A/N: So a lot has changed since I first began this story...over a year ago. Mostly my style of writing. There is a slight difference from chapter one to chaper nine. I've got a lot of support and help and suggestions along the way to improve the story from some great ladies: Niagaraweasel, Cedricsowner, and Scarlet Garter. All three of these ladies are amazingly talented and very giving of their time...as most already know from the great work they've done here in Human Target ff. I have the utmost respect for all three.

Niagaraweasel is an amazing beta reader because not only is she great at catching mistakes she also has this amazing ability to take a rather boring paragraph and add some zing to it, thank you girl! This chapter would not be here if it wasn't for her...and not be nearly as good.

Cedricsowner is tireless in her great stories and it seems effortless to her, but she always has time for suggestions and helpful ideas and just all around great support. You are amazing and you are pure inspiration!

Scarlet Garter, I hope I've managed to apply some of her amazing critique as I've tried to grow since chapter one.


Disclaimer: I don't own Human Target and intend no copyright infringement.

Chapter 9

From the moment she had laid eyes on the sunken jacuzzi, Allyson's only goal had been getting Chance in there with her. And now they were almost there…

She was banking on him just going with the flow. Moving backwards, drawing him with her, she stopped when she felt the rim of the tub behind her. Now all she needed to do was take one more step into the warm water and bring Chance with her.

Chance was smiling at her, but there was also a hint of hesitation in his eyes, while she gently tugged at his belt loops. For some reason he couldn't shake an uneasy feeling that had taken root in the back of his mind. It was strange…. Why should he resist a situation like this one: the damsel in distress a beautiful, willing woman… he couldn't ask for a better assignment. Usually. But despite the alluring picture Allyson presented, something just didn't feel right. His professional instinct was nagging at him, but why? They had confirmed that Allyson was definitely in real danger. He reasoned his instinct had to be off this time, probably he had his wires crossed because of the tension between him and Ilsa. Just this once he'd allow himself to dismiss his instinct, even though it was something he had trained himself never to do. He had to stay at Allyson's side at all times. Leaving the side of someone he had vowed to protect was a mistake he had only made once. Since Katherine's death he never let a client out of his sight.

"You realize I'm still wearing…". Before Chance could finish his sentence, Allyson lost her footing and began to fall backwards, dragging Chance with her. He immediately switched to protection mode, twisting around so that he'd hit the water first and she'd land safely on top of him.

For a moment, Allyson's weight completely pushed him under. When he surfaced again, sputtering, Allyson was giggling like a schoolgirl, since he was still half dressed and now completely soaked. He only gave her a sarcastic grin, as he pulled himself up onto the bench running around the inner rim of the tub. Allyson remained sitting on his legs and just wiggled with him.

Suddenly Chance became aware of a dull pain in the back of his head. He reached up to find the source of the pain and winced when his fingers came in contact with it.

Allyson's smile vanished and her eyes widened. " Oh God, Chance, you're hurt!"

"It's nothing. Probably hit my head when we fell." He pulled his hand away, glad to find no blood on his fingers.

"I'll get you an ice pack." Allyson slid off his lap and glided to the edge of the Jacuzzi, but stopped and turned back to Chance when she noticed his attempt to follow her. She placed a hand on his bare wet chest and with gentle force pushed him back down.

"Now that you're already wet you might as well stay in here with me and relax," she argued. "You probably shouldn't move too quickly just after banging your head, expecially in hot water." He narrowed his eyes at her but said nothing as he relaxed back down.

Once satisfied that he wouldn't leave, Allyson turned and stepped out of the tub. "Oh, and you might also want to remove the rest of your clothes, get more comfortable," she commented over her shoulder.

A few moments later she returned with a handful of ice cubes wrapped in a face cloth from the bathroom – just in time to see him toss his wet jeans, shoes and socks off to the side.

She smiled approvingly as she stepped back into the jacuzzi. She sat down beside him and gently pressed her makeshift ice pack against the back of his head, making sure to maintain as much skin contact as she possibly could. After all, every move she made was a strategic plan to seduce Chance. She was confident no red-blooded male would be able to resist.

"There, how does that feel?" she asked, gently brushing a strand of blond wet hair away from his face and looking deep into his eyes.

"Much better," he said with a grateful look in his eyes. "Thanks."

And it was nice to have soft, gentle, female hands take care of him instead of the usually rough and not exactly sympathetic hands of Guerrero, but admitting that to Allyson would probably not be a good idea right now.

Chance gave her a lopsided smile that made her shiver. For a few moments neither of them said anything. Allyson allowed her eyes to linger on his chest above the water. Her eyes became quite sad and she tilted her head in wonder. "So many scars….." she said softly, reaching out and tracing one particular scar that was half concealed in the light dusting of chest hair.

Chance didn't respond. He was feeling the relaxing effect of the heat and slid his body deeper into the tub, until only his shoulders remained above the water. The jacuzzi was positioned so that nothing obstructed the view of the stars and Chance silently stared into the night sky. Allyson had been right, the warmth of the water and the pressure from the underwater jets felt good on his body. He was still a little sore from the opera ordeal.

Allyson would never have thought that it would be so difficult to seduce Chance. She found herself becoming more than just a little annoyed. It had to be that Ilsa woman. Allyson had known that there was something there from the moment Chance had walked out of the kitchen back at the warehouse. Partners my ass, she thought. She rested her elbow on the side of the pool and her head on her hand, as she silently studied Chance as he stared up at the stars.

"You know, I was actually surprised to find you still alive," she finally broke the silence.

Her comment woke Chance from his thoughts and he turned his head to look at her questioningly. The evening air was cool compared to the temperature of the water, creating a thin cloud of steam that hovered over the pool.

"You seem to have no fear," she explained. "I watched you when you saved my life, recklessly throwing yourself into one dangerous situation after another without a second thought."

Chance just gave a little shrug and looked back at the stars.

Despite Chance's obvious disinterest in participating in the conversation Allyson went on. "When I met with Winston after you disappeared from the courthouse steps, I realized that what you did to protect me was simply all in a day's work for you. I've thought a lot about you over the last two years. Every so often there'd be a news story about some poor person miraculously saved from a dangerous, certain-death situation against all odds, often with a lot of collateral damage. Eye witnesses sometimes spoke of a mysterious blond hero that saved the day and disappeared before the police arrived. Every person that you saved knows that that mystery man is you." She bit her lip watching for his response.

There wasn't much of one. Chance just looked back at her again with a very subdued look. "Could have been someone else," he tried to deflect her comment. He wasn't really interested in talking about himself. What he really wanted to do was check on Ilsa, but he knew he shouldn't leave Allyson's side. And he didn't want to check on Ilsa with Allyson in tow, there was enough tension between them already. So he stayed put.

Allyson let out a sigh. When she had suggested that the heat of the jacuzzi would help them relax, she hadn't meant for Chance to lose all interest in her. Every once in a while he'd close his eyes for a few moments. She was worried he'd actually fall asleep on her. Obviously a highly trained ex-assassin-turned-bodyguard wasn't your everyday red-blooded male.

Maybe he should finish his drink. Allyson slowly began to glide over to the edge of the tub. Her unexpected movement made Chance open his eyes. He turned his head and watched her as she stepped out of the tub and walked over to the railing where they had left their drinks. She picked them up and came back into the tub, handing Chance his drink. He immediately began to sip it.

Allyson snuggled close beside him and he instinctively moved his arm and put it around her shoulders. That's much better, she thought. They sat silently for a few minutes enjoying the warm water, the stars and their drinks. Being held in Chance's arms made Allyson's heart race. His strength mixed with a perfect amount of tenderness made her feel safe and secure. She was not about to give that up again.

"Nothing good ever comes from office romances. You know that, right?"

"I beg your pardon?" Allyson's words once again pulled Chance from his thoughts, thoughts that were actually a few floors above them. Not this again, Chance thought as he let out a heavy sigh and removed his arms from around her. He did not want to talk about Ilsa! Period!

Chance downed the rest of his drink and moved to get out of the tub. "Allyson, I think we'd better try to get a few hours sleep. I'm going to take a shower. You need to come inside and lock the door." He stepped out of the tub, leaving a stunned Allyson behind. When she didn't follow, he turned around again. "You don't have to be afraid; I'll keep the bathroom door open ,so I can still hear you. You won't really be alone. I'll be quick and I promise you'll be safe."

Allyson felt like his blue eyes pierced right through her. She was getting angry and the emotion was starting to show on her face. Could he really be that clueless? It wasn't fear that was making her hesitate. But then Chance gave her a little grin, before he turned and walked inside. So he probably had a very good clue, he might just be getting a little better at reading women…

Allyson slapped her hands on the water in frustration and grudgingly left the tub to follow Chance inside, locking the balcony door behind her.


Ilsa couldn't shake the strange feeling she had; almost like she was being watched. Ridiculous…. She brushed the feeling off as she closed the door of her hotel room after tipping the staff that brought her an expensive merlot.

She walked over to the open patio door, the silk of her nightgown flowing in the evening air. What a beautiful night, she thought as she stepped out onto the balcony with a breathtaking view of the harbor.

She slowly sipped her wine, leaning on the balcony railing and letting the soft breeze from the see kiss her skin. She was deep in thought, her mind going in several directions at once and her emotions in turmoil. She desperately tried to keep her mind off what might be happening a few floors down in Chance's room with Allyson. It was pretty much an impossible feat though. She was pretty sure she knew what Allyson's intentions were as far as Chance was concerned. And a part of her couldn't really blame Allyson. It was her own fault; how many times had she pushed Chance away….

She shook her head and took a big sip of her wine, before she turned and went back into her room, closing and locking the door behind her. She pulled the drapes and walked over to her bathroom. But something made her stop in mid-stride. She froze on the spot, unsure if she wanted to turn around. Finally she half-heartedly glanced over her shoulder, smiling to herself when she saw nothing out of the ordinary. It's all in your mind, she told herself and continued to the bathroom.

Outside, a dark shadow moved cautiously and quickly across her window.