CHAPTER TWELVE

Three hours of being strip searched, questioned, arrested, and then questioned all over again regarding the location of the bomb that never even existed in the first place, a very pissed off Tala was finally released from the police station with the aid of Bryan.

In fact, Julia was in pretty much the same situation and Raul and Romero were at the station as well, filling out forms, asking for explanations and giving explanations. Of course since she was female, she was treated way less harshly than her male counterpart.

All of this because some anonymous imbecile had reported 'something suspicious' in Julia's hotel room.

F-Dynasty and the two members of the Russian team took a single taxi back to the hotel: the team of three because that's where they were residing during the tournament, Bryan and Tala because they had to pick up the car and Dylan from Mathilda's.

When they got home it was already time for dinner, but instead of joining the rest of the team in the kitchen, the redhead isolated himself in his room. The meal was eaten mostly in a state of uproar as members of the Blitzkrieg Boys wondered why such a thing had happened and who could have done such a thing.

How startlingly naive of them – didn't they know they were living, breathing, sharing the same cups and plates, and bunking with the devil?

It was Ian who had finally changed the route of the conversation: "Did anyone take pictures from the formal or the party last night?"

The blonde raised an arm, "I did. They're on my camera," She spooned some of her food, "I'll put them up on Facebook."

Finishing up, the bluenette headed upstairs to pick up a few tools for his cars from his room. Exiting his room, he dumped the things in the hallway while he relieved himself in the washroom. It was in the middle of urinating he felt the bathroom door click open. "Ian, get the fuck out of here," He remarked; he never really locked doors, no one in the house did, and thus walking in on people and hurriedly pardoning themselves – or laughing at the other person just to make them feel more awkward – was common in the household.

But when there was no sort of reply and he didn't hear the door close, he looked over his shoulder only to be, well, devastated – for lack of words – by Dylan's presence.

She had seen it.

She had seen the snake out of its' cage.

She had seen the car out of its' garage.

She had seen...his thingy.

And she wasn't leaving. In fact, with her turquoise eyes as wide as saucers, her mouth open in disbelief, one hand placed over her chest in astonishment, she leaned over slightly to get an even better look. The uncomfortable sensation could not be described for Kai. He couldn't even shield himself without having pee fly everywhere; how unsightly that would be.

As he quickly zipped up and flushed, she finally snapped out of it. Well, almost. Washing his hands, he didn't bother glaring at her or saying anything – this was one of those situations that would be best if ignored and forgotten and never to be mentioned ever, ever, ever again. To anyone. Not even God.

That didn't mean she didn't have any opinion: "Honey, that thing is a blessing."

Acting as if she wasn't even there, he quietly and casually checked out of the washroom. Grabbing his pile of things, he journeyed to the garage. That was quite possibly the most ridiculous episode of his life – he was sure it topped Tala getting arrested for being a 'terrorist'.

The phoenix almost laughed; did Tala seriously think he had it bad? Because if so, the redhead must have been a goddamn pussy. What Kai had been put through by Dylan for the past couple of days couldn't even be compared to a little name calling, refusal of orders, and bitchy attitude the older Ivanov was dealing with.

And she was just such a dirty little slut. Heck, even Tala knew his sister was a skank, he just couldn't admit it. The number of guys she must have been with probably surpassed the number of numbers that existed in the numerical system. She was one of those girls that a guy would love to spend one night with but definitely not wifey material.

Popping the hood open, he took a look inside for perhaps the trillionth time that week. Slight progress was made when Kai discovered it really wasn't an engine problem. He was stunned further when he realized it was, as Dylan had hinted, a transmission problem.

But he wasn't happy. It was just plain embarrassing for him. He was a guy, a specie known for its' extensive – and unnecessary – knowledge of automobiles and all things electronics. That her clues were even correct made him feel very inadequate; it made him angry, really. He didn't ask for help, he didn't need help, and he sure as hell didn't want it. He could take care of the problem. Besides, he knew a lot more about cars than the average guy did; this was just a slight little issue he was having that he knew he could overcome.

To hell with a mechanic and Tala and Ian's criticism.

Before he could get started, he could hear someone running around the house, the footwork getting closer to the garage. Looking towards the door, he waited until to his annoyance, it was Dylan all over again. Except this time she had his iPhone with her and as it rung, she held it out, "Someone's calling you,"

Snatching the phone out of her hands roughly, he checked the caller ID before answering the call, "What do you want Tyson?"

"Yo Kai! A bunch of us are going out for drinks, wanna come?"

"A bunch?"

"Yeah!"

"Such as..."

"Me, Hilary, Max, Mariah, Ray, and Kenny,"

With the phone still held to his ear, Kai glanced over at his car that he had planned to make more love to. Ahh, fuck the car tonight, the mention of Hilary had him sold, "Hn," He turned his attention back to the phone, "Give me the time and place," With the details, the conversation came to an end.

"So what'd he say?"

"None of your business," He stated without eye contact. As he began leaving the garage, the blonde chased after.

"I know it was Tyson. Does that mean Hilary is going?"

"None of your -"

"If you want alone time with Hilary, I can keep Tyson busy for you again,"

He didn't say anything to her. Instead, Dylan only followed the stoic nineteen year old up the stairs, pausing when he had stopped by her brother's room. Without bothering with a knock, she watched him poke his head inside, "I'm taking your car out," Whether Tala was asleep and hadn't heard the declaration didn't seem to bother Kai much. Finally, just as the blonde was about to head back downstairs to watch TV with Ian and Spencer, the bluenette had given her a newfound purpose: "Go get ready."

Of course, between watching TV and going out for drinks with the tab on Kai – or Tyson, depending – she'd picked the latter. Some heels, dark skinnies, a strapless teal top that cupped the girls and flowed out baby doll style, and she was ready to hit the lounge.

As for him, some jeans, an unbuttoned plaid shirt with a white tee underneath, sleeves slightly rolled up and some Jordans was his choice. And his choice was very much like his hair: careless, a little messy and undone, and looked very good on him.

Think Shia Labeouf.

"You and you are going out?" Ian raised a brow as Kai opened the door.

"Do you have a problem?"

The indigo haired boy rolled his eyes at the retort from his teammate and just went back to watching the news channel. Outside, Kai approached the Supra only to have Dylan jog in front of him and get into the driver's seat, locking the door in the process. Grinning, she nodded her head over to the passenger seat.

"What are you doing?" Came the understandable enquiry as the bluenette got in.

"Um hello?" She jingled the keys before starting up the car, "Now you're gonna be Mr. GPS for me,"

"Do you even know how to drive?"

"You have to be more specific, hun: do I know how to drive a car? Or do I know how to drive you?" Not waiting for an answer, she reversed out of the driveway and glanced over at him, "Because I can do both, the second if you give me permission,"

"Permission declined, always and forever,"

She chuckled and drove slowly to the stoplights in the neighbourhood, "So which way?"

"First of all," He rested an elbow by the window and held onto the handle above, "What's happening now isn't happening, meaning, Tala will never know that you were driving,"

"He'll never know I was driving the car or he'll never know I was driv -"

"The car," He was quick to clarify before moving onto the next prompt, "Second, we'll be taking the highway so unless you're not afraid, I suggest we switch seats,"

"Do I look like Testicle-less Tala to you? There's a reason my parents named him 'Tala' and me 'Dylan' when we all know it should have been the other way around; they knew I'd have more balls than him without even physically having balls,"

"Third, we're late," He turned away from her and returned his gaze to the road ahead, "And this is a 'fast car',"

Understanding what he was trying to get at, she smirked. She started her drive again and waited for further instructions on which route to take. Entering the highway, she noticed the difference between Los Angeles and Russia in a heartbeat: the roads weren't smothered with cars, no smog stretching across the horizon – yes it was night time but when it came to haze, nothing compared to L.A. – and no palm trees. And she was taking full advantage of that of course! Speeding where opportunity was given, cutting across cars she felt were too slow, squeezing in between the tiniest spaces, and changing a whole bunch of lanes in one move.

x x x

Laughter, jokes – both corny and dirty – and good times made up the elements at the booth Tyson and the rest were at. No one was drunk...yet...but they were all at that 'feel good' stage. The seating arrangement was very simple: two seats decent for up to five people separated by a small table in the middle for drinks. While Tyson, Hilary, and Mariah occupied one seat, the other was taken up by Max, Ray, and Kenny.

Holding onto the world champ's hand, Hilary giggled at the most recent joke – courtesy of Max – and rested her head on Tyson's shoulder. While he was too busy laughing, Mariah only nudged the brunette, winking in the process.

Maybe tonight would finally be the night when Hilary confessed her 'undying love' for Tyson and Tyson would realize 'hey, yeah, me too!' and they'd engage in a sappy romantic kiss to seal the deal.

The vision of the miracle was cut short, however, when Mariah spotted Kai entering the lounge in the distance...with Dylan right by him. Right away the pinkette tapped her friend and motioned towards the blonde, a look of horrification replacing Hilary's features.

"Hey! There's Kai!" Tyson announced, standing up. As Kai only 'hn-ed' at his ex-teammate, Dylan wrapped her arms around the hat clad blader.

"You look really good, Tyson," The tone was undoubtedly flirtatious and as she discreetly pulled him over to the opposite seat, Kai took the cue to take up Tyson's now empty seat and sit beside Hilary.

"So guys, you probably met her last night," The dragon begun, "But this is Dylan,"

"Hey," Kenny adjusted his glasses, "You're Tala's sister,"

"Unluckily," She expressed evident detest. Waving off the matter, she grinned and looked around, "So who wants to do shots?"

And so it began.

Rounds and rounds of cocktails, martinis, beers, jagerbombs, shots, Red Bull vodkas, and anything and everything were ordered. And Dylan was doing an excellent job at keeping Tyson 'busy'. While she coiled a piece of his navy hair around her finger flirtatiously and made sure that his attention was on her and only her, the Russian on the other seat decided to take advantage of the situation.

Well at least he tried. Every other second the brunette would lean over and whisper something into Mariah's ear and vice versa. "So how've you been, Kai?" At last, she'd taken notice to the Blitzkrieg Boy beside her.

"Well,"

"That's good. How about the rest of the team?"

"They're all fine,"

"Oh, that's good too," Hilary smiled to which he gave a brief nod before taking a swig of his beer, "So since this is my first time in Russia, do you recommend any places for me to see?"

"You're sitting in one,"

"Oh,"

"It's in all probability the most popular place to be on a Friday or Saturday night,"

"Oh, that's interesting. Did you -" When she failed to finish what she was going to say, Kai raised a brow at her before following her ruby orbs to the seat ahead of them. The display of Tyson and Dylan kissing wasn't surprising for him but it had upset Hilary.

In fact, if Kai was able to judge correctly, she looked like she was about to cry. Before that could happen, Mariah got to her feet, "Alright guys," She pulled Hilary to a stand as well, "We have to go,"

"Already?" Max asked, "None of us have a battle tomorrow. We can stay a while longer,"

The pink haired girl smiled, "You guys stay. Hilary and I have to wake up early in the morning to do something," And with the barter of goodbyes, the two girls made their leave from the lounge.

x x x

"But...I can," Came the slurred beginning of whatever she was trying to say to him, "...drive...ing..."

Indifferent about the situation, Kai continued to hold onto and drag the blonde out of the lounge and towards the parking lot. They found their car and while she leaned against the frame, he felt both his pockets for the keys by habit before remembering Dylan had drove. "Give me the keys,"

"Obama said we can,"

Exasperated, he made a noise of frustration before holding her by the shoulders, "You're drunk, you can't drive, and it's not even my car. Now give me the keys," He watched her reach into her little purse, pull out the keys, and rattle them in front of his face. He made a grab for them but was surprised when she pulled them back and in a fast move, tucked them down her top.

Kai exhaled out loudly, "Just give them to me,"

"Go fetch,"

Was she being serious? Was he seriously expected to shove his hand down her top? Was that appropriate? Was it even legal? Oh, let the law and inappropriateness be damned; he reached in while looking the other way but when she grabbed a hold of her chest and began giggling uncontrollably he stopped feeling around.

"What is it this time?"

"You're tickling my boob,"

Oh for God's sake...this was so wrong on so many different levels. He tried once more, she laughed again of course, but this time he just got out the damn keys. Helping her inside, he made his way over to the driver's seat. He'd had a couple of drinks himself, but not to the point where his driving skills would be impaired. At least he didn't think so.

"Kai..."

"What?"

"I want a cheeseburger,"

Well it was better than 'Kai, I have to throw up'. "Fine,"

"Is it going to taste like home?"

Ignoring her, he drove out of the parking lot and onto the roads. Finding a McDonald's nearby, he got her a stupid cheeseburger and continued his drive home. Finally at their driveway, he got out of the car and made his way over to the front door of his house.

When he realized the blonde didn't follow him, he looked over at the Toyota to find that she hadn't even come out of the car. Strolling back to the vehicle, he pulled her side of the door open. With more than half her burger still in her hands and her head tilted to the side, she'd gone to sleep. Resisting the urge to curse, he unbuckled her seatbelt and picked her up, tossing the burger aside.

Once indoors, he travelled up the stairs and down the corridors, passing by Bryan's room first, then Spencer and Ian's, until he reached hers'. Pushing the door open with his back, he entered quietly and dumped her on her bed. Instinctively, she rolled over to her side somewhat, one arm stretched across the mattress and dangling off the bed.

What should have been just that with Kai leaving turned into him reaching for his phone and using the light from there to examine the silver band around her ring finger. He twirled it around as best as he could, managing to read the word 'for' this time. When a small light flicked on from the redhead's side of the room, the bluenette's head shot up to find his team captain sitting up on his bed, yawning and rubbing his eyes.

"What are you doing, man?"

"Putting her to bed; we were outside,"

Tala looked over at the clock, "It's 4 AM," Making a face, he looked back at Kai, "Dylan went with you?"

"I asked her to come. I'll explain in the morning,"

"Uh...okay..." He strained his neck to get a better look at the blonde, "She drunk?"

"What does it look like?"

Instead of being concerned or worried about his sister like Kai had somewhat expected, he watched the redhead leap off his bed and grab a Sharpie from a table. Looming over the blonde, he yanked a string of his own red hair and moved it around her face. With no reaction from Dylan, Tala smirked and looked over at his teammate, who, unsurprisingly, gave him a pathetic look, "That's how you tell whether someone's asleep or not," And with that, he uncapped the marker and hovered it over her face.

Only to have the Sharpie snatched out of his possession.

"Not on her face,"

Tala rolled his eyes at Kai and took back the marker, "Fine, asshole," And thus he opted for the back of her hand. After drawing the inappropriate hairy male anatomy, the redhead stared at the 'masterpiece', "What do you think, Kai?"

"I think you're real mature, Tala."


Regarding the last chapter - Some of you made a comment about the 'sexual' Kai/Dylan part. Well people, let me tell you, there's going to be a WHOLE lot from where that came from. Most of the stories that I read out there about romance are really lame, no offence. It's not even that realistic. I don't know if any of my readers have ever been in a relationship, but I only write realistically. Anyways, I'm curious: What is THE sluttiest thing you've ever done with a guy? If you feel you are too young, too conservative, never been with a guy before, or you just feel this question is inappropriate, you don't have to answer.

And in case the term 'sluttiest' is degrading to any one, then let me rephrase: What is the kinkiest thing you've ever done to a guy? (Boyfriend, ex boyfriend, random guy, one night stand, "friend", whatever, etc)

If people answer, I'll answer it too in the next chapter. Anyways, I think everyone's going to enjoy chapter 15. I update pretty fast so you won't have to wait too long, but I can tell you that you'll probably like it.

Thank you!

Desastrus - I worked for Telus and Bell (Canadian cell phone networks) and I always read fanfics on the demo iPhone so I know how you feel!

Darial Kuznetsova - Wow, so you were engaged at 18? Is it going well so far? I always tell my parents that I may be one of those women who marries and divorces a lot. And they got scared. Well I'm scared too - I don't wanna go broke! Anyways, I saw the pictures, they were amazing! And not to sound like a lesbian, but you're an effing hot chick.

Crying Sorceress - Def. flirt with guys at Best Buy. They'll kiss the floor you walk on.

Peroxxide Priincess

iEXIST