Thanks so much to bbymojo, ughbarnes, and Terrence Johnny Stanford for your feedback. It means a lot that you take the time to send me your thoughts.

Thank you to my faithful readers. Here's another chapter for you. Hope you like it. Please send a review or PM. Don't be shy.

Melina awakened around six, alone, which unfortunately was not unexpected. Rolling over onto the side of the bed where Dabi had slept, she hugged the pillow to her body inhaling his scent from the fabric. He possessed a specific and unique scent that was something akin to the unusual mixture of the smell after a match is blown out combined with the fragrance of pine trees.

Allowing herself only a few minutes to wallow in his scent and her own sadness from missing him, she forced herself out of the bed to get her day started. She dressed in jeans and a buttery yellow t-shirt. Twisting her tangled hair into a bun, she started the tedious and time consuming process of covering up the bruise dominating her face.

While coffee brewed, she began packing up her equipment required for honey processing and make up manufacturing. Standing in the middle of the kitchen, she glanced around and sighed dejectedly. Although looking forward to the prospect of taking on a new and exciting challenge in her life, she could not shake the feeling that she was losing something important as well; not just Dabi but another part of herself.

Evolving into a different person was inevitable due to the rapid and confounding changes in her life. She was becoming someone she didn't recognize. Therefore, she did not know yet if she liked that new person.

Just as Melina was about to take her first sip of coffee, the intercom buzzed. Glancing at the green numbers on the clock on the stove, she saw that it was barely after eight. Soon she would be starting class at this time. It was going to take some time to get accustomed to this new life as a teacher. Changes of all kinds, big and small. Mornings were not her thing but they about to become her thing whether she liked it or not.

Ignoring the intercom, she took a sip of the tongue scalding coffee. The damn intercom continued to buzz, demanding her attention. Walking over to it, still sipping at her coffee, she pressed the button.

"There's a bunch of kids and a really grumpy guy here to see you," Yamada announced.

Oh, great! Shota Aizawa, she thought to herself, rolling her eyes and groaning. It was too early to face him, especially since she had not yet had her first full cup of coffee.

"Is it Halloween?" she asked, taking another leisurely sip.

"Wha-ah...uh, no ma'am," replied the flustered security guard.

"April Fool's Day?" she persisted in an effort to stall for time.

"No. Tell me what to do ma'am. Or I'll continue to press the call button," he threatened. He was having none of her bullshit this morning.

Dammit! She finished her coffee in one big, loud gulp.

"Send them up."

Melina poured herself a second cup of coffee. As she was sliding her bare feet into her tennis shoes, someone knocked on the door.

"We're here," Aizawa announced in his monotone rife with ennui.

"I'm positively thrilled to see you too, Mr. Aizawa," she greeted him with sarcasm, lifting her cup to her lips.

"Morning, Miss Zusa," the class virtually sang out in unison.

Well, that was adorable. A sincere smile turned up the corners of her lips.

"Good morning, everyone," she returned, keeping a death grip on her coffee cup with both hands as she made her way through the students toward the door that opened to the stairs leading to the roof.

Shoto was standing at the door waiting for her.

"How are you feeling this morning?" he asked her, opening the door for her.

"I'm alive," she answered, her smile broadening when their eyes met.

"That's a good thing," he rejoined, returning her smile.

Melina patted his shoulder as she passed him to go up the stairs. Once everyone gathered on the roof, she made a general announcement.

"Okay, kids, listen up...All of the flowers and plants need to be put into those crates. Be sure to place the bottom of the pots flat into the crate, and don't pack them in too tightly. That will prevent big messes from spilling soil or breaking pots."

Next she designated a group to take apart the shed and another to disassemble the greenhouse. She observed the students, offering assistance or suggestions when necessary as they methodically transferred everything downstairs to the box truck waiting out front. Several pots of flowers and a flowering shrub were left behind near the apiary to keep the surroundings somewhat familiar for the bees.

"This is going to take less time than I thought. These kids are amazing," she remarked as the last pieces of the shed were carried away.

"Yes, they are," Aizawa agreed, his voice lifting with pride. "What about the beehive?"

"It should be moved after dark. All of the bees will be in the hive then, and they will go somewhat dormant. I'll need three strong students to help move it," she said, glancing around for suitable candidates. "What about those two?"

She nodded toward the one called Bakugo and the green haired boy he was speaking to at the moment. Bakugo appeared to fussing at the poor boy who quietly stood there and took the chastisement without saying a word.

"Bakugo and Midoriya? They should be good. Both are strong. Although Bakugo has a quick temper, he can remain calm and quiet for a short time. Midoriya thinks too much, but he's reliable. He analyzes everything," he said.

"Midoriya," she mumbled to herself.

Melina knew that name. She had heard it tossed about quite a bit at the bar. Bakugo's was also recognizable - and not only from her few but memorable interactions with him at the school. He was the one the villains had kidnapped and tried to convert to their side. The boy had flatly refused. He had principles and stuck by them, remaining loyal to his companions and mostly himself. She admired him for that.

She overheard a conversation between Shigaraki and Dabi one night that involved another abduction plot, but this time the victim would be Midoriya. Shigaraki suggested they use her and her mind control quirk to force him into becoming a member of the Villain's League. Dabi quickly shot the plan down by reminding Shigaraki that her mind control is only temporary, the effects fading after a few hours.

"What about the third student to help?" Aizawa questioned her. "I assume you want Shoto Todoroki. You seem to be quite fond of him."

"I am," she admitted, feeling her face warm with a blush. She hoped he couldn't see it under her heavy make up.

"Be careful, Miss Zusa," he said, his voice taking on a serious warning tone. "I won't have you putting my students in danger - of any kind."

"What is that supposed to mean?" she demanded, offended by his implication.

"Miss Zusa, everything is loaded up and ready go," Shoto informed her, jogging over.

His timing was impeccable. Both people stared at him briefly, then their attention shifted back to each other and their conversation.

"We should go to the school and unload everything. Get the shed and greenhouse set up. It will be close to sunset by the time that's done. Then we can move the bees with a minimum of stress and confusion to them," she said.

"Is that everything to be moved now?" Aizawa asked.

"There's a few boxes in my apartment," she replied. "They will be going in the classroom."

"Bakugo! Midoriya!" the teacher called out.

The boys trotted over after being called. Midoriya wore a kind smile on his face while Bakugo's face bore his usual scowl. Shoto kept his expression neutral as he awaited his next assignment.

"Please assist, Miss Zusa with a few more things. Oh, and you'll also be helping move the beehive this evening," he told them before walking away to herd the rest of the class down to the truck.

"Deku, are you up for all of this heavy lifting?" Bakugo asked him. "I don't want you doing something stupid and hurt yourself."

"I'm fine Kacchan," he assured him. "I only have to avoid impact hits, like landing a punch, that could damage the bones in my arms. I'm still strong. I can lift things, you know."

Melina smiled at the affectionate and caring exchange between the two boys. She would never have guessed the grumpy dandelion had that kind of emotional depth to him.

"Come on guys," she said, beckoning them to follow her. She led them into her apartment which opened to the kitchen. "Be careful. There's lots of breakable items in these boxes."

"I heard you're moving into the dorms. Is that true?" Bakugo questioned her, picking up the largest box.

"Yep," she answered, glimpsing around her apartment. "I'm going to miss this place."

"It is a very nice apartment, Miss Zusa," Midoriya commented, picking up the box full of containers for the cosmetics. "But I'm glad you're coming to the dorms."

"Guess we'll be back to move the rest of your crap by the end of the week," Bakugo muttered, walking out of the apartment.

Melina shook her head and rolled her eyes. One word came to mind for him: incorrigible. After Shoto picked up the third box and left, she closed and locked the door to follow him. Bakugo and Midoriya had already taken the elevator down leaving the two of them to wait in the hallway for it to return.

"Are you okay?" Shoto asked her.

"Yeah. I'm fine. It's just...changes are hard, you know. Even when you want them, they're difficult," she sighed.

"But I'll be here to help you," he said, facing the elevator doors as they parted. "Every step of the way."

"Thanks."

I'm going to need you, Shoto, she thought to herself. More than you know...and probably more than I should.

~\..'../~

Since it was close to lunch by the time they unloaded everything and hauled it up to the school building rooftop, Melina bought everyone food and drinks from the cafeteria. Enlisting the help of her three trusted sidekicks, they brought everything to the roof.

All of the students sat around talking and eating, taking the time to get to know their new teacher a little. They asked the typical safe questions such as where was she from and how did she get into beekeeping. She told them about her parents who inspired her love of teaching and science but refrained from mentioning they were dead. The boys groaned when the girls started asking questions about cosmetics.

"What's your quirk?" asked Kaminari, picking up a third curry bun from the dwindling pile of food.

Melina stared at the black streak shaped like a lightning bolt in his yellow hair. Shoto, who had sat beside her on the fake grass they rolled out, suddenly showed a deep interest in the conversation. In that moment she realized she had never told him about her quirk. He had never asked so she did not offer up the information. Her quirk never seemed to matter to him - which she liked.

Explaining her ability always brought her severe discomfort and embarrassment, but even more so considering the ages of her present listeners. She inhaled deeply, steeling herself to bare the entire truth about her power.

"Well, it's a mind control quirk activated by a pheromone in my saliva," she said, prepared to go on but the odd kid with the purple balls for hair interrupted her.

She wasn't sure what to think about this guy, and purposely withheld judgment. Several times during the packing and moving she had caught the bizarre little fellow leering at the girls, staring at their behinds or chests. Once when she was bending over picking up a box, she actually felt his eyes on her. If breasts had eyes, the eye contact would have been intense.

"So you have to kiss the person to use your quirk?" he asked, practically drooling as he spoke.

Melina resisted the urge to say 'ew.' He was still only a kid - even if he was already a raging pervert. She mutely nodded.

"Would you like to try it out on me?" he went on.

"I most definitely would not," she shot back, tossing him a bottle of water. When the bottle smacked him in the face and knocked him backwards onto his butt, she felt zero remorse without a single fuck given. "Drink that. You need to cool off a bit."

Nervous giggles ran through the group of students. Her ability to throw would become legendary and feared at this rate.

Melina stood up to search for Aizawa. He was most likely napping somewhere. She couldn't blame him. A nap sounded like a good idea, but there was still so much to do.

By the time the students reassembled the shed and greenhouse, placing all of the flowers, the sun was setting. The time had come to move the bees. Aizawa suddenly reappeared, ready to leave. On the way back to the apartment building, Melina coached the three boys on how to move the apiary.

The sun had completely set when they exited onto her apartment building rooftop. The strings of lights that had created an illuminating canopy had been taken down and transported to the school already so the only light they had was the two lamps attached to the wall on either side of the rooftop door. They needed to move fast before it got any darker.

A few bees flew in lazy circles around the outside of the hive. A couple more crawled on its white painted wooden surface before disappearing into the box. Melina began humming which prompted the others to land and go inside. She continued to hum to keep them inside and put them in a trance like state to keep everyone, human and bee alike, safe during the transport.

"Amazing," Midoriya exhaled as the last bee wiggled between the frames.

"Now, each of you get on a side, reach under the bottom, and we'll lift at once," she instructed, waiting for everyone to get into position. "One, two, three, lift."

They slowly and carefully lifted straight up, gradually standing from their squatting positions. The boys were strong, the lift smooth. They carried the box at an even height without allowing it to tip to either side. The elevator ride down was the longest ever as they continued to hold the heavy wooden box up in the air. A low, static hum that closely matched hers could be heard from within the apiary.

"So, are you resonating with them, operating on their frequency, to keep them calm?" Midoriya inquired.

"Yes, that's exactly it," she replied.

"Are you acting as their queen in a way?"

"In a way...they do have an actual bee queen since I can't be near them all the time. I suppose when I'm around my influence supersedes hers."

"She's actually your stand in. Interesting," he mumbled to himself. "Did your quirk come from the bees?"

"Yes."

"That means it's more of a mutation than a quirk. Correct?"

"You are absolutely correct, Mr. Midoriya."

"Fascinating," he mumbled under his breath again.

Wow, this kid really liked to figure things out by getting into his own head, she thought as he continued muttering to himself.

Melina liked the way everything intrigued him. He had been the same way with the flowers and plants, asking her a constant stream of questions as they moved them. Although they weren't in the classroom today, she would say she held her first official teaching session. This had actually been a pretty good 'getting to know you' exercise for all of them. Somehow she doubted Aizawa would let go of his idea to have a 'game day' though.

By the time they returned to the school rooftop, the lights had been strung up according to her specifications to shed light on the entire area. The set up had been arranged as it had been on the apartment rooftop to make the surroundings familiar for the bees. Once the apiary was situated, all four people breathed a sigh of relief.

"Let's go to the dorm," Shoto suggested once they were done. "You can have a look around."

"I will be moving in soon enough. I can check everything out then. Besides, I should go home. I really need a shower," Melina stated, wrinkling her nose.

"Hey, guys!" Kaminari exclaimed, meeting them on the rooftop. "There's pizza at the dorm. Let's go."

Melina had asked Yamada to call the pizza joint and place the order for the delivery before going up to the roof to move the bees as a surprise for the kids. The students had worked hard and deserved a treat. She was going to miss her friend Yamada as well. She sighed noisily.

"Aren't you hungry?" Shoto asked.

"Not really," she answered, although she was starving.

Thankfully, her stomach did not growl calling her out as a liar. That was the last thing she needed since she already stood on shaky ground with Shoto as far as telling the truth goes. However, she was more tired than hungry and in desperate need of a shower. Her skin felt crusty and gross from layer upon layer of sweat that had dried leaving a thin film of salt over her entire body.

"See you tomorrow, Miss Zusa," Midoriya called behind him as he and Bakugo walked away with Kaminari.

"Nerd," Bakugo grumbled. "Why don't you bring her an apple tomorrow too? Damn suck up."

Once they were gone, Shoto took Melina by the hand making her heart skip a beat. Without exchanging a word, he led her downstairs to the front gate.

"I'll see you in class tomorrow, teacher," he said at the gate.

"Teacher's pet!" yelled someone who sounded very much like Mineta.

Melina chuckled. In the muted yellow light from the sidewalk lamps she could not tell if he blushed or not. He most likely did though.

"I could walk you home," he offered, reluctantly letting go of her hand.

"No, I'll be fine," she assured him, apprehension tightening the muscles of her gut. She hoped she would be fine.

"Okay. Good night then." He lingered at the gate without closing it, his eyes holding onto hers as securely as he had held her hand.

"Good night," she returned, not moving either.

Melina ordered her feet to walk away, but they refused to respond. She held her breath when his eyes lowered to her lips. Her heart beat in her ears like a herd of stampeding horses as his hand cupped her jaw. The silky soft pad of his thumb glided across her lower lip, then the top, following every curve from corner to corner. A tingling sensation remained even after his thumb lifted away from her lips.

"Good night," he whispered, his hand dropping from her face.

Melina watched him walk away. Although his lips never touched hers, she was quite sure based on the intent of desire in his eyes and his touch, she had just received a kiss from him.

~\..'../~

Due to having her head under the lightly pounding streams of water, Melina felt rather than heard the click of the shower door. The sound vibrated first through her eardrums then spread like ripples on top of a lake throughout her body. The presence, familiar, welcome, and sneaky as always told her Dabi had arrived. She smiled. His good-byes were never forever. The lack of finality gave her comfort despite hearing the words so often from him.

A soft sigh of happiness pushed past her lips when his big, warm hand cupped her shoulder then slid down her arm. A pleading moan followed when he pressed his naked body to hers, fitting his front side to her back side as best as he could considering the height difference.

"How are you feeling?" he whispered in her ear.

The metal staples on his cheek grazed hers as he spoke, making every muscle in her body seize up at once then release leaving her feeling weak and limp in his arms that encompassed her waist.

"I'm exhausted. A little sore. But okay. Better now that you're here," she added, relishing the sensation of being held in his arms.

"I've missed you," he said, his voice low and sultry. "Miss me?"

"Always," she responded, receiving a kiss on the back of her neck.

"Do you love me?" he inquired, turning her around to face him.

Melina gazed into his beautiful, half closed turquoise eyes.

"More than you know."

"Oh, I know," he assured her, teasing her with the promise of a kiss, his lips coming close to hers but not touching them. "Say it. I need to hear it."

"I love you," she said, the strength and sincerity of the tender emotions making her breathing hitch.

"I love you too."

Melina sighed with joy and contentment when he claimed her mouth. She wondered what it would be like to have the freedom to kiss him deeply...to french kiss him. To experience their tongues intertwining. To revel in probing his mouth with her tongue. The idea of him searching her mouth in return, discovering every intimate little detail, stirred up the heated heaviness of arousal inside of her.

Her arms circled his neck, holding him close as his lips glided away from hers and down to her neck. God, she loved him so much. If only they could be together like normal people. But they weren't normal people and never would be. All they had were stolen moments like this.

Dabi picked her up, pressing her back against the wall as he pushed himself inside of her. The water flowed over his back and down his legs, shielding her from being inundated by the stream. For the first time, they didn't partake in rough, aggressive sex. He made love to her. Which as dumb and romanticized as it sounded, really was a completely different concept with genuine emotions of love involved.

Melina held onto him tightly, her arms around his shoulders and her legs around his waist. She anchored herself to him both physically and emotionally while she could, finding safe harbor by losing herself in him. Her greatest fear would one day be realized when he was gone from her life. But until then...

"Dabi," she whispered in his ear.

"I'm going to turn you around," he warned her before pulling out.

The gentle pressure of his hands on her hips, pushing and pulling her simultaneously to turn her body, brought a certain sense of comfort as she gave control of herself over to him. His hand placed on the back of her thigh, urged her to bend her knees and put them on the wide seat built into the wall. When she leaned forward, he slid into her which pulled a moan from her lips. Obviously this brought her to a more suitable height for him to enter her from behind.

His torso pressed along the length of her back as she flattened her palms against the tile wall to brace herself while he rocked her back and forth with each stroke. His arms formed parallel lines alongside hers, his hands fitting over hers and their fingers lacing together. Connected body and soul, meeting and becoming one. The closeness was almost stifling but deeply desired as well.

Dabi changed his strokes to short, fast thrusts. Folding one arm around her waist to hold her securely, his other hand drifted across her hip and down, sliding between her thighs.

Melina cried out with pleasure when his fingers massaged her throbbing clitoris. Her exclamations of bliss carried above the sound of the rushing water as he worked the sensitive piece of flesh between his fingers. One of her hands gripped his forearm hooked around her waist holding her in place as he made her come by continuing to tease her clit.

She repeatedly moaned his name, orgasmic delight washing over her like the water, while she finished him off with the clenching of her muscular inner walls squeezing him, then milking him dry and drawing everything out of him into her.

"You're amazing," he panted, leaning heavily on her to keep from falling to the floor of the shower stall.

"You're not so bad yourself," she returned with a light chuckle. "Good thing we're already in the shower. Clean up is easy."

"Who knew you could have clean, dirty fun?" he quipped.

They showered together, washing each other's hair, soaping each other's body. Their fingers traced the trails made by bubbles before popping them. Their palms rubbed to wash away any trace of soap. Once the soap was gone, lips and tongues explored clean flesh which led to another session of love making. At last, they emerged from the shower with shriveled fingers and toes, worn out but completely sexually gratified.

"You're not leaving?" Melina asked when he prepared to get into the bed with her.

"Do you want me to leave?" Dabi inquired, hesitating with one leg under the cover and the other out with his foot still on the floor.

"No, of course not," she said, quickly grabbing his arm before he had the chance to change his mind. "I'm glad you're staying again. I just wasn't expecting it. You're spoiling me, you know."

"I'm spoiling myself as well," he confessed, pulling her into his arms with her facing him. "It's only going to hurt more when I have to stay away from you."

"Dabi, I don't want to think about it," she murmured, tucking her head under his chin.

"Me either," he confessed, kissing the top of her head.

"Will you be gone when I wake up?" She pressed her ear to his chest to listen to his beating heart.

"Most likely." His arms tightened around her.

"Will you come see me tomorrow night?"

"I don't know. We'll see. Go to sleep, Melina, and dream of me. At least you'll always have me there."