Shaw jogged up the last couple steps and stopped outside of the open apartment door. She'd heard the music from three floors down, but in the hallway, it was so loud that Shaw's heart started being in time. She was still on a post-job high and part of her wanted to ditch this party and find someone to ravage until the sun came up.

She licked her lips, trying to decide what she was in the mood for. Was she craving strong, thick hands wrapped around her throat or soft thighs to sink her teeth into? The thought of a tight stomach to run her tongue over made her shiver and she took a deep breath to calm down. She'd promised Reese that morning that she'd meet his new girlfriend and he'd be pissed if she just bailed.

Shaw had been friends with Reese for a long time. He had been the only one who would talk to her in high school and when he'd moved to New York City, she'd moved, too. There hadn't been much for them on the army base and neither had wanted to enlist at 18. He'd started school and she'd found a lucrative career. Now, he had a girlfriend and she had a craving that wouldn't be satisfied until she fulfilled her promise.

Sighing, she headed into the party, someone shoving a beer bottle into her fist. Twisting the cap off, she looked around, taking stock of everyone inside. Whoever lived here had bought a light machine, pink and blue lights moved around the room, making it hard to count how many people there actually were. She took a sip of her drink and tried to spot John in the crowded living room.

Shaw swallowed her drink, grimacing as she glanced at the label. For rich douchebags, these kids always bought cheap beer. The lighting in the living room was so terrible she could barely read. Deciding it didn't matter, she just shrugged and took another sip. It was free beer after all.

Someone bumped into her, making her choke slightly, and she looked up angrily, turning to see who it was. A tall brunette was disappearing into the crowd and Shaw scowled. College kids were so rude; at least criminals had a code.

As the crowd closed around the girl who bumped her, Shaw noticed someone looking at her. He was hot, unkempt in a purposeful way, and the look in his eyes distracted her from her anger. He winked at her and Shaw remembered that she wanted to ravage someone. She dragged her eyes over his body, taking in his strong arms and long legs.

Shaw wondered what his scruff would feel like against the inside of her thighs. Would he pull her hair? She could convince him. Boys were such wimps. All talk and no action. She wondered if this college boy would hold her wrists down until they bruised. There was only one way to find out, but she had to find John first.

Shaw winked back at him before turning away to look again for John. She spotted a broad-shouldered giant in the doorway to the kitchen and breathed with relief. The sooner she met this girl, the sooner she could lose herself in someone else. Her mind wandered as she worked her way across the impossibly large apartment.

That boy she saw had been hot, just enough hair to run her fingers through. His shirt had strained across his chest, hinting at muscle and solid strength. Maybe he really would be strong enough to pin her down and keep her down. He might even be confident enough to hurt her a little.

She remembered that girl she'd slept with a couple of weeks ago, nervous and tall. That girl, whatever her name was, hadn't been confident, but she'd been eager. Shaw smirked, gulping down more beer. That girl had bitten Shaw so hard, the wound still hadn't fully healed. John was still teasing her for it.

Stepping into the bright kitchen, Shaw punched John's arm. "Hey, bro."

John turned to look at her, eyebrows raised. "Shaw. I'm a little surprised you actually showed up."

She shrugged casually. "I have to approve all the women that come into your life."

"Sameen?" a familiar voice asked. Shaw turned to see Zoe holding a red cup. "I didn't know you knew John."

"Yeah," Shaw replied, flipping her ponytail over her shoulder. "We've been best friends for years."

"We were neighbors growing up," John offered as Shaw sipped her terrible beer. "Inseparable."

Shaw rolled her eyes. She and John were close, but there wasn't anyone she couldn't separate herself from. She'd known for a long time that she was different, that she didn't feel as deeply as everyone else. It didn't bother her, though. There were worse things than been emotionally unaffected.

"So, are you his new girlfriend?" Shaw asked Zoe, "because I approve."

Zoe laughed, saluting Shaw with her cup. "I'm flattered, but no. My roommate, Joss, is the lucky lady." She gestured to the girl beside her. "Joss, this is Sameen."

"Hello," Joss said, holding her hand out for Shaw to shake. "Nice to meet you."

"You, too," Shaw replied, trying to sound friendly. She shook her hand. "Call me Shaw." She took another drink, appraising Joss over her bottle.

Joss seemed clean cut, well put together and normal. John always went for girls on the right side of the law and Shaw was always skeptical. Their lifestyle required a certain level of secrecy and if this girl couldn't handle that, she wouldn't last. As long as she wasn't related to law enforcement, Shaw was ok with her for now.

"Shaw? I like it." Joss smiled at John. "Should I be jealous that your mysterious best friend is a girl?"

Shaw snorted, choking slightly on her beer. "No," she laughed sarcastically, "You should not. John is like my brother and, trust me, we are not that kind of close."

Shaw remembered the very short time they were dating. They were both 16, at peak puberty, and they were both curious about sex. It hadn't lasted long. One awkward sexual encounter and they'd broken up, ignored each other for a few weeks, and then settled back into their friendship. She was not interested in him like that and now the thought made her nauseous.

Throwing her head back, Shaw finished her beer. It was too early to get drunk, but she was already buzzed from her job and her body was starting to hum with restlessness. She gave Joss and Zoe a tight smile.

"If you ladies will excuse me," Shaw said, handing John her empty bottle, "I have some business to attend to."

"Use protection," Zoe laughed.

Shaw saluted her and turned away, nodding to John as she moved back into the dark, crowded living room. Her side job, the one that kept bringing her to parties with rich brats, was a self-sustaining business. She pushed her way through the crowd, pulling out her wallet. A hand tapped her on the shoulder and she turned around.

"Do you have it?" a tall, drunk boy asked her. "I brought the money."

Shaw squinted up at him before opening her wallet and pulling out a fake ID. "Yeah. Here you go...David."

She handed the card over and took the money he offered. He stumbled backwards as he examined the card. Shaw made bank selling fake IDs to college kids. It paid almost as well as her "real" job and didn't take any effort. She stuffed the money into her wallet.

Looking around, Shaw spotted someone she'd sold an ID to a couple weeks ago. She stalked towards him, eyes fixed on the wallet in his back pocket. The kid she was moving towards would think he lost his ID and email her soon for another. Then, she'd sell it back to him. Her itch to drown in someone was overwhelming, so she decided to take this one ID and find that boy from earlier.

Movement to her right made her look and her eyes met a familiar face, leaning against the wall. It was the girl from her dorm, watching her from across the room. Shaw stopped walking, taking in the girl through the crowd of people between them. The girl looked different that the last time Shaw had seen her.

Root, Shaw remembered, that was the girl's name. Root, the desperate girl who wanted Shaw to top her. She didn't seem nervous at all now. In fact, Shaw's skin grew hot under the intense look in Root's eyes.

Root leaned against the wall, hands stuffed into the front pockets of skin-tight jeans. She was wearing a leather jacket that was slightly too big from her, like it was a leftover from an old lover. Shaw ran her eyes down Root's chest, taking in her barely buttoned shirt, dark red bra peeking out from under a dark, blue shirt. Root's pale skin glowed under the party lights.

She was hotter than Shaw remembered, her long brown hair swept over sharp collarbone. The look on her face made her seem older, more confident. Shaw stared at Root's mouth, one corner turned up in a smirk. What happened to that girl who was too awkward to ask for the strap-on?

Without thinking, Shaw walked towards her, all ID business forgotten. Maybe this girl would be down to hook up, put her long fingers to good use. Root pushed herself off the wall, hands coming out of her pockets, and took two steps towards Shaw, but someone stopped her.

A man Shaw had never seen before put his hand on Root's arm. For a moment, she looked surprised and Shaw's hands clenched into fists at her side, ready to fight this man off. Then, Root's face relaxed and she spoke to the man calmly.

The music was too loud for Shaw to eavesdrop, so she kept walking closer. Root didn't seem like someone who was interested in men, so Shaw wasn't worried about losing out to this bald, skinny guy. When she was only a few feet away, Root turned to her and winked.

Shaw stopped and watched as Root followed the man into a room, her hands slipping into her jacket pockets. Maybe Root was into men, Shaw thought. She remembered the way Root gasped every time Shaw touched her and the way her whole body had flushed when Shaw licked her. Even if Root was into boys like that, Shaw was willing to be she would be Root's first choice.

Hurrying to the wall, Shaw crept along it, until she reached the doorframe Root had disappeared through. She poked her head inside, just enough to see them. The ceiling light made the room bright and Shaw had to squint until her eyes adjusted.

They were standing to the side of what turned out to be a bedroom, Root leaning against a desk and the man counting money. They were across the room from the bed, but for a second, Shaw thought Root might be a sex worker. Maybe she slept with men for business and women for pleasure. He handed her a few bills and she checked the amount before tucking them into a jacket pocket. Shaw frowned. This was definitely a business deal.

"Keep this safe this time," Root said, reaching into the front pocket of her jeans and pulling out a card. "I'm not going to keep making you copies."

Taking the card, the man turned it over in his hands, examining it closely. After a minute, he nodded and started for the door. Shaw ducked out, crossing her arms and looking casual as the man walked passed. He wasn't familiar, but he was clearly buying fake IDs. It wasn't an important business, but Shaw didn't want to lose customers to some skinny bitch who was good at acting.

It seemed like Root had played her weeks ago. She acted timid and desperate, but she was just trying to pull information from Shaw. Dropping her arms, Shaw glared at the man's back. If Root had started stealing her ID business, then what else did she know about Shaw? Would she try and get in with Shaw's boss? Get Shaw kicked off the team?

For a moment, Shaw doubted her suspicions. Root had seemed really affected by her. This could be the act, a confident criminal who sells IDs to...Shaw didn't know. The girl she'd met in the common room wouldn't wear a leather jacket or do business with strange men at a house party.

Shaw stormed inside the bedroom, grabbing the door and slamming it shut behind her. Root jumped, looking startled, and her hand reached for the small of her back. When she saw Shaw, she relaxed, smiling.

"I didn't take you for the public exhibition type," Root said, flirting. "I guess you closed the door at least."

"What was that?" Shaw demanded. "Are you getting into my business?"

Root raised an eyebrow. "Your little fake ID business? No. I have loftier ambitions and bigger fish."

"What's that supposed to mean? You think you're better than me?"

Stepping away from the wall, Root sauntered forward, her long arms swinging at her side. "Not better. Different. We both have fun jobs, don't you think?"

Shaw held her ground as Root walked closer. She wasn't going to be moved by some punk with great legs. Root stopped a foot away and Shaw could smell her shampoo, something fruity and girly. Scowling, Shaw shoved her finger into Root's face.

"You better stop whatever it is you're doing," Shaw ordered through clenched teeth.

"Let me guess," Root said, unbothered, "this town isn't big enough for the both of us?"

Root tried to bite Shaw's finger and she snatched it back. Who did this girl think she was? Root looked so smug, like she knew everything about Shaw and Shaw didn't know anything about her. Shaw might not know details, but she knew one thing. Root was attracted to her, weak in the knees for Shaw's strong body.

"Ok, Root," Shaw said, unzipping her hoodie, "I'll play your game. If you're not selling IDs, what are you doing?"

Root's eyelashes fluttered as Shaw pulled off her jacket, exposing her tight black shirt. Shaw tossed her hoodie onto the floor, taking in the slightly overwhelmed look in Root's eyes. It was the first hint Shaw had gotten that Root's whole attitude tonight was fake and it made her more confident.

"Something wrong?" Shaw asked, pulling up her sleeves and exposing her forearm muscles. "I asked you a question."

Root's eyes snapped to hers and the mask slammed back into place. Smiling casually, Root took a step backwards, putting her hands on her hips.

"I'm not sure I should answer," Root finally responded. "What if you try to take my business from me?"

Sauntering forward, Shaw watched as Root retreated, still trying to seem casual and unaffected. "First I accuse you of taking my business and now you accuse me? I'm trying to trust you, Root. You should trust me."

Root shook her head, eyes glinting. "I don't trust you, Shaw. I know where you're from, what classes your taking, who you do business with, but I can't say I know you."

Her back hit the wall and her mouth opened slightly in surprise. Smirking, Shaw stopped in front of her, only a few inches away. Up close, she could see Root's body shiver, her open shirt stark against her skin.

"You know," Shaw murmured, "I have ways of making you talk."

Root swallowed loudly and Shaw watched her throat work. She really hoped Root didn't turn out to be competition or a threat because she was really hot. Shaw reached up to undo the two buttons holding Root's shirt together.

"Are you holding out on purpose?" Shaw asked, tossing Root's shirt open and resting her hands on Root's pale stomach. "Is this what you want?"

"No," Root said, voice shaking. "You can't just seduce the answers out of me."

Shaw smirked, sliding her hands down to Root's belt. Slowly, she unbuckled it, staring up into Root's eyes. The mask had slipped again and Root looked almost terrified. Many people had told Shaw that she was scary, especially during sex, but Shaw didn't care. What was sex without a little fear?

She opened Root's pants, unzipping them and exposing Root's dark red underwear, the same color as her bra. Shaw shook her head. Of course Root wore matching underwear. Shaw hooked two fingers around the elastic and looked up at Root.

Root was panting, staring down at her with dark eyes. A flush was spreading across her chest and over her cheeks. Now she looked like the nervous girl Shaw had met weeks ago. Shaw licked her lips and watched as Root did the same.

"I'm guessing," Shaw said confidently, "that you can be seduced. I think you want to be seduced."

"Oh, I want to be seduced," Root said, her voice shaking. "You just won't get any answers."

"We'll see about that."

Slipping her hand into Root's underwear, Shaw pushed her fingers between Root's legs. She was already wet, just from some flirting and a little skin-to-skin contact. When she moved her fingers slightly, Root's hands flew up, tangling in Shaw's hair and yanking her head back.

Root's mouth crashed down on Shaw's, hot and urgent. For a second, Shaw forgot that she was trying to get information. Instead, she freed her hands and clutched Root's sides, digging her fingers into soft skin. Root groaned into her mouth.

"You're so hot," Root gasped, hips pressing into Shaw's.

Remembering the bed across the room, Shaw grabbed Root's hips and spun her around. She shoved her backwards towards the bed and stalked after her. Root pulled her jacket off as she moved back, tossing it away. Shaw reached for Root's open shirt, tugging her close again and wrapping a hand around the back of her neck, yanking her head down.

Root's mouth was addicting, soft and insistent. Shaw wasn't worried about feelings, she didn't really have any, but she might like Root's body a little too much. Wrapping her arms around Root, she froze.

Shaw pulled a gun from the back of Root's pants and stepped back. "Why do you have a gun?"

Root frowned. "I didn't expect you to be gun shy."

Raising an eyebrow, Shaw scoffed. She wasn't gun shy. In fact, she usually carried one, but this was a dumb college party and no one else here would have one. She looked it over. It wasn't a bad gun.

"You know what?" Shaw asked, walking to the desk. "I don't care."

She put the gun down and closed the distance between them again, giving Root another shove. Root's legs hit the bed and she dropped, sitting on the bed with a thump. Climbing onto Root's lap, Shaw stared at her mouth, swollen and red. Root's cheeks were almost as red as her lips and Shaw couldn't keep away any longer.

Her hands gripped Root's jaw and she crushed their lips together. Root's hands slid under the back of Shaw's shirt, cold against Shaw's hot skin. Their tongues brushed and she felt Root shiver between her legs. Shaw wanted more.

Trailing her hands down Root's throat, Shaw wrapped them around Root's neck, not applying any pressure, just trailing her thumbs up and down. She wanted to press her thumbs into Root's windpipe, listen to her gasp, feel her swallow, watch her eyes unfocus. Root's nails scrapped down Shaw's back and she pulled her head back to suck in a breath.

She pushed Root's shoulders, making her lie back, and stared down at her chest. Shaw pulled her shirt over her head, suddenly too warm. Root's hands moved around to her stomach, shaking fingers tracing Shaw's abs.

"Like what you see?" Shaw joked, raising an eyebrow.

Root nodded, lips pouting. She suddenly grabbed Shaw's neck, pulling her down and kissing her. Shaw pushed Root's hands away, lifting them above her head and keeping them against the bed. Root stretched upwards, trying to kiss Shaw, but Shaw hid her face in Root's neck instead.

"Tell me what you were doing," Shaw murmured in Root's collarbone. "Who that man was."

Root laughed, breathlessly. "A lady never reveals her secrets."

Shaw sunk her teeth into the top of Root's breast and Root's moan echoed in her ear. Root's hips bucked under Shaw, the open fly scratching against Shaw's leggings. Right now, Root was the farthest thing from ladylike.

"Move back," Shaw ordered, climbing off of Root. "On the bed."

Root scooted backwards until her head hit the pillow. Shaw was on her again in an instant, covering Root's body with her own, their bare stomachs brushing together. Shaw bit Root's lip until Root groaned as she adjusted herself on the bed.

Resting her weight on one hand, Shaw reached back between her legs and slid her hand back into Root's pants. Root whimpered underneath her and Shaw could tell that she was already close. She touched her confidently, eyes fixed to Root's.

Normally, when Shaw had sex, she didn't focus on the other person, only on what she was feeling. Root's eyes kept her focused, though, drawing her in and making her aware of every place they were touching. Root panted softly, fingers lightly touching Shaw's stomach.

When Root's breathing changed, suddenly shorter and faster, Shaw leaned down.

"Are you close?" she asked softly.

Root nodded sharply. She licked her lips, eyes fluttering. "Yeah."

Shaw slowed her fingers, smiling as Root raised herself onto her elbows.

"Why are you stopping?" she breathed.

"Tell me what you were doing tonight," Shaw answered. She moved her fingers in slow, lazy circles, keeping Root on the edge. "Who was that man? What did you give him?"

Root's eyes slammed shut. "I'm not going to tell you."

"Okay," Shaw answered, taking her hand away and leaving the bed. "I'll find out another way."

"Wait," Root said quickly, sitting up, "you're just going to leave because I won't tell you?"

Shaw's eyebrows drew down. She shrugged her arms. "Yeah. You win. You didn't talk." She licked her fingers, just to rub it in. Root leaned forward, hands grabbing at the sheets.

"But that doesn't mean you have to go."

"Root," Shaw snorted, walking around to the foot of the bed to grab her shirt, "I don't hang out with my hookups if they aren't going to give me what I want."

Root didn't answer, so Shaw just picked up her shirt and put it on. She was angry at Root for not talking. Shaw wasn't willing to lose out on her business, IDs or otherwise, because some girl had decided to try her hand at crime. Shaw had her sources; she'd find out about Root on her own.

Picking up her hoodie, Shaw walked to the desk as she pushed her arms through the sleeves. Root's gun was actually a great one. Shaw stopped in front of the desk and picked it up. It was a Colt Commander, Semi-Automatic, 10 round magazine, and a diamond cut checkered wood grip. She slid it into the front of her leggings and pulled her hoodie over to cover it.

Turning back to Root, she smiled, trying to at least look sympathetic. From the frown on Root's face, Shaw guessed she failed. She put her hands in her pockets and slowly crossed the room, stopping at the end of the bed.

"Maybe next time," Shaw started, "we can go all the way."

"Next time," Root scoffed. She crossed her arms, glaring at Shaw. "I don't know that there will be a next time."

Shaw shrugged. "Okay. Whatever."

She walked to the door, pulling it open, and stepping back out into the party. Wondering if that boy from earlier was still around, she moved through the dark, crowded room. It was louder than she remembered and she wished she had another beer.

Looking over her shoulder at the room she'd just left, she wondered if she should feel bad about leaving Root alone. She was a vulnerable, young girl, probably far from home, desperate for friends and company. Then, Shaw remembered Root was lying to her, stealing business and bringing guns to house parties.

Rolling her eyes, Shaw headed for the exit. She'd find something to do out in the city.