DISCLAIMER: I OWN NOTHING YOU RECOGNIZE.

CHAPTER SEVEN: DEAL WITH IT

NOVA'S POV

I loathed to wake the next afternoon. Kahn had pleasured us long into the early hours of the morning, only leaving when the dawn began to shine in the window, amidst our protests. Those had made him chuckle, but he assured us it would be best if we rested now. So, after a few more kisses and another hour of fingering, we finally let ourselves sleep, much to his amusement. We'd slept away most of this day, exhausted from our night's pleasures. When I woke, I smiled over at Kid. She smiled tiredly back.

"That was-"

"-amazing."

We chuckled and sat up. Just as it had been yesterday, a set of clothes was aside for both of us. We bathed, changed, and slowly made our way downstairs to the arena. The fights were in full swing and we sat down on a bench, watching them finish up, though both of us were famished. Suddenly, a servant girl appeared with two plates for us. Mystified, we both took them gratefully, but then thought about it and looked up at the throne. Kahn gave us the smallest of nods and we relaxed, smiling, eating what had been offered us. Raiden watched us with a frown on his face, a deep, worrisome frown. Something was wrong.

I exchanged looks with Kid and she nodded, mutually agreeing we'd speak with him after the matches, before supper could be served.

SHAO KAHN'S POV

My eyes caught sight of the two women as they entered the arena. I was still wrapping my mind around the idea that they'd kept up with me all night long... and hadn't wanted to stop this morning! I could still feel their bodies against mine, hear their moans in my ears, taste their flesh and sweet kisses on my tongue...

I shook my head to clear it. Both accepted the food my servant offered them, grateful, but only ate after I nodded at them, telling them it was from me. They then simply watched the matches, handing their empty plates back to the servant girl. She simply accepted them and disappeared back into the castle. The two girls then frowned as they saw someone. I followed their gaze and saw Raiden's expression. I narrowed my eyes.

Something was about to happen, something I wasn't going to like.

NOVA'S POV

As we planned, Kidira and I found Raiden before he could enter the dining hall and we gently pulled him into an empty room. There, we faced him.

"What's wrong?" I asked, not playing any games.

"And don't try to sugar-coat it," Kid added. He sighed at us, then answered. It was the last thing I had expected to hear.

"Your father came to visit me when I was deep in meditation, Nova," he told me. I started, surprised. "He told me about what you two have been doing, with Shao Kahn no less."

I felt my anger rise, but Kid's gentle hand on my hand caused me to cool down again. We would hear him out.

"While I can understand the draw, your father and I agree that if you continue on your current path, it will destroy you... and everyone else you've come to know will suffer for your decision," he said, his voice not giving away his real feelings on the subject. I frowned at him.

"Let me get this straight," I said, my tone clipped as I barely restrained my anger. "Just because you don't want us on the side of Shao Kahn, you'd cook up a story like this?"

Raiden seemed insulted that I would even imply that.

"Nova!" Kid said, shocked. "Raiden would never lie about something like this!"

"Like hell!" I cried, turning on her. "If it doesn't fit his agenda, that makes it bad!"

"Nova-"

"I've heard enough," I snapped, then left, slamming the door behind me. I was furious as I stormed down the hall. A gentle hand on my arm brought me out of my thundering thoughts and I looked up into Liu Kang's concerned gaze.

"Are you all right?" he asked, truly worried. I shook in anger again.

"I think you may want to reconsider your loyalty to your God," I spat. "He's just as deceptive as Shao Kahn."

Then I went to walk away, but he stepped in my path, though it wasn't in a mean or annoying way. He was just really, really worried now.

"What happened?" he asked softly. In response, I pushed him into an empty room and shut the door. Then, in that darkened room, I told him everything that had been going on. Through it all, he only listened, though his expressions went from surprised to shocked, to contemplative, then back to surprised. Finally, I fell silent and he took a moment to word his reply.

"Nova, you only went to Shao Kahn because you were... horny, right?" he clarified. I nodded. "Then you went back for more?"

He seemed to think something over.

"Are you still horny?" he asked. I nodded. "Then, may I run something past you and you not get angry at me?"

I nodded.

"Now, I don't think you gave Raiden time to spell it all out," he began. "I think there's more that your father revealed to him that you didn't give him a chance to say. I think that, if you heard it all, you'd understand and might just agree with him."

I thought that over and my anger began to disappear... and be replaced with that hunger I just couldn't seem to satisfy. I looked up at him from where I sat and gestured for him to come closer. He obeyed and I was soon mere centimeters from his body. After a moment's hesitation, I leaned up and kissed him softly. It took a few moments, but he finally answered me, returning my kiss, his arms wrapping around my frame, pulling me close to him. After a few more kisses, I began to build up my arousal, letting him feel it between our bodies. My hands struggled to remain on his chest, but I wanted him to make the first move.

Suddenly, he picked me up by my thighs and pushed me up against the wall, holding my legs to his waist. I choked in the kiss, desperately needing his touch, reveling in the feel of his hardening member poking me between my legs. Then he pulled out of the kiss and leaned his forehead on mine.

"Now... isn't the time for this," he said, forcing his voice and body under his control again. "Don't do this to me... not unless you truly mean to do this with me, not just use me to get your satisfaction."

Then he pulled away, out of my reach. I leaned against the wall, not sure my legs would support me, as I looked at him breathlessly. He kept his eyes closed, struggling to retain his control.

"Go hear Raiden out," he said. "All of it. Only then will the picture become clear."

Then, he up and left. I struggled to recover, finally managing to get my feet to work. After I caught my breath, I went in search of Raiden. He was waiting outside with Kid. Both looked up when I entered the arena.

"I figured you'd come back," Kid said, though her voice wasn't snooty. It was gentle. "There's more to your father's message that... well... I think you need to hear."

I frowned at her and jerked my head towards the castle. She interpreted it correctly and left us. I then looked across the arena at Raiden, my arms crossed.

"I will listen under one condition," I told him cooly, making my intentions clear. I then locked gazes with him. "You will take Shao Kahn's place. Refuse me, and I will continue from this moment on to ignore you and will align myself with the fallen god, ensuring in every way that I can the destruction of Earthrhelm. You dare not refuse me."

Something flashed through his gaze far too fast for me to catch, but he didn't move for a few moments. My patience grew thin. Just as I was about to turn around and walk away, he finally nodded, accepting my terms. I then waited.

"Your father was very clear that you had to break away from Shao Kahn," he began. Then he summoned a look-alike of my father, one that repeated my father's message to me as though I were Raiden. My eyes widened with every word he said. Finally, Raiden cut him off and he disappeared.

"Do you understand now?" he asked. Slowly, I nodded, holding my head in one hand. How foolish I had been, so quick to disrespect Raiden, who had only shown me kindness and respect I didn't deserve... "Nova-"

I didn't even wait to hear him out and turned and ran back into the castle. I ran past everyone and everything until I reached my room. There, I shut and locked the door and curled up on the bed, weeping.

In this moment, I loathed myself more than I ever had before.

KIDIRA'S POV

Finally, I managed to pick the lock on the door, letting Kenshi and Sub-Zero into their room. There, in the middle of the bed, lay Nova, out cold. The position her body was in was a very, very arousing one. She lay, her body curved just right, her breasts barely covered by the blanket. Her hair was spread around her, curled in such a way that it was begging to be touched. I couldn't read Raiden's expression, but I knew something heavy had happened, especially when I'd seen Nova run past the door and heard another door slam down the way during supper. So, once the boys were in the room and slowly settling in, I closed the door and turned to Raiden.

"What was her price?" I asked him quietly. His eyes snapped to mine. "I'm no fool. I know her better than I know my own sister. I know she would not have listened to you without something to gain."

It seemed like he was never going to answer me... but he finally did.

"I am to replace Shao Kahn," he answered. I nodded, having guessed that would be her price.

"Had a sneaking suspicion it'd be along those lines," I commented softly. "She's a very sexual creature, sated for few hours at a time. You'll have your hands full."

Then I excused myself to my own room with Sonya and Jax. Sonya and I shared the bed while Jax, ever the gentleman, slept on the floor. I crawled into my nightie and let the night sweep me away.

SHAO KAHN'S POV

I paced in my chambers, fury in every pore. My Shadow Priests had gotten back to me about what was going on with Raiden and the girls.

I was THIS close! THIS close... and he sweeps them away.

I was furious. I'd just begun to truly enjoy the ecstacy Nova aroused in me. Most of my nights had been spent with her. She truly was a sexual creature, one that could keep up with me and still want more... Kidira not so much.

And now Raiden has her!

I could have screamed I was so angry! I'd all ready raped four of my servants, killing them with my over-zealousness. I'd been just as brutal with Nova... and she'd reveled in it, begged for more, for me to be rougher, to bang her harder. Not once did a single sound of pain escape her during our glorious sex... only soul-rattling moans fell on my ears... or enriched gasps of pleasure... or groans of protest whenever I tried to stop...

Suddenly, there was a soft pop. I whirled around and saw, to my shock and pleasure, Nova. She walked towards me, every movement seductive. Just before she reached me, her whole body jerked and she fell to the ground. Standing in my doorway was Raiden, fury in every pore. He warmed up his power, gathering as much as he could and threw it all my way!

I jerked out of my waking nightmare, my eyes flying everywhere at once, only relaxing when I realized I was still alone. I shook my head.

Raiden, you will pay for this. I WILL have my sexy little minx back.

I licked my lips in anticipation.

And I will revel in watching you die as you watch her writhe for me.

NOVA'S POV

I woke slowly in the middle of the night, my body on fire. I slowly detangled myself from between the two sleeping men. I could have woken Kenshi and taken it from him. I was certain he wouldn't object much... but Raiden was now my lover... and I wanted him, badly. So, I dressed and left my room. I walked down the hall and lightly knocked on Raiden's door. I didn't wait for an answer and walked in. Raiden was meditating. I was certain now that he hadn't heard me enter. The heat inside me went up another notch as I slowly stepped closer to him. Then I reached out to touch him...

Raiden's eyes snapped open as his hand grabbed my wrist, jerking my entire body down in front of him. All I could give him for that, was an aroused gasp. Only after watching his eyes clear did I realize that it was natural self defense when in meditation. His hand released me as he slowly realized who I was and what I came for. I simply moved over to his lap, my trembling form leaning against him, telling him of my desire. He looked down into my face, his expression impossible to read. So, figuring he needed a little encouragement, I leaned up and lightly kissed him, once... twice... Then he finally kissed me back, his arms wrapping around my small frame. I could still sense how uncomfortable he was so I gave him a soft kiss.

"Relax," I whispered, my need in my voice. "Let me lead."

So, he obeyed, giving me full control. Without a word, I tossed his hat aside and slowly laid him down.