"A pleasure to meet the elusive Mr. Grayson." Nightwing set his drink down and looked up at the woman who had come to stand beside him. Her hair drew his attention; it was like a living flame with the colors that streaked through it; reds, oranges, gold and even a strand of blue or green in places. Brilliant emerald eyes stared at him from under an ornate flame mask. His mouth wet dry as his gaze went down. The dress, much like the rest of her, looked like fire. The v of her dress plunged way down and even opened to form a circle around her belly button. Silk layers gave enticing views of long legs and strappy heels. Oh god, he thought, what if he had to get up an accept the award in a few minutes. He prayed that he wouldn't have to go up just yet he would be stiff as a board and everyone would know why.

"A pleasure, Madam?" His voice came out a little hoarse. She smiled an amused smile like she was having a private joke.

"Aurora." she extended a gloved hand and shook his hand. He took it and shook her hand. That name rang a dim bell.

"Have we met before?" She smiled again like there was something obvious he was missing.

"Once or twice through a," she paused thoughtfully. "friend of mine, but very briefly." Nightwing tried to think back to all the parties he had been too. Yet he couldn't recall this woman ever being at any function he had gone to with Bruce. And he would have remembered this woman. He shifted uncomfortably in his chair as Aurora slid gracefully into the chair beside him and crossed her legs.

"Oh? Is that friend here?" she smiled wickedly

"Not at the moment. We had a long journey, so I think she is resting."

"Are you staying here with your friend?"

"Yes." the smile that pulled her lips was all seduction. "Would you care to join me?" Nightwing thought about the request. That in and of itself was telling. Something didn't seem right. This woman had picked him out by name and was deliberately and plainly trying to seduce him. A small part of him admitted she had succeeded. What was her game?

"What about your friend?"

"I'm sure she wouldn't mind. She knows me well enough." Nightwing nodded and steered the conversation away from sex. They chatted about various things but whenever the conversation turned towards Aurora or any part of her past or family the questions were deftly side stepped. At one point she made a slight slip, when referring to her mother, though she almost said creator instead. It was then that the award ceremony began. Both of them were forced to pay attention as different authors and their books were called. Jessie's book was called up twice. He stood and graciously accepted both on her behalf. On his way back he spotted Amy and went to drop off the awards with her.

"Well done. It would been pulling teeth to get Jessie to do that." Nightwing smiled, he remembered his friend's aversion with standing in the spot light and speaking even if she was only saying thank you. "I noticed you found the pretty woman cosplaying as a flame."

"Actually I wanted to know if you knew who she was." Amy shrugged.

"Never met her before, heck I've never heard of her before. I was hoping you knew her."

"I don't know her." Yet now he was suspicious that that might not be true.

"Neither had I until Jessie asked me to put her name on the list and give the woman her invitation." Then it clicked.

"Jessie invited her?" Amy nodded. He wasn't sure if he was pissed or happy.

"Yeah why?"

"It turns out I do know her after all." He got up and made his way back to the table where Aurora was lounging in her chair. He extended an arm to her.

"I believe my duty is done for this night." She raised a perfect eyebrow and gave him a smile that should have knocked the wind out of him. It didn't. "Lead the way." She rose and he couldn't help but notice she looked even more like fire, even the temperature was rising. Aurora deftly lead him to the elevators and away from the crowd that was forming. Almost like they couldn't see them.

The elevator swept them up to the top floor. Then they were on the move again. Down the hallway to the last room. Aurora drew a key from her dress, something that would have had any other man on their knees. She swiped it then dragged him into the room. Swiftly Nightwing stepped in front of her to block her path to the bed. A hand skimmed up her cheek and took her mask off. Then he reached back and undid his own.

"I want to see your face when you are Jessie again," he whispered, "Aurora AynaSvek." Aurora looked completely unfazed. She smiled broadly at him.

"What gave me away?" Nightwing smiled amused.

"It took me longer than it should have, but when you said your creator or mother dreamt you up; I suspected. Amy told me Jessie had a ticket set aside for you. That's when I remembered reading a bit of your story. Aurora born of fire and light. You were supposed to be everything Jessie wasn't."

"What do you mean supposed to? I am everything she isn't." Nightwing shook his head no.

"Jessie seemed to think that she was unfeminine. She made you what she thought every man's fantasy was. But I always liked Jessie's way of being bold and seductive better." Aurora snorted,

"Brawling in the sand half naked?" Night wing nodded. He was amazed that one of Jessie's characters could view her the way Aurora did, but then she had been created in Jessie's self consciousness about such aspects of herself.

"I liked it." he said firmly. Aurora snorted again.

"Maybe she doesn't-" her voice broke off and became Jessie's. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean-." she broke off just as emerald eyes turned gold and looked down at the floor. The color in her hair washed away leaving only her natural hair color. Jessie shrank half an inch then seemed to be normal again.

"A friend once told me, it's alright to lie to a stranger, but not yourself. You'll only end up hurting yourself." She sucked in a deep breath trying to calm the trembling in her hands. When she couldn't she slipped them behind her back. "However you also said I'd know if you ever lied to me too." She froze. "Some people consider what you do stalking you know." She winced like he slapped her. "Don't think I didn't notice all those lucky happen stances where I came out of things alive that I shouldn't."

"I think I should leave." she wouldn't look at him and when she did turn to leave he put his arm up to block her. Now she looked up at him completely forgetting her fear and now angry. "I will throw you out of my way." he smiled mischievously at her.

"And I'll take you with me when you send me flying into that bed." She ducted her head but not before he saw the blush creeping down her face and neck. He put a hand under her chin and made her look up at him. "For once in your life, tell me straight out, what do you want." She stared at him for a long time. He almost thought she was going to run when she whispered,

"You." One simple word. He did think, just bent down the few scant inches that separated them and kissed her. She froze under him then hesitantly reached up and wrapped her arms around his neck. They kissed for what could have been seconds or minutes. When they finally came up for air he asked,

"How long are you renting this room?"

"Until tomorrow afternoon."

"Good." he scooped her up and brought her over to the bed.