Hello everyone! I'm gonna try and get the chapters out quicker to you. First off, I was glad to hear the positive response to beast's chapter, and I'll probably be writing more from his perspective because everyone liked it.

As always, many thanks to paddawhump, and to her, i apologize for not working on the metaphor more, i just wanted it to get out there because this weekend is busy for me.

anyways, Enjoy!

--

The days passed by quickly, and they settled into a new rhythm. Occasionally the rhythm skipped a beat, but it was relaxing. I noticed that our hot spell hadn't let up, and I wished fervently I had some way to relieve the heat. My hair was even longer, and I knew by the digital watch I kept in my back pack that I only had one month left in my sentence. Now that the end was approaching for me, some of the guys had left already. None of the ones in my tent, they all stayed, but boys in other tents. I watched them leave with a kind of wistful nostalgia, and wished that I could be like them. Beast still hadn't kissed me (on his terms), and the anticipation, the waiting, made the desire to have him kiss me sharp and painful. Eventually, I'd let him in a little, but I still beat on him whenever he touched me. It was a strange feeling, wanting to kiss him so badly, but still beating him whenever he came close. One day, the rhythm changed again, but not because of any person. Nope, this one was a blast from home. Beast dropped me off at the tent, and I went inside, my eyes taking in Zero's familiar form, then something unfamiliar on my bed. It was a package, and I was immediately excited,

"Hey! A package!"

I rushed to it, and pulled it onto my lap, bouncing with excitement. Zero sat on the bed across from me, and I pulled the flaps open on the top. There was a letter, and I picked it up, wondering who had sent it to me.

"Hey Lacey, how are you? Sorry none of us have written at all, but life's been crazy here. We all miss you at the dojo, and us teachers wish you were here to whip the new kids into shape. They're getting pretty sassy. Anyways, we just wanted to write and say that we miss you, and hope you're still getting ready for that fight; it's been postponed to a month after your return.

Always,

Pat, Bert, Kirk, and Brian."

My eyes watered a little as I read it, then I picked up the letter under that; this one had my mother's handwriting on the envelope. The back had a kiss mark with her lipstick, and my vision was blurry for a moment as I opened it:

"Lacey, I miss you so much. I've been trying to send letters to you, but I haven't heard from you, so I guess they haven't gotten through. I just wanted to wish you a happy 18th birthday and send you a little something for your birthday. Your father and I miss you so much, and hope that you've been having a good time at camp. I hope you've been keeping those boys in line and haven't been letting them pick on you. Enjoy your present! Love Mom."

I hugged the letter to my chest, and tore open the tissue paper that it had been on. Speechless, I pulled out a white bikini top, then a white bikini bottom. There were also black ones too, and I punched my fist in the air, "Yes!"

Zero raised an eyebrow, "You're excited because you can go swimming now?"

I smacked him on the back of the head, "No, I'm excited because now I can get a decent tan, and I don't have to worry about boys peeking on me in the shower."

He shrugged, "Shower time, let's go."

I hugged the black bikini to my chest, "Can you guard the door? I want to change into this first."

He nodded, "Alright."

Quickly I changed, and then hoped I looked okay: I didn't have a mirror to look at. I pulled my towel over my shoulder and grabbed my soap, then exited the tent. Zero didn't seem too surprised, but I guessed that was because he saw me as a friend, and not necessarily a mate. We went to the showers, and for the first time, went in together. It was pretty normal, we talked while we were showering and soaping, and I was enjoying the company, and my swim suit. Footsteps were approaching, and suddenly they stopped at the entrance to the showers. Beast was there, eyes wide, and taking in every inch of my newly bared skin. Remembering his comment a month ago, I put my hand on my hip, "Enjoying the view?"

Instead of the line I was expecting, he looked straight into my eyes, "Yes. Very much so."

I blushed a little, and then tilted my head back to let the ice cold water pour onto me, enjoying its relief. He sighed, then went out of the showers, and waited for us to finish. As we left, I thought I saw a suspicious bulge in the lower half of his coverall, but I looked away, stifling a grin.

--

Ziggy's reaction was probably the most satisfying. Everyone told me it looked good, but when he entered the tent, he dropped his canteen on the ground and stared with his mouth open. Grinning, I spoke up, "Careful Zig, you're gonna catch flies."

He shut his mouth and gulped comically, "Uh, I'm gonna go shower."

"You do that."

Quickly, he darted in and grabbed his stuff, then ran out. I laughed along with X Ray and Armpit, and then went back to dozing. As soon as I was dry, I pulled my jumpsuit back on, feeling content for the first time in a while. Although Ziggy's reaction was satisfying, I was more pleased with Beast's.

--

Again I woke in the dark with Beast's hand over my mouth. This time around, I didn't panic; I just rolled out of my bed and followed him out of the tent. He was silent, and he didn't look at me once. I was a little worried that he was angry with me, when we finally reached the court. Again, he picked up the ball, and dribbled it absently. Smoothly, he shot, and the ball went in. He went to get it, and I took my place on the free throw line. Still quiet, he passed to me, and I shot, swish swish. I went to get it then, and passed it to him. He shot, and I went to shoot. The rhythm continued for a long time, and finally he caught the ball, and held it. I met his eyes, and I saw they were dark with some emotion. He dropped the ball and strode over to me, standing just inches away. He stared into my eyes for a long moment and finally spoke, "Do you have any idea what you do to me?"

Well, this was a surprise. I shook me head, tiniest of smiles curling my lips. His eyes darkened further, and roughly he grabbed me with both hands around my hips. Quickly he pulled my hips against his, and I felt the bulge that was there. Now I knew what the emotion was, it was lust. His face was dark, facing away from the light, but I knew he was staring at my face, "That is what you do to me. Without the bikini."

Realization dawned, and I half smiled, "Good. We're even then."

With a growl, he pulled my body flush against his, face hovering dangerously close over mine, "Do you want me to kiss you?"

I hesitated, though I couldn't think. His scent was making me lightheaded, and I nodded.

"Good."

Then he bent over, and pressed a kiss on my neck. I shivered involuntarily, the lips against my throat making my lust flare brighter than a sun. He traced a path with his lips, teeth and tongue, up my neck to just under my ear. Gently he took my earlobe between his teeth and sucked, nipping it just a little too hard. I cried out with the pleasure, and felt his smirk. My eyes were closed, and I felt him continue the path along my cheek until he reached the corner of my lips. I turned my face towards his lips, desperately in need of his lips on mine, but it didn't come. I opened my eyes to his calm face, whimpering to convey my emotions. He grabbed my hips, and pulled them in tightly, and the bulge against me only heightened my arousal. He bent back and nipped my earlobe for good measure, "Not tonight. I think you need to wait a little longer."

I growled at this, and bucked my hips into his. A hiss sounded through his teeth, but he pushed me gently from him, "Not tonight beautiful."

My breath hitched with the force of my sudden emotion, and he bent down to place a kiss on my forehead. My eyes closed when his lips touched me, and then he pulled away, "Good night Lacey."

My eyes widened in shock, and I watched him walk away for the second time. When my legs were finally able to move, and my face had cooled from the flush of arousal, I trekked back to the tent, ready to fall asleep, and ready to cry with the heat of my longing.

--

Many thanks to my faithful reviewers, they keep me alive! And I'd like to comment on an interesting phenomenon. Something like ten readers have this story on alert, but only like, two of them review. Please. Give me a break. Surely, if you go to read it when it comes in, you can press that lovely lavender button that's right there. Anyways, hope you enjoyed it! Review!

Em.