AN: So yeah, it's been a while since I've updated this, huh. Well, I hope you like this update. Things are getting saucy.
Disclaimer: Bioware owns everything within this story. I only own this twisted version of canon.
Anais found him leaning against the fire escape railing. His shirt was soaked through with rain. "You idiot. You were so intent on getting away from me you forgot your fucking coat." She slapped his arm.
Thom sucked air through his teeth, his dark hair falling in his eyes where it was wet. "This was a bad idea. Remind me again how you talked me into staying."
She touched his arm where she had hit him, moving closer despite the chill in the air. "I was afraid you were gonna leave, Rainier. Fucking ass." Anais punctuated her words with a bump of her elbow against his.
Anais wasn't looking at him; instead, her gaze was focused on the street below where the street lights reflected off the wet concrete. "You know, I'm not forcing you to stay."
"I know." Thom's voice was husky, and he couldn't help but turn his head slightly away from the dwarf. "Can't force me to do anything."
"Got that right." Anais blinked. She was starting to become soaked as well. "How about we go back inside. I've had enough rain tonight anyway." She took his hand, cold and wet.
"Take your shirt off."
"What?"
"I can pop it in the dryer so you won't be freezing."
"And in the meantime what can i wear?" Anais forked over the blanket. Thom draped it around himself without another word.
"I suppose you want me to give you my pants too?" He took off his wet socks; he didn't think to put shoes on when he left the room.
"I think you'll be fine with those." Cadash shivered and made a face. "Would you mind terribly sharing the blanket or are you going to try to get sick again because I'm too close?"
Thom hesitated before shifting, so there was a perfect spot on his lap for her to sit.
Anais pulled her wet dress off over her head, revealing a tank top and a pair of short panties. "Don't get any ideas, Rainier."
"I wouldn't dream of it." He wrapped his arms around her as soon as she got settled on his lap. Anais' had her legs splayed on either side of him, neatly pressing her chest against his.
"Comfortable?" He asked, teasing, as she draped her arms around his bare shoulders under the blanket.
"Very." She gave him a grin, her hand touching his chest. "I never noticed this scar right here." It was a long one that looped up his collarbone and back down, ending just short of his hips. "Looks like a knife wound."
"And you're the expert on those, right?" Thom said it softly, wishing her hand wasn't tracing the scar so close to his belt, more so to distract himself than anything else.
"Maybe." Anais leaned back far enough that Rainier caught her before she hit the coffee table, hand warming up against three small of her back.
"Nearly spilled the coffee." Thom remarked, letting the smallest of smiles cross his face.
"Its probably cold by now." She looked up at him, hand still on his stomach where the scar was almost obscured by coarse black hair. "You seem better anyway."
His muscles twitched under her probing fingertips, heat already pooling in the pit of his stomach. "Ticklish?" Anais whispered, looking up at him.
"No. Don't even try it." Thom was forceful, Anais' hand at his belt hesitating.
Stannard made sure she was alone in the office, blinds closed, door locked; before she opened the letter. It was written with red ink on black paper. Fancy enough, but impractical. She thought it was a waste, but it seemed something Erimond would do. Even though this wasn't his handwriting, but still she recognized it. Scanning the words in silence, Meredith sighed, putting the letter down. "Of course it would have come down to this." She muttered to herself, irritated it had come this far. Stannard picked up her phone, dialing a number she knew she shouldn't know, the buttons familiar under her fingers. "Yes, hello. Direct the call to Dr. Fius, please."
A rumble of a voice at the other end cut through her worry like a hot knife through butter, the way he said her name the same it always had been; deeply erotic. "Meredith. To what do I owe the pleasure?"
"You sent this letter."
"So quick to accuse. Not even a hello from a dear friend." There was a low chuckle on the other end of the line, one Meredith felt reverberate through her. "I see Livius is trustworthy then. More than Samuel."
"I didn't know you had gotten your claws into the precinct." Stannard narrowed her eyes, staring at the envelope.
"My claws are the least of your worries, my dear." She shuddered, crossing her legs. "But, I digress; how is the boy? You've been training him up well, I suppose."
"How do you know this?" The commissioner put her free hand to the receiver, holding it tight.
"You should do well to recall keeping an eye on who Cullen speaks to."
"Cory, he still believes Orsino is his father. I can't spring this news on him out of the blue."
"Good. The less he knows the better."
Meredith pressed her lips together tightly. "And what of Riley?"
"He's been prepared to take the fall the entire time, my dear. I've already considered his replacement. You must already know her. Calpernia Tevintan."
"The nurse from the methadone clinic. We interviewed her in relation to Janeka's death."
"She's one of mine, Meredith. In a way, she reminds me of you." His voice grew lower, more coarse and the sound of his breathing picked up. "So eager to please."
She made a sound of disgust and slammed down the receiver, hanging up on him.
"Mother?" Cullen stuck his head in the doorway. "Can I have a word with you?"
Stannard rubbed at her tired eyes, gesturing to the chair in front of her desk.
"Its about Erimond." He took a seat, shifting awkwardly as Meredith turned to look at him.
"His intentions seem less than honorable, and I don't want you to get hurt."
"Cullen. I have no interest in pursuing a relationship with Livius Erimond of all people. This. This was a fluke."