Somewhere safe

[Lovely]

October 4, 2008
2pm


It had been over a week since someone had tried to kidnap her off the jogging path, Mira had recovered from her injuries quickly, thanks to the help she recieved from Armand's family. It made her shudder to think what might have happened if Armand hadn't been there that morning or if he had come down the path minutes later. Since that morning she'd spent time with him nearly everyday, much to her father's dislike. She didn't understand why her father disliked him so much when she liked the shy doctor quite a bit. He'd even gone so far as to blame Armand for what had happened that day she'd been jogging.

Mira didn't believe her father and he wasn't being supportive of her taking time off from school, which led her to call Armand for help this afternoon. She was in her car driving toward the estate already, hoping Mandy might be able to be there for and with her when she made a trip back to school for the things from her room there. She explained the situation briefly to him and then asked. "I was wondering if you will go with me for the day or two trip to get my things from the boarding house. I went up early to rent the room and paid a couple months in advance but then everything happened and I didn't go back for classes.. My father doesn't want to help, he's not supporting me on this."

"of course.." after thwarting one attempt to keep them apart... he was not letting her out of his sight for long.

"Thank you... I'll pick you up in an hour."

"Shouldn't I be the one driving?" Armand wouldn't make a big issue of the fact she was independent and strong, enough to draw her father's ire, but at times he merely wished to be a gentleman enough to treat her as he felt she should be treated.

Mira paused and then chuckled softly. "Oh.. silly me. I forgot you're my knight in a stethescope." If he could have seen her soft adoring smile, he'd know how highly she thought of him, perhaps he'd hear it in her affectionate tone. "I could leave my car at the estate.. meet you there in an.. mmm maybe forty five minutes to a half hour.. I'm going a little faster than I thought."

"Don't get pulled over. Your father thinks little of this situation as is and I'm sure he won't want to receive that call, bella. I'll be ready when you arrive."

"I wasn't speeding.." She said innocently, easing her foot off the gas and chuckling a little. "Would I speed?" She sighed distracted by thoughts of her father and how he felt about her spending time with Armand.

"For personal gain at the further annoyance of your father? No... of course not," he smirked. "Just be here safely as well as quickly." He was eager to see her, though saying so sounded too eager for him.

"I will.. I'm driving this time.. so no one can snatch me off a path." She half teased, though he would know from talking to her after the incident how much it had shaken her up. "I'll be there soon."

"Very well, Bella. I'll see you when you're here," he smiled, fearing her finding out the truth of the incident that nearly had her taken away. "We'll need to go shortly after you arrive, or we'll never get done before dark. I'd hate to waste the opportunity to have some time without school or this place or worries."

[Lovely]

"Mandy.." She started but let her voice trail, she'd not told him yet but her father was blaming the incident on him, like it was somehow Armand's fault that it had happened.

He'd nearly missed the afterthought and it drew his attention like fire, not sure if something was wrong already. "Yes... what is it, Mira?"

"Nothing.. nothing.. I think I'm just getting paranoid." She sighed again, looking at her gas gauge and feeling a slight alarm at how low it was, she'd just filled up.

"Being cautious is not the same as being paranoid. Perhaps it would be best for me to drive if your nerves are raw, hm? I don't mind in the slightest my dear."

"If I make it there.. I must have a leak or something." She muttered softly. "Damn it.. You're definitely driving, apparently I can't even pump gas right, lately."

"We'll take one of ours. It's no trouble. Where are you now? I can meet you. We can have the car towed the rest of the way for the boys to check it out."

Her eyes scanned the road ahead, hoping she made it someplace her car could pull off safely if she was going to run out of gas. "I'm just on the long empty stretch before the estate.. the miles of nothing before you come to The Emerald City.."

Armand chuckled. "Then expect a squeaky tinman in a fancy black coach to rescue you, Dorothy. Keep your hazard lights on and doors locked. I'll have someone follow me to stay with the car until the tow arrives. You're not that far at all and perhaps they can manage it themselves."

"Hurry.. okay? I guess I'm still freaked out.. and the less time I spend sitting out here alone, the better for my sanity." She spotted a place she could pull off and be out of the way of any other traffic that would come this way.

He wondered about sanity and what the family was slowly doing his as well. "As soon as I can, bella," he promised, letting her go for right now so he could arrange the cars. Two of the boys followed him out. Two dark cars slinking down the road to meet her, both she would recognize from the estate.

When he pulled up to her car, he'd find her kind of huddled around herself, looking a little frightened. Another two cars were slowing and swerving to pull over towards her -coming from the opposite direction. When Armand and the other car pulled up, the two cars veered back into the road and continued on.

There must have been some communication between the cars that went unheard as Armand stayed, but the companion vehicle went off after the others that had fled. It wasn't often good samaritans came this way, so the concern was usually warranted. Gun at the ready in case of other unexpected visitors, Armand stepped out slowly then came to her window.

She peeked up at him and her frightened expression melted into a beautiful smile. "Hi." She spoke softly as she opened the car door a little to slip out. Mira skipped rolling down her window in favor of getting out to meet him, instinctively seeking his embrace. "Another two minutes and.. lets just say I hope you like fruitcake."

[Lovely]

"Can't say that I do," he sighed, more concerned now than he'd been. "You hadn't called anyone else, had you?"

"No." She shook her head, tilting to look up at him, giving him a slight guilty look. "I didn't tell anyone where I was going or what I was doing today.." She chewed her lip. "I figured I'd just call later and let them know I wouldn't be home."

"Good. Give me your phone... and your keys," he said calmly, offering his hand to take them from her.

Mira handed him the keys and took her phone off her small purse, placing it in his hand with a curious look. The keys made sense since her car needed to be towed, but why did he want her phone?

From the keys, he took the electronic control from the ring and dismantled it, taking the battery out and pitching it into the brush away from the road. The phone had a similar review, but he had a little more compassion with the instrument. "Take down any numbers you need. We'll get you a new phone."

Mira stared at him for a moment and then shook her head. "I don't.. I have them all in my head or planner.. why are you..?" She gestured to where he'd tossed the battery and how he was taking apart the devices.

The phone battery was kept, but detached and the memory card slid out to be ground and cracked in the gravel under his shoe. "A precaution, nothing more. Simplest of tracking devices - radio signals on weak frequency of a few hundred metres or open air transmission if someone knows the frequency of your cell. Those who know how, do, bella. I can't stress enough how worried I am since the attack and wonder who might go to such lengths. When we get back to the estate, I want you to change and shower thoroughly, hair, too. It's not an accident about your car, but I want to be sure it's -only- the car they've tracked and not you."

She took a step back from him, her face registering shock and disbelief, her head shook slightly and her hands started to reach up to touch her hair. She turned and paced a few feet, taking deep breaths as she tried to let it sink in and think clearly. "You.." She started and then stopped, puffing a breath out. "Mandy.. who would.. why..would someone do this to me?"

He couldn't help it, being that it was the first comment to come to mind when she was anxious and frightened. "Ask your father." He'd no sooner stated it than he wished he hadn't. "Begging your pardon. I'm sorry, bella. Those other cars just now, however... we should be going before others come by. The boys will be back for this, don't worry."

She recoiled a bit at the comment about her father and tossed her hands out to her sides. "He said it was you.. when I was jogging.. that it was your fault, that it was because I was around you and you were dangerous. I don't know what to do.. or to think.. I don't believe that it was or is you. I don't know why he would.. but I don't for a second believe you would ever have anyone try to kidnap me or hurt me.. I just don't.. But I also don't know who would.. and I don't know what to do.. I'm starting to only feel safe when you're around." She looked at him, her eyes troubled and longing to be close to him and protected in his embrace. The sky above them began to darken rapidly and vicious looking clouds formed, the wind sarted to pick up in a not so gentle breeze this time.

"Get in the car, Mira. That may be the only safe place," he said quietly, offering his hand for the few feet if it would help calm her. He didn't feel right explaining here. "We need to go now."

[Lovely]

She looked down, sniffing back frustrated tears that threatened and her hand laced tightly into his. She stepped back to his side curling into his chest if he would let her take comfort there for a moment while they shifted to his car.

Damn Hans for shielding her from the truth of the family as much as he had which served only to terrify her now that she was learning it first hand from the darkest side possible. "I'm sorry. You are safe here, with me, but we are not safe here in the open. The boys haven't reported back yet, so something's gone on. I think you can use a cognac and a warm bath before we take you up to the campus. I know what I said, but you come first. We have time yet to get you there."

She nodded, curling tighter to him and tilting a grateful expression up at him. "Thank you for understanding.. for being here.. coming when I need you.." Her head shook slightly and she lifted up on her toes a little to plant a soft kiss to his lips.

"I'll always be there for you, bella, or as close as I can manage to help you... even if you don't need help," he added, hoping to cheer her some as her kiss did for him. Though dangerous and perhaps foolish, he held her from stepping away, hoping for another kiss. The turbulent breezes she kicked up put a pleasantly exciting charge in the air around them.

Her eyes held his and as if she knew it was what he hoped for, her lips curved slightly and then gently came back to brush against his, lingering in a soft sensual kiss.

Perhaps it was the danger combined with her turbulent emotions swirling the air around them, but the moment that connected them was itself charged in an indescribable heat and chill. Fearing he'd lose his sense of distance and control, Armand pulled himself away gently, hoping not to accelerate anything more than her pulse did naturally.

Mira gave him a slight smile as he pulled away, clearing her throat softly. "Right.. we should get going.. plenty of time to talk when we get back to the estate." She paused a moment and held his sleeve lightly. "I'll need to borrow something to wear.. after my shower and all.. you should probably check my purse and all that too.. I think I might need a really long bath."

"About not leaving you alone," he rasped out, not realizing he'd verbalized that image. "I don't know what I was thinking. Forgive me," he sighed, feeling even hotter in his cheeks now and offering a smile to ward off his embarrassment. "Sooner the better in any case."

She blushed as well and looked away, then back, leaning to whisper. "I was thinking the same thing, I think.. We should go.. " She smiled, bit her lip and turned to quickly get in the car before either of them died of embarrassment.

Once in the car and on their way, the route went quickly and found them back at the estate. She truthfully didn't have much further to go. He pulled up to the front to let her out for the shorter route, rather than the back hallway from the garages which echoed eerily on a good day. "Make yourself at home. I'll be in shortly."

Mira sighed and glanced at him. "Thanks.. " She didn't want to go in without him, it was strange how she felt so safe with him. The house seemed bigger than usual today as she was led up to his rooms, she didn't know where else she should go and hoped he would not mind her using his bathroom. The house she'd grown up in was considered large but was dwarfed by this great mansion. She didn't linger or snoop in his stuff, even though she was greatly intrigued and curious about the man. She took everything off and left her clothes, shoes, and purse in a neat pile on the counter for him to check and take care of. Mira was very creeped out at the thought of her things being 'bugged' and of someone tracking her, she trusted Armand to do as he saw fit with her things to ensure she was safe, now. The shower was warm and inviting and she slipped into it's comfort, letting the water wash over her tense shoulders.

[Lovely]

Armand was disturbed to find that the boys hadn't checked back in yet and was curious to know what was going on, and whether it was anything to do with Dr. Hansbroughar's dislike of the situation. He moved quickly through the hall, pulling one of the butlers along with him to gather Mirabella's things for the lab. A quick explanation of an allergen that had caused a severe rash wouldn't be questionned, nor the need to find her new clothes immediately. His nieces had more than enough to be able to spare something. His own door was found loosely propped and he smiled, finding the pile there of the discarded garments... all of them. Tucking the unmentionables into the middle, he loaded the butler's arms and sent him off to his tasks, closing the door securely behind him. A pause of anxiety washed over him, whether it would do her nerves well or not to have him announce himself, or whether it were better or worse to simply wait. He wasn't certain there were towels for her and he opted to be sure and let her know he was there. Whether she saw him from the shower or could hear him as he cleared his throat and spoke her name, he wasn't sure, though he found himself mesmerized by her silhouette, prompting him to stay fixed at the door, merely admiring her.

Her motions stilled in mid arch as she heard him say her name, his voice was smooth and soft enough that it didn't really startle her. She smiled and blushed though he could see neither, Mira slowly turned and her silhouette turned to the curve of muscled calve as she shifted the patrition slightly and peeked her head out. Her eyes sparkled, catching him in the door and a shy wave of her fingers greeted him. A damp glistening shoulder, bit of leg, beauiful face, and her long locks curling from being wet was all that peeked out. "I hope you don't mind me using your shampoo."

He shook his head, not minding any part of it at all. "Everything I have is for you to use, bella," he said, stunned even more by the young girl and the woman who filled one gloriously beautiful body as the shadow took form from behind the curtain. He was gawking and feeling horrid for doing so, yet felt so free and awakened by her that he couldn't turn away.

The way her teeth caught her lip and her eyes cast a shy glance at him, she looked innocent and sensual at once. "Would you think I was wicked.. if I asked you to stay?"

He laughed lightly, feeling better that she'd said it and not him. "Never wicked, Mirabella, but of course I'll stay. I don't think I could leave if I wished to... and I don't wish to," he admitted, finding himself drawn closer.

Her eyes brightened though the innocently sensual expression remained, her heart fluttering in excitement as he agreed to stay. Her arm slowly emerged and brought a little more of her into view as her hand came out to reach for his, and bring him even closer.

He paused, looking down at his attire. He'd not worn a tie at least, but that was the only undone button. How unprofessional to examine a patient without it, he mused, undoing the buttons to slide the shirt free at least. He slipped his shoes off as well and folded them together to set on the counter. The butler would return soon enough with clothes for Mira, but he would leave them beside the door, so what was the concern he had? Barefoot and bare chested, she would see that despite the huff and highbrow of his position, he was fit, tightly muscular and nearly too thin beneath the weight of his ties and trousers, the trousers remaining for now as he reached for her hand.

Her fingers curled around and then slid to lace gently with his, tugging ever so lightly to bring him closer still. "Mandy.. will you wash my hair?" She whispered, wanting him to join her, yet unsure and not wanting him to think she was a sl*t. She just wanted him with her, close to her.

"You want m-...," he felt his mouth go impossibly dry as he inhaled the sweet steam that poured around her. She may have thought she lost her hearing a moment as he muttered a well-versed but nearly-silent prayer as his nerves jumbled. He closed his eyes a moment so as not to see the floor should he find himself suddenly laying on it from fainting. He opened his eyes, brilliant though dark as he nodded, all in the space of a few seconds, agreeing to wash whatever she wanted, ignoring that he hadn't yet removed the pants, though at the moment he didn't care.