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Gifted Ch. 01

By: MrLobo



Rays of sunlight cut through the clouds, breaking up the dreary rainy morning. The roads were still wet, but the traffic was moving along at a nice pace. From the driver's seat he could see little Ann-Marie in the rear view mirror. Her pretty little face was scrunched up in a cute scowl. Smiling, he thumbed stereo controls on the steering wheel, activating the CD player. From the speakers her favorite song erupted.

"The wheels on the bus go round and round, round and round, round and round...." he could feel the smirk from his wife, Sarah as she looked up from IPad, clearly giving him the "really?" look. He grinned and began singing along, off key and loudly. In the mirror he could see Ann-Marie's face brighten and began singing along. He could hear the 10 year old Sammie in the next seat snort in fake disgust, but she too began singing. Soon even Sarah was singing along in her soft husky voice. Smiles adorned each face as they moved back and forth to the beat of the song. The loud singing and the music was replaced by wails from a small woman and sirens. 

The coil of the nightmare wrapped around his chest constricted tighter as he gasped for his breath, launching him up into the seated position on his bed. He sucked in hard trying the regain his breath from the nightmare that never seemed to go away. Michael Sawyer untangled himself from the bedsheets as he eased his legs over the edge of the bed, trying to calm himself. Soft pink light was starting to peak through the open curtains. 

Sawyer dragged himself from the bed, the haze of the previous night's binge offset his balance, and he staggered to the small bathroom where he relieved himself. 

He leaned over the sink and stared at the man in the mirror. Short cropped sandy blonde hair, highlighted with a few grays rounded off an oval face that had attracted a few women in his younger days. Deep green bloodshot eyes gave away that he had seen much through his forty-five years. He was still an imposing figure at a little over six foot, but his unwillingness to do more than exist had packed on the pounds. He rubbed the three days worth of stubble on his face, but found he didn't care enough to shave.

"Fuck you," he said in disgust to the mirror, and staggered back to bed.

--

Sawyer sat at the traffic light waiting for the light to turn green. His dark sunglasses concealed the bloodshot eyes. He had failed to go back to sleep, the dreams would always come back no matter how much he drank to forget. A horn broke him from his self-pity reverie, and he eased the truck into the parking garage. He found a spot on the second level near the elevators, even though it was against company policy he eased the truck into the spot. 

He sat there for a few minutes sipping his coffee from the paper cup. No matter what he did, his thoughts always strayed to better times. Popping the plastic lid off the cup he leaned over the passenger side, reaching under the seat for the bottle of whiskey. His fingers brushed it further under the seat causing him to swear. After what felt like an eternity, Sawyer managed to retrieve the amber colored liquid. He looked hard at the bottle, thinking to himself that Sarah and the girls wouldn't approve of the way he was treating himself. But, they were gone, and he no longer care. Bitterly he swallowed his tears and opened the bottle, pouring enough whiskey to take the edge off, but not be noticeable. He tossed the closed bottle onto the floorboard, it clinked against the growing collection of empty bottles.

Sawyer took a deep breath and exited the truck. As he made his way to the elevator, two teens arrived at the same time as he did. Both were looking at a smartphone one was holding. They were giggling and pointing to something on the lit screen. They were dressed in shorty shorts, and tight tank tops, trying to show off what the gifts their mommas gave them. One gave him a quick once over, but she didn't even try to hide the sneer. With a ding, the door opened expelling several elderly couples, the men were weighed down with bags and boxes. 

When the car emptied, he waived the two girls in and followed them in. The bolder of the two asked for the first floor, which he selected then pushed the basement button. He could hear the girls talking in hushed tones, probably about him. He ignored them up to the point that the elevator stopped at the first floor. He did admire the shapely asses as they exited the elevator. I may not care about myself, but I am still a man. He thought to himself. After getting off in the basement, he made his way to the security office.

Zoe was sitting at the desk writing in the log as he entered the office ten minutes late. She looked up from the book when the door opened, but blew out a snort when she saw his condition. He mumbled an apology for being late as he moved past the desk into the locker room.

Working the combination lock with his free hand, he popped the lock and swung the door open. Zoe entered the locker room as he was easing the crisp white uniform over his broad shoulders.

"I thought we discussed this," she waved her hand up and down at Sawyer's appearance, "the last time you had a bad night, and that you would call me."

"It was 5AM, I knew Walt closed the bar last night, I wasn't going wake him with my problems." Zoe smiled and sat beside him, wrapping a slender arm around his shoulders in her other hand she was holding up an electric razor. Grinning, Sawyer took the razor and slipped into the pocket of his shirt. "Now hurry up the teenie boppers are gathering near the food court and we need to show our presence."

"Yes boss," he said as he finished dressing.

Sawyer was amazed that this amazing woman had become his best friend. It started five years ago, after losing his family in an accident, he began drinking heavily. Rather than being kicked out, he retired from the United States Marine Corps after 21 years of service. Darnell Weatherspoon, a retired colonel who Sawyer had served with through several campaigns and conflicts learned of Sawyer's dilemma, and offered him a job working for his security company. A cushy mall security guard position with limited responsibilities. Sawyer accepted the job and found himself being trained by this beautiful quirky woman 15 years his junior. They had become fast friends discovering that they had many things in common, but had kept the relationship flirty, but platonic. Zoe trusted his judgment so much that she had asked him to stand at her side as her Man of Honor, she didn't have many girlfriends that understood her as much as him, when she married her high school sweetheart.

Four hours into the shift, Sawyer found himself leaning on the railing overlooking the rotunda with a fresh cup of coffee. So far they had broken up two fights, apprehended a shoplifter and ran off a group of per-pubescent boys from the lingerie shop for ogling the models in the mini fashion show it was hosting. Zoe was backed up to the railing resting on her elbows, with a foot cocked up, watching a group of teenaged girls going into a fashionable clothing store. He tried to ignore the way it made her already large breasts jut out even more.

Sawyer felt his chest tighten when he saw a younger woman holding the hand of a little girl who appeared to be no more than 5 years old. At first glance the girl looked and moved so much like Ann-Marie that he had to look a second time. The pressure eased as the little girl looked up at him and he saw that she was similar in looks, but she wasn't Ann-Marie. She smiled up at her mother as the woman talked to her. 

Heaving a deep sigh, Sawyer drained the rest of his coffee. "What's for lunch?" He asked his partner. Her eyes darted back and forth, watching the crowd.

"Its your turn to decide, I chose yesterday." She reminded him with a smile.

After shooting down several of his suggestions, they agreed on the food court, where they both decided on over-priced greasy burgers and fresh cut french fries.

They were deep in conversation about her post graduate plans, when he felt the familiar buzz that made the hair on his neck stand up. Over the years, that little gift had saved his life as well as those of his friends and comrade's more than once, it wasn't something he could identify, just a feeling. He looked around, scanning the area, but nothing appeared out of the ordinary. Sawyer left the table, leaving his food and began searching the mall. 

Nothing jumped out at Sawyer as he rounded the high class woman's boutique. Zoe followed behind, asking again what was going on. He ignored her as he moved deeper, his eyes constantly darting back and forth. As they rounded the corner to the entrance to Sears, Sawyer heard the distinct sound if a weapon's action being worked. Sawyer stopped abruptly, and grabbed Zoe's arm as she started around the corner. Sawyer pulled her back as he peeked around the corner. 

There he saw an older teen taking the goth wardrobe to the extreme, he was tall, thin with ghostly pale skin. His badly dyed black hair was bowl cut. He wore black skin tight jeans tucked into oversized black combat boots, black T-shirt with some unknown band name that looked like it was written in blood, covered with a black trench coat. The boy was holding an AR-15 variant attached to a friction sling, and appeared to be having trouble working the action. 

Sawyer recognized the kid from a few days ago, he had been taking pictures and sketching the mall claiming to be working on a school project. He turned to Zoe. "Call 911, we have a problem," he said as automatic gunfire erupted from another part of the mall followed by screams. Sawyer's heart dropped, but found himself moving on the teen. He was in the kid's face grabbing for the rifle when the teen looked up. 

The kid tried to pull the rifle away from Sawyer, but he gave the rifle a hard shove towards the kid, smashing the rifle against his face snapping his head back and shattering his nose. Blood sprayed outward, but Sawyer was already moving, twisting the rifle and lifting the kid over his hip. The kid landed on the tiled floor his breath and blood exploding from his mouth. Sawyer quickly handcuffed him and pulled the rifle free.

With practiced hands, Sawyer dropped the magazine, tapped it on the his boot heel before seating it properly in the weapon's magazine well. He worked the action, clambering a round.

He knelt next to the bleeding teen, "always practice with your equipment before going into combat. Make sure the magazine is properly seated before working the action, and there will be no malfunctions." Sawyer searched the teen, under his clothing he found that the boy was wearing some sort of homemade body armor under his T-shirt. He found four spare magazines in the inner pockets of the trench coat and three home made pipe bombs. He took the magazines and slipped in his left hip pocket. "How many are there, and where are they at?" He asked the prone youth.

"Fuck you cop, I ain't saying shit!! Long live the Orphaned Son's of Ka'a!", the kid said through bloody teeth.

Sawyer grabbed the broken nose and pinched, the kid screamed out. "Not a cop, but you will tell me." He twisted the injured nose pulling it away from the kid's face. The boy screamed out, spitting at Sawyer. Sawyer grabbed his left ear and pulled. "It takes eight pounds of pressure to rip it off your off your head," he said pulling harder until he was screaming more, begging to tell.

"There's three of us, Dylan's on the second level and Garret is at movie theater." Sawyer let go of the ear and ran towards the theater entrance, which was on the level they were now. He heard Zoe following behind him, on the phone with the dispatchers telling them of the information. 

More gunfire and screams filled the mall, then there was an explosion. They ran against the tide of panicking parents dragging their children away from the danger. Sawyer slowed as they approached the theater wing. With his hand on the wall, he leaned over slightly. He could see Garret, similarly dressed in black goth chic, armed with two semi-automatic handguns. There were several bodies lying about, all appeared to be dead, shot by Garret. He was standing over a sobbing woman who was lying in a growing puddle of blood. Garret was yelling obscenities at the woman. Sawyer saw that he the pistol in his left hand was visibly empty, the slide was locked back. 

Garret continued to yell at the poor woman and he dropped the magazine from the pistol, shoved the still loaded weapon under his arm and reached into his jacket pocket.

Sawyer raised the rifle aiming down the sights, as he moved around the corner. He yelled for the kid to drop the guns, but Garret dropped the empty pistol and reached for the still loaded weapon. 

Sawyer fired three times in quick succession. Garret's head snapped back with a spray of blood as he crumpled to the ground. He moved closer towards Garret, his rifle still covering the gunman. He could hear retching from behind him, but he had to ignore Zoe for the minute. He could still hear gunfire further in the mall and the faint wail of sirens that were slowly getting louder. He kicked the pistols away from Garret's prone form, and gently touched his neck, feeling for a pulse, but he couldn't find one.

He moved to the woman on the floor. He could see a bullet wound to her thigh that was squirting blood. Sawyer pulled his belt free and strapped it above the wound, pulling it as tight as he could. Then using one of the discarded pistols began twisting the belt until the bleeding stopped.

"Fassler," he said looking to Zoe. He could see she was terrified and was pale like she was going to pass out. She wasn't looking at him, just staring at the carnage. "Zoe," he said a little softer. She slowly looked to him. He motioned her to him, as she knelt next to him, he took her shaking hands and gave them a gentle reassuring squeeze before he put them on the tourniquet. " You have to hold this tight." She was looking at him as if he was speaking another language. "Look at me, stay with me now," he said as calmly as he could. She began to focus on him, and within seconds she was in control of herself. Sawyer smiled as he gently touched her cheek, and then ran towards the gunfire.

As Sawyer made his way towards the gunfire he forced himself to ignore the carnage that littered the once happy mall. The images of the past flashed across his vision, the burned villagers in the jungles of South America, the tortured bodies recovered from the Iraqi regime, the ravaged children soldiers in Africa. The horrors he had witnessed, the horrors he had inflicted all tried to surface. On the floor, he saw the little girl and her mother from earlier. The mother was kneeling on the floor holding the small girl in her arms. He could see the bullet wounds on the girl, nothing appeared to be life threatening. Both were crying uncontrollably. He blinked back the tears, and buried his fear and welcomed the anger.

Sawyer stepped on the moving escalator, crouching as he rose to the second level. As he rode the moving stairs higher, he quickly changed out the magazine for a full one, then closed his eyes and took deep breaths, trying to steady the thunderous beating in his chest. He raised the rifle and aimed down the sights as he reached the highest point of the escalator. Sawyer moved cautiously, sweeping left to right watching for threats. The gunfire had stopped when he had gotten on the escalator. He moved to the left side of the mall, stepping over the body of a young boy. 

"I am Dylan, the chosen slayer of the Orphaned Sons of Ka'a!" he heard coming from the toy store diagonally across from him. As Sawyer moved across the way, he could see Dylan. He was rail thin, and almost seven foot tall. The boy was dressed in all black as well , skin tight jeans tucked into tall riding boots, with a hunting knife sheathed in one boot. A rifle lay at his feet. He wore a plain black T-shirt and covered by a tactical vest, covered in home made pipe bombs. In his gloved hand he held a detonator. He was yelling at a corpse on the floor at his feet, ranting about his manifesto and how he was the Chosen One. 

Sawyer tried to move closer to get a better shot, but he stepped on the corner of a discarded aluminum magazine sending it clattered against the tile. Dylan looked up as "fuck" escaped Sawyers lips. The teen snarled an obscenity, and depressed the button. 

The last thing he saw was a swirl of blinding light and deafening sound that enveloped Sawyer as the explosion ripped through the mall.

Gifted Ch. 02



Author's note: If you are looking for a stroke story, this is not your story, sorry. Thanks to all my reviewers, thanks for the encouragement, and yes the story is in the right category...just have a little patience. Enjoy

MrLobo





Even in the darkness of the room her golden hair sparkled from the soft glow of console on the IV drip and EKG. She tried to ignore the harsh antiseptic odor that burned her nose. She sat back in the uncomfortable chair and watched over the man in the bed. The only noise in the room was from the man's heart, electrically amplified by the EKG. She watched as he thrashed in his sleep. She knew the nightmares that plagued him. She sighed as she leaned forward to take the man's hand in her own. She lifted it to her lips and gently kissed the knuckles. He calmed down immediately and lay still. She lifted his hand and rubbed it against her cheek. 

"How long as he been among the living dead?" the burly red-headed man said as he materialized in the room. She could hear the mirth in his voice. The Norse goddess Sif looked up from the sleeping man and grinned when she saw Thor, the god of thunder. 

He was not dressed in his usual finest furs and glowing armor. He had chosen to dress in a stylishly cut dark suit that accentuated his physique, with a light blue button up shirt that was opened at the neck showing of the miniaturized version of his trusted war hammer, Mjolnir His normally long unruly red hair was pulled back into a tight ponytail, and his unkempt beard was trimmed and shaped to match his face.

"Five years," she said laying his hand back on the bed.

"A blink of the eye," he said wandering around the room looking over every detail. 

"Yes, its fleeting, and precious to them," she said standing and adjusting the bed covers "as you should remember." Sif watched the strain on the man's face, she knew the nightmares were returning. Gently she stroked his brow, and the pain slowly eased from his face.

"You loved him," Thor said matter-of-factly. She nodded not looking at him, she knew if she looked at him he would see the tears. Weakness was not the way of a Norse god. "As much as I loved Gretchen?" he asked softly. Again she nodded. Thor gently touched her shoulder and took her in his arms as she began to cry. He held her there for a few minutes until she composed herself. Thor let her go and looked at the glowing golden scroll floating above the bed. Gently he plucked it from the air and unrolled it. He began reading over the man's abilities and accomplishments, his history, the essence that makes him who he is. 

"I can see why you were attracted to him, an accomplished warrior, energetic and imaginative lover, decent drinker. He is impressive, I believe that even the Pallas Athena would bed him," he said wiggling his eyebrows at Sif. She rolled her eyes. "Bet he doesn't sing as well as me," Thor said reading through the Life Scroll.

"Only in your mind are you the grand balladeer you think you are," she said grinning as she wiped the remaining tears from her face. 

Thor smirked and nodded as he continued to look over the scroll. "He was good to you?" 

She nodded. "He was kind, generous. He never raised his hand out of anger. He was a loving man and a good father. He loved us more than his own life," she waved at the scroll in the thunder god's hands. 

"I have spoken with the All Father and the rest of the council," he said sitting on the windowsill. "They agree that he would have fulfilled his destiny had you," he caught her disapproving look, "had his family not died," he corrected himself. 

The squeaking shoes of a tall voluptuous nurse in florescent scrubs alerted the two gods to her presence as she came into the room. She ignored the room's other occupants as she checked the bed-ridden man's hook ups and wrote down his vital signs. She was humming softly to herself. Thor eyed the woman's plump ass lasciviously. 

Sif watched as the woman adjusted the bed sheets. "He still blames himself for the accident." 

"Ah yes, Loki and Coyote's dispute has affected more than your man here. Two of Amen Ra's favorite disciples were killed in the accident." He watched the nurse moving about the room with a keen eye. Sif could tell he was debating on bedding the well endowed woman, it was one of weaknesses. "As for their punishment, they have been stripped of their godhood, and are currently living as a pair of undiscovered dung beetles in the jungles of South America for one hundred years. If I had my way, they would never return, and would be exterminated like the vermin they are." He finished through gritted teeth. 

"What does the council want with him?" 

Thor watched the nurse leave the room. "They believe that he can still save the girl, the Great Uniter," Thor waved his hand about dramatically. "They have given me permission to bequeath him abilities to get his life back on track and have asked me to convince you to have him accept these gifts." He reached into his suit jacket and pulled out ornate peacock feather quill. As Thor began adding things to the scroll, it glowed brighter until he was finished. The glow faded slightly, but remained brighter than before the thunder god removed it. He rolled it back up and set it back over the man's sleeping form. 

Sif mulled it over as she watched the man sleeping. He was starting to dream again. His brow scrunched up in pain. She leaned over, stroked his brow and kissed his forehead. As she stood, she looked at Thor and nodded. 

"Then go, I will watch over him until he wakes. I will call you when I need you," he said gently touching her shoulder. She looked at the man one last time before fading away. 

Thor watched his wife's form dissolve into the ethereal. He knew the pain she felt, over the several millennium that he had lived he had taken human form a few times and taken a human as his wife. It wasn't until he met Gretchen at the beginning of the industrial age that he truly loved a woman. He was devastated in that he was forced to watch as disease destroyed her body, but left her sharp mind trapped. When she died, he vowed he would never do it again. 

He sat down in the uncomfortable chair and waited. 

–

His heart hammered in his chest as her hands guided his up her taught belly and over her firm breasts. She lovingly smiled down at him as his palms slowly dragged over her nipples, her light colored hair cascading over her shoulders. She gasped when she let go of his hands and he began caressing and teasing her nipples. She arched her back and slowly sank onto his hardness, filling her completely. She mashed his hands against her breasts as she began to ride him, rolling her hips generating the welcome friction of their bodies rubbing together. He grabbed her by the hips and began thrusting harder and harder into her. She growled in pleasure as she rolled her hips in time with his thrusts. She moaned in delight as he grabbed her fleshy ass and took control. He could feel the tingle in his balls as his orgasm approached. 

Sawyer sat up gasping for breath. There was an antiseptic sterile smell to the room, and he immediately knew where he was. Sawyer closed his eyes and hung his head, he had been denied death once again. He rubbed his face wondering how he had survived the explosion. It wasn't until he heard the soft breathing in the dark did he realize that he was not alone.

"Its about time you woke," a man's voice said from a chair near the window. "I was beginning to think that you had actually gotten your wish." He looked at the man's silhouette. "I know a lot about you Michael Sawyer." 

"Are you going to keep me in the dark, or are you going to enlighten me," he said to the specter as he sat up. The man chuckled heartily.

"Still witty as ever I see," he said standing and moving closer. "I have been watching you for a long time, and its time that we have a serious discussion." Sawyer couldn't contain his surprise at the man's appearance. The stylish suit, the brilliant red hair and beard. The odd looking necklace. He didn't look he imagined death to look like, he seemed to glow with energy. The iris' of his eyes were a maelstrom of colors. 

"If you've been watching me, then why am I not dead, I was close enough to that kid's bomb to be blown to hell," Sawyer said turning on the room's lights.

"The Council of Five has other plans for you," the mysterious man said. "I am the son of Odin, Thor god of thunder." He said introducing himself.

Sawyer began laughing. He couldn't help it, it was to absurd to not to. He could see that his actions were not expected and the angry look on the man, claiming to be the Norse god of thunder's face, was not used to being laughed at. "Are you going to call me mortal and bore me with Shakespearean prose? You certainly don't look like that metro-sexual biker Goldilocks from the movie."

"You dare mock me?" Thor said looming over the bed. The energy around the thunder god crackled and glowed brighter. When he saw that Sawyer was shrinking back in the bed, he sighed and stepped back from the bed. "When he dies, Stan Lee will have much to answer for." 

"So you're Thor, I thought Hermes was the messenger of the gods, why you?" Sawyer asked. 

"I am doing this as a favor to a dear friend," he started. "The events of your life have impressed the Council, and the accidental death of your family. They say there are things that you have left unfinished." Thor started. "There is time for you to still fulfill your destiny, it wants to bestow you with a gift." Sawyer lay back on the bed.

"Tell your council keep whatever gift they have and shove it up their collective asses," he said closing eyes.

"I thought you would say that," Thor said and waved his hand. There was a rush of air and the temperature in the room changed. Sawyer opened his eyes and he was no longer in the hospital room, instead he was standing in what he could only describe as the clouds. Under his bare feet appeared to be the earth at about ten miles above the ground. Above him was the starry sky, crisp and clearer than he had ever seen it. There were several marble columns that reminded him of the ancient Greek architecture he had seen. 

Five floating marble thrones appeared, each held a glowing being. The ring of thrones slowly rotated clockwise. Each being's glow dimmed down to reveal four men and a woman. Somehow he knew exactly who they were:

Amen-Ra, Egyptian god of the sun. He was tall and dark skinned, his pencil thin beard was trimmed close to his face. The heavy eyeliner accentuated his eyes. He did not wear the typical white and gold kilt he'd seen depicted in the history books. Instead he wore an unbuttoned floral print Hawaiian shirt, tan cargo shorts and sandals. He looked as if he had just stepped off the beach in Maui. Sawyer could almost smell the saltwater. A glowing golden ankh rested against his bare chest. He sat at angle in the throne, one leg crossed over the other. It was as if he was lounging, not ruling over the universe. 

Amaterasu-O-Mi-Kami, Shinto goddess of the sun. She wore a brightly colorful kimono in the traditional style. Her shimmering black hair was done up in the traditional style that reminded Sawyer of the Geisha. Her almond shaped eyes twinkled as she watched him, sitting prim and proper in her throne.

Zeus, Greek god of the sky. Except he didn't look what Sawyer was expecting. Instead of the traditional white chiton trimmed in gold, with white curly hair and beard loose around his head. He was wearing a grass stained white and blue uniform of the Dallas Cowboys, bearing the number 10. 

Holy shit, Sawyer thought himself, Tony Romo is Zeus!

Odin, the Norse god of wisdom, magic and poetry. He was dressed in his finest battle armor minus his helm. His long white beard was braided into a single braid and tucked into his worn leather belt. His long white hair was pulled back into a tight pony tail. He wore a plain leather eye patch over his missing eye.

Yahweh, sometimes called Jehovah, the God of Israel. He was dressed as Sawyer imagined him to be, loose flowing tan and white robes, and simple sandals on his feet. His hair and beard so white that it shines. Humble and divine at the same time.

"Why are we here son of Odin, I thought this matter was dealt with," Amen-Ra said. His hawk like features bore down on Sawyer.

"We have oh bright one, but he is reluctant to accept the gifts you wish to bestow on him," Thor said stepping in front of Sawyer, addressing the Council.

Tony Romo-Zeus spoke next. "He believes that we are not sincere?"

"His words were : Tell your council keep whatever gift they have and shove it up their collective asses," Yahweh said with a smile. Odin let out a hearty laugh and Amaterasu-O-Mi-Kami giggled a very Japanese-esque giggle covering the lower portion of her face with an ornate fan. "Perhaps he needs further," Yahweh paused as if searching for the right words, "motivation." He finished waving his hand in front of him. 

Three figures shimmered into existence. Sarah and his two daughters appeared. Ann-Marie was dressed in her favorite purple sundress and matching sneakers. Her mass of dark hair was pulled into a messy ponytail. Sammie was wearing her favorite pair of faded jeans and pale green long sleeved Henley-style shirt. Her long dirty blonde hair was loose and fell over her shoulders. 

The two girls squealed in delight, ran to Sawyer. He felt the air in his lungs explode from his chest as he dropped to his knees. They jumped in his arms wrapping their arms around his neck. "Daddy!"

Sawyer was stunned for only a few seconds before he wrapped his arms around the young girls and buried his head into their hair. The memories began flooding back. The sound of their laughter, the smell of their hair. How small their hands felt in his own large ones. Sawyer couldn't stop the flow of tears. He whispered how much he loved them, missed them and how sorry he was. Ann-Marie sat back on his lap and took his hand in her small ones.

"You look terrible daddy," she said with a solemn look. She looked over to Sarah. Her mother knelt on the invisible floor beside the trio and wrapped her arms them all, burying her head in his neck. The family cried for several minutes before Sarah pulled back taking his hand in hers.

"Your daddy is blaming himself for our deaths," she whispered intertwining their fingers together. "He had no control over what happened." Sarah squeezed his hand gently. 

Sammie kissed his cheek, "daddy, not even you could have saw that coming." She pointed to Thor, who was looking onto family's interactions with a sympathetic eye. "It was his brother's fault," the god lowered his head in shame and nodded. "You have to let that go daddy, we are in a wondrous place, and we have met so many people, including your mom and dad and their moms and dads. Did you know your grandfather chased your grandma for three years before she would let him kiss her?" She asked with a that silly little smile that he adored.

Sawyer chuckled, he knew there was more to that story than what was being told to a young girl. "Daddy, we have to go, but will you do me a favor?" Sawyer didn't trust his voice, and nodded. "We don't blame you, so you shouldn't either, please forgive yourself." Ann-Marie nodded, taking Sammie's hand and they both slipped out of his grasp. They waved and as they faded away he could hear them both saying "we love you".

Sarah placed her hand on his cheek. "You have to move on Michael, you still have a life to live and according to the walking red wall over there there are things you still have to do," she said stroking his face. "We will always love you," he leaned into her hand. "Don't be afraid to live," she said kissing his lips. He lay his head on her chest, hearing her heartbeat once again. Then it faded away as she dissolved into nothing. Sawyer knelt on the floor for what seemed like an eternity. He didn't notice that Thor had taken a knee next to him and laid a reassuring hand on his shoulder.

"What do you need me to do?" Sawyer asked as he composed himself, wiping the tears from his face. He noticed that they were back in the hospital room and he was seated on the edge of the bed. 

Thor gently squeezed his shoulder. "Its not just one thing, there are many things that are wrong with the world. We can not intercede directly, that is where you come in. If you accept the gift, you will become," Thor hesitated, "well, for lack of a better term a demi-god. You will be able to read other's thoughts, and you can control them if you choose. I would suggest that you learn to influence them, I know you, it will help you sleep better at night. You will be virtually invulnerable, and you will be able to alter your physical appearance as well as others. You will be able to teleport, but it has to be someplace that you have already been, and be able to picture it in your mind."

"So no hops to the Great Wall of China, or to the halls of Valhalla," Sawyer said. Thor chuckled, shaking his head. "Then what?" Sawyer asked. "Do I roam from town to town righting the wrongs like some bad 80's television show?"

"Live your life," Thor said. "There will be situations that arise, like the mall, that you will be better equipped to handle." Sawyer crawled back into the bed and lay down. His mind and heart were racing, at the possibilities this could bring to him. He thought to his family, and their wishes. Then, it was as if a stone was lifted from his chest. His desire to live returned, and there was something else that he couldn't put his finger on. 

He looked at the thunder god and nodded. "I'm in," he said. Thor touched his forehead and his whole world exploded. It was like a javelin of light had pierced his skull. He knew that he had died, he felt his heart stop, and his last breath leave his body. There, at the end of the tunnel was the light, and the voices of his family, but they weren't calling to him. Instead they told him he needed to stay, there was work to be done.

Then Michael Sawyer was reborn. Sucking in a deep breath, he opened his eyes. It was as if he had been blind and was seeing for the first time. Everything was crisp and bright. The noises of the room were clear, he could hear the voices of the people in the hallway, and he could hear their thoughts, feel their emotions, their fears. It was a flood of information that jammed through his skull. It was overwhelming at first, but with concentration he was able to filter out everything until it was a buzzing in the background. The minor aches and pains he had grown accustomed to over the last forty-five years were gone.

Thor turned from the bed, "if you need to speak with me, just call and I will answer. Rest now, you have much to do." He began to walk towards the wall, "there is one other thing," He said looking over his shoulder. "I was asked to tell you, don't be afraid to love." Then as he walked away, he glittered out of existence. 

Sawyer felt the heaviness of his eyelids, and fought to keep them open. He sucked in hard as he yawned deeply. He closed his eyes and took a deep relaxing breath. Soon the weariness won, and he slept.



Gifted Ch. 03



Sawyer's mouth felt as if he'd been marching in the desert. There was no moisture, even when he ran his tongue along his lips. He cracked his eyes open to be blinded by the bright sunlight streaming through the open curtains. Had it been a dream?, he thought to himself. He sat up and looked around the room. It was the same room, the same hideously tan walls meant to soothe, but made him want to vomit. The older equipment, humming and beeping. The well used dry erase board with his nurse's information on it, the date and the day's doctor. As he skimmed over the neatly handwritten information, he stopped at the date. It had been two weeks since the incident at the mall.

Two weeks! What the hell? He lay back on the bed and rubbed his throbbing head.

A million thoughts ran through his head. As he lay there trying to sort everything out, he heard singing. Only it was in his head, and it was a woman singing. It took him a minute to realize it was in Chinese, Mandarin to be exact, and that he understood the words. The singing continued as the door opened and a young Chinese woman entered the room backwards. Sawyer couldn't help but admire her shapely derriere. She had used it to open the door while she pulled a well used adjustable table into the room. The table had a pile of paperwork, what looked like an IV bag and several needles.

"Oh, you're awake," she said. While her accent wasn't thick, but he could tell English wasn't her native language. She abandoned her table and came to his bedside. "Try not to speak, you've been in a coma for two weeks. No need to damage your vocal chords."

Her name tag read Lien-hua, the same name on the dry erase board. She was a little more than five foot tall, trim athletic build with small supple breasts. Her glossy jet black hair was pulled into a ponytail at the center of her head, and the ends touched between her shoulder blades. She bustled around him, like an angry honey bee, taking his vitals, changing out the empty IV bags all the while asking simple questions about how he was felling, that only required a nod or a shake of the head. She moved so fast and efficiently that when she was done, Sawyer had a headache. She left the room with her rolling table, and the room quieted down.

She returned a few minutes later with a large insulated cup. "Now, I want you to chew on these ice chips for now until Dr. Pierre-Louis sees you." He nodded and reached for the cup. As he took the cup, his fingers brushed against hers, and he was rocked by a jolt. Her memories, fantasies, emotions washed over him like a large wave crashing on the shore. He had looked into her very soul, and knew her better than she knew herself. Sawyer clenched his eyes, trying to stem the flow of emotional information. When he opened his eyes, she was double checking his hookups.

He was about to whisper a question when the door opened and a man's head popped in. He was older, his mustache had more gray than brown. The harsh florescent lights reflected off of his bald head.

"Hey, yer awake," he said pushing the door open, and stepping in. He was tall, and thick, not overly fat, but fat on top of cords of muscle. His belly was protruding ever so slightly from the opening of his rumpled sport's jacket, that had obviously seen better days. There was a large dark stain on the left lapel of the sport's jacket that looked suspiciously like mustard. The right cuff had frayed on the inside as if it had been rubbing against something. Everything about him smelled like a cop. The way he walked, the way he carried himself, confident yet cautious. His eyes were quickly scanning the room as if looking for threats.

The cop was followed by a younger woman, she was his polar opposite. Short and thin, her light colored hair was stylishly cut short, as to deter its use as a hand hold. Her pant suit was immaculate, not a speck of lint or stray hairs and was neatly pressed. The top two buttons of her shirt were unbuttoned, allowing a glimpse of a small-chained gold necklace. She carried herself as if she always had something to prove to someone.

"We're lucky yer awake, been stopping by everyday just to talk to ya," the man said reaching into his sport's coat producing a worn leather wallet that with a flick of his wrist opened to reveal a gold badge. "I'm Detective Sergeant Richard Sanders, this is my partner Detective Ronnie Mars." Sawyer looked over to the woman who merely nodded towards him. "We'd like to ask you a few questions if you don't mind." He said producing a small digital recorder.

Lien-hua giggled, "You're Veronica Mars?" Mars' eyes narrowed to slits. Asian slut, probably slept with half the staff. She was about to lash out with an insult when Sanders snapped his head at the younger detective and shook his head. He knew how much she hated that she and the television show shared the same name. Lien-hua smiled sweetly and looked to Sawyer. He laid his hand on her arm reassuringly and nodded. "I'll be back in a few minutes," she said leaning over the bed rail. "If you want me to throw them out, just hit the call button," she said quietly. Sawyer nodded. She smiled at him and left the room. He couldn't help but admire her on the way out.

Sanders chuckled, "I've been chasing that little girl for two years now." Mars rolled her eyes in disgust. Sawyer opened his mind and could hear her. Sanders, you're an idiot.

Sawyer took an ice chip and slipped it between his lips. The cold wetness was like heaven. Within seconds the ice was gone and he was fishing out another piece to replace it. Sanders began the interview by asking simple questions. His interview was concise and well thought out. Sanders asked the questions as if he already knew the answers. Sawyer whispered his answers the best he could, taking them step by step from the time he heard the malfunctioning rifle to the first shots. Sanders would jot a note here or there, relying on the recorder to record everything else. Mars would interject a question or two here and there, clarifying something that he had said.

She didn't disguise her dislike of him, or his actions. Thinking that he was some some sort of glory hound. This is a waste of time, Mars thought openly. He was probably in with those three idiots. Killed them to make himself look like a hero. Thinks his good looks are going to get him onto TV.

Sawyer ignored her, with a dismissive bitch, and focused his attention on Sanders. Without trying, he saw into Sanders' mind and found that he knew of Sawyer's past, and what he had gone through. Sanders was sympathetic, he had lost his wife to cancer a few years ago, and rarely speaks to his two grown daughters. Sometimes he feels that when he lost his wife, the way his daughters treat him, they died as well. Now, Sanders focuses on his job to ease the pain of his loss. Sawyer felt sorry for him.

Sanders closed his notebook, and shut off the recorder. "I have spoke with the State Prosecutors, and they are not going to be filing any charges against you," he started. "Mars, give us a second will ya?" He asked his partner. She was about to say something, but left the room.

Sanders grabbed the chair by the window, pulled next to the bed and sat down on the edge, leaning close to Sawyer. "I've read your military jacket. I know what you're capable of, and you've gone through. The hard choices you've had to make. In '71, I was sixteen. I lied about my age, had someone sign the papers and joined the army to serve my country. I grew up plenty fast in the jungles of Vietnam. These kids," he waved towards the door, more pointedly to Mars, "have no idea what sacrifice is and what its like to make the hard choices." Sanders stood up and offered his hand. Sawyer took it. "Some of us at the station think you should be given a medal for your actions. Others think you should be crucified. Regardless of what others think, you saved a lot of lives, and it could have been a serious bloodbath had you not acted. " Sawyer opened his mouth to say something, but Sanders held up his hand. "Next time, leave it to the boys in blue, that's what they get paid the big bucks for," Sanders said with a smile.

Sawyer gave a weak smile and nodded. Sanders was about to say something, when the door opened and a tall thin black man entered the room. It wasn't a normal entry, where someone would walk in confidently, this man almost sashayed into the room. His cornrowed dreadlocks were pulled into a loose ponytail, and covered with a pink paisley bandanna. His goatee was cut into a devilishly neat Van Dyke. He wore a white lab coat over light blue hospital scrubs, with a hot pink stethoscope around his neck. Lien-hua followed behind him with a chart.

"Oh Detective Sanders," the doctor said. The way he spoke gave away his sexual orientation. The man didn't care who knew or cared what their opinion of him was. He relied on his abilities as a healer to speak for him.

"Detective Sergeant," Sanders corrected him, but he was grinning.

"Tomato, tomato," he pronounced it toe mah toe, with a heavy emphasis on the "mah", waving his hand dismissively. He then began sniffy around in an exaggerated manner. "It doesn't smell to bad in here, must not have grilled my patient to much," he said with a big toothy smile.

"Come on doc, you know Mars has the bigger balls."

"Oh honey I truly doubt that," the doctor said laying his hand on Sanders' shoulder. The two men laughed, shook hands then Sanders left chuckling. "Well now Mr Sawyer," the doctor said looking down at him. "I'm Dr Jean Pierre-Louis, how are you feeling?" The doctor and Sawyer discussed his condition. Dr Pierre-Louis was pleased that his injuries had been superficial, that there was no permanent damage, and now that he was awake, he would be released in a day or two.

__

After mulling over what Thor had told him. He spent the next couple of days putting his down time to good use, and began exercising his abilities. He learned to stretch out his mind, seeking out those he wanted to interact with. He discovered how to enter their thoughts and disguise himself as if he was the voice in their head. Twice he had taken control of a person and made them do something. Nothing dangerous, but a little shocking. He took control of an attractive young woman who, with her husband, was visiting her sick mother. He made her excuse herself to use the restroom and commanded her to rub her nipples until she was aroused, and begging her husband to take her in the elevator. That had been quite the gossip for a day.

He found an old man who was in a coma. Sawyer saw that the man's mind was a maelstrom of emotions, and jumbled thoughts. An accident had caused an injury to his head had trapped him in his own body. Over the next few hours he explored the man's mind. He sifted through the information and memories. It was so jumbled that several times Sawyer thought he was going to be lost himself, but he concentrated on a single figure that was important to the man, his wife of sixty years. Using that, Sawyer began to reconstruct pathways and push the man back to his former self.

He felt a hand touch his arm, jerking him back into his own body. He opened his eyes and saw Zoe. She had really dressed for the visit, pale green shorty shorts that barely covered her round ass, and exposed her long tan legs. The orange lacy bra pushed her breasts together and peeked out from under the tight bright green tank top.

She set a large Styrofoam cup of coffee on the table and dropped a Dunkin Donuts bag next to the cup.

"And I thought you looked terrible that last day we worked together," she said with a warm smile. She flopped down in the chair by his bed, and kicked her bare feet on the edge of his bed, her flip flops had managed to stay on the floor. She popped the top of her own cup and sipped at the hot liquid.

"I see Walt wasn't awake when you dressed yourself this morning," he said.

She squinted at him and stuck her tongue out at him. Walt, Zoe's husband, hated the fact that his very attractive wife, lived by the motto: If you've got it, flaunt it. And Zoe loved to flaunt it, using her god given charms more than once to get something for free, or get ahead in some fashion. It drove poor Walt crazy, but she was devoted to her husband, and wouldn't stray no matter the circumstances. It was something that Sawyer admired about his friend.

"So, are you going to lay around here all week or you going to do something constructive?" she asked.

"Lay here all week. Hell, any time away from you riding my ass is a vacation," he said. Zoe scowled and stuck her tongue out and blew a raspberry. "I should be released today or tomorrow. Dr Pierre-Louis was curious about my blood work, but can't find a reason to keep me here any longer," he said opening the bag and extracting one of his two weaknesses, a lemon filled doughnut. He savored the first bite, letting the lemon custard dance on his tongue before devouring it in two bites. "So, I'm gonna need a ride home."

"Not a problem," she said. Lien-hua strolled into the room with a wash basin, and went into the bathroom. There was something different about her. Something animalistic. They could hear the water running. "Oh, sponge bath time!" Zoe said with a big grin. "Wait, I thought you were able to get up and move around on your own," she said as she eyed the young nurse coming into the room with a wash basin full of soapy water. Sawyer looked over at his friend and raised his eyebrows.

"Okay Mr Sawyer, let's get you cleaned up," Lien-hua said setting the wash basin on the table and pulling the curtain closed behind her. She looked at Zoe with a curious eye, "are you going to help, or watch?" Sawyer was struck by the nurse's comment. He peeked into her mind and found she was extremely attracted to him. So much that he was the current object of her last several masturbatory fantasies. The last orgasm had been one the most intense ones of her life. Lien-hua was very horny, wanted a taste, and she wasn't going to let him get away without a sample. She began removing the hospital gown, not bothering to wait for Zoe's answer.

"I'll be outside," Zoe said pulling her feet off the bed and into her flip flops. She made a hasty exit, closing the door behind her.

Lien-hua smiled as she pulled the gown off of his body, exposing him. She grabbed the wash cloth, wrung it out and began washing his feet. Slowly she made her way up his left leg, taking care to get both sides, finally stopping mid-thigh. Then she started on his right leg, slowly making her way upwards. Her touch was soothing and erotic at the same time. Sawyer was embarrassed when his cock started to grow, as she finished on his right thigh. Her breathing became heavier as she rinsed out the wash cloth and began washing his scrotum, gently messaging it.

"Mr Sawyer," she started.

"Micheal," he interrupted her.

Smiling she leaned over and kissed him. Her lips were soft and the kiss was gentle. He reached up and pulled her closer, the kiss becoming more urgent. He devoured her lips, their tongues dancing and exploring each others mouths. Sawyer reached up and began caressing her hip. She twisted into his hand, filling it with her ass.

"Michael, I don't know what's come over me. I've never done something like this, but I need you. I have thinking about you since the day you arrived here," she said in a whisper, between kissing his lips. "I've touched myself thinking of you so many times," she said. "Its like I'm not in control."

"How much time time do we have?" He asked.

"I got off at six," she smiled. He looked over at the clock, it read six fifteen. "Dr. Pierre-Louis signed your discharge papers. Lisa, your night nurse is my room mate. She gave me an hour, before she discharged you."

She brought the wash cloth up along his hard shaft, stroking it up and down. She slipped the wash cloth down between his legs, and between ass cheeks. Sawyer adjusted his legs to give her better access to him. Her right hand had taken a hold of his cock and was gently stroking it.

Sawyer slipped his hand up under her scrubs top and down the waist band of her trousers. He caressed her ass cheek, finding her skin burning with desire. She kicked off her shoes and shimmied out of her trousers. She wore a pair of purple boy shorts that accentuated her round ass. Slipping his hands down her hips, he dragged the boy shorts down her legs exposing a patch of dark hair, trimmed into a landing strip. He slipped his hands between her legs and caressed up her thigh. She gasped into his mouth as his finger gently brushed against her hard clit. His slipped his finger along her clit, between her lips and found she was already soaked and burning with desire.

Lien-hua stepped back, extracting herself from his touch. She lifted the scrubs over her head and tossed it on the pile of clothing on the floor. Reaching back behind her, she removed the bra, exposing her pert breasts. Her dark areolas were puffy, and her hard nipples pointed slightly outward. She crawled onto the bed into his lap. She reached between them and guided his hard shaft against her wet opening. They both moaned as she sank onto his hardness. She had never felt so full in her life. Their lips mashed against each other, their tongues fighting for dominance. She rocked her hips back and forth, feeling him slide in and out of her.

He pulled her head back by her dark hair exposing her neck. He kissed and licked along her neck to her shoulder, as he took her nipple between his fingers. He knew that her nipples were sensitive and she loved to have them played with. He rolled and gently pulled her nipple, eliciting a gasp of pleasure from her. He thrust his hips in time with the rocking of her hips, urging her closer. He took her left nipple in his mouth and began sucking and nibbling on the hard nubbin.

Lien-hua took his head in her hands and kissed the top of his head, moaning as he sucked and teased her sensitive nipples. She rode him harder as she plateaued and felt the wave of pleasure crash over her. She rode out the incredible orgasm, her body spasming, he could feel her pussy pulsating around his cock. He continued thrusting into her, until her face scrunched up in pleasure again. She bit her lips to keep from screaming out. She lay forward on his chest, gasping for breath. Sawyer slowed his hips, taking long slow strokes until her breathing returned to its normal rate.

"You haven't cum yet?" She asked. To his own surprise, he wasn't close, and he shook his head kissing her lips. She groaned, as he wrapped his arms round her. It took a minute or two, but they rolled over until she was under him, surprisingly he never left her warmth.

Sawyer slowly pulled back until only the head of his cock was in, then thrust hard burying himself to the hilt. They kissed as if they were starving, their tongues caressing and stroking the others. He continued his pace for several minutes until the tingling began deep in his testicles. Picked up his pace, thrusting hard and fast. Lien-hua bit into his shoulder as had another body wracking orgasm. He felt the ripples of her orgasm milking his cock. He grunted as he exploded deep within her releasing everything he had.

They lay there, both gasping for breath. "Holy shit," was all he could say, and she nodded in agreement. Sawyer looked down into her dark eyes, and something deep inside him shifted. Something about this woman clicked into place and he couldn't see himself without her. He lay his forehead against hers, and everything poured out. She knew what he knew, and vice versa. They understood each other like no other person had known them, it was as if their souls had touched, and while not whole, were closer to being complete.




Gifted Ch. 03



"Wow," she started, "now what?"

"I don't know," Sawyer said as he slipped free of her warmth. "I do know that I need to see you again." Her smile would have lit up the darkest night. He kissed the tip of her nose and eased off the bed. Lien-hua sat up and swung her legs over the edge of the bed. He reached down, retrieved her clothing and extracted the boy shorts before he handed the rest to her. "Mine," he said putting them to his nose and inhaling with a smile.

"And everything that goes in those," she said in husky voice, accepting the bundle of clothing. "I have to work tomorrow through Sunday, and barring an emergency, I get off at six." Lien-hua quickly dressed, as Sawyer eased the hospital gown back over his shoulders.

"I'll be here Sunday at six for you, bring a change of clothes," he took her hand in his and she leaned into him.

"Like I'll need clothes." He kissed her forehead and as much as he hated to let her go, she extracted herself from his grasp and lifted herself onto her tippy toes, kissed his lips softly then left the room, knowing if she didn't go now, she wouldn't go, ever.

Sawyer watched her go, and felt part of him go with her. He eased himself back into bed and was covering himself when Zoe came back into the room.

"Jesus Christ Sawyer," she said exasperated as she flopped back into her chair. "Could you two get any louder? I thought you were killing that poor little thing." She said with a wicked grin. "Christ how long has it been?" It took a second for her to realize what she said. "Fuck Sawyer, I'm sorry," she said touching his arm.

He shook his head, "no, its alright. It has been a very long time." He said staring off into space, absently caressing Lien-hua's panties in his fingers. He was surprised that the pain of his loss wasn't as sharp as it had been in the past. He still missed Sarah and her touch, but he was healing.

"Really?" she asked when she saw the nurse's panties in his hand. He grinned guiltily and shrugged. The door opened and the squeaking shoes of the night nurse thundered in the room.

To say Lisa was a large black woman, would be like saying the Grand Canyon is a big hole. Every bit of six foot five inches, well over three hundred pounds of woman. Her scrubs bulged in several places, those of her voluminous breasts, and her ample belly. She reminded Sawyer of a Sumo wrestler. She had a large round face that was built to hold a smile, but not at this moment. She had a hard disapproving look as she eyed Sawyer up and down.

Lisa looked over at Zoe and began talking to her. "That poor girl has been chased by all manner of men, and women," she said as she began taking his vitals. "Never giving them the time of day," Lisa said holding his wrist, looking at her watch. "Then this white boy gets wheeled onto her floor, and the poor thing can't think straight." She wrote on her clip board, then produced a manual blood pressure cuff.

Sawyer glanced as Zoe, then the automatic device on the wall as Lisa wrapped his arm in the blood pressure cuff, placed the cold disk of the stethoscope under it and began pumping. Zoe rolled her eyes and smirked. Lisa pumped and pumped the small black ball, to the point that Sawyer could barely feel his finger tips. "I would take it as a personal insult should anything happen to her," she said tilting her head and raising her perfectly penciled eyebrows. With her thumb and forefinger she released the pressure with the hiss of escaping air.

Sawyer could think of only one thing to say: "Yes ma'am." Lisa nodded her head as she wrote on her clip board. She removed the cuff, and stuffed it back in the pocket of her scrubs.

"Glad we understand each other," she said with a nod. The hardness drained from her face, and was replaced with a kind smile. "It musta been sumptin good, ain't never seen her smile like that. 'ell that gurl almost glowed when she left outta here." She said. "I'll be back in a few minutes with your discharge papers," she said making her way towards the door.

When the door closed Zoe burst into laughter, nearly falling out of her chair. "Damn Sawyer, I think the Amazon would have taken you for a spin if her friend hadn't lay claim," she said gasping for breath, laughing at her own unintentional pun.

"Fuck you Fassler," he said getting out of bed. He kicked her chair good naturedly and leaned over her getting the bag she had brought a few days ago while he was comatose. She continued to giggle even as he pulled the gown from his body and threw it over her head.

"EWWW!" she screeched as he disappeared into the bathroom.

__

Sawyer let himself into his apartment, and stepped inside. Even when the lights came on, the smallness of his one bedroom hovel, was still oppressive. Worse, it was a reminder of how he failed to honor those he had lost. He had let the beautiful four bedroom ranch-style house, that Sarah had painstakingly decorated, go back to the bank when he didn't care to make the payments.

After only an hour in the guilt ridden castle, Sawyer left for a walk along the boulevard to clear his head. As he walked, he stretched out his mind and listened in on people's most intimate thoughts. He could feel the emotions of those he touched. As he walked, he chuckled, cried, and loved from those he touched. Then he felt the overwhelming anguish. Sawyer closed his eyes and focused on it. It was the pain he was all to familiar with a poor soul in horrible pain. He found her sitting at a table of an cafe with outdoor seating close to sidewalk. Her name was Kelly, she was only thirteen years old, and she wanted to kill herself.

The hostess seated him a few tables over from the girl and handed him a menu. Sawyer was able to watch her, without seeming to stalker-ish. He pretended to study menu as he touched Kelly's mind again. She was a plump, but plain looking girl with long black hair pulled into a loose pony tail. He could see that when nature was finished with her, she was going to be very pretty. She had started to develop ahead of the other girls in her school, which was leading to terrible ridicule from both the boys and girls.

Kelly had been watching to many teen movies where the plain wallflower was made popular by dating the handsome jock. She had worked up the courage to tell a popular boy that she liked him, only to have him and his friends laugh at her. Poor Kelly had been humiliated and run away crying. She hadn't even gone home, knowing that her mother would never understand what she was going through.

The waiter came over to him, and Sawyer ordered an iced tea and a basket of french fries, handing the man his menu. He leaned back in his chair and pretended to watch the traffic. He slipped into her mind, and heard her planning how she wanted to end it. He pushed a little harder and took the form of the voice in her head.

How will killing yourself solve anything? He asked in her voice.

It will take away the pain that Bobby put me through.

What about mom's pain? He asked

Kelly snorted, she wouldn't care. To busy with that new man. Uncle Tommy. Sheesh, she doesn't think I know what's going on.

Are you sure? He showed her an image of her mother on her knees in front of a headstone sobbing uncontrollably. Her bright spirit broken. You know she will always love you first. And daddy long legs? Her nickname for her dad. How would he deal with losing his Princess Thumbelina?

I don't know, she said tying to control the tears. She wiped her face with a napkin. He began flashing images of her life, the good times, the bad ones, and how her mother and father were always there for her. Sawyer pushed a little harder and flashed more images. Her as an adult, tall, and curvy wearing a smart pants suit standing in front of a jury. Then flashed to her looking through a white veil as its being lifted for their first kiss as husband and wife. The warmth of her baby's first breath in her cheek.

What about Crissy and Jessica? He asked about her two best friends, girls that thought of her as the leader of their little group. How would they react to killing yourself? Do you think Crissy is strong enough to do what you do for Jessica? And Jessica, if she lost you, there's no telling what she would do.

They do need me, she said softly.

As much as you need them. He said softly. He let her think on that for a second or two. The pain Bobby Franklin put you through tonight can only make you stronger if you channel it right. You are a smart girl, you can do anything you put your mind to.

You sound like dad, she said.

We are the best of what mom and dad are, Sawyer said. Call mom, tell her what happened. You'd be surprised how much she'll understand. Kelly wiped her eyes and pulled out her cell phone and made a call. She was only able to say "Mom", before she started crying again. She managed to tell her where she was and that she needed her.

Sawyer slipped from the girl's mind, but monitored her as he chewed absently at his fries. He was tossing the napkin into the basket when a tall dark haired woman, with tear streaked mascara took a seat across from Kelly. They leaned close and began talking. Sawyer leaned back and enjoyed his iced tea. He could hear the crying from both mom and daughter, but knew that there was an understanding between the two.

"That was very noble," a deep voice said from the empty seat next to him. Sawyer didn't look, but he knew Thor had materialized in the seat.

"I couldn't let her kill herself," Sawyer said looking at the Norse god. Today he was wearing a faded pair of blue jeans, with hole strategically placed along the legs. His untucked dark green button-front shirt was covered by a black v-necked sweater vest. With stylish black boots.

Sawyer couldn't help himself and had to chuckle. The god looked at him, his eyes narrowing. "Sorry, but now you go for the metro-sexual look?" Thor 's stone visage broke into a wide grin. He waved towards the waiter who was passing by with a full tray of bottle beer. A bottle of Heineken disappeared from the tray and appeared on the table before the god of thunder.

"Aphrodite, Hathor and the Morrígan want to hit a couple of clubs, and want a little muscle to keep the frat boys at bay," he said taking a deep drag from the bottled beer. Sawyer knew that Aphrodite and Hathor were the goddesses of love, Greek and Egyptian. The Morrígan were Celtic goddesses. They are three warrior goddesses Badb, Macha and Nemain. "You've gotten off to a good start," Thor said setting the empty bottle down. "I was asked to give this to you," he said setting a piece of paper, that had appeared in his hand, on the table. It looked suspiciously like a Powerball ticket. "This is from me," he said placing a business card onto the ticket. "Take the money, you'll need the resources," he said staring off at another table.

Sawyer followed his gaze and saw a voluptuous red head with a group of young women laughing. "That's the second time you've been asked to do something for me," Sawyer started. "Who is this mysterious benefactor of mine?"

He looked back a Thor who was looking his wrist watch, he could see the god was debating. The thunder god looked at Sawyer and grinned, "That mortal, is a discussion for another time, now if you'll excuse me, I have exactly two hours before I meet the girls." He said with a wink as he got up and made his way to the woman's table.

Sawyer watched the god sit at the table and engage in conversation with the group of girls. He turned his attention to the slip of paper. He picked up the ticket and looked at it. The drawing was for the following night, and was only one set of six numbers, for the tidy sum of one hundred and eighty million dollars. After cashing out and taxes, it would roughly be one hundred million dollars. Chuckling, Sawyer stuffed it and the business card into his shirt pocket. He dropped a twenty on the table as he made his way towards the exit.

He looked at the mother and daughter one last time, and felt the love and understanding coming from the two. Sawyer smiled as he left the cafe, felling better than he had in years.



Gifted Ch. 04



Author's note: I have to apologize for the huge delay between postings, life is a bitch and always demands hers first. To make it up to you, I have given you two chapters. As always, enjoy.

MrLobo




It was well past midnight as Simon Valdez walked down the deserted sidewalk towards the two story Victorian house. The early spring cool Southern California night air allowed for him to wear a large brightly colored jacket to cover his small knapsack of tools. As he approached the hedged fence line he ducked quickly into he bushes, shedding the jacket as he went revealing that he wore all black. He stripped the knapsack free from his back, twisted it and slipped the straps back over his shoulders so the sack was against his chest.

Simon pulled on a pair of black latex gloves from the bag and a can of spray lubricant. He sprayed a little lubricant onto the hinges of the wooden gate and slowly swung it open spraying more on the hinges as it opened. During his surveillance of the house and the hours he spent inside he knew there wasn't a dog he needed to contend with. As he slipped into the large unlit yard, and slowly across the yard, he continued to watch the large second story window. At the back door Simon used a cloned smart phone to unlock the automated locks and bypass the security system. He eased into the dark house slipping the phone back into the knapsack slowly closing the door behind him. He stayed there in the dark leaning against the dark listening for any movement from deeper in the house.

From the knapsack he pulled out a mounted military grade night vision monocular and strapped it onto his head. Flipping the monocular over his eye, and activating the device, the room was bathed in an eerie green light. Then he covered his shoes with a pair of plastic booties, he was already wearing a spandex skully-style cap and his face was clean shaven so he didn't worry. 

Slowly he made his way to the rear set of stairs and stepping along the edge of the stairs as he climbed to the second floor. The carpeted floor absorbed the noise from his heavy boots. He stopped at the first door he came to, the oldest daughter's room. He had been watching the house all day and knew she and the youngest daughter had left for the weekend.

At the master bedroom he sprayed a quick spray onto the hinges. Earlier in the day he had been inside doing a quick recon of the house, and found the door squeaky. Gently he pushed the door open and found the woman closest to the door. She was sleeping on her side, with her back to the door. He crept closer and found her arm was draped over her husband's shoulder. 

He reached into his knapsack and withdrew two tubes; they were spring loaded pneumatic hypodermic injectors. The bed was a queen sized bed, and the couple was cuddled close together on her side of the bed, so he was able to reach both husband and wife. Using both hands he touched the carotid arteries of the sleeping couple with the tubes and depressed the plungers. Both tubes emanated a sharp hiss as the methoexital was injected into the man and woman's blood stream. Both shot up looking around wildly before the sedative took effect and they fell back asleep.

Simon stripped the night vision device from his head; he turned on a few lights and worked quickly, and retrieved the wooden chair from the living room and placed it in the center of the dining room. He carried the woman downstairs, the stripped off her night clothes, set her in the chair and using plastic cable zip ties he had placed in the garage, strapped her wrists, and elbows to the chair's arms. He then strapped her ankles and knees to the legs of the chair. Using long strips of duct tape he taped her head so that it was starting straight ahead. He shoved a balled up sock in her mouth.

He then pushed the large round table onto its side and using precut 2" x 4" boards he screwed the table so it wouldn't roll either way. He then screwed eye bolts to the underside of the table. The sedated man was taller than him and out weighed by fifty pounds, but he was able to drag the man downstairs without to much effort. He strapped the man to the table spread eagle using zip ties and tape. He blindfolded and gagged the man with tape and socks. 

Using a thick blanket, and a heavy duty stapler, he covered the large window that over looked the front yard. He left the sleeping couple and went into the garage. He gathered up the tools the home owner had on hand and a few he had staged during his surveillance then took them into the dining room. He made several trips before he was satisfied with what he had. He spent several minutes arranging things so that they would be within arms reach when he needed them and wouldn't have to stop once he started. 

He set up the video recorder and a digital recorder in front of the woman. When he was satisfied the Simon broke open an ammonia packet under the woman's nose. She jerked awake and immediately aware of her situation. She jerked and pulled at her hands, frantically trying to pull herself free. Tears streaked down her face and neck.

"There is no need to struggle; your bonds will not break. I can't say your skin won't," he said from behind her, in a slight accent. She jumped and tried to turn her head, but the tape held it fast. 

"Now Mrs Frances Trusdale," Simon said coming around to face her. "You have information that my employer wants. We can do this easily, or I will have to resort to," he paused for the dramatic effect, "unpleasant means." He leaned over to look her eye to eye. He could see the terror in her eyes, and he relished it. He waved to the tools on the table next to her trussed up husband. Her body was wracked with sobs as she cried harder. Simon wafted the ammonia packet under her husband's nose, jerking him awake. He too desperately tried to break his bonds looking around only to see the man in black grinning at him. The husband looked at the hammers, awls, pliers, and the car battery with jumper cables attached to the terminals. He jerked and pulled harder and harder desperately trying to free himself.

"Shall we begin?"

__

Using the fob to unlock the doors, Simon dropped his knapsack and bright colored jacket onto passenger seat of the ten year old Honda as he slipped into the driver's seat. He pulled away from the curb and made his way through the side streets as the wail of sirens grew louder. Several fire engines and police cars passed by him. He slowed and pulled off to the side of the road as was customary. Even from the six or seven blocks away from the Trusdale house, he could see the reddish-orange glow of the fire. 

Sighing with satisfaction, He pulled back onto the street and traveled further away. Simon had used many names over that last several years, and managed to live a completely different life for about two years. It had been a good peaceful life, but circumstances forced him to return to being what he had always been, a soldier. 

After a few minutes he was traveling down Sepulveda Blvd. He pulled into the parking lot of a 24 hour Burger King where he parked next to a brand new hunter green Mercedes CLS 550. 

He transferred the knapsack and the heavy jacket into the Mercedes. He tossed the Honda's keys into a trash can as his cell vibrated in his pocket, telling him that he had received a text. He retrieved the phone and with a swipe of his thumb activated the phone.

The Three want a meeting. Valdez shivered with anticipation, failing to suppress a grin. A job for the Three meant the time was coming. He tapped out a reply, telling the sender he was en route. He looked at the time and figured with traffic, he could be there in forty minutes. He hurried back the Mercedes and made his way towards Long Beach.

It was exactly thirty seven minutes later when Valdez steered the Mercedes through the rows warehouses, stopping in front of a dilapidated building. The sign above the doors read: Trinity Holdings. The door slowly slid open as the headlights illuminated it. He guided the sedan past the doors. There was a row of other vehicles parked along the wall, he squeezed the Mercedes next to an older red Hummer.

Valdez exited the Mercedes and was met by man whose tall, lean frame was dressed in a light colored European cut suit, with a dark shirt. He proudly wore many scars on his lean hawkish face. 

"Mr. Valdez," the tall man said extending his right hand. His British accent was sharp and fluid. Someone educated and of some stature, not a common street thug. "My name is Alistair Winthrop, but you may simply call me Winthrop," the man said as they shook hands. Valdez could feel the roughness of the man's hands. The scars on his face and the hands belying that this man wasn't just a figurehead, he had seen combat. 

Immediately Valdez felt a connection to this man. "Simon," he said as Winthrop led him deeper into building. The walk was short, and silent ending near a narrow doorway. "A moment," Simon said as Winthrop was reaching for the door knob. Closing his eyes, Simon's clothing changed from the black sweater, trousers, and boots to pleated black slacks, black loafers, and a white collarless button shirt. He finished the ensemble with a double breasted black sport's coat. Winthrop nodded in approval and opened the door.

Simon stepped through the door, leaving the hard concrete floor, to leaf strewn ground. The trees were taller than he could see, and blotted out the sun. Winthrop led him along the small game path towards a small grass clearing. The sounds of combat were coming from the ahead. Metal rang off metal, and echoed through the trees. There were grunts of someone taking a blow.

Winthrop stopped to the side just inside the clearing. Simon stood at the end of the trail and saw two others patiently waiting. The other men were similarly dressed in expensively cut suits to cleverly conceal the bulges of their weapons. 

Simon gave them a once over, as they did with him as he entered the clearing. He nodded to them as they looked him over. To his left was an Asian, and further to the right was a large black man, whose build was that of a career body builder. His light colored suit barely contained him. His hair was close cropped to his large head.

Simon stretched out with his mind. The Asian's name was Jung-ho P'ung. North Korean by birth, smuggled into South Korea when his parents were murdered for political reasons. He's been on the US terror list for the past five years. Was involved in seven embassy bombings throughout Europe and the Middle East. Jung-ho was average of height and weight, his face was plain, and could be mistaken for any eastern races.

Francois Étampes, a French ex-patriot. Served several years in the French Foreign Legion rather than spend the rest of his life in prison for several murders. Étampes looked like he could pop a man's head like a grape with his bare hands.

Simon turned his attention to the man centered in the clearing. He was wearing only a loin cloth surrounded by five armed men. Their weapons ranged from long spears to short swords. The man could pass for any of the millions of Mexicans/Mexican-American in the Los Angeles basin. But Simon knew better, the man was no man, but Ah Chuy Kak, the Mayan god of war. The men attacked the man in the center. Simon watched as the man savagely disarmed the men, breaking arms and legs. At one point the man jammed a man's short sword through his thigh all the way to the hilt, while smashing another man's face with his own mace.

Off to the side stood a tall black man dressed in animal skins, leaning against several long thin spears. His name is Maher, the Ethiopian god of war. He was cheering loudly as Ah Chuy Kak snapped one of the men's arms at the elbow while jamming his bare foot into the crotch of another. 

The third was sitting on his helmet; he was dressed in a simple white tunic and leather sandals. His armor lay on ground at his feet. The armor was similar to that of the ancient Greeks. He was dragging a stone along the edge of his short sword. He was Belus, Mesopotamian god of war. 

Simon stood and waited patiently. The fight lasted a few more minutes, the men tried in vain to get an advantage on the war god, only to be beaten severely. The Mayan god straightened and stretched, a broad smile on his face.

"You were right Belus, I feel exhilarated. A good fight was all I needed." The god said as he stepped over the tangle of injured bodies walking towards a table that shimmered into existence. He took a large chalice from the tabletop, and took a deep drink. He saw the four mortals standing quietly off to the side, giving the Englishman a slight nod.

"Great ones," Winthrop said. 

Belus stood, jamming the sword into the soft ground. Maher simply turned his head to look at the four.

Belus spoke first, "Four years ago a girl was born to an unwed mother. The Council of Five believes that this child will be the one who unites humanity for an era of peace unheard of in human history." He held up his hand and image appeared in the palm of his hand. She was a pretty little girl, 3-4 years old, with long black hair, her chubby cheeks were dimpled. Her bright pale green eyes were a stark contrast to her caramel colored skin. 

"She is unprotected and vulnerable. She must die." Ah Chuy Kak said. "Her absence will allow for the Culling." 

Simon had killed many people in his life time. Some out of self-defense, some in the defense of his country and later, some for a price. Never had he killed a child. According to legend, the Culling would strip the world of the unworthy through war and strife. Ah Chuy Kak saw the hesitation in Simon's eyes. "This is what you have been groomed for. All your training, all the gifts bestowed upon you have been for this moment."

Simon nodded, "I understand." He said in unison with the other three.

"You will bring her head here on the summer solstice," Maher said. The gods began conferring with each other, laughing and carrying on. The mortals had been dismissed. 

Winthrop led the group back through the rainforest into the warehouse. They stopped in a conference room where the men took seats around the small table. Winthrop stood at the head of the table. 

"First, allow me to reintroduce myself," he started. "I am Alistair Winthrop, formerly of MI-6. I served many years with Her Majesty's SAS. I will be the in charge of logistics and your liaison with the Three. We have three months to carry out the assignment." A small woman entered the room, and laid a sealed manila envelope in front of each man. "In each packet, you will find the girl's dossier, and that of her mother.."

__

Sawyer woke with the shrill alarm on his phone. Sighing, he sat up looking at the annoying piece of technology. He deactivated the alarm and swung his legs out of the bed and stood. He was more than surprised that the aches and pains he had learned to live with, even the ones he had before turning forty, weren't there. He squatted down and sat on his haunches. Uncle Sam had replaced parts of his knee when a mortar shell exploded near him, tearing through his leg, and sitting like that would be sending lightning bolts of pain through his leg by now. Chuckling to himself, he stood, then while standing flat footed, bent over and touched the floor with the palms of his hands. Nothing felt as if it was going to tear or stretch out of shape. 

Sawyer stood, and went to the full length mirror. He was surprised to see a younger man looking back at him. It looked like he had been attacked by a rogue plastic surgeon armed with a needle of botox. The skin around his mouth had smoothed out, and the crow's feet at the corners of his eye had been erased. The long thin white line scar tissue on his neck from a lucky Panamanian knife was still present as were other scars he earned during his time in the Corps. 

He stripped down naked and looked over his body. Time had been turned back at least twenty years. He had dropped almost fifty pounds; his beer gut had slimmed back down to a flat abdomen. Once again he was the sleek bundle of corded muscle and sinew. Sawyer smiled. 

Going through his closet he found that nothing he had worn for the last couple of years fit properly. Spying the green duffel bag, commonly called a seabag by both the USMC and the US Navy, at the back of the closet. He pulled it free and dumped the contents on the single bed. Rooting around the camouflaged utilities, the Dress Blues, the green Service uniforms. He pulled on a pair of red nylon running shorts, and a yellow T-shirt bearing red "USMC" on the front. 

Leaning against the night stand, he laid out the navy blue Dress Blues jacket on the bed. It still held his ribbons and citations. Gently he touched the gold and scarlet Gunnery Sergeant stripes on the right shoulder and the five hash marks on the left sleeve. The Corps had been his family, and he had ruined it with his guilt. He had been too caught up in his own sorrows to maintain any friendships with men he had bled with.

One man had pushed past that. While serving in Panama during a civil conflict, then Major Darnell Weatherspoon (USMCR) and his four man intelligence unit had been pinned down by snipers, with a battalion sized force bearing down on them. Sawyer's unit had been dispatched to rescue the four-man team. Sawyer and his partner, a young corporal, had snuck in during the early morning hours and single handedly took out the snipers as the rest of the unit dug in. 

Then for three days, Sawyer's unit fought the battalion regulars to a standstill. During a last ditch effort to roust the Marines, the Panamanians rushed the dug in positions. It was a bloody assault, during which the fighting broke out into hand to hand combat. A determined Panamanian nearly drove his knife through Major Weatherspoon's chest, but Sawyer got in the way. Sawyer ended up with a scar, the Panamanian's skull had been crushed by Sawyer's rifle butt, and Major Weatherspoon owed a man for his life.

Sawyer mustered out of the Corps, after twenty-one years of faithful service, and drifted around for a few months. Weatherspoon, who retired as a full bird colonel, had started his own security company and tracked Sawyer down. Weatherspoon told Sawyer that he had heard about the accident, he owed him for his own life, and the least he could do was give him a job. While Sawyer was in no condition to handle personal protection, or freighter security, or a dozen other positions Weatherspoon Securities was involved in, he was able to walk around a mall. 

Tired of reminiscing, Sawyer slipped on an old pair of running shoes and slipped into the apartment complex's fitness center. It was still early enough to be empty. He started the older treadmill, soon he was running at the machine's top speed, and was hardly straining himself. He kept that up for several miles, before a burning smell started to come from the machine. Laughing he slowed the machine until he stopped. He patted the control panel, "that'll do Donkey, that'll do" he said in his best Scottish brogue. 

Sawyer went to the flat bench were an empty bar sat in the cradle. He added a few plates, and then threw the bar up and down without straining himself. 

A quick look at the clock showed he had a few more minutes before the buses arrived and picked up the complex's children. Then the herd of prowling cougars would start showing up desperately trying to work off that winter weight, as Sawyer liked to put it. He had been avoiding several of these ladies since he moved in. He knew one in particular was looking for a father to her four hellion children. 

Sawyer grabbed as many of the large plates he could find, sliding them onto the bar. Lying on the bench, he lifted the bar off the cradle. It was still too light. He pressed the bar twenty times before he heard and felt the bench groan. Sawyer eased the bar back into the cradle and sat up. He emptied the bar and hurried out of the side door as the first of the women started filing in.




Gifted Ch. 04



Sawyer silently thanked Thor, and his shadowy benefactor for his new life. After a quick shower he dressed in the smallest jeans he owned, but they were still a little too big, a plain T-shirt and a pair of rugged work boots. He sat at the dinning nook table sipping coffee looking over the two items Thor had given him. The business card said: Durham's Haberdashery, gave an address, and had the name Kara Durham on the bottom. He knew the address was close to another mall on the other side of town. Weatherspoon Securities held the contract for mall security there too. 

As he picked up the Powerball ticket, My Darkest Days' "Pornstar Dancing" erupted from his phone. He swiped the screen on the phone as he held it up to his ear, "'sup Fassler?" he asked.

"Nothing," she said. "So, I was talking with Walt last night."

"Wow, you guys actually talked? No arguing, no heated make-up sex?"

"We talk all the time, so bite me," she said. "Anyway, Walt's off and he wants us to get together at O'Hagan's at seven for cocktails and munchies," she said.

"Really? He wants us to get together, at his bar?" Sawyer asked, knowing better. It was her idea and his bar was neutral ground; she just used her feminine wiles to make Walt think it was his idea. 

"Yes," Zoe said. He could hear her grinning. 

"I'll be there," Sawyer said looking at the glowing green clock on the ancient microwave oven. He still almost eight hours to kill.

"Gonna bring your new friend?" she asked.

"Not tonight, I'm picking her up tomorrow after she gets off," Zoe started giggling on the other end of the line, "work. Easy there space cadet."

"Sorry, couldn't help it," she said, still giggling.

"Um hm," Sawyer grumbled. "I'll see you in a few hours." He said.

"Tootles," she said and disconnected the line.

__ 

Sawyer swung the pick up wide and into the vacant parking spot. He had just spent the last several hours cleaning his apartment and truck, making them both presentable. Having gone through his closet, he found that most of his clothes no longer fit. He dreaded it, only because he wasn't very good at, but he needed clothes. He was thankful that is was a short walk down the busy street, but even for spring it was stiflingly hot. He found himself in standing front of a wood paneled store front; Durham's Haberdashery was engraved in the wood above the door.

Sawyer stepped in and was rewarded by a blast of cool air. He closed his eyes and savored the coolness.

"Hello, may I help you?" a woman asked. Sawyer opened his eyes and was rewarded with a breathtaking sight. She was tall, a little shorter than his own six foot two inch frame, medium build, with large breasts. She had a little meat on her bones and she wore it well. Her shoulder length blonde hair was pinned back from her oval face. She was pretty, but her features were a little masculine. Her bright hazel eyes watched him curiously. She was dressed smartly in a black knee length pencil skirt that had a small slit at the back. Her thick shapely legs were encased in dark stockings, and she wore comfortable black patent leather low heeled shoes. The first three buttons of her pink blouse allowed a glimpse of cleavage.

"I've lost a little weight and need a new wardrobe, so a friend of mine recommends your store," he said. She eyed him up and down. She him asked a few questions, and for the next few minutes they discussed his preferences to clothing, all while she continued to study him. 

She held out her hand, "Kara Durham," she said. 

As he took her hand, "Michael Sawyer," he said. He admired her firm grip, but he could sense a little fear coming from her. 

"If I may Mr. Sawyer," she started, but he interrupted her, insisting that she call him Micheal. She smiled warmly, "Michael, I think I can help you."

"I am in your capable hands," he said. She nodded and led him through the racks of clothing, taking a few items as she went. He admired her hourglass figure, and the way her skirt outlined her round ass. He fought the urge to reach up and take the luscious globes in his hands.

"If you'll sit here," she started, "I will bring several things for you to look at and try on if want." He nodded taking a seat in the comfortable overstuffed wing backed chair. She hung up what she had on a rack and disappeared into the store. 

He reached out with his mind touching hers. She was lonely, and worked to many hours. The store had been her grandfather's. It never made it to her father's hands, having died when she was young. Six months ago she inherited the store when her grandfather passed away from a massive heart attack. 

She wanted a meaningful relationship, but was to busy to do more than go out with a few friends, and never follow through with anything. He was surprised that she was ashamed that even though they just met, she found him extremely attractive. She was afraid that he would find out her secret and she would lose another potential lover. 

He gently dug a little deeper, and discovered that she was a hermaphrodite, which explained the masculine features. She had functional breasts and vagina, but her clitoris was shaped and protruded like a small penis. She still had to sit to urinate. Her family had been too poor for gender reassignment surgery, and hoped that her body would would grow normally. Her mother was very supportive and did her best as a single mother to help her feel normal. As she grew older, even though she knew she was physically the same as other girls, she kept her penis a secret, never going to slumber parties, or doing the normal teenage girl things.

As she got to college, she experimented with a few guys who claimed they were cool with it, but in the end they couldn't handle it and they left her unsatisfied and fearing rejection even more. She had a more than passing interest in women, truly being bi-curious, she had wanted to kiss, touch, and taste another woman. But the fear of rejection and humiliation was to much.

Sawyer watched as she returned with a few more items of clothing. What he felt for her went beyond sympathy, and he understood a little of her pain. As he stood, he selected a few items she had selected and took them to the dressing room. Kara followed him, she continued asking him questions about clothing, trying to determine what would look good on him.

He changed clothes several times, admiring Kara's taste in clothing. She insisted that he come out with each change of clothing, so that she could see how he looked, and what needed to be changed if anything. Sawyer commented on her taste in clothing and how much better he looked, and felt about himself. Kara blushed at his compliment, he could feel her attraction to him grow. 

As he undressed from the black slacks and dark blue button front shirt, he touched her mind again. He could see that she was aroused, one of her fantasies lately was of a man coming into the store and taking her in the changing room. Gently he bumped up her arousal. He could almost smell the musky scent of her pussy as it got wetter thinking of him. He could feel his cock getting harder, he could almost feel the softness of her breasts, the warmth of her pussy. He wanted a taste. 

Sawyer grinned as he slipped into his old jeans, then accidentally leaned against the door, that he failed to lock. He fell onto the floor at her feet, the door crashing against the wall. 

"Oh my gosh, Michael are you okay?" she asked dropping to her knees next to him. He nodded, grunting an apology about forgetting to lock the door and loosing his balance. The head of his cock escaped from his boxers, and poked out. She looked at it longingly, licking her lips. Sawyer kicked off the jeans and stood, his cock pointing straight out.

"Sorry, he has a mind of his own," he grinned, trying to tuck the hard appendage back into his boxers. She bit her lip, debating what to do next looking up at him, longingly. He knelt down and gently kissed her. 

Kara was a little taken back at first, not knowing what to do, but then her body took over and she kissed back, parting her lips to allow his tongue to explore her mouth. She moaned as his hands roamed down her back, caressing her plump round ass.

Putting her hand on his chest, she stopped him, "I'm sorry, I can't," she started. Tears were starting to form in the corner's of her eyes. He could feel her overwhelming desire to continue and be lost in the tingles that were shooting up and down her body. The fear of rejection was more than she could handle. 

She started to stand, when he took her head in both his hands and gently let her into his mind. He shared everything with her, the pain of his past, the loss of his family, the incident at the mall, his new found abilities, but not how he got them; the interlude with Lien-hua, and that he knew everything about her pain and fear. He shared all that and that he found her more beautiful than when he first laid eyes on her.

Kara pulled back and looked in his eyes. He could see that like Lien-hua, their souls had touched, and together, they were a little closer to being whole. She saw this as well, and attacked his lips. He moaned as she reached down and began messaging his hard cock. She gasped in pleasure as he took her large breasts into his hands, lifting them, his thumbs teasing her hardening nipples through the bra. 

Kara's eyes grew wide as she looked to the front door. Breaking the kiss, she jumped to her feet and ran to the door, locking it and turning the sign over to read "Out to Lunch, Be Back Later". 

She sauntered seductively back to Sawyer. He stood, taking in the sight of this magnificent woman. He took her in his arms and she melted against him. Their lips met in tender kisses, his hands roaming to her hips. She pushed him towards the dressing room as he unzipped her skirt, pushing it down over her hips. She stopped long enough for the skirt to puddle at her feet, before pushing him into the dressing room. 

She sank to her knees, pulling his boxers down, freeing his manhood. She watched his eyes as she took him in her mouth. Her tongue swirled around the head as she took him deep into her wet mouth. Slowly she eased back until just the head was in between her lips. Kara slowly kept up her pace of teasing him for several minutes, until he couldn't take it anymore and pulled her to her feet, ripping open her blouse, revealing her large breasts encompassed in a black lacy bra. He saw for the first time her taught abdomen, with a matching black lacy bikini-style panties, and a garter belt holding up her stockings. 

He nibbled and kissed her neck slowly kissing his way until he took her hard nipple between his lips. She sucked in her breath as she arched her back in pleasure. He pulled and teased and nibbled on the hard nubbin while gently rubbing and pulling the other with his finger tips. 

Sawyer gently pushed her onto the changing bench, kneeling before her. Her head fell back and a moan escaped her lips as he dragged his fingertips up her long stocking clad legs. He kissed her knees, then left a trail of kisses along her legs as he kissed higher along her inner thigh. His fingers pulled at the elastic of her panties and eased them down. He could see the fear in her eyes as she looked down at him. 

Trust me, he said to her. She smiled weakly and nodded. He kissed the black V junction of her panties and pulled them down. She lifted her hips allowing them to be pulled free. The trimmed patch of pubic hair was the same color as that on her head. She was so aroused that her clit was protruding upward out of her pubes like a small cock. He pulled the panties down until they hung off her left ankle. He kissed and licked around her inner thighs, then gently nipped her soft thigh flesh with his teeth. She jumped and looked down as his tongue slipped past her outer lips and deep into her wet pussy. Kara's eyes rolled back into her head as his tongue delved deep into rubbing against that tender spot that made the sparks fly. 

Sawyer knew what she wanted, and let go of his own inhibitions. He licked and sucked at her inner and outer lips before taking the clit into his mouth like a cock. Kara jumped as if she'd been struck by lightening. Her hands grasped the side of his head as he continued his ministrations. He knew what he liked, and how it should feel. He used his upper lip and tongue and gently sucked on her clit, bobbing his head up and down as he slipped a finger slowly into her wet pussy. She groaned and gasped in pleasure as he rubbed his knuckle against that rough bundle of nerves. Even in her wildest fantasies, it had never felt this good.

Sawyer pulled away from the small cock much to Kara's disappointment, but she savored his lips as he kissed her sharing her own juices with her. She was amazed that her own taste was as sweet as it was. After a few masturbatory sessions she had tasted her fingers, but it have never been this sweet, nor had she been this aroused before. Sawyer repositioned himself and slowly eased his hardness into her warm wetness. 

"OHHHH MY GAWD," she exclaimed as he buried himself to the hilt. He began rocking his hips back and forth, grasping her meaty ass cheeks for leverage. He loved the feel of her stockings on his skin as he fucked this incredible woman. She rolled her hips in time with his movements, causing the pleasurable friction to intensify. She relished his lips against hers, her tongue exploring his mouth dueling with his own tongue. Kara screamed into his mouth as she came. He could feel her pussy pulsating against his cock as her orgasm rocked her body.

He slowly withdrew, getting a whimper from Kara. He stood, pulling her with him. "I'm not done with you yet," he said turning her and bending her over. She gripped the bench as he slipped back into her. She arched her back and pushed back to bury him in her once again. Taking a hold of her meaty hips he drove himself deep into her pounding her as hard and fast as he could. She screamed out in delight, grunting and pushing back as hard. 

Sawyer reached around and began touching her hard clit, gently stroking it. Her body trembled with excitement. As he stroked it, he drew on his abilities, and slowly it began growing longer and thicker. Kara screamed as another orgasm exploded through her. Sawyer gripped her hips tightly as buried himself deep into her wetness, his seed exploding from him.

Sawyer pulled himself free of her warmth, and collapsed on the bench. He pulled her into his lap as she fought to calm her breathing as she lay her head on his chest. After a few seconds, Kara looked up at him and pulled his head down. Their lips met and softly kissed, and caressed each other.

"I've never done anything like this," Kara said between kisses. He wasn't sure if the red color in her cheeks were from the embarrassment of having sex with a total stranger, or from the exertion of having sex with said stranger. Either way, it was very becoming on her. Looking down between her legs, she reached down and lifted her new cock. "Wow," she said, gently stroking it. "I am going to have fun with this," she grinned.

"Glad you approve," he said kissing her shoulder, reaching over and taking the cock in his hand, feeling it hardening as he stroked it. 

Kara leaned back against him as he stroked the cock, and began caressing along her soft ass, until his hand had snaked around her waist between her legs. Slowly he slipped a finger between her wet lips, delving deep into her wet pussy. She gasped and raised her hips trying to push his finger deeper. He latched onto her nipple with his lips, gently sucking and nibbling on it. Between the stroking, his finger and his lips,Kara arched her back screaming out in another orgasm, her pussy shooting out a spray of clear liquid.

After she regained her breath, she looked up at him. "I have never squirted, or cum that hard before." Kara took his head in her hands. "You sir, are a keeper," she said kissing his lips chastely. Sawyer grinned. "I have to meet some friends tonight at eight, but I can ditch them," she said with a wicked grin.

"Unfortunately, I am also meeting friends," he said kissing her forehead "and I haven't hung out with them in a while," he said. His mind working, "but I am free afterwords." He searched her mind to see where they were going, and put the address of a great bar and grill that she and the girls could go.

"Sounds good," she said slipping out of his lap. "What a mess," she said looking around. Sawyer stood and wrapped his arms around her. "But well worth it," Kara leaned into him and relished the love she felt. 



Gifted Ch. 05



In 1969 Thomas Finn Callahan, then a young short order cook, fled Ireland after being accused of raping and murdering a young Catholic girl. Even though he was no where near the crime, Thomas looked enough like the perpetrator that the local constabulary wanted him. 

Thomas changed his name to his mother's maiden name, O'Hagan and arrived in the United States on a freighter as the ship's cook apprentice. He worked his way around the U.S. until he arrived in northern California. He found that the community needed a good Irish bar. Naming it after his dear departed mother Thomas started Alice O'Hagan's Irish Pub and Grill, serving good Irish home cooking and locally brewed beers. After Tommy dropping the name Alice, O'Hagan's Pub and Grill's popularity grew, it became a place to see and be seen and a staple restaurant in several mall chains. 

The noise and the live music struck Sawyer like a wave as he opened the door. The place was hopping, the long bar was filled with college aged students who mingled with the crowd of thirty-somethings desperately trying to hold onto their youth by hanging out in a trendy bar and grill. This was the crowd that Walt catered to. 

Sawyer made his way to the bar, squeezing between a tall thin brunette sheathed in a black knee length dress with long legs in strappy heels, and an over weight man who thought loud floral print Hawaiian shirts were still in fashion. He gently touched the small of her back as he eased past her, careful to not let his hand linger. "Excuse me," he said. His touch interrupted her conversation with a seated red headed woman decked out in a shimmering gold dress whose hem barely covered her crotch. The brunette looked over shoulder, and he could see she was about to make a snide comment instead she frowned and went back to her conversation.

Sawyer grunted, and ordered whiskey on the rocks. As he waited for his drink, he scanned the crowd looking for his hosts. His phone vibrated in his pocket. He extracted it trying not to bump into the woman.

To your left, near the stage, along the wall, back three tables, Zoe texted. He held up his phone, acknowledged the message. He accepted the drink, and made his way through the crowd to the table. It was a round booth capable of holding six people; there were two empty glasses in front of both Zoe and her husband Walt. Sawyer slid into the booth next to Zoe, planting a friendly kiss on her cheek, reaching across the table to shake Walt's hand.

"About time you got here," she said loud enough to be heard over the music. 

"It takes time to look this good," Sawyer said. "Oh honey, keep thinking that," Zoe remarked. Walt snorted, trying to keep his drink from spewing out through his nose. "I have to say Sawyer, those are some nice duds," she said looking him over. He had dressed in new jeans, and black button front club shirt courtesy of Durham's Haberdashery. 

Sawyer shrugged, "I've decided to repent my heathen ways and stoop so low to become a slave to fashion." 

"Well it looks good, keep slavin away," Zoe said. The trio sat and chatted as the live band finished out their set. A plump red headed woman in jeans and a T-shirt plopped down next to Walt waving towards the waitress. She had a wide pretty face, with pale skin and a splash of freckles across her nose and cheeks. 

"Ah Bridget, yer singin is so grand that even the angels are weeping," Sawyer said in his best Irish brogue, smiling at Walt's sister. Zoe muttered something under her breath about angels committing suicide, but it was obvious that Bridget ignored the comment. 

"And you lie like a rug," Bridget said taking Walt's drink and downing half of it. She narrowed her eyes and looked at Sawyer. "So Michael, Zoe tells us yer banging the hospital staff now." 

Sawyer was always refreshed by Bridget's straight forwardness. "I heard you were sucking off the drummer, so I took my broken heart, and my man parts elsewhere," Sawyer said sipping at his second whiskey and water. Bridget smiled as she raised Walt's glass in salute and drained the rest of the drink.

Half and hour later, after some friendly jabbing, Bridget was back on stage. She sang an old Irish dirge of love and loss, and the lamenting of a woman who had lost her husband in battle. Her throaty soulful voice brought the song to life that you could feel the woman's pain and brought tears to many eyes of the audience. Sawyer found himself singing along to the sad beautiful song, as she sang the last verse. 

A flash of blonde hair by the bar caught Sawyer's attention. Leaning out of the booth he saw Kara talking to a group of women standing near the bar who were clearly not happy about standing. She was wearing a light blue halter-style dress that ended mid-thigh that hugged her curves, and accentuated her round ass. He felt Zoe's breasts on his arm and her warm breath on his neck as she leaned over to see what he was looking at.

"Which one, the red head?" Zoe asked. Sawyer shook his head. "The blonde?" Sawyer nodded. "Nice ass," Zoe said. "Need a wingman?" She asked adjusting her already low cut shirt to reveal more of her cleavage.

"Nope, watch this," he said grinning. Hello beautiful, love the view. 

You're here? She asked looking around the crowded bar. Glad you like it, she said with a wiggle of her hips, where are you this place is packed? 

To your left, towards the stage, he said. She turned and smiled when she saw him. Sawyer returned the smile. 

I haven't been able to get you out of my mind. She said biting her lip seductively.

Me either, so sashay that lovely ass over here, he said, motioning with his fingers for her to come hither. There's plenty of room, so bring your friends. He nodded towards the group of women with her. Kara turned to the group and began motioning towards the booth. He could see one or two shake their heads, but the bar was full and all the other tables and booths were taken. When she won the discussion, Kara led five women of varying ages towards the booth. 

"No. Effing. Way," Zoe said in disbelief. Sawyer only shrugged as he slid to the center of the booth, making room for the newcomers. Kara slipped in next to him, sliding as close as she could, forcing him to lift his arm onto the back of the seat. She took the opportunity to snuggle in close to him giving him a chaste kiss on the lips. Most of the women gave him the evil eye as they slid into the booth behind Kara. 

"Zoe, Walt, this is Kara, the magician behind my new fashion sense," Sawyer said making the introductions. Kara reached over and shook Zoe's hand.

"Cheater," Zoe said to Sawyer, then looked back to Kara, "you girl, are a miracle worker," Zoe said leaning over Sawyer to talk to Kara. "I've never seen him dress better."

"He was a fabulous blank canvas," Kara said gently touching his chest. She let her hand linger for a second before introducing her group. Sasha, Patty and Heather were all her friends from high school, and attended college together. In college they met Kat and Natalie; one was a wife and mother, the other a single mother of two boys. As a group they ensured none failed, and that dedication had helped them all through college life. 

After graduation the group stayed in contact and got together twice a month. They all knew of Kara's secret, and even though she wasn't the youngest, she was treated as such. It was everyone's self-appointed responsibility to make sure she was taken care of. 

Sawyer knew it would take more than a miracle to get these women to warm up to him. 

__

"So by now I'm dragging Zoe, who's drunk off her ass and limping. She's only wearing my T-shirt and nothing else. As I'm putting the key in the door, it flies open and there's Walt. His face is red as Sasha's shirt and I can see he's about to explode, when Bridget staggers around the corner trying to pull on my jeans and nothing else, her big 'ol titties flopping around as she's trying to zip up the fly. She looses her balance and falls over into the flowerbed cussing up a storm. Walt just starts screaming incoherently at Zoe about having a threesome with me and his sister." Sawyer said trying to stop from laughing. He leans over and demonstrates, "Zoe looked up at him, puts her finger on his lips, and almost up his nose and says: 'iss okay baby, iss okay, iss not what it looks like', She said, that was when she saw her hand. The ring was so shiny and sparkly; it was like she'd never seen it before." He finished staring at his hand as if in awe. 

"That was the last time I lost a bet to his sister," Zoe said defensively, "and the last time I went anywhere without a change of clothing." 

"How long did it take, to find your clothes?" Natalie asked between gasps of breath. 

Walt wiped the tears from his eye, "almost three hours. They were scattered over three blocks and a cow pasture. We never did find Bridget's clothes." Walt said and then everyone started laughing again.

"Why'd you get the shirt?" Sasha asked Zoe.

"She actually won that coin toss." Bridget said, "Next time we go streaking, we call Walt, not Sawyer." The table erupted in laughter. "What the fuck ever!" Bridget said punching Walt's shoulder.

__

Sawyer excused himself from the table and headed to the restroom. Luckily there wasn't a line and he was able to get to the urinal. As he unzipped his jeans and pulled himself out he heard the door close and lock. Sawyer sighed and looked over to see Natalie standing next to him. Her sculpted arms were crossed over her medium sized breasts. 

"What are your intentions?" She asked without preamble. He took a second and looked her over. She was close to his age, and wore it well. Her light colored hair was cut in a boyish fashion for ease of maintenance, and her dark eyes were clear of the alcoholic fog. She was a little shorter than him, and had to look up at him. The blue sleeveless blouse and fitted trousers showed that she was fit and trim, he could see that she put a lot of time in the gym to maintain her figure. 

He wasn't prepared for this line of questioning, especially in the men's room. Sawyer was grateful that he had just enough alcohol and wasn't gun shy and began urinating. Closing his eyes and sighing, he felt the tingling in his toes that comes with holding the urge to piss for so long.

"My intentions are strictly honorable," he said without looking at Natalie. 

"Look, I already know what happened at her shop," she said.

He sighed, shook himself and slipped it back in his trousers. He turned to look at her. "I didn't mean for anything to happen, it just did. It was amazing, and I would like to see where it goes."

"I've heard that from other guys before, it's always 'oh look at that it's so cool', or 'really? Can I see it' and a million other things stupid childish things. Then one way or another it becomes too much for them to handle and we are left picking up the pieces of that poor girl's heart." He took a quick peak into her mind. He saw flashes of them comforting Kara time after time. 

Sawyer leaned over the sink and washed his hands taking in what Natalie told him. As he grabbed the paper towel from the dispenser, "I can't see the future, but I know that she is an amazing woman, and I want to know her better," he said drying his hands. "You are just going to have to trust her enough to make the right choice." He said tossing the used towels into the receptacle as he reached to unlock the door. Natalie grabbed his arm and spun him around.

"I trust her, its you I don't trust. I'll be watching you," she said poking him in the chest with her finger, and then stormed out of the restroom. Sawyer rolled his eyes, took a deep breath and made his way through the crowd. As he approached the table he saw an angry Kara dragging Natalie by the arm away from the table. He could see them having a heated discussion by the bar, and he was curious. But he didn't intrude. 

"Alright my dear," he said to Zoe. "I've had about enough of this crowd. I think I am going to head out." He said offering his hand to Walt, who shook it with a grin. Zoe crawled over Walt and wrapped her arms around Sawyer's neck.

"I like her," Zoe said in his ear. He nodded in agreement. "Come back when you can stay longer old man." She said letting him go. He bid farewell to Sasha, Kat, Patty and Heather. Dropping a couple of fifties on the table he made his way to Kara and Natalie. Resting his hand on the small of Kara's back he gently kissed her on the cheek. She leaned into his touch and turned to face him. "I'm heading out," he said. He could see the disappointment in her eyes, and a triumphant look from Natalie. "I didn't want to go without saying goodbye. I'll give you a call in the morning, after you've had a chance to wake up a bit." He said kissing her cheek again. 

Despite the unexpected confrontation, Sawyer looked to Natalie and said: "It was nice meeting you. If more people had friends like you, this would be a better place." She just looked at him, as if she was expecting him to say something a long those lines.

"Let me get my purse," Kara said, ignoring the pained look Natalie was giving her. He tried to persuade her to stay with her friends, and enjoy the evening, but she left him standing there and went back to the table. 

"You seem like a nice man Michael," Natalie said. "I have friends in low places, if something happens to her." She said, her eyes narrowing.

"Yes ma'am," Sawyer said as he felt Kara's fingers intertwine with his. He was surprised that it felt so natural for them to be together. He gave a gentle squeeze and led her towards the door.

They made their way to his truck, which was parked at the end of the mall's parking lot. It was a clear cool night, and the stars shone brightly in the night sky. Kara leaned into him as they slowly walked. 

"I'm sorry about Natalie," Kara said. 

"Don't be, I know she means well. I'm just glad you have friends who are willing to put themselves out there for you," he said chuckling. "It's been a long time that someone threatened me like that." She giggled and nodded.

Sawyer opened the passenger door of his truck and helped her get settled. He admired her long legs as she crawled in and sat on the seat. She adjusted her skirt, to show more leg as he closed the door. He caught the glint of mischief in her eye as he walked around to the driver's door.

Even though he was done with the crowd, Sawyer wasn't ready to go home. Kara suggested the the bay front, it was still open and it was a beautiful night. During the short drive they laughed about the night's events, and how open his friends were to her friends, and especially her. He told her that Zoe knew what kind of life he had been living after the death of his family, Walt would follow what his wife wanted, it was just easier to deal with in the long run. 

He found a parking spot along the boulevard, near an all night diner. As they walked hand in hand along the bay front, they talked about everything. Even though their minds had touched, and they knew everything about each other, they found it easier to talk about themselves and put their thoughts into words. 

"So what happens tomorrow when you pick up Lien-hua?" Kara asked. He could hear the concern in her voice.

"Well, we could pick her up," he started. "The three of us can talk about what's happened. There is a connection with her, and with you that makes me almost feel whole again." Sawyer said. Kara leaned into him laying her head on his shoulder, listening to him.

"I can't say that a part of me isn't a little jealous that you're going to pick up another woman, after what we've done," she said. He could see she was having a hard time putting her thought into words. "Part of me wants to just walk away, and deal with another heartache. Part of me wants to drag you away from here and never come back, and another part of me wants you to fuck me silly," she said grinning. "But, if you left, there would be a hole in my heart, and I don't want that again. I need you."

He leaned over and kissed her forehead. "I need you too, like a flower needs sunshine." She pinched his arm muttering something about being a smart ass. He chuckled and took her to his apartment where they made love into the early morning.

__

The smell of frying bacon, one his most favorite smells, woke Sawyer from a pleasant dream. He lay there for a second and relished the wonderful odor. He fought the wave of sadness that threatened to wash over him. The morning of the accident, Sarah had woken him up with frying bacon. She was making sandwiches for their trip. 

Sighing he rolled out of bed and slipped on a pair of shorts. As he approached the kitchen he could hear the radio softly playing an oldie tune. Kara was singing along with the song, dancing to the beat. She was wearing his shirt from the night before and was barefoot. He admired the view; the shirt ended just below her lovely ass, and showed off her shapely legs. Leaning against the door frame, he stood and watched her cooking his breakfast and dancing. She noticed him about halfway through the second verse of the Stones' Satisfaction. She swayed and shimmied to the beat, dropping low and back up, using the spatula as her microphone. She danced towards him, spun around and crouched, leaning against his legs. Slowly she wiggled and swayed her hips as she stood. As the song ended, his crotch was firmly planted against her ass.

He slipped his arms around her waist, and leaned over kissing her neck. "Good morning," he whispered. She shivered from the warmth of his breath on her neck. Kara spun around and with a mischievous twinkle in her eye, she kissed the tip of his nose and began singing along with Skynyrd's Sweet Home Alabama. He wrapped his arm around her waist, and began swirling her around the kitchen as she sang along. 

__

Sawyer strolled through the lobby and headed straight for the elevators. He was a few minutes early, and even though he had spent an amazing evening with Kara, he needed to see Lien-hua. 

As he came around the corner he saw Lisa patiently waiting for the elevator. She turned to see who was coming and smiled evilly when she saw him.

"Child, you are in for a world of hurt if anything happens to her," she said. He sauntered up to the large woman and wrapped his arm around her shoulder.

"I expect you to personally handle the matter if it does," he said suggestively, wiggling his eyebrows. The woman chuckled and pushed him off of her.

"Just be careful with her please," she said. Her eyes were full of concern for her friend.

"Yes ma'am," he said earnestly as the doors opened. With a wave of his hand, he ushered her inside and followed. 

He found Lien-hua standing at the tall counter that surrounded the nurse's station. She was looking down writing in a patient's file, and talking on the phone. She agreed with whoever was on the other line and handed the phone to the receptionist. 

"That which we call a lotus blossom, by any other name would smell as sweet," Sawyer said in Mandarin as he leaned against the counter. He was really loving these new abilities. She looked up and smiled. By the look on her face, he could tell that she was relieved to see him. "Miss me?" he asked.

"You have no idea," she said finishing up her notes. "Give me ten minutes to give Lisa my report, and I am all yours." She said. Sawyer nodded and sat in one of the chairs near the elevator. He was thumbing through his third magazine when Lien-hua came around the corner of the nurse's station carrying a duffel bag. "Let's go," she said. Tossing the magazine onto the empty seat next to him, he stood and pushed the elevator button. 

Lien-hua stood on her tippy toes and gently kissed his lips. He heard a distinct "uh-hm" coming from behind the counter. They both smiled, as they turned and saw Lisa standing at the counter with her arms crossed over her large bosom. They escaped into the elevator and down to the ground floor. As they walked out of the building, he took her hand in his. He was immediately rewarded by the feeling that their hands were supposed to be together.




Gifted Ch. 05



As he led her towards his truck she began telling him about her weekend and how much she was looking forward to spending some time with him. He felt a little guilty as he held the passenger door open for her. Not knowing how to bring the subject up, he leaned in and gently began kissing her. His lips brushed against hers, tasting her, teasing her. As the passion grew, he opened his mind and shared with her everything that had happened to him since they parted, reliving everything. 

He could feel that she was a little taken back and hurt that he had slept with another woman, and tried to pull away, but he held her firmly in place. His passion for her had not diminished and he showed her that even though they had just met, his feelings and emotions about her fell into place, and that he needed her as much as he needed Kara.

Lien-hua broke the kiss off gently, "are we going to sit in the parking lot making out, or are you going to introduce me to the competition?" She asked with a genuine smile. Sawyer nodded, kissed her lips one last time and closed the door.

It was a short drive back to his apartment. He was nervous as he opened her door and held up his hand for her. He was glad she accepted it. He grabbed her duffel bag out of the bed of the truck and they walked hand in hand to his apartment. 

Kara, dressed in a pair of faded comfortable jeans and a plain black fitted T-shirt opened the door as they approached. Sawyer could feel the apprehension coming from both women as they eyed each other up and down. Kara stepped back from the door as Sawyer and Lien-hua entered the apartment. He could see she had opened one of the bottles of wine they had purchased on the worn coffee table. She had drank almost half of the bottle steeling her nerves. 

"Xie Lien-hua, Kara Durham; Kara, Lien-hua ," Sawyer said as the two women shook hands. Sawyer set the duffel bag down on the floor.

"Michael, give us a few minutes please," Lien-hua said. He nodded and made his way into the kitchen. Earlier, he and Kara had gone out and restocked his empty pantry and refrigerator. He wished he something more potent than the two bottles of wine, and wished they had bought beer or he still had a bottle of whiskey left. He stared at the wall for a few minutes, he was waiting for the screaming and fighting. His curiosity got the better of him and he reached out with his mind and found two calm women discussing him in depth. He could feel the attraction each woman had for the other and was surprised that it was growing. 

Chuckling to himself he checked on the oven and busied himself by preparing the rest of the meal. Sawyer had just finished wrapping the last of the asparagus in bacon when he saw their shadows in the doorway. 

"Good in bed and can cook," Kara started.

"He's definitely a keeper," Lien-hua finished. 

"Let's not forget my impeccable taste in women," he said. "Now that the rival butt-sniffing is done, dinner will be ready in about twenty minutes. Lien-hua the shower is in the master bedroom, there's fresh towels already set out." He said pointing towards the bedroom. "Kara, plates are there," he said pointing to the cabinets, "and you know where the glasses are." He said turning his attention back to dinner. Lien-hua stepped up to him and kissed his cheek, then disappeared out of the kitchen. Kara bustled around setting the table as Sawyer began frying the bacon wrapped asparagus.

Lien-hua emerged a few minutes later dressed in a pair of pale blue short shorts that complimented her tan complexion, and a white tight fitted tank top. Her wet hair was pulled back into a loose pony tail. 

Dinner at the small round table was a rousing success. A standing rib roast, that melted in your mouth, homemade horseradish sauce, with bacon wrapped asparagus, garlic-dill roasted fingerling potatoes and crusty french bread with a garlic butter spread. Conversation had come naturally to them as if they were life long friends, filled with jokes, and good-natured teasing. Both women complimented him on his cooking skills, and declined dessert. 

Sawyer slid his nearly empty plate away from him and sat back in his chair. "Before we go any further, I have a surprise for both of you." He pulled out the Powerball ticket from his shirt pocket and set it on the table. Kara looked at it for a second then back at him. Lien-hua pulled out her phone and after a few seconds of internet searching, she looked at him awe struck. She began speaking excitedly in Mandarin. Kara began to pull out her phone, before Sawyer laid his hand on hers. 

Lien-hua smiled and switched to English, "good in bed, fantastic cook, impeccable taste in women, and rich!!"

"You forgot my great taste in clothes, and devilishly good looks," he said smiling. He grabbed the bottle of wine and motioned for them to follow him into the living room. They followed him and cuddled up next to him on the couch. They sat and talked late into the night, finishing off two bottles of wine. 

He began gently kissing Lien-hua, she responded with a moan. Her tongue slipping past his lips teasing his. He could feel Kara's hand on his chest and her breath on his neck as she nibbled on his ear. He gently ran his hand up Lien-hua's side, under her tank top until his thumb brushed against her hardening nipple. She trembled under his touch. Lien-hua's hand ran along his thigh until she was cupping his growing erection. Her little hand pulled at his belt, and began undoing his trousers. Kara began kissing along his jawline. 

Lien-hua pulled back and stared at Kara. She shyly licked her lips. Kara reached over and pulled the smaller woman closer. Their first kiss was timid and chaste. They smiled at each other shyly. Their second was hungrier, and they devoured each other as if their next breath of air was in the other's mouth. 

Sawyer slid his hand along Kara's jean clad thigh, caressing the soft denim. She moaned into Lien-hua's mouth at his attention. Began stroking her growing clit through the jeans, causing her to squirm pushing her crotch closer to his hand.

Kara broke the kiss panting heavily. "Let's take this into the bedroom." She whispered. They left a trail of clothing as they stripped, kissed and caressed their way into the bedroom. Kara pushed Sawyer, who was still wearing his boxers onto the bed. He lay back and motioned for Lien-hua to follow. Kara knelt between his legs, caressing his thighs as she pulled his boxers down as Lien-hua knee walked on the bed. His erection flopped about as it was freed. She took it in her hand, stroking it as she kissed the tip. She dragged her tongue along the underside before taking it in her mouth. 

Lien-hua straddled Sawyer's head. He was slow and methodical. He licked and kissed all around her wet glistening pussy until she was growling in frustration. When he slid his tongue into her wet hole, she jumped as if being struck by lightening. He licked and sucked and nibbled at her clit and pussy until she was shuddering with an orgasm and gasping for breath.

Kara had crawled onto the bed and slowly lowered herself onto his hardness. She exhaled slowly as it filled her. As she bottomed out she began rolling her hips slowly. Lien-hua crawled off Sawyer and turned to watch Kara. She was mesmerized by the larger woman's protruding clit. She repositioned herself so that she was able to take the clit in her mouth like a cock. Lien-hua began bobbing her head up and down on the clit causing Kara to cry out in pleasure.

Sawyer lifted Lien-hua's legs over his head. He knew that her pussy was still a little sensitive, but he wasn't after that. Because she was smaller than him, he was able to lift his head higher. He gently pulled her ass cheeks apart and traced the tight rosebud with his tongue. She moaned around Kara's clit . The vibrations from her throat sent chills through Kara and she arched her back trying to get more of Sawyer in her and shove more of her clit into Lien-hua's mouth. Lien-hua sat up and pulled herself off Sawyer.

She looked at the two lovers on the bed. "I want you in my ass," she said breathlessly to Sawyer. "And I want that beautiful clit in my pussy." 

Kara's clit twitched at thought of fucking a woman. Kara rolled off Sawyer and lay on the bed. Lien-hua crawled over her, reaching between her legs to take Kara's clit in her hand. Slowly she lowered herself. Both women moaned as she took the entire clit inside her. She lay on the larger woman and they began kissing as she began riding the hard clit. 

Sawyer moved to the edge of the bed. Slowly he slipped his tongue deep into Kara's wet pussy, sliding it as deep as he could. He tongue fucked her for a few seconds, then licked his way up. He paid close attention to where the women were joined. He licked and slathered his tongue on Kara's hard clit. He kissed and licked Lien-hua's rosebud. He pushed his tongue into her quivering opening, her whole body trembled as he began tongue fucking her. He slipped a finger into Kara's wet pussy rubbing against that rough spot that made her push up hard into Lien-hua.

Sawyer pulled his tongue free and finger free. Slowly he slipped the wet finger into her tight asshole. He let her get used to it before he began slowly sliding it in and out always leaving the first knuckle in. He slipped his finger back into Kara rubbing against her G-spot and collecting her wetness before slipping it back into Lien-hua's ass. 

When he thought she was ready, he eased his finger free and repositioned himself. He slipped quickly into Kara's wet pussy, fucked for a few strokes before pulling out and pushed against Lien-hua's tight hole. Gently he pushed himself in. She gasped as her ass accepted the head of his cock. Sawyer felt her sphincter pulse and stretch as she relaxed. He slid further into her, waiting for her to relax as he went. Soon he was buried to the hilt in her ass. Kara was now doing all the work, fucking her clit into Lien-hua. Sawyer could feel Kara through the thin membrane and he loved the feeling of her rubbing against him. Slowly he began pulling out until the head was just inside her ass, before pushing back in. Lien-hua moaned in pleasure speaking in Mandarin. 

He was struck with inspiration. Concentrating he reached out to both women. He could feel the clit in his pussy and the cock in his ass. It was an odd sensation, but it was amazing none the less. With a little more concentrating he was able to link all of their minds together. Soon they were one body fucking and being fucked. When their orgasms erupted, they were shooting their cum into their ass, and they were riding the waves of pleasure that washed over them.

As they lay curled around each other in the post coital bliss, they were silent, but were still linked. They shared everything, from the their childhoods, to the pain of rejection and loss. There was no doubt in any of their minds that they loved each and were in love with each other. 

They made love several more times throughout the night switching positions until they fell into a deep slumber from pure exhaustion. Laying there in the darkness they slept a little closer to being whole.