Ch. 6

The Heat

Lilith sat on the grungy sofa looking at her knees. After everyone left she had just crashed: physically and emotionally. Every inch of her body hurt, and on top of that she felt like she had just lost her best friends. Oh wait…she had just lost much more.

"Dammit," she whispered to herself as she wiped away an escaping tear.

She had been so strong since Roland's death, especially in front of Mordecai and the Vault Hunters. She wasn't sure if even Roland had seen her cry. Everything had been going to Hell for so long, but she was always optimistic. But at this moment…she just couldn't hold it together any longer.

Tears began to rush from her flaming yellow eyes and streak down her face. She dropped her head into her palms and began to sob puddles of tears into her hands.

Damn it! Why her? Why did this have to happen to her?

That wasn't fair though. If it hadn't been her, it would have just been someone else, and she didn't wish this on anybody.

She gasped trying to stop the tears, but they continued to flow with the same strength. She couldn't contain herself, couldn't stop herself from crying.

"Lilith?"

Lilith jumped up, startled and defensive. She wiped her tears away, and looked at Mordecai, who was standing in the doorway looking at her with concern.

"What are you doing back here?" she said with a guilty toned voice.

Why had he had to walk in on her and see her crying? She didn't want the sympathy he was about to give her.

"I forgot my machete," he said distantly. He waved the sheathed knife around before sitting it down. "What's wrong?"

Lilith sighed.

"Nothing, I'm fine," she said wiping her face. She smiled a fake smile, and sat back on the sofa.

Mordecai walked to her.

"No you're not, Lil, what's wrong?"

She just shook her head unwilling to express her sadness to her friend, but she didn't have to; she knew he understood.

Mordecai sighed, "Ah Lilith." He sat beside her and looked down at her. "It's ok to miss Roland. I know how much he meant to you, and that you loved him. You're always so strong, but you have the right to cry."

"Mordecai I…"

"No, Lilith, you don't have to explain anything to me."

He took her hand slowly to show his support and loan her some of his strength. The Hunter looked down at the Siren and searched her eyes behind his goggles. He smiled a small smile.

For some reason…that made Lilith feel much better. She smiled.

"Thanks, Mordy," she said leaning into him and wrapping her arms around his thin waist. He encased her in his arms and pulled her closer to him. Lilith put her face into his chest and breathed a sigh into his shirt. She enjoyed the hug.

After a few moments he retracted from the hug. He rested his hand on her waist and smiled at her.

"If you need me, I'm here. I know how you feel, and its ok."

Lilith blinked up at him and smiled. She had never felt so close to him. Normally, if anyone else had compared the loss of their pet to the loss of her boyfriend she would have punched them, but this was different. He really did understand.

Mordecai slowly brushed the redheaded Siren's tears away before smiling. In the moment, the Hunter leaned down into Lilith's space; Lilith didn't stop him, as he kissed her. Without thinking, she kissed him back. She wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned up as he pressed closer down and wrapped his arms around her small waist.

She wasn't sure why they were doing this.

Was it the booze for him, and the emotions for her?

She didn't know, but…she liked it.

She wanted him closer. She wanted him on top of her. She wanted to feel him in between her legs.

She found her hand sliding up till she was touching the side of his face. She pressed herself closer and opened her mouth. She touched her tongue to his lower lip and moaned.

That was when Mordecai pulled away. He released her and slid a foot away. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and shook his head.

"Lilith…I…" he tried, but Lilith stood. She knew what he was going to say.

"I have to go," she said before starting towards the stairs.

"Lil," he called, but she just walked away.

She didn't want him to tell her he was sorry because…she wasn't.

Maya looked at Axton as he stood shirtless and sweating as he wired the shield generator console, the sun gleaming against his white skin. He was muscular and really…sexy. Maya wanted him, and she wanted him now. She twitched as he sat up on his knees and wiped the perspiration from his forehead. Maya bit her lip.

"Axton?" Maya said.

"Yeah?" he asked.

Maya couldn't control herself then. She dropped on her knees and pushed him down as she kissed him hard and wanting.

Maya jumped up in a cold sweat from her dream.

'Damn it, Axton, Damn it!' she screamed in her mind.

She couldn't stop thinking about him, she longed for him.

She breathed deeply and got out of bed before putting some pants on.

She needed some fresh air. She had to clear her head.

The distraught Siren left her apartment and leaned against the wall near her door. She breathed out and slid to the ground. Maya hugged her knees close to her chest and watched the silent town.

She needed to talk to the Commando, but…how?

No, no, it was best if she talked to Lilith about it first. She would know what to do.

Maya stood and walked the few blocks from her apartment to the HQ. After arriving, she knocked on Lilith's door (her apartment was next door to the HQ) and waited.

There wasn't much of a delay between the blue-headed Siren's knock and the redheaded Siren's response.

"Go home, Mordecai, I'm just going to bed," Lilith called.

"Um…It's me," Maya said confused.

There was a silence before the front door opened.

"Hey, killer," she said gently. "Sorry, I thought you were Mordecai. Come in."

She allowed her fellow Siren inside before shutting the door. Maya examined the small apartment, having never been inside before.

It was simple. The walls were a faded white and the furniture was nothing more than the same tattered quality as those in the HQ, but a white sheet had been placed on top of it. A homemade pillow was placed in the corner. There was really no other furniture beside a table and a radio. There was a counter, a fridge, and a stove in the far right corner of the room. Maya saw two doors, but she only assumed they were the bathroom and the bedroom.

"There a problem, Maya?" Lilith asked.

The Phaselocker shook her head.

"What was that thing about Mordecai?" she asked in place of Lilith's question.

"Nothing, what do you need?"

Maya sighed in irritation.

"Come on, we're friends aren't we? Don't you just want to have a little girl talk?"

Lilith looked down, thinking for a moment. She smiled slightly to herself.

"Actually that sounds nice," she finally said smiling.

"So…is everything ok?" Maya asked sitting beside her fellow Siren.

Lilith sighed.

"Mordecai and I…well we kissed," she rushed out. "It…wouldn't be so bad, but…I just lost Roland. How can I already be doing this?"

Maya smiled and shook her head.

"Do you really think Roland would want you to be lonely and unhappy for the rest of your life? Don't be afraid."

Lilith sighed and nodded.

"But so soon?"

"If not now than when?"

Lilith nodded.

"I liked it, Maya, but I'm not sure if it was his real feelings or…if it was just the rakkahol talking. Anyway what did you want to talk to me about?"

Maya sighed deciding to drop it.

"I…I have feelings for Axton," she said.

Lilith smiled and raised her eyebrows.

"And you're just now finding this out?"

Maya squinted.

"Huh?"

"Come on, you're Maya and Axton. You're perfect for each other. Ask anyone they'll tell you the same. Some of us were even betting if the two of you would every end up together."

"You were?"

"Yeah. I bet that you would."

"I'm…glad you have faith in us."

"Come on, Maya, just give the guy a chance. He may be an ass, but he's still better than Salvador."

Lilith laughed at her own joke and after a moment Maya joined in.

"Thanks Lilith."

"No problem. Thank you too."

Maya nodded.

"I'll talk to you tomorrow."

"Yes you will. Bye."

Maya waved and left feeling a little more sure of herself.