Authors note: The fairies have been out to play along with pain meds for dental work. This should be fun! At this time I would like to note that I take no responsibility for the onset of insanity resulting from this chapter.

FloraRose23: Thank you for your review. I absolutely love the hero no one expects and I had to revive him, one he still has a part to play and two, him dying would have been a crappy ending. That is just not something I am capable of. You should hear the three days of ranting that comes after I read a story or watch a movie with a bad ending. I almost get committed every time!

Sinister Laughter: I love the sound of that! I am so glad you enjoy my torment of poor Julius. It is too much fun! Thanks for your review!

Chapter twenty three: Drawing Straws

A new dawn found those at the tower restless. Blood had disappeared for a time, saying that he had needed to check on Elliot and keep a promise he had made the night she had been abducted. Aliya had a feeling that someone was in tremendous pain, because he came back in the most pleasant mood she had ever seen him in. He also appeared to be stalking her Dad, though she did not think that Julius had caught on just yet. He was set up in his temporary work room trying to catch up. Ace was gone as well, collecting. The others were up to something, but she had yet to figure out what.

Blood was indeed watching the clockmaker. His disposition had vastly improved for watching Pierce's blood rain down the wall he was still pinned to. His pleading voice had been like music that still resonated through his head. It had put him in the mood to play and there was only one who came to mind. His little shy Julius who was still fighting him so hard. His lips curved into a small smile, hidden by his tea cup, as his prey once again peeked up at him from his work.

Opportunity struck when he rose, empty cup in hand. He leaned against the wall beside where Julius was going through the arduous process of making coffee just the way he liked it. The hatter could not help but noticed that his hands trembled a little more the longer he stood there. "You know," he held back a chuckle when the other man jumped, "that substance is horrid."

Julius huffed. "I doubt you've ever had it made correctly." He struggled to still his hands. Blood seemed to have joined Alice in constantly consuming his thoughts. Not being stupid, he realized that Blood was wearing him down with his constant pursuing, and the constant strain of all that was going on around them. He was beginning to wonder himself where this would lead, however, it was still embarrassing as hell.

Blood leaned close, enjoying the way his face heated, the red color reminding him of the roses he favored. "Are you offering to make it for me, correctly?" He asked, drawing the word out, his voice low and sexy.

The cup hit the floor as the clockmaker jerked slightly. He scowled, despite the red cheeks. "You enjoy tormenting me, don't you?"

"Immensely." He replied, stroking his jaw, surprised that he had not fled yet. Deciding to press his luck, he leaned forward and pressed his lips against his.

"My, my. The clockmaker and the hatter." Blacks irritating voice filled the room. "How times have changed."

Julius wrenched away, glaring at Blood before walking away, vowing to hide in his room until he could go home again.

Blood growled, fiercely glowering at the joker. However, part of him was pleased. Julius had not fled the room, but walked and had not left him, but the audience they had acquired. He would see it as progress. But still, he thought, raising his gun. He adjusted his aim only for his daughter's sake. Firing, he left a gaping hole in Blacks thigh before calmly leaving the room, cane in hand. Plans for his quarry already filling his head by the time he passed Aliya in the hallway. After a brief hug, they both continued on their way.

Black braced himself against the wall, wondering how long it would take to heal this time. Seeing Aliya coming his way, he brightened. "Hello, my favorite death."

She rolled her eyes. "What did you do to piss father off?" today she wore black, corset, skirt and boots, with only the occasional blue to break it up. She was in a dark mood today for some reason. Aliya was also tired, very tired.

"It seems that I walked in on your parents kissing, Daddy dearest did not appreciate It." he limped along beside her.

"Hm," Aliya hummed, "he must be amused today. Otherwise, you would still be dead on the floor." She said, unconcerned. "Have you seen the other guys?" She had overslept, but it was usual not to have run into one of them by now.

Black laughed. "Yeah. Their all in the incubus's office, playing for you."

She stopped. "Playing for me?"

"It seems, they think that you need energy and all would like to be the one to help you with that problem. It has been quite humorous." His black eyes glimmered, "Not that I blame them, no one fucks like you." Aliya pushed him over, growling as she went down the hall toward Nightmares office. He caught himself on the wall before calling out, "Does this mean I can't join the roster?" Turning back, she shot his other thigh, causing him to crash to the floor before continuing on. "Fuck" he growled from the floor.

Nightmare passed by on the way to his office. Squatting down, he looked the injured man over "You have a talent for being shot, little half-brother"

Black chuckled. "I was once told I needed a lock for my mouth. It would help me live longer." He helped him off the floor. "You would call me brother?"

"I see no reason not to, it's what you are." Nightmare told him. It was strange, but he was glad he still had family floating out there, minus one psychotic joker. Between Black, the child Aliya carried, and Aliya herself, he never felt that bone chilling loneliness that had consumed him when his parents died.

"Given enough time, I'm positive that will change." Black said. "After all, the last man who called me brother killed me more than anyone else."

"I would not kill you." He was assured, "But I would avoid sleep for a while if you really piss me off." The flare of sliver eyes and maniacal grin made Black shiver.

"I'll remember that." He promised as the both followed Aliya's trail. It did not take long to find her, propped up outside his office door listening to the men inside. She did not look all that amused.

"What are you guys doing?" she asked, crankily. Gray, Boris, Peter, Dee, and Dum broke apart, looking at her sheepishly. "Never mind, I don't want to know. Have fun, I'm going back to bed." She turned, passing Black and Nightmare.

"Should she be that irritable?" Boris asked.

"She's pregnant and energy hungry," Black commented, "You're lucky she's so tired or you would have got shot too."

"Looks like you're up, cat." Nightmare said, watching as he grinned and faded.

Aliya made it back to her room in peace. She hated feeling the way she did, drained and sleepy. She really hoped this didn't last for the duration of her pregnancy because it sucked like Grays oatmeal. She flopped face down on her bed, groaning, only to tense when she felt a light pressure holding her legs down. A soft blindfold covered her eyes. "Getting kinky on me now, my kitty cat?" she asked, not bothering to remove it. A light burn started just below her stomach. Maybe she was more willing to play than she had thought.

She felt his warm breath as he chuckled against the back of her neck, "Always have, sweet Ally Kat." He slowly unlaced the corset she wore, stripping the cloths from her body before turning her over. "The sight of you like this makes it worse." He said, trailing his tongue across her rose. "I keep picturing you bound in silk and completely at my mercy."

She shivered in anticipation. Aliya wrapped her arms around his neck, one hand finding and rubbing his sensitive ear. "We had better do that then," she tugged his mouth down to hers. "Unrequited fantasies can make hard times."

She was stopped mid giggle when silk wound its way around her wrist. He pressed against her, proving her statement true. "Play time, Ally cat." He whispered as he nipped her lips.

Nearly half a time change later, Aliya slipped out of her room, leaving a worn out kitty cat sleeping in her bed. She felt almost bouncy having gained some energy wearing Boris out. She had lain with him for a bit, cuddling, but it was time to get up. She needed to check on her parents, and her guys, undoubtedly still up to mischief. Aliya slipped in the room next to hers, it having a connecting bath. It was not as good as the one at the hatter's mansion, but was still large enough for a few people. She sighed as she slipped into the hot water, relaxed.

The door opening caught her attention. Aliya opened her eyes to find Peter, who was slowly stripping his clothing off. Hungry eyes watched every movement until he sat across from her in the bath. "Peter?" she asked, leaning forward.

He took her wrist, still a little red from the binding silk, and tugged her over onto his lap. A tiny moan escaped her as he pressed her against him. "You like this I was dying to see, I have come your slave to be." He kissed her deeply, her hands dancing across the skin of his ribs.

"My charming rabbit wishes to serve," she licked his lips, rubbing her heat against him, "have the reward that you deserve." He filled her, hotter than the water surrounding them. Her bunny insisted on washing her thoroughly, so she lost even more time before leaving him dressing in the bathroom.

She was beginning to see a pattern, especially when Gray pulled her into a secluded corner of the hall. He pressed her up against the wall, his hand trailing up her thigh, raising the light blue sundress she had just put on. "I have a request, my Rose." He found her lace covering and snapped them, letting them fall to the floor. "I would have your mark as well." He told her, trailing kisses down her neck as he played under her dress.

"I thought you did not want to be a number, Gray." She breathed out as his pants dropped and he lifted her, her legs instantly wrapping around her.

"I'm not." He pressed into her, slowly thrusting, her upper body braced against the stone. "I'm your one and only lizard." He stole her husky laugh with a kiss. A while later, she graced him with a blue rose on his neck just beside his lizard tattoo, oddly making it look like it was climbing on the flower which amused them both. Then, after the wobbly legs wore off, she set off to get things done, her eyes gently glowing from the energy she was storing up.

After a quick and lonely lunch, she found herself drug into a sitting room with the twins. "We want to play a game." Dee said wrapping around her.

"It's called couch." Dum said as they took her over to one.

"We are going to see how many ways we can take you on the couch." Dee bent her over the arm of the couch, tossing her dress up, not delayed by the underwear she had yet to replace. She had to smile as Dum appeared before her, they always worked so well together.

The time was changing before she left the two, exhausted, sleeping on either end of the couch they had used so well. She covered them with the blanket and left the room. Walking the hall once more, she thought the marathon was over, her skin taking on a faint glow. She felt like she could run across the whole of wonderland and not be breathless at the moment.

That was until Black grabbed her and drug her into his appointed room. "Aren't you too weak to be doing this so soon? You just died yesterday." She asked, thought did not complain as he stripped the dress from her, he himself already bare. She could see the healing marks on his legs where he had been shot twice.

He tossed her on the bed, gentle not being in his nature. "Kill me again if you like, love." He glided inside her, lifting her hips off his bed. "Besides, I wanted to be on top for once." She smiled, letting him have his way as her hands slipped around his waist, fingers digging in, urging him deeper.

By the time she left him, her body glowed radiantly. She had to find Nightmare, the one she was sure was responsible for her day of play. Not that she wasn't grateful, cause damn, what a day it had been, but if she didn't get rid of this excess energy soon, she was going to explode. She found him on their balcony at the highest point of clover tower. "Proud of yourself, dear?" She asked, her tone nearly cross.

"How bright you are tonight, Aliya." He said, teasingly. He approached her. Nightmare wondered if she would see his planning in this. The others just thought he was being helpful, but his little succubus caught on. "It was the fastest way to get us both strong, Aliya and their not complaining, so what's the harm?" he asked, silver gleaming, amused.

Her glowing blue eyes narrowed, "Ask yourself that." She pulled him down onto the cold stone floor, the wind whipping around them. "You are not allowed to complain about scorch marks." Her mouth came crashing down on his, feeding him. As their bodies joined together, they lit up the top of the tower. The bright white light could be seen across all of clover and remained strong for most of a time change.

"So," she asked, laying on his chest. "How did they decide the order?"

"I may have mentioned something from the outsider world. It's called drawing straws." He smiled at her giggle. They rose, dressing. They were going toward the dining hall when Aliya was amused to see Blood slip from her Dads room. She knew that nothing major would have happened because Julius was nothing but cautious. Her father would have to work very hard on this challenge. Her mental phrasing made her giggle again. She was in such a good mood. Aliya needed a day like this, away from the fight and nothing but fun.

They entered the dining hall to see most of the guys already there, bickering about one thing or another. The chaos brought her joy. She sat down beside Blood, Julius soon joined her on her other side, looking anywhere by at her father. "What was everyone up to today?" he asked.

"Oh, the guys played a game called drawing straws, it quite wore them out." Aliya said, sending the men in the room teasing glances," and I spent time," she smiled slightly, "Recharging." She folded her hands under her chin and leaned forward, her gaze full of naughtiness, "What did you find to do this afternoon, Daddy?" her voice was full of suggestion. Julius blushed and looked away. Blood nudged her hip, silently telling her to behave. She winked at him, causing him to smile before hiding it with his tea.

Authors note: Sorry for the sex petit fours, but if I had of written full cake, my hands would have broken! I leave you with some of my favorite Freaks borrowed words # 40 Raise your glass if you are wrong in all the right ways, all my underdogs, we will never be, never be anything but loud, nitty, gritty, dirty little freaks –P!nk- raise your glass