I lay in a luxurious bed and light was drifting in through large windows. Trent was sitting above me, watching me. "You need to kiss me before you can wake up," he said with a devilish smile.

"Oh god, Trent. Not again," I moaned.

"Its just a dream this time," he said. And then he bent down and I felt his warm lips press against mine. I lifted my hand to his chest and felt the ridges of his muscles. God, his body felt rock hard. He deepened the kiss between us and I ran my hands along his back, urging him to come closer. In the background, I heard a cough.

My eyes flew open and I sat up, blinking. I had been dreaming. Al stood near the fire, dressed in his usual crushed green coat and buckled boots. It looked like he was holding back laughter. I looked down and saw that I was wearing nothing but my black lacy bra. I pulled the sheets up quickly.

"Hey," I shouted. "A little privacy would be nice."

Al grinned at me. "Having a nice little dream, were we?" he asked. "I do enjoy having a half naked Rachel in my bed, although, this isn't quite what I pictured."

I flushed. "Well, I didn't bring anything to sleep in," I said.

Al looked at the clothes on the floor. He frowned and then walked towards a closet. He rummaged around a bit and then brought out the white leather dress he had given me the night of my coven trial. "Put this on," he said, tossing it to me.

I stared at him. He sighed then turned around. "Do you have a bathroom?" I asked. He pointed without turning and I trudged over toward the door. The bathroom was more normal than I expected. There was a claw foot tub with a plastic shower curtain, sink and toilet. There couldn't have been real pipes, I thought. That would be a security risk.

I didn't want to keep Al waiting but I needed a shower, bad. I heard Al's voice call out. "Basics only, we're in a rush today. We'll use a brush and wash curse on you."

I looked longingly at the shower and then sighed. I used the restroom and put on the dress. I gave myself a once over in the mirror. My hair was a mess but the dress looked good. I stepped out and found Al sitting in a chair, drumming his fingers on the arm rest. He stood up when he saw me and I felt a curse fall over me. I reached my hand up and found my hair secured in a braid. I wondered if Al had anything to make my hair less frizzy.

Al took my arm and I felt us going through the ley lines. It seemed much easier to move from one place to another within the ever after. Maybe I could learn how to travel them locally so I didn't need to depend on Al so much.

We popped out in what must have been Tron's living room. A demon dressed in a black silk kimono strode up to us, looking excited. "Oh, I am so glad you finally made it," he exclaimed. He reached out and took my hand and kissed it. I brought my hand back and wrapped it around Al's arm. "Would you care for something to drink before we get started?" he asked.

I shook my head but Al seemed to be enjoying himself. "Yes, thank you. Something sweet if you have it."

Tron beamed. "I have a chardonnay that is sure to impress," he said.

A red haired woman came out carrying a tray with a bottle and three glasses on it. Wine gave me headaches but I doubted it was real wine. The familiar set the tray down and poured filled the glasses. I took one that was handed to me and tried a small sip. It was good but I didn't want to get tipsy before I let Al see my soul.

Al and Tron continued their discussion. They talked about the latest trends in familiars, who was in favor with the courts, and a series of other drabbles that seemed completely boring to me. Tron kept trying to include me but I was too nervous to pay much attention. I smiled and tried my best to be polite. It seemed like his hands fell on me every chance they got. I edged closer to Al, trying to use him to block Tron's advances.

Finally, the men seemed to have gotten through their conversation and Al cleared his throat. "Well, shall we get started?" he asked.

Tron stood up and made his way over to a small box on a mantel. He placed his hand on the box and it began to glow. This must be the same thing as the juke box in Dali's, I thought.

I felt sweat form on the back of my neck. "Uh, okay," I said. "Give me a minute. I haven't done this on my own before." I closed my eyes and felt the collective. There was the gentle murmur of demon voice and I felt panic. "Al, how do I get everyone else out of here?" I asked through gritted teeth.

Al sighed and then I felt him next to me in the collective. "Push them out with your thoughts," he said. "I can't do it but I can check to see if they are all gone." He sounded nervous. Was this dangerous? I thought about how my memory had filled the collective. I imagined the starry night that I had felt when I was with Newt. In an instant, the murmurs faded and it felt empty.

"Al, are you still here?" I whispered.

"They're gone," he said. "Make sure they stay out once I leave." He paused, "You'll do fine." And then he was gone. I listened a moment and I felt serenity pass over me. There was power here. I steadied myself and thought of my old red sports car. I remembered the leather seats and the CD player. I thought about the trunk that had once held Francis. The vision formed in my mind and I held it. I opened my third eye and was shocked to find the car sitting in front of me. It sat on part of my driveway but the driveway only continued 20 feet in any direction from the car. The red paint of the car glistened. I looked up to see the sun shining brightly in the sky. Good, I had gotten the sun. Tron would be pleased. I gave the memory a final glance and then let Al in.

Al came in eagerly and looked around. "Do you think it is big enough?" I asked.

"I'll say," he said. "I was just expecting the car."

I started to wobble and he picked me up in his arms. I rested my head against his chest and then felt him begin to sift through my soul, picking out the pieces that were the memory of the car. I held my breath and felt myself shake. I felt completely vulnerable in Al's arms. No way was I going to let another demon do this to me.

"Okay, I think I got all of her," came Al's voice. I choked back a sob and opened my eyes, my real eyes. There in the middle of Tron's living room was the image of my red convertible. The one the FIB had given me. I shuddered when I saw part of the walkway the led to my church in one corner. I was glad that they couldn't see the church.

Tron let out a breath and clapped his hands together. "Excellent!" he exclaimed. "This is even better than the Buick." He ran over to the car, opened the driver's side door and hopped in.

"Al, I wasn't sure she could do it again," he chided. He didn't bother to hide his delight as he fiddled with the knobs and buttons. I watched in amazement as he turned the key in the ignition and the car revved. Could he drive it? I didn't think so. Tron bent down and turned the radio on. Red Ribbons by Tikata began to play. I felt a chill go down my spine. I didn't know I had put so much of myself into the car.

Sickness washed over me. "Al, I don't feel so good." Al looked at me with concern.
"I'm going to take her home," he said. "Have the room deeded to us within the hour."

Tron nodded and flipped through the stations. "Absolutely," he said. "It's been a pleasure doing business with you."

I felt Al put a bubble around my thoughts as he jumped me back to his bedroom. I felt sick but I was still conscious. That was a good sign, right? He laid me in the bed and a shock of loneliness ran through my body. Shit, it was my aura. I started to shake and huddled in on myself.

"Rachel, are you okay?" asked Al. I shook more. I wanted someone to hold me but I didn't want to ask Al.

"I'll be fine," I mumbled. I felt a cold sweet wash over my body and my eyes began to water. God, it might have been better if I just passed out.

Al was frowning. He bent back down and picked me up. Instantly I felt a little of the pain ease and I sighed. I snuggled into him, trying to warm myself against his chest. He pulled the covers back and started to put me back in the bed but I wrapped my arm around his neck and clung to him. I felt him stiffen.

I was embarrassed. I felt like a child clinging to a parent but I knew the pain would get worse once he set me back in the bed. "I'm sorry," I whispered.

"It's your aura," said Al. His voice was flat. He was still holding me and seemed unsure what to do. He sighed. "God, you are utterly helpless."

He pried me off of him and put me back in the bed. He pulled the covers up around me and brought a chair over. He slumped in it and stared at me. I shivered and closed me eyes. I hated that he saw me like this.

Al continued to stare and I tried my best not to whine or worse, cry. This was hell. Al shifted forward and put his forearms and his thighs. "You'll feel better if I hold you," he said in a low voice. "Is that, what you would like me to do?" His cheeks seemed flushed and I wondered if he was embarrassed.

I nodded weakly and Al touched his chin. He was thinking. "I'm going to lay next to you, in the bed. Is that alright?" he asked. I nodded again. I might have agreed to a lobotomy if it would make me feel better.

"And I don't want you threatening my balls or trying to roast me," he finished. I winced at his last comment. "I'm sorry about that," I said weakly. "Well, that part about almost roasting you. Not about threatening your balls."

Al harrumphed and ever after washed over him. His clothes had changed into a matching black silk shirt and pants. The shirt was sleeveless and had a deep v-neck and the pants flowed loosely around his ankles. It had an Asian appearance and complimented his trim and muscled body.

Al walked around the bed and climbed under the covers. He scooted closer to me and I felt some of the pain ease when a strong arm wrapped itself around my middle. I remembered that his aura was gold like mine and I wondered if that would help heal me, even if it was coated in 5000 years of demon smut.

Only Al's arm was touching me and I inched my way towards him. My back was facing him and I felt myself curl neatly beneath his chin. I could feel my back against his chest and I felt warmth flow into me. Al brought his knees up to rest on the backs of my thighs and I hummed. It felt so good to be held by him. I needed to be held by him.

I snuggled against him. The friction felt good. A pang of sexual desire went through me and I realized it would feel better to touch his skin. Easy Rachel, I thought. But I knew it was true. His skin seemed to be beckoning me and I was fighting the temptation to caress it. I could feel him beneath the silk clothes and he felt so close. I was still wearing the leather dress. It felt restrictive even though most of my legs and arms were exposed.

"You don't have another pair of silk pajamas for me, do you?" I asked.

Al was nuzzling my hair and let out a low sound. A moment later, I was wearing silk clothes just like his. His mouth came down to my ear and I felt his lips brush against me. My heart leapt in excitement and heat rushed to my groin. I felt his hand press against my stomach and press me harder against him. I could feel his growing erection against my backside and fear gripped me. I had seen his cock and it looked like it would rip me apart.

"Oh god, Al, no," I said and pushed back against him. I pulled away and felt the loneliness ache through me as I severed our connection. I whimpered and sucked in a breath. Al growled and pulled me back. His warmth flooded though me and the pain eased. Shit, I thought. This feels too good. I didn't want him to stop. His hand reached for my inner thigh and I felt a quiver in my groin. If he touched me there, I would be lost. I groaned and tilted my head back. Al found my neck, the side without the scar, and began tracing light kisses along it. I closed my eyes and focused on the sensations his tongue were causing. It was bliss.

I turned around to face him and something inside of me changed. I wanted him. It was silly to deny it. I had trusted him with my life and he was far from perfect, but a part of me needed him. He wasn't fragile like the other men in my life. He was strong enough to handle himself and just maybe, me.

I took Al's face in my hand and stared into his goat slitted eyes. Those eyes had looked alien the first time I saw them but now I could see the expression they held. The looked hopeful, and full of lust.

"What are you thinking my little demoness," Al murmured. He pulled my hand from his cheek towards his lips and I felt his tongue and teeth flick across my fingers. I let my thumb trace his lower lip and then bent down to kiss him.

He grunted in surprised but opened his mouth to meet mine. Our tongues danced and he held me closer. Our kiss broke and his head hit the pillow. "Damn my dame," Al muttered. I ran my hand along his chest, wondering why he had stopped. He stilled my hand and held it against his chest. We sat for a moment and I was beginning to feel embarrassed. Was Al rejecting me?

Al turned towards me and I was shocked to see a cruel smile. "Would you like for me to fuck you good and proper?" he asked.

I felt fear suddenly, remembering what he was, what he was capable of. "No, no," I stuttered. But that was where this was heading, wasn't it?

Al rolled on top of me and pinned me to the bed. I wasn't sure of myself anymore. I didn't know what I wanted. Al searched my expression, his eyes darting around my face. "Something about you has changed," he murmured. "I don't know what it is though." He ran a finger down my chin and I shuddered. "You're vulnerable. I could completely seduce you now. I'd be a fool not to." It sounded like he was trying to convince himself of something.

It looked like Al was thinking hard, and then anger crossed his face. He brought his lips back in a snarl and pushed himself off the bed. He stood above me clenching and unclenching his fists. I shrank back against the headboard, completely at a loss for what had caused him to turn so angry.

"Al, what is it," I begged.

He took a couple deep breaths and seemed to collect himself. He brought his gaze up to meet mine and there was a cold smile on his face. "I think we need some time to think things through, don't you?" he said with a forced ease. "You're aura is damaged and once you're feeling yourself, you'll hate me and run off with Jarzebak or some other demon."

I sat shivering, not believing what I was hearing. Al's expression softened. "I'll hold you but you better not start rubbing against me or I'll have at it," he grunted.

I nodded and fell back to the bed. Al climbed beside me and wrapped me in his aura. It felt peaceful and I forced myself to lay as still as possible. Al relaxed and I wondered what was changing between us. I could feel his heart beating next to me and it lulled me into a peaceful sleep.

Luffy fan: Oh man, I really struggled with the last part of that chapter. Part of me wanted Al to be aggressive and seduce Rachel and another part of me even considered having Rachel seduce Al. I think Al has to change a little more for a real romance to take hold though. I'd be interested in your thoughts. I'm considering writing an alternative ending to this chapter as a one shot.