Slide Zone 
 by Ruex




 

  

 


Auron was only partly surprised when Regan told them where. "Lexine's safe..." He said softly, holding Chaos by the waist, leaning his chin on her head. He watched his oldest daughter raise an eyebrow, she looked so much like her mother, and when she did, the look was identical.
"How do you know?" Regan asked.
"I know Maxine." Auron said softly.
"Well we've got to go get Lexine anyway." Chaos said softly. "One, Lexine's the daughter of the seal...her guardian," Chaos glanced at Faal who was sitting in a chair near by and looked a bit put out at that mention, "Is here...two so is his family."
"I'm kinda with mom on this," Regan said. "I don't know about Saffron, but I'd like to meet my little brother."
Auron chuckled softly. "Well I would like to meet my youngest, excuse me, second youngest son." He said softly with a slight smile. Chaos smirked.
"Well if the boy is safe, why do we have to drag him back here?" Faal asked from his spot.
Chaos gave him a look. "Faal, he's the daughter of the seal, he needs to be here...Where we can protect him...where you can protect him..."
"Clarice, I didn't even know I WAS his guardian..." Faal replied with a look.
"Well now you do..." Chaos replied simply.
***
So it was arranged, Auron, Chaos, Faal, Regan and Saffron booked the next flight for Miami. Auron couldn't quiet believe Maxine had set up shop in Miami, but then Maxine had never liked the colder states. He called her, and in as simple terms as he could, told her Lexine was his son.
"I'd like ot meet with him, so would the rest of his family, Max." Auron said on the phone.
Maxine was quiet a moment. "Well I certianly can't prevent you from meeting with Lexine, but I'm going to warn you, Auron. Lexine is...fragile and I'll ask you not to upset Lexine..."
"I'm his father, Max." Auron growled.
"Be that as it may, but I'm very fond of Lexine...Oh, you'll understand well enough when you get here. Have the address? Better yet, I'll send a car to the hotel." Maxine said, there was something wicked about her tone. Auron had known Maxine a very long time. She was flashy, she was expensive, but she was damn good at the job she did.
The building that housed Maxine Croft's cooperation was a bit outside of the town, big, three stories. The car pulled up to the front entrance, and Auron glanced out the window of the backseat of the limo Maxine had sent around for them. He let his gaze drift over the entrance, and smirked slightly as he located, in rather obvious places, security cameras. "Looks a bit paranoid to me." Saffron said, spotting the obvious cameras as well.
"It's supposed to. Those arent' even the real surveillance cameras." Auron replied, catching Chaos' raised eyebrow, before opening the door and getting out of the limo. His wife and children followed as did Faal.Faal seemed slightly uncomfortable with tagging along, he'd pointed out he wasn't family. Chaos denied that, saying he was to her, and if he was Lexine's guardain, he had a right to be there as well.
The doors slid open and a young man with black hair and a cowboy hat stepped out.He was dressed in as much denim as Nate would be. Auron raised an eyebrow as the young man came to a stop before them. Regan leaned in toward her mother and Auron heard her whisper. "Deja Vu..." Chaos chuckled softly.
"Miss. Croft apologizes for not being able to meet you at this moment, she's in a meeting. I'm Shane Lee, if you'd like to follow me, I'll give you a tour of the building and take you to Miss Croft's office." He said with casual friendliness, motioning to the door.
Auron inclined his head, "Thank you." He slid an arm around Chaos' waist and Regan planted herself on the other side. Saffron and Faal followed as they entered the building.
The main reception room was large and modorn looking, but comfortable. A young woman with curly blonde hair sit behind a desk at one end. "This our main reception, Miss Nickles over sees appointments and visitors." Shane said, motioning to the secretary, who handed him a set of badges as he paused. "Thanks babe." Shane said with a wink. The blonde gave him a look. Shane turned to the group. "We have some really tight security around here, so these badges will identify you as high profile visitors." He said, handing the badges over. Saffron eyed his with a look of disbelief, but a look from his father and he tacked it on.
Shane led them down the hall, "These rooms here are standard offices, meeting rooms, a staff kitchen, and break room." He indicated as they passed them.
Turning the corner, he stopped at set of double doors and entered a code. "Now we get into the inner workings of the building." He said as the doors opened.
"What exactly is it that you do here?" Chaos asked from beside Auron.
Shane glanced at her with a smirk. "A little bit of everything, Mrs. Mordant. These rooms here are our file rooms, computer rooms and archives." He motioned to a series of doors that were key coded. Faal noticed an absence of security cameras inside the building, but yet had the feeling they were being watched regardless.
Shane led them around another corner. "Work out rooms, gyms, armory." He indicated, before opening an elevator. Everyone climbed in and he hit the button for the second floor. "So what does Lexine do here?" Regan asked.
Shane shook his head. "I've been told not to speak about Lexine. It's complicated. Good kid though."
"Why can't you talk about him, we're his family." Saffron said with a look. Shane glanced at him with a slight smirk.
"You'll understand." The elevator doors opened. "Most of the main staff offices, the labs, the communications room, which is the life blood of all our work, are on this floor. I'll take you to Miss Croft's office." Shane led the way down the hall.
They passed one room with tall windows looking in. THe room was filled with computers, and equipment, a large screen at one end that had a map uploaded. There were a few people with in. Faal paused to look, a small petit and beautiful young woman with striking red hair was walking along the center of the room with a headset and a folder in her hands. Faal watched a moment, it seemed she was talking to some one over the headset and seemed a bit irritated. Then he glanced at the others who were further down the hall and hurried to catch up with them.
Shane led them to the double doors at the end of the hall and opened one. "Make yourselves at home. Can I get any of you something to drink?" He asked, motioning them into the posh office.Everyone shook their head. "Well there's a wet bar in the corner if you are interested, sodas in the little fridge." He added, before stepping back into the hall and closing the door behind him.
Auron looked around the office. IT was expensive, but void of any personal atmosphere, so like Maxine. There was a large plush couch against the wall with the windows and several comfortable looking chairs. Faal settled into one chair, Chaos in another, Saffron flopped on the couch, picking up a magazine, Regan stood next to her father.
"Just what does Maxine do?" Chaos asked finally rather then let the room fall into silence.
Auron turned his eyes to look at her, but didn't get a chance to answer as the door opened again. "And tell her to tell him, I don't care WHAT he has to do, he's to get the file and get out!" A woman said, before stepping into the office.
Maxine Croft was tall, athletic build with a nice body. Her hair was black and long, in a braid down her back. She was dressed in jeans, a black t-shirt and a denim jacket over top. She gave them all a smile as she closed the door behind her. "I'm sorry for keeping you waiting Auron, work as always." She crossed the room, giving Auron a kiss on the cheek, Chaos raised an eyebrow. Then Maxine slipped behind her desk.
"Sorry to interrupt your work, Max." Auron replied with a slight smile.
Maxine smiled a bit more, a touch wicked. "All work and no play...you know how it goes."
Auron chuckled. "Max, my wife, Clarice," he motioned to Chaos.
Maxine's eyebrow shot up, but other then that, she looked calm and turned her eyes on Chaos. "Forgive me, never imagine Auron as a married man. You must be something special for him to give in to that."
Chaos smiled herself, but didn't really replied. "My daughter, Regan." Auron said, motioning to his daughter. Regan gave a little wave and Maxine nodded. "My eldest son, Saffron." Safforn just nodded. Maxine smiled slightly. "And this is Faal, a very close and personal family friend."
Maxine turned her eyes on Faal, and blinked. "Faal Dominic?" She asked.
Faal's eyebrow shot up. "Yes, have we met?" He asked. "I think I would remember if we had." He added with a slight smile.
Maxine chuckled softly. "No, but...he tends to speak alot about you...best friend and all." She said.
"Ah, yes... well." Faal nodded, knowing who she was talking about. He wasn't aware Estehl knew any Maxines...
Auron took a breath. "Max, I don't want to beat around the bush here...where is Lexine..."
Maxine smiled softly. "At the moment, Lexine is working. Which gives me a chance to explain some things." She said. "Don't worry, you'll be meeting Lexine soon enough." She added at Auron's look.
"What do you need to explain?" Auron asked, finally moving to a chair.
"Lexine has become...an important part of this group.But Lexi is...emotionally fragile. I'm not sure how Lexi's going to take to having a family now after all this time...beside the one here..." Maxine said softly. "It's been a struggle to get Lexi to adjust to being out of Abandon's realm and no longer a slave...did you know about that?" She asked.
Auron nodded. "We all did...we've been looking for him since we found out he was out of Abandon's realm..."
"Him..."Maxine chuckled softly and Auron's eyebrow shot up even more.
There came a knock at the door, Maxine got up, moving around the desk, to answer it. Saffron and Regan leaned over the side of the couch to see who Maxine was speaking softly with and Regan saw a petite red head young woman in the hall.
After a moment, Maxine opened the door a little more and the young woman stepped into the room, looking around wide eyed. She had striking green eyes, two inverted tear drop tattoos under each eyes. Her skin was an almost alabaster and she shifted nervously, before looking back at Maxine. She was a beautiful girl, there was no denying that. Auron had nearly come out of chair, shock actually registered on his face. Saffron, Regan and Chaos looked back and forth between Auron and the girl quizzically.
Maxine laid an hand on the red head's shoulder and leaned forward, whispering something in her ear. The red head blinked, looking at her confused, but Maxine just smiled softly, before turning to the others. "Auron, this is Lexine...Lexine, this...your father, Auron."
Auron stood the rest of the way from the chair, moving toward Lexine. Who was obviously not a boy. She was petit but curvy, and looked almost identical to her mother. Lexine stared at him, wide eyed. Auron snorted softly with a slight smile as he stopped before her. "This is...difficult..." He said softly. "Everything I thought I wanted to say...has vanished..."
He watched a small smile appear on Lexine's full lips. "This isn't exactly easy from my point of view either..." She said in a whisper, Auron detected a British accent.
"Um...I suppose I should start...this is your step mother, Clarice." Auron said, as Chaos came to stand next to him.
"Hello Lexine. It's very nice to meet you." Chaos said with a smile.
"This is your eldest...sister, Regan." Auron said, as Regan came over.
"Hi!" Regan said cheerfully. Lexine blushed but gave a small wave.
"And this is your eldest brother, Saffron." Auron added, Saffron was still sitting on the couch.
"I thought she was supposed to be a he..." Saffron stated.
Lexine's eyes went to the floor with a deep blush, Auron and Regan both shot Saffron a look. "Well, SHE hasn't been, not for...lets see, little over a year I think." Maxine supplied, moving back to her desk.
"How's that possible?" Regan asked, but had reached out, touching Lexine's shoulder.
Maxine sighed, sitting down. Lexine was looking in her direction with a lost expression and Maxine gave her a soft smile. "Believe it or not, she just woke up one day and was no longer a boy." Maxine said simply. Auron raised an eyebrow.
"The Seal." Maxine added. "Would be my guess anyway. Lexine is aware of what she is...She's never been there, but she knows. and as I said, a little over a year ago, she woke and was no longer a boy. It took her some time to adjust, had some hard time at first, but she's doing remarkably well now." Maxine said, giving Lexine a warm smile.
"Well that's part of the reason why we're here." Chaos said, glancing at Lexine. "We knew Lexine was the Daughter of the Seal...and...as the Daughter, she has a guardian..."
"Yes, that we knew, not that we've found said Guaridan." Maxine said. "Which I admit would be nice, even here, Lexine's been endanger."
Chaos smirked, before looking at Faal. "We've brought...her guardian with us. Turns out we had him.."
Maxine turned her eyes to Faal as he stood up. "Why am I not surprised." She muttered to herself with a smirk.
Faal turned to face Lexine, as he did, she looked up at him, their eyes met. For a moment, all they did was gaze at each other, Faal found himself lost in the absinthe color, he'd never seen a more beautiful young woman, with her long vibrant curly red hair and creamy skin. But it was her eyes that captured him most, an extraordinary green, the likes of which he'd never seen. He watched her blush and finally lower her eyes, and felt something in him change.
"Lexine, this Faal Dominic." Chaos said softly. "He's your guardian."
"I'm very pleased to meet you at last." Faal said softly, extending his hand.
Lexine seemed to hesitate a moment, but finally slipped her small hand into his. Faal wasn't sure what made him do it, but when she slipped her hand into his, he lifted it slowly to his lips, kissing her knuckles lightly, all the while watching her face and how she blushed more.
"You said she's been endanger?" Auron asked Maxine.
Maxine nodded, sittign back in her chair. "She's the daughter of the Seal, she's already drawn the attentions of the wrong people. In fact, just last week we rescued her from a kidnapping.' She noticed Lexine blush scarlet at that.
"What do you do here, Lexine?" Chaos asked.
"I..I'm in charge of records and communications durning assignments..." She answered softly.
"What exactly is this business." Chaos asked again, looking at Maxine.
Maxine smirked slightly, "A little bit of everything, mostly we deal in external security, dealing with supernatural and preternatural beings." She said.
"Oh, so no different then Chaos Inc." Regan said with a smirk.
"Indeed." Maxine agreed with a smirk of her own. "We've heard all about Chaos Inc. Nice to know there's more women heading businesses like this." She said with a smirk to Chaos who chuckled softly. "How long will you be staying in Miami?" she asked them.
"A few days." Auron answered.
"Well the third floor of this building is all apartments and guest rooms, if you would prefer to stay closer to Lexine, you're welcome to stay here. She has an apartment upstairs."
Auron looked at Chaos after a moment, Chaos nodded and Auron nodded as well. "I think that would be alright, if...Lexine wants us that close..." He said softly, turning to his youngest...daughter.
Lexine bit her lip, but seemed to nod after a moment. "That's fine..." She said in a whisper. "Um...I don't...don't mean to be rude, but...I've got...to get back to the communication's room...Justin and Micky are still out there..."
"Go ahead, Lexi, I'll take them upstairs." Maxine said.
"Can I tag along?" Regan asked, looking at Lexine. Lexine blinked and looked at Maxine.
"Sure, go ahead. I'm sure Lexi will tell you what not to touch and all." Maxine replied with a smile, standing up.
Regan smirked and followed Lexine from the room. Saffron snorted, rolling his eyes. Auron shot his eldest son a look. Chaos noticed Faal watched Lexine until the door closed behind her.
Lexine entered the code to the communications room, which was empty now, but the map was still up on the wall, "How long have you been doing this?" Regan asked softly following her in.
"Oh...about two and half years..." Lexine answered softly, moving into the room, the door locking behind them. She moved over to a desk and computer and typed something in on the keyboard, a read out coming up on the screen, she scanned it with her green eyes. "They're alright so far, but...I need to be here to monitor them incase something goes wrong..."
"What are they doing?" Regan asked, glancing a the map and the two little red dots moving along it.
"Werewolves..." Lexine answered softly, sittign in the chair at the desk. Regan grabbed another, pulled it over, sitting in it.
"Listen, Lexine...I know this is probably really hard on you right now..." Regan said softly.
Lexine smirked grimly. "You have no idea." She replied in softer tone, with out looking at Regan.
"You should see it from our point of view kiddo." Regan said softly leaning on the chair. "When dad found out he had another child...he was despert to find you...and when he found out you were a former slave of Abandon...he hasn't forgiven himself for searching harder...He never knew Lillian was pregnant with you when she left..."
Lexine glanced at her. "My mother...died giving birth to me, in Abandon's realm...You use her fist name, I'm assuming she wasn't your mother?" Lexine asked softly.
Regan shook her head. "Your step mother, Clarice, is my real mom. See, mom and dad were married at one time, had me, then when I was three or four, some one...tore them apart with a spell, erased both of them from each other's memories, and any memory they had of me...I was taken some where else to be raised. And in the mean time, dad met Lillian, married her and she had Saffron..and got pregnant with you...then she disappeared, leaving dad alone to raise Saffron...who was taken from him when he was nine..." Regan explained. "A year or so ago, dad and mom met again, and the spell was broken...they've remarried and...well you could say we're a happy family, but we have our moments..." She added with a small smile.
"Complicated." Lexine remarked softly, her eyes on the computer. "And Mr. Dominic, how does he factor into all this?" She asked softly.
"Faal's an old and close friend to mom's...he's her business partner, owning part of Chaos Inc...When we found out about you...we found out you were the daughter of the seal...and that Faal was your guaridan...so...he came with, to meet you." Regan said.
Lexine nodded absently, but Regan had the feeling she'd heard everything. Then there was a beeping and Lexine snatched up the headset from the corner slipping it on. "Problems, Justin?" She asked softly and listened a moment.
Then she turned to another computer and typed something. "Lette and Ryan are in your area, I'll have them come round." She said, before switching channels on the headset.
At the same time the door to the communications room opened and Regan glanced up to see a tall handsome young man with long light blonde hair enter. He was very handsome, with mossy green eyes. He gave Regan a smiled, but Lexine hadn't seemed to notice him yet. He slipped up behind Lexine, slipping a hand around her waist and kissed her on the top of the head.
Lexine startled and reached up, whaking the young man in the shoulder, before giving him a look. "STOP sneaking up on me, Lian!"
"Oh, but you're so cute when surprised." The young man said, with an obvious british accent as he slipped into a chair beside her.
Lexine gave him a dark look. "What do you want?" She asked in an exasperated tone.
"You're company..." Lian replied with a smirk. "Actually, I just needed a couple things out of here." He glanced at Regan who was discreetly watching them.
"Oh...sorry. Lian this is Regan my...sister. Regan, this is Lian." Lexine said by way of introduction.
Lian smiled pleasently. "Nice to meet you, Regan."
"Hi." Regan replied, eyeing the young man.
"Lian is Max's son." Lexine said softly.
"Ah..." Regan said with a nod, she got the feeling there was something going on between Lian and Lexine.
They spoke for a while longer, the three of them. Then Lian took over so that Lexine could show Regan upstairs. "Are you and Lian...an item?" Regan asked softly as they stepped into the elevator.
Lexine smiled grimly. "He wishes." She said softly, not looking at Regan, her gaze more absent. Regan eyed her a moment, then the elevator stopped and the doors open. Shane was standing in the hall, talking to Auron as they came down it. "Ah, great, this will be your room." Shane said to Regan, motioning to a room. "All the apartments are down the hall and to either side. Four in all. Maxine's is the last one on the left to on your left," he motioned. "Lexine's is the last on the right, to your left." Shane said pleasently.
Regan peaked in to her room and saw it was VERY nice with it's own bath room. "Thanks...looks nice." She said with a grin back to Shane.
"Max...doesn't skim on the cash, we'll put it that way." Shane said with a smirk. "If there's anything you need, as I've already told your father and the others, the phone on the bedside table, just dail zero and Amandra, our head secretary, will see to every need." He said. Regan noticed Faal step out of his room, and his gaze immediately fell on Lexine. Regan noted this with interest.
Shane spoke softly to Lexine a moment, and they all saw him bend down and kiss her on the cheek, cupping her other cheek a moment, before he headed for the elevator. Lexine turned back to her father and sister, but noticed Faal in the door way of his room and she blushed lightly. She forced herself to turn back to her family. "I uh...I don't know how to do this..." She said in a whisper, looking at the carpet.
Auron smiled softly. "actually, Maxine's already invited us all to dinner, in her apartment, so we can...get aquatinted."
Lexine blinked. "Oh...um...did she say a time?" She asked softly.
"Yes, about seven." He said. "She's in her apartment now..." He added.
"I uh...I better go speak with her...and then get ready..." She said softly, skirting past them. "I'll see you at dinner..." She added, her glance going to Faal. He gave her a soft smile, which she returned with a blush, before heading off down the hall and disappearing around the left corner.
***


Maxine opened her door, wearing an apron and smiled softly, letting Lexine inside. "You're cooking?" Lexine asked softly.
Maxine chuckled. "You know how I like to entertain, Lexi." She said, closing the door behind the red head, before motioning for her to follow her to the kitchen. "I was thinking we'd have Catalonia Florentine, it is after all, your favorite."
Lexine blushed slightly, following her into the large kitchen. "And don't worry, Lian wont be here. Although I asked Shane to be here." Maxine added, glancing at Lexine, to see her blush. "How...are things with Shane?"
"We're taking things slow..." Lexine answered softly.
Maxine sighed as she went back to preparing things. "I just...don't want to think he's...rebounding from Shaun, with you, Lexi...I don't want you getting hurt like that again."
"Shane isn't Rowen...and even if he is...rebounding like you say...we're trying not to get very serious." Lexine replied softly, with a slight pout.Maxine said nothing, but nodded. Lexine was quiet a moment, before asking. "So what do I do now, Max?"
Maxine chuckled softly, still working. "Well first, I suggest you get to know your family, if you're asking rather I think you should go back with them or not...I'm afraid I have to be honest and say yes, darling." Maxine said softly looking up at her, watching her beautiful face fall. "That doesn't mean I personally WANT you to go. You know I love you like a daughter, baby girl. But what is important is that you're safe, as well as happy. And although we can protect you here, it's only to a point, and...being with your family and Guardian is your safest bid for that safety, Lexine." Maxine added. "I can't vouch for your siblings, but I know you father, Auron, very very well...He already loves you."
Lexine sighed. "Maybe..." She muttered. Maxine shook her head softly.
"No maybes. Go get dressed, sweetheart,seven isn't that far away.
***
Auron and Chaos were of course sharing a room, Saffron and Faal had their own. At the moment, the whole group was in Auron and Chaos. Regan was sitting on the bed with her mother. Saffron was by the window.
"You know I think Lexine's got a boy friend..." Regan said softly, looking at Chaos. Chaos noticed Faal's head raise sharply at those words, looking at Regan.
"Oh really?" Chaos asked with a soft smile.
"Yeah, I mean, that kiss on the cheek was not a best friend, or sister/brother kind of kiss, you could see that from his eyes..." Regan said about Shane kissing Lexine on the cheek in the hall.
"The look in his eyes means very little.. considering it was a kiss on the cheek." Faal said after a moment. "Unless I'm mistaken… boyfriends don't normally aim for the cheek…"
Chaos laughed softly, giving Faal a knowing look that made him blush slightly. "True enough… but perhaps she simply hasn't noticed? It's not unheard of for two young people to be crazy about each other but be too nervous and afraid to let the other know…"
Faal blushed a bit darker. "Unlikely… he doesn't seem the type to keep his feelings quiet… no doubt she knows how he feels… and simply doesn't return them… thus the kiss on the cheek."
Regan watched Faal with amusement. "Maybe, but I dont' know, Shane is definitely something to look at it, any girl would notice and certianly be interested in attention from him...I doubt Lexine is any different." Faal gave a sniff and folded his arms over his chest. There was a rather knowing look in Chaos' eyes. Regan chuckled softly deciding not to mention Lian. "I am going to go change for dinner." She announced, standing, and grabbed Saffron's arm. "You need to SHOWER and change." She added to her brother who gave her a look, Regan just returned it, before shoving him out of the door ahead of her.
***
Lexine stood in front of her closet, in her knickers, a slip and silk stockings. She was trying to decide on what to wear, not that her whole future didn't depend on tonight. She wondered who it was she was trying to impress. Her parents, her siblings...or Mr. Dominic...If it had just been Maxine and Shane, she wouldn't even be stressing over it.
After staring at her closet for a few more minutes, she chose a long black silk dress with a mandarin collar, it'd at least hide the one around her neck already. The right shoulder was cut out, and the cut out and collar were trimmed in gold. There were gold embrodered roses falling in a narrow line diagonal from the left shoulder down across to the waist.
She lay it on the bed a moment, before getting a pair of black suede heels with open toes, trimmed in gold from the bottom of her closet and a pair of black satin fingerless glooves from her dresser, they came up almost to the shouder.
Then she quickly got dressed, sliding on the glooves last. She made her way to her bathroom, turning on the light, sitting her shoes on the counter. She did her hair, pinning it up in loose curls, decided on black pearl and diamond drop earrings that had been a birthday present from Maxine. Then she did her make up, but decided to leave the tattoos visable, doing her eye liner and mascara. She slid on the shoes and looked at her reflection a moment. She'd never looked so...feminine.
With a sigh, she left her bath room, and her apartment, heading for Maxine's. She might be a couple minutes late, but surely they wouldn't hold that against her. Hitting the cross roads of the hall, she literally bumped into some one, starting to tumble backward, she gave a little squeak.
Then two hands grabbed her, one on her waist, the other on her back, pulling her back forward and she tumbled gently into the person who'd caught her. She blushed slightly, seeing the light blue eyes of the man who was supposed to be her guardian. "Are you alright, your not hurt are you?" He asked softly, setting her on her feet. Her hands were resting on his chest.
And for a moment, neither moved their hands, then he dropped his slowly as not to startle her and she pulled hers back. "No, I'm alright...thank you..." She said softly, lowering her eyes. They stayed standing rather close to each other.
Faal let his eyes travel over her in the dress and felt his heart beating faster. She looked absolutely gorgeous, he'd never seen a more beautiful vision. "Forgive me, but you look absolutely stunning." He said softly with a soft smile.
And felt his heart leap when she returned the smile. "Thank you..." She said softly in reply. For a moment longer, they simply just stared, then Faal offered his arm.
"I don't think it would be bad manners if I escort you, do you?" He asked with a slight smirk.
She giggled nervously, but shook her head and accepted his arm. "I don't think so."
He escorted her down the hall to Maxine's apartment and knocked on the door. "Regan says you're partners with...Chaos in her business." Lexine said softly, glancing up at him.
"Not so much partners, as majorly invested in the company." Faal replied with a slight smirk. "Although I have taken more an active roll in the corporation as of late."
Lexine watched him for a moment. "Even here we, well considering it's the same kind of business, we hear things about Chaos Incorporated." She said softly.
"Yes, I imagine...although I can't really recalling hearing about all of you down here." Faal replied.
Lexine smirked softly, Faal watched how her eyes seemed to sparkle with humor. He was captivated by those eyes. "There aren't alot of...people willing to talk about Max and her.. unorthodox ways of doing things...and when you've worked for her as long as I have...you tend to pick up those unorthodox methods as well..."
"Chaos and her group aren't exactly by the book either," Faal said, smirking. He glanced back at the door as Maxine opened it.
"I was wondering if I was going to have to send out another search party for you, Lexine." She said with a smirk, opening the door the rest of the way.
Faal escorted Lexine inside, and releashed her from his arm the moment they'd stepped in, although Maxine had eyed them both. "I couldn't find my shoes." Lexine lied efficiently. Or at least it seemed so to everyone else but Maxine, who eyed her up and down a moment.
"No matter." Maxine said with a smile. "Dinner's already on the table, this way." She led the way through the living room, across a short hall and into a large, well decorated dinning room, with a art deco 20s style chandelier hanging over the center of the table, it's crystals in hundreds of long tiered curtains.
"I love that chandelier." Regan said with a smirk.
Maxine glanced up at her as she took her place at the head of the table. "Thank you," She replied with a smile. "Lexine helped pick it out." The plates were already set with the meal, still hot. Lexine knew Maxine wasn't above using her abilities, just to show off. "Shane, why don't you open the wine." She said.
Shane nodded, moving back from his chair, across the table from Lexine, to open the bottle of wine she had chilling. LExine and Shane were sitting next to Maxine, across from each other. Maxine had placed everyone, and very smartly put Regan next to Lexine, Chaos across from her, Faal next to Chaos and across from Saffron who would be right next to his father who was at the other head of the table.
Shane poured the win and everyone took a sip. "This is... unusual..." Regan said. Faal on the other hand, cast Maxine a raised eyebrow after tasting his. She caught his eye and there was a very subtle wink. Then he blinked, it dawning on him. Maxine was fae, she'd some how been able to avoid being detected as such, by a spell of some sort, fae could always sense other fae. This intrigued him.
"It's elven wine." Maxine answered simply with a soft smile. "I've had the...mis fortune as it were to have been to Ter Nah Nog. Well, shall we?" She inquired with a smile and gesture to dinner.
Dinner passed smoothly, with easy questions, mostly concerned the two very simliar businesses. Then Maxine brought out desert, a triple chocolate cheese cake, and severed coffee. "So, Maxine, how do you know Auron so well?" Chaos asked from her spot.
Maxine smirked and glanced toward the other end of the table where Auron had raised an eyebrow, over his coffee cup. "We worked together, for about, fifteen years...maybe sixteen."
"Doing what?" Chaos asked.
'He's never told you?" Maxine asked, looking at her.
Chaos shot Auron a look, who was giving Maxine one. "He tends to avoid direct questions when it suits his needs." Chaos answered.
Maxine shook her head. "All I can say is we worked in international security." She said calmly.
"You were a spy!" Shane stated from his spot, which got Lexine giggles. "We've all heard the stories."
Maxine chuckled, sitting back in her chair with her coffee cup. Auron was giving her a disbelieving look. "Such are, our late night stories, Auron." She said with a shrug.
"A spy?" Chaos asked, giving Auron a bemused expression.
"That's a bit stereotyping, actually." Auron answered softly. "It was much more complicated then that..."
"Still a spy." Maxine replied.
"Wow, a spy, that's kinda cool." Regan remarked with a smirk. "Did you ever strangle some one, with one of those wires?"
"Regan." Auron gave his eldest daughter a look.
"That why you and Sands are always exchanging those little looks..." Saffron asked.
"No, those are all about you, Saffron. I wasn't a spy, I was security intelligence personnel." Auron replied with an exasperated sigh.
"A spy." Chaos translated with a smirk. Auron groaned.
"So were you two like partners?" Regan asked Maxine.
"You could say that...we worked together a lot. Auron though was particular about only working alone. If he had to work with another person, or team as some times called for, it was either myself, Jean Luc and Simon." Maxine replied.
"There was Thomas and Ylenna too." Auron put in, softly.
Maxine smirked, watching him. "Yes, can't forget them."
"Where you involved in the cold war?" Saffron asked, sitting forward.
Maxine and Auron both ended up snorting, amused, staring at each other. Regan was snickering. Faal glanced at Auron then at Chaos with a raised eyebrow, but Chaos shrugged. Shane and Lexine were both trying to hide their smirks.
"We had a couple... incidents in the cold." Maxine replied calmly to Saffron. Auron took a sip of his coffee. "Like Moscow..." Auron choked on his coffee and shot Maxine a withering look.
"What happened in Moscow?" Regan asked. Even Shane and Lexine perked up interest. Chaos sat her own cup down, with interest.
"Yes, what did happen in Moscow?" Chaos asked Maxine.
Maxine sat her cup down and shifted in her chair, still smirking at Auron across the table. "Oh, I think it was...hmm, a few years into working together, we had to go to Moscow. It was an interesting assignment. We were to retrieve an acquisition for the British Goverment. It was being held in the Kremlin, St. Basil's Cathedral as a matter of fact." Auron continued to give her a look. Maxine just picked her cup back up, taking a sip.
Regan knew when to change a subject for the behalf of embarrassed people and so she asked Maxine. "Lexine tells me Lian is your son."
Maxine smiled a bit. "Adopted son actually, but still, counts all the same. Course Shane is like a son too...when he listens," Shane smirked, "But thats what ye get from a witch." Regan had to shake her head at the deja vu again.
"So I take it everyone here has their own special abilites?" Faal asked.
Maxine nodded. "Of course. When hunting the preternatural, is it not best to surround yourself with those of equal abilities."
"I've heard that before." Faal replied, with an arched eyebrow.
"Indeed, and where would that have been?" Maxine asked softly, raising her own eyebrow.
"Another beautiful woman told me that once." Faal replied casually and yet something sparkled in his eyes. He noticed Lexine had turned her eyes on him and he shifted his gaze to meet hers, giving her a charming smile, and watched a blush surface. He didn't notice Shane's calculating expression, but Maxine did, as did Chaos.
Lexine had just pulled off her shoes and dropping them on the floor by the door when a soft knock came to her front door. She sighed and turned back to it. Unlocking it, she found Shane leaning against the frame with a bottle of wine in his hand. He tipped back his hat and held the bottle up.
Lexine sighed with a slight smile and shake of the head and opened the door more for him to step in. "Interesting family you've got, kid." Shane said with a smirk as Lexine headed into the kitchen for a pair of glasses. "Your father's a spy, your step mother is a bounty hunter, your sister is a tomb raider and your brother is...Dracula?"
"Somethin' like that." Lexine said softly, coming back out as Shane opened the wine.
"And Mr. Dominic...Faal..kinda reminds me of someone." Shane said with a slight smirk.
"Don't say it, just DON'T!" Lexine replied going red. Shane just chuckled softly as he filled the glasses.
"Wasn't going to say that." He said taking a sip of his wine and waited until Lexine was doing the same. "Was only giong to mention him..."
Lexine choked, snorting into the glass and gave him a look, going redder. "Sorry, couldn't help it." Shane said softly, taking the glass from her as he slid an arm around her waist.
"You are just...damn you." She muttered, still blushing. She grabbed the glass back from him and slid away from him, making her was toward the couch. Shane rolled his eyes and followed her.
"I just saw the way you blushed..." He said. "Sure he ain't southern, could be related..." He added.
"I doubt it, besides, he seems to know who Maxine really is..." Lexine said.
"Old lovers." Shane replied.
"You're a romantic. And what about Auron and Maxine?" She asked with a raised eyebrow, amused.
"Never worked out, see I got it all figured out." Shane said, coming over to sitting on the couch. He sat his glass down, turning to face her. "Maxine knew Faal before she knew Auron. I figure he's gotta be Fae too. So...there was that between them, but they couldn't be cause she was promised to his brother, except rather then hurt either one, Maxine leaves the fae realm, starts working with Auron, and they fall for each other, but Auron's arch enemy uses Maxine and Auron saves her, but decides he can't put Maxine in any more danger and they go their separate ways...And now...here they are all together, cause of you."
"Yeah cause of me...that theroy doen't work..." Lexine said, giving him a look. "You're ready to many romance novels, Shane."
"Why wouldn't it work?" Shane asked with a mock sniff.
"Because Maxine's already told me she doesn't know Faal." Lexine replied, with a look.
"This is Maxi we're talkin' bout..." Shane replied. "She could've lied.
"Maybe..but she's always been honest with me..." Lexine said faintly.
Shane chuckled softly and reached forward, touching a lock of her hair. He stroked her cheek with his fingers as she looked up at him. "Kiddo, I'm gonna miss ya around here when you go." He said softly, with a sad smile.
Lexine blinked. "Who said I was leaving?" She asked in a soft voice.
"Who ya tryin' to kid, Lexi?" Shane asked softly, looking at her. "You know as well as I do, that you're going to go, not just because they're your family, but because you'd be safer...with your guardian. You don't expect him to stay down here, do you, relocate to Miami. I can just see the guy playin' golf with Horucio."
"Horucio Caine doesn't play golf, Shane." Lexine replied with a tone.
"How do you know?"
"I know Horucio a little better then that, thank you." Lexine replied.
"Oh, like you know Special Agent-"
Lexine clamped a hand over his mouth. "Absolutely not! And that wasn't even what you think it was, he only kissed me and then that was a thank you kiss!" She said with a tone. Shane chuckled, and took her hand from his mouth, turning it over and kissing her fingers. He set there studying her for a long time, watching her blush.
Then he sat forward and picked up his glass, saluting her with it. "Well, here's lookin' at you kid." He said, before taking a drink and finishing it off, sitting the glass on the table, and standing. He leaned over and kissed her softly. "Night beautiful." He said with a smile, before heading for the door. Lexine watched him go, before taking another sip of her own wine.
Lexine couldn't sleep, she just simply had to much in her head to even consider trying to sleep. She rolled over and glanced at her clock, to see it was only twelve something. She considered, then rolled over and sat up, picking up her cellphone off the bedside table. She scrolled through the numbers to the one she wanted and dialed.
"Danny K speaking."
"Hello Danny, its your favorite red head." Lexine said softly, with a smirk as she got up, heading for the dresser and getting a pair of jeans.
"Hey! Lexi, wha's up baby?!"
"Is there anything going on tonight?" She asked, searching through the jeans.
"As a matter o' fact there is...dock side, comin' down? Race at two."
"Yeah, I'm comin' down." Lexine replied, before hanging up. She pulled out a pair of low rise black jeans, and a white off the shoulder top, dressed quickly and paused considering. Did she want to be noticed tonight? She felt an overwhelming desire to be noticed tonight for what she was. Quickly she changed into a pair of low rise leather jeans, and a corseted top, a pair of sandal heels finished it off. She did her make up and put her hair in a high pony tail. Grabbing her notorious duster, snatched her messanger bag, she headed out of the apartment.
She knew some of the others would be up, but at the moment, she slipped down stairs to the garage. She wasn't sure what car she wanted to take. Maxine had actually ground her from using her mustang after the last incident. But she had been given leave to use one of the other cars when she wanted to leave and she knew at least a couple of them where damn good racing cars.
She decided on the red mazda rx-8 and grabbed the keys to it, heading for the car. As long as she didn't scratch it, she'd be okay. She left the garage, heading out to where she knew the meet up was.
And sure enough, there was the accompanying thump of loud music and the general party. Lexine pulled her mazada in to a clear spot and got out. "There's the baby girl!" Some one pushed their way over and Lexine grinned at Danny K, fellow racer and garage owner, who tended to be the center of attention at these things. A couple other bodies pressed over, coming with him, the usual group, Jordan, Lilu, Trix and Marco.
"Who's racin' tonight?" Lexine asked.
"You." Jordan said, cracking his knuckles with a smirk.
"I wasn't racin', just watchin'." Lexine replied shaking her head.
"Too late," Danny said. "Some of the boys heard me talkin' to ya and put ya on the books."
"Oh great..." Lexine muttered with a slight smirk. "Alright, if I have to..." She said with a mock sigh and Lilu and Trix snickered.
"Stomp their asses baby girl, I got money ridin' on ya tonight." Danny said with a smirk.
**
Everyone was linned up. The racers had gone over the map, the race took them through the south end of town and through some of the hills. Lexine realized there was some heavy money resting on this race. Memorizing the track, she went back to the mazada and got in.
She pulled her messanger bag from the back seat and took a police scanner from with in, setting it to the frequent channel. So far no indication the police had been let in on the race...yet. She sat it in the seat next to her and left it on, she'd need to know if the police became aware of the race.
She started the engine, looking right and left at the other drivres, who were obviously looking at her and Lexine realized she was the only girl. Then she noticed something else...at least two fellow racers were members of the black list, which meant the cops would most CERTIANLY be on to this race.
She didn't have time to wonder what Danny was up to when the light turned green. She stomped down on the gas and shifted gears, charging off the line. She managed to end up in third place as she tryed to remember this part of town and for the moment decided to keep straight with the first and second place cars.
They tore through three stop lights, past two toll booths, and around numerous corners, she was just pulling around another, slipping into second place when she heard the police scaner go off.
"Units in South side, we're getting numerous reports of street racers, along bayshore drive. I need units to check it out."
Oh shit...Lexine winced, they wouldn't be off Bayshore drive for another couple minutes. She came around a corner fast, fighting with the wheel and then red and blue lights came on in her review mirror. More police were stopping racers behind her.
Now she had to avoid the cops...Maxine was going to kill her...Lexine groaned and floored it, shifting gears again. she came down off the hill around a corner and had to make a split minute decision, and cranked the steering wheel to the right, speeding up an exit only passage. Coming out of that corner, she had to swerve to avoid hitting a cop car and felt the mazada scrap off the side of the other vehicle.
"We got a hit and run, red mazada rx." Came the information over the scanner. They'd have her for a hit and run, as well as street racing. Damn! Lexine spun around a corner and down the straight way.
Only to see two more cop cars coming toward her. "Oh fuck!" She moaned, before slamming on the breaks, twisting the wheel completely around and hitting the gas. Tires spun a moment, before she shot off over the grass shoulder and back on to the road, past the first car.
They were still following her and Lexine was lost. She tried to get her barring and couldn't. And turning another corner, put her in a dead in and the cop cars were closing in. Lexine slammed on the breaks, and threw the car into park, shaking. She stared in the review mirror at all the flashing lights aware she was crying silently. She was never going to be able to explain this to Maxine...and what about her...family...they were definitely going to frown on this...
She waited until she was ordered to get out of the car with her hands up before unbuckling and getting out of the mazada. She hoped to god one of the boys didn't have a gun some where in the car as several officers rushed forwad. One turned her roughly and searched her. She did her best not to shiver as the cop deliberately felt her up. Then he hand cuffed her and took her to a car. She was still crying silently.
She was dragged into the station house along with all the other racers who had been caught. She noticed the black list boys hadn't been, figured. They parked her on a bench, still handcuffed. Her wrists were beginning to get sore and she was starting to get very claustrophobic and scared at being cuffed. Her eyes darted around the station house fearfully.
She only calmed down when she saw some one familiar coming through a door. "Horucio!" She called softly.
He looked up. He was tall, dressed in black with reddish blonde hair. He frowned slightly and moved over to her. "Lexine, what are you doing here?" He crouched beside her.
Lexine turned more, and leaned toward him. "They arrested me on streetracing...maybe one hit and run, I don't know...Can you please call Max and tell her I'm here...I don't know how much longer I can take this..." She whimpered. There were a few scowls and snickers from the other racers behind her. He shot them a look, they stopped.
"Lexine, I thought we agreed that you were going to stop this?" He said softly, looking back at her, titling his head to the side and saying it in a very fatherly way.
Lexine gave him a sheepish smile. "Well I was, I mean I did agree, it's just it's been a very bad day Horucio! My so called REAL family is in town and I just can't deal..." She said with a whisper.
Horucio pushed the lock of hair that tumbled in her face behind her ear and stood, kissing her on the top of the head. "Alright, I'll go call Max, I'll have Erik come stay with you." He said before turning to the booking sergeant. "Take her to a questioning room and wait for one of my men."
"Yes Lt."
An female officer took Lexine's arm pulling her off the bench and took her to another part of the station house. They put her in a glass walled room by herself and a moment later, Erik came in. "H just got off the phone with Maxine, she's on her way. Street Racin', damn Lexine." He shook head.
Lexine blushed. "I know I know..." she muttered.
***
Maxine and Shane were just coming down the hal when the alarms suddenly went off. Maxine swore as Shane stopped. The guest rooms practically flew open, Faal the only one still dressed. Maxine groaned and swore, turning to Shane. "Shane get down to the police station, tell Horucio I sent you and get Lexine." She hissed. Shane nodded and started down the hall as Maxine turned to Auron and Chaos.
Faal stopped Shane, it was obvious Auron nor Chaos heard police station, but Faal had. "What does she mean police station?"
"They've got Lexine in lock up...on the charge of...street racin'...not surprised really, been waiting for it." Shane replied with a grimace.
"I'm coming with you." Faal said.
Shane blinked. "Uh...not sure how Lexi's going to take to that, but okay..." He said with a shrug, heading for the elevator, Faal following.
 
***

Shane led Faal into the police station and after walking around a moment, called out to some one. "Yo! H!"

The man turned around and spied them. He came over after speaking with another officer. "Where's Max?" He asked.

"Couldn't make it, dog got in. She sent me..us, to pick up Lexine." Shane said, glancing at Faal. ":Oh right. Lt. Horucio Caine, Faal Dominic, he's a friend of Lexine's family. Faal Dominic, Lt. Horucio Caine, Maxine's...personal friend and Lexine's...unoffical god father of sorts."

They shook hands evenly, Horucio had a slight smirk at Shane's last comment. "It's a good thing you got here now Shane, Erik and I are needed at a CS, so I'll just take you back to her." He turned to lead them back to the room Lexine was in.

"CS?" Faal asked Shane.

"Crime Scene, Homicide. Horucio is one of the top homicide detectives." Shane said.

Horucio led them through a couple halls and stopped at glassed in room, before opening the door. "Some one to see you Lexine." He said, stepping aside for Shane.

Shane stepped in, giving Lexine an amused look. "Here they got you in a privet room, they put me down stairs in lock up, what makes you so special?" He asked with a smirk. Lexine blushed and looked at the table. Horucio motioned Erik out. "Damn Lexine, Maxine is...damn worried about you and not to happy either." Shane said seriously.

"I know, I know..." Lexine muttered, wiping her cheeks again. She looked at Faal. "Do...my parents know?"

Faal winced, seeing her look so upset. "They didn't when I left, but I suppose Maxine has probably told them." He answered her softly.

Lexine nodded and rested her head in her arms on the table a moment, Shane reached over and rubbed her back. "Can I go yet?" She asked softly.

"I gotta go sign your bail and then yeah...we can go." Shane said softly. "I'll be back in a moment, sit tight." He turned to Faal. "Mind sitting with her a moment?" Faal shook his head. Shane nodded and headed out.

Faal stood in silence a moment, before moving over to the chair next to her. "Are you alright?" He asked softly sitting next to her.

She sighed, raising her head. "I don't like places like this...And I had no idea it was a black list race...Danny never told me..." She muttered plaintively. "Its just been a really...strange day for me..." She added.

Faal hesitated, the placed a hand on her shoulder. "Is there anything I can do?" he asked softly. "I mean, aside the legallities and protecting you from your parents wrath..."

She gave a shaky laugh and shook her head. "No...I'm just waiting to leave...legallities I'm sure will be taken care of in the morning...as for my parents wrath...you don't really think they expected the perfect child do you?"

Faal gave a slight smile, " I doubt it."

Shane stepped back into the room. "All set, lets get out of here, kiddo." He said with a nod. Lexine was out of her chair in a minute. Faal watched her hug Shane and attempted not to think to much on Regan's statement. Faal blushed slightly and cleared his throat. "Shall we? " he asked softly as the other two glanced his way. He opened the door and placed a hand on Lexines back to usher her through the door.

Lexine let him lead her out, unaware of Shane giving Faal a dark look. They left the station house and were starting out to the car, Faal still escorting Lexine. Shane was glaring at Faal's back mocking him silently, when his cellphone alerted him to a text message. He took out his phone and read. 'GO UNGRND, WILL CALL LTER LEXI NOT SAFE. MAX'

"Oh shit..." Shane muttered, looking at the phone. He tried calling Maxines number, but there was no answer. Shane ran his hand through his hair, and looked at the text message again. "Oh SHIT! FUCK!" He swore outloud.

Lexine stopped and looked back at him. "What's wrong?" She asked.

Shane swore again, coming over to the car. "I'm to take you underground...it's not safe back at the HQ." He answered.

Lexine blinked. "What do you mean..."

"I don't know yet...just suppose to wait...Get in the car, Lexi." Shane said, casting a look around the parking lot.

Lexine stared at him a moment, then patted down her duster for her phone to call Maxine, when she realized she didn't have her phone, they still had it at the desk. "Wait, Shane, my phone." Lexine said, turning to go back toward the police station.

"Oh for Christ's Sake LEXINE!" Shane snapped, starting around from the car after her as Faal followed to stop her.

They were half way from the car when there was a sudden roar of explosion and a wave of heat that knocked all three of them to the ground, Faal pulling Lexine under him. Shane rolled over looking back at the car as it burned, as running feet were heard along with sirens. He then cast a glance at Lexine who was tucked under Faal wide eyed and frightened. Faal could feel her trembling, and held her.

"Shit." Shane swore again, shaking his head. He hit the cement with his fist, looking back at the car.

Lexine was sitting on the curb, hugging her self while Faal had got in to retrive her phone, Shane was speaking with a few cops then trying every number of everyone who worked with them. But he was getting no answer. He was dwindling down the list and pacing. Lexine watched him.
She startled slightly as Faal sat down on the curb next to her. "Are you alright?" He asked softly, looking at her.
"Shaken..." Lexine answered simply, in a soft tone, as he handed her the red and black cellphone. She looked at it, turning it over in her hands. "No use in calling Max, Shane's been trying...No success, I think he's about called everyone in the office..." She put the cellphone in her messenger bag.
"I'm sure its not to serious..." Faal said, looking back at Shane.
Lexine snorted softly. "Shane said the alarms went off when you were leaving, if that be the case, it's serious..." She answered. Faal looked over at her, she looked ready to start crying. Shane was still pacing, trying to reach some one. Faal slid his arm around her shoulders, hoping she wouldn't pull away. Instead, she found herself leaning against him.
Shane hung up his phone and turned to them. He eyed Faal's arm around Lexine's shoulders, but could see she needed the omfort. Still he'd rather be the one doing the comforting. Lexine looked as Shane stopped in front of them. "Now what?" She asked softly.
"I'm taking you underground, like Max said to." Shane said softly.
"Shane I really don't want to have to do this..." Lexine said softly.
"To bad. You're not safe out in the open...if we'd gotten in that car...I'm taking you to the safe house. Faal can stay with you...he's your guardian. I'll go back to the offices and see what happened." Shane said. Lexine sighed as he opened a portal, then got to her feet. Faal stood as well.
Shane waited for her to step through, the followed, leaving the portal open for Faal, which closed as soon as he'd stepped through.
The safe house, Faal discovered wasn't even in the same state, and he had the peculiar sensation it wasn't even in the same country. Shane made his way through the darkened room to turn on the lights, revealing a Victorian set parlor.
"May I inquire to where we are?" Faal asked, glancing around at the prim place as Lexine collasped in a chair. Using portals with such a distance drained her, even if they weren't hers. Damn curse.
"Yorkshire, England. Maxine's place. We use it as a safe house cause it tends to throw off would be stalkers." Shane said with a smirk. "I'll be back as soon as I can, sit tight." He told Lexine, before vanishing again.
Faal moved to the window, drawing back the curtain far enough to look out. Sure enough, he saw rainy English country side. It was storming. He shifted restless, staring out, he was anxious over Clarice and the others. He seriously hoped things weren't as serious as Lexine and Shane seemed to think they were.
He was drawn out of his reprieve by a loud crack of thunder and a frightened whimper behind him and turned to see Lexine cowering in her chair. He blinked, then smiled softly, moving back toward her chair. "There's nothing be afraid of. It's just a storm..." He said softly. Another great roll of thunder, Lexine curled up smaller.
"I know that...I don't like storms..." Lexine whispered.
He knelt beside the chair, looking up at her. He know he shouldn't. There was obviously something going on between her and Shane, but she was so beautiful, even frightened. He reached up slowly, caressing her cheek gently, his fingers lingering on a inverted tear drop tattoo. Lexine looked up with a soft gasp, right into his eyes. Faal thought he'd drown in those luminous eyes. He wasn't sure how it happened, but suddenly he was standing and Lexine was in his arms and he was kissing her tenderly, one hand on her back, the other tangled in her hair.
It came some what as a surprise to Lexine when she found herself being kissed by Faal, and yet, the way he kissed her softly, brushing and teasing her lips, she felt her knees threaten to buckle.
Her lips tasted so sweet, he could detect the cherry lip gloss, which only made him want more and teased and coaxed her lips more, until the parted on their own accord and he kissed her deeper, tantalizing and teasing her tongue with his own. He felt her gasp behind the kiss, clinging to him, one arm around his neck, the other hand rested on his chest. He was aware of an intense feeling of want and had to force himself to break the kiss and pull back, but he couldn't let her go. He stared down at her, watching her flush and stare back at up him. "Lexine...little one..." He breathed softly, caressing her cheek and watched her eyes flutter closed as he did so. He felt his heart twist. He wanted her so bad, but at the same time, he was her guardian, he didn't think he could protect her as well if it became that personal...and...she belonged to another...
And yet the more he looked down at her, his hand slipping lower to caress her neck, above and below the collar and he frowned slightly.
She whimpered softly, and suddenly her hand caught his, moving it away from her neck, her fingers slipping into his. "Don't, please..." She said softly, opening her eyes to look at him. "I'm not used to having some one touch my neck...Unless they're clipping a leash..." Something flashed in her eyes, he thought he saw a build up of tears. They hadn't learned just what kind of slave Lexine had been and suddenly Faal understood. He closed his eyes with a sigh, gathering her up in his arms as he felt her tears falling.
"I'm sorry, little one...I should have found you along time ago..." Faal said softly. She didn't answer him to, just clinging. And the more Faal held her, the more he knew he'd never be able to let her go.
Another pearl of thunder broke and Lexine startled, just as the power died. Faal managed to roll his eyes at the coincidence and he felt her trembling in his arms, he tightened his arms around her protectively, but gently, and kissed her on the temple. "Shh, it's alright," He whispered as she whimpered. "I swear I wont let anything happen to you, Lexine..."
She gave a sigh, half content, half confused, and a fire sprang up in the fire place behind them. He glanced at it, then at her and she smiled shyly. "Fire elemental...I can't stand the dark in a storm..." She whispered. He smiled slightly, and rubbed her arms and back gently as she began to stop shivering.
"Well, isn't this romantic?" Came a voice from the window. Lexine gasped, looking that way. A tall young man with black hair and a wet trench coat was standing there giving them a disgusted look.
"God, Lexine, I leave for a few months and I come back and find you kissing every guy around." The young man said with a slightly irritated tone.
"It wasn't like that, Xander!" Lexine replied with a look.
"No? Looks that way to me. Who is he anyway?" Xander asked, giving Faal a look.
Lexine sighed. "This is Faal Dominic...my guardian...Faal, my... erstwhile brother, Xander Caine." She said by way of introduction.
Faal blinked. "Brother?" He asked, looking back and forth.
"No, not blood brother...but we grew up together, in Hell. We're just more siblings then anything." Lexine explained.
"How'd you find your guardian?" Xander asked, moving over.
"I didn't...he...found me...along with my...real parents, and sister...and other brother...but frankly, I'd be happy if it was just you and me again in that retrospect." Lexine replied watching him.
"Hmph...Auron...Evie said something once about Lillian being married to a man named Auron..." Xander said softly.
"Right, my father." Lexine replied. "How did you know I was here?" she asked.
"I didn't." Xander replied softly, "But I was hoping. I went to offices first but..they're gone...blown...I was hoping everyone was here...but I'm guessing you two are the only ones?"
Lexine inhaled sharply and her knees buckled. Faal caught her, holding her up, she looked about ready to faint suddenly. "Shane was here with us awhile ago." Faal told Xander quickly. "He said he was going back to the offices..."
Xander winced. "I was just there...I didn't see him. Didn't find much of anything, the place was still...burning..." He winced as Lexine whimpered, and watched her fall into Faal's arms, burying her head in his chest. "How did you guys get here?" Xander asked softly.
"Lexine had been arrested on street racing, I went with Shane to get her out of jail. We were about to leave the station house, when his car blew up. This was right after he got a message from Maxine telling him to take Lexine under ground."
"Damn...I was to late..." Xander swore.
"To late for what?" Faal asked.
"I was trying to get back to warn Maxine of a group calling themselves The Order, they're after Lexine...they must've found out I knew..." Xander explained.
"No...no no no no no no no!" Lexine whimpered plaintively. "No more of this...I can't take any more of this...I want it to STOP!" She cried.
Xander bit his lip and reached out to place a hand on her back. "Lexi...it'll be fine."
"No it wont!" She cried. "You always say it'll be fine! Everyone says it'll be fine! It never is!"
"Hey, kiddo this time you've got your guardian, that's got to account for something." Xander said softly.
Lexine pulled out of Faal's arms suddenly. "It'll never be fine...I'll never be completely safe..." She whispered in a truly sad tone, tears streaming down her cheeks and she turned from both of them, running from the room.
"Lexine!" Faal started after her, when Xander stopped him.
"Let her be alone...she's only gone up stairs..." Xander said softly.
"You just expect me to let her go, after you tell us this so called Order is after her?" Faal asked defensively. They could hear Lexine start up the stairs.
"The two of us are here with her, aren't we?" Xander replied logically.
Faal sighed. But his head snapped up when he heard a thump at the top of the stairs and he ran from the room. Lexine had crumped at the top of the staircase, laying on the floor sobbing. Faal must have taken the stairs three at a time, because by the time Xander blinked, he had scooped her up into his arms, craddling her.
"Her usual room is down the right hall, third door on the left." Xander said from the bottom of the stairs. Faal nodded and carried Lexine that direction. Xander watched them vanish and frowned. Guardian, or Lover? If not both...Xander shook his head. If they weren't already, Xander had the feeling they'd certainly end up that way. He just hoped his adopted little sister wouldn't get her heart broken again. She was more fragile then everyone thought she was. He turned, heading in the direction of the kitchen in the back, with any luck, there was still a large selection of tea.
Faal approached the room, carrying Lexine, who was turned in his arms with her face buried in his shirt. He could feel her tears soaking through his shirt, the wet spot getting bigger as she sobbed silently, her body shaking uncontrollably. Faal's heart twisted painfully, he couldn't bare to see her suffering in such a way.
He sent out a trickle of power, the door to her room opening, and the covers pulled back on her bed. He crossed toward the bed, the door closing behind them, and went to lay her down, but she clung to him. "No...don't leave me please..." She whimpered in a whisper.
"I wont...I'll be right here, little one..." He whispered, but he hesitated a moment. It was to late for him, he already knew he'd fallen in love with her the first time he looked into her eyes. But if there was something between her and Shane, he didn't want to hurt her, or confuse her. And yet Shane wasn't here, and she obviously needed some one.
With a soft sigh, he laid her down, before stretching out beside her, holding her in his arms. Her sobs began to subside, her trembling slowly fading. Faal closed his eyes, breathing in her scent, roses and jasmine. He felt a pain in his chest, as he wondered if he could simply love her from a distance.
He continued to hold her, even after her trembling had ceased, her tears had stopped and her breathing became softer. He looked down at her, sleeping in his arms, a most beautiful creature that he suddenly wanted more then he'd ever wanted anything. He wanted to have her in his arms like this all the time, to love her, to make her happy. He'd give anything right now, just to see her smile happily.
He sighed, and felt her curl tighter against him in her sleep. He wondered with a sudden surge of jealousy if Shane held her while she slept. He groaned softly and closed his eyes. "Sweet Terra, what am I doing..." He muttered to himself. He looked back down at her, as her fingers found a lock of his hair, curling it around her fingers like a child, her other arm tucked between them. She looked so innocent, and yet so unbelievably fragile, asleep.
Faal sighed again, inhaling that soft seductive scent of her deeply again, and closed his eyes, it couldn't hurt to grab a cat nap at least. Part of him said he should pull back, let her sleep on her own. But he'd told her he'd be right here, she'd begged him to stay.
A soft tapping knock came to the door of the room and Faal groaned softly, then chuckled, opening his eyes. In a way, perhaps it was a good thing. He slowly and gently detangled himself from her, slipping out of the bed with out a sound and minimal movement, so not to wake her. Then slipped over to the door, opening it.
Xander was standing in the hall, with two coffee mugs. He glanced past Faal's shoulder to see Lexine sleeping and smirked slightly. "I knew she'd be asleep, but I figured you might like a cuppa." He said softly, holding out one of the mugs.
Faal raised an eyebrow, but accepted the cup, glancing down to see a smooth red tea. "Madagascan Red." Xander said softly about the tea. Faal took a sip and found a delightful vanilla tea with a hint of berries. It was quiet good. "Supposed to calm the nerves." Xander added with another soft smirk, sipping his own tea.
"Thank you." Faal said, taking another sip, and surveyed the young man with black hair and deep blue eyes. "Lexine said the two of you grew up together...I'm assuming in Abandon's realm?" He asked softly. They kept their voices low, near a whisper.
Xander snorted softly and reached up with his free hand, to pull down the collar of his turtleneck sweater to reveal an identical collar like Lexine's. "Both Abandon's slaves...I was just...luckier then Lexi..." he glanced at his adopted little sister. "She...well she was a boy at the time...was Abandon's favorite...in a bad way...from the age of 12...until Lexi got out of there, she spent almost ALL her life in Abandon's bedroom. As his sex toy." Xander's voice had dropped softer, and he was staring into his cup of tea, before taking a drink, and glancing up at Faal.
Faal on the other hand was looking back at the bed and the ravishing creature that was sleeping there, peacefully it seemed. But Xander noticed his knuckles, holding the mug were white with tension, and his eyes were darker. "How did you both get free?" Faal asked after a moment, looking back at Xander.
Xander snorted softly again. "We're not exactly free, mate. Not until we're out of the collars, or he's dead. Until then, we're just on borrowed time." Xander sighed. "Its not really known how Lexi got out...I don;t even think she remembers. Max basically found her on her doorstep unconscious one night, Lexi was 19. As for me...I got sent out on a job, and just decided never to go back. Wasn't really anything there for me anyway." Xander said with a shrug.
"And the scars?" Faal asked softly.
Xander shook his head. "Abandon." He answered softly. "He liked to whip her, never needed an excuse. Some times in front of everyone, some times in the bed room..." Xander turned with that, starting to walk away, he couldn't talk about it. Considering at some point, Abandon had figured out, that when Xander had disobeyed him, it was more a punishment to Xander for Abandon to whip Lexine, instead of him.
Faal watched him go, before closing the door softly, and turning back to the bed. Lexine was still fast asleep, peaceful. He sighed, taking the tea and moving over to a chair beside the bed, sitting down, facing her. He just sit there, watching her sleep, thinking.
 
 
***

He wasn't sure how much time had passed before she stirred, stretching with a whimper. He was still sitting in the chair, watching her, as she seemed to realize she was alone in the bed and sat up slightly, looking around confused. "I told you I'd sill be here." He said softly, drawing her attention to him, and saw her relax, rolling over to face him.

Faal sat forward in the chair, looking in to her eyes, which had a sleepy and almost content look to them. "And yet," He said softly, "I have to wonder why you wanted me to stay." He watched her blush softly, the way her cheeks turned pink and lower her eyes.

"I...I don't know..." Lexine said softly, not looking at him. "I...feel safe with you...safer then I have with any one else..."

"Even Shane?" He asked, the name coming out slightly cold.

She looked up at him, meeting his eyes again. "Yus...even Shane." She looked at him, slightly confused and whispered. "You...you didn't have to stay...if you didn't want to..."

Faal came off the chair, kneeling beside the bed next to her, reaching up to touch her face, stroking her from temple to jaw. "Lexine, little one, there isn't anything I want more, then to stay with you...but I can't."

She blinked up at him innocently. "Why not?"

Faal sighed deeply. "Little flame, it's my job...my life, my destiny to protect you from harm. You have enough people after you, that you don't need the attention from my enemies as well. And they'd definitely take notice of you, if we...were together..." He watched her wrinkle her pixie nose in confusion and leaned forward, kissing said nose lightly. He'd try to love her from a far, even though he knew it was going to hurt. He did have people in his life, that would gladly use her to get to him if they thought she meant more to him then just a charge. He imagined there were one or two that would still use her, just because she WAS his charge, if that were the right way to see it.

He stood up, looking down at her. "Besides, you and...Shane, obviously have something..." He added softly, watching her.

She sighed and closed her eyes, but didn't answer him on that. She didn't know WHAT she and Shane had. Sure, they'd slept together a few times, and he was always gentle with her, but he'd never told her, he loved her. And she didn't think he did in that way. And she wasn't entirely sure she felt the same way about it. It was more...friends with benefits if one wanted to look at it that way.

"Is Xander still here?" She asked softly, sitting up on the bed.

"Down stairs I believe." Faal answered, not sure if he was hurt or disappointed that she hadn't denied there was something between her and Shane. Had he been hoping she would? He watched her get off the bed, moving slowly toward the door and followed at a distance.

She padded silently down stairs, the storm still ragging over head. The power was still off, but she could see the glow of a fire in the wood stove in the kitchen, and smelled tea. She smiled softly, moving into the large kitchen, to see Xander sitting before the wood stove, sitting forward in his chair with a mug of tea in his hands between his knees. Faal stopped in the door way, watching her approach the young man.

Lexine slipped her arms around Xander's shoulders, leaning on him. "I thought you were asleep?" He asked softly, raising on hand to touch her arm as he sat back, looking up at her.

"I was, just woke up." She answered, taking the mug of tea from his other hand and taking a sip." You wouldn't happen to have a cigarette would you?" She asked sweetly.

'I thought you gave that up?" Xander asked, looking up at her.

"Only unless really stressed. Please?" She begged. Xander sighed and removed his pack from his pocket, handing her one. Lexine held her finger to the end and set alight, drawing a long drag from it. She moved around the side of the chair and sat down on Xander's left knee. Xander chuckled slightly. They heard Faal move further into the room. "Has Shane been back?" She asked softly, watching the fire in the wood stove.

"No...and no one else has checked in either." Xander said softly, rubbing her back as she whimpered. Faal was leaning against the counter near by, his arms crossed, and staring at the ceiling. He glanced at the door across the hall, half open, to see a bath room. Letting Xander and Lexine be, he left the kitchen silently and closed the bathroom door behind him, turning on the light.
The mirror stretched along the whole counter for the sink. Faal studied his own reflection a moment, glamour still in place, then raised a hand, his fingers drawing invisible patterns on the glass surface.

Then his reflection shifted, like a ripple in water and he was staring at the charring remains of what had been Maxine's offices. Xander hadn't been exaggerating when he'd said there was nothing left. Faal winced, and tried not to think of the worst, then drew his fingers across the glass again.

This time, when the view shifted, he saw a small werehouse room. The first one he saw was Regan, bandaging a wound on Saffron's shoulder. He saw two other men he hadn't met yet near by. "Max said to stay put, that's what we're doing." The young man with blonde hair said, Faal noticed he was fae.

"That's great Lian, but in the mean time, that's my SISTER out there!" Regan snapped back.

The young man named Lian bristled, "Lexine is resourceful, I'm sure she's fine!"

Regan came out of her chair. "My sister, my family, Lian!" She growled, sounding much more like Chaos then normal and her eyes flashed dangerously.

"Look, you don't know her as well as I do!" Lian snapped back.

"Regan has a point." Saffron snarled from his place. "You may know her, but she's still our blood."

The door somewhere in the room opened up. Faal watched Chaos(which he released the breath he'd been holding) and Maxine enter, along with Auron, who was supporting a rather beat up looking Shane. Lian came away from the wall. "Shane, man what the hell happened to you?"

Shane sagged into a chair when Auron releashed him. "Got jumped...not sure what the fuck they were..."

"Where's Lexine?" Regan practically demanded.

"As I already said, Faal-" Shane started, but Chaos cut him off.

"Bullshit!" She hissed, turning on him, her red eyes flashing dangerously. "Do not even ASSUME to make the suggestion Faal would hurt her." Faal drew back from the counter some, blinking. What the HELL had Shane told them.

"Clarice..." Auron spoke softly.

But Chaos held up a hand with out even looking at him. "Don't even, Auron, you ought to know Faal better then that!"
"Are you sure you can trust this guy?" Came Lian's voice from the corner.

"I trust him with my life." Chaos replied with a snarl. "More importantly, I trust him with Lexine's."

"Now is not the time to argue about this." Maxine said softly from her spot. "Auron, Chaos, I want to speak to you in privet a moment." Maxine motioned them to follow her. Faal's fingers quickly flew over the glass, so that the view followed Chaos as Maxine led them into another room, closing the door behind them.

"Don't even, Maxine." Chaos said turning to face her.

Maxine chuckled softly and shook her head. "I wasn't even going to start, Clarice, the only thing I have to say on the matter of Faal is I'm absolutely positive he's with Lexine and where ever they are, she's undoubtedly safe."

"So then what is your boy getting at?" Auron asked.

Maxine shook her head. "I'm not sure. I'm not even sure that's really my Shane. I gave Shane explicit orders to take Lexine to my house in England. I've been trying to scry the damned place all night, but something's blocking it from me. Horatio said Shane and Faal BOTH were there to take Lexine from the police station, and were both still with her after the car blew up."

Auron had to sat down in a near by chair, rubbing his temple. Chaos moved to stand next to him, her hand on his back, rubbing lightly. "We don't even know for sure if they're really there."

"I'll keep trying." Maxine said leaning against the wall across from them. She sighed deeply. "I'm sorry Auron...I've tried very hard for the last four years to protect Lexine from harm...I told her this afternoon, that she needs to go back with all of you, that she'd be better protected..."

Auron shook his head slightly, looking up at his old partner. "I don't blame you, Max. I don't blame her...I don't honestly know who to blame...maybe Lillian." Chaos blinked, looking down at him, and Auron took her hand from his shoulder, kissing her fingers with a sigh.

"Either way, we need to find Faal and Lexine..." Maxine said softly. "I don't know rather to risk going to England or not, but I don't...trust anyone else doing it...except for the four of you..."

"Do you not trust Shane?" Chaos asked, a slight edge to her voice.

Maxine snorted softly. "I trust the REAL Shane, yes. I don't think THAT out there is the real Shane..." She shifted then smiled slightly. "There is some one else I trust entirely, where Lexine's concerned, but I haven't been able to reach him either."

"Who?" Auron asked, looking up at her.

"His name is Xander Caine...Lexine thinks of him as her brother, he thinks of her as his sister and his entirely devoted to her. They...grew up together in Abandon's realm, he's a former slave himself."

Something began to interfere with the scrying. Faal swore and tryed to keep the spell, but the mirror went blank and then his reflection returned. Faal swore again, and was about to attempt another scrying, when a soft knock came to the bath room door. He hadn't shut it all the way and it opened a bit.

He turned to look and found Lexine by the door, looking worried and embarrassed. "I was...worried..." She said softly, looking up at him.

Faal smiled slightly and shook his head. "I was...scrying. The good news is, your family and Maxine are alright." He watched her sigh softly with relief. He didn't tell her about Shane. "They are worried about you, your father and sister especially." He added softly, moving toward her. He watched her blush and look down.

"I was...worried about them..." She said softly, staring at the floor, leaning her shoulder against the door frame.

Faal hesitated a moment, then reached out, touching a red curl. "They're more resilient then that...especially your step mother." He said softly with a soft smile.

"Yus, I kinda had that feeling..." She muttered softly with a slight smile, looking up to meet his eyes.

Faal stared into those absinthe depths and would have leaned into kiss her if they hadn't been interrupted. "Lexi." Xander came out of the kitchen. Lexine pulled away from the door frame, turning to face him. "Listen, stay here with Faal, I'm going to pop out for a bit, dig around."

"Xander, no." Lexine begged.

"It'll be fine, I wont be gone long. I'll come back, I promise." Xander said with a slight smirk, before reaching over to tug on a lock of her hair. "When have I ever broken a promise to you?" She gave him a dark look and he blushed sheepishly. "I'll be back, I promise." He added, stealing a kiss on the cheek before he turned and opened a shadow portal and disappeared.

Lexine sighed frustratedly, crossing her arms over her chest and leaning against the door frame. Faal watched her, moving to stand closer to her. He was glad to see she had some one in a semblance of family, some one she loved in that way and obviously loved her.

"Shall we go back into the kitchen?" He asked softly, nodding toward the other room. "I don't know about you, but I could use another cup of tea..."

Lexine snorted softly with a faint smile, and nodded, moving from the door frame toward the kitchen. Faal followed her, shutting off the bathroom light. He watched her fill the kettle, before putting it on the wood stove to heat and move to a cupboard, removing two mugs. She turned to another cabinet and opened it and Faal saw nothing but boxes of teas.

"Um...you don't have a preference do you?" Lexine asked softly, glancing back at him.

"Not really." Faal replied, looking at the teas. "Why so many of them?"

"Everyone has a different preference I suppose." She replied, taking a bundle of tied tea leaves from a special box. Then she found a clear glass tea pot and set the tea bundle inside. She sat it on the table near him, with a soft smile. "Flowering tea." She said softly. "You'll like it."

"Flowering tea?"

"Mhmm." She said with a nod and a bit more of a smile. "You'll see." She said.

When the water was boiling, she removed the kettle and took the lid off the clear glass tea pot, pouring the water slowly over the bundle of tea leaves, before putting the kettle on a warmer. Inside the glass tea pot as the bundle of leaves began to stoop, Faal noticed the tea leaves beginning to unfurl. There was a hint of vibrant red in the center of the deep green. Lexine had sat down at the table to watch and Faal moved around the side of the table, closer to her, and crouched next to her, watching himself.

The tea leaves continued to unfurl, as the water became a white tea and a small delicate red rose bud was revealed in the center as the soft aroma of roses drifted in the steam. Faal smiled softly before taking the seat next to Lexine, who grabbed the mugs and poured two cups. "Rose bud tea." She said softly with a soft smile sitting the tea pot down. Faal took a sip and found it was already lightly sweetened. The scent he knew well, he'd been smelling it since he'd met Lexine, a soft sensual smell of roses. It lacked the fragile under scent of jasmine that made up the intoxicating blend that seemed to stick with his senses, no matter how close or far away she was.

He took another sip, before sitting his cup down, and looking at her. Her radiant absinthe eyes seemed lost, distant as she stared at the cup in her hands, and yet it made her no less beautiful. "Would you tell me, if I asked, tell me about yourself..." He said softly.

She looked up at him blinking slowly a moment and smiled softly, shyly. "There isn't much to know." She answered in a soft soft voice.

"Tell me anyway." He encouraged gently, watching her.

She was quiet for a long moment, sipping her tea. Then she shook her head and put her mug on the table, he watched the way her hair shook with the motion, the soft curls fall against her face. After a sigh, she turned her luminous eyes back to him. "I suppose...as my guardian, you're intitled to know..." She said softly.

Faal smiled softly, sitting his own mug down, he reached across the table slowly, as not to startle her and laid his hand on her's. "Even if I wasn't your guardian, I'd want to know...I do want to know..."

"No, you don't, trust me on this." Lexine replied a bit more serious, looking away from him.

Faal frowned slightly, his thumb rubbing her knuckles. "I do actually, Lexi..." He said softly, watching her staring out the kitchen window, looking aggravated. He sighed and let go of her hand, sitting back in his chair, letting the silence descend for now.

Lexine stared out the window at the storm with aggression, trying to get a hold on her thoughts. She got up finally moving over to the kitchen sink and began cleaning the couple mugs that were already in the sink, aware Faal was watching her every move. She slammed the mugs into the dish drainer and shut off the water. "I was born in Abandon's realm in Hell, my mother died giving birth. When I was five, I was put in the collar. When I was seven, I was made...to do his ever biding. When I was ten...I was finally summoned to his bedchambers. And from that point on until I was 19 I was his play thing. I would spend months chained to his bed." She said finally. "I some how got away when I was 19, I don't know how, I can't remember, I just remember waking up in Maxine's apartment with her telling me I was found on their doorstep. From there I was became a part of the team. A little over a year ago, I woke up and was no longer a boy." She said said all of this with out looking back at him, gripping the edge of the sink until her knuckles were white.

Faal watched her from behind, the way her body trembled with silent sobs. This he couldn't stand. He got up, walking over behind her. He hesitated, only a moment, before he slid an arm around her waist, with the intention to turn her around to face him, but instead, she let go of the counter and tumbled back against him. He felt his heart beating faster, harder as he held her like this and his other arm slipped around her. She felt so right in his arms, like a part of him that had been missing all his life.

Lexine leaned back against him, her eyes closed. How could he make her feel so safe, just from holding her. Feel so secure, just by his presence. She felt his one hand come up, to caress her face around her. And she leaned her cheek in to his hand. An electric surge passed through her body from his touch.

She turned herself to face him, looking up at him, before her hand was pulling him down toward her, their lips meeting again, brushing softly at first, before tongues plunging deeply, tangling with each other. Her other arm slipped around his neck, her first hand pulling the elastic out of his pony tail and tangling gently in his hair.

He held her tightly around the waist, before he picked her up, sitting her on the edge of the counter, still kissing her passionately. There was nothing else he wanted, no one else he wanted to kiss this way. She brought him alive in ways he hadn't thought possible and he'd only just met her.

And he was her guardian...and... Damn! He could NOT be doing this to her! He pulled back, gasping for air and looked at the ceiling, rather then down at her, but yet he couldn't releash his hold on her. "I'm sorry, Lexi..." He said in a whisper.

He heard her give a nervous little laugh, shaking her head slightly, and then her head was on his shoulder, just laying there. "Lexi, you are...an incredibly attractive woman...intoxicating almost...I mean..." He swallowed. " You're the Daughter of the Seal and men are attracted to you...it's...no...what I mean to say is..." He heard her giggle again, then two of her fingers were on his lips, silencing him.

She moved her head, pulling back slightly to look up at him. "I know all about how men are attracted to me...because of being the Daughter of the Seal...I've had to deal with it since I was 19...I've got one ex stalker boy friend behind me, a Death Curse he placed on me because of his obsession, a least two men in the office fighting each other for me...and you."

Faal raised an eyebrow, looking at her. "What do you mean, an ex stalker boyfriend?"

Lexine shook her head slightly. "Rowen Ravenscourt...I started dating him when I was 20...and still a boy...it got...intense...I ended up sleeping with him...He worked for Maxine...She did warn me against him, I didn't quiet listen. And then...on a case...that ended us up back in hell, he was killed...or so I thought..." She shook her head ruefully. "He showed up a few months ago...with the serious intention of killing me. This got so serious he had a death curse cast on me. Actually it's still hanging over me, but a friend of Maxine's managed to... staunch it a point that I can at least use SOME of my abilites with it out draining me..."

"And where is he now?" Faal asked, watching her.

Lexine shrugged. "I haven't seen him in the last month or so...I'm rather hoping he's decided to leave me alone, but I really doubt it. Knowing him, he's just planning another approach..." She sighed.

"And the two men in the office?" Faal asked, curious.

Lexine snorted. "Shane and Lian...Lian's always had a thing for me. and he's a good guy, but...it just wouldn't work..." She shrugged. "As for Shane...it's not exactly what you think it is..." She rolled her eyes. "A fling if nothing else. I sort of refuse to allow myself to get close to him and he wont get close to me...oh we're friends, close friends. Bed mates some times, but...nothing more..." She sighed deeply, like she regreted that.

"Why?" Faal asked slightly. "I mean, I've seen the way he looks at you..."

Lexine shook her head again. "I'm not about to get my heart broken again...not after Rowen...I was still grieving for him when he showed up again with the intent to kill me...and he did...he killed a good part of me...." She slipped off the counter, and slid under his arm, moving away from him, wiping her cheeks off as she went.
Faal found his on the counter and he turned his head to watch her as she headed for the door of the kitchen. He heard her sniffle. She paused in the door way. "I'm sorry I'm such a temptation to you. Believe me when I say, that's the last thing I really want. But I am what I am, Daughter of the Seal and all. And Gods, I HATE it..." She said, before walking out of the kitchen.

Faal watched her go, before turning to lean against the counter, his arms crossed over his chest. He shook his head slightly, looking at the floor and felt a sensation pass through him. He believed she was sorry for being such a...temptation as she said, but he knew she had no idea just how much of one she was to him.

Maybe things would be different if things hadn't gone the way they had recently with Estehl...his brother, or their uncle, Gillorn. If Gillorn had never shown up out of the blue like he had, to bring proof of who Faal really was, enough to bust through the spell Teliveer and Negellus had placed on him, if he hadn't remembered that one night...he'd still be Faal, determined not to fall for Lexine, to keep their relationship were it was supposed to be, as her Guardian...

But he wasn't that same man since that night Gillorn had shown up. Something in him had changed. For better or worse, he wasn't sure. But he knew one thing for certain. Since the moment he'd looked into Lexine's eyes, he loved her, loved her with everything he had. And now...he wasn't about to let her go.

He pulled away from the counter, heading after her. He caught sight of her turning down the hall at the top of the stairs as he came out of the kitchen and he quickly ascended the stairs, hurrying after her. Turning down the hall, "Lexine!" He called out, just as she opened the door. She paused, looking back at him and Faal caught up with her, pulling her into his embrace. He kissed her deeply, passionately, a kiss that held everything, gave everything, made or broke everything. It left them both dizzy and weak kneed. She was clinging to him, her hands curled around his shirt, eyes closed, head titled back.

He smiled, looking down at her, her lips parted slightly, her cheeks flushed. He reached up and caressed her face, watching her eyes flutter open. "Little flame, you are a temptation to me, but one I'll gladly take. And I'd never hurt you..." He gave her another soft kiss, letting her go slowly, and gave her a slight bow, watching her face. The way her fingers went to her lips, the blush. He'd give her a litle logner to decide...just a little longer...

 
***
TBC.......






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  Skye, Ruex, Sage, Washu & Miss Frost .
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