The next morning Shelly was waiting outside Xander's door with her arms crossed across her chest. The door opened and she slowly lifted her head to look at him from the corner of her eye. He was already dressed and ready for the day as he leaned against the door frame.
"So?" she asked, feeling his body heat from his shoulder.
"I'm staying on. I started this case and I'm going to finish it."
"Good because I don't need you slowing me down any."
"Yeah, we'll see who slows who down. Let's get to Cory's room," he said and started to walk down the hallway.
Shelly shook her head and followed Xander. The door to Cory's room was propped open with a shoe and Xander pushed it open to allow Shelly in first. Carol was leaning against the dresser, drinking tea as Cory ate a piece of toast from the room service tray.
"What did you two find out from last night?"
"Other than those shoes hurt my bloody feet, we learned nothing. All our guys didn't have the capabilities or balls to counterfeit money," Carol said as Shelly made herself some instant coffee.
"That leaves Hodges. He's the only one capable to do this," Xander said as he sat on the far bed.
"What do we know about him?" Cory asked and leaned over to pick up the folder with all the intel they had.
"His father was into the oil business and amassed a large amount of money from it. Mother died during child birth and Andrew was only child. When father died he left all his money to Andrew and he proved to be a very astute trader. He invested in all the right stocks, including about three hundred shares of Microsoft before it tripled in price. Then he sold it before the monopoly thing happened and got billions for it. If there is something happening in the stock market, then he is in the center of it. He is a serious mover and shaker," Carol said and finished speaking just as someone knocked on the door.
Shelly walked to the door as everyone continued to talk and opened it to find a young porter.
"Mrs. Dorman, you requested that all messages be delivered to you immediately. This was just delivered for you husband, your friend and yourself at the front desk."
Shelly thanked the porter and took the business sized envelope from him before nudging the door shut. Tearing off the side of the envelope, she shook out the papers and unfolded the sheets to quickly read the words. She slowly walked back into the main room as she glanced over the other sheets before looking to the other agents.
"What is it Shelly?" Xander asked as he glanced at the papers in her hands.
"It's time to pack. We're flying out with Hodges in four hours."
"Where are we flying to?" Cory asked as everyone stood.
"We're going to Acapulco," Xander said, not noticing Shelly's slight twitch.
"Carol, it has been a pleasure working with you for these few days," Shelly said to the other woman.
"But it's my time to quietly bow out; I know how it works," she laughed as Xander walked out of the room and Cory disappeared into the bathroom.
"Yeah that's how it sometimes is," Shelly said with a slight grimace.
"Could I ask you a slightly personal question Shelly?"
"Depends on how personal you want to get," she answered, slightly wary.
"Why did you twitch when Xander said Acapulco? You seem to be uncomfortable with that topic."
Shelly sighed as she looked in the direction that Xander took. Grasping Carol's arm, Shelly pulled her away from the bathroom and leaned closer to whisper.
"Let's just say that there is someone in Acapulco that Xander really shouldn't meet."
"Is it who I think it is?" Carol whispered before Shelly clamped her hand over Carol's mouth.
"Do me a favor and keep your suspicions to yourself Carol. I'm already dreading it," Shelly said softly as Carol nodded behind her hand.
Shelly released Carol just as Cory walked back into the room and looked between the two women.
"What?"
"Nothing Cory, I was just saying bye to Carol," Shelly answered and glanced over at Carol.
Shelly left the room and slowly walked to her hotel room. Her bags were mostly already packed and she only needed to throw a few things into her bags and she would be ready to leave. Quietly closing the door behind her, Shelly sat on the edge of the bed and fell back to lie on the bed. Her hand hit something hard and she lifted her head to look at the object. She recognized her cell phone and picked it up to look at it. Almost automatically, she dialed a number and waited for the person to pick up. Someone finally picked up and Shelly smiled brightly at the voice.
"Hey Dominic."
"Shelly! This is a surprise; I wasn't expecting to hear from you."
"I needed to hear a friendly voice and I wanted to talk to my boyfriend. You fit both of those requirements so I called you," Shelly said and heard him laugh. "If you're buys I can call later."
"I'll always make time for you hon. What do you need to talk about?"
"Anything besides my job," she groaned in reply.
"That bad?"
"You have no idea. Xander is about to get out of control, Gibbons won't help me out, I'm supposed to be his wife and we're about to leave for Acapulco."
"Acapulco? Isn't that where-"
"Yup."
"Oh damn, um well. Just stay clear of Xander when he gets in those moods. Gibbons is thousands of miles away and can't do anything from where he is. And since when did you become Xander's wife?"
Shelly laughed at Dominic's jealousy that she heard in his voice. "It's just for the image babe, don't worry, nothing is legal. I'm still yours."
"Those words just make all my problems and worries go away. I love you so much Shelly," he said softly through the phone.
"I love you too Dominic. Xander is nothing compared to you."
"What's going to happen in Acapulco?"
"I don't know. It's almost certain that we'll get problems and clashing but I could never tell between those two," she sighed and drummed her fingers on her stomach.
"Just remember, no matter what happens I'll always be there for you. All you have to do is call and I'll be on the first plane there to be by your side."
Shelly and her boyfriend talked for a few more hours until it was time for Shelly to get ready to leave. She was in a better mood than she had been in a while and the concept of going to Acapulco wasn't that daunting anymore. With a laugh, she had a feeling that it would return once she got on the tarmac. Changing into a navy woman's suit, she shoved her other clothes into her bags and pulled out her make up case. Standing in the brightly lit bathroom, she heard a knock on the main door and she leaned around the corner to open the door. Going back to the mirror, she saw Xander walk in and pause at the doorway to the bathroom.
"Can I help you Xander?" she asked before applying her lip liner.
"I wanted to…um…apologize for my earlier actions and words. My temper sometimes gets away from me along with my mouth," he said, slightly uncomfortable.
Shelly stopped what she was doing and turned to face Xander. He was wearing a pair of black slacks and a white tee shirt which seemed to mold to his body. Shelly had to admit it to herself, if she wasn't with Dominic, she would definitely go after him. His tattoos added that thrilling concept of 'bad boy' to this image and Shelly could definitely see how sexy Xander Case was.
"Damn Xander, either it's really hot in here or I just had a hot flash. Didn't know you could look that sexy. Yummy," she said, still skimming over his body with her eyes.
For one of the first times that Shelly knew Xander this was the first time she saw him blush. She laughed as she turned back to the mirror and finished with her make up.
"Apology accepted Xander. How much time till the limo arrives?"
"It should be coming soon. We need to move our bags downstairs," he replied and walked to the room's phone and called fro a porter.
He turned to face Shelly as she held his blazer up for him to slip into it. With a grin, he turned and slipped his arms into the sleeves before trying to settle it on his broad shoulders. Before Shelly could pick up her pin strip blazer, Xander swiftly picked it up from the back of the chair.
"This is really starting to feel like a marriage," Shelly commented as she slid her arms into the sleeves.
"I know. I don't like it," Xander replied, seriously.
"Neither do I. It must be you."
"Oh Shelly, I'm hurt," Xander said and put his hand over his heart in mock offense.
"Yeah right, you bloody wanker."
Xander laughed at Shelly's temporary British accent as someone knocked on the door. Shelly ran her hands over her clothes as the porter took her bags and placed the bags on a dolly. She wore a navy pin stripe woman's suit with a stunning blue button down shirt. Unlike Xander's blazer, hers went down to her knees and had a straight collar.
Quickly running her fingers through her hair, she followed Xander and the porter down the hall and met up with Cory at the elevator. He wore a pair of khakis and a dark green button down shirt with a leather jacket over it. Shelly started to run her thumb over the wedding band on her left hand as the elevator lowered to the first floor. Just before the doors lid open, all three agents breathed in deeply and pulled their agent masks over their faces. Xander went through the process of checking out Mr. and Mrs. Dorman from the hotel as Shelly and Cory walked out the front doors. A white stretch limo waited on the street and a professionally dressed driver stood by the back door.
"Mrs. Dorman?"
"Yes?"
"Mr. Hodges sent me to bring your husband and you to the airport. You will be joining him on his private jet," he said and opened the door for Shelly and Cory.
"Thank you so much and my husband will be out shortly."
"Yes ma'am."
A few minutes later, the door opened and Xander climbed in to sit next to Shelly and across from Cory.
"Everything go all right baby?" Shelly asked and held Xander's hand in her lap.
"No worries," he replied and leaned forward to kiss Shelly's forehead.
Cory rolled his eyes and almost received a bruised shin from Shelly's shoes. The three talked about safe topics such as news topics and stocks while the limo moved towards Heathrow Airport. Shelly raised her eyebrows slightly when the driver was allowed to drive straight onto the tarmac towards the more private end of the airport. The limo eventually slowed to a stop next to a private plane with 'Hodges' Oil' written on the side of the plane. The driver opened the door and held it as Xander climbed out first and held his hand out to help Shelly out of the limo. Cory helped the driver with the bags as Xander and Shelly walked towards the steps where Andrew Hodges stood.
"It is good to see you again Patrick, and you also Jackie," Andrew greeted as he shook Xander's hand and kissed Shelly's hand.
"It's always a pleasure with you Andrew," Shelly smiled sweetly.
"Shall we depart?" he questioned and the agents nodded.
The four climbed into the plane and Shelly's jaw almost dropped. Inside the main body of the plane were six large plush seats, thick carpet, a large screen television and a small bar in the center.
"Damn, I'm in the wrong line of work," Shelly muttered and Xander chuckled.
"Pilot, we are ready to leave," Andrew said to the woman in a pilot's uniform.
A steward pulled up the stairs and locked the door before moving to her seat for take off. Once the plane was at cruising altitude the steward came around to take drink requests and they were on their way to Acapulco.
Shelly breathed a sigh of relief as she stepped off the plane and onto the tarmac of Acapulco's main airport. She enjoyed flying but when the plane hit some bad turbulence, she felt her stomach drop to her feet. Needless to say, she was happy to have her feet on solid ground and breathe fresh air. Two black SUVs waited as the plane shut down and the luggage was unloaded into one of the SUVs. The people piled into the second SUV and soon they were moving through the city, heading towards the outskirts.
"I am planning to visit one of my clubs tonight and unwind. Would you three be interested in joining me?" Andrew asked after he twisted in his seat to look at the three passengers in the backseat.
"Are you up to it darling?" Xander asked Shelly as she thought about it.
"Why not? I could do some dancing tonight and loosen up," she replied and snuggled closer to Xander.
"Marvelous then! We'll leave tonight about nine and stay till the sun rises," Andrew laughed and faced the front again.
Xander looked out the window at the passing city as Shelly leaned her head on his shoulder. The road they were on ran along the shore lines and into a more jungle area. After thirty minutes, the two SUVs slowed and turned into a drive before stopping in front of a massive iron gate. While the driver punched in the security code, Shelly looked around the grounds and noticed a security camera aimed at the gates. The vehicle started moving again and Shelly turned to face the front.
"Welcome to my home," Andrew said with a smile as the cars moved up the drive.
The gardens and grounds were a lush green from careful gardening and an obvious fondness. Many of the bushes were graced with beautiful and colorful flowered which made everything even more tropical. The beige stucco was modest looking but also had a wealthy under tone. A fountain stood in front of the house with the driveway winding around. The SUVs stopped between the fountain and house to alight the passengers and luggage as two servants suddenly appeared.
"Please take their bags to the guest room for them," Andrew said as one of the servants handed him a folded piece of paper.
Opening it, he scanned the contents before looking up at the others. "I am afraid you will not be able to meet Stasia till tonight at the club; she will meet us there."
"Who is Stasia? Your wife?" Xander asked and Shelly was trying not to outright panic.
"No, oh heavens no. She is my personal body guard and right-hand man, or woman, actually. She would have accompanied me to London but she had some other business that needed…handling, you could say," he said calmly and Shelly could practically see Xander's wheels turning.
"We'll look forward to meeting her," Xander replied and Shelly couldn't help but snort which immediately started her coughing.
She waved off helping hands as she coughed a few more times.
"Sorry about that. This fresh air is a drastic change from London and airplane air. My lungs haven't adapted yet," she explained, her voice slightly raspy.
"Then I shall leave you two to rest for tonight. Mikhal will take you to your room and someone will come to escort you at half past eight. Please feel free to explore the grounds and main house," Andrew said before leaving the three agents and the servant.
Cory followed the servant as Xander and Shelly walked up the front steps slower. To an outside observer it would seem that they were having an intimate conversation like any husband and wife. Shelly would have just laughed in their faces.
"I think this Stasia is the one we need to keep an eye on. She sounds like trouble and might be our counterfeiter if not Hodges," Xander said and kissed the top of Shelly's hand.
"Whatever you say darling," she smiled and rolled her eyes.
Promptly at half past eight a knock sounded on the door and Cory answered it to reveal a servant. He bowed slightly before turning and leading the way down the hallway. Shelly and Xander followed, with Cory bringing up the rear. Shelly was starting to adapt to this new life style and was enjoying herself. She would be enjoying herself so much more if she wasn't wearing these damn leather pants.
The black leather pants she wore felt like she had been poured into the pants. She wasn't one to wear the skin tight leather pants; that had been Samine's job. With a sigh, she slid into the limo and glanced over at Xander as he climbed into the limo and sat beside her. He wore a pair of black slacks and a dark blue button down shirt with a black muscle shirt under it. Combined with her black leather pants, she wore a dark magenta tube top and a black choker. She almost laughed out loud at what her boyfriend would have said. More like what he would have done if he saw her in this. She would have suddenly found herself in the bedroom engaged in a strenuous activity.
The limo slowed to a stop in front of a large club with people lined up outside. Several large bouncers appeared from the door and cleared a path from the set of doors to the limo. Taking a deep breath, Shelly followed Xander out and into the packed crowd. Making it through the crowd doors, they found themselves pressed into another crowd. Music pounded through the club and people as Andrew looked around the crowd to find a face.
"My private area is on the second floor over there," Andrew yelled as he pointed to an area that was surrounded by thick curtains.
"Who are you looking for?" Xander asked while Andrew continued to search until he suddenly smiled.
"There is Stasia now. In the ivory colored outfit," he said and pointed to the dance floor.
There's another world inside of me that you may never see.
There's secrets in this life that I can't hide.
Somewhere in this darkness there's a life that I can't find.
Maybe it's too far away or maybe I'm just blind, maybe I'm just blind.
Shelly suddenly grabbed Cory by the front of his shirt and pulled him against her.
"Please tell me that you have those valium pills with you," she frantically asked the shocked Cory.
"Yeah, I forgot to take them out of my pocket," he replied and took the pills out to show Shelly.
She grabbed the bottle and shook one out onto her palm before grabbing Xander's arm.
"Patrick, take this," she order as he looked down at her.
"What?"
"I don't have time to explain, just take the damn pill."
Xander jerked his arm free and looked to where Andrew was pointing. Shelly groaned before shrugging her shoulders and swallowing the valium pill herself. Xander tried to get a clear line of sight but only saw bits and pieces.
So hold me when I'm here right me when I'm wrong.
Hold me when I'm scared and love me when I'm gone.
Everything I am and everything in me
Wants to be the one you wanted me to be.
I'll never let you down even if I could.
I'd give up everything if only for your good.
His eyes first latched onto the ivory leather pants that encased long shapely legs. The pants looked like something with claws had attacked it and ripped out shreds to reveal the darkly tanned thighs and legs to the onlookers. One of those legs was currently lifted up and held against her partner's left as they danced. Those pants alone could set a man off and prepare him for any activity. The pants almost screamed promises to later be fulfilled. The pants could definitely have been the ones to define low-riders.
So hold me when I'm here right me when I'm wrong.
You can hold me when I'm scared but you won't always be there,
So love me when I'm gone, love me when I'm gone
When your education x-ray cannot see under my skin.
I won't tell you a damn thing that I could not tell my friends.
The front of her shirt had also been attacked by the same animal that attacked the pants. A strap went over each shoulder and crossed her bare back to attach to the opposite side; there were a total of three straps. Her back glistened with a slight sheen of sweat and everyone could see the ying yang tattoo on the small of her back.
Now roaming this darkness I'm alive but I'm alone.
Part of me is fighting this but part of me is gone.
So hold me when I'm here right me when I'm wrong.
Hold me when I'm scared and love me when I'm gone.
Everything I am and everything in me.
Wants to be the one you wanted me to be,
I'll never let you down even if I could.
I'd give up everything if only for your good.
Her partner's hands were pressed against her lower back as she arched against him. Her hands were gripping his biceps as she threw her head back. He was slowly dragging his tongue down her throat in the passionate embrace before pressing his face into her breasts.
So hold me when I'm here right me when I'm wrong.
You can hold me when I'm scared, you won't always be there,
So love me when I'm gone.
Maybe I'm just blind.
So hold me when I'm here right me when I'm wrong.
Hold me when I'm scared and love me when I'm gone.
Everything I am and everything in me,
Wants to be the one you wanted me to be.
The woman's head was thrown back and her face was flushed from the heat of the club. Her eyes were closed and lips were parted slightly. Instead of long hair, she had short hair that was almost spiky. Gel caused the hair to become unruly and have the ultimate 'just fucked' look. Make up made her eyes and mouth stand out sensuously and her tongue slipped out to run across her upper lip.
I'll never let you down even if I could.
I'd give up everything if only for your good.
So hold me when I'm scared, you won't always be there.
So love me when I'm gone, love me when I'm gone.
Her head slowly turned to look directly at Xander and that was when he saw the larger picture. He took a step back in shock and partial horror. He should have recognized the smooth body movements; it was the same way she moved under him in the throes of passion. His eyes widened in disbelief as the woman straightened and slowly moved towards Xander. Her movements flowed as an animal stalking its prey as she stopped in front of him.
"Hello Mr. Dorman."
"Samine."
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WELL???????????????? Oh please review for me and tell me what you think. Please, if you review any chapter please let it be this one! This part of the story just started to flow through me and I put so much of myself into this story and it's turning into my 'baby' in that writer sense. Another good thing that came from this was that I now have a really good idea for the story after this one. That is if everyone wants me to write another one? But anyway please review for me and the shout outs are at the bottom. Oh and another little tid bit for you readers out there in reader land: the name Stasia means 'shall be reborn'. I thought that would work out nicely for this story. And the song is Three Doors Down "When I'm Gone" (Love that song) with a passion.
Ivorybrowneyes-*Trying to keep Shelly from bouncing out of her seat* CALM DOWN! Okay, yes, fine Samine is back. You never get online anymore! I wanted to get your early advice for this chapter but you're never online for me to talk to! I miss my beta! And I finally saw Pitch Black tonight. So yeah go for me.
Eadha Ohn-I finally saw Pitch Black tonight. I bought a pizza, rented the movie and went home to eat and have a beer while I watched the movie. That was…how do I say it…different, maybe. I wasn't expecting that. But oh well it was good overall. And yes in the next chapter the shit will hit the fans. *snicker* It is holy shit on the fan time!
Furry Creature-I'm glad that you like the story so far. I take a lot of pride in my stories and I am very proud of this story so far. I've done that before. Yell that I am in control then punch the locker; it was a really long time ago in high school. Now I just go to the gym and beat the shit out of a punching bag.