A/N: Hello everyone! I hope summer has been treating everyone well. A million thanks for the positive reviews and new followers to my story. I will try my darndest to be a better and more frequent updater! Now for my shoutouts:High fives and cyber hugs to SonofPosidon29, KiaaLuvsGlee, evans 4 life and Nikel's lover for adding my story to their favorites. High fives to ally Leigh, DeviousRobynno, evans 4 life, ncisfreak943, caseylu, onyxgirl22 for adding my story to their alerts. Cyber hugs, cyber kisses and cyber cookies to my reviewers: SonOfPosidon and Angie. Guys you don't even know how much a review means to me! It gets the creative juices pumping! A million thanks to you! Enjoy this chapter and review if you can ... pretty please? :-)

Disclaimer: Don't own anything but Saber. Lucky me!

What should she do? What did he expect her to do? What did she want to do? Rachel paced her room as her thoughts swirled in confusion through her brain. It had been hours since the impromptu meeting had broken up, but her restless mind refused to give her a moment of peace. Just what kind of Alpha was he? It was clear that even though Rosen thought he knew all there was to know about Saber, there were some salient points he may have overlooked ... like his freakin' telepathy! Not that there was any ability that surprised Rachel. The fact that they were Alphas made them unique, special ... possessing abilities the average man or woman could only dream of ... or fear. That didn't mean that there were some powers that made some Alphas steer clear of their brethren. Take Nina for example. Pushers were not well liked among the Alpha community. In all honesty, was that a surprise? Who could really trust a person with the power to control you? Especially someone who had a long track record of using her power for good ... the good and enrichment of herself that is.

But that was the past and Nina was working hard to turn over a new leaf. It had been a long time since she had used her power for illegal means. She had even involved herself in a relationship with Hicks ... well, maybe that might not have been the smartest move on her part, but a woman like Nina needed a man. A man like Hicks ... it would be a challenge to push him. Not that Rachel doubted Nina was up to the challenge.

"And what about you, Rachel? What do you need?"

The traitorous voice in her mind teased her ruthlessly. A voice that sounded suspiciously like Saber's sardonic did she need? Certainly not an obvious bad boy with a screwed up past. Saber. Rachel shook her head and paced faster. Hadn't she tried to have a relationship? Many times? Hadn't she tried in vain, time and time again, to allow her parents to fix a marriage for her? Every single attempt had been met with failure. Every single attempt. Hadn't she tried to give men a chance? How many disastrous dates had she subjected herself to? Too damn many ... So she had given up ... until ... Saber. Pushy, arrogant bastard! Who did he think he was inviting himself into her mind? Invading her personal space? She didn't like to be touched. She couldn't bear people getting close enough to her so she could smell every illness, diseased flesh, rotting organs, walking with him ...

"How about you, little hummingbird? Can we be friends?"

"Our little secret... maybe I'll let you in on it. Later. Alone."

"Little hummingbird ... our little secret."

What was wrong with her? Saber was trouble with a capital T. Rachel hadn't survived this long, first in a hostile family that didn't understand her, then in a hostile world that didn't understand her AND feared her, by running toward trouble. The answer to her dilemma wasn't rocket science. She had to avoid him. Above all things she had to remember that curiosity killed the cat. She couldn't let herself wonder about him. Couldn't let herself feel sympathy for the difficulties he had experienced through a simple misfortune of birth. Couldn't let herself get close to him. Even if every fiber of her being screamed that she had to find out more about Saber.

... Across the compound the man in question waited patiently. Saber leaned back in his chair and took a sip of his beer as he stared out into the night. So his little hummingbird wasn't brave enough to come to him? Saber wasn't surprised at all. His little hummingbird had built such a thick fortress around herself that it looked like he would be doing some rock climbing in the very near future. Apparently she was going to make him work for her affection. However, he had a sneaky feeling it would definitely be worth the considerable effort. In one lithe movement he jumped to his feet and grabbed his keys. There was no time like the present to start the climb.

... Sitting alone in his office sipping a rice smoothie, Dr. Rosen replayed the meeting with his team. On the one hand, the open and genuine response to Saber's background had been surprisingly heartening. Every member of his team had recognized a kindred spirit in the damaged Saber. His acceptance by the group had been instantaneous. They had certainly come a long way from the hurt, distrustful group he had assembled so long ago. They saw a kindred spirit in the damaged Saber and perhaps they would help him heal even as they continued to grow and evolve. On the other hand ... how much could he trust Saber? There was such anger in the boy. Raw, undiluted fury that was clawing desperately for an outlet. Could he help him channel that anger and use it to help others ... while helping himself?

With a sigh Rosen closed his eyes and leaned back. Sometimes he felt so tired. His many sins maybe. Was there any penance that would be sufficient to cleanse the sins on his soul? Could he ever wash away the scarlet blood on his hands? Many times as he lay awake at night, pondering his life, his successes, failures and losses, he often thought the answer was a resounding no ... but still he persevered. He would never give up on Saber. He owed that much at least to the friends he had betrayed

... It was ridiculously easy to find his little hummingbird's nest, Saber thought as he stood outside her door. All he had to do was follow her very unique signature. At least that's what Saber called it. Maybe it was an aura, maybe it was an essence. Every living thing had one, and it always told Saber who he could trust and who he should steer clear of. His little hummingbird's signature was wrought with pain, confusion and loneliness, all wrapped around a purity and goodness that ... humbled him. If it was the last thing he ever did, he would teach her to shield. With a grin he uncloaked himself and knocked on her door.

Rachel had just settled down in front of her television with a bowl of double chocolate, whipped, coffee swirl ice-cream when she heard the knock at her door. She frowned as she waited to hear or smell some hint of who stood outside at ... she glanced at the cable box ... 2:30 a.m. Nothing. Hmmm...The minute she opened the door and caught sight of the tall figure standing there, she tried to slam it closed. Unfortunately, Saber quickly and effectively stuck his wide shoulder and muscled thigh in her way. He grinned down at her as she growled and pushed fruitlessly against the door.

"I thought we had a date, Hummingbird? I guess there was a miscommunication about the location. Allow me to offer my abject apologies."

He murmured smoothly as he pushed the door wide and stepped in quickly, closing it and locking it behind him.

"What...how ... what in the hell are you doing here?"

Rachel sputtered at him.

"Don't you know, little hummingbird? Weren't you curious? I promised you answers. Later. When we were alone."

The words whispered within her mind like a caress without the handsome Alpha once opening his mouth or moving his lips.

"Now is that time, wouldn't you say?"

He said softly as he leaned in and sniffed her hair.

"What do you use? It's delicious."

Rachel stumbled away from him, shocked that he dared to get so close to her.

"Stop that!"

For a second he actually looked repentant. He held up his palms as if in surrender and carefully walked around her to throw himself down on the couch.

"So what are we watchin' tonight?"

"What are we...?!... Does Dr. Rosen know you like Crack? We are not watching anything! You are getting the hell out of my room before I call security to drag you out of here!"