DanAlaya: Sorry to upset you, but more upsetting things will come to light :/. Zahara is very likeable (without sounded condescending that is xD) I am glad you liked her and please dont be so sad about being attached to her, things might pick up? ;) Thank you for taking the time to review, it means the world to me ^^.

Allteainchina: I really like your ID name, it has a nice ring to it, tea! Thank you so much, Khan was a bit of a tough one. I was worried I had made him too sensitive but I am happy you like it this way ^^. Thank you for taking the time to review, hope to hear more :D.

casper6six6: thank you as always ^^

Sassiebone: That was the idea ;). Hopefully you will note certain foreshadowing moments.

Please keep the reviews coming ^^

April 24th 1993

Khan always saw progress and not just in world order. Then again, there wasn't much he didn't notice when it came to Zahara.

It had been a week since Zahara had first began her training. He remembered the days she returned to their chambers in the night. The scowl she had carried previously began to lessen day by day and she seemed almost content. She didn't speak much about her training, not that he had a chance to ask. Every time he found an opportunity to ask her about her training, he found her fast asleep on top of the cupboard.

Face down, one leg throw over the edge of the plane. Not at all like the adorable kitten like before.

He didn't like that he was so envious of all the time Orlando spent with her. Khan was quick to notice at how comfortable she was around the blonde. It was evident in the carefree way she talked to him when he arrived for his usual briefs in the morning.

That April evening Khan decided drop in on their training. Orlando had been singing high praises about Zahara and her progress in training. Khan had to witness it for himself.

He arrived at the training room and was surprised to find Zahara and Suzette on the mats, they were fighting.

He observed them for a moment, watching as Suzette ducked and side swept each of Zahara's attacks. Khan could tell from the lack of intensity in the blows that they were just practicing. Orlando stood at the sidelines, his stance casual as he watched the two ladies. Khan marched lazily in his direction. Orlando glanced his way in acknowledgment before averting his attention back to his student.

"No obstacle course today?" Khan asked as he stopped beside his friend.

"Oh we are passed that, I thought I'd give her a break from that and test out her fighting abilities." Orlando said a sly smile pinched the corners of his mouth "but that was for my own amusement."

Khan frowned "I did not place her training in your hands so you can amuse yourself."

"Well it's not like I can seduce her, and believe me I have tried, but the woman is positively clueless." The blonde grumbled petulantly "Besides, you've pretty much marked your territory haven't you?"

"Territory?" Khan echoed feeling Orlando's relentless gaze focused on the side of his face like a beacon.

"I am just saying, there have been whispers and inquires. What other things are you training her for from behind those closed doors?"

The barely disguised insinuation in the Augument's words made Khan roll his eyes. Despite his skills in espionage Orlando was hardly subtle in such matters.

"You know better than most that gossip is beneath us." Khan reminded sternly.

"We are a righteous bunch." The blonde bit back cheekily, he turned his profile to his friend "I am just curious. You are not known for spending time with a beautiful woman and not be... more."

Orlando's voice had taken a turn for the softer and more concerned side. This irked Khan; it was as if the man doubted his methods of seduction.

"I have other matters to tend than worry about who warms my bed." Khan reproached.

"Does she?" Orlando pressed.

"No." It was Khan's turn to pout. His clear gaze hardened as he watched Zahara spar with Suzette. The white lights of the room bounced off her cognac curls.

"She is perfectly comfortable a top that ridiculous wardrobe." Khan added disdainfully under his breath.

"Is that a slight dissatisfied lining I hear in your monotonous voice?" Orlando was biting his lip to suppress his need to laugh mockingly. Khan shot him a sharp look of displeasure.

"How intriguing." The blonde muttered to himself, coolly avoiding the heat of Khan's glare.

The Augument was not amused. Why were things progressing so slowly with the Wahashi? His desire for her grew with each passing day yet she was perfectly fine with ignoring the heat between then. Khan was frustrated, he needed to vent.

"Suzette." He boomed startling everyone. The two women froze in their fighting stances and looked to the man. Joaquin, who was knelt down by the pressure sensitive mats (inspecting them) looked up from his work.

Khan was extremely aware of all the eyes focused on him. He cleared his throat ceremoniously; maybe he was a tad bit too loud. He marched over to them, keeping his intense gaze focused on Zahara. She stared back, perplexed.

"I'll take it from here." He concluded dismissively to Suzette.

"Yes Captain." She nodded and hurried off to join Orlando at the sidelines. Zahara watched the woman depart before slyly fixating her attention back on to Khan. Her gaze narrowed to slits, her honey-gold eyes surveyed him carefully.

"You want to fight me?" She questioned. Khan was perturbed by the blunt interrogation.

"Obviously." He snapped snidely. His long legs moved in her direction, she side stepped. They began to circle each other like apex predators, pending battle.

"Your subordinates are watching." She stated, sending a glance their way.

"Yes." He acknowledged, unsure of the direction of her questions.

"Are they accustomed to seeing you beg for your life?"

When the corner of her full lips curved up in a sinful little smirk, he knew she was goading him. He was marveled for a moment by her words.

She was actually teasing him? His blood burned with that same need again, but it was stronger this time. He looked to Orlando from the corner of his eye to find the blonde male chuckling heartily. Clearly the man had influenced the woman in more than just fighting and stealth. Khan wasn't opposed to the idea of her blooming personality. He just wanted her that much more.

"That's an over statement even for you." He bit back monotonously, trying to seem annoyed.

She stared, shrugged, and then abruptly jolted forward.

Wide eyed and startled he quickly side stepped to avoid her attacks. She spun around swiftly and attempted to strike him again.

Her movements ignited a combated dance between them. Khan spent most of his energy avoiding and blocking her attacks. But the moment he found a sliver of an opening to hit back, he did so with full force.

Zahara was knocked back. Her lithe form flew back and went sliding across the matt. The velocity of her fall came to a stop and she didn't waste time dwelling on her dizzy mind. She was on her back and she raised her legs up and thrust up to spring forward into the air, bringing her body up in the process.

She was quickly standing once again and Khan stood patiently waiting for her next move. He could see that the ease in his stance frustrated her.

He focused on testing her instead of opposing. He wanted to push her to her limits see if her time with Orlando and Suzette was beneficial, and it was. Khan was thoroughly impressed by her use of her body to bend and swerve out of harms away. She had also picked up new fighting styles which Khan could see reflected Suzette's, but with more edge.

Suzette had aimed to train, Zahara aimed to maim.

They were both equally, completely immersed in their fight that the surroundings seem to blur behind them. Beads of sweat were beginning to line her forehead, he had never seen such an exertion in her, and he couldn't help but feel flattered.

Distracted by his own thoughts he missed the fire in her eyes when she abruptly thrust a kick at his chest. Khan quickly wrapped his hand around the length of her leg before it made impact with his body.

They had fought over the borders of the mat and towards the walls. Khan had flung her away with the intention of disarming her but the power in his throw was too great. Zahara's back made heavy impact with the wall. The crash echoed within the space.

He did not allow her a moments rest and pinned her to the wall, his fingers wrapped tightly around her throat.

She had reacted faster than he had predicted, like it wasn't her first time being in such a precarious position. The situation was all too familiar to her. She thrashed and attempted to claw at him. He released her neck and grabbed hold of her wrists to subdue her and then pressed up against her.

She immediately stilled.

Their eyes met. Gold to sea-blue. She was breathing hard and fast, her chest heaving at each ragged breath. Khan stared down at her, pinning her under his gaze. She stared with the same defiance he loved, like a pit swirling with tormented molten.

His grip on her limbs had softened involuntarily. He released her left arm and tentatively placed his hand on her waist, his fingers curved around her side.

She continued to watch him, both wary and curious to his advances. He gazed at her in turn, taking in each detail of her fierce eyes, down the length of her short nose and to her mouth.

Her lips were parted temptingly. He wanted to feel them, achingly.

He felt every pull of muscle of her rib cage, from beneath his finger tips. His touched moved up, the padded base of his thumb slyly rubbed up the slanted shape of her ribs. She shifted under him. His hands moved down again to the curve of her waist, he pressed a little harder. His fingers sunk into the tough, warm flesh.

He watched her reactions very carefully. He could not ignore the dilated pupils, flushed cheeks and deep labored breathing. After all he was experiencing the same forms of arousal.

He could hear the pulse of his own heart between his ears. He itched to kiss her, and he had leaned in with the intention of claiming her in some way. But the stares that burned into his back made him aware of their location.

His touch immediately grew cold. His arms dropped to his side and he took a large step back, distancing himself.

"Your reflexes are good. They will be useful in the third level. If you get there." His taunting remark was missed by the confused Wahashi.

"Keep practicing." He insisted sternly.

He was further baffled her by turning away and exiting the space.

Khan wasn't alone in his study for long. An hour after his sparring session with Zahara, the woman barged into his study.

He was in the middle of returning one of the books he borrowed from the shelf beside his chair.

"Why did you do that?" She demanded from behind him. He coolly turned to face her, his expression as clueless as school boy.

"Do what?" He inquired innocently, her eyes narrowed to slits.

"That fight, why did you end it in such a way?"

He smiled and tilted his head to the side, observing her.

"Is it so hard for you to admit defeat?"

"I was not defeated." She hissed with conviction, her eyes flashing dangerously as she took a step to him.

"You just...stopped." Her rigid posture suddenly softened. It was as if all the tension in her body left from the realization in her own words. His heart warmed with an intense adoration and pity at the sight of her questioning gaze.

His body moved towards her in a magnetic attraction, she stood still.

"You wanted me to continue from that point?" He asked his voice considerably gentler.

"I don't understand." She scowled sternly "Why did you touch me that way?"

"Did you hate it?" He asked. She hesitated struggling with a decision to answer.

"No." Her voice was as clear as bells. His blood heated once again, but he suppressed his urges behind a mask of serenity.

"Good." He murmured fondly. She watched him, waiting, expecting more words. He turned away once again and approached his desk.

"I want answers." She announced irately.

He stopped at the head of his seat and turned his profile to her.

"You already know the answer, grasping it is a foreign concept to you." Before she could utter a rebuttal he quickly added,

"Tomorrow is the day of your mission."

There was a moment of silence that was filled by the sound of the legs of his chair rubbing against the carpet. He sat down at his seat and eased back into the upholstery.

"Already?" She inquired curiously, as if all the previous frustration he had caused had left her mind entirely.

"Yes." He nodded. She rounded his table and stood facing him. Khan raised his gaze to meet hers and aligned his fingers together.

"Orlando believes you are ready. Joaquin will be in your team, his expertise will come in handy. You will be leaving at five am tomorrow, rest well. Orlando will be the leader of the operation, follow his orders." He noted soundly. She nodded absorbing his every word.

"Good night." He concluded. She didn't object lowered her head in respects.

"Good night."

He watched her leave, spell bound by the gentle sashay of her hips. Once she was out of sight he released a short breath he didn't realize he had been suppressing. His gaze lazily fell to the report on his desk from Orlando. It was about the Wahashi, outlining her strengths and weaknesses and the man's consent to use her on their mission.

It was the beginning of her ultimate test.