A/N: These chapters are rated M on a huge scale. If you're not okay with that, turn back now. Many warnings apply. I'm going to suggest that if things like voyeurism, dubious consent, and other such kinks bother you, you leave. Otherwise, happy reading!

Also, these chapters were written before the new season and Gretchen's introduction, so any parallels are a happy coincidence.

-- Mel and Chuck

JULY 2541

Being married to Dani is a lot like living with her in sin. Nothing about our day to day lives has changed since the private ceremony in the tree house, except for maybe the amount of sex we have. It's like we can't be in the same room for more than ten minutes without our clothes evaporating and our bodies becoming spontaneously joined. Honestly, it's starting to wear me out.

Which is why when she mentions that she's going to go train with the soldiers in the sparring ring, I wish her luck and roll over, praying for a quick nap to refresh me after a sleepless and strenuous, albeit extremely satisfying, night.

I end up falling asleep moments after she leaves, and when I wake up, I'm not quite sure of the time. It's definitely warm out, I can feel the heat through the canvas of the tent, which means it's probably around noon. It's a damn good thing the camp basically runs itself now, or Mr. Gray would have my head for getting such a late start. Probably literally. As it is, he's across the continent with the newest camp, training and indoctrinating the next wave of soldiers. I never expected world domination to be this time intensive, but when you have a plan that's actually going to work, it takes time to set into motion.

I make my way out of the tent and towards the sparring ring. I wonder if Dani will still be there, or if she's moved on with her day. She usually spends about an hour training every day when she's here, kicking all of the soldier's asses and then going down to get some breakfast. And so I'm a little surprised when I round the corner and see her dancing gracefully around a cute brunette with a chin length bob and a wicked punch. I've seen this soldier before. She's kind of hard not to notice when she's the only one beneath 5'2 and 120 pounds in the entire camp. I think her name is something like Ava or Eva. Either way, the point isn't her name, it's that she's actually giving Dani a run for her money. Every blow she lands is turning a fist sized hunk of skin into fleshsicles and making my wife wince before her body has a chance to heal it.

I enter the arena, unnoticed by either woman, and I circle, noticing things about the brunette's technique that seem to work particularly well against Dani. For one, she's using her power as an incentive for Dani to be defensive, something the healer has never really had to do before. She's always just taken her blows and healed in time to strike back wicked fast. And secondly, the smaller woman is just damned quick, darting just out of reach and back into the circle of Dani's offensive before her opponent has time to plan her next move. It's actually quite ingenious.

I watch for about ten minutes. I can't count the number of times the pair have passed within three feet of me and still not actually seen me. I frown at that. It's unsafe, being so wrapped up in this one fight that they don't notice their surroundings…

So I bust in without any warning, stepping between them deftly and grabbing Dani's outstretched arm just before it makes contact with the short woman she's fighting. I twist, perhaps more forcefully than necessary, but Dani goes down with a cry, falling to her knees as the other woman dives forward and I spin to the side, taking Dani with me and watching the brunette stumble and fall, catching herself jarringly with both palms flat in the dirt.

"Afternoon, Ladies," I murmur down to my startled wife, releasing her and taking a few quick steps back before she can recover and retaliate.

"Kale," she says. I don't think she's quite sure of what her reaction here should be. Her tone is half frustration half indulgence. It's actually kind of amusing.

"Sir," the hasty address from the other side of the ring sounds mortified and for a moment I feel pity for the woman. Just for a moment.

"You should probably pay more attention to your surroundings when you're fighting," I say, trying to sound firm but not like a total ass hole. "Sometimes speed and skill aren't a match for the things you don't see coming."

The brunette nods, her pale cheeks blushing a violent shade of red and her hair falling over delicate features in a neat little curtain.

"Yes, Sir," she says, panting and trying to catch her breath. Probably trying to fight back tears too.

"It's okay, Afa," Dani says, rising from the ground gracefully, her long limbs stretching and tightly braided hair swinging. "He's just trying to help. You were really good."

I can't quite be sure, but I think the woman is smiling behind her hair and looking adoringly up at my wife. As hair falls away, the look she's giving Dani makes my stomach turn. It's not a friendly smile, it's an invitation.

I scowl at the tiny woman, grabbing Dani's hand and making sure to flash the bracelet in the process. Afa's eyes dart over it quickly, but either she doesn't get it or she doesn't care. She keeps on looking at my wife with that disconcerting admiration and clear sexual invitation. I should know, I've gotten that exact same look a million times from women passing in the street.

"Thank you," Afa says, tucking her short air behind little ears and practically beaming. "Same time tomorrow?"

Dani nods and steps a little closer to me. The unconscious movement makes me unreasonably happy. "You should have dinner with us sometime," she invites, smiling openly at the strange woman. I feel the urge to usher her away before she can encourage her any more.

"I'd like that," Afa replies, grinning and winking before she turns to gather her belongings. Dani, to my disbelief, laughs and winks right back. I catch myself gritting my teeth, fists clenched with the sudden urge to pound the little brunette into the dirt.

But Dani's hand in mine and her bracelet brushing over my skin keeps me steadied until the other woman is out of sight.

"She's super nice, we had a chat before sparring," Dani comments as we're walking away to get lunch, "and it's nice to get to know a woman my own age for once."

All I can think as she tells me this is, Fuck, Dani finally chooses to find a friend outside of our relationship, a female, and she turns out to be a lesbian. Just my luck. What I say is, "Yeah, that's great."

Fuck.

AUGUST 2541

"Night, Afa," Dani says as she shows her new friend to the entrance of our tent. The smaller woman smiles and stands on tiptoes to hug my wife goodnight. It lasts just a little too long, but then she disappears. I have to make a conscious effort to unclench my fists.

Dani walks over to the dresser, opening it to find one of the camisoles she wears to bed. I watch her undress before remembering that I'm upset. Kind of a shame, really—otherwise I could devote my whole attention to the bare skin that's now on display. She turns to me, but stops when she sees my expression.

"Kale, what's the matter? You were really quiet tonight." I mull over my possible answers to that question, and then decide to just go for it.

"It's Afa," I tell her flatly. I can see her expression change from concerned to defensive and inwardly sigh. She's not going to take this well, obviously.

"What about Afa?"

"I don't like her." I'm sure there's probably a better and more tactful way to phrase that, but I don't think I can deal with her outrageous flirtation any more.

Dani folds her arms tight beneath her breasts. "Well I do. And she's my friend, not yours."

Something about her tone bothers me, and I rise to meet her attitude. "What, so my opinion no longer matters?"

"I didn't say that, Kale, so stop trying to put words in my mouth. But since you put it that way, your high opinion of her is not imperative to our friendship."

"Really? What is important to your friendship, then? In fact, why are you even spending time with her in the first place?"

Dani's cheeks are getting pink, and her voice is almost malicious. "What is it that bothers you, Kale? Is it that I'm branching out and meeting new people? Is it that I finally found someone my own age that I can talk to? Or does it bother you that you're no longer my only friend?" Ouch. Her hands have moved to her hips and she's still waiting for an answer. "Well?"

"That was kind of a bitchy thing to say," I tell her, trying to act like it didn't bother me as much as it did.

"Maybe I wouldn't have to be a bitch if you'd stop being jealous and selfish," she retorts.

I rub my forehead and try not to express my anger physically, even though I'm trembling with the effort. "Dani, can you just explain to me why you like Afa?" She opens her mouth angrily, but I interrupt, "Indulge me. Please."

She speaks slowly, as though I'm a child. I hate that. "Afa is nice. She is my age, and it's nice to finally have a woman with whom I can relate and talk to. She is funny and she likes me too, and she's never once looked at you like she wants to take a bite out of you. Do you know how many women meet those criteria? Not very many."

I blink, surprised. Has she honestly not noticed the object of Afa's affection?

"Dani…why do you think Afa hasn't expressed an interest in me?" I ask cautiously. Her brow furrows.

"Why should I care? Maybe she doesn't think it's appropriate to come on to her commanding officer. Or maybe you're just not her type."

I snort at that. I'm certainly not. "Dani, Afa is a lesbian. I'm not her type by virtue of being male."

Now it's Dani's turn to look surprised. I open my mind to her thoughts. Apparently she's more clueless than I thought. "Really?"

"She's been hitting on you forever. How have you not noticed that?"

She shrugs. "I just thought she was very friendly. You've already told me that I'm naturally flirtatious without meaning to be. Maybe she is too."

I shake my head. "No, she knows what she's doing. She probably thinks you're interested in her, too."

Dani grins and moves to sit on my lap. "I have a husband, though, and I really like him a lot." She kisses away the worry-line between my eyebrows and I sigh

.

"She doesn't seem to care about that. Dani, just… can you please say something to her? It would make me feel a lot better."

She frowns at the idea. "Kale, I feel like this is your jealousy talking. I don't want to ruin my relationship with Afa because you're being a tiny bit possessive."

"Yeah, I'm jealous and possessive. I don't mind saying it. But first of all, if she's really your friend and not just looking to screw you, she'll be okay with it. Second of all, you should know what it's like to be jealous. How many times did you resent when women flirted with me? You still hate it."

"Of course I do," she grumbles, "You're mine."

"Exactly. You're mine, and this woman is ignoring my existence so she can shamelessly flirt with you. It doesn't do a lot for my self-esteem."

Her eyes roll. "God forbid anyone should deflate that ego."

"Seriously Dani," my voice gets softer, "Please mention it to her. If you don't and she doesn't stop, I'm going to bring it up to her. I can guarantee that will be more awkward for everyone."

She relents, laying her head on my shoulder. "I'll talk to her sometime. But rest assured, Kale Flint," she looks up at me, "if I lose the only friend I've ever had besides you, I'm going to be pissed."

"Yes, ma'am," I tell her wearily. And with that, I pick her up and take her to bed.

SEPTEMBER 2541

It's been a month and Dani still hasn't spoken to her friend about the issue. As much as I've tried to push her to do so, it's looking more and more likely every day that I'll have to be the one to do the honors. At least I haven't had to entertain Afa for dinner again since the last time. My lovely little wife has had the good sense to keep us apart, and I can't say I'm not thankful for her foresight.

So when Dani brings up the topic again while we're both preparing for bed, I feel like drilling a giant screw into the back of my neck.

"I don't think bringing up the whole lesbian thing with Afa at this point would be such a great idea," she says matter-of-factly, fluffing a pillow and staring nervously down at her hands. I cross my arms across my bare chest, staring across the bed at her. I just knew she was going to pull something like this.

"And why not?" I ask. I already know the answer, but I've found in the last fourteen years that when you force Dani to say her less intelligent ideas out loud, she gets flustered and ends up back tracking.

She scowls from where she stands, crossing her arms too and glaring down at the bed. "I just—Nothing has happened since we spoke last time… and she really is a good friend. It's not like she's made a move—"

"Like you'd even notice if she did. You're so damned oblivious."

She glares up at me, uncrossing her arms and pulling down the comforter and sheets. "Of course I would notice," she mutters, keeping her gaze focused on the bed as she carefully removes her nightgown, standing in nothing but the light blue panties and camisole she likes to sleep in.

"Come on, Dani, half the time you don't even notice when I'm in the mood."

She frowns some more. "That's because we usually want it at the same time, and at that point I've got myself to focus on."

Fair enough, I think. "And if you're so sure she's not hitting on you anymore, why haven't you brought her around for dinner again?"

Dani rolls her eyes and slips under she sheets, I follow quickly, slipping off my jeans and joining her in boxer shorts. The sheets are nice and warm and completely comfortable. Its way too easy to relax in our marital bed, which sucks when we're trying to argue. "Maybe because I know you don't like her," she answers, snuggling against me and wrapping her arm across my chest.

I sigh. "You have until tomorrow night," I say finally, "And if you haven't spoken to her by then, I'm going to do it." She stiffens beside me.

"Kale, I really don't think that's necessary."

"Well, I do. And this is a partnership. We decide things together."

Dani pauses for a while, unmoving beside me, and then I feel her melt against my skin, sighing and wrapping her long limbs around me.

"You're right," she murmurs, trying to sound sincere, "this needs to be both of our decisions." I arch a brow and watch her move beneath the covers. She's making the moves seamless and sexy, but she knows what she's doing. I take a moment to listen in to her thoughts.

Leg up, right there… her knee brushes lightly against my crotch and all my blood begins to rush and pool right where she touched. Fingers beneath the heart. Those fingers drive me wild as they dance care-freely against bare skin. Breathe on his neck. God, this woman knows how to drive me fucking insane.

"Kale?" she asks, running her lips across my throat as she moves to straddle me. I can feel her wet heat pressed firmly against my throbbing cock. Just a little less fabric and a jut of my hips and I'd be inside of her, pressed deep with my head against her cervix…

"Huh?" I can barely make a coherent thought process, let alone words, but I try. I know what she's doing… she's trying to manipulate me with sex… so why can't I seem to care?

"I know we need to make this decision together," she murmurs, hips moving slowly up and down over my own, grinding and making me so thick I feel like I'm about to burst at the seams. "And I know that you trust my judgment…"

I can't take it anymore. Before she can say another word I'm using some sort of power to rip our pajamas off and twisting us around until she's beneath me, back pressed firmly to the mattress and my cock buried in her so deep I can feel my balls against her cleft.

Her eyes have rolled back in her head. Her thoughts are a steady stream of Oh god, Oh God, Fuck, so good, fucking yes. Deeper, deeper, God, Please, move, fucking move, and I smile to myself, groaning and pulling back only to slam right back into her. She's pulsing around me, losing control.

"You're going… to talk… to her," I say between gasping breaths and clenching spasms.

"Ugh…" Dani sounds, I'm not sure if she actually knows what I'm saying. Her eyes are unfocused and the sounds coming out of her throat are sexy as hell.

I pull out abruptly, using my hands to pin her shoulders to the bed and teasing her with my cock between soaked cunt lips. She writhes and moans throatily.

"Danielle," I say. My voice is so deep and husky that it sounds angry, demanding. "Tell me you're going to talk to her about this tomorrow."

She moans again as I continue to run myself through those silky lips. Blonde hair sticks and tickles as I grind.

"Say it!" I demand, withdrawing completely as she cries out.

"Yes, fuck, yes!" she screams. I laugh darkly before plunging back into her.

She'll hate me in the morning, but I think this feeling and the promise I wrangled from her lips is going to be worth a few days of the cold shoulder.

She gasps as we fuck, making love in a dirty, primal way we both enjoy.

As I come, she sobs, gasping for breath with passionate tears streaming down that lust reddened cheeks. I am completely satisfied as I spiral into oblivion.

LATE SEPTEMBER 2541

Two weeks is a little longer than the few days' worth of the cold shoulder I anticipated. And it really hasn't been the cold shoulder so much as blue balls.

I read Dani's thoughts when she came in after talking to Afa. It wasn't nearly as awkward as she'd feared it would be.

"Afa? Are you sexually attracted to me?" she'd asked bluntly. Afa had smiled and replied that yes, she liked Dani a lot.

"Is that the only reason we're friends?"

"No. I really like you. I just like you, too."

"Okay, well that's fine. But I really love Kale and that's not going to change. He's my husband, so…you should probably stop flirting with me." Afa had accepted that and embraced my wife, reassuring her that they were still friends. It seemed to me like everything ended well, so the past two weeks have been just a little confusing.

Dani's thoughts aren't very helpful, either. One second she's simmering with resentment, the next she's ignoring me, and then she's purposefully being very sweet, only to leave me with nothing. But today her thoughts and emotions have been decidedly sexual. Not just sexual, even, but needy. Needless to say, I think this short period of celibacy is coming to an end. Soon.

"Good morning, sweetie," she says at breakfast, kissing me lightly on the lips. I try to pull her in, but she steps back and winks coyly at me. I grin. I can play this game all day if she wants to.

Not that we have much time to play. I spend the morning looking over maps of the North American continent, planning and preparing for the upcoming takeover. Dani's out doing who knows what, and when I reach out with my mind to hear her thoughts, I'm gratified by what she's thinking.

…it's been a really long time…maybe it wouldn't hurt if I…

I block her out in order to concentrate on my work. My self-discipline and good intentions last for all of about thirty minutes before I let her 'voice' in again. God. She's reliving, in excruciating detail, the last time I went down on her. Listening to her, I can almost taste her again right now. She switches from that to the time we did it in an alleyway near our home in New York, while a homeless man watched with interest. He had pretended to be sleeping, but all three of us knew that was bullshit.

I shake myself and go out to survey my troops. Some of them have been instructed to work on finessing the use of their abilities, or improving their control. I spend a few hours with them, watching a few, helping some others; before I move on to watch some of the hand-to-hand fighting. With so little to do besides abilities training, there are always plenty of people there. I search the small crowd and find Dani standing among them, watching two speedsters blur past one another as they try to get in their hits. It's simultaneously fascinating and too fast to really keep up with.

"Hey," she greets me in a low voice as I stand beside her. My hand reaches out to massage the back of her neck and she practically purrs, letting her head drop to her chest. She moves so that she is standing in front of me, and then backs up until I am snugly fitted against her back.

"Did you get most of the desk-type work done already?" Her voice is casual, but there is an undercurrent of urgency there.

"Yes. Why do you ask?"

"Oh, no reason." She grinds back against me subtly, making me bite the inside of my lip to keep from giving us away. "But it's better to get that out of the way, so you can relax tonight."

My head dips to her ear as I murmur, "What's going on tonight?"

I can hear the smirk in her voice. "I'm going to have a lot of fun with you. That's all."

Her dirty mind distracts me for the rest of the day. As soon as dinner is finished I make my way back to the tent. Unfortunately, I really do have a few more things to do before I can be done for the day. I growl and sit back at the desk. Dani's still eating and talking to Afa anyway. I can let her get in her girl time while I finish my work.

She comes in when I'm nearly done and kisses the top of my head. "Hi, baby."

I look up a few minutes later to see her completely naked. After being denied for so long, the sight temporarily takes my breath away. I get up and walk over to her, try to reach for her, but she frowns and shakes her head.

"I'm not in the mood for that, Kale."

My brain feels like it's going to explode. "Are you kidding me?! You've spent the entire day fantasizing about this, and suddenly you're not in the mood?"

"I don't feel comfortable having sex with you, Kale. The last time you used it to manipulate me and make me agree to something I didn't want to do."

"That's not fair. You started it; don't get pissed just because I turned the tables on you and beat you at your own game."

Her eyebrows shoot up. "Oh, I'm not angry. Not at all. But until I feel secure with you again, you're not getting any."

I grind my teeth to keep from saying anything, moving instead to lie on the bed face-down. I feel the mattress shift under me as she lies next to me. She doesn't say anything, but her thoughts are screaming and I can't drown them out. Not even words anymore, just lust. I look up and swear.

My wife is lying atop the covers, legs spread and definitely pleasuring herself. Her eyes are shut and she's already breathing quickly.

"Are you fucking kidding me, Dani?"

She doesn't look up, doesn't stop, and I stare as she slips a finger inside herself. A moan escapes her lips, and despite my disbelief I can't look away. Her other hand moves up to caress her breasts while the lower one picks up the motion. I watch in silence as Dani brings herself to a silent orgasm, back arched and biting her lip.

She smiles lazily and rolls onto her stomach. "Good night, Kale."

I really hate her.

OCTOBER 2541

I can't get the sight of her moaning, hands in her panties and on her breasts, out of my head. It's like my brain took a snapshot, framed it, and hung it behind my eyelids. And the worst part is I'm not sure whether I should be pissed, turned on, or both. Right now I'm definitely riding on some weird high that includes both, with just a little bit of lust and satisfaction thrown in there.

Which is why I'm here, back in the New York apartment where we're spending our weekend, letting the scalding water beat down on my skin and, completely obscuring the tiny bathroom with fog. With my hand wrapped deftly around my throbbing cock.

The pounding water beats against my back as I struggle to stay in control, struggle to stay upright and breathe air instead of water. But that image and the sound of her moan are sending me over the edge way too quickly. I fall sideways, the wall catching me as I come. I make a mess all over my hand and the bottom of the tub. Good thing the water is still coming out hot and strong. And then the idea hits me, as I'm watching the pearly strands of my come swirl and disappear down the drain.

I wash myself and the tub before getting out, loose limbed and slightly more in control of what my eyes see when they're closed. Plans for revenge will do that to a person, put them in control.

I wrap a towel around my hips and open the bathroom door; the steam escapes into the bedroom, making it hot and humid. Dani's on the bed, legs crossed and a book open and plastered to her nose. Her nails and toes are painted a bright shade of red as they flex and tap. She's wearing one of my button ups, and the bottom barely covers the apex of her thighs. Her legs are a mile long across the comforter.

I grin.

"Hey, Dani?" she looks up from her novel, tilting her head slightly to the side. The loose tendrils of her hair, the ones not caught up in a haphazard bun on top of her neck, tickle the sides of her necks.

"What's up, Kale?" she says, perfectly calm. I hope she likes the feeling, because it'll be no more than a distant memory once I get started.

"I just wanted to thank you for that show last week," I say, crossing the room, to sit on the bed beside her. "And maybe reciprocate."

I see the moment she realizes I'm about to win this game, and I let my ability roll over her in one languid wave. She's frozen on the bed, limbs given over to my control.

"Kale, Flint, Romanov," The menace in my little wife's voice may have once been enough to quell me, but today… it's just not cutting it.

"Danielle, Maira, Romanov…" I mock, smirking down at her before glancing up. I find a full length mirror on the wall opposite me, and with a flick of my fingers send it spinning to stick against the ceiling.

"I told you I don't want to have sex with you," she breathes. Is that a touch of fear in her voice?

"Yes, I heard that. And noted it. Tonight's just about giving you the type of show you gave me. Tit for tat." She groans, clearly frustrated as she tries to fight against my puppeteers ability; honestly, she'd probably have more luck trying to claw her way through a hundred foot thick steel wall.

I have her set down the novel on the nightstand table and then move to lay on her side, head propped up by her elbow. She looks so damn enticing laying there, my shirt hitched up around her waist and her panties sheer… But tonight's about me, not her.

"Kale, stop it," she hisses, squeezing her eyes shut and trying to turn her head.

I chuckle. "Keep your eyes open, Dani. I wouldn't want you to miss a moment of my gift to you."

And with that, I let the towel around my waist drop and lay down beside her, right on top of the covers like she had done. I'm already hard, and there's a small bead of pre-cum on the very tip of my head. Despite herself, I hear Dani's breath hitch the way it does when she likes something she sees. I smirk to myself.

I stroke myself languidly for a while, ups and downs and taps in just the pattern I like… and then I open my eyes. The mirror is still above me and I can see myself reflected perfectly. I'm completely nude, my dark hair wet and plastered to my face and the pillow. My chest is rising and falling just like my hand on my shaft. I watch, hypnotized as my free hand moves to cup my balls… and then Dani groans, and I groan with her.

"Kale…" she mewls from beside me, eyes wide and tongue darting out to wet her lips.

"Yeah, Dani…" I moan as the tingling starts and my spine goes deliciously tense.

"Let me…" she murmurs. Her eyes are following the motions of my hands and then concentrating on my swollen head. I'm about to come, and I want nothing more than to have those red lips wrapped around my cock when I do… but this is about me. This is about getting back at her for what she did, the way she teased and touched and brought herself to ecstasy without me.

"Just watch," I order, voice going guttural. I'm not sure I can speak anymore. And I continue stroking, palm brushing and nails grazing lightly as I smear the leaking pre-cum up and down my swollen shaft, making it easier to move, easier to pump into my fist.

And just as I think I can't take it anymore, that twinge in my spine explodes and I'm arching up, eyes flying open again as I watch myself in the mirror and stars explode behind my eyes, replacing the photo of Dani with my own pleasure for a moment.

When I come back to myself, my hands and the comforter are covered in come. Dani's breathing is so shallow and erratic I'd think she'd come too if I didn't know better. I can smell her, soaking wet at the sight of me, and the thought makes me want to fuck her right there in the wet spot I made in our bed.

Instead, I say "thanks for watching, Babe," and sit up, releasing her before disappearing into the bathroom to clean up again. Dani's the one left speechless for once, and as I clean myself and think about the way she reacted to my show… I find myself wanting a repeat performance.

Looks like voyeurism is just another thing we can add to our rapidly growing list of kinks. I fucking love my wife.