Chapter Seven

Jason inches behind me all the way up the stairs and down the hallway. I find the intricately carved door, with vines patterned into the wood. Tapping my fingernails on the solid oak, I hear the solid thump of a sound proofed door. Quickly turning the doorknob, I spin back to Jason. He hasn't moved, he's still standing there hands in his back pockets, with his head tilted slightly, studying me. Playing on his lips is a small smile: lips that I've kissed, lips that I've enjoyed kissing. Realizing how strange I must look: standing there staring at him, I blush. Looking down at my bare feet on the plush carpet, I turn without a word and take off down the hallway.

"Hannah?" He asks; his voice surprisingly melodious. I spin back to him, more surprised than anything. He doesn't seem cocky or arrogant, or even flirtatious. He just seems normal. Normal is extremely wierd.

"Yeah" I respond, a little hesitant, my voice warbling. There's tension in the air as I roll my toes in the carpet, feeling the silken fibers. I blink, trying to find out what's really happening.

"I think you should know: I honestly tried to back you up tonight." He half smiles; a little regretful. It's uncanny thinking that Jason, of all people, has regrets and feels guilt. I guess with all the bravado, I miss the genuine Jason.

"Yeah I know." I reassure him, Jason acts like a lot of things, but I knew I could trust him once the job started. Don't ask me how I know, but I do. Maybe it's what I know about his upbringing, but I know that Jason wouldn't cross that line and screw up the job. With a pleasant smile, I turn back, and start to make my way down the long hallway to my room.

"Wait, Hannah!" He calls, meeting me in a few strides. I blink, turning around to meet him. His sneakers skid to a stop inches short of my bare toes. My eyes are level with his chin and I tilt my head back to look up at him. He takes a little step forward and I step back, he steps forward, and I step back, over and over, till I'm flush against the wall. He braces his hand next to my face and leans a bit closer. I brace my hands on the intricately carved door, my nails biting into the wood. I swallow, trying to get my heart to move out of my throat and back into my chest, where it belongs.

"Really Hannah, I know I haven't exactly acted like the most… trustworthy person, but you should know: you can always trust me." He promises, making my heart do funny little somersaults in my chest. I raise an eyebrow at him, the fact that I'm skeptical clear. He leans a bit closer to me in response, his minty breath gently brushing my face. "I mean it; I really am a good guy." I can practically feel the adrenaline pumping through my veins, triggering my fight or flight reflex.

"Yeah, I'm sure." I can't help the sarcastic tone that creeps into my voice. Sliding out from under him, I practically sprint down the hallway. When I finally look up from my feet, where I've been staring to avoid looking at Jason, I spot Liam standing at the end of the hallway, in clear view of Jason's door. Of all the rotten tricks…Liam swallows, and crosses his arms over his chest.

"Peter wants to talk to you." His voice is hard and cold as he speaks to me. He never talks to me like this. I flinch and bite my lip. He's been like my brother since the day I arrived I know that a lot of things have changed since we were little, but I don't see why that has to change.

"I thought he said we'd talk in the morning." Liam pinches the bridge of his nose, a sure sign that he's stressed. He shakes his head at my comment.

"Not all of us, just you." He clarifies, before brushing past me and ambling down the hallway and around the corner, towards his room. If I ever had any doubts about the meaning of the phrase "cold shoulder" they're gone now. I glance over my shoulder towards Jason's room, which is firmly shut. The little toad stool. I bite my lip and scramble down the stairs, heading for the study.

He's waiting for me, a disappointed expression on his face. Peter sighs when I close the door to his study behind me.

"Oh Hannah" He rubs his temples with his fingers. "Do I need to change the plan or can I rely on you?" He demands and I flinch, his words hurting more than a slap. I swallow, my stomach sinking.

"I'm sorry about tonight." Pathetically, my voice cracks. I haven't been lectured like this since I was little. Sure, I've heard him list off the same complaints to Liam when he pulled some stunt, but he never, ever has had to say this to me.

"I don't need an apology from you I need a change." I nod; a little ashamed. I let my frustration at being ignored get the better of me tonight. I suppose it was a disaster waiting to happen, 'little Hannah, breaking out of her shell". That's what James would say anyway. I've always been the rock, the stable one, in the group. Peter was the one that kept us together, but I could always be relied on to keep a cool head in any situation. I don't even know what's happening. Glancing up at Peter, I see his eyes soften slightly. His fidgeting hand stills on his desk and he frowns thoughtfully.

"If you want… I could have Liam give you a hand, a few tips…." He trails off, noticing my mortified expression. Having Liam teach me how to flirt would be torture, oh lord heavenly father help me please, I cannot think of a more embarrassing pastime. I don't care if he's a professional con artist; he's also my surrogate brother. I wouldn't even know how to phrase it.

"No it's fine: I'll just figure it out on my own." I mumble, edging towards the door. I don't think I've ever felt my face turn this bright red. Peter swallows and drums his fingers on his desk, torn between letting the awkward conversation end and his duty to make sure the job gets done. He nods silently before shuffling some papers, letting me know that I've been dismissed. Blushing, and staring at my bare feet, I pad outside of the study and dash into the hallway.

Really, when you think about it, I'm a very stupid genius. Proving my point perfectly, I collide with Jason, sending us both stumbling backwards. Gaining my balance quickly, I glare at him. He doesn't seem fazed in the slightest, instead he just slides his hand into the back pockets of his jeans and rocks back on his heels. I cross my arms over my chest, shoving down the anxiety and humiliation I'm feeling. Jason doesn't get to see me like this.

"He read you the riot act, didn't he?" Jason guesses, smiling sympathetically just a bit. It must take such an effort for him to keep from smirking. I know I'm angry because of my mistake: but Jason's just such a lovely outlet for frustration.

"What do you think?" I sneer; I'd so much rather be angry at Jason than breakdown in tears. Jason gives up and finally smirks, stepping forward with those extremely long legs of his. I scramble away, my back colliding with the wall beside the door to Peter's study.

"I think" He starts, before leaning closer to me. "That he just told you that you're out of control, and you need to fix it." He prods, before bracing his hand next to my side, so he can lean in even closer. "Then he suggested that you go to Liam for help flirting with Franks." I really hate how good he is at guessing. "And now you're humiliated, and are wondering how're you're going to learn something it takes normal girl years to perfect, in a single night."

I bite my lip, despite his flirty demeanor; his words are cutting me to the core. I blink, stunned and unable to come up with a scathing retort. "So I'm here to offer my services." He smirks and I finally regain my senses. Raising my foot, to slam it into his, I hesitate, knowing Peter would be livid if I injured a member of the team the night before a job. Realizing an alternate route, I decide to take his advice, hell it's less weird than flirting with Liam for practice.

Reaching up, as he's a few inches taller than me, I fiddle with his shirt collar and tilt my head, staring into his lovely rich brown eyes. Rising on my tip toes, I lean in like I'm going to kiss him, before moving clumsily to the side and whispering in his ear.

"And what services would that be?" I murmur, I feel stupid but I can see the blush on his face. I don't have a clue what I'm doing but Jason doesn't seem to notice. It's fun being the one in control for a change. Hmm maybe this temptress thing isn't as difficult as it seems. It's only when Jason's hot hand lands on my neck that I realize the flaw in my plan: hormones and the y chromosome.