Hi guys, I am back. This is Chapter 5. The characters belong of course to the brilliant Kim Harrison. Thank you so very much for all your reviews. I appreciate it a ton!

So I was on the train the other day and was totally bored on an extremely long ride. So I started browsing through my ipod and looking at songs that went with my Rachel and Trent storyline. I got some kick ass songs so at the end of the chapter I wrote the songs that go with it. Thanks for reading : )

There was warmth wrapped around me and a scent of leaves in the air. The warmth felt extremely good and the smell was delightful. I was laying on my back in a very comfortable bed, there was a light weight around my waist. I opened my eyes. I took in my surroundings, Trent laying facedown next to me completely nude, his body as perfect as a statue. His arm draped over my stomach, his face inches from mines. I could see some scratches on his back and instantly I knew that my nails had been the weapon.

I was always curious as to what laid beneath Trent's conservative suits; always pictured him in maybe a swimming trunk or less. But the real thing was way beyond me. His body was lean like an athlete, every muscle, every sinew so well defined he could've been carved out by Michelangelo himself. I studied him sleeping, his face peaceful in deep sleep. I have to admit he was beautiful, as beautiful as a fallen angel should be.

Looking at him was such a distraction that it took me some time to look away and to recap on what had happened just a few hours ago. It took me some damn time to even realize that I had slept with Trent. Yeah I could see him laying next to me all glorious in his nudity, but Crap on Toast, I really slept with him. I have no idea why I would sleep with him I sure as hell wasn't thinking, I give you that much. I mean Trent of all people, this guy who I have seen murdering, and who put my dumb ass to fight in the underground world of rat fights (Yeah doesn't sound scary, but try being trapped as a mink and having to battle killer rats till death, not easy let me tell you, not easy at all). Good god, my hormones must have gotten the better of me.

But now that my hormones were sated I realized how much more I complicated my already complicated life was about to be. Somehow Trent sensed that I was awake and soon his green eyes opened. His eyes were a color that I've never seen before him. Not one hint of blue in those greens.

"Morning". His voice was a whisper and rough from sleep.

"Morning." I repeated. I didn't know what else to say. He stared into my eyes as if trying to uncover every thought that has ever run through my head. The intensity in his stare made me look away.

"I…Can I use your shower?" I felt like I needed to escape from last night and from him. Don't get me wrong. Last night was great. But I think it shouldn't have happened. He hates me. I don't know what overcame him yesterday, or what overcame me but it's really clear today in my head that he hates me and probably always will.

"Yes." My hands reached for his arm on my stomach but before I could remove his arm he tightened it around me, closing whatever little distance there was between us.

"Stay?" He said and kissed my lips.

He acted like he actually wanted me around him. A little voice inside my head was saying that maybe he didn't hate me at all, that maybe this was the beginning of something but the stronger voice said that he probably wants me to do something for him. Something that would risk my life. Perhaps he was using me. He's used so many people before, all to his advantage.

"No, I can't…I have to go. Ivy and Jenks are probably wondering where I am." I said as I stood up, and took the blanket with me. He's seen me naked, but I am definitely going to try to keep that from repeating. We might have had kick ass sex, but I am going to avoid sleeping with him a second time.

I wrap the blanket around me, and left the room. I found my dress soon after on the parlor. It was on the floor, like a forgotten pile of silk. That wasn't the only thing on the floor. Trent's clothes were all over the room. There was a lamp broken on the floor, and some other decorations that were now only broken glass. Crap on toast we trashed the place.

Carefully I made my way to the bathroom. I relieved myself, brush my teeth and then took a long shower. I scrubbed myself raw, trying to rid myself of Trent's scent. When I felt satisfied I got out of the shower , dried myself and put the dress back on.

I sat on the toilet seat. I really didn't want to face Trent at the moment or the world for that matter. I was going to try to keep this hidden from Ivy and Jenks but if they found out, well let's just say things weren't going to get very pretty. I paced back and forth across the large bathroom. I looked at myself in the mirror. I was glowing; I smiled at myself and then quickly tried to wipe the smile from my face and mind. As fun as last night was it definitely shouldn't happen again. Ever.

When I emerged from the bathroom Trent was sitting on the sofa, with my shoes in his hands. Thankfully he had put on some pants. He was still a distraction but for the most I could focus on getting out of here.

"That was a very long shower. I was beginning to think you left." He smiled then. A breathtaking smile.

"I am leaving but with my shoes." I walked over to where he was sitting and when to grab the shoes out of his hands. But he wouldn't let them go.

"They are very pretty aren't they? I can leave lend them to you if your into cross dressing."

"Room service brought them in earlier this morning; Seems like you left them in the hallway yesterday." He had this cocky look on his face that I just felt like wiping off.

"I was distracted."

"Obviously."

"I am leaving now." I took the shoes from his hands and slipped them on my feet.

"So you said." HE grabbed my wrist and pulled me to him. I put my knee between his knees, to stop myself from falling completely on him.

"Damn you elf." My face was just inches from his. Teasing him. Two can play this game. Maybe he was trying to use me. Maybe he wasn't. But if he was I sure as hell can use him too. I don't know for what but I'll think about it.

"Witch." He leaned in and kissed me, just a brush of his lips against mines. As light as a butterflies touch. He leaned in for a second kiss pulling my lower lip between his. I was not going to succumb. I managed to step away from him and walked towards the door. I walked out without looking back. He was too much of a temptation to look back.

I made my way outside to the parking lot. I found my car and made my way home. Thinking about Trent the whole way. What a tangled web we weave.

****

I opened the door to my church to be greeted by loud pixie kids playing with Rex, the cat. I could hear one of Jenks kids yell "Ms. Morgan's home!" Thanks to everything holy Jenks came into view and ordered his kids back to the drawer. The small pixie made a fierce dad.

"Rache' where have you been?" He said flying into my view. As he got closer I could see his little nose wrinkle. "And why do you smell like Trent?"

"Um…-" Crap I should have realized that the dress still smelled like Trent. I was going to have to get it dry cleaned as soon as possible. Like right now.

"Rachel, what happened?" His little face was pinched with worry.

"Well…I…Um…-"

That was enough to say. He realized what had happed.

"Tink's titties Rache, you and the elf?" That got him on a roll. He wasn't angry , oh no, he was laughing too hard to be angry.

I went to the kitchen and started making coffee. I sat on a stool while the coffee got ready. Jenks was soon there. I would not be able to escape his teasing and his comments for a long time.

"Was he hard?" When it came to sexual comments Jenks knew no limits.

"Jenks!" I could feel my face turning red.

"Aw, come on Rache! Give me some details. How did you get him hot and bothered, I personally thought nobody could do that." At that he released another laugh.

I went and grabbed my mug of coffee and buried my face in it. I was not about to discuss last night with Jenks, that would give him reason to tease me for the rest of my life.

"One thing is for sure Rache" He said between his laughter "Ivy will castrate him if she found out."

I could hear the truth in his words. " I know." Now I was scared for Trent of all people. "Where is she, by the way?"

"She hasn't returned yet. I guess your not the only one that got lucky last night."

"Jenks…You can't tell her, she'll-"

"I know. But Tink's dildo, Rache, Trent? Damn. Maybe he'll stop trying to kill you now that he's getting some. "

I got finished my coffee and made my to my room. Jenks was still laughing.

****

Thanksgiving this year seemed to be perfect. No flaw to this day. The leaves were orange and still falling from the trees. And the weather was cold, but the cold made it all the more incredible to be warm among friends and family. We were al gathered at Keasley's house. When I said all I meant all. Ceri, Keasley, Jenks and his complete family, Ivy, Mom, Takata, even Marshall, who had been invited by my mom, the matchmaker. The vibe in the air was just refreshing. There were no grudges, no lies, just everybody having a nice time. I was helping Ceri prepare the dinner for tonight. We'll she was preparing dinner, I was more like watching and passing her things. Keasley and the rest were sitting out on the back porch making jokes, their laughter loud and contagious. It was a great day in all. What thanksgiving should be like, among family and friends.

The doorbell rang; I could hear Quen's voice greeting everybody. I could hear other voices too.

"Rachel can I leave you for a second." I look up to see her with a glowing face. Her stomach was huge now, she was due anytime soon.

"Sure." I grabbed an apple from the fridge and went to on one of the tall stools that surrounded the counter. Elbows leaning on the small square table. I took a bit of the apple.

Marshall walked in with a smile on his face. I remember meeting him on that crazy run. The nice hairless swimmer that got us across to the were's territories. Well he was hairless then, now his hair had grown back. He was very handsome and extremely nice. And a witch.

"Want some help?" He on the counter across from me.

I smiled at him. "Well,- not really, Ceri's doing all the work, I am just kinda watching and handing her things."

He laughed. His laughter was like a soft thunder. But it didn't remind me of the rain. It just reminded me of nature and safety. "So… I was wondering, if maybe you'd like to do something next week?"

"What do you have in mind?"

"Maybe a movie, or- you know what? Maybe the zoo...Or maybe we can do both." He looked like he was getting a bit tied tongue. Marshall was a very nice guy. There was absolutely nothing wrong with him. And he did have a face that was good for the eyes, and not to mention that killer swimmer's body. But he didn't have that dangerous streak that I was so gravely attracted to.

"Yeah, I think they both sound good." I smiled at him.

Just then Quen walked in the kitchen holding hands with Ceri. They looked so incredibly happy together.

"Quen you're here!" There was a person behind them, well behind Quen really. I couldn't see who it was.

"Yup, wouldn't miss it-" Quen moved a bit and exposed the person behind him. Trent. "-For the world."

I couldn't believe he brought Trent along. This was going to be a hell of an awkward situation. It has been about two weeks since we slept together. He didn't call me or anything like that but there were some roses sent at my church. The card said "And kisses are a better fate than wisdom." Pretty cryptic, but the only person I've…kissed lately is Trent so I am pretty sure they were from him. So basically I've been avoiding him like a plague.

Trent walked into the kitchen like he didn't know why he had come. And I couldn't agree more. I mean I knew that the guy barely had family but come on, he didn't need them. Or at least he acted like he didn't need them. But as soon as his eyes fell on Marshall all that changed, his relaxed business man persona slipped in. If I didn't know him any better I'd say he was at ease. But I knew better, I could read the small tightness in his eyes and lips.

And I guess that when my eyes fell upon Trent I froze. Quen misinterpreted me and thought that perhaps I was scared of what Trent was going to do.

"He's going to behave today." Quen said. I smiled, at the knowledge that only Trent, Jenks and I knew. The smile seemed to reassure Quen somehow. "Hi." That was directed towards Marshall.

"Oh sorry. Quen this is Marshall, Marshall- Quen and Trent." Marshall and Quen shook hands. Marshall and Trent did not shake hands. Trent just said a quiet "Hello" to Marshall.

He looked at me and our eyes locked. A slow and wicked smile spread across his lips. I contained the smile that was going to spread over my lips and raised my eyebrow at him instead. There was amusement glistening in his eyes and the tightness was no longer there. It seemed like now he knew why he had come. I knew too; to annoy me. Well what the hell. Let's see who annoys who.

Our secret exchange didn't go unnoticed. Maybe we were staring at one another for longer than we thought. I think I heard Quen clear his throat. I returned to my forgotten apple and took another bite.

Ceri moved back towards her cooking, putting seasoning here and there, adding the last touches to the dinner. Quen surprisingly started to help her. They looked so happy together, their eyes shined when they met. I have to say that I envy them. I don't think I could ever fall in love so deeply. And looking at them now makes me grief inside because I feel that I could never have that.

The sound of a stool slide across the floor jerked me from my thoughts. I looked up to see Trent sitting next to me. His elbows on the table and his chin in his palms.

"So what do you think about next Friday?" Marshall's voice reminded me that he was there right in front of me. With all the commotion inside my head I forgot he was there. I knew he was there but I wasn't thinking about him.

"Yeah, sure- we can meet at my place and then go."

"Okay then it's a date." I cringed inside at the word date with Trent right next to me. I felt him, more than saw him shift a little on his stool. "I am going to go listen to some of your mom's stories." With that he left the kitchen.

I felt slight warmth trailing across between the waistband of my jeans and the hem of my shirt. I looked down to find Trent's fingers trailing across my lower back. I looked up to his face a saw the same smile he had given me earlier. The smile that spoke wonders about our night together. My hand reached out to slap his hand away from my skin. Instead Trent caught my hand and held on to it. Under the counter table he held my hand tight against his. He pulled me a bit to him, our faces inches from one another. He whispered in my ear.

"Who's the idiot?" His breath sent chills down my spine. I rather die than let him know that. I took a bite of my apple and chewed very slowly. He looked at me with annoyance and I was glad I was annoying him. It's really becoming one of my favorite hobbies.

He took the apple from my hand and took a huge bite. "Hey! Get your own!" I reached out to take it away from him.

But at my voice Ceri and Quen turned at looked at us. They had an extremely confused look on their faces. When Quen turned his first instinct was to protect Trent, but there was nothing to protect him from. Well they probably both expected a bigger deal that what it appeared. Trent and I bickering over an apple.

Trent had a smug smile on his face when I couldn't take the apple from him. "Quen tell Trent to give me back my apple."

"Um…Trent? I am pretty sure that apple wasn't yours" I could tell Ceri was having a hard time trying to hold her laughter inside.

"It wasn't his. IT's mines." I helpfully added in.

"IT's mines now." He said taking another large bite. I felt like I was in grade school and being bullied. I got up from my stool glared at Trent. I started walking out of the kitchen but before I left I grabbed a grape from the fruit basket Ceri had made and threw at Trent. It hit him square in the head. I could hear Ceri laughing.

At the diner table Trent sat next to me again. Everybody ate and talked. We had an on going conversation. And for sometime Trent was very quiet, I even forgot he was next to me. After eating I sat back on the chair and realized that Trent was staring at me. Everybody else was wrapped up in the conversation to notice. He took my hand which was in my lap and slowly caressed my fingers. His fingers left both chills and fires through mines, which then traveled through the rest of my body. I doubt he had any idea how he was affecting me because his eyes held a question that his voice asked a few seconds later.

"Is that okay?" He asked low enough for only me to hear.

"Yeah."

"…Rachel. " At the sound of my name I quickly snatched my hand out of Trent's.

"What?" I asked the speaker who I was pretty sure was Jenks. IT was Jenks. He had flown over to the table spot between Trent and me.

"Tink's titties, the two of you are disturbing. Cut it out or someone's bound to notice." I felt like drowning the pixie in juice.

"Gee, Thanks, Jenks. " I rolled my eyes at him.

"I'll be back." I announce to everybody. I made my way to the bathroom.

After I got out, instead of heading back to everybody I headed outside. I stood on the side of the house, hidden from plain view breathing in the cool November air. I began thinking about today. Today had been a great day and despite Trent being here it still was. I've been avoiding him for weeks, but I am surprisingly happy to see him despite his annoying tactics.

As if summoned by my thoughts he soon appeared at my side. I did not look at him, but I knew it was him because the wind carried his scent towards me.

"Not that it's any of my business; but what're you doing out here?" I asked him.

"Getting some fresh air." He simply said. I looked at him and saw that his eyes were observing the horizon. Or rather his eyes were pointing there but he appeared to be thinking of something else. And very far away. With him distracted I kept on staring at him. And a slow smile spread over my lips. He was a view. It was dark out here but the moon casted a silver shade to his features. He fitted the description of the elves and fey in the stories written a long time ago for children. Suddenly Trent looked at me and caught me staring in awe at him and I quickly looked away. Great, like he needed a bigger head.

He grabbed my face with both hands, firm but gentle this time and made me face him. He stared into my eyes. And his lips came down on mines. It was a lot like the last time, but it was also so different. I don't know which one I liked better. The night we slept together he had been rough, and wild, and just- it was just burning passion. This kiss today was firm and demanding and the passion was there but there was softness, gentleness that I never thought Trent could have. He was making me feel…like maybe I meant something to him. The kiss ended and his arms wrapped around my body, I could feel his hands shaking a bit. He hugged me tight. I did not know what to do, and then I hesitantly brought my arms around him too. And at that he squeezed a little bit tighter. His hands no longer shaking.

In the month that followed Trent and I had many many…meetings. All secret touches and caresses. We would sometimes bump into each other in public and if we passed by each other we would give each other touches so small that nobody would see. A caressing of fingertips that would send chills down my spine, quick kisses that would only take a second. We basically couldn't keep our hands off each other. We had some silent agreement that no one must ever know and that we couldn't seriously fall for each other. Ever. But as fate plays us, there were some days that I was hard imagining life without him, there were times I would decide to end this, but as soon as I saw his face, and I had him laying next to me that would change. There were times I felt strange things inside me. And there were times were I would catch him staring at me intensely with a look in his eyes that deep inside made me grief. Because deep inside us both knew it could never be.

It doesn't end here of course. So you know the drill…to be continued….

****

Anyways there was a quote I used that said" kisses are a better fate than wisdom" that was written by E.E. Cummings in "Since feeling is first"

Okay so I was saying in the beginning about the songs that go with the chapter, here they are.

Chapter 5 Soundtrack:

1. After Tonight- Justin Nozuka

2. Amazed- Poe

3. Believe-The Bravery

4. Coffee shop- Landon Pigg

5. Currents- Confessional Dashboard

6. Disintergreation- Jimmy eats world

7. Fall for you- Secondhand Serenade

8. How my heart Behaves- Feist

9. Just Hold me- Maria Mena

10. The secret's in Telling- Confessional Dashboard

11. Vulnerable- Secondhand Serenade