I apologise for how short this chapter is, I promise to do better next time :s

Chapter Eight

Hank sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose, letting his glasses slip precariously far down his nose as he sat back. So far breakfast – and the bit just before – had been the highlights of his day...she'd called him gorgeous.It was a Wednesday, Isabelle's day off, and with Peter in charge of the office the place had been a shambles. He'd never quite realised how much she moved appointments and re-located events for him so he wouldn't be run ragged…she was almost more of a PA than she was a secretary. By comparison Peter didn't have a –

"Tough day?" A gentle whisper reached his ears at about the same time clever fingers reached the tense muscles of his neck. He cracked an eye open to see Isabelle standing slightly to one side and behind him,

"Mmm" He fought very hard not to purr as her fingers worked at loosening the tense muscles. He groaned, letting his head fall forward as she moved down the muscles of his neck to his shoulders, kneading them with all the firm gentleness of a master, "where did you learn that?" He asked, starting to feel oddly energised at the same time as very relaxed,

"My mom" She murmured quietly, scowling as she concentrated on what she was doing, "hush a minute" She smiled as he pushed back against her fingers, his body telling her where to concentrate. She let the lights dance through her fingers and out across his shoulders, feeling the tension dissipate slowly, "feel better?"

"Much" He said, surprised that actually, he did, "you never told me you had energising qualities" He murmured, pulling her down to sit on his lap,

"No…didn't think it as impressive as the light display, you know? Isabelle Caley the human battery" She pulled a faceat him as he chuckled softly, running a hand back through his hair with a thoughtful air, "I'm afraid if you want to come back to my place I'll be cooking" She pulled another face, "I warn you, some of my savoury food can taste a bit…odd" He smiled, noticing that her hair was pulled up and back into it's usual perfect chignon, despite ancient looking jeans and t-shirt that was three sizes too big…it was the first time he had seen her dressed so casually,

"I'm afraid, as pleasant as it sounds, I have work to do at the lab" He watched the crestfallen expression flick over her face before she plastered a fake smile over it,

"Oh…ok" She went to move away but he wrapped his arms around her waist, dragging her back down onto his lap,

"Why don't you come with me?" He asked, lips pressed against the side of her neck. He felt her shiver against him, "it'll be quiet but with you there I'm sure I'll get through my work twice as fast" She brushed her fingers through the soft fur at the base of his neck, shivering in replyas her fingers trailed a short path on his spine, "it'll be fine as long as Bobby isn't cooking"

"It's not physically possible for his cooking to be worse than mine and besides" She cuddled a little closer, "I'd go anywhere to be with you" She murmured into his ear. Hank stopped and looked up at her, she flushed, allowing a brief flicker of lights to show in her cheeks, "sorry, that was a bit corny - what am I talking about? That was a lot corny" He caught her hand on the way to her forehead, grazing her knuckles with his lips as he looked up into her eyes over the top of his glasses,

"Yes" He smiled as her blush intensified, "but heartfelt" They stared at each other for a long moment, "come on, we'd best get going if we want to get to the mansion in time for dinner" He regretfully let her slip from his lap, his fingers trailing up her thigh absently,

"The mansion? You said lab a moment ago" She said with a frown of puzzlement, reaching up to check her hair was alright. He sighed, reaching for his hat and coat,

"I'll explain on the way" He shot her a look as she started giggling, "what?"

"Quick Gorgeous man! To the Hank mobile!" She flung herself at him, kissing his cheek before tearing from the room. Hank sighed, rolling his eyes heavenward but unable to keep a grin from his face as he followed at a more sedate pace,

"God, may I ask a question if you're not too busy? Why do you send me all the ones with weird senses of humour?"