Author's Note

Thank you profusely for the reviews! I have a severe migraine right now that is encompassing my whole head. I feel like someone is squeezing it in a vice. Anyway, have fun reading this chapter. I look forward to reading your reviews for it. Hopefully they'll make me feel better. Until later…

McFadden-

Chapter 4: A Parting Gift

He couldn't be more right. Morning came and he woke to find Abby standing over him, observing him with a look that he had never seen on her face before. She looked upset over something but it seemed as though even she wasn't sure what that something was. King thought for a moment that he had slipped back into his dream.

"Ohhh…this is a nice dream. Now if you were only on top of me…"

His voice had a lingering passion-laced tone to it. King reached upward to fondle her boob when Abigail socked him hard on his shoulder. Instantly clutching it with his other hand, he realized that the dull aching pain meant that he wasn't dreaming anymore. He had just fantasized out loud and nearly accosted Abby in the process. Way to go King, you moron!

"I liked that angle…

Apparently even though he was fully alert now, he was incapable of stopping his own verbal diarrhea earning him another blow to the opposite shoulder. He suddenly felt very sorry for any men in the past that had done something to piss her off.

"Alright Laila Ali enough with the boxing…I'm up, I'm up."

He sat up on the joints of his elbows.

"What can I do for you milady?

"I was going to ask you the same question…"

Abby was woken up by King's moaning and had rushed in his room to find him twisting and turning, back and forth in his sheets. His hands ran slowly all over his body as he whispered for Abby over and over again. She thought for certain that he was caught in a terrible nightmare by the straining of his voice. It was only until she walked closer that she saw the obvious erection that stood, thankfully hidden by the covers. She was now in a right state of confliction. He thrashed some more, his hand accidentally brushing Abby's arm as she sat on the side of the bed. He felt up her arm slowly and softly grazed her skin, touching her with his fingertips. He spoke her name again as she sat there too shocked to do anything else. Despite herself, she closed her eyes as his hands ran a ghostly path down her sides. He reached up trailing his mouth dangerously close to her neck. Abby felt his feather light lips kiss her neck and gently suck on the spot below her ear. He whispered in her ear.

"Abby please…fuck me…"

Momentarily she let the sensation take over her, having been denied such intimacy for so long. His emollient lips were working magic on her flesh, so much so that she almost let out a moan.. Then suddenly realizing what she was doing she jolted off the bed. She didn't know whether she should feel somewhat violated or intrigued by his secret, or not so secret, thoughts about her. Or just let it be seeing that he was just a guy doing what they do best. Having never had this type of problem before, she was highly uncomfortable in this situation to say the least. Now that he had jarred himself awake, she saw King try to focus his blurry eyes on her and then his face flinch in surprised. Seconds later, the shock was replaced by the same lazy, sated grin he had in his sleep. Realizing it wasn't a dream anymore, she watched as King mulled over some idea that had formed into his head and was afraid to even ask what he was thinking. Knowing him, he would volunteer it anyway.

"You know, asking me what you can do for me is a very dangerous question."

He looked down at himself, raising an eyebrow. Completely unashamed of his current state, he met Abby's eyes as they averted from his waist. Deciding to avoid further embarrassment, she let it go.

"Next time you plan on having a dream like that, shut your door so Zoë won't hear."

He mock-saluted her.

"Eye-eye Captain…"

She walked out in a flustered huff. Seconds later, she stuck her head back in the door.

"Oh and one more thing…You might want to make sure that King Jr. abdicates his throne before you come downstairs."

With a wink, she left. Ouch! That one stung. As soon as she closed the door, King immediately brought his hand down hard, slapping himself on the face. He was couldn't believe that just happened. At least she was being somewhat candid about the whole thing. He knew very well what he had done to her in his dream and the thought that she was there to witness it, although while it was turning him on, highly embarrassed him in the process. Thank God he was an expert at hiding true feelings when he wanted to. He closed his eyes and sank back into the pillows growling.

"Shit…"

Now he was left with a painful reminder of what Abby was capable of without even participating. If ever she agreed to let him have his way with her, he would have to anticipate pain on a whole other playing field. But one thing was for sure. If it ever happened, he would welcome the pain with open arms. Now though, it was off to the lavatory to take care of his delicate situation.

King was a little apprehensive about walking downstairs after his little 'one on one' action in the bathroom. He had a feeling he was about to throw himself to the wolves. He walked into the center of the hideout where everyone congregated and awaited the onslaught of insults to begin. But they never came. Sommerfield worked in her lab without a hitch and both Dex and Hedges didn't give off any vibe like they were aware of anything as they greeted his presence with a nonchalant wave. Abby however, gave him a full top to bottom assessment and could suppress the condescending smirk that crept its way to her lips. She finally had something else to hold over his head adding to the large amount of seniority and skill. He was glad that she didn't use it to publicly humiliate him…but then again, she still had time. King on the other hand, had a hidden agenda he needed to see a man about a car, and Dex was the man of the hour. He had to run errands and after some top secret undercover reconnaissance work, he was in dire need of a caramel frappucchino from Starbucks. He headed over to Barnes Noble to get his new found addiction and maybe grab a book. Contrary to popular belief, King did know how to read.

Abby was busy pounding the shit out of the asphalt on her 4 mile run. She readjusted the strap on her mini-disc armband that she was forced to use since that pit-stained oaf, King, ruined her I-pod. She still couldn't comprehend what happened this morning as the images replayed themselves in her brain. She harshly chastised herself for losing her composure so easily. Usually she prided herself on her stability over her emotions. Her angry steps vibrated through her body as she walked around the perimeter of the Hive to cool down before coming inside. Her breathing was calming down from its harshness as she grabbed some bottled water from the fridge. Downing it completely in a few short gulf, she wandered around the station in search to find out who was home and who had taken the Expedition. Finding everyone in their usual spots with the exception of King, she figured he was either out grabbing fast food, or renting more of his mind numbing foreign flick that he loved so much. She decided not to elaborate on it too much and trudged her burning leg muscles upstairs to take a much needed shower.

She emerged from the steamy bathroom nearly half an hour later walking into her quarters and noticed a surprise laid out on her bed. There was a new tank top, a brand new I-pod, and a red rose sitting on top of a note addressed to her from King. She smiled brightly and shook her head as she picked up the rose, smelling it. She opened the note and shook her head from side to side, whispered aloud, happily.

"King, you idiot…"

She read the note.

Abby,

I will continue to apologize for this since the image is literally and permanently burned into my mind. I'm sorry about that. I know we haven't gotten off to the best start and if you don't want to peruse a friendship then I will leave you with this and expect nothing more. Just know that I am forever indebted to you for what you have done for me, and I will always be grateful to just be in the same room with you. That alone will be enough. If you choose to accept this as a token of friendship that will be more than I could ever hope for. I realize that you may think I don't have much to offer but I promise that I will be there for you whenever you need me and for whatever reason. I will stand by you as a partner and more importantly a friend. If you just give me a chance to prove that to you, I vow to never break your trust. Please believe in me Abby.

With Hope,

King-

The sincerity was there and the intentions were sweet, it was just unexpected. She couldn't help but smile. Picking up her new I-pod and turning it on, she noticed that King had one upped her by downloading all of her playlists onto it already. Damn that man! After forcing her surprise to subside she got dressed in a pair of yoga pants and a tank. She grabbed the paper with the note and rushed downstairs.

King sat at the table, looking up when he heard Abby walking into the kitchen. He knew immediately by the look on her face that she had discovered his present.

"Okay, spill it! What the hell are you trying to do?"

He looked at her with a childlike innocence. Turning around, he looked behind him in the empty kitchen and pointed at himself as if to say, 'Who, me?'

"I have no idea what you're talking about…"

He went back to concentrating on his new copy of 'Catcher in the Rye.' She shoved the letter in front of his book and his lips twitched up at the corners in a smile. Abby placed her hand on her hip and glared at him with an accusatory stare.

"Are you trying to seduce me?"

King nearly loss his cool demeanor by laughing, but he held it back and remain calm and collected.

"No, I'm just being the gentlemen that no one believes I am and repaying my debts to society to the most beautiful woman I've ever seen, in the form of a white tank top, a hellaciously expensive upgraded I-pod and one grande Starbucks frappucchino with whipped cream and extra caramel sauce."

He held up the drink as a peace offering and she took it from him skeptically, but sat down in the process. King continued intrigued.

"But... let's just say if I was trying to seduce you and that were to happen; what would you do?"

"I'd kick you in the balls and tell you to drop dead."

He simply shrugged, saluted her with his cup, taking a sip of his own frappucchino. Score one for King!

"Works for me…"