Chapter 6

"Excuse me, Sir."

The obsequious employee, dressed in a natty suit, tapped Jason's shoulder gently.

"What is it?" the Condor asked. He was in a good mood, so he decided not to break this man's fingers for daring to interrupt him.

Everything had been going his way, ever since he and Princess had entered the Casino after leaving the elevator. They had played a handful of games, and Lady Luck had been with them. Jason had been winning, every time. As Fate smiled on his more and more, he had increased his stakes until he had earned a small fortune from the hotel.

Through it all, Princess had been by his side. It certainly didn't hurt his mood, having the gorgeous, raven-haired beauty on his arm, her emerald dress clinging to every fabulous curve. She was one shagadelic bird, and only added to his grooviness.

Somehow, the kiss between them in the elevator, despite its practical purpose, had broken down an invisible barrier between them. The Condor found himself reaching for the Swan whenever they weren't in contact, and noticed her doing the same. For the last few hours they had brushed fingertips, intertwined arms and pressed their bodies together in the ever-increasing crush of humanity that had gathered to witness Jason's ongoing winning streak.

"It is late, Sir…" the man said. "You must be tired. We here, at the Paris Hotel, would like to offer you the use of our Napoleon Suite for the night."

Jason looked down at Princess' glowing face. She smiled flirtatiously at him.

"Yes…" he drawled, "I think that might be a good idea…"

No sooner had he said the words than they were surrounded, a bevy of well-dressed employees escorting them to the elevators. To his amusement, they were back on the 31st floor, only heading in the opposite direction from Frau Mala's room.

Jason and Princess were ushered into a gorgeous suite covered with gleaming hardwood floors and luxurious French fabrics. An incredible grand piano was the centerpiece of a living room that overlooked the Las Vegas version of the Tour Eiffel.

"Jason, look!" Princess cried in excitement as their escorts departed. "Champagne! And strawberries…"

"Di' someone say, strawberries?" asked an eager voice.

"They're not for you!" snapped Jason at the suddenly visible Fat Bird. "Why don't you take the night off and make your way to the buffet?"

"Buffet, eh?" mused Tiny, apparently not taking any offense to the Condor's sharp tone. "All righ'… see yew in tha mornin'."

In the blink of an eye, he was gone.

"And now that we're alone, my pretty bird…" Jason grinned at Princess, "Let's enjoy all that my winning streak has to offer."

He held a hand out to her, and led her into the spacious living room. Almost as if by magic, the lights dimmed, and an anonymous announcer's voice came out of the shadows.

"And now, ladies and gentlemen… Burt Bacharach!"

A spotlight lit up the grand piano, and the famed singer was indeed playing a slow, sexy dance tune upon the instrument.

Jason pulled Princess into his arms, and swayed with her to the music. His moves, his touch, his eyes, were full of promise.

The mood was complete as Burt began to softly sing.

"Dare da, dare da, dare da…"

When the dance was over, the spotlight disappeared, and there was no further sign of the musician. Gracefully, Jason reached for the champagne and popped the cork with practiced expertise. Pouring two glasses, he offered one to Princess by linking his arm through hers.

"Oh my…" she giggled, eyes wide.

Together, they walked through the spacious three-bedroom suite, finally arriving at what was obviously the master chamber. It contained the most enormous bed either of them had ever seen.

"Far out…" Jason whispered, walking up to the bed and sitting down on its edge. He looked up to see Princess still standing in the doorway, suddenly shy.

"Come over here…" he drawled invitingly. "I won't bite… hard…"

She smiled at his witticism, and slowly walked over to sit down beside him.

"You know, Condor…" she whispered in his ear, "My father warned me about men like you."

"Oh, he did, did he?" Jason smirked.

"Well, actually…" Princess grinned, "He only warned me about you…"

"There's nothing to worry about, Baby." he promised. "You're in expert hands."

"That's partly what has me worried." Princess pointed out.

"Don't I make you horny?" Jason asked her directly.

"Damnit… yes!" she smiled. "I just… have to wonder what will happen in the morning."

"In the morning, we're going to find Dr. Zoltar's secret base, and save the World, Baby." Jason replied softly. "And if I die tomorrow, I want my last memories to be of this night… with you."

To his surprise, Jason found that he was telling the truth. As a sexy swinger, he had used that line many times before, but never with any sincerity.

Until now.

Looking into an incredible pair of trusting emerald eyes, he knew that he meant every word.

"I want to be with you, Princess." he whispered, bending his head down so that his lips could trace the graceful line of her neck as it merged into her shoulder. "Only you…"

Princess tipped his face up to look at hers again, he eye scanning his face, searching for some hidden meaning. After a long moment she spoke.

"I believe you, Jason." she said quietly. Then she placed her palm on his cheek, and their mouths met in a fiery kiss.

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The morning sunlight streamed through the sheer curtains and into the room, making Princess' skin glow with a soft light. Jason lay next to her in the enormous bed, gazing at the sleeping Swan with a bemused look, occasionally dropping soft kisses onto her bare shoulder.

He supposed that he should let her get some rest. They certainly hadn't gotten much sleep the night before. He grinned at the memory. The Swan had proven to be as bewitching and inventive in bed, as she had been in Birdstyle.

He knew that she had ruined him for any other bird. No one else could ever compare.

Damn, he was horny again.

"Let's shag, Baby." he whispered into her ear.

Eyes still closed, Princess gave a satisfied smile.

"Haven't had enough, Condor?" she smirked.

"I don't think I could ever have enough…" he said seriously.

"You read my mind…" she answered.

She turned around and slipped her arms around his neck as his hands traced the soft curves from her breast, down past her hips.

Things were just getting interesting when they were interrupted by the insistent beep of their bracelets.

Sighing, Jason activated his communicator.

"Groovy Two, here." he said.

"Condor, the new Phoenix should be arriving at your location within the next few minutes." came Chief Anderson's voice.

"Understood, Chief." Jason answered.

"I have been unable to contact the Eagle." the Chief continued. "Rendezvous with him and access the Phoenix. You will find it in the parking garage in spot 321."

"I can dig it. Over and out." Jason ended the communication. He looked at Princess.

"I think we need to find out what's happened to your Dad."