Author's note: The first chapter of this was first published as a one-shot. But because of the wonderful reviews and encouragement from friends, I decided to continue and expand it into a story. I've been meaning to post this a little later, after finishing some other stuff, but this chapter was begging to be written and posted ASAP. I simply couldn't resist.

Author's note 2: I would personally like to thank bookworm123456 for being the first to post a review on my first fanfic :) and to MidnightWillowTree: yes, Cadan is one sexy beast. Please keep me posted about your story if you're going to make one! I'd love to read it. Gypsy1213: I agree 110% Will/Ellie/Cadan is delightfully intriguing. (I'm super excited so I decided to reply directly here and I should shut up right now)

Disclaimer: I own the Angelfire series only in my dreams. Unfortunately, in reality, I don't. So, enjoy!

Caution: Slippery When Wet

When I open my eyes, the sky was only beginning to lighten. Normally, I wouldn't even dream of waking up this early; but because of the nightmares that engulfed my brain, sleep was not likely the best option. As I got up and automatically headed towards the bathroom, a small piece of folded paper perched on my nightstand put me to a halt. "A note?" I whispered, still doubtful my voice was functional at this time of the day.

I picked it up and scribbled on the top was my name. Ellie. Opening it, my first thought turned to Will. Maybe he wanted to cancel training or something. I set aside my meticulous thoughts and read:

Hey beautiful,
Couldn't stay away. I miss you already. Oh, and I forgot my jacket.

Signed in elegant curves and strokes on the bottom of the paper was C. I nearly laughed. Cadan? Who knew he could be a romantic? Though hard to believe, I'd always imagined he had a soft side. Maybe not as dominant as his arrogant, playboy persona but enough of something good that keeps him apart from demonic reapers. Different. Unique. And nearly human.

And about his jacket, I left it at Nathaniel's. Will had been asking me where I got it and I told him that I found it somewhere in one of the closets. I didn't like lying to him but I didn't want him to get mad at Cadan. Or me.

I rub the sleep from my eyes and wonder how he had gotten that in my room, let alone my house. Will was usually on guard on my roof, looking out for any signs of trouble or danger. Did he no sense Cadan? Perhaps he took a break and left for a few minutes; long enough for Cadan to slip inside and infiltrate my home. It didn't seem right to tell Will. I didn't want to make him feel guilty for leaving. Assuming he want to Nathaniel's to rest, I couldn't bring myself to blame him for being tired. Again, a twinge of doubt pulls at the pit of my stomach and causes me to wonder where he'd really been.

I move quietly to the bathroom and tie my hair up. After washing my face, I decide to skip the show and just get dressed. An early morning jog sounds like a great choice right now, considering all the jumbled thoughts and emotions clouding my mind. I pace back, shoving the note in my jacket pocket and head downstairs, careful not to wake my mother.

Once outside I start moving quickly, eager to get a move on. The cold air signaled for me to start my jog, blowing in my face as I ran. After a few minutes, I realised I had no destination. Contemplating on where to go, I took a few turns here and there to end up at the park. The place was empty except for me and the birds that were happily trotting down the patch of grass and taking off into flight. I found a bench and made my way over to sit down. I can feel some of my anxiety lifting as my breathing slowed. Will was nowhere to be found. He was definitely somewhere else, off duty; taking a conceivable break from his roof time.

There was something about how he acted yesterday that kept me questioning his life as an immortal. There were some things that were meant to be kept unknown. Probably because it would hurt someone if they found out, or stir emotions inside of you that could lead to you hurting someone instead. What has Will been keeping from me since the last time I died? It wasn't a big deal. We all had secrets. But it was enough to leave my mind staggered and bemused.

My train of thought was disrupted by a mere presence of a squirrel staring at me like a dumbfounded rodent. I raised my eyebrows in amusement as it flickered its gaze to something behind me. Something behind me. I didn't have time to think as I hurled my fist at whatever was creeping up on me. My fist barely grazed my target and I saw Cadan's bewildered expression.

He raised his hands in defense and backed away. "Whoa there, hot stuff. Don't damage the goods!"

"Can't you at least try to be normal?" I demand, trying to keep myself from sending my fist flying towards his face to make up for the missed punch earlier.

My anger and surprise seemed to have fueled his cockiness as he ran a hand through his hair. "Sometimes I pretend to be normal, but it gets boring, so I go back to being me."

I scoff. "Whatever. So, what are you doing here? Have you been following me?"

He quirks an eyebrow at me and walks over to the opposite side of the bench, now facing me. "More like chasing. Didn't you read my note?" He says coolly, "I missed you. It feels like I haven't seen you in forever." Smiling, I would've taken seriously if I didn't know better. His constant flirting was utterly normal for me to encounter on a daily basis.

"How did you get past Will anyway?" I sat back down, deciding it was better to settle into a calm state rather than badgering Cadan for his unexpected visit. For a while, I just sit there. Not really acknowledging anything else besides Cadan's warm and friendly presence.

He shrugged. "I kept my distance. But was close enough to see your guard dog hop off the roof and enter your room. Actually I thought he wanted to sleep with you or something." A slight pause followed, Cadan shaking his head in discomfort, "But a few seconds later, I saw him leave your house and headed off into the streets. So, yeah, I crept in like a ninja and left that note. The end."

Will left? I find myself wondering about his whereabouts. He never left me unguarded. Which brings me to the conclusion that is must have been an emergency. "Oh," was all I could say.

"What do you say? Wanna take off and get something to eat?" He stood and offered his hand. I ignored it and stood up as well.

"I'm all sweaty and gross." I laugh, wiping my forehead with my sleeve. As much as I want to get something to eat right now, nothing can compare with my need to shower.

Cadan looks at me for a second and smiles. "Okay. I'll walk you to your house." He winks and starts pacing ahead of me.

I had to half run to catch up to him. "It's fine, really. You don't have to."

"I want to," he says firmly, signalling me to quit convincing him to leave me alone. The walk to my house wasn't short, it took a few minutes to maneuver around the streets and finally locate the one my house was on.

We talked and cracked a few jokes, making it seem like we were old friends catching up. And it did feel that way. I was disappointed our walk would be over by the time we reached my house, but I figured all good things must come to an end.

When we reach the front door, I have the good sense to remember Will. Was he here? Or still at Nathaniel's? I can't believe how easily I'd forgotten my worries from earlier. Another note was posted on the front of the door. It was from my mom. Ellie Bean, left early to run a few errands. Hope you enjoyed your morning. Mom. Typical. Me and Cadan all alone in my house. I fumbled with the door knob and after what seemed like a lifetime, I pushed it open all the way, letting the soft scent of home fill my lungs.

Cadan hesitates and just stays on my porch, probably waiting for my permission to enter. Not like it mattered. He'd entered my house last night. "So, are you going to let me in, Ellie Bean?" He asks, an innocent look on his face, clearly mirroring my thoughts about last night's break-in.

A grimace forms on my face as he calls me by my childhood nickname. The way he says it. He makes it sound ridiculous yet...amusing. "Do I have a choice?" I roll my eyes and make my way up the stairs.

"I guess not." I hear him close the door and sit down on the couch. "Well, I gotta say, your house looks a lot better in broad daylight." I grin widely, knowing he can't see my face, and laugh.

"That's good to know." And with that I reach my room and take a nice warm shower, forgetting all about the present. I guess you could say that the shower room is a place for all the decision makings in life, ironically, it's my place of mind-easing sanity and imagination.

I didn't take that long to shower because I was already hungry. It was around 7:30 so I had plenty of time. As soon as I slid my shower door open, I was horrified. Where's my towel? Crap. It could have happened any day but why now? Mentally cursing myself for probably throwing it in the hamper, I creep around towards the door with my water dripping down my body onto the tiled floor.

You know what sucks about tiled floor? It's slippery when wet. I feel my feet fly of into mid air as I scream my lungs out. A sickening crack follows not long after. A searing pain fills my head and I know I probably injured my neck and skull. It would only be a matter of time before my bones would start to heal. But that matter of time isn't fast enough before I hear Cadan pounding on my door yelling, "Ellie? Are you okay? What happened?"

"No! Don't come in! I'm fi-" A loud crash drowns out my protests and I hear glass breaking as a result of me trying to pull myself up. My perfume bottles plummeted to the ground and I guess Cadan couldn't help but force my bathroom door open, only to find me lying down on the floor with broken glass all over the place.

Eyes wide open and mouth gaping at me, I could see the evident shock on his face as he tried to take in what he's seeing. A play of emotions runs across his neutralfacade and he quickly retreats into the room, his back facing the wall.

My face was boiling with anger and embarrassment. "I told you to not come in! WHY DID YOU?" I yelled, still lying on the floor while the rest of my broken bones weren't mended all the way just yet. For a second I think about what Cadan must be thinking now. Oh, God. Why?I rose from the floor, turning my head to test out my neck and it felt fine; fully healed. But that's not what I needed most right now.

Knowing it would feel ridiculous, I had no other option but to ask Cadan to hand me a towel. He was nothing but obliging; oddly silent but for good reason. If he made any retort about what just happened, I would have no choice but to beat him to a pulp. After handing me the towel, he left the room. Down to the living room, I suppose. Forgetting all about my thoughts on Will, I was still hungry and could feel my stomach growling in protest.

Getting dressed, the apprehension was slowly crawling on my skin. He probably sees naked girls all the time. He won't make a big deal out of it and neither should you. I thought. Then again, I remind myself that this is Cadan we're talking about.

"What do I do?" I say to myself, not expecting an answer but a solution. Not wanting to go downstairs and have to face Cadan, I found a few ways to stall, like combing my hair, not bothering to tie it because I would feel bare and exposed, brushing my teeth, twice, and clearing my head. I couldn't ignore my hunger anymore so I manned up and went descended down the stairs.

I tried to keep my face and voice as even as possible when I say Cadan standing near the door, looking at the pictures that were settled on top of the shelves. He looked up to acknowledge I was there, a soft smile forming on his lips. I smiled back but only just. It was awkward enough already.

"Are you hungry? We could grab a bite down town." I didn't want to look at him directly so I just focused on a spot near the top of his head.

"Sure. But I have to go find Will after." Cadan looked disappointed but I knew he understood the importance of me fulfilling the role of Gabriel in training. I was glad he didn't bring up the bathroom incident at all, but I swear, if he does, he may as well be dead.

We found a small cafe resto that wasn't too far away and decided we were too hungry to go any further. I ordered some eggs and a sausage, while Cadan just ordered a glass of water. We waited a few minutes before my order was served and I literally breathed in the food, not leaving a single crumb on the plate.

"Wow. You must be really hungry." He tilted his head and grinned, lightening the mood and lifting the tension.

I stuck my tongue out at him and he laughed. "Whatever. I didn't see you order anything. You're just like Will. He refuses to eat in front of me." I scoff. "Boys will be boys."

He chuckled. "Men will be men." He corrected wagging his finger at me like I'm a toddler in need of teaching.

"Right." I roll my eyes. "Well, I'm done. Shall we?"

"We shall."

After leaving a tip on the table, I told him that I needed to go and find Will. He nodded and exhaled.

"All good things must come to an end." That's what I thought. A day with Cadan isn't so bad after all. I might even want to do it again. Except the part which included me slipping and breaking my neck and Cadan seeing my naked body. I shook the thought off and focused on the things I needed to do. Find Will. And Find out what he's not telling me. That wasn't entirely fair, though. I have been hiding a lot from him these past two days. You know what? I'll tell him.If I wanted to know the truth, I would have to tell Will everything to deserve finding out his secrets. I didn't like lying to him. For every good reason there is to lie, there is a better reason to tell the truth. And I know that now.

"Yeah." I sighed. He stood there in front of me, close enough for me to lay a hand on his chest, feel his heart beat, and wonder who it beats for. Shut up. Why would you care? You have Will. I mentally slapped myself and just stood there, staring at his amber eyes. I blink twice and look away.

"I'm guessing you have to go now. And I'll have to go too." He winked and said, "You still have my jacket."

I giggle in shame and realise I'll have to give it back to him soon. But I have a feeling there's something else I have of his, though I'm not quite sure what it is. "Right. I'll give it to you next time."

His grin grew wider and his eyes sparkled as the caught the gleam of the sun.

"What?" I asked nonchalantly.

He bit his lip and sighed. "It means that there'll be a next time." It was nice to think of seeing him again, even if it meant having to lie about it later on. I was determined to tell Will about Cadan, but I just couldn't find the right time to do so.

I didn't answer. I just looked up at the blue, cloudless sky, feeling the refreshing touch of the breeze lightly blow on my skin. Cadan took my hand and pressed his lips to my knuckle, which made me gasp in surprise.

"Until then," his gaze flickered to mine as he paused. "Ellie Bean." He laughed and disappeared into the Grim.

I didn't know if the other civilians noticed his sudden absence but I look around and see it they haven't, so I laugh by myself, looking like a complete retard and walk back home. After grabbing my car keys, I drive over to Nathaniel's and park my car right in front of the garage. I remembered Nathaniel was with Lauren for a few days, so I was glad to have Will all to myself. I had a lot of explaining to do.

I open the front door, not bothering to knock and enter the house. Maybe knocking was a good idea after all.

My insides felt like lead as I saw Will and Ava standing beside the couch, engulfed in a deep conversation. Argument, perhaps? When Will saw me he took a quick step back from Ava and made his way over to me.

I attempted to keep my face free of any emotion and I guess it worked. Until the next few words came out of Will's mouth.

"We need to talk."

So, what did you guys think? Should I keep writing? Let me know what you think! I love hearing your opinions. They'll help me come up with even greater plots for this story.

Love you all! xx Sandra.