Across town, Jill was standing at the apartment door. She sighed and pushed it open, closed it behind her and walked into the dark room. Turning on the light she flopped on the bed and smiled. It didn't even occur to her that Rachel wasn't home, she was just happy.
"I can't wait for our next... date." She giggled at the word.
They had met in various places all over town. That night, Argo had set it up so they could go see a movie. There were plenty of people in the theater so no one would have noticed the two teens. The time before that they had gone out to dinner.
Jill smiled. Sai always wanted to pay for things, but most of the time she wouldn't let him. She almost always managed to pitch in. He always said he would take care of it, he didn't want her spending her money, but she just wouldn't let him.
Her mind drifted to the night they met in the park. As much as she worried about their meetings being found out, she was glad he had set the first one up. Jill wished that things didn't have to be the way they were, but there was no changing that.
Every once and awhile, Sai would bring up trying to help her while they talked. She always told him to let it go and every time he made the same face. The look bothered her. He true wanted to help, but she just couldn't let him put himself in that much danger.
Jill rolled over on to her side and closed her eyes. "Sai, I wish it was different... I really do. Someday, maybe, I can be the normal girl you thought I was."
She sighed and opened her eyes again. She looked around and finally realized Rachel wasn't in the room. At the same time, she was a bit relieved by that fact. Jill hadn't told Rachel about her dates. She knew Argo hadn't said anything either. She was worried about how her friend might respond if she knew.
"I wonder where she is tonight. If she's out doing a job without telling me... I swear I'll..." Jill paused and sighed. "I'll do nothing... there's nothing I can do. I hope she's enjoying herself." A smile crossed her face. "I had a good time tonight. She should have one too."
---
"Well... are you going to say something?"
Rachel asked after a moment of long silence. He was just starting at her, his mouth hung open. His mask still pulled up past his mouth, she could plainly see it. She rubbed her arm a little then looked around.
"We really shouldn't stay here. It's not safe here what with Wong still..."
"Oh god Rachel..."
She began to look towards George when she felt him wrap his arms around her waist.
"Wah?"
She looked down at the man. He had fallen to his knees and buried his face into her stomach. Completely shocked by his actions, she placed her hands on his shoulders.
"George? What... what are you..."
"I'm sorry Rachel."
She looked down at him. What was he sorry about?
"For what? I don't.."
"That night... with the book. When I..."
She felt his hand gently run down her rib and she understood.
"Oh..."
She bit her lip as George let his hands touch her sides.
"I didn't know..."
"I know..."
She began to stroke the back of his head.
"I know."
They stayed like that until Rachel felt George move some. She watched him stand up, in the graceful manner he always did. Pulling his mask back down over his mouth he stood there for a moment looking at her. Brushing some of her hair behind her ear, Rachel looked around and then up at that now Cat's face. She wondered what George was thinking. What did his face look like right now?
His heads went to her shoulders and pulled her into a hug. Slightly surprised she found herself, resting her hands on his chest. His breathing was heavy and when she placed her head against his it, she could hear his heart. She couldn't help the sigh that escaped from her lips.
'He feels so warm. I know I shouldn't but I just want to stand here in his arms all night.'
Feeling his arms move slightly, she was shocked to feel him pick her up and begin to run. Wrapping her arms tightly around his neck, she gasped out.
"George! What are you doing?"
He said nothing though and jumped over the head.
"WAAA!" She shouted and tucked her head into this neck.
What was he doing? She felt him jerk a little and figured he landed on his feet. Opening an eye she looked to see he was once more running down an alleyway. This was very new to hear. She had never made a get away being carried.
"Where are we going?"
But once more he didn't say anything. It was starting to annoy her.
"I don't need to be carried, I can move fine!"
"Not in your condition."
"MY WHAT?"
"Don't let go of me." He replied as his hands let to and began to scale a nearby wall.
Holding him tightly she felt her legs dangle in the open air. This felt odd too, holding on to someone as they climbed. 'What did he mean my condition?' Once the reached the top, she felt his arms take there spot on her once more.
"What did you mean by that? What condition."
He didn't look at her but began to run once more.
Suddenly a thought came to her. "My ribs?"
She heard him sigh and couldn't help but laugh.
"I'm perfectly fine, sure a little sore but I'm fine. I'm healing nicely and your punch didn't do a thing to me."
"I don't care. While you're around me. I'm not allowing you to hurt yourself again."
Rachel only rolled her eyes. She sighed lightly and decided not to protest the situation. It didn't matter what she said, he had it in him mind that she needed help and wasn't going to think otherwise.
After a moment she looked up at him. "Where are we going?
George stopped running and was quiet. He looked down at her as he tried to come up with a response. "I... uh... I don't know. I didn't think about that. I just wanted to get away from the docks."
"So you just took off running? Do you even know where we are?"
George looked around the surrounding area. "Yes, we're near the park. I suppose I could take you home... If you told me where that was."
Rachel shook her head lightly. "No, my partner would be there. She'd give me a hard time."
"Are you sure she isn't out herself? The last time I saw her she seemed to have a nice little relationship going with that boy."
Once again Rachel shook her head. "I guess it's kind of obvious that Jill is my partner, huh? No, she hasn't seen him for awhile. It's for his own good though. He is a cop."
George shrugged. "I suppose. So you don't want to go home then?"
"No, it would be dangerous and she would have a fit the Cat brought me to the door."
"We could always go back to my place then. I don't want to leave you out in the streets."
Rachel blushed and his suggestion. "Uh, I wasn't really welcomed there the last. Remember?"
Laughing, George took off in the direction of his home. "Don't worry about Raymond. He just tries to hard to do what he thinks is right. That much stress can't be healthy for a man his age."
"What about my outfit? I mean, I can't honestly walk into your home dressed as Heart."
"We can go around back. No one will know. Unless you have somewhere else you want to go."
Rachel was quiet. She thought about it, there wasn't really anywhere she needed to be. She knew Jill was probably sleeping and that Wong was most likely still at the docks looking for his escaped hostage. She shook her head and shrugged. "No, I don't have anywhere I need to go. I guess your place is as good as any."
George nodded as he continued toward his home. "Well then that's settled. Don't worry about clothes, I'll find you something to wear. I'll tell Raymond I ran you into in the park and that you had slipped and fell into the pond or something along those lines. You know, give him a reason you are there and wearing something I own."
Rachel laughed lightly. "We'll have to work on that story... it's not that believable."
"You don't think so?"
"Why would I be in the park at this time of night?"
"Oh... good point."
He jumped a small gap between two buildings.
"Then what should we say?"
"Well..." Rachel said as she rested her head against his shoulder. "We could say we just bumped in to each other at dinner and work from there."
George was quiet once more but after running a few more blocks he slowed a bit.
"It'll have to do."
As the neared the tall building of George's home, she could see the lights from the business sign.
"That night with the book. After the cops came, I went back to get the book." She noticed George's grip tightened a bit. She went on."I followed you here, planning on taking the book back. That's when I saw you take you mask off. I didn't know what to think at the time. At first I was just shocked. But then I was angry."
George looked at her for a moment but then back ahead. They were almost back to his place.
"I was angry because, well, I thought you knew about me too. I thought I had let my guard down so badly that everyone could easily figure out who I was. But, I realized you hadn't known. If you had, well..."
She looked up at him and blushed.
"I would have seen you more often?" He answered her.
She nodded and looked towards his building. "It may sound odd, at least to me, but I was both sad and happy you didn't know. Happy cause I hadn't blown my secret and sad, well, because you didn't know."
George didn't say anything, he just kept heading for the building. He carried her down and alleyway leading to the backside of the skyscraper. Finally, stopping to catch his breath he answered.
"I'm just glad you're the only one who knows. It could have been worse."
Rachel smiled a little. He had a point. At least it was only her rather than Wong. She looked up him trying to think of what to say. However before she got the chance he was on the move again.
"I usually sneak back in this way. I go around through the basement and take the elevator up to my penthouse. No one ever notices."
George pushed open and door and slipped into the dark. He tightened his grip on Rachel slightly as he silent made his way to the elevator. Once inside, he finally set her down.
"There. We made it."
"What about once we reach your house?"
"Oh, well, We'll just be quiet and I'm sure we'll be just fine."
Rachel nodded quietly and looked at her feet. "Are you going to take your mask off?"
George was quiet for a moment then started to laugh. "I almost forgot about that. It might be a good idea. Wouldn't want to get caught with it on. I'd never explain that one."
"And you thought explaining me would be difficult." Rachel laughed shook her head. "Jill would bite my head off if she knew where I was. I hope she's not waiting up for me."
"Do you really think your friend has really given up on that boy?"
Rachel stopped laughing and shook her head. "No, she hasn't. She still talks about him I know she wouldn't do anything stupid and try to see him though. She's worried about his safety. If Wong got his hands on that kid, well, the police would be eating out of his hand."
George shook his head lightly. "That's rather sad. It's hard to be lonely."
Rachel raised a brow at his comment, but never got to respond. The elevator stopped and the doors opened.
George reached up and took off his mask. Then looked at her. "Shall we?"
"As long as you let me... AH!"
Before Rachel could tell him she wanted to walk, George had picked her up again and was hurrying down the hallway of his home.
"George!" Rachel hollered as they passed office doors.
Turning a corner quickly, George ran down that hall and then turned another corner as well.
Rachel hung on to dear life, but something told her that George had a death grip on her and she was going no where. As they neared a office door, Rachel noticed George had begun to slow a bit until he was walking at a relaxed state. He paused in front of it, only to push the door open.
Rachel felt odd as they walked through the door, almost like they were a... She blushed a bright red. Like a newly wedded couple! Her blushing only deepen as she thought about, other thoughts as well, but quickly shook her head.
'Don't think about that. You know very well, as much as you love this, you can't keep this going.'
Rachel frowned until she felt George bend down some, letting her feet touch. Standing up on her own, she noticed that George was looking at her funny.
"What?" She asked turning to look down at him. His face looked serious but his eyes where wide, as if he was realizing something.
"George?"She asked softly beginning to reach out towards him.
He took her hand and slowly began to stand up. He was so close to her body it almost made her shiver. Fully standing he brought her hand up and let his mouth slowly touch it.
Rachel couldn't help but hold her breath as his lips touched her. Moving her hand so that her wrist was facing up, he began to kiss it , then letting his lips move up her arm he kissed each spot slowly. Rachel found herself closing her eyes and leaning into George some.
"George... I... oh."
Her body went stiff when she felt George's mouth touch her neck. His right hand was still holding her left arm and now his left hand had moved to her back, holding her closer to him. Letting her free hand rest on his shoulder, she let him continue to kiss her neck. She gave a sigh but felt she had to say something to him.
"I shouldn't be here. I'm going to put you in danger."
George mumbled something, but his arm only tighten around her more. Rachel couldn't help but laugh just a little.
"I mean it George, if I stay I risk putting you in danger with Wong, or even getting you in trouble with Raymond."
"Sometimes, my gentle Rachel, one has to take a risk to gain it all."
George lifted his head to look at her eyes, which were wide as coins. Stroking the side of her face, he realized he still had his gloves on. Pulling each off with his mouth so that he could keep holding her, he tossed them somewhere to a corner. Setting his hand back on her cheek, he noticed how warm she felt. Her eyes were closed again and he so dearly wanted to look at them.
"Look at me Rachel."
She opened her eyes as she looked deeply into his.
He could only sigh."You take my breath away."
Rachel couldn't help but look away from him. "You say such sweet things..."
She began to push away from him. 'Why do I do these things?'
"But they're only words."
She noticed the hurt look on his face, and slowly inside she was dying.
"I have to go now George. I don't need help, I'm feeling fine and AH!"
George had firmly put his hand on her shoulder and forced her to look at him. He had pinned her against his desk with his body.
"You're right. They are only words and I can never tell you how I feel. Words just can't show it."
"George, I..."
He leaned forward, pressing his mouth hard against her's. For a moment she panicked. She felt as if she was being over powered and that was a feeling she didn't like, however feeling his hands on her hips and their bodies so tight together, her mind quickly forgot. She let her hands rest on his shoulders until the kiss deepen and she had to wrap her arms around his neck. Feeling his hands ride up her side she shivered.
In the past, Wong had touched her body like that, or at least tried, and she always felt disguised and sick. But George, when he touched her, her heart pumped fast and her body felt as if it were on fire. She gasped when she felt his hand on her breast but she only let her own rest on top of his.
"Do you always blush like that?" He asked softly as his cheek brushed against her's.
"Only with you." She purred back letting her lips kiss the base of his throat.
"Good."
He growled some causing a quiver of delight to run through her.
Letting her hands move from his back to his chest she squeezed his biceps some. She felt his body go tense.
They had both been breathing heavy as if they had been running a mile. George let his forehead rest against hers.
"You're addicting Rachel. Just a little of you makes me want more."
"Oh George, I wish you wouldn't say things like that."
She felt his hands fist a little. "Why do you keep trying to leave?" He moved his head some to look at her.
She only looked down. "I'm so use to running, it just feels like something I'm suppose to do."
She felt his hand rest under her chin and lift it up. She saw in the faint light of the room his purple eyes. They held a pain that only she knew was there. Taking one of her hands he placed it against his chest.
"Don't you understand. Every time you pull away... I slowly die away. It eats me alive that I can't be with you, that I can't see your face when I wake up or feel you in my arms when I fall asleep. You're a part of me, a part of my heart and a part of my soul. Rachel you make me feel whole."
Rachel's mouth had fallen open as her eyes looked at him widely. He looked so pained and tormented. She felt her wall begin to break and crumble with each word he said.
"I want to stay but..."
Suddenly George picked her up by her waist and made her sit on his desk. Leaning into her so that her legs were wrapped around his waist, he kissed her hard.
Putting his weight on one arm behind her, he let his other hand lace fingers with her's. She found herself leaning back into him.
"You always leave Rachel, but to night, you're not getting away from me."
She looked up at him and noticed the odd hungry look in his eyes. Feeling his hand rub down her thigh, she shivered and wrapped her legs around him tighter. Picking her up by her hips, he kissed her once again as he turned and began to walk. Looking over her shoulder slightly to see where they were going, she smirked as she saw his bedroom door. Wrapping her arms tightly around his neck she cooed into his neck.
"No, I don't think will be leaving you tonight."