Spirals of the Mind

Title: Spirals of the Mind: Chapter 6
Author: JadeHeart
Archived: If anyone would like it, please ask me first!
Fandom: Highlander
Rating: NC-17
Warnings: sexual situations
Timeline: Not sure exactly when, but it is after Ritchie heads off on his own for a time.
Characters: Ritchie/Kaiya (OC)
Feedback: Feedback is always welcome!
Summary: The crossing of lives and loves; they come and go.
Author’s Notes: This portion seemed to flow a little more smoothly than previous chapters; I found I didn’t mind the interaction between the two characters.
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters, they belong to the creators of ‘Highlander’, nor am I making any profits from this.


Chapter 6

Ritchie roamed around the dance floor, suave, sophisticated, oozing riches, bestowing ingratiating looks on his admirers. He chuckled to himself silently. If they only knew of his humble beginnings, he thought in amusement.

As he continued to circulate, he checked out the ladies. There were a couple who had caught his eye, and who had made it more than abundantly clear, that he was very welcome to visit them. May as well make the trip pleasurable, he thought.

He passed on to the next group, his escort introducing him. The group parted, and he was caught mid speech by the sight that greeted him in their midst. He recovered as quickly as he could, and hoped people would put down his lapse to being overwhelmed by her beauty, which wasn’t exaggerating things.

Kaiya stood there, more stunning than he had ever seen her. A tight peacock blue dress shimmered over her form, showing every luscious curve. Her hair was blond this time and piled high on her head with ringlets at either side, framing her face. He managed to go through the motions of introductions to the other people and then it came to her. His escort then left him when it was clear he wasn’t going to move on soon.

Ritchie stood in front of Kaiya, admiring her. “You look beautiful.” he said sincerely.

“Thank you.” she said softly. She looked him over. “You look quite wonderful yourself - very dashing.”

He couldn’t believe that he blushed at her compliment, just like a school boy. The music from the live band continued to play. “Care to dance?” he asked, extending his hand to her.

She looked surprised, but placed hers in his in acceptance. He bowed and brushed a kiss on the back of her hand and led her to the dance floor. He masterfully took her in his arms and swirled her about the floor. She was still surprised as she hadn’t known he could dance like this.

He sensed her surprise, and took pleasure in it. Being as old as she was, she wasn’t surprised by many things any more. They finished the dance, and he tucked her arm in the crook of his and signalled for a waiter to follow them. He led them out the door to the deck. As they stood at the railing, he turned to take the two glasses of wine, before passing one to her, and the waiter faded away again.

“To chance meetings.” he said, raising his glass in a toast.

“Indeed.” she replied, touching her glass to his. The crystal chimed and they drank. “What are you doing here?” he asked her, now leaning on the railing in a pose more reminiscent of the Ritchie she knew, than the sophisticated socialite he had been inside.

“Travelling.” she replied, looking out over the ocean. “I thought this trip would be interesting to do again.”

“When was the last time you did this?”

She frowned. “Probably about 100 years or so.”

“It’s a little more modernised now days.” he said smiling.

She returned it. “Somewhat.”

He looked up at the night sky, “It’s a beautiful night.”

“Truly it is.” she agreed, and it was, with the sea smooth, a full moon glistening and bathing the water in its silvery light. “Why are you here?” she asked him.

“Oh, travelling also. Actually though, I’m in the middle of procuring some real estate deal for a high flying company. They believe in travelling in style.”

“So I see.”

The strains of music came to them through the door. “Dance?” he asked stepping back.

“Here?”

“Why not?” he said, with that devastating smile he had.

She couldn’t help but laugh, and so they danced. While they did, they talked, catching up on what both had been doing, where they had been, what had happened. The hours ticked by as they stayed in each other’s arms, swaying to the music and the sound of the sea. They soon found themselves cheek to cheek, bodies pressed close, not exactly the classical waltz position.

Ritchie felt so comfortable. He had so missed her, more than he had realised, till now. He tightened his arms around her, pulling her closer, smelling the fragrance of jasmine that came from her hair. The ringlets brushed his face, moved by the gentle breeze. He felt her sigh gently.

“What is it?” he asked softly, pulling back a little to see her face but not relinquishing his grip on her body.

She looked at him, “This is so nice.” she whispered.

“I know.” he agreed, and leant forward and placed a gentle kiss on her lips, no more than a touch. He smiled, and pulled her in tight against him, before swinging her around with a laugh. The touch of her lips had been electrifying, but he didn’t want to ruin the mood. They had three weeks together on this ship, and he had no intention of alienating her on the first night. He glanced up at the sky. “Would you believe it’s almost dawn?” he said suddenly. They stopped their movement.

“So it is.” she said with some surprise. She looked up at him with a smile. “It was a beautiful night. I haven’t had such a lovely evening for a long time. Thank you.”

“Thank you.” he said gallantly, bowing to her. “But I think we should both seek our beds and get some sleep. I don’t think we’ll see much of today otherwise.”

“Oh, I think I will.” she said with a laugh, stretching her arms out as though to capture the sun just rising over the horizon and pluck it from the sky.

“Yes, but you can survive on very little sleep. I, however, need my beauty sleep.”

“You are beautiful as you are.” she said looking at him.

I’m going to blush again, he thought. He grinned to cover his embarrassment. “You always knew exactly what to say to make me putty in your hands. But I’m off, so I’ll see you around.” and he left her there with a jaunty wave.

Once out of sight, he leant back with a sigh against the wall. It was hard to be that close to her and not tell her how he still felt, to not show her. He could still remember what she felt like in his arms, how she looked in the moonlight. Enchanting, he thought. She’s done it again. All over again. With another sigh, he made his way to his cabin, and after a shower he flopped on to his bed to sleep. And sleep he did.

The next week found him spending more and more time Kaiya. He tried to make it gradual. Bumping into her in places, talking for a few hours, having a swim together, a dance, a walk, a meal. By the middle of the following week, they spent almost the entire day in each other’s company, and evenings also. People began to treat them as a couple. He had heard more than one whisper of them; what a lovely couple they made, when would the engagement be, he was sure to propose on this voyage, what a fortunate match financially, they would have beautiful children and so on. Some of this talk flattered him, much of it was painful as he knew there would be no proposal, no engagement, no wedding, no children. However he shook these thoughts aside and concentrated on enjoying every moment of Kaiya’s company he could, only too aware that it would all end far too soon.

Ritchie was making good use of this voyage with regards to his business ventures also. The company he had signed with, with forged credentials, of course, cultivated the rich, and moved in those circles. Ritchie was finding he liked this circle very much – a far cry from his juvenile delinquent days on the streets. However much fun he thought it all was, he did take his job seriously. It paid extremely well, and Duncan and Tessa had refined him, shown him how to excel in these groups, and socialise with such people. He found he had picked it up easily. Originally he had chaffed at all the instructions and lessons that Tessa had forced upon him, now it proved invaluable. He had also taken steps to further himself – not so much with formal study, but in reading, following the financial times, taking dancing lessons, elocution lessons and so on. Duncan had shown him that to survive the centuries you had to learn, constantly.

“Don’t be like me, Ritchie,” Duncan had said one day. “And wait almost a century to learn to read. You may not think it very important today, but at some time it will be, maybe a century later. So learn everything you can, when you can, and disregard nothing as trivial or pointless.”

With that in mind, Ritchie began to apply himself. Tessa had begun installing the social skills Ritchie might need, whilst Duncan had taught him woodcraft on the island, and survival skills. Although Ritchie was a city kid through and through, he leant as he realised just one day even that may help him.

So Ritchie was comfortable in his role at present, and intended to do a good job. He had begun to save his money, under different aliases and his own name, around the world, anther trick Duncan had taught him. Just a bit here and there, buy some land cheap that in 70 or more years would be prime real estate. At first he had sought Duncan’s help in picking these places, but now he was confident in doing it all himself.

He had also been certain to make a will. Another thing, Duncan had explained seriously one day.

“You have to be certain that whatever you have set up in life, you keep track of, Ritchie, and take steps to plan for the worst. If you die, or disappear with no will to say what is to happen to it all, there will be enquiries, state executors allocated, and if they go digging around they may just find things we don’t want them to find. So make certain you always have your affairs in order. That way it is easier for you to deal with it all whilst you are living, and it tidies it up if you’re dead.”

Ritchie followed this advice, and made Duncan and Joe his executors. Of course, he’ll have to keep changing that. Joe wouldn’t live forever. He would shy away from that thought whenever he had it. It was not something he wanted to dwell on, but he had a will in place now which was important. So he had learnt and excelled in many areas, which had him quite able to fill the role he was presently playing.

Now, with Kiaya beside him, he was doing even better. She knew how to play this role also, having had many more years to perfect such manners, and people who may not have spoken to him about business, would open up to Kaiya and allow themselves to be introduced to Ritchie. This in turn, provided him the opening to begin potential negotiations. He found that he and Kaiya worked well as a team.

“To business!” Ritchie said, raising his glass over the table. Kaiya clinked hers to his with a smile.

“So will your bosses be pleased?”

“Pleased? They’ll be ecstatic!” he enthused, drinking. “Do you know I’ve closed three deals and got four other meetings booked and confirmed, just in this past week? I rang through to the office and they couldn’t believe it, thought I was kidding them. I still think they’re sceptical and wont believe me till these people actually turn up, or they see the signature on the dotted line.”

“Do you get a bonus for getting this many?” she asked.

“I get a bonus for every client.” he stressed. “And it’s a big bonus too. I think that’s why they don’t want to believe me! I might just send them bankrupt after this trip! Maybe I’ll take early retirement!”

She laughed. “You’d be bored! Stay with this for a bit longer and make your fortune. Then move on before they notice you’re not getting any older.”

He grimaced. “That bit is the hard part. Not being able to stay with anything for too long, not being able to rise to the top because you’ll be remembered more.”

She cocked her head to one side. “Do you really like it in the limelight so much?” she asked.

He twirled the wine around in his glass. “I liked it when I was on the track. I could have been something then. But I blew it, and it showed me how quickly all of it can go. Being prominent means you just have to up and leave before you get spotted.”

“True, but you can always do it again in 30 or so years after. By then, you won’t be recognised as yourself.”

“I know, but it’s still better not to be too well known. You ever been anyone famous?” he asked her.

She laughed and shook her head. “Oh, no! You must remember, in my time, survival meant stealth and cunning, not grand displays. Those instincts have always remained with me. I’m content to drift on the outskirts of things. People are less observant of their surroundings every century that goes by so I stay pretty safe.”

“I can’t imagine living as long as you, or Mac, or Amanda.” Ritchie said. “My brain just doesn’t get around it. I always believed I’d die young, 20 something.”

“You’re 20 something now.” she said.

“Yeah. And I did die, didn’t I.”

She reached across the table and covered his hand. “True, but you also came back. Believe you will live that long and take steps to do so. Anything less could be suicide.”

Ritchie shrugged. “I know, but sometimes I can’t help but think what does it matter.”

“What do you mean?”

“Who’d miss me? Duncan, Joe, perhaps Amanda. They’re the only people left now. Fitz is gone, Darius, my foster parents, Tessa, Charlie. I don’t have anyone else. Bit sad when you realise your death may only affect three people.”

“Four.” she said softly. He looked up at her and she continued. “Don’t I count on your list?”

“I didn’t know if you would be.”

“Oh, yes, Ritchie. I would miss you. Very much so.”

He kept eye contact with her and turned his hand over to capture her fingers. “I’ve missed you.” he said bluntly, throwing caution and politeness to the wind. “Ever since you left.”

She glanced down at the table but did not withdraw her hand from his. “I’m sorry.”

He squeezed her hand gently and she looked up. He smiled at her. “I understand why you left. I do, and in some way I agree it was for the best, and the only thing to do, but part of me always wished that you hadn’t – that hang everything else, honour, right, friendship, all of it. I just wanted you with me.”

“I wish I could have stayed but there was no other way.”

“Did you really mean it?” he suddenly asked.

“What?”

“That you loved me?”

Silence for a moment as she looked at him. “Whilst I was with you, Ritchie. When I lay in your arms, when I kissed you, I was thinking of no-one else, only you.”

Ritchie mentally sighed with relief. It was something that had nagged at him all this time, a thread of doubt that he had only been a substitute for Duncan. But looking at her now he believed her.

He squeezed her hand again as he smiled. “I’m glad.” he said and she smiled back. He pushed back his chair and extended a hand to her. “Come and dance with me.” and he swept her out onto the floor.

They danced, talked and walked around the ship. They didn’t notice that there were fewer and fewer people around as the night went on. They soon reached the indoor swimming pool in their wanderings. Mosaics and opulence made this a glittering enchanted pond of soft light and reflections.

Ritchie glanced at his watch. “Would you believe it’s 2.00am!” he said. “We’re probably the only ones up still!”

“At least down here.” Kaiya said. She knelt at the pool side and trailed her fingers in the water, watching the shimmering ripples. “Let’s swim!” she said suddenly.

“Now?” Ritchie questioned.

She stood and began to unzip her dress. “Of course.”

“But…” and his voice was stilled as the dress slithered to the floor and she stood naked before him. She reached up and unpinned jewelled hair clasps, laying them carefully on a nearby table, her blond locks cascading down. Ear-rings followed, and she stepped out of her shoes, then with a high arching dive, she entered the water.

Ritchie stood on the side, in his tux and tried to get his breath back. She had completely stunned him, and he could only stare at her beauty. He watched her swim a lap and return, her body sleekly wet, gliding through the water. She rested her elbows on the side, looking up at him.

“Come on.” she said, and splashed water over his legs and trousers.

“Hey! I’ll have to have them dry-cleaned again!”

She raised her brows. “If you didn’t have them on, they couldn’t get wet, could they?” she said with irrefutable logic. Another splash followed.

“Hey!” he said again, skipping back. “That’s it! You’re in big trouble!” he mock growled and began to peel his clothes off. He hesitated a moment at the briefs, and then with a mental shrug stripped them off as well, and dove in to join her.

A splashing match ensued; he chasing her, though he knew she was letting him catch up. She was a much better swimmer than he. Finally he snagged a foot, and with a mighty heave, dragged her back to him, hands groping to maintain a grip on her slick body. He pulled her in close to him. She looked beautiful with her hair floating around her on the water, body glistening, clad only with the pearl choker about her throat. Her eyes sparkled as she smiled.

“So, sir, what will you do with your prize now you have it?”

He had to respond to that challenge. “A knight always receives a kiss from the lady for winning.”

“A kiss, is it?” and she leant forward and brushed her lips again his. It was a soft touch, gentle, brushing over the entire area of his lips. His hands slid down along her arms, circling to hold her ribs, as their bodies drifted closer and the kiss deepened. He could feel her hair curl around him, touching his neck and shoulders, her arms trailed up to rest about his neck.

Their bodies touched and what seemed like an electric jolt went through him. The feel of the full length of her body now pressed against his, was extremely arousing. He could feel her body’s warmth searing him, her breasts pressed against his chest, their legs tangling. They continued to kiss, though now it was fiercer, stronger, more desperate. A portion of his mind said to stop, this can go no where, their time was past, but this thought soon vanished amidst his arousal.

He pushed them to the shallow end of the pool, the ledge bumped her back gently. He slid one hand down and raised a leg, and she obligingly circled his waist with both. Buoyed by the water, he eased them up, laying her down, so her head was resting on the next step above so it was clear of the water. He kissed her face, her eyes, her ears, her neck, her breasts. His hands roamed across her body, the water making her slick.

Her hands were no less busy. He shivered every time her fingers trailed across his skin, his arms, back, chest, buttocks. The gentle lapping of the water pushed their bodies this way and that, small movements that they didn’t fight. One such movement and Ritchie could feel his arousal slide from its place pressed between their stomachs, to be resting against a searing heat. He knew where he was, how close he was. He didn’t know what he should do, when another gentle roll solved the problem. It was enough to slide the head of his erection to enter her.

The heat surrounded him, and was almost excruciating. He gritted his teeth and arched his back trying to hold still, to not go any further, to pull back but he was fighting his desire to remain in this wonderful heat. He heard her soft cry and glancing down, saw her arch her back and he was then completely lost. For her movement thrust her hips forward, and he slid fully into her enclosing warmth.

A cry left him and he fell forward to wrap himself around her body fully. He felt her body quiver, a need building in her, a sign from old that he knew well. He couldn’t resist. He began to thrust, kissing her everywhere he could reach with his mouth, touching her everywhere his hands could. He felt her nails dig into his back, his buttocks, run over his ribs, down his legs, up his back and through his hair. Her lips were on his face, his neck, and when he arched up she would fasten them on his nipples in a way that made him lose all control. He reached between them and stood up for a moment to touch her spot, and saw her begin to writhe harder, her cries and moans becoming louder.
He stood, thrusting deeply into her. Nothing would be able to stop him now, nothing on earth could interrupt his pursuit of this pleasure. He gritted his teeth, he wasn’t going to last any longer. A portion of his mind cursed as he wanted to prolong this pleasure longer and longer, but it was not to be and he needed the release. With his fingers on her clitoris he worked it furiously as he pumped harder and deeper into her, his other hand pulling her hips forward to meet his thrusts so he penetrated as deeply as he could. He heard her cry out and threw his head back, eyes closed and let out a shout as he felt her interior muscles spasm around him and he emptied himself inside. He gasped as it seemed to go on and on, her milking him again and again. Before he stopped, he furiously worked her clitoris again, knowing that it would bring her immediately to a second orgasm and sure enough, she arched up against him and thrust forward once more as her muscles squeezed him in an agonisingly beautiful manner. He then leant forward, letting the water take his weight, his legs buckling. He cradled her, raining kisses on her neck and face. There was a gentle smile on her lips and a satisfied look on her face. He knew that he had a silly smile plastered on his face, and the feeling of repletion and satisfaction was great.

“I’ve missed you.” he whispered in her ear. He felt her arms tighten around him in response. They lay there for a time, letting the movement of the ship and water rock them. “Come on.” he finally said. “Time to get out, before I fall asleep and drown!”

He felt her chuckle deep in her chest. He got up, thankful his legs had now recovered. He padded off and located two bathrobes, returning to where she sat on the edge wringing water from her hair. He held a robe out for her and she rose, allowing him to close it around her. “Let’s hope we don’t meet anyone in the corridors.” Ritchie said humourously as they collected their clothes.

“I’m sure they’ve seen worse.” she replied.

Fortunately they met no-one as they made their way through the corridors to their rooms. He gave her a quick kiss. “I’ll see you in the morning.” Ritchie said, stepping back. “I’ll have time for a shower before I fall into bed! Good night.”

“Night.” she responded, slipping her key into the door.

Ritchie made his way to his room and thankfully jumped into a shower. As the warm drops cascaded over his body, he thought back over what had just occurred. I hope everything will be okay in the morning, he thought as he soaped down.

Kaiya stood with her back against the door after she entered her room. Stepping forward she tossed her clothes onto a chair, placing her jewellery on the dressing table carefully. She sat in front of the mirror and unfastened the choker, looking at herself in the mirror.

Why did she let that happen? A shiver of pleasure coursed through her body.

Because I’ve missed him, she admitted to herself. A lot. Now what? she thought to herself. I can’t stay with him. That’s in the past. Then enjoy this time while you can. A thought slipped into her mind; it may be the last. Morbid thoughts, probably triggered by Ritchie’s earlier conversation, but there was an element of truth in it also. Neither of them knew what the future would bring. There could be a challenge and one of them could be dead. So what to do? She stared at herself hard, looking deep in her own eyes. I missed him. I liked what happened tonight. I love him. She gave herself a resolute nod and stood.

She walked in her robe, with a simple sundress and sandals in her hand, until she reached Ritchie’s room. She knocked and waited. Had he already gone to sleep? she wondered, when she heard the sound of the handle turning and Ritchie stood before her, towel around his waist, another rubbing though his curls. His movement ceased upon seeing her standing there. She stepped forward and dropped her dress and shoes on the chair nearby.

“It was cold in bed.” she said simply.

The tableau held for a few seconds, then Ritchie gently closed the door, and took her hand to pull her close to him. Soon her robe joined his towel on the floor, and the bed was warm and soft for them both.

Ritchie heard the quiet knock as he stepped from the shower. He wrapped a towel around his waist and grabbed another for his hair. Who on earth could it be, and what did they want? he thought, making his way to the door. Probably come to tell me that the pool had video surveillance and we’d be fined for contamination, he thought humourously. He opened the door, and instead of the expected steward, Kaiya stood there, still in her bathrobe, holding some clothes. She stepped forward into his room as he stood stunned.

“It was cold in bed.” she said, dropping the clothes on a chair. He looked at her. He should just say it would be better for just that one time, don’t make it anything more because he knew that once they reached their destination, they would go their separate ways. But his heart ruled his head now. They had taken that step together, and she was here acknowledging that and asking to stay longer. He didn’t want her to leave – not again, not this soon. So he closed the door and took her in his arms.

When they finally docked, Kaiya and Ritchie stood side by side, watching the last touches and passengers disembarking.

“Well,” she said turning to him. “You had better go and collect those bonuses and savour the sound of your bosses weeping as they hand over all that money!” she smiled at him.

“It’ll be good to hear! At least now I’ve proven myself well and truly to them. Can’t be any more quibbles about hiring me.”

“I don’t think you’ll have any problems on that score.”

“Thanks for all your help.” he said seriously. “You were a big help to me, and you didn’t have to.”
“It was my pleasure.” she said. She leant down and picked up the small bag and slipped it over a shoulder. “Thank you for making this cruise so pleasurable. It beats out the trip 100 years ago.”

“What happened then?”

“It sunk.” she said with a laugh. She then turned serious for a minute. “Take care.” she said. “Please.”

He nodded to reassure her. “I will, promise. You, too.”

She nodded then reached over and placed a kiss on his cheek. “Goodbye, Ritchie.”

He held her hand. “Bye, Kaiya.”

As she walked away, they retained their grip until their fingers could no longer touch and then she was gone, lost amongst the crowds. Ritchie took a deep breath and picked up his bag. It was time to get back to his life and work.