Eire slammed the locker shut with a resounding bang in the empty garage room. He glared coldly at the steely gun metal gray for a moment before turning on his heels and starting across the room as he pulled on his jacket. He had no idea what had put him in such a foul mood, but he had an idea of how to get out of it.

"I'm going to go get wasted." He muttered to himself.

"I wont envy you in the mornin'." Came the sing song reply and Eire turned to find Xander perched precariously on a crate against the wall behind him. Xander was watching him with an openly amused look.

"Did I ask your opinion?" Eire replied with a snap.

Xander frowned, it wasn't an angry or annoyed frown as Eire had come to expect from the ice elemental. It was quiet possibly forlorn and sad. Eire felt himself sag slightly. "I'm not trying to start anything." Xander muttered almost stymied, getting up off the crate. "I don't know why you all see the need to treat me like a mongrel any more. Yes, I admit, I was a bloody jerk at first, but I've done what I can to help." He said simply, starting past Eire.

"You like being treated like a mutt, remember?" Eire sneered in reply.

"No! I don't! Not always." Xander snapped coldly, turning around. The move put them nearly nose to nose. "I realize you dislike me, and I'm sure you've heard Lexine say I enjoyed being a slave. But I have feelings, the same as everyone else in the world and the truth is I never complained because there was no other choice. I was what I was. A slave. I accepted it, to survive."

Eire blinked rapidly a moment. If it hadn't been for the sincerity and desperation in Xander's eyes he wouldn't have believed it. He could only say one thing. "I'm sorry..."

Xander snorted softly and turned away. "Count yourself lucky, Eire." He said softly, starting to walk away.

"Xander, wait a tick!" Eire reached, grabbing his arm. He blinked again, as he felt Xander flinch. But he turned to look at Eire. In close proximity, Eire discovered Xander's eyes were a dark dark blue, almost a star sapphire color. But it was what was behind them Eire found most fascinating.

It was a glimpse at the real Xander Caine, some one Eire could like. Eire's bad mood was forgotten. "I know you didn't ask to end up where you did. I know you couldn't have enjoyed it. I was a slave once myself, even if it was only to LiVed. So understand when I say I know where you're comin' from and I'm sorry."

Xander's smile for once wasn't cocky or cold. It was humble, almost thankful. He touched Eire's shoulder lightly, saying. "Don't apologize...I've done...unspeakable things for Abandon." He turned again, starting for the garage door out of the building.

Eire couldn't let him just walk away like this. It didn't feel right. He'd seen some honesty in Xander, something good. "Then this is your chance to atone." Eire called after him.

Xander paused but didn't look back. "I can't." He answered despairingly, thrusting his hands deep in to his pockets, his shoulders sagged.

Eire walked toward him, closing the distance. "Why not?" He asked curiously.

"I don't know how." Xander whispered, moving toward the door again.

Eire broke into a sprint, catching up with Xander and he pushed the door closed as Xander started to open it. "You don't have to do it alone, Xander!" He held Xander's startled gaze. "I can help."

Xander stared at him, blue locked with blue. He swallowed before saying. "You don't like me, remember?" He whispered, breaking his gaze, his hand dropping away from the door knob.

"Then show me the REAL you, Xander." Eire replied earnestly. "Drop the egotistical act." He urged.

Xander smirked faintly. "That act's kept me alive..." He muttered. "Besides, you wouldn't like the real me much either. I'm brutally honest."

Eire put a hand on his shoulder. "I'd rather know an honest Xander then a egotistical jerk." He said softly.

Xander looked at him again. "Honest? You still couldn't take it."

"Try me." Eire replied with fire.

Xander seemed to take a deep breath, before blurting out. "I've been attracted to you...alot...from the first time I saw you..." He turned from Eire, trying to pull the door open again, hardly believing he'd even said it. That thing that had been bothering him. He was ready to hear Eire's snide or cruel remarks, ready to have his heart broken a little bit more.

He'd come to understand lately that that was why he thought he'd hated Lexine so much. He'd wanted Lexine at one point, but Lexine had rejected him. So Xander had been ready to hate the fire elemental for breaking his heart. In reality, he still cared about Lexine, but not in that way any more. Not in the way he wanted to feel for Eire.

But he looked up sharply in surprise when he heard Eire chuckle. "Is that all?" Eire asked, amused.

Xander blinked, his eyes wide and he started to turn around to face Eire. But Eire turned him for him, pressing him up against the wall. The kiss Eire gave him was sweet, but passionate. And over much to soon for Xander. But Eire held him pinned to the wall, a hand on either side of Xander's shoulders and was smiling quiet wickedly.

"Had you been the real Xander from that first moment, instead of the act, you could have told me this alot sooner." Eire growled seductively.

Xander stared back at him with wide eyes a moment, the threw his arms around Eire's neck, kissing him back hard. They stumbled backward into another wall, locked in each other's embrace, delving hungrily into each other, hands clutching at one another.

Eire tripped over a tool box and slammed into the ground, but didn't seem to take any notice other then gasping with surprise, allowing Xander to push further into the kiss. Eire lay with Xander on top of him, and ran his hands up Xander's side, along under his shirt.

Xander pulled away from the kiss, only to assault Eire's neck, where he nibbled and sucked gently. Eire chuckled, closing his eyes. "Now this is a Xander I could get used to..." He growled huskily.

Xander moved his lips near Eire's ear and whispered enticingly. "Still want me to be bluntly honest..."

Eire smiled wickedly, running his fingers up and down Xander's side, enjoying making him squirm. "Tell me." He whispered back.

Xander leaned even closer and whispered something in his ear for a moment. Eire barked a short laugh, and reached up, pulling Xander's head around, kissing him hard and fierce. He rolled over, putting Xander under him, still kissing him deeply, teasing and tangling Xander's tongue with his. Xander wrapped his arms around Eire's neck and just as he was about to reply with the same hunger Eire was showing, Eire pulled back from the kiss to look him in the eyes, their noses just touching.

Eire grinned wickedly, ran the tip of his tongue over Xander's lips and pulled back as Xander went to catch it. "You may get a chance yet." He growled wolfishly, still grinning.

"You're a tease." Xander groaned, catching his breath.

"You can't tell me you don't like it that way." Eire replied, nipping at his ear. Xander arched under him with a moan.

"I LOVE it that way." He growled back, pulling Eire's head back around, this time kissing him hard and fierce.

The sleep shirt was oversized, old and comfortable. Just what he needed for all the bruises and sore muscles. He pulled it on, shimmed out of his jeans, which he threw across the room at a chair and wandered over to the window, parting the curtain to look out at the night, while rubbing his sore shoulder. Tiny white flurries fluttered past the window in the outside world. Outside things were beginning to look milky white.

Lexine Mordant let go of the curtain, after scrunching up his nose is distaste at the sight of more snow. Lexine didn't like snow. He didn't like the cold. Or maybe he just didn't like this time of year. Two days away from the anniversary. He turned and walked from the bedroom toward the front of the apartment. The light blue sleep shirt slid down his right shoulder and hung just somewhere below the knees.

He wandered over to the fire place and opened the grate, leaning on the black marble mantel a moment and ran his finger down the log inside, setting it ablaze, before closing the grate and looking around the living room of his apartment. Once upon a time, it had been Rowen's apartment. Rowen had bought the place for life and at some point in time, put Lexine's name on the ownership, insuring that if something happened to Rowen, Lexine would still have a place.

Some times Lexine wondered if Rowen hadn't know what was going to happen. He sure hadn't contemplated surviving only to go completely insane and end up trying to kill Lexine with a vengeance. Lexine corrected himself. The Rowen he'd know was long gone. The Rowen he'd known was dead, died back there in that evil cathedral that night. The Rowen he'd loved was lost to him.

But it was a nice apartment, roomy. The front room alone could fit at least two standard sized living rooms. And he felt comfortable there. It wouldn't be the same if he'd moved out and tried to live some where else. The apartment seemed to give him a bit of security. Some times, if he tried hard enough, he could almost hear Rowen's voice, or smell his cologne.

He was sure if Rowen wanted him dead enough, Rowen knew exactly where to look. Rowen had broken what was left of Lexine's heart that last time they'd stood face each other, on opposite sides of the line. Some times, Lexine thought he only stayed in the apartment so that Rowen WOULD find him.

Lexine sighed and took a couple steps back from the fire place and dropped onto the oversized cream colored couch. He picked up the book from the end table and found his place, bending one knee to rest the book against it and resting his elbow on the back of the couch, his cheek against his hand.

He'd just finished the chapter he was on, when his doorbell rang. Lexine raised his absinthe green eyes from the words in print, to look toward the door with a slightly irritated look, before he glanced at the clock on the wall, which chimed two am at that moment. Not a lot of people wandered around the halls of his apartment building at two am. Except the coworks Lexine worked with at unusual Chaos Incorporated.

As if to prove that it had to be some one from there, the door bell rang again. Lexine sighed, tossed his book to the other end of the couch got up, heading for the door. His hand paused on the locks and he glanced out of the peephole to see Nate standing in the hall. With a half amused, half irritated shake of the head, Lexine undid the locks on the door and opened it, leaning against it on his left side.

This dropped the sleepshirt lower on his right shoulder, revealing the chakrum tattoo he had there. "There's a reason you're standing on my door step at two in the morning, isn't there, Nathaniel?" He asked wryly.

Nate took a calm moment to look Lexine up and down, from the blue and purple stripped socks that came up to the calf, to the pale blue sleep shirt, to the black ribbon in Lexine's hair, holding it out of his face. He raised an eyebrow in expertly hidden amusement, and his eyes settled on Lexine's face.

If at any time Lexine could perfectly pass for a alluring beauty, now was it. Even with the smudge of eyeliner under his eyes, darking the inverted tear drop tattoos. For a moment, Nate realized he didnt' even know when or where, or why Lexine had gotten those tattoos and resolved to ask tonight.

He was brought of his reserve by Lexine snapping his fingers in front of his face. "Earth to Nate..." Lexine said amused.

"Jus' checkin' up on ye after that battle tonight. Ye left before even Chaos had a chance to ask if you were alright." Nate said simply, his hands in his coat pockets.

Lexine peered at him with that innocent amused expression. His light green eyes traveled over Nate's toned body and noted the snow in his hair. "Did you walk?" He asked, leaning on the door again.

"Yer place ain't far from the office." Nate reasoned. Their gazes met, Lexine unconscious straightened up as he attempted to figure out just what was brewing in Nate's dark green eyes. But the moment was broken by a mewing. Nate looked down to see Lexine's cat entwining around his legs.

"Bad Aloysius!" Lexine snapped at the cat, crouching down to scoop of the cat. Nate got a glimpse of the back of Lexine's neck below the black collar and at the scars that began there. There was so much he didn't know about the feminine fire elemental.

Lexine stood back up with his arms wrapped around the cat, and said softly. "I'm fine, Nate, just sore."

"Righ'..." Nate agreed. He was trying to figure out what to say next. The silences where starting to get a tad uncomfortable.

And rather then have a neighbor notice, Lexine stepped back from the door way, holding the door open more with one hand as the cat purred contentedly. He gave Nate a silent invitation to come in. Nate accepted, closing the door behind him as he came in.

Lexine turned and dropped the cat, which ran for the kitchen, wanting something to eat. Lexine had forgotten to feed the eating machine when he'd gotten home. Lexine followed the cat, not looking to see if Nate was Nate glanced around at the art deco style living room, before following him. Lexine wandered over to fridge and open it, looking for the cat food.

He pushed things around, then leaned forward to reach onto the back of the middle shelf. This action caused the back of the sleep shirt rise up, revealing the lower half of Lexine's knickers. Nate tilted his head to the right, in amusement and a little surprise. Lexine's perk little rump was clad in a pair of black boylegs, ladies knickers, but they looked good on him.

Nate cleared his throat and Lexine's hand shot to back of the sleep shirt tugging it down as he looked sharply over his shoulder, eyes slightly wide. He snatched the can of cat food and stood, closing the door of the fridge, before sitting the can on the counter next to him.

Aloysius the cat hopped up at once as Lexine removed the lid, letting the cat chow down. While his happy feline ate away, Lexine opened a near by drawer and took out a half spent pack of cigarettes. Scrambling things around in the door for a lighter and having no luck, Lexine placed the tip of his finger against the end of the cigarette and set it alight. He pulled a long drag and looked at Nate as he leaned against the counter, attempting to tug the shoulder of his sleep shirt back up.

"The silence is starting to get uncomfortable Nate, so say something." Lexine said, exhaling slowly, watching Nate.

Nate scratched his ear, giving Lexine a bemused expression. He wondered why the moment was so difficult. He'd hung around Lexine hundreds of times since the red head had joined the crew. Alone and in the company of the others. He'd always been so comfortable round Lexine.

Until recently. Recently it seemed like every time Lexine would sashay by, Nate's stomach would do a flip flop on him. Frankly it was driving him crazy. He had to do something about it but he had no idea what. And he had the feeling Lexine had no idea he was having this kind of effect on his best friend.

Finally, Nate grasped for something and asked. "Where'd ya get the tattoos?"

Lexine blinked, before asking. "Which ones?"

"Under the eyes..."

"Oh..." Lexine answered softly, his thumb brushing his cheek unconsciously, yet oddly sensual. "I got them when I was sixteen. A...friend did them by hand with a needle." He pulled a spare ash tray over and tapped the ashes off his cigarette, trying not to look at Nate.

"Why?"

Lexine didn't answer at first, content to scratch his cat behind the ears as it continued eatting. "Because I as tired of crying all the time." He said finally in tone near a whisper.

Nate inwardly grimaced, and covered by asking. "And the one on yer shoulder?"

"Got it four years ago...with Rowen." Lexine answered, turning his eyes back to Nate finally.

There it was...Nate found he didn't like hearing that name. It was bad enough Lexine was still wearing that charm bracelet with the locket. It dangled off his tiny wrist now.

"You always ask such weird questions this late at night, Nate?" Lexine asked with a slight smile.

"Some times." Nate replied, the corner of his lips turning up ward a bit. He walked across the kitchen and turned, leaning up against the counter beside Lexine. Lexine toed open the door of the fridge again as he drew another drag and reached around, before handing Nate a Guinness.

Nate accepted it, popping the top off on the edge of counter. He noticed Lexine didn't take one for himself, but took a drink of his own all the same.

"You didn't really come by to check on me." Lexine said finally watching his cigarette burn. "So what are you really doing here, Nate?" He took another drag, turning his eyes up to Nate.

Nate had to smile slightly, Lexine was sharp, he never seemed to miss a beat. "We've ne'er really jus' talked. I figured wha' could it hurt?"

Lexine blew a smoke ring as he exhaled, from his perfect cupid bow lips. Nate found himself staring at those lips, wondering if they were as soft as they looked. "Careful with questions like that." Lexine answered softly, almost coyly.

"I'm not talkin' dirty secrets, Lexi. I'm talkin' 'bout. wha' do ya do when yer not workin'?" Nate asked with a look before taking another drink.

"I read, I listen to music, I watch movies or play video games." Lexine answered with a shrug.

Nate shook his head, amused. "Some how, I'm not surprised."

"So why'd you ask?"

Nate shrugged, than asked. "Wha' do ye read?"

"Anything that catches my fancy. I was reading Neil Gaiman's Neverwhere before you showed up." Lexine answered, snubbing out his cigarette. He was avoiding looking at Nate as much as possible. It wasn't that he was embarrassed that Nate had seen his knickers, it was just that...well he might have been frankly honest with himself. He was finding himself attracted to Nate. No wonder Tizzy and the other girls were always looking.

Aloysius the cat had wonder around on to the other side of the Nate and was starting to paw at the canister Lexine kept the cat treats in. Lexine started to lean around behind Nate, but couldn't reach the impish cat.

"Good book?" Nate asked, watching Lexine, setting his bottle on the counter behind Lexine.

The cat continued pawing at the canister, ready to knock the lid off, Lexine eyed the cat, and had to switch tactics, by leaning around the front of Nate to reach the fluff ball. "It's good." Lexine answered, glad to focus his attention on the cat because he was coming very close contact with Nate, he could feel the body heat from him.

The cat however, true to a cat's nature saw Lexine coming and proceeded to knock the canister off the counter anyway, while scurrying off the down the counter. Lexine attempted to catch both the canister and the cat. The canister slipped right through the fingers of one hand, clattering to the floor, the top falling off. He'd just managed to wrap the fingers of his other hand around the cat's tail, when the cat realized his goal had been reached and swung around, jumping off the counter.

This threw Lexine completely off balance and the socks didn't help on the slick linoleum floor, his left foot was sliding precariously from under him and his only choices were either fall flat on his ass or into Nate. And frankly, Lexine was bruised quiet enough. So he let go of Aloysius' tale and tumbled directly into Nate as his feet flitted from under him.

Surprised, Nate managed to catch Lexine around the waist from behind, before he hit the ground. Lexine looked up at him through orangish red bangs with that wide eyed almost innocent expression, that had lately been driving Nate mad. It was always so innocent, those liquid green eyes. They were so luminous, almost like liquid crystal, but that innocent look always held a touch of mischief in their darker deeps.

Lexine felt his skin flush, lost in Nate's own eyes. He knew that look that was starting to stir, he knew it well. He swallowed the choke in his throat as Nate pulled him up right but didn't release him. Those eyes were an emerald storm brewing with of all things, desire.

Hesitation was not some Nate did. He knew what he wanted now. He knew he wanted to taste those lips, if only one time. Moving one hand from Lexine's waist, this one went to the nap of his neck, just about the collar, pulling him closer. He watched those dark lashes flutter as the distance was closed between them and he captured Lexine's lips in a possessive kiss.

Lexine gasped against the kiss involuntarily, his lips parting seemingly on their own. His hands rested against Nate's chest. His eyes fluttered closed, a flush crept into his cheeks and his knees threatened to buckle again.

Nate tangled his fingers into Lexine's hair, relishing the soft texture he hadn't expected. When Lexine gasped, his lips parting, Nate plunged deeper, teasing those delicate lips with his tongue, tasting them as if they were wine. He snacked his arm tighter around Lexine's waist, holding him closer still as the kiss deepened. Lexine didn't resist the advance either, seemingly melting against Nate and returning the kiss just as hungrily. Nate ran his tongue along the inside of Lexine's bottom lip, before coaxing the delicate red head's tongue to him.

One of Lexine's thin arms wound it'self around Nate's neck and he leaned into him, reveling in the passionate kiss. Not even Rowen had ever kissed him with such fierce hunger and passion. It was quiet perfectly heaven for Lexine and in the back of his mind, he wondered why it hadn't happened sooner.

He felt Nate's hand slid down his side, under the hem of the sleep shirt and caress the soft flesh of his thigh below the hem of the boylegs. He moaned against the kiss, wanting more and Nate responded with kissing him harder and deeper, entwining his tongue with Lexine's. His hand caressed up, over Lexine's hip and to his side under the sleep shirt.

Perhaps the moment would have gone on, becoming more, if the half empty draft bottle hadn't crashed to the floor, shattering. Lexine's eyes snapped open wide as he jumped with a start against Nate. It had even caught Nate off guard, but it was Lexine who pulled away from the kiss to look at the broken shards of glass and liquid on the floor and to see the cat sitting on the counter in the spot were the bottle had been, twitching it's tail. Nate followed the fire elemental's gaze from the glass to the cat and he was forced to chuckle.

However he continued to hold Lexine in the fashion he had been. Lexine tried, unsuccessfully to stifle the breathless giggle that escaped him and he rested his cheek against Nate's shoulder, giving the cat a look. Nate slid his fingers back into Lexine's hair, stroking the vibrant locks, kissing Lexine on the temple.

Lexine curled in against him, letting Nate hold him tightly, almost possessively. He closed his eyes slowly as his heart beat slowed from the fright, then said in almost a whisper. "If you'd wanted to do that before now, you only had to ask."

Nate smirked slightly and slid his fingers under Lexine's chin, tipping his face upward to him, looking deep into beautiful eyes. "Do I have t' ask t' do it again?" He asked softly. And was graced with a soft lovely smile.

"No." Lexine answered softly.

Nate said nothing, catching Lexine's lips in another deep and passionate kiss, feeling fragile redhead reply with just as much hunger.

The building was eerily quiet for five am. Outside the snow continued to pile up, January was looking worse the December. Inside was cozy and warm. Not even a mouse peeped, though there weren't mice in this building. The Chaos Incorporated building was too new for mice. So the building was silent.

Except for the occasional off giggle from the lower levels. If one were to trace the source of this odd giggle, one would have to follow it to a storage room off the garage. One would have to wonder down the hall to a door that had been left cracked open. There was another odd giggle, something nervous or stifled.

Sitting in the corner of the room, on the floor were Eire and Xander. Xander's head was inclined toward Eire's chest as Eire whispered in his ear. Xander started to giggle again and Eire's hand covered his mouth, stifling it, while Eire grinned evilly. Xander reached up, taking a hold of Eire's hand and prying it away from his lips, turning his face around to give Eire a bemused look. \par As he turned his head, Eire caught him off guard by stealing a kiss. Xander let go of his hand, as he returned the kiss and wrapped his arm around Eire's neck. As the kiss ended, Eire nuzzled Xander's neck, wrapping his arms around Xander's waist. Xander nibbled gently at Eire's ear, before resting his chin on Eire's shoulder.

Two days of stealing moments like this in back rooms and outside. It was most likely ridiculous, but Xander kinda liked it. It had sorta become a game, to see how much they could get away with before some one interrupted. And Eire always seemed to make up for lost time.

At some point in the last two days, some one had asked why Xander was hanging around so much. Xander had just shrugged and said nothing. He wondered how many of them were getting suspicious, Xander hadn't felt much like living up to his old act. Eire had been right. There wasn't really a need for it around here.

Eire's shirt was half unbuttoned from the neck down, his hair was tussled. With no one else hardly there yet, they'd fooled around in this back room. Xander slid his hand inside Eire's shirt, caressing the wolf tattoo on his left shoulder. He felt Eire nip at his neck lightly, while he fingered the ring of Xander's collar.

"Can't you take this off?" Eire asked softly, nibbling at Xander's ear as he whispered in it.

"No..." Xander replied softly, moving his head slightly to rest his cheek on Eire's shoulder. "It needs a special key...a key only Abandon has."

"Couldn't you...cut it off?" Eire asked. Xander shook his head slightly, still caressing the wolf tattoo. "It's protected magically, anything you'd try to cut it with would dull or break."

Eire sighed, raising his head to look Xander in the eyes. "It's not fair." He whispered, running his thumb over Xander's lips.

Xander smiled softly. "No...but I'm used to it. Besides, it makes people stare..." He smiled a bit more, a touch wicked.

Eire snorted softly, shaking his head slightly. "So there's no way to remove it?"

Xander shook his head again. "Maybe one day, but until then I'm stuck in it."

Eire tilted his head to the side and fingered the ring again. "I suppose I'm not really complaining." He said with a wicked smirk. "Keeps you where I want you..."

Xander pinched Eire hard in the shoulder. "Where you want m

Eire yelped but continued to grin. "Yeah...if I wanted to tie you to my bed post, I could..." He replied, eyes sparkling.

Xander rolled his. "Oh whip me, beat me, make me feel cheap."

Eire laughed softly, before pushing Xander backward onto the floor. "You'd have to much fun."

"Only if it was you doing it." Xander replied back with a grin, sliding his arms around Eire's waist.

Eire straddled his legs, leaning down close. "Is that what you want?" He growled seductively, sliding both hands under Xander's t shirt at his sides.

Xander squirmed under him, ticklish. "That and so much more." He breathed.

Eire laughed softly, leaning down even closer as he slid his hands up Xander's side, pushing his shirt as he went. He ran his tongue over Xander's lips, teasing him, before letting his lips flutter over Xander's. Xander raised his head from the floor and captured Eire's mouth with his own, kissing him hard. He let go of Eire's waist to place his hands on Eire's chest.

Then he shoved, pushing Eire over, and rolling on top of him. He straddled him now, sitting up as he broke the kiss, his hands resting on Eire's chest. "Seems to me, I've got the upper hand right now." He said coyly, head tilted to the side.

Eire folded his hands behind his head and lay there grinning up at Xander. "Guess that means I'm at your mercy." He replied roguishly.

Xander leaned down again, sliding his hands onto either side of Eire's neck. "So you are...what ever shall I do?" He asked wickedly, dark eyes sparkling.

Eire laughed, moving his hands and slide them up Xander's arms, pulling him even closer still. "I could think of a few things..." He replied with a growl. Xander continued to grin and leaned down to kiss him again.

But Eire's head turned suddenly, he was eyeing the door. "Shit!" He growled. He heard footsteps moving down the hall toward the room. Xander was quick to pick up on it as well and slid off Eire, rolling to sit on the other side of him as Eire sat up.

He was just about to get to his feet, when the door was pushed open all the way. Nate was standing in the door way with an eyebrow raised. "A little early, ain't it?" He asked, looking over the pair with sharp eyes.

"Not really." Eire said, getting to his feet. Xander stayed sitting, leaning back on his hands. "I was working all night." Eire lied.

Nate's eyes flashed, taking in Eire's appearance, with the half open shirt and ruffled hair. His gaze moved to Xander, who looked as equally rumpled. "O'course." Nate replied. His face was impassive, but his eyes were sparkling. "Workin' on wha, exactly?"

Eire felt his cheeks flush and flashed a glare at his best friend. "Does it matter?"

"O' I suppose naught." Nate replied, starting to grin. "Button yer shirt before ye the room, Eir, or people may start wonderin'." With that Nate turned and left the room, heading back down the hall.

Eire growled, and began buttoning his shirt. He glanced at Xander who was looking at the floor. It was clear, this time they'd been caught. Eire snarled again and took off after Nate, to clear the whole matter up, or at least get Nate's assurance of silence.

Nate was just closing the gate of the elevator, when Eire caught it and shoved it back, getting into the elevator with Nate and jerking the gate closed. They stood in silence, not even looking at each other. Eire wasn't sure why he was suddenly so annoyed with Nate. Then his nose twitched and he inhaled sharply. Nate glanced at him from the corner of his eye with trepidation, but said nothing.

When the elevator was half way between floors, Eire slammed on the break button, stopping the elevator where it was, turning to Nate. His eyes were narrowed and his nose was still twitching. "You have his scent all over you." Eire growled. "And what's more is it's the scent of arousal."

Nate regarded him calmly, and started to reach over to start the elevator again, but Eire smacked his hand away, blocking the panel. \par \par "Is that where you've been disappearing to lately?" Eire growled. \par \par "Gee, Eir' I'm surprised ye've even noticed me disappearances," Nate replied back sarcastically.

Eire snarled. "Leave Lexine alone. He's been hurt enough, with out some one playin' games."

Nate's eyes flashed dangerously and narrowed. "Only one 'ere playin' games, Eire, is you and Xander back there. Don't think fer one bloody fuckin' moment, the two o' you are foolin' anyone! An' don't ye fuckin' dare insinuate wha' ye are, regarding Lexi."

"It's Lexi now, is it?" Eire responded with a clipped tone.

Nate reached out and grabbed Eire's shirt collar, before slamming him into the wall of the elevator out of the way of the panel. With one hand he restarted to the elevator, but remained looking at Eire. "Lets get somethin' straight, mate. I'll keep yer bloody secret, cause yer not man enough t' say it yerself t' everyone else, but do not assume t' know anything concerning Lexine and I." He let go of Eire, stepping back as the elevator rose upward again.

"Grow up, Eire. We've been best friends fer years. Ye ought t' know me well enough by now, t' know I ne'er do anything on a whim or fer no reason. Get o'er the attitude. And another thing. Everyone knows, 'bout you and Xander. Simple as that. No one's said anything, 'cause wha' ever you two do, is yer own business." Nate told him with a strong tone. Eire glared back, but said nothing.

The elevator came to a stop and Nate jerked the gate open, leaving it with out looking to see if Eire was following. Eire watched him disappear down the hall, before jerking the gate closed again and hitting the button to descend back down.

Xander was sitting on a crate in the storage room, smoking a cigarette when Eire came back in. "Everyone knows, don't they?" He asked with out looking up, his hair hanging in his face.

"Everyone knows." Eire answered softly, before plopping down on the box nex to Xander, resting his forehead against his shoulder. Xander slid an arm around his waist. "And Nate probably wont talk to me for a while..." Eire added softly.

"Why?" Xander asked, looking at him. \par \par Eire snorted softly. "We sorta had a blow up in the elevator...I couldn't help it! He's got Lexine's scent all over him! An aroused scent! We're not the only one's foolin' around."

Xander looked up sharply. "Lexine!"

Eire looked up, frowning. "Yes..." He narrowed his eyes. "Are you, JEALOUS?"

Xander gave him a flat look. "I'm not jealous. I just ASSUMED Lexine wouldn't be getting involved with anyone while Rowen Ravenscourt is still out there some where." He answered matter-of-factly.

"What does Ravensourt have to do with any of it?" Eire asked, looking at Xander.

Xander snorted, dropping his spent cigarette on the concrete floor and snubbed it out with his boot heel. "Lord boy, some times I think you have no brain in that head of yours." Xander replied teasingly. "They were lovers. Lexine and Ravenscourt. Why do ya think Ravenscourt's betrayal stung Lexine so bad?"

Eire leaned against Xander, wrapping his arms around Xander's shoulders from the side. "I suppose I should've realized that..."

Xander kissed him on the head. "Your problem, sweets, is you look at the world with out really seeing."

Eire looked at him with a bemused but irritated expression. "Alright smart arse." He replied.

Xander grinned at him, but then said. "I just would think, Lexine'd still be to hung up over Ravenscourt..."

"I told Nate to leave him alone, but there's no way Nate's gonna listen..." Eire said softly, leaning back against the wall and drawing Xander back with him. Xander settled against him, his head on Eire's shoulder.

"It could get ugly, if Lexine gets his heart broken again..." Xander said softly.

Eire's only response was a growl. Xander turned his head to look up at him. "You feel protective over him too?"

"After all the shit Lexine's been through...course I do...comin' to work for Chaos was the best thing to happen to him...he deserves a few years of peace."

Xander turned his eyes to the floor and he started at it hard, saying softly. "Abandon's slaves are meant to have peace..."

Eire looked at him, but couldn't say anything in reply to that. Instead he leaned down and kissed Xander softly. After kissing him, he stared him in the eyes, stoking his cheek. "Long as you're with me, Xander, you'll have some peace."

Xander smiled tenderly, and replied softly. "Then lets hope Nate has Lexine's best interests in mind."

"What else can we do?" Eire asked as Xander cuddled closer. They were silent a moment, just enjoying each other's closeness, each dwelling on things, before Xander asked softly. "Where do you suppose he is?"

"Ravenscourt?" Eire asked, showing they were both thinking about the same thing.

"Yeah..." Xander answered, tracing a finger up and down Eire's chest.

Eire sighed. "He could be anywere...doing anything..."

"or one..." Xander added with a glimmer of a wicked grin. He heard Eire snort softly, amused. "I think..." Xander said softly, seriously, before looking up at Eire. "He may be closer then we think..."

Eire looked at him sharply. "You know where he is?" He growled.

Xander shook his head. "No, but some times...Elementals can...feel each other...and it...gets stronger the closer they get to each other...It's just a feeling I have, but it's like I can always feel some one watching from a distance, like say, across the street...which means...Ravenscourt is closer then we think... I don't know if Lexine feels the same way or not...he and I...don't talk." Xander gave a half off smile. \par \par "Is there that much bad blood between you two?" Eire asked, caressing Xander's shoulder.

Xander sighed. "I was cruel to Lexine, once upon a time. Enough to want him dead at one point..."

Eire wrinkled his nose. "Why?"

"He broke my heart, when we were...young...I was 21, he was 17." Xander said softly.

Eire said nothing, but shook his head, holding Xander closer.

*              *                    *

Lexine dropped his long white, heavy coat on the back of the chair in the kitchen and sit his book in the seat, before taking off his reading glasses and sticking them in a coat pocket. He supposed reading, while walking to work, would probably get him killed one of these days, but the book he just couldn't put down.

He turned, wondering over to the coffee pot and checked to see how fresh it was. Deciding it could probably stand to be changed, he set to work. He leaned forward on the counter, his legs crossed at the ankle, seemingly watching the coffee percolate, but lost in thoughts. He didn't even hear the footsteps that entered the kitchen or come up behind him.

"The coffee pot is that interestin' t' watch?" Nate whispered in his ear with a grin.

Lexine jumped and slammed back against Nate in surprise as he straightened up. Nate caught him around the waist, steading the both of them. "Jesus, don't sneak up on me like that!" Lexine breathed, before elbowing Nate playfully in the stomach.

"Ye should've been payin' attention." Nate replied, letting him go reluctantly as Lexine turned to lean against the counter. He rested his fingers on Lexine's sides for a moment, looking at him with a slight smile.

"I wasn't watching the coffee pot, I was thinking." Lexine replied with a slight pout, while looking down at the floor, his eyes distant a moment.

Nate let go of him and lifted a hand to Lexine's chin, knowing something was wrong. He tipped the fragile redhead's chin upward, looking him in the eyes. "'Bout what?" He asked softly.

Lexine shook his head slightly, "I've had this feeling some one's been lookin' over my shoulder for the last day or so, I was just trying to figure out why?" He raised his right hand to push the hair out of his face, the silver charm bracelet with the locket sliding down his delicate wrist.

Nate's eyes fell on the locket for a moment and he frowned ever so slightly. However Lexine missed nothing. He frowned himself, watching Nate. "What?" He inquired softly.

Nate shook his head, looking back at Lexine's sweet face. "Nothing, Lexi."

"Don't start that, Nate. What?" Lexine asked with a dry tone.

"Why do you still wear that?" He nodded to the bracelet.

Lexine frowned more. "It allows me to remember."

"Like what?"

"A lot of things." Lexine answered softly, flicking his wrist to cause the locket to disappear into the sleeve of his jumper.

Nate sighed softly and leaned toward him. "Do you trust me, Lexi?" He asked, stroking Lexine's cheek gently, meeting his gaze. Lexine looked at him with a surprised innocence that only he could pull of.

"Yes..." He replied in a near whisper. "If I didn't, I wouldn't let you..." He trailed off, blushing.

Nate stepped forward, closing the distance between them and kissed him tenderly, moving his fingers through Lexine's hair. Sliding his other arm around Lexine's waist, he held him as he pulled back from the kiss. "Then stop wearin' the bracelet." He said gently, trying not to upset Lexine. \par \par "Why?" Lexine asked in whispered confusion, searching Nate's eyes.

Nate stroked his hair and held him possessively. "Believe me when I say it's putting you in danger..."

"But the curse...you and Eros..."Lexine was cut off by Nate placing a finger on his lips.

"Not the curse, Lexi, Rowen." Nate said softly, gauging for Lexine's reaction. Lexine sighed deeply in distress, folding against Nate and the counter. Nate held him, and watched his eyes close as the tears slid past those dark lashes. "'ey now..." Nate cooed soothingly, wrapping both arms around Lexine, holding his head to his shoulder.

"I just wish he'd leave me the fuck alone..." Lexine whispered though the tears, curled into Nate.

Nate enfolded Lexine protectively, letting him cry. "He can't touch ye, if we don't want him t'. But he knows exactly were ye are, as long as yer wearin' that bracelet. I'd stake my life on it." He said softly in Lexine's ear. He felt Lexine trembling slightly and continued to hold him.

When it seemed Lexine had gathered himself together and managed to stop sobbing, Nate held him out a little, looking him in the eyes. "No one 'ere wants Rowen gettin' his hands on ya...me especially, but if ye keep wearin' the bracelet, he's gonna know...and who knows how long he's jus' bidin' his time before strikin'." He reached up with both hands, cupping Lexine's face and wiping the tears off his cheeks with his thumbs.

Lexine held up his wrist, looking at bracelet a moment, before trying to undo the clasp with trembling fingers. Nate let go of his face and dropped his hands, to take Lexine's wrist and undo the bracelet for him. He dropped it on the counter behind Lexine, before kissing him softly. "Better now?" He asked softly. Lexine smiled wearily and nodded, looking into Nate's eyes. "Good." Nate replied, before kissing Lexine on the forehead.

"Nate, could you come here a moment?" Came Sylvie's voice from the hall as she approached.

Nate caressed Lexine's cheek one last time, while calling over his shoulder, still looking at Lexine. "Comin'." He smiled at Lexine, before turning and heading to find out what Sylvie needed.

Lexine watched him go, sagging against the counter with another sigh, rubbing his eyes. He looked over his shoulder at the bracelet. In one of those rare, torpid moments of his, he snatched up the bracelet, turning to his coat and shoving it into a pocket, just as Charli came in to the kitchen, heading for the coffee pot.

"You're here, early, Lex." She said with a warm smile. Then paused. "Is something wrong?"

"Nah," Lexine answered, rubbing his eyes. "Winter allergies are being a bitch." He lied. He suspected Charli knew it was a lie, but for Lexine's sake, she let it go, saying only."They say winter allergies can be worse then summer allergies." She smiled warmly at him again, while getting a cup of coffee.

"You're telling me." Lexine answered softly, glancing over his shoulder to see Eire trail into the kitchen with Xander not far behind. Lexine frowned, seeing Xander, but said nothing.

"Hey Lex, mate!" Eire said cheerfully, before ruffling Lexine's hair.

Lexine gave her a mock sour looking for the ruffling and playfully shoved at Eire. "E." He replied. Xander said nothing and nor did Lexine. They weren't at each other's throats any more, but neither were they the best of friends.

But Lexine didn't see Xander watching him with a concerned expression. Eire did, how ever and he frowned. "So what's up?" He asked Lexine casually.

Lexine shook his head as he picked up his book, shoving it into the other pocket of his coat, picking up the white garment and shrugging it on. "Nothin', just here for work." He replied with a slight grin. "If anyone needs me, I'm gonna be on the roof having a cigarette." He told them, as he headed for the door.

"Something's really bothering him..." Charli said softly to Eire and Xander after Lexine had disappeared.

"Yeah..." Eire agreed with a nod, he glanced at Xander, who turned his eyes to the door a moment.

Eire changed back to his regular form as they came to a stop in front of Lexine's apartment door and Nate knocked hard on it. Behind them, they heard Xander running up the stairs to join them. But Lexine didn't seem to want to answer. Nate grabbed the knob and tried it, finding the door was locked. Eire pounded on the door again. "Lexine! Its us! Open up!" Eire yelled. Nate scanned the hall, then headed toward the window that over looked the fire escape and cat walks.

He opened the window, while Xander and Eire stood outside Lexine's door and slipped out on to the fire escape, going around it's corner toward the window of the guest room in Lexine's apartment. He thought he felt some one watching from above and glanced up to see the shadow of some one, pulling their head back from the roof. He tried the window, found it was locked and swore, before driving his elbow into glass, knocking larges slivers out. He covered his hand with his sleeve and pulled more glass free, before leaning inward to unlock the window and yanked it open, climbing inside.

The guest room was dark and the apartment was silent. Nate opened the door into the hall and looked around. There were no lights on, but the street lights from outside illuminated the hall. "Lexi?" He called out softly, but received no answer. He headed down the hall toward the master bed room's half open door and pushed it open slowly, one hand on the butt of his colt as his eyes quickly adjusted to the darkness.

He breathed softly, seeing Lexine curled up in the bed under the burgundy satin comforter, fast asleep. Nate walked over to the bed slowly and turned on the bedside lamp, kneeling and pushing the hair out of Lexine's face as he looked at the fragile red head, before turning his eyes to the bedside table where a medication bottle sat. Lexine's arms, which were resting curled against him were covered in a pair of red cotton arm warmers and his small feet were clad in white and black stripped socks with red toes and heels. The socks went clear up to below the knees and had embroidered cherries on the top.

Nate picked up the medication, looking at it's label, before opening the bottle. The prescription had just been filled that day, thirty Ambien sleeping tablets. Nate counted what was left in the bottle and discovered 28 remained. He put the medication back and sat the bottle on the table, before turning his fingers to stroke Lexine's cheek. "You'll be sleeping the rest of the night, gorgeous." He said softly, before standing.

He moved back toward the front room where Eire was still pounding on the door and unlocked it, letting them in. "Where's Lex?!" Eire growled, eyes flashing in the darkness.

"Asleep." Nate answered, opening the drawer of the table next to the door and pulled out the keys to Lexine's mustang. He tossed them to Eire. "It's in the garage, go bring it around."

Eire eyed the keys, with an almost mischievous look. "Eire, this is serious, no clowning around." Nate warned.

"No, course not. He alright?" Eire replied.

"Like I said, he's sleeping. Taken two Ambiens...he'll be out the rest of the night. Xander, go with him." Nate said, turning to head back toward the bedroom to get Lex.

"Actually," Xander said, his hands in his pockets. "I'll stay here...I can feel him right on top of us."

Nate stopped, looking over his shoulder. "I think I can handle Rowen long enough t' get Lexine out of here."

"Yeah well, ya stand a better chance with some one else to help." Xander replied with a deep breath.

"Why ya helpin'?" Nate asked suspiciously. Eire had stopped at the door, had it half open and was looking at Xander.

Xander glanced at Eire, before looking back at Nate. "Because...of Eire...I know what Lex means to Eire..." He answered, holding his chin a bit higher.

Nate regaurded him a moment, and didn't miss Eire's proud expression. "Righ'. Get going Eire." He said, before heading into the bed room.

Eire sprinted over to Xander and kissed him quickly. "Thanks, darlin'." He said softly.

Xander kissed him back just as quickly before shoving him toward the door. "Watch your ass out there, handsome." He told him. Eire chuckled and ran out the door, closing it behind him and headed for the garage connected to the apartment building.

He located Lexine's 67 mustang and unlocked it, getting inside and starting the engine. He revved it, relishing in the engine's purr and pulled out of the garage with a squeal of tires, parking along side the front of the building, waiting. He searched the shadows, while checking the clip of his berrata, just incase.

Nate went back into the bedroom and pulled the comforter around, tucking it under Lexine, before scooping him up, wrapped with in the satin, as Xander stopped in the door way. "You and I, need t' talk Xander." Nate told him, getting a better hold on Lexine. It wasn't hard to carry Lexine, he didn't weigh more then some of the girls did.

"I'm not tryin' to play any games, here." Xander replied from the door way, watching Nate with Lexine. His dark eyes were slightly hard.

Nate tucked the comforter tighter around Lexine and his hand snatched the medication bottle from the table, pocketing it. "Ye care that much about Eire, t' help his friends?" Nate asked seriously.

Xander stood a bit straighter, meeting Nate's eyes. "Yeah, I do." He answered softly, but firmly.

Nate regarded him, before nodding. "Ye should've been the good guy from the start, Xander." He said simple, heading for the door. \

Xander smirked slightly, but stopped at the door of the guest room, looking at the broken window, positive he saw some one inside a moment. Nate was already heading toward the door. Xander's dark eyes scanned the room, before he hurried to catch up with Nate and as a second thought, scooped up the oversized black and white cat that was Aloysius, who didn't protest.

"Bringin' the cat?" Nate asked as they left the apartment, Xander locking it again, carrying the cat in one arm.

Xander smirked. "Lex is very fond of this cat. He'd be very put out if something happened to it...I'm sure Chaos wont mind much..."

Nate smirked, but noticed the cat didn't fight with Xander, letting the ice elemental carry him with out protest. He eyed the creature, who's eyes met his and blinked. "That cat is..."

"Somethin' more then a cat...yeah, I get that feelin' too." Xander replied, scratching the feline under the chin as they headed down the stairs.

Eire was leaning on the car as they got down stairs and he opened the passenger's door. "The cat too?" He asked, eyeing Aloysius.

"The cat too." Nate answered.

Xander got into the back seat with the feline, who lay contentedly on his lap, purring as Xander scratched it. Nate got into the passenger's seat with Lexine, who was still fast asleep, curled up against Nate under the comforter. Eire got into the driver's side and was just about to pull away, when he spotted Rowen standing at the corner behind them. "That son of a bitch..." Eire hissed, starting to open his door, even though the engine was running.

Xander's hand shot from the back seat to grab Eire's arm. "Just drive, Eire." He told him, watching Rowen through the back window.

Rowen's eyes met with Nate's through the mirror's reflection and Nate narrowed his green eyes. Rowen smiled chillingly, before turning away and walking down the street. "Drive, Eir." Nate growled.

Eire sighed and threw the car into drive, pulling away from the curb. "How do we kill the bastard?" He demanded as he drove.

"Very carefully..." Nate replied softly, one hand stroking Lexine's hair.

"He's playing games with us..." Xander said from his spot, behind Eire. The cat mewed softly as if in agreement. "He was waiting for us to come and get Lex..."

"But why..." Eire hissed.

Xander fell slightly, looking irritated by the frustration. "I don't know yet...There are times when all Elementals can know what another Elemental is up to...and it's as if Rowen's trying to get me to know what he wants...but I can't grasp it..."

Eire glanced at Xander through the review mirror. "I'll figure it out...hopefully before it's too late..." Xander said softly, glancing upward at Eire's reflected eyes. Eire nodded slightly, having faith in Xander.

Eire pulled into the Chaos building's garage and got out, opening the passenger's door for Nate, who got out with Lex. The cat bound from the car, and sat near by, cleaning it's paw as Xander got out. "I'm taking Lexi upstairs, then I'm getting a hold of K." Nate said, heading for the elevator.

"Your apartment, or his?" Eire asked, following and opening the gate for Nate. Xander sat down on a box against the wall, the cat automatically jumping into his lap.

"Does it matter, Eire?" Nate asked simply as Eire hit the button.

"Guess not..." Eire answered softly, "I'll be right back, Xander." Xander waved him off, lighting a cigarette. Eire watched the brunette petting the cat as the elevator rose upward.

After a moment, Eire spoke softly. "I'm sorry, 'bout this mornin'..."

Nate chuckled softly, "Forgetta 'bout it." He muttered softly. "Ye feel that strongly 'bout Xander?"

"Yeah." Eire answered. "He's gotta good heart...beneath it all...and...well..." Eire rubbed his neck in embarrassment.

Nate glanced at him with an amused look. Eire sorta grinned then looked at Lexine's sleeping face. "Wha 'bout you and Lex?"

"Wha' 'bout us?" Nate asked simply.

"You care that much about him?" Eire asked softly, but with a pointed look.

"Yes." Nate answered simply. Eire nodded silently, as the elevator came to a stop. "Ain't no shame in how ya feel 'bout Xander, Eire." Nate said softly, as Eire opened the gate.

"Yeah, well..." Eire remarked as Nate left the elevator. Nate glanced back at him, and heard Eire say softly. "I think I...er... love..ish the guy..." Nate had to laugh, but it wasn't a laugh that pissed off Eire. It was the kind of laugh that told Eire that Nate had known that before Eire even had and the half wolf were grinned slightly, watching Nate take Lexine down to his apartment, before Eire hit the button to descend back down.

Xander was still sitting on the box, when Eire arrived back. Eire walked up to him with out a word, grabbed Xander's face, pulling it upward and kissed him hard and deep with out a word. Xander's eyes had widened with surprise, before closing slowly, letting go of the cat to kiss Eire back. Then Eire socked Xander in the shoulder, not hard, but hard enough to make a point.

"Don't you EVER go after Rowen by yourself again!" Eire chastened Xander. "Lords, anything could have happened to you!"

Xander blinked several times with wide eyes, looking at him. "I knew what I was doing..." He replied in protest.

"Be that as it may, I don't want anything happening to you!" Eire replied, pulling Xander to his feet before wrapping his arms around him, holding him tightly.

"Why..." Xander asked softly, from the embrace.

"Because when you...care 'bout some one, you don't want to see them in danger." Eire hissed, tightening his embrace around Xander. Xander blinked again, speechless, looking Eire in the eyes, before he hugged Eire back fiercely.

Nate toed his door closed, and carried Lexine through the rooms to the bedroom, putting the delicate redhead on the bed, still wrapped up in the satin comforter. He dropped his coat with the bottle of medication on a chair in the corner and sat down on the edge of the bed next to Lexine, before leaning over him. "Baby doll, wha' am I gonna do with ya..." He muttered with the shake of his head, while stroking Lexine's hair out of his face.

He leaned over, kissing Lexine's lips softly, before standing, leaving Lexine tucked in. He turned off the light, but left the bedroom door open, moving back out to the front room, where he poured a measure of scotch before moving over to the window.

Drawing the curtain to the side slightly, he gazed out, scanning the night streets as he took a drink. He may not have been an elemental, but he knew Rowen was out there, watching from somewhere. "Ye wanna play games, Rowen Ravenscourt, we'll play, but by me rules." He growled softly, polishing off the glass, before sitting it down on the table near by as he let go of the curtain.

He moved back to the bedroom and sat on the bed against the headboard on Lexine's otherside, watching the fire elemental sleeping and let his mind wonder as to just what Rowen could be after.

***

Chaos and Rue returned to the building to find Xander and Eire sitting alone in the kitchen. Rue eyed them as she entered. Eire made no show to remove his arm from Xander's leg, or his chin from Xander's shoulder as they came in. Xander hesitated, his hand on Eire's thigh, watching the woman with trepidation.

"Well ya know, it's about time you're up forward, 'bout this, Eire." Rue said as she opened the fridge.

Eire looked at her, but still hadn't moved his chin from resting on Xander's shoulder. "Is there a problem with it, Rue?" He asked evenly.

Rue turned and smiled at them both, it was warm. "No. I don't have a problem with it. And I doubt Chaos does either...After all, you can't help who you fall for..." She said simply, touching Eire's shoulder as she passed. "Just glad to see Xander being one of us.." She winked at the ice elemental.

"What about Lex?" Eire asked, watching Rue closely.

Rue hesitated and looked at him. "What about Lex?"

"Did you know he and Nate have been foolin' around?" Eire asked softly.

Rue sighed. "I had my suspicions..." She replied simply, as she paused in the door way. "Just as long as Nate's not playin' games with him, I can't put a stop to it...I just don't want to see Lex hurt."

"Nate ain't gonna hurt him." Eire replied fiercely. "That's the last thing on Nate's mind." Defending Nate. He knew now, Nate wasn't just having a fling with the fire elemental.

"Alright then..." Rue answered softly, with a nod.

"What about you?" Xander asked, turning his eyes to Rue.

"I've got some one else..." She answered simply, before heading out of the room. Eire frowned, wondering who that could be.

"She's been runnin' around with Estehl Errin..." Xander said softly, kissing the top of Eire's head. "Didn't you know that?"

Eire blinked rapidly. "Estehl? The Crowned Prince?"

"Mhmm...been hot and heavy from what Aiyla says..." Xander chuckled.

"And wha's Aiyla been up to?" Eire asked softly.

Xander chuckled more. "She's been having a lot of fun with Sands..."

"Oh, that's scary..." Eire said with a grin.

"But works..." Xander replied slightly sing song. Eire laughed out right, then yawned.

"Lets go get a nap..." He muttered, getting up and dragging Xander to his feet. Xander hesitated.

"Maybe I should..."

Eire cut him off, kissing him softly. "You're comin' with me, darlin'." Eire growled softly, entwining his fingers in Xander's and he pulled him out of the kitchen toward his apartment.

He shut the door of the apartment, kissing Xander as he locked it. "I've thought about this...since leaving Nate and Lexine at his apartment door..." Eire whispered softly, pulling Xander toward the bed room, wrapping his arms around Xander's waist.

"About wha?" Xander asked softly, his arms resting on Eire's shoulders as Eire led them backward into the bedroom. Eire tipped backward, and pulled Xander with him onto the bed, where he kissed Xander deeply, his fingers going to Xander's hair and running through it.

Nuzzling Xander's neck, he kissed Xander's ear and whispered. "I think I love-ish... you, Xander Caine..."

Xander swallowed. "Eire...You can't...love-ish a person..."

"Okay, I love you..." Eire hushed him, his thumb on Xander's lips. Xander kissed his thumb, drawing the finger into his lips and sucking gently on it as he looked deep into Eire's blue eyes. "Its strange, but true. I can't lie about what I'm feeling..."

Xander looked at him with admiration and a touch of sadness. "No one's ever said they loved me..." He whispered softly as they lay side by side.

"Except me." Eire whispered, kissing him softly.

"Except you..." Xander agreed, kissing him back. Eire wrapped his arms around Xander, burying his face in Xander's hair, closing his eyes. Xander snuggled against him, holding Eire and closed his own eyes, feeling for once, at peace. Even if it was, as Eire had said, strange to be in love with the wolf were.

"Did you know, wolves mate for life?" Eire asked softly, yawning. Xander smiled, eyes still closed. He didn't really answer other then to tighten his arms around Eire and listened to his silver haired lover fall asleep.

"If only..." Xander whispered into the growing night, at peace entangled in Eire's arms.

***

Nate had just drifted off to sleep, stretching out beside the body in his bed, when Lexine shifted against him, whimpering painfully. Nate opened his eyes with a snap as Lexine whimpered again, and he watched the delicate red head shifting tormentedly in his sleep. Nate slid a hand over Lexine's side comfortingly, watching with unease, wondering what was disturbing Lexine's dreams.

He watched Lexine's body curling up smaller, and his hand stroked Lexine's side, as Lexine whimpered again. Nate moved closer, wrapping his other arm around the fire elemental, pulling him closer.

As he did so, Lexine's eyes snapped open suddenly, wide and frightful and he squirmed, trying to get away, not realizing who had him. "Lexi...baby, it's alright..." Nate whispered, moving a hand to push the hair out of Lexine's face, trying to comfort him.

He wasn't quite getting through to Lexine just yet, the sleeping medication fogging Lexine's mind. He writhed, trying to pull away from Nate, but Nate held him tighter, leaning foward to whisper in Lexine's ear. "Lexine, it's alright... you're safe..." He heard Lexine whimper, closing his eyes, tears falling on the pillow under him. Lexine curled in against Nate, his arms tucked against his chest, making himself smaller against Nate.

Nate enfolded Lexine in his arms, holding him close as Lexine began to cry again. He said nothing, just comforting the small fire elemental. He wondered if Rowen hadn't possibly gotten to the apartment before them after all.

Lexine seemed to realize where he was, he moved his head to look Nate in the eyes, from behind the tears. "He said it was my fault..." He whispered, looking at Nate.

"He said what was your fault?" Nate asked softly, stroking Lexine's cheek, but obviously not liking the way this was going.

"He said it was...that...Saffron was my fault..." Lexine breathed back, trying to stifle the tears.

Nate groaned, holding Lexine closer. "No, Lexine, Saffron was most definitely NOT your fault." He told him gently, but sternly.

"I know...it's just..." Lexine stuttered pathetically.

"Lexi, Saffron's death was NOT your fault, do ye understand me?" Nate growled, holding his gaze.

Lexine's brother, Saffron had died three months earlier in battle. No one was exactly clear how it happened, almost everyone was scattered about the battle scene, to far away to reach the death elemental in time. The only one who'd been close enough, had been Lexine, who'd Saffron had been defending at the time. One thing everyone was sure of, from what had been pieced together from everyone's memory, after they'd talked about it for quiet some time, was that Lexine was not at fault.

They'd been doing their best to keep Lexine from blaming himself. He'd never said it out loud to anyone, but everyone had the feeling he wanted to blame himself. Now along comes Rowen, who openly blames Lexine, for something Rowen had no knowledge of. Xander was right, Rowen was playing a game.

Nate had to stop to wonder if Rowen's goal was to physically hurt Lexine, or emotionally and mentally?

Lexine curled against him, closing his eyes. "I just want him to leave me alone!" He hissed through clenched teeth.

Nate kissed Lexine on the forehead after sighing. "I know..."

It was the cat that woke Lexine up the next morning, jumping directly on to his pillow. Lexine opened an eye, staring back at the black and white furry face and groaned, ruffling the cat's ears. It mewed and pawed at Lexine who sat up slightly, petting the cat as he looked over his shoulder to see Nate coming back in the bedroom, buttoning his shirt.

"It was sitting outside my door." Nate said, nodding to the cat with a look.

"Did it follow you back or did you bring it?" Lexine asked, while still stroking the cat.

"Xander nabbed the bugger." Nate replied.

Lexine looked at the cat with a look. "Some times I think you're more then a stray cat I picked up." He muttered, sitting up all the way.

The cat flopped on his lap with another mew and ravenous purring. Lexine laughed softly, scratching the cat under it's chin.

"How'd ye get the eatin' machine anyway?" Nate asked, finding his boots.

Lexine pushed the hair out of his face and turned his attentions from watching Nate bend over to look under a chair, to the cat. "I found him in my garbage can. He was kitten then..."

"So ye jus took the thing in?" Nate asked, sitting down.

Lexine blushed. "It was storming..." Nate shook his head with a grin and Lexine's blush grew. With a click of his tongue he threw the pillow under his arm at Nate. Nate barked a laugh and caught the pillow, getting up from the chair and threw it back at Lexine as he stalked over to the bed.

"I didn't say anything t' make ye blush..." Nate purred, leaning over.

"YOU don't have to say anything..." Lexine retorted with a look, but he batted his eyelashes coyly.

"Indeed." Nate caught Lexine's chin and kissed him simply. Lexine bit his lip with a grin as he watched Nate heading into the other room. He looked at the cat , then pushed the cat away with a roll of his eyes.

"Oh don't give me that look." Lexine said to Aloysius, before crawling out from under the comforter and wandering after Nate.

Nate handed him a cup of coffee. "Remember anything about last night?" He asked.

Lexine looked at him sourly from the edge of the mug, then said quiet cynically. "Which part?"

Nate regarded him, bemused, then said calmly. "Wha' happened?"

Lexine sagged slightly and slid into a chair with the cup of coffee. "It was on the answering machine when I got in...He must've waited until I was right outside the door to time it so well." He said softly.

"He was at the apartment building last night." Nate said.

Lexine looked up sharply. "He watched as we drove off." Nate added.

Lexine shook his head, sitting the mug on a near by end table. "Is Xander right 'bout today?" Nate asked softly.

"What did Xander say about today?" Lexine asked even softer in reply.

"It's the anniversary of Rowen's...first death." Nate replied, looking at the red head.

Lexine sighed and nodded. "Don't leave the building today, Lexi." Nate said softly watching him. Lexine groaned and sank lower into the chair, giving him a look. "I mean it."

"Alright..." Lexine muttered softly, looking over his arm, which he'd wrapped around his knees, at Nate, who was looking back at him with bemused authority.

***

Eire rolled over in the bed and literally rolled off of it, hitting the floor with a thud. He lay on his back, staring upward at the ceiling with surprised blinking eyes, until Xander's face appeared, looking very amused.

"Wha, is so funny?" Eire asked, stifling a yawn.

"Nothin'. Awake yet?" Xander asked, still grinning.

"After that rude awakening, I'd say so." Eire answered, getting up on his knees, stealing a kiss from Xander as he went.

"I see that nothing short of actaully shoving you out of bed, wakes you up." Xander replied, his finger tips, tickling Eire's neck.

Eire regarded him. "You did that?"

"I've been awake for a while." Xander replied, his grin slipping devious.

"Oh, you have, have you?" Eire asked with a raised eyebrow, then slid his arms under Xander's and pulled him off the bed onto the floor, leaning over him. He leaned down, ran the tip of his tongue over Xander's nose and kissed him.

"You're very cute when you're dreaming." Xander said as Eire stretched out beside him on the floor.

"Is that a fact?" Eire asked teasingly.

Xander batted his lashes playfully. "From my point of view it is." Eire laughed softly, kissing him again, before getting up. He pulled Xander to his feet. They wandered toward the front room, then Xander realized something. He looked around. "Where's the cat?"

Eire looked around. "The cat was here last night..." He glanced at his front door and saw it was unlocked and cracked open. Even the chain had been undone. He looked at Xander.

Xander shook his head. "I didn't do it..."

"The cat didn't do it..." Eire protested.

"I don't think that cat is really just a cat..." Xander replied seriously as Eire closed the front door again.