Back in London a few days later:
Eliot and Quinn head into a night club. Eliot has no idea why there are there. Eliot realizes that Quinn may know Shelley so Eliot keeps Shelley in tow at a safe distance. He is no longer taking any chances with those who matter so very much to him. He intentionally keeps Shelley is just far enough away not to draw Quinn's attention.
What none of them realize is that Aria is in her watch tower. Aria watches the men in her life closely. It is then that she realizes that Quinn and Eliot are not the only two of her boys present. She spies Shelley at the bar and that puts a kink into her plan.
It is a time for contingencies, to get into the club, Shelley would have to be unarmed and hell Eliot, he is always unarmed at this stage of the game. Now, Quinn with his present posse,he doesn't need to be armed but is likely heavily armed since this is one of Damien's clubs. Aria shivers that the thought of having been with that rat bastard but she digresses in her thoughts and needs to refocus on an exit strategy for Shelley. Shelley is what she has to worry about. If Moriarty's men make Shelley, there will be problems and she much prefers him quite alive and well.
Shelley almost didn't recognize Aria as she crossed the club. She is dressed in all black with an electric pink skirt and electric pink bobbed hair. Needless to say it is a new look for his paramilitary Barbie. It's a new look for her but she blends in perfectly with her raver urban camo. The fact that Aria is headed towards him alerts Shelley that this is a dangerous situation and not a social call; there are bad guys about.
Aria pulls Shelley to the dance floor, she circles in wrapping her arms around Shelley in a seductive fashion as she whispers to him that he has been made by Quinn's men. When the time is right, Aria leans in kissing Shelley passionately while slipping a gun into his jacket. The kiss catches Shelley off guard. He wasn't expecting it and wasn't expecting to… like it so much. Then out of the blue… the scream, the slap across the face followed by Aria's drink thrown in his face… All Shelley can think to himself is "Damn Aria… a freaking dirty martini… I hate olives…" as Shelley quickly focuses his mind back to the task. Aria is going to get him out of there by getting him thrown out of there. It has been awhile since has been in an old fashioned bar fight but, hell, that is half the fun. The distraction of the fight is enough to keep Quinn's men from recognizing Shelley . The bouncers quickly round up Shelley and remove him from the club. Aria disappears as quickly as she appeared.
Shelley figures out where Aria is from the key that Aria slipped into his jacket with the gun the and decides it is time to check in with Aria. She just saved his ass… again. Shelley lets himself into her hotel room. Aria is across the suite, Aria doesn't even look over her shoulder at the sound of the door. She knows it is Shelley. Again, Aria manages to shock Shelley. Her long hair is now quite short. Aria only cuts her hair like this when she is pulled into black ops. It makes it easier to change disguises and it makes it easier to be a sniper.
He walks up behind Aria running his fingers through the back of her hair. "Wardrobe change… Ms. Stephani?" Aria looks back with a smile and pinches her fingers together. Shelley nudges her shoulder as he pulls away. "I dug the wig… Neon pink was kind of hot." Shelley winks at Aria with a boyish grin. "but the olives, seriously, you know I hate olives.?"
Aria smiles at the response. Shelley realizes that he must have some blood on his head as Aria walks over running her fingers up his forehead and touches. Shelley winces at the touch. He can smell her perfume as her wrist passes across his face. Aria sits him on the bed and walks into he bathroom to get a wet cloth from the bath. The conversation with Eliot rattles around his brain. He looks up at Aria as she wipes off the blood from his forehead. Aria is sitting inches away from him, her steel grey eyes meet his with a smile when she realizes that he is staring at her. Something comes over Shelley as Aria pauses for a moment. Shelley wraps his hands around the edges of Aria's face pulling her into a deep and passionate kiss.
The kiss actually startled Aria, but this was Shelley. She tempered her reaction to pull away. It has been a long time since someone kissed her like that. After a few moments of passionate kissing, Shelley stops and second guesses himself. "Aria… God… I'm sorry." There is a look of panic across Shelley's expression.
Aria smiles at him with a bite to her lip as she runs her fingers through the side of his hair. This answer matters. She can't help but smile. "I'm not." Shelley smiles back at her as Aria resumes the passionate kisses. Shelley had wondered about this for so long and here he is alone with her. The only thought going through his head is "don't screw this up."
Aria gets lost in the moment. This is a rare moment for her and she takes a chance. Aria unbuttons Shelley's shirt as she gently lays her head on his chest. Shelley pulls her close into a warm embrace placing his chin on the top of her head. He is unsure of how to proceed in this situation. This has run through his head so many times but he never thought... thought that Aria would allow this. Aria holds onto Shelley bathing in the warmth of his skin. This is someone she cares about… who cares about her.
She knows how much Shelley just wants to connect with another person. She instinctively knows what he wants at this moment… what he needs. Sex he can get… he wants a connection… He wants to feel loved and for Aria, that is easy with Shelley. She has a decades long relationship with him. Aria loves him, she loves all of them.
The passion between them begins to accelerate. For a brief moment Aria thinks back to Eliot. This is so similar but so different than Paris. Shelley quickly snaps her back to the reality of this moment with his touch. Shelley had been with her at one of the worst moments of her life. She never forgot how he wrapped his shirt around her as they cut her down. He never said a word. He let her just be and was just there… there when she needed to break down and let go. For that alone… she would give him whatever he needs.
They lay wrapped in each other and the covers, lost in the moment of no return. He looks down almost in shock. "Did you just say my name?" For as long as he can remember, Aiden Sheldon… became Shelley. He hasn't heard his own name from anyone other than his mother in years. Aria leans down with a kiss. "I guess I did…" She winks at him. Shelley thinks to himself: Wow… I didn't know if she actually knew my name. This can't get any better. He loves the sound of the stutter in Aria's breathing and basks in the thought that it truly just got better.
Shelley is astounded by how natural Aria feels. Her every movement matches his own. She feels incredible. Her fingers through his hair on to his skin. How beautiful she looked when he rolled her on top of him. How she held his hands lost in the movement of their bodies. He had wanted her for so long… and now he was with her. As he makes love to her, the images of their relationship flood his mind. They drive the intensity of his movements. He can literally feel her heartbeat… the changes in her breathing. The little sounds that she is trying to hold back… the little moans of pleasure. He is lost in the ecstasy of the moment. Aria pushes into him heightening the already intense pleasure. He collapses on her gently kissing her lips. Her legs and arms wrap him in the warmth of her body. He can't remember ever feeling like this. He has been with more women that he truly cares to admit… this one… this amazing woman… has gotten to him… mind, body and soul over a decade. She has woven her way into his heart.