A/N: Lemon in this chapter, folks. But don't worry, there's other stuff in here, too.

The song lyrics referenced at the beginning are from the song Ain't No Rest For the Wicked by the group Cage the Elephant. Awesome band.

Disclaimer: Ah, Guerrero. If you were mine... But you're not, and neither is Human Target. (Sigh)

Riley hovered in the doorway to the bedroom, watching Guerrero pack for his business trip. Such an innocuous label for what was likely to be a sinister task, she mused. She observed how efficiently he placed each item in the duffel bag, nothing out of place, nothing missing nor unnecessary. Guerrero obviously had lots of experience in travel. He zipped the bag closed, lifted it off the bed to set on the floor, and turned to face her.

"Got you a cell phone," he said and passed it over to her. "It's just for talking to me. Don't make any other calls on it," he admonished.

Riley nodded; by now she was used to Guerrero's precautions. Paranoia was a valuable survival trait in his world.

"Am I only supposed to use in in emergencies?" she asked.

"Well, uh..." Guerrero stuck his hands in his pockets, "I thought, maybe, I'd give you a call while I'm gone. Just, y'know, make sure you don't burn the place down or anything."

A smile tugged at Riley's mouth. "My cooking isn't that bad."

He grinned. "Oh, hey, I wanted to show you the ringtone." He pulled out his own cell and hit the speed dial. The phone in Riley's hand suddenly blared out the chorus to a popular song by Cage the Elephant:

Oh, there ain't no rest for the wicked,

Money don't grow on trees,

I got bills to pay,

I got mouths to feed,

There ain't nothing in this world for free.

I know I can't slow down,

I can't hold back

Though you know I wish I could.

Oh no, there ain't no rest for the wicked,

Until we close our eyes for good.

Riley doubled over with laughter. "Oh, that's perfect!"

"Thought you'd appreciate it," Guerrero smirked. He put his arms around her waist, held her against him. Riley smiled and draped her arms around his neck.

"Gonna be strange staying in this house without you."

"Just a couple of days," he assured her again. He understood the feeling, though. After spending over a month in Riley's company, Guerrero realized he would have to get used to being on his own again, even if only for a short time. And he couldn't stop himself from worrying. Anything could happen to her while he was away and unable to protect her. All the self defense lessons in the world would never be enough to reassure him.

Guerrero knew he'd become dependent on Riley. It was a situation he never would have allowed, only it crept up on him so subtly. Now he was hooked, and the worst part was, he couldn't even bring himself to give a shit. He'd become the sort of sentimental idiot he always scoffed at.

Riley, staring into his eyes, tilted her head. "What're you thinking about?"

"Nothin'," he said, running his hands up and down her back. "What about you?"

She bit her lip. "Um, there's something I wanted to talk to you about. But it can wait 'til you get back."

Her ambivalence piqued his curiosity. "You brought it up, dude. Spill it."

Riley took a breath. "Ethan's birthday is coming up soon. His parents left me an open invitation to visit him then. I...I was thinking maybe...we could both...?"

Guerrero's first and strongest impulse was a flat-out no. He didn't want to meet their son. He didn't want to encounter yet another person he knew he would care about and make himself even more vulnerable.

He withdrew his arms, reached up to gently disentangle himself from Riley. "Not a good idea."

Riley held up both hands in a plea for reason. "I know why you're saying that, but-"

"No buts," Guerrero stated firmly, "Last thing this kid needs is somebody like me screwing up his life. If you really wanna go, that's your call, but don't expect me to come along."

Riley hesitated, but chose to persist. "I really think you should meet each other just this once."

"What the hell for?" Guerrero snapped, "He's already got a dad. And a mom, for that matter."

"That's not the point."

"Then what is the point? What possible good would it do?"

"I just..." Riley struggled to find the words, "I'm not asking to make friends with him. I'm not even expecting him to like us, though I hope he does." She licked her lips anxiously. "I just want him to know us."

"You still haven't given me a reason, dude."

Riley sighed and sat down on the edge of the bed. She looked up at Guerrero. "I talk about my dad all the time. Ever wonder why I've never mentioned my mother?"

Guerrero shrugged, lowered himself down beside her. "Figured she died."

Riley shook her head. "No. She left when I was three. I don't know why. Dad wouldn't talk about it. He threw away all the pictures he had of her and acted like she never existed. I don't even remember what she looked like. I don't know if she's alive, got married again, had another family." She stared down at the faded knees of her jeans. "I think erasing her memory is the one thing I can't forgive my dad for. It's like some piece of my life is missing. I just wish I knew her. Even if my mother turned out to be a total bitch, at least I'd know. Does that make sense?"

Guerrero sighed. "Yeah," he muttered.

Riley took his hand. "I don't want Ethan to have to wonder about where he came from. Even if we only meet him that one time, at least he'd know who we are." She squeezed his hand.

Guerrero shook his head. "Still think it's a mistake."

"Is that a no?"

"It's," he gave a half-shrug, "a maybe."

"Maybe as in you'll think about it? Or maybe as in you really mean no?" Riley quirked an eyebrow, the corner of her mouth raised in a smirk.

Guerrero laughed in exasperation. "Christ. I'll think about it, okay?"

Riley beamed, then leaned over to kiss him. Guerrero smirked. "Trying to sweeten the deal?"

"No," she kissed him again, deeper this time, "You're leaving soon and I wanna give you a proper sendoff."

"Sounds good to me." He grinned.

The next thing Riley knew, she was pinned down on the bed, Guerrero looming over her. She laughed, tried to free her wrists from his grasp, but he wouldn't let her go. "Hey."

"What?" Guerrero smiled wickedly. He moved to grip both her wrists with one hand while he removed his glasses and set them on the night table, then switched back to his original position.

Riley tugged a little harder. "Let go."

"Nuh-uh," Guerrero's face hovered over hers. His grip tightened uncomfortably. Riley looked into his flinty eyes and saw something predatory in them, something that brought shivers through her. It was the closest she'd ever come to being afraid of him.

"C'mon," he challenged, "Show me what your options are."

Riley swallowed, then raised her head to lightly bump his nose with her forehead. Guerrero's smile widened. "What else?"

Emboldened, she opened her mouth and took hold of his nose with her teeth, using just enough pressure to let him know she could easily bite the whole thing off. Guerrero chuckled. Riley let go of his nose and lightly bit his cheek, his chin, his bottom lip. She tried to move into a kiss, but Guerrero pulled away. Riley tried to close the distance, but her wrists were still restrained. She let herself fall back onto the pillow, sulking.

"What else?" Guerrero whispered. He saw Riley's expression turn to mischief, then felt her knee press into his groin. She moved it back and forth, rubbing against his growing erection. Guerrero moaned. "That's my girl." And then he finally acceded to her wishes and kissed her. Riley mmmed happily as her tongue slid against his. Guerrero shifted his hands farther up from her wrists and twined his fingers with hers. He felt her legs wrap around his waist. Their bodies ground against each other. Once they finally came up for air they were both panting heavily.

"You trust me," Guerrero said; it wasn't a question.

Riley nodded. "Yes."

Guerrero got off of her and stood at the side of the bed. "Take your clothes off."

Riley was happy to obey. While she stripped she watched keenly as Guerrero removed his own clothing. She never ceased to be aroused at the sight of his body. So slim and muscular. Riley's own body was noticeably less padded, thanks to the morning exercise routine she started doing in the home gym. Once she shed the last article of clothing she blushed as Guerrero eyed her appreciatively. His gaze met hers and he smiled. "Lie back."

Riley did so, expecting him to join her on the bed. Instead, he bent down to retrieve something from the floor. When he straightened, he told her to put her arms up. Riley frowned, puzzled, but did so. Guerrero leaned over her and that was when she saw the item he'd retrieved from the floor was his belt. Riley stared at him, surprised and a little anxious, but didn't resist as he looped his belt around her left wrist and tied it to one of the bars of the headboard. Guerrero then picked up his shirt and used a sleeve to bind her other arm to another bar.

"Too tight?" he asked.

Riley tugged her bonds. She couldn't free herself, but she wasn't uncomfortable. "It's okay," she said, her voice faint with nervousness.

Guerrero climbed onto the bed. He straddled her, immobilizing her legs. She was utterly helpless now. He leaned over and cupped her face in his hands. "You still trust me."

"Y-yes." Her breathing quickened. She felt the rapid thrum of her heart in her chest. A strange tingle built in her stomach, a mixture of anxiety and excitement. The feeling increased as Guerrero's hands slipped down and his fingers curled around her neck. His thumbs rested against her throat. It would only take a little pressure to cut off her air.

Guerrero stared intently at her eyes. He saw the pupils narrow for a brief instant in fear, then grow so wide they all but obscured her irises. She wasn't afraid. He could kill her so easily, but she wasn't afraid. She trusted him that much. The realization made him even harder, something he didn't think was possible. His breath grew husky with desire.

"Say it," he rasped, knowing he didn't have to clarify.

Riley whispered, "I trust you."

Guerrero's hands slid further down until they cupped her small, round breasts. He kneaded them almost roughly, running his thumbs over the nipples until they were painfully hard. Riley whimpered, arching into his touch. Her wrists pulled futilely against their bonds.

"Say that you want me," Guerrero panted, his excitement growing.

"I want you. Ohhh..." Riley moaned as Guerrero's mouth closed over her right nipple. He continued to knead her other breast, pinching and rolling her nipple between his finger and thumb. Riley's mewls and whimpers rose in volume. Her body squirmed beneath him, making his erection twitch in response. Guerrero switched his mouth to her other breast, sucking and nibbling the hard pebble of flesh.

"P-please," Riley begged, struggling, "Oh god, please, Guerrero!"

Hearing her cry out his name was too much. Guerrero drew away from her breasts and groaned, "Fuck, baby, I can't wait anymore."

Riley smiled in elation as she felt his weight shift, allowing her to spread her legs wide open. Guerrero knelt between them, his hand reaching down to touch her swollen labia.

"You're soaked," he grinned, fingers stroking, "You want it as bad as I do."

Riley tried to grind herself against his hand, but he kept his touch light, frustrating her. "Please," she whined.

Guerrero took his hand away from her, his fingers glistening. He licked them clean, relishing her taste, then brought his throbbing cock to her waiting entrance. He could feel the heat radiating from her like a furnace. But he didn't penetrate her.

"What do you want?" he asked, teasing her with gentle prods.

Riley moaned, "I want you."

"What do you want me to do? Say it," he hissed through gritted teeth, wondering if he had the strength to hold back any longer, "Say what you want me to do to you, baby."

"Fuck me!" she screamed, her inhibitions forgotten in the intensity of the moment.

Guerrero slammed into her, eliciting a squeal from her. His hips immediately started to thrust at an insane pace. Loud, animalistic grunts escaped between his clenched jaws, mingled with Riley's joyous cries. Her legs wrapped tightly around him, heels digging into the small of his back.

Riley was no longer aware of the restraints on her wrists. No conscious thought remained. There was only the primal sensations her body experienced, the rising feeling in her belly as her climax approached. She didn't even realize that the sounds emerging from her lips were actual words. "Guerrero, oh god, I love you! Oh! Oh YES!" she shrieked as her orgasm crashed over her.

Guerrero roared, exploding into his own climax.

Their bodies seemed to deflate as they fell onto the bed, limp and drenched with sweat. Their eyes were glassy from exhaustion. It was several minutes before Guerrero mustered enough energy to reach out and loosen the knots on Riley's bindings. Her arms flopped down onto the mattress. Guerrero rolled off of her and lay on his side, one arm draped across her middle. Their eyes met. Breathless laughter.

"Talk about a sendoff," Guerrero remarked wearily.

Riley grinned. "I'm gonna be so sore later."

"Wrists okay?" he asked, concerned.

"Dunno. I'm totally numb right now."

Guerrero took in the sight of her, skin flushed and gleaming with moisture, lips swollen from kissing, hair fanned out across the pillow. "You look beautiful."

Riley laughed. "I'm a sweaty mess."

"Beautiful," he repeated. He lifted his hand from her midsection and brought it to rest against her cheek.

Riley closed her eyes. "You make me feel beautiful," she murmured.

"You make me feel-"

Her eyes opened at his sudden halt. "What?" she asked, "How do I make you feel?"

Guerrero stared at her for a long time, then rolled onto his back with a sigh. "Drained."

Riley giggled. She placed a hand on his chest. "Just imagine what the welcome home's gonna be like."

He grinned. "You trying to kill me with sex, dude?"

"It's every guy's fantasy, right?"

He snorted. His head lolled to the side and he looked at her. There was something in his eyes she couldn't read; something almost sad.

"What're you thinking?" she asked.

Did you mean it? He wondered, but didn't ask. He'd heard her when she shouted the words I love you. They startled him at the time and left him wondering if it was true or just something she said in the heat of the moment. Guerrero had always been so cynical of that phrase. People bandied it out all the time, wearing it out with use until it lost all meaning. The fact that he cared whether or not Riley was sincere bugged the hell out of him. Why the hell should it matter?

Instead of answering her, Guerrero forced himself to sit up, every muscle in his body protesting. "Much as I want to, I can't lie around. Gotta leave pretty soon."

Riley bit her lip to stifle her disappointment. She hated the idea of him leaving her again, even though she knew this time he was coming back. With a loud groan she rose shakily from the bed. Guerrero looked at her over his shoulder and smiled, held his hand out to her. Riley took it and the two of them shuffled into the bathroom.

The shower helped revive them somewhat. Afterward, they dried each other off. Guerrero noticed the red marks on Riley's wrists, made vivid from her washing. His brow furrowed. He knew they weren't anything serious, but seeing those marks on her and knowing he was responsible bothered him.

"It's okay," Riley said, "They don't even hurt."

Guerrero cradled her wrists in his hands, ran his thumbs over the red welts. "My dad used to tie me to the bed to punish me whenever I pissed him off," he murmured, "And I always seemed to piss him off, even when I tried not to. He'd leave me lying there all day. Sometimes I'd piss and shit myself and he'd take his belt to me for it, then made me clean up."

Riley was shocked, both at the context of what he said as well as the fact that he even brought it up. He so rarely spoke of his past. She wondered if any of it was worth recalling.

"This wasn't the same," she told him quietly.

Guerrero nodded. "I know." He brought her wrists up to his lips, kissed them gently. Then he guided her hands to his neck and let them close around his throat, her thumbs to either side of his Adam's apple. He smiled at Riley's startled expression. "I trust you, too."

Riley's breath hitched. Coming from Guerrero, this was tantamount to a declaration of love. Eyes stinging, she drew closer and brought her lips to his. The bristles of his mustache rasped against her upper lip, a feeling she adored.

All too soon, Guerrero was dressed, Riley clad in her smileyface bathrobe, the two of them stood at the front door to say their goodbyes. Riley moved to embrace Guerrero and he muttered in her ear, "I'll call you tonight after I settle into a hotel."

"Call me every day," Riley said.

"I won't be gone that long, dude."

"Then you won't have to call very often," she retorted.

Guerrero chuckled. He gave her one last kiss, then picked up his bag and headed out the door. "See ya."

"See ya," Riley answered. The door shut. She continued to stand where she was, listening for the sound of the El-Do's engine starting, then fading into the distance, leaving her alone in a house that no longer felt like home.