The last couple of weeks have been filled with small battles and peace talks. We have managed to convince almost all of the sectors to accept our leadership; the only sector that still refuses to agree to our terms is Sector 46. Their leader, an older greasy man who goes by the name Kane, ignored all of our communication efforts until a few days ago when he agreed to attend the dinner we are hosting tonight. All of us here at Sector 45 are hoping that by the end of this meal we'll reach some kind of agreement.

"Ow!" I shout as I accidentally jab myself in the eye with my mascara wand for the third time. This is the first time I've applied makeup in years and I'm as bad at it now as I was then.

After many attempts, and some help from the twins, my makeup is flawlessly applied and my hair is perfectly arranged in a delicate up-do. I decide to put on my floor length emerald dress and the necklace with Aaron's jade ring on it. I'm putting on my earrings when I hear Aaron walk through the door.

"Love?" he calls.

"In hear!" I respond. Moments later he appears in the doorway where he stops for a moment to admire my figure. His expression is unreadable.

"What?" I ask turning around to face him.

"You're showing a lot of skin," he remarks, pointing at my totally exposed back, and the soft v neck at the front of the dress.

I scoff and roll my eyes, "In a dress that you picked out for me. Do you not like it?"

"I love it," he responds slowly stalking towards me like a predator would its prey, "but that's the problem," he whispers as backs me up against the sink caging me in with his arms. He stares into my eyes as he places a soft kiss on my shoulder. In the dim light of the bathroom I can see that his eyes are smoldering. I imagine my expression mirrors his.

"I'm afraid," he starts again, "that our guests may love it a little too much." I scoff, but he continues anyway.

"There are a lot of lonely men attending this dinner tonight from both this sector and Sector 46 love, and I know that with you in this dress they won't be able to keep their eyes or their minds from wondering. I'll have to sit through the entire dinner reading their emotions and sensing their reactions to you and I can't promise that someone won't get hurt because you see love," he pauses and places his lips at my ear and whispers, "You're mine and I'm not one for sharing."

I place a soft kiss on his lips and trace his jaw with my fingertips; he closes his eyes and leans into my touch. "I assure you Aaron," I respond, "you have absolutely nothing to worry about."

XxXxXxXxXxXxXx

The time has come and the guests from Sector 46 will be arriving soon, as I descend the stairs towards the main foyer I feel eyes on me. I look down to see all of my closest friends and most trusted advisors waiting for me at the bottom.

"Ow ow!" Kenji catcalls up at me. I look down in an effort to hide my blush.

"That offer to dump Warner and take me instead still stands," Kenji teases, "because I could definitely get down with all that."

"Watch it," Warner growls as he rounds the corner and starts down the stairs to join me. When he's by my side I grab his hand, and give it a gentle squeeze.

"Let's head outside and wait for our guests to arrive," I announce to the group.

Minutes later we find ourselves waiting on the front landing of the base. Soon we receive word from the gate that Kane has arrived, and all of a sudden two large black SUV's appear with a limousine in between. The three cars pull up to the curb and the doors of the SUV's fly open. Various older and younger looking men emerge from the vehicles. When the door to the limousine finally opens the man I've only seen in pictures emerges. He appears older than he did in the photos, but the majority of his characteristics appear the same. Long, oily looking salt and pepper hair, pencil thin moustache, and bulbous nose. What really catch my attention though are the piercing honey eyes that immediately snap to mine.

The moment we make eye contact his lips turn up in a sick smile. All at once his group begins to make its way towards us with him hobbling in the front using his cane for support.

"Juliette, how lovely to see you, and may I say you're even more lovely in person," he states in a sickening voice as he not so subtly runs his eyes over my figure. I can feel Aaron tense beside me.

I clear my throat, suddenly uncomfortable, "It's nice to meet you too, thank you for attending this evening," I say.

He stares for a moment more and calls forward one of his advisors. A tall lanky looking man is at his side in seconds.

"This is my right hand man, Stanton, he will be playing a large part in tonight's negotiations."

I nod my head in response and gesture towards the door, "Please come in, we have business to discuss."

"Indeed we do," Kane responds. Before we enter the building Kane and Stanton exchange a mischievous glance that does not go unnoticed.

I just want to say a big thank you to everyone who has reviewed or favorited or followed or just read this story in general. I really appreciate the support!