Sorry I took a while to publish this chapter. But here you go anyway ^^. I have been a little cruel with this one :/.

Reviews= faster update. ^^.

xx

SSC

Heavy, raspy breaths left his lips at each inhale he took. Khan struggled to even out his breathing, which was not something he was accustomed to, but that third climax really took the breath from his high capacity lungs.

He took in the sight of her, pinned under him. Her chest was heaving, her lips parted sensually and her eyes shut, experiencing the last waves of pleasure.

"More." She whispered so breathlessly he thought he had misheard her.

"More?" He echoed in wonder. Her lashes swept open, her golden gaze meeting his. They were bright with the same hunger as before.

"Yes." She stated unabashedly. He recovered with a devilish grin on his lips, he stared down at her. With an urbane lift of his eyebrows, he pressed his weight on to her, enticing a hiss of pleasure from her lips.

"You are insatiable." He mused in a sensual delight.

Abruptly he rolled back, dragging her with him. Zahara was startled by this but didn't struggle as he settled her astride on his lap.

"Fine." He said, planting his wide hands on her hips as she straddled his waist, her knees burrowed into the mattress.

"But I will be the acquiescent one this time."

Control was not something Khan easily gave up. World domination cannot begin with a man who understood submission. But it came so easily with her. He didn't even think of it as such.

Her features scrunched up in confusion, her golden gaze glittering in uncertainty "I don't understand."

"You surely do not enjoy being so submissive all the time." He uttered in a snide manner that was not appreciated by her.

"I do not understand what you want of me." She bit back, her teeth clenched in a suppressed anger. He smiled at this. He thumbed at her prominent hip bone almost adoringly.

"Move for me, Zahara." He whispered in a gentle insistence. She was perplexed by this. He leaned back into the comfort of his pillow that was held up by the head board.

"You want pleasure, so take it."

Khan watched her carefully. She bit her lip thoughtfully. She settled her hands on the curves of his shoulders, finding balance. His body tensed up from the pleasure when she claimed him, inch by throbbing inch.

Then she began to move. His dusky brows lifted in wonder, at her unyielding movements. Despite the obvious concentration she placed, her expression mirrored the frustration he knew she felt. His lips parted contemplating the decision to comment.

"Your movements are most gauche—"

"Silence," She hissed focusing her glare on him.

"I am trying to find a pace."

He wanted to smile, her annoyance was thoroughly endearing. His touch grew more possessive, pulling her closer to his body. She stilled and followed his movements as deft fingers pressed into her skin.

She was tense in his hold, he needed her to relax. He moved his soothing touch up the sinuous line of her back. The tips of his fingers running slowly, down the ridge of her spine.

He felt her strain melt under the pressure he placed on her shoulder blades. She was completely at ease by the time his hands returned to her waist.

"Allow me to assist." He breathed and he did. His hips thrust up and she gasped from the suddenness of it, her hands landing on his muscled chest. Understanding the physical demand his body made, she began to move. Slowly, meeting his thrust tentatively at first, but then her pace increased.

She was a quick learner.

"That's good, yes." He said in lush encouragement as pleasure took over him. His head fell back, eyes closing as he simply allowed himself to receive.

The tension began to build, the rhythm had become frantic. His heart was pounding erratically in his chest, a pulse echoed between his ears. But then he felt something soft and warm press against the column of his neck. His eyelids swept open, his chin lowering and his gaze meeting a head of tight curls.

She was peppering the length of his neck with kisses. This surprised him. He wasn't familiar with such a curious meeting of senses during the act of coitus. It was kittenish.

He didn't hate it.

He leaned into her mouth, their chests met. Her lips travelled up his neck and to his jaw line. He groaned appreciatively as she nipped and licked at his skin. His flesh seemed to burn for her.

His left hand moved up her body again, along her sternum and up the curve of her neck until his fingers were buried in her tresses at the back of her head. Their mouths met. Her tongue dived into his mouth, exploring each crevice expertly.

His hold on her was now desperate, his body experiencing new electric sensations he had never experienced before. Kissing during intercourse wasn't something he had given much thought to. But feeling her, her breasts crushed against his chest. Her nails digging into his back as she rode him urgently, made the act so primal and hot that he found it hard to breathe.

Her sharp teeth grazed lightly over his lower lip and the sensation threw him over the edge.

He went rigid, seizing his climax in a ragged groan. She fell into ecstasy, her head thrown back as waves of pleasure consumed her. He watched her, bleary eyed. She was panting, matching his harsh breaths. Her arms were wrapped around his neck, clinging to him.

At the sight of her golden skin, glistening in a light sheen of sweat. Her pink lips, swollen to temptation. Her long sandy lashes. Made him experience a sudden need he couldn't resist, he kissed her again. His actions startled her. He crushed her body to his but his kiss was sluggish, in comparison to his usual searing kiss.

She kissed back, slow and sheepishly, like entering cold waters.

His lazy kisses trailed down her chin and against her throat, like she had done to him. He found he enjoyed inflicting such signs of desire. She moaned, the sound reverberated against his mouth. He didn't understand why it brought such interesting sensations in the both of them. He wanted answers, he needed them.

"Why did you kiss me in such a manner?" He questioned his tongue flicked over her damp skin, the salty taste filling his mind. He pressed his weight on to her. They fell back onto the comfort of the bed.

"I wanted to." She murmured languidly, her hands trailing up his sides.

"So simply?" He inquired raising his head and looking down at her.

"Yes." She mumbled back, her eyes straining open. Her hands emerged from under him to trace the span of his neck, down the corded muscles and across the breadth of his shoulders.

"Your neck looked appealing." She stated factually.

"Appealing enough for you to nibble on it?"

"Yes." Her touch continued up to his mouth, pressing into the supple flesh of his lips. Her eyes followed her hands. "I felt your pulse under my lips. It was thrilling."

"I see." He enjoyed the way the tips of her fingers grazed his lips. He stretched out over her, resting his weight on his forearms that sunk into the mattress, beside her head.

"It is most invigorating." He mused thoughtfully to himself. He continued to contemplate the experiencing. Clearly there was more to sex than just the inevitable release.

His full lips parted to voice his findings to her only to fall into a silence. Zahara had fallen asleep. Air escaped her nose effortlessly. Her arms were slackened at her sides. Her dusky lashes fanned over her serene face. Her hair, the colour of sunset, spilled across the white covers in charming disarray.

His clear eyes wandered over her sleeping form in vague interest.

He liked to think he had driven her to the point of exertion. The thought made more sense than to the idea of her simply giving into fatigue. His own eyelids felt heavy. Augments did sleep and when they did it wasn't for long.

Sleep was more an act of replenishing one's energy, not leisure. He was reminded of the energy he needed for the tasks he had to conduct the next morning.

Stealthily he rolled off her smaller frame and settled into the thick padding. He looked to her, taking in the still silence of her face, he allowed himself to drift off too.

A knock at the door disturbed him from his slumber. Khan's eyes shot open in attention, the glinting chandelier was the first to greet him. The rap of knuckles on wood echoed again.

He sat up and threw his legs off the edge of the bed in a military manner before standing up. Shrugging on his discarded pants he approached the door. He turned the handle and opened the door. He was unfazed by Orlando's presence on the other side.

"Sorry for the intrusion." He paused to take in Khan's state of undress "But I have a message for you."

Khan accepted the folded piece of paper Orlando gestured to him. He unfurled the note and his clear eyes began to scan the message in a haste. Once he was done he raised his gaze to Orlando. The fair-haired male stared back inquisitively.

"Meet me here in two hours. We have a hostile takeover to discuss." Khan state firmly.

"Finally." Orlando breathed in relief and practically raced down the hallway. Khan smiled in amusement and shut the door. He made his way back to his bedroom while folding the small parchment in his hands.

"What happened?" Her voice immediately grabbed his attention. He looked to find her sitting up on the mattress. The bed sheet was wrapped around her body, keeping her modest under his hungry eyes.

For a moment he was entranced by how beautiful she looked to him. The moonlight outlined her smooth shoulders and created a silver halo on the crown of her thick hair. Her unruly curls were endearingly sweet as she tilted her head to the side.

He tucked the folded paper into his back pocket while approaching the foot of the bed. Her golden eyes were watching him carefully, trying to read his expression.

"The moment you had been waiting for has arrived." He stated stopping at the edge of the bed. She craned her neck back and stared up at him.

"The troops are coming?" She asked her eyebrows rose in astonishment.

"Indeed." He murmured deviously while climbing on to the bed. He bent over and planted his hands on either side of her thighs "It won't be long now."

"When are we initiating the take over?" She inquired as her fingers danced absentmindedly along the breadth of his shoulders.

"Four hours from now." He whispered as he arched over her. His eyelids were heavy with desire as his fingers inched towards the bedsheet. With one tug the silk sheets slipped down her body and made her bare for his eyes.

"So you see." His reluctantly lifted his gaze from her breasts and to her face. She was smiling in amusement "We have time to spare."

She agreed with a kiss.

May 1st 1993

05:30 AM.

It was time.

Khan's blood was heating in anticipation. Winning in battle was something he excelled at and he has been looking for a little more excitement. Not that his wild flower didn't provide enough, he just needed one that required him to inflict pain.

The sun was yet to rise over the desert hills, but the skies were beginning to lighten. Just enough to dim the twinkle of the stars. When the time was right, Khan pulled out all his weapons and laid them out on his study.

Zahara watched from the sidelines, even when Orlando arrived. Khan had instructed her to wear black to match the rest of them. She stood leaning against the edge of the desk in her skin tight stealth uniform.

"I will be joining Joaquin and Susan as they secure the west wing." Khan informed as he loaded his Berretta.

"What about the gate? As amazing and skillful as I am. There are more than a two dozen." Orlando insisted while securing his gun into his holster.

"I can help with that." Zahara added and looked to Khan for approval. He smiled and nodded in acceptance.

"As you should." He said while tucking the weapon into his hip holster.

"Are we a hundred percent sure that the Benefactor is the Sheikh?" Zahara suddenly asked. The two men looked to her before glancing at each other. There was a knot of concern between her eyebrows. Her golden eyes were dead set on Khan, expecting an answer from him.

"All evidence Joaquin had gathered points to that. He is listed as one of the deciding members of the Appello council and it's his signature on the checks plus it was him that talked to Malt." Orlando answered, grabbing her attention. She contemplated his words for a moment before she nodding in approval. Ideally Khan did not operate on just assumption but he was willing to make the exception due to their straying timeline.

"Alright then, let's move out." The captain ordered. Orlando made a beeline for the exit and they followed. The fair male led the charge and was the first to step out into the deserted corridor. He had rendered the guards unconscious with one of his sleeper grenades. It was a fogless chemical that worked effectively.

It was her turn to cross the threshold but Khan prevented her forward momentum by grasping her delicately by the wrist.

"Zahara." He whispered pulling her to him, she turned simultaneously and looked up at him. He was stunned for a moment by the swirling molten of her eyes. Even in an almost dark room they were luminescent.

"You are not going to tell me not to kill anyone are you? Because I will disobey." She warned playfully. Khan couldn't help but smile again.

"Slaughter to your contentment, just avoid my staff." He ordered teasingly, he hesitated to release her and mindlessly stroked her wrist with the base of his thumb.

"Also, do not die."

She was taken aback by his gentle command. But then the surprise in her expression softened to a doting look.

"Wa'anta." She murmured. Khan liked to think that he had dumbfounded her with his declaration. To the point where she had forgotten the English way to say 'you too.' But this thoughts were erased from his mind the moment her soft lips touched his for the briefest of seconds. She then turned away and disappeared at the bend of the door, leaving him speechless.

Khan barged in through the large doors that led to the Sheikh's quarters. Susan had lead the charge with a few other Augments and had successfully subdued the Royal guards. Khan had arrived to find Joaquin and Susan had forced the Sheikh and his heirs to be seated on rows of ornate chairs within the family room.

The children were dressed in their night clothes. The boys in their long night shirts and the girls in their gowns. All nine children were present. They were scared and tried desperately to cower into one ornate chair while huddling each other. Their mother, a pale woman with dark brows and hair. She wrapped the younger children protectively in her arms.

Khan averted his attention to the Sheikh that sat in the center. He looked as casual as he did that time he came to visit Khan at his chambers. To advise him about punishing the Wahashi.

His highness raised his gaze to meet the Augment's icy blue stare.

"Who is the benefactor?" Khan demanded. The Arab's eyes flashed in recognition, his forehead crinkled in alarm while desperately trying to seem unfazed.

"I don't know what you are talking about." He retorted gruffly. Khan's eyes narrowed and he turned his attention to Joaquin. The Iranian Augment stood behind the children. The moment Khan looked to him he pressed the barrel of the gun to the head of the closest child.

This was an empty threat. Khan didn't find any joy in assassinating or threatening a child. But the Sheikh loved his family, it was obvious enough from the sheer panic in his dark eyes.

"Don't lie to me, you are the main money back for the Wahash are you not?" The captain roared, startling the Royal.

"Yes but I was just the money—"He stammered but his head was turned and to his child that cried in fear. He quickly looked to Khan again, his chin trembled with words to say

"I had no involvement with the procedure, I do not know anything that you ask."

Khan frowned, unconvinced.

"M-my advisor, Khalifa." He continued to say "He was the one who introduced the idea to me. I just agreed, please spare my family."

The advisor? That means the Wahashi are his to command. There was a sudden pang of overwhelming dread in his heart. The captain immediately looked to Susan who stood silently by the door.

"Where is Khalifa?" He questioned cruelly, but from the lack of uncertainty that reflected in his teams shifty eyes. He knew Khalifa wasn't on their side of the palace.

Khan raced down the long corridor, determined to get to the other side of the palace. Despite the stamina he had as an Augment, his heart pounded heavily from the unsettling fear in his mind. His instincts were warning him, something was terribly wrong.

Joaquin and Susan pursued him with guns at hand, ready for battle.

Khan reached the open doors to the main hall. He came to the tall, empty round room. Three presences within the space made him halt, his shoes screeched against the glossy tiles.

In the center of the room stood Khalifa, grinning sadistically. His attention was focused on two huddled figures situated in the distance between them.

One was Zahara. She was crouched over and snarling menacingly. Her fangs were bared, the skin around her mouth scrunched up almost demonically and her eyes were a blaze with a maddening rage.

Her hands fingers were dripping with blood and under her…pinned under her laid Orlando.

Motionless.