Disclaimer: Still not mine... :(

Author's Note: For some reason, I see Cress and Thorne having a sort of Bonnie and Clyde type of existence... Maybe it's because of the blindfolded shooting scene at the end of Book 3 (love that bit!) Anyway, Chapter six has arrived! Hope you enjoy. Leave a review to let me know. :)

Chapter Six

For a brief moment when she woke up, everything was perfect. Sunlight was peeking through the drapes and covering her face in its warm glow. After weeks on the Rampion, it was a warmth that was both comforting and invigorating. She could feel his breath on the back of her neck; his body curled around hers; his arm draped across her waist. A contented moan escaped her lips. She could stay like this forever.

But that moment passed. As Cress opened her eyes, she blinked rapidly into the harsh, bright light and the weight of the previous night caught up with her.

Mallorie. Hanna. The search. Rose. She wanted to pull the covers over her head and hide from the world. Only she found she couldn't even do that. Thorne's arm had trapped most of the sheets and she could not budge him. She gave the sheet a tug anyway and tried to wriggle lower into the bed. The movement was enough to disturb Throne, but instead of making it easier for her to bury herself further into the sheets, he gathered her closer to him, effectively immobilising her entirely.

"Erm…" she said, still trying to move away from him. "Capt– … can't… breath..."

His arms constricting around her waist were becoming an issue. She could tell he was awake, though. He was doing it on purpose. She tried to slap at him but could not find a good angle.

At the side of the bed, she heard a ding from her port-screen. She tried to reach for it.

"Carswell…" she pleased.

"What's the password?" He still sounded a little groggy from sleep.

"Get off me now," she replied.

"Nope," Throne said, planting a kiss on her shoulder. "Two more tries."

Cress tried once more to free herself but his arms were strong and held her firm. On any other day, she would have found it endearing.

"We really don't have time for this," she said, pulling at his fingers. They did not move.

"Just say the password."

Cress sighed. "Captain is king."

There was a pause. "No. Not that one." Thorne laughed, deep and low. It reverberated through Cress and sent shivers through her body. She tried very hard to stay focused.

"Carswell!" she said letting her irritation fill her tone.

Laughing some more, Thorne finally released her and she rolled out of his arms and sat at the edge of the bed. Thorne scooted across and ran his fingers over her arms as she took hold of the port-screen. Kisses lightly, playfully brushed her shoulders and the back of her neck. They made her involuntarily arch her back.

It made it very difficult for her to focus on the port-screen.

"The password," Thorne said between kisses. "Was I love you."

This seemed to bring Cress to her senses. She pulled a face like she had just eaten something sickly sweet.

"Oh please," she said, playfully pushing him away. "You are such a sap."

She glanced around at him, seeing his eyes for the first time that day. He was grinning at her, his hands folded behind his head His hair was tussled and messy from sleep. The effect of it all brought a slight blush to Cress' cheeks.

She turned back to the port-screen, again trying to focus on the task at hand.

"It's – uh – a message from Mr Skinner," she said handing him the screen.

Mr Ronnie S. Skinner was the 'businessman' Thorne had contacted the night before to obtain a new ID chip for Rose. For some reason that Cress could not work out, Mr Skinner always insisted on using his middle initial when he introduced himself to people. It was as if he was daring people to ask or guess what it stood for. He was an odd sort of man. Short and scrawny, and hunched over most of the time. He always had a look in his eyes like he was trying to see behind him, to make sure no-one was following him.

Mr Skinner was indeed very good at obtaining things and being discrete about it, but they usually came at a price. And that price could be very steep.

Cress did not like him at all and she tried hard not to think about how Thorne had come to know him.

"What did you tell him?" Cress asked.

"Nothing," Thorne replied, the playfulness gone from his eyes and his voice. "Don't worry, I don't trust him enough for that," he continued. "I just told him I needed a clean ID chip for a lady and needed it fast. He'll probably think it's for you again."

A smile tugged at the corner of Cress' lips thinking back to their little mishap around four years ago. It was a very good thing that she was best friends with two of the most powerful people in the galaxy at that point.

"It's ready," Throne said, bringing her back to the present. "We're meeting him in half an hour."

Thorne was not a big fan of the UK – of its mainland, at least. The Canadian Provinces were alright. But here in London, the weather was miserable. The grey overcast sky hung heavy overhead and rain lazily fell to the ground and slapped against the pavement. He tugged his jacket closer in to his neck as he and Cress exited the podship and made their way down the narrow alleyway to where Skinner had arranged to meet them.

Thorne had wanted to come alone, but he had taught Cress so many handy tricks over the years – concealing a weapon and how to draw quickly, that was one of her specialities these days – that it made more sense to have her there as back up.

He flexed his metal fingers thinking of the day of the rebellion when she had shot the gun from his hand and taken his two finger with it. He had never been more proud of her. It had taken some time for her to be comfortable about picking up a gun again after that. But when she did… Wow! He had never known a more natural markswoman.

A small pang of guilt hit his stomach. He really had been a bad influence on her. Her father had been right – he didn't deserve her.

"You're late, Mr Thorne," he said, his voice grating with each syllable.

"It's Captain Thorne," Cress corrected. "And we're right on time."

He could have kissed her.

Skinner smiled, wide and terrifying. His eyes roamed all over Cress as they came closer. He licked his lips. Thorne felt his skin crawl. He desperately wanted to punch him, but held himself back… just.

"Nice to see you brought the brains of your outfit," Skinner said. "Not bad to look at, is she?" He winked at Cress.

From the corner of his eyes, Throne saw her tense up, clearly as revolted by this little imp of a man as he was.

"We don't have all day, Skinner," Thorne said firmly. "Do you have it or not?"

Skinner tutted and shook his head.

"Why such a rush?" he said. "We haven't even discussed payment."

Thorne huffed out a sigh and folded his arms. "What do you want?"

Skinner's gaze shifted to Cress and then turned back to Thorne, a lecherous grin split his face.

"Well, I wouldn't mind a few hours with that," he said jerking his head towards Cress.

Throne was calm. He would remain calm. He would not…

Skinner licked his lips again. His gaze was all over Cress. Again.

Throne snapped.

He grabbed hold of Skinner by the lapels and shoved him hard against the alley wall. Twice. The air was knocked out of his lungs and he coughed and gasped and still smiled – sneered – at Throne.

"Did I overstep the mark?" he said, taking a deep lungful of air. "Maybe I'll settle for your first born."

Thorne's fist flew so fast, he barely registered the punch himself. He caught Skinner square in the jaw and pulled his arm back for a second blow.

Cress laid a hand on his shoulder. He looked at her and at her silent command, he dropped his arm and dropped the imp.

Skinner crumpled to the ground as Throne stepped back, taking several steadying breaths. Cress placed herself between the two of them.

"Mr Skinner," she said, her tone firm. Thorne had lost many arguments to that tone. "We are not here to play games. We enlisted your services for a legitimate business transaction." As she spoke, she drew the gun from its concealed holster and casually cocked it and pointed it at Skinner's nose.

"Either you are here to complete that transaction or you are wasting our time," Cress continued. "If it is the latter, I can assure you a most unpleasant reward."

Thorne had never been more in love with this woman than at this very moment. She held Skinner's gaze as he gingerly got back to his feet.

"The going rate for a new identity is 1,000 univs," he said, trying to shrink back from Cress' gun.

Thorne knew for a fact that this was an inflated figure.

"We'll pay 600," he said. "Call it a good will gesture for her not shooting you in the face."

Cress smiled. The look in her eyes was just manic enough to unnerve Skinner. He reached into his jacket and brought out a small plastic box. He handed it to Cress who, effortlessly, flawlessly tossed it to Throne without breaking eye contact with Skinner.

Thorne opened the box and stared at the small chip.

"Allow me to introduce Miss Bryony Bell," Skinner explained. "She's clean. Untraceable."

Skinner took out a portable payment scanner as Thorne stepped forward and offered his wrist. Skinner tapped in 600 univs to the device and scanned Thorne's ID chip through his skin, then stowed the scanner safely back in his jacket. He grinned and bowed low.

"A pleasure doing business with you both," he said. Blowing a kiss at Cress, he hurried away, dipping his head against the rain.

Cress finally lowered the gun and shuddered as if as spider had just crawled up her spine.

"Urgh!" she said. "What thoroughly unpleasant little man!"

Without a word, Thorne swooped her into his arms and kissed her firmly on the lips. Cress wobbled off balance in is embrace, but he held her up. When they broke apart, he could see a dizzy haze in her eyes from the kiss.

"You are sensational," he said. "How do I ever deserve you?"

"You don't," Cress replied. "So it's a good thing love doesn't work on merit."

Thorne kissed her again, not caring that the rain was coming down harder, soaking through their hair and clothes.

"Come on then, hell raiser," Thorne said, taking her hand. "Let's get this thing back to Cinder."