Practical Moving By Atley

Chaosia was amazed as they pulled into the parking complex of her new apartment complex. Most of the cars, including her own baby, from the garage were parked near the elevator and seemed to be stuffed with boxes. Sway raised a brow as Paul just chuckled.

"Oh, honey he is a keeper if he's already moving you. Does he have a less scary younger brother floating around somewhere?"

Chaos looked over her shoulder at her best friend and the constant thorn in her side. "Why yes, Paul. He does. And wouldn't you know it he's gay with a taste for drama queens."

Paul undeterred by Chaosia's sarcasm, clapped and shouted, "Sign me up, darling."

Sway laughed, opening the door to the Malibu after Chaos parked. She had to admit, the spa was nice and lunch had been interesting. Where Chaosia was a few years younger than her, Paul was closer to her age so the outing had actually been fun over all. Apparently, Paul knew Chaos well enough to hassle her into most things, her new hair being one of them. Chaosia's dark curls had been tamed into a softer, feminine style and layered with blonde, caramel and crimson highlights. The twenty minutes he'd forced both of them into the tanning bad had left her with a darkening tan, something that still amazed Sway. She was sure as pale as the girl had been that she was going to come out looking like a lobster. But amazingly, Chaos only had rosier cheeks while everything else had taken on this pretty, even tone almost three shades darker than before.

Sway herself was a shade darker and had new blond highlights in her already platinum tresses. Paul had combed out her dreads and trimmed the dead ends, styling it parted to the side and pulled straight with the bangs popped back in a hump. He'd even texturized her hair that when she wore it curly, straight or in dreads, it would be easier to handle. The man had then ushered her off for a facial and make up, the latter something they'd almost have to sit on Chaos to accomplish. Paul had to threaten her car to get her sit still long enough for him to do her eye shadow and lipstick.

Sway shook her head, looking at the girl was still glowering at her best friend as he chatted along ignoring her. Done up like this, Chaosia was gorgeous in a classic way, something that made Sway realize that for all the girl's protests earlier in the week, she really was a pretty little thing. Her multicolored tresses fell to her shoulders, loose and flowing around her as she walked. Her bangs had been trimmed and swept over the left side of her forehead, almost hiding one of her eyes. She looked at Sway and, noticing she was being watched, smiled and waved. The girl was apparently oblivious to everything but being stared at.

As they got in the elevator, Paul asked, "So what's the hunky dunky think of the new apartment? He like it?"

Chaos blushed, shrugging. "I don't know, he lives in the one above me and it's not that different. A lot of black and charcoal though."

Paul smirked. "So what's the bed like, then?"

Chaosia smacked him just as the doors opened and he tried to run. He and Sway laughed as Ripley groused, "None of your damn business, that's how the bed is. I swear, aren't you supposed to be on my side, here?"

Paul shrugged, smiling as she wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "You're my friend and I am on your side. But honey, you know I'm always going to be on the side of hot, steamy sex first. And you know I'm kidding."

She opened her apartment door, shaking her head. "Yeah, well tone it down. He may not think you're funny. And I would hate to bury you so soon before you get up the nerve to ask out Andrew."

The trio stopped dead in their tracks as they realized what they'd walked into. Sphinx and Atley were in the living room, putting together her entertainment center while Toby read off instructions, correcting them when they, well Atley messed up. Memphis could be heard arguing with Kip and Tumbler down the hall about where the boxes went. Donnie was in the kitchen, putting away dishes that were coming from the dishwasher and Freb was helping Mirror Man set up the stereo system near Atley and Sphinx, though he was more looking than helping.

Chaosia, amazed, stepped back out and walked back in. The scene was still weird. "Um, Sphinx? What are you guys doing?"

Atley jumped in, explaining that if they did this first then tomorrow wouldn't be bad while Sphinx just looked at her, sort of dazed.

Chaosia just nodded as Atley chattered away, telling her how they could move all of the boxes and get them mostly unpacked. She still couldn't believe that they had done this. She was about to ask where Mikhail was when she noticed Sphinx just looking at her. She fidgeted and turned, telling Paul and Sway, "Well, I guess we go to work then. I have sweats in one of those boxes so I'm going to change."

Paul nodded, looking over the men in her apartment with something akin to a predator stalking prey. "Oh sure, sure. Please do. That Ralph Lauren shirt would not benefit from heavy lifting and strenuous exercise. Besides, I think we can handle it long enough for you to change."

Suddenly, he turned and looked at her, a stern glint to his eyes. "And do not mess with your hair! It takes me hours to get it like that, so leave it alone."

She grumbled as she headed down the hall. "Hair Nazi."

Paul, used to this title, retorted, "Nein! Now leave it alone!"


Chaosia was hanging the white shirt on one of the hangers the group had brought when she caught movement out of the corner of her eye. She turned, noticing it was Sphinx. When had he even come in the bedroom? She blushed and put the shirt in the closet before folding the jeans and tossing them on the top shelf. Finally, she turned and looked at him. He'd changed from earlier as well, wearing a pair of dark denim pants that were cuffed at his ankles with a tight black tee shirt, topped off by those beloved suspenders of his. She smirked, shaking her head as she saw them.

"Why do love those things so much?"

He shrugged, crossing the room and coming to stand right in front of her, causing her to look around the room. Memphis and the Dynamic Duo (formerly known as Kip and Tumbler) had brought all of the boxes from her bedroom and master bathroom, including the huge tubberware bin that had her towels and shower curtain in it, all still with tags. She looked back up at him, blushing as she asked, "Want to help me set up my master bathroom? It shouldn't take long."

He nodded, leaning down while he pulled her to him. "Sure, girlie. After I do this."

And with that little warning, he proceeded to slam his lips against hers. How a man that rarely used his mouth was so damned good with it she'd never know, but Sphinx new his way around leaving a woman breathless when he chose to. As they parted, she looked up at the glint in his eyes and the cocky smirk he was wearing, knowing that he knew how damned good he was at it, too. "That's for earlier."

She looked puzzled until she remembered and blushed even darker. He chuckled darkly as he ran his thumb over her cheek, "A little warm, luv?"

She snorted, rolling her eyes as she quipped. "If you must know, I was forced into a tanning bed for almost half an hour. So everything is going to look a little warm until tonight."

He quirked a brow, interested at hearing that tidbit of information. "You tan? Figured a frail little thing like you would burn."

She huffed as she informed him, "I tan very well, thank you. Tomorrow, I'll be darker than Sway or Paul. If I went back two more times I'd look like I just stepped off of an island somewhere, according to my oh-so-loyal hair dresser. Who is dying to meet you, by the way."

Sphinx shrugged again as he pulled her back into him, resting his forehead against hers. He ran his fingers through her hair, admiring the colors as he tucked her bangs behind her ear. It wasn't so bad. Actually with the tan and her eyes, it made her seem more . . . . real than the china doll he wanted to compare her to. Less fragile and likely to shatter if he handled her wrong. She seemed to pick up on his train of thought and ducked her head, peaking at him through her lashes. "Do you like it? My hair, I mean."

He nodded, kissing the top of her head before stepping away and heading into the bathroom to help hang the shower curtain and bamboo blinds. He would never admit it aloud, but Atley was a genius. On the ride here, he'd confided the real reason for pushing the moving of boxes.

"If there is nothing there but furniture, then why would she want to stay the night? She'll stay here or with you, either meaning more time for the two of you to spend together. Don't thank me; I already know I'm brilliant."

Sphinx had growled and been insulted by the notion that Chaosia returning to her apartment would affect him in anyway. But now, seeing her all done up and looking so damned cute as she fought the box open, almost falling in the process, he couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to wake up with her again tomorrow. He groaned mentally as he watched her bend to unpack the shower hooks and the new shower head for her bathroom. He was going to have to live in cold showers for a while if he didn't get himself in check. Mikhail is being better than you thought he would, boy-o, but he'll turn quick if you jump in bed with his sister right off the bat. Besides, she doesn't seem the type to have a casual affair for the sake of having one. Take it easy or she'll be giving you the shiner next time. Suddenly, her phone went off and they both just looked at it. She looked confused while he just wondered who was calling. Everyone she knew was practically here. She turned and looked at him, "Do you have your phone?"

He reached a hand into his pocket, coming up empty and growled. "Memphis." Chaosia paled as he turned and stalked out of the room, literally tearing down the hall to find the eldest Raines brother. Chaosia, hot on his heels and very confused, just watched in amazement as Memphis caught sight of Sphinx and fled behind Sway and Mikhail. Mikhail, who was holding a box of vases and coral, looked at Memphis and asked, "Good Lord, what have you done now?"

Kip and Tumbler, both laughing so hard they were crying, just shook their heads as Mirror Man told Mikhail, "Memphis wanted to see what her ringtone for the big guy was, so he swiped his phone and dialed her up. Too bad they were together when he did it."

Memphis, determined to have the last word, dialed the number again and everyone stopped and looked at her phone as the most prominent guitar rip from In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida by Iron Butterfly filled the apartment. Mikhail was the first to snicker and then the laughter just erupted as Chaosia just looked at Sphinx. "What? Did I miss something?" Memphis pouted as he heard the phone, turning to Sway.

"I figured she'd have this girly song for his ringtone and what does she have? Iron freaking Butterfly. That's just so wrong . . ."

Chaos just looked at them while Mikhail laughed, all the while taking out his phone and dialing her number. All of the older boosts almost died as Lowrider filled the room. Paul, picking up on it, dialed her up next and a punk cover of Material Girl had even Sphinx chuckling. Chaos still looked confused as she asked Sphinx, "What is going on? And why is everyone calling my damn phone?"

Atley, determined to stay in her good graces since she would ultimately be the deciding force behind how much time he spent with his best friend, clued her into Memphis's ordeal over the ringtones and how Sway had picked his for her. Chaosia just looked at Memphis and shook her head. "All you had to do was ask. Besides, why would I pick some sappy song for him? I mean seriously, it would be like naming a Doberman fluffy."

Sphinx glared at her as she crossed her arms, glaring right back at him. "Oh, don't give me that look. You know it's true. You're about as sweet and cuddly as I am a Debutante."

They stared at each other for a few intense moments before Paul jumped in-between them, arms splayed and screamed, "Oh my God, Chaosia. What did you do to your hair?! I said don't' touch it!"

She grimaced, "I didn't he did. Yell at him." Paul, not one for suicidal tendencies, just flipped the bang back in place and said, "And loose an arm? I think not. It's your hair and your responsibility."

She groaned as she punched him. "Traitor."

Paul nodded. "Hey, I'm crazy not stupid, honey. That would be like coming between you and soccer or those white chocolate truffles you keep hiding from me." He draped his arm over her as he steered her into the kitchen, showing her where he wanted her to hang his coffee cup for their monthly horror movie pow-wows as the rest of the crew went back to unpacking. Sphinx watched as Chaosia just crossed her arms and hung her head at what Paul was asking, blatantly refusing to let him have a whole shelf for one cup.


Four hours and twelve pizzas later, the latter courtesy of Memphis and Sway, the crew had dispersed save for Atley and Sphinx. Even Paul had run off at about seven, claiming to need plenty of beauty sleep for the big move. Chaosia had snorted and politely pointed out that it hadn't helped him yet, which resulted in her laughing while he pouted and vowed to never cut her hair again before hugging her and leaving. Now, as the he and Atley sat on the sofa in his apartment, Sphinx had to admit that having her here another night was going to be nice. Too bad I'm sleeping in the bloody den with Atley . . .

He had, in an effort to be generous and a gentleman in front of her brother offered her his bed while he and Atley took up residence in the den. The sofa was a sectional and could be separated into two pieces big enough for both of them . . . he hoped. Chaos had blushed and accepted before bidding her brother farewell and retreating upstairs with him. As soon as they had pulled the sofa apart, she had asked if she could use his shower. And it was currently taking everything he had to watch the re-run of his bloody football game and not go down the hall and see what was taking her so long. Wales had scored another goal when she came sauntering down the hall, towel in hand.

"Where do I put this? There wasn't a hamper in the bathroom?"

Atley had stopped mid sip and Sphinx turned to answer her question before realizing why his partner was suddenly counting the number of dots on the ceiling. Chaos was dressed in a black lacy tank top that showed just how ample her cleavage was without baring it to the world and a pair of charcoal exercise shorts that had been rolled to sit on her hips. And though the shorts came to mid-thigh, they bared enough of her now tanned legs to make any straight man's mouth water. Her hair was down and around her shoulders and her glasses were curiously missing from her fresh scrubbed face. She smiled at him, allowing him to see the soft dusting of freckles that the UV exposure from earlier had brought out. "Sphinx? Where do I put the towel?"

He got up, taking her into the laundry room and tossing the towel for her before he returned to den. He was determined to watch the game and not be disturbed, and she seemed fine with that as she pulled a huge text book and a highlighter from her messenger bag, heading back down the hall. Atley, gracing him with the infamous Jackson glare, called after her, "Hey, Chaos! Where are you going?" "To study a little before I go to bed. I know you guys want to see the re-run of the game and I know who won so it's no big deal. Good night, guys. See you tomorrow."

As soon as she closed the door to the bedroom, his bedroom, Atley turned on him and started. "I can't believe you! That girl is probably heartbroken that you don't say three words to her because of a damn game. Go apologize or I swear I'll help Mikhail break your legs, you big oaf. She's only going to put up with so much, Sphinx. Don't screw it up when it's just starting."

Sphinx glared, but rose to take his friend's advice when Chaos came back down the hall and walked into the kitchen. She got herself a glass of water and, after rinsing the glass and putting it in the dishwasher she'd insisted on unloading earlier, went to go back to the bedroom. As she stopped long enough to say goodnight to Atley again and stood on her tiptoes and kissed Sphinx's cheek, he saw her cheeks were moist. Bloody hell, she'd been crying. Screaming banshees and fighting hellcats he could handle, but crying? "Good night, Mr. Sphinx. See you in the morning. Enjoy the game."

And with that she was back down the hall, except this time, he was close behind her. He opened the door just in time to see her stripping out of the shorts to reveal lacy black boy shorts and toned, tan legs that went on forever. She turned, her glasses perched on her nose as she squeaked and fell onto the bed. "Sphinx!? What are you doing? Is something wrong?"

He growled, crossing the room and cupping her face in his massive hands before he kissed her soundly. After they parted he breathed three words, "I'm sorry, luv" across her lips before kissing her again, this time softer. She looked at him like he was crazy. "Um, okay? Thank you . . . But for what?"

He looked at her, amazed as he ran a thumb across her drying cheeks. "You were crying." She looked at him and then started to snicker. His repentant (or as repentant as it got) face darkened as he glared at her, demanding an explanation. After a few seconds, she stopped and reached up, kissing him lightly on the lips. "Silly bear. I wasn't crying. I took out my contacts. I slept in them yesterday and figured I needed to give my eyes a break. The saline makes my eyes water. You didn't hurt my feelings. How could you have? I just got out of the shower and came in here . . ."

He looked back at Atley's voice cheering on the team opposing Wales, which is usually who he pulled for out of spite. Understanding blossomed across her face as she giggled and kissed his cheek again. "It doesn't hurt my feelings that you want to watch a game, Sphinx. I would usually be right there with you if I didn't already know the final score. And you know why? Because I love soccer, big guy. Almost as much as I love art and Mikhail loves to boost. And you are a grown ass man who had a routine long before I came into the picture; however it is that I fit. I do not expect you to change for me just like I hope you don't want me to change for you. We can adapt for each other, later, but right now this is too new to start making rules and huge life altering decisions. Trust me. If you hurt my feelings, I'll let you know. Okay? Now go watch your bloody game and tell Atley to eat crow when Wales kills them in the second half."

With that said and another light kiss, she kicked him out of his own bedroom and he returned to his sofa. He barely registered the game, only noting that Wales did indeed kill the opposition in the final half. Atley, disheartened by the loss of an opportunity to aggravate Sphinx in one of the only small ways he cherished, rolled over and drifted to sleep. Leaving Sphinx to ponder just what he had done in his life to deserve the woman reading in his bed. She's probably an axe murder or something . . . yeah, that's gotta be it . . .



At about three o'clock in the morning, Chaosia woke up to go to the bathroom and get another sip of water. As she passed the slumbering duo, she had to marvel at Atley. He was dead to the world with his head hanging off the sofa while he snored away. She shook her head, wondering how anyone could sleep like that. As she was coming back through the den to go to bed, she noticed Sphinx.

He had changed into a pair of dark sleep pants and forgone a shirt, baring his toned chest and torso to the world. She could barely trace a multitude of fine scars across the expanse of skin, but it didn't detract from the impact of it. If anything, it spoke to the strength that he practically oozed in his everyday life and served as a reminder that he could live up to whatever decided to test him.

What drew her attention, however, wasn't the naked chest or sofa rumpled hair, though both were interesting in their own way. It was the fact that his legs from the knee down was hanging off the edge of his portion of the split sectional. She sighed and walked over, nudging his shoulder. When he woke up, he looked at her, confused. "

Uh? What's wrong, girl?"

She rolled her eyes. Leave it to him to talk more half asleep than awake.

"Come on, big boy. You can share your bed with me."

He grunted and rolled, ready to ignore her until she grabbed his hand and tried to pull him off the sofa. He chuckled and relented, allowing himself to be led down the hallway and into his room. She turned the covers back and pushed him in, covering him up before she crawled in the other side, muttering about how he expected to sleep hanging off the sofa like Atley the bat.

He grunted, settling in as she burrowed herself under the covers. He noticed she'd brought one of her fluffy quilts with her and she had spread it across the bed, making it almost impossible to see the TV over the layers of fluff. He was almost back to sleep when he felt her shiver and curl up tighter. Sighing, he reached out and pulled her into him, curling around her as she squeaked.

"Its fine, luv. Scrawny thing like you can never stay warm, can you?"

She grumbled something at him as she settled in to go back to sleep. Smirking, he looped his fingers through her hair as she turned and snuggled into his chest, sighing for the entire world like a contented kitten. He drifted into unconsciousness as he played with her hair, barely registering the distant triumphant chuckle from the living room.