AN: this one's just for you superdani. lol

next chapter is almost done I swear but life just keeps interfeering so be patient I know exactly where this fic is going. No writers block for this one.

-X-

This is one of the chapters that got a re-do; I changed some parts and added one more scene.

Heat

The skirt was too short, there wasn't enough to cover her ass and there was plenty of that to cover up.

'If I bend even a little the whole place is gonna get a great view!' she shook her head, the frown firmly in place.

"No." her tone was all business. "I'm not wearing this."

"Come on!" Aric said from the door, the one firmly closed and locked. "You're making us late, Nÿx."

"It's just Crash." Her voice, though muffled by the door, still sounded stubborn. He could picture her standing in front of the wall mirror frowning at the mini skirt.

'Tiny mini, tight tiny mini, perfect fit really…' he thought. The door suddenly opened revealing the petite brunette currently glaring up at him. Her inky locks were pulled into a fancy ponytail reminding him of those rockabilly chics in the old music mags from '06.

"You did this on purpose." Nÿx accused. Aric seemed startled, about to defend himself as he looked her over.

The plum halter top draped nicely around her curves completely covering the skin from neck to waist but the back- well there was no back to the blouse which allowed everyone an admiring glance at the creamy gold skin. The mini fit snugly, sitting low on her hips and cutting off three inches below her ass, barely grazing the back of her thighs. That would pretty much eliminate the following; bending, even slightly and sitting of any kind. That meant Nÿx had no excuse not to dance. Except for the heels. She wore the black half calf stiletto boots which women complained about being uncomfortable when standing for long periods. Then again Nÿx was a Transgenic soldier. If anyone could handle them it had to be her.

"Yeah and you look-."

"This is not a skirt, Aric!" Nÿx complained turning back into her bedroom to change. "Where did you find this anyway?"

The door opened before it could close and Aric walked in looking her over once, twice then just stared.

"Get out." Nÿx growled, seeing the blatant longing on his face.

"Sorry, but we're going to be late-." He tried to pry his eyes off her legs, she wasn't very tall, just 5'2" but the skirt or lack of skirt rather, hid nothing of her well shaped…

"Like I said, its only Crash."

"Hmm? Oh!" Aric straightened locking his eyes on her face. "You would say that. Nÿx, this is a Party as in fun, as in music as in drinking and dancing. Party."

"Last time you guys told me I was going to a party I had to steal something and," Nÿx wagged a finger in his direction like a mother scolding a child. In her mind he wasn't much different considering she practically had to keep him out of trouble.

'Why? Why do I care if he digs himself so deep he can't get out and ends up buried alive? It's not like he's family. Not like Syl, Krit and Zane but they're not family either… no. Party, think about the party and last time they 'lied' to you.'

"It was boring. The music was old, the people were old, or just stuffy and the guy… Could either of you have found anyone more womanish?"

Aric shrugged still gawking at her. "You're-." he began then tried again. "I lo-."

Nÿx quickly slapped her palm over his mouth. Her level of awareness went up another notch and she was rethinking the invite.

"No." she said but there it was, the awkwardness she'd been avoiding. Every time she thought he'd gotten the point Aric would get that look. The one where he was all doe eyed and followed her every move. It was creepy! It was pointless and she'd had enough. They'd agreed she would leave after his butt was safe. Well, she'd put her foot down. He'd asked her to Crash saying it was just to show her he was grateful and after he'd specified it was not under any circumstances a date, that he wouldn't try anything remotely romantic and that they were just going to have fun and enjoy the party and have a couple of drinks, that she'd reluctantly agreed.

Now here she was practically naked and Aric was already breaking his word.

Aric for his part gently removed her hand. "Gryph already won a bet; maybe you can help me win this one." He waited to see if she'd buy the story and hoped that Gryph wouldn't blow it.

"What is it?" Nÿx asked frowning. Somehow she always ended up as one of their bets and it wasn't funny or amusing. Though she didn't mind profiting from either of them.

"He said you'd never wear it." Aric pointed to the barely skirt and accidentally skimming the silky halter top. Nÿx huffed moving away from him. She turned to grab a jacket and pushed past him.

"You owe me half." Nÿx ground out ignoring the graze of his hand on her bare back.

Aric smiled pleased with himself as he followed. It didn't last long and before the night was through he'd drown his sorrows-the pangs of unrequited love-with beer and watch as Nÿx danced without her noticing. Maybe he'd even fantasize about them together, how she would suddenly turn to him and say she felt the same or maybe he'd just pretend she'd gotten in his bed…

-X-

Nÿx had been to one party she could remember. A very bland affair with boring people that had left her wondering why anyone liked to party at all. She'd even had some wine which hadn't tasted half as good as…

'What is this?' she wondered but didn't really care as she took another drink.

"I think it's a Shirley temple." he shouted bending close to her ear, though Nÿx hadn't realized she'd asked out loud. He could smell her soft perfume, the one he liked, and almost kissed her neck. He consoled himself with the fact she hadn't smacked his hand off her bare back and had even leaned into his side while he skimmed his fingers in slow circles at her waistline.

"What was the other one?" Nÿx asked oblivious to Aric's thoughts. She glanced at the table now cluttered with empty glasses. Some were stacked 2-3 high.

"Bloody Mary, I think." He replied. "Maybe you should stop now…" Aric grinned happily, his eyes gliding over Nÿx only to freeze as she reached towards the table. He couldn't help the wordless 'oh' his mouth formed when the halter slid away from her skin and he got a prefect view down her front.

'God does love me.'

Nÿx was oblivious and from the first moment they'd arrived at Crash, she had been awed by all the people. Normally it was a busy place to be but tonight it seemed everyone in Seattle was in attendance. There was a crush of people on the floor, some of those tables had been pushed back or moved to the raised floor in order to provide more dance room and the customers were taking advantage of it. Suddenly her glass was taken from her hand and she turned following it.

"It's empty." Aric mouthed because the music was loud but Nÿx didn't care and then he held her pressed against his chest. The sound of the music beating through her made her feel alive and she swayed with him.

"Get me another one." She ordered suddenly, taking his drink from the slack hand.

"Hey!" Aric reached for the whiskey but she turned away and downed it. "That's straight whiskey, Nÿx!"

"I want another one." She replied handing him the empty glass. "What's it called?"

"Whiskey." Aric mumbled as she slipped from his arms.

'She didn't even wince. No cough, no splutter…' He thought watching her move off to the bar. She wove through the crowd easily, dancing her way past the tighter spots.

"Dude you trying to get her drunk?" Gryph asked from his shoulder. He shook his head watching Nÿx dance with some random dude then turn him and move off. The guy had no clue he was dancing alone, shaking his ass at air until he turned around. Gryph thought it was hilarious.

"I only gave her the first one." Aric said almost in a daze as he saw the table again. It blurred slightly and he wondered if he wasn't drunk too. His gaze traveled to the blond who was obviously happy. He had two girls, one under each arm.

"How many's she had?" Gryph asked as he followed her progress to the bar. Aric shrugged waving a lazy hand at the table but as far as either of them could tell, Nÿx was steady on her feet.

"About four?" he asked. Gryph noticed the stacks of empty glasses which clearly meant there was more than four, probably more than a dozen and laughed.

"She looks happy." Gryph commented then gave each girl a wink turning them away. "Maybe you'll get lucky." He said over his shoulder before his attention was on the girls he was taking home.

'Maybe now's the best time to make my move?' Aric wondered. He took a step intent on going after Nÿx and stumbled. He lay on the rail for a minute to let his head stop spinning before he tried again.

"Maybe I'll get lucky…" he mumbled hopefully and it was certainly looking that way. Not once had Nÿx smacked his hands or told him to stop touching her and he'd been pushing it too, skimming his fingers along the waits of her skirt, even going so far as to press his palm flat against her hip under the halter top. Yeah, Nÿx was so giving him the go ahead…he was positive!

-X-

I've been looking for her all night wondering where the hell she ran off to thinking she was busy stealing something since she seems to enjoy that because she wasn't at her apartment. Or maybe she just didn't give me the right address… Hey, the girl obviously doesn't like me. Probably thinks I'm some- some-.

Whatever, point is she could've but she didn't. I know she didn't because the place has her written all over. Has that 'woman's touch'. Could be someone else right? Only there's no way another woman has that same scent. It's like this dark… mysterious… soft…

Nÿx.

She's unmistakable; she stands out, just like the nosy old bag down the hall.

"Hello ma'am?" that's right turn on the charm 494, get the info you need, use what Manticore gave you and the old bat folds…

Seattle is cold, rainy, usually both; somehow I got lucky tonight. No rain but it sure as hell is cold.

She went to Crash. There's a party there tonight and the old bat said they'd both gone there. So Nÿx lives with someone, a guy and why should I care? She obviously likes the ordinaries better than her own kind; only she doesn't accept she's one of us. That bothers me, like it bothers me Nÿx is slumming it with some homosapien who's genetically beneath her!

This is why she didn't want to move in to Terminal City and there I am like a fool setting her up with a sweet place just over mine. I just couldn't help myself. I had to make an ass outta myself because I can't seem to get over that heist-.

Calm down Alec. You got a job to do. Find Nÿx, just go in there and get her back to Terminal City so Max can tell her what needs done. I don't even care what they're breaking in there for. That is not normal. I like stealing. I'm a good cat burglar, pick pocket, you name it, I can do it. I like breaking in. I like the challenge and the risk of getting caught, figuring another way out… escape and evade. But ever since she-. I just can't-. Its not the same, the rush isn't there.

There's plenty of people at Crash tonight. Hopefully, too many to notice an old face, especially one with a barcode on the back of his neck.

"If there's a God…" I mumbled because there she is. I haven't even walked in when I see her, Nÿx. I'm still on the stairs but I can spot her in this crowd. Why is that somehow normal? Because it feels normal, only it shouldn't be and that's just weird. Did they load me with some kind of radar?

But there she is, swaying to the beat, dancing. I moved slowly keeping her always in my sight. She looks different, somehow more approachable but then again it's probably because she's smiling and half naked. Don't get me wrong, the skirt totally works for me and that top thing she's wearing…

"What the hell?" did she just grab that guys ass? She did! But I don't care. She obviously prefers the ordinaries, its not like I haven't slummed myself-.

OriginalCindy, she's here too. Max used to come here a lot with OriginalCindy and Sketchy back when things were still sort of normal. If I was honest I'd say I missed those days too but I'm not, so I keep my mouth shut.

There she goes to the bar, not so far away now…

-X-

Nÿx couldn't get rid of her thirst and she was hot! There were so many people around it was almost suffocating but she felt so good!

"Gimme another one, Joe!" she smiled at the bartender. He shook his head and prepared a pink drink. He brought it over, dropped a cherry in it then handed it over.

"Thanks!" Nÿx leaned over and gave him peck on the cheek.

"You behave or I'm gonna have to cut you off." He warned laughing.

"You keep making these and I'll be a good girl." Nÿx said already taking a sip. She turned only to bump into a very familiar chest. She looked up questioningly then grinned seeing Alec.

"Alec!" Nÿx cried happily. He seemed to flinch and hastily scanned the surrounding area to see if anyone heard her. "What are you doing here?" she asked oblivious as she took another drink. Frowning she pulled out the straw and threw it aside.

"Looking for you. Come on." Alec took her arm and pulled her away from the bar moving towards the door when Nÿx slipped out of his hold.

"You found me. Now what are you gonna do with me?" Nÿx asked teasing. She took another drink then fished out the cherry.

"Nÿx, we have to go." Alec watched her pop the cherry in her mouth and pull the stem. She smiled obviously in a good mood while Alec suddenly had a craving for some cherries.

"Come on Alec! Don't tell me you weren't made to dance." Nÿx spun around moving to the music again the tall glass raised above her head. It was half gone already. Nÿx grabbed his arm and tugged him closer and for a moment Alec didn't know where to put his hands. "Cant you feel it?" Nÿx asked leaning into his chest.

He definitely felt the beat, swaying to it with her, could almost see the notes playing out in his brain and he remembered. Nÿx felt him jerk to a halt and sighed impatiently. A floating tray passed by and she quickly grabbed a full glass setting down her now empty one. She was so thirsty…

Alec saw her begin to move away with a new drink and quickly followed catching up. He took the drink while slipping his arm around her waist and deftly moved her towards the doors.

"I can dance but not right now." He said in her ear. Nÿx felt her skin tingle where his breath passed. She closed her eyes, purring softly, enjoying it when his words clicked. She pouted already searching for another floating tray.

"Aaw, you're no fun."

"Blame Max now let's go." He set the half empty glass on a table never noticing Nÿx grab another one. They made it up the stairs without incident, Alec pulling her by the hand while Nÿx downed the drink.

Outside in the cold Seattle air Nÿx stumbled raising her glass hand to her temple suddenly dizzy. Alec frowned taking it from her slack hand.

"How many of these have you had?" he asked taking a sip. It was kind of fruity but still tasted alright. He shrugged finishing it off.

"Mmm… four? Two!" Nÿx looked confused for a second then she shrugged it off and smiled swinging their hands, which they were still holding. In that moment she looked for all the world like a teenage girl holding hands with a boy and shy about it.

"I didn't think we could get drunk." Alec mumbled. He cleared his throat tossing the glass aside. "But you've obviously had too many." He led her towards his bike.

"I'm not drunk! This is happy. Cant a girl be happy?" Nÿx asked and just then a trio of young males walked past. They turned their heads following her, whistling at Nÿx. Alec heard some cat calls and frowned looking Nÿx over again and deciding she wasn't warm enough slipped off his jacket.

"There's plenty happy inside, kitten." The taller one smiled in invitation as he walked backwards. Alec felt Nÿx sway in his direction. He grabbed her arm quickly and began to cover her with his jacket.

"Be right there." Nÿx called looking confused at the jacket. "I don't want it." She said already pulling it off.

"Put it on Nÿx." Alec ordered pulling it over her shoulders again.

"No."

"It's cold out." Alec stated as if that would end the argument.

"I'm not cold." Nÿx repeated.

"Neither am I so just hold it." Alec grouched finally getting another button done.

"Huh?" Nÿx wondered. Alec got the jacket buttoned and saw how big it fit her. 'She really is small.'

"Come one." He said more gently as he mounted. Nÿx glanced back at Crash with longing. "We gotta go."

"Aww!" Nÿx wailed softly. "Damn Max and her stupid problems." She muttered getting on behind Alec. She completely missed his grin.

-X-

The guards opened the gates without question as Alec sped past. They were late and as usual Max was going to be upset. Lately Max tended to be upset a lot which meant Alec tried to stay out of her way as much as possible. With Nÿx in tow he parked outside the Command Room and led the way inside. Nÿx couldn't help herself and giggled poking at his side. Alec would flinch holding in his ticklish laugh until he finally grabbed her hand.

"Quit it." He growled. In answer Nÿx stuck her tongue out at him in a very childish gesture. Alec wasn't sure what was going on but this didn't seem to be her normal behavior.

"Don't make things worse alright. So when we go in there just keep your mouth shut and nod your head."

"I'm not stupid Alec." Nÿx frowned feeling just a little hurt by his attitude. What was wrong with him anyway?

"Just drunk." He stated. "That's much better."

"Am not!" Nÿx retorted very offended. "I only had… it wasn't that many!" she gave up trying to count on her fingers because she just couldn't concentrate while he kept staring.

"Of course not. Just enough to make you happy right?" he asked, his voice dripped sarcasm. Why was he having this conversation with her? They should be inside where Max was no doubt wondering what was taking him so long.

"YE-! You know what?" Nÿx asked glaring up at him. He always managed to piss her off, either he said something stupid or he- well he usually said something stupid but tonight… Alec was usually so-

'Green eyed God.' Nÿx thought. His eyes were just so green tonight she couldn't believe she hadn't taken the time to really look at him before. He didn't have that look though, the sad haunted look she'd seen before. Nÿx's eyes wandered over his face admiring the dark lashes, the strong set of his jaw currently clenched in annoyance because of her, finally stopping on his lips.

'He almost kissed me…' she remembered feeling just a little warm at the thought then again it wouldn't be so bad if he did-.

'What the hell's wrong with me?' Nÿx shook her head brushing past Alec. He felt sort of dazed and stumbled a step.

"What?" he called after her, frowning at the strange sensation but she ignored him. He didn't have time to wonder why he'd almost kissed Nÿx again, why he'd felt breathless being so close to her, leaning in-.

Inside Max heard Alec's voice and met them halfway.

"You take the scenic route?" Max asked arms crossed and clearly upset.

"Well… No." Alec replied in his usual tone. Max decided not to argue and turned away. Nÿx chose that moment to finally start unbuttoning the jacket. She was feeling too warm and her forehead was slightly damp.

"NO." Alec grabbed her hands. "Don't take it off."

"O-ho!" Nÿx guffawed yanking her hands out of his hold. "You don't give me orders."

"Nÿx!" Alec hissed trying to stop her hands. "Just wait 'till we're done."

"Lay off!" she hissed back with a shove. Alec shook his head knowing this was going to cause some trouble.

"There's still no way in there?" He heard Logan ask.

"None." Kade replied matter of fact. "I've checked, Mila's even run the stats on this. Only way to get through is blowing their power source."

"Which we can't do." Max said. "We can't get caught." She turned to Nÿx. "Which is why you're here."

Nÿx half heard what they were talking about as she struggled with the second particularly difficult button. She was beginning to feel frustrated and getting ready to just pull the damn thing apart when she heard Max call her name.

"Huh?" Nÿx looked up slightly flushed. Max frowned.

"You're going to short out the circuits." Logan repeated.

"Me?" Nÿx asked looking at the ordinary. Her head tilted slightly once again noticing how different he was from the Transgenics and wondering why Max loved him.

"You're going in as maintenance." Logan said glancing at Max who was looking a bit confused herself because Nÿx was somehow not behaving normally not that she knew what her normal would be.

"You'll go to the basement-." Logan continued.

"Me?" Nÿx repeated wondering why she was going there in the first place.

"Yes." Kade's harsh voice grabbed her attention and Nÿx focused on the blue prints. She followed his hand where he pointed at lines then a room. Her eyes traveled up his arm to his shoulder then his neck and finally up to his face. He had such a serious look on his face that Nÿx absently reached up only Alec grabbed the sleeve and yanked down.

"The generator is back here. You short it out, use that EMP." Kade ordered.

"Those doors all have electrical locks." Alec frowned at the plans ignoring Nÿx' glare. "She fries the circuits that doors not gonna open. How's she getting out?" he asked looking up at Max.

"She's not." Brown eyes locked with his in silent combat. "At least not until they get an alternate power source."

"Which they will." Logan cut in. "She won't be the only one locked in. Pretty much all the doors have an electric lock. There's going to be plenty of employees locked in not to mention a few higher ups."

"Who's locked in?" Nÿx asked sounding dreamy. Max glanced sharply at Nÿx who was smiling at Kade.

"Alright." She glared from Nÿx to Alec. "What wrong with her?" she asked pointing at Nÿx as if she weren't there.

"Nothing's wrong!" Alec shrugged smiling and that more than anything told Max something was definitely not right. Alec never smiled that way unless he'd done something or there was something he was hiding.

"What did you do?" Max asked.

"Now why is it always something I did?" Alec asked feigning hurt which he did feel, just a little. She was always accusing him of something.

"Look at her!"

"Hey!" Nÿx straightened. "I was having a good time 'till-."

"She's fine!"

"Alright. Enough!" Logan yelled. He rubbed his face tiredly and sighed. "She can't go alone." he said to the now silent table. He had no idea what she was on or what would cause her to be so distracted.

"Not like that she can't." Max glanced at Alec. "What did she take?" she asked then changed her mind shaking her head. "You know what, I don't care. You're going with her."

"What!" Nÿx exclaimed.

"Yeah, what?" Alec asked.

"You're going with her to make sure this goes down. Don't mess up this job Alec." Max warned with finality.

-X-

"Here." Alec handed her the tank and overalls. "We should at least look legit when we go in there." He grumbled eyeing her halter top and miniskirt.

"You're grumpy." Nÿx stated taking the clothes and heading into his bedroom. "You think I want to go in there? I could've been dancing at Crash."

'Yeah.' Alec thought. She could've been at Crash but all she would've been doing was more drinking. He scowled remembering the ordinaries and the way they'd been looking her over- where the hell had she found those clothes anyway?

Alec stood outside his door, she'd left it partly open and he had absolutely no problem with that as Nÿx pulled the slinky excuse for a top over her head and tossed it on his bed. The predawn light outlined her figure and he took a long leisurely look, green eyes coming to rest at her waist. The jean skirt slowly slid off her hips revealing dark blue lace. Alec realized he was holding his breath and then Nÿx bent down, one hand unzipping her boot and pulling it off. She stood barefoot, ignoring the tank and overalls they were supposed to be wearing. Alec gripped the doorframe, watched Nÿx slowly crawl on his bed and lay face down. His eyes followed the curve of her back and down her legs, which she crossed at the ankles. Her soft purr was echoed by his as she stretched out, rolling from side to side and then she rested on her back.

She laced her fingers together and reached above her head arching off the bed. Alec skimmed over her body yet again, noting the soft smile on her face. She completely oblivious to Alec who took an unconscious step into his bedroom just as someone decided it was good time to pay a visit.

The knock at the front door had Alec are into the living room drawing deep breaths. He forced himself towards the front door, in more of a bad mood now than he had been since Max had sent him on her errand. He yanked the door open-

"Hi Alec." Joshua waved, swaying from foot to foot like an excited puppy.

"Uh hey, Joshua." Alec responded trying to stamp down his frustration and surprised.

"Alec have grr face." Joshua stated walking inside. He made a clawing motion at Alec who closed the door and headed into the living room. "Why?"

He paused with one leg in his jumper and glared at his bedroom door. It was till half open only from there neither of them could see inside. Alec jerked the jumper up and stuck his left leg in muttering under his breath about errands and how he wasn't anyone's errand boy.

Joshua uttered a soft whine that cut off abruptly when Nÿx walked into the living room.

"Alec has friend." Joshua stated with his head raised and sniffing at the air. Her whoofed in her direction backing up both hands pawing at his nose.

"Did Max send another babysitter?" Nÿx questioned staring at Joshua. Alec didn't find it any funnier and buttoned his uniform without a word.

-X-

'Don't mess up this job.' That's what Max had said and those words hadn't stopped replaying in his brain the whole night. He hadn't slept much not that he'd needed it then again he'd had a house guest. Alec wasn't sure how he could mess up the job since they were already in their baggy maintenance uniforms complete with clumpy boots, their faces were concealed beneath the caps and they carried the tool box required for the charade with non-essential goodies. At least not for work but if they were going to be stuck for a day… As an added precaution he'd gotten a touch up with the laser that morning so, no barcode. Everything was perfect.

"Perfect." Alec muttered. Which it was, sort of. Things had gone according to plan. They, he and Nÿx, had both entered the building. They'd made it to the basement where they were supposed to be working on some pipes but instead climbed into the air ducts. From there they had made it to the generator room where Nÿx had dropped in going directly to the panels. That was the first problem.

"These aren't metal." Nÿx hissed.

"Who cares just punch a whole in there or melt it down." Alec whispered down.

"Do you even know what an EMP is?" Nÿx asked with hands on hips as she looked up.

"Electric Magnetic Pulse. Its pretty much how it sounds." Alec quipped.

"They aren't supposed to know we were here." Nÿx retorted. "Genius." She muttered turning back to the wall trying to figure out another way to reach the metal behind the plastic. She couldn't see any way of removing the panel without setting off the safeties. Alec made a face to her back then settled down in the air vent to wait.

Alec had watched her run her hands gently over the fogged up plastic panel becoming impatient. He'd seen her fingers spark at the edge of the panel and some smoke waft up.

"You done?" Alec asked only to be ignored. Nÿx had unscrewed the panel, stuck her hand in the hole and made some sparks. He'd heard her suck in a breath obviously hurt somehow. The panel was replaced and they'd made their way back to their now locked room. The one they'd been in for a day already.

"Perfect." He muttered once more trying in vain not to stare at her anymore than he already had. He glared at the floor noticing he'd scooted closer to her yet again.

"Shut up!" Nÿx grumbled scratching at her covered arms again. She'd been doing that a lot lately, she'd been doing a lot of it actually and pacing but never too close to him which was a bit difficult considering the size of the room.

More and more, Alec had been incapable of ignoring her. He could hear every sound she made, noticed the warm flush in her cheeks and the light sheen of perspiration on her brow… her scent… Alec's hands twitched watching her.

Nÿx slumped in the corner burying her head in her hands and clutching at her hair. She'd been stuck with him in that small room for the past day becoming more and more aware of his presence with each passing second. Just knowing he was within arms reach… It only confirmed what she'd first thought. She was absolutely, positively sure now.

'I'm in heat.'

It was her own fault! She should've known the minute she started feeling funny at Crash. She should've have questioned why, when Aric was rubbing up on her she hadn't decked him. Nÿx should've realized there was something wrong the second she hesitated hurting Aric for his drunken slobbers and groping! It wasn't the drinks or the alcohol, that had nothing to do with her new found feeling of freeness, this light headedness… the reason she'd kept staring at Alec now, kept touching him and sniffing him when he was driving, the reason she wanted to touch him now-

"Oh my God!" Nÿx groaned clutching her head, pulling her damp hair. It was too hot, she felt suffocated and suddenly jumped to her feet pulling on the maintenance jumper.

Alec watched her tear at the buttons, pulling frantically on them to get to the zipper. A button flew off when she couldn't get it undone fast enough then she started pulling her arms out of the sleeves. His eyes widened at the reddened skin, forgetting the images of her naked and rolling on his bed.

"Woa, woa, hey!" Alec got to his feet and gently tried to keep her from scratching again but Nÿx shrugged him off.

"Its too hot so just- just- go away!"

Alec held his hands up smirking as he stepped back. It took all his self control to do that when he wanted to pull her down onto the floor and -

"Sure. You opening the door for me?" he asked motioning to the door currently locked. Nÿx glanced at him leaning, noticed his casual pose against the wall, his arms crossed over his chest and a smile on his face.

"It's not funny!" Nÿx yelled almost in a panic. She stopped her forward dash and wrung her hands together glancing from one end of the room to the other avoiding his general area. "Don't you get it?" she asked wiping at her damp forehead. Alec frowned, he dropped his arms wondering what was going on and moved towards her again. Maybe she was claustrophobic…?

"I'm-. I- I'm… in heat!" Nÿx covered her face somehow ashamed by what she'd said. More than ever she wished she could get out and take the trancs. Nÿx had been looking for ways to get out for the past six hours, she'd shorted out the power hours ago and then Alec had started to look too appealing, more than normal. She'd found herself daydreaming about him, wondering what he looked like without a shirt… Her heartbeat had risen; she'd begun to feel warm then started to perspire slightly. That was when she began scratching her arms, trying to get rid of the anxiousness but it only worsened.

Alec couldn't believe what he'd heard. Nÿx in heat? And they were locked in?

"No way!" Alec laughed except he didn't find it funny. He knew she didn't like him, knew she found him annoying - hell she lived with an ordinary! Wasn't this just great? Nÿx in heat and stuck with him for who knew how long… he laughed again, more at himself than the situation. Her abnormal behavior made sense now. Why she'd been so playful at Crash and her unquenchable thirst, he should've realized then. Transgenics don't get drunk, ever- it was their high metabolism that made it practically impossible. His laughter turned bitter when Alec realized she was worried he might take advantage of the situation, which just told him she was obviously not into him at all. Then again his own reaction to her was making sense. Those aborted attempts to get closer, watching her every move- her scent was everywhere in the confining space and it was making their forced stay more uncomfortable because he knew the feline was going to come out and play eventually.

Nÿx looked up glaring at Alec who was laughing.

'He thinks this is funny!' she raged.

Her shame turned to anger so fast it would have scared him had he been paying attention. She was across the room in a blur, Alec shoved up against the wall and suddenly very quiet.

"Nÿx…?" his soft voice didn't register. "Nÿx, you need to step back."

"Shut up." Nÿx ordered, hands fisted in the cotton shirt.

Greens eyes stared down into deep brownish-green ones, the room very quiet and still.

-X-

Thanks to a new reviewer Hulahula551.

NShadows: No maiming cuz I figured she didn't have too much reason for it. Then again I got some surprises coming up! Ooh, cant wait to get them all typed up.

It's getting to be that time… time to end this fic. Still have a few chapters to go so don't get too down in the dumps.

Wow, 1439Hits! This is so great!