Settle Up Pt 4

Walt had built a little fire. The day was still cool up here and the river was cold. The ladies weren't having much luck in fishing but it was their first time and he hadn't expected much... well most of the ladies weren't having luck!

"Walter!" Penny laughed and called. He hurriedly put the trout she'd just caught in the basket and turned to grab the net... again!

He raced into the freezing water and nearly fell in slipping as he helped her with her catch. Either Penny was enjoying incredible luck or she was simply a natural. Either way, the catgirls would be happy! Most of them had gone the other direction with Lydia and taken some poles. He wished them luck.

"Wow, Penny!" Manami said. She'd only just finally managed to catch one earlier but otherwise hadn't had much luck.

"I'm certainly impressed as well," Willow clapped. She'd only caught two and one had gotten away.

"Thank you," Penny said. "It's a little fun. All you have to do is aim where the fish will be." She nodded and passed one of the poles they were all sharing. "I think I have caught plenty. It wouldn't do to take too many. Besides the others might be having some luck. I will help with the net!"

"It's pretty cold in there Penny I... think..." Walt forgot about how cold the water and his feet were as he watched Penny strip down to a simple green and white swimsuit.

"Are you okay Walter?" Fluttershy questioned a friendly teasing tone in her voice. The others laughed quietly.

"Fine..." Walter said still staring. Penny had stepped into the river with her long, shapely legs and that flattering but simple swimsuit. She turned to see him and smiled as the sun came out from behind a cloud. The light reflected off the water and her hair seemed to glow brighter, her smile warmer, than the fire. "Just fine..."

This caused the others to smile and giggle some more... but they also were happy for the two of them as they watched Walt stumble out to her.

Penny enjoyed the look on his face. *That looks like another "Wow" to me!* She thought. She giggled. "Walter... you forgot something..."

Walt nodded. "Yes, you're right." He swallowed. "You're lovely Penny!"

This caused her to smile and blush and she kissed him. "Thank you, Walt. I'm very glad you like it, but..." she giggled again. "I meant the net!"

"Net..." Walt nodded thinking, *I'm definitely caught in her net.* Then he blinked. "Oh!" He looked at his empty hands. "R-Right... that net! I uh, I'll be right back! Don't go anywhere!"

He went back and grabbed the net to the further amusement of all and came back to her. "You aren't cold?"

Penny smiled. "I feel perfectly fine! Thank you for asking though. Please show me how the net is used. I am netting ready!"

The others pretend not to watch as Walter instructed her. He was very distracted as Penny had him hold her from behind and showed her the proper techniques. She blushed as she felt his hands upon her and his obvious erection pressed against her. She had a surprisingly hard time concentrating too now! It felt like there was just the two of them now... his face was so close again and she couldn't help but turn and kiss him and-

"Oh, s-sorry! I think I got one!"

They both broke away reluctantly but smiled at each other and nodded. Definitely to be continued! They splashed over to help Manami with her second catch!

They didn't have much more luck with fishing after that and decided to break for the snacks and thermos full of warm beverages they'd brought. Willow and Manami talked and dipped their feet in the cold waters while AJ and Fluttershy had fun romping around.

Walt and Penny warmed themselves by the fire and held hands feeding each other the cookies she'd made.

"These are really good!" He told her. "They taste surprisingly familiar..."

Penny smiled and leaned her head against his shoulder. "I'm glad! I found an old recipe book. I think it was your Grandmother's. She penciled your name next to several recipes and drew stars. I had assumed they were favorites of yours. Did I do okay?"

Walt stroked her face. "You did great! Thank you... I'm very touched!" He kissed her. There was that odd cool sensation again that he sometimes had with her. The magic of the maiden. It seemed to happen randomly when she was very happy. "I love you," he whispered and kissed her again.

"I love you," she whispered back.

The others tried to give them as much space as they possibly could for awhile.

"I can't stay here!"

The other three ignored Mystique's outburst as they continued talking amongst themselves in the bunkhouse.

"Apparently that's something he's considering for the others and even some of us," Pirotess said. "I told them I still wished to leave but that I'd think on it and relay it to you two. Honestly we had searched for home like this place for so long the offer is attractive to me, even though I don't wish to stay."

"Absolutely not!" Mystique shouted outraged at his gall-

"Oh, do shut up, would you?" Baroness said tiredly.

"What?!" Mystique asked incredulously.

"She said for you to give it a rest," Demona states crossing her arms. "We're all tired of your ranting and raving giving us a headache as we try to have a conversation." Mystique grabs a pillow and- the pain goes off as her aggression was directed at them. They all ignore it at this point as Demona continues. "I had a talk with him last night myself. Briefly. But intriguing I must say. I still don't like him or being here but I honestly do find it just the tiniest bit harder to distrust him now. Still I have no intention of trusting him nor working with him nor an alliance either."

Anastasia nodded too. "The night he caught me, I said much the same thing, and I still feel that way, but the way he treated me... it was respectful. He didn't demean me nor humiliate me any further than my loss already had." She shook her head. "I still wish to leave as well and I would be a fool to "trust" so quickly... and I'm generally no fool. But even my so called allies rarely treated me as respectfully and genuinely as he does. I can respect that in turn."

"Weak..." Mystique said from where she lay crumpled on the floor. "Pathetic..."

The others shared a look. Talking this over within earshot of her had gotten annoying. Pirotess and Anastasia left and Demona paused only long enough to say. "From where we stand, you currently are the weak and pathetic one and worst of all... a fool. When you can be slightly reasonable again come talk to us," and she left as well.

The sky had clouded up and darkened as they made their way back home. Walt hoped it would clear up again later for their date. He smiled riding along with Penny holding hands as they watched Fluttershy let Manami ride onto of her on the way back. She'd still been very nervous at the start but seemed to be relaxing more and more and even smiled. It was great to see.

"It's too bad it was too cool for the others to go swimming," Penny said. She had actually gone for a short swim/Wade in the deeper parts of the water. "I really wanted to learn how in my new body."

Walt smiled at the thought of seeing more of her in her swimsuit, playing with the others. "It's still cold up here in the springtime sometimes. It isn't even unusual to still get snow this time of year. We've been pretty fortunate this spring." He squeezed her hand. "When it warms up a bit more we'll go. In the heat of the summer everyone will be glad for the cool, refreshing water, believe me!"

She smiled at him and squeezed back. "That does sound like fun! We will have to do that!" She blushed. "So our date tonight? Is there anything I should know?"

Walt shook his head. "No. The only thing you need to know is that I want to spend time with you. Just us." He looked at the sky. "Though I may have to change my plans a little if the weather turns. I just want you to have a good time."

Penny smiled and raised their joined hands. It was his right one wearing the ring with the simple green stone. She kissed his hand. "I'm having a good time right now, Walt. Just like this."

He smiled and did the same thing kissing her hand too. "So am I, Penny... so am I."

[Walter Stark Penny Polendina F.R.I.D.A.Y Neopolitan Pyrrha Nikos Blake Belladonna Kali Belladonna Sienna Khan Willow Schnee Glynda Goodwitch Ahnassi Lifts-Her-Tail Senko Sayoko Shinozaki Roberta Cisneros Haruna Sasha Blouse Ilulu Raven Manami Aiba also with Tsuyu Asui Haruhime Sanjouno The Baroness Demona Mystique Pirotess Lydia Aela the Huntress and Serana

Will Return In

Settle Up Pt 5

Coming Soon]