Startled, she blinked and turned to look at him.  "Dinner?  I don't know yet.  Why?"

 

 "Just curious," he said through a yawn, shrugging.

 

 Raising an eyebrow, Tonya chuckled and shook her head.  "What do you want, luv?"

 

 "Nothing," he replied a little too quickly.

 

 "Uh-huh."  Tonya folded her arms and fixed him with a look.  "I don't believe that," she said with a smirk.  "It's 7 o'clock in the morning and you're not even out of bed...yet you're asking about dinner.  What do you want?"

 

 Realizing he was cornered, he smiled sheepishly.  "I was just wondering if we could have porcupine balls for supper."

 

 Tonya smirked and walked over to the bed.  Crawling onto the bed, she knelt beside him with her hands resting on her thighs, her long tail flicking lazily.  "I knew you wanted something," she said smugly looking into his eyes.

 

 He smiled warmly and she leaned closer.  "Is this a yes?" he asked softly as she tucked a wayward lock of hair back behind his ear.

 

 "Yes," she whispered before gently touching her lips to his.  Pulling back slightly, she brushed a kiss to the tip of his nose, then slipped from the bed.  "There's hamburger in the fridge, but I think Techno had plans for it, so you might ask him first," she said as she walked towards the door glancing at her watch.  "I think we're out of A1 as well."

 

 "I'll check," he replied laying down and snuggling back into the pillows.

 

 "I should be done at the usual time unless something drastic happens," Tonya said turning to flash him her peace sign salute.  He mumbled a reply, already half asleep, she paused watching him, and a soft smile painted her lips.  Zarbon looked so peaceful when he slept, like an innocent child, making it hard to imagine he could ever have been a mercenary.  Resisting the urge to go tuck in her sleeping beau she slipped out the door and whispered, "See you later."

 

 -- - - - - - - - - - -

 

 Zarbon smiled to himself the entire time he was in Dillon's.  In addition to A1 sauce, he had to pick up rice, ketchup, mustard, and a few other items.  Just the thought of the little meatballs made his mouth water and he could hardly wait for dinner.  Who would have thought that a crazy combination of hamburger, condiments, and rice would taste so good?  Certainly no one on his planet; he was glad Tonya had talked him into trying them.

 

 He hummed the same tune Tonya usually did, a little fact that Sebastian claimed meant Zarbon spent too much time with her.  Nickleback's This is how you remind me, didn't really fit his mood, but it was easy to get it stuck in your head.  Especially when your girlfriend sings it to herself more often then the group probably does, but he liked it, so he didn't really mind.  Zarbon loaded the groceries into the trunk of his Jaguar, trying to think of something else to serve with the porcupine balls.  And what could/would Poopsie eat?

 

 Reaching up to shut the trunk, he sensed people behind him.  Pausing, he started to turn, but the sudden sharp prick of a needle in his back stopped him.

 

 Damn it, he thought as his limbs rapidly grew heavy and his vision blurred.  Why did I let myself become so distracted?  He grabbed one of the men by the shirt, determined to do something to prevent whatever course of action they were taking.  The drug was too potent though, and he collapsed bonelessly to the ground, unconscious before he was half way there.

 

One of the three men pulled the cell phone from Zarbon's pocket, tossed it in the trunk, and then shut it.  The others carried the comatose man to their car and placed him in the backseat.  Their friend climbed in and they drove away.  No one seemed to have noticed the whole scene or if they did, they chose not to report it.

 

- - - -- - - - - - - -

 

 Tonya got home at 7:15 on the dot, tired after a long day of educating the public about the different types of animals at the refuge.  She changed in Zarbon's room, selecting her normal cutoffs and t-shirt, then brushed her hair, and headed for the kitchen.  To her surprise, he wasn't there nor was the kitchen set up to make supper.  Since she was closer to the garage, she stepped outside to see if his car was there.

 

 Finding it gone, she came back to the kitchen and called his cell phone.  It rang fifteen times before his voice mail picked up and she frowned.  Hanging up without leaving a message, Tonya chewed her lip worriedly, wondering what to try next.  Hurrying down to the cave, she found Techno working on yet other type of tracker.

 

 "Supper ready?" he asked as he heard her coming.

 

 "No," she replied, then paused unsure how to phrase her query.

 

 "No?  After the way Zarbon was acting, I thought he'd have them done by now," Techno said looking up in surprise.

 

 "I can't find him, his car's gone, and he's not answering his phone," she said, worry clearly showing on her face.

 

 Techno frowned.  "He went to the store about one o'clock.  I thought he was back.  How many times did you let it ring?"

 

 "Fifteen," Tonya snapped.

 

 Techno's frown deepened.  Both knew Zarbon always carried his phone when he left the house and almost always answered it.  If he didn't want to talk or couldn't, he would hit the button to send it to his voice mail.  If he was in class, the call would automatically be routed to his voice mail.  Regardless, Zarbon's phone never rang more than four times, though it was sent to pick up at fifteen.

 

 Techno turned, walked to the computer, and hit a few keys.  Instantly the screen was filled with a map of Tequila Heights.  Eleven blinking dots lay scattered across the screen.

 

 "Eleven dots?" Tonya asked.

 

 "Bowie, you, and me," Techno pointed at the mansion, then hit a key changing the color of the dots.  "Poopsie.  Sally.  Jessica.  Dee.  Alec.  Sebastian.  Daniel."  Each dot changed as he spoke the name.  "Zarbon's still at Dillon's."  He zoomed in closer.  "Correction.  He's in the parking lot."

 

 "I'm going to check it out.  Call me if it moves."

 

 Five minutes later, Tonya and Alec, whom she caught just coming in the door, stood in Dillon's parking lot.  Seeing no sign of her beau, Tonya unlocked the trunk and opened it slowly.

 

 "There's his phone," Alec said.

 

 "And the groceries," Tonya added.  "But where's Zarbon?  He wouldn't leave without telling me."

 

 "Maybe he met an old friend," Alec suggested.  "Though that doesn't explain why his phone's in the trunk."

 

 Tonya leaned on the Jag and sighed.  "No it doesn't.  I mean..." she paused then began look through the bags for something.  She pulled out the receipt, studied it a moment, frowning with concentration. 

 

 "What?" Alec asked as she dropped to look under the car.

 

 "I smell beer.  Coors light, I think," she replied dusting her hands and standing back up.

 

 "That doesn't make much sense.  Zarbon doesn't drink beer and no one in the house buys Coors," Alec said.  He shook his head as he caught on to her train of thought.  "He couldn't have been kidnapped.  That's impossible."

 

 "Why?  I've been kidnapped," Tonya retorted.  Alec chose not to comment on that.  "Maybe they had something or someone and were threatening to do something horrible if he didn't go with them."

 

 Alec looked at her skeptically.  "Are you listening to yourself?  You couldn't get much vaguer than that."  He shook his head again.  "I think you've just been watching to much Anime.  Let's go get back and tell T what we've found."

 

- - - - - - - - - - - -

 

 "Tonya, even if I believed Zarbon could be kidnapped, without him carrying his phone, I can't track him," Techno said then glared at the girl.  "Pouting isn't going to help.  He'll come home when he's good and ready."

 

 "And if he doesn't?" Tonya asked giving Techno a puppy eyed look.  "What if he's really in trouble?"

 

 Techno frowned darkly at her.  "Maybe he just wanted to get away from you for a while."  He froze, trying hard to believe that comment had just been internal, but the look on her face proved otherwise.  Sighing, he rubbed his forehead.  "I'll make some calls.  Just sit down and relax."

 

 Tonya sat down gloomily and studied the floor.  Was Techno right?  Had Zarbon left just to get away from her?  Slumping in her seat, she tried not to think about it, swallowing hard, and blinking back tears of shame for her doubts.

 

 "Hello, Mr. MacMickle.  What can we help you with?" an unfamiliar male voice asked.

 

 Tonya glanced up at the bearded man in a black suit on the screen, vaguely wondering who he was.  "Hello Zed.  It seems we may have a slight problem.  One of my housemates has apparently and unexpectedly disappeared.  I was wondering if you might know where he is.  He's name is Zarbon Chan," Techno said.

 

 "The young prince from Zydney?" Zed asked, tapping a few keys on a consol in front of him.  "Ah, yes.  A small group of amateur alien investigators has him in custody.  Don't worry though, they'll question him a bit and let him go in a few days."

 

 Tonya was out of her chair and by Techno's side the moment Zed had said he knew were Zarbon was.  Her eyes widened at his words, and then she bristled with anger.  "Don't worry?!?  And what if they find out he's an alien?" she asked, eyes bright with rage.  "What will happen then?"

 

 "The men will undoubtedly call a government agency, and then we'll step in and take control of the situation," Zed answered.  "He's at their home base now and we're monitoring the communication lines from that area carefully.  This is the first time this group has actually kidnapped a true alien.  They've been doing things like this for the past five years, averaging five people a year."  He glanced up for the screen he was reading.  "Prince Zarbon should be back with you in, oh say, two weeks?"

 

 Her jaw dropped in shock and Techno was glad Zed was in New York, far away from the girl's temper.  "Two weeks?  If you know exactly where he is, why can't you go get him?!"

 

 "Because young lady," Zed replied glaring at her.  "The MIB are here to protect humanity from the worst scum of the universe and keep them in the dark while doing it.  How do you suggest we maintain our invisibility while barging into a town with a population of less than a thousand?  It isn't possible."

 

 Tonya opened her mouth then shut it knowing Zed had a valid point.  She glared at the screen venomously trying to suppress her anger enough to get a clear sentence out.  Feeling a twinge of satisfaction when Zed squirmed just slightly under her gaze, Tonya's eyes narrowed.  They widened only fractionally as she realized the information on the screen Zed was reading was reflected in the glass wall behind him.  Keeping her face a mask of rage, she snarled and whirled from the computer almost hitting Techno with her braid, and stormed off and up the stairs.  While plans of rescue raced through her thoughts, the address of Zarbon's captors was foremost in her mind.

 

Techno began to try to negotiate with Zed, hoping Tonya wouldn't take her temper out on anything other than the punching bag.

 

- - - - - - - - -

 

Zarbon awoke slowly, keeping his eyes shut and his breathing even by instinct.  He remembered the prick in his back and could feel the ropes binding him to his seat.  His legs were tied together and his wrists were bound behind him.  The scent of beer and lighter fluid seemed to fill the air, making him long for the familiar fragrances of the mansion.

 

"Cut the still sleeping act," a voice commanded.  "We know you're awake."

 

Zarbon opened his eyes and looked at his abductors and his surroundings.  It appeared he was being kept in an old garage, complete with oily rags and yard equipment.  The three men before him looked like the typical 30-something die-hard Sci-Fi fans.

 

"What are you doing here?" another one of the men asked.

 

"I should ask you that," Zarbon replied calmly.  "You brought me here."

 

"Fred means, what are you doing on planet Earth?"  the third man asked.

 

Zarbon blinked in confusion.  "What are you talking about?  I was born here.  I teach chemistry at the University of Tequila Heights."

 

"What planet are you from?" the first man asked.

 

"Earth.  I was born in Australia 27 years ago," Zarbon answered annoyed.  The three men smiled at each other and Zarbon frowned slightly, suddenly worried.

 

"Nice watch you have here," Fred said holding up Zarbon's watch.  "What do you think Jim?"

 

"Very nice.  Must have cost a lot in Australia," Jim answered.  He handed the watch to the first man.  "Your opinion Jones?"

 

"I think he's lying to us, boys," Jones answered with a smirk.

 

Zarbon had paled when they first mentioned his watch and he felt a sinking sensation in his stomach.  He was sure he could easily get free of these men, but he had no idea where he was.  This could be a setup and he might actually be in the middle of a military base.  On the other hand, he might just as easily be in the middle of the countryside, miles away from any towns.

 

He spotted his wallet on the bench as Jones laid down his watch and he groaned low in his throat.  Though he detested the thought, he might be forced to kill these men.

 

- - - - - - - -

 

Tonya turned down the oh-too-familiar road and immediately reached to lock the doors.  Only one problem with this; motorcycles don't have doors to lock.  Wanting speed, maneuverability, as well as intimidation, the Black Vampire had been the best choice.  But now she was beginning to regret her decision as she crossed the railroad tracks into the one town even the Others feared to go alone:  Mentor.

 

As she pulled into the driveway of her destination, she noticed with dread she's been to this house before.  At least the grill isn't on fire this time, she thought as she dismounted.  Pulling her gun from its holster on the bike, she smiled to herself.  It was rare she got to use her guns, even as a prop, and even more rare this baby was used.

 

Jokingly, yet affectionately named Betsy, this weapon was something she'd picked up from a small group of terrorists she'd tangled with.  Armor piercing and regular machine gun capabilities, laser sights, and a tight shot pattern made this one of the more deadly guns in her arsenal.  Weighing in at less than two pounds, solid black, and easy to field strip or assemble, made it one of her favorites.  Now if only she could find ammo for it...

 

Adjusting her grip on the gun, she studied the house a moment, trying to decide how to proceed.  Relaxing her right arm, she let the gun hang with the business end towards the ground.  Checking that her path was clear, she put on her sunglasses, and strolled up the walk.  She stepped up onto the concrete stoop and knocked loudly.  The inner door opened and a disheveled man peered at her through the dirty screen door.

 

The man's face brightened and he opened the screen door.  "Chicksss," he slurred drunkenly.  "Come on in!"

 

She noticed the wrapped Burger King whopper in his hand and wondered if he always carried one around.  "Thank you," she said and stepped inside.  He shut the door, then reached for her, but paused as she pointed the gun at his chest.  "I'm looking for the man you kidnapped.  Take me to him or..."  She dropped the gun so it was pointed at the man's crotch. 

 

He seemed to sober up immediately and lead her to the garage.  He opened the door for her but she waved him through with the gun.  Her entrance startled the three men in the garage, but their protests died in their throats and they froze at the site of her gun and shades.

 

 Zarbon's eyes widened at the vision standing in the doorway and his breath caught in his throat.  He swallowed hard, his mouth dry, and tried to fight down the sudden blood rush to his groin.  While he had hoped someone would come to rescue him, he hadn't expected this.  If his heart hadn't been pounding and his blood roaring in his ears, he might have thought he had died.  I'm dreaming, he thought as his eyes raked over her lithe form.  I must have strayed into a dream.  Tonya would never wear that...would she?

 

The black thigh high boots hugged her legs like leather gloves, and her black pleated skirt barely reached the top of them, offering tantalizing glimpses of skin when she moved.  Her white blouse exposed her midriff while clinging everywhere else, though the top button strained to keep its place.  Every time she breathed, the button threatened to desert, but somehow it managed to maintain its post.  The black suit jacket and pigtails completed her outfit, and the effect was stunning.  Though he'd dreamed of seeing her in a similar outfit, his schoolgirl wore slippers instead of boots and carried schoolbooks in place of the gun.  He tried to think straight as the blood fled his brain for a more southern locale.

 

Tonya shifted the gun and pointed it at the men.  "Let him go now," she said in a 'go ahead and try something, I'd love to shoot you' tone.

 

"Why?" Fred asked.

 

"Who are you?" Jones asked.

 

"Agent T of MIB," Tonya replied.  "You screwed up big time boys.  We've been nice and ignored you up to this point, but kidnapping royalty is a crime we can't ignore.  Especially when his mother gives us only two hours to find and retrieve her son before she'll blow up the planet."  Tonya glanced at her watch.  "We have fifteen minutes left and I'm out of com range.  Your choice boys; do you doom the planet or save it?"

 

"And if we choose to doom it?" the drunken man asked.

 

"Then I shoot all of you, take the Prince, and hope I'm not too late," Tonya replied nonchalantly.

 

Fred and Jim were already untying Zarbon, but began to hurry at her words.  He stood up and rubbed his wrists when they pulled the ropes away and Jones handed him his wallet, keys, and watch.

 

"We're sorry, your majesty," he said.  "No hard feelings?"

 

"Just don't do it again," Zarbon said then frowned slightly.  "Where's my phone?"

 

"We put it in the trunk," Fred said, "so they couldn't track it.  Fat lot of good it did."

 

"Be good boys," Tonya said.  "Don't make me come back."  She turned to Zarbon, who swallowed hard.  "This way, your highness," she said with a slight bow, not realizing she gave him a good look down her shirt.  "Don't want to keep the Queen waiting."

 

He blushed and nodded, then followed her outside.  Putting on the helmet she handed him, he was glad to hide his flaming cheeks as the realization he was going to have to touch her hit him.  Reining in his hormones, he got on the motorcycle behind her and put his hands on her waist, trying to keep a bit of distance between them.  She revved the engine, then took off, the cycle wailing like a banshee as she opened up the throttle.

 

It was apparent she wasn't planning on dropping her speed even on these winding back roads.  Zarbon was forced to move forward and wrap his arms around her waist to keep from falling as she flew over the hills.  She briefly leaned back into his embrace, then focused on the road ahead.  Feeling something fluttering against his arms, Zarbon peeked over her shoulder to discover the source.  He blushed deeply as he realized it was her skirt and that he had a clear view of her panties.  Biting his lip, he closed his eyes as one hand slid down to smooth her skirt, then pinned the material across her thighs with his forearm.

 

Tonya had tensed in surprise, then relaxed as she realized what had happened and she laughed.  "Problems, Koi?" she asked chuckling.

 

"No," he replied tightening his grip slightly as they bit a bump.  "Did you really call mother?"

 

"No, but I thought it sounded good," she answered with a smirk.

 

"Looks good too," he muttered.  "Very good." Tonya smiled, but didn't respond because she knew she wasn't supposed to have heard that.

 

- - - - - - -

 

Tonya pulled into the garage and immediately noticed the fancy, shiny black car that hadn't been there when she'd left.  She wondered briefly at its presence, then idled the Vampire over to its place.   Zarbon hadn't said anything for the past half hour, and she knew he wasn't asleep, but he didn't appear to be releasing her anytime soon.

 

"We're home, Koi," she said taking off her helmet.  His grip momentarily tightened as she shifted to tap gently on his helmet.  "Hello in there.  Can you hear me?"

 

He released her and took off his helmet.  "Yeah, just thinking," he answered.  A faint blush highlighted his cheekbones making her wonder just what he was thinking.  Both stood and Tonya reached for her gun to take it inside, but he caught her hand, stopping her.  She looked at him expectantly and he swallowed hard, the blush increasing.  "It is customary for the hero to receive a kiss from the fair damsel he rescues, is it not?"  He paused and wet his lips.  "I believe the same is true if the roles reversed."

 

Tonya smirked and put her arms around his neck.  "You do, do you?" she asked with half lidded eyes.

 

"Yes," he answered softly, his voice husky.  His arms encircled her waist, pulling her tight against him as his lips found hers.

 

She opened her mouth to him and he groaned low in his throat as their tongues sparred.  They broke for air and Tonya smiled as he rubbed his cheek against hers.  Nuzzling his cheek, she hoped he was okay; a physical at this moment might be interesting to say the least.

 

A wicked thought entered her mind and she grinned, then dismissed it.  As much fun as it might be to push him back against a car, straddle him, and try to take his pulse with her lips, it wouldn't be practical or fair.  Aside from that, she wasn't quite sure how far she could push him right now.  Normally, they could tease each other to almost the point of insanity without any repercussion.  But Zarbon already seemed to be on the edge right now.  She wasn't sure she could handle him if he fell over it. 

 

Sighing with regret, Zarbon pulled away, trying to compose himself and tame his rebelling body.  "I have got to get you out of those clothes," he muttered under his breath, closing his eyes in the effort to get his body back under control.

 

Tonya's eyes widened at his words, but he missed her surprised look and she chose not to comment.  "Shall we go inside, Koibito?"

 

Zarbon nodded, then followed her inside.  Absently, he wondered if she'd literally shoot him with the gun she had if he just...His hand moved of its own violation and swiped at her skirt, brushing her skin and flipping the material up to display her underwear again.  Tonya jumped in surprise and whirled to face him, shock plain on her face.  Zarbon's blush was scarlet and he swallowed hard again as she raised an eyebrow at him.  Turning only slightly so she could keep an eye on him, she took a deep breath and his gaze once again fell to that button struggling to keep the scene PG-13.

 

"Honey, I'm home!" she called.  They listened to the echo then heard a reply from the den.  Tonya looked at Zarbon for a moment then smiled and held out her hand.  "Don't make me feel like you're my prisoner, Koibito.  Come walk next to me."

 

He took her hand, kissed the back, and then moved to stand next to her.  "I am your prisoner, angel," he replied smiling.  "You captured my heart from the first time I looked into your eyes and I never want to escape."  Now Tonya blushed and Zarbon leaned over to kiss her cheek.

 

They walked to the den in silence, but they could hear people talking.  Zarbon let her enter first, following close behind, and the conversation stopped immediately.  The group stared at her outfit in a mixture of shock and amusement.

 

"Introducing this year's poster child for why you shouldn't let your kids watch Anime...Tonya!" Poopsie said with a grin.

 

"So did you get the role in Catholic School Girls Gone Bad 5?" Sebastian asked smirking.

 

Both Techno and Sally just shook their heads and looked away while Jessica sat in stunned silence.

 

Dee frowned.  "Did you steal that out of my closet?"

 

"Nope," Tonya replied with a grin.  "All mine."  She shifted so the gun now rested against her shoulder, pointing towards the ceiling.  "I've used the clothes for one bounty, but the boots have been on three or four."

 

"The rules must have changed since I quit bounty hunting, then," Alec said.  "We always wanted to be inconspicuous."

 

"Well, I doubt they were looking at my face," Tonya retorted.  "When working alone, sometimes you have to be your own distraction.  Besides when I infiltrated that Catholic school my freshman year of high school, this outfit fit a little better."

 

"I think it looks good now," the dark skinned man in a black suit said.  Tonya raised an eyebrow at him while the other suit frowned and Zarbon glared at him.  "I think I'll suggest an outfit change for the ladies to Zed."

 

"Tonya, this is Agent K and his partner J.  They're from MIB," Techno said introducing the two men.  "K, this is Tonya and her recently missing boyfriend Zarbon Chan."

 

Agent K stood and walked over to shake the couple's hands.  "That was a very risky stunt you pulled," K said,  "What would have happened if..."  Without another word he took the gun from Tonya and pointed it at her.

 

A millisecond after the gun left her hand, Tonya drew her handguns from their holsters and pointed them at K, safety off, and fully cocked.  K blinked in surprise, then nodded and handed the gun to Zarbon, who took it cautiously.  Tonya gave K a final glare, then uncocked the guns, flipped on the safety, and reholstered them.

 

"Isn't it uncomfortable to have those strapped to your thighs?" Sebastian asked avoiding Jessica's glare.

 

"Compared to under wires, high heels, and panty hose, I'd have to say...No," Tonya replied reclaiming her gun from Zarbon.  He sat down on the couch, pulled her onto his lap, and she discreetly crossed her legs.

 

"If you don't mind my asking ma'am, how did you find where they were keeping him and how did you convince them to let him go?" K asked.

 

Tonya grinned like a Cheshire cat.  "Well, when T was talking to Zed, I happened to notice that the info was reflected and that I could read it easily.  As for convincing them ..." Her grin turned predatory.  "I just asked real nice and showed them my gun."  She smirked.  "They were quite helpful after that."

 

"Where did you find him?" Jessica asked.

 

"Mentor," Tonya answered.  "The Chicks guy's house."

 

 "Oh my god," Poopsie exclaimed.  "I knew they were aliens!"

 

 "They're not aliens," Tonya replied laughing.  "They kidnap aliens."

 

 "Oh, you could have fooled me," Poopsie said.

 

 "Technically, they're aliens to me," Zarbon replied.  He yawned and nudged Tonya, who stood up.  "I hate to leave such a simulating conversation, but its late, I've had a long day, and I'm tired."  He stood and stretched.  "Good night."

 

 Tonya hugged him and kissed his cheek.  "Night luv.  Sweet dreams."

 

 His back to the others, Zarbon raised an eyebrow as he looked at her as if to say "And you're not coming...Why?"  Without a word, he picked her up and put her over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes.  A thunk from behind him caught his attention and he turned slightly to look.  There, just behind him on the floor, lay a dagger.  Everyone seemed to be staring at it or the girl over his shoulder.  He could guess where it had been hidden, but he pushed the thought from his mind before he could get too deep into it.  Alec quickly moved to claim the dagger and Tonya growled a warning.  He picked it up, held it a moment as if weighing the risk of keeping it, and then handed it to Tonya.

 

 "Okay, we've seen plan A, B, and now C.  All I want to know is, if there's a D and where is she hiding it," J said.

 

 Zarbon turned and fixed him with a glare, wiping the smile of J's face.  The others wished the couple a good night and Zarbon carried her off to his room.  He shut the door, locked it, then swung her off his shoulder, but her feet never touched the floor.  He pinned her against the door with his body and her heart rate increased as her breath caught in her throat.  She gasped in shock as he claimed hers lips with a fierce kiss, his tongue plundering her mouth.

 

 Tonya was tense momentarily from shock, then melted into the kiss, dropping her weapons and slipping her arms around his neck.  Purring low in her throat, she leaned into the passionate kiss.  His hands slid from waist to her hips, then lower, and lifted her legs.  Taking the hint, she wrapped them around his waist, retaliating with her own tongue, trying to take control of the kiss.  A growl rumbled in his chest and his conscience mind slipped a little farther into background as passion overrode his system.

 

 Just as her lungs began to ache from the lack of oxygen, he broke the kiss.  She could feel his moist breath against her cheek as they sought to catch their breath.  His lips brushed her cheek, then pressed a line of kisses back to her ear.  Tracing the shell of her ear with his tongue, he felt her shiver, then gently nibbled her ear lobe.  A soft gasp escaped her throat and he released the delicate flesh to attack the sensitive spot just below it.

 

 

 He lingered there a few moments before kissing a path down her throat.  Lacing his fingers into her hair, he tugged her head to the side to expose more skin to his sweet torture.  He mercilessly teased the tantalizing pulse in her throat, enjoying every whimper of pleasure.  Kissing the hollow of her throat, he feasted on the expanse of skin before him.   Nipping at her collarbone, he dared to dip lower; exploring skin he'd only glimpsed before. 

 

 The purr turned to a warning growl almost instantly and he paused.  Dropping a kiss to the stoic button, he returned his attention to her neck.  He lightly ran his canines up her throat, then kissed a path back down the side of her neck.  He paused at the sensitive spot at the juncture of her neck and throat, and set his teeth against her skin.

 

 Her hands cupped the back of his head and gently urged him to continue when he hesitated.  She felt his lips curve into a smile, then the prick of his teeth followed by a wave of pleasure.  A soft gasp escaped her and her head dropped back against the door as he drew more of the crimson warmth to the surface.

 

 The taste of blood seemed to break through his passion-induced haze, and he soothed the injury with his tongue.  Sighing, he laid his head on her shoulder and closed his eyes.  Her scent seemed to surround him and he inhaled deeply, nudging his nose against her shoulder.  One of her hands stroked his hair absently and he relaxed further.

 

 "You need to change," he said quietly after a moment.  "You really need to change."

 

 She gave a breathless chuckle in response.  "Hai.  And you need to take a cold shower."

 

He laughed slightly at her words.  Really just a brief exhale of air with a slight aspiration, but it was against the still sensitized skin just below her ear, and made her wish they could continue what he had started.  "Hai.  Really cold," he replied.

 

 He stepped back and let her down, steadying her as her knees started to give a little.  Gathering his sleeping clothes, he headed for the shower, but paused by the door.  Tonya had tossed her jacket on the desk and was trying to pull her boots off.  She fell back onto his bed, struggling to pull one off and his eyes widened in interest as the skirt once again revealed more than it should.  Curbing his hormones, he turned quickly and went into the bathroom.

 

 When he re-emerged, the cover had been turned down and she was reclining on the bed in a long t-shirt and shorts.  Engrossed in the book she held, she didn't look up when he crawled onto the bed.  Yawning, he lay down on her legs, his head resting on her stomach, and slid his arms around her waist.  He snuggled against her as his shivering continued and he felt her chuckle.

 

 "Cold, angel?" she asked, trying not to smirk.

 

 "Hai," he murmured against her stomach, making her laugh.

 

 Tonya began to read aloud and he moved to lie beside her, his head once against resting on her shoulder, and he pulled the covers up around them.  He realized he had never read Black Beauty, but she had flipped back to the first page for him though she was several chapters into the book.  A smile crossed his lips as she made up voices for the different characters, and he absently wondered if this was the seventh or eighth time she'd read it.

 

 As he started to doze off, she marked the page with a second bookmark, closed the book, and turned off the light.  He snuggled against her, ducking his head under her chin, and draping an arm across her waist.  She lay there in the dark, savoring the feeling of his warm body so close to hers, silently thanking God that it had been easy to return him to her side.  Drifting off to sleep, she hoped she never have to go through anything like this again.