"So how's my merry widow?" Crowley cheerfully asked entering the library. Thea was sitting on one of the leather chairs sipping a glass of Craig and turned to look at him. "Awww, don't think just because I wasn't around that I lost track of you." Taking the glass from her hand, he sampled the whiskey in it. "Mmm, a lady after my own tastes."

"You're welcome." Thea said, standing and moving to the liquor cabinet and grabbing another glass. Watching her pour with steady hands, Crowley was impressed yet again. She was calmer than he thought she would be. It made him suspicious. Not used to being wrong so consistently, he continued to study Thea.

Moving across the room, her body language showed none of the fear and panic that he took advantage of last time they met. However, he did notice with a bit of smugness that she favored keeping a bit of distance between them. Making himself comfortable in the chair that she had just left, he met her eyes and slowly took another sip.

"You've had quite the month haven't you Thea. First Mommy dearest kicking it, then having to pull the plug on poor Gaven. I'm sure you played the part of the mourning wife to a T, didn't you ducky?" He smirked. "Pity the poor bastard didn't wake up from his fall down the stairs." He noticed her wince. Pressing his advantage and hoping to keep her off balance, he continued, "Now little Thea is all alone and quite wealthy, I'm told."

"You have been doing your homework," Thea spat. He took another drink to hide his amusement at her outburst. "but you forgot one little thing, Fergus." Crowley had to fight from spitting out his drink in shock. "Yes, I know your real name." Thea shifted under his now intense gaze. "I've had a month to learn dig into you. Imagine what all I might know."

"I must know your sources," Crowley said recovering. "It seems that there are a few leaks I need to plug. However, you are getting more interesting by the minute. Not at all what Gaven led me to believe. Oh yes, Gaven is in Hell. That's why I didn't bother with him last time. I knew he and I would be getting better acquainted. He and I have had several long and ...productive chats."

Enjoying her look of shock, he kept going, watching her reactions. "He led me to believe that...well, let's just say, he doesn't have that high of an opinion of you." He set the glass down and stood. Appraising her slowly from her shoulder-length red hair that she had pinned up currently, down to clear green eyes to the lips that she tended to lick when she was nervous down to the V in deep blue button down shirt she wore tucked into a dark grey shirt ending just above her knees, and the black stockings he would bet anything were silk hugging slim calves and leading to matching heels and back up again, he stalked forward.

"My opinion of you, however, is rising by the minute." Thea moved quickly to prevent herself from being cornered. They circled each other slowly. "What else did you learn?" He continued to pace.

"I'm not stupid, I'm not going to tell you." Thea matched his movements, keeping distance between them. "I learned my lesson last time."

He cocked his head to the side as if really seeing her for the first time. "Are you sure of that?"

She swallowed quickly, "when you see Gaven next, you can tell him, I lied." She stopped pacing and took a drink from the glass she was still holding.

"Oh? So the kitten has claws." Crowley raised an inquisitive eyebrow. "This I would like to hear."

"I slept with my best friend the night before we were married."

"Male or female?" Crowley asked.

Thea smirked, "He'll know who I mean."

He laughed. "I'll be sure to pass that along." Turning serious, "As pleasant as this conversation is, I believe we have business to discuss. Shall we sit?" Thea nodded and moved to sit over by the window, well away from Crowley. "Now dear, don't you trust me?"

"Not really." Thea softly said.

"Now that almost hurts, 'cept I wouldn't likely trust me either. But we do have things to discuss, so why don't you move closer?" Crowley was back in the chair that he had claimed earlier. He eyed the love seat just a few feet away. When Thea didn't move, he growled. "Come closer I said." She quickly moved to the seat that he had pointedly looked at. "That's better. I won't bite." His tone lending the impression of the very opposite.

Leaning back, he relaxed again. "Now have you decided what you want in return for your soul?"

"Nothing."

Crowley was starting to lose patience. Hadn't they danced this dance a month ago? Had she forgotten the results of that conversation? He would have to remind her of the precarious position she was in. He loosened his tie and unbuttoned his black jacket. In a split second, he was standing behind Thea. Leaning down, placing his hands ever so gently on her shoulders keeping her still, he let all the roughness in his voice come through as he rasped, "Haven't we been here before? I warned you last time. These games are beginning to bore me."

Thea moved her head away from him. He grinned, she really didn't feel comfortable with him so close. With his hands so close to her neck he could feel her tense up and her breath speed up. Perfect, a weakness he would have to exploit to the fullest. "Ducky." He warned, closing the distance and hissing right in her ear.

"Wait, I'm still planning to deal." She tried to shake him off, his hands tightened in response. He had no plans on letting her go. Not until he got what he came for. "I was just hoping I could interest you in something other than my soul." Swallowing nervously, she reached up and placed her hands on his forearms gingerly. He let her to move his hands to the back of the loveseat. Without warning, he pinned her wrists. The awkward position forced her to arch her back. She struggled uselessly, even without his demon strength, the position gave her no leverage. Realizing her predicament, she settled back down.

Taking advantage, he allowed his warm breath to tickle the side of her neck. Not quite touching her, but close enough he knew she could feel him, he paused. Taking a moment, he considered what she was thinking of offering. She was dancing on the edge of the knife, and he was willing to bet she knew it. However, that was no reason to make this easy for her. He enjoyed the feelings of confusion and mounting panic that he was getting from her. Damned, if he was not having a bit of fun. Releasing her just as suddenly as he had pinned her, he was back in his chair with a thought.

A few wisps of her hair had worked their way from the confines of their pins, her face was pale, and she watched him with wary eyes. She moved her hands back down to her lap carefully, moving slowly as if she was afraid he would pounce again. "Let your hair down." He spoke after a minute.

Her face showed her confusion, but after a few seconds, she did as he asked. "That's better." He said, smiling a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "Now, I've been selling sin to saints for centuries. So it makes me curious to find out what you have to offer in place for your soul." He let his eyes wander again. Enjoying watching her shift in response.

Downing the last third of her glass in one gulp, Thea took a deep breath gathered what courage she had left. "I want to keep my soul." His grin disappeared. "Let me finish, please." She quickly said. "I don't expect to keep it without giving you something in return though." She paused, measuring his reaction. When he didn't move, she continued. "I think I can be useful to you. You already found out that in the last month that I was able to find out your real name."

"Indeed, an impressive accomplishment, but I'm not seeing your point." He interrupted.

"I've known your name for almost two weeks. I also know that you have a lot more on your plate that a tiny little deal with me." Thea was standing now. Crowley watched her with renewed interest. "You've seen the collection of books here, imagine what I could find out with more time. I guess I'm offering to work for you. Ask me to find out something and I will. It's a talent of mine."

He was shocked, of the things that he was thinking she would offer, this wasn't even close. Finishing his drink, he could feel her eyes on him. With deliberate slowness, he set his drink down and stood up. Hands clasped behind his back, he turned to Thea.

"Interesting offer. How long?"

"Pardon?"

"How long do you propose to work for me?"

"I don't know," Suddenly, very nervous, Thea started edging for the door. "the usual amount of years I guess."

Crowley chuckled darkly. "Darling, the ten year contacts are for those who sell their souls. You are proposing a very different contract." He stepped forward. "You have me interested. So, lets negotiate shall we?"

She watched him for a moment before nodding. He could see her mind racing.

"You started with ten years, let me counter with a different proposal. You work for me for as long as I wish." Moving forward again, he wondered how long it would take her to work out that he was cornering her, verbally and physically. "If at any time I'm unhappy with your work, then your soul is mine. That or I'll take this library in trade and you don't have to work me at all."

Thea's eyes widened at his words. "The library? The books for my soul?"

"Considering it, love?" Crowley pressed forward again. "It's not a bad deal." Changing course, he spotted the red book that was on the desk last time. He heard her edging towards the door again. Liking that he had her on edge, he reached for the book and was shocked to find that he was blocked. He couldn't reach past the edge of the shelf. Looking at the wood, he saw it. A darker line in the wood, running the length of the shelf about an inch from the edge. Tilting his head, he studied the wood perplexed.

Crossing the room with a growl, he slammed his hand into the door next to Thea's head. With a crack, it shut and she was pressed back into it as his other hand wrapped around her throat. "Silly little child," He purred. "What did you do?" When she didn't immediately answer, he tightened his grip and watched as she clawed at his hand. After several seconds, he relaxed his grip slightly. "What. Did. You. Do?"

Catching her breath, Thea whispered, "Salt. The shelves are lined with salt. I wasn't sure it would work. I just wanted some..." Flexing his grip just enough, that she felt the controlled power in his hands.

"Some what?" He growled interrupting.

"Some insurance," She rasped. "I wanted leverage."

"You are playing with fire. I'm taking the library offer off the table. You wanted to work for me. Fine." He released her throat, but kept her pinned with his body. "You are too clever for your own good anyway. I think we need some clarifications on this contract." Thea licked her lips and nodded. He paused to gather himself and savor the moment. Moving back slightly, he kept his hand on the door.

"Here's the deal. You work for me, doing whatever I ask, until such a time as I decide. No tricks, or," He glared down at her. "insurance policies. Piss me off and your soul becomes mine. Do we have a deal?"

"Do I have another choice?" Weaving his free hand in her hair, he yanked her head back. Reflexively, she put her hands on his chest. Leaning in, his mouth millimeters from hers. He shook his head no. "Then, I suppose the answer is yes."

"Good choice. Although, I may have neglected to mention that this deal will require a bit more than a quick snog to seal." He moved his hand from the door to caress the side of her face.

"How much more?" She whispered, frozen in place.

He closed the distance between them. Holding her close, he kept eye contact and whispered harshly, "Lots."