Chapter 1

The clicking of heels made their way down the empty hallway as the sun set. William left the door open finishing the last of his massive pile of paperwork for the day. The clicking got closer making his eyebrow twitch not wanting to deal with his subordinate. He looked up just in time to see the redhead leaning up against the door.

"William, may I have a small word before you go? I really want to discuss this assignment with you."

He sighed laying his pen down marking the last page. He picked up his pile looking at Grell with nothing but a frown.

"I really would like to go home soon. Unlike you; I have been working as of six in the morning. Make it quick. I will only give you the time it takes me to turn these in."

Grell gave a light nod flashing her pointed teeth. She moved out of his way allowing him to exit the office. William moved out the door quickly hurrying to his destination.

"Well William, this assignment wasn't given to me until I arrived this morning. I honestly had plans to go out with Eric and Alan tonight. Can't you just have someone else go with Ronnie?"

He stopped his speed walking, turning to meet his acidic eyes to hers. She flashed her sweetest smile, giving one of her flirtatious winks. He sighed placing his papers where they needed to be turned in.

"Look Sutcliff, I gave you that assignment for a reason. You have had that boy at your hip since he graduated Academy. He's your pupil, help him with this assignment. It's simple, go grab six souls, fill out the paperwork and turn it in."

Grell frowned running her bright, painted nails over his shoulders.

"Come on William...I just want to enjoy myself. I'm a young lady with no one to hold me at night."

William watched her hands running down his chest wrapping her slender fingers around his tie. She pulled him down bringing his face close to hers, having the tip of their noses almost touch.

"Please let go of me Sutcliff. They're supposed to die at nine thirty. You'll have plenty of time to fill out the paperwork and still go drinking like I know you do."

"William darling, you know I only drink wine now. I haven't touch hard liquor since we graduated. I would just like to unwind from such a hard day in the human realm. "

William gave a cool grin making her face loose its smile.

"Have you really let go of those bad habits Grell? Or are you still smoking the way you did after each collection?"

She glared him down before changing back to a sweet smile. She pressed her nose to his testing his physical boundaries reading those cold green eyes staring into her very being. A shiver ran down her body bring her face closer to his having her lips hovering over his.

William knew this game too well. She would get physically close to him; but once he had a move towards her, she'd back away shy and quietly. He decided to show he was not afraid of touching as she believed it to be so. He leaned forward capturing her lips. She froze feeling her whole body heat up from his kiss. She jumped away quickly with her face matching her hair.

"Mister Spears, I'm not just some tramp you may just lay your lips on! I'm a lady with dignity and so much more to offer than just my body."

William stared at her unfazed by the whole thing.

"I could've sworn you wanted to kiss me. Honestly Sutcliff make up your mind on how you feel about people. It makes your emotions seems fickle and not worth anyone's time."

Grell's stood still with her mouth open. Her chest tightened knowing he must've thought of her as something that was passed around the office. In truth she only had a selective few lover before. She quickly turned her heel walking towards the stairs. Ronald waited in the main lobby of collections drinking some coffee waiting on his mentor. Grell hurried down the steps almost knocking into him. He caught her arm noticing the small tears forming while she chewed her bottom lip.

"Wow, where do you think you're going? Hey... why are you crying? Did someone mess with you Grell? I'll beat their face in, I promise."

He puffed up his chest smacking one fist into another. She shook her head cleaning herself up, trying not to touch her mascara.

"It's fine Ronnie. I just got a bit upset that's all. You're big sister's tougher than that. Now, let's hurry up and go get those souls. Maybe you could go with me to meet up with Eric and Alan for a drink?"

Ronald scanned her face for any sign of real hurt. He nodded slowly pulling her into his arms rubbing her back.

"I got a date tonight but I'm sure she'll understand being there for my sister is more important."

She smiled hugging him tightly, squeezing him with all her might. He chuckled patting her shoulder walking her out of the office doors. Grell held onto his arm knowing she would be okay as long as her favorite trouble maker was with her.