*sobbing hysterically in the background* I'm… SOOOOOO…. Sorry…. Five months….. ohgod, whyyy?

An alternate song for this chapter could be Hot and Cold by Katie Perry… actually, no… That is actually Naru's theme song. It's his song. He's a jerk…. And he's honestly not an easy person to wright. He doesn't want to be attracted to Mai… so he just pisses her off and makes her feel horrible.

Also, enjoy the truly staggering amount of sexual tension, because frankly, the only thing that makes me happier than making these hot-and-cold moments between Mai and Naru is making everyone else in the story all hot and bothered.

Because I Can.

So. On to the part where I answer all my reviewers up to this point.

Topdog19- …. Thank you. I've been saying that for a long time.

Yachiru-chan92- thank you.

Guest- Not the first time I've used Google translate for my works… it's fun. Thank you, on both counts. I'm glad you enjoy it.

Wolfie- he's had more training. He's also stronger than her. Unfortunately, that is the way of things.

MirandaLovespie-Yeah… well, just…. Read the chapter.

Vampgirl1309- Thanks.

Joys- here's what happens next.

Glass Dragon's Rose- ….. eventually,They'll get to the ripping each other's clothes off.

Chapter 15- One Single Touch

I think it's time to let you know the way I feel when you take hold

One single touch from you, I'm gone. Still get the rush when I'm alone

I think it is time to let you know. Take over me, I will default.

You set me free, my body's yours. It feels the best when you're involved

~Afrojack- Take Over Control

Winter Hall- Two Days Later

She didn't know what possessed her to do it. The fact that she still had the shirts in her bureau was lost on her… but… she put one of them on. It was black (as was his usual), and far too large for her, if she wore a belt around her waist, it would look like a dress. Worst (best) of all… it smelled like him…

What the hell was wrong with her? She snorted as she looked down at Yasu. "I'm… an idiot." She muttered to the small fox. Yasu merely cocked his head to the side and pushed curiosity into her mind. She snorted. "You're lucky you don't understand." She replied. "Now, let's go… never mind." She had been about to say: "Let's go visit Masa" but thought better of going down stairs (or out of her room in general) in her current state.

She really didn't want anyone to see her right now. It would be really awkward for her… especially because of her behavior when she arrived back home two days before. She'd shot straight toward her room, unwilling (in any way) to be around anyone and had immediately changed into a shirt that was obviously not hers. The storm had followed them home, and all she wanted was some alone time. She had not left her room in two days; not even to eat.

She couldn't understand why that was a bad thing. She was still moody when the knock sounded at the door. She looked up and jolted. She grabbed a bathrobe that was hanging off her desk chair and put it over the shirt she wore- no way in hell was anyone in the house to get wind of this…

But, on the other hand, the shirt was really comfortable… she might just start wearing one to bed every night she wasn't on a case. She opened her bedroom door to see a rather guilty looking Anabelle. She blinked, confused at her cousin's remorseful face. "Ana? What's wrong?" she asked. She looked at her cousin with silver eyes had tears in them and said. "I'm sorry, Mai, I'm so sorry." She whispered.

A brown eyebrow shot up as Mai examined her cousin. "Why are you so sorry?" Mai asked slowly, the confusion working up to utter bafflement. "Because I'm the one who told him what the lightning meant." The other woman said tearfully.

It dawned on Mai then. He'd… he'd known what the lightning meant… he'd known the whole damn time… and he'd used it the whole fucking time. Fury blazed in her golden eyes. That… utter… asshole! She let out a high-pitched shrieking sound as she spun around, to retreat into her room.

She was going to kill him. The mix of swear words and death threats that came out of Mai's mouth at the mere thought of him knowing what affect he had on her…. But then, when hadn't he? "Mai?" Anabelle asked hesitantly. "I'm…"

"Don't." she snarled. "Say you're sorry. Anabelle." she turned back to her cousin, glaring. "You may have told him… but he was the one who used it against me." She glared, and then she closed her eyes, sighing. She shook her head, and peaked over at her cousin, face twisting into an expression of embarrassed chagrin. "Do Finn and Adrien know about it, too?" she asked her cousin.

Anabelle shook her head, cheeks stained red. "N-no. I… I couldn't tell them that- especially A-Adrien." She stuttered, shuddering with horror as she gripped the hem of her shirt. "The thought of hi-them finding out is…"

"I know the feeling. Unfortunately, now N- Dr. Davis knows, and he will use it at every opportunity." Mai growled. "Likely, you didn't tell him straight out… and he just figured it out. Am I right?"

Anabelle nodded, surprised that the other young woman was able to figure that out. "Actually, I told him that I just knew when to make myself scarce as a kid." She told her. She made a face at the memories. "It's a bloody miracle that I don't have more siblings, really." Mai snorted. "I'm a bit surprised as well. With the way you talk about them…" Anabelle grinned at her.

"Well, at least you and Dr. Davis aren't… well, you know." Mai made a face. "I don't want to think about it." She said, though for a few seconds, she did… then she shoved it out of her mind. "You know what?" she asked, grinning as another thought came to mind. "We need a break."

Her cousin's eyebrow shot up. "The last time you thought of something like that… was about six hours ago, and you ended up here, wearing that- and yes, Mai, I amvery much aware of what you're wearing under that dressing robe." She drawled.

Mai flushed but shook her head, even as she shucked the robe. She had a feeling that it didn't matter. However, that was not the issue. "No, listen. Tomorrow night, we go out. No fighting… dancing."

"Don't you think this is a little… self destructive? You're denying your feelings for Dr. Davis by going to dance in a club with other men- who you don't like touching you." Mai's dislike of physical contact with men (especially after what happened to the gala) was legendary. In fact, the only ones she didn't have a problem with were the ones they worked with (with the major exception of Oliver Davis). Mai shrugged it off. "I'll deal. Look this is a night off."

Anabelle blinked, raising an eyebrow, well, when she put it like that... "O…kay… what were you thinking?" she asked, cocking her head to the side. Mai smirked. "Get the girls together. We need a break. I'm calling Ayako, Masako, and Madoka. We're going out." She grinned.

XXXXX- LINE BREAK -XXXXX

The Next Night

"If you're really thinking about checking out the nightlife, we're going to need someone who knows London well enough to do that." Anabelle said, though she herself was grinning. The idea of just letting loose was way too good to pass up… forget the awful day that they'd just had, and maybe dance with a complete stranger.

She was not the only one who thought that this was a good idea, evidentially, everyone in the house (besides Takeshi-san… but he didn't count in this) was off like a shot to get ready. Mai called Ayako and Masako- who both were excited to have a break from monotony, and Madoka, who was all too willing to come with, and give them directions to her favorite place.

Twenty minutes later, the girls congregated in the room, even Tohru, who was usually not one to go clubbing with them (even in their misspent youth), was going. They dressed in the same dresses they had used at the Gala a few months back- none of them had had time to go shopping, what with classes, cases and moving into the mansion. Sakurako called out for all of them to have a good time before they left, with Takeshi behind the wheel (bemoaning his own misfortune at being the chaperone- or designated driver, in this case).

Even Kuroda- who was usually nervous as a mouse around him was unable to keep still in the car. A bright grin on her face told him that she was looking forward to this (he had to fight a scowl at the thought, though he really wasn't sure why, though he figured it had something to do with the return of the white dress she wore). However, he was more worried about Mai. The girl had been obviously affected by the whole sparring incident, and to just decide to go out was not… usual for her. She, along with Tohru and Kuroda were usually the ones that stayed home the most.

The directions from Madoka lead them to a warehouse just outside of the inner city, and he could already hear the music from inside, the bass was up so high that the ground shook, the crowd outside the door was loud and messy, and Takeshi silently wondered how good of an idea this was…. until he saw Madoka- in much the same attire as his girls (wearing a sparkling navy-blue dress that reached her mid-thigh black high heels and her pinkish hair in loose curls) closely followed by Ayako- in the same shade of fire-engine red as Izumi… and just as striking- and Masako, who (for once) had ditched the Kimono, for a baby doll dress in Lavender.

While Mai had worn a more… elegant dress to the Gala, she'd still bought two- both had been black (Sakurako had insisted). This one was tighter, clinging to her curves, stopping at mid-thigh, and sparkly, with long sleeves and paired it with high heels as well. She yelled and ran over to them.

"I've never seen you in black, Mai. Somehow it suits you." Masako murmured, cocking her head to the side, her short, inky hair was expertly tousled, giving it a more informal look than she usually sported. Mai snorted. "Yeah… Sakurako made me buy it when we were shopping for the Gala dresses…" she made a face at the memory.

Madoka grinned at her. "Well, at least you have a reason to wear it." She said. "Let's go inside now. It's packed already." There was a chorus of agreements from the rest of the group as they did. Madoka turned to Takeshi. "I'll call when it's time to come pick them up." He nodded, but his eyes followed Kuroda's retreating figure.

Something about this whole thing put him on edge. Madoka smiled slyly, catching the look. "You could come with us and ask her to dance…" she drawled. He shook his head and looked at her. "What?" "Never mind…"

She left him there, wondering just what the hell had just happened.

Elsewhere

Eugene looked over at his brother, bored out of his mind. "Oh, come on, Noll…." He groaned. "Don't you do anything besides study and read?" Oliver looked up from the book he'd been reading and frowned. "If you're so bored, Gene, go outside and play with your friends." His voice was mockingly placating

Eugene let out a noise somewhere between a scoff and an insulted growl. "Oh, please, Naru, you've sat at a desk for more than half your life. Shouldn't you have some fun… you know, outside of a case? Yasu said he got a call from Madoka asking about clubs in London…. The girls are going out. Why don't we go, too?" Oliver gave her a look of utter disdain.

"Clubbing?" he sneered. "That's your idea of fun?" Eugene winced. He'd all but forgotten about his brother's disdain of human contact. For the most part, it was because of his psychometry. Not to mention a club…. God only knew what his brother would see when he walked through the door… unless he had something else distracting him…

Which, Eugene thought with a smirk, Mai certainly would. Not that he would voice that particular little idea to his brother, who would undoubtedly deny it to his dying breath… "If you don't come, I'm telling mom about the spar." He said, playing the last card he had to hang over his brother's head.

His brother's head shot up, and Oliver glared daggers at him. Poisoned ones…. He winced inwardly, but it was already done. "come on, you can take your book, but for once, don't make mum worried that you don't get out enough. I'll call Adrien and Finn, hell, Yasuhara and John can come…. Just… let's do something different tonight, Noll."

The book his brother had been holding snapped shut. "You threaten me and then you beg?" he grumbled, glaring at him. Though he knew that his brother would not tell their mother about what had happened with Mai and himself during the spar- some things, you just didn't tell your mother- He was right. He knew that Luella was worried about him. Lin would come, too, though in his case, it would be more to be a designated driver for the others…

"Fine." He muttered, knowing full well he'd regret this in a few short minutes. Eugene grinned. "Change, Oliver. You can't wear office gear to a party."

"No. You deal, or I don't go." Was the instant reply. Eugene sighed, and shook his head, before yelling out the door. "I got him to come with us!" he called, the whoops from both Finn and Yasuhara could be heard from the other side of the door. Oliver glared again, though Eugene looked unrepentant. "Didn't mention that, did I?" he muttered. "Well, come on then, let's go."

No one told him where they were going, though Oliver had a good idea that his brother had arranged it so that they would end up at the same place that the other half of their team was…. and unfortunately, he was right. Madoka had met them in the parking lot, dressed in dark blue, and had grabbed Lin, leading to where she'd been sitting with Masako, Takeshi and Takegawa, who all had drinks in front of them.

The others were nowhere to be seen, but the look on Takegawa's face was one of annoyance, as his eyes were focused on something on the dancefloor. Oliver had no doubt that it was Ayako, as he slid into the seat beside his teacher. His brother and Finn went right out to the floor.

He shrugged as a waitress came around, asking what the newcomers wanted, and frowned as Oliver asked for tea. He was observing only, he told himself, not wanting to get involved, when a glitter of black caught his eye.

He looked around to get a better look at… Mai. He froze, his face didn't' reveal anything (not to those he didn't know, however, Madoka and Lin both looked at him in interest, while Yasuhara snorted into his drink).

She was… stunning. Again. How the hell did she do that? He found himself wondering. The short, long-sleeved black dress hugged her every curve, stopping at mid-thigh, and the siren red stilettoes she wore made her four inches taller than her normal five- two. Closer, he guessed to his own six-foot one inch of height. Her long, layered hair fell to her waist, loose and a bit shaggy, as she let the boy she was dancing with spin her around and pull her back….

His tea cup broke. Madoka raised an eyebrow and grinned. "You could always cut in…" she muttered. Oliver's eye twitched. After the fight the day before, he almost dreaded touching her again. Almost. He stood, smoothly making his way over to her, catching her arm as she spun out again, before her now former partner could spin her back in, she was caught in the middle of a laugh- something he realized quite suddenly, that he missed.

Before she'd come to Cambridge, the majority of memories he'd had of her were mostly of her being happy, she laughed with all of them, her cinnamon brown eyes sparkling with mirth. Now, she was mostly brooding, angry, sarcastic…

He was aware that much of her change was… his fault. He wasn't going to say that it wasn't. However, her innocently sweet smile seemed to be lost- that special look she'd used to give him when she didn't think he would notice…. The look that was meant for Eugene- the thought stopped him short….

But then he spun her into his arms and the thought was lost, as her gold eyes glazed over in surprise as they met with his own indigo ones. Her breath caught in her throat, and he could hear the crackle of electricity, even as thunder rang out, somehow louder than the music that pumped around them.

"What…" she whispered, eyes wide. He smirked. "Cutting in." he growled, his voice sounded gruffer- even to his own ears. God, she was warm…. His hand went to her waist. She still had to look up to him, though she was now taller (five-six) she still stood shorter than him, and that gave him an odd sense of victory that warmed his blood.

She shivered as his voice- lower and rougher than usual- hit her. She felt the tingle in her lower belly, and she let out a low hum, while another, secret part- the more animalistic part of her (he'd once called her a bunny… and maybe, once, she had been) whispered in her mind.

Mine….

She did not acknowledge this… she could not… but as he drew her in, as they danced, differently than she had with the other man (he'd told her his name, and she'd remembered it right up until She felt Naru grab her hand). Her breath hitched, and his smirk grew.

She hated him for that… but she couldn't seem to make herself do anything about it. So soon after the spar, she was still more susceptible than ever to his…. Everything. She'd forgotten, had thought it teenage fancy… how she could never seem to keep it together around him as she hung on for dear life as a slow song came on.

Psyche

"They look good together," Izumi said lazily as she stirred her long island iced tea. Psyche couldn't help but agree, as she looked over at her best friend and their coworker/boss. "No kidding," Emiko murmured, her grin flashed as she downed a shot of whiskey, her eyes also trained on the brunette girl that they'd come to care for as a sister. "If he hurts her again…" Tohru muttered darkly, even as Kuroda snorted. "Of course, he will." She replied. "It's life. However, if he breaks her heart as badly as he did that first time," she frowned. Psyche shook her head and sighed as she stood up from the table. "I'm gonna go dance, too. Keep a good vantage of them." She said.

"Why don't I join you, miss Mallory?" a familiar voice called. She looked over at Eugene Davis and smiled, taking his outstretched hand. "it would be a pleasure, Mr. Davis." She replied. He laughed, and she couldn't help but giggle herself. He led her out to the floor.

Feet away, their targets still danced, lost in their own little world. "I've never seen him like that, you know? Not since I died and helped them on cases." He murmured. She shuddered as his breath tickled her ear. "She's going to get hurt again…"

"He's trying to push her away." He muttered. She sighed. Though she hadn't known him for long, she felt comfortable enough to put her head on his shoulder. "Watching them is kind of tiring…" she said softly and felt his chuckle. "No kidding." He muttered. "I didn't get the sense… when I first met Mai…. That she was this strong willed." He said. "She's nothing short of amazing, and I wouldn't ask for anything else for my brother."

His tone was oddly wistful. "Did you… care about her?" Psyche asked. She felt him shake his head. "Not the way you mean. I figured out early on that she was for Oliver." He said it quietly. "Part of me wished… but I was dead at the time."

She nodded as the dance continued. Something in her felt warm. Like this was where she was meant to be. She didn't want to look at it too much. She closed her eyes and let him lead. She felt a bit drowsy.

Elsewhere in the club

Madoka was in awe as she watched what was happening. She did not notice that she was holding on to her boyfriend's sleeve, until Lin pointed this out, gently asking her what she was watching so hard. She pointed to his students. "look." She whispered.

Slow dancing was one thing, but while one couple was giving off enough sparks to start their own personal thunderstorm, the other looked like they'd been doing this for years, the sweet, comfortable feel of their dance was palpable in its own right. Lin blinked dumbly for a few seconds.

"I… wasn't expecting that…." Takigawa said lowly, as he watched the two he'd known for years dance. He did, however, cast a glance to Masako, who'd been known to have feelings for their arrogant, dark haired boss. Masako just smiled behind her cup. She giggled. "Finally, something is happening…" she said. "I was getting tired of waiting for a breakthrough.

"I have to agree there, Masako." John sighed. The club was not his first choice of places to go, but, it wasn't all that bad, not with all the others here. It was better than being at home… contemplating the reasons that he could not take that last step into priesthood….

He shook his blonde head as he cast his look back at the two on the dancefloor. It felt a bit, he thought, like a voyeur, and he wondered if anyone else felt the same. One look at the violet eyed woman beside him told him that she felt that way, too, and he felt the familiar surge of warmth as he looked at her. He smiled at her, bewildered by the feeling.

Anabelle

She was in awe as she watched. She had known that Mai could dance. She'd been at the Gala, after all, in the same silver dress she wore now. Dancing was something that was unconscious for the both of them, however, when she was paired with someone else who knew his way around a dance floor, the result was amazing, and Oliver Davis obviously knew how to dance.

She wondered how much he knew, because she could feel the mental link she shared with Mai, or, more accurately, that was forged between the cousins, and she could feel that her cousin was utterly bewitched by him. She could only pray that the man she danced with felt the same.

"You've been avoiding me, Annie." The voice made her squeak, as she spun around to face Adrien. "Wh-what are you doing here?" she hissed, anger coloring her tone. "And I am avoiding you. You upset me. It's only natural to want to get away from you."

She pretended that the flash of emotion that came to his eyes was hurt. Good. I hope you feel that sting for a long time…. his green eyes narrowed. "Not long ago, we were friends." He reminded her quietly, as he took her hand and her waist. She shook her head. "We were never friends, Adrien. You made sure of that." She said it with a frown as she put her free hand on his shoulder. At this point, she couldn't do anything but let him spin her around.

Her eyes blazed as she heard his wince. "You did it on purpose, too." He shook his head. "Anabelle…" he muttered. She hissed. "No. do you not remember the night before I left? I put you in the hospital. Why? Because of a stupid fight, after the worst mistake of my life." She snapped.

"Mistake?" Adrien, for the first time, looked confused. "What the bloody, buggerin' hell do ye mean?" the Irish accent that the two of them had seemed to get thicker the angrier he got. Her eyes narrowed. "You… don't even remember." She pulled away from him. "You can't even remember why it was that I put you in the damn hospital."

"What the bloody hell, Annie?" he hissed, yanking her back. "You can't have it both ways, now out with it." She slammed against his chest, small hands balled as she looked up into his jade colored eyes… eyes that everyone insisted were cooler and calmer than Finn's but, in reality, were more devastatingly passionate… at least to her. She felt herself weakening.

"I…" she couldn't finish the sentence for the life of her. Thunder rumbled, loud enough to be heard over the music. She winced, her eyes darkening to the same color as the storm clouds as she tried to speak. "Annie, you can't pull away again. Last time, you went across a continent to get away… Whatever this is… You're going to have to come clean eventually." His words were low and hoarse in her ear, she shuddered, even as she turned her face enough to catch his glance.

His eyes were still turbulent, still trained on her, and she felt herself falling deeper, her eyes flickered to his lips, and unconsciously, she licked her own. His eyes followed the trail, and she whimpered. She was caught in his spell and she didn't know how to get out. Desperately, she looked away, trying to find some way to get a grip. She caught sight of her cousin for two seconds, before a hand caressed her check, coaxing her to look back at the man she'd known since childhood.

He leaned in, capturing her lips with his own… and her brain shorted out.

Mai

She could not think. She could only give her body over to this man. Dear god, she was lost, and she didn't even have the slightest idea of how to return, even as she spun back into him, his hand found her waist, and she felt the warmth of his hand through her dress, making her want to whimper.

She didn't know if she actually did, but she didn't care. The sultry tone of the music pumped behind them. Not the usual clubbing music that was offered…. Someone must have requested something of the DJ that was not on the usual list.

She shuddered as she realized what was going on. She clutched his sleeve, small fingers digging in. he smirked as she shuddered. "Loosen up, Mai. It's just a dance…. Unless you're scared…." She froze, and glared up at him, gold eyes glittering. "I am many things, Oliver Davis…" She said slowly, as she spun out. The air sizzled around her. "Scared is not one of them."

He smirked as he pulled her back in. "Could have fooled me." He stated simply. "You're wound up as tight as a spring." He chuckled into her ear and she felt herself heat up. He was cold. He was supposed to be cold, so why… why did it seem like she was burning at his slightest touch?

You are weak… a voice invaded her head. She blinked. It sounded like…. Her eyes narrowed. You have a lot of nerve, calling me weak with the way you acted in life, Cassandra. She'd have to ask Lin if he'd ever had one of his spirits talk to him… but she was not taking this crap from the likes of the badger-like spirit that she had under her control.

She turned back to Na- Oliver and her eyes glinted. "Wound up like a spring?" she all but crooned, as she let her hand slide down to his chest, "I'm not the one dressed like a business meeting is supposed to be happening in a club." She smirked as she pulled at his tie. "Let me guess, Gene had to threaten and or beg you to come with and you refused to act like any other twenty-three-year-old?"

He shrugged, uncomfortable with the thought that she'd been able to read the situation like a book. "How nice it must feel for you to be right about something." He murmured. "For once." Her back stiffened in his arms, and her gold eyes glinted.

Even after a few weeks, the changed color of her eyes still threw him off. It was disconcerting, but he wasn't about to let her see. She snarled. "Do you always have to say something rude? Is it a compulsion for you to try and insult me?" she drew away, and instantly, he missed having his arms around her. He steeled himself, putting a smirk on his face. "Only because you make it easy." He drawled.

She let out a frustrated growl. "You know, I came out to have some fun. I thought, maybe, I could have one night that I could just feel good, and maybe dance with some guy at a club. Instead, I find my night wrecked by you- again, I might add- because you're in a bitchy mood, and I'm the easiest target to take it out on." She turned her back. "I'm done. She stated simply. "Thanks for making my night shitty, Naru. I hope you enjoyed it."

He could only stare as she walked away, and he swore that all he could hear was the click of her red high heels on the dance hall floor.

Kuroda

She slapped her face, as she held her drink. "Are. You. Serious?" she hissed as she watched her best friend walk away. "What did he do this time?" She jumped as a low voice sounded by her ear. The tips of hers heated up, and she could only pray that they weren't the same shade of red as the dress worn by Emiko. She turned her face, angling it so that she could see the face of the man who'd leaned down.

"T-Takeshi-san… I… I thought you were back h-home…" she inwardly cursed her inability to speak in proper sentences around him… what he must think…

"I stayed." He stated shortly, cool, green grey eyes stared into her dark grey ones. She felt herself heat up and wondered if her whole body was blushing… and did he notice? Which lead in to the last week when she'd walked out of her room at just the right time as he'd been coming out of the shower, wearing nothing but a towel and … OH, dear Gods, Kuroda, now is not the time…

"Uh… Oh… kay…"

He let a wry grin cross his face, and her heart started pounding. Why? She needed to stop. She was going to do something incredibly stupid if he didn't just back away… "You going to answer my question?" he asked gently, as he took her hand. "I… uh, what? What ques- what are you doing?" she gasped as he led her out on the dance floor.

She couldn't dance, and he knew that…

"Dancing." He stated shortly, spinning her around. "Now, what did the idiot do to piss Mai off?" his eyes narrowed, going more green than grey now, and she was entranced. She shook her head, as the warmth of his hand hypnotized her. He didn't seem to realize the effect that he had on her.

There was no way in hell she'd be able to form a complete thought around him. She winced. "I don't know." She whispered, trying to find something- anything- to focus on rather than him and how warm she felt. Gods, her body felt like it was on a slow meltdown, and all she wanted was to touch. She shuddered, giving small whimper.

Takeshi frowned. "Are you okay, Kuroda-san?" he asked gently, releasing her. She wanted to scream.

She didn't know why she did it. Maybe it was the three Long Island Ice Teas she'd had but, she felt the rage in her blood take over. No longer weak, her eyes narrowed behind the glasses that she knew were a bit skewed. She grabbed the front of his dress shirt, and yanked him down, not even bothering to think of the consequences in her inebriated state, she kissed him.

She broke away, when he didn't kiss her back, and closed her eyes. "Oh… my god… I'm… I'm so sorry…" she whispered, backing away, her face going pale. Takeshi's eyes were locked on her as she retreated. He didn't say a word, but his arm shot out, and his hand wrapped around hers, drawing her back to him.

His green eyes searched her even as he leaned in again. This time, when their lips connected, she was the one caught off guard. Instantaneously, she felt like fireworks were going off in her mind. She couldn't think, didn't remember her own name. She couldn't even remember his name. She was pretty sure that his name was 'mine'….

Because that was what her mind was screaming. Just with the meeting of lips. Then, he whispered against her, "open."

One word, so many meanings. She shuddered in his arms, as her lips parted, and suddenly, he was there, deepening the kiss, his tongue sweeping in, tasting her. She tasted him, too. Dark and savory, with a hint of a kick, and she went boneless. He held her up as she clung to his shirt.

She didn't know how long he kissed her, only that she felt almost bereft when it ended. He drew himself up, and sighed, running a hand through his hair. "And now, it seems that I must apologize, Kuroda-san." He said it softly. She nearly cried out when he continued. "It won't happen again."

The dream had ended. She turned, eyes filled with tears that she would not cry, back to the others.

And there it is… the fifteenth chapter. Hope the wait was worth it. As always, R&R. Angel Of Pandemonium