Author: Sam

Story: Body Heat: 1 of 1

Series: none

Rating: NC-17: sexual content

Pairings: Shelia and Hank

Summary: Fighting the cold turns into a world of discovery for Sheila.

Spoilers: none

Category: Action; Romance

Setting: This takes place near the foot of the Ice Caves, right before The Dragon's Graveyard.

Disclaimer: Dungeons and Dragons is a trademark of TSR and the cartoon is a creation of many peoples, including Marvel Productions, TSR inc., Saban Entertainment, and Wizards of the Coast. I am in no way connected with these people, and I do not claim ownership to these characters, lands, or names. I have borrowed them to share a story... and most likely not a story any of them would have written had they had the time or no. I am making no money from this, and it is just for my entertainment, and that of free entertainment to a select group of friends. Thank You.

Distribution: Please ask first?

Notes: This was based on a Lord of the Rings dream I had, and I converted into a D&D story.

Feedback: Yes, please? Especially constructive. [email protected]

Webpage: http://www.geocities.com/samwise_baggins/index.html

The Ice Caves were cold. A biting wind crept around them, piercing their clothing and slipping into collars... cuffs... any opening it could find. It was wet. It was icy. And it was cold.

The Children of Power had climbed high into the mountains, intent on finding a way home to their own world. They were slowed by the worsening snow and ice, and would soon be required to stop for the night to rest. Warmth was near impossible to come by, and the drifts were deep enough in places to cause the Ranger, Hank, and Cavalier, Eric, to carry the Barbarian, Bobby, and Uni, the Unicorn. It was not an easy trek.

Then, they were stopped by fell winds and avalanches. None could continue, even their fleet footed Ranger. Leaving Bobby in the care of the others, he had traveled back the way they'd come, then returned with a report of the hazard that lay behind. Without choice, if they wanted to survive the journey, the group turned and waded back, breaking through the quickly packing, shoulder deep snow. The trip back seemed harder than the one going forth.

It was now coming onto night, and the small band had nearly made it to the bottom of the mountains, by the same trail they'd climbed before. It was disheartening, and the dejected air about camp promoted little voice and much industry. The girls were gathering firewood, while Eric and Bobby worked with their unicorn companion, to set up some form of shelter and ration the small amount of food they had left. Presto, the Wizard, was attempting to build a fire, using wet tinder and magic. Hank stood guard, bow at the ready.

As she walked, dragging tired cold feet, Sheila, the Thief, searched the icy, rock-strewn ground for any sign of twig or branch. There was little vegetation in the area, and that made her job all the more difficult. The layer of snow coating everything merely hid what wood supply they might use. Thus, Sheila had taken to dragging her feet, using her aching toes, cold even through the leather boots, to uncover what she would.

The girl had a small armload of tinder and was heading further from the camp, when suddenly a sound, as if an explosion of sorts, rang out. The ground shifted beneath her feet, ice slowly cracking into an ever widening crevice. Sheila looked down in confusion and horror as the ground split away beneath her.

Too late, as she fell below the ice and into the freezing depths below, did she realize what the snow had buried: a frozen, stagnant pond. The rocky formations had really been the tops of water-logged boulders stretching their noses into the air. Sheila panicked and sank fast, dragged down by her magical cloak and the wood she still clutched.

The cracking sound shot through everyone's nerves, and, as one, they whirled around to face this new, unknown danger. It took Eric but a moment to register that Hank was skidding across the icy field on his belly, aimed at a widening fault in the ground. It was Diana, the Acrobat, who first realized Sheila was missing.

"Sheila? Where's Sheila?" No answer came to her. Indeed, no answer was needed. The Young Ones were running and skidding towards the crack in the frozen ground.

Hank had been facing Sheila's direction when the girl's weight broke through the ice. He had seen Sheila fall into the widening maw. Without thinking, he tossed away bow, slid out of studded leather tunic, and tossed himself at the last place he'd seen the horrified Thief. The Ranger skidded across ice, his shirt sliding up and causing scratches across his fine, light skin.

The Acrobat and Uni had stopped working and stood watching with horror. Diana had even started towards the spot, but stopped, realizing that no one knew just where the pond ended and where it began. Any step could plunge one of them into an icy death. Instead, she had to content herself with watching from afar, heart in her throat at the thought of losing her beloved friend, Sheila. Uni, for her part, was trying her best to speak soothing, reassuring words to the Children of Power, though her language skills were at best lacking in clarity. She sensed that she was failing to bolster their confidence, though.

Presto did not joined the rescue attempts. He, instead, spent the time stacking blankets and stoking the fire to a nice, toasty roar. Ah, what a little magic could do for one, especially as his had had chosen this time to work properly. He then walked closer, handing two blankets to Diana and dropping one on Uni while carrying yet more. They would be required to wrap the rescuers and rescued once the ordeal was through.

Then, Hank was at the opening and had to brace himself against the boulder tops to stop his forward momentum. Plunging arms, and even head, into the icy water, he grasped blindly for Sheila's frozen fingers... her still hand. Hank risked the ice opening further and swallowing him, as well, but it was a risk he was willing to make for their gentle-hearted companion.

Eric and Bobby saw Hank' peril simultaneously, and both boys ran forward to aid the slim teen. Eric threw himself to the ground, praying it would be solid, not the treacherous ice. He was fortunate, as Sheila had fallen near the edge of the hidden waters. Bobby threw himself on top of Eric, holding onto the other boy's legs, forming an anchor that might be the only thing between three of the Children of Power and death.

Grabbing quickly, Eric managed to barely grasp one of Hank's leather-booted ankles. He held tightly, balancing himself with the aid of Bobby behind him. Then, as he became sure of himself, he started to tug on Hank' ankle. The Ranger had been half immersed in the freezing water for too many long seconds as it was. They could not risk losing both Sheila and Hank; Eric determined that it would only be Sheila this day, knowing the girl had been down longer, and reluctantly giving her up for lost.

With a kick that nearly bloodied Eric's nose, but drew him back from his unhappy conclusion, Hank managed to get his other foot on the ground. Eric gripped it tightly, pulling both feet now. The Ranger seemed unbearably heavy for one who had always been atheletic and trim. Then, he saw why.

Hank was clutching Sheila to him, arms wrapped tightly about the girl, under her arms. The Ranger had his face buried in Sheila's frozen hair, and was coughing up ice water, but he held onto the Thief with all his hidden strength.

Eric looked up briefly, noting that Sheila was in Hank's arms. The girl wasn't already frozen to death... was she? But, no... she moved.

And so she did. Sheila had given all up for lost as the water had closed over her curly head. She had thrown her arms up in a futile gesture, grasping at nothing, but somehow praying she'd be saved anyway. It had worked. There, in the frozen darkness, Sheila had felt the touch of something quickly chilling... a hand.

Quickly grasping the appendage, she felt herself tugged upwards. Instinctively, Sheila gave a mighty kick, unaware that she was more responsible for saving her own life than the owner of the strong hand. Then, the Thief felt a second hand; this one was on her arm and tugging insistently.

Sheila gripped back, grabbing her savior's arms and kicking again. She started to slip, and slid her arms up around Hank' neck, instinctively trying to save herself, yet dragging her rescuer down further with her weight. Hank answered by wrapping his arms around Sheila, below her arms and burying his face in her hair. Sheila buried her face in Hank' neck, looking for any warmth she could find.

Eric now had the Ranger by his knees and was slowly dragging him backwards, over the ice encrusted ground. A slick trail, faint but there none-the-less, of bright blood could be seen on the wet, white-brown surface of the ground. Hank seemed unaware of the injury.

Moving slowly, since both had their heads above water, and he didn't want to startle them into losing hold of each other, Eric pulled Hank back again, his hands clasping around strong, muscular thighs. They were the thighs of a runner, and Eric blinked in surprise, though he well knew the strengths of his comrades by now. Still, Hank's leathers had always hid those strengths from the eye.

Bobby continued laying on Eric's back and legs. He wanted to yell at the older teen to rush, couldn't he see the two were near frozen to death with cold? But, the Barbarian well knew that rushing now might prove their downfall. The ice might crack further or his sister might become frightened and lose her grip or Hank might be pulled against a rock and jostled harder than even the intrepid Ranger could take.

Diana merely stood frozen and watched the maddeningly slow rescue attempt.

By then, Eric had pulled Hank's hips into his strong, calloused hands. They were slender, yet firm and as muscular as the rest of him. Eric had to shake his head to dispel the distracted thoughts running through his head so unexpectedly. He pulled Hank again, getting to the Ranger's waist.

Then, reaching past Eric with a strong arm, Bobby clasped Sheila's hand in his own small one. He held on, not pulling, but easing some of the burden off of Hank's neck. They heard a whimper, but from which teen it was uncertain.

Sheila lifted her head from Hank's neck at the feel of the warm hand on her arm. She started shivering then, teeth chattering uncontrollably. That decided it. The pair had been in that frozen water far too long as it was. With a mighty heave, Eric tugged both Ranger and Thief from the sucking water, and felt a twinge as he nearly threw Bobby off in his efforts. There was the pain of a pulled muscle, but with all safe, Eric barely felt it. Instead, he rolled onto his back and smiled, just a bit, in triumph.

There was a cheer from the gathered spectators, and Diana started hurrying forward, when suddenly Hank sat up with a cough. His long golden hair was frozen through and clung to his shoulders like an odd ice sculpture. He leathers were drenched and frosted with white, risking becoming brittle and useless if not tended immediately. His lips were blue-tinged and he shivered as much as Sheila did.

"Quick..." Hank was barely audible, "Strip Sheila. Get her into a dry blanket." The Ranger sat up, trying to control his own shivering enough to undo his clammy clothes. Eric knelt down and started to assist him. Bobby helped by holding Sheila in a sitting position as Diana's nimble fingers quickly made light work of undressing the shaking Thief. Presto came forward with blankets to wrap around their two companions.

Once undressed, however, the Ranger did not relax. Instead, he slid to Sheila's side, and pulled the nude Thief into his own blanket, wrapping both around them. Eric opened his mouth in shocked protest, but Diana hushed him. "Sharing body heat's the best way to get them warm quickly. It may be the difference between life and death. I'd choose life."

Sheila opened her turquiose eyes, looking up into worried light blue ones. She was shivering still, but the slight warmth radiating from the body next to her drew her inexorably closer. She couldn't resist burrowing into Hank's chest. The Ranger made an undistinguishable sound and wrapped his arms more firmly about the Thief.

Presto nodded and gestured for the others to bring the victims to the fireside. He then served everyone hot soup he'd made from what little they had. This was hand fed to Hank and Sheila by a grateful Diana. Bobby and Uni finished with setting up camp, while Eric took over the watch for Hank. He returned with Hank' bow before the end of his shift. The Children of Power curled up for sleep as Presto replaced Eric, to be replaced by Diana later in the night.

The shivering slowly subsided as both Sheila and Hank were warmed from the inside by Presto's soup and from the outside by each other's body heat. Fear gave way to exhaustion, and Sheila found herself having trouble staying awake. She lay her head on Hank's shoulder, and drifted off, unconsciously placing her hand on Hank's chest.

Hank looked down at the tired Thief. He studied the soft red hair, worry-lined face, and pale skin. Raising one hand, Hank slowly, gently traced the shape of Sheila's cheek and jaw-line, then the shell of her ear. Sheila stirred but did not awaken, and Hank smiled briefly. He then curled around the younger teen and let himself drift into a dreamless sleep.

Sometime in the night, Sheila awoke.

She felt warm and comfortable, curled up against the Ranger next to her. Perhaps, under normal circumstances she might have been embarrassed or troubled. But not now. Not like this.

Sheila had always been fascinated by Hank, had always been drawn to him. She didn't think her friends knew just how deep that fascination ran. It went beyond normal curiosity, or even hero-worship. No, Sheila's longing for Hank ran far deeper; it ran into deep desire.

She didn't know why. She hadn't known him long. But something about the teen had always tugged at her heart and her sensuality. The handsome features, the confident air, the powerful grace and strength, all added up into one tempting package, and Sheila O'Neil had proven all too susceptible to the lure of such a package. Almost unconsciously, she kissed the Ranger's chest.

Suddenly, she was blushing. Who was she to be taking such liberties with anyone, let alone Hank? Hank was gorgeous and kind, knowledgeable and sure, and oh so desirable. But, there was no indication that he was amenable to a relationship... especially with a girl in his protection... with her. Thus, Sheila was surprised by the response she got.

Hank reached down and gently lifted Sheila's face from his chest. Soft blue eyes studied soulful turquiose ones. Then, slowly, as slow as Sheila had been, Hank bent and placed his mouth over Sheila's. The kiss started gentle, sweet, but it quickly spiraled out of control. Heat suffused Sheila, and she felt an answering response surge through Hank's groin.

Blinking, Sheila looked down at the Ranger's obvious desire, flushing slightly as her own body responded by throbbing and growing moist. She looked back up into Hank's face, and sucked in a breath at the blatant desire in the Ranger's light eyes. Hank kissed her again.

"Sheila," his voice was quiet, but shook slightly with need.

Sheila responded to that need with a kiss, an answering need welling up, even more pressing than her desire to go home. She wanted this male... right here, right now. Se didn't care if the entire group sat up and watched, either. Sheila slid her tongue along the seam of Hank's lips, finding easy entry into his hot, wet mouth.

Tongues meshed and swirled around each other in an erotic promise of what was to come. Sheila groaned into Hank's mouth as she brought her hands up to stroke his muscular chest. The Thief ran her fingernails lightly down the Ranger's body, then back up, centering on the hardening nubs. Hank transferred his own mouth to Sheila's ear, tracing with his teeth and tongue where his finger had roamed mere hours before. The sensation sent a shudder through Sheila, and Hank permitted himself another smile. He dipped his hand down to Sheila's core, sliding his fingers over her folds, already glistening with her juices and running his thumb pad across the hardening nub of her clitoris.

Sheila shuddered again, accompanied by another low groan. She let her eyes close, and her hands stilled on Hank's chest, as she felt her lover start to manipulate his finger across the core of her, sliding over and around with a calloused, archer's fingers. Then, after a breathless moment or two, she lowered her own hands to Hank's cock, opening her eyes. She wanted to see her lover's body, feel it. She wanted to be filled by this Ranger.

Hank seemed to sense Sheila's need, for he brought one hand up and moistened his fingers in his mouth. He watched Sheila's face in quiet pleasure as he brought down his fingers and started slowly stroking a finger into Sheila, preparing her for entry. Sheila gasped. She flushed slightly at the unfamiliar touch, but knew, deep inside, that she would willing allow this invasion. She wanted it... wanted it so badly she was shaking with desire. Hank then moistened his own shaft with a wetted hand.

"Relax for me, Sheila. It will hurt briefly, but then it'll feel good. Let me love you." His voice was hypnotic, and Sheila was not immune to the spell it wove. She lay on her back, spreading her legs wider and lifting her hips slightly, instinctively giving Hank freer access to her. Hank placed his cock at her entrance then gently pushed inside.

Sheila's eyes widened at first from the stretching, painful sensation. Then, they half-closed as the pain left her and the feeling of fullness washed over her. She groaned and shifted her hips, trying to feel more. Hank's soft laughter covered her like warm honey. The Ranger started moving.

Quickly, Sheila picked up on the natural rhythm of their love making, joining in and encouraging Hank's deepening thrusts. She pulled Hank down by still damp blond hair and sealed their mouths with a passionate kiss. Sheila, in her innocence, was unaware that there was more to come than this sensation of being full and caressed... much more.

Hank reached down now, not to guide his own member, but to lovingly caress Sheila's breasts with strong, sure hands. He started kneading Sheila in time with his thrusts, giving to Sheila as he was receiving from her. Sheila moved her hips in answer, causing yet another sensation to ripple pleasurably through her body. She felt them building to something, but didn't want this to end.

With kisses, caresses, and the occasional murmured endearment, both teens rode to their fulfillment, ending in an explosion and whispered exclamations of love. Sheila collapsed in Hank's warm arms, a sheen of sweat causing her hair to cling and body to glisten, rather than the frozen pond water of earlier. Hank smiled, and kissed her sleepy eyelids softly. "Sleep, Sheila... I'll watch over you."

And Sheila now knew that to be true... in more ways than one. She snuggled closer to her savior and lover, content with the world and thankful for a hidden bit of thin ice. If it hadn't been for that fall, she'd never discovered that being with Hank was every bit as wonderful as she'd imagined, and she would never have discovered that sharing body heat could be so rewarding.