Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters from the television show "The Pretender." They belong to Steve Long Mitchell, Craig W. Sickel, and TNT.

Warning: If you like Zoe or Thomas. Don't Read!! Because this only gets worse.

Where my pretty one lies.. Part 41 Dream[pic]

Grim's Lair New York City 1:15 P.M.

Picking up his meager things, glances around the room to make sure he didn't forget anything. He hears soft precise footsteps headed towards his room. 'Damn the Centre couldn't have found me this fast.'

Opening the window, he goes out onto the fire escape and waits for his prey to fall victim to his version of an old trap. The door is jimmied open; the person enters the room. Staring at her, 'she's beautiful'. Grim can't help his body's reaction to her. 'Maybe she isn't with the Centre?'

"Hello," he drawls as she walks toward him, her eyes shifting left and right 'she's either spooked or a Centre op.' She doesn't say anything.

"Grim," she says as she almost reaches him. "You can't go after Alex." He smiles at her, when she stops. 'Wow, she's more pretty up close. How does she know about Alex?'

"Well the Centre certainly raised the bar," smirking at her, "What makes you think I'm going after Alex?"

"Damn it, Grim. Do I look like a fool to you?" she snaps as she gestures to herself.

A loud booming voice yells "Ms. Jones?" Pinching her nose she debates the wisdom of answering the hotel manger's bellow. When neither Grim nor her answered, the manger moved on not even coming up the stairs.

"Ms. Jones," he asks as he climbs back into his hotel room, "Stay there." He walks passed her he closes the door, she didn't move. "You take orders well. What no gun?" He says as he feels the back of her body for a gun.

She involuntary shivers at his touch. 'She smells nice too.' Then he passes her. Sitting on the widow still he watches her facile expression change quickly from concern to furry.

"What I do and how I do it are my concerns, not yours."

"Enough of this," she snaps she moves towards him only to almost fall over, her eyes widen as she realizes her feet have become stuck to the ground "What game are you playing now?"

"Playing?" he pauses "I'm not playing any game." He watches her futile attempts to move her legs. "That won't help you. You're stuck to the floor."

"I kind of figured."

"It was used on a Centre operative once I liked the idea so much I decided to try it." Grim said as he climbs out the window, "It will wear off in about three maybe four hours. It has been a pleasure meeting you, Ms. Jones."

"DAMN IT GRIM, GET BACK HERE!"

************************************************** Well? More, hmm, maybe if you ask really nicely.

Dream