II

Early morning sunshine on my face woke me. A little stiff, I tried to stretch and realized I couldn't. Not without waking the rather large auxiliary heater still partially wrapped around me. The fire had burned down to just embers, but I was still plenty warm, thanks to the heat he was putting out. We had never left the floor last night, falling asleep in each other's arms, wrapped in nothing more than the quilt and our mutual exhaustion.

Slipping carefully out from under his heavily muscled arm, I rose and padded into the kitchen. Putting the coffee on and taking OJ and champagne from the fridge, I snuck upstairs for a quick shower and clothes.

He was face down when I returned, half uncovered and beautiful with the sun on his caramel skin. Looked good enough to eat. Just as I knelt beside him, he sighed deeply and reached out the arm that had been flung over me. Feeling for the missing warmth of me, he frowned slightly and yawned.

I gently placed both hands on his shoulders, stroking and kneading the firm muscles of his neck, shoulders and upper back.

"Mmm, that's good." He growled, sleepily. "Where'd you go?"

"Shower and coffee. Unless you'd rather a mimosa?" I purred in his ear, and licked it.

Rolling over quickly, he pulled me on top of him. Grinning like the Cheshire cat, he chuckled, "I want you for breakfast."

"Didn't get enough last night, X? I thought I left you pretty satisfied." I laughed and kissed his chin, nose and then those soft, full lips. He slid his hands up and down my sides, murmuring into my kiss,

"Oh, yeah. I'm just hungry, again."

"You have some appetite, then. In fact, I'm surprised you're even awake so early.

We only went to sleep a couple hours ago."

He just smiled, so sexy, and opened my robe to pull me down and kiss my breasts.

"Let me put another log on the fire first, big guy." I lifted myself off him and turned to the hearth. Looking back over my shoulder, I snickered, "Then I'm gonna set you on fire."

"You can light my fire whenever you want, Sweetness." He growled back, letting go reluctantly. He rolled flat onto his back, one arm under his head and watched as I stoked the logs back to a blaze. Standing, I stepped closer with a wicked smile and straddled his shoulders. His eyes widened and he grinned, licking his lips as I slowly lowered myself down onto him.

"You said you wanted me for breakfast," I purred, leaning back so my ass cheeks brushed against his chest. It kept what he wanted just out of reach and he growled in frustration. Grabbing my hips, he pulled me closer, inhaling deeply as he buried his nose against my mons and nuzzled me open.

"Oh God, X." I gasped, the heat of that talented tongue impaling me, melting me from the inside out. He only tightened the firm grip he had on my ass and licked harder.

Squirming and shivering in reaction to the delightful sensations he was causing, I moaned. I felt my womb tightening already, the inner muscles pulsing as he drove me to ecstasy. I knew I was soaked already, juices flowing as he swallowed repeatedly. Then he went too far, pushing me right over the edge. He hummed deep, the vibration bringing me to instant, crashing orgasm.

I screamed, I couldn't help it. And shuddered, collapsing back onto his body. Gasping for air, I realized I'd held my breath at the end.

"You okay?" He looked a little concerned, rising up on his elbow to be able to see my face.

Still breathing heavy, I just smiled back and slid off him to one side.

"Oh… My…God!" My legs felt like rubber, the muscles still quivering and twitching in reaction to what he'd done.

"What can I do for you, now?" I panted, "You deserve whatever you want after that."

He laughed and rolled onto his side. "You relax a minute. I'm gotta take care of something and then I'll bring you back a drink. Whatta you want?"

"There's coffee, OJ and champagne in the kitchen. Anything will be fine." I pulled the quilt over myself as I tried to catch my breath. "Oh, and the main bathroom's upstairs, but there's a powder room off the kitchen."

"Got it." He rose and strode off in all his naked glory.

Watching him walk away, I wondered how this would turn out. Phase two completed right on schedule, now came the difficult part. I'd never gotten this feeling about any of the others I'd brought in before. It worried me a little; I thought maybe I liked this one too much.

Sighing uncomfortably with where my thoughts were taking me, I decided to put it out of my head for now. Just relax and get him to open up to me, 'get to know each other', the shrinks said. I hated this part, lying was not in my nature but I certainly couldn't tell him the truth. Not yet, anyway. I would eventually; he deserved that much, just because of what they were going to do to him.

In fact, I thought he should know beforehand so he didn't get screwed like the first time. They'd never even told him there would be reprisals after Prague. He was lucky to be alive. If he hadn't been the athlete he was he never would have survived the debacle on the island. Too bad about the Russian, I heard he was fond of her. Would have made my job a lot harder, though.

The big guy sauntered back from the kitchen just then, two coffees, two champagne glasses and a dish of strawberries on a tray in one hand, the bottle I kept chilled in the fridge and an opener in the other. He just grinned as I obviously stared, not in the least bothered by being totally naked.

Dropping to his knees beside me, he bent forward, offering the tray.

"Your breakfast, my lady." He rumbled in that sexy growl that made me shiver.

He looked like a big, naked genie bowing there before me.

"Mmm, open the champagne, X. I have a surprise for you for breakfast." His head snapped up, a curious look in his eyes and a small smile hovering at the corners of that sensuous mouth. Taking two berries off the tray, I dropped one in my glass and put the other half in my mouth, biting down just enough to let the juice bleed out onto my lips as I sucked on it.

A little frown joining the smile, he inhaled sharply and rumbled in mock concern,

"You're not gonna bite me like that, are you?"

"I would never hurt you, baby. At least not much." I wickedly chuckled. "Now be a good boy and pour me a glass, then sit on the edge of the couch." As he complied, unasked questions in his eyes, I nodded. "That's right. Now just lean back and relax. Go ahead, close your eyes."

I took a small sip of champagne and placed a hand on each of his knees, crouching down before him. Obligingly letting his thighs drop apart, he smiled, thinking he knew what was going to happen. It was, but he didn't know about the wine. It fizzed in my mouth, tingling on my tongue and cheeks. I couldn't wait for his reaction when I took him in and he felt it sizzle over that most sensitive flesh that beckoned to me so impatiently.

"Fu…uh…uck!" He practically squealed in surprise, lunging upright and grabbing my head. I just smiled around his erection, pressing him deeper and sucking as I swallowed the mouthful of champagne. I glanced up into his shocked, but delighted face, chuckling at his reaction to the burn of the cold, fizzy wine and the warmth of my tongue feathering the underside of his rock-hard cock deep in my mouth.

Keeping the suction, I slid him almost out and back in, taking his hands from my cheeks and holding them on the edge of the sofa next to his knees. He fell back against the sofa, moaning with pleasure as I brought him to the same peak of ecstasy he'd just given me.

When he finally opened those beautiful chocolate eyes and sighed, I leaned forward, catching the last drop on my tongue and following it with another sip of champagne. He grinned so wide, I thought his cheeks would split. But all he said was,

"Wow!"

I giggled shamelessly and popped another strawberry in my mouth.

"You liked that, huh?" Curling up beside him, I nestled against his side and put my head on his chest with a contented sigh.

"You are amazing, woman. That was great. I'd like to do that again." Eyes wide, I lifted my head to see if he was serious.

"Not now, though. I gotta shower and I'm starving." He laughed.

"Thank God! For a moment there, I thought you meant that."

"Oh, I did. But I gotta eat first. All that exercise last night… gotta refuel." He grinned, "And I think we need some sleep, too."

"Mmm, good idea. Go on up. I'll start breakfast while you shower."

Actually, I was slightly surprised that he seemed in no hurry to leave. Hanging around after wasn't his usual MO. I knew he was here for the contest. Even though he was judging, not competing, I figured he'd want to be out on the course this morning. Made me curious and a little cautious, too. What made me different?

Breakfast was the after sex standard… eggs, bacon, toast, coffee. The only difference being that he ate twice as much as most people. Good thing I cooked extra.

He wore just a towel wrapped around his hips to the table, so it was easy to yank it off and get him upstairs for a nap and possibly a chat.

We really did have to talk, and I wasn't looking forward to it. Trying to convince him to 'come in from the cold' wasn't going to be easy. I surely did not want to have to call for back-up. He'd hate me and for some silly reason, that would upset me. The guy was just so cute, sweet in his own irritating, brash way. I also was not happy that the big boys thought nothing of turning his life inside out, forcing him to do their dirty work, especially knowing his political views were the opposite of almost everything they stood for.

Sighing, trying to get myself geared up for the next step, I headed for the loft. I realized as my hand hit the railing that the shrinks were gonna have a field day debriefing me when this was over. Damn, I hated those people! Worry about them later, right now I had to convince an extreme sports athlete, an almost rabid anti-government radical that he really wanted to go back to work for his 'Uncle Sam'. Even after being fucked in the ass and left for dead half way around the world. Right! So glad they gave me all the easy assignments. That's what I get for being the best at what I do.

He was stretched out in the king-size bed; covers carelessly flung half over him, hands behind his head like he belonged there. I was amazed by how much space he took up. I felt lost in the thing by myself.

He grinned like the devil himself when I dropped my robe behind me, stalking across the room as if I was preparing to eat him alive. I would have too, if my freaking cell hadn't gone off at that moment. It was still downstairs in my purse.

Sighing in frustration, a disgusted frown on my face, I stopped at the foot of the bed. Shoulders sagging, I shook my head in annoyance.

"Sorry, babe. I gotta answer that. I'll be right back." I leaned down and kissed the bottom of the foot that was sticking out from beneath the comforter.

He scowled, confusion plain on his features.

"What could be so important that you gotta take a call on a Sunday morning?" He growled, aggravated.

"It's work, honey. But I'll keep it short; I promise." Cocking his head, he frowned deeper.

"What kind of job calls when you're on vacation?" Surprised, I just stared at him.

"I heard your friends talking, last night. How they hadn't seen you in a while, and then you suddenly show up, say you got some time off and want to party with them for the weekend."

"Oh. I'll explain when I finish this." I waved downstairs; the damn phone was ringing again. That man had the worst timing! Sometimes I wondered if he was psychic. He certainly was persistent.

I flew down and dug the damn thing out of my bag. I knew if I didn't answer, he'd be on his way here, and that I didn't need. It would screw up everything.

Whispering, I snapped, "What the hell do you want? And why are you calling me now? You want to screw this up?"

"Calm down, Rue. The situation has changed. Have you made contact yet?"

"Of course I have, you idiot! He's upstairs in my bed right now. What's changed?"

"You have to bring him in today, tomorrow at the latest. Or we'll have to fall back on the original plan. Things are escalating faster than we expected."

"You gotta be kidding me! You said I had 'til the end of the competition! You're making this impossible!"

"I know you're very conscientious, my dear. I understand your desire to complete your assignments on schedule and with a positive outcome. You have an excellent record; but sometimes events don't go as planned. You know that. I need X now."

"Damn it, Gibbons! He's gonna hate me for this!" I hissed into the phone.

"Then he'll hate you. It doesn't change the situation. And why does it matter to you? You're not becoming influenced by his boyish charm, are you?"

"Fuck you, you bastard! You know I never let my feelings affect my job!" I was fuming, now. Really pissed that he'd read me so easily. "I'll get him to you. Just stay the hell out of my way." I slapped the phone closed and flung it across the room.

I gasped in shock as a heavily muscled, tattooed arm reached around me, and pulled the Glock out of my bag. I'd been so focused on bitching at my sometime boss, I never heard him come down the stairs. Not like me at all.

"Just exactly what do you do for a living, Red? You a cop?" I looked up into a very angry, very large man's face and swallowed. He was pretty tense, jaw and fist clenched, though he held the gun relaxed and easy. "And just where are you supposed to be taking me?"

"How much did you hear?" I sighed. Trust Gibbons to make things twice as difficult.

"Just the part about feelings and somebody staying out of your way. You wanna tell me what's goin' on?"

"I'm so sorry, Xander. I didn't want this to happen this way. I like you; I don't want you to hate me and now there's no way to avoid it." Turning away, I looked down and mumbled, "Damn him to hell, anyway!"

He grabbed me by both arms and spun me around. Scowling down at me he snarled, "Who?"

He held me so hard; it brought tears to my eyes.

"You're hurting me. Please, ease up a little." I whispered. "I'm not exactly a cop, X. I'm a Fed. I work for the NSA. You remember them?"

Dropping me like a hot potato, he took a step back and swore.

"Mother******! Gibbons!"

"Yeah, everybody's favorite patriotic bastard." Rubbing my sore arms, I looked up at the restrained fury in his eyes and hoped he could calm down enough to reserve it for those who really deserved it. He was pretty scary-looking when he was mad.

"So, what does he want me for? I figured we were done when he left me to find my own way back from Bora Bora. Did he even bother to see if I survived the explosion and fire?"

"Actually, they searched for you for days. I guess nobody thought you'd swim to the next island… or that you even could make it that far."

"Yeah, well I wasn't sure I was gonna make it, either. Just lucky when I staggered out of the surf on Tata'a, it was a couple guys out boarding that found me. They thought I'd lost it in a curl, got caught in the undertow… that's why I was so chewed up. They took me to some local clinic, got me patched up and lent me a phone so I could call Jay and get home."

"You should have stayed undercover. The Agency thought you were dead."

"And do what? I can't hide for the rest of my life… I'm a star, y'know." He grinned sarcastically.

"Yeah, and you'd be rotting in federal prison 'cept for Gibbons. And don't think he won't hold that over your head for the rest of your life if he thinks he can use you to further his plans."

"He told me all the charges had been dropped!" He was still furious, but now it seemed more directed at the NSA lead agent than at me.

"You don't think he wouldn't get them reversed if he needed to?" I asked him, incredulous. "You can't be that naive?"

Sighing in aggravation, he nodded. "You're probably right. He would. Anything for the old 'stars and stripes', right? Even breaking the rules and infringing on the personal rights of whatever individual he thought he needed to reach his goal."

"Exactly." I agreed with a sad little smile.

"So what's he got on you?" He asked curiously, handing me back the Glock.

Ouch. How the hell am I supposed to answer that? No way can I just tell him this is my job; finding and returning missing agents, the ones that don't want to be found.

"Not really important right now. But there is a crisis developing that he wants you for. And it means you have to leave within 24 hours. Or he'll send a team in to fetch you. I'm sure you remember how that feels."

"Yeah. A real blast. But the hangover really sucked." He scowled at me, gently rubbing the reddened areas on my upper arms where he'd grabbed me before. "Sorry. So, when were you gonna tell me?"

"We were supposed to have all week together. I was to bring you in after the contest. No suspicion that way." Sighing unhappily, I gazed up into his serious expression. "It seems things are moving much faster than anticipated, spiraling out of control. They need you to set up the extraction now, before the bust goes down."

"Extraction? Bust? What the hell are you talking about?" He frowned down at me.

"It'll all be explained at your briefing. When you get to Gibbons. You should probably go pack now, and we need to come up with some reason why you're leaving."

Smiling in regret, I murmured, "I am going to miss you."

Still frowning, he growled, "You said 24 hours, right?"

I glanced up, not sure where he was going with this.

"Yes, why?"

"Then we have time to go back upstairs and finish what we started." He scooped me into his arms, that sexy little sneer playing at the corners of his lips.

"Xander!" I squeaked. "You're not angry with me?"

"Yeah, I am. And I'm gonna make you pay for this. Soon as I get you in bed." The deep rumble reverberating against me from his chest made me shiver and I couldn't help but tremble at his words. He just grinned at my reaction; looking for all the world like a fox in the henhouse. Oh, boy! Was I ever in trouble… I couldn't wait!

The sun was setting when he finally fell asleep soundly enough that I could sneak out from under him. Tiptoeing into the master bath, I shut the door so I could run the tub full. I needed a long, hot soak. Dribbling some vanilla oil into the hot water, I turned.

Looking at myself in the floor to ceiling mirror, I found several rising bruises from passion bites and his fierce grip at climax, and of course the hand prints on my still tender cheeks. I had a feeling I was going to be reminded of the spanking I'd just endured for several days every time I sat down. I'd never really minded a little slap and tickle as part of rough sex in the past, but I'd never had an amazing orgasm from it, either. X drove me to screaming ecstasy at least twice during my 'punishment'. Damn, that man was fine!

I'd almost drifted off in the warm water and bubbles when the door opened.

"Room for me in there, Sweetness?" Rumbled from the shadows.

"Oh, please X! Give me a rest. Besides, you'll smell like sugar cookies."

Laughing, he motioned me to make room. "I've smelled a lot worse, baby. I promise not to be bad, okay?"

"What does that mean? And I like it when you're bad." I scooted forward, making a spot for him behind me.

He slid in, sloshing the water up to the edge, and settled down, pulling me onto his lap as he straightened his legs. He leaned back and sighed, holding me curled against his chest, eyes closed as he relaxed into the heat of the bath.

Occasionally, he lifted an arm and sluiced water over my shoulders and back, making sure I didn't get chilled. We stayed like that, just resting against each other until the water cooled to the point of discomfort. I stood and drew the curtain closed, turning on the spray and setting it warm so we could rinse off. He washed my hair and my back, so comfortable as though we had been together for ages rather than having met less than 24 hours ago. Then I scrubbed him from head to foot while he stood quietly, eyes closed, just enjoying the attention.

As I stepped out after him, only to be wrapped in a soft, warm bath sheet, I suddenly flashed back to an earlier assignment. Another big, beautiful, disillusioned guy.

Another surprisingly gentlemanly male with a fierce temper who could be so tender and caring it had shocked me.

Looking up at Xander's serious face in the mirror, I realized they even looked alike. Remembering the fire in those sweet, chocolate eyes this morning when Gibbons had called, I thought enough alike to be brothers, maybe even twins. Sean was a little taller and X was heavier. Easily had twenty pounds on Sean. Not that the DEA agent was a lightweight by any stretch.

Gibbons had me bring him in last year, while Xander was still MIA, to keep as back-up for any mission he might have used X for normally. He thought their similar looks might give 'our' enemies pause. Everybody wanted an indestructible agent they could toss in the fire. It was real nice when he, (or she), returned unscathed, especially if the mission was completed effectively. And Sean was nothing if not serious about his job. So he knew X's background thoroughly. He used to laughingly say he could have been X, if he'd had any money growing up.

Bringing me back to the present, Xander rumbled into my shoulder.

"Dinner, Red? You wanna eat in or out?" Kissing along the side of my neck, he breathed in my ear, "I gotta make some calls. Let the boys know I'm not gonna be there tomorrow, see if maybe one of them can take over for me. An' I gotta call Jay, too. She has some sorta publicity thing planned. She'll have to cancel and she's gonna be pissed."

Surprised, I turned in his arms.

"Just like that, X? So reasonable… not what I expected from you at all."

Shrugging, he snorted a disgusted sounding, "Must be gettin' old. I figure, easier to just get it over with. We both know Gibbons; what he's capable of. The less time I gotta spend dealing with him and his shit, the better. Then I can get back to my life." Nodding, I silently agreed. This was one of those times I wished I still had a life to go back to.

"Do you mind if we eat out? There's a very nice restaurant at the main lodge. I love the duck there. I'll even let you drive The Bitch if you'd like." I slid my palms up and across his chest and shoulders as I spoke. Watching where my hands were touching him, I peeked up as I finished speaking.

He was grinning like a school boy. Obviously anticipating getting behind the wheel and having some fun. Patting my ass, (gently this time), he spun me away and growled happily. "Get dressed."

We both did, relatively quickly and comfortably for the season. It got pretty damn cold in the Rockies in winter. He made his calls while I dried my hair and put on a little make-up. Tossing my phone and gun in my purse, I dangled the keys in front of him.

His face lit up like a kid on Christmas morning.

"Really? You'll let me drive her?"

"Sure. Just leave her in one piece, sweetheart." I couldn't help but smile back. His enthusiasm was so infectious.

"Now I'm gonna take you for a ride, Beautiful. One you ain't gonna ever forget!"

"Oh, you've already taken me for a ride I'm never gonna forget, X." I chuckled as I wrapped myself around his arm. Locking up, we both practically skipped down the steps to slip into the Hornet.

I watched him start the car and his eyes closed as he listened to the perfectly tuned engine purr. He seemed almost as ecstatic as when we were in bed. Grinning like the Cheshire cat, he looked over at me, geared up and peeled out, whipping the car around and flying down the mountain. Going even too fast for what I considered safe, we ripped up the road to the main lodge in record time.

When he screeched into the parking area, I took a deep breath and released the death grip I'd had on the seatbelt and doorframe.

"Wow! You must be really hungry, huh? That is definitely the fastest I ever made it down the mountain. You are a maniac, you know that?" I laughed in relief.

"Yeah, I like anything I can go too fast in. She's a beauty, for sure. That was fun. You gonna let me drive back?" Completely relaxed, he let me out, offering me back the keys.

"Let's worry about that after dinner. My duck is probably about ready; we need to get inside so you can order whatever you want." I left the keys with him, though.

Arm in arm, we entered and crossed the lounge. Giving my name to the maitre d', we were seated immediately and drink orders taken. My usual spot in the far corner, a table for two, with a wall both behind and beside me and him. Besides being cozy and intimate, it gave a good view of the main room and entrance. It went a long way toward keeping many of my clients relaxed and feeling secure.

Deciding on a dinner wine was easy; he simply handed me the wine list with a,

"Here, you pick something." Nodding I dropped my eyes from his cheerful face to the little booklet and turned to the reds. Ah, perfect! I asked him to order the Chateau Plain Point 2000. A mature little Fronsac, it would go well with both our meals.

When the wine steward returned, X asked for the wine I'd chosen and was rewarded with a second's worth of disbelieving stare before the man recovered. Clearing his throat, he dipped his head with a murmured, "Excellent choice, sir." Still looking slightly surprised, he headed for the restaurant's cellar.

X reached across the table, taking my hand and smirked.

"You did that on purpose, didn't you?" He chuckled.

"He's such a snob; I couldn't resist." I giggled back. "I enjoy tweaking people's prejudices as much as you do, you know."

"You come here often?" He asked curiously.

"I live here when I'm not on assignment, X. I own the cabin, it's not rented."

"I wondered about the electronics. And the security. Seemed a little much for the hotel. Even if they do cater to the glitterati." He nodded, now serious.

"There is a lot of extra stuff built in up there." I agreed quietly.

"Work related?" He growled, curious.

"Yeah, it's either here or an Agency safe house. I refused to put up with that, so I left Gibbons no choice but to make me a safe place here. If he wanted to keep me on the payroll, that is." I smiled and shrugged.

"So what do you do when you're not 'working'?" He seemed genuinely interested, so I decided to be truthful, sort of.

"I'm a licensed intimacy therapist, X. I help people work through their fears and hang-ups. Many of my clientele are those 'glitterati' you seem to dislike so much. I do a lot of government personnel, too. And I write; I'm a published author. Under a pseudonym, of course. The cabin is perfect for that; so quiet and peaceful."

"Wow! Multi-talented. You been psyching me out this whole time?" That came out almost a snarl, accompanied by a head tilt and a scowl, though he continued to smile.

He squeezed my hand a little, letting me know he wasn't happy with what he was hearing.

"I'm very good at what I do, Xander. Why do you think Gibbons sent me to bring you in? And no, I haven't been playing you. Not since we got back to my cabin, anyway. I told you before, I don't like games. I hate what Gibbons makes me do sometimes. I always try to be as honest as possible with my assignments. We just didn't get the time for me to explain to you."

"And if I refused anyway?" He was playing with his salad, not really eating, just pushing it around on the plate.

"Very unlikely, sweetheart. I have a nearly perfect record. The last guy that refused me was clinically depressed; needed to be on medication. I told Gibbons that at the outset, too. But he insisted I try anyway. Before they locked him in an asylum and pumped him full of drugs to keep him from killing himself or somebody else."

"Yeah, so where is he now?" He leaned back, sipping his vodka and cranberry.

I sighed unhappily. "He's dead. I had to put him down when he flipped out on me. I spent two months in hospital recovering from the beating I took. My job isn't all fun between the sheets, love. It gets dangerous."

"Oh." He looked shocked and somewhat repentant, mumbling "sorry" at his plate.

"It's okay, Xander. I'm trained to deal with it. It's a shame, though. He was a damned good agent before he went over the edge."

"You really care about what happens to us… these guys you bring back?" That came out rather sarcastic, I thought.

"Of course I do. I couldn't do my job if it didn't matter. I just have to know when to draw the line on my emotional involvement. I'm not a whore, you know. They don't give a shit about their partners."

"So you've never gotten 'involved'?" He was really pushing, now.

"What are you asking, X? What is it you really want to know?" He was beginning to annoy me a little, acting like he thought I was some kind of ice queen all of a sudden.

"I'm not sure." He replied, with a studied frown. "I guess I wondered what you really think of me?"

I stared at him with an aggravated little sigh. Why was he asking me this? Did he really want an honest answer or did he just want his ego stroked? I sat back, studying him and sipping my Macallan thoughtfully.

"I like you, Xander. I like you a lot. We're alike in many ways. Makes being with you easy, comfortable. Almost doesn't feel like work. And that's dangerous for me. Worries me a little. I have to keep reminding myself that you aren't going to be here much longer." I shrugged, looking straight into his eyes as I told him it would be real simple for me to fall for him.

His self-satisfied little smile disappeared as he realized the seriousness of what I'd just said. I could see the wise-ass comment he'd been about snap back with die on his lips, a little frown making a 'm' between his brows as he thought about it.

Before things got out of hand, I decided to change the subject.

"Looks like dinner's here. Let's just enjoy it and worry about tomorrow, tomorrow. Okay?"

"Yeah, I guess." He grumbled, taking a last gulp of his drink and asking for another. Then he attacked the steak like it had insulted him. Great, now he was pissed at me for some reason. Or maybe not. As I continued to watch him eat, I wondered if he was annoyed with himself. He was definitely thinking hard about something.

"Try the wine, lover. You might like it." I murmured as I sipped mine and nibbled my duck. Delicious as usual, I'd suddenly lost my taste for it. I surprised myself by how much his being upset was affecting me. This was not good. I was beginning to think it was a good thing Gibbons had moved up the timetable.

"Mmm." He grumbled around a mouthful of steak. He did pick up his glass and take a sip. "Not bad. French?" He asked, after swallowing.

"Yes, it is." I smiled, a bit surprised and delighted.

"I may be a bad boy, but I'm not a complete jerk, you know." He scowled.

"I never thought you were, X." I reached across the table and held his hand. "Let's not be upset with each other, okay? Just enjoy our time together?"

"You're right. 'Carpe diem' and all that shit." He picked up his wine and gazed around. "This is a really nice place. I'm surprised I've never been here before."

"Would you normally pick a restaurant as 'toney' as this one?" I grinned as I asked, so he'd realize I wasn't judging him.

"Hell, no!" he snorted, laughing. "Give me a mom-n-pop diner or a wild place like where we were last night, any day."

"Well then, I've just expanded your horizons a little. They say you'll live forever if you just learn one new thing every day. I'm glad you'll be here one more day thanks to me." I saluted him with my glass, finished it and set the glass on the table. "If you've had enough to eat, can we get this wrapped and get out of here? I want dessert… and I think it's at home." I motioned to my plate, while smiling hungrily at him.

Patting himself on his now obviously full stomach, he grinned back.

"I may need a nap before any more exercise, Sweetness. I ate a lot." Punctuating his statement with a loud, rolling belch, he pretended to duck in shame. When I giggled and several other patrons at nearby tables glared at him, we both burst into outright laughter, his loud infectious boom carrying throughout the room. I noticed many people trying to look annoyed, but smiling anyway as they turned back to their dinners.

We made it back to the cabin in one piece, but barely. The fact that it was now snowing hadn't slowed his insane driving a bit. I swallowed my heart at least two or three times as we careened around steep curves. If they had had guard rails, I was sure we would have taken them out several times.

Taking a deep, shaky breath as he killed the engine, I remarked, "Okay, X. You've proved it. Now I believe the reports. You really are insane."

Chuckling, he turned and smiled. "Told you I like anything fast enough to do something stupid in. You okay?"

"I will be when I stop shaking. My teeth are chattering and I think my heart is still in my throat." When he looked at me, contrite, I smiled back. "But I've never felt so alive in my life."

"Now you know why I do it." He chuckled, handing me out of the car. "Let's get you inside and warm." He tucked me under an arm and led me to my front door.

Reaching the porch, I stopped suddenly, frowning.

"You hear that?" I whispered, my hand on his chest to prevent him from moving.

I quietly removed my Glock from my bag and handed it to him, pointedly flicking the safety off. Then I pulled my spare from the ankle holster hidden under my boot.

He didn't say anything, but looked a question.

"I can hear the fire crackling. It was banked when we left." He nodded, realizing someone was inside; he'd seen me lock the door on our way out. I motioned him to stand to one side of the door and I took the other. Checking to see he was ready, I opened it and rolled in, coming to my knees as I swept the interior gun first. X was right behind me, pistol pointed at the man relaxing before my fire. He smiled and nodded, saying only,

"Shut the door, X. It's cold out there."

"Gibbons! What the hell are you doing here?" The big guy just stood and whacked the door with his free hand. I could see he was pretty pissed by the way his muscles bunched under the tight sweater he wore.

"Moving up the time table again, Gibbons?" I sneered as I got up, thanking X for the hand with a smile.

"Situation's becoming complicated, Rue. I'm gonna want you to come with us."

"Me? You know I don't do that kind of field work. What went bad? And how many times do I have to tell you not to enter my home unannounced?" I walked over to stand in front of him, sidearm still pointed. It must have been pretty serious for him to let himself in. Both I and the psych guys had explained just how much he could set back my work by doing this. And he knew I hated it, too. Me mad was not something he normally wanted to deal with.

Xander flopped into a chair, a huge grin on his face as he watched me yell at his boss and the man try to calm me down.

Raising both hands chest high, Gibbons sighed.

"Now, now; just relax. You know I wouldn't have come here if I thought I could avoid it."

"You could have called. We both have cell phones." I snapped, cutting him off.

"I wasn't sure where you were. Or what you were doing."

"Bullshit! You've had us under surveillance the whole time." I bristled back.

"Actually, I haven't. I had to pull the team; needed them to head south right away."

That stopped me. Gibbons never pulled surveillance when I was working… not after nearly getting me killed two years ago.

"You left me unprotected?" I was so shocked I couldn't even yell.

"Of course not. You had X."

"He's not trained! And he has no idea what's even going on! Are you insane? Or have you just decided I'm more trouble than I'm worth?" I snarled, now way more than just mad. I was furious, so angry I moved very slowly and deliberately as I safetied my pistol and carefully reholstered it.

Gibbons recognized how dangerous things had just gotten, stiffening where he sat and raising a hand higher. The last time he'd seen me this angry I had disabled one of his best agents… permanently. The man would never father another child.

Sweet idiot that he was, Xander pushed the envelope, trying to distract me.

"Damn! Beautiful when she's pissed, isn't she, 'G'?"

"Don't help, Xander!" I blazed at the same time that Gibbons said,

"Careful, X. She's out of control right now. This is why I don't put her in the field normally. She could kill one or the other of us before you even blinked. And after that last unwise comment, I have no idea which of us it would be."

He sat very still and quiet, knowing better than to move with me in the mood I was in. Just letting me breathe; and try to rein in my fury. God, I hated this man sometimes. Make that most of the time, in fact.

"I hate you, Gibbons." I hissed. "Last warning. Someday I will put you out of my misery." I glared at both of them, daring either to make a comment. Then I strode across the room and upstairs to relax. I just couldn't do it with that face in front of me. And I had to, for Xander's sake.

"What the fuck did you do to her, Gibbons? I don't think I've ever seen anybody so close to murder before." It was the last thing I heard clearly, before running a cold shower and stripping. I only hoped the jerk wouldn't be too explicit in his explanation.

I really didn't want X's sympathy.

Looking rather shame-faced, Gibbons dropped his face from X's frown.

"I sent my best extraction team to remove a young man who was causing some problems for the IRS. He'd hacked into their main system and was playing havoc with it. Deleting owed amounts from small accounts, adding them to corporate returns, and so forth. I didn't know he was her brother, nor that he had wired his building with explosives. His mother and aunt just happened to stop for a visit right before the team went in. They were only supposed to bring him in. We need that kind of talent working for us."

"Jesus!" X exclaimed. "All of them?"

"Unfortunately. And the lead agent on the team was her fiancé."

"Oh, my God! No wonder she hates you! How in hell do you keep her working for you?"

"Technically, she doesn't. She's on loan when I need her… from the CIA."

"CIA?" He sounded shocked and completely confused now.

"This is a secondary assignment for her, X. Rue is the CIA's best final solution agent."

"What the hell does that mean?" Xander sounded angry and suspicious now. Thanks, Gibbons. Thanks a whole lot. I was still fuming, but at least I could see straight again.

"Uh, I can't tell you that, X." Gibbons actually was trying not to confuse the issue, being honest for a change.

Sneering, the big man replied sarcastically, "What, you'd have to kill me after?"

"Technically, he would, X." I slipped down the stairs, more relaxed but still angry. "But he can't stop me from telling you." I smiled nastily at Gibbons. "Since I've decided it's necessary for you to know to complete my mission here." Over Gibbon's protest, I turned to X and slid into his lap. As he wrapped his arms around me, I cupped one cheek and gently kissed him, murmuring in his ear.

"Beautiful man; I'm a black ops agent. An assassin." His eyebrows shot up and he reared back, looking at me like I'd turned green.

"You shittin' me?" Looking me up and down in complete disbelief, he shook his head, "But you're so tiny! How could you possibly…"

I laughed at his confusion. "This is one time X, where size really doesn't matter. In fact, sometimes being so small actually helps. You're not the first person to think I'm too tiny to be dangerous."

I smiled, seductive and deadly, running my tongue across my upper lip as I slid one hand up his chest to rest beside his throat and the other down against his left side. Tapping gently against his throat with the tiny blade I'd had hidden in my sleeve, I pricked him slightly with the stiletto I held to his ribs.

"Would you rather it fast and messy, or slower and a lot more painful, but with a chance of survival?" I purred in his ear. His eyes got really wide and he gulped, looking from me to Gibbons in shock. Chuckling, I eased away, sheathing the knives. "Don't worry, sweetheart. I won't hurt you. I like you." And I glared at Gibbons.

"I'm packed." I told him. "We're ready to go." Nodding, he spoke into his phone. Calling our transportation, he rose and motioned us out.