Josh's Destiny

Chapter 29

Josh was having a dream. His brother was shaking him and telling him to wake up. "Go away," he said churlishly.

Jake Kiszka shook him harder. "Josh! Get up! We're home," Jake practically yelled.

Josh's eyes popped open. Home? L.A.? That was not possible. He knew Lew was a fast driver, but...no, this wasn't right. Josh sat up and looked out the window. His house was a beautiful sight to behold, but how...

"I sort of portal jumped a few times," said Lew from the driver's seat.

"You mean we could have done that all the time? We could have been sleeping in our own beds? Why...?" but Lew cut Jake off.

"Because, hotshot, real humans don't travel that way and besides, you enjoyed the traveling. I only used the portals so the young man can recuperate here, where he'll be more comfortable. And the young lady."

As though she had been summoned, Destiny appeared. She had washed her face and combed her hair but she still looked tired. "Good, I'm so glad we're back. Good morning, guys." She leaned down and kissed Josh.

Sam came stumbling out of the bedroom and then, walking gingerly, came Danny.They looked at each other for a time and then Danny said, "Thank you." His thank you included everyone in the room.

"Danny needs to go to bed," Destiny said and hid a yawn behind her own hand.

"Sounds and looks like you should too," Josh said as he took Destiny's hand. She nodded and Josh stood up. "Well, what are we waiting for? Lady and gentlemen we are home!"  Josh led the way and each of them, except Lew, filed off the bus. Josh stopped and called, "What about our stuff?"

Lew reached for the door handle. "Already taken care of!" he called cheerfully as he closed the door.

Josh half-way expected the bus to disappear, but it drove off and Josh watched it until it was out of sight.

"Come on, man, it may be California, but I'm freezing! Open the door already!" Jake said and Josh did.

The cleaning crew he had hired had kept the place immaculate while Josh had been away. He quickly directed everyone to the upstairs bedrooms and then he took Destiny to their's.

"I am so glad to be home!" she exclaimed as she flopped across the bed. Josh smiled and began stripping off his clothes in preparation for a long, hot shower. Destiny began to disrobe too and very soon they were both naked. Josh looked over Destiny's body appreciatively - until his eyes found the mark on her side. And it was bleeding.

"What's that? Are you hurt, Des?" He went to her quickly and looked at the wound closely. "What is this?" Josh asked concerned.

"Sometimes it happens. Danny's wound was extremely deep and it took a great deal of energy to heal him." Josh put his arms gently around her and then twirled her in the direction of the bathroom. They both walked slowly toward it and when they had reached the bathtub, Josh stopped. He took his arms from around Destiny and started the spray. He adjusted the temperature and when the shower was just right, they stepped in.

Destiny and Josh didn't say anything, they simply stood under the warm spray and stared into each others' eyes. At length, Josh took the wash cloth and bathed Destiny from head to foot rubbing her back, the warm water and his strong hands working out the kinks. She then took the wash cloth and did the same for him. Sooner than he would have liked, the water became cool and he turned it off. They both got out, and dried each other with fluffy, warm bath sheets.

They were warm and dry now and Josh finally asked, "Are you hungry?"

Destiny shook her head. "I just want to sleep," she replied.