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Deals, Chapter 3

"Whoa," I whispered and heard a slight echo. I looked down to find that the creature had also spoken. She sat up slowly and turned towards me.

Feeling disoriented and slightly dizzy, I leaned back and began blinking rapidly. It was like having double vision: I could see the creature and I could see myself all at the same time. Something else Lou forgot to mention?

"Close your eyes," he told me. I looked at him questioningly. "It's all right. It's an easy way to help deal with the dizziness you're probably feeling about now."

I did as he said. I was still able to see my room through the creature's eyes, but at least it was only singular vision. She stood, slowly, and began stiffly walking around my room. Mixed feelings surged through her: confusion, happiness, embarrassment. I could feel them all. "Um, you can check my closet for clothes," I told her quietly without opening my eyes. I waved a hand in the general direction.

"So, what's my name?" she asked eagerly as she began rummaging through my clothes. She sounded like me except her voice was a little higher. I figured it was because she was excited.

I thought about it for a moment and gave a slight shrug. "I guess whatever you want it to be," I answered.

"Cool!" she squealed with delight. I felt a warm glow flow through me. "I'm gonna go with Rachel. I've always liked that name," she said and tossed a shirt over her shoulder.

"You know you can't stay like that," Lou told me with amusement after a moment. "At least, if you want to have some kind of a life here. After a few hours of practice, you should be used to seeing through two sets of eyes."

I opened my eyes tentatively and blinked a couple times, trying to focus. I turned to Lou and scowled. "Anything else you 'forgot' to tell me about?"

He held out his hands, offering an apology. "What can I say? They all turn out differently—"

"Wait a minute," I interrupted him. "What do you mean 'they all'? How many times have you done this?"

He drew his lips in thoughtfully. "I would have to say...a lot," he finally answered, nodding his head slightly. "They never come out exactly as planned. It could have something to do with the extra ingredients I add or maybe the blood that's used. So far, it's all worked out. I figure, why change it? If you don't like it, you know how to get rid of it."

I watched him as he rose to his feet and made his way over to the closet where Rachel was putting on a pair of black sandals to go with the black and white sundress she had found in the back of my closet. Starfire had given me the dress in celebration of some holiday on her planet and I didn't have the heart to return it.

"Very nice," he complimented her, putting a large hand to her waist and drawing her form to him. Rachel gave a quick intake of breath. My pulse began to beat erratically as I felt her fear.

Leaning in, he pressed his lips against hers, covering her mouth hungrily. Panic like I'd never known before welled in my throat. She twisted in his arms and arched her body, seeking to get free. His demanding lips caressed hers, urging her to embrace it rather than fight it.

I felt her defenses begin to weaken. His slow, drugging kisses sent shivers through me, filling me with a strange inner excitement. Inside, it felt like I was exploding in a downpour of fiery sensations. I could only sit there, clenching and unclenching my hands, breathing lightly between parted lips as my heart thundered in anticipation.

With a small moan, she returned his kiss with reckless abandon, wrapping her arms around his neck, and burying her hands in his thick hair. Knowing he has won, Lou relaxes his grip and begins exploring her body. He slipped his fingers along her arms, causing my skin to tingle. Slowly, his hands move gently down, traveling the length of her back, and make their way under her dress to skim her hips and caress the skin of her thighs. A moan slipped through my lips.

After another moment, Lou broke away from Rachel, panting slightly, leaving me and Rachel wanting more. I was too emotion-filled to speak. It was my first kiss.

Suddenly, all pleasure left me as I realized that wasn't true. That had been Rachel's first kiss. I was merely along for the ride. My breathing began to settle down to a more even beat.

Lou turned to me, straightening his shirt, and looked up with a sly smile. "Was it as good for you as it was for me?" His voice was low and purposely seductive.

Sighing, I clasped my hands together and stared at them. "It was fine," I said without emotion.

Through Rachel's eyes, I saw him stiffen, as though he had been slapped. For a moment, he studied me intently. "What's the matter?" he asked quietly.

I sighed again. "None of this is real," I answered, never taking my eyes off my hands. "Everything I felt during that kiss wasn't really me: it was Rachel."

"Once again, I fail to see a problem here," he said in confusion. "We already had this conversation, remember? You plus fake emotions equals good. Nobody gets hurt."

"You just don't get it," I muttered, shaking my head slightly.

He came over and knelt beside me, placing a hand lightly on my shoulder. "Does it have to do with how you're feeling right now?" he asked.

"Forget I said anything," I mumbled, shrugging his hand off my shoulder and pulling my hood up.

Now he sighed. "Look," he began, "you know that kiss didn't mean anything. It was just a demonstration. I wanted you to get a taste of what was to come. That's all."

"It wasn't right," Rachel said softly. She was sitting on my bed, looking at Lou accusingly. "Next time you get the urge to use me as a demonstration, don't. We'll all be a lot happier."

"Would it help if I apologized?" Lou asked with concern. He looked between me and Rachel for a response, and we nodded our heads slightly. "I'm sorry. I won't do that ever again." The sly grin returned. "But you can't deny that you didn't enjoy every minute of that little make-out session, right?"

I felt my cheeks begin to grow warm and was thankful I had put my hood up. Rachel turned her head to try and hide her face, but Lou saw it and chuckled. "Damn, I'm good," he said and stood up. "Well, I guess I'll be going now." Shoving his hands in his pockets, he started moving towards the door.

"Wait," I said, standing up quickly. He stopped, but didn't turn back. "How do I contact you in a week? If I want to do this again, that is?"

"You don't contact me, I contact you," he told me. He turned back. "If you're worried I'm going to forget, don't be. I wouldn't forget something this important." And with a wink, he left.