Sebastian Dash spent another hour in town helping where he could, but eventually it was time to head out. Earlier, He stopped by the general store, which amazingly enough, managed to open back up after the disastrous events Kadlin had caused. Dash reflected.

We knew Kadlin had fallen from grace, but how could she go this far, endanger so many lives? And seemingly, just to cover her escape? It isn't adding up at all. Of course, Konall did mention the cursed sword. Now her prized glaive. Could that be tied to this? Or to that annoying familiar in a box of hers?

Dash's horse, 'lola, was too far off to summon, and it wouldn't be worth it to go out of Dash's way to pick her up, so Dash would be walking. He kept a brisk pace, wanting to make it there in time without tiring himself out before the inevitable ambush. Surprisingly, he soon heard the sounds of a horse, which he quickly recognized as his own horse, 'lola. Dash was hardly surprised to spot the shapely Katherine Swift as the horse's rider. He kept walking, hardly having to slow his pace. The two caught up to him in no time. She quickly dismounted and embraced Dash.

"You brought supplies," Dash said with a wry smile. "How'd you find me?"

"Luck," she admitted, happy to be in his arms again, even if he was only a friend, she reminded herself quickly, barely avoiding a blush of her cheeks. "Your horse seemed in a bit of a panic when he found me. I'd heard word of the council quests, so once I calmed our friend here down, I did a little digging. It turned out you were heading to Forest Village, so I figured I'd find you on the way."

"Well," Dash said. "I'm glad you did. We were stalled helping out with the problem in Degrassi."

"That's where I heard the news, actually. What the Hey Daze happened there?"

Dash ignored her for a moment, examining his horse. 'Lola seemed standoffish for a moment, but quickly calmed down, realizing it really was Dash.

Dash turned to Katherine. "Whatever had her spooked earlier, she seems fine now. I'll tell you as we ride," Dash said, hopping up on 'lola and offering Swift his hand. She graciously accepted and slipped behind him, arms around his waist. "Get us to Degrassi, Españolola. We've got a job to do."

"You might have to fill me in on the job details too," Katherine said, shyly adding, "and how much you missed me."

Dash couldn't help but smile. After being apart from her for years, Katherine had started working her way back into his life, and vice versa, starting with another incident several months earlier. As they rode top speed, Dash tried to relay it all to her. The problems they'd had with both slavers and the Hey Daze demonspawn over the weeks leading into the St. Boris Day Feast. That let Dash to get into a little bit about the trip to Hey Daze long before the holiday hijinx, where they first ran into the Hey Daze 7-Eternal 'bosses' near the end of their adventures in Hey Daze. And of course, the Hey Daze demons either stuck around in secret, or returned to this world to take over Forest Village.

Dash's horse 'lola picked up speed and kept laying it on. "'Lola seems more energetic than usual, babe. He should have us there in no time."

"He isn't the only one," Katherine teased, snuggling up closer to Dash. Dash kept riding and did his best to ignore it. He could still feel the familiar burning sensation as she snuggled in closer for the ride. Dash was right; they closed in on the woods faster than Dash would have thought possible, especially considering the horse was carrying Dash, Katherine, and the supplies.

"Want to pull over and catch our bearings?" Katherine asked.

"Yeah," Dash said, his mouth dry. The horse seemed to pull over almost before Dash guided them to a stop. Dash got off and helped her down, taking her hand to his lips and quickly kissing it. Katherine laughed and playfully swatted at him.

She took his hands back in hers, a delighted smile dancing on her face. "Oh, and while we're here, how about a picnic?"

"Picnic huh?" Dash shrugged. "Don't think I brought a blanket to sit on."

Katherine couldn't help but smile. Er, smile more. "Oh, I brought everything we need for a picnic."

Dash wasn't sure how to react. He slowly nodded, looking around. It was getting dark, anyway. "Sure, but I want to get there before dark. If need be, we can double back."

"We've got plenty of time," Katherine assured him. Dash knew she was right but didn't bother to say so. Even with the situation in the village, a chance to spend a little time with her relaxing before the inevitable crisis would be .. nice. Especially after dealing with the situation with Kadlin in Degrassi. Someone had to get through to her.

Someone had to get through to Catrina, too. Before it was too late. Dash jumped at the sensation of Katherine massaging his shoulders.

"Someone's edgy tonight," Katherine said. Dash relaxed as she kept at it.

"Mmm, that is nice." He paused. "Yeah, I got a bit lost in thought there."

"So what's on your mind?" She asked.

Dash put his hands over hers as she massaged Dash's neck. "Mmm, that feels good, Katherine. I was reflecting on something that happened in Degrassi."

"I wasn't there long but I could tell it was bad."

"Very bad," Dash confirmed. "A very unnatural disaster."

"That explains the bad weather," Katherine answered. "What happened? How many casualties?"

"There was.." Dash paused. "It doesn't matter. What's important is Kadlin caused it. Presumably to keep us busy so we didn't pursue her."

"Kadlin?"

"Kadlin Bearsmasher. Konall's sister."

"I've heard of her." Katherine finished with the massage and slipped by Dash's side. "She used to be a clanmate of yours right? I don't get it. Even after she joined up with the Empire, she still helped you with bigger problems, right? Like the zombies and later with Father Crimbo."

Dash shrugged, looking her in the eyes. "Maybe she was biding her time. She put an entire village at risk just to cover her escape. I can't imagine what else she's capable of."

"So we'd better stop her." Katherine leaned in.

"It might not be that easy. She's getting stronger." Dash looked her in the eyes. "I don't know what we'll have to do. Between her and Catrina.."

Katherine met his glaze. A dozen memories of their time together over the years jumped to her mind. More. "I don't know what to tell you, but we'll get through this. Together."

"Together," Dash repeated. He hadn't fully realized what he was doing until the moment he kissed her. Though Katherine gasped in surprise, she didn't protest. Didn't pull back. Dash wasn't sure why passion had overcome reason. For a split second, the answer flashed through is mind. Something in or about the village. Then the thought was lost, overwhelmed by a desire for her. Fueled by her desire for him.

His, as his hands ran along her body, stroking it, bringing a wanton sigh from her. Hers, as she lifted his shirt, quickly removing it. The passion quickly built between the two.

For the moment, everything else was forgotten. Everything other than the passion of bringing pleasure to each other's bodies.

I don't think it was that bad. I do like including a little steam on my stories where it fits, and it fit here. Plus it's always nice to see Swift and Dash play off of each other. On the upside, it leads nicely into the next bit, a co-write with Dash and others.