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R & R Ch. 01

By: Corvecoupe



Authors Note: This is my first submission, and hopefully the first chapter in a fairly long story. It may take a while for the action to truly start but rest assured if you struggle through this chapter there will be plenty in the next! Please comment! All critiques will be greatly appreciated! Hope you enjoy!

***

I snuck through the darken campus thinking only one thought: I do really stupid shit for girls. My heart raced and I flattened myself against a big blue wall, haunted by a faint noise. Yeah that'll really help, hide your 6 foot 5 frame by standing up against a wall... you tool.

"Just a bat, just a bat," I consoled myself, prying myself off of the wall and creeping around the back of the building, making sure to stay well away from any lights left on. I wasn't sure how illegal it was to be on campus at one in the morning but I didn't really want to test it, especially not dressed in a black shirt and dark jeans, complete with black hoody. Almost there, another two buildings and I'd be at the Great Hall.

"You know what would be so hot," I whispered in a high pitch voice, mimicking the ridiculously attractive girl in my maths tutorial "If somebody replaced the university's flag with a pirate one."

I took a hurried breath and sprinted across the large avenue that ran through the middle of campus. I kept low to the ground and didn't slow till I reached the scaffold they set up for the restoration work. I looked around trying to find the two lights that would tell me the location of campus security roving car. They were nowhere in sight, I couldn't even pick up the noise of the engine in the silent evening, that'd give me at least fifteen minutes.

I started climbing carefully and attempted to be quiet, admittedly I failed miserably in that regard but I couldn't help it and I wasn't going to give up now. It was a frightening five minutes with one mantra repeated over and over again: Don't look down.

I finally reached the top of the scaffold, out of breath with sweaty palms, and rested my back against the sandstone parapet. I pulled the pirate flag out of the backpack I wore and waited, peering over the edge occasionally until I noticed the lights of the roving security guard had passed the hall and moved to patrol the other half of campus.

Now or never, I got up and started to let down the universities flag, a golden lion upon a checked blue and white rampant, and replaced it with the pirate's flag. I folded the universities flag and slipped it into the plastic bag I carried with me, placing it under a spare fragment of sandstone so it wouldn't get damaged or blown away. Sure I may be committing a minor misdemeanor for the hot girl in my maths tute, but I wasn't going to steal the flag!

I looked at the new flag adorning the pole and thought to myself: This is the coolest thing I've ever done. I was just about to start my decent when the sky erupted with thunder and lightning, rain start pelting down and within five seconds I was soaked. Flash storms weren't particularly uncommon in Sydney but this was a little weird. I hastily made my decent with a hell of a lot more caution than before, to my credit I only lost my grip and almost plummeted to my death once. By the time I reached the bottom my jeans were soaked, my shirt was sticking to me like a second skin, and my brown hair was slicked back in a 1950's style.

Lighting crashed down into the middle of the long avenue, barely ten meters away, and I jumped. The smell of ozone burnt my nose and the large thunderclap that followed deafened me, I was blinded and I could only make out a faint blur remained. I waited for two minutes, only hearing the torrential down pour and feeling the chill that cut straight through to my bones.

When I could see the faint outlines of objects again I began to move, trying to run straight instead of sideways, across Easter Avenue. My vision wasn't completely restored and my inner ear detested my desperate sprint, fighting a bitter battle to get me to stop running and instead start lying on the ground. It won.

One second I was half stumbling half running and the next I was falling. My hands were outstretched to break my fall, and instead of touching the hard cold concrete of the road they instead met something soft, warm, and smooth. Skin... I tried to resolve what my eyes fed my brain into an image and managed to make out the figure of a girl... no not a girl a woman... a stunning gorgeous woman, a stunning gorgeous naked woman, lying in the middle of the road.

"Shit, oh shit," I stammered, all too aware that I was lying on top of her with my hands upon her... "Oh god, I'm so sorry." I rolled off of her and apologized again, only to notice she wasn't responding, in voice or movement. I couldn't see clearly enough to tell if she was breathing or not. Oh god what do I do? Then my mind came to an awful though, What if she was hit by lightning!

"Help, help!" I called out, no longer caring or thinking that I was the idiot that just changed the universities flag to a pirate one. Of course nobody heard me, and I still wasn't sure what to do. I pulled my phone out of my pocket, my vision was coming back to me know but to my dismay the first really clear image I saw was of the cracked iPhone screen.

"Shit, shit, shit , shit," I was overrun with panic now, I sat there with the rain falling down heavily upon us trying to think of something to do. I could run and get the cops. No that'd take too long, I wouldn't know where to start. I could... I could... god what can I do?

"Hello?' My reverie, okay my indecisive panicking, was interrupted by the most beautiful and melodic voice I had ever heard. The accent was strange, definitely not Australia, but not American, or English, or South African either. It was completely neutral and new, and it was the most calming voice I had ever heard.

"Oh god, are you okay? Did you get hit? Wait... why are you...?"

"Help me, please"

"Sure sure, can you stand," I was babbling, all of this was unreal, maybe she was from one of these colleges that initiate you by making you run through campus naked... sure that could be it... right? She stood slowly and I helped her up, putting around under her shoulders whilst she slung one around my own.

"Do you want to go to hospital? Are you you're okay? Where do you live? Come on, my car is around the corner, I'll take you to the hospital," Once again my mouth opened and verbal diarrhea came out. First the girl in my tute and now this, this beauty who had just appeared in my life; why can't I talk straight to women! WAIT what the hell are you thinking! She just maybe got hit by lightning and you're thinking about hitting on her!? Geese man you really are sick!

"No, no hospital. They... they'll be there. Please... some... somewhere safe... just need rest. Please," the last word was clearly a struggle for her and she barely managed to get hurt.

"Listen I really think we should take you to a hospital, listen you're hurt and need help. Don't worry its safe there,"

"NO!" She screamed with such ferocity I paused mid step, my blood went cold and it felt as if my very soul was shaking by that outburst.

"Wha... what..."

"Please, just take my back to yours. Please?" Gone was the anger now, it was replaced with need. Her fragility and desperation broke through my weakened defensives. It was now my sole goal in life to take her back to my place. We made our way towards the beat up fifteen year old Volvo that was parked a few streets away, I helped her into the back seat and covered her up with a towel I kept in there for emergencies just like this. Okay not just like this but for emergencies.

No sooner was I in the front seat with the seat belt engage and the engine ticking over than the mysterious beautiful woman in the back was once again unconscious. I putted the car into gear and drove off, trying very hard to miss objects like lamp posts... or houses.

***

On the other side of Sydney a pair of nostrils twitched as their owner sniffed intently.

"Smell that?" A deep husky voice asked his companion. A pause ensued whilst the second individual hunted for the scent as well.

"A fallen one?" A female voice this time, husky like the males but of a slightly higher pitch.

"Yes, in the city," The male turned to his mate and stared manically into her yellow eyes, "Go tell the boss man." He watched as his paramour nodded and turned to leave, she took two bounding steps and crouched over, running on all fours. A shudder passed through her body and the cracking of breaking bounds echoed through the still empty night, her skin erupted with fur and her shape, seconds before humanoid, shifted to that of a canine, a large canine, but canine nevertheless.

The male took one last indulgent sniff of the air before moving in the opposite direction, the direction of the tantalizing smell, the direction of the ferocious storm that kept Sydney's residences inside, the direction of Ryan Richardson and his mysterious guest.

R & R Ch. 02



Author's Note:

Hey! Thanks for all the comments! I hope you enjoy the next segment, it's a bit longer and isn't quite as virginal! Please continue to let me know what could be improved! Sorry that it's taking a bit long to start...and I apologize in advance for the fairly obvious 'twist'.

Chapter 2:

I awoke exhausted to the sunlight streaming through the large wall to floor sliding doors blighting the room and rousing me from the much needed slumber.

"Eurgh," I moaned and reached for my phone lying on the coffee table where I'd left it. I grabbed it and hit the power switch. Nothing happened. I hit it again before noticing the spider web crack creeping across the glass face. Shit, that's right. My phone broke when I fell... then the memory came back in a flash. I'd fallen over a naked beauty lying in the middle of the street, I had driven her home, carried the unconscious woman up into my apartment, put her to bed, and then I came out to the couch and crashed.

I quietly roused myself and hit the espresso machine, warming it up, before disappearing into the shower. I glanced over myself in the large full length mirrors that adorned one wall next to the small tub.

I didn't look too bad I supposed, my brown hair was starting to get a little long and stuck up in shocking directions. I suppose it has been 2 months, maybe another haircut is in order? I slipped the t-shirt off and dropped it on the floor examining my bare chest. I'm not what you'd exactly call fit, not fat, but definitely not the Adonis look alikes that you see all over Sydney these days. No, I was slim and had fairly decent body, working in a bar carrying cartons up from the basement had given me enough muscles to give me some sex appeal. Maybe I should go to the gym? Nah, I like my sleep too much.

I slipped off the blue boxers which I was wearing, the soaking jeans had been left in a crumple on the floor almost as soon as I'd gotten home last night, and stepped under the shower, allowing the hot jet of water to massage my body and bring me back into the land of the living.

When I finally emerged from the bathroom, towel wrapped around my waist, I was freshly shaved, had minty clean teeth, and a smatter of cologne adorning my wrists and neck. I saw the strange beauty from last night hovering around the coffee machine trying to figure out to make it produce the essence of life.

In the bright room I got my first decent look at her, it was too dark and I was too conscious of her nudity last night to really look her over. She wore an old t-shirt of mine that hung limply from her frame but instead of making her look comical it made her even more stunning. I finally get why seeing girls in their boyfriend's shirts is such a turn on... not that she's my girlfriend... Oh you tool.

"Hey," I greeted, one hand gripping the towel around my waist the other outstretched as I approached her, "I'm Ryan, I don't think I properly introduced myself last night."

"Rachel," she delicately grasped my hand and I felt soft smooth skin meet mine. There were no callouses her, no dry skin, and no healing cuts. No, these hands were nothing like my own, they were the epitome of feminine perfection.

"Thanks for last night," she graced me with a smile and my heart melted.

"Oh, uh, no problem" My composure was slipping and I forced myself to pay attention to the conversation, not stand here gaping like an idiot over a pretty girl, "Are you feeling okay? What happened last night anyway... where you hit?"

"I'm feeling great, thanks," yet another smile, yet another skipped heartbeat, "And I don't think so, more fainted than anything I think. Honestly, I'm fine."

"Right, and you're um... state of..." I couldn't bring myself to say naked, it just seemed so wrong.

"It's a long story. Now how about a bit of help? I could murder a coffee," I was only more than happy to oblige. I filled the cups, steamed the milk and within a few short minutes we were both holding perfect lattés.

"Mmm," Rachel complimented after her first sip, "Where on earth did you learn how to do this?"

"90% of it's the coffee," I laughed, shrugging off the compliment. Truth be told I worked as a barista for three years, two in Sydney and one back home in Port Macquarie and had made more lattés, cappuccinos, flat whites, short blacks, and skinny organic cinnamon macchiatos than I could count. I excused myself to grab some clothes whilst Rachel sipped her coffee and snooped around the small flat.

I re-emerged wearing a purple polo shirt and a pair of worn grey jeans to find Rachel standing out on the balconey starring out at the expansive view. I slipped out to stand next to her, watching Sydney fall away to the south and west.

"Beautiful isn't it?"

"Amazing," we stared out across the red terracotta tiled roofs and watched as a plane lazily ascended to cruising altitude in the distance, "How much does a place like this cost each week?"

"Uh, I'm not really too sure. I own it," she turned to me and shot me a quizzical look.

"Trust fund?"

"Inheritance," I corrected and saw the familiar shift of facial expression from slight judgment to empathetic concern.

"Oh, I'm sorry,"

"Don't worry about it. It happened years ago, I'm fine with it now," that was the first lie I told Rachel. I wasn't fine, I never would be fine. No amount of time would heal this wound. Nothing could stop me from awakening in the middle of the night coated in sweat, the gunshot echoing around me head, the darkness pressing in on me, suffocating.

We stood there for another minute letting the silence engulf us until my stomach came to the rescue and broke in with a loud grumble.

"Sorry, I guess I'm a bit hungry. Breakfast?"

"I'd love some," I bustled away to the kitchen whilst she kept watching the city come alive as thousands of people left for jobs, absorbed in their own little bubbles. They crawled below concerned with rising petrol prices, roadwork along Parramatta road, how Guillard was screwing up the country, or whether their wives had cottoned on to the illicit affair with their secretaries.

"Sort of makes you realize how insignificant we all are doesn't it?" I asked, holding two plates of eggs on toast. I placed them on the small outside table and pulled out a chair for her.

"I'm used to it," she said as she took her seat, patting my arm in thanks, "I've spent most of my life watching people go about theirs."

"Oh really, what do you do?" It was the first really personal question I'd asked her. Here I was having breakfast with a girl who had just spent the night naked in my bed, alright so I wasn't in it with her but it still counts right? and I knew next to nothing about her.

"Did," she corrected, "and it doesn't really matter now. I got fired."

"Oh sorry," conversation was put on hold for a few minutes as we hungrily filled our mouths with the runny eggs and warm toast, "So, were do you live?"

"I'm in between actually, sort of how you found me like I was last night."

"Oh, so why are you in Sydney?"

"Never been here, thought it would be fun. Didn't think I'd meet a sweet guy and he'd take me home, but I'm not complaining," she shot me a smile that was 80% mirth and about 20% salaciousness. I joined in, chuckling along with the joke.

"So you thought you'd come to the big city with nothing but... well... I'd say the clothes upon your back but..." I shot back a similar smile, hoping mine just as teasing and not 80% rapist 20% homicidal maniac. Thankfully it appeared I managed to pull it off because instead of running for the door screaming she let out a giggle that was perhaps the most melodic sound I'd ever heard.

"You're interesting you know?"

"Mm, how so?" she asked, still grinning over our shared joke.

"Well, I know nothing about you except your name, but I feel almost as if I know you," I paused thinking about that, "No that's not right. What's weird is that even though I don't know you, I'm completely comfortable with you."

"And that's strange?"

"For me? Yeah. You don't know me too well but when you do you'll find out I'm perhaps the least suave, least cool, and most awkward person you will ever meet."

"Well thank you... I guess. I feel comfortable with you too," she patted my arm again and we finished our breakfast in near silence, just enjoying the other's company and the view.

***

Mitch opened his eyes and rolled over, glancing at the alarm clock he noted it was 10 o'clock. Fuck why am I up so early on a Saturday? His bladder reminded him. Grumbling, he made his way to the bathroom and relieved himself, hating the need to get out of the warm bed. By the time he returned all last vestiges of sleep had well and truly left him.

Mitch glanced at the blonde beauty lying one side of the bed. Well, since I'm awake I may as well have some fun. He felt his loins stir and slipped back under the covers. Shuffling over to the naked girl he ran a hand down her smooth side, feeling himself grow as his lust increased. His found her large full breast and gave the nipple a little squeeze.

The blonde awoke with a start and felt the hand upon her breast migrate south. She moaned ever so slightly as the digits massaged her thigh, awakening her own sex drive. She could feel the wetness start to seep out of her and didn't care how unlike her this was. She was becoming consumed with lust and rolled over to press herself up against Mitch, shifting her hips so his hand was no longer upon her thigh but instead nestled between her legs.

Mitch indulged the blonde for a minute, massaging her full lips and tracing a solitary finger up and down her slit. She moaned with pleasure and murmured his name. Mitch didn't even try to remember her name; all he cared about was slating his own desire. If she got off well then good, but really it didn't matter much.

He twisted his own body and replaced his hand with his stiffening member, nestling the tip of his cock in her slit. There was no way he could penetrate her in this position, and truth be told he wasn't really ready to yet anyway, but it was fun to tease the bitch. He heard her moan and shift to get into a position to rub her clit against his shaft .Mitch let her for a few seconds before withdrawing and rolling away onto his back.

Her face pouted but she was too overcome with desire to disobey the not-so-subtle instructions. She rolled onto all fours, throwing the sheets and covers off the bed, crawled over to him, and positioned herself between his legs.

The first lick of her tongue against his slick head made him shudder Okay she may be little more than a piece of meat, but she does know how to use her mouth, he conceded as she began to slip her lips over his penis, sliding down until about half of his length was nestled in her.

She repeated the motion several times, slowly licking up and down his shaft and swirling her tongue around his head in between mouthfuls. Occasionally Mitch liked to be teased, something to break up the monotony but not now. Now he wanted to fuck. His hands came up and grabbed a handful of her hair, forcing her lower and making her movements faster and faster. She moaned something inaudible and complied. Mitch was impressed; she had some real skill, deep throating him like a pro. He could feel himself approach the big release but wanted more despite the skilled treatment he was receiving. He disentangled himself from her hair and not to gently pulled her up until she straddled his chest.

He could smell her sex and slipped a hand below to test the waters, she was soaked and he expected she'd been playing with herself whilst pleasuring him. A multitasker, impressive. Maybe I'll keep in touch with this one. His penis was well and truly ready now and pressed firmly along her slit. He let her wriggle up till his head met her opening and enjoyed the look of pure pleasure as she impaled herself upon him.

Perhaps it wasn't fair making her want him like this, but hell she enjoyed it so who was he really hurting right? With great power cums great responsibility. He chuckled at the pun and took a handful of her breasts and squeezed hard, massaging them as she slowly gyrated up and down, forward and back. Mitch started to thrust, his knees bent and slightly raised, angling her towards him so he could reach deeper and deeper in her.

The pace picked up and the rhythmic slap of naked flesh on flesh brought the orgasm closer, he was just about to reach the point of no return when she let out a moan of pleasure and he felt her pussy constrict hard around him. She stopped moving and rode out the orgasm her nails biting deep into his shoulders. Mitch was irritated to say the least, he was so close and she had stopped She had stopped riding him! Such disrespect! His hand slapped her naked ass in punishment as he pistoned into her. Alright, maybe there is some merit to them orgasming too, he was enjoying the tight feel grip she had on his member as he thrust repeatedly. He felt the orgasm approaching, felt the familiar sensation that started deep in his stomach then spread to his balls.

"Ungh," he grunted as he erupted, shoving his cock as far into her as he could.

He gave her a half a minute to recover and let his own breathing settle, before rolling her off him and making his way to the shower. On the way there he noticed the screen of his iPhone lit up with several missed calls. Strange, I didn't even hear it. Maybe I should keep her number?

All thoughts of the blonde quickly fled his mind though, now his thirst was slated and he was all business again. He hit call back and shut the door between him and the bedroom, ignoring the almost motionless blonde still panting on the bed.

"Michael?" He asked as the man on the other end of the line picked up.

"Yup?"

"It's me, you called?"

"Hey man, yeah. Sorry bad time?"

"Nah, all done. What's up?"

"Last night, something happened..."

"Yeah an electrical storm," Mitch cut in, "So what?"

"Well, it's not the storm so much as... well... I think something came with it."

"What?" He was getting excited now, this could be the chance they were waiting for. They weren't weak by any standards, able to easily overwhelm the mild dabblers of the arcane but they weren't a power in the city, not yet.

"I think one fell."

"Really?" Mitch didn't try to suppress the emotion in his voice, if one truly had fallen and they got to it first, well.... His mind raced and a calculating grin spread across his face.

"I'm coming over," He said and switched the phone off. Re-entering the bedroom, not even bothering to wash his hands, he threw the blonde's clothes at her.

"Get out," he snarled, not caring for the hurt expression upon her face. She'd fulfilled her duty; there were more important things to do now!

***

We spent most of the morning sitting on the couch chatting about... well... about me I guess. I'm not sure how it happened but anytime I broached a subject even remotely personal she managed to twist it back to me with a smile.

"...so there I was, holding the bottle when the cops round the corner. So I do the only thing I could think of... drink the evidence," Rachel burst out laughing and I was once again struck at just how sweet and angelic her laugh was, "Yeah, I know right? Okay I may have been a little drunk and not thinking too well. Let me tell you, puking on a cop does not back up a story that you've only had one drinksh."

We descended into laughter again, struggling for breath, when a knock at the door interrupted our mirth. Two things happened with that knock. One: I remembered I was out of carpet cleaner; and two: Rachel freaked out, spilling her second cup of coffee all over the carpet.

"What's wrong?" I asked still smiling, not having taken the same 180 that Rachel had.

"Who's that?" She asked, lips thin and hands clenched so hard her knuckles turned white.

"I dunno, probably just a neighbor or something. Why?"

"Huh? Just... I'm..." she paused and took a deep breath, regaining her composure, "Look at me? What will people think?" She tried to affect a nonchalant air but couldn't quite pull it off.

"Alright, go hide in the bedroom whilst I find out who it is," I grinned at her, feeling only slightly worried.

"Hey jackass, what's taking so long."

Jack, I sighed inwardly. I opened the door to reveal a five foot eight redhead trying to look 'street' in a black cap sporting a big NY.

"What's up?"

"Yo, why didn't you reply to my calls asshole?"

"Because my phone broken. Oh and by the way: you're white."

"Oh shit. You have insurance right?"

"Yeah, thankfully. Still a pain though."

"You gonna let me in or what?" Jack pushed passed me without the invitation and glanced around the room. It took him all of about three seconds to notice the two cups of coffee and the two plates that hadn't quite been cleared up from breakfast.

"Oh you have company, you dog! So where's this hot thing? You kill her and hide her in the tub?" he glanced around the room, either checking for the elusive 'hot thing' or for the mutilated remains of a kidnapped victim, it wasn't clear which.

"She's right here," Rachel reappeared from the bedroom, flawless smile back in place, now sporting a long hoody over the make-do pajamas.

"Wow," Jack's jaw dropped and he stared unabashedly at Rachel's long toned legs.

"Jack, this is Rachel, she's... um... new in town."

"Pleasure to meet you Jack," she held out her hand and Jack shook it, clearly forcing himself to keep his eyes locked on hers.

"The pleasure is all mine. So how do you know Ryan?"

"He saved my life," this put Jack in his place. He took several long looks between me and Rachel.

"No, seriously. How'd you meet Ryan?"

"I wouldn't say I exactly saved your life, I just kinda... took you in..."

"Great, now I feel like a stray cat," She grinned and gently wriggled out of Jack's grasp, who had apparently forgotten how to shake hands, "Anyway, if it's okay I'll leave you two to talk and I might take liberty of your shower?" I nodded my head and she disappeared, a couple of seconds later we heard the water running.

"So...?" Jack asked, eyebrows wiggling like an idiot.

"Not like that," I responded exasperatedly, grabbing a cloth and sponging the carpet.

"So she's just wearing your clothes because?"

"Well, I'm not too sure but I think she was mugged. Kinda stranded in Sydney with no stuff and no friends,"

"Okay I know I've been pushing you to get a girl for like the past two years but I didn't exactly mean you take in a vagrant. She could be... well... anything!"

"Yeah I know I should be more worried but... I'm not. It's weird I just kinda trust her..."

"You're too trusting. Anyway, moving away from your scary new playboy life, you still on for the movies tonight?"

"Um... I dunno," I motioned my head towards the sound of running water, and shrugged my shoulders. Apparently my meaning was clear enough, despite being perhaps one of the least coherent expressions I'd ever exchanged.

"Dude, you've known her for like 24 hours and you're already whipped! C'mon," he punched my shoulder. Ouch ,I thought, he really needs to stop going to the gym... or maybe I should start. "She'll probably be gone as soon as she finishes showering."

I doubt it, she doesn't have any clothes. I chose to keep that thought to myself in case Jack hung around to ambush her once she finished in the bathroom.

"You're right, she'll probably go to... wherever she's going. So yup okay I'm in." Where is that? I thought, I was slightly scared that I hadn't cared before about how little I knew her. Yet another thing to ponder over, I mused, nothing to do with this girl made sense.




R & R Ch. 02



Jack said his goodbyes in the form of grabbing a soda from the fridge and 'bounced' to quote him. I busied myself with cleaning up after breakfast, vacuuming, mopping the balcony, and had finally slumped down on the couch flipping on the TV when Rachel reappeared from the bathroom. It felt like it had been an hour since she had gone in for a shower and a quick glance at the clock on the wall confirmed this.

"Hey," she smiled.

"Hey," I responded, focusing hard on forming words. She looked ultimately sexy in only a white towel that barely covered her breasts and stretched to somehow reach mid upper thigh.

"So..." I said after a while, feeling quite awkward, not sure how to broach the subject of where she was going, "Did you have any plans of where you're going to stay while in town?"

"Um no actually, but... yeah if you don't mind that'd be great! Until I find my feet I could really use it," She smiled sweetly and it took a second to realize what just happened. Hang on, what did I just do? Did I just invite her to stay with me?

The words: 'hang on a minute' were almost out of my mouth before that smile stole all my resolve. "Yeah, no problem," I laughed awkwardly. You tool!

***

I hugged my leather jacket tight around me whilst waiting for the guys to turn up. It was only early May but the weather was being as unpredictable as ever. Two days ago it was sweltering hot and I was forced to forgo the usual jeans for a pair of cargo shorts, but know I was tempted to break out the old thermal underwear.

"Hey man!" Pierre called from across the street, waving as the three of them waited for the red man to turn green. I nodded back and gave a halfhearted wave pretending to be 'that cool guy'. Eventually my friends gave up waiting and dashed across the road in a very small break in traffic.

"Yo," Jack greeted, punching my arm. Okay, that's it I'm going to the gym.

"How's it going?" Pierre asked giving my hand a quick shake. Andrew just nodded and glanced around to see if anybody was watching. Andrew was the epitome of paranoia. He was convinced he was being targeted by the CIA, MI6, KGB, and Mossad. Strangely enough he didn't seem to be worried about the Australian Federal Police.

"Still being followed?" I asked Andrew in mock seriousness.

"Hey, when you idiots get done for intellectual theft, tax fraud, copyright infringement, or some other pussy crime you'll be wishing you were as vigilant as me."

"Speak for yo'self! When I get busted it'll be for shooting some bitch." This particular statement was met with a large resounding and unanimous:

"Jack, YOU'RE WHITE!"

We moved out of the chilly evening air and into the even more frigid movie theater. Why do these places always have to cooled to sub-zero temperatures? We bought four tickets to the nine twenty showing of Battleship despite the advice given by the movie theatre lackey. We struggled through just over two hours of bad dialogue, poorly directed action scenes, disappointing CGI and the less said about the plot the better. The credits weren't met with a standing ovation but instead several handfuls of old popcorn that Hoyts had the gall to charge twenty dollars a bucket for.

We finally emerged feeling as if Universal Pictures had not only stolen two hours of our lives and had the balls to charge for it.

"Well that was crap," Pierre succinctly put it and we all agreed in typical male fashion, grunting and nodding.

"Hey you!" A guy in a long black coat accosted us as we reemerged onto the street.

"Sorry,' I brushed him off, "I don't smoke." A hand grabbed me and I spun around.

"I wasn't asking for a light," I wrenched my arm free and shot him a worried look.

"Okay, chill," I backed up slowly, remembering how much I hated this city sometimes. Just then the freak in the black trench coat was joined with two similarly attired friends. The three bleached blonde guys, all with matching ear gauges and skinny jeans struck a bizarre image. I couldn't tell if they were hipsters, Goths, or some scary new hybrid of the two.

"Smell that?" One of the newcomers said to the first potential neo-Nazi.

"Is it him?" queried the third one.

"No," the first responded, eyes still locked on me, "Not strong enough, but he's been with it. You can still smell it on him."

I was freaking out now, my friends were a half block ahead of me, apparently unaware I wasn't trailing behind, and I didn't particularly enjoy being discussed in the third person by the Draco Malfoy fan club.

"Right, I'm just gonna..." I started to say when the first grabbed my arm again while the second got up close to my face and inhaled deeply.

"Yeah it's been with him." What the fuck?

"Where is it?" the third asked, looking straight into my eyes and grinning creepily. It took me a second to notice what was quite so scary about his grin, and then it struck me. The freak had filed his incisors to long points.

"I have no idea what you're one about but let go," I tried to inject some bravado into my voice but failed miserably. The yanking my arm away part was met with a similar outcome as well.

"The Fallen, where is it?" The first asked, spraying me with spittle. What is it with these guys and filed teeth?

"What the fu..." I started but abruptly ran out of all breath when a hard punch collided with my very soft stomach. I would have fallen backwards if it wasn't for the vice like grip twihard number one had on my arm. Oh shit.

"Take him," the second said, glancing over my shoulder at what I fervently hoped were my friends coming to my rescue. I was still winded, trying to force some air back into my lungs when the second hit collided. They had targeted my jaw this time, and did a fantastic job of finding it too. My face exploded in pain but I couldn't spare any breath to cry out, instead I felt tears well in my eyes.

Another attempt to break. Another failure. I was vaguely aware of being half carried half dragged in the opposite direction of my three friends. No, I thought, it won't happen to me. I won't be a mugging gone wrong! The gunshot threatened to echo around my head, and I struggled to suppress it, pushing back the screams of my dying parents.

I struck out with one leg, barely able to see, but felt it collide with something hard. Please let it be a knee, please let it be a knee! It appeared for the first time tonight lady luck was on my side. The hand gripping my suddenly let go and I was falling backwards, I hit the pavement hard, my back bruised and aching. My sense were slolwly coming back to me, the previous cloudy vision was clearing now it was as if earmuffs had been removed I could suddenly hear the world around me again. I forced a trickle of air down my windpipe and focused on the reassuring sound issuing from behind me: the thumping of feet pounding along the pavement.

Click. An ominous metallic sound reached my ears, one filled with dread and hinting softly at pain. I scanned until I saw the source of that noise and shivered when I found it: a switchblade now adorned the second man's hand. The first assailant was still gripping his knee and rolling around on the ground whilst the third fumbled in his jacket for a similar weapon.

"Tell me where it is and I'll let you live," the second leant over me, the knife coming scarily close to my throat. I could feel the hot breath upon my cheek and smelt the faint metallic smell of blood. Then all of a sudden...

WHAM! Jack slammed into the guy leaning over me, tackling him hard to the ground. Pierre had adopted a fighter's stance opposite the third guy whilst Andrew was hastily dragging me to my feet. Seeing my reinforcements, third guy took off running leaving his two friends writhing on the ground in pain.

"You okay?" Andrew asks and I manage to cough in confirmation, "Jack?"

"Hell yeah!" He's now kneeling on his target's chest, one hand clenched firmly but not too tightly around the guy's throat as a deterrent to anything stupid. I saw his other hand pick up the switch blade and deposit it in his pocket, "Always wanted one of these."

"What were you trying to do with our friend?' Pierre, eloquent as ever, was squatting near the first one.

"Piss off," He responded and was met with a loud slap in the face for his rudeness.

"Should we call the cops?" Pierre asks us, glancing around the group.

"No way!" Andrew said, taking a couple steps back and for once I agreed with his paranoia.

"Yeah, I'm with Drew on this," I chipped in, "I'm not too sure how legal what I did was. We were taught to only target the knee in an emergency."

"What the hell do you think that was fool?" pitched in Jack, still astride the now knifeless guy on the ground.

"You're not black," we all lazily respond. There aren't too many people out on the streets at this hour but I start to see a couple here and there reaching for cell phones. People who were too scared to do anything before when I was being dragged to god knows where were now finally finding their courage.

"Hey, listen let's get out of here," I said, taking a couple of steps back to stand with Andrew.

"Agreed," Pierre stood up and crossed to Jack, where he put a hand on his shoulder indicating he should rise. We all start to backpedal, watching the two on the ground start to compose themselves, then almost as one we turn and start to run. There's no real reason why we do but it just feels right. I'm shaking with the adrenaline dump and am grateful for the chance to burn it off. We run for a good ten minutes before slowing to a walk.

"What the... hell was... that about," Andrew pants heavily.

"Not sure," I respond, equally as out of breath.

"Looks like they were after you mate," Jack says, not even a little bit winded. Okay that's it, I'm definitely going to the gym.

"No shit... Sherlock,"

"Listen, I don't know about you guys but I'm going to head home," Pierre says and we all agree. Normally we'd go out for a few pints and maybe a kebab but nobody really feels like it. Andrew recommends we do a thing called a SDR, Surveillance Detection Route, to make sure we're not being followed and we all give him smiles that clearly say: 'You read way too many spy books.'

We part ways and I half walk half jog the rest of the way home, not quite being able to shake the feeling that I'm being watched. I don't take my regular short cut down the alleys and back streets but instead keep to the considerably longer but considerably better lit main streets.

***

"Hey, how was the movie?" Rachel greets me, holding a glass of red wine and muting the TV.

"Bad," I responded, then spied the wine, "Good idea!"

I moved to the stand along bench that spirited the kitchen from the living room and poured a very large glass of wine, then continued to pour until it threatened to spill over the top. I leveled off two thirds in one very large sip before placing the glass back down and taking a deep calming breath. I'm home, I'm safe.

"Wow," She said, "That bad huh?"

"No but... oh god where did you find this?" I struggled not to gag and regretted taking such a large gulp.

"Your wine rack," She responded, flashing me a large grin, "So if it wasn't the movie why did you suddenly turn into an alco?"

"Well I've just experienced my first... well maybe not a mugging but... attempted abduction?"

"Oh god," she was on her feet and had a comforting hand upon my back before I could blink. Well at least one good thing came out of tonight. Oh you tool!

"Yeah I know, some weird freaks who looked like extras in the Underworld films accosted me outside the cinema. They just kept going on and on about how I smelt of 'it' and where 'it' was... I think they called it the Fallen?" Another gasp and for the second time that day Rachel dropped her drink. Great, why didn't I pick up some carpet cleaner?

"Oh god I'm so sorry!" Rachel blurted out, her face etched with worry.

"Huh? You okay?" Why on earth was she so worked about it, I mean Sydney's not exactly the softest place in the world but it's hardly Gothem City, muggings happen every day to people just like me.

"I never meant to hurt you! I'm so sorry! I should leave, I should..." she started moving around in circles, stressing and freaking out but not actually doing anything.

"What do you mean you never meant to hurt me?" Things were starting to come together but I wasn't sure if I liked or even believed the image that was forming.

"It's me! I'm the thing they can smell on you! I'm the Fallen!" She blurted out, yelling at me, tears in her eyes, her hands gesticulating wildly.

"Fallen what?" I asked, not sure whether to comfort the clearly distraught woman or back up slowly, hide the knives, and call the men in white coats.

"Fallen Angel!"



R & R Ch. 03



Author's note: I apologize for the delay in getting this to you! It has been a hectic time in my life at the moment and I've also been working on something else, something more zombie related. I hope you enjoy and I apologize for the lack of too much plot development but I felt Rachel and Ryan needed some time to get to know each other! As always I love and welcome all comments, critiques or otherwise. Thanks and I hope you enjoy!

Chapter 3
Stranger than fiction

"A what? A fucking... a fucking what?"

"A Fallen Angel," it was scary how calmly she said it. Okay, she's insane. Get rid of her. It was way too good to be true. Accept you're an idiot and fix the fucking problem.

"Right, sure," I backed away, putting some distance between myself and the clearly insane woman. All the clues were there and I was an idiot for not seeing it. Who run's naked through a university at night? She doesn't have anywhere to go and is reluctant to answer any questions about herself. Yup a total nut job and you let her into your home!

"You don't believe me?" the calmness was now creeping me out, I was scared she was about to laugh hysterically, grab a knife and stab me thirty three times.

"No, no I don't. Listen, I really think it might be better if you leave..." My legs hit the counter, I'd run out of space to retreat.

"Fine, I'll show you," Huh what? Then I saw them. One second in front of me stood a five foot six brunette wearing a ragged hoody and an old pair of exercise shorts; the next second in front of me stood the exact same woman wearing the exact same clothes except this time there was one major difference: from her back sprouted a pair of white feathery wings.

"Those... are wings," okay a ridiculously obvious statement but give me a break, my entire world had just been turned upside down. Angels exist? And one stands in front of me right now? I looked down at my glass of wine I had managed to keep a hold of and wondered if it had been drugged. Maybe this was a hallucination? Was I going into shock? WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON HERE?  I veritably screamed inside my own head.

Rachel approached slowly, as one would a timid wild animal, and gently placed a hand upon my forehead. Coolness radiated from her touch, my heart rate slowed, and my mind began to work again. The beautiful wom... angel still stood in front of me, but now instead of freaking out I began to consider the facts logically.

I found her naked lying in the rain. She doesn't know anybody and doesn't have a place to stay. She is guarded about her past. All the things that moments before made her a veritable maniac now could potentially make her an angel. It was all too much and my head was exploding with pain, despite the calming influence of Rachel's touch. 

"Alright, so suppose, just suppose, I believe you. What does it mean?" Rationally it didn't make any sense; none of it made any sense, but deep down I think I knew that she spoke the truth.

"It means I've endangered you. I'm... well... there's an entire world out that you have no clue about," Her powerful confident façade cracked slightly. I was suddenly aware of how close she was. How her long delicate fingers with perfectly sculpted nails were caressing my forehead. How I could feel her warm breath play across my cheek. How her large flawless breasts pressed hard into me.

"So tell me," Calmly now, my voice had gained some control, my mind had stopped racing, and rationality had reasserted itself. For the moment, despite how unbelievable it all sounded, I was going to take her at her word.

We sat close together on the couch, despite there being plenty of space for each of us to spread out, needing to maintain the contact with one another. She told me of the world that was out there, the world which was hidden from the general society. She told me about the arcane users, creatures of myth, and about other unbelievable dangers, and to how all of these things she was a source of immense power, a power now unprotected. She told me how she had no allies, only enemies. She told me of a life I hadn't even dreamt of in my wildest fantasies.

"So, why did you fall?" It was one topic she hadn't touched upon, hadn't offered gave any clue what so ever.

"It's... complicated," there it was again, her reticence.

"Try me, I'm not too stupid,"

"I... disobeyed. I won't go further into it; it's not for mortals to know. Just understand that I've been cast out and until I can right a wrong I'll be stuck here."

"What wrong?"

"I don't know. I have one final chance to prove myself, to do something good for humanity. If I succeed I'll be taken back, if I fail... well," she didn't go into it but it was as clear as the day is long that in this case, failure was not an option.

"Oh, right," I responded somewhat lamely, waiting for my mind to supply my mouth with more poignant words, "So what do we do now?"

"Well, we wait. I'll know what it is when I see it; but for the time being I need to rest and recuperate. Just the calming I used on you right now took nearly all my strength and I should be able to do that in my sleep," I suddenly saw through the fake calm façade and saw an individual drained and shaking, a scared and desperate girl replaced the strong and powerful woman.

"Oh right, sorry," Once again my brain struggled for words. Rachel patted my knee and got to her feet, wobbling slightly. She had barely taken a step towards the bedroom before she paused and spun around. As if on a whim she suddenly moved her face close to mine and pressed her delicate soft lips against my own.

She tasted of strawberries, cream, and champagne; her lips were silky smooth and full of fire; her kiss took my breath away and blocked out every other thing in the universe. No sooner had her lips touched mine then it was over, mere seconds to the atomic clock but to me it was eons. So astonished and taken aback was I that I didn't even have time to respond before she had broken it off and put a bit of space between us.

"Interesting," That damned grin again, and with that one word she moved to the bedroom and shut the door. That click of the latch brought the universe crashing back in on me, and in that moment it was real. She had kissed me: the stars had sung, the flowers had bloomed, and I could feel the world spinning.

***

Another fitful night on the couch, another set of strange dreams, and another early rise. This time, however, Rachel emerged before I'd even finished my shower and upon exiting the bathroom I was met with a large cup of black coffee and a fantastic breakfast spread out on the table.

"Morning,"

"Morning," I responded, feeling slightly uneasy after the late night kiss we had shared: the kiss which would haunt me for the rest of my life.

"I'm sorry you had to sleep on the couch again, it completely fled my mind. Tonight I'll take the couch," 

"Thanks," I sat down and started shoveling runny egg into my mouth and chasing it with large sips of the bitter coffee.

"What's your plan for the day?" It was clear she was trying to engage me in conversation and I hated myself that I couldn't comply with her wishes. One kiss and you turn into a thirteen year old? C'mon for once don't be an idiot.

"Well, first thing first, I need to get a new phone," I looked her over and decided that as nice as my old clothing looked on her she might need some of her own, "Why don't you come with and get some clothes?"

"Well I don't really have any money," she started but I cut in before she could finish the thought.

"I've been thinking, why don't you stick with me for a while? I'm already in danger so it can't hurt having you around, and hell we'll both be safer together! And, if we team up it's the least I can do to loan you some cash," my heart raced and I tried to control my breathing. In the last five seconds I had made the biggest decision of my life. I had just extended to her the opportunity to throw my lot in with hers, to battle the underworld by her side. I'd be lying if I said it was because I was just a good guy and that it had nothing to do with the kiss. Hell, for another kiss I'd go with her to hell and back!

"Oh," That was not what I was expecting. 'Of course!' or 'That's a great idea' or even 'Oh Ryan, I love you!' those were all on the list of top things I wanted to come out of her mouth, but that one syllable, those two short letters, they were most certainly not what I wanted to hear.

"Right, sorry. Forget I sai..." it was Rachel who did the cutting off this time though.

"Ryan, you are too sweet. You don't know me at all, you can only guess at the dangers that would come with that, and some part of you must think that this is all a dream, and yet you'd still offer to do that for me? You are what gives humanity a chance at redemption!"

"Really?" I was ecstatic, over the moon, high as a kite, and a thousand other flippant, overused metaphors. So happy was I that I didn't even register upon that last sentence she had slipped in there.

"Yes, if you will still help me, I will gladly take your help," We shook hands to seal the deal and for the rest of breakfast we both wore giant grins whilst making small talk.

***

Pierre helped Angelina out of the car and shut the door behind her. He admired for the umpteenth time the way her dark blue jeans hugged her shapely behind and how the light cotton shirt shifted minutely with each step so one second she was showing enough cleavage to tantalize the purest of men, but the next she would be as modest as a nun.

"So, remind me again why we're here?" Her soft voice was perhaps her most attractive feature, almost singing each sentence as it passed her lips.

"Well Ryan said he's got a friend staying and he bag was lost at the airport, so she's in dire need of some clothes and suggested that you might like to take her shopping,"

"Right, and you just assumed that I'd have nothing better to do than entertain Ryan's friends?"

"No," Pierre responded with a coy grin, "I heard the word shopping." The soft playful slap that met his cheek was less of a chastising and more of a reminder of how much he loved her.

"You'll pay for this,"

"What was the slap then?" He asked, not picking up on her real meaning.

"Oh that was for being cheeky. No what I meant was: credit card please?" she stuck out her hand and waited until he passed over the visa card. Who said I can't have my cake and eat it too? She thought as they entered the building and rode the elevator to ninth floor.

***

"That must be them," I called out to Rachel when I heard the knock on the door. I hoped she and Angelina got on, it was hard to imagine her not getting along with anybody but Angelina could be... tricky. She was great to her friends and an amazing girlfriend to Pierre but she could be mean to those she didn't like.

"Just coming," Rachel appeared from the bedroom in a pair of my very old jeans and a purple polo shirt that had been accidently shrunk in the dryer the year before. I had to admit she looked good even in those. Her blond hair fell to her shoulders and her green eyes sparkled with a joke only known to herself. I could barely help myself from staring at her large unsupported breasts, still firm and perky, and the small slight indentation that betrayed her nipples. I finally tore my gaze away and shuffled awkwardly to the door, all too conscious of the effect she had on my body.

"Morning," I greeted, clasping Pierre's hand and receiving a brief hug from Angelina.

"Hey man," Pierre responded whilst Angelina only smiled and moved past me. No sooner where the two of them in the room then I heard a very audible sigh erupt from both their lips, it appeared Rachel didn't only look good to me.

"Hi," Rachel's melodic voice," you must be Angelina."

"Hey, pleasure to meet you," I shut the door and entered the living space to find Angelina and Rachel beaming at each other and shaking hands. Good, looks like they won't end up fighting after all! 

After a brief introduction we piled into Andrew's car and set off for the local shopping mall. We joked along like old friends, which three of us were, and I was glad to see Rachel slipping easily into our gently teasing mannerisms. When we finally reached Broadway Shopping Center and parked we split up, the girls going to buy some clothes whilst I took Pierre to see about replacing my phone. 

***

"So what is your normal style?" Angelina asked Rachel when the boys had left them and they were alone in the busy shopping center.

"Sorry?"

"I mean, what clothes do you normally wear?"

"Oh," Rachel took a second to think about it, "Togas." This caused Angelina to burst out laughing for several seconds until she realized that Rachel didn't seem to share in the mirth.

"Right, well let's start with personals then see where that leaves us!" She grabbed Rachel's hand and veritably dragged her towards the local Bra N Things. Rachel was astonished by the risqué mannequins posing provocatively in the display. She hesitated before crossing the threshold behind Angelina.

"Don't worry, it's not all crotch-less panties and garter belts," teased Angelina, more than a little pleased by her new friend's unease, it was nice to get one up on this stunning, funny, intelligent woman.

Rachel, having no knowledge of bra sizes, never even having worn a bra before, got fitted and was quite surprised that the 36 D was apparently quite an envious measurement. She brushed off the comment from the fitter with a non-committal 'oh' and left the fitting room to rejoin Angelina.

After half an hour, a bag full of underwear ranging from purely functional to several sexy little numbers, and two hundred and fifty dollars added onto Ryan's credit card, the two of them left the store.

For another two hours the two girls hit up store after store, buying a pair of jeans here, a couple of skirts there, t-shirts and blouses from one store, and dresses from another. Rachel was exhausted and weighed down with more shopping than she could believe when they finally left the last clothing store and sat on a bench to catch their breath.

"So shall we find the boys?" Rachel asked her new friend Angie, they had hit it off fairly well after Angelina had gotten over her initial jealously and discovered Rachel to be a truly caring person.

"Are you kidding?" 

"Um... no?"

"Oh honey, we haven't even gotten to the best part yet!" After a nonplussed look on Rachel's face Angie continued, "Shoes!"

***

When the girls finally rejoined us three things struck me immediately; firstly Rachel was weighed down with a veritable mountain of shopping, secondly the girls were chatting and getting along like old friends, and thirdly my newly found Angel was more stunning than any girl I had ever seen!

She had clearly changed into a few of her new purchases and now wore a slimming white blouse under a light grey cardigan atop a pair of high, hip hugging bootleg jeans which fell lightly over a pair of leather kitten heel boots. I heard a whistle and it took a minute to realize it came from my own mouth. Well hell, she does look good!

"Hey boys," Angie greeted, sliding onto the seat next to Pierre and greeting him with a quick peck on the lips, "You get the phone all sorted?"

"Yup, brand new iPhone for the cheap price of your eternal soul," I flinched involuntarily, a few days before I would have barely registered the comment but that was before a fallen Angel had moved in with me.

"Sorry?" Rachel asked, sliding into the seat next to me, needless to say she didn't greet me in the same way as Angie had Pierre, much to my great regret.

"Pierre is an android fan," I filled her in, "It's another type of phone."

"No, it's a type of operating system," Pierre corrected, irritatingly.

"Sorry Andrew," I mocked.

"Hey, I am not that pedantic! Or paranoid..."

"Now, now," Angie broke up the friendly banter, glancing around to make sure we weren't making a scene. I like her, and there was no doubt she's the best thing that has ever happened to Pierre but she was incredibly superficial at times.

"So what's on the plan for the rest of the day?" Pierre asked.

"Fancy a film?" Angelina responded.

"Nah, just saw on last night,"

"Oh, c'mon! Titanic 3D is still playing,"

"And why would I ever want to go and watch that? I can watch in perfectly fine 2D at home for free. Do you really think..." I stopped listening to the bickering couple because I was instantly aware of the regular glances being shot our way by the two at the next table. No, I corrected, not our way, just towards Rachel and me. I'd never seen them before and was fairly certain they weren't just checking Rachel out. Maybe I'd read too many spy books, or last night's encounter scared me, but it seemed to me almost as if they were sizing us up.

"Hey, why don't we go back to mine," No, not there, just in case they follow us. My mind was spinning, trying to cope with this new world that I'd suddenly been thrown into. I knew I was probably being paranoid but hell, if a little bit of paranoia saved a lot of heartache I was happy to indulge, "Or better yet, what about Circular Quay? It's Rachel's first time in the city and it's a lovely Sunday afternoon."

"Yeah, We're in," assented Angie, speaking for both herself and Pierre.

"Alright then," we got up from the table and headed back to the car. I was relieved to see that the two men at the table behind us didn't follow or make any move to show they even cared we'd left, but I still couldn't shake the feeling they were interested in Rachel and I.

***

"So that was the Angel?" Mitch asked when the four got up from the table and headed off towards the car park.

"Yeah, the blonde one, with her protector and I assume his friends," Mike filled in.

"So why didn't we just take them? He doesn't look too fierce to me and she radiated about as much power as a freshly spawned imp!"

"Haven't you been listening? Two bats turned up in hospital last night, no real reports but from what I figure they got greedy and tried to take him on and... well now they're in pretty poor shape,"

"Two bats? You're basing your judgment on the fact that two pussy little vamps got their asses handed to them? Hell, I could do that in my sleep!" Mitch was angry, it was clearly written across his face and little tendrils of red power seeped from his pores, clearly visible to those who could see that spectrum.

"Were you to busy lusting over her long blonde hair and untapped potential that you failed to take in protector's power?" Mike's voice was low, calm and had only a hint of despair. He was all to used to Mitch's fuck-first-think-later attitude and if it wasn't for his not inconsiderable skill Mitch would have ditched him years ago.

"Oh, c'mon,"

"Look closer next time. It's true he doesn't have the gift, but that doesn't mean he's not powerful. Trust me, we don't want to go head to head with that boy."

"So what do you suggest?" Mitch asked, more than use to Michael being three steps ahead of him.

"We let the wolves do it for us of course," Michael watched the grin spread over Mitch's face and felt a slight thrill of excitement spread through his body. While his partner got his thrills from fast cars and loose women, Michaels pleasures were more subtle; nothing made him feel more alive than crafting an elaborate plot and dragging unsuspecting victims into it. It was like acting and gambling, a thrill that was both exciting and terrifying, with just one wrong roll of the dice, one line misdelivered, it could all be over.

***

"God I'm exhausted," I exclaimed, slumping to the couch and making a sigh of contented relief. I propped my feet up on the coffee table and shut my eyes, just enjoying the feeling of sitting.




R & R Ch. 03



"I know! But it was a great day! And that light show was amazing! How clever where they? I mean it really looked like the Opera House was shattering!" She was talking about the light show we'd just finished seeing, where they projected fantastic images upon the Sydney Opera House. 

"Mhmm, was great," I agreed, my eyes still closed and listening to Rachel bustling around in the kitchen. It had been an wonderful day: an afternoon spent in the Botanical Gardens, a quick trip to the National Museum of Historic Art, dinner at The Oyster Bar upon Circular Quey, drinks at The Belgian Beer Café until late into the evening, and then finally taking in the iconic Sydney Opera House decked out in all the colours of the rainbow where some geniuses made it look as if it was shattering, as if a giant fist erupted from it, and a hundred other fantastic things!

"Here," Rachel said, pushing something into my hand.

"Thanks" I said, opening my eyes to find myself holding a glass of chilled white wine, the perfect end to a perfect day.

"No thank you... for everything. For the shopping, for the day of sightseeing, for letting me stay here, and well... for being a great guy in general,"

I took a long draught of the wine and was relieved to discover it was a great deal better than the bottle we'd had last night. I was tired and the wine was going straight to my head. The fuzzyness started to descend and I welcomed it like an old friend. I'm not an alcoholic but sometimes a nice glass of wine at the end of the day is the perfect relaxant, especially when at the back of your mind there is the constant thought that maybe that man who is looking at you isn't just being a pervert and checking out the sexy blonde, but is actually an angel hunter, looking to absorb her power for his own depraved means.

"Honestly, it was noth..." I started to say but was immediately cut off by her lips pressing against mine. They were as soft and as warm as I remembered, and I kissed her back fervently, lost in the passion that we shared. The kisses became harder and before long we were kissing with open mouths, our tongues flicking against each other's. She tasted of strawberries and the fruity wine we were enjoying. She was pressed up close against me now, and I used the minute part of brainpower I had left to place the wine glass upon the coffee table rather than let it tumble from my hands as I was tempted to do.

Her perfumed scent filtered through my nostrils and I groaned into her mouth. She smelt of nutmeg, roses and coffee and it intoxicated me more than anything I could imagine. She climbed into my lap and I wrapped my arms around her, tracing her back delicately, our tongues entwining whilst our hands explored the other's body. 

She traced my pecks with her fingertips, her feather-light touches causing a stirring deep within me. I slipped one hand to her posterior and pulled her tight against me, I could feel her breasts pressed up hard against my chest. Her hands were suddenly gripping the side of my head, pulling my mouth hard against hers. 

My member was getting harder and harder, it had been a long time since I'd been this close to a woman and I was lost with passion, my mind no longer caring that this was absurd, stupid and completely insensible.

Holding her tight I started to stand, she wrapped her legs around me and let me carry her into the bedroom. No sooner were my shins knocking against the bottom of the bed frame than we were tumbling to the mattress. I lay atop her now, nested betwixt her thighs whilst, our mouths still pressed hard against the others. 

I could feel her nails trace up and down my back through my shirt, something that always got me going, and I wanted more. Maybe it was the six months since the last time I'd had sex, maybe it was how wonderful and exotic Rachel was, or maybe it was something deeper: some inane recognition that we needed to be together. Whatever it was, I started to undo the buttons on the front of her blouse, revealing tantalizing views of skin and more than a little cleavage. 

Without warning, taking me completely by surprise, she suddenly rolled over until I was flat on my back, and she was straddling my waste, grinding her denim clad crotch over my, by now very hard, penis. 

"Don't you know it's rude not to ask?" she teased, the first words exchanged since we started making out. Her blouse was a quarter undone and I could just make out the red lace of a bra peaking through the shirt opening. My hands started to lift to continue their task of undressing her but she wrestled them back to the bed, holding them above my head with one hand. If I'd really wanted I could have wriggled free, but I decided it would be better to let her take over. 

She began to trace my chest again, her fingers delicately separating buttons from the eyeholes, exposing my bare chest. When she reached the bottom, pulling the last two inches out of my jeans, she through the shirt wide open and leant down trailing soft kisses down my chest, flicking a tongue across my nipple, causing a shudder to course through my body.

Her warm breath raised goose bumps, a moan escaped my lips and my member twitched, uncomfortably restrained by me jeans. Her kisses trailed higher, until she was sucking and biting at my neck. Normally I don't really enjoy that but from her it was like fire playing across my skin, painful but pleasuring at the same time! 

I lay there for five minutes, letting her mouth and tongue explore my chest, neck and lips. I was getting worked up and I knew she was too, her hips were gyrating against mine and she had completely forgotten to hold my hands above my head, using both of her own hands to explore my chest and body.

It was time to turn the tables, literally, I executed a very similar move to which she had a few minutes before, and flipped her onto her back, myself nestled between her again.

"Close your eyes," I commanded and she obliged. I wasted no time in ridding her off her shirt, leaving her only in a pair of tight jeans and a very sexy red lace bra, straining to contain her large full breasts. I stared transfixed for a moment before regaining my composure and attacking her with kisses. I took out my sexual frustration upon her neck, biting and sucking hard, eliciting many moans from her and causing her to writhe beneath me. My lips migrated south, licking her soft skin, grazing the soft warm flesh of her breasts with my lips, making her shiver and shudder. My hands were not lying uselessly at my side, but were instead stroking her tight stomach and sides. I kissed down her cleavage until I reached the bottom of her bra, then I continued south, spending only a few seconds to lavish her belly button with kisses. 

I reached the top her jeans and, whilst my right hand tickled her side and my left gently massaged her bra clad breast, began to teethe the button on her jeans undone. After a frustrating minute I finally had it undone and, with her wriggling to help, I began to peel her out of the skin tight jeans.

"Wow," I gasped, when she lay near naked upon the duvet. The matching red lace bra and panties was almost too much to take. I was fairly sure that my erection was more than a little pronounced, a conclusion bolstered by the glances she kept paying to my crotch. 

"You like?" She asked coyly, striking a provocative pose. I flung off the shirt which was barely hanging on my shoulders, and veritably jumped upon her. We started making out again, the key difference this time was that our warm flesh pressed hard against each others. She hugged me tight, but as our tongues entwined once more she wriggled a hand between our bodies. At first I thought she was trying to separate us, perhaps cool down this heated affair, but my worries were soon abated when she started to struggle with my belt. I'm not sure what it is but every girl I've ever known carnally has had troubled undoing a guy's belt. I let her struggle for half a minute before lending a hand. No sooner was my belt coiled on the ground atop my shirt then she was working on my jeans. Half a second later they too joined the pile of ever growing clothes. I wriggled out of my socks, using just my feet, and suddenly we were both in just our underwear.

My cock was barely contained by my dark grey boxers, straining to leap free from its confinement. I pressed my member up between her panty clad nether lips and we both moaned. Our tongues attacked each other more fiercely as we humped upon the bed. 

I slipped a hand behind her and in a deft movement unclasped her bra, freeing the large full orbs of milky white flesh. Her red puffy nipples were elongated and I broke our kiss momentarily to take one of the large nipples into my mouth. I sucked without abandon and I could feel her quiver beneath me. My left hand started to massage the breast again, hard and deep, it was so warm and so soft and firm that I almost came right then and there just from touching her!

"Do you want to...?" I asked, releasing the large nipple from my mouth and looking deep into those green eyes.

"Yes," she replied breathily, reaching between us again to graze a soft palm against my erection. I twitched involuntarily and smiled, I let her caress my penis for several long seconds before slipping away from the sensual touch. It took all my resolve not just to let her massage me to an orgasm right then and there!

I slipped down her body until I was poised just above the sexy lace panties she wore and with shaky hands gently slipped them off her waist, revealing inch by inch of bare skin. I was surprised to find her shaved and felt my cock twitch yet again with anticipation. 

Her sex glistened with her desire and barely a second had passed between her underwear lying on the floor and my lips kissing her smooth mound. I trailed soft kisses up and down her outer lips, delighting in her heavenly musk. I couldn't wait to dip my tongue into the deep reservoir of passion and taste euphoria. I gently teased open her outer lips, which required very little work, and for the first time gently flicked my tongue across the small nub of her clitoris. 

Oh my god! It was the most enticing taste ever, unlike anything I'd ever had before. I dove in without abandon, giving her long licks from her moist opening to the top of her clitoris, placing a small kiss upon the button of joy after every kiss. Before long her hands had found my ears and she was pressing me into her, ordering me quite vocally to go "Faster! Faster!"

I felt her quiver beneath me, felt her orgasm rush through her body, and heard her scream escape from her lips. I slowed and finally stopped my caress of her slit, raising my face from her crotch to see her looking at me with glazed eyes. I quickly cleaned my face and crawled up the bed beside her and let her rest her head upon my shoulder as she recovered from her orgasm. 

"Oh my god, that was... that was amazing!" I couldn't help but smile from the compliment, "No wonder humans are so obsessed with this!"

"So I'm good then?"

"Well, I don't have anything to compare it to but... I'd say that!" Hang on... my mind was whirring, was that your first...?

"You mean that was your first orgasm?"

"My first orgasm, my first time with a guy, and let me tell you it could not have been better!" I lay there stunned for a second. 

"Well, I'm glad you enjoyed it but I'm sorry if we rushed into anything... I never realized..." I I was babbling feeling stupid. Fallen Angel you idiot! Of course she's never been with anybody before! It was hard to have these rational thoughts whilst my blood flow was directed towards my penis that was still pointing towards the heavens like a marble obelisk.

"Are you kidding? It was amazing," She lifted her head from my shoulders and rolled to her side, slipping her left leg atop my right. I could faintly feel the remnants of her moistness upon my thigh and my member twitched again.

"Do you mind," She asked, her hand tracing down my belly towards my crotch. What was I going to say: No, don't worry about it? I probably should have, I should have been the better guy and just lavished her with more orgasms but I was horny as hell and it's not every day a stunning blonde offers me a hand job. All I could do was nod in assent and the groan as her small hands wrapped around my 6 ½ inch penis. I wasn't large by any means, but I'd never had any complaints before and I wasn't expecting any from her either.

She began to massage the shaft with her hands, stroking up and down, her fingers occasionaly gliding over the head eliciting more moans from me. I could feel my balls tighten and knew the end was coming soon. I was barely hanging on and she'd only been at it for two minutes! It was both a testament to her skill and how horny she had made me but I was almost ready to explode! She may have been a novice but there was no way she was untalented! 

I felt the orgasm draw close, felt the clenching in the pit of my stomach begin, and I began to thrust into her hands. As if by telepathy she held me tighter and stroked me faster, pumping my cock up and down with amazing dexterity and speed!

I couldn't hold on any longer, the pleasure was far too intense and I relaxed, letting the orgasm over take my body! I felt myself spurt six or seven times whilst she kept massaging me and I finally had to put a hand over hers to get her to stop.

It was amazing, it was as if every ounce of tension had fled my body and I just lay there for a minute in the afterglow, loving how I couldn't feel my legs, how my heart still raced even though the excitement was over.

"Wow," I finally managed to get out between pants, "That was amazing."

"I was about to say the same thing," We stared into each other's eyes and kissed deeply once more. We were both covered in bodily fluids and desperately needed cleaning up, we adjourned to the bathroom where I turned on the shower and we lost ourselves in a long relaxing evening of washing the other's body before exploring our passion once again.



R & R Ch. 04



So, it's been a while but this is the latest in R&R, I recommend reading parts 1-3 for plot development but if you like being confused and bewildered well then just read this one :D Enjoy!

***

A soft, warm hand caressed my crotch and for a second I thought I was still dreaming, but no there was no doubt a moment later when the hand began to massage my hardening member. I let out a small moan and opened my eyes a fraction.

Next to me lay Rachel, glorious in all her nudity with one hand slipped beneath the covers that half covered the two of us. She slowly stroked me whilst a giant grin that reached her eyes played across her flawless face.

"Morning," She whispered coyly in my ear. I've created a monster, a quick thought flashed through my mind. Not only had we been up to the wee hours of the previous night masturbating the other, but here she was, barely five hours later, waking me up by perhaps the best way possible.

"Morning yourself," I grunted back, fairly distracted by the pressure and slow gyrating motion she exerted on my penis. By now I was stiff as I could ever remember and I was wet with my precum. Rachel leant over and kissed me softly on my mouth, whilst she continued to play with my penis. I was amazed at her ability to multi-task. I could barely return the kiss and I wasn't even doling out any pleasure, just receiving it!

She quickened her pace and thankfully stopped kissing me, instead studying my face with abject fascination. I began to thrust my hips and dipped a hand beneath the covers to place upon her own, guiding her in a rotating motion over the head, sending deep tendrils of pleasure shooting from my groin to all over my body.

"Faster, harder," I grunted, letting my hand fall as I lay back and enjoyed the show. I was surprised to feel a second hand upon my shaft, moving in tandem with the one clenched around my head. I couldn't hold back, I couldn't prolong the dump of pleasure that she had just delivered. With a load moan bordering upon a scream I let go, feeling squirt after squirt erupt from my member to splash into her hands and over my crotch.

"Wow," was all I could think to say, lying spent and panting.

"Well, you've a busy day ahead of you and I wanted to thank you for everything... again,"

I rolled my head to the side and felt my heart flutter as I gazed upon her. She sat, cross legged, her hands still upon my crotch, her long blond hair running down her front just covering up her nipples. 

"God you're amazing," I half sat up and rotated to move my face closer to hers, she understood my point and leant down to join me in a loving kiss.

"I know," she responded after we broke our kiss, getting up and trotting off to the bathroom to clean up. I couldn't help myself and I stared at her ass the entire way, feeling a pang of lust at the way the cute heart shaped posterior bounced ever so slightly.

Unfortunately I didn't have time to return the favor, already running late from her morning surprise, and I barely had time to shower, gulp down a cup of hot bitter coffee, and give her a quick kiss and a promise to return the favor tenfold when I returned before I ran out the door to start a new week at university.

***

It was one o'clock and I was lying back on the deceptively uncomfortable s-shaped wooden chairs that were dotted around the large green in the center of the engineering campus. A crossword lay open on my lap, a blue ball point pen dangling almost forgotten in my right hand. I hadn't been able to wipe the smile off my face all day, a look which had incited more than a little ridicule from Jack and Peter, another friend in my course. 

I let the sunlight caress my body, enjoying one of the last fine warm days we were likely to have before winter came. I had another three hours of class this afternoon but knew I'd be distracted throughout – something to do with the hot, horny blonde angel that waited at home for me.

I glanced around the large open area, examining the people around me. There was the usual smattering of couples, stealing a solitary hour to snuggle together on the aptly named 'make-out chairs', circles of four or five people lying on the grass, playing cards or just chatting, and the ever constant foot traffic that cut through on their way to class, home or for a much needed caffeine boost.

Three days ago I would have just smiled and gone back to the cross word, but not today. Despite how relaxed I was feeling I couldn't quite shake the sense of unease that had been near and never forgotten since Rachel shared her deepest secret with me. Now every glance in my direction was enemy surveillance and anybody moving towards me or even in a fifteen meter radius was an assailant hoping to get the drop on me. 

Enough, I admonished, what's going to happen? Werewolves , arcane magic users and hordes of demons are going to erupt and attack you on a sunny afternoon in the middle of crowded university? Hell, no one probably even knows about you! Those guys the other day were probably just in the right place at the right time. 

I forced myself back to the crossword. 17 across: Marks on a tennis court (9). Baseline? I marked it in. 17 down: French headwear (5). Beret, yup it fit. I was just about to write it in too when a streak of pain shot through my thumb. 

"Fuck!" I called out automatically, my thumb felt as if a knife had just sliced deep into the flesh, I glanced at my thumb and was surprised to see... nothing. Not a single blemish or flaw. 

"Got one wrong?" The a guy sitting in a similar chair ten feet away asked sarcastically. I glanced around and noticed that this time the looks people were shooting me definitely weren't in my imagination.

"Paper cut," I responded, half laughing, trying to hide the look of perplexity that was etched deep across my face. The pain was fading now and I couldn't figure out from where it had come. After a couple more minutes the momentarily intense pain had completely fled my mind as I launched myself back into the quick crossword at the back of the Sydney Morning Herald.

At five to two I got up, swung my black backpack across my shoulders, and headed out to my first afternoon lecture, a long and boring fifty minutes filled with confusing double integrals, partial derivatives and more Greek letters than you can shake a stick at. It was mundane and the most interesting thing that happened for the whole lecture was Jack falling asleep and waking himself up with a large snore, which set the class into a brief fit of laughter.

After Integral Calculus we headed off to an equally dull class that devoted itself to the material properties of concrete. I wondered, as I often do, how on earth they justified the devotion of an entire month to this common grey material which was about as interesting as watching... well concrete dry. Half way through the lecture my thumb started stinging again. I managed to hold in the expletive I had let out earlier but a sharp breath escaped my, drawing the attention of Jack and Peter.

"What," Jack whispered, raising an eyebrow in concern.

"Nothing," I responded shaking my head and trying to ignore the stinging in my digit. What's happening? Do I have a... I dunno... blister? I probed the soft skin and felt nothing out of the ordinary. I returned to pretending to take notes and felt yet another stab of pain shoot through my thumb.

For the next half an hour, the intermittent phantom pains continued, each time the feeling was less intense and at the end of the lecture it had subsided to an occasional dull throb, strangely reminiscent of putting pressure on a day or two old cut. 

"What the hell is up with you?" Jack asked, dragging me aside after the lecture. Clearly he hadn't been as clueless to the subsequent twinges I'd felt as I had thought.

"I dunno. I just keep getting pains in my thumb," I responded truthfully, not really expecting any insight but wishing to placate him.

"Oh that's all? I thought you'd gotten bruised or something, you know... the other night," he raised his eyebrows momentarily to indicate the attack that had been carried out forty-eight hours earlier. 

As if my osmosis we had all appeared to come to an understanding about not discussing the other night. Pierre and I hadn't even exchange a 'wink wink, nudge nudge' about it yesterday and this was the first time all day I'd heard even the faintest hint about it from Jack.

"No, just splinter or something I guess," I wasn't convinced by my answer but it appeared Jack was.

"Oh okay," he shrugged and turned to rejoin Peter, who was trying his luck with an attractive co-ed hanging around the entrance of the lecture theatre waiting for the next class to begin. I watched as Jack dragged Peter away from the exasperated girl and together the three of us moved towards the next class. On our way out of the building, listening to Jack rib on Peter, I noticed a strange looking guy in a black leather Jacket hanging around at the bottom of a stair case. 

I'd been getting paranoid feelings all day but there was no way in hell that this guy wasn't staring directly at me. We've got a large demographic at Sydney Uni, everything from hipsters to goths, nerds to pretentious north shore kids, but this guy didn't fit into any of the categories. He was wearing a black leather jacket and plain blue jeans with a matching white v-neck shirt, but it wasn't his clothes that was the giveaway he didn't belong here, it was his demeanor. 

Firstly his stance was all wrong, it exuded violence and he was veritably snarling. He might have looked at home walking around The Block in Redfern at midnight, but here he was as out of place as a fish in space. 

Secondly, he wasn't rushing off to the next class or joining the throng pushing their way into the lecture theater. He was just standing there, resting against the banister of the stairwell, practically leering at me. 

I didn't let on I'd made him, as Andrew would call it, but just pretended to laugh along with Jack as I noted him out of the corner of my eye. I noticed he didn't follow us once we left the building, perhaps he was just checking he had my schedule right or getting a better feel for me or... I don't know, but I didn't appear as if he was looking to engage right away. 

God what's come over you? Engage? Look at yourself for Christ's sake. You're just an ordinary university student. One part in a million. Nothing unique about you kid... apart from that angel hiding out in your apartment. That was it wasn't it? Rachel. Ever since she'd come into my life I'd become Jason Bourne, well in my own mind at least. Was it some deep seeded need to protect her? Or was the incurable romantic in me near orgasmic by the thought of me versus the forces of darkness? Then again, I had been mugged just two nights ago....

Fortunately the next class drove all pre-occupation out of my mind, less fortunately the distraction took the form of a quiz that I had completely forgotten about due to the events of the last couple of days. Needless to say I did poorly, my performance not helped by the occasional pangs that shot through my thumb, and it was with a deep melancholy I emerged at five with a frown set upon my face.

"Cheer up," Jack said his face as mournful as my own, "We've got another one next week."

"Thanks," I said sarcastically, my mood not helped in the least. 

***

The key slid into the lock and I deftly twisted it to the left, unlocking the heavy door. By the time I'd arrived home my mood had improved marginally: partly due to the deafening music I'd pumped through my new iPhone, partly due to the gorgeous sunset that shone in my face the entire way, but mainly due to the salacious thoughts of Rachel that kept popping into my head. Each more vivid and arousing that the last, growing more and more potent the nearer I drew to my apartment. 

"Hey," Rachel called out from the living room as she heard the door open. The last vestiges of sorrow were eradicated in that one single simple word.

"Hey," I called back, dropping my bag on the floor, closing the door and locking it behind me. The grin that grew across my face was mirrored by a similar growing in my jeans. I rounded the corner to see Rachel lounging on the couch, flicking through the trash on TV trying to find something half decent to distract her.

"How was your day," She asked, getting up and crossing to me.

"In the past," I noticed she had a plaster strapped across the thumb of her right hand. When she reached me I took her hand gently in my own and examined the injury.

"What happened?"

"Oh nothing, I just cut myself whilst making a sandwich for lunch," She smiled and tried to catch my eye, "Hey don't worry it's just a small cut."

I realized I was scowling and forced my expression neutral again.

"That's weird. I've been getting shooting pains through my thump all day," I dropped her hand looked up into her deep green eyes, expecting to see her trademark slightly mocking smile play upon her face but was surprised to see a look of dawning comprehension instead.

"Of course," she murmured.

"What?"

"Well, I've heard stories from some of the other angels about Fallens," we moved to the couch and sat whilst she told her story, "When they bond with a human they share a... connection. It varies in strength, sometimes it can be a full exchange of emotions if it's a very strong bond, but ordinarily it's just... well," to demonstrate her point she pressed hard upon her own thumb and I felt the familiar phantom pain shoot through my own.

"Okay, okay," I said quickly, grabbing her hand and stopping the pressure she was exerting on the cut, "So you mean we can feel each other's pain?"

"Well..." she started but I cut her off my banging my hand hard upon the coffee table. It smarted and I looked to her to see if she could feel it too.

"You should have let me finish," she said, a chuckle erupting from her lips. I was expecting her to be irritated not mirthful.

"Sorry?"

"The bond only forms when one... well... let's just say takes the other's essence," she wiggled her eyebrows in a suggestive nature.

"Wha..." Oh, right.

"And I haven't... "

"Yeahp, gotcha," I sat there, feeling like an idiot, cradling my hand in my lap.

"So... what'd you get up to today?" I tried lamely to break the awkward 'Ryan's an idiot' silence that spanned between us.

"Not a great deal, mostly just hung around. Not too much for me to do. I had a bath,"

"Yummy," I responded, shooting her a ridiculously lecherous look and wiggling my eyebrows comically.

"Perv," she responded sharing my smile.

"Yeah, sorry it's kinda boring. I wish I didn't have uni and could show you the sites," I shrugged apologetically, knowing how stir-crazily-boring it must be hanging around in an apartment all day.

"That's alright, I'm just enjoying resting up and doing nothing strangely enough. I haven't had a vacation in..." she trailed off, her eyebrows knitting together in thought, "four centuries?"

"Wow shit. That's a long time without breaks! What exactly did you do anyway...." I was disappointed to find Rachel shooting me a dark look. Clearly my attempt at subtle prying had failed miserably.

"You know I can't talk about it. I said it before and I'll say it again, some stuff mortal's just aren't meant to know. All I can say is that I wasn't on the frontlines of the war,"

Huh, I thought, this is news. War? Apparently my angelic housemate wasn't quite as guarded and aloof as she thought she was.

"War?"

"Oh crap," she swore and shook her head, recognizing her own mistake, "don't worry about it. Now can we please change the subject?"

"Okay, okay. Can't blame a guy for trying right? So okay then where was your last vacation?"

"Europe, England mostly. I was in London during October-November actually, fascinating time. Not to mention I got to see King Lear a year later... not a bad time all things considered," a wistful expression spread across her face with just a shadow of... what? Pain?

"Sorry 1605 October November?'

"Remember remember the 5th of November, gunpowder treason and plot,"

"Oh you were there for that?" 

"Yeah, I managed to see the aftermath. Bad times my friend bad times," She patted my hand got to her feet, clearly ending the conversation. I couldn't shake the feeling that the reason she came down to earth all those years ago was less of a vacation and more of... sabbatical? Pennance? Was that her second strike? Like a suspension in school before expulsion? I didn't know and she was as closed as a book about somethings, but I knew that as long as she was here I wanted her with me and happy.

"Do you fancy going out to dinner?" I sidled up behind her as she stood at the floor to ceiling glass retracting doors, gazing out over the darkening sky. 

"Mhmm," she sighed, leaning back and letting me snake my arms around her waist, holding her close.

"Is that a yes,"

"Yes please, but not right now. Just hold me," I was only too happy to oblige. I could tell she needed this contact, that the memories of heaven and her position before all this happened hurt. She was so strong in her own way but I was glad that she could lean on me, use my help. I felt my desire to protect her deepening and I knew that yes, for this woman I would most definitely go to hell and all that entailed.

***

"Fuck off," not the most polite greeting in the history of the world but Michael thought it served his ends.

"Hey listen, I just want to make a mutually beneficial proposition," Sevyr held up his hands in a conciliatory gesture.

"What part of fuck off don't you understand?" Michael turned his gaze upon the asshole sitting on the barstool next to him.

"Come on, just hear me ou..." Sevyr's sentence was suddenly cut short by the hand that tightly grasped his throat.

"And why would I listen to a wet dog?" Michael curled his lip in a manner which served to illustrate his disgust and show off his needle sharp incisors and relaxed his grip slightly. 

"Because," the werewolf croaked around the marginally reduced pressure on his windpipe, "I know where... a Fallen... is,"

"A Fallen?" Michael released his grip entierely, letting the despicable animal crash forward onto the bar

"Yeah," Sevyr panted, enjoying his ability to breath freely, "Listen, her protector beat up a couple of your brethren a few nights back and she's got potential. Christ has she got potential. You must have felt it last Friday!"

"So if you know where she is and how much power she has, why did you come to me? Why don't you and your... dogs," he spit the last word, "go and claim the prize."

"Cause if you and I go, we could share it. You have no patriarch but if I bring in my clan, the pack leader takes all the power, how fair is that?"

"Well, as tempting as your proposition is, I'm going to have to decline," Michael picked up the glass before him and drained the last drop of whiskey it contained.

"What are you insane! This is the opportunity of a century!"

"I've given up that life, now if you'll excuse me," Michael got up, threw a five down on the bar, and turned his heel to walk away as Sevyr tried one last ditch attempt to gain an ally.

"You're insane man! This Rachel chick can make you powerful enough to lead your own coven!"

"Rachel?" Michael turned on his heel and eyed Sevyr with a cold questioning gaze.

"Yeah, I hear her name is Rachel and her protector is..." Quick as a flash Michael took three long steps and with one hand crushed the pitiful creature's neck in a quick stroke, letting the body fall to the ground.

"Wow, what the fuck!" The bartender yelled, reaching for the shotgun he had secreted under the bar, whilst the rest of the patrons stopped whatever they were doing and took several hasty steps away from the scene.




R & R Ch. 04



"You might want to burn that," he indicated to the recently deceased Sevyr who was slowly shifting into his wolf form in death. As he opened the door and stepped into the darkness he could be heard muttering: "Rachel, it's been a long time."


***

I took a deep sip of the sangria and sat back in my chair, content to watch the Spanish dancers flow in synchronized harmony to the music.

"A girl might get jealous," Rachel brushed a hand across my shoulders as she returned from the brief visit to the bathroom.

"Keep leaving and a guy might get lonely," I rejoined, switching my gaze from the twirling girls to the angel sitting opposite, slowly caressing my leg with her foot under the table.

"It's your fault for getting the bottomless sangria," it was true, we'd already finished three jugs of the stuff and I was feeling a little buzzed.

"Well if you're complaining," I leant across the table and grabbed her glass, finishing the rest of the liquid in one quick swallow.

"Hey! That was mine!" the twitch at the corner of her mouth belied the mock anger in her voice.

"It was yummy!"

"Meany!"

"Come on let's pay," I got up and pulled her chair out for her and was rewarded with a quick peck on my cheek for my trouble. She held my hand as we descended and tottered between the tables to the till, partly for affection but I judged she was a little unsteady on her feet from the sangria and stilettos.

I snaked my arms around her and rested my head upon hers, breathing in the sweet perfume emanating from her, as we waiting for the waitress to swipe my credit card and print out the receipt.

"Thank you for a wonderful meal," Rachel whispered, leaning back into my strong arms.

"Thank you for wonderful company," I whispered into her ear, brushing her cheek with my own.

As we toddled back into the cold night I slipped off my blazer and slid it over her shoulders, smiling at the sight of the gorgeous slim women huddled into the overlarge jacket.

"You look good in my clothes," I briefly remembered her in nothing but an old oxford shirt of mine and banished the thought before my arousal took over.

"I look good in everything," she pouted, then a wicked grin spread over her face as she leaned in close and whispered, "and nothing."

"Let's get you home!" I proclaimed and picked up my pace.

I failed to notice the three diminutive humanoids stalking us on the other side of the road, too preoccupied with thoughts of ravishing the beauty next to me. I didn't clue in on them crossing the road in the middle of heavy traffic, and to my eternal shame I didn't even pick up on their presence as the closed to a few paces behind me. No, it wasn't until the first little bastard let out a hard kick to the back of my knee that I realized the little fuckers were there.

"Shit!" I cried out tumbling forward, down on one knee, hands scraping hard against the gravel. Rachel, propelled by my sudden fall fared slightly better, tumbling to the ground upon her behind. I felt another kick collide with my side and rolled away from any more incoming attacks. Lying on my back in a crab position I got my first glance at my attackers. At about four feet tall bedecked with long scraggily red hair and beards they weren't exactly the most fearsome creatures on the planet. 

"Ah, look what we gots here boys," The middle midget growled in an Irish brogue, "A scared little crab." His two minions guffawed and took a couple of steps closer, withdrawing long sharp knives from their leather belts.

"The fuck are you?" I coughed, using my hands to propel me into a crouching position, eye level with our small attackers.

"Dwarves," Rachel responded, getting to her feet and backing up slowly.

"Christ," I regained my feet, resuming my full six feet five inches, grimacing down on the small creature before me, "He's barely tall enough to..." My thought was cut off as the Gimli-wanna-be let out a fast slash at me with the wicked little knife causing me to jump backwards several feet.

"Ta what?" Clearly the little guy was sensitive on the height issue.

" 'Nuff talking. Kill him get the girl,"

"First one that tries..." once again I was cut off by another attempt to gut me. Whether it was instinct, several years of playing football, or he was just pissing me off, I responded to the violence with violence. I shifted my weight to my left leg and kicked the little bastard soccer style in the face. It would have been comical seeing the dwarf fly three feet backwards to land on his head if it wasn't accompanied by a horrific torrent of blood and a sickening crunch of bone on bone.

"Look what he did to Tommy!" The third, and up until now silent, assailant exclaimed. 

"Get him," The leader commanded as he charged, distracting me from the third guy who reversed the knife and threw hit hard in my direction.

"Look out!" Rachel cried, attracting my attention to the flying object just in time, I pivoted to the right and managed to avoid the knife embedding itself in my neck. Instead the projectile struck me hard in my right shoulder and I yelled out with pain as two inches of the hard steel cut through the hard muscle.

I wanted to scream. I wanted to cry. I wanted to block out the entire world and let the pain overwhelm me, forcing me into the deep blackness where pain didn't exist. A savage punch colliding with my stomach brought me out of feeble desires and sent me flying backwards. 

Lying flat on my back, unable to use my right arm, unable to breath, I watched as the leader of the short assholes jumped upon my chest, took a hold of my hair and yank my head back. The knife flashing in his hand as he brought it down to my throat. A maniacal grin spread across his face, madness in his eyes, as he tensed his arm and...

The short would be murderer was blasted off his feet into the side of a building to crumple limply upon the pavement. My mind was struggling to put two and two together. Barely a second before I was looking at the end of my life; now here I was with a knife embedded in my shoulder and a small cut on my neck bleeding profusely.

"Rachel," I gasped, wanting to tell her to run, wanting to tell her to get help, wanting to tell her it was hopeless. I still hadn't managed to grasp the concept I wasn't dead and barely even conscious of the sixth member thrown into the tussle.

I twisted my head painfully and took a long look at the spectacle happening before me. The third dwarf was being held two feet off the ground, his pitiful legs kicking whilst his arms grappled with the stranger in the long black coat.

"Now listen here short round," The stranger had a deep seductive voice, his words annunciated clearly with the hint of a English accent coming through, "Go and tell the other's that they are protected, show them the bodies of your two little friends, and tell them to run away. Run far far away, because any who try to harvest her will die!" he threw the little guy a good ten feet and I was impressed by his power. Whoever this dark stranger was I owed him my life, and more than that I owed him Rachel's life.

"Oh Ryan!" Rachel ran to my side, thankfully devoid of any injury greater than a scraped knee, and cradled my head in her hands and kissed my brow, "Are you alright?"

"He'll be fine," The stranger interjected before I could offer an opinion on the subject. That's easy for you to say, you don't have a fucking knife sticking out of you! "Hello Rachel,"

"What?" I asked. This was seriously confusing me. Who the hell was he and how did he know Rachel.

"Michael?" She asked, looking up at the powerful and, I had to admit, handsome man standing before us.

"Sorry what?" I spat around the pain that was radiating through my body.

"Michael's an... old friend. I'll explain at a more convenient time,"

"Oh you mean when I don't have a knife sticking out of me?" I couldn't help but let sarcasm coat my words, I was having a bad day and this dark stranger having some hidden past with my... angel wasn't helping all too much.

"I told you, you'll be fine," Michael growled, looking at me with what bordered somewhere between disgust and indifference.

"Oh you have a lot of experience with this do you?" conveniently forgetting how he'd just dispatched the rejects from a Brother's Grimm fairy tale.

"Son, I've been through more fights and hard more things lodged in me than you've had hot meals." I don't like being called son, I barely tolerated it when my parents called me son, so to have this cocky guy who looked to be no more than five years my senior call me son was really trying my patience.

"Boys stop!" Rachel called out, seeing me open my mouth and probably knowing that something acidic would come out. A crowd was starting to gather now, a few moments before people were watching in horror and running away, but now the violence seemed to be over their curiosity was starting to peak. Thankfully nobody had seemed to have pulled out their phones during the actual incident but they were definitely doing that now, documenting the aftermath of the bizarre incident.

"Michael, he needs to get to the hospital," she left the sentence open but was clearly asking him for help.

"I'll be fine," I muttered, attempting to sit up but promptly discarding that notion as a new wave of fire spread through my body.

"I said you'd be fine, not that you should get up and walk around," Michael said with a sly grin and a wink at me before turning to address Rachel, "Listen, we can wait for the paramedics to get here or..." Or what? I asked myself.

"I'm not sure, he's only human... maybe we should wait?" She whispered, her eyes betraying deep concern. Maybe we should wait? No, we should definitely fucking wait!

"He'll be fine, he's strong and he's got a fair bit of power himself," Michael responded.

"Listen, I am still here, you can talk to me not about me!" I might as well have saved my breath for all the attention they paid me.

"Are you sure it wouldn't be better to wait?" Rachel queried, her hand was still caressing my face, but aside from that her entire attention was directed towards the newcomer.

"We could... but there would be photos, a police report, and much too much attention paid to you then you'll be comfortable with," he paused and glanced at his watch, "And I can only hang around for another eight hours... if it's not finished by then you'll be vulnerable."

'I can take care of her' I almost said it, the words were on the tip of my tongue, before I realized how foolish and stupid it was. It was true in this state I was in no condition to so much as save her from a mosquito, let alone whatever the hell else was out there. But why does he only have eight hours?

"Okay," Rachel said through gritted teeth, nodding once at Michael.

"Hang on..." I started, looking between the two of them, not liking where this was going.

"I'm sorry Ryan," Rachel said as she stroked my head, tears glistening in her eyes.

"Listen, I'm sure there-" I didn't manage to finish the sentence because half way through a cry of pain issued forth from my throat. The reason behind my sudden outburst was the hasty removal of the metal blade stuck deep within my shoulder. The wound, which was until then a constant ache that had me on the edge of tears, suddenly magnified astronomically, it felt as if somebody had taken a pot of lava and poured it down onto my shoulder. Mercifully, the pain only lasted for about five seconds before darkness crept into the edge of my vision and unconsciousness greeted me like an old friend.

***

I awoke between the soft white sheets of my own bed, shirtless with a large white bandage plastered over my shoulder, a crimson rose already growing on the white pad. I rotated my shoulder experimentally and was pleased, and very surprised, to find that although it was still very tender there were no more shooting pains.

"How are you feeling?" Rachel's soft voice was music to my ears, music which elicited a grin from me.

"You know, better than before," I attempted to shrug but stopped halfway through when a small stab of pain alerted me to the fact that whilst my shoulder felt good, it was in no way picture perfect.

"Good," She smiled sweetly at me, "Listen, I'm sorry for doing what we did, but we couldn't risk the publicity and what might follow, we would have been tied up till morning and then Michael couldn't have helped us."

"Why?" 

"Because I'm a vampire," Michael informed me nonchalantly as he strode into my bedroom from the living room.

"Sorry, I could have sworn you said," I replied after a beat.

"A vampire, yes," He accentuated the point by curling his top lip to show me his pointed eye teeth.

"Right..." it was all I could think to say. What was most surprising, more so than the revelation that an honest to god vampire had just saved my life and apparently performed a fairly decent field surgery on me, was the fact that this new turn of events didn't seem to phase me at all. I was starting to take this whole heaven and hell, dark underworld thing in stride, "Um... thanks,"

"Don't mention it," he waved off the gratitude with a lazy hand, "Rachel gave you a boost so you're probably over the worst of it."

I glanced at the blonde but all she did was shake her head as if to indicate we'd talk about it later. With a bit of help from Rachel, I managed to pull a shirt over my body and stagger out into the living room, where I gratefully slumped onto the couch and accepted a glass of wine from Michael.

"I hope you don't mind but we opened a bottle," I noticed that he'd stopped being quite as... stand-offish? Arrogant? Did Rachel have a word with him?

"No problem, just please... try not to spill it on the carpet?" Michael shot me a puzzled look but when Rachel started to giggle he just shrugged and replied: "Sure."

"Okay, so," I started, leaning back into the couch and letting out a sigh, "care to tell me why the cast of time bandits decided to attack us tonight?"

"Ha," he barked at my joke, apparently finding it appealing, "okay well why don't you start with telling me what you know already?"

I recounted the story to date, starting with Rachel falling from heaven to land... well not exactly in my arms but at least at my feet, followed by the attack by the trio of assailants outside the cinema, continued by how Rachel told me about how she was some sort of power and finished with the attack this evening, conveniently skipping the intimate moments and the bit about shared emotions and pain.

"Right," Michael said when I finished, leaning back and massaging his temples with one hand, "Well, you know about Rachel being a power but do you really understand what that means?"

"Um, not really," I responded somewhat guiltily, Rachel hadn't really been able to explain it.

"Okay, so what it is.... It's like... see..." He paused and gathered his thoughts, "Okay so first of all, what you have to realize is that there is more to the world than just the forces of gravity, electromagnetism, et cetera. The power, of which Rachel speaks, is... well, it's another one of the forces that cause the world to turn. It's... a kin to a life force you see. Ever wonder what defines the line between living things and intimate objects? As in why are trees and plants alive but rocks dead?"

"Well, sure," Okay I hadn't exactly thought about it like that, but I had wondered where life starts, everybody does.

"Okay, well that's what the power essentially is. The power gives life to everything, it's a gift from God that bestows life to all things great and small. For most, the power is just something that exists, you can't feel it or use it, it just is. It powers you, like a battery if you will."

"So you're saying I'm a remote control and this power are the double a batteries that power me?" I asked somewhat skeptically.

"Kind of; more like you're a tv plugged into the wall. Your electricity comes from the power station which burns oil, you use the same power day in and day out and won't vary it at all until you are turned off, but now consider cars and planes and the such, the more petrol these vehicles have the more powerful they are... well that's kind of like the divide between you normal mortals and us of the underworld.

"You see, we can sense power, we can absorb it and use it better than most. That's why Rachel is such a temptation to us. Imagine the best meal you've ever smelled, like walking past a chip shop when you're hungover, the smell of chips is so overwhelming and intoxicating you just need them. Well imagine that but times a thousand, that's how Rachel seems to us."

"You mean she smells great?" 

"No, not quite, we can sense her and it's like the scent of hot chips permeating through the ether."

"Right, so why aren't you... you know... overtaken?" I asked, stiffening slightly, and a little more worried about having this vampire in our midst that I was a few moments before.

"Because, I, unlike some, have self-control," a cocky smiled played across his lips for a few seconds, "I'm not going to say it's not difficult, but when you deprive yourself of nearly all pleasures for over three centuries you tend to get used to temptation."

"Oh right," I relaxed slightly but not quite able to shake off my anxiety completely, "So you're saying that we can expect more of these attacks?"

"Oh yes, and they'll become more and more frequent the longer she stays here, as her strength returns and more denizens flock to the city."

"What do you meant the longer she stays here? As in my flat or..."

"Or the mortal realm," Michael clarified, a faint look of regret flashing across his face.

"Well I don't see heaven taking me back too soon," Rachel joined in glumly, "And I'm sure as shit not joining the other side."

"So you have no idea what your trial is then?" Michael asked, holding Rachel's eyes for a moment longer than I was comfortable with. There was clearly a back story between them, one I would have to question her about later.

"Not yet, I'm hoping I just stumble upon it,"

"Well, until you do, you know you won't be safe,"

"Ryan's done a decent job protecting me so far," Rachel rejoined, slightly indignant. I know I shouldn't feel pride at my girl taking my side, especially since a couple of hours ago I was doing a fairly poor job protecting her and relied on Michael to save the day, but I did regardless.

"That he has, and he'll get better, but you have no idea what will be coming in the coming weeks," Michael replied ominously.

Silence permeated the room for several minutes, all of us lost in our own thoughts, until Michael's cell phone chirped loudly.

"Shit, its five o'clock, I better head out,"

"You're welcome to stay here," I replied politely, auto-pilot taking over.

"Thanks, but you have a few too many windows to make me completely comfortable," he replied dryly. I made to stand up but he waved me down, "I'll let myself out. Take care of the shoulder, you'll need to change the bandages tomorrow." He made his way to the door, stopping only when Rachel called out.

"Michael," there was a faint trace of pain her voice, and she got up, giving my good shoulder a slight squeeze on her way past, and made her way to the door. They spoke too softly for me to hear what they said, but I saw her grasp his hand warmly and say something which caused his face to relax somewhat.

"What was that about?" I queried as the door closed and Rachel joined me on the couch, sliding behind me so I could I lay back and rest me head just under her chin.

"It's a long story," She responded, gently massaging my neck.

"I have time,"

"Ryan, not tonight," she begged, "some other time but not tonight."

"Oh sorry," immediately I felt like an idiot, I didn't want to upset her and cursed myself as seven types of idiot, it was obviously a sensitive subject.




R & R Ch. 04



"Don't worry about it, it's just... we have history," She leant down and bent over me, brushing her soft full lips against mine as an apology, one which I readily took.

"Hey don't worry about it," I replied groggily, a lazy grin spreading across my lips.

"So is my stallion too wounded and tired for a... ride?" She winked salaciously at me licked her lips delicately.

"Hmm, well if you really want I'm sure I can muster some strength," our lips mashed together again, a lot less softly and a lot more passionately than before. In a haze we made our way to the bedroom, hastily undoing belts and buttons on our way. 

We slipped onto the bed and pressed our bodies hard into each other, I made to roll Rachel over so I could straddle the blonde beauty, but in a surprising show of aggression she flipped me onto my back and sat on my lap.

"No, you just stay on your back, I don't want your shoulder getting hurt; besides I still need to thank you for dinner... and for saving my life." I didn't have a chance to protest or try to negotiate because a second later our mouths were pressed together again, with Rachel sucking my tongue hard and gently nibbling my bottom lip.

"Oh god" I moaned as she repositioned herself over my crotch and started to grind against me. It felt amazing even through both of our jeans. I reached unsteady hands up to hold her waist as she grinded against my growing bulge. 

"Mhmm," Rachel vocally agreed, guiding my hands from her waist to fondle her large breasts. For someone who until yesterday had been fairly naïve with regards to the whole sex thing, she had becoming surprisingly bold.

I cupped the large firm globes through the red halter top and bra hidden beneath it, firmly yet delicately massaging them, eliciting more moans from the gorgeous creature riding me. We gyrated in sync for long minutes, with Rachel slipping her hands inside my t-shirt to drag nails down my chest.

I snaked my arms around her back, reluctantly leaving the perfect globes that adorned her chest, and dragged Rachel down so she was lying on me, our lips and tongues intertwining once again. As our mouths mashed together we simultaneously slipped the other's shirt up their body, creating a fair bit of confusion as we both tried to free the other from their shirt at the same time. 

I flicked the bra clasp on the back of Rachel's back open and she tossed the confining garment off the bed to tumble to the floor upon our other discarded clothes. Our naked chests touched and the warmth of passion emanated from her in pleasurable, exciting waves. With a bit of wriggling and fumbling our jeans soon lay crumpled on the floor as well, moments later our underwear followed.

"Oh god," I moaned as Rachel's hot sex pressed against my erection, pushing it down so it ran along the length of her southern lips. 

"Oh yes," Rachel concurred, slowly rubbing my penis against her clit and rubbing her moisture onto me. I grabbed the beautiful creatures face and dragged it down to mine, kissing her with all my might. Our hands explored the other's body, mine traced from her buttocks to her shoulders, massaging and tickling, whilst Rachel cupped my face in one hand ran her other hand down my left side, avoiding my wounded shoulder.

I shuffled up the bed slightly, trying to get access to the pearly white unmarred skin of her neck which I was tempted to mar with several hickeys, but stopped when the head of my penis met her moist opening. Moans issued from each of our mouths simultaneously and we abated all other movement.

"Are you sure..." I started, not wanting to push Rachel into anything too soon or too quickly.

"I'm a four million year old virgin, of course I want to!" and with that proclamation she slid a hand between us, gripping my hard member to hold it straight, as she slowly sank down upon it, slipping it slowly inch by inch into her warm tunnel. 

No hymen? I wondered briefly, a fleeting thought that was pushed out of my mind by another inch sliding into the tight, warm embrace of her body.

"Oh Rachel," I moaned, as my entire length lay buried in her, my member twitching and pounding with the pleasure.

"Ooooh that feels go, I understand why you people are so obsessed with this now," Rachel commented as she sat up straight upon me, a satisfied smile playing across her lips. She slipped a hand between where our bodies were joined, lazily stroking her clitoris. We lay like that for a few minutes, just enjoying the feeling of being joined so intimately.

After long minutes, I moved to grab her ass, groping and supporting the soft globes, and began to thrust slowly, pushing my rear hard into the bed, withdrawing from her until just my head remained before slowly burying myself deep once again, hips raised off of the mattress.

"Oooh that feels good," Rachel moaned as she joined my motion, picking up the speed and leaning forward to sit at a forty five degree angle from my body. Out tempo picked up, the slap of skin on skin audible now, I could feel my orgasm growing close and tried to suppress it. I desperately wanted Rachel to come on her first time. My efforts weren't needed however, because just as I started to clench my muscles and hold back the impending release, Rachel spasmed and gripped my shaft hard with her inner muscles. 

"Ahhhh!" She veritably screamed, attempting to piston me in and out of her faster than before despite her clenching vagina. I didn't bother holding back but took two more hard fast strokes and buried myself to the hilt inside of her as I exploded. The orgasm flooded across my body as I donated a heavy dose of my hot seed deep within the woman I was coming to love. 

"Oh my," She whispered as she came down off her high and practically collapsed upon my chest, my slowly deflating penis still within her, "That was amazing thank you,"

"Thank me? No really, thank you," I responded sleepily, enjoying the post orgasmic release which left my legs shaky and my body tense free. We didn't speak for long minutes but just held and stroked the other, there was no need for words when we were so spiritually and emotionally in sync, the act of sex bonding us more than any conversation ever could.

The afterglow of the orgasm hung around a lot longer than it usually did, usually it is just a snap, a quick release of pleasure then over, but today it was electrifying my body. Is this related to us being joined? Can I feel her pleasure? Or was this time just better than all before? 

Those silent questions would have to go unanswered however, Rachel dismounted and came to snuggle into my good side, resting her head on my shoulder, her flowing golden locks tickling my neck, and together we descended into a deep contented sleep.

***

Author's Note: Thanks for reading the latest installment! Sorry it has taken so long to get it out but I'll try to be more regular now! Please let me know if you have any plot ideas or thoughts about the story :) And as always, the comments and criticisms really make writing it worthwhile! Cheers again!