'Hello mother,' Stone is delighted to see his parent.

He embraces her affectionately, pressing a kiss to her cheek. He should have warned Aleska his mother also speaks Russian and French and Italian and she is also learning Arabic. She is a Commander in the British Royal Marines in charge of naval affairs in the Pacific.

Aleska's eyes flit over the smartly dressed General.

So what is she doing in Brazil?

Elegantly dressed in her naval uniform with her four emblem insignia of the gold button, pip, crown, crossed sword and baton on her epaulette proudly displaying the rank of General of the British Royal Marines.

'You look ---content,' General Kate Bretton observes her son's jovial demeanour

'I am,' Stone's eyes fall on Aleska.

The General looks to the entire battalion still standing to attention. 'You are dismissed,' she addresses them, smilingly.

They salute and begin folding away back to their tasks.

'Not you Aleska,' The General states.

She is one of them. She assumes the dismissal meant the General wants a private audience with her son.

'Yes ma'am.'

'I see you two picked up from where you left off in Serbia.'

Aleska looks away uncomfortably. She had met his mother on a few occasions when she had visited Stone there. But then Aleska always spoke English assuming the other would not know Russian. She should have known better, considering the son speaks it fluently.

'I'm happy for the two of you,' the General states. 'This one,' she looks at her son adoringly, 'was moping around for six months after he returned from Serbia.'

Stone make a sound protestingly. 'Too much information mother,' he speaks softly, but loud enough for Aleska to hear.

She smiles uncomfortably, looks away.

Kate Bretton tucks her arm through Aleska's. 'And he's looking well fed.'

Aleska laughs. 'The British over-feed their soldiers,' she teases.

'Hey!' Stones threatens lightly.

'Speaking of food darling. I've brought you some snacks from home.  Have someone take it out of the helicopter,' Kate smiles adoringly at Stone.

Aleska was astounded the "snacks" extended to three boxes. Wow, his mum loved him very much.

'Thank you mum,' Stone delightfully smiles at the boxes carried away to the panty. He knew it would contain, his favourite treats of biscuits, savoury snacks, and comfort  foods. Stone requested it be stored there to be enjoyed by the entire team.

'So General you get to use state assets for social calls. I was taken to task for "misappropriating state assets."'

Stone just folds his arms and looks at her with a straight face. He will not be apologetic for that which he is expressly accountable for.

'I'm on official business nearby,' the General vaguely states. 'I did need clearance, just in case our military shot down our aircraft, thinking it an unauthorised aircraft in restricted airspace. That will be a national embarrassment,' she smiles.

Just then Nancy comes out to get Stone's attention and sees the General's arm entwined through Aleska's, she stares wide eyed.

'Have tea with me Aleska, while Stone attends to matters at hand.'

'Um --- okay.'

Aleska has spoken a few polite but brief sentences socially to the General previously, but they had never sat down or had "tea."

They walk to the dining tent and to Aleska's surprise; it is Kate Bretton who prepares the tea. Aleska rummages through the cabinets looking for refreshments, not finding any, she quickly texts Scott. He comes running in, only too enthusiastic, to serve Aleska.

'Do we have any refreshments Captain?' Aleska, narrows her eyes at Scott, seeing him fawning over her like a puppy.

'YA vizhu u moyego syna yest' konkurs... I see my son has competition, the General astutely observes.

Aleska does not answer. She bends her head, hiding her inflamed cheeks. She is relieved when Scott places a few packs of biscuits into her hand.

'Thank you Captain,' Aleska nods dismissively.

Scott nods and disappears, but not before his eyes silently questions the General's use of Russian.'

'Um ---lemon or vanilla?' Aleska offers.

The General smiles and helps herself to some of the lemon biscuits.

She pats the chair for Aleska to join her. Whilst she drinks tea, she hands Aleska a cup of coffee. Aleska does not know what to say, so she keeps quiet.

'I was glad of this opportunity to visit Stone,' the General smiles.

Aleska smiles sadly. She wishes there was somebody, anybody who would visit her. She has no family.  No one to show her any love or any interest in her life... except her frail grandfather and he was not fit to travel to the other end of the world to visit her.

But here was Stone's mother, traveling half way across the world to shower her son with affection, like she'd done the few times in Serbia. The General was so caring towards her son. Aleska looks up at the sudden laughter from the General.

'I'm thinking about that one time I came to Serbia to visit Stone, and I had to wait because the two of you were finishing some disciplinary task. 'Can't imagine why,' the General taunted.

Again Aleska's cheeks went pink, this time with embarrassment. She was not going to offer any details about her and Stone doing the dirty in the ladies toilet and reporting late for duty.

'I hardly remember,' Aleska shifts uncomfortably.

'Right,' the General laughs softly.

Who was she kidding? Like the General had not been young at one time in her life. Like she may not have sneaked around doing hanky panky stuff in her heyday. She was beautiful now. No doubt she had been strikingly attractive and popular in her youth.

'Amazingly Aleska, I pegged you as a, no nonsense, disciplined soldier.'

Clearly the General was not going to let this one lie low.

Aleska's eyes lifted to the General's dark eyes, just like her son's but this pair of eyes looking at her was inquisitive.

'I'm human.  Contrary to popular belief,' Aleska murmurs, sipping her coffee.

'And hot blooded,' the General teases.

Aleska's face becomes inflamed. 'Can we change the subject?'

The Genera laughs easily. 'Stone's dad and I were concerned after he told us about the landslide here.'

'Oh.'

'Yeah, he was very descriptive about your stunt techniques with the rescue operation,' she helped herself to another biscuit, whilst Aleska didn't want any.

And he thanked me with six hours of punishment!

'So how long will you be here for General? I mean in Brazil.'

The General laughs. 'You can't wait to get rid of me?'

'No!' Aleska squirms. 'I was just ---asking.'

She smiles. 'Firstly, I think you should call me Kate.'

'Thank you General.'

Kate smiles, realizing Aleska will not deviate from military rules. 'And I am only here for two days.'

'Will you be staying the night here--- it's beautiful at night, peaceful and quiet.'

'Me? Rough it out! Hell no. I am a city girl, born and bred. Don't let my title fool you. I am booked into a very comfortable hotel, thank you.'

Aleska laughs at the General's modesty. She knows she's spent many a day and night in rough seas on naval duty.

'So why don't you come spend some time in the city?' The General invites.

'I --- don't think I can just get away.'

'Surely you can twist Stone's arm, or demand some time off.' The General teases.

'Stone does not react well to pressure.'

'You know my son well,' she smiles.

'I know he expects without fail that his people be working when enlisted for duty.'

The General nods. Stone has strong work ethics. 'So any timeframe on when your operation here will be complete?' She asks.

Aleska shrugs. 'Could be tomorrow, or a week or longer. I want to take a team towards Cuba. Stone won't hear of it.'

The General smiles. 'His thinking may not seem plausible, but he is an astute strategist.'

'I know.' Aleska nods.

'And what is that?' Stone comes strolling in.

Aleska rises. 'You were gone to long whilst your mother has come to visit you.'

'No need to leave Aleska,' Stone restrains her, placing his hand around her shoulder.

She looks at her wristwatch. 'I'm already eight minutes late,' she murmurs.

'Good heavens! Why didn't you alert me Aleska?' The General chides.

She always arrives on duty before time, just this once she can be forgiven... well twice seeing the boss gave her some time off for talking in her sleep.

'My colleagues can be --- accommodating,' she smiles.

'I'll come say good bye,' the General waves.

Aleska salutes. Her eye briefly holds Stone's before she leaves.

'She's a lovely girl,' the General probes.

'Yes she is,' Stone agrees.

'Serious then?' She quizzes her son.

'So how do you find Brazil?' Stone pops a biscuit into his mouth.

The General laughs at his evasive response. 'Your dad misses you, son.'

'I miss him too, but duty calls.'

She nods in agreement. They enjoy a leisurely companionship. Stone makes more tea. He entices his mum to take supper with him. It is quite late when the General reluctantly leaves.

Aleska goes to her own quarters after duty. It is strange hopping into her sleeping bag. It's been so long since she's used it, having been enjoying Stone's comfortable and luxurious bed. Strange how quickly she has gotten used to Stone's body next to hers that sleep does not come easily. She responds happily when she hears Stone calling out to her outside her tent.

She goes out in tights and a T shirt and is surprised to see the General is still with Stone. Aleska feels awkward. She thinks Stone made the General change her mind and she is sleeping over.

'Why didn't you come to Stone's quarters?' The General asks.

'I --- didn't want to disturb you.'

'Stone's hair is pretty short for a hairbrush,' she grins. 'So I'm thinking you don't sleep here much.'

'Mother!'

Aleska feels her face heat up, even though it's a cool night. Stone possessively drapes his arm around Aleska. She tries to shift away, but his arm tightens its grip.

'Bye Aleska. It was lovely meeting you again and I had a wonderful evening with Stone.'

'Thank you. I'm sure Stone is pleased to have spent some time with you.'

'I am mother,' he leans forward and kisses her on her cheek.

'I'm tied up all of tomorrow,' she states. 'I'll pop by, just before I leave for home.'

'You take care mother.'

'You too son, and you Aleska.'

'Night General.'

'Mother and I were waiting for you when your duty was done.'

Aleska shrugs. 'I didn't think it appropriate ---.'

Stone shakes his head. 'You're probably the only one who does not know we're in a relationship,' he leads her to his tent.

She laughs. 'It does not mean because we're in a relationship that I should just be presumptuous.'

'You should,' he smiles. 'Now I need some loving,' he leads her to his bed for some explosive coupling.

'Hey,' he taps her shoulder and sits down next to her.

'Hi,' she smiles.

'It's freezing and you're in a sleeveless shirt.'

Aleska only now realizes the air is rather cool. 'Our summers are cooler than this,' she smiles wryly.

'I reached out and you weren't there,' he accuses, drawing her between the v of his legs and wrapping his arms around her to keep her warm.

'Sorry,' she murmurs resting her cold body against his sturdy chest. 'I wanted you to get some rest.'

'What are you doing here at the river bank at three in the morning?'

She shrugs her shoulders. 'I was thinking about my grandpa.'

'You're missing him.' Stone presses his lips to her temple. He knows of her strong bond to her only living relative.

'I got to speak to him just now,' she turns around and smiles.

'He could talk?'

Aleska nods. 'He is feeling stronger. The nurse says his chest is clearing.'

'Aleska --- why don't you take a day or two, go home; visit him?'

'No! I can't leave you people here. Either Scott will eat poison berries or one of the others will lose themselves. I won't forgive myself.'

Stone laughs softly. 'You sure are protective towards a group that was hardly receptive to your initial presence.'

Aleska snuggles deeper within his arms. 'They've come around, have they not?'

'Absolutely,' Stone laughs, 'and you did it all by your charming self.'

"'Charming?'" Aleska chuckles. 'I doubt they think me charming.'

'Stop being so modest,' he buries his lips at the base of her neck. 'I know two or three of my men find you rather irresistible.'

'Nonsense,' she smiles, pretending not to know it, as the truth.

'Come back to bed with me,' he urges softly.

She tries again to convince Stone to go on the offensive. 'Stone--- let me take a team over the border. I know ---.'

'Absolutely not Aleska!' Immediately his tone is authoritative and final. 'Besides that is out of our jurisdiction.'

'Then I will go alone. I have no restrictions.' The British team are restricted. Her UN pass gives her unrestricted access around the entire South America.

'I said no!'

'Why the hell not?' She stands up, ready to do battle with her Commanding Officer.

Stone rises to his feet, his face an angry mask. 'You want to go it alone with Nazario? Knowing he has a legion surrounding him! You will dare to do something so irresponsible, when you know he will think nothing of putting you into a body bag!'

Aleska looks away. Almost all of what Stone says is mostly right. But she believes in her own ability. She has faith in herself. Backup will be beneficial, but she could take down Nazario. The question is, will Nazario allow himself to be captured alive? And the British want him alive to stand trial for his many atrocities.

'I think it's about time I taught you a lesson in submission,' Stone captures her at the ankles and tosses her over his shoulder.

'Stone! Put me down!' She punches furiously at his back.

'Save your energy Aleska. You're going to need it in bed.'

'What! I am not going to make love with you!'

'Oh but you are. In fact you are going to beg me to.'

'You're mad!' Aleska kicks out. She tries wrapping her legs around his head to drop him.

Stone laughs. 'I told you to save your energy.'

She kicks and wrestles wildly, but he has her in too firm a grip. 'I won't be bullied! You arrogant, egotistical, pig-headed, monster!'

Stone throws her roughly on his bed. Surprisingly it is not anger she is feeling anymore.

'Don't all those words mean the same thing?' Stone laughs, as he undresses.

'I'm not going to make love to you,' she repeats, but her tone sounds weak even to her own ears as her eyes feast on his beautiful body.

'You're going to make love with me,' he asserts, standing totally naked in front of her.

Aleska's eyes rake over him greedily. Her eyes brighten avidly. 'No,' she denies even as her tongue ravenously, moistens her lower lip.

'Remove your clothes,' he murmurs in a soft seductive tone.

She wants to rebel. She wants to say "no." But to deny herself the pleasure of sex with Stone will be a cruel form of punishment even by her rigorous standards. Slowly her hands cross and lifts her T shirt at the hem over her head. She tosses it to the floor. Her eyes reach Stone's. He is still standing at the foot of his bed, his arms casually at his sides. His eyes darken as they glaze over her naked upper body. Her petite breasts are so appealing, so alluring, so delectable. He can't wait to sink his hungry lips around them. His fingers clench tightly at his sides.

'And the rest of your clothes,' he orders.

She swallows, drags her pants and underwear down her legs and tosses those on the floor as well. Again her eyes rake over him, linger at his well-endowed aroused state before returning to his eyes.

'Tell me you want me,' he demands.

She swallows again feeling the lump in her throat. Her icy blue eyes shimmer with passion. She cannot deny herself the only pleasure that makes her feel treasured, complete... alive.

'I want you.'

There is no gloating, triumph or mockery in his eyes. His one hand reaches out to her. Slowly she steps off the bed, takes two measured steps then runs into his waiting arms.

'YA khochu tebya ... YA khochu tebya... I want you --- I want you,' she repeats, flinging her arms around his neck. Her mouth reaches hungrily for his. The tips of their tongues meet, hot breaths intermingle. His arm pulls her closer. He crushes her to him, in an instant the kiss changed from exploratory to ravening passion.

Stone carries her to bed. Aleska's arms tighten around him. Their mouths are still locked, tongues entangled, fused in a searing, heart-stopping tango.

Her arms steal around his neck... He kisses her more deeply, runs his tongue over the seam of her lips...unmistakable sexual hunger on her face. The band is released from her blonde tresses ... If falls gloriously around her shoulders. His hands luxuriate through her silky strands... She purrs her delight when her fingers smooth over the hair roughened taut texture of his chest. Her lips tingle from the caress. Her breasts firm, nipples tighten, warm sensation drown the pit of her stomach. Familiar wet heat coils between her thighs.

She begs, for his lips to be on her bare flesh, and when he does, she chokes out a cry of delight, as his mouth closes over her hardened nipple, suckling hard. She shrieks. Her hands are in his hair clutching wildly, holding his head down at her breast... she wants flesh on flesh. He gave in to the delight of tasting every inch of her bare skin. Creating stinging pleasure waves everywhere his lips and tongue sear. Until she burns with want at the most intimate spot between her legs.

As if sensing her need, his hands slid down over her tummy until his fingers made the flesh on her thighs tingle. And when those masterful fingers stroke her innermost core, she screams, but he catches her mouth with his lips trapping the sound.

'Keep your hands off me.'

'What!' She exclaims in blurred confusion.

'I want your hands on the pillow,' he drags out throatily.

'No!' Aleska resists.

Her palms are deliciously positioned over his tight bottom, moulding him to her pelvis. But Stone is going to have his way. Her wrists are manacled around his hands and imprisoned above her head where he wants them.

'No Stone,' she pleads. 'Is this about bondage and what ---?' She lifts her head to capture his mouth, but he drives his mouth out of reach.'

He laughs softly. 'You can't even say the word "submission" can you?' His tongue caresses the lobe of her ear erotically.

She tries unsuccessfully to release her hands. Yet she is practised and proficient in all kinds of hand to hand combat training ... A specialist in unarmed combat.

'What is it with you, about obedience and submission? There I said it! And why the hell should I?' She groans helplessly at his prolonged torture.

The tip of his tongue grazes over her breast. A sharp surge of adrenalin shoots through her as his teeth gently graze over her aroused nipple.

'Relinquishing control can be --- satisfying, Aleska,' he whispers gruffly.

Aleska silently screams! Much as she finds Stone's agonizing sexual play of dominance erotic, it is frustrating beyond endurance.

Her breasts feel full and ache for his loving. Her bruised nipples tingle painfully. He cups one breast...his lips suckle mercilessly.

She gasps, begs to be released but it goes on deaf ears.

'Don't move --- please,' she begs when Stone's hips lift away from between her legs.

'But it's for your pleasure,' he kisses her gently before his mouth traces a path, briefly over her breasts, and down her stomach, settling between her legs. She sucks in a breath that feels like a sob. She moans ... aching for his possession. He understands her need. His hands cup her bottom. He smiles, lifts her legs apart. He bends his head, his mouth closes of her hot womanhood.

'Stone!' She is about to explode.

The breeze whispers over the tips of her wet nipples and her belly button. His thumb travels up her thigh, caressing her tender flesh, seeking, exploring. Beyond caring, totally out of control, she opens up for him, and abandons herself to the pleasure as his tongue swirls over her hidden treasures, she gives herself up to the mindless pleasure until ... she was swelling, building up stronger until her whole body convulses into spasms of euphoria. He tastes her heat. She squirms, wiggles, pleads. Her fingers dig into the pillow. They jerk away; grip the sheets, ready to tear them to shreds. Stone feels the inner muscles shudder, feels her body convulse, listens to her sobs, in her mother tongue ...

'I will submit...tell me how.'

A victorious glint in his eyes, he releases her hands. 'Now touch me,' he commands.

Her arms reach for him... Her fingers skim down his belly. A fire spreads over her. Her hands feather downwards to circle his hardened shaft. The brush of her fingers throb, pulse over his body at the proud jut of his erection. The need to feel him again ... to have his possession is excruciating. Her thumb caresses over the moist head. She purrs delightfully, exploring over the smooth satin skin and the hard steel core. Hunger pools between her legs making her impatient for more. His eyes are dark, dilated. His cheeks suffused with colour.

He pulls her over him, holding her hips, and thrusts deep into her. For a moment, both are still, savouring the intensity. But hunger and passion overtakes them. He sinks into her deeply. She purrs like a satisfied cat, moving to his rhythm. Tremors of fulfilment rock her body as she clings to him, her eyes open to lock with his. Simultaneously their bodies rock in unison, plunging to higher depths like a see-saw. Their breathing is hot and erratic, their heartbeats pounding out of control. He drives in and out, plunging deeper until he feels her spasms; feels her dam walls break. They reach the pinnacle together; savour the release as it sweeps over them. She is soaring wildly into the heavens and he with her in total gratification.

They stay wrapped in each other's arms for a long moment. She is unable to stop the stinging sheen blurring her vision, or her soft sob. He senses her emotional state, holds her closer, tightening his grip, his heart is pounding, the muscles on his face slowly beginning to relax again.... He presses one final kiss on her lips, before his head collapses against her breast. It is a long time before she feels his pounding heart return to normality. She's leaning over him. His eyes are closed. She kisses his temple, her lips moves over his face distracting him until his eyes open. She smiles.

'YA lyublyu tebya' ... I love you, she whispers.

          -end chapter fourteen-