Darn FF wasn't letting me submit documents. Grr this took a while. Enjoy.

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Chapter 7

The hot water sprayed onto his shoulder blades as he leaned his hands against the black and gray tiles. He turned around to tilt his head under the showerhead and let the water stream down his face against his brown hair and the black ink sketched upon his features. He closed his eyes and allowed himself to get lost in his thoughts as the water calmed him. He just stood there in silence, listening to the sound of the running water on his body and inhaling the steam rising in the air.

It had been a long day. Ashelin was angry because of the whole transmitter thing and the clues that he thought he had, lead to nothing. A rebellion was forming and a war could possibly start if things heated up in the city. No one knew what Cutter's intentions were and what he was up to. Whoever Ashelin's assassin was, the whole city was in danger because of it. A threat to the head of the city was a threat to the whole. Torn knew that well as a war strategist and a soldier. Yet, as selfish as it sounded, it wasn't the city that he cared about, it was about himself. What would he do with himself if the only woman that had ever understood him and could hold her own, wasn't there anymore.

He shook his head at the thought of looking upon her name in a memorial with the names of others who had lost their lives in the past wars or on duty. Her name was something he would never want to see unless his name was right next to hers. He knew Ashelin would want him to take care of the city and follow their goals through if something should happen to her but it still pained him to think that he would have to do it alone. He didn't want that.

He stared at his fingers scraping against the tiles and he finally made up his mind. He nodded to himself as he stepped out of the shower and draped a red towel around his waist so he could get dressed in his master bedroom. He threw on a pair of black sweats and his racing tank top, not caring if others judged his appearance. He stepped out of his room toward the direction of Ashelin's.

The two guards looked up in surprise as they saw their commander dressed so laid back and walking toward the governor's room so late at night. Still they saved their questions and their bodies stiffened as Torn walked up to them, standing on both sides of Ashelin's door. Usually there were no guards by this floor because they all stood on the main floor to keep watch and around the outside perimeters of the palace. It was easy for Torn and Ashelin to visit each other and be back unnoticed. Yet now here were the two guards standing watch and searching their commander's eyes for some sort of explanation for his actions. They raised their hands to their heads.

Torn spoke calmly, "Whatever you hear from this room, stays confidential. Whatever you are seeing right now, forget and speak of it to no one" Torn kept his gaze on Ashelin's door as the two guards nodded in obedience even though they were still clearly confused. Rumors were heard of the commander's relationship with the governor but nothing was ever confirmed. Only those they kept close to them knew the nature of their relationship and the employees of the Freedom League knew nothing, until now.

"Only alert me if there is an emergency no matter what" The guards nodded again as they watched Torn push open the door and step into the darkness of the governor's room. Torn closed the door behind him. He turned to stare upon the sleeping curves spread out in the king size bed. The pale moonlight from the large window kissed against her ruby hair transforming it into a purple hue. He stared at her body as it laid beneath the burgundy covers up to her lower back.

He sighed to himself as he looked at her, feeling the pain rising inside him from the thought of ever losing her. He locked the door and slowly approached the sleeping figure on the bed. Only the creaking of his bare feet on the cold hard wood floors and her slow steady breathing was heard in the room. He calmly slipped his tank top up over his head to reveal his bare chest and he threw it on the floor. He slipped inside the covers unnoticed as Ashelin continued to sleep.

She was lying on her side with her back facing him. She was dressed in a black lacey tank top and shorts but she didn't seem to be cold. He observed the side of her face and the movement underneath her eyelids. She was dreaming something as he watched her clench the pillowcase beside her face.

Hand over your city willingly or I'll have to kill you. An unknown voice spoke to her inside her dream. It was dark and she felt pain being stabbed and whipped all over her body. Her skin felt cool as if it were bare and damp from something. She could tell by the stench and the taste on her lips that it was blood, her blood.

I'd rather die before giving my city up to the likes of you. She yelled into the darkness and spat in front of her disrespectfully. She felt as if her back was against cold, sharp bricks and her wrists were bound against it. She struggled to escape and see in the darkness but failed. She heard a sadistic laugh erupting and getting closer to her but she still could not make out whom it was.

Well then I'll have to kill you and then get the next in command as well to ensure neither of you will be in my way.

Next in command? Torn! You bastard! Even if you kill me you wouldn't last long enough before he killed you. He'd have nothing to lose after my death and he would avenge me.

Ahh so you think he's invincible? Maybe this would change your mind.

Suddenly a bright light began to appear in front of her and she turned her face away from it because of its brightness. She slowly let her squinting eyes adjust as she turned back toward it. Her eyes widened at the horrific sight.

A man's body lay on the gray concrete floor, surrounded by a crimson puddle that was still growing. His blue eyes were rolled back to reveal the lifeless white flesh and his skin was pale. Trails of blood trickled down his face as his fingers seemed to be clenching the floor, showing his struggle to survive before death had greeted him harshly.

Ashelin felt the lump inside her dry throat that prevented her from screaming. She opened her mouth to yell but no sound came from her quivering lips. Her breathing grew heavy and her heartbeat had stopped at the sight. Finally she managed to use all of her strength from the depths of her weak body to screech out his name.

T-Torn!

"Torn, no- Torn" Ashelin whispered his name through her mumbling lips as Torn began to shake her shoulder. He realized she was having a nightmare.

"Ash wake up, you're just dreaming" He shook her but she wasn't waking up. She began to kick and bang her fists into thin air in front of her as if she was struggling to be set free from something.

Her calling began to grow louder until Torn roughly wrapped his strong arms around her thrashing ones so that he could hold her body against his. His husky voice spoke loudly and clearly into her ear so that he could wake her up, "Ashelin"

At the sound of his voice her eyes shot open and she gasped in horror from the nightmare. She felt her body sweat as she breathed heavily from shock and she was out of breath. Her clenching fists were trembling slightly as she felt someone's body holding her against his tightly. She recognized the familiar masculine hands around her wrists and she stared at them, still in shock.

Torn loosened his grip around her wrists a bit as he rubbed her hands with his thumbs. He tightened his embrace around her until he felt her body relax. They stood in silence as Torn's chin nuzzled on top of her head.

"Whatever you were dreaming, it won't happen," He whispered to her as she turned slightly toward his face. She didn't speak and her eyes were still slightly wide. He removed his hands from her wrists to hover over her body a bit. He turned her face toward his, as he looked at her though the darkness with a solemn expression.

"I won't let it happen" He spoke again hoping to get through to her. She blinked in reaction and opened her mouth to protest. His hand that had cupped the side of her face moved to hush her lips.

"Do you believe in me Ash?" He looked at her as he laid on his side, supporting himself on his other elbow. It seemed that she had come back into reality and she raised her hand to caress the tattoos on his face. Her facial expression was more relaxed even though it still showed worry.

She nodded as she whispered, "Yes, I believe in you"

He slowly brought his face closer to hers and spoke onto her lips. She felt his warm breath upon her lips as he spoke and she closed her eyes in reaction. "Then believe that I will keep you safe"

She felt his lips press against her roughly as she raised her arms to wrap around his neck. His body shifted closer to her as he ran his free hand from her face down her neck and the side of her body. She shivered slightly in reaction and he kissed her more feverishly. Between their growing heavy breaths she managed to back away from him just enough to whisper, "The guards, they saw you?"

He shook his head and spoke quickly, "Don't worry about them. I don't care anymore"

"B-but-" He rushed in to crash his lips on hers again, cutting off her objections. His teeth pulled on her bottom lip as she released a small lusty moan from his kiss.

"I don't care who knows anymore. I'm tired of hiding ourselves in the palace" He shifted on top of her and she opened her legs in reaction so that he could lay comfortably. He rested on one elbow as his other hand tickled her navel, playing with the edges of her black lace. He kissed and nibbled on the side of her neck, "Let them hear us. I want them to know"

Before she could open her mouth to reply he slipped his hand underneath the black lace covering the delicate and intimate parts of her. She gasped in surprise as he massaged her and he felt her nails begin to claw his back.

He raised his hand back up to pull up her tank top. She felt the warm moisture from his tongue trailing all over her chest as his hand slipped back down inside her. Her breathing increased as she held him tighter, exploring his back with her hands. "Torn, about everything- that's been- happening lately- I-" She struggled to speak between her excited breaths but his motions grew quicker and deeper and she couldn't speak anymore.

He simply said, "I know" before she felt his lips on her again. He released his hand from her and rested on both elbows as she rose up to kiss him. She pulled him down toward her with her lips pulling his. She kissed him hungrily and her tongue ran inside his mouth against his. She heard him moan between their kisses and she smiled.

"I'd like to show you how grateful I am for your protection commander. I know I'm a stubborn woman but let me make it up to you," She whispered to him lustfully with her devious grin.

He smiled back at her, "Governor, are you trying to overrule my authority again?"

"Oh yes, and this time I'll succeed" She pulled him back down for another kiss.

Meanwhile the two guards stood outside, still confused about the situation. They both removed their helmets. One was revealed to be a tall muscular man with broad shoulders. He had black hair tied behind his head and a line of hair along his jaw line. The shorter guard was revealed to be a young woman. Her silver blue hair spilled onto her shoulders once she pulled off her helmet and her sharp golden eyes were wide with shock. She turned toward her companion.

"Do you hear what I think I'm hearing?" She whispered carefully so that her voice wouldn't be heard.

The man laughed, "Sure do, the commander's protecting the governor alright" He winked at his companion and her jaw dropped in shock.

"This-this doesn't disturb you?"

"Nah not really, I'm actually not surprised" Before the woman could reply the man hushed her as he pressed his ear to the door. The sounds of the creaking spring mattress and muffled moans grew louder. A sly smile spread across his face as he listened.

The soundless words Oh my God came from the woman's lips as she covered her ears with her palms. Her face grew red as she tried to block out the sounds from the room. Her companion seemed to enjoy it and she grew angry.

"Seij!" She furrowed her brows at his behavior and he laughed. He turned away from the door and placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

"Relax Anya, it's nothing to get all worked up about"

She crossed her arms in front of her and pouted, taking her gaze away from Seij who was still smiling at her. Her cheeks still heated up until she heard a low but still audible conversation coming from inside the room. It was their commander whispering his love to the governor and she responded to him back in the same way.

"Oh he said he loved her and he never wants to let her go" Her eyes sparkled and she smiled happily for the couple inside the room. "I wish I had someone that felt that way about me" She sighed, lost in her dream world. She had not realized the smile that he had faded on Seij's face. She turned to him and observed his suddenly solemn expression.

"I'm sure you'll find that person some day" He replied to her as he stared ahead of him, avoiding her questioning gaze.

She shook her head, "Hah, I doubt that. Growing up the way that I did and being on this job for two years hasn't allowed it. There aren't many men out there that desire a woman who wields a gun and might have more balls than them. Most men want a pretty little housewife that's going to carry the groceries and cook meals, not drink beer and ride on hover boards"

"That's not true, there's plenty men out there who'd want that. Look, the commander's one of 'em" He pointed toward the door and smiled.

She crossed her arms in front of her and spoke in a defeated tone, "Yeah well he's taken and I've never had any interest in him. Other than that, those men are hard to find"

They stood silent for a while as they stared ahead of them. They seemed to have forgotten about the sounds coming from inside the room. Finally Seij broke the silence.

"Well maybe he's just afraid. Even if a man wants such a powerful woman, maybe he feels as if she doesn't want a man or feels that she might not even need one"

"Well I think that if a man wants a woman bad enough he'll go after her no matter what, even with fear of rejection. If not than maybe he isn't man enough to handle her either way and he's better off keeping to himself"

He raised a brow at her and laughed, "Ya don't say. Now I feel insulted"

"Well it's tru-" Her eyes widened when she realized the hidden meaning in their conversation. She gasped and turned to him, about to question him but he grabbed her by her waist before she could respond.

He leaned in quickly to press his lips upon her pink ones as she stood there in shock. Her body stood stiff as her two-year partner on the job kissed her lovingly. She had never been kissed is such a way. She never even knew the sly joker had that in him. He backed away to see her flushing cheeks and her wide golden eyes staring up into his caramel ones.

"I hope that's man enough for you" He winked at her and pulled away. She raised her hand to touch her lips, still damp from his kiss.

"Seij, I had no idea"

He shrugged, "Don't make it such a big thing…unless you want to…" He stared ahead of him once again with a serious expression. She saw the worry in his eyes and a drop of sweat trickle down the side of his face.

She smiled as she put her helmet back on and he followed, doing the same.

"Well let's continue doing our shift. We're gonna be mighty tired later" She gave Seij a friendly punch on his arm and he nodded.

"Yeah I usually sleep during the day when I do night shift"

"Well that's too bad, you won't be awake enough to go grab a beer with me…and finish where you left off from the kiss"

His head spun to her and she could tell he was shocked by what she said. His body relaxed and she knew he was smiling.

"Don't worry Anya, I'll be more than awake to finish where we left off for you"

She laughed and suddenly realized that she had forgotten about the sounds coming from the bedroom. They didn't seem to bother her anymore. She smiled underneath her helmet as she thought to herself.

You take care of that woman commander and I'm sure she will do the same. May the blessings of Mar be upon you both.

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Once again FF was being dumb and not letting me submit my documents so I'm sorry this took a while. I originally planned to submit one chap and then one later but because of that I submitted the both of these together. Hope you liked them and since I haven't updated in longer than usually that's why I like to spoil my readers with two chapters. How'd you like Seij and Anya? I like making up other characters and putting little stories within my story. Wasn't this chapter so full of fluff and love and all that gushy stuff? I wanted Torn and Ash to make up before things got drastic and violent. I'll try to update soon and I'll try not to get distracted :sees Daxter calling her from the PSP: Umm yeah….what was I saying?