A/N: Happy MLK Day to all! Once again I cannot say how thankful I am to those who read my story. I am even more thankful for those who took the time to review my work. Your positive remarks and encouragement really keep me plugging along! Cyber high-fives to daffodil710 for adding my story to her favorites. Cyber hugs, kisses and candy to these readers who I adore because they reviewed my story: Trinideanfan, daffodil719, and maile. Enjoy this chapter and review if you can. Remember, reviews give me a healthy sugar rush and make me do a happy dance:)

Disclaimer: I don't own Alphas. I just dream of being one :)

When Rachel entered the restaurant following Nina and Hicks, Saber couldn't help the wide smile that broke out on his face. There was just something about the woman that set him off. He wanted to pull her out of that protective shell that she had wrapped so securely around herself. He wanted to stoke the fire within her to a roaring inferno. For the first time in as long as he could remember, the excitement of the hunt was racing through his veins. When she glanced up and their eyes locked, he winked at her. He couldn't help it. It was devilish as hell, and he knew it would piss her off, but he did it anyway. The smile on his face quickly faded when he concentrated on her emotions. The first thing he noticed about her was just how uncomfortable she felt. She was definitely in a fair amount of pain. It had to be her alpha power. Heightened senses were no joke. The key to a normal life was learning to shut down one's alpha powers until they were needed. Some alphas never mastered the skill, the best they could do was mute the power with deep and focused concentration. Saber suspected that Rachel was one of those alphas. He wanted to help her, more than anything else at that moment he wanted to help ease her pain and make her alpha abilities a seamless part of her life. Isn't that what he wanted for himself? What all alphas wanted more than anything else... well unless you were talking about a crazed alpha, hellbent on world domination.

Saber had taken great pains to maneuver the seating arrangements so that Rachel had little choice but to sit beside him when she finally arrived at the table. The look on her face when she realized that the only seat left was right beside him was priceless. It was a mix of horror, irritation and a dash of wariness that quickly flitted across her sweetly expressive face as he rose slowly to his feet and pulled the chair out for her.

"You had us worried Rachel." Bill greeted her with a wink from across the table. "You know you're lucky to be alive if Nina was driving."

"Shut it, Bill." Nina said from across the table. She gave Bill a look that would have felled him in a second if she had any say. Bill's grin only widened as he gave her a mock salute.

Rachel stared from the empty chair to Saber, but she couldn't make herself move. She couldn't bear the thought of being that close to him. She was about to back away and bolt for the door when his smile widened and his eyes took on a teasing glint. He pitched his voice low and whispered quietly, so no-one but her could hear his words.

"Running scared Rachel? Interesting. Bill has been trying to convince me that you're a real asset. I really can't wait to see what you bring to the table...in addition to your obvious fortitude that is."

She stiffened at the sarcasm and veiled insult, glaring at him as she grudgingly took her seat, fully intending to spend the rest of the night studiously ignoring him. Eating in a place like this was difficult enough with all the scents and sounds assaulting her senses. It took considerable effort and years of training to tone down the sensory attack, and for once she was glad to have to focus on the effort instead of the annoying bastard to her left. Unfortunately, Saber had other plans.

"So how are we going to do this? If we play nice I can start with the small talk questions: So how's the food here? What would you recommend? If we want to cut straight to the chase and forego the niceties I can start with: How long have you been a member of this little alpha unit? Just what the hell am I signing up for here?" Saber inquired after she had ignored him for about a minute to studiously peruse the looked up from the menu and glowered at him, mentally reminding herself that he was a part of the team. She had to play nice.

"I've been with the unit for about two years. I've been working with Dr. Rosen for about four years though."

Saber nodded. "Straight to the point it is then. You say you've been with Rosen for four years. He was helping you I'm sure. To adjust to your powers?"

Rachel's eyes had narrowed when the minute she heard Saber's derisive tone. "Are you trying to be a jack-ass? Or is that just an innate part of your personality?"Saber threw back his head and laughed, drawing curious looks from patrons all around them including Gary.

"What's so funny? You're late Rachel and I had to wait to order my dinner, so now I'm hungry. A hungry man is an angry man, so I can't laugh at Saber's joke. I'm hungry...and a little bit angry."

Saber's grin widened.

"I'm hungry too, Gary. Let's get that waiter over here so he can take our orders before we all get angry."

The waiter was called, orders were given and Rachel continued to carefully ignore Saber, but she could feel his eyes on her. Constantly. She made a concerted effort to talk to Bill who was sitting to her left, but she was perpetually aware of Saber. It was like they were all playing nice. Everyone wanted to just get right to the point and quiz Saber about everything from his age to his past association with Dr. Rosen, but they all resisted the urge as their orders were brought to the table and consumed amid small talk. Saber himself was almost silent throughout the meal. Every now and then he would answer an inane question Dr. Rosen threw out. He had the most interaction with Gary...when he wasn't staring at Rachel.

It was Nina who finally did the needful. Rachel had known it would be Nina. Sometimes Nina couldn't help herself, whatever she wanted, she got it, not necessarily in a legal manner.

"So Saber, are you gonna tell us more about you, or do you intend to remain the tall, dark, mysterious stranger forever?"

The table immediately went silent, all eyes turning expectantly to man in question slowly took a sip of his beer. He seemed to be contemplating his answer.

"Mysterious? I don't think so. This is not quite the venue I would choose to address the question that you are asking in the most uncomplicated way you know how, Nina. You want to know my alpha power. You're all dying to discover why Dr. Rosen is so desperate to have me on this team. Why don't you ask Rosen?" Rosen cleared his throat as all eyes swivelled from Saber to him.

"Saber does have a point. Some information should definitely be revealed in a more secure location. Come on everyone, we're just here to get to know one another. Saber is going to be a valuable member of this team. Of that I am absolutely sure. I'm hoping that he can also become a valuable and trusted friend."