What Happens When We're Not There An SWS by Mel Moser, July 1996 Natalie glanced carefully around the corner down the stone path then checked over her shoulder once again. Good, all clear she noted. Moving quickly and quietly, she continued on her way towards her destination. She had been anticipating this moment all day. No, all night and day, she corrected herself. The sun was just beginning to set lighting her way with soft orange light. Most of the others worked during the day and hopefully, her destination would be deserted. After a long night's work, Nat was tired, exhausted actually, but after tossing and turning most of the day unable to sleep, cursing her perpetual insomnia, she had finally given up and decided to come early. Hopefully, no one was here and she could have the place to herself. The tropical plants parted to reveal a beautiful glade. Sounds of tropical birds and the wind echoed in the nearby trees. From across the way came the sound of falling water. Around the corner, beyond the large cabana and a row of private cabins, she saw it. It was even better then her friend described it, even more beautiful than the erotic story she had read that had taken place here. This was a special place, she knew it and could feel it. A place of friendship, of intrigue, of laughter and love, of romance. Natalie walked closer to get a better look. Across the way, a waterfall dropped into a crystal-clear pool, making musical sounds at each drop and splash as it emptied into the waters below. Lily-pads floated lazily in the pool, occasionally rocking while the ripples from the falling water ran across the surface of the water. Various rock formations and outcroppings made for various depths and entry points into the pool, including a small series of natural steps that led down into the water. It was here that Natalie stepped down to the water's edge and tested the water. It was perfect. Not too warm, nor not too cool. Just right. Quickly removing her clothes then glancing around to make sure no one else was around, Natalie climbed and dived off a nearby natural rock overhang into the deep, cool waters of the pool below. For a moment, the world was silent as she swam long strokes beneath the water. At last, when she could hold her breath no more, she rose back up to the surface and inhaled the deep, cool air. She had come up on the far side of the pool not far from the waterfall. It was here that she noted the engravings on the stone face near the waterfall. Pulling herself up on the ledge beneath it, she ran her fingers down the list names engraved there. She next moved up to touch the title at the top. She had found it. Natalie smiled to herself. She was really here. The waterfall and secret island were here just as her friend said it would be. The Spell of Coming had worked and had magically brought her here. Smiling to herself, she wondered if she should see about having her name added to the list on the wall. Yes, she thought to herself looking around the glade at the enchanted environment around her, she could definitely see herself as a member of the Sacred Waterfall Sisterhood. Across the way, deep in the shadows of a nearby cave, a man stood watching the nubile figure as she swam across the pool. Holding his breath, he watched as the woman pulled herself out of the water and study the names on the stone face near the waterfall. As she studied the names, he studied her. Desire filled him as he watched her beautiful nude woman shower beneath the cool waters of the waterfall. She cleansed herself thoroughly with the soap and loofah she had found on the nearby ledge. He watched her hands run seductively across her bare shoulders, down to lather her full breasts, her nipples dark and hard due to the coolness of the air and water. Her hands continued to stroke and lather the rest of her, down each arm and each side to her hips, across her buttocks and over the gentle curve of her stomach. Then down each shapely leg, and then up again stroke and soap the insides of her thighs and finally moving up to gently wash the mound of curls that hid the center of her womanhood. There she washed thoroughly and longingly, her eyes closed and her lips slightly parted. She was taunting him, though she didn't even know it. His pants were way too tight, his breathing heavy as his heart and soul were filled with desire and love for the woman before him. With a groan, Nick turned away. He shouldn't have come. He hadn't meant to read Nat's private email, but he had found the file on the floppy disk she had given him with the autopsy reports he had requested. After reading the note from Natalie's email friend, he found the idea of a secret private island accessible by invitation only a little bit too far-fetched even for his own imagination, and he had seen a lot of strange things in his time. And Natalie? Why would Nat ever believe something like this even existed? She barely believed in vampires, let along private islands that can only be reached by magic. He just had to check it out, to follow Nat and make sure she was okay. And so, Nick had followed the instructions listed in the email message, chanting the words to the magical spell that was suppose to whisk one away to this mysterious place. Not really believing it would work, he had finished the last sentence of the spell only to feel the world spin around him. The next thing he knew, he was standing in a small grassy glade. In the distance, he could hear the sound of waves washing up on the beach, and all around him were tropical trees and plant and animal-life, and blue skies and sun. The sun burnt him as he felt and smelled his skin beginning to smolder in the open sunlight. Quickly moving with vampire speed, leaving a cloud of steam and dust trailing behind him, he had scouted around until he found the cave where he know stood. It was a natural cave, not very large but deep and dark enough to protect him from the deadly sunlight. Better yet, it was barely visible from the large glade outside, though it did give a clear view of the pool if one stood at the right spot While he rested to recover from his dash in the sunlight, he explored the small cave and noticed that is was quite comfortable, if not romantic. The floor was covered in deep, soft sand and by some rock swept bare of debris and sand.In the corner was a pile of wood, obviously intended for building a fire as he noted the remains of an old campfire near the center of the cave. Glancing up, he noted the crystals embedded in the rock of the ceiling and imagined that they would twinkle quite nicely with the light of a campfire. This was definitely a cave for privacy and romance, Nick noted. At the edge of the cave near the wall, the pool began, complete with a small set of natural rock steps that disappeared into the water. He was still exploring this part of the cave when he heard the sound of someone diving into the pool outside. Peering out, it was then that he saw her. Her pale body shimmered as she moved beneath the water and he stood there watching, entranced as she pulled herself onto the ledge letting the water run down her body. Wringing out her hair, the water ran down her shoulders and over her pert breasts and.. No. Nick shook his head. He couldn't continue to watch her bathe as she soaped herself underneath the running water of the waterfall. Nick turned away from watching her. He heard another splash behind him and turned to see that Nat had dived back into the pool again. Unconsciously, he noted that the sun had set and that dusk was beginning to reveal the evening's first stars in the darkening sky. He could join her if he wanted to, he realized. It was safe to go outside now. He'd have to eventually leave the cave to get back to the spot where the Spell of Return was supposed to be cast to take one back home. But, he made the mistake of looking at her again and knew he was lost. He couldn't leave now. Nat rinsed the remaining soap from her skin. Standing chest deep in the water, she let her hands continue to massage her skin, kneading away the knots of tension and stress and the aches and pains. It felt so good. Laying back into the water, she floated on her back and drifted along relaxing, letting the world drift away. She let her imagination start to fantasize and began to imagine that she was not alone here, but there was a dark and handsome partner with her here, meeting her for a romantic rendezvous. Someone who loved and worshipped her and would make love to her here in the light of the rising moon. Her eyes closed as she drifted along, her hands occasionally moving to help keep her afloat or run seductively across her shoulders and breasts as she gave in to her fantasy of being made love to. There was a slight movement in the water beside her. Startled, she tried to stand up in the water, but noticed the water too deep for her to stand. Turning, she gasped as she saw a figure standing near her, his bare skin glowing beneath the water from the light of the moon and from the soft floodlights that lined the pool. Through the clear water, she could tell he was as naked as she was. And if she could see him through the water, that meant he was sure to see her. Scared, she began to panic. Nat sputtered for air as she was torn between treading water and trying to cover herself modestly. Then at once, strong hands were holding her up at the elbows and pulling her close. "Shhh." a familiar voice whispered against her temple. The hands moved to support her at her waist and turning her around, pulled her back against him, her back resting against his strong chest. Soft kisses were placed down her cheekbone and jawbone to travel down her wet neck then back up again. Nat was paralyzed with the sensations his hands upon her body created. Meanwhile under the water,one of his hands continued to hold and knead her belly while the other moved up to cup and caress her full breast. His fingers discovered her hard nipple and spent several long seconds caressing it, adoring the hard nub and it's surrounding aerole with his sensitive fingers. Then the hand moved to her other breast and gave it the same loving treatment as its partner. Nat's eyes were closed as she pondered for a moment whether this was fantasy or reality. At this point it didn't matter. Electric sensations echoed down her spine. Her body was quickly becoming warm with desire, aching and delighting in the unbelievable feel of his hands exploring her, loving her in those places she had craved to be and had only fantasized about being touched. His hands and lips were magic as they explored her. "Nick." Her voice was husky and deep as she cried out his name. The voice whispered in her ear again. "Lean back and relax." Nat obeyed and tentatively leaned back as he pushed off and let them float backwards together, his body supporting hers as she lay on top of him, their bodies touching more intimately, their legs entwining and mingling as they floated along. The cool water was doubly erotic against their skin as it shifted and flowed around them. Nick's hands continued to explore her, massaging and stroking the bare smooth skin of her arms and shoulders, the ticklish places at her waist, the curve of each hip, the round curves of her buttocks and shapely legs. Then up to cup and worship each breast again. Nat let her own free hands explore the body beneath hers as best as she could. She threw an arm back and up around his neck, pulling his head and his kisses tighter again her as he continued to shower her face and neck with kisses. She let her fingers tangle in his wet hair and run down to feel the light stubble of his day's growth of a beard underneath her sensitive fingertips. The other hand reached back and around to run down his waist, down over the curve of his own narrow hip, and back around to cup the tight cheek of his buttock. The feel of his smooth taut skin in her hand filled Nat with ever-increasing desire as she felt Nick's body responding to her touch. She felt his erection pulsing against her at the small of her back. Her own center of desire began to ache in response, wanting and desiring to be filled by him, to feel him deep within her. The sound of falling water grew louder as Nat realized they were now near the waterfall. Remembering that there was a small rock outcropping there, she hastily found her footing and turned to stand up and face him. Nick was caught off guard by her movement, but wasn't disappointed as he instantly found his arms being filled with Natalie pressing against him, her lips parting as she met his in a deep, passionate kiss that went on for several long minutes. Her hands now freely explored him, starting at his broad shoulders and moving in to caress his smooth chest. Her fingers tangled in the light chest hairs there and continued their exploring to caress each of his nipples then move lower to explore the smooth skin of his waist. Her fingers traced the outline of where his dark hair began again at his navel and began to move lower. "No, not yet, " Nick said, catching her hands in his. Nat seemed disappointed but quickly forgot about it as Nick began another deep kiss, their lips parting and tongues dancing as he explored the honey taste of her mouth and lips. Now he used his hands to pull her tight against him and Nat inhaled deeply as she felt the length his manhood pressing against her, coming close to her own soft mound that was already pulsing and throbbing with her need. The cool water lapping around them did little to cool her passion-inflamed body. And surprisingly, she could feel Nick's typically cool body becoming warm with desire beneath hers as well. Nick's hands tangled through her wet hair to her neck and shoulders, then down her back, his fingers massaging and caressing her silky smooth skin as he felt the muscles relaxing beneath his mindful care. His body was alive and pulsing with desire where it touched her. With a shock Nick suddenly realized that they were on the verge of making love. Making mortal, human love. And only now was he beginning to feel the stirrings of bloodlust, very faint and distant, as if dampened somehow. It must be this place, he thought to himself, there was something special here that was holding back the vampire. He didn't have any more time to think on it as he felt Natalie's hands move around to cup his rear again and pull his hips tight against hers. Nick groaned in response, his voice echoing deep in his chest. He felt Nat smile slightly as she continued to kiss him back, matching him kiss for kiss, and caress for caress. Nick couldn't wait any longer. His lips never leaving hers, he moved them back and up on the rock ledge, which he discovered was delightfully warm against their skin due to the hot spring deep within the rock formation. Her beautiful body was laid out beside him and he wanted to explore and adore every inch of it. With the water still lapping against their legs and feet, his lips left hers to place loving caresses down her chin to her neck, up and down each bone of her collarbone, and down to suckle each of her rosy nipples of her breasts while his hand continue to explore and caress the rest of her. His hands began to magically massage the tops of her thighs and ever so slowly, moved inward as her legs parted at his touch until one hand at last moved to tangle in the damp triangle of curls at the juncture of her thighs. His fingers continued downward until they found the place that made Nat moan and arched her back in response. As his fingers caressing and exploring the center of her womanhood and desire, Nick trailed kisses back up her neck to her lips again. "Nat." he called to her, his voice rough and hoarse with desire. Nat's eyes were closed, the expression on her face was exquisitely beautiful as she burned with desire beneath him. Nat moaned slightly and her eyelids fluttered. "Nat, look at me." Nick asked, his voice more demanding. Nat was afraid to look, fearful of the vampire she knew she might find there. Slowly her eyes opened and she looked at Nick. Her eyes met his and she was moved at what she saw. Desire and love pooled deep within the dark blue velvety depths of his eyes. And looking at him, she knew her own eyes only mirrored his. With a deep kiss, Nick moved on top of her and as the kiss deepened, he entered her, their bodies becoming one, moving together in that ancient dance as old as time. The sensations rocked through them both, soaring them higher than either of them believed possible. At that final moment as they climaxed together, Nick felt the bloodlust come, his eyes burning, his fangs descending, his stomach growling in its hunger for blood. As wave after wave of sensation crashed over both of them, his fangs gently parted the soft skin at her neck and he made love to her as a vampire, the only way he had been able to in the past 800 years. Opening his mind and his heart, he felt hers opening to him as well, as they shared the lovemaking in both mind and body now, a vampire and mortal sharing in ways neither had ever imagined. And as the sensations began to subside, Nick found it easy to remember to stop in time. Lapping the blood from the closing wound on her neck, he watched to make sure that it began to close before turning to roll over on his back and pulling her close against him. His arms tight around her, Nick whispered loving words of endearment against her temple and into her damp hair. Several long minutes later, Nat dozed slightly as she lay carefully enfolded in his arms, held tight against his chest. It was the most comfortable of positions. She could grow use to this. She felt the water continuing the lap seductively at their feet and toes where their legs were entwined and still sat partly in the water. Nat smiled to herself. "They'll be coming here soon you know." Nick said softly in her ear, his voice rumbling slightly in his chest beneath her ear. "Who?" Nat replied, her mind still in a daze from their lovemaking. "The Wallflowers." Nick chuckled. "Remember? The Sacred Waterfall Sisterhood?" "Oh yeah." Nat sighed as she let her fingers draw small circles across his chest. Nearby they could hear the irregular rhythm of the falling water of the waterfall. And in the distance, there was the chatter of the night insects and the sound of the wind moving softly through the trees. Night had fallen and the sky was full of brightly shining stars. The moon was rising and becoming brighter in the sky. "Perhaps we'd better go. It's almost time for work." Nick helped her tooher feet and when she got there, kissed her passionately and deeply. When it ended sometime later, he smiled down at her, his eyes twinkling in the moonlight, "Shall we do this again tomorrow night?" "You'd better believe it, mister." With that Nat reached up and pulled him down into a long passionate kiss of her own. ( finis)