Chapter 3

"What do you want?"

Piper resisted the temptation to roll her eyes, walking forwards and laying a silver tray on the floor.

"I brought you dinner."

"Oh how sweet." Came the sneer before the Dark Ace's head lifted, his red eyes glinting as he surveyed the girl in front of him. "I suppose it's the usual muck that obese wallop makes?"

"Actually, I cooked."

"Oh, really?" Came his curious murmur: he tilted his head in interest, causing a delicate pink tinge to spread in her glossy cheeks. Piper let out a heavy sigh.

"Yes. So just eat it." She told him in annoyance, turning around to head towards the door before his voice commanded her to stop. She did so, turning back around to glare at him. "What now?"

He smirked at her, his eyes twinkling beautifully. "Bring it to me."

Her mouth dropped open in disgust. "Excuse me?"

"Bring it to me," He repeated, the sly smirk on his face never wavering.

Her pink cheeks swiftly progressed to a deep cherry red colour. "I'm not your servant." She hissed, anger flaring up within her. He chuckled a little, enjoying her irritated state.

"No, but seeing as I can't retrieve my dinner." He lifted the heavy chains draped over his muscular arms a little, before allowing them to drop to the floor with a thud, to indicate their inefficiency. "You'll bring it to me anyway."

She narrowed her eyes at him. "Say the magic word then."

At once he lost his smirk and snorted at her, turning his head as if he was now quite bored with teasing her. "I'm not saying a damn thing. Bring me my bloody dinner. Do you want to starve me to death?"

"Trust me, there are a lot of things I want to do to you."

The words were out before Piper could think, and she instantly registered how easily they could be inappropriately twisted: indeed, the Dark Ace's head turned slowly just as his eyes brightened and the corner of his mouth lifted again in amusement.

"Oh," His now darkened eyes roamed her body appreciatively as he snickered lightly to himself. "I'm sure there are, darling."

She clenched her fists in annoyance. "You know perfectly well I did not mean it in that way."

He casually clicked his tongue against his teeth, an innocent expression on his pale face. "Oh, I think you did. But if you insist on denying it…"

"Piper?"

Piper swung around quickly, her eyes widening when they fell upon her suspicious Commanding Officer, standing at the door with his arms crossed and his narrowed eyes upon the Dark Ace.

"Ah, seems you all just can't keep away from me." The Dark Ace's head rolled onto his other shoulder lazily, the cheeky lop-sided smirk still bright upon his face. "Come to join the party, Aerrow?"

Aerrow raised an eyebrow, looking pointedly at the Dark Ace when he spoke. "Piper, leave us please."

"Stay," The Dark Ace commanded, his eyes now on Aerrow too, meeting his gaze. Piper looked at Aerrow confusedly whilst she waited by the door, unsure of what was happening. "She was giving me my dinner."

"She's not your slave," Aerrow growled. "Piper-

"-Piper, I want you to stay. It's nice to have something very...delicious in here." The Dark Ace interrupted smoothly, grinning as he licked his lips a little, flicking his eyes to look at her figure before they flicked back to assess Aerrow's reaction.

Aerrow pulled out his blade, breathing heavily through his nostrils as he tried to remain calm.

"You shut your mouth," Aerrow snarled at him, tightening his grip on the blade. Piper rolled her eyes at the drama, perfectly ready to interrupt them and speak for herself. But the heated arguments like this were happening daily, with the Dark Ace knowing exactly what Aerrow's weak points were, causing that angry side of Aerrow's that was hardly shown to be unleashed. "Don't refer to Piper like that again, or else."

The Dark Ace's eyes widened considerably, feigning confusion. "Why, I meant the food, Aerrow. The food is delicious today."

"You shouldn't let him get to you."

"I know," Aerrow sighed.

They were sitting together outside in the calm peace of the night, with only the gentle, sleepy breathing of the Condor's engine disturbing them. Piper lay her head on Aerrow's shoulder, her smooth lids fluttering delicately as she yawned loudly. He chuckled at her, pulling her closer.

"Why are you so tired today?"

"No idea," She yawned again in reply, sighing heavily.

"Finn can take your duties tomorrow."

"No… no. I'm fine."

"You aren't."

"Am." She replied childishly, before starting to get up. "But I'm going to do my rounds now, anyhow. Night."

Aerrow turned to look at her, a small smile on his sad face, taking her a little by surprise. "Night, P."

"So. You're very attached to him. Late night talks, strolls under the twinkling stars. How very romantic."

Piper ignored him, piling the plates onto the tray. The Dark Ace caught the hand that rested near his on the cold floor, causing her to turn her head in surprise and her eyes lift to look at him.

"What?" She found herself whispering, her eyes almost silently begging him to stop. His eyes darkened considerably as he leaned in closer, drawn to her musky scent, almost closing his eyes in pleasure.

"Talk to me," He murmured unexpectedly.

"We are talking."

"Come here," He tried to tug on her hand to draw her to him but she refused, frozen in her squatted position. He wanted to try to express what he truly wanted, to try to establish how he felt, but he felt so unbearably stupid and... and mad. He was here, trapped on the Condor, finding himself strangely attached to this tiny woman before him. She struggled to try to get her hand out of his grip but he only tightened it.

"Why are you doing this?" She almost groaned in frustration, trying to ignore how his head has tilted up so his soft lips lightly brushed under her jaw, moving slowly up it. "You're mad. I… I can get help. If you don't let go, I'll scream-"

"-Scream for it then." He breathed, watching as her bright eyes lingered on his before, slowly, she leaned downwards and kissed him fully.

"What is she planning?"

The Dark Ace clicked his tongue, staring blankly at the bare wall. Aerrow counted to ten, before kneeling down and waving a hand, watching as the Dark Ace blinked rapidly: He looked at Aerrow in irritation when he realized he had been day dreaming. Again.

Aerrow rolled his eyes at him. "What. Is. Cyclonis. Planning?" He repeated slowly, ignoring the Dark Ace's growl.

"I'm. Not. Saying." The Dark Ace repeated in the same patronising tone, a smile spreading over his face. Aerrow snarled before getting up and moving away.

"Well, you're not going anywhere until you start co-operating."

"I highly doubt I'll be let go if I do tell you." The Dark Ace's thoughts were back to Piper again without even realizing. He was recalling her soft, midnight blue curly hair, her smooth copper skin, those tangy orange eyes. He had never failed to remember her features, a habit formed whilst they had been trapped in that room together. The Dark Ace had never felt so frustrated: and in more than one way. "You could take these bloody chains off. I don't recall that you ever used forceful methods."

Aerrow paused for a moment, before turning to look at him. He sighed before removing a small key from his pocket and throwing it to him "Fine. There's a change of plan anyway."

"How exciting," The Dark Ace replied sarcastically, almost sighing in relief when his wrists were free from the tight metal grips. He rubbed at them before looking back up at Aerrow. "It's cold."

"I'll get him a blanket." Piper's voice came from the door. "He'll never shut up otherwise."

The Dark Ace and Aerrow moved their heads to look at the very tired looking navigator. She walked in and looked at Aerrow questioningly. "I take it you've finished with him? Can I start watching over him?"

Aerrow nodded and opened his mouth, only to be interrupted by her again. "I'll be fine Aerrow."

"Yes, Aerrow." The Dark Ace chipped in, smiling as he gazed at Piper. "She'll be fine."

Aerrow shot him a warning look before turning to Piper and giving her his signature 'I'm-here-if-you-need-me' expression. She returned him a small smile and he took it as his cue to leave. Piper turned back to look at the Dark Ace, who smirked at her. She sighed, before retreiving a stool and then finding him a blanket, throwing it to him and sitting upon the stool, facing him.

He wrapped it around him, sitting against the wall as he carried on staring at her curiously. Piper couldn't quite figure out what he was thinking of; but instantly felt uncomfortable, her gut tingling a little and goosebumps rising at the back of her neck.

"What?" She finally snapped: she was never at her best when she was sleepy. The rest of her comrades were good at remaining calm under any situation, and even Finn took them by surprise at his energy when it was late. But this was different: Piper didn't like the way he carried on looking at her, as if she was something to devour...She felt almost naked; vulnerable.

He raised an eyebrow at her. "What?" He repeated, intent on teasing her again.

"Stop staring at me."

"Don't flatter yourself so. I'm only staring to assess some things."

"What things?"

He smirked at her.

Piper rolled her eyes. "Whatever. Just stop it."

Silence.

"I'm surprised you're not curious to know what I'm thinking of."

"I really couldn't care less. Just shut up and go to sleep."

"I'm thinking," Ace's smirk was widening now as he continued. "Of how easily your uniform could be ripped to shreds."

Piper felt heat rise in her cheeks as she coughed slightly, not quite sure how to remain calm. He was watching her: amused by how uncomfortable he was making her feel.

"Wonderful," Piper almost choked out, feeling her legs shake a little whilst her fingers tingled numbly. The Dark Ace stood up, walking over to her slowly. She remained in her stool, unafraid. He had no weapon and would not be foolish to hurt her; not with Aerrow on night duty too. He raised his fingers to lift her chin a little, his warm breath smouldering her: she could barely breathe as his eyes roamed her before he leaned down so he was closer to her, his fingers now falling to her shirt.

"I always liked a girl in uniform." He told her quietly, his dark chuckle making her heart leap delightedly. His long, thin fingers moved smoothly down her shirt, unbuttoning it slowly, their eyes never off each other. She said nothing, obliged to just let him continue, all sense vanishing from her and replaced instead by pure lust: she was finally able to admit what he always knew. That she was attracted to him.

That she wanted him.

His cold hand pressed against her beautifully warm stomach and he almost hissed in pleasure, bending his dark head to lean his forehead against her own as he breathed heavily, holding back every ounce of control to not leap on her. Piper's hand covered his and she lifted her eyelids to look up at him through her feathery eyelashes, feeling her fingers slide inbetween his before he pushed their entwined hands upwards, towards the lining of her black bra. His eyes had clouded over with desire and she felt her weak knees shudder as he moved his other arm around her small waist, easily lifting her into his arms.

She clasped her own around his neck instantly, allowing his rough hand to move along her leg and under her thigh, grasping it before pulling her closer and making her leg wind around his waist. The second leg followed this example and Piper felt herself pressed against him fully, watching as he closed his eyes momentarily in pleasure.

Neither had spoken. They didn't need to. They had had enough of pushing whilst pulling, of commanding to stop when really, they were desperate for each other. Piper's head came down just as his moved up and he captured her lips in a bruising kiss, finally claiming her.

He shuffled them along, setting her gently on the table as they kissed each other hungrily, Piper's hands clutching his thick, fluffy hair just as his roamed her body, moving up and down her sides. She lifted her head, her curls tumbling down her back prettily as his hot mouth attacked her long, soft neck, their hips moving rhythmically as she pressed her lips to his forehead, growling against it quietly. His hand moved under her shirt to the clasp of her bra at her back, easily removing it and moving his fingers to tug it down just as Piper removed her own shirt. He stroked her delicately, her warm smooth skin too much for him to take as he moved up to capture her lips again before he pulled away to murmur: "Tell me to stop, and I will."

She pulled his head to him, her hand pressed against his scalp, lifting her face to kiss him fully. When she pulled away, she never faltered under his dark, predatoral hungry gaze, slowly shaking her head.

"I can't," She admitted in a whisper. He groaned at that: cupping her face with his hands to pull her upwards and kiss her, climbing up onto the table as he laid her down, her hands roaming his back under his shirt just as his head bobbed down to kiss his way along her body, egged on by her delicate sighs of his name that left her plump lips. Her hands tugged his shirt and he sat up to remove it, watching as she ran her fingers lightly down his hard chest, tracing his abs before resting upon the zipper of his trousers. His eyes darkened as he watched her and she too looked up at him as, slowly, she ran the zipper down. Before she could do anything else, his fingers clasped around her thin wrist and he lifted it up, kissing along it, his eyes still gazing into hers before: he bit her.

She felt a growl at the back of her throat and suddenly, felt herself soar forwards and pull him down to her. He obliged her, sliding his tongue into his mouth and pressing his body down to hers just as he moved his hand downwards to untie the laces of her own trousers. Her hand joined his to stop him and he looked up at her.

"Please don't," His voice was thick with desire as he stroked his fingers along the front of her trousers, causing her to hiss and moan at the same time. "Don't ask me to stop now. Don't you dare. Let me have you... Please..."

She only gave him a small nod, letting her eyes close as he groaned against her lips, her trousers considerably loosened. His kisses were pressing everywhere into her face and she only arched her back a little: ready.

Aerrow yawned as he moved along the corridor; stopping outside of the room where the Dark Ace was being held. He checked the time. It was his turn to take watch. Sighing, he moved forwards to type in the code to allow him to enter, waiting for the doors to open.

He had no idea what he was about to discover.

A/N: Thank you for all the reviews/alerts/favouriting (I know that's not really a word, so shame on me) I'm enjoying writing this story and only want others to enjoy it too, so please please please, just for me: review.