I was instantly alert with my heart in my throat. I sat up, listening, holding my breath. I heard it again. A footstep, followed by another, in the ha...l outside my room. I slipped silently off the bed, tiptoeing to the closet where I kept my revolver on the top shelf. I didn't make it in time. The footsteps got closer. I reached behind the vanity and grabbed my ball bat. The hunk of wood hadn't seen any action since I gave up softball the year before. I was just raising it over my head when the. And oh, what a man! Big and strong, and not just in his physique!I scribbled on and on, trying desperately to exorcise my fantasies by pinning them to paper, transferring them from ephemera to a physical form, one which I could then destroy. As I worked, I lost track of time; the sun had come up, and I was still unfinished, detailing how I wanted Brandon to run down the stairs even now, sweep me up in his arms, and ravish me on the table I sat at.I startled at a sound behind me, realising with. In fact, I welcomed it. But I would be lying if I said this wasn't scaring the shit out of me."Drink up." she nodded at the cup of coffee. "I need you clearheaded."I picked up the ceramic mug and wrapped my hand lightly around it, using the hot surface to warm up my chilly hands. I eyed the creamy brown liquid before sipping the much needed dose of caffeine in small slurps."How's Laura?" I asked guiltily between the sips. Partly because I was worried for my sister. The other part was to stall. As they neared he saw the standards of the Saracens their enemy. Armed for battle he joined his own troops among the other Crusaders. The next few moments that followed were a blur in Jonathan's memory. He remembered only charging the enemy astride his horse. As the two sides clashed sword and spear struck shield and armor causing pain and blood flow. The first that would die that day fell during the initial contact as the two armies came crashing together like two great waves. Jonathan saw one.