Healing Hands

Chapter 8

"So you were a geek!" Mars laughed.

He was looking down at a framed picture of her as a teenager and her brother, Troy, at Comic Con in Chicago. She was wearing a long, multi-colored scarf, a Panama hat with a red band and glittering silver sequins, a silver pocket watch hanging from around her neck with some writing on it, and holding up a pen that was silver with black and yellow stripes and a red trim. Her brother wore simple jeans, a blue shirt underneath a black leather jacket, and looking very out of place next to Essence and the people in costumes in the back ground. He was smiling, as was Essence, his arm around her shoulders and looking relaxed.

It was one of her rare nights off from the hospital and Mars couldn't get off fast enough. For the past couple of weeks he's been coming over to her place–having a bigger kitchen and all–and would take turns cooking whatever it was they were in the mood for. He liked it. It felt…right, in some ways, better than him going home to an empty apartment that is. Then Castlebeck found out about the relationship and ripped him a new one. Mars had to quickly explain that he had pursued Essence in order to find out information about Memphis and his gang, but had come to like the woman. In the end Castlebeck relented when he saw the truth in his words and let the relationship keep going. However, should Mars have found anything on the woman being in league with Memphis and his men, then he had to cut it off and arrest her.

But Mars was certain that Essence had nothing to do with Memphis or boosting, it just wasn't Essence! Looks can be deceiving, he knew, but the woman was different from all the others–both criminals and those he had dated in the past. Mars knew he had nothing to worry about with her nor their relationship ending.

"So what if I was!" Essence defended with a blush, walking back from the kitchen with two beers in hand. "My brother's secretary–gorgeous supermodel looks–was the one who introduced me to Doctor Who and my brother did everything he could to find me each of those items for either my birthday or Christmas gift. When he surprised me to go to Comic Con I put every piece of Doctor Who item I owned."

Mars chuckles, putting the frame on the glass table in front of him and wrapped an arm around Essence's waist, bringing her down on to his lap. He took one of the beer bottles from her, kissing her lips on the process, before settling back against the arm rest of the couch. Angel was sleeping near the back door, the last bit of sunlight pouring through and warming him before the sun lowered over the other houses and privacy fence completely. He had enough excitement earlier with Mars and Essence throwing a ball or a toy of his to catch and then chased after him when he didn't want to give it back to them, out in the backyard after dinner.

Essence settles comfortably against Mars, staring at the picture with a smile at the fond memories of that day, drinking some of her beer. To this day Troy still cursed Anne for having told her about the British television show, seeing how obsessed she was to know even the smallest details that any geek of any show would know about. That picture was taken a year after her parents had died and three months after meeting her ex. Essence suddenly realized that that day was the first time that she had truly smiled. Though Troy hated that his baby sister had become a geek, he couldn't fault her for it as it had finally made her happy and become her old self again. And Essence loved him all the more for it.

She still had the items, stored in the third bedroom she had converted into an office of sorts. She had more Doctor Who items on the tall bookshelf behind the desk, along with a few rare DC comics. Although she did love the Marvel universe, DC will always be her favorite no matter what. Mars' lips on her cheek and moving down to her jaw and neck brought her out of her thoughts. Though she only became distracted by what she was feeling from his lips. Although they've been dating for a good while now, Essence was still shy and uncertain when it comes to sex because of how her first time had went.

"What are you thinking?" he muttered against her skin.

Essence smiled, tilting her head to the side as she closed her eyes. "About my brother and how he's going to visit for the weekend."

"He's not going to interrogate me, then bury me somewhere no one's ever going to find me, is he?" Mars questioned teasingly, "After all, I am a cop."

Essence chuckles, raising the beer to her lips. "Maybe, you'll just have to wait and find out I guess."

Though, she hoped that it won't be this weekend as her brother isn't coming alone. As much as she liked Mars, she wasn't ready to introduce him to the one person who means the world to her or even ready herself to introduce them to anyone just yet. Besides, the relationship had just barely started and was severely new, wasn't there some kind of rule about introducing family members so early? Then there was the deal with her bruises. Luckily, the hand prints around her neck had all disappeared, however there was still some fading across her cheek and near the corner of her eye. Essence was just grateful that she was able to cover it completely with make-up.

Mars chuckles at her responds, pulling back to look at her, smiling. "Aren't you afraid of not seeing me again? Am I really that replaceable?"

"Yes, yes you are." Essence told him with a straight face, placing her beer on the side table.

Mars' look was priceless and Essence couldn't help but laugh. Mars growls and moves so that he was above her and begins to tickle her sides. Essence squeals before laughing, wiggling around, trying her hardest to escape from his fingers. However, his body prevented her from it, not that she really minded as she liked how his weight felt on top of her. Mars suddenly took hold of her wrists, holding her arms above her head, smiling down at the woman he wanted to get close to in order to get to Rains and his men. But had fallen for her instead, and all he wanted to do was to keep her safe and make sure that she doesn't get hurt from either him doing his job or those at the garage that steal cars.

Essence breathlessly smiled up at Mars, waiting for him to make the first move. He leaned down and kissed her softly, Essence sighing with content. Mars had two sides to him when it came to her, rough and gentle. And if Essence was honest to herself, she actually liked both sides–despite her rough past. However, she knew that Mars always took the gentleness with her, no doubt having seen how skittish she becomes whenever the kissing and the touching start to become more and Essence start to freak out. She never spoke about her past, or the reason that had made her so skittish, but Mars seemed to get the gist of it–being a cop and all, he has seen similar symptoms from different situations–and would always back out quickly. That was one of the many things that Essence liked Mars about. Despite his needs, he always made sure that hers were first and whether she was comfortable.

The mood suddenly came to a halt as her phone started to ring and vibrate. Mars groaned, placing his forehead against her shoulder, Essence reaching into her pocket, biting her lower lip as she felt Mars starting to get hard through his jeans. She glanced at the screen and sighed, quickly swiping her finger across it and bringing it to her ear, kissing Mars' head as an apology. He understood how brothers were, hell it was like that with his older brother before they had parted ways a few years back after the death of their father. Mars' thoughts slowly went to his own brother, wondering how he was doing as he hasn't seen or heard any new information on him in a while.

"Hi Troy, I was just thinking about you."

"Nothing too bad, I hope?"

Essence smirked at the sarcasm behind his voice. "All right, I know you didn't call me to yell and scold me. What's up?" when he sighed and stayed silent, Essence became worried, slightly pushing at Mars so she can sit up, frowning with concern. "Troy, what's happened?"

Mars frowned as he sat up with her, rubbing her shoulders and back with concern. He wanted to ask what was going on, but kept his mouth shut for he didn't want Essence's brother to maneuver the question towards Essence. He felt her grip his other hand tightly, the fear of something has happened radiating off of her in waves.

"I just wanted to let you know that something came up with a client and I have to take care of it before leaving Chicago. So both me and Ava won't get to LAX until the afternoon instead of early morning as planned."

Essence growled at the back of her throat, letting Mars' hand go and shoving it through her hair angrily. "Damn you Troy! You can't just go and scare the shit out of me like that!" she yelled, quickly swinging her feet and shoving to a stand, pacing around the living room.

"Sorry sweetheart, I'm at work and trying to figure something out."

Essence took a deep breath, slowly calming down. "I get you have to work, it's not a big deal. I'll just work a half day at the garage and then pick you up at the airport."

"No, I'll get a car, don't worry. You know how planes are, we can be delayed or arrive earlier than expected–even with the company jet. Don't worry, I'll meet you at your house."

Essence calmed herself down–though she really wanted to strangle her brother to death through the phone–and sat back down on the couch, leaning back against Mars, who wrapped his arms around her. "Okay, fine. I'll text you, let's say, noon? To let you know where I'm at, that way I can get off early or something."

"Okay, I'll do that." he sighed, Essence missing her big brother even more. "Love you, stay safe Elixir."

"Love you too, big brother. Bye." she whispered quietly, the both of them hanging up.

She groaned in frustration, letting her head fall back against Mars' shoulder. She smiled when she felt his lips on her cheek, hugging her closer to him. Essence has told him of how frustrating her brother could be at times and, having witness her one-sided conversation, probably did not doubt the craziness she spoke of before. However, she felt Mars chuckling against her neck as he was kissing her skin.

"It's not funny, sometimes my brother doesn't realize that what he says, or doesn't say, can scare the crap out of a person! Mostly, me!" Essence tells him, though she was smiling.

Mars continued to smile, placing his chin on her shoulder. "At least you'll be seeing him tomorrow after a couple of months of moving out here."

Essence sighs her agreement, her thoughts going to her brother. If it wasn't for Troy pushing her to live, to move on with her life, she wouldn't be there in California, living a fearless life…a free life. She owed her brother for much more than a simple thanks, even if he was stubborn to see it that way. Even to this day Troy continued to take care of her, protecting her, whether she wanted it or not. Essence just wished that she could do something in return for him.

Mars suddenly kissed her cheek, moving around so that he was now standing. "I better get going, I have to go in early tomorrow morning. I'll call you some time tomorrow?" he questioned unsure, taking hold of his jacket from the arm chair of the other couch that he threw over earlier.

Essence smiled, standing and wrapping her arms around his waist. "Maybe, depends what my brother wants to do tomorrow."

Mars hums, wrapping his own arms around her. "Hopefully your brother would want to meet the man who's dating his sister."

Essence hummed back in return, pursing her lips together as though she were thinking about it–though she really was considering of Mars not meeting her brother just yet. Mars laughs and kissed her, Essence laughing into the kiss. She squealed when he suddenly picked her up, the woman relishing in the strength of his arms. Since they have started dating Essence couldn't help every opportunity moment to stay in his arms just a tad longer. And Mars knew it, so he complies to her moments, not saying a word that he knew. Besides, Mars liked having her in his arms too.

"Troy would rather just intimidate you until you decide to leave me be." Essence answers him as soon as Mars puts her back down on the ground.

Mars grins, raising an eyebrow as he wraps an arm around her shoulders as they walked towards the door. "Sweetheart, I doubt your brother can intimidate me, let alone make me leave you be."

"We'll see," Essence sings teasingly as she opens the door.

Mars laughs, stepping out the door but turning back to face Essence, holding her hips. His fingers rose under her shirt, caressing her skin. "I see you have little faith in me."

Essence makes a face at but was smiling nonetheless. "Drive safe." she whispered, going on her tiptoes and kissing him one last time before pushing him away.

"Sweet dreams, sweetheart." Mars called back, looking over his shoulder before getting into his car.

Essence closed and locked the door, turning to lean back against it. Angel was waiting for her, sitting down next to the couch, watching her intently. She didn't want to tell Mars, not yet at least, about who else was coming, of who they meant to her, and why she had kept it a secret. But she couldn't keep her a secret for too long, especially with her brother finally coming to visit. Essence couldn't help have a feeling that Mars was going to find out tomorrow, but he wouldn't just show up unannounced, right?

"Oh Angel," the German Shepard got up to all fours, wagging his tail. "What should I do?"

A/N: Sorry for the long wait! Writing a story that I can take in many directions and not knowing which way to go is a pain! Please review and let me know what you guys think! :-)