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The Binding

By: Somerled



The lift is excruciatingly slow. Pleasant music plays softly, but I can barely hear it over the singing of blood in my ears. I try to compose myself. After all, I don't want to be a lusty mess on arrival. Then the lift chimes and I alight, my eyes seizing upon door numbers Yes, here we are. Behind this door, paradise. I smooth my tie against my freshly ironed shirt. A small gesture. It will not remain around my neck for long. My fingers fumble with the key card. Why do they make electronic locks so temperamental? Can it not feel my need radiating forward? Then it clicks and the door swings upon. 

The lights are dim. I feel candle smoke tickle my nostrils. Is it a temple I have entered? The edifice was not so grand, it cannot be. But incense burns, it must be. A temple to Venus then. And there is Venus, the deity herself, lounging upon vast bed like it is a cloud and she is light as air. Venus wears not her furs, but silk, satin and lace. Her golden hair falls about her flawless skin. I enter this dim grotto hesitantly. Am I worthy before this goddess? Eyelashes batter, beckon and bewitch. My feet pull me toward the bed. 

Does music play or does the song of the lift echo in the now empty chambers of my mind? Thought has escaped me. Eros is ascendant and I am his avatar. No longer do I fear unworthiness. My purpose is materialised before me, an epiphany of lace and sensuous flesh. I am here to worship. But this mistress demands not the prostration of mortals. I can feel it in her expectant gaze, deep blue eyes setting forth a challenge. Worship here is not in empty prayer but in the surge of action. So I act. 

I feel her tremble in my grasp. Does the divine play games with me, or are my nerves so charged that the faintest shudder becomes the pounding of Vulcan's forge? I have no time to ponder this mystery. I feel your skin in my grasp and seize upon it. My fingers dance hither and tither. Soft flesh of bosom becomes my stage. In a sudden movement I free the clasp that binds silken bra, letting it fall to the bed. Now I feast. Pink nipples stand proud like church steeples. I take one in my mouth, then the other. I am sure I can hear fluttering of heart and breast now, so close I am to its source. My own breathing hastens in response. Still my hands roam. 

I want everything. I want to take your lips against mine. I want to squeeze and embrace your form completely. I want to feel your mons Venus against the heel of my palm, the thick but neat triangle of fur pressed against my hand while my fingers plunge into the hot wetness below. But I resist this wanton groping. This is a temple and I am reverent. Instead, I eagerly perform the ritual that pleases you, the Binding. First I take one delicate wrist in hand and encircle it in satin. With measured movement I bind it to the bed post. The other wrist is soon bound thus to its respective post. Then follow the ankles, such that you become a star, gleaming white like a great pearl, my masterwork. My artifice holds you fast. The rite must continue. You are within my control as I am within yours. I feel the heat of your flush bosom as you await my next move. 

At last Eros and Venus are joined. Remaining barriers have been removed and nothing lies between us. You cannot move much. No, you are bound. It is my task to thrust and buck and excite. Oh, it is an honour this task. My hips flex and relax in rhythm, slow at first that you feel every centimetre, read the topography of my devotion within you. Then I hasten. I fall upon you, again and again and again. Groans and growls fill the room. My previous restraint has disappeared. As I feel our pleasure rising I take your bare, vulnerable neck in my hands and squeeze. You have surrendered to my power. The impression of my fingers on your skin recalls shackles, a collar. A slave to desire. I ride you. Your hot, wet hole grips me, encourages me. Your wild eyes pull me to greater passion. 

Then climax arrives. I push forward to fill you as completely as possible, to deliver my offering as deep as I can. You have orgasmed, I know it. I can see it, although my eyes have become dazed and my periphery is red and nothing is visible but you beneath me. I can feel it, although my skin is on fire and my heart is pounding and all the world could be ablaze around us and I would not know. My every sense reveals this divine truth. In this tremendous moment we have become the one being, so completely whole and real and together that everything else has ceased and we now exist on a separate plane. The ritual is over. The Binding complete: we are bound. I take again your wrists, your ankles, and untie you. Then I wrap you in tender embrace and we fall softly back to this world, this bed, and sleep takes us.

The Binding Potion



Everyone in the story is over 18 years old. Any similarity to persons living or dead is purely coincidental. This story contains scenes of graphic sex and adult themes and should NOT be read by minors or anyone that might be offended by such filth. 

This story bends reality and does not rely on truth or anything resembling real life, it is pure fantasy and does not intend to portray any particular religion in any true fashion. Errors are purely the result of poetic license and poor research and are not intended to insult or belittle any group or system of belief. Any similarities of any characters or situations to existing or past films or television productions are unintentional or meant as a good willed homage.

The length of this story is around 14,675 words and takes up about four pages on Lit. 

Tags used on this story are: Romance, dream, fantasy, eating pussy, cum, girlfriend, hypnosis, magic, naked, romantic

Cast:

Nora Carson -- a 21 year old senior at State U, who just transferred to the University from a small college. She is of medium height and blond and blue eyed, considered by most men to be cute rather than beautiful. Very smart with a great sense of humor. 

Dr. John Walters -- a research professor at the university, with degrees in both Physics and Pharmacology. He also had Masters degrees in Psychology and Electrical engineering. He was eccentric with far reaching interests and experience.

Dr. Astrid Fung -- an MD psychiatrist research partner of Dr. Walters at the University. She looks like she could be 30, or 50, medium high, slender with a short no-nonsense hairdo. She is always seen in lab coat and scrubs with no jewelry.

Frank Hunter -- A 25 year old senior at State University. He transferred to State in the Fall semester. An Army Veteran who enlisted after attending two years of university with the intention of using the GI bill to help pay for the rest of his education. He works several nights a week at another job. 

Brent Addison -- A 21 year old sophomore student who worked in construction to save money for univ. An amateur body builder. He is Arrogant, was a star football player in high school and junior college, but a transfer student who has to wait out a year before being eligible to play here. He acts as if he is god's gift to women, whom he sees as prey rather than companions. He is generally contemptuous of other men. 

ooooOOOOoooo

JANUARY

Frank Hunter looked over at the girl sitting at the library table in front of and to the side of the one he was studying at. She looked vaguely familiar, but he couldn't place her. He noticed her yesterday in the physics class he had in the morning, but she wasn't in his lab session. It was still the first week of the semester and he heard her answer to the name "Nora Carson", not one that he recalled ever hearing before. Maybe he had seen her last semester, but wasn't sure.

He was still getting in to the mindset of a student. He graduated high school when he was eighteen, then attended University for two years. He got out a year and a half ago and started at the University on the GI bill, then transferred to State to be closer to home last fall. He still worried about fitting in with the other students. 

His mind jumped from one idea to another and he thought about that muscle builder that lived in the apartment across the hall from him. Brent something. All muscle and all ego. He had been bragging about how much he could power lift in the student union. That girl had been there too, and was listening to him.

The guy, Brent, said he had worked for a construction company for several years to save for his education. To hear him talk there was nothing that built up a man's body like construction. Frank shook his head and tried to read the notes he made in class and relate them to the textbook in front of him. He thought about the notice on the bulletin board he had read.

Wanted: Student workers and/or volunteers for the Walters/Fung research lab. Responsible students to fill positions in the lab, no experience needed, also students to volunteer for several studies, participation is paid. Apply to Walters/Fung Lab Attn: Job/Volunteer posting, Basement old Science Bldg. Room 43. Call ext 6744 for appointment.

He was scheduled for an appointment at eight thirty this evening. He watched as Nora got up. She was an attractive girl, even thought she dressed very conservatively. Long skirt, bulky sweater, long sleeve button to the neck blouse. All in drab colors. He still watched her leave.

Brent Addison let the barbells slam onto the floor after he finished his reps. He placed them in the rack and started up on the treadmill. It was his second year and he had already had more pussy than in the four years of high school. Certainly more than the drought while he was working for his uncle's construction company. That bastard never cut him any slack. He had been too tired to do anything but eat and sleep when he got home.

As the treadmill picked up speed he thought about the job interview that he had just finished. Those egg-heads Walters and Fung were a weird pair. Walters looked like he was a thousand years old with all those wrinkles and crags in his face. Fung now, couldn't tell how old she was, but totally wrapped up in the science. He wondered what she would be like under that lab coat.

His thoughts strayed to that Nora girl. She seemed to be smiling at him in the cafeteria this afternoon when he was telling that bimbo cheerleader Christy about his construction job. Chicks dug a guy with experience in the world, if he tried he could probably get Nora into bed by the weekend. But why, there were others, like Christy.

There was something about her though, he wondered why he gave her a second glance. What was it about her? Dressed like some Bulgarian peasant wife. She looked like she might have some good tits, but it was hard to tell. Maybe later in the semester he would have time for her.

Later that evening, Frank was heading for his appointment in the research lab, he went down the steps into the basement, it looked like there was only the lab down there. A sign on the door showed the number forty three. It opened when he was almost there. Nora came out.

"Hello."

"Uh, Hi, uh, yeah, hi." Frank stammered and mentally slammed his head into the wall in frustration. He turned his head so that his scar wasn't so obvious.

She started to pass him then stopped. She smiled.

"We're in the same physics class aren't we?"

"Uh, yes. Umm, I think you're in a different lab section though."

"I know. I didn't see you in mine. Are your lab sessions at 3:30 Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays?"

"Yeah." God, why can't I think of any banter. She's trying to talk to me.

"So's mine. I thought I saw you head down the hallway after, so I guess you're in the next room over."

"Oh, I didn't know. Is your graduate assistant any good?"

"I don't know. I had a hard time following him. How's your GA?"

"OK I guess. It's early days though."

"Yes, I guess so, maybe it'll get easier."

"I, uh have an appointment. I better get going."

"OK." She turned as started to walk away.

"Um, are you going to be working here?"

"I hope so, they said they'd call. I told them I'd join any study as well."

"I think I will to."

"OK, well ... if you have an appointment."

"OK. Um if you need to talk through some of those problems from class ..."

"Yeah, sure. That might be good. And we could help each other prep for tests and things. Maybe get a group going? Give me your phone."

He handed it to her and watched as she put herself into his contacts. He hoped she didn't think he was a loser. He just had his Mom and his adviser's secretary in his contacts, listed as 'advsr secty'. No friends. He WAS a loser.

She smiled and handed it back.

"Take a pic."

He stared at her in confusion.

"Hurry before you're late. Take a pic. To put beside my name. In your contact list. On your phone?" She giggled.

He found the camera control, held it up, centered her face. She looked straight at it, no head cocked coquettishly, a slight smile. Almost a passport type pic. He took it. She reached out her hand, he gave her his phone. She put her pic with her name and handed it back. 

"In case you forget my name. Now you only have to see the pic and know it's me." She grinned before turning and going up the stairs.

He knocked at the door.

ooooOOOOoooo

THREE WEEKS LATER:

Frank was in a Hollywood bedroom out of an Arabian nights movie from the thirties. Nora was in some kind of barely there harem outfit and they were slowly kissing each other. Her tongue was sensuously exploring his mouth, he couldn't believe how long it was, he cupped her breasts, her hand slowly stroked his erection.

He lowered his lips to her breasts, they were easily bared and he licked her nipples as his hand gently squeezed her full orbs. Her hand on his cock was insistently pumping it in time with the chanting. 

The chanting that filled the room, getting louder and louder as she pushed his head down down, her legs were open, naked, and her knees bent as he stared at her naked pussy. He bent forward and kissed, licked, nibbled as his hands reached up to her breasts. He couldn't make out the words, almost a singsong child's voice, repeating some mantra over and over. Nora smelled like, like, like ....

He loved her pussy, it was engorged and her large clit begged to be sucked. She seemed to ooze natural lubrication and smelled and tasted, of, of, of, of, sweet, woman, something else, something, something he had tasted, smelt, tasted once, something. Vanilla? Sort of, but not? ....

She pulled on his shoulders, her hand on his cock again as she drew it toward her vagina, she kissed his scar, trailing her lips along it's length. The chanting was in a strange language, it seemed to come from the walls, alien, yet familiar, his cock was just touching her vagina as she squeezed him with her hand. Almost inside her, now now.

He sat up in bed, sweaty, his erection tenting the covers his hand moved to it and at the first touch he came, his cum surged out, flooding his boxers and the sheets. He pulled off the comforter before his cum stained that too. Just then his alarm started buzzing.

Not a good way to start the day. Now he would be thinking of Nora all day. Again. The chanting seemed to fade away slowly, as if it had a life of its own. He sagged back into bed with the sheets bunched around his deflating penis. He hit the snooze. This wasn't the first time he had a dream with Nora, the smell, the chanting, everything was familiar, each time the setting was slightly different, but the end result, messy underwear, was the same.

OoooOOOOoooo

ENVELOPES OF MONEY

"Mr. uh, Frank?" Dr Walters looked questioningly at Frank.

"It's Hunter, John." Corrected Dr. Fung from across the room.

"Yes sir, Frank Hunter." Frank looked behind Dr. Fung, into the room behind her.

It was a small office room, with a large picture window that took up all of the wall not used by the door. He knew from experience that it was completely sound proofed. In it Nora reclined on a comfortable chaise. She had a sleep mask and heavy earphones on. Her dress had slipped away and he saw most of her calf, and her knee. Something she usually didn't show.

He spent his time in there too, so did everyone in the study, but always Dr. Fung was talking, whispering to him in the headphones, asking him questions, he answered back. Usually they were normal questions, like a survey, then more and more detailed. He couldn't really remember the questions or the answers he had given the last few times. He always fell asleep, they let him nap before he started work. Nora didn't have headphones with a mike connected to them today.

"Frank, yes, I have a job for you. Two envelopes."

"Yes sir. I've finished changing out the straw in the goat's pen."

"Here is the first. I want you to take it to this address. It's my lawyer. It must arrive by Four Forty Four. Exactly, not a second late nor early. Do you understand."

Frank looked at the envelop. It was a nine by twelve inch kraft envelope sealed. It seemed empty, there must be only one or two sheets of paper in it. He checked his watch and looked at the address on the envelope, plenty of time.

"Yes sir. Not a problem."

"All right then, off you go."

"You said two envelopes sir."

"Of course, of course."

Dr Walters went the old fashioned coat and hat rack near the office door. He dug through his coat and found a large bulky Number Ten envelope. It was full and the flap could barely close. It wasn't sealed.

"I want you to take care of this. Keep it in a safe place, and bring it back to me on the Thursday of finals week."

"Sir! It's full of money. I can't take this."

"Certainly you can my boy. It's my winnings at the casino. My wife checks the bank account, she cleans my pockets. I always lose any extra money I have. I want to keep it secret, and I want to buy a present. Bring it back on the Thursday of finals week, when you come in for work. Perfectly simple. Your job is to run errands. Go run it."

"But sir. How much is here? I can't just take this."

"I don't know how much. The machine made noise. They came over. Tried to give me tickets. I made them cash it in and I left. I have no idea. Just take it. Then bring it back. You are a responsible lad. Now go. Deliver this other envelope and go to your other job."

Dr. Walters leaned in close to Frank. 

"Who is fighting tonight? That big chap that calls himself the Mongol? He's a mean one. I bet Dr. Fung that he would go down within ten minutes."

"Yes sir, I believe that's the one." 

Frank had quickly learned that Dr. Walters loved to bet. He bet for pennies, or Fries or real money. He said he liked to go to the casino up the highway, and he had a system. One day he was going to try blackjack. Meanwhile he bet about when the next phone would ring, or how many times the announcer on the radio would say "you know" or "like". Anything.

Frank looked at Dr. Walters. His face screwed up in question. Dr. Walters made shooing gestures.

"Is Nora all right? I mean Miss Carson. She seems a little out of it."

Dr. Walters turned to look at her.

"She'll be fine. I promised the programing would be done in time for her job at the snack bar in the Student Union. I believe she has an assignation, a date as it were, with young Mr. Addison later. She'll be ship shape, no after effects."

"Brent? Programing? Brent?"

"Oh yes young man. You certainly lost out there. Dr. Fung took my money on that. I bet you would be first with her."

Frank just looked at Dr. Walters. He saw Dr. Fung look up at him and slowly smiled as she made a money sign, rubbing her fingers and thumb together.

"Now hurry along young man. And remember, the first ten minutes."

Frank staggered out of the lab. Brent, and Nora. And that bulging envelope of money. Just before he got to the door Dr. Walters called out to him.

"I'll have plenty more goat's milk for you tomorrow, it's very good for you."

Brent nodded and left. Goat's milk, you could get it at the supermarket, why did he have to keep his own goat, and in the lab. Damn Brent.

Things were getting weirder and weirder, he wondered if the stairs leading down to the basement were really a well disguised rabbit hole and that his name was really Alice.

Alice, that was a name he hadn't thought of for a long time. That kid across the street when he was in grade school, or junior high maybe, he used to hang out with her older brother, Kent. Before they moved out. She was always trying to tag along with the older kids, her and her friend ... whats-her-name. She moved away. Why was he thinking of her? Oh yeah, Alice. Crazy kid. Kent said she had a crush on him.

OoooOOOOoooo

STUDY DATE

"Well, I think we've gone as far as we can, and it's getting really late." Nora said as she leaned back and slouched on the couch.

"Yeah, I guess so. This has really helped me, I hope it has for you too."

"I know, we make great study partners, and you're fun to talk to. You always listen."

Frank felt his face warm up. Hell! He was a veteran, He ran Long Range Patrols in Afghanistan all through his last deployment. He'd been with girls before, with women. Why couldn't he make a move on this one. And she still dressed like some nineteenth century missionary. What was that perfume?

Not really a perfume, a scent, her scent? What was it. He only noticed it when they were alone together. It was a wonder that he remembered anything, he had a semi, or even a full woody for half the time. And he felt, something, mushy, silly, something when he was with her. 

"... earth to Frank, earth calling Frank." She giggled.

"Sorry, just thinking."

"You looked so serious."

"You said you were from Mount Pleasant didn't you?"

She looked at him with a strange expression on her face. 

"Yup, graduated High School there, worked for a year at the Wally world distribution center before starting school at the college there."

"I don't know, the first time I saw you I thought you looked sort of familiar, but not. Different, but the same, does that make sense."

"We lived in Ottumwa for a few years when I was younger, and Council Bluffs before that. My Dad's job moved him around. You're from Woodston aren't you. North, just South of the Minnesota Line?"

"Yea, little Woodston. Ever been there?"

"I hear it's a nice place, peaceful. And pretty."

"Yeah, pretty good place to grow up in I guess. There was some rough stuff happening while I was in the Army, some football players, probably guys like Brent. It was pretty bad."

"Oh you, stop bad-mouthing poor Brent, he's had a tough time of it. What happened?"

"I guess they kidnapped a teacher, no, the librarian."

"From the High School?"

"Yeah, I guess it was pretty rough, but one of them got her out of there."

"That's sick. How could someone do that. Not the saving her, the other, I assume they ... you know." She hugged her arms around herself and shivered.

He picked up the cup of tea that she had brought out, it was some kind of herbal tea, he'd never tasted anything like it before, but it had some thing that was familiar, he couldn't remember where from, probably from his childhood, his Mom made tea sometimes. He put it down and leaned back next to Nora.

Frank reached over and patted her shoulder. She leaned over, her shoulder resting on his as they sat side by side on the couch in her apartment. Their books and notes on the coffee table in front of them. He put his arm around her and she rested her head on his shoulder, nestling closer to him. 

He had never been in her apartment before and never cuddled her to him like this before. Suddenly the girl that populated some of the strangest dreams he had ever had was was right there under his arm and she seemed to be enjoying the closeness.

"You wouldn't do anything like that." Her voice was barely audible as she whispered.

"Never, never. Never." His voice trailed off. He bent his head over hers and kissed the back of her neck. He inhaled her scent, that special smell or flavor, something happened, he got suddenly and painfully erect, at the same time he felt so protective of her, wanting to keep her from any hurt, for ever. He thought she was whispering something else, he couldn't make it out.

He started trembling, shivering, he couldn't control it, he thought he heard the chanting in his head, just faintly barely under his consciousness, his face flamed with heat, he never wanted to leave her. He started crying, tears suddenly dripping from his face, it was all he could do to stop from sobbing. His heart felt like it was trying to squirm into his throat and choke him. 




The Binding Potion



All he could think was that they had warned him about PTSD before he processed out of the Army, said it showed itself differently to different people. He didn't know what was happening, he seemed to be falling into darkness, panting, sweating and shaking like a leaf, what would Nora think of him now, some weirdo psycho.

He woke up slowly, he was on his side, leaning against something, the back of the sofa, there was some light coming through the curtains, dim, a street light outside. He could make out the room in the dimness. He was in Nora's apartment still. His eyes felt crusty and he was holding a tea towel in his hand, by his face. He sat up and took stock, tried to remember what happened. Nothing like that had happened before.

His shoes were off, his belt loosened and the top button on his jeans were undone, as were the top few buttons on his shirt. There was a comforter That looked like he had kicked off in his sleep. His shirt felt damp with sweat, yet he was shivering with cold now. There was a pillow under his head and it was damp with sweat also. And maybe tears as well he thought. 

He remembered suddenly feeling so protective, and his heart felt broken, or mended, or something. He couldn't stop shivering and Nora had sat up and felt his brow, pulled the quilt over him and fed him some more of the tea she had quickly reheated in the microwave once he had calmed down. He had felt totally exhausted. He didn't know if he could have walked down the steps to his car.

The pillow, he remembered her putting it under his head and he didn't recall laying down. Or how the tea-towel had gotten in his hand to stop the tears. He must have crashed and burned, just passed out from some kind of shock. Maybe he was coming down with something. Maybe he was going 'round the bend.

He could see where she had closed his books and notebook and stacked them on the table, which had been pulled further away from the couch. What was going on with him. Well he had been going at it pretty hard. 

That damn cage, but it brought in good money. He knew he was getting screwy when he thought he saw Nora with Dr. Walters in the front row a week ago. Walters was on one side and Dr. Fung on the other at the beginning of the match. But when he finished there was someone else there, another girl with another man and older woman. He had taken a few to his head. Maybe it was time to quit. 

He had enough saved to get by on for a while after he graduated, until he found a real job. He should find something else for now. He'd tell his manager. And he had the VA payments. He couldn't keep making excuses for the bruises and scratches much longer. That Brent kept laughing at him, telling people he was a secret drinker who fell down all the time. He probably believed it.

Oh no! If Nora told Brent how he started blubbering like a baby, he'd never hear the end of it. He needed to talk to Dr. Fung again. Not just in the study. Or Dr. Walters, they could give him some advice. Jeeze, I hope he doesn't give me more money. Christ, I've had to put three more envelopes into that safe deposit box just the last three weeks.

One thing for sure, his bladder was screaming at him for relief. He got up and stood still as he tried to remember where the bathroom was. He'd have to walk into Nora's bedroom to get to it. Turn left once through the bedroom door and that was the bathroom. Try not to wake her, then leave. Go back to his apartment.

He made it to the bathroom without banging into anything, remembered to close the door before turning on the light. Once he had done what he came for he washed his hands and his face. He looked at himself in the mirror. Was he cracking up? He knew it happened. But he'd always been level headed. It had already been a few years since he got out of the Army.

He had been having another of those dreams when he woke up. It was summer, back home, he was in the yard of the house across the street from the house he had grown up in. In Woodston again, and there was Nora. Beautiful Nora.

She was just laying out on the front lawn across the street with nothing on. She was naked and he saw that she trimmed her wispy pubic hair to a landing strip. Her breasts were firm and larger than he would have guessed from seeing her in the baggy clothes that completely covered her normally.

The chanting was going on, and behind her on the front porch was a blue Indian goddess, like in some movie, she had lots of arms and they moved about very sensuously, It was chanting something, something very melodic, very repetitive, almost hypnotic. Nora was playing with herself, one hand on a breast, one hand between her legs moving in time with the music. He shook his head and splashed more water on his face.

He tried to remember more of the dream, it seemed to him that the six armed blue goddess had a face he thought familiar, but couldn't place. Nora's nipples were large, and very very erect. He remembered the man, the green man with a turban, a short jacket and that wrapped cloth that they wore in India instead of trousers. He had a bow and some arrows. His turban and clothing looked rich.

He smiled at Frank, and then looked at the blue goddess who had a familiar face. The goddess pointed with several arms at Frank and the green man put an arrow on the bowstring that looked as if it was made from bees that held onto each other. It was very very strange, and the green man started to fade.

As he faded he smiled at Frank and drew his bow, the arrow launched slowly, as if everything was slow motion. Frank could seen Nora watching the arrow as it made it's way, swimming through the air right at Frank. As he watched the arrow he could also see the green man sort of morph as he faded, and then he looked like a Greek style statue that came to life, there were wings growing from his back.

He looked like a naked young man but still had a bow and arrows and smiled at Frank as the arrow made it's way to him. The blue goddess was fading too. He looked at Nora and she was changing, had changed, there were just two little girls where Nora had been, they were having a pretend tea party on the grass, one looked like Nora, the other looked like the blue goddess, but wasn't blue, she was dark, Indian looking but in western clothing. The Nora girl was holding a cup of tea up for Frank.

The arrow was fading too, it was pale, as if made from mist and slowly went right into Frank's chest. It didn't hurt, in fact it felt kind of warm, and good. It was all very weird. He looked again and he was alone, no archer, no girls, no tea.

He turned the light off and waited for a minute or so to let his eyes adjust to the darkness before he opened the door. He glanced at the mirror and for just a second he thought he saw the back of the ghostly arrow with it's feathers sticking out of his chest. 

'Now I know I'm going nuts' he said to himself. He opened the door and there was Nora, she was in a neck to ankle white long sleeved gown, little frills at the throat and wrists. It had fancy embroidery on it in a dark color he couldn't make out.

"Sorry to wake you, I'll just get going, I'm sorry I freaked out, It's never happened before. I'm sorry if I scared you," he stammered out.

"Nonsense, you've been working too hard, you should really quit that job. And no, you're not going home, who knows what you would do in a car at this hour."

"But ...."

"Nonsense. Come here."

She took him by the arm, led him back to the couch, She had removed the back cushions, making the sleeping area wider, and made it up with sheets. The pillow that he had left tears and sweat on was replaced by a larger one with an embroidered pillow case.

"This is more comfortable, and we'll both sleep better. You because you'll be more comfortable, and me because I'll know you're not trying to drive."

She reached for his shirt and started unbuttoning it. He tried to stop her but she slapped his hands away gently. When the shirt was hanging loose, she knelt in front of him and pulled his socks off.

He took off his shirt and she reached for his belt and unbuckled it, undid his button and pulled the zipper down. Then she pulled his jeans off. They fell to the floor around his feet. She reached around him and pulled the sheets back and pushed him gently down onto the couch. He pulled his feet in and she tucked them under the sheets and pulled the covers over him.

"Now, go to sleep and don't think you can sneak out of here before morning, I'm a very light sleeper."

She smiled and kissed her fingers, then bent down and touched his chest, right were he had dreamed the arrow went in.

"Sleep tight soldier boy."

"I don't know, I'm awake now, it may take a while."

Nora perched on the edge of the couch, He felt her softness through her gown and the sheet over him. He had already pushed the comforter to his ankles. She laid a hand on his shoulder.

"What, do you want me to tell a bedtime story, or sing Soft Kitty?"

He smiled. "No, you don't have to do that, just talk for a few minutes."

"What about?"

"Why do you always wear such ... um, ah, concealing clothing, you're very pretty."

The smile left her face, she started to get up, then sat down again, pushing him further back in the couch.

"Something happened to me when I was younger, I was thirteen, we had just moved to Council Bluffs, A man."

She stopped, her eyes closed and her whole face screwed up, anger, sorrow, fear, they all showed on her face as he watched.

"That's OK, you don't have to, forget I said anything."

"No, I want you to know. I'm very shy, very. I've been that way for a while, I guess. The me that you see at the lab, in school, It's all an act, I'm really shy and it takes every bit of courage to talk to people, interact. But that's not why I dress this way. And I want to tell you."

He was silent, her face relaxed, and her eyes opened. It was dark, just a little light coming from the street light outside, through the curtains, and a little light in her bedroom, a small bedside lamp perhaps. But he thought he saw a glint of a tear in her eye.

"I was dressed like any thirteen year old girl who wanted to be popular, and it was hot and muggy, a short skirt and top that bared my tummy. I was cutting though a park on the way home and a man. He tried to."

She stopped again, put her hand on his lips to keep him silent, then went on.

"He tried to rape me. He tore my top off, he hit me so hard and was dragging me to his car, I kicked and he punched me in the belly and I couldn't breathe and then I kicked, I kicked hard and he let me go. I got him between the legs. Some other people started running toward us and he got away."

She looked at him, fingers still on his lips.

"I wish you had been there. It would have been different wouldn't it?"

He smiled.

"When Mom took me to the police to report it, the officer asked how I was dressed, he looked down at me. I had got my top back on and was holding it closed. He just sneered at me."

"The bastard."

"No, it's just the way it was, the way it is. He told me it was my fault for dressing that way. Mom's face got red and she started yelling at him and he threatened to lock her up. But that's not the worst. When my step dad got home he said the same thing, that it was my fault for dressing that way."

"Oh god Nora, it isn't. It isn't at all."

"I know, some men just are predators, I was in the wrong place at the wrong time, but right then I decided that if it ever happened again, no one could say it was my fault. Now, now." She paused for a while, 

"Now I just don't know how NOT to dress this way, I want to dress normally, even dress provocatively, but I can't."

He took her hand. He didn't know what to say.

"I suppose you think I'm a prude, but I'm not, I get all the urges, just can't do anything about them. It's funny, some guys, like Brent, you'd think they wouldn't give me a second look, but he's always after me. I know he's doing it with Christy, but he keeps asking me out."

"Do you?"

"Go out with him, I have, he's all hands, but no one else has asked me out."

He couldn't look at her, and he felt his face burn.

"I, ... I." He wanted to tell her that he was in love, but he knew she wouldn't believe him, or she would say it's because of what she said. She'd say he was crazy anyway, some PTSD whacko that would fall for anyone, that he'd be dangerous. He made a lot of excuses to himself. He skirted around the two reasons he didn't want to address.

She leaned over him. Her lips almost touching his. Her eyes staring deep into his.

"You. Shut. Up." She paused, but didn't move. He felt a breast resting on the arm he had over his own chest. Her hanging boob was unfettered under the tent of a nightgown she wore. It was soft, was that a nipple he felt?

"you're tired, you're not yourself, and I wouldn't listen to anything you'd say in the romance department right now. For a couple of reasons, one of which is that we're such good friends and study partners." She didn't tell him what she thought the other was.

She sat up and he inwardly groaned as her breast left him. He wanted to look to see if they swayed, but kept his eyes on hers.

"It's still hours before I have to get up, I know you don't have a class 'till later, so if you're still asleep I'll leave you alone, just lock the door when you go out."

He just nodded and watched as she left, when she got to the door he kissed his fingers and blew over them at her. She grinned and pretended to snatch his kiss out of the air and then held her hand to her mouth and kissed. She went into her room and he heard her get into bed and then heard the click of her lamp and saw the light disappear. He made himself more comfortable and closed his eyes.

Nora woke up on her left side, facing her night stand, she could see the glow of her clock, it was only four AM, something had awakened her. She heard it again, some whispering and almost whimpering sound from Frank. She got up and went to the doorway without turning on her lamp. The light from the streetlamp glowing through her curtains lit the room enough that her darkness adjusted eyes could see things quite well.

She didn't really have a plan, and she didn't really believe in magic, but he had seemed to be taken, or at least interested in her. And so she had been continuing with the childish 'magic' and dabbed the special ingredient on like perfume when she knew they would be alone, and even put the special potion, a drop or two anyway, in his tea. It was silly, but oddly it seemed to work.

Dr. Walters, and Julie, one of the other students in the study, said he seemed to be a little worried every time a mention was made about her and Brent. She smiled. Poor Brent. What made him think she would find him attractive, he seemed more confused than upset when she refused to have sex with him. That was probably the only reason that he kept pestering her. She knew he was having sex on a regular basis with that Bimbo Christy.

She felt very comfortable when she was with Frank. Who would have thought that after all these years.... She watched him the darkness, he was obviously having a dream, and judging by the tent in the sheets it was a good one.

Frank slowly woke up, he was in a small cabin in the woods, he could hear the wind rushing through the spruce trees outside, making them sing. Nora was spooned up in front of him and he was slowly fucking her from behind, slow steady love, push, pull, push pull, he felt her pussy clench down on him in a regular rhythm. There was no hurry.

The fire crackled in the fireplace, and the cold seeped in from outside, the two of them were warm under the shared comforter. He loved the way she pushed back into him whenever he stopped, like she was so eager for him. He had the thought that he would like to tell Kent about it, they used to talk about sex all the time, wondered what it was going to be like when they were kids, before Kent's family moved away. He knew, though, that Kent wouldn't want to hear about Nora.

There was that whispering again, just barely in his ears, he was so used to it now that he didn't think about it, it was just there a steady rhythm that he kept time with, it made him feel good, feel so much in love with his wife. His Wife?

He picked up the pace. He wondered if she would get pregnant this time, they had been trying so hard ever since the wedding, her father had joked about how his daughter had been conceived in the cabin when he gave it too them for a wedding gift.

The chant was getting faster, more insistent, he opened his eyes and the archer, sort of half morphed between Indian and Greek god smiled then faded away. He started pushing into her harder, more aggressively and he smelt her, her own scent, her perfume, he sex, he knew he would love to go down on her, to make her squirm with pleasure with his tongue, he knew he would love her taste, he pushed, and pushed.

It happened! He spurted his essence into her, again and again. He heard her sigh, almost a groan, his hand stayed on her soft breast, he never imagined they would be so beautiful when he finally saw her naked, she wore such loose and full coverage clothing. She was beautiful. His eyes closed, he felt himself falling falling into sleep, deep, deep, sleepy, heavy sleep.

Nora smiled, it had been exciting, she didn't think he even woke up, but he came so much, she could see it soaking the sheet around his hard cock. It seemed huge as it tented the covers. And he had said her name, the name he knew her by, softly yes, but he said it. Her heart swelled with love. 

She reluctantly pulled her hand from between her legs, it felt damp even through her gown and her panties. She slowly got up from where she crouched by his head. She had been afraid that the whispered chant that Paravi had taught her all those years ago would wake him up, but it didn't, and his thrusting hips seemed to fall into time with it.

The alarm buzzed and buzzed, and suddenly Frank was awake. He opened his eyes. Then fumbled with the alarm. The sun was shining through the blinds and the clock said eight thirty. He was alone. He saw a note, but got up and headed to the bathroom. Oh no. He was crusty, his boxers, even the sheets where crusty, still damp even. NO no no no, he had cum in his sleep. Did she notice?

He got to the bathroom and emptied his bladder and washed his face. He needed a shave. Saw her pink razor, but decided it would be better go to his apartment and use his own razor. He walked through the apartment, he was alone and then back to the couch. The note was on the coffee table.

'Frank. I had an early class. I enjoyed last night, the studying, our talk and I'm glad you stayed over. Don't worry about the sheets, just put them in the laundry basket. Don't worry. I'm not mad or disgusted. Things like that happen. I've got a brother so I know. LOL. See you after class. I set the alarm so you would have time to get to your dorm and change. 

ooooOOOOoooo

MID TERM EXAMS

Once again they had a study session in Nora's apartment. They stuck to the subject and by nine in the evening they both felt that they would be able to handle the exam. This was the hardest class for both of them, and the only one that they had in common.

"Thanks again for letting me come by, it's a lot more comfortable here than at the library."

"I enjoy your company Frank, you should know that by now."

He smiled at her then changed the subject.

"What do you think of the study we're in at the Lab?"

"I don't know, I've wanted to ask you if you had heard anything. Do you know what it's even about?"

"Nope, I know that there's forty eight people in it, and half are a control group. I think it's to do with behavior, or even modification of behavior, but that's just a guess."




The Binding Potion



"Modification?"

"Yeah, it's kind of creepy when you think of it. I suspect hypnotism. But then I don't think that it would really work. But for me there's just sitting in the room on that lounge chair and listening to tapes. At first Dr. Fung would talk to me and ask questions. Mostly I fall asleep."

"Yeah, me too, but I do feel really well rested. I think it helps when I study, because I can stay awake longer."

"Have you talked about it to Brent?"

"Him? No, I haven't been out with him for a while. Not since I got that Valentine's day card from you. Thanks again."

She loved the way he blushed when she complimented him. He must have been ribbed a lot in the army for being such an innocent looking boy, but she knew he got some medals. He must have been different there, and now he just doesn't know how to act, and he thinks that scar is ugly. It isn't. 

"I've seen him at the snack bar in the Student Union, hanging around a lot when you're working t here."

"I know, I think he scares some of the students away by being there. Both guys and some of the girls too."

"You should say something to the manager."

"I might, but he only spends a half hour every day there, and I get him to buy food or a drink as soon as he finishes what he's got before, so he spends money." She laughed at that.

"Yeah, I've had to spend a lot of time with him at the lab. I think he's in the study as well, but his 'lounge chair' time must be when I'm not there."

"I miss working the same shift as you there. I don't know why they switched us around."

"I guess Dr. Walters thought I was making mistakes when you were around."

"Or me, when you were around," she countered, then blushed.

They were both silent for a while. Frank kept thinking about the mess he made of her sheet when he slept on the couch last time. And how much of a psycho he must have appeared to be.

"I got a night job at a bar." He said.

"I heard Dr. Walters say you quit cage fighting. He said he made a lot of money betting on you. What are you doing now."

"I'm a bouncer on weeknights, ten 'till closing. Doesn't pay as much but it's a lot easier. Mostly I just tell the kids with fake ID's that they can't come in. They usually seem more disappointed that they wasted their money on a fake ID than not being able to come in."

"When you say 'bar', what do you mean."

"It's a strip club that serves drinks."

"I thought so. I envy those women."

He just stared at her with his mouth open.

"No, really, that they can take off their clothing like that. I wish I could."

"Most aren't what you'd like to be, and most of what they make goes to a 'manager'. There are a couple of college girls, but It's hard work what with putting up with the men. They do make good money though."

"I hear that they have an amateur night every month."

"Don't try it. Anyway, the dancing that they do doesn't seem very sexy to me. They all look disinterested, the moves are all fake, there's no passion. I mostly watch the customers to make sure they don't touch. Those guys are the losers."

"It must be so freeing to be naked with other people, I wish I could do that, even just once. I think that would get me out of my mother Hubbard fixation about clothes."

"But what would anyone think, wouldn't you be embarrassed?"

"I would love it, to be able to do that, and I don't care what anyone thought. Even if Brent saw me like that it would be so freeing."

He didn't know what to think. She didn't seem to think about how he would react to seeing her naked. His first thought was to ask her to strip for him, it was on the tip of his tongue.

"You uh, could, you know ... um. Well," his tongue wouldn't form the words.

"You are so sweet Frank, and I would love to, but I just can't, not now. If we were ...." She stopped this time, and she went as red as he usually did. He on the other hand was suddenly pale, he started to get tunnel vision, but it passed and an awkward silence continued for a few minutes before she smiled at him.

"Well, anyway. Not tonight I guess," she said.

Having exhausted that topic they both seemed at a loss for words. Frank finally cleared his throat.

"Um, I was wondering, if you didn't have plans for Saturday night, if you might want to..." he stalled again at that point, his face red.

Nora just smiled slightly and a detached part of her brain wondered how long it would take him to stop blushing all the time around her. Her heard beat faster. She really did wish she could tell him all about herself, but she had made a decision when she first saw him, and she didn't want to break it. Anyway this was probably better, and fun.

"Um, do you want me to dance naked for you then, you might like it better than a movie." She said grinning ear to ear. If anything he got more red.

"Uh, uh,"

"Oh silly, I didn't mean that. At least for now." She was having fun, then she continued. "If you want me to go out with you, then yes. I will. I would love to. What did you have in mind." 

It took long enough she thought. 

"Well, dinner, or a movie, both. Or even a play, the drama department is putting something on."

His heart was pounding. He didn't think he got this worked up when he triggered an ambush. Well maybe when they ambushed his squad. Maybe.

"I would love a play, and then dinner. Or, I could go to the store and get some things, and I could make something here."

"I could, um, pay, maybe we could go and get stuff together?"

"That would be fun. Some steaks? Salad? Wine?"

"Yeah, um yeah. Friday afternoon, I could pick you up, say three thirty? Here?"

"Yes."

ooooOOOOoooo

TELLLING HIS MOM

"Yeah Mom, things are looking up. Classes are OK, I'm going to graduate this Semester, I go in to talk to my adviser tomorrow and go over my credits and make sure." 

He held the cell phone to his ear as he moved around his apartment, trying to find one last sock, hoping that he just missed getting it into his laundry basket and that's why he is one short after finishing his weekly trip to the Laundromat.

"Well, yes, I did meet someone, it's that girl I mentioned in my email, Nora Carson."

"No, I don't think I've ever met her before, but I did think she looked familiar when I first saw her, maybe that's why I noticed her. Are you laughing?"

"No, I'm sure I never met her before."

"What are you laughing at, is there someone else there?" 

"Mrs. Thomson, who, oh, Kent's mother. She moved back in town, that's great, say hello to her."

"Yes I remember her, Oh yes, her daughter, Alice, Kent's kid sister. I remember her, always trying to tag along."

His mom talked some more.

"You know those Christmas and Birthday cards that Mrs Thomson sent that you forwarded to me when I was in the Army, that little Alice kid always added a hello to me on them after her mom signed them."

"Yes, just like she did when I lived at home after they moved. Kent said she had a crush on me, go figure. It must have been sort of a joke with her to keep signing them all those years."

"Yeah I remember what she looked like, a little blond girl, and her friend, that Indian kid, the one who's Dad was the Doctor at the clinic, yes, they were always playing in the Thompson's front yard."

"Huh, well, yes, I guess she would have grown up. Ask Mrs Thompson how she's doing. Tell her to say hello for me, and thank her for the cards when I was in the Army, mail was always great to get then."

"What is so funny, if you're going to just laugh at me ...."

"Well OK, what was the joke that Mrs. T told, I always like a good one."

"Women stuff huh. Well I'm better off not knowing."

"When are you leaving for your cruise?"

"OK. No, I think I'll stick around here. Maybe go home for a day or two, if it's OK with you and Dad."

"OK, I love you too, be careful on the drive to the airport. And don't fall overboard when you get to the ship."

"Oh, very funny, OK, have fun. Tell Dad hello."

"Bye, bye."

ooooOOOOoooo

A WEEK BEFORE FINALS

Frank was finishing up putting the cryptic notes from Dr. Walters into the computer. It was part of his job in the lab since the scientist didn't like to type. His time for the day was done, and he watched as Brent came in from whatever errand Dr. Fung had sent him out on. He was quick to get his time card approved and leave.

Final exams were next week and then they would all head home for the summer and begin the next phase of his life. He wasn't sure what he would do, His parents were going on a cruise along the coast up from Seattle to Alaska. He really didn't want to go 'home' to an empty house, but didn't know for sure what he wanted to do. He'd probably go home for a few days, his Mom said she would leave some home cooked meals in the freezer for him. 

He had been going out with Nora regularly, they were definitely a 'thing' and neither had the remotest intention of seeing anyone else. Not that it had been smooth sailing. Nora still dressed the same. But in his car, or more often hers because she still felt better to be the one driving, they would kiss, make out. He had got far enough to feel her breasts through several layers of clothing.

And his dreams were getting more and more erotic. Always with Nora, sometimes downright kinky. Usually he came in bed just before or as he was waking up. Something that hadn't happened since he was in his early teens. 

Seven more times Dr. Walters had given him bulging envelopes of money. Each time Frank took them to his bank and put them in his safe deposit box. He would also note in a journal each deposit with a pic taken with his cell of the envelope. He got nervous about how much money he had been given. He never mentioned it to anyone.

He still didn't know what the study he enrolled in was about, and as much as he tried he was never able to stay awake through his sessions. Nora had stopped discussing her sessions, but several times he had seen her totally relaxed in the room, earphones on her head. Neither of the scientists would answer him when he asked about her.

After Brent had left Frank went to Dr. Walters where he was standing discussing something with Dr. Fung. Dr. Walters had a weird hat in his hand and he was working on some wires that ran around the inside. It was a ladies hat that looked sort of like a bowl, or the top part of an old ten-gallon had with the brim removed. He had seen that type of hat on pictures of women in the twenties and thirties. This one had feathers attached to the side. It looked like a thin wire, perhaps an antenna was disguised by the feathers.

The scientists stopped talking when he approached and the hat was given to Dr. Fung who put in a large box.

"Dr. Walters, could I talk to you for a minute."

"Certainly Frank, certainly." He looked expectantly at Frank.

"Alone sir?"

"Nonsense Frank, Dr. Fung is privy to everything here, you can say anything you want with her here."

Neither of them moved, Dr. Fung was silent, but smiled ever so slightly.

"I've been worrying about he study, I'm having, um, well, strange dreams. A few months ago I nearly broke down, well I did. Break down that is. I cried and nearly passed out. And later, I had another of the dreams, they come several times a week, there's always this weird chanting, always the same girl. I get, I mean I ...."

He couldn't finish, but just stood there and nearly started crying again.

Dr. Walters escorted the young man into his private office, Dr. Fung followed.

"Now Frank, just tell us about it, all of it. Is there a general theme to the dreams? You mentioned chanting, go on son, go on."

Dr. Fung brought out a recorder and also a notebook, as did Dr. Walters.

"It's strange, soothing, and yet disturbing." Frank halted, he looked at the notebooks and the recorder, but pushed on.

"I, usually, well, there's a girl, a woman, always the same. I heard this chanting in a strange language, but at the same time it's always been familiar, ever since the first time."

"When did this start."

"Almost the same time I started here. Maybe the night after."

"You didn't start in the study for several days after you started working, was it before that?"

"I'm not sure sir."

"And the woman, a real person, someone you know?"

The scientists looked at each other knowingly.

"Yes."

"I would guess it's Miss Carson? Nora. Is it not?" Said Dr. Fung.

Frank looked embarrassed, but at least he didn't feel his face heat up with a blush.

"Yes ma'am." He hung his head.

"When did you meet her?"

"Here, outside your office, as I was coming in for my interview."

"You are sure you didn't know her before."

"Well, we're in a class together, and I saw her in the library. That's all, I never spoke to her."

"But you knew who she was? You, how is it said, you 'checked her out', before that?"

"No, well, yes, she looked familiar, and something about her, I don't know, something. I saw her on the way in to class the first time, she smiled, I smiled, she seemed nice. That's all."

"So, to sum up, you saw a girl you liked, then met her and realized you might be spending time with her. I believe you two are study partners in your Physics class?"

"Yes sir, well we talked about it, that day, outside the lab, when we met."

"Yes, now son, are you, shall we say, without other feminine companionship? No other girls, dates, no outlet as it where, when you were in the army, or the last few years here or at your previous School.?"

"Yes sir. Well, I've always been shy, and this scar here. Well, I didn't figure that would help. So I've kind of kept to myself, haven't gone out, just work and school. No, no one else."

"I think that it might be normal under those circumstances for a young man to have fantasies about a woman like this, don't you Dr. Fung?"

"I'm not so sure. This chanting. Are there any other similarities?"

"Well, the smell."

"A bad odor? That could mean some serious problems. Any outbreaks of violence?"

"No, no it's nice. And it's familiar as well. As much a taste as a smell. Sometimes in the dreams I drink something, tea, I think. Out of a cup. That's when the smell or taste is strongest."

"Do you see where the chanting is coming from?"

"A few times, yes, a couple of times it was a blue Indian goddess, lots of arms, other times it's been an Indian woman, sitting, chanting, moving her head side to side, sometimes sitting, sometimes standing. Once she seemed to be beside me, as if she was showing or presenting Nora. And, um."

He stopped for a bit, trying to work up the courage to talk about the archer. Dr. Fung encouraged him to continue so he went in with the rest.

"A couple of times there's been another man, or two men, sort of, one morphs into the other. It's strange. The first is also from India, dressed very richly. Once he was riding a multicolored bird. He has a bow, and arrows, and once he shot me."

"What happened?"

"It was totally strange, The Indian goddess, the blue one with lots of arms, just like in one of those Sindbad type movies from the fifties or thirties, she pointed me out. And the archer shot an arrow at me. At the same time he started fading out, and changing. The arrow got misty, and it was in slow motion, and it hit me in the heart."

"And where was Nora?"

"She was there, smiling at me. But she changed too. All of them changed, the archer changed into a sort of Greek statue type guy, naked, with a bow, and he smiled, but by then he was sort of ghost like. He had wings coming out of his back, like an angel."

"And how did Nora change?"

"She got smaller, and was dressed like a little girl, the blue goddess changed into another little girl, and Indian girl, and Nora was offering me a cup of tea."

Dr. Fung had been typing into her tablet and turned it around showing a picture to Frank.

"Is this the archer?"

"Yes, sort of, but, well, yes, close anyway."

She flipped her hand on the screen and showed him another.

"Yes, that's what he turned in to."

"Well the first one is Kama-diva, the Hindu god of love and eroticism. The Greek one is Eros, the Romans called him Cupid."

"Cupid? He was fat and short."

"Not originally, he was just as you described when he was a Greek god, and in early Roman art."

"What is happening to me? Am I going crazy?"

Both of the scientists were quiet, then Dr. Walters cleared his throat.

"If we were living in the middle ages I would say that somebody put a hex on you, a love spell of some kind. But we're not. In the middle ages that is."

"Today," Dr. Fung spoke quietly, "Today we would say that you've been under a lot of pressure and that you have a very active imagination. In addition you seem to have developed a fixation on Ms. Carson from the moment you saw her. I don't think that there is truly anything wrong with you. Certainly not from the tests we ran on you when you started."

"OK, well I have a counselor at the VA, I know if I tell him all this he'll put me on drugs, or into some kind of nut house."

"Do you feel violent impulses? Self destructive impulses, or have you lost your temper?"

"No ma'am."

"Well, then I would say you have a very healthy sex drive and a very fit body, and you are, or your subconscious is, in love. You must have read about these figures in your dreams, or seen a film -- I know there are at least two Hollywood films of the era you mention that have the blue lady with all the arms. All these are influencing a very vivid imagination."

"You should still see your counselor at the VA though, report any violent or self destructive feelings, or any depression. And since the regular blood and urine samples we take as part of the study indicate you don't use drugs I would agree with Dr. Fung." Added Dr. Walters.

"What about Nora? Dr. Walters mentioned programming and she looks so totally out of it when she's in the treatment room. And me too, I can never stay awake in there. What are you doing to us, is that part of my problem, and is she being altered in any way?"

Dr. Walters looked at Dr. Fung, lifted and eyebrow and indicated Frank. Dr. Fung nodded.

"Frank, the study is virtually over. In fact, it is, as far as you and the other subjects are concerned. We have scheduled a few more sessions with some of them more as a way to gain individual insights, but the data collection is done. Now comes the hard part."

"What Dr. Walters is saying, in his long drawn out way is, that we're done with your part of the study and we feel we can tell you a few things. But they must remain confidential."

"Humph, yes. The first is that you are in the control group. Nothing was happening to you."

"But I fell asleep, all the questions, the talking in my head phones."

"Well, you see, in the coffee, with all subjects, there was a slight sedative. And you, with your night work, well, you took a nap. The talking was mostly taped, and after you nodded off we played recorded music programs." 

"Oh, so they aren't causing the dreams, you're sure??"

"Well, you could be going looney." Said Dr. Walters with a grin.

"Or, more likely, you have some deep tie to that young woman, your mind has recognized her as your ideal woman and you've fixated on her," said Dr. Fung.

"You know Astrid, one day we'll have to do a study on the biochemistry of attraction, see if we can actually MAKE one person fall for another?"

"You find the funding and we'll do it."

"Do you think this young man could actually be the victim of a love spell?"

Dr. Fung just looked at Dr. Walters with a raised eyebrow.

"Really?" In her most sarcastic voice.

"Well, something put a spell on him, if it's hormones or if it's Cupid or some Hindu love goddess, he's got a case."

"Yes, but what do I do?" Asked Frank.

"Well, you could use, um, self massage, techniques before going to sleep, or, consummate your relationship with the young lady."




The Binding Potion



"I, well, I want to, I would like to spend the rest of my life with her, but, she, she just can't, I mean, something happened to her when she was young, and, well. She can't."

Again the two scientists looked back and forth.

"We know about her problem, and we think we have an answer. She wants to finish with this phobia as much as you do. Conventional methods might take decades, and far more money than either of you can afford, at least now."

"With no guarantee of results." Chimed in Dr. Fung.

"But, since you two both signed up for whatever test..."

"Or Tests," completed Dr. Fung.

"That we want to do, we thought we might run a series of tests and perhaps come up with a solution, perhaps not the best solution, but if it works it might be just what you need."

"What both of you need. She is as convinced that you are her ideal as you are that she is. Certainly your subconscious is."

"I'll do anything, anything."

"You say that now. But this might entail some embarrassment for her, for you as well."

"Humiliation really, especially for her, when she thinks about it later, and for you to I suspect."

"Does she know?"

"She agreed to go with anything that we come up with. In fact she asked us to do whatever we could. She told us that she wants to be free to do as she wants, in essence to be normal."

Frank was worried, he liked both of his bosses in this lab, but he felt that, for them, people weren't as important as the results of their research. 

ooooOOOOoooo

FINALS WEEK

Frank didn't see Nora that weekend, in fact didn't see her at all after he saw Doctors Walters and Fung. He sent text messages several times, she always sent him an answer, but they were always short, always carried a feeling that she didn't really want to talk to him, but yet she always made him feel like she was still 'his girl'. He told himself that she needed some me time.

He had plenty of time to study, but wished that he could have a chance for a study session with Nora, it was her weakest subject, and he had to admit it wasn't the easiest he had taken. Her answering text said that she couldn't see him until after finals, she was sorry but she was sure that he would ace the test.

It was the longest text she sent that weekend and she ended it with a smiley face. So he gave up and prepared by himself. When Monday came and he started sitting the exams, he felt good about his chances of scoring well. He knew students who didn't care as long as they passed, but Frank wanted to have a good GPA in case he decided to go for Grad School at some point in the future.

Finally he had his last one, it was Thursday, he remembered his promise to return the money that Dr. Walters had given him. As he walked out of his last exam he got a text from Walters and saw that he was to bring it in at Three that afternoon. He had several hours to kill and went ahead and had lunch before getting the money from the bank. He put all the envelopes into his back pack. There was a lot of money in there.

He got another text from Nora, It told him that she had finished her exams and that he would see her when he got to the lab and that she felt very good. She had little heart and smiley and wink eyed emoticons all through the short text.

'Well maybe those guys did her some good after all,' he thought to himself.

About then he ran into Brent, who was also carrying a full backpack.

"Hey Frankie, you got a pack full of cash too?"

"Yeah, you?"

"He tell you he didn't know how much in each envelope?"

"Yes."

"Do you believe him?"

"Yes, no reason not to, he's the original absent minded professor."

"Good, then he won't notice."

Frank stopped and looked at the grinning Brent.

"You didn't!"

"Sure did, a hundred here, some fifties there. The middles of most of the stacks were newspaper cut to the size of the bills, I just added some more and took off the top."

Frank didn't know what to say, he just shook his head and walked on. He checked his watch, saw he had time and when they were passing the physics building he ran in to see if his grades had been posted. Brent went on to the lab.

ooooOOOOoooo

NORA'S HAT

When Frank got to the lab the door was locked, so he used his key and went in He was completely at a loss when he looked up and saw what was going on in the lab.

Brent was practically drooling as he stared at Nora, Dr. Walters stood to the side monitoring a computer screen, while Dr. Sung sat on a stool between the spread legs of Nora. 

Nora wore the cloche hat Frank had seen earlier, complete with feathers and the antenna was also just visible. Nora looked completely at ease as if it was the most natural thing in the world to wear the hat and nothing else but a pair of red spike healed shoes. And a navel piercing. He would never have suspected she would have one of those.

She was connected by some wires stuck to her chest area to a large printout machine with lots of pens writing graphs on a moving sheet of paper, there was another wire connected to a strap around her chest as well as one going to a band around a finger.

Dr. Fung leaned forward and appeared to be in the final stages of shaving Nora's pussy. Frank was unable to say anything and stood beside Brent. He watched as the scientist gave a final wipe to get rid of the last of the shaving cream and then carefully rubbed lotion in. There was another electrode that seemed to have been attached to her labia, it was hanging loose as Dr. Fung finished shaving her and reattaching the electrode.

In the background of his mind Frank heard the quiet voices of the two scientists talking. Comments like.

"Slight labial and clitoral engorgement."

"Noted, the nipples are also erecting."

"Note the time please."

"Fifteen oh three, first sexual reaction at the entry of test subject number three. Is there any lubrication visible?"

"Not yet, but a definite spike in the associated scent."

"Noted. Can you make a digital exam for lubrication. I'm noting a blush on the upper chest region."

Frank watched in fascination as Dr. Fung inserted a rubber gloved finger into Nora's vagina.

"Definite lubrication present."

"Noted."

"Doctors is everything OK? Is the experiment over yet?" Nora asked.

"Almost dear," responded Dr. Walters, then continuing with, "Are you feeling anxious?"

"No, not at all, I feel really wonderful. Will I be able to take the hat with me?"

The two doctors looked at each other, Dr. Walters made a note on the clipboard.

"That might not be possible Nora." Dr. Fung answered

"We'll have to run this experiment several more times Dear." Said Dr. Walters.

"What's going on here, Nora, are you all right?" Frank was trying desperately not to look at Nora's tits, uh, breasts, or her pussy, uh ... vagina.

"We're just concluding the final phase or our experiment Frank. Nora's fine, there's nothing to worry about. Is there Nora."

"Oh Frank, you should close your mouth, you act like you've never seen a naked girl before."

"But you're, you're ...." He made a helpless gesture with his hands, while trying to concentrate on her eyes, those wonderful blue eyes that seemed to be a direct connection to him, his soul, or brain, or whatever.

"Yes, isn't it wonderful, I'm naked and I don't care, I am without clothes and I don't feel worried or afraid. It's wonderful. You should be happy too. Am I as beautiful as you dreamed?"

Frank Stammered and couldn't get anything coherent out. He thought that he might be going crazy, was this another dream.

"No Frank, this isn't a dream. This is real. And you're not going crazy."

"Brent! You can't let him..."

"Yes, about Brent. I'm sorry about that but I thought he might help to get you motivated. Both our Mothers thought some competition would be needed to get you to make a move."

"Our Mothers?" Frank was stumped, of course at this point it could be said that he wasn't really thinking clearly.

"Oh, Brent."

"Yeah Nora baby." Brent was starting to assume that Nora was going to be leaving the Lab with him. She was sure going to be too hot for that straight arrow wimp Frank.

"I'm sorry, but in case you didn't understand, I'm not going to be going out with you ever again. And I can say I don't feel bad about it, since you've been fucking that bimbo cheerleader all semester."

"But I'm, I'm ... you can't want this wimp."

"This wimp has been making money in MMA cage fighting, winning a LOT of his matches. And while he never brags on himself, he is also a decorated war veteran who served in several combat deployments, most recently with the Rangers. I don't think you should call him a wimp. And you definitely don't want to pick a fight with him."

"But, but."

"Not only that, but I have been looking for a man to spend my life with, He can protect me, he will care for me, and I know he's honest, I am positive he is. And I think Dr. Walters will be able to confirm that. Can't you sir?"

Dr. Walters asked Frank if that was the money, Frank held out the back pack and Dr. Walters took it smiling. He had other stacks of money on a table, presumably Brent's. Both were a little surprised when He and Dr. Fung began to open up Frank's envelopes, separate out the sections of cut newpaper and feed the cash into an automatic counting machine.

They kept Brent's separate but treated it the same way.

"Frank, I have done this so I can act and dress normally, Dr. Walters and Dr. Fung have made this wonderful hat that is connected to my brain and removes those horrible inhibitions that I've suffered from."

Frank saw Dr. Fung smile to herself. He couldn't see Dr. Walters' face.

"Do you like my piercing? I think it's sexy."

"Yeah, uh. Hey! What do you mean OUR mothers!"

Just then Dr. Walters turned to them and gazed at the now guilty Brent.

"Brent, I think you should go, I imagine that the missing money will be deducted from your last paycheck, and any left over debt will be added to your tuition fees."

Brent positively slunk from the room.

Dr. Sung went to her desk, took her purse from a drawer, extracted some bills and walked back to present them to Dr. Walters. She turned to Frank and just gave a little apologetic shrug, as if to apologize for betting against him. She went to Nora and began to detach her from the wires and straps. Frank couldn't take his eyes off of her. He didn't know where to look. Nora just grinned back at him.

"Nora, why don't you go to my office and try on that new dress you brought in."

Nora scrambled off the table she was sitting on and trotted to the office. Frank couldn't keep his eyes from her bouncing breasts or jiggling bottom.

Walters was finished re-packaging the money Frank brought in. Frank just stood there, totally confused. He listened as Dr. Walters explained that they had used some post hypnotic suggestions that the hat would remove the inhibitions. It would take a few sessions, and support from Frank, to wean her off the hat. Would he stay over the summer sessions? Nora was. Perhaps he would go to grad school here. There would always be a position here in the lab.

Nora came out then, she was wearing a simple little yellow sundress, it had straps around her shoulders, had a square neckline and hung straight down to the hem that was about half way up from her knees. There were large buttons going down from the top to the bottom.

"Isn't it pretty?" Nora was very happy looking and twirled for Frank, he could see her breasts sway and bobble as she moved.

"Yes, yes. Oh yes."

"Now, about our Moms."

"Um why, um Dr. Fung, um shaving ....?"

"Oh, that? Just the last time, finishing up, I thought there was a little stubble and I wanted to be fresh, she has to shave for the electrode every time. All the wires and stuff tell them how I'm reacting to the hat."

"Oh." Frank thought about it, he had seen the hat before. He knew Dr. Walters was involved with some advanced things, but the hat was a little far fetched. He was surprised that Nora believed in it. But didn't want to tell her that.

"Now, about our Moms. Oh, yes, My Mom said that you told your mom, on the phone, to tell her to tell me you said hello, and thanked me for writing on all those cards for all those years after we moved away."

"What?"

"Frank darling, it's very simple, after my father died, Mom remarried and Mr. Carson adopted me. Then when they divorced a few years ago she went back to Thompson. You see?"

"But, I didn't know anyone named Nora."

"Oh that. Well yes you did. That's my middle name, but my stepfather, Mr. Carson, had a daughter named Alice, so everyone called me by my middle name, Nora, so they wouldn't get me mixed up with his Alice."

"You!, You're Alice Thompson, Kent's kid sister. Little Alice Thomson!"

"Yes silly, and it's really funny isn't it, your subconscious knew me, but you didn't."

Dr. Walters and Dr. Fung were standing and watching the two young people, they had obviously known, but had kept silent.

"So my dreams were just ...."

"Well, I still think they were my fault, and Paravi's. We put a spell on you, surely you remember now."

"Spell?" He looked at Dr. Walters.

"Well Frank, I did suggest it, there's no scientific basis, but as the man said 'There's more things in heaven and earth.' Besides, I'm a romantic.

Dr. Fung punched him softly in his side. Which for Frank was a surprise because that, and the expression on her face, spoke volumes about a friendly and affectionate relationship that he had never seen before.

"Yes," Nora Alice continued, "One day you came over to our house, it wasn't long before we moved, Dad had passed away a few months before. I was about eight, you must have been twelve."

"OK, I remember when you moved out."

"You came to see Kent, and Paravi and I were having a tea party in the front yard and you and Kent went in the house. Paravi told me about a love spell she heard from her grandmother. We started chanting and got the secret ingredient and put it in the herbal tea we had."

"I remember, I came to give Kent back something I had borrowed, and when I came out you wanted me to play tea party with you. Paravi was singing or something. Funny I never remembered that."

"Yes, and you are so handsome, and so nice, you were always handsome and always nice to me. Even when Kent was mean, you treated me like a real person. I fell in love with you long before that. But when we asked you to play with us you just sat down with us and talked about missing us, and took a cup of tea. You never said anything about how it tasted, and had a cookie."

"Huh, I remember now, how could I have forgotten."

"Easy, because of the spell and the potion. It was the binding potion that bound us together in love for ever and ever. That's what the chant that Paravi was singing, was all about. And you drank the potion of your own free will. So you forgot until it was time. Now is the time."

"That's a little flimsy isn't it, I mean a little kid, me, and a love potion? Really?"

"Why do you think you were attracted to me then?"

"You are a special girl Nora, of course I was, anyone would be."

"And me with the secret potion, I saved it, I always put a dab on me like perfume when we were going to be together. And you had dreams, and you just collapsed after kissing me right on my neck where I had dabbed the potion. I know it doesn't look like much, but this is it."

She opened her hand and showed him a small bottle, he recognized it, he had seen the same type of bottle in his mother's kitchen, it was vanilla extract, it was old, nearly empty, and had a heart with an arrow though it drawn on the label.

"I. Um, I."

"It was full back then, but I went into your yard later that night and sprinkled a lot of in there and around your front door. And I chanted."

"Nora, you were a little kid."

"I know, but I never forgot you, and my mom and your mom kept in touch and I always asked about you, and said hello in the Christmas and Birthday cards. I was actually the one that insisted she sent them. I picked them out."

"Nora, you are a special special woman. But you didn't need to do that."

"And I saw your dream that night, I saw you on the couch, no don't be embarrassed, you couldn't help it, I was whispering the chant as you slept, and in your dream you called me Alice, I heard it clearly darling, you called me Alice and part of you remembered me."

"Well I was, I was sick."

"Of course dear. And Kama-diva Eros Cupid shot you didn't he?"

Frank was silent, he did love her, he had admitted it long ago, he didn't care what she thought, and the smile and laugh in her eyes told him she was having fun, and it was a good story.

"Frank darling, I know that sounds like I'm a weird stalker, but really I wasn't, I'm not. We met here, I knew you were coming, and I let it happen, you seemed to like me, so, well I just sort of thought that it couldn't hurt. And then I saw how wonderful you really are and that was when I really fell in love."

"Oh Nora, if only, if only I wasn't so tongue tied with you."

"Come here darling," she said and opened her arms, he saw that several buttons on her dress were undone and kissed her and smelled the vanilla and she pulled his head to her and he looked down and the world spun.

He took a breath a deep breath, he can see down her dress, past her breasts, past the curve of her tummy, past the blue panties that exactly matched her eyes, past her legs to the floor. It is as if he can see through the floor through the earth, out to space. He took another breath, the universe slowed, slowed slowed, he smelled the vanilla, he smelled her, inhaled her, her potion, her binding potion, he became lost, lost in her. His arms went around her, his eyes closed.

"You are mine, I am yours, always always bound by our love, bound by love and the power of the spell, the binding spell, always, just as you are bound so am I bound together, forever us, always my love."

He smiled he was happy. He was in love. With his true love. 

He barely heard Dr. Walters explaining to him that there was a second study about the basic honesty of people. That as a reward for his honesty he got to keep all the money that he had protected. It was all provided for in the grant that financed the study. It amounted to twenty five thousand dollars. If he didn't take the money then their budget would be cut by that amount next year.