A/N: Thanks to Niffer01 and guardian music angel for their reviews of the last chapter.

Here's something with a bit more, uh, action than the last; and also a lot more words. Sorry about the wait.

Review and Enjoy!

Talia was late for class, and it was most definitely Reid's fault.

She had been having the most delicious dream, where he'd been kissing her slowly, so slowly, from head to foot, focusing on some of her more intimate places that she'd only ever shared with him. But it hadn't mattered how hard she'd begged, he had left her hanging on the edge, never pushing her over into her climax. I suppose it's impossible to come in your dreams, mores the pity.

Then she'd woken, drenched in sweat and painfully aroused, her pussy throbbing, to find it was only a dream. Then she'd looked at the clock.

She had less than ten minutes before class started.

She briefly considered throwing on her uniform and going to class as she was, but one look at her sweat-slicked hair and skin, and she knew she had to take a shower, making herself even more late.

As she was gathering her things, planning to go to class straight from the showers, she wondered why her alarm hadn't woken her. Then she remember Reid throwing the cheap plastic thing across her room when it had gone off on Saturday morning as she had been riding him slowly, seconds away from making them both explode. If I get detention, I'll castrate him. Then remembering the pleasure he'd brought her before she had gone back to the motel that morning, she decided she might just settle for tying him to a bed for a couple of days. Weeks.

Dashing into English Lit. fifteen minutes late with her hair still wet and her clothes dishevelled, she found herself the centre of attention for thirty of her fellow students and one extremely pissed-off looking Professor. "Uh, sorry I'm late, my alarm was uh…" She could feel the heat creeping up her face. She never blushed. "It didn't go off."

The Professor sighed, shaking his head. "Take a seat Ms. Sarka, and see me after class." Damn!

She walked passed a smirking Reid, giving him her darkest glare in return. Obviously, he remembered what happened to her alarm. Sitting next to Sarah, she waited until the Professor was focused once again on the lesson before she hissed, "Why the hell didn't you wake me up?"

Sarah gave her an apologetic smile. "I left pretty early this morning, you still had another ten minutes 'till your alarm was due. Sorry."

Talia grumbled, "It's not your fault."

Sarah followed her glare to the back of Reid's head and grinned.

"I accept this was an isolated incident, and I've never had tardiness problems with you before, but this cannot become a regular thing, understand?" the Professor warned, his eyes steady on hers.

"Yes, Sir," Talia replied, relieved he wasn't on the warpath.

"And next time, if you're going to be late anyway, please take the time to dry your hair. You've dripped all over my floor."

Reid was outside the classroom, waiting for the Professor to release Tal so he could kiss her. Lots.

He hadn't seen her since she left on Saturday morning. She's woken him, telling him that she had arranged to meet up with Jess and that she had to go. He'd been a little disappointed that she couldn't stay, but it hadn't felt like she was bailing, especially when they'd ended up making out for another twenty minutes before she'd finally managed to pull herself away.

He had planned on taking her out on Sunday, but his parents had turned up and insisted that he go with them to visit his Great-Aunt Millicent in Boston. It had been non-negotiable. He had briefly considered inviting her too, just so he wouldn't be alone, but he wouldn't wish his family on his worst enemy, let alone his Talia.

And she really was his Talia. She had agreed to date him exclusively, and for the first time in his life, he was in a real adult relationship. For some reason, the idea didn't terrify Reid as it once did. Maybe he was finally growing up. Won't Caleb be pleased? he thought sarcastically.

He looked up as the door swung open, expecting to see his smiling girlfriend; despite the dark look she had given him earlier. Instead, he got a glare that that made the last one seem positively friendly. "Did he give you detention?" he frowned.

"No," she snapped, "No thanks to you!" she began walking down the hall.

Reid walked briskly after her, pushing through the throng of students crowding the hallways. He grabbed her by the waist and pulled her against the lockers, moulding his body to her sweet curves. He didn't know why she was so pissed at him, but he was fairly certain he hadn't actually done anything wrong this time. Maybe.

"What?" he replied leaning close, his voice low. "You wanted me to tell him that your alarm didn't go off because I smashed it the other morning while I was plunging my hard cock into your sweet, dripping pussy?" He was being deliberately crude, trying to fill her mind with tempting memories. It seemed to be working, her breathing was ragged, and grey eyes were slightly unfocused. She unconsciously licked her lips, and a slow smile spread across his face. "If this is about the alarm clock, I'll by you a new one. A shockproof one, for next time," he grinned playfully.

Her eyes narrowed, focusing. "It's not about the stupid clock. I had this dream and that's why I'm late and it's your fault," she said, sounding slightly more rational than before.

"A dream? What about?" he asked, curious as to why her dreams would be his fault. Her cheeks flushed and her eyes wouldn't meet his as she answered with silence. Understanding washed through him, followed by a feeling of purely male satisfaction. "Your dream was about me, wasn't it?"

She nodded, still avoiding eye contact.

"What did I do to you?" he asked, his voice going husky with lust. He didn't think she'd actually answer, he was expecting her to snap at him again, ever the firecracker.

But her big eyes suddenly met his, and she started to speak in a voice low enough that despite the packed hallway, only he could hear her. "You were kissing me. Everywhere," she added, her eyes flashing. "But you wouldn't let me…y'know. Come." She whispered the last, so quietly that he almost didn't hear. "Then the alarm didn't go off because you smashed it and I had to shower because I was all sweaty…"

He liked the idea of her glistening with sweat, preferably moaning under him. Or on top. Or in front, on her hands and knees. Or against the wall. Reid felt himself growing hard, and not wanting to embarrass himself in public, he focused on what she was saying. "…then I was late for class and you were just sitting there, with that damn sexy , I mean stupid, smirk on your face," she finished, nodded, seemingly pleased with her accusation.

He just smiled. "Are you sure that's why you're angry with me?" She gave him a confused look. "Are you sure that it's not because you wish your dreams last night were a reality?" he leaned in close, whispering in her ear. "Because they can be, all you have to do is ask."

She gasped, but before she could say anything, the second bell rang, and on schedule, the school erupted into chaos. Knowing that they wouldn't see each other for the next couple classes, he decided to leave her with something more to think about.

Burying one hand into her still-damp hair, he wrapped the other around her waist pulling her closer and kissing her. It wasn't sweet and soft, but passionate and claiming, full of promise. He wanted to make it absolutely clear to the few people that hadn't seen them together at the Dells that she was his.

He didn't know where this possessive streak had come from, but Talia certainly didn't seem to mind, as after a brief shocked moment, she began kissing him back with just as much fervour and need. He figured, due to the gasps of passing students, it would be long 'till the whole school got the message.

When they parted, flushed and slightly breathless, she grinned at him wickedly, all shyness gone. "Later," she promised, then disappeared in the throng of rushing students.

Reid stood still for a moment, willing his rock hard erection to go away, but it wasn't working. All he could think of was her. Desperately, he pulled out his 'get out of a hard-on free' card and started thinking about the day before, having tea-and-biscuits with his snobbish Great-Aunt. The effect was instantaneous, but unfortunately already too late.

It was his turn to be late for class. Payback's a bitch.

Reid and Talia walked up to the slope where the rest of the group were waiting, fingers intertwined but not actually holding hands.

It was an unseasonably warm sunny day, and although it was still a little chilly for a picnic, Sarah had declared they were going to have one anyway. So Tal had called Jess and asked her to pick up some nice things from a deli in town and meet them in the rolling fields near the school grounds. Everyone else was already there, lateness seeming to be the theme that day for the two of them, not that Tal minded. Reid had pulled her into and empty classroom and kissed her silly for ten minutes before they finally made there way here.

If anyone was surprised to see them so close, no one showed it, instead Jess simply handed them a couple bottles of diet coke as they sat down, completing the rough circle around the bags of food. Tal immediately began to make up a sandwich, and Reid chuckled at her enthusiasm.

"Where's Alex?" Jess asked, turning to Sarah.

"I asked her, but she said she was skipping lunch to study in the library. You don't think she's avoiding us, do you?" Sarah frowned with worry. Pogue looked a little worried too, but only Tal and Jess knew why.

"Nah, her cousin was visiting from Boston, I think she just got behind on homework," Tal supplied, having already spoken to her new friend when she bumped into her earlier.

"Oh, good," Sarah sighed; obviously happy she hadn't alienated Alex.

There was silence as they settled down to eat. Tal looked around at the group, savouring the moment, knowing that it wouldn't be long until everything came crashing down, one way or the other.

Caleb and Sarah were sitting close, whispering and touching, always the sweet couple. Jess was sitting next to Baby Boy, although there were a couple feet between them. They kept looking at each other when they thought the other wasn't looking, and blushed on the occasions their eyes would meet. Talia had never seen her friend like this before, she obviously really liked Tyler, and as much as she was pleased for Jess, she was worried what it might mean in the long run. The heartbreak that was just over the horizon. The same worries she had for herself and Reid, she had to admit.

Pogue seem more relaxed than before, and the pained look that used to pass over his face when he saw Caleb and Sarah being all couple-y in the past was gone. He seemed…content, and Tal was willing to bet that Alex had something to do with it, whatever the nature of their relationship was.

As for her and Reid, they, by nature, would never be like Caleb and Sarah, always touching, always reassuring; but Reid seemed to understand Talia's need for contact, and perhaps he felt the same desire. While they weren't sitting as close as Caleb and Sarah were, the knee of Reid's crossed legs was touching the thigh of her outstretched ones; that small, clothing-covered contact enough for the both of them.

After eating, they talked idly for a while until Sarah suddenly blurted out, "Oh, damn! I almost forgot, I need to get a dress for that Gala thing your mom invited me to! I meant to go this weekend!"

"It's okay baby, I'll drive you into town after school if you want," Caleb reassured her, taking her hand. She smiled back gratefully. Apparently her car had give up the ghost over the weekend.

"Fuck, that's this weekend?" Pogue exclaimed. The other guys nodded sullenly. Whatever this Gala was, they obviously weren't looking forward to it.

"Your coming, right? I mean, know we're dating and all, so you have to be my date." Reid asked her hopefully. At the word 'dating' Caleb began to choke on his soda, for once not the picture of perfection as some of it came gushing out his nose.

Ignoring Caleb's drama, Talia looked a Reid suspiciously. "What exactly am I agreeing to here? And why are you all acting like it's the end of the world?"

"You're agreeing to be my date to a Gala. You'll have to wear a dress," he eyes twinkled at the thought. "Sarah can help you figure out what kind. As for the Gala…" he trailed off.

Pogue picked up, "It's this annual thing, a sort of big, posh house party where the snobbish elite of Ipswich mingle and gossip. Unlucky for us, that includes our parents. This year Caleb's mom is hosting."

"Well if it's that bad, of course I'll come, I can't leave you all to face such and awful fate alone!" Talia replied dramatically, then frowned, "Do I have to wear a dress?" Reid nodded, seemingly sympathetic, but she could tell by his sparkling blue eyes that he was looking forward to it.

Deciding to play with him a little as punishment, she smiled sweetly at him and asked, "How do you want me?"

He swallowed thickly. His voice not-quite-even, he asked, "Pardon?"

She looked at him innocently, "My dress, silly. Do you want me to wear something sweet, something me, or something badass so I'll piss of your parents?"

Although he seemed to be tempted by the idea of badass, he shrugged, "You."

She smiled genuinely at him, pleased that he preferred her as she was, even when there was an opportunity to piss of his parents.

"I'm going to ask Alex," Pogue suddenly said, a thoughtful look on his face. "Just as a friend," he added at Sarah's hopeful look.

"I didn't know you two were that close," Reid asked. Obviously, Pogue wasn't one to kiss and tell, as the others were looking surprised as well.

Pogue just shrugged, "We're friends," he said casually.

"Oh! You should ask her as a date though, you two would be perfect together!" Sarah sighed, still convinced that Pogue needed help moving on from his ex.

Catching Pogue's eye, Talia wiggled here eyebrows saucily, and he laughed, realising that somehow Talia knew about him and Alex. Jess smiled too, and the others gave them bemused looks, out of the loop.

Sarah just shook her head, seemingly happy for now that Pogue had even decided to ask her at all. She turned to Tyler with an encouraging smile, and a slight tinge off color stained his cheekbones. "I already asked her, okay?" he grumbled, obviously uncomfortable with being the centre of Sarah's matchmaking attention. Jess beamed at him, taking his uninjured hand. He forgot his embarrassment immediately and smiled gratefully back.

"Pogue, if you ask Alex before the end of the day, the four of us can all go shopping together!" Sarah exclaimed happily. Sometimes she was way to cheerful for her own good.

"I'll drive," Tal declared, looking at Sarah with anticipation. Pogue, Reid and Jess all looked very worried at the though.

"What?" Sarah asked, confused. "What?!"

Caleb, his usual sweet self, walked her to the Talia's car, where the other three girls were waiting, all but Jess still in uniform. The idea was that if they left straight away, they could (in theory) get done in time to meet the guys after their swim practise and head to Nicky's for a little R&R. Rock and Roll, Rest and Relaxation, take your pick, Nicky's was both.

Jess was sitting on the hood, chatting to Tyler, who had wisely decided not to accompany the girls. Alex and Tal were leaning against the car, both of them having discarded their blazers and sweaters, regardless of the chilly air. The sleeves of Talia's blouse were rolled up to her elbows, revealing the intricate tattoos on her forearms. Sarah was momentarily shocked, never having seen them before, but thinking back, she realised she had never seen her roommate sleeveless. Deciding not to make a thing out of it, she just waved at them, then turned to Caleb to say goodbye.

She was shocked to find him frowning, his eyes fixed on Talia's arms. She knew he didn't mind tattoos, he certainly liked hers, but something was bothering him none the less. She gave him a concerned look, but he just smiled, shaking his head. "It's nothing, don't worry." Then he kissed her, soft and sweet and safe. Her hero.

She walked to the car, waiting for Jess and Alex to slip in the backseat before getting in the front. Pogue had warned her that Tal drove 'like a bat out of hell' but Sarah figured he was exaggerating. How bad can it be?

Once they pulled up in front of the boutique, Talia gave Sarah a warm, genuine smile, and she felt like she had passed some test by the mere fact that she hadn't thrown up from Talia's wild driving.

They were looking silently through the racks, side-by-side, as Alex and Jess were already in the changing rooms trying on some bizarre creation the sales women had picked out for them, just for the sheer fun of it. Tal had flat out refused, while Sarah had politely declined, pointing out that there were, in fact, only two changing rooms in the whole place.

Sarah decided to say something. She knew that the others liked her well enough, but she felt the need to explain something to the girl next to her, who despite being younger in age seemed so much more…worldly than her.

"I know you guys think I'm a little over-the-top sometimes, like with Pogue, but it's just so nice to have other women around. Not that the guys aren't great, but…" she trailed off.

"But they're still guys," Talia replied, smiling knowingly. "Trust me, I get it. I may not be as…sweet as you and Jess, but I know the difference. I grew up with three older brothers and Jess was pretty much my only friend. If it wasn't for her, I'd most likely have gone mad. Then gone after them with a machete."

Sarah smiled, glad in the knowledge that they understood her. She glanced back at the rack as something caught her eye. "Now this would be perfect for you," she gasped.

Talia looked up dubiously, then a slow smile spread across her face.

While her was in the water, Caleb's mind was clear, focused, free. But as soon as he was sitting on the sides, watching, he began to worry again.

The tattoos, ones on Talia's arms, they were bothering him. Not that she had them, but there was something…familiar about them. He pictured them in his mind, but he just couldn't grasp the memory.

He sighed, shaking his head. He'd probably just seen them by accident one day and not noticed.

Probably.

Reid was waiting outside the locker room, leaning against the wall. The team was long gone, and the others had already headed out to Nicky's, but he was here, waiting. Sarah had told him that Talia had said she'd meet him here, and give him a lift to Nicky's, but that she might be a little late and that the others should go on ahead.

He didn't know why he had to wait, but things were going well and he didn't want to piss her off. Again.

So here he was, waiting.

The locker room door opened with a dull squeak, and before he could react, Reid was tugged quickly inside.

"What the fuck?" he yelled, surprised.

"Hi," Talia said, smiling slowly. She walked deeper into the locker room, and powerless to stop himself, Reid followed.

"What are you doing?" he asked suspiciously, remembering that her and the men's locker room didn't mix well.

"Well," she began, lifting her t-shirt over her head and discarding it. "I figure since I gave you such bad memories of the locker room," Her jeans joined the pile. "I could give you some really," Her bra went next, freeing her delectable breasts. "really good ones," she finished, dropping her panties to the floor and grinning at him.

He was lost.

She watched in fascination as Reid practically ripped off his clothes, his eyes never leaving hers. She took in his passion filled gaze, his lean muscled body, and his rock hard erection, and thrilled at the primal power she had over him, just because she was his woman.

Before she could blink, he was on her in a second, pressing his very hard body against hers, the skin-on-skin contact sending sweet sensation flooding through her. His lips crashed on hers, demanding, his tongue stroking deep, promising similar movement elsewhere on their bodies.

She wrapped her arms around his neck as he smoothed his down he back, cupping her ass and lifting her. She automatically wrapped her legs around his waist; causing them both to moan as his erection was trapped between their bodies.

He walked over to one of the low wooden benches and sat down with her body still wrapped around his, their lips still moving against each other. Lifting her up slightly, she got the idea, even in her passion-induced haze. Repositioning herself so she was still straddling him, but now kneeling on the bench, she felt him reach between them and positioning himself at her entrance, the head barely inside her pussy lips.

Impatient to feel him inside of her, she slammed her hips down, pushing him in balls deep, causing them both to moan, their voices echoing through the empty room. "Fuck," he groaned, clutching her tightly, not moving.

She grinned at him wickedly, "Yes."

She began moving slowly up and down, his hands still holding her ass. He began kissing down her neck, and still moving against him, she leaned back, giving him access to her aching breasts. He kissed, sucked and bit, all the while the pressure began to build inside them both.

But it wasn't enough for her; their pace was just a little too slow. "Reid!" she whimpered, her voice filled with need.

Suddenly, he pulled her forward, holding her against his chest. Then his hands went back to her ass and he back lifting her up and down on him, faster, harder and until the world exploded, and clutching at his back, she came hard. She felt him pulse inside of her as their moans combined, echoing beautifully.

They sat still for a moment, wrapped in each other as they caught their breath. "All better?" she murmured, feeling too languid to even move her head.

"Mmmm-hmm," he mumbled, not moving an inch.

After one last satisfied, almost sweet kiss, they separated, putting their clothes back on before making their way to meet their waiting friends.

Caleb was watching as Reid and Tyler played Jess and Talia at pool. The girls had feigned innocence, claiming they had never played before, when it was glaringly obvious that they had. Reid and Tyler however, were oblivious, as the girls would distract them, hiding their perfectly lined up shots and calling it Beginner's Luck. It was fast becoming a farce, and Reid and Ty didn't even seem to notice that they were losing. Though they probably wouldn't care, even if they did, Caleb mused.

Reid kept touching Talia, not sweet caresses like he gave Sarah, but purely sexual touches that only seemed to heighten the tension between the two of them that threatened to send the whole bar up in flames. Caleb didn't really approve, he was no prude, but he always figured such intimate touches should be private. Talia didn't seem to mind though, and Caleb was just happy they were together.

His girlfriend my have been the self-appointed matchmaker of the group, but Caleb was definitely pleased that Reid finally had someone to keep him in line. His wild friend hadn't Used all night, and in fact, he barely Used at all since she'd appeared in their lives, not so long ago. Caleb just hoped they could keep it up long enough that Reid could Ascend without too much trouble. It would be hard enough with the threat of Chase attacking; they didn't need to add to their worries.

Jess was leaning close to Tyler, talking, his attention definitely not on the game, and Talia was leaning so low over the table that her cheek was practically pressed to the surface, while Reid's gaze was firmly fixed on her other cheeks, so distracted that a bomb could go off and he wouldn't notice.

With thoughts of Chase in his head and her short, blue-black hair draping over her tattooed arms, it was then that it hit Caleb.

He knew where he'd seen those tattoos before.