Sara tugged self consciously at the neckline of her borrowed dress. It was black, short and stylish, fitting her in all the right places yet she felt uncomfortable. The glitterati of New York ebbed and flowed around her, their ease in this environment clearly highlighting her discomfort. So far no one had spoken to her, clearly intimidated by the scowl that hovered perpertually across her lips and several times, her gown had won her amused glances from some over privileged socialites. Ian hovered deferentially in the background and beyond a polite greeting, Kenneth Irons had left her very much alone, preferring the company of several vapid beauties. Sighing, Sara melted even further into the background and watched as the world flowed by.

"Bored?" The question was light, teasing and spoken in a cultured feminine tone. Turning, Sara stared into a pair of dark eyes, set into a small exquisite face.

"Err.. " Her tongue froze to the roof of her mouth, it was not the woman's attractiveness that stilled her, but the sudden rush of recognition from the blade at her wrist. A feeling of warmth, loss and pain swept briefly thorough her body and it took all her will not to gasp aloud. Across the other side of the room, Kenneth Irons raised his head sharply, the echoes of Sara's blade induced shock drawing his attention. He stared at the pair of them, his cool green eyes taking in the woman beside Sara.

"It's understandable, these things don't get wild until at least eleven." The woman's hair was jet black and fell in waves to her waist across a dress in dramatic crimson. "Alexa." The woman held out a fine boned hand and Sara took it gingerly, still reeling from the torrent of emotion from the blade at her wrist.

"Sara." She finally got the words out, envying the woman's ease in these rich surroundings. "I'm only here on a bet." It was a struggle to chat normally, the blade at her wrist buzzed and hissed with excitement, distracting her with bright flashes of emotion.

"Well here's hoping you win." Alexa replied looking at Sara with a bright smile. It wasn't a coincidence that she had decided to chat to this woman. She knew that Sara Pezzini was a cop and connected to Irons, that information had been plastered over those files she had gone through that day. Information had drawn her to her and yet, Alexa felt strange standing in this woman's company. Something familiar tugged at the edges of her thoughts and confused what should have been a simple task.

"So how do you know Irons?" Sara asked, finally dragging the blade's excitement under control.

"I don't know him personally. I'm here on business, my bosses at Chandler and Roth wish to secure a vital contract and I'm here to deliver the offer."

and sweeten the deal I bet. Sara thought taking in the woman's looks with sympathy. he'll be all over her like a rash.

"Well good luck with that. Irons is a hard man."

"How do you know him?" Alexa took a cursory sip from the glass in her hands and casually scanned the portion of the room within her line of sight. Cameras and sensory equipment were everywhere she could see. Her respect for Irons' security etched up a notch.

"Umm through work." Pez stumbled through the lie, hoping that Alexa wouldn't pick up on it. "I've worked with him before."

"Oh?" Alexa maintained polite interest as she continued her casual search of the room. "Anything interesting?"

"Well..." Pez reached up to push a stray strand of hair from her eyes and Alexa focused in on the bracelet at her wrist. The silver filigree and ruby coloured gem tugged at her awareness and she felt herself falling.

FLASH

Their blades connected.. fell apart and struck again as they ranged over the sandy arena. Sweat trickled in rivulets over her brow as she parried and fought.

"Hey are you alright?" Alexa woke to Pez's hazel eyes mere inches from her own, full of concern and interest.

"What happened?" Alexa struggled back to wakefulness, wary and confused, overly conscious of the eyes of the company upon her. What was that? She stared at Sara, trying hard to pull her anxiety under control as a tall elegant figure walked into her view.