Crash and Burn

By Hoshi

Disclaimer: Ashlock is dead, Proxy is blue, I don't own this, I beg you don't sue!

Let me be the one you call

If you jump I'll break your fall

Lift you up and fly away with you into the night

If you need to fall apart

I can mend a broken heart

If you need to crash then crash and burn

You're not alone

The blond girl opened her eyes and turned her head to see curly black hair belonging to the still figure resting his head by her stomach. "Ohmigod!" she whispered frightened. His head shot up and she found herself staring into twin chocolate pools.

"Oh, Shalimar, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to frighten you!" the dark haired man said apologetically. He gently stroked her hair and Shalimar's fear drained. Suddenly Shalimar realized that she felt completely at home, not only in a strange place, but with a strange man as well- no matter how hot he was.

Oh, hell! Shalimar thought to her self, Time to try the five step con can't get to close. Shalimar regretted it a little, but she couldn't let this man get to her. "I'm Adam," the man said gently, "and you are Shalimar Fox, Feline Feral." Shalimar wanted to cry. 1. Make the mark smile. Shalimar thought to herself.

Shalimar smiled her, as passed lovers had told her, most seductive smile and then asked, "Who are you- besides my knight in shinning armor? And how do you know my name." The man seemed a little taken aback, but returned her smile, even if it was a little hesitantly, and ignored her questions, going to a computer and checking her vitals.

Shalimar slid off the bed/chair and, standing in front of the man, tried to look somewhat frightened. 2. Make the mark say "Yes". Shalimar gave him a small smile and asked in a child-like voice, "Am I safe here?" the man's attention snapped away from the computer and towards the blond girl in front of him.

"Yes! Yes, of course you are safe." Adam exclaimed surprised, "Don't worry," he said in a gentler tone of voice, "I won't let any thing happen to you ever again." Shalimar gave him a real smile before she could catch herself, Damn! Ok, ok step 3. Make the mark feel superior. Come on, Shalimar! Rule number one! Don't get attached! Shalimar thought furiously.

"You have a lot of computers, you must be really smart to have such a high-tech lab here. What do you do that requires these computers?" Shalimar asked Adam. Adam turned away slightly, looking sad. But then put on a slight smile and pointed to one screen.

"See this, I'm checking your blood to see if you are currently evolving would be the best word. This way I can attempted to stabilize you mutation before you get hurt. It has to do with the changes your feral DNA is going through." Adam said getting more and more excited about the complicated ideas.

Good lord, can't let him ramble, gotta' keep the con. 4. Give the mark something. Shalimar leaned up and kissed him softly on the lips. "Thank you for saving my life, Adam." Shalimar said blushing. Wait- blushing? Shalimar, get a grip! She growled to herself. 5. Get what you want and get out.

Adam smiled at Shalimar, a sweet, gentle smile with no hints of lust or ulterior motives. Just genuine caring and maybe something else that she couldn't define. "Would you like to stay here with me, Shalimar?" he said gently, "you could design you own room and I'll make it. I'll keep you safe and train you to use your feral abilities. Please?"

Awe, he looks so cute! She thought. But I'll never be able to leave him as long as I'm alive. She told her self. Don't be silly, of course he'd let you go. You're not a prisoner, Shal. Shalimar growled at er self again. Not what I meant. Say no. Step 5, say no. Step 5, say no. "I'd love to." Shalimar answer.

Shit, Shalimar thought, and there goes the con.