"What about right here?"

He gave a soft gasp. "Actually, I think if you moved over just a little," Longshot whispered.

"Here?"

"Oh," Longshot fairly sighed. "Oh, yes. That's better."

"Sorry, I know you're in a hurry; I've gotten almost too slippery to handle this."

"I think you're supposed to be."

"How does that feel?"

"It's getting there," grinned Longshot.

"Sorry," she said again. "This is all new to me, still. I'm not so good at being gentle, I'm afraid. I'm better if it's just quick. In, out, move on, you see."

"No, not seeing much of anything right now."

"Don't let go, yet. I want to be sure both of us are ready."

His breathing came heavier. "I -- I'm pretty sure I'll be ready."

"Shh-shh," Chicory gave a light, soft, laugh. "You said this is supposed to be secret."

"I'm not going to tell anyone."

"And you know I'm not going to," she smirked.

There were several hearbeats of silence, before Longshot asked. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," she said quickly, then more kindly, "Nothing. It's getting -- It's just getting hotter and I'm wet; you're making me work for this."

"I want it as bad as you do," Longshot stated softly.

"Probably more so I'm sure," she added and laughed. "We could -- Well, we could send for Cloudfern. He'd come."

"Yes. Yes he would," Longshot breathed out heavily. "But I'm not so bad, am I?"

There came more soft laughter. "No, of course not. You tease."

"I'm a tease?" he hissed. "Rub right there. I don't think I'm --" his statement was cut short by his low moan.

"All right," she said. "Yes, I think you're ready."

"I don't want to hurt you," said Longshot tightly.

"Don't worry about that, my friend. We'll do it together."

Longshot exhaled in soft groan. "If you're s- sure."

"Yes, I'm sure. No need to make you wait any longer." There was a hiss of words. "It's not going to fit."

"It'll fit," he practically panted.

Chicory grunted. "No, it's too tight."

"But it feels right."

"Sorry, but it's got to come back out."

Longshot grunted and cursed.

"Sorry," she said apologetically.

"It was fine."

"You're not thinking straight, any more. I think some more oil."

"All right, all right, just hurry." He brought short his tone. "Please."

"We may need to get Rainpace," suggested Chicory.

"I'd rather not."

"I'm just saying, he and I have been through this before."

"Still. This should be a ... a private thing."

"If you say so." She repositioned herself. He grunted. "All right?" she asked.

"Yes, yes. Just … just hurry. I can't hold it back much longer."

"Here we go."

"Yes."

"Slipping it in now ..."

"Yessss."

"Feel all right?"

"Yes!"

"You sure?"

"Yes!"

"Longshot, I think I'm going to --" Suddenly a jolt ran through them both as the release came without warning.

"Oh, yes!" he hissed loudly, sucking in deep gulps of air. "Yes! Oh, High Ones! That's it! High Ones! I love you, Chicory!" He clutched her and buried his face in her hair, nipping gratefully at her shoulder.

She chuckled. "Well, remember that the next time you get caught in one of my untried, untested deadfall traps, would you? The lever shaft should never have gotten stuck like that. And you still should have Cloudfern look at the leg for you."

"I will," he murmured without any real comprehension.

There was a long pause. "You know," Chicory said. "Since you're all right and free now, and we're here, out-of-the-way, and I have oil ..."

"Hmm?"

"Well, I was thinking maybe I could try to make some of it up to you? Since the ... situation has presented itself ...."