Buffy stood in front of the wall of windows in the pristine living room watching the storm over the Seattle skyline. The lights shimmered in the heavy rain. The thunder rumbled through the clouds, it was a soothing sound. She shivered and wrapped her arms around herself. Her wet hair dampened the button up she took from the dresser, adding to the chill.

Her thoughts churned from the night's events, she couldn't relax. Someone knew about her, sent someone to kill her. It was an uneasy feeling to know that someone may have have been watching her, that someone may have followed her here.

Christian stood at the edge of the hallway. There was slight flutter in his stomach seeing her in his shirt. The back barely hung over her bottom. He could've watched her all night, the lightning caressing her shape between rolls of thunder. "Couldn't sleep, Miss Summers?"

Her shoulders shook by the surprise. She turned, her face was hot. Of course. She wanted to kick herself for not slipping on pants before coming out here. She expected she'd be back into the guest room before he awoke. "Not even a little." She squeezed her cold legs together. He was still without a shirt, she noticed. Why can't you put on a shirt? She whined to herself.

"Can I do anything for you?" It was a loaded question - they were both burning with emptiness.

She dug her nails into her elbows and shook her head. "I'm good. Thanks. I'm just still on edge. How did he know about me? Where I was staying? Did he follow me to Seattle or did I get on someone's radar? I feel- weird."

Christian sat down on the living chair facing her. His face serious. The lightning lit her silhouette and he dug his fingers into his knees. "I've been looking into this mystery for a year, it's not a secret. There's a few people that would know you have been contracted." He scowled. "I do not trust easily, Miss Summers, so I'll know in a few hours exactly who's betrayed me."

"I can't tell if that makes me feel better or worse." Her muscles were tense, her jaw still sore. "I should probably try to get some rest for tomor- well, later today." She walked between the furniture, her legs bare, much closer to him than she could handle.

"Wait, what's going on today?"

She looked back at him. "Um, patrolling for more vampires." Buffy spoke slowly, confused that he he already forgot her job here.

Christian stood up quickly and faced her. "No. You think I'm going to let you out there after what just happened?"

Buffy's hands fell at her sides, her brain taking an extra second to process what he had said to her. "You think this is the first time I've been punched in the face?" Her condescending laugh echoed through the living room. "I've been through much worse than this."

"Maybe so, but I don't want to see it get any worse. You're staying here. Welch will keep guard when I'm not around."

Her face was red with rage now. I'm not your wife. I'm not just some submissive little girl. "Let's get one thing straight, Mr. Grey," she spat his name, "I am a Slayer. This is what I do, I hunt down vampires, demons and whatever else goes bump in the night. Sometimes I get hurt, but I'm not some little girl that needs sheltered." She had inched towards him as her voice rose.

Christian looked down at her, his mouth twisted with annoyance. "Well what am I supposed to do when you come here in the middle of the night bruised up? Nothing? Just let you get beat up?" You're so stubborn.

Control freak. "I didn't come here to cower."

"Then why did you come here? Of all the places in Seattle, why here? Why wake me up at 4am and scare the shit out of me?" His skin ached at the warmth of her body, inches away from his.

"You think I had a choice? You think I wanted to come here. I had nowhere else to go!"

"Another hotel!"

Buffy paused and swallowed hard. "Yeah, no, you're right. You're my boss, this is weird. I'm just gonna get my stuff." She stepped back and retreated into the hall.

Christian stood still in confusing at the sudden end of the argument. The look on her face had seared his thoughts. It was only a brief second, but he saw the blatant hurt on her face. Why do I even care? He took a deep breath, he ran his fingers through his hair. He started down the hallway.

"Oh." Buffy nearly ran into him as she rushed out of the guestroom.

He stepped back, she was already fully dressed, her duffle bag slung on her shoulder. His chest pounded. Stay. Christian tried to speak, but his voice failed him.

"Let me know what you find out. I'll text you the new hotel info. If there are vampires following me, they won't be now that the sun is rising." The hallway felt small as she moved passed him.

"You don't have to leave."

She paused and looked up. Christian clenched his jaw as she stood close to the red room. He wanted to reach around her, unlock the door and push her inside. His thoughts swirled as his gaze traced her swollen lips. He wanted to show her a million reasons to stay - a million reasons not to leave him.

"No, it's okay. I'll see ya later."

He watched her leave, every step she took toward the elevator was a pang of regret. But she was right, he was her boss. And she was trying to hero him uncover the murder of his dead wife. He cringed at the whirlwind of emotions. The elevator chime lifted him from the haze of dark thoughts. She was gone.