Anniversary

by Franki Tollefson

October 21, 1996
About 2:30 AM

Joe's was finally empty. He was usually a little sad when the last person left, but tonight he was just relieved. He needed to be alone. It seemed like every one of his friends had stopped by that evening. He wasn't surprised to see Richie and Mac; they were here several times a week. Amanda didn't really surprise him either; she'd shown up last year, too. When Adam Pierson arrived, Joe almost lost it. Unsure whether to laugh or cry, he'd just pretended not to know why they were there. Now that he was alone, he finally let himself think. All day, he'd stayed busy, but now it was time to deal with it. Heading over to the stage, he picked up his guitar. Switching the amp on, he turned the volume way down and began to play softly.

No one ever loved that river, rain from the Highlands a mirror for the Cajun moon
A road without a memory of anything that started out as blue

***

"Joe? Joe," he woke up to her soft voice, her hand on his shoulder.

"Hmmm? Hi, honey. I thought you had an early meeting tomorrow?"

"I do," Lauren answered with a soft laugh. "But I couldn't get to sleep. I think I've gotten used to this bed."

He pulled himself up, leaning against the pillows. Reaching out, he trailed his fingers down her cheek. Sliding his hand under her hair, he pulled her toward him for a gentle kiss. "Come to bed, hon," Joe said, when they separated.

She glanced around, looking for something.

"What?" he asked, puzzled.

"Where's your guitar?"

The question brought a smile to his lips; he loved playing for her. "It's in the living room."

"If I get it, will you play something for me?"

"Sing you a lullaby?" he teased gently.

"Well, no. I don't think I'm quite ready to go to sleep."

***
Well you can pour me like a jug of wine
Into the gulf of Mexico, honey
Until the end of time but no one ever loved that river the way I love you
***

"Any requests?" he asked, adjusting the guitar as he watched her finish undressing. "Something romantic," she said in a husky voice, sliding her nude body into bed.

***
You move with your own rhythm like a tide on the river lightning on the Ponchatrain
The way you come to me at midnight warm and naked as the rain
***

"I love that song," she whispered against his ear as he finished.

"I love you," he answered, turning his head and brushing his lips against hers. Pulling away, he lowered the guitar to the floor next to the bed.

"I love you, too," she said, watching him.

Joe put his arms around her and tugged gently. With a smile, she slid across his lap, ending up facing him.

"I've got an idea," Lauren said suddenly.

"So do I," Joe answered, leaning in to nibble on her ear. "Several of them."

"I noticed," she chuckled, pressing against his erection. Wrapping his hands around her bottom, he pulled, encouraging her up on her knees. Reaching past him, Lauren rested her hands on the headboard as he moved his mouth to her breast.

"What's your idea?" he whispered as he cupped her breasts with his hands and began to suckle at one of her nipples.

"Hmmm?" she mumbled, suddenly distracted. "Umm... Oh! We should go to New Orleans," she managed after a moment.

***
What were you whispering down at Natchez
Cause it muddied up my mind About some great ocean going to make you leave it all behind well, no one ever loved that river the way I love you

***

"Sounds like fun," he answered as he moved to her other breast. Sliding his fingers around, he used them to stimulate the nipple he'd just freed. Pulling away, Lauren slid back and lowered her mouth to his chest. Using her tongue and teeth, she encouraged his nipples into tight peaks. Sliding further, she began to kiss and lick her way down his abdomen. Stopping at his navel, she licked around it, chuckling a little when she felt him tense. She did it on purpose; he was sure of it. She knew how ticklish he was. Sliding back further, she knelt between his thighs. Slowly, she ran her hands over one leg.

"You're really tight," she said softly, beginning to rub the muscle. "Are you okay?"

"I was on my feet too long today," he answered, wincing as she hit a particularly sore spot. When the muscle began to relax, she released the leg and moved on to the other one. After a few minutes, she lowered it back to the mattress. Slowly, she began to trail her fingernails across the inside of his thighs. Lowering her head, she followed her nails with her tongue, moving upward until she was cupping his testicles in her hands.

***
You've got land above the salt line,
Bougainvillea in you hair
The barges pole for New Orleans
You said you'd leave without a care

***

Slowly, she began to lick at the tip of his penis. At his groan, she let the head slip into her mouth. Tightening around him, she used her lips and tongue to stimulate him, while she slid one hand around the shaft and began to stroke him.

He closed his eyes, enjoying her caresses for a few minutes. Finally, he reached down and gently tugged her away. "Come here."

Releasing him, she moved back to his lap, kneeling across him again. He slipped a hand between them, pressing into her and feeling her moisture. Using his other hand, he pulled her mouth to his, as she raised up onto her knees. Shifting a little until they were positioned, she pressed down taking him inside her.

***

But the rumour on the river is anything
that touches you will be free
but I know you can't be free
Well, you know you can never leave this river without me

***

Wrapping his hands around her waist, he held her in place. "Wait," he said softly. "About New Orleans?"

"Yeah," she asked, distractedly. She was obviously not interested in discussing travel plans right then. Slowly, she began to rock her hips.

"Lauren," he said to get her attention."About New Orleans."

"What about New Orleans?" she asked, from her tone he could tell she was humoring him.

"Why don't we go there on our honeymoon?" he asked softly. That got her attention. "Honeymoon?"

"Will you marry me?" he asked then.

"Yes," she answered simply. At the word, he released her and she began to move. He felt her heat around him and forgot everything but loving her. Soon, their movements became more steady as they hit each other's rhythms. For long moments, they hung on the edge. Finally, he felt her body tense around him, heard her cry out. The strength of her orgasm overcame both of them and he let himself lose control.

***
Your eyes they flash defiance, they will not wait
upon my word draw my eyes across the skyline
like some long and graceful bird
Your lips have known me better, honey
and that satin ball of fire turns to blue
***

They ran out of time a few hours later. Lauren fell prey to the greed of an immortal obsessed with his art collection. MacLeod killed Thorne within days of Lauren's death. Justice was done, but it didn't make it hurt any less. He never played that song in public again.

Well, you know you can never leave this river without me

It wasn't true. She left without him and as hard as he tried, he was never able to forgive her for it. Would it ever stop hurting so much? Would he ever sleep through the night without dreaming of making love to her again? Leaning over, he set the guitar down. Turning off the amp, he picked up his cane and slowly walked toward the door.

I cannot leave this river, I will not leave this river without you
no one ever loved that river, no one ever loved that river the way I love you

end.

Disclaimer: Highlander characters are property of Panzer/Davis. The song used in this fic, "That River", is sung by Jim Byrnes; words and music are by Eric Johnson. No copyright infringement is meant.

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