Chapter 4:

El Casa

When Nicoletta entered the house she was quite surprised. She had expected messiness and ugly furniture. However, it seemed nice enough, it was clean and tidy and the furniture wasn't too bad. Then again, Sands had said that he had moved to Mexico because it was his "beat", maybe he hadn't lived their very long.

She placed her suitcase, which she had gone to get from her hotel and get changed at, on the floor. She turned to look at Sands who was just locking the door, "Not bad. I definitely didn't expect this!"

Sands grinned, "Not exactly what you think I'd have sugar butt?" his grin changed to a wicked smile Nicoletta wasn't sure she liked. He walked over to her, and stood in front of her, his body so close to hers, yet not quite touching. Nicoletta shivered slightly as he leaned forward and his warm breath ghosted over her face. She could feel herself flushing and an ache starting in her stomach.

"I'm not really a bad man Nickie," he whispered seductively, but it was a mistake, Nicolettas expression hardened and she instantly stepped back.

"Never call me Nickie!" she snarled her eyes blazing at Sands, who was surprised at her behaviour.

"What's wrong sugar butt?" He asked puzzled, "Why can't I call you Nickie?"

"Just don't!" Nicoletta yelled at him and turned lifting her suitcase she vanished up the stairs leaving a very confused, Sands, behind.

Nicoletta lay on the bed, the pillow soaked with her tears, still muffling her sobs. It wasn't fair, he didn't deserve to die, Morgead was funny, kind and a wonderful person, it wasn't right. But however upset she was she couldn't blame Sands. It wasn't his fault Morgead had died, and it wasn't his fault he had called her Nickie, he didn't know.

At first they had used Nickie and Morgie to annoy each other, but when they had become friends the names stuck. No-one else would ever dare call either of them by those names, it was just each other. Just them, no-one else, she could remember. Sharing kills, jokes, games, money, clothes, everything. They were inseparable, and now he was gone. She buried her face harder in the pillow and began to sob harder.

Sands watched her from the doorway, he had no idea what to do, he could never deal with a woman crying, it just wasn't his strong point. But he knew he couldn't just leave her crying, he needed information from her, and he had to admit he did feel bad that he had upset her, even though he didn't know what he had done. He walked across the room and sat down on the bed next to her.

Nicoletta looked up when she felt the bed move beneath her. Sands was sitting there, he looked guilty, as though, she realised with a pang of conscience, that he thought it was his fault.

"Hey," she began with a weak voice, "I'm sorry I got mad before, it's just Nickie was what Morgead, my friend who was shot, used to call me and I got pretty upset about it."

"That's alright sugar butt, it's not your fault." He told her with a smile, "Do you want something to eat? Since you didn't get to finish your dinner and I didn't even start mine."

Nicoletta sniffed and wiped her eyes, "Yeah, please, I'll have anything, it doesn't bother me."

Sands smiled and reached out his hand as he got off the bed, "Coming sugar butt?"

Nicoletta smiled back, "Sure." She took his hand and he helped her up. Together, they walked down the stairs.

"You know you can actually be a gentleman when you want to." She told him with a gentle smile.

Sands grinned wickedly, "Except I never want to."

"True." Nicoletta said with a grin. Then she walked into the living room and sat down, turning the T.V. on. She left Sands to order his favourite food, puerco pibil with tequila and lime.

Nicoletta and Sands were sitting on his sofa, watching T.V. Nicoletta hadn't bothered to mention the fact that she didn't actually like whatever crap it was they were watching. The little fact that Sands might kill her if she did was quite a good incentive not to.

She turned to look at him as they sat in front of the T.V. The sofa was small and they were sitting close, but not quite close enough to touch. He was gazing at the T.V. and seemed totally oblivious to everything around him. Deciding that this was an opportunity that came once in a life time, Nicoletta took the time to study him.

He was definitely good-looking; all the girls must be crazy for him. He wouldn't want someone like her. She paled what the hell had she just thought?

She didn't care whether he would want her not, it didn't matter. Feeling slightly flustered and embarrassed, she turned around and focused on the T.V. with an inaudible groan.

Sands inwardly grinned. She thought she could fool him. He knew she had been watching him and she obviously liked him. Even if she if hadn't figured out she liked him yet, or was trying to hide it. After all, before he had called her Nickie and upset her. She had been responding to his seduction very well. He was sure that if he hadn't made that mistake, then he would have been enjoying himself a lot right now, with a very willing Nicoletta. All that he needed to do was turn on his famous charm and she would be in the palm of his hand.

Sands smiled wickedly to his self, he knew he could do it. After all, he was the best agent in the CIA, he could do anything. Anyway, nothing could go wrong, it was fool-proof. The only thing that could go wrong (and wouldn't) would be for him to have feelings for her. Which wouldn't happen, she was a tiny piece in his huge manipulation, a pawn. Girls obsessed over him, not the other way round. He had never been in love in his life and he wasn't going to start now.

OK people. If you don't review I'm going to stop updating! I need your thoughts on what's good and what isn't! Please no flaming but I would like constructive criticism! R&R!!!