This was originally an Role Play I was doing with a friend. Then thought it might actually make a great story! So with permission from my fellow role player, friend and co-author Madison E. Blackwood, I am posting this both here and on my deviantart account.

We would both love to hear what you think, so if you could drop a review occasionally that would be great! I'll give you cookies! X3 Lol!

Now for the disclaimer!


Disclaimer: Madison E. Blackwood and I (Black Dragon Valkyrie) do not own Sherrilyn Kenyon's AMAZING world of Dark-Hunters or any of the characters. We are simply barrowing them for this story. Madison E. Blackwood owns Maxima/Sinsa and Gemina Sinsabaugh. While I own Kamali "Axel" Parthenopaeus and Sorcha Parthenopaeus.

Enjoy! ^^


Sinsa hummed along to the Nickelback song her friend Andy had shown her yesterday, absently recalling the words as she checked her phone, waiting for the bus. Soon enough, she'd be babysitting with Simi, one of her more eccentric friends here in New Orleans. The two of them were going to be watching over a bunch of kids, though Sinsa usually ended up doing the majority of the work, since Simi was practically a child herself. In behavior, at least.

"Show me what it's like..." she murmured happily. "Teach me wrong from right..." She paused as the bus rolled up.

Axel let out a sigh through his nose as he sat up in his seat in the very back of the bus. He couldn't really recall why he choose to ride the bus that day, but hey, he wasn't one to complain. He stretched his arms over his head as he felt the bus slowing to a stop, practically glad that the seat was a bench seat so he was able to put his back against one wall and stretch his long legs out in front of him. He subconsciously adjusted his sunglasses before leaning back against the wall again. Currently his phone was playing a song called Never Surrender by Skillet through his earbuds and drowning out most other noise around him.

The bus was vacant of all but three people, sans the driver. A young mother, not much older than Sinsa, dozed in a seat near the middle with her child asleep on her lap. A man about the same age, maybe a little younger-it was hard to tell with those mirrored sunglasses-sat in the back of the bus with his back against the wall, legs stretched in front of him as if he planned to ride the bus to the end of the line.

She took a seat near him, ignoring him until she heard strains of music from his headphones. Delighted to recognize it, she leaned across the aisle and playfully tapped his boot.

He looked up to her face and turned his music down slightly as he pulled an earbud out to hear her. She appeared to be around his physical age, he could tell she was human so there was no way she could literally be his age. "Yes?" He asked politely.

"Did you go to their concert?" she asked cheerfully. "Skillet's, I mean. That is what you were listening to, isn't it? Never Surrender?" Only after she spoke did she realize he was giving off a 'piss off before I smack you' aura. When was she going to learn to think before speaking? "Ah, sorry... Never mind; forget I said anything..."

He waved it off. "It's fine. And yes I did actually." He had no idea why he felt the need to answer her question, but chalked it up to how her curiosity reminded him of Simi.

She brightened immediately, having expected him to go back to his music.

"Great, wasn't it?" she hummed, resting her chin on her fists. "I place it second to that one Three Days Grace concert I went to in Queens..." Without thinking, her slight black accent tilted more toward the odd enunciation of New York residents. "...just beating the Breaking Benjamin concert I went to last year. Oh, my name is Sinsa, by the way."

The corner of his mouth turned up a little. She seemed to be a kind soul, though for some reason her aura was soft and almost...hesitant, despite her warm smile and happy expression. His head tilted slightly to the side, not much, just a bit. "I go by Axel." He replied, his common Romanian accent lilting his voice to the slightly deeper bass tone. "Where are you heading?"

"Not far," she answered brightly. "I'm babysitting with a really good friend." She had a sudden thought and sat up straight. "Oh no! I forgot to grab extra hot sauce on the way! Damn it; Simi's gonna eat me for sure this time..." A subtle shift of Axel's expression alerted Sinsa to his surprise and she hastened to explain. "Last time I forgot her hot sauce, she threatened to eat me, and I've seen her eat some really weird stuff, so it wouldn't surprise me if cannibalism is a possibility where she's concerned. I'd go so far as to say it's probable if anyone pissed her off too much..."

He raised a brow in question. "You know Simi?" This was the first he ever heard about his sister having a new human friend, and a female one at that.

"Sure!" Sinsa smiled. "We met at Sanctuary-you know, that really cool bar in the French Quarter?-and she sorta helped me get away from a couple of persistent guys, if you know what I mean. I think the real reason was because I had just ordered a huge thing of barbecue, for a party I was going to, and she wanted some, but at the time, I thought she was just being nice, so I started talking with her while we ate; I ended having to get another order after that-that girl can eat! Anyway, she was really closed-off, if a bit boisterous, at first, but after a while, she opened up a bit and we hit it off." She cocked her head, eying Axel. "You know her too?"

He smirked just the slightest bit, giving a small flash of perfectly straight white teeth and an air of personal amusement. "I should. She is my sister." He chuckled low in his throat, which one might think the sound reminded them of thunder in the distance, low but booming.

"You are?" Sinsa's dark green eyes glittered in amazement as they widened. "What are the odds of meeting one of Simi's precious family on the bus? Oh, maybe you can tell me why she calls me Akra-Sin; I know she calls your mother Akra-Tory, and your father Akri, so I had thought that 'akra' meant 'mother' or something. But why would she call me 'mother' Sin?" Abruptly she realized how much she was talking. "Ah, if I talk too much, please tell me to shut up; I can be really oblivious and I tend not to notice when people bet bored or annoyed..."

Axel chuckled again. "I can understand your confusion." He smiled a little more. "Akri and Akra are really titles for anyone who is personally close, such as family and very close friends. Akri is the title used for males while Akra is used for girls." He knew it actually meant 'master/lord' and 'mistress/lady", but it was a believable white lie since she would only question further if she knew that was what Simi was really calling her. He would have to explain to the rest of the family later in case she ever said anything about it to them.

"Ooh," Sinsa nodded, understanding. For a moment, she was quiet, and then she had another thought. "So, are you going to see Simi, too?" With almost perfect timing, the bus slowed and the driver called her stop.

He nodded as he picked up his backpack and stood up. "I figured I could stop by and say hi to her since I was in town." He then started to head outside. "I assume you're getting off here too?" He asked, even though he already knew the answer.

She giggled as she followed. The small group waiting at the stop moved hastily aside as Axel stepped off and Sinsa kept close to avoid the bustle of people. She bounced ahead to walk beside him as soon as they were clear of the people.

"Are you and Simi close?" she asked curiously. "I mean, she's never mentioned you. But I guess that makes sense since we've only known each other for a couple of months."

He shrugged. "We only officially met about two months ago. So we're still working on that. Though she has no problem with jumping on my back and hanging on like a koala." He chuckled at the memory of the first time his sister had done that, she had scared the crap out of him and then laughed at his shocked face.

That confused Sinsa. "Er, if it's not too forward to ask, are you guys half-siblings or something?" It would make sense. Sinsa herself had half-siblings and siblings-in-law that she'd never met. Thought in her case, she was likely to ever meet them.

"Simi was technically adopted by my father." He inhaled slowly before letting it out. "And my biological mother never mentioned having me, or my elder sister Katra, to our father." He looked down to see her confused face. "It's complicated. But basically Tory is my stepmom. Father never knew me or Katra existed until recently. Kat meet him by chance a few years ago. I meet him two months ago. Kat and I didn't even know the other existed until I met Ash."

"Kat... Katra..." Sinsa hummed. "Why is that name familiar...? I don't think Simi said it..." Then she shook her head. "Ah, forget it. I'll probably remember tonight when I can't fall asleep. So you just met your dad? Damn, that's got to suck... And I thought losing mine was bad; I can't imagine not having one at all for so long. Well, at least you've met him now."

He nodded then gave the slightest hint of a smirk. "Though it is amusing that we never knew each other but most remark we act so much alike."

Sinsa's laugh, as they came up to the house, drew Simi out. The goth girl was wearing her favorite black tank-top-and-miniskirt combo with red accents to match the streaks in her hair.

"Akra-Sin!" she greeted cheerfully. Then she spied Sinsa's companion. "AXEL!" Lunging forward, she nearly tackled him in a tight hug, making Sinsa laugh again.

"I think it's safe to say family relations are good," she managed as he wobbled to regain his balance.

Axel chuckled as he wrapped his arms around his sister and ruffled her hair. "It would seem so."

"Akra's late," Simi scolded Sinsa a moment later. "Simi waited hours for you!"

"I'm sorry, Sim," Sinsa said, putting her hands together in front of her with an apologetic grimace. "My dinner meeting ran late and I wasn't watching the time like I was supposed to. I'll make it up to you with take-out, ok?"

Simi immediately grinned. "Okay!" Before grabbing her hand and running inside, Axel's laughter could be heard coming in behind them.

Tori looked up from the book she was reading and smiled at them. "Hello Sinsa." She let out a gasp in surprise when her stepson walked through the door. "Axel!" She got up and hugged the young man, even though he towered over everyone just like his father.

Axel gave a soft smile. "Hi mom."

"Hey, Mrs. Parthenopaeus," Sinsa greeted, managing to slow Simi for a moment. "I hope you didn't have any dinner plans; Simi's wrangled me into-oop!" Simi almost toppled her and she took a second to regain her balance. "Into buying take-out."

"Come on, Akra-Sin," Simi pressed eagerly. "Simi wants to show you my new room!"

Sinsa laughed and let the girl lead her further into the house. As far as she'd known, Simi had never had a room; she'd always slept in her father's room. At least until he married Tori, and then they'd had issues deciding where everyone would sleep, though two beds in the master bedroom had seemed to work. Obviously Simi had been bugging them for her own room.

Both Tory and Axel chuckled at them. Then she looked up to meet is eyes, even though they were hidden by sunglasses. "I had no idea you were coming back into town so soon."

He faked a pout. "Can't just pop in to see my family?" His pout quickly turned into a playful grin when Tory playfully hit his shoulder.

"Of course not! We all love seeing you! And Sorcha. Speaking of her, did she come with you or still with Athena?" She asked as she looked around to see if the sweet little five-year-old was anywhere in sight.

Axel shook his head. "No. I might bring her by in a few days though." he seemed a little nervous for a moment before wiping it clear from his face. "Would father have a problem with me staying here for a while?"

Tory looked surprised. "You even have to ask? I'm sure Ash would be fine with it! There's a guest room upstairs by Simi's if you want to go put your things away."

Axel shrugged. "You know how awkward it gets for us sometimes." He sighed then kissed her on the forehead before starting up the stairs. He could hear the girl's talking and couldn't help but smile a little at the sound of Sinsa's beautiful voice.

Sinsa wasn't sure quite what to make of Simi's black room decorated with band posters, innumerable QVC products, and just about everything any goth could ever want.

"Wow," she said, amazed. "You've got yourself quite a place, Sim."

"Akri paid for it, but he says the Simi might have to get a job herself," the girl said, wrinkling her nose in distaste. "What kind of job could the Simi get that involves eating tasty things?"

"Well, you could always take up babysitting," Sinsa reminded. "You already do it with me, it wouldn't take much to get you to the point where you can do it yourself."

"Simi doesn't like kids," she said, making a face. "'Cept Marissa. And Scorcha. They like the Simi, and the Simi likes them."

"Then why do you help me if you don't like kids?" Sinsa asked, surprised.

"'Cause Simi likes hanging out with you, Akra-Sin!" Sinsa was so touched by the goth girl's words that she couldn't even say anything. She just gave her a warm hug."

Sinsa ordered extra food and made sure the guy on the other end of the phone understood that she wanted a lot of extra hot sauce. A lot. When the doorbell rang twenty minutes later, she was down the stairs and in the entryway before Tory could even stand up.

"I got it!" she smiled as she opened the door to take the food and pay the delivery girl. "Simi! Better hurry up and eat so we can go or we're going to be late!"

"If you want. I can drive you two there." Axel offered from the couch where he had decided to lounge. "It'd be faster than the bus."

Simi bounced down the stairs and squealed in delight, grabbed some of the food and made Axel sit up so she could sit on the other end of the couch, leaving an open space between the siblings for Sinsa.

A pained, terrified look passed over Sinsa's expression, but she masked it almost immediately. "Are you sure?" she asked as she sat. "I don't want to inconvenience you or anything..."

"Nah. I need to stop in downtown anyway." Axel waved off. Though he had caught her feared look and it made him curious.

Simi giggles. "Akri-Ax is a speed demon though."

He simply grinned. "What's the bad side to that? I've always loved driving fast. Though on my motorcycle is my preferred method."

Tory shook her head with a small smile. "I'm surprised you and your father are never get pulled over."

"Maybe they paid off the cops to ignore them," Sinsa offered, giving her a playful smirk. Tory snorted in amusement, rolling her eyes.

"I doubt it," she said. "Ash just seems to know when they're on the route he's going to take, and he slows down right before they see him."

"Doesn't look like the son got the father's intuition," Sinsa giggled. "Or did you actually wreck your bike and that's why you took the bus?"

He rolled his eyes. "No. They actually cut me some slack on the speeding thing cause I've done a lot of work for them." He moved arm to rest on the back of the couch, behind Sinsa's shoulders and stretched out his long legs, crossing them at the ankles. "And I actually have no idea why I took the bus. Felt like it I guess."

"Just a whim-thing?" she smiled knowingly. Her breath caught for a moment when he also smiled. How the hell had she not noticed how good-looking he was? Long blue-streaked black hair pulled back in a loose ponytail, strong chiseled jaw, thin perfect lips that were obviously made for kissing... Not to mention that body. Damn! It didn't matter that his clothes were loose enough to conceal any body fat; she could tell there wasn't an ounce on him. Now if only she could get a glimpse of his eyes; if the rest of him was this delicious, how much more so would his eyes be? Abruptly she realized she was staring. And he'd noticed. Flushing, she quickly turned away, under the pretext of finishing her food quickly.

Simi had started on her thirds when Axel chuckled. "Sim-key, save some for the rest of us." He laughed when she simply stuck her tongue out at him before continuing. Tory had left the room a moment ago to take a call on her cell.

For the rest of the meal, Sinsa stayed quiet, worried she'd be awkward if she tried to speak. When she finished, she quickly stood, aware of how close she was to the Greek god of beauty next to her.

"Done yet, Sim?" she asked, surprised her voice didn't squeak. "We need to go here in a minute."

Simi gave a slight pout but nodded as she got up and dusted off her skirt.

Axel stood and went over to where his leather jacket and keys hung. He turned to face them as he spun the key ring on his middle finger. "Let's get going then."

"Just don't kill us," Sinsa said as she passed him, feigning a scolding look. "I doubt these kids' parents would be very happy to have their plans cancelled last minute because someone was showing off."

Simi giggles as she ran out after her friend while Axel rolled his eyes. He climbed into the driver's seat of the dark red Hennessey Venom GT (aka the fastest car in the world) that sat in the driveway, Simi had jumped in the back and yelled for Sinsa to hurry, the passenger having been left open for her after Simi climbed in back.

She whistled. Either the Pathenopaeuses were extremely wealthy, or Axel was just that wealthy. Either way, she hoped it was clean money that bought the car she was climbing into. She almost wanted to get right back out; someone as broke as her didn't belong in such a fancy car. Honestly, even if she did want to drive a car around, she'd be lucky to get a used old Honda or something.

"Nice car," she grinned as she clicked her seatbelt in place. "Don't suppose you've got another one in your pocket that you wouldn't mind giving a broke babysitter, would you?"

He laughed. "This one's technically my father's, mines back at my house in Michigan." He backed out and started into New Orleans. "Though there's quite a few others to choose from. Depends on your driving style."

"Ahh, you kidding, right?" Sinsa laughed jealously. Her earlier embarrassment drifted to the back of her thoughts as she delved into cars. "I'd have to see how they handled, but my favorite cars are Mustangs and Camaros. Especially Camaros."

He smiled a little as he stopped in front of the house where Simi telepathically told him they were babysitting tonight. "Here we are. He turned around to look at Simi. "Behave for Sinsa, okay?"

Simi stuck her tongue out and Axel smirked a bit, but she promised to behave. Then he turned back to Sinsa. "Just have Simi give me a call when you need a ride home, alright?"

She stared out the window.

"Did Simi tell you where...?" she started, confused. Then she shook her head. "Nevermind. Come on, Sim." She let the girl out and then leaned on the roof of the car, smiling sincerely at Axel. "Thanks for not killing us.

He chuckled. "Anytime."

As she watched the taillights of the Venom disappear around a turn, she wondered absently if she might get used to cars again; ever since her oldest brother had died in a car crash, along with his wife and their two infant children, she'd never been able to get into a car without coming inches from a panic attack. And when her elder sister had a head-on with the rear-end of a semi and fell into a coma that she never woke from, Sinsa couldn't even go near cars. She'd always taken the bus, or the subway, because no one she knew had died from it. She's been getting better with cars lately-that is, she didn't have a panic attack when she got close-but she'd never expected to ever be able to ride in one again. Maybe it was just Axel; something about him made her feel safe, like he'd never let harm come to her if he could help it.

An ironic laugh bubbled up. Yeah, because that 'piss off' attitude was totally conducive to making one feel safe. Then again, she prided herself on seeing strangers' true colors, and she'd gotten a look at a side of him she doubted many people saw.

"Hey, Akra-Sin!" Simi called from the door, where a little boy was hanging from her arm. "Help! Simi knows I can't eat these kids, but they're really getting on the Simi's nerves!"

"I'm coming, Sim," Sinsa laughed, setting aside her thoughts for a moment. "Let go of Simi, Jason! You know better than to hang on her; do you want me to tell your mom about the fish tank?"