I have to say that sometimes the people I love just set me in murderous moods; Like Ivy for example. I knew that as soon as I saw the invitation to Ryan Cormel annual charity ball, that I was going to be dragged into that one. And wrong I was not. I was totally not up to playing nice with rich folks, I have better things to do. Or just dressing up for that matter. So ivy convinced me that it would be a good idea if we attended together, Ryan was probably going to be busy and I could make her company. Despite being hesitant I accepted. That was before the woman showed me the dress requirements; Gowns of course, and how very thoughtful of her to get one for me. I guess she too is convinced that I need help dressing myself.

SO here I was sitting at a table at a beautifully decorated hotel ballroom, sipping wine, in a beautifully made blue designer gown with carefully curled hair and applied makeup. This ballroom was the highest room in the hotel had glass ceilings which your were able to see the sky. It was decorated in gold and white, so majestic and beautiful that it'll probably make Louis XIV jealous. Many guests were dancing on the dance floor to the soft music. The only problem today was that I was now alone. Ivy decided to bail on me as soon as Ryan was no longer busy. And my other problem includes this dress. Yes it was beautiful but I was terrified of it. The dress was long and fitted at the hips, with a back and front cut way too low, and I couldn't find double sided tape. I am afraid that if the wind so much as blows in the wrong direction I was going to be flashing the ballroom.

I was just here contemplating how my night could possibly get worse when I spotted Trent across the room. He was sitting between Jon and a pretty blonde that I've never seen before. He was dressed up for the night all right, looking very good. His black tuxedo impeccable and his hair carefully combed. As if feeling my eyes on him, he turned his head and looked directly at me. He raised his drink in the tradition of a toast; - towards me, and smiled. At that moment I decided that it was probably a good idea to call it a night. He was already acting weird.

Carefully I got up, and made my was to the restroom, damning this dress every step of the way. While I was washing my hands; the blonde who was with Trent walked in. She pulled a lipstick from her bag, and then instead of applying it she turned to me. I sure as hell didn't like the look on her face. She looked at me like she was way above me. Great, just what I needed.

"So you're Rachel Morgan?"

"Uh-huh." I was going to keep this as short as possible. I turned off the faucet went for some paper towels and started to walk away.

"Trent's with me so I recommend you keep away."

"Right." I didn't even bother to turn around as I said that and left the room.

Down the hall Trent was waiting, I guess for his date. I had to get past him to get out of here so I started walking past him when he spoke.

"Hi."

"Hi"

"Can we talk?" I walked back a few steps to be closer to him. The party, I guess, was raving inside and the music was getting a bit loud.

"I talked to Al. And he did it. He made you my familiar." Al thought it would be amusing to see the elf as my familiar. It was I guess sort of ironic since he tried to strangle me. You have to give it up to Al; the comedian. "And I fixed-"Just then the Blonde came and stood next to Trent, her arm around his. He had this strangled look on his face. I couldn't help but to smile. "Don't worry about it. I changed that."

"I know…Thanks"

"You changed what?" Oh good god, she's one of those.

"Nothing." I smiled my sweetest smile at her and then started to walk away.

"Rachel can we talk in private?" I turn around in time to see him disentangle himself from Blonde.

He walked towards me. "I am sorry Heather; I just need to talk to Rachel." He looked back at her, but the look in his face said he wasn't sorry at all, but relieved. Her face was red as hell.

"Bad date?" I said trying to irritate him. Old habits die hard.

"Very." He said not catching my bait.

"So what do you want to talk about?"

"Nothing. Just help me get away from her."

"What?" –that's way too sweet.

"She's irritating, she's possessive, and she gropes me-"

"I don't want to know."

"Rachel-"

"Hell no. Solve it yourself elf-boy…Besides you'll probably try to strangle me as soon as there's no one around."

"What do you have to loose?" Ignoring my previous comment he looked at me for some seconds and then smiled a pretty honest smile. My mouth dropped open. I think this was the first time I ever saw Trent smile like he was actually happy, like he finally found something he was looking for. I was not falling for that sweet smile; he probably wanted something from me. But I couldn't help but to smile back.

"What do I have to gain?" He then gave me one of his trademark scowl.

"Okay, okay." I wrapped my arm around his and look back at Heather. The look on her face said that if she ever caught me sleeping, she was going to strangle me, or better yet burn me alive. And I started walking with Trent, the lesser evil (yeah right) towards the elevator.

"So where're we going?" I ask Trent.

"I am going to find some peace and quiet."

"Good luck with that."

I walked with my arm around Trent's until we were on the elevator. The elevator doors closed and the last thing I saw was Heather just standing there. I kind of felt bad for the girl obviously being avoided by her date.

I pressed the lobby while Trent pressed 6th, a long way down from the 20th but still not leaving. After that I stood on one side and Trent on the other. The silence stretched on until it grew awkward. I kept staring at our reflections on the Shiny metal doors.

"So, Heather and you-"

"None of your business."

"Hey I just saved you from a night of groping, be grateful."

"I already thanked you."

"No you didn't."

"I did."

"Uh-huh"

"You're being childish." He had a smile on his lips as he said this. And his eyes twinkled with amusement.

"And you're being ungrateful." I didn't like that smile. It scared me. He smiles like a school boy with a crush, or maybe a physco with a knife. Take your pick, I pick the latter one.

At that very moment He stooped the elevator. I just looked at him. What the hell, great now I was going to get murdered in an elevator and nobody was ever going to catch my captor. I am a total dumbass, how could I possibly get into an-

"Rachel…about the other…night…I…well…" He runs his hair through his carefully combed hair, making it look free and wild. His face is serious again, his eyes no longer held amusement, but infinite sadness and wisdom. "I was just …and..well…I am sorry for…abducting you."

"Wow you're actually apologizing; I never thought you were into apologizing." I said. I should have probably just nodded and accepted his apology. Way to go Rachel.

"At least I am apologizing unlike other people." 'other people' clearly meant me.

"What should I apologize for? Arresting you for the people you've killed? I think that was well deserved. So don't expect an apology." I said pressed the stop button again, causing the elevator to continue.

"I am trying to make amends-"

"Well you can shove those amends right-" I was now in his face.

"You are the most infuriating woman I've ever met!" His eyes burned bright with anger and frustration, I seriously thought he was going to stomp his foot next. That's a hell of a silly thought, Trent stomping like a kid.

"Yeah Yeah, whatever you say." I moved out of his face and put some distance between us.

"So where are you going?" I edged towards a topic change.

He sighed but answered my question. I guess he got my push towards the no-so-subtle topic change, and I guess he really was trying to make amends. Or get on my good side to then try to make me work for him. Ha. "I rented a room for tonight."

I really couldn't let this one pass by. What can I say being around Jenks takes a toll.

"To wait for Cormel?" I couldn't help but to look directly at him while I said this. Raising an eyebrow and smiling wickedly.

As he realized what I had said his face turned crimson. But in just a few seconds he gained control over himself, leaving only an adorable faint flush on his cheeks. He then glared at me.

The door opened then on the 6th floor. The Hallway looked pretty empty but then again it was about 2 in the morning and the guests who weren't partying were probably sleeping.

"Goodnight" Trent said as he walked out the elevator.

"'Night. Ya'll have a great time. Don't make too much noise." I said as the doors began to close. But they didn't close. Before they did Trent put his hand in which caused the door to open again and then pulled me out.

"What-"

What he did froze me; I was completely caught off guard with this one. Never in a million years would've I expected Trent to do that. He wrapped one arm around my waist and the other went on the back of my head and my hair. He then closed the very little space between us, every line of my body against his. My dressed protected me very little from the delicious warmth radiating from his skin. I was breathing his earthy scent. He had invaded all my senses. He looked at me in the eyes. His eyes full of anger and wonder and something else, something…strange. I never realize how many emotions eyes can hold at once. He then kissed me. His warm soft lips against mines were urgent and hungry. But before I could even react he let me go. I stood there completely stunned. I looked at him and then at the elevator at my back. I regained my breath but apparently my head was not yet here. Because the next words I said were, well, incoherent.

"The…doors… closed." Obviously the elevator left. I mean, what it was going to wait for me while Trent did some stupid shit.

What got me coherent and very angry was the smile that appeared on Trent's lips. A smile that reminded me a lot of the big bad wolf. At that I stepped close to him and did something that I wanted to do for a very long time. I slapped him okay maybe it wasn't a slap. I punched him on his jaw, very hard. My knuckles were throbbing afterwards. He was on me before I could react, pushing me against the wall, pinning my hands above me. His lips held the same hunger and intensity as before.

At first I fought back, tried to push him away. But soon the battle had definitely changed. My lips didn't yield for him. Nope, I kissed him back with the same intensity and he was kissing me. He let go of my hands and grabbed my thighs, pushing himself even closer against me. My legs wrapped around his waist, my fingers grabbed his hair. One of his hands stayed at my thigh and the other moved up to my back, both holding on with bruising strength. The kisses between us had turned into something far from gentle and sweet, more like carnal, instinctive and primal.

There was a voice in the back of my head demanding that I stopped this right now. We were in a hallway and that there were cameras. But it was very weak, like the wind, just a whisper. I did catch the camera part and at that I pulled Trent from my lips for enough time to say "cameras." That was the magic word.

If you think it made us stop, you are wrong. We managed to get to the room between kisses and pushes. He opened the door somehow and we were inside what seemed like the parlor. We weren't watching were we were going, my back hit the wall again, this time there was sharp pain as my shoulder hit an object I am guessing a lamp or something. I have no idea what.

My hands started working at taking off Trent's blazer, his tie, his shirt. He somehow slipped out of his shoes, at that I realize that mines were no longer on. My hands worked on unbuttoning his pants while his worked at taking off my dress. He slipped out of his pants, his socks and underwear went along with them. He tried to get me out of my dress but somehow couldn't find the right way to do it. For a second he stopped and looked at it and then just slipped it out of my head.

At that second I couldn't help but to notice how beautiful he was. His hair was tousled and his jaw was already bruising, but he was just stunning. His body was lean and muscular. Lightly golden. He looked like he belong in a painting, or in another world altogether. And of course he did.

After that the kisses didn't stop, he trailed down my neck, my collar bone. His skin hot against mines. We barely made it to the bed, crashing unidentified objects along the way.

We lost ourselves in our skin, in our pleasure; bruising ourselves along the way. We were one.

To be continued….