Just a head's up that the rating of this story has changed due to more adult themes, nothing too full on but suggested.

Chapter 31

Alan stood nursing his gin between his brothers. He didn't want to be here tonight at all but Penelope had insisted on all three of them coming. It was ironic really that only two months ago he would have jumped at the opportunity to be invited to one of Penny's exclusive parties and now he couldn't care less. He cast an eye around the opulent room with its high ceilings and its elaborate gold leafed coving. The low burble of chatter reminded him of the communications relays on Five. Right now, he felt just as solitary as he did up there despite being surrounded. They stood waiting for their hostess in the far corner of the room where they hoped to draw little attention to themselves. The polished dance floor was empty, bordered at the fringes by societies finest who remained in the shadows where the gauzy glow of the chandeliers couldn't penetrate. Waiters weaved a complex, yet efficient pattern amongst the attendees, offering champagne and canapés. A string quartet created a warm ambience as they waited for the evening to begin.

They were all unusually subdued having completed their mission a mere hour previously. They were exhausted but couldn't say no to a friend and Scott in particular had his own reasons for wanting to stay. He'd not taken his eyes off the entrance since they arrived. Alan had been meaning to ask how things were between him and his partner since learning about their troubles but Scott was notoriously private about such things and Alan had not yet had the courage.

The doors swung open from the private entrance creaking loudly as if protesting at the treatment. Parker was in his ceremonial best as he took his place at the side of the door. The lady of the house stepped out of the shadows, diamond tiara refracting every colour of the rainbow. She wore long white gloves and a dusty pink silk number that fell about her shoulders and ended in a sculptured fish tail. She waved for the crowds to continue as she crossed the threshold. Once the babble started anew a secondary figure emerged from the dark recesses, their dress was dark in colour but twinkled and glimmered enough to form a hazy outline. The clunk of a glass on a tray drew his attention back to Scott who had dumped his glass and stood expectantly. His whole being centred on Penelope's mystery companion.

Alan turned back in time to see a petite woman nervously pushing a stray chestnut lock back behind her ear with a midnight blue gloved hand. The dress that had shimmered in the dark became a glittering midnight beacon in the light. She smoothed her hands down her front trying to stick to the periphery behind Penelope whilst visibly searching the room, her elegant neck stretched a little as she tried to peek over and behind the taller guests. She was beautiful but Scott was right, she was much thinner in appearance.

"Excuse me." Scott uttered roughly as he cut past them. Alan watched as he confidently strode across the empty floor causing several heads to turn in his direction – not that he noticed.

"He's been waiting months to see her." Virgil took a sip of his own drink, keeping track of the pink in the corner of his eye.

"He's a lucky man." Declared Alan. Lucky that his partner took him back. Could luck strike twice? He wondered. Scott stood before Rose dipping his head to hear her over the crowd. To Alan it seemed as if time stopped for a moment before his brother closed the distance and hugged her tightly, Rose responded in kind before wrapping her arm around Scott's and giving him a playful bump with her hip in response to his whispered attentions.

Alan turned away necking the last of his drink. "Refill?" He pointed to Virgil's empty glass.

"Thank you." Virgil didn't have to request a soft drink, they all abided to the one alcoholic drink when 'on duty.' Only on a rare true vacation might they indulge. Alan had sworn from now on he would abide to the rule when on leave too.

Alan wound his way across the short distance to the outer hall where the bar was located. The red and gold carpet plush underfoot. Unfortunately, he ran into several acquaintances of his father, all demanding to know how he was and why they never saw the old boy these days. Alan hastily made his excuses; he wasn't in the mood for small talk this evening. Deciding he couldn't cope with the claustrophobia he pushed out of the foyer into the gardens at the front of the property.

It was a crisp cold evening on the cusp of Fall. The sky so cloudy that no stars were visible but the moon could be seen between waning between the clouds as they skimmed along the ebony skyline. Alan took a deep breath, he missed her. More than ever. At first, he had naively thought she would forgive him and come round after a couple of weeks but it had been almost two months now and although now back on friendly terms the warmth and fun-loving nature of their relationship had not returned. The closeness they had shared was now silted with mistrust. Their relationship seemed like a distance memory from an age long ago. It was almost as if the loss had aged him. He wasn't that petulant young man he had been.

"You're hurting me!... Mike let go! Listen to me!" Alan's head whipped round. He listened carefully; he could barely hear her distressed pleas.

"I said LET GO!" Louder this time. Alan ran to the left of the grand house towards what looked to be a summer house. As he rounded the corner of the small hexagonal building, he discovered an older man with his hand gripped around a much younger woman's wrist.

Alan stepped in forcibly wrenching the man's grip as he shielded her. The man resisted for all of a few moments before Alan pushed on the pressure point between the man's thumb and finger which caused him to slacken his grip enough to pull him off. Just a glimpse of her face was enough to see she was angry but Alan noticed she was shaking, her hands clenched so tightly the knuckles were white. Powered glass crunched under Alan's feet as he drew level with his opponent. The man was a few inches shorter than Alan, not overweight but a well-built hulk of a man with a receding hairline that was just visible in the security lighting of the grounds. His mouth was pulled into a sneer, his eyes flint like in the half light. Without warning the man lunged at Alan causing the woman to yelp.

Alan ducked; the gentleman's aim so clumsy he guessed he must be under the influence of something. Alan straightened. "I think it's time you leave."

He could hear the woman behind him on her phone, she was describing an assault to what he could only assume was the police. He just had to keep the man talking. "Go now and no one need know about this."

The man barked with laughter. "You think I care? You interfering little swine!" He lunged at Alan again, this time catching him across the lip. Alan wiped at the blood feigning a look of surprise. As the guy came in for another blow Alan socked him one into his exposed stomach. The man doubled over coughing. Alan then shoved an elbow as hard as he could between the man's shoulder blades. The woman screamed as the man charged from his crouch, grabbing Alan around the waist before crushing him into the summerhouse. Alan felt a panel give way beneath his back and groaned. He went limp before he kicked and struck the mans shin causing him to hop back. Blue lights flickered across the man's angular features, his pupils remained constricted in the bright lights as he threw up a hand to shield his face. Realising the source of the lights he started to stumble away across the garden before vaulting into the fields. Shouts were raised as two police officers shot after him.

"Are you alright?" Alan approached the woman who was backed against the summerhouse porch. "Did he hurt you?" He wheezed.

"No, thanks to you. Are you okay that was quite a hit you took?"

He flicked a handkerchief out of his pocket to wipe his lip before dusting his jacket down, he was dismayed to see it was covered it had moss lines tracking up the back that must have transferred from the wooden panels. The woman was still shaking, the night cold. He shrugged off his tux jacket wincing at the movement before draping it around her shoulders. "Don't worry about me, I've seen worse I'm just glad your safe now. I guess we better wait here till they return." He indicated to the swing chair on the porch.

She smoothed her crimson dress underneath her before sitting on the cushions with her clutch in her lap. She drew his white tux closer around her, honey blond curls spilled over the black lapels. Another police car skidded to a halt next to the other one on the drive.

"What's your name?"

"Felicity but my friends call me Felix."

He held out his hand. "Alan."

x-X-x

Gordon had made his excuses and retired to bed early, for he could no longer stand orbiting around a world that would never be his to call home. He'd found himself noticing her every move, the husky musical quality to her voice, the way her blouse alluded everything yet showed nothing. He felt like he was magnetised to her core. Just being in near her engulfed him in a white-hot fire he couldn't extinguish. He slapped the shower controls jumping at the freezing cold water as it cascaded over his bare shoulders and scrubbed himself raw.

Much later he slipped into bed, the Egyptian cotton sheets conforming to his body. He was extra sensitive to the weight, the way the sheets draped across his mid-drift and pooled between his legs. He kicked them off in annoyance, the sensation of sheets against bare skin making him restless as his mind continued to wonder where it knew better. He ground his teeth in frustration.

Eventually he began to feel the lull of what promised to be a satisfying sleep. As his eyes lost focus and his body relaxed into the familiar conforms of his mattress his mind sparked once more. You left the dive computer on the boat. Staring at the ceiling in bitter resentment at being wide awake once again he rolled over to the edge and scrambled for some shorts and a shirt.

He needed to get the computer. He had several between IR and his own private ones but this one was the one he would always dive with as preference; it went everywhere with him. It was an older model but it was his W.A.S.P one - or namely it had once belonged to Glenn so it held a strong sentimental attachment for him. He liked to think that by using it, Glenn was still having adventures; living on through him. luckily, he hadn't been using it at the conference. He would have been devastated had it been damaged.

Gordon took the long way round from outside his room to the external entrance to the cove a few kilometres from the house. He slipped in the secret doorway looking left to right before heading to the boat. It appeared the area was deserted, the security lighting making his bare arms appear pallid. He hopped into the boat, opening up the cabin and heading inside. He wasn't quite sure where he'd left it. After searching high and low he eventually located it on the dashboard. He was just about to reach for it when he heard the door click open behind him.

Her scent drifted inwards on the lazy sea breeze, the only relief on this humid night. Gordon twisted slowly. She stood blocking the doorway the security light had long clicked off meaning he could only make her out by the dim little light in the cabin and the pale moonlight that shimmered through the cave entrance. The only sound was the waves lapping at the yacht. She wore a long translucent chiffon nightdress through which he could see her perfectly silhouetted calves. His eyes trailed upwards towards her hips, his eyes blackening with need as the urges he'd been resisting for so long clamored within him; demanding to be sated. Her head was tilted to one side with her hair unbound, her lips slightly parted as she stood watching him. Seeming to make up her mind she hesitantly stepped towards him. His expression had rendered her speechless. His whole body was taught, she could see the muscles tensing in his forearms and the slight tick in his jaw. It was almost as if he was at war with himself.

He stepped closer, bare feet padding across worn boards. He got to within a couple of feet before rushing the final few steps. He pulled her into him, desperate to feel her skin on his. One hand was firmly ensconced on her waist the other immediately wrapped up in her hair as he crushed his mouth to hers. A few halting moments passed in which she remained wrapped around him but didn't return his kiss fully, then just as he was doubting himself, she launched herself into his kiss, running her tongue along his teeth, kissing deeper and more desperately as she gave into her own desires, her hands were already dragging off his shirt, he paused long enough to pull it over his head before his mouth was on her neck leaving her weak in his arms. He lifted her up with ease before planting himself on the leather bench with her atop him. He was lost completely; intoxicated by the feeling of flimsy fabric roughly brushing between their skin. The only barrier left to conquer. He wanted this for so long, here…...tonight, it was beyond his wildest dreams. Outside the waves rocked and crashed in rhythm against the rocky outcrops of the cove, the moonlight glimmered over the ocean bathing the bay in an otherworldly light. It really was a beautiful night in paradise.

After Alan and Felicity had given their statements to the police, they had retreated to the house and explained what happened. Once Felicity had explained she would be home alone Penelope insisted she should stay the night with them. She shouldn't be alone after such a terrible ordeal. Felicity was secretly relieved as she had been dreading being alone. After some reassurances between friends and brothers Alan and Felicity had retreated to a private parlour. He sat back in an armchair using the arm to prop his elbow whilst he held an ice pack to his face. His shirt was stained with smudges of blood.

"I'm sorry I ruined your evening." Felicity kicked off her heels before tucking her legs underneath her, still wrapped in his tux.

"Honestly it was a welcome distraction – not that you getting attacked was -" He flustered sheepishly. "I heard you telling him to let you go and it sounded serious so I went to investigate."

"Thank god you did." She shuddered. "I was in serious danger; I am indebted to you."

He smiled. "There's no debt to pay, seeing you safe is dividend enough."

She demurely smiled back. "So, I take it you're not enjoying the ball tonight?"

"Its not the ball as such….. its more the lack of company and the memories that come with it." A pained expression fluttered across his features before quickly smoothing out once again. "I didn't want to come but Lady Penelope is a good friend and I couldn't let her down." He pressed the compress onto his lip.

"Sounds like you're the perfect gentleman." She toyed with the top of her glass.

He snorted before making direct eye contact. "Far from it. It's been brought to my attention recently that even gentlemen have their flaws." He glanced away again.

"Women do too." His eyes flicked back up in surprise. She laughed, the sound chiming around them. "Don't look so surprised, we just hide them better than men." She winked.

"Oh, I see. You must teach me some time." His lips quirked.

She stood. "Shall we try and show our faces?"

"I suppose we should." He chucked the compress on the table; his face wasn't going to get any better for it now. Felicity crossed the room and offered him a hand. He accepted as she pulled him up. Alan winced again at the movement as it tugged on his ribs.

She gently rested a hand against his side a worried frown marring her smooth complexion. "Are you sure you haven't broken something? Should we call for a doctor?" Alan tensed at her small hand, his shirt suddenly feeling pervious to the touch. A small flutter spiked in his stomach.

"I – erm I'm sure thank you. I've had worse."

She handed him his jacket. "Why do you get into brawls often?"

"No, more…... sporting injuries, I'm a racing car champion by trade, naturally it can be a hazardous profession." He tried to shuck the suit on over his waistcoat but found he couldn't so she gently eased it over his shoulders before grabbing onto his lapels where she hovered, lifting her head upwards.

"Sounds fun."

"It is. Look erm Felicity" –

"Felix"

"Felix. I"

"Your taken, aren't you?"

"Yes – no…. well, it's complicated." Alan cringed.

"Apologies; I didn't mean to be so forward. I can see I have put you in an awkward position." She bowed her head.

"Not at all. I just want to be honest from the start. I was in a long-term relationship that recently hit the rocks. We were on a break only now I'm not so sure it's a break as much as a break up." He smiled weakly as something snapped inside. Admitting it out loud ripped open a wound he thought he'd cauterised.

She placed a gentle hand on his arm. "I understand. You're at a crossroads. Not quite sure of how you feel or which direction to take. If your ready to leave what you know behind you for a future that's not yet clear."

"That's a pretty good summary actually." He murmured.

"Well why don't we reunite with your brothers and their friends and see if we can relieve some of this doom and gloom? Pining outside on a cold Autumn night won't help you, but your friends and family will find a way to lift your spirits if you let them."

"Okay." He dusted himself down one more time as she walked to the door, hand poised on handle.

"Ready?"

"Ready. And Felix?"

She turned to look at him.

"Thank you."

"You are most welcome, seemed we were both in need of rescue tonight."

"Indeed." He replied before the buzz of the ballroom greeted them. They stepped through the door melding into the crowds. It was in that moment Alan realised the underlying anxiety he felt was the fear of being alone. He'd convinced himself he'd never meet anyone else who would be interested in him, who loved him like he loved Tin-Tin but in meeting Felix he realised that maybe he was being too harsh on himself and that maybe love could strike more than once. He loved Tin-Tin but being on a break was tormenting him, it wasn't fair to either of them, they were still bound with each feeling as if they owed the other something. It was time he made a decision to be honest with himself and her. When he returned to the island tomorrow, he resolved to finally force himself to have the frank conversation he'd been avoiding. Did she love him? or not. It was a simple question.

Relieved he'd made up his mind, he extended a hand to help his new acquaintance down the steps before joining Scott and Virgil. The night was still young and he was determined to enjoy it.