Baby, I Want…
Símon knocked on the door and waited patiently. He wasn't expecting a warm welcome or for an easy in. It didn't change the fact he wanted a second chance but for that he'd have to talk fast and be extremely convincing. The last thing he wanted was for the door to be slammed in his face which was exactly what he deserved.
He heard footsteps and then silence. Símon didn't doubt he was being watched through the peep hole. Feeling nervous he raised a hand and waved. He felt like an idiot as soon as he did but the door opened.
"Hi."
Dayne didn't reply. She stood in her door patiently waiting for Símon to say what he was doing on her porch. She hadn't been expecting a visit from him and at first she'd thought it had to do with his case and the underground garage. Then he'd waved, that nervous twist to his mouth…
"Uhm…" Símon's tie suddenly felt a little too tight but he kept from pulling on it. Instead he took a good look at her, the charcoal smudges on her cheek and forehead. She looked much better than the first time he'd show up on her doorstep. "You look great."
"Heh." Dayne scoffed. She knew exactly what she looked like. Charcoal on her face and staining her hands, her hair was clipped away and messy. She was wearing another of her Dad's old button up shirts, a tank and comfortable, faded jeans. She was a mess and he hadn't changed.
"You're a liar." But that wasn't news and now Dayne knew why he was at her door.
"Dayne-."
"Don't lie. Just accept it. I have." Dayne replied dryly. They stood quietly for a minute before Símon tried to apologize again. He shifted from one foot to the other, a sight she was enjoying a little too much but she couldn't help it. After all those years where she'd wondered if he was alive…
"I'm sorry."
Dayne blinked, unable to believe he'd said those words. They were unexpected and for her, too late. What was she supposed to do with his apology now?
She shook her head and glanced over her shoulder then looked at him again and opened her mouth but she didn't know what to say.
"I-. You have every right to be upset-."
"I'm not." Dayne said with a shake of her head. The words just came out and Dayne realized she meant them. She really wasn't upset, so he left without so much as a goodbye. Left her without an explanation and wondering if he was alive or dead. So yeah, Dayne had been 'upset' but that had been years ago.
'Practically another life.'
"Not…huh." Símon let out a breath not sure how to take that. His eyes searched her face but he could see she was telling the truth. He shifted again really looking at Dayne for the first time. Símon knew about her, he'd heard she'd gotten married and though he'd been too far it wasn't so far he couldn't have made a call. So many times- the phone had been in his hand. Hell, he'd started to dial a half dozen times only to hang up before the first ring.
"So… my apology is accepted?" he asked thinking he was getting off way too easy. Wasn't this supposed to be harder? Wasn't she supposed to make him grovel a bit?
"Apology. Sure, I accept." Dayne nodded. She took a step back prepared to close the door and end the conversation right there.
"Uh-woa-wait, wait." Símon protested taking a step into the house, almost immediately he backed off. "Uhm, I'm not- can I come inside?"
"What for?" Dayne asked. She almost grinned at the confusion on Símon's face but managed to hide her pleasure. This was going in her box of memories because it was rare to get Símon. Even Duque'd had a hard time putting one over on Símon and they'd been as close as brothers. All four of them…
"Well, to- so we can talk." Símon explained. He noted the slight droop in her lips and noticed the shadow in her eyes. After years of silence Símon couldn't explain why it was so easy to read her, to know her moods.
"I told you I don't know anything about your case." Dayne said once more. She tried to keep from being nervous, tried not to show it because somehow Símon would notice. She wondered why it was that he could still pick up on her moods after so many years. Hadn't she changed at all?
"I'm not here about the case." He could see her hesitate; probably wondering if this was some sort of trick. He hated that she felt unsure about his motives, hated that she couldn't trust him. It was up to him to change that, he would have to earn her trust and it wasn't going to be easy.
"I have a lot of work to do Símon." Dayne shook her head looking back at the empty hall wishing Témoc were home. "Why now? I mean, why do you have to do this now?" she couldn't help thinking about the last couple of weeks. Of everything that happened since her celebratory night with Témoc and being bit by the vampire. She wasn't the same anymore… "It's been years and I moved on."
"I know." Símon replied dropping his eyes to the ground. "I just… thoug-hoped. I hoped we could become … friends."
Dayne was shocked. That was the last thing she was expecting him to say and she had no clue as to how to respond. First of all, was he serious? And who was he kidding! All of a sudden he wanted to be friends?
Duque.
Of course! Once Duque found out Símon was hanging around his little sister there was going to be trouble and that Dayne didn't need.
"Forget it. You and D have issues and I'm not going to be the catalyst for another fight." Dayne shook her head but nothing was going to change the fact she'd been the cause of their animosity.
"That was then." Simon protested. He frowned but she wasn't lying about that. He'd seen her brothers anger. "Duque's still-."
"I'm not getting involved, Símon." Dayne cut in with a frown. She could see he didn't like her answer. "He's my brother. My family."
"I'm not asking you to choose, Day. I just wasn't to be a friend again." Símon's voice was quiet, ringing with sincerity.
"That's exactly what this is." Dayne replied with a sad twist of her lips. "My name… its Dayne." She took a step back into the house, her eyes on Símon.
"Goodbye, Símon."
He stood on the porch listening to the soft click of the door closing. He released a heavy breath and dropped his head back but it didn't remove the sudden weight he felt on his chest. He'd asked and she'd said 'No' but he hadn't been expecting it to be easy.
Símon straightened, fixed his jacket and headed back to his car. He wasn't giving up and with Duque out of the picture he was sure to have success.
So long as he was persistent.
NS
Again, it wasn't easy to keep her anger in check and on a hunt Abby didn't bother to curb it anymore. A fact the other NightStalkers had noticed. King had reluctantly broached the subject of her 'recklessness' on the drive back to the HideOut which resulted in more trouble than he'd expected.
"You're the one losing focus." Abby accused.
"How is that even possible?" King retorted. "Why am I even- this conversation is about yo-."
"No, it's about you not being here 100%. Two weeks ago you were vampire meat until Blade rescued your dumb ass." Abby reminded him.
"Whoa-." King glared in protest but Abby wasn't letting him get a word in.
"I'm not the one losing focus. I'm always here, King. I'm on the job, not off playing house with some strays who should've been moved to the safe house Blad-."
"She's not going!" King yelled. "What the hell am I supposed to do, Abby? Tie her up and drag her against her will to God knows where?" he demanded getting angry.
"She's a risk, King!" Abby snapped. "To us, to you-. You don't even see it do you?" she demanded. "She doesn't have a choice in this. She has to go-."
"I see you going off alone to hunt. That's what I see and not just me." he glared at her. "Everyone's noticed and it's dangerous, Abby. You keep saying I'm not focused on the job anymore and blame it on Dayne if you want but we both know the problem here and it isn't her."
"What are you, some fucking shrink now, King?"
He turned down the narrow street to the warehouse they were using. There weren't any lights aside from the SUV's headlights.
"I'd tell you to relax-." King started to say using his snarky tone of voice that really didn't help in certain situations.
"Fuck relaxing!" Abby yelled. She shoved the passenger side door open just as King came to a stop in the warehouse they were using. "You're too damn busy getting domesticated some of us have to pick up the slack."
"Domesticated!" King echoed only slightly annoyed by the comment.
"You're going to deny it?" Abby waited but King made no reply to her accusation. "What's going to happen when we have to leave? What are you going to tell Zoëy when she can't have a sleep over let alone talk to the kid?" Abby demanded taking a couple of steps towards him. She could see he was trying to figure out an answer that would work both ways. A way that Zoëy could stay in touch with Témoc and for him to keep whatever relationship he'd started with Dayne but nothing would work.
Hadn't Dayne been clear that she wanted no part of being a NightStalker? She'd said it more than once, said she wasn't going to leave her life, not for him, and not for anyone.
King moved around the SUV without looking at Abby.
"I'll be back in the morning." He said before driving out of their warehouse. She already knew where he was heading and it pissed her off all the more. He was proving her right and making her out to be the bad guy. Abby didn't acknowledge that he was right about her. She wasn't going to listen to his psycho babble and if anyone brought up her hunting behavior… No, Abby was beyond pissed and instead of going up to her room she grabbed the keys for her bike and followed King's example.
The squeal of tires echoed in the warehouse just as their raised voices had. Still, no one came out to investigate the sudden silence.
NS
Témoc greeted Faye and Gael as they arrived at his house. Right behind them stood King holding Zoëy's hand, both NightStalkers wore suits and Faye was in an aqua colored dress almost a match to her eyes.
"Come in." Témoc stepped aside and let them pass. "Mom's still getting ready but she said to go upstairs." Here Témoc glared at King whose eyes strayed towards the stairs. "Just the girls."
Gael covered his chuckle with a hand but it wasn't missed by anyone. King glowered but he didn't move anywhere close to the stairs. Faye took Zoëy's hand laughing and headed up. King didn't miss the wink Gael tossed her way but he didn't say a word.
"Dayne!" Faye called up. "I thought you'd be done by now."
"Just getting dressed!"
King heard her voice and he perked up at the words. Témoc's sudden glare reminded him it wasn't the time or place to be picturing Dayne undressed. He was lucky they hadn't been caught by the kid on those nights King kept showing up at their door.
"What time are we supposed to be at the church?" Gael asked drawing Témoc's attention. The boy let out a breath unable to stop from giving King one last glare.
"Invitation says twelve."
"That means we're sitting here for at least forty five minutes." Gael shook his head and took a seat on the couch.
"I think there might be a game…" Témoc trailed off with a raised brow. "Or you could take a tour. Mom said it would be ok. She thinks you could probably rig some inside traps like Uncle D. Just in case, you know."
"Why?" King was instantly alert, worried that somehow one of the vampires or a familiar had tried to do something.
"Relax, King." Gael stood, his tone calm and it helped Témoc keep the worry from his voice. He wasn't going to tell the NightStalkers his Mom spent most nights pacing the house or up late working on the graphic novel.
"I'm relaxed." King snapped though he tugged on the tie around his neck. "It's just this monkey suit."
"She just wants to be safe here." Témoc repeated. "She worries about me." and that's what made him feel as though he weren't doing enough. He was supposed to be the man of the house. That's what Gramps had said and even though his Mom didn't treat him like a little kid there were things only time was going to change. Témoc wanted more than anything to be older, at least bigger so he could protect her. Then there wouldn't be any need for King to keep coming around.
"I'll take a look." Gael moved around the couch with a smile. "We could probably rig something up, right King?"
"Yeah." Hannibal agreed, once again he looked very much like the NightStalker Témoc remembered from the alley. "Not a problem."
NS
"Zoëy." Dayne waved from the hall bathroom, her head sticking out of the door. "Come on, hurry up."
"Wow," Zoëy looked up at Faye, both walking into the bathroom where Dayne had an array of tools spread out on the counter. Her hair was already done up, the shiny black locks were pulled away from her face and cascaded down her back in waves.
"Hi, time limit?" Faye questioned as Dayne took Zoëy and sat her on the stool she'd just brought in. With a comb in hand she started untangling the lose hair.
"Not really." Dayne replied though she was quick to separate the russet locks into sections. "Your dress almost matches your eyes." She noted with another glance at Faye.
"Yeah, I tried but it's not easy shopping on NightStalker budget." Faye made a slight face but she peered at her image in the large mirror. "Unless I'm buying medical supplies or weapons, then it's not an issue but a dress…" her pale hands smoothed down the satin along her waist and hips.
"It's just so hard to be you." Dayne sighed in mock sympathy. Both women laughed and Faye lent a hand getting Zoëy ready.
"Thanks." Faye said after a moment of silence. Zoëy watched them in the mirror, as usual keeping quiet.
"For what? You're the one helping me get this little beauty ready for the party." Dayne smiled in the mirror at Zoëy. She grabbed a spray from the counter and set her hand over Zoëy's eyes.
"The invitation." Faye replied. She didn't want to say this was about as normal as her relationship with Gael could ever be but it was nice. For one night they wouldn't have to think about vampires, Familiars or being NightStalkers. For one night they could just be a normal couple, out for an evening of fun, not that most guys considered a wedding a fun evening. Something about taking their girls to a wedding made them sweat. With the way their lives were, a wedding date wasn't a problem for Gael.
"You're welcome." Dayne replied as she set the can back on the counter, checking the rollers in Zoëy's hair. There was a silent agreement not to mention what they were thinking and they focused on the little girl.
"So what are we doing?" Faye questioned eyeing Zoëy.
"I don't know." Dayne replied tilting her head in thought. "Up or down?"
"Hmm." Faye tilted her head, her brow furrowed. "Where's the dress?"
"Right here." Dayne quickly turned and pulled down the zipper of the white garment bag hanging in the bathroom. All three stared at the dress she had bought. The white lace skirt stopped two inches short of the hem allowing a view of the rose-tinged satin underskirt. A darker colored sash tied around high on the waist and as the garment bag was pushed back they saw the puffed satin sleeves and rounded collar. There was a pearl button on each sleeve and pulling the dress out Dayne showed them the back, also adorned with a row of pearl buttons.
"That's for me?" Zoëy whispered.
"Of course, though I almost made Témoc wear it for being nosy." Dayne replied laughing.
"That would've been great blackmail pictures." Faye noted with a chuckle. That only made Dayne and Zoëy burst into a fit of giggles remembering Duque drenched in pink paint.
"I've got plenty of those already." Dayne replied. She set a box on the counter along with snowy stockings. "I found these cute leather slippers and your dress even comes with a little bag." She held up the lace square which Zoëy took. "I'm not a fan of pink but it was either blue or green." She made a face and shrugged. "Figured I couldn't go wrong with pink."
"You never thought of having a little girl?" Faye asked after a short pause. She was smiling, her eyes on Zoëy's face. Dayne's silence brought up the aqua eyes but Dayne had her back turned to them. Her reflection in the mirror was obscured by the garment bag.
"It would've been nice." Dayne replied softly. "My Dad would've liked having a little girl to spoil." At one time, when she had been young and naïve and believed the happy ever after was possible, yes. Dayne had dreamed of a bigger family- at least a sibling for Témoc. She could remember having that conversation with Símon his senior year… when she thought he had changed his mind about leaving and tried the college thing with Duque.
Dayne turned to them, pushing thoughts of the past and what she had thought could be out of her head. She forced herself to smile but it didn't reach her eyes. "So I'm thinking down."
Faye blinked not sure as to what Dayne was referring until she reached for the rollers in Zoëy's hair.
"Oh, down sounds good." Faye agreed. Between them they had Zoëy's hair in lose curls. The russet locks secured away from her little face by simple barrettes and then Zoëy was lightly made up with a soft pink eye shadow and gloss on her lips.
They stepped out to let her dress.
"I'll get my dress on too." Dayne said walking towards her room. Faye stood in the hall looking at the frames. Zoëy had told them about the drawings and it was easy to find the 'beach' sketch. It didn't draw her attention as much as the drawing halfway down the hall. Another landscape but there was something dark about it. Something that discomforted Faye about the lonely quality of the tree-.
"Zoëy ready?" Dayne asked stepping into the hall. She was busy putting in her earring. Faye turned, her eyes scanning the length of Dayne and smiled.
"Don't you look nice." She said stopping at the bathroom door and tapping on it lightly.
"Uh, thanks. It's just…pink but not pink-." Dayne reached for the door suddenly uncomfortable with the knowing smile on Faye's face. "Hey, Zoëy we gotta get out of here sweetie."
Faye laughed softly, ignored by Dayne. The door opened and both women looked at the little girl, their smiles softening to the point of eliciting an 'Aw'.
"Buttons. I couldn't do the buttons." Zoëy murmured turning her back.
"I'll get the sash." Faye knelt taking the length of dark pink. "I make killer bows."
NS
Gael slowly walked around Dayne's work room. Témoc watched them from the door, curiosity glinting in his brown eyes. He couldn't help wondering why. It wasn't so much as the reason for them being in his house or how they'd all ended up… together. No, Témoc was curious as to why bad things had happened to all of them. It wasn't fair. Not for him, or his Mom, or Zoëy… so why, that was his question.
"This is disturbing." King muttered drawing Gael's attention from the drawings on the wall. He went around the drafting table, careful not to disturb her work station. Apparently King wasn't as concerned with riffling through the sketches laid out.
"Reaper?" Gael frowned.
"Yep, looks like him too." King confirmed tilting his head to study the drawings. He flipped through pages of sketches, all of the blond, with a glare. The green eyed monster was rising and then he stopped on a page he wasn't sure he was seeing. The order made no sense but it didn't have to for him. He'd been there, the dark alley and it was depicted almost as he'd seen the attack happen.
'How the hell…?'
The next page was different, King didn't recognize the place. Too many trees and though he didn't mind 'camping', he wasn't the type to volunteer. Gael inched around, his eyes riveted to the page King was having trouble turning, until the pages were in his hands.
"Look familiar?" King asked frowning at the new NightStalker. Gael barely offered a nod though he couldn't be sure. He'd only heard the story once, one drunken night before Abby or King joined the cell. He couldn't imagine Reaper would ever give so much detail as Dayne had drawn. The blond hadn't spoken to anyone for three days afterward. Hard as he tried, Gael couldn't look away from the sketches. He was too enthralled by the images of what he'd heard.
"I think they left without us." Faye's voice drifted towards the NightStalkers. King was quick to answer already following Témoc into the living room. The words he'd started to say died on his lips seeing Dayne take the last two steps.
"You've left King speechless." Faye noted with a smile at Zoëy, though she knew who it was he couldn't look away from. She took the little girls hand and turned her showing off the dress. "I'd swear you were a little princess, Zoëy."
"It's so pretty." Zoëy couldn't stop smiling even when King muttered some response. His eyes were riveted on Dayne and for some reason she wasn't looking at him.
"I want lots of pictures. So here." Dayne handed them each a disposable camera which Témoc took with enthusiasm. "They're digital so take as many as you want but there better be a variety. Not just face close-ups." She warned. "And try not to lose them."
"I'll put them in here." Zoëy offered slipping the camera into her little bag. Témoc easily handed his over and then Faye was asking for Gael.
"I'll get him!" Témoc cried running into the work studio.
"We'll start to the front door." Faye said taking Zoëy and then it was just King and Dayne. She fidgeted, finally looking at him, a faint blush stained her cheeks and Dayne was just a little annoyed by her discomfort. It wasn't like they were on a first date…
"Hi."
Dayne smiled and King could've kicked himself for the stupid greeting.
"You look-."
"You're-."
They stopped, each with a wry chuckle. King let his eyes roam over her once more, taking in the lose waves of her inky hair pulled away from her face and gathered by a calla lily in the back. Her eyes were lined in black, somehow large and mysterious. The tint of gold only enhanced the green flecks in her eyes. King stepped forward, his hand taking hers though his eyes slid down to the soft lips. He didn't think, just leaned down and pressed his mouth to hers.
Dayne closed her eyes, tilted her head back and rose on her toes. It was so natural, neither felt the discomfort of a moment before and then King pulled back to watch her eyes flutter open.
He smiled.
"You look beautiful." He murmured stepping back and admiring the dark rose sheath.
"It's not pink." Dayne sighed pressing her palm against her throat. "I don't do pink but this I can live with."
It hadn't been her first choice but Paola was the bride and as part of the wedding party Dayne kept her mouth shut and smiled. At least she had let everyone choose their own design, that was something.
"We're going to be late, Má." Témoc said frowning at King. The NightStalker could almost believe it was his fault.
"You'll get wrinkles." Dayne said gently swiping at her sons face and heading for the door. "Come on. Témoc can't be late for this wedding." She smiled.
"Má." Témoc warned rushing to get to the front door first.
"I'm pretty sure Laurita won't be too upset if you're late-."
"Má!" Témoc cried only to hear her laugh.
"Who's that?" King asked at her side.
"The flower girl he's walking with down the aisle." Dayne answered grinning.
"You got two dates." King raised an admiring eyebrow at Témoc who headed out the door and down the steps. "Kids got game."
"Oh please." Dayne scoffed gently digging an elbow in his side. King rubbed it taking the house keys from her hand and making sure the door was locked behind them.
"Try not to lose us, King." Gael asked in a tired voice as he headed to the SUV in the drive way.
"Drive faster." King retorted following Dayne to the Chevy waiting in the drive. Témoc was already sitting inside, his eyes looking straight ahead. It only brought another smile to Dayne's face.
"Just don't break the speed limit." Gael ordered. "We don't need to get pulled over."
"There won't be any speeding." Dayne answered with a look at King. He let out a breath and just shrugged.
At his back King definitely heard Gael chuckle but he ignored the NightStalker and helped Dayne into the car. He closed the door and went around to the driver's side once again slipping in with a smile.
"You look like the cat who ate the cream." Dayne noted with a laugh.
"Feel like it." King answered as they pulled into the street.
"My baby does that." She agreed pointing right. "Get on the freeway like your heading… back."
King ignored the slip following her instructions to the church. It wasn't too far but silence was never his friend.
"So what should I know about the lucky couple?" he asked.
"Ay Dios," Dayne sighed. "Thomas is practically family. He was always at our house with Ray. Those two and Duque were joined at the hip…" she laughed remembering the years when everything was simple.
NS
He didn't like to be kept waiting. It made him nervous and he didn't like meeting like this. In such a public place but there was nothing he could do about it. He liked the money, that he didn't have any complaints about. Money couldn't buy you happiness but it sure as hell made life comfortable.
Still, as a cop he couldn't fully enjoy the money he'd made doing business… on the side. Too many questions with no simple or easy answers. He wasn't stupid, greedy for sure but never stupid.
Rhys looked up as the chair was pulled aside. His pale gray eyes surveyed the woman taking a seat across from him. As always he felt a tendril of lust slither through him for the brunette tempered by some unexplained repulsion. It wasn't anything blatantly obvious but Rhys hadn't lasted as long on the force by ignoring his instincts.
There was something off about the woman. He didn't even know her name. He had no way of contacting her. She called him, told him what she wanted and when. It was up to him to get it and so far Rhys hadn't had to deal with a lack of delivery by either party.
"There's FBI on this." Rhys said leaning onto the table. "Old friend of hers. The guy looks like he'd be happy to be more than just that." He smirked, one hand pushing the large yellow envelope across the table.
"That's too bad." She murmured taking the envelope; she set down a slim wallet over it, the black nails tapping on the leather. "I trust you have all I need."
"Pictures, schedule, addresses- it's all in there." Rhys acknowledged. "She doesn't have a set pattern aside from the kid. There's some surveillance shots of his school and his usual route home."
"Good."
Rhys shifted in his chair; curiosity got the better of him.
"What are you planning for the kid?"
Her eyes flicked up to him at the question and Rhys instinctively shifted his body as far from her as the chair would allow. The question had been a mistake, he'd known it but now…
"None of my business. Just," he glanced around the patio; it was mostly empty, only a few customer sitting around drinking coffees. "Agent DeFranco, the FBI man heading up these weird murders, I hear he's tenacious. The type that gets his guy… or girl."
"As you said, that's none of your business." She replied. Her voice though soft was cold.
"Right." Rhys sat back, hiding his discomfort. She pushed the wallet towards him, off the envelope and started to rise.
"I don't like this curiosity you're exhibiting." Her eyes didn't waver from his face. "You know what happened to the cat. It'd be a shame. Humans don't have nine lives."
The threat wasn't even veiled but even so Rhys had no doubt she was capable of fulfilling it. She smiled, her head barely nodding then she turned and walked out of the patio café.
NS
It was going to be just another day spent working up some more sketches and trying to put some sort of timeline together for what Kaelin had told her-.
"Has it been four months already?"
Four months since she'd sat and listened to his story. The things he remembered and how they stuck in her head that she'd had trouble sleeping because of it. Sketching them out was the only way to find relief and so Dayne spent a week of sleepless nights in her studio. Sketches the NightStalkers had managed to find- not that she'd hidden them but it sure made for uncomfortable questions she didn't want to answer.
Lying hadn't ever been one of her strengths and time hadn't improved her. Símon had assured her of that.
"Tired of me already?" King turned his head, a lopsided smile on his face.
"Huh? No." Dayne bit her bottom lip. She turned onto her side embarrassed to have said that out loud. "No, I'm pretty sure you're the one who's tired."
"Ha!" King laughed and by the smirk on her face was relieved to see she was just teasing. "I did have a reason for showing up." He murmured drawing his hand down her side.
"I can see that." Dayne replied softly. "Can I expect this to become habit?" she scooted closer, her body shifting to allow his hand an unobstructed path along her hip. She didn't look as though she would mind if it did. King wouldn't mind spending the day the way they had again but he hadn't planned on ending in her bedroom in the first place.
It wasn't a bad idea and he leaned towards her, lips brushing against hers teasingly. She smiled, giggled pushing him onto his back and laying over him. King wrapped his arms around her, splayed his hands over her back in a caress. The sheet was pushed down as he explored and Dayne squirmed, her leg hooking over his hips. She kissed him, both hands sliding over his shoulders to brace on the pillow. She pushed up, King's hands resting on the back of her thighs…
The bell chime sounded as his hands began to slowly glide up her sides. Dayne glanced at the door, slightly frowning at the interruption. He took advantage of her distraction, easily rolling so he had her pinned.
"Hey-." Whatever she was going to say was put on hold. She kissed him back, arms wrapping around his shoulders. King skimmed light fingers over her thighs when the door chimed sounded again.
King frowned at the interruption, the annoyance easily ignored when Dayne slipped her hand between them. The smug little smirk playing about her lips was almost a challenge and he liked the dare. "You want to play it like this?"
"Was this a game?" Dayne whispered. She hooked her legs behind his knees and pulled just enough to get his attention. But it wasn't enough to drown out the door chime when it sounded yet again. She sighed, arms dropping to the pillow on either side of her head as King glared over his shoulder towards the door as if he could see who was at the front door.
Interrupting.
"Were you expecting someone?" King asked rising to a sitting position.
"Nope, nobody." Dayne sighed sitting up. She drew the sheet around herself, something King noticed and he smirked.
"What?" Dayne asked. He leaned towards her, his hand plucking at the sheet with a grin.
"Cute, you're hiding." He chuckled then gently nipped at her shoulder. He tugged the sheet down, lips trailing along her collar while his hand cupped her breast.
"Am not. I just…" but Dayne blushed because she really had been covering herself. It was ridiculous; they'd pretty much spent the morning making a mess of her bedroom all the while naked...
She turned away but King had no trouble recognizing the look on her face.
"You're blushing." He said in her ear all the while gently pushing her back onto the pillows. She didn't resist and King slowly pulled the sheet away from her body, his mouth leaving a warm trail as it followed. Dayne's hands lightly rested on his shoulders, eyes closing. King looked up; she wore this half smile, relaxed… He couldn't believe his luck.
"You're beautiful." He murmured crawling up her body. She looked at him, hands sliding down his shoulders to play over the muscles on his chest.
"Not so bad yourself." She teased and quickly squealed in surprise at the firm bite on her breast. King chuckled, tongue lightly flicking over her skin before taking the rosy bud into his mouth never once looking away from her eyes.
Dayne didn't think, she just felt and enjoyed his touch. She had a hand threaded into his hair, the other tugging on his shoulder and kicking off the sheet from her leg. His weight settle on her, hips angled so she could feel him and he teased her.
"Hannibal…"
He tugged on her nipple, watching as she bit her lip and felt the thrust of her hips in response. She hooked her leg behind his thigh and gave an insistent pull.
"Patience." King chuckled. He kissed her shoulder, lips moving towards her neck and Dayne turned her head to give him better access. She didn't want patience and almost said so though the digital numbers on the nightstand jumped out at her.
"Dios mio!" Dayne cried, eyes on the clock. "Its 1:45."
"Uh-huh…" he didn't care and didn't pay any attention. He ran his hand down her leg, hand hooking behind her thigh as he nibbled at her ear.
"Témoc will be hom-." The bell chime sounded for the fourth time.
King almost ignored it but Dayne gave a light shove on his shoulders and then the damn bell sounded again. She heard the curses he directed towards the door and almost echoed them. Dayne was torn between going to answer it and staying in bed with Hannibal for one more toe curling experience.
King sat up then cursed again as Dayne started to get out of bed. She frowned, leaning down to grab King's shirt; the closest piece of clothing available. She slipped it over her head, pulling her hair out of the large neckline and headed into the hall mumbling about the time.
King looked after her, groaned but he started to dress. It was clear his afternoon with Dayne was just about over. Lacing up his boots, King quietly followed Dayne just a little more relaxed than the first time her doorbell had rung after she'd come home from the hideout. He heard voices in the hall. The new voice bothered King for a reason but he couldn't quite figure out why. He grabbed his gun, the charge whirring softly at his side.
NS
Dayne tried not to fidget but she was sure there was a bright neon sign on her forehead that announced exactly what she'd been doing just ten minutes ago upstairs with King. It didn't help that Símon was staring at her, his eyes traveling the length of King's gray t-shirt and her messy hair. She was just glad he hadn't asked 'why'.
Yet.
"I was going to leave." Símon said. "Didn't think you were home…" again his eyes traveled the length of her and Dayne was grateful the shirt was big on her small frame.
"I was just-." Dayne hooked a thumb over her shoulder; her face burning with embarrassment because she was sure Símon knew exactly what she was just. "I was sleeping. Late night. Worki- sketching, work…"
'Shut up. Quiet is better so shut up.'
"Right." Símon agreed with a polite smile, the motion barely raised the corner of his lips. "Actually I came by to invite you for lunch-."
"Oh. Uhm…" Dayne looked at the floor, more uncomfortable than before. "I don't… Símon… actually I'm on my way out. I have to pick up my son from school." She moved to close the door, an embarrassed smile of apology on her lips.
"I could drive you." Símon offered limiting his eyes to Dayne instead of inside the house as he wanted to do.
"I can drive myself, thanks." Dayne replied. She glanced over her shoulder wondering if King had heard any of it. He'd never pretended not to be above average especially after taking the cure. She just hoped his hearing wasn't as 'above average' as Faye had said.
"Day -ne." Símon corrected when she frowned at him. "I'm trying, here."
"That's not my problem, Símon. I didn't leave without a word of explanation and yes, it hurt then but like I said before, I moved on. My life is… I'm not the same." he just had no idea how different she was and Dayne couldn't say anything about it. Símon was FBI and he was looking into the murder at the Publishing House… Talking to him would only end up badly.
"You're not the only one I'm trying-."
"No Símon." She shook her head. "I'm not getting in the middle of it."
"You're just as stubborn as your brother." Símon snapped. "You know, Ray won't answer my calls? As for Thomas, he's got another week before the honeymoon's over-."
"Don't you dare, Símon." Dayne warned with a step in his direction.
"I want you in my life." Símon said. The words echoed in the hall, a long silence Dayne didn't know how to cover and it stopped her on the threshold. She didn't know what to say to that.
Símon wanted her in his life?
What exactly did that mean? More importantly was the question whether she wanted him in hers. How would that happen?
"Duke's the key to getting all of you talking to me but he's off being GI Joe." Símon explained. "You're the nex-."
"No." Dayne repeated with a firm shake of her head. She couldn't get involved with whatever was going on with the guys. Duque wouldn't like it and right now she had bigger concerns than boys making up again.
"But you're-."
"No. No, why can't you take 'No' for an answer?" Dayne demanded. "That was always your problem Símon. Anytime I said 'No' you'd start talking-."
"Dayne, I just-."
"See? You're doing it again!" Dayne accused. "No. I'm not talking to the guys on your behalf. No, Símon. You hear that? I said 'No'. Forget it."
"You know the only reason they don't talk to me is because of D." Símon said. His eyes were steady on Dayne and she felt a sliver of guilt because the only reason Duque was upset was her fault. "Duque's not here. You are. You can get them to hear me out."
"Thomas is on his honeymoon." Dayne protested rather weakly. "He's only been married two weeks!"
"Ray's in town." Símon offered with a slight shrug. He could see her arguing internally. The smile threatening to show was firmly hidden away but Símon knew the skirmish was won in his favor.
"Just go away, Símon." Dayne snapped. She glared at him closing the door firmly before cursing under her breath. She padded down the hall to the living room unaware of King until he stepped in her way. "Eek!"
"Who was that?" King asked watching Dayne take a step back from him. She had one hand covering her mouth but it was too late to take back the surprised squeak.
"You frightened me!" Dayne accused glaring up at him. King raised an eyebrow in question, something that made her uncomfortable though there was no reason.
"FBI man?" he questioned.
"Símon, he came by a few days ago…" Dayne could've kicked herself. What the hell did she have to go and say that for?
"What'd he want?" King asked crossing his arms. Dayne's eyes flicked to his chest, the way his muscles were defined and almost smiled.
He cleared his throat.
"Huh-umm, nothing. An apology, he just stopped by to apologize. He thinks I can talk the guys into forgiving him but he's wrong." Dayne explained in a rush. She went around King, her shoulder rising in a shrug. "I don't even know why they don't talk, Duque never said anything and the guys won't either so…" she turned on the second stair, brown eyes narrowing on King.
"Are you…" Dayne shook her head but the way King was scowling… "You're jealous?"
"What?" King exclaimed. "No-o! No. No, I am not jealous." He denied vehemently. Dayne's lips turned up in a smile and she chuckled. "Hey! I am not jealous." King re-iterated but it didn't wipe away the smile on her face.
"It's ok, if you are." Dayne said, grinning. She kinda liked that he was jealous though there wasn't any reason. Símon was in the past and as far as she was concerned he had no place in her future. But Dayne refused to think past 'today'.
"I think it's cute."
"Cute?" King echoed. The word was like an insult to his ego and he wasn't about to let her think he was jealous of some old FBI boyfriend of hers from back in the day. "Cute."
"I wouldn't have thought you'd be the type-." Dayne yelped in surprise. She grabbed his shoulders reflexively as King lifted her up. Wide eyed at the unexpected action, he didn't give her a chance to ask what he was doing.
"I'm not jealous." He stated covering her lips with his. Instead of heading upstairs, King took two strides and dropped onto the couch with Dayne in his lap. The t-shirt was easy to get rid of and Dayne wasn't going to protest. They'd left their business upstairs unfinished and King was intent on picking up right where he'd left off.
Dayne pulled back only to reach between them and undo his jeans. It was the little smirk on her parted lips that had King laying her on the couch without warning. He kicked off his jeans in record time, boots snagging for a second before he sent those flying too then grabbed her leg and roughly pulled her under him. Dayne gasped, more aroused than frightened by his actions. She didn't want any tender touches- not right now and he seemed to pick up on that.
The feel of his calloused palms on her thigh made her shiver and the unexpected thrust elicited a gasp. Dayne wiggled beneath Hannibal, felt him fill her and settled into his rhythm. He enveloped her, an arm wrapped around her, hand tangled in her hair. There was a soft smile on her lips as they kissed, he felt it and pulled back. Her eyes weren't 'just brown', the green flecks stood out in their depths…
"Beautiful…" King breathed with a deep thrust. Dayne gripped his shoulders, pulled him down and closed her eyes. She hooked her leg over him, arching her back. He couldn't miss the moans of pleasure, felt her walls clamp around him each time and buried his face in her shoulder. His mouth found the rapid pulse in her neck; tongue lightly grazed the fang punctures and bit down gently.
Dayne felt that, shuddered at the pressure of his teeth- "Hard." She breathed, nails digging into his back. She turned her head, bared her neck for him but King hesitated. He kissed her jaw, grazed his teeth on her skin before placing another kiss on the mark.
"Please." She could remember how it felt, the pain shooting through her body when the vampire had bitten her. She didn't want that memory; she didn't want the vampires reminder of that night. "I want you, Hannibal."
He hesitated, wasn't sure how he felt about it, of 'biting' Dayne…all those others, the ones he couldn't stop himself from drinking- No. She wasn't a victim; he wasn't going to hurt her-
King licked at the skin, fit his mouth over the marks and bit down, teeth cutting into her skin just enough to leave a bright mark.
NS