Disclaimer: I do not own Human Target or Tallis and intend no copyright infringement.
Author's notes: I have been away from writing for quite some time. During that hiatus, I have discovered a few things about the world.
1. Some people refuse to turn on red. Even when it's ok to do so.
2. Not having a clothes dryer has served me well. But I still get irratated when my parents ask me why I hang my clothes on the line. Mom...Dad...you have known this for how long now.
3. I only write smut when I am away.
4. I like 50 Shades of Grey. However, learning my mother is reading it too...is a mood killer.
5. The toothpaste I like is NEVER on sale.
6. The British have ALL the fun.
7. No matter how hard I try, I still can't convince Mark Valley to take me out on a date. I swear it's because I am a Pittsburgh Steelers fan.
8. All women should play one sport that makes them look like a tomboy...I suggest hockey.
9. Every human should own at least one pair of socks that every other human would find ugly if worn in public. I have several pair.
10. ...I will leave that comment to myself...
Limited Resistance Maximum Attention
She was angry. Angry to a point where she felt like she needed to go home early. It was a state of self she didn't like being in; especially when someone asked her what was wrong. It was 1:30 in the afternoon on a sweltering summer Monday. The air conditioner was working overtime, but the mere thought of the intrusive sun outside made her anger worse. Going home was sounding better than letting the horrible day get to her.
She had a pile of paperwork staring her down. The email indicator clearly read "FULL", and her voicemail light was blinking. She leaned on her elbows and put her face in her hands. With everything looming over her, she remembered why she was upset.
"What did I specifically ask you Mr. Chance? You obviously don't remember do you?" Ilsa was waving her arms in the air while Chance watched in silence. "I made it a point to limit my personal life with this organization, but I feel like I have the right to know something of this degree!" She crossed her arms and stormed back into her office. Chance took a deep breath and waited a few minutes before he followed her. When he finally walked in, she was staring out the window.
"Let me tell you something. Since you decided to join this team, it has been day in and day out of your drama." This caused her to turn around and meet his eyes. He stepped closer. "I…..we... have stuck our necks out to help you in your time of need and respected you every step of the way and now you're going to act like this! The ONLY reason I didn't relay this information is because I didn't want you chasing after your dead husband!"
Her eyes narrowed and she pursed her lips. "It's none of your business what I choose to do." He was angry now. "Yes. It is my business, because I know you would have pursued this possibly bogus lead and gotten hurt or even killed. Now you stand here acting like a bitch because I am a little concerned." As soon as the words left his mouth, he silently prayed to any god that would listen, to take them back.
Ilsa had to make a choice. Slap him, punch him or cry and walk away. She was a woman of high moral character therefore she took the high road. "Good day Mr. Chance." She quietly picked up her purse. Without making eye contact she left. Chance could only stand there and wonder.
As soon as the driver closed the door, she began to cry. It was a mix of emotions. Finding out that there was a possible lead to Marshall's killer, Chance not being forthcoming with her, and now this. It wasn't the fact that he had called her a bitch, but the fact she felt like she was a burden. She pulled a tissue from her purse and wiped her tears. She wondered if she should even continue with this idea of a rogue protection company.
"You said what to her?" Winston stared at Chance with a dumb look. Guerrero sat shaking his head. "Dude, she's probably calling in a hit on you right now." He got up to leave. "Nice knowin' ya man." When Guerrero finally left, Winston looked to Chance. "Chance, look man. Women are funny creatures. They act normal one day and have the possibility of blowing a major fuse the next. What you said to Ilsa was pretty harsh, but I think you spoke from the heart. I'm sure you don't think she is a bitch." He turned and walked to the elevator and pressed the button. When the doors opened he walked in then turned back to Chance. "Good luck man." Chance stared at the closing doors. He wondered what he needed to do.
"Yes Connie. For a couple weeks. I just need some time off. A little shopping maybe." Ilsa tried as hard as she could to act happy, but deep down she felt alone. She hung up the phone and sat on her couch. She was caught between unhappiness and confusion. She figured a trip away from the action might cure her. The tension from the day made her tired. She stretched herself out on the couch and closed her eyes.
He gingerly opened the door. A chorale group played throughout the penthouse. He looked around until he spotted her doing yoga in the living room. He walked up behind her and lightly tapped her shoulder. She reeled around in shock. "Dammit Chance! You scared the hell out of me!" He chuckled and she playfully smacked his arm. He rubbed it and frowned. "I'm hurt. That's workplace violence you know."
She picked up the remote and turned the music down. "Unfortunately for you, the boss is allowed to be abusive." He nodded towards her state of the art stereo. " What are you listening to anyway?" She raised her eyebrows. "It's Spem in Allium, by Thomas Tallis. Quite a beautiful piece. One of my favorites I might add." Chance furrowed his brows at the foreign sound. "Right. Anyway, I came to get that file."
"Ah yes. It's in my office. Can I get you something to drink?" He shrugged. Ilsa walked into the kitchen and opened the refrigerator. She retrieved a bottle of water for herself and a beer for Chance. When she walked back to the office, he was sitting on the couch. He smiled at her. "You do realize most people have one or two sofas in their home. You have several."
She raised an eyebrow and handed him the beer. "I didn't hear you complain when you sat down." She turned on her heel and walked back to the desk. He watched as she searched the drawer for the file he needed. She had been doing yoga for most of the morning and looked fatigued. But then again she normally looked fatigued because she worked non-stop. It wasn't like her to back down from a challenge.
When she found the file and turned back towards him, time had seemed to slow down. She pulled the water bottle to her lips and took a drink. It allowed him to admire her long neck. He watched as she steadied the bottle with her slender fingers. Reality sunk in when he finally realized she was standing over him.
She dangled the file between her fingers. "Are you still with me Mr. Chance?" He traced her from head to toe. She was wearing a pair of yoga pants that seemed to be painted to her body. Her tank top fit just as snug and accentuated her toned upper body. When he finally met her gaze, he spoke. "No Ilsa, I'm not with you. Not in the slightest."
She licked her lips and it drove him slightly over the edge. He leaned forward, pulled the file from her hand and set it beside him. He reached out again and held her hand, gently pulling her forward until she was straddled atop him. She placed her water bottle on the end table then looked into his eyes. He placed his hands on her hips while she simultaneously put her arms around his neck. "Did you come here for a file…or something else?"
He smiled. "I came here for a file but it seems like you have other ideas. I mean….you are on top of me after all." She leaned down and softly kissed his lips. His breathing quickened even though she kissed him with the lightness of air. As she continued, her hands found their way into his hair. He embraced her tighter while intensifying the kiss. After several minutes of passionate lip locking, Chance pushed the file folder onto the floor. Papers scattered about as he gently laid her on the couch. When they finally broke apart for air, he smiled down at her. As the notes of Tallis slowly died down, the incessant buzzing in Ilsa's ear did not…..
She jerked up to her cellphone buzzing on the end table. She picked it up and the caller I.D. read "CHANCE". She sighed. "Not now." She rose up from the pillow and rubbed her eyes. Her dream was vivid. For as angry as she was at him, she wondered how he even made it into her dream at all. She walked to the bedroom to pack her bags. A couple weeks to relax without worrying about Chance was a welcomed thought. She collected some last minute items and remembered that she needed to stop at the office for a few files. Her working self got the better of her and she refused to come back to a pile of paperwork.
"Ames, I called her a dozen times. She won't talk to me." Ames shook her head. "Duh. She's probably calling in a hit on you as we speak." Chance glanced at her sideways. "Kid you have been hanging around Guerrero too long." She simply shrugged her shoulders then stood up. "Chance, don't worry. I'm sure she will be over it in a few days. Maybe you can talk to her then." He nodded. " Thanks." Ames walked to the elevator and hit the button to leave.
It was 9:00 am when Chance heard the elevator chime. He looked over from his loft and watched Ilsa walk quietly into her office. He raced down the stairs and walked in behind her. "Hey." She looked back to him but didn't say anything. He watched as she put files into her briefcase. "You goin' somewhere?"
She switched on the computer to answer a few emails before she left. "I'm goin away for a couple weeks.." He looked puzzled. "Where? Why?" Ignoring him, she gathered her belongings. "Ilsa, I'm sorry. I'm….it was a terrible thing to say….I didn't mean to say it…" He was stammering. She started walking to the elevator and he followed.
She was slightly startled when he grabbed her wrist and turned her around. "Excuse me Mr. Chance, but I have other affairs to take care of." He kept a hold of her wrist. "Ilsa, please. Just…come with me. I have something to show you." She looked deep into his soul thru his sad, pleading crystal blue eyes. She could have melted into him at that very moment. "Alright. What is so pressing?" He sighed in relief at her acceptance then moved his hand from her wrist to entwine their fingers. He led her to the elevator and pressed the button. She cut some of the tension when she phoned to delay her jet. He swallowed hard knowing she had full intentions on leaving.
When the doors opened, he practically dragged her out. After walking four blocks and crossing the street, he stopped in front of an enormous cathedral. He looked like a child on Christmas morning. She looked at him puzzled. "Mr. Chance what…." He cut her off. " Just….trust me." As they ascended the stairs, she noticed a large sign hanging on the door. It read in bold red letters: CLOSED DRESS REHEARSAL! She pulled at Chance's arm. "No Chance, we can't go in there."
He urged her thru the now open door. "Come on Ilsa." Try as she might, she couldn't get him to stop. Standing in the grand foyer he looked around and spotted an elderly man rounding the corner. When he walked up to them the gentleman extended his hand. "Christopher Chance. It has been quite some time." Chance shook his hand. "Father Davis. I'd like you to meet Ilsa Pucci. Ilsa, this is Father Michael Davis." Ilsa shook his hand. "So nice to meet you Father."
Ilsa could hear the middle of Ave Maria coming from the inner workings of the cathedral. "Please…..sit wherever you like. The house is yours." Father Davis smiled and opened the door for them. The air and music instantly filled their senses. Chance held Ilsa's hand again and led her to the front. It was completely empty. The two of them and the massive choir. As they sat down, the group ended their version of Ave Maria. They were in full dress robes.
She looked around and admired the cathedral as they prepared for their next piece. She scanned the room in awe, and inhaled the familiar burning of incense. Then her eyes fell on Chance. He has been staring at her the entire time as she admired the place. In a quiet, timid voice he spoke. "I can say I'm sorry a million times, but it still won't make up for what I said. I thought you might enjoy this. Hopefully it will help to say how truly sorry I am."
She raised an eyebrow. "You did this for me?" He shook his head. "As soon as you didn't pick up the phone on the 30th call, I ran straight down here. I knew they had a big program coming up, so I pulled a few strings." She smiled.
"Did you threaten a priest Mr. Chance?" He chuckled. "I have known Father Davis for quite some time." She pursed her lips. "You? An alter boy?" He laughed out loud. "Not hardly. I had a tendency to get into trouble when I was a young boy. So he usually told on me. As punishment, I had to keep the church grounds cleaned. I swept the stairs and just about anything else to keep me out of trouble. Look around. Why do you think this cathedral shines?" Before she could answer, the choir began their next song. A few notes in, Ilsa immediately gasped. "You know this Ilsa? It's why I brought you here. Apparently it is their most famous song. I think it's Spem…something…" She interjected. "Spem in Allium. By Tallis. It's one of my favorites. What made you….I mean…"
He shrugged. "Dunno. After you left, it just came to me. I knew they did a concert every year, so I just figured it might help me get out of the dog house." She gave him a small smile. He watched as a single tear ran down her cheek. She held his hand and continued to be enchanted by the singing.
As the movement neared its end, she closed her eyes and let the music fill her soul. Chance sat patiently as the singing ceased. A few moments later, Ilsa finally opened her eyes. He looked at her in question. "Well? Am I forgiven?" She gave him a sinister smile. "I suppose you got lucky this time. Bribing a priest to open his cathedral during a closed rehearsal says a lot. Not to mention I just heard quite a rare piece that happens to be one of my favorites. I'm not sure if that's a coincidence or not."
He put his arm around her shoulder and leaned into her ear. Whispering softly, "Ilsa, I'm sorry. You know I will always trust and respect you. And, I will always be there when you need me." She turned to him and put a hand on his cheek. "Apology accepted." With those words, he pulled her closer and gently met her lips. The choir had begun another song. It came and went while the continued kissing.
"Ahem!" They broke their kiss and turned to see Father Davis staring down with a smile. "Well Christopher, I see you've gone from kissing the young ladies behind the church organ out into the open." Chance turned five shades of red. "How do you know she wasn't the one kissing me?" Father Davis raised his brows. "Trust me. I recall you breaking the hearts of many young ladies back in the day. So I am one hundred percent sure it was you doing the seducing."
Ilsa looked at Chance and then back the Father Davis. "That's funny Father, I was always told how shy and awkward he was." Chance shrugged in boyish innocence. "You were obviously misinformed." Ilsa smiled at him.
"Well, here are tickets for you and your team to tomorrows performance. Best seats in the house. Ilsa, it was nice to meet you." Ilsa extended her hand once more. "Likewise Father." He looked once again at Chance. "And great to see you as well young man." Chance shook his hand. "Thanks again."
As they walked down the aisle to the doors Father Davis called out. "You take care of that young lady Christopher Chance!" He nodded and smiled. When they got out to the sidewalk Ilsa looked at him. "Thank you. That was extraordinary. I can't wait for tomorrow's performance. But, I too must apologize. I know I'm not the easiest person to get along with." He smiled. "Tell me about it." She lightly shoved him. "Hey, watch it mister! You think you're so innocent. Now I have learned you were a little heart breaker. And from a priest of all people!"
He placed his arms around her waist and stared deep into her eyes. "Well Ilsa, I promise that is one thing I will never do to you." She got a serious look on her face. "Do you really promise?" He shook his head. "No…I SWEAR to never break your heart." With those final words, he kissed her. She felt like she was back in the dream, with him hovering over her with his loving blue eyes. His kiss was much lighter than the air they were breathing but the intensity felt like a blazing wildfire.
When he finally pulled away he grabbed her hand. "Come on, one of us has to go and convince Guerrero he has to enter a church tomorrow." She smiled and squeezed his hand as they walked into the summer sun.
