Title: Waiting – Interlude #3

Author: Dontia

Disclaimer: I don’t own anything but the plot.

Spoilers: None

Rating: R

Summary: Tess is watching Gladiator and has a dream.

Notes: Sequel to "Irish Magic". Okay, this is the R version because my site doesn’t allow anything higher. If you’re over 18 and wanted the NC-17 version, email and ask. And hey, by asking you’re saying you are over 18. If you’re not, anything you read isn’t my responsibility.

Feedback: It keeps me writing, so the choice is yours.

Dedication: To Ally and Lisa, who inspired this one.

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Twenty-four hours after her fight with Michael, Tess walks into the Valenti house. Jim and Kyle follow, carrying her belongings.

"Are you all right?" asks Jim.

"I’m fine," says Tess. "When Michael calms down, it’ll be fine."

"Well, you’re welcome to stay here as long as you like."

"Thank you."

"You can have my room," says Kyle.

"I don’t feel like sleeping. I’m gonna stay out here and watch a movie."

"If you need us, we’re here."

"Thanks Kyle, thank you both."

After they go to their rooms, Tess puts Gladiator in the VCR. She watches the battle scenes with watery eyes. "Now there’s a metaphor for my life."

As the scenes of Russell Crowe’s character dreaming of his family come on, Tess finds herself drifting off to sleep.

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DREAM…

"Time to dream sweet dreams," says Tess, leaning down to kiss her son’s forehead.

"When’s father coming home?" asks Christopher.

"I don’t know. I know he thinks of us every day and dreams of us every night. Go to sleep."

Tess sits there stroking her son’s forehead until she hears his breathing change and he falls into a deep sleep.

She gets up and fingers the chain around her neck. Almost three years since she’s seen her love. She knows the Empire needs him, but dammit she and their son need him too.

Sighing, she walks outside to get the laundry left hanging up. She pauses as she hears a horse riding hard and fast toward the house. She moves near the door and grabs a spear, ready to lay down her life for her son.

The horse stops. The man descends and approaches. Even before the light hits his face, she recognizes his walk. She drops the spear and flies into his arms.

"You’re home," cries Tess, burying her face in his neck.

"I’m home," says Michael, holding her close. "I missed you."

"I missed you too. So has Christopher. He’ll be so excited to see you."

"Where is he?"

"He’s asleep. We can wake him up."

"No, I’ll see him in the morning. Right now I need to greet his mother properly."

Michael leans down and picks Tess up, cradling her in his arms.

"You shouldn’t," says Tess. "You just had a long, hard ride."

"And I’m looking forward to another one."

Tess laughs and kisses him as he carries her into the house.

In their room, he lays her down on the bed. "I thought of you every night."

"You were gone almost three years, I know there were…other women."

"No one was you, so there was no one else. I love you Tess."

"I love you too. Let me help you out of your armor."

She helps him unlatch his chest plate, taking it off to reveal rippling muscles. She lovingly smoothes her hands over them. "I missed your body."

"And I yours. But I’m not seeing enough of it."

With a smile in her eyes, Tess gets up. He sits on the bed watching her as she takes off her dress, revealing herself to him.

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Hours later, they wrap their sweaty bodies around each other.

"I’ll be ready again in a few minutes," says Michael.

"Are you sure? Christopher will be disappointed if you’re too tired to play with him tomorrow."

"I have enough energy for both of you woman. I plan to prove it."

"Does this mean you’re home for good?"

"I’m never leaving again."

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On the Valenti sofa, Tess smiles in her sleep. "Michael." She snuggles into the sofa and dreams of a happy life with Michael and their son.

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THE END