Another Danu and Man fic. This one takes place June 2001 (the last one was sometime around 1000-500 B.C.E.). This story was originally inspired by Rihanna's song "Umbrella". . .and then later on by Snow Patrol's "The Lightening Strike i. What if the Storm Ends?" All in all I'm very proud of it, even if it took me about a year and a half to finish it (I started it about Sept.-Oct. of 2007 and finished it Febuary of this year).

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I was walking down the street towards Susan’s house, dry and happy under my brightly colored umbrella. The rain fell in sheets, obscuring the detail of even the closest objects. As I walked I saw someone standing ahead in the rain. When I drew closer I recognized Manannan and was a bit surprised by the fact he was wearing jeans. I sighed softly as I finished walking towards him and lifted up my umbrella so it covered both of us.

“Hello,” I said. His only response was a nod. I shook my head and made a sound of amusement, “well are you just going to stand there and get wet or are you going to come with me?” He looked offended.

“I don’t get wet,” he rumbled. “Of course you don’t,” I chuckled. I turned around and began walking back to my house and although his footsteps were silent I knew he wasn’t far behind.

When we reached my house I began to put down my umbrella but he took it from me and began shaking it out. I unlocked and opened the door, and went inside. I sat on my bench, took off my shoes and socks, and noticed his bare feet were dry. I made my way to the kitchen, picked up the phone, and called Susan.

“Hey Susan.”

“Danu! Do you know when you'll be over?”

“I’m going to have to take a rain check on tonight something has come up.”

“Is something wrong with Damian?” a slight panic filled her voice.

“No he's fine.”

“Oh, good.” Her obvious concern surprised me, we had only been friends for two months. “Are we still on for tomorrow then?” Susan asked.

“Yes we are still on for tomorrow night. Look I’ve got to go; I’ll see you tomorrow alright?” I hung up the phone, turned, and looked at him. “You can sit down you know.” His mouth twitched, “I’ll stand thank you.”

I set about preparing for dinner tomorrow. I turned the stereo on as I went to the refrigerator, letting music fill the silence between us. I could feel his eyes following my every move. “How are you?” He asked, I was surprised I did not jump when he spoke. When I realized he had not mentioned Damian I began slicing with more force. “Damian and I are well, thank you very much.” “So, you finally picked name.” I growled in response. I scooped up the garlic with my knife and added it to the meat in the dish, before putting it in the refrigerator. I turned to clean up and found him standing right in front of me. “Don’t do that, you nearly scared the life out of me.” I angrily stepped around him and left the kitchen.

I stormed into the living room and dropped onto the couch and turned to look out the window at my garden and the ocean beyond. Doyle, my newest dog, gave a near silent 'woof' letting me know my guest had followed. The leather sofa creaked as he sat down next to me. I resisted the urge to lean towards him. We sat in silence uncomfortably, the only sound was the occasion burst of music from the kitchen. “There are drinks in the cabinet behind the couch if you want anything.” I worried he might hear the slight waver in my voice.

He remained silent, I fought my body's reaction to him. I felt myself relaxing into his warmth which felt good in the cold room. I stood up, not wanting to give in (I had been chaste as a fish since my banishment, much to my libido's disappointment, and just because he was my husband did not mean I was going to give in). I walked over to my wall of windows. I stared at the roiling ocean and the rain, which was quickly turning into a storm. I tried not to notice the reflection of my husband now lying on my couch, which was far too small for him.

Desire raced through my veins and I clenched my hand, digging my nails into my palm, hoping the pain would distract me. When the pain was too much I slowly unclenched my hand and let it rest against the cold glass. I blanched when I pulled it away and saw a faint trail of blood left on the glass.

Manannan breathed deeply, or rather I thought I heard him breathe, and I bolted. Running to the glass door I slid it open and raced into my garden and down the stairwell. I hit the beach and ran full tilt, not caring about the weather.

Unfortunately the rain caused my clothes to cling to me, my skirt became so heavy I could barely run. Angrily I tore at the buttons but my fingers, it seemed, could not get them undone, rain, or perhaps it was tears, filled my eyes and I desperately ripped the seam of the skirt apart, letting the cloth fall to the ground. My legs now free, I continued to run.

I dashed across the sand as the storm raged around me and the rain caressed my legs, though whether it was just the wind or Manannan's doing I did not know. A few moments later a hand wrapped around my wrist and yanked me back. I collided with his warm dry body with enough force to knock him over, but he did not fall. He spun me around so I was facing him. I raised my other hand to scratch at his face, but he caught it before I could make contact.

I stared at him, desperately trying to pull oxygen into my lungs, he, of course, did not even look like winded. I wondered briefly how I appeared to him, a drowned rat, or helpless woman? How ever I appeared apparently didn't matter because he was releasing my hands and lifting me up so we were staring face to face. I wrapped my legs around his waist to steady myself and my body sighed in contentment. This time I didn't bother trying to hit him or scratch his eyes out, instead I wove my fingers into his thick hair and pulled as hard as I could. He never reacted, but the feel of his hair, taut in my hands felt good so I did not let go.

“You are being foolish,” he finally said. I hissed in reply, which caused him to laugh. “So fierce,” he crooned as he began walking. I just stared at him and did not bother turning my head to see where he was going. Lightning flashed and his eyes seemed to glow, it also revealed the faint blue swirls of magic dancing across his skin. I could feel water begin to lap at my toes and I panicked, wondering if he would take me under, as the water crept higher with every step. When we were up to our waists he stopped and I blinked in surprise as the water around us froze in its movement.

Curiosity tugged at the edges of my mind, eager to find out what had happened. Giving in I turned my head to look. The water in front of us was as smooth as glass and when Manannan set me down it held my weight, not letting me sink. I knew now he wasn't going to drown me, I was still worried about what he might do. For the time being he seemed content to stare at me, taking in my sopping wet hair and shirt. Which, thanks to my husband's magic was no longer getting wet. He then began to run his fingers through my hair, taking his time and gently untangling it. As he did so, I could feel my hair begin to lighten as he pulled the excess water from it. A peaceful lull fell upon me, easily calming me. Once my hair was dry he moved onto my shirt and quickly removed it, leaving me in my underwear.

My senses finally returned and I scooted backwards trying to get away from him. No matter how far back I went the feeling of being on glass never left, though I soon ran into a wall preventing me from moving back any farther. He reached forward and grabbed my ankle and I tried to pull my leg away. His hand was only wrapped around it loosely but I couldn't pull free and I finally gave up. My eyes met his again and I could only stare at him, my mind warring with itself. I did not know whether to fight or just give in. Lightning flashed above us once more causing his eyes to glow again. Outside the influence of his magic the storm continued to rage, waves crashed against the wall I was leaning against, trying to move its still brethren. My mind was pulled from the storm and back to my husband as his hand began to dance up my leg, tracing invisible designs as it did so.

When he reached the edge of my underwear he didn't stop or try to take them off, he just kept going, up my stomach and over my breast. His dancing fingers sent relentless desire crashing through my veins. He stopped for a few moments at my neck stroking my wildly pounding pulse, before continuing upwards. Reaching my face he stopped, his hand cupping my cheek and his thumb gently stroking my lips. I was half tempted to lean in a little and nip it, but I sat there and did nothing.

“Why do you fight me?” His question surprised me and I just gaped at him for a few seconds before I finally managed an answer.

“Because even though he is not yours he is still my son and far too precious to let go.” He shook his head, “Why don't you just. . .” “No! He is my son. I will raise him.” Tears filled my eyes. “He will live and be perfectly normal.” Manannan looked stunned and stared at me silently.

He leaned in and kissed me. The world seemed to fade away. I broke his kiss, just to show him I could. His eyes held a silent question and I just shook my head slightly, “what did you expect?” He laughed, a great booming laugh that sounded like waves crashing against rock. It had been over four hundred years since I heard my husband laugh like that and I smiled and think things were changing between us once more, hopefully for the better this time.

“There he is.” I murmured softly. Manannan tilted his head slightly, clearly not understanding. “The man I fell in love with.” He gave me a mischievous smile and suddenly the feeling of sitting on glass vanished. I shrieked as I sank into the water. My toes quickly touched the sandy bottom and I pushed up, breaking the surface sputtering. My eyes traveled up from my husband's still dry jeans, to his bare chest and then finally his grinning face. I placed my hands on the water, testing it, and felt cool glass once more. I pushed myself up onto the water before standing up and coming face to chest with him.

“Ass,” I muttered as I craned my neck up to look at his face. “You love me anyway,” he shot back. My mood went from happy to melancholy. “Yes,” I sighed. “Yes I do.” I wrapped my arms around his waist I lowered my head and rested it against his chest. “I loved Tristan as well.” I felt his body tense beneath my fingers but he didn't pull away.

“Why did you love him?” He finally asked. “You know our laws, you knew what would happen, and yet you did it.” I tangled my fingers into his hair again before answering. “I wanted to feel loved.” Manannan pressed, “that is not the whole answer.” “Of course it is not the whole answer,” I replied tartly. I yanked his hair as hard as I could in warning. “Be patient,” I snapped. He gave a defiant snarl. I growled back in response and just for spite remained silent for a few minutes before continuing.

“After Agrona went mad you pulled away. We shared a table and a bed and nothing more.” I took a steadying breath. “I needed more than that. I need to be kissed, I want stories to send me to sleep, and someone who will listen to me. Occasionally I need spontaneous sex in quasi-public places.” Manannan's bark of laughter surprised me a bit. “Tristan respected me, I was his lady and he would do anything to make me happy.” I looked up and saw a thoughtful frown on Manannan face. Overhead the storm was lessening, the lightning became occasional, and the thunder a brief, far off rumble, although the rain continued to fall.

“I'm sorry,” he said after a few minutes of silence. “Well I do not forgive you,” I replied flatly. “My spirit died a little the first night you did not tell me a story and curl around me while you slept. It nearly killed me when I kissed you and you pulled away. I was terrified to ask you what I had done wrong, because it was as if you did not hear or see me, like I had suddenly become invisible.” The tears I'd been holding in for so long began to fall, and a quite sob escaped my lips. He pulled me close and for a few moments I found it hard to breathe, but then his grip loosened and I could breathe.

One of his hands left my waist and began to stroke my cheeks, effectively drying my tears and I giggled slightly at the rough sensation. My giggle quickly became a small yawn, another yawn attacked me as I looked up at Manannan's face. His expression, for the most part was concern, but there slight hint of offended as well.

“What time is it?” I asked as I snuggled back into his chest. “Late,” he rumbled. A few moments later I squeaked in surprise as I was scooped up into his arms. I opened my mouth to protest but all that came out was another yawn. He chuckled, I pouted slightly. The rhythm of his walking, and the fact that I was surrounded by his ocean and ozone scent once more soon lulled me deeper into sleep and I hardly noticed when we entered my house. I nodded in and out of sleep for a few moments before noticing that we were still standing in the same spot.

“What?” I fought off a yawn as I spoke. “Which room is yours?” He murmured, if I had been more awake I would have laughed. “Upstairs, first door on the left.” He began to move again and I let myself fall back into sleep. There was a rustle as he pulled back my bed cover and I had a vague hint of surprise as he unhooked my bra. The softness of my bed surrounded me as he set me down and heartbeats later the bed shifted as he joined me. I curled into him and felt his arms surround me and I made a noise of contentment. He began to speak, and while I was too tired to listen the rumble of his chest was so familiar that I almost fought to stay awake, just to hear what he was saying.