It gets a little more T-rated as we go along…this chapter is to make up for past, incredibly short chapters…also I didn't know when to stop….REVIEW PLEASE! I love getting comments for my work.

Victor Maynard's POV:

"Oh on the contrary I think thieving skills would be quite advantageous to learn. I can return when you've come to a decision, there's a quiet hotel not too far off from here that I can-"

"Don't be ridiculous, you'll stay here with us. Victor has more than enough rooms, don't you Victor? Victor? Victor!" Rose's voice beckoned for my attention but I was struggling to find a reason as to why Dixon would possibly waste his time with an apprentice. Even if he did have an ever-doubting mother he'd probably have killed her long before listening to her, he did not seem like a family man. Perhaps he needed an heir to leave his crude legacies with, and couldn't produce one because his orientation didn't allow it. That would explain Fabian. If I were Dixon I would have let Fabian go a long time ago, his lack of intellect could have hindered many a case even if he was the muscle. Regardless of his faults, Dixon has taught the girl well and I have no doubt she'll be a grade one assassin, perhaps I can help her grow in her compassion…goodness knows it helped me. I'd have thought I was gay if it weren't for Rose, and Tony's helped me become more caring, I no longer fear I'll become like my own father and am quite excited about the thought of another son, a biological son at that. Now it seems I've even found a daughter, she can stay in mother's room, seeing as Rose has officially moved into mine…oh dear, one glimpse of a family and I'm already attached. She will stay.

"Yes, you must stay. There are conditions however." Her eyes never wavered, her determination to learn was astounding.

"Anything."

"Tony is no longer a target, and you can't kill anyone unless I've affirmed it. You must lose all contact with those you worked with before, and until we can trust you, you must take one of us with you whenever you go outside the house." Her lips lifted ever so slightly at the corners of her mouth, and I noticed briefly that Tony's pupils were rather dilated. Perhaps a daughter in law then…

"Okay. Will one of you accompany me to my bike, it's parked nearby." It was interesting choice of travel and just another indication of my age. I never liked bikes, they were loud and grossly uncomfortable.

"Tony's practically jumping on the spot and Victor and I still haven't finished our game of-"

"Yes, I think that's a splendid idea, Tony you can remove her bonds can't you? Rose, let's go." I truly didn't think Tony, who still had blood covering his face should be alone with the girl but sometimes Rose just does not allow me to think logically.

Tony's POV:

I couldn't believe they were leaving me with the girl who tried to kill me, just for a shag. I mean, what kind of family does that? Oh right…ours. Before I knew it Rose and Mr. Maynard has already left the room, leaving the girl still against the wall with ropes tying her down. There was an odd warm feeling in my lower regions that had nothing to do with her near sacking of my jewels. It grew worse when her eyes looked into my own with confusion. I was so captivated that I probably looked like a complete idiot standing before her.

"They're either very trusting of me, or have no doubts that you can overpower me." There was that blasted feeling again…why on earth does she have to talk like that, does she know how it affects me?

"Or they're just too randy for their own good." I knelt in front of her, weaving my hands around her warm body to untie her wrists. She tensed under my close proximity, her breath could no longer be felt on my neck, and I wondered whether she thought I'd hurt her in revenge. "Breathe, I won't hurt you as long as you don't try and kill me." A tingling sensation erupted from my neck as she did as I asked, I leant in further, our shoulders touching, our chests grazing each other's until finally the ropes were undone and I grudgingly left her side. Moments passed as we stared into each other's eyes, I broke contact first. I knew that my face was probably red, and if she noticed she didn't say anything about it. I busied myself by reaching for her ankles, she'd reached for the ties at the same moment, and our hands touched.

"I can untie these myself, thank you." I refused to let her see my weaknesses and decided to take advantage of the situation. My other hands wrapped under her calves, coaxing her legs to lengthen from their bent position so I could lay them on my lap.

"Mr. Maynard asked me to untie them, just let me do it okay. Do you have a name?" I looked up to see her expression. Her eyes continued to bore into my own, her straightforwardness never ceasing to shock me. I looked away again, focusing on untying the bonds on her legs and ankles.

"Asher."

"What, no last name?"

"You don't have one either."

"Well, I'm an orphan."

"I'm sorry." There was emotion in her response, an occurrence that made me look up in surprise. Her eyes bore concern, I was used to it from others but her…she was like Mr. Maynard, when people like that showed emotion you knew it meant a lot.

"Don't be. I have a family now. What about you?" Her hand reached out and gently rubbed away the drying blood on my chin, it was a soft movement yet set off something strong within me.

"We should wash away the blood. Your cuts might get infected." She'd sidestepped the question, but if she wasn't ready to tell me the truth I wouldn't press her for it. I knew there were things in people's past that they didn't want to mention, the other members in the house knew it too. When the ties were cast aside I lifted her legs and placed them on the floor. Standing, I offered my hand to her. She hesitated before accepting, but it was a start. I started to let go but her hand tightened its grasp. "I'm serious, take me to the bathroom." My heart sped up at her words, she was doing it again…damn her subconscious innuendos!

Asher's POV:

Tony led me to the bathroom. It was large as was the rest of the house. Its white tiles made the room altogether look quite clean, there were brief bouts of color here and there, no doubt picked out by the woman, Rose. I made him sit on the rim of the bathtub as I wet a scarlet red hand towel with water. He was quite attractive, not in a muscle like way, although no doubt he was toned. He was boyish, bashful and if I were a normal teenager I'm sure I'd be blushing myself in his presence. But I wasn't a normal teenager. I did not blush and most certainly did not have crushes. I could relate to his past, but I wasn't going to tell him that, I couldn't tell him that. I knelt between his knees, guiding his head towards me so I had better access to his face. I wiped away the flaking blood from his cheeks, his nose, his forehead and his lips. I'd really done a number on him, I'd been excited at the time, excited by the challenge he posed, he wasn't an easy target and I'd been thrilled. He was no longer a target but if we were now both apprentices surely we'd spar with each other eventually. He was strong and as I told Victor Maynard, had wonderful instincts, I'm sure I would get in some good practice with him. I rested my elbow on his left knee. The motion seemed to unsettle him as I heard a sharp intake of breath.

"I-I can do it myself." I smiled, very slightly at his words. I'd said something like that but a moment ago.

"No…just let me do it okay." A smile lit his face and I noticed he looked more alive like that.

"Well, well, getting cozy there are we?" The happiness in his face quickly turned to embarrassment, as Rose, the woman, probably Victor Maynard's lover spoke.

"Shut up! Asher, let's go get your bike." He sprung up so quickly I fell backwards, catching myself by my hands before I could land awkwardly. I stood up cautiously wondering why on earth he had an outburst, before I could ask of course he'd grabbed my arm and was pulling me out the door, brushing past Rose at the doorway.

"Hit him all you like if he tries anything." Still red in the face he tugged me way, yes…quite attractive.

"Tony…we didn't use the disinfectant cream, your cuts-"

"I'll live…where did you say your bike was?" I shrugged away any further concerns, if he wasn't bothered I did not have the right to be.

"I didn't. It's between bushes nearby the house. You can let go now…" He let go of my arm and pivoted around to face me, his face still held remnants of embarrassment. "You seem…unsettled." That was an understatement on all accounts, but I refused to sound concerned. He seemed ready to say something, hesitated and then proceeded to turn towards the door, open it, grasp my arm once again and to put it mildly, flung me out the door. The laws of inertia became apparent as I started to fall only this time I couldn't use my hands as he'd already caught me around my waist. I steadied myself and noted that his arms were still wrapped around my waist. I could now feel his chest pressed to my back, the heat of the contact increasing the longer we stayed like that. Suddenly we broke away, a mutual dispersion.

"Sorry! I'm so-"

"Forget it. The bike's over there." I started walking away from him, in the direction of the bushes that withheld the presence of my gorgeous ninja.

"Whoa…this is bloody brilliant!" I smiled at his exclamation, it was the one thing that truly belonged to me. "I personally like Harleys but this suits you." A Harleys man…great. How someone can make you happy and irritated all in one go I never knew. I hated Harleys, they were big, bulky and reminded me of Fabian…stupid man, may he not rest in peace.

"Get on." He looked at me perplexed at my order, I shrugged and hopped on myself. Without another word he swung his leg sitting rather closely behind me, his arms wrapping around my waist once again. "Must you do that?"

"Something tells me you like to go fast, so this is a precaution." I ignored his closeness and started the engine, silent as a moth, the only recognition of it turning on was shudder beneath me. Releasing the clutch, I accelerated forward…fast as he so eloquently put it. "You know…the house is over there." I could feel the whispers of his facial hair along my neck and smiled at the tickling sensation, I assumed it'd be prickly and course, but it was soft.

"If I went straight for the house how would I convince you that a ninja was far better than a Harley?" He scoffed behind me, which induced me to go just wee bit faster. The sudden increase of acceleration brought him to hold me tighter, immediately causing me to slow down.

Entering the house again, this time with my bags at hand and my earlier target walking behind me attempting to convince me to hand him the heavy load, I noticed Victor Maynard and Rose standing erect with amusement.

"And here we thought you two had gone and booked a love motel." Her behavior was odd and while I did not understand her humor, Tony seemed to take what she said to the heart. He was easily embarrassed, another reason why I couldn't believe he bested me…or at least came close to.

"No, Rose thought that. I only wondered what time we'd be able to start dinner. Go wash up and meet us down in the dining room all right? You've got the room next to Tony…?"I realized now that save for Tony, and Rose if she remembered, no one knew my name…

"It's Asher. Thank you." He smiled at me, it wasn't as expressive as Rose's or Tony's but it seemed…more reciprocal. I gave him a small smile in return, which seemed to widen the woman next to his side's smile.

"Oh she's adorable! She'll be able to swipe anything off a man…and maybe a few ladies here and there." I blushed, it wasn't common for me to do so, but no one had ever said I was adorable…at least not with a gushing tone, maybe one of contempt.

Tony helped me put away some of my things, he seemed shocked at the amount of weapons and poison vials I'd kept on me, honestly what did he expect? Stuffed teddy bears? When I started opening my clothes bag of course he seemed absolutely rigid.

"What? The guns I understand, but clothes? What's so worrisome about clothes? You wear them too." I shook my head at him in bewilderment and returned to unpacking. As I started pulling out a pile of folded undergarments he ran to the door, I flipped around and lifted an eyebrow at the faint glimpse of red hair peeking out from the edge of the door.

"I don't wear THAT. It's bad enough seeing Rose's, but you're my age! You can't...I can't see…you can't show…ugh." I looked back at the bed and understanding flowed through me…he was scared of girl's underwear. If ever there was a lol moment.

"You're scared of a couple of bras? You know I was taught to rid yourself of fears to be a good assassin. I spent weeks taking care of a snake to do just that, did you want to borrow one of my-"

"NO! I do not want to borrow a frilly pink bra." I smirked and walked up to him, leant against the door frame I eyed him, nervousness filled his stance.

"What are you talking about? I wear black lace…the occasional red, white and blue silk." His face was red as his hair, it was true…red heads blushed more than any other population groups.

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