A knock on the door jolted Parker awake. She wasn't sure how long she had been dozing on the couch, but the previous Twilight Zone episode had been replaced by another of her favorites – To Serve Man – and an extra-large alien was on the screen speaking to the United Nations. Parker felt drool drying on her cheek.

She heard another knock on the door, this one slightly louder than the first.

Parker groaned and pulled herself off the couch. She rubbed the dried drool off her cheek as she trudged to the door. She disengaged the various locks and swung the door open to see an undeniably perfect specimen of a man standing in the hall.

Parker frowned. Damn Jessica. She hadn't been exaggerating in that over-the-top fictional author way of hers. He was in fact gorgeous.

The two stood looking at each other – Parker frowning, Win calm and at ease, his face a placid pool.

"You really should ask who it is before opening the door, especially when someone may be out to kill you."

Parker's frown intensified and she considered slamming the door in his perfect face.

"I'm not in the mood."

They stared at each other in silence a moment longer, then Parker turned to head back into the suite, leaving the door open behind her. She heard him follow her in and close and lock the door.

Parker went into the bathroom that connected to her bedroom to freshen up. When she caught her reflection in the mirror she almost laughed. Her ponytail had loosened and strands of hair stuck out chaotically on her head. She had an indentation across her cheek from the couch cushion she had rested her cheek against.

"Nice, Parker. Real nice," she said to her reflection as she shook her hair out of the ponytail and ran a brush through it. Unfortunately there was nothing she could do about the crease on her cheek. She flipped off the light and made her way back into the suite's living room.

The man was sitting on one end of the couch, legs crossed, his hands folded in his lap, watching the Twilight Zone episode she had left on. A man and a woman were on the screen discussing a book given to them by the visiting aliens.

He pointed at the television. "This is a good one."

"I agree. It's on my top 5."

"The other four are?"

Parker sat in a chair at the other end of the couch, watching him closely. His eyes did not leave the television screen, but she still felt as though he were examining her.

"Top two – Time Enough at Last and A Stop at Willoughby. The two after that – The After Hours and The Obsolete Man."

"Fan of Burgess Meredith?"

"Yes. He was also my favorite Batman villain."

Now Win turned his gaze to her, a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth, an eyebrow raised. He said nothing.

Parker held his gaze, leaned back in her chair and folded her arms across her chest. "I already know that your favorite Batman villain is Catwoman."

He laughed and asked, "How do you know that?"

"You're a man."

"You will receive no denial from me," his smile now full-fledged. "Name the best actresses to play her, in order."

"Including film?"

"Yes."

"Starting at the top – Julie Newmar."

His smile remained and he nodded in agreement.

"Second would be…"

He raised a hand and cut her off. "No need to go on."

"Why?"

"After Julie Newmar, does it really matter?"

Parker rolled her eyes.

He turned his attention back to the television and they watched the last ten minutes of the episode in a not-uncomfortable silence. When the final credits had ended and one of those reality Ghostbusters shows started, Win reached for the remote and flicked off the picture.

He leaned back into the couch, his legs still crossed, his hands clasped back together in his lap. He looked as comfortable as if he owned the place. His face gave away nothing and he continued staring forward in the direction of the now black television.

"What did Jessica tell you about me?" he asked.

"Very little." Parker decided he did not need to know that Jessica had given her forewarning about his good looks. "She only told me to expect you. She didn't even give me your name."

"Win."

"Your name is Win?" Parker smirked.

Win said nothing and continued staring forward.

"As in the opposite of lose?"

He liked that and turned to grin at her.

"Is Win short for something?"

He did not lose the grin when he said, "There is nothing short about me, sweetheart."

She couldn't help but laugh. She had, after all, set him up perfectly for that one.

"It is short for Windsor."

"Like the Duke?"

He tilted his head to the side in thought. "Or the castle."

"So, you are the Duke that never loses?"

"That could be my Indian name, you know, like Dances with Wolves."

"Yeah, or something." She gave him a look. "What is your full name?"

"Windsor Horne Lockwood the third."

"What a mouthful."

"I am indeed." He wiggled his eyebrows at her.

"Can't help yourself, can you?"

"Why wouldn't I take advantage when you've set me up so nicely?"

She went to the mini bar and opened a bottle of water. Leaning back against the counter she took a sip and asked, "What's the plan?"

Win steepled his fingers and bounced the steeple against his lips.

"I don't have a plan just yet. I have put some feelers out to connections of mine to see what you are really dealing with."

"Shouldn't you just ask me what I'm dealing with?"

He dropped his hands back into his lap. "Do you know what you're dealing with?"

"I'm dealing with severely pissed off well-connected people."

"I am well-connected."

"And that's going to help me?"

"Yes."

"Why? Why did you say yes when Jessica asked you to help a complete stranger?"

"She meant a great deal to my friend for a very long time."

"So, you're doing your friend a favor?"

He shook his head. "Not exactly, no. I am doing this out of curiosity. And to relieve boredom."

Parker was incredulous. "You've come here to help me because you're bored?"

He shrugged, unfazed by the look she gave him.

Parker turned to set her water bottle back down on the counter, then slowly turned back to face the room, her eyes on the floor. He noticed her breathing had become shallow and she was chewing on her bottom lip.

"Problem?"

Her gaze remained fixed on the carpet. She shook her head slowly. "No."

She raised her head to look at him. Something akin to fear played in her eyes.

He said nothing.

Her voice was quiet, "I'm going to bed. I assume you'll be able to look after yourself."

He watched her walk to the bedroom, her gait stiff as though she was bracing herself for an attack from behind. Before she could close the door he said, "I am very good at this sort of thing."

She turned to look at him, unsure of what to say.

He continued, "My friend and I have a habit of doing this sort of thing."

"And what sort of thing would that be?"

"Saving people. My friend is probably a bit better at it than I."

"Then why didn't Jessica call your friend?"

"I am pretty certain Jessica hasn't spoken to Myron since she married."

"Myron? You're Myron Bolitar's friend?"

"I hate stating the obvious, but I take it you know him."

"I met him a few times when they were dating. I know my cousin is hot and all, but I always thought Myron could do better."

Win raised an eyebrow.

"Jessica and I are not close."

"And yet she is concerned about your well-being."

"Only out of guilt."

"If I was Dr. Phil I would ask you to continue, but I don't really care to hear about your family drama."

Parker crossed her arms over her chest. "Good, because I don't much care to talk about it."

They stared at each other, Parker frowning again, Win still completely at ease.

"I'll be okay without you."

"I am sure you will."

"Yet you're going to stay?"

"Yes."

"Why? Oh wait." She snapped her fingers. "That's right. Because you're bored."

"That is correct."

Parker felt like throwing something at him. Instead she clinched her hands into fists at her side.

"You're awfully cranky. Is it past your bedtime?" Win asked with a lilt in his voice.

Parker turned and slammed the bedroom door shut behind her.