Disclaimer: I own nothing, nada, zip. Blaze owns me

Scene 05

"That brings us back to the hallway, where I've got infrared sensors, pressure sensors in the floor, and alarms on the windows and doors," concluded Warren. Blaze nodded thoughtfully, sucking on a red lollipop as she gazed round the room. Warren watched her for a moment, before probing, "So what do you think?"

"To be honest," Blaze offered, waving the lollipop in the air to illustrate her point. "You'd be better off not bothering with all of this and just getting a big, grouchy guard dog." Warren's face fell; he'd spent a lot of money after Gambit's break-in upgrading security. Blaze saw his reaction and flashed a stunning smile. "Don't worry Angel, I'll get this tuned up and watertight, I promise. I'm a professional remember." She promptly put the lollipop back in her mouth and leapt lithely onto a priceless Renaissance cabinet so she could reach the sensors on the wall. Warren shook his head in bewilderment and left her to it.

#Blaze?# enquired the Professor from Cerebro.

#I've told him that the security system is poor, but that I can fix it. Hopefully he'll sleep better tonight knowing that. To be honest though, the system's pretty good to begin with. Please tell me we are still working along the lines of he dreamt the whole thing, because if not we're dealing with some serious skill to get into his bedroom and out again without triggering an alarm.#

#I'm not sure,# the Professor answered pensively. #There is a sense of something lingering in Angel's bedroom, but whether it is a sign that someone was there I don't know. It could just be a fragmented projection of Angel's nightmare.#

#What do you want me to do?# Blaze asked with a gulp. This was not sounding too good to the English girl.

#You seem to be earning Angel's trust. Perhaps you can convince him to let you stay the night. That way you can be on hand should anything happen again. I think even if someone were breaking in, they would think twice about the sensibility of their actions when faced with the Guardian of Fire.#

#Thank you for your faith in me, Professor,# Blaze blushed with sincerity. #I know we have had some issues, especially since Ilehana…#

#I believe that you and I need to get to know one another better, Blaze. For now though, I will have Storm pack you some things and bring them over to you.#

#You're a star Professor,# Blaze smiled. #I won't let you down.# She had the sense of the Professor returning the smile a little sheepishly, and then he was gone.

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"All done," announced Blaze, walking into Angel's immaculate kitchen with its black marble-topped work surfaces and suspended chandelier. "Wow, this is impressive."

"Only because I never use it," Angel admitted, tossing Blaze a can of soda to match his own. "Why bother when there is a perfectly good Chinese place down the road? Thanks for taking a look at my security Blaze. Can I repay you with a take-out? They do a mean chicken chow mien."

"You bet," Blaze very much approved, opening the can of soda that hissed delightfully. Coyly she glanced back at Angel, suggesting, "How about we get something stronger in to drink, and make a night of it? I've no plans, and it can't be fun rattling round this place on your own, no matter how amazing it is."

"Last I heard, you lived in a pretty fantastic mansion yourself Blaze," Angel noticed with a smile.

"Uh-huh," Blaze accepted the truth. "No school kids here though. It's a proper grown-up house."

"This wouldn't have anything to do with the bag that Storm dropped off ten minutes ago, would it?" Warren enquired genteelly.

"Maybe," Blaze admitted. "I just thought that after last night, you might sleep a little better tonight knowing there was someone just down the hall."

"I…" Warren looked away, not able to meet Blaze's eyes and admit what a coward he was. "Yes, I'd like that Blaze. Thank you."

"Don't worry yourself about it," Blaze came across the room to touch Angel's elbow lightly. "It's going to be fine, I promise." Angel looked down at her, a deep frown criss-crossing his brow. He only said three words to her, "I hope so."