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Love Conquers All
Chapter 12
It would take the Phoenix nearly three weeks to deliver the former slaves back to their home planets. Daniel and Jack had searched the buildings and found lists of the people and where they had been take from. It had taken time, but eventually the planets were identified. It was a tired but happy group that returned to Gamma, leaving the delivery of the now freed slaves to the crew of the ship. They were all feeling good about what they had been able to accomplish, and Duncan had sent them home for a good night’s sleep.
"‘Night, Sweetheart," Casey said softly, cuddling up to his side.
He kissed her temple. "‘Night, babe." He closed his eyes, smiled when he felt her press her lips to his shoulder. Sleep claimed both of them within minutes.
He reached out…felt the empty, cold bed beside him. No! She should be here! She wasn’t hurt…not wounded…not lost to him! Where was she? He sat up, looked around. He was wearing his sweats and a tee shirt. No! No! No!
He crawled out of the bed, pulled on jeans, and a shirt, grabbed his ID card and keys, headed for the jeep. Emily! He couldn’t leave Emily alone! With a groan he went back inside. Erin was sitting in the kitchen feeding his daughter. This didn’t make sense…he shook his head. "Where’s Casey?"
He watched Erin’s face. "Oh, Daniel, you’ve been dreaming again, haven’t you?" The woman who looked so much like his wife stood, hugged him tightly. "I’m so sorry, Daniel. I know how difficult this is for you."
He pulled away, began to pace the kitchen. "No! It’s not true! She’s not…she’s fine! She was with me…"
"Daniel, don’t give up hope, don’t ever give up hope that someday she’ll be with you again. But for now…" Erin’s voice trailed off. "Maybe you should go see her."
He nodded. He drove to the base, his heart pounding against his ribs. The guards at the gate looked at him with pity in their eyes as he signed in. He strode to the medical wing, recognized the orderly that sat at the desk outside…that…room.
"Doctor Jackson! I didn’t expect you in this early on a Saturday," the young man said, already unlocking the door.
He didn’t reply. He took a deep breath, then walked in. She was there, in the corner, rocking gently back and forth. "Hey, gorgeous," he said softly.
There was no response.
He sat down beside her, his heart breaking when she shifted away, her body trembling with fear. "How can I reach you, babe? How do I help you come back? Emily needs you. I need you. I love you Angel. I can’t live without you."
Suddenly the door to the room opened, and Casey walked in. He looked again at the blonde woman beside him. She wasn’t Casey. Her hair was a darker shade of blonde, her face more round, her body smaller, more curvaceous. "Tatiana?"
The woman beside him looked up at the sound of her name.
"Tatiana, Zinder is dead. The men who…hurt…you, are dead," Daniel said softly. "Your father avenged you, avenged your death."
"Peace now?" Tatiana asked softly.
"Yes, you can have peace now." He stood up, walked to where Casey waited, watching them. "Hey, gorgeous."
"Hey yourself, handsome."
A bright light began to shine in the corner of the room. "Thank you," Tatiana’s voice said from within the light.
"You’re welcome," Daniel said softly.
"Wake up now, and find your wife safe and healthy beside you." The light faded, and he found himself alone in complete darkness.
He jerked awake, reached out and turned on the lamp. Casey was laying on her side, her hips against him. He reached out and touched her, his hand on the tattoo above her breast, felt her chest rise and fall with each slow, steady breath. "Angel?" he whispered softly.
She stirred. "Mmm?"
He rolled to his side, buried his face against the soft skin of her neck, breathed in her sweet smell. His hand roamed her body, the Fire burning out of control in his own.
"Daniel, what’s wrong?" she asked sleepily.
"Nothing babe. Nothing at all."
A smile spread over her face, her hips rubbed against his throbbing erection. "Feels like you have something for me," she said softly. She rolled to her back. "Love me, Daniel," she whispered.
He pulled her teddy from her body, tossed it to the floor. His boxers followed them. He moved over her, smiled when she wrapped her arms and legs around him. "Love you, Angel."
"Love you, too, Sweetheart." She sighed as he entered her.
Daniel hissed a sigh of pleasure as she raised her hips to take him all the way into her sweet, warm well. He began to move, each thrust bringing them closer to the pinnacle of pleasure. He kissed her, pouring his love, his heart, his very soul into her. She responded in kind, giving to him until she had filled the ache that had overtaken him. She began to whisper, then whimpered softly, sending his soul flying, and his body followed.
He held her tightly against him after he rolled to his back.
"Are you all right?" Casey asked softy.
"I’m fine, babe."
"You’re sure?"
"Absolutely."
She snuggled down against him. "If you need me, I’m right here."
He kissed her temple. "Thanks, babe." He thought briefly of Tatiana. She was at peace now. Casey was healthy and happy and in his arms. He closed his eyes, knew that the nightmare would never return to haunt him again.
THE END
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