Mest/Doranbolt x Lucy

Disclaimer:: I do not own Fairy Tail or it's characters, that right belongs to Hiro Mashima. But I do claim the creative ideas and ingenuity in this story, as well as the OC's that will be messing with the characters. ]

Author's Note: This is a Birthday Gift Fic for the Amazing Dragons'sHost, who requested the pairing. And is your only warning that if you are not a fan of the pairing, or either character, to turn and leave now! Also, leave if you do not like AU.

He stared down at his phone. His mind unable to comprehend what his eyes were seeing. It was such a random thing to see that name and number. It had been years. Over a decade since he'd gotten a call from that person. Their parting had been very bitter sweet. But out of sentimentality he'd kept it. Now, now he was wondering just why they were calling him. Making him nervous.

Thumb swiping over the flat screen of his phone he answered the call. Lifting it up to his ear. All he could hear was labored breathing (never a good sign) as the line stayed silent. Frowning as he sat up, swinging his legs over the edge of his bed, he debated on just hanging up. Thinking it was prank. He didn't need this shit. His life and job were stressful enough without the past rearing its head and making it worse than it needed to be.

"Dory...no Mest, please...please d-don't h-hang up."

As the softly spoken plea from the other person, Mest stopped moving the phone from his ear. Eyes narrowing at the tone that they had used. He knew that tone. It was the same that he heard time and time again from them when their father was being an overbearing dick. Though the man died when they both were in their senior year of High school. So, he stopped and waited. Knowing it would take a while for them to speak.

As the minutes ticked by, his mind recalled that last day in August before they went their separate ways. It had been because of a fight over something that been seemingly trivial, but it wasn't. In fact, with his job, he kept tabs on those he considered friends in High School. While not a popular person due to his quirks and strange habits, Mest had found a friendship with the most unlikely person in the whole school. All because he had literally stumbled over them one day behind the football field bleachers in their Sophomore year. As they laid curled on the ground, crying.

"I… Mest… I…. Coconut," they said.

That one word had his body stiffening. A need to suddenly punch a hole in the wall. It was the one word they agreed upon that would be used for either of them if something had happened that left them in a very bad and dark place. To hear from them after all this time and using that word. It hurt him something bad.

"I need you to text me your current location," he said.

"Okay…" they said, voice cracking.

The moment he heard a dial tone, Mest was standing and pulling on his pants. It was almost 3 in the morning. The sound of rain beating off the fire escape just outside his low rent apartment window told him the current weather conditions. It didn't help that he had been asleep for only an hour or two. Having just gotten doing a three day stake out. Lack of sleep was not a good thing for him.

Hearing the tone for a text, he tapped the screen and opened it. Seeing the address, he sighed a breath of relief. His skill set was not to be used for something like this. But he could give fuck if the council nailed his ass with citation. His friend's were always worth breaking the rules for. And this friend was more important than anyone would ever know. Closing his eyes, he activated the Ether chip that had been implanted and synced to his physical genetic code. Enjoying the warm rush of the ether, or magic if you were a hippie, flow through his veins. Already knowing the location, Mest didn't have to think hard as he tapped his ether.

When he opened his eyes he looked around. The street was empty making him growl loudly. Just to have a soft whimper come from behind him in the alleyway. Whipping around, Mest looked out from under his now soaking wet hair. Then he saw a brief flash of blond from between the wall and dumpster. Causing his body to move quickly towards it. Worry forming in his gut, telling him that this was probably worse than he thought. And his gut was never wrong.

"Lucy?" he said halting a few feet from the entrance to the alleyway.

It took a few seconds before he saw a blond head appear, face down. He stayed still, not wanting to trigger her to crawl back into that small, very dirty space, as she wiggled her body out. He could hear her soft sobs. Seeing her shoulders shake as his friend stayed on her hands and knees. Which he had no doubt were scratched up and filled whatever filth was on the ground around the dumpster.

Kneeling down, hating his hair was plastered to the back of his neck and over his forehead. When he saw Lucy stiffen and try to curl in on herself. Not even looking up at him. Mest didn't like that.

"Hey, Lu, talk to me," he said in a gentle tone.

As the rain soaked thru her clothes, he sucked in a sharp breath. Her yellow shirt didn't hid the dark splotches that covered her arms and back. No, it made for great contrast and let him know she was being physically abused on a severe level. Causing anger to flood his whole body.

"I… Mest...I…" She said, her body shaking as she started to cry.,

Not questioning it, Mest reached out and gathered her into his arm. Anger still being the predominant emotion he was feeling. It pained him to see her hurt like this, to see a proud, vivacious woman so broken and lost. While a part of him felt glad that she still trusted him enough to even think of him after all this time to call him for safety and support. Considering they had a nasty fight over whom she gave up college for, just to be a wife.

Standing up, Mest knew that she would need to be checked over, he tapped into his still open Ether circuit. Allowing the ether to warm his body as he teleported back to his apartment. Standing dripping on the hardwood floor as he walked into the small bathroom. Glad, for once, that his bathroom had a bathtub. Because he needed to warm her up and clean the scrapes on her knees that were now very visible.

Sitting on the toilet, glad his mother had instilled in him that he needed to keep the seat and lid down at all times. He cradled his shaking bundle with one arm as he plugged the tub and started running warm to hot water. His body rocking slightly in an attempt to calm her a bit. Something he used to do when they were in High School.

"Lucy, you take your time and talk when you are ready," he whispered into the top of her head.

The soft whimper he got from her let him know she was still in shock and processing everything. As the tub filled, he pulled his phone from his pant's pocket. Wondering when he had slipped it there. But glad for his mindless habit, as he pulled up his contact list and texted a colleague. Knowing she probably would be pissed at the text this time of the morning. As it was now pushing four am. And sleep was a prime directive for the short woman.

Pressing send, using a code phrase everyone in the company knew if it was an medical emergency and didn't need questioned. He counted in his head, turning the water off as the tub reached half full. Carefully he used his feet to remove his shoes. Being woke up and rushing, he hadn't put on socks. Wet socks were the devil's tools. Then stood and stepped into the tub, slowly lowering himself and Lucy. Whom he shifted so her back was to his chest. Not caring as the water sloshed over the edges onto the floor. It was linoleum.

When his phone pinged, he shifted Lucy again so that he could reach it and still hold her. She was shaking violently as she continued to cry. His eyes scanning the text quickly. He replied yes and now. Knowing that it wouldn't take the petite woman to get there. She was only a block down and had a spare key. Because he had a bad habit of not always taking care of himself during work. Often just coming home hurt and bleeding when the job got a bit rough due to a high risk factor.

"Mest.."

At his name, he set the phone back down. Having received the message that they'd be there in under twenty and looked down at Lucy. Only to feel his blood run cold. Her face was swollen and black and blue all over. Whoever did it, had taken great care to make sure that it was done right. But it was the sadness in those large, doe brown eyes that were barely visible from the swollen slits that were her eyelids that had him wrapping his arms around her tightly.

"Just take your time. I am not going anywhere, Lu," he said, letting his eyes close so he didn't have to see how battered she was. "I have a co-worker coming over. She is a doctor for my… company, if you will. Discreet and takes care of me if I am hurt. Trustworthy."

The way her body stiffened in his arms at the mention of another let him know that she was fearful. That it scared her. Meaning this was not the first time something like this had happened. As his stomach churned Mest kept his mouth shut. Denying himself the right to ask the questions he wanted to. Knowing it could cause Lucy to withdraw into herself and not come back out.

His eyes met the soft brown of his co-worker, Wendy Marvell who had sedated Lucy. Who was now dressed in one of his old clean t-shirts and boxers. He was not happy. This was beyond reproach. Lucy had freaked when Wendy had asked him to leave so she could check her over. He had the claw marks that were now in his upper arms to prove it. Forcing Wendy to give as he was blind folded to keep Lucy's modesty.

After Wendy was done, she had dried Lucy and dressed her. Mest was happy that Lucy was now sleeping soundly on his bed as he untangled her hands from his shirt. The death grip was even stronger than when they were in High School. Sighing as he stood up, taking time to cover her and tucker her securely in. Just incase she woke up and panicked he was not there. Before nodding and following Wendy from his room.

"I will be frank Mest. She had suffered some severe trauma. It would be best to get her into the hospital, though without id or anything it will make it problematic," She stated in her no-nonsense-tone of voice. "And I can tell you this has been going on for a long time. This is not the first time."

Face a grave mask of understanding. It was not the first time he had ever dealt with abuse victims. Nope. But it was the first it was someone he knew. Had been close with in the past. So, it hit home a lot harder. And what Lucy had said made his blood alternate between boiling in his veins to freezing. This was something he hadn't wanted anyone to go through. Especially someone as sweet as her. And though he had been blindfolded, he knew Wendy had done a rape kit on her. That would be back by this evening.

"If you do what I think you are going to do, be careful, Mest," Wendy said, her voice solemn. "I know that you have a lot of favors you can call in from the last fifteen years with our employers. As well as the means outside of the work to get this taken care of."

He just nodded his head at Wendy, before seeing her out of his apartment. The door to his room was cracked just incase Lucy woke up. Sitting on his couch, leaning forward and lifting up the screen of his laptop. He logged into the database and began to do a simple preliminary search. Glad that taking that Government job instead of just staying in simple Law enforcement after he had shown a unique talent with the Ether Chip and drive.

Typing in Lucy's first name and Maiden last name, birth date, prior address. He tapped the key to start the search. Knowing it would take a bit, he stood up and walked into his tiny little kitchenette. Coffee sounded good. Pausing for a moment before going over to the cabinet and opening it. He decided tea would be best. Pulling out the Hibiscus and Raspberry Tea that he'd come to love thanks to the woman now sleeping in his bed.

Putting water into his coffee pot, he removed the used filter, before dropping in three bags. Shutting the holding space, he turned it on to let the water heat and percolate to make the tea. Sighing, Mest lifted his hands up and ran them through his shaggy hair. He didn't know why he had grown it out to this length again. Again another thing he had changed after graduating. Now it was back to his shoulders in length and messy. Making him smile as he recalled how a certain blond girl would run her fingers thru it and massage his scalp.

Shaking his head he pulled two mismatched coffee mugs from another cabinet, then grabbed three honey sticks. He liked his tea really sweet. And these were flavored with raspberry to give the tea and more pronounced Raspberry flavor. Once that was done he went back and flopped down onto his couch. Just to grumble as a broken spring stabbed him in his left hip. Reminding him he needed to get a new damn couch, and soon.

Looking at his laptop, he saw that it was flashing. Done with the search already. And that a file on her was flagged. Narrowing his eyes at that, Mest leaned forward and typed in his password. Only to get the message that he didn't have clearance to look at the damned file. This was peculiar as he was a ranked officer. Only the council and Lahar Zeigler was higher on the food chain then him. Meaning whatever or whoever Lucy was involved with was some serious shit. Groaning he pulled up the message system and clicked on Lahar's name. It was almost six am now. Sleep was calling his name, not that the was listening to her sweet siren's call.

Fingers flying across the keyboard as he type. "Hey, Captain Lahar, I tried to do a search and got locked out. Not enough clearance. Think you can tell me why?" Once he was done he sent it, knowing the man was already there. In fact, Mest would put money down that Lahar had already been alerted to a Flagged Folder popping up. So, he just had to sit and wait.

It didn't take long before he got a reply. Smiling as he read it: "I was notified that someone searched and hit a flagged folder. I am surprised it was you. Care to tell me Doranbolt why you are using the Database to search up information on one Lucy Fernandes?"

The last name had him wanting to retch. Fernandes, he knew that name, intimately. It belonged to the blue haired prick that had gotten Lucy to give up on college and working towards her dream job. Then it hit him. Fernandes was also a major politician. And if she was being flagged, it was because she was his wife. Once more his stomach lurched. He couldn't hide it from his partner and friend, let alone his superiors.

Bending over he typed his response: "Because she is passed out in my bed right now. Sedated by Medic Wendy Marvell." Hitting send, Mest stood up and went back into his kitchenette. The sound of several rapid pings from the message system let him know that Lahar was in a tizzy as he cut open the honey sticks and squeezed the contents into one of the cups. Then poured the delicious smelling tea over it, dissolving it before going back to sit on his couch. Carefully so not to spill the tea or be stabbed by that damned broken spring again.

Sipping the tea, he read the messages from Lahar. Not surprised. "You have her what? How did this happen? Is she okay?" Those were the shortest and politest worded. Lahar was a stickler for rules. And he had never mentioned that he knew Lucy when they were teens. It was the past. And for safety and privacy reasons. Everyone after joining had been told to keep your past to yourself, not to maintain many friendships. Which was sound advice in his line of work. Doing a lot of covert infiltration work. Spying and retrieval of information and objects. Occasionally people. The less that was known about your current life and the past the safer you were.

Deciding on a quick course of action, Mest typed three words, "Just come over." Knowing that Lahar detested that he kept his home sparse and not accommodating. Preferring low rent, more to the less the seedy side of town, and didn't fucking care about decorating his place. Soon he got a reply that Lahar would be there in fifteen. Meaning Lahar would be using his Ether Circuit as well. The man was a good with rune warding. And had devised away to use the runes to teleport to select spots he placed those runes at.

Standing up once more, Mest wondered if sitting would be an option as he was tired, just to go back into his kitchenette and get another cup down. The sedative that Wendy had administered to Lucy was mild and would wear off in an hour or two. So, she should be awake after Lahar got here. How long was not up for guessing. As each person reacted to the sedative differently. Just as he was pouring the tea into the cup a rather pressing feel of the Ether on his skin alerted him that Lahar was there, way faster than he had thought. Coming out of his little kitchenette, he also to dropped the hot cup of tea.

Standing with Lahar was the head of the Council, Gran Doma, himself. The old man turned his dark eyes on him and glared. Aware that the man didn't like him, but needed his skills, was the only reason that Mest had been promoted as high as he had. When drunk, Mest never recalled this shit, he did some rather questionable and stupid shit for giggles. Hence he took AA classes. Especially when he felt the need to embib of the fire water.

"Mest Gryder," Gran Doma said.

Giving a small bow of his head in acknowledgement, he lifted the cup to indicate if the man wanted some.

"Not now. Where is Miss Fernandes," the man barked.

Narrowing his eyes. Mest debated on his course of action. He was not on duty, this was his fucking home. He was torn between going into work mode and putting on a mask and being polite or telling the ancient fucktard to shove it and respect that this his home.

"Sleeping. No, you will not disturb her. Wendy sedated her. And if you wake her up and stress her, I will have Miss Marvell back her and on you so fast," he said. Deciding to screw caution. "And would you like some tea?"

The way the man stiffened from his rudeness to blanching at being threatened with Wendy, who would probably report to the man's wife, Porlyusica. Was a great way to control a person. Wendy alone was a force to be reckoned with. At a young age, with her medical skills and combat abilities, was put on one of the toughest teams the council had. The Dragon Slayers. Each had a unique type of Ether that was dangerous, powerful, and very rare. To date there was only six. Wendy being the medic for them as well. And those tall, powerful men bowed to her and her wrath.

"Yes please," he said.

Mest jerked his head to his couch, the only piece of furniture in his apartment that was to be sat on. Mentally dancing as the old man went to sit before his laptop. Enjoying the discomfort that Gran Doma displayed as the broken spring stabbed him painfully. Served the pompous ass right. Lahar's face was blank when he looked at him. But he saw the way those purple eyes were dancing in amusement from behind his glasses.

Handing the cup in his hands to Lahar who sat on the far end of the couch. Making sure to sit just right so another broken spring didn't stab him. Since he was familiar with the old, battered piece of furniture. Mest went back into the kitchen and grabbed the last of his mismatched coffee mugs. Filling it with fragrant tea, realizing his own mug would be cold now. Either way the tea was good. But he preferred it hot, since it would help keep him awake.

"Here you go," he said as he made his way to the couch, deciding that standing would be his best bet.

Giving the cup to his superior, Mest picked his own up and he righted himself. Tilting his head to the side listening for sounds from his bedroom. When he heard nothing he gave the two men on his couch a look that said 'ask your questions.' He wanted to get this over with. Three days with little to no sleep, he was hitting a dangerous zone for his mental capabilities. As well as making himself more prone to physical violence.

"Mest, when was the last time you slept?" Lahar asked.

Turning to look at his friend he replied, "Full night, almost four days ago."

This had Lahar frowning and understanding. While Gran Doma didn't appear to care. Not that he expected the old bastard to. He lived a cush life. Sat in a seat and made rules and did other political shit while ordering those under him to do whatever came to mind.

"How did you come to acquire Mrs. Fernandes?" Gran Doma demanded.

Narrowing his eyes as he heard Lahar hiss. Mest was not in a mood for this shit. So, taking a deep breath to try and keep his cool. As well as try to figure a way to word his response politely before deciding to throw it all to the wind with a huge FUCK IT!

"I did not acquire her. She is not an object, Sir. But rather a person," he bit out. "And she texted me."

Not explaining further than that. He wanted to see how the man would react. Lahar was practically bug eyed in shock. And not just for the fact that he got a text, but the tone he was taking with their boss.

"You will watch yourself Mr. Dryder," Gran Doma intoned, eyes narrowing on him. "And I didn't say she was an object. Now, how did she come to have your phone number. It is unlisted. And you have had no contact with the woman as far as your record shows."

Narrowing his eyes at the old man, Mest let a small smile curl his lips. "I will state this once. You maybe my boss. But I am off duty, this is my damn living domicile. And you are being disrespectful to me. I can and will kick you out until I report in tomorrow. Not answering any questions. Meaning you cannot demand a damn thing of me, Gran Doma. I know what the contract fine print says. I actually read it before agreeing to come and work for you."

At his words he watched as Lahar went still, barely breathing. While Gran Doma looked like he had just been smacked in the face. It was priceless and he would be laughing if it was a different situation. Right now, Lucy was his priority. And he would protect her even from his friend, co-workers, and boss.

"Excuse me then," Gran Doma said, his voice a bit toned back. "But she is of great importance to us and our investigation. Hence why her file is flagged. Now, if you will answer my questions, Mr. Dryder."

It was several more long minutes, silence dragging on before he nodded his head and took a sip of his now cold tea. Letting the flavor coat his tongue and throat before he answered.

"We were friends in High School," Was all he said.

This had both of the men looking at him. As if waiting for him to continue. But he said nothing more. He didn't need to. If they really wanted to know they'd ask. He was not in a caring and sharing kind of mood.

"You state 'were' friends. This denotes that you were either not friend or at least parted on less than pleasant terns," Gran Doma said. "Yet you kept her phone number, not knowing if she would do the same. Why?"

Lifting an eyebrow at Gran Doma, he caught Lahar shifting just minutely. As if to caution him about how he should speak. It still did matter even if he was not on the clock. So, taking a deliberate breath, letting his nostrils flare before he exhaled through his lips. Making sure to let his boss know he was less than pleased with him.

"Sentimentality." he state in an empty voice.

The way the old man just blinked in shock. The answer was straight forward, honest. No beating around the bush. It was why. And a just in case she was no longer mad at him and wanted to talk again. Of course, since she stayed with Seigrain Fernandes (controlling dictator) she never did.

"So, she called you out of the blue tonight. You went to her and brought her back here. Got her immediate Medical attention," Gran Doma said as a way to clarify that he was putting pieces of information together. "Why did you not take her to a hospital?"

At this Mest narrowed his eyes, stiffening. He didn't want to describe how she had looked. How that proud, cheery, vivacious woman was nothing more than a broken person, a shell of her former self he knew. Instead he lifted his hand as he spun in place. Motioning for them to follow. Pausing at his door, peeking in to make sure she was still sleeping. The light of his bed lamp casting a pale yellow glow over her battered face as the sun's early morning rays began to filter into his room.

Pushing the door open all the way, Mest turned to look at the men. Glaring hard as he pressed a finger to his mouth. Lucy was still out cold. She needed the sleep to help her body start to recover. Stepping into the room and to the side, he let them see what they could of her. At some point her arms had come out from under the covers. Showing that there was bandages on them, some seeping with blood from the cuts that had been there, hidden by her shirt. As well as her face and neck.

He watched the two men carefully. Noting the horror that shone openly on Lahar's face, before it morphed into a mask of rage. Mest knew that Lahar didn't like females being abused like this. His own mother had battered spouse syndrome. Which caused him to take a career in law like he himself had done. Both had been recruited for the Rune Knights by the council after both showed not just aptitude for the Ether, but physically and emotionally. Wanting to better the world around them. Pipe dreams as far as Mest was concerned, rather jaded.

Waving his hand to shoo them from the doorway, Mest pulled it almost shut behind him. Leaving it cracked so he could hear her. Deciding if he was going to stay standing to stay awake, he'd lean against the wall. Watching as the two sat down. Enjoying as Gran Doma go stabbed once more, even though he took more care.

"We cannot leave her here. Now, why did you not take her to the hospital?" Gran Doma asked, voice soft, very subdued.

"She had no id on her. Just her phone. Was hiding between a wall and dumpster. And as long as I have known Lucy, she is not that kind of woman to do stupid shit like that. So, I did what I felt was best without bringing suspicion on me for her current condition," Mest explained.

The slow nod of their heads was all the indication he needed. He was fine with how this was going.

"You knew Mrs. Fernandes in High School, Doranbolt?" Lahar asked.

"Yes. We were an odd pair of ducks, or friends. I literally stumbled over her behind the football bleachers one day. She was curled up and crying because of her bastard old man," he stated. "From there we just became friends. Caught a lot of flak for her attention, but I didn't care. She saw me for me. And even after the way we left on poor terms, still trusted me almost two decades later. And before you ask, it was Seigrain Fernandes that caused us to part on bad terms. I thought he was a controlling, two-faced, piece shit then and I still do."

The way Lahar smiled at him, let Mest know that Lahar would back him on his choices concerning Lucy.

"Gran Doma, Sir, I think we should bring him in on the case we are building against Fernandes. If Lucy trust him this much to get his help, then he might be the saving grace that can get her to snitch on her husband," Lahar said, eyes dancing as he kept himself from smiling.

"I have to talk to the other council members. But only after having them checked for their loyalty. And the only one who can do that is someone I'd rather not interact with," Gran Doma said, giving Lahar a pointed look.

Smiling widely, Mest knew who he was referring to. A brilliant scientist with poisons. Former operative of a dark non-existent squad that did the Councils and Rune Knights Merc work. He rather like Erik 'Cobra' Veneranea. His Ether was soul listening and could hear the thoughts of those around him when it was active. Otherwise he was a crass, obstinate ass who like to poison people (Mildly) for shits and giggles. This was going to be good if he could take down that blue haired twat waffle. He was not happy that man had potentially hurt Lucy or had someone else do it to her.

The following weeks and months had been hectic. Mest was elated as he walked thru his apartments front door. Good news on the tip of his tongue. Hearing soft humming coming from his kitchenette, he made his way over to lean against the wall. The apartment smelled amazing with whatever his temporary house guest was cooking for dinner. Not that he hadn't always enjoyed her cooking when they were but stupid teens. She had a talent for blending food together to make something amazing.

Standing there quietly, he watched as she moved around, her body bending and stretching as she reached for things. The smile on her full pink lips had his throat tightening. She had recovered a lot in the first few weeks. More so after he'd received permission to keep her there. Where she felt safe. Her husband had no clue where she was at. And broadcast it on live Television that she was vacationing when asked about it. This had her pissed off.

He had hated to see her spend hours with a shrink and Cobra. Talking about the last twelve years of her life. But doing so, he saw her stand tall, proud again. Smiling easily and more at ease with herself and her life. It was like watching a butterfly emerging from its cocoon. He hadn't known that before her father had died, he had signed a non-breakable contract that married Lucy upon graduating to Seigrain. Giving the man more fundage to get to where he was at currently. That is non-illegal fundage.

"Mest!"

At the sound of his name leaving her lips, shock on her face as she placed a hand over her heart. He knew that she was not happy about him just standing there watching her silently again. Getting lost in his own thoughts. Making him flush as he finally saw what she had on. He was used to her short, tight fitting clothes. Had the confidence and body to wear that stuff, not that he minded. So her in tight fitting yoga shorts and one of his muscle tees tied at the bottom, with a faded green apron that had faded print on it. "I don't cook, but you can still kiss me." It had been a gag gift from her after he had praised her culinary skills.

"Sorry, but I like watching you while in your groove. You really should think about one day opening a restaurant, Lucy," he said.

The way she blushed and threw a pot holder at him, had him laughing as he pushed away from the wall and stepping over to her. Glad that she immediately wrapped her arms around him in a friendly hug. It was all he was allowed for now. Mest knew that he wanted more from Lucy. She was his first love. A love that no one could ever over shadow. And that was saying something as he grew into himself and got laid often through cadet school, then Rune Knight training before taking his place in the Council's Organization. Scars helped as well.

"Shush you. And from the way you were smiling, I take it something good happened?" she asked.

He tried to pull away, only to find her arms tightening around him. Making it hard for him to hid his bodies natural reaction to her closeness. Mest leaned his head down and bonked his forehead off hers.

"Yeah. We finally got the go ahead to get the raid set up to take down that wannabe panty hamster," he said.

The way her eyes got wide. Showing a mix of elation and fear, had Mest pressing a soft kiss to her forehead. He knew that she was still suffering from the abuse and mental mindset of Battered Spouse Syndrome. That at times she wanted to go back to him. Not that he let her. Fighting it out with her until she saw rationale and stayed put in his apartment.

"That is good," she said slowly, smiling up at him. "Because once this happens. And he is behind bars, I can divorce him. Be a free woman to pursue the things in life I have always loved."

At her softly spoken words, Mest felt his heart skip several beats. He wanted to pursue Lucy, that is if she'd let him. He would let her make her choices. But her being single was a boon and a curse. She was the type of woman that would be sought after. And with the whole scandal that would be going down, the divorce, she would have the vulture's known as the media hounding her every move.

"Yeah, that is the plan, beautiful. And if you need a bodyguard, just know I am on loan. Fuck Gran Doma if he dont' like it," Mest said. "You are more important than him and my damn job. And I have the means to protect you now."

The way her face blushed as she looked up at him, Mest couldn't help it. His heart beat a staccato rhythm that was making him light headed. And the way her arms tightened further meant she was not going to let go. Though he wouldn't mind, unless she pressed herself a little too much. Then he would have to explain why he was poking her.

THE END!