. Ashley was no longer a girl who could be a hopeless romantic and fall in love with a man such as Maximus. She had a man at home who she loved and had a child with recently. Why was this happening?

That’s when she had a thought that chilled her. And this one she truly prayed she was completely wrong about. Ashley was fertile. She’d given birth to a healthy baby girl and she’d had a first period post birth. Could she have been sent to have Maximus’ baby? Was her purpose to get pregnant from him? That didn’t make sense. He was young and had plenty of time to marry and have children to pass down the millennia. What if he was the human source of all the others?

"No, no, no, no," she chanted softly. This was a crazy theory she needed to banish from her mind immediately. "Gone." She threw the thought away, but it would now stay in the back of her mind as a niggling possibility.

Ashley got to her feet and resumed dancing. It was something she could do with freedom and abandon. It was something that would block out other thoughts. She changed to one of Maximus’ tunics to spare her gown from being soiled since it was her only garment.

When she was tired she had to find another way to occupy her time. That’s when she found Maximus’ journal. She began to read it from the beginning. It was filled with duty and it was mostly of a serious tone. Occasionally his dry wit shined through. Always his strength of character and integrity were apparent.

Another thing she marveled at was the ease in which she read this journal. She knew it was in Latin. Ashley neither read nor spoke Latin, yet here she spoke and read it fluently. She sang in English yet Maximus had perfectly understood the words of the Rogers and Hammerstein song. Something strange, mysterious and even wonderful was at play here.

Calm came over her. Things were going to work out alright. She would find her way home to Sid and her precious Sydney. Now she was to be here with Maximus. Ashley was here to be with Maximus as she’d been chosen to cross Cort’s and Bud’s paths in their pasts and Bud in their present. She voraciously read the rest of Maximus’ journal and then carefully returned it to his trunk.

It gave her an increased awareness of who the man was. He was a man Ashley could love forever even though that wasn’t fated for the two of them. She intended to show Maximus the woman she could be for him during the time she was here.

Darkness began to fall. He could return shortly. She removed his tunic, folded it and returned it to the trunk. Again she bathed to be certain she was fresh and clean. She picked up her gown to put it on, but stopped. A small grin slipped across her lips when she had a fun and wicked idea.

Maximus and his officers had a busy afternoon. They planned a campaign. The men trained for battle. His thoughts strayed more than once to Ashley. She maddened him by testing his self control constantly. When their strategy session was finished he could think of nothing other than returning to his tent and the arms and body of this woman.

What was he to do with her when they went into battle? She would need to be protected. He thought of a solution that would send ripples of concern through his family. There was still time.

He strode toward his tent as the sun dipped below the horizon. Candles flickered inside his tent. He didn’t see her on his entrance.

"Ashley."

A small voice answered him. "Are you alone, Maximus?"

"Yes, reveal yourself."

Ashley’s hand and then an arm appeared around the screen. Suddenly she was moving gracefully toward him. His eyes were riveted on her body which was on full display before him. She was clad only in her sheer outer wrap and nothing more. It was entirely see though.

The material hugged her high breasts and pressed against her rosy nipples. Her sex was outlined by the diaphanous delicate mesh as she glided toward him.

"Welcome home, Maximus. Let me take your cloak." She brushed her fingers across his cheek as she reached out to unfasten the stay. He was riveted to the spot since she started toward him. His nostrils flared to catch her fresh scent as her fingers touched him. She pulled the cloak from his shoulders. Maximus’ hand reached out to cup her breast. His thumb traced across her nipple. The sheer material separated him from what he desired.

Ashley tossed his cloak over a chair. She arched into his touch. He watched her body react to his caress.

Maximus picked her up and laid her on the table clearing off what lay in his path. He swept her wrap aside and moved between her parted thighs. Leaning down he kissed her lips and then moved down to suckle her nipples. He felt her fingers separate the cloth that bound his manhood in place to free him.

His cock throbbed in her hand. It was ready to enter her body immediately. She rubbed him against her opening. He pressed forward to enter her wet core. Maximus had imagined possessing her flesh again all day. The reality was better than all he’d anticipated.

Maximus took her there on the table top. After their release he held her body to his with her legs wrapped around him. He whispered endearments to her and kissed her sweetly. She was his again.

Ashley served him his dinner. Maximus insisted she remain naked. She grinned at him and perched on his lap as his arm wrapped around her waist to steady her. Then she proceeded to feed him from her fingers. It was the most enjoyable meal Maximus had ever eaten.

The rest of the evening and night were spent similarly. Finally sated in the wee hours of the morning Ashley whispered a question to him.

"Maximus, do you know why I was brought here for you?"

He ran his fingers through her silky curls. "You believe that you were placed in my path so I would find you?"

"Yes, I think so. But I don’t know who did this or why. I don’t know how I came to be here, Maximus. I’m very far away from home." Ashley sighed. Not only very far away, but very far into the future. Could she tell Maximus that? Cort had believed her. Bud hadn’t until she and Sid disappeared in front of his eyes and then she met him over 50 years later, but looked the same as she had when she’d known him as a young man.

"I’m glad that you’ve come here, Ashley." He kissed her until the sudden sadness disappeared from her eyes. There were times a look of terrible loss would pass over her face. He didn’t press her to tell him.

"To meet you has been wonderful, Maximus." She cupped his cheek with her hand. Ashley noticed how he moved toward her touch. He was passionate and strong yet could be a tender man too. "To be here has been very difficult for me. The separation…from my infant daughter has been agonizing." She looked into his eyes as a tear slipped down her cheek.

Maximus knew the bond between a mother and child was strong. He hadn’t guessed she’d been taken from her baby. His focus had been on his need and want of her. The good fortune was his when she appeared in his path. He didn’t like thinking his good fortune had been her great misfortune.

He pulled her into his arms and held her close as he dried the tear from her face. Never had Maximus felt such a strong need to protect another. He knew he would kill to keep her safe from any outside harm. Simply put Maximus was already falling in love with Ashley.

Time progressed quickly. Days became a week and weeks stretched into a month which progressed toward two. By that time Maximus knew Ashley was where his destiny lay. He had no doubts. Maximus would not give her up.

Maximus worked daily to convince Ashley she would be the woman he married as they fell deeply in love. She was too high born to be his concubine. He was a man who knew his mind and his heart. All his life he’d done his duty and shouldered responsibilities. Maximus would choose his own wife. He had chosen.

A woman from the nearby village made clothes for her. Ashley began to accompany Maximus to certain areas of the camp that were proper for a lady to be. His officers and men began to fall in love with her as well. Her kind and gentle heart was refreshing in this men’s land. Her smile and laughter was infectious and lightened the burden of the men as they prepared for bloodshed.

"Ashley, become my wife before we begin this offensive. When it has been won we will travel to my home for you to meet my parents when I go on leave." He paused a moment. He would make sure she was cared for whether or not he returned.

"In the event I don’t return your position as my wife will ensure you a place in my household. Now is the time to bind our lives as we have our love. I will honor you for my lifetime."

She ran into his arms and hugged him tightly. A tear raced down her cheek as she looked up at him.

"Don’t talk of your loss, Maximus. I couldn’t bear it. Despite knowing I shouldn’t love you our lives have become entwined together. I love you so much." She kissed him gently and lovingly.

"Yes, Maximus. I will become your wife. It feels so right. Our love is so right."

Maximus picked her up and twirled her around in his arms. Her laughter warmed his heart. Their love had changed his life. He was becoming a man that no longer cared solely about his career in the army and his duty to the Empire. The thought of a life with Ashley outside the army and children began to entice him for the future.

Maximus Decimus Meridius married Ashley Iris Weston two days later. The priest in camp performed the ceremony. Maximus knew Ashley was a Christian but that was not spoken of or acknowledged outside of his tent or her life would be in danger.

Their nuptials were cause for a great celebration throughout the camp. It was the final celebration before their offensive began.

As a present for their general and his lady the men gave the couple 24 hours uninterrupted together. Only in an extreme emergency would there be any approach to the general’s tent except to deliver and retrieve food from their meals. Two guards were posted outside the tent to enforce the ‘gift’ after the couple retired after their reception.

For Maximus and Ashley it was a 24 hour honeymoon of lovemaking and cherished time together that before had mostly been reserved to nights and very early mornings. Although they were both aware their separation was soon to begin they didn’t speak of it.

During a time they were sated from lovemaking they whispered to each other of favorite memories from their childhood. They enjoyed sharing stories from the time before they knew each other. By this time Ashley had shared much of her past including her travel through time to him. Maximus didn’t doubt her origins.

Maximus had taken an intense disliking to Sid when she’d described how she came to be with him and how he had manipulated her past and present. For days or even weeks after she told Maximus about him she had seen him stiffen if someone approached the tent he hadn’t expected. He slept with a dagger beneath his pillow at all times.

Ashley had wondered if any of the others could get along with each other without intense rivalry. Yet she could see similarities between Bud, Cort, Maximus and even Terry that made them honorable men who would respect one another. What she couldn’t see was any of them getting along with Sid. And Ashley knew Sid detested all of the others from what he’d said.

He would go out of his way to antagonize them at every opportunity. Only she seemed to see the side of Sid that loved and cared. She had never understood his abandonment of her. Ashley was certain of his love, but after about a month of being gone she began to believe he was not coming for her. The anguish and betrayal had been difficult. The separation over losing Sydney had been devastating.

Yet after she’d recognized that he wasn’t coming for her part of her heart began to open to accept Maximus’ love. Eventually the love Ashley had truly hoped to find with a man was right before her with Maximus. She could no longer deny it or push it away. The reasons to do so seemed to vanish.

"Maximus, I can see you as a boy playing with me by your side in a stream. My long hair braided in pigtails. You would put a frog in my lap to make me scream, but I’d be too stubborn to do so even if it scared me."

"Of course I’d give you a frog. I’d have to give the girl I was sweet on some token of my affections. I’m sure I’d have loved you already even if I’d have denied it completely." He laughed at the picture of their selves together as children. "I can see the freckles on your nose." He touched the tip of her upturned nose.

"I remember my mother running after me as a small child to put a hat on to protect me from the sun." She laughed. "I did have freckles. Thankfully I out grew them and was never a sun worshiper with my fair skin so easily burning."

Maximus leaned over and kissed her bare shoulder. "I quite like how your skin turned out." His fingers ran down her smooth side as a smile graced his lips.

"Yours too." Ashley ran her hand down his chest. His skin was in such contrast to hers. Tan while hers was fair. Tough and hardened from the outdoors and exposure where hers was soft and smooth. He had multiple scars from previous battles where hers was unmarred. She sighed as her fingers traced across the remnants of a previous injury.

Their time together had nearly ended. He would soon be leaving her for final preparations. The men would march in the morning. It would be the few that remained behind at their base camp. Ashley would be among the few left behind awaiting Maximus and his army’s return.

Ashley whispered in his ear. Maximus picked her up and joyfully set her on top of him. She wrapped her legs around his hips. Their joy turned to kissing, passion and lovemaking.

The next morning before dawn Ashley said her goodbyes to her husband. They had made love knowing it would be long until they were together again.

"Don’t forget you must return to me, General. I want my husband Maximus back by my side. That is your duty, my husband." She kissed him as she made sure his armor was in place and fastened his cape around his neck.

"I love you, Maximus."

"I love you, Ashley." He took her in his arms and kissed her longingly. The separation would be hard on both of them, but he knew it would be hardest on her. "I will see you again, my love."

"Yes, I’ll be right here waiting for you, Maximus." And with that he was gone from their tent.

As the general’s wife Ashley stood proudly outside his tent with her guard by her side as the troops passed by her toward the Roman built road that headed north. She blew a kiss to Maximus as he passed on his resplendent steed. His look seared into her as one she would never forget. He looked formidable and magnificent like the first time she laid eyes on him.

Ashley knew he was an impressive capable man, but she also knew he was still a man who would be vulnerable to death as any other soldier on the battlefield. The thought terrified her and she sent silent prayers to her God and his Son who no one else worshipped in this place.

She stood in honor of all the soldiers who marched out of camp that day. It seemed to take hours until the vast numbers of troops and supplies left. By the time the camp became quiet her energy had severely flagged and the soldier who’d been left to guard her with his life had to help her toward the tent until she once again regained her equilibrium.

For Ashley had a secret which no one else knew except Maximus who’d she’d whispered it to the day before. She was exhausted and went to bed immediately. Crying herself to sleep while surrounded by the scent of the man she loved. Their honeymoon day had drained her of energy from the long hours awake. She’d slept little the night before also.

Ashley finally fell into a deep slumber until she was later awakened by a voice calling to her. She fought coming to a consciousness she wasn’t yet ready to face.

"Wakey, wakey. Ash-lee. Come to me, my butterfly. Your prince shall awaken you with his kiss." There was a small giggle followed by a kiss to her cheek, her nose and finally her lips.

She began to stir.

"I knew that would rouse my princess."

Sid gathered her in his arms and kissed her more passionately. His hand greedily caressed along her curves before cupping her breast. It had been far too long since he’d been able to possess this body which enticed and belonged to only him. When he saw the gown he’d bought her covering her body he knew it was an open invitation for him to once again share her bed.

Sid had prepared himself for the occasion. He was clad in a silk robe with nothing more. He was ready for his butterfly and untied the belt holding the fine garment shut. His magnificent form was on view for his waking lover. Sid continued to pepper her face with kisses as his free hand left her soft breast and skated up the smooth flesh of her shapely leg as he pushed the diaphanous garment out of his way.

He was surprised with how difficult it was to arouse her. Concern creased his usually smooth perfect brow.

"Wake, my beauty," he purred in her ear. Sid knew the perfect way to rouse and arouse. He slipped his hand up her inner thigh as he parted her legs to find that secret place he coveted.

"I will make you wet and call for me. Wake up, butterfly." His free hand slipped around to deftly unfasten her gown and bare her breasts to him. He suckled on them as his other hand found his prize and pressed one finger deep inside her body. Sid shuddered to touch what he’d craved since the birth of their perfect child.

Ashley’s eyes flew open as she was finally able to waken. She gasped from the entrance to her body and the specter of Sid before her. His presence confused her. Where was she?

"Sid!"

"Yes, it is I. Here to end our much too long separation, my butterfly." He shucked the robe from his shoulders to allow her to drink in the magnificence of his naked body as he climbed between her legs and wrapped them around his hips.

"I am pleased you dressed for me, my Ashlee. You are in for your treat." He giggled as he prepared her body for his entrance.

Ashley was very confused. She would think she was dreaming except Sid was most definitely here and was soon going to enter her. Her treacherous body knew the touch of her former lover and responded to his ministrations, but Ashley wanted him to stop. As she opened her mouth to call to him he greedily covered her lips with his and drowned out her words.

In moments Sid’s fingers withdrew from her body and were replaced by his engorged organ. She pushed against his shoulder but it made no impact. He was completely focused on the physical sensations of possessing her body.

Sid made love to her with his considerable talents and insisted in bringing her body to orgasm twice before emptying his seed inside her.

Exhausted from the journey back from the past Ashley crawled to the other side of their bed when he released her.

"Where is she?" Ashley began to sob. It was too much for her to handle as she now had been ripped away from Maximus and longed for Sydney.

Sid stared at her. What was wrong with his butterfly? Where was her joyful response to his physical prowess? He was not used to the waterworks from her. This was unexpected.

"Who?"

"Our daughter…where is she? I need to see her." She sobbed. "How could you abandon me?"

"She is asleep in the nursery where you placed her before you both napped. I needed you. I could wait no longer for sleep time." His eyes narrowed as he looked at her. Abandoned?

"Sid, I’ve been gone for over two months." She was frantic now and leapt from their bed and promptly fell to the floor as her legs collapsed. Ashley would crawl to the nursery if she had to. She fastened the strap of her gown back around her neck as she made her way toward the door.

Sid easily picked her up in his arms. His butterfly then turned into a tigress as she fought him. He was mystified. Surely she hadn’t lost her mind. He had picked her for her endurance and strength of spirit along with other comely qualities.

"Either put me down or take me to the nursery, Sid. I must see Sydney now. How could you leave me there for all that time? If it weren’t for Maximus I’m not sure I could have survived there. How could you separate me from our daughter if you stopped caring? And what was all that about? Acting as though you had to quench your hunger for me?" She hit him hard on the shoulder.

Sid nearly dropped her. Not from the light tap she placed on his shoulder, but from her words. She acted as though she had traveled through the portal instead of merely taken a nap. Including the unsteadiness time travel caused in her.

He carried her toward the nursery to calm her at the sight of their sleeping infant.

"You have been nowhere. My Ash-lee has been asleep for an hour as our daughter sleeps." Sid opened the door to the nursery and carried her into the room. He held onto her to steady her as he set her by the crib. Their tiny daughter still slept though her lips smacked in her sleep.

Ashley was completely overcome to see her sleeping child. She sobbed unchecked. Sid picked her up and placed her on the settee in the room. He fetched tissues from the stand and handed them to her to staunch the fluids flowing distastefully from her eyes and nose.

Sid stood watching her as she recovered her wits. There was something different about her. His precise critical eye took in her appearance. Her hair was longer. He followed her focus. A crudely made gold ring was on her hand that hadn’t been there prior to her nap.

Ashley was aware that Sid suddenly disappeared from the nursery. It was actually a relief to be left alone. She wanted to focus on their child. As much as she longed to pick Sydney up in her arms and cuddle her she fought against doing so until she had regained her equilibrium physically and mentally. She didn’t want their baby sensing her great distress.

Finally as Ashley was steady enough again on her feet she pulled the rocking chair over to the crib and sat by to watch her baby. She reached out and stroked her fine baby curls as a smile of contentment replaced her upset.

Sid seemed completely unaware she’d been gone. Could that be possible? Was that why he didn’t come for her? Ashley’s strength surfaced and she pushed the thoughts of the two men in her life into the background. Sydney was her only concern at the moment. She quickly washed up in the bathroom and removed the blue tinged traces of Sid’s lovemaking from between her thighs.

A cry elicited from Sydney. Ashley raced to the side of the crib and eased down the rails to gather her daughter up in her arms. She kissed the precious infant and took in her scent. A greedy hungry cry sprang forth.

Ashley grinned. At that moment she felt the surge in her milk production as once again she was ready to feed her baby. In wonder she unfastened the halter top and offered a nipple to her hungry child.

She settled onto the rocking chair as Sydney sucked her meal from her mother. As Ashley watched her baby a calm feeling enveloped her. Everything felt suddenly right despite having been wrenched from another time and the man she’d loved and married.

Maximus was away at war and could be for months. Somehow Ashley would find a way to visit him. She had no idea how she’d accomplish it, but she now knew it was possible. Sydney needed her much more than either of the men who’d claimed her love be it Sid or Maximus. Her infant daughter was where her focus had to be.

And Ashley believed there was another to consider. She’d whispered to Maximus she would have his child. Ashley was fairly certain she was pregnant. And she would protect that child with all her know how. She now wouldn’t know with absolute certainty the identity of the father of her child. She would have taken a pregnancy test had Sid not had sex with her immediately. Now she would delay until she had signs she couldn’t ignore. There would be enough doubt in her mind to effectively lie to Sid. It would be a necessary lie to protect her baby.

Ashley didn’t think Sid would allow her to have a child from another man. She knew how he felt about the others. He would be enraged. She feared he might even go after Maximus in his time for touching her. Sid was very possessive of her.

She remembered the girl who had stopped making love to Cort to ensure she knew the identity of Sydney’s father. That scared girl had changed very much indeed. There were survival tactics she had learned along the way as a consequence for being Sid’s mate. She sighed. Maximus’ wife must be buried down deep inside for now. A tear slipped down her face. She quickly swiped it away to prevent it falling on a baby soft cheek.

A hand tightened firmly yet not harshly on her shoulder. She looked up at Sid with a smile on her face.

"Our daughter is even more beautiful than I’d remembered."

Sid nodded as he scrutinized her. She glanced back at her suckling child and felt calmness sweep over her again.

"You were correct. You were gone. It appeared as mere seconds on video, but you were gone." His voice was filled with wonder and rage.

Ashley nodded. She hadn’t needed Sid to tell her she was gone. It certainly hadn’t been a dream.

"I’m glad my separation from Sydney wasn’t noticeable to her. Do you have any idea of how or why I was pulled back through time? And how will you prevent it from happening again?"

Sid noticed the coolness in her voice. Part of why he coveted this female was her lack of hysterics and ability to quickly adapt unlike other humans. This was different. She hadn’t mentioned missing Sid. Both he and their daughter had been the center of her universe. He wasn’t pleased. And was she questioning his ability?

"I can easily figure out how." His voice was petulant. "I don’t know why, but I will find out."

"I was meant to not be missed." Ashley stated what she thought was the obvious. She wasn’t asking for his agreement. Sid hadn’t orchestrated this, but Ashley was very angry with him right now whether it made sense or not. He was still the source of all of this and therefore responsible for what had happened. She needed time to get past that hurt and anger. And additionally there was now the strong love she held in her heart for her husband, Maximus.

She inserted her finger into her daughter’s mouth to break the seal of her sucking. There was an audible sucking sound by the infant as she switched her to nurse on her other nipple. She laughed with joy for the first time since returning. The baby greedily suckled her other nipple and was rewarded with her mother’s milk.

Ashley stroked a fine silky red curl on her baby’s head. She pointedly ignored Sid and gave all her attention to Sydney.

Sid’s grip tightened on her shoulder until she looked up at him. For an unguarded moment he saw all the strong emotions in her eyes. Although he wasn’t human Sid almost recoiled at this look from his special one. Much had happened to her in the time she was separated from him. His grip loosened and he took a step back.

"Two months?" Her gaze connected again to their daughter. His butterfly appeared to not want to look at him. How could that be? She adored him as she should.

"Yes, a little longer." Ashley offered no further explanation. Sydney had started to slow on her sucking and appeared to be falling asleep. Ashley gently placed her on her shoulder and burped her as she lightly rocked the chair. Once the infant was burped and sleeping she placed her on her side in her crib and covered her with a baby blanket.

Ashley slid into the rocking chair in exhaustion. The stress of the day’s events combined with the travel through time had left her without energy reserves. Her eyes slipped shut as she tried to pull from her inner strength.

Sid scooped her up into his arms. This time she didn’t protest. Neither did her eyes open as he carried her back to their bedroom. He gently laid her on their bed and covered her.

"I will not allow your sleep to be disturbed again." He sat on the edge of the bed watching her.

Ashley’s eyes opened for a moment and connected with his. She nodded and shut them again. Her breathing became even as she drifted off into sleep almost immediately.

Sid would solve this little mystery quickly. No one or nothing would again take away what belonged to him. He switched on the camera to the nursery to watch their daughter sleep as he did her mother. Sid would swiftly and decisively destroy who or what had taken Ashley from him.

The End