An assignment

[Lovely]

December 18, 2008
Coalition HQ
Milo's Office

Milo sat in his office, the gruff look on his face as it always was. He awaited the 'boy' to arrive. He went over the file on his desk, the young woman was coming into her prime and they needed to act quickly. He thought about who to send for over a week and decided Raiche was the best suited and he was thinking the two might end up being partners anyway... better to get them introduced now. The girl was pretty, maybe too pretty he thought. Icecream Darwin had two powers that would be of great use to the Coalition, better they get to her before anyone else did. She was twenty-one years old and rising in the modeling business, despite the wars. He chuckled, well at least some things remained the same about man. He looked up as the door to his office opened.

Two thumps on the door were followed by a lithe and scowling figure entering Milo's office. He closed the door with little ceremony and fell into the chair in front of Milo, helping himself to a candy from the jar on his desk on his way down. A flip of his head sent his loose hair out of his eyes a brief moment as he blinked, two sets of lids clearing his vision. "Well?"

Sighs and rolls his eyes. "Lord what am I getting us into?" He sighed and slid the file they had on Ice Darwin over to Pete, inside was basic info and more detailed finding due to their observing her. As well as a few photos...modeling shots and candids. "We want her... you have to get her." Milo smiled.

"What... kill her? Nice t*ts... awful waste," he grinned.

"Ahh boy..." Milo shook his head. "We want her to join us. So you get to go play male model, get into her life and do what you need to, to get her here."

He reviewed the file, flipping the dossier sheets and head shots, turning some sideways and whistling quietly, "Yeah.. could get into her life... among other things. How close of a study you gonna let this be? What's she got?"

"An invisible girl would be a good addition to our team along with stealth and possible camoflauging. Think of the things that those gifts could help us with?" Milo smiled. "Get as close as you need to, to get the job done but don't do anything unnecessary that may come back to haunt you. If she accepts she may very well be your partner." Milo warned in a warm rich voice.

"Okay... not seeing a down side any way you put it.. what's the catch? Why is this bait so tough?" He wasn't much on reading as much as being told, listening between the words and actions, especially Milo's.

Milo tapped the file. "Are you reading any of that?" He grinned. "She is becoming a top rated model. We need to get her before someone or something else takes the opprotunity from us." He pulled the file down to look at Pete. "She is rising while the world is falling." That in itself said a lot. "She's also privately quiet and reserved, not as social as one might think. Oh she plays the part but in truth the vivid flower lives alone. She doesn't date anyone, other than public appearances... getting the picture, now?"

"So.. when I discover who's footing the bill for her spotlight time, what do you want done with him.. them? Observe? Infiltrate?.... go fishing?" He leaned over the desk and pushed the file back. He'd already memorized what he needed to know from his quick scan, keeping the mental notes... address.. contacts... descriptions...

"Find out who and then we decide what to do with them. In the mean time you work to move her 'away' from them and closer to us or to you, for that's the way she will see it, at first."

"Time frame? She leaving the zone any time soon? Get me a clean passport... need a new ID, too," he looked to the ceiling, pondering an appropriate business name.

Milo pulled the ID and passport from his top drawer and tossed them to Pete. "There ya go kid. You leave in an hour. You have a photo shoot with Miss Darwin this evening." Milo grinned. "And have some fun... 'cause I don't think she'll want to talk to grumpy bear."

[Lovely]

"Aww... but grumpy bear likes you, Milo While-o...," he teased, puckering and blowing him a kiss. "I can warm up a notch for those knockers, I suppose... but there better be free drinks involved.. ya stuck me with the damned tab last time. Business expenses, ya know."

A thick envelope slid across the desk. "This should get you started...let me know when you need more...this is just spending cash...all your expenses are taken care of...the apartment, furnishings...we even have credit accounts set up to make sure you are well dressed." Milo leaned forward. "Don't fail us." He said quietly.

"Puh-lease... darlin', have I let you down yet?"

Milo shook his head, grinning. "Just don't start now."

He stood up and took another candy from the jar, puckering around it before stowing it in his jaw and tucking the envelope in his pocket. "Wouldn't dream of it. Oh, come on, now Mile.. would a genuine grin kill you?" He chuckled.

"Yes as a matter of fact it would." He sighed for effect and frowned. "You have discovered my one weakness... now you must die..."

"You're so cute when you're all tough like that," he teased, his own grin disappearing quickly, the cold edge coming forth. "Free reign? Getting comfortable? Doing what I need to usually gets pretty involved, Mile.. you know that. Darwin... Darwin... d**n that sounds familiar... not in the file... what's missing?"

"That's what you have to find out..." He chuckled softly. "And yeah..get comfortable...as comfortable as you need to... as long as you don't fail...and as I warned she may end up your partner and she'll have to watch your back." Now he really smiled, taunting Pete a bit.

"You drive a hard bargain, Milo. And if she drives half as hard as it looks, that's a tragedy I'll enjoy suffering," he sucked loudly on the candy, puckering again. "Gotta go make myself beyootiful now... heheh.. wish me luck."

"Good luck." He watched him walk out, whispering. "You'll need it."

[Lovely]

A few hours later
The photo-shoot


Ice was sitting in a chair, swinging her legs boredly as she awaited the start of the shoot. Several people milled around doing touches on hair and make up, wardrobe and such. It was a lay out for a men's magazine -one of the few that remained widely published. Ice sighed and asked someone for the time. "Where is the d**n MALE MODEL?"

"Actually.. it's um.. Damien... here.. late.. sorry," he said, rushing in.

She sighed and rolled her eyes. "Male models.." She sat down crossing her arms. Ice turned towards 'Damien' and motioned to her breasts, bulging and pushed up to round voluptuousness in a tight corset that pinched her slim waist. "You're late, great...you try wearing this next time.." She leaned forward, giving him and even better look.

He'd seen enough in the pictures to get over the initial shock, but up close, with them bouncing under his nose, it was difficult to maintain his professional composure. He cleared his throat and smiled, "Alright.. deal.. it's only fair, but red's more my color. I'm sorry to keep you waiting... sector pass problems... they were doing spot checks, so the wait was a little long."

She softened a bit and leaned back, crossing her legs at the ankles as she stretched out. "Spot checks...sector passes.." She rolled her eyes. "A real pain in the as-..er butt." She smiled, somewhat genuine looking. "Traffic is a real nightmare at this time too..." She sat forward and reached out a hand. "Ice...nice to meet you Damien."

He smiled warmly, lifting only at the corners of his lips. "So... what's the scope? I'm just here to make you look good... put me where you want me." He nodded to the photographer, sliding a hand through his hair, giving it a rich, freshly tousled look, strands falling sexily into his soft blue eyes.

"I may be the queen bi-..bee around here..but I don't decide where you go." Ice reached over and lightly turned his chin. "That fellow over there gets control over our bodies during the shoot." She sighed and moved over to the area that was set up like a plush and playful bedroom romp. For the next hour and a half, Ice and Damien were set into a myriad of poses like any young sexy couple at play. Several times his face was close to or resting on her, in various stages of embrace and kiss. Straps and lace being pulled down to tease here and tantilize there. One of the final poses had him holding her from behind as the corset was pulled away and his head turned in to kiss her neck. After the final few clicks of the camera the man who directed let them know they were done.

"Nice of them to let you breathe for at least one shot.. you okay?" He asked, noting that through several of the shots, she tensed and twitched in pain from the corset.

"I'll live..till the next torture device they squeeze me into." She started to step forward and then looked down, giving a soft chuckle. "You can let go now...unless you're planning to walk around behind me for the rest of the evening?"

"Hmm.. maybe I was," he teased. "Sorry. This sure beats sitting nude in front of a class of latte-loaded art students. Haven't done photos in a while.. sorry if my hands were cold."

She shook her head and turned to face him. "Not at all, they were nice and warm, thanks." She half smiled.

He reached to the chair beside the set that held her wrap and held it for her to slide into, "Do you have any more to do here tonight? Meeting with your agent or could I steal you away for a quick dinner somewhere?"

[Lovely]

"Dinner? Models don't eat.." Her smile tilted a little more as she slipped into the robe. "Give me a few minutes to iron the indents out of my back, from that evil corset...who invented those anyway? I'll put some clothes on...." She looked past his shoulder and then frowned. "I ah..." The man in the suit turned and moved away. "Just give me a few minutes...and I think I can get out for a little while." She pulled her robe tighter and looked at him. "Anything in mind...or just where the urge takes you?"

"Someplace with twigs, bark and grass.. with a light vinaigrette, of course," he teased. "If you're not free, that's alright... I just wanted to make up for being so late."

"I'm never free." She muttered and then realizing he probably heard, she smiled. "I'm a model...I get paid for every pose." She touched his arm. "Just give me a minute to get dressed and smooth over with anything my agent didn't inform me, he wanted me to do..."

He nodded, listening closely, stepping around the set, nearing where she'd walked off to speak with the man who stood in the shadows beyond the spotlight's glare. He blinked against the glare, his vision shifting to heat sense, seeking them out beyond the curtain. A second man hovered nearby the pair, arms folded. He pulled his vision to normal again, pinching the bridge of his nose and wincing to hide the shift of the second lid that protected his eyes from the glare. He pulled out a pair of sunglasses and slid them on as he slid himself back onto the makeshift 'bed' on the set and waited... listening more intently.

Ice sighed and folded her arms. "It has to be tonight? Can't I do it tomorrow?" The answer was a definite no. "How about you let me have dinner with the nice male model...and then I do it?" She pleaded with a pout. "It will be better a little later on...less people around." She tried logic...it worked. Ice sighed, relieved, and listened to the address the man gave her, the time to be there and list of items she was to lift this evening.

Committing it to memory with the others, 'Damien' also listened to the address and listened to the tone and inflection of the man he couldn't see. What an abuse of her talents, he thought. Paint whiskers on her and call her Catwoman while you're at it, boys. He tipped backward, laying down, looking up at the rafters and around at anything unusual about the set.

A few minutes later a much more natural looking and comfortably dressed young woman came out on the set. Ice crossed over and took a seat on the bed, she gave another of those half smiles. "Good news...the evil agent has given me a reprieve...I've got a couple hours if you still want me?"

He grinned and shifted his hands behind his head. His glasses obscured his line of sight, but he gazed into her eyes, sensing the guards in place. "I dunno... I could do a lot of damage in a couple hours," he teased gently. "You feed me straight line like that, I'm going to take it. That being said.. there's no 'if' about it, but for the sake of the gray hairs on the head of the fellow in the suit just now, I'll behave." He mouthed a 'for now' and grinned at her, sitting up.

She gave him a strange look, wondering how he knew that. But he also got her to give him a guarded but warm smile. "Not quite sure how to take that...but I think it's good. And if I'm wrong I'm sure it will still be fun." Ice stood with a glance towards the men and then turned for the exit.

"What time did he say you needed to be back and where? I understand beauty sleep is important for the girls, although," he whispered closer. "I always find them more beautiful when I've kept them from sleeping at all."

[Lovely]

She shook her head. "I'm sure you do...but I look terrible when I haven't slept." She pulled her jacket around her as they stepped into the night air. Ice stopped for a second to savor the little bit of fun she was being allowed. She looked at Damien and gave him an address a few bocks from where she had to go and a time about fifteen minutes before she had to be there. Giving herself time to get where she had to go and keeping him away from it.

He grinned and nodded, but something cool glazed over his eyes as he pulled the sunglasses off again. "Studio lights... too bright sometimes," he said. He half-glanced over his shoulder sensing the eyes that watched to see where he'd take her. He whistled for the cart to pedal by and take them around the complex. The modern 'rickshaw' came to a stop, letting them get into the bench seat. 'Damien' covered her lap with the blanket and stretched it over himself, pulling a paper bill out for the cyclist that included a nice tip - enough for a half-hour ride.

She looked at him with a raised brow and a smile that seemed less forced and fake each time she offered it to him. "You do this a lot?" She asked curious... he just seemed so...different.

"No, just for handsome blondes named Ice," He teased. "Just keeping us both out of trouble.. nothing like keeping things in the open for all to see, right?" His arm went up behind her shoulder, resting along the backstop, though he didn't scoop her in closely. He let her relax a while.. breathe like she needed to.

She chuckled softly. "Is that so?" The laughter touched her eyes for a moment. Ice leaned into the seat and closed her eyes, her face looking peaceful and relaxed. Her eyes opened to look at the intriguing man sitting next to her. She was interested in knowing him more...but she knew she couldn't really.

"Steele....," he said, realizing the non-sequitor and how she might react. He awaited her reaction.

It was a look of surprise almost like a flinch and then she shook it off. "Excuse me?"

"Steele.. Damien Steele... I never told you my last name, we were in such a hurry to finish the shoot."

"Oh." She said softly, letting out a light exhale. Talk about nerves... she held out her hand, again. "Icecream Darwin."

"Stage or real? Mine.. my folks had a weird sense of humor.. think my mom watched that old Gregory Peck film... the Omen or whatever too many times... how'd you get 'icecream'? Well... I mean.. if you don't mind rehashing the story probably for the billionth time."

Ice giggled softly. "Actually it's been awhile since I've told anyone...usually just say Ice and leave it at that..." A slight blush came to her cheeks. "It's Icecream Sandwich Darwin...for the full effect...and my parents...they were a little different." She shook her head. "Oh I can't believe I told you... I got teased a lot as a kid." A soft sigh. "It's as simple as that is all my mother craved while pregnant for me...said she couldn't get enough of them...she didn't want to eat anything else!"

"Makes sense.. there are worse things, I suppose," he chuckled. "I like Ice... can't say as I mind Icecream, either. Has a sort of suggestive nature about it... dangerous." He glanced over his shoulder, watching for signs of their 'tail'.

Ice laughed. "Dangerous? Ok I can see suggestive...but dangerous? Since when is Icecream dangerous?"

He raised an eyebrow, looking at her directly, "You've never seen me eat ice cream, have you?"

She raised an eyebrow in return. "No...I haven't. But when you say it like that...it makes me want to."

[Lovely]

He smiled, "Consider it a private invitation, then." Every now and then a hint of an accent painted the edges of his words. "Do you turn into a pumpkin if you're not back to your room on time? Or worse?"

Her smile shone brightly until he made the pumpkin comment. She turned her head to hide the way her face fell and refit the 'mask' she wore. "I can't be late." She said with soft finality.

He made the notes and filled in the missing pieces. "You won't be... and next time there won't be any time limits."

Ice shook her head softly. "Yeah tell my 'agent' to clear my schedule for a day and he'll probably double book me." She laughed dryly. A few notes of music caught her ear and she looked at Damien. "Can we?" It was one of those small groups that play in parks and such for 'tips'.

"Sure we can.. whatever you want to do," he shrugged. He left that suggest as open as possible, getting the feeling that as hard as the Coalition wanted to tap her and bring her in, she wanted more to be tapped.. to be taken away from wherever she currently was.

The cart stopped and she tugged his hand, nearly skipping over to watch. Her hand holding his softly as she urged him along behind her. The group was lively and doing their best to get the onlookers dancing and singing along.

He followed closely, lacing his fingers with hers without realizing it at first. He chuckled to himself that 'grumpy bear' hadn't joined them this evening after all as his lip curled gently in a genuine smile and he joined her in the dance.

The group began an upbeat song..one Ice knew. Her other hand laced with his and she tugged him closer, moving her hip towards him and back then getting her feet into it and twirling herself under his arm, then coming against his chest. "I get such a thrill when you look in my eyes.my heart skips a beat..I feel so alive.Please tell me baby..If all this is true 'Cause deep down inside All I wanted was you...Ohhhh...Makes me wanna dance Ohhhh...It's a new romance Ohhhh...I look into your eyes..Ohhhh...Best years of our lives.." Ice sang along, moving with the beat.

He chuckled, having not danced on any of his missions since his early teens. His voice wasn't meant for singing loud, but he hummed along, letting her slide and twirl all she wanted, his hand never leaving hers. All the while, he scanned the crowd, mentally photographing the faces, watching the shadows...

She ended leaning against his chest with a bright smile, even her eyes were full of fire. She giggled a bit breathless. "Thank you...I havent had this much fun in such a long time...haven't danced like this in years."

Without warning, withoug asking he brushed a fleeting kiss on her, smiling, "You're welcome."

Ice was surprised by the kiss, but caught in the temporary bliss of the moment she leaned up place a lightly lingering kiss on his lips.

When she kissed him, she surprised him in return. He gave her a toothy smile, genuine, warm.. "Interesting... I might have to say I've just discovered my favorite flavor... miss Ice Cream," he teased, his hand tightening on hers, a certain level of sincerity in his appreciation of her attention. His attention quickly went to something else behind her as he nodded past her shoulder. "Don't turn and don't run, just walk slowly as if nothing's wrong. Seems someone doesn't like me being so close."

[Lovely]

Her eyes closed and the smile left her, her head tipped down as the joyful sparkle left her eye. "I'm sorry." She turned and walked slowly like he instructed. Her hand stayed in his, though as the light breeze lifted her hair.

He followed, hand in his pocket, steps behind and not touching her now as he let go and flagged down the cart pedaler again, "No, I'm sorry. I'm about to get you into deeper trouble."

She turned and looked at him quizzically. "What do you mean? What are you going to do?"

He grinned widely, "Everything in my power to show you a good time, d**n it. How are you at getting lost in a crowd?" He knew the answer, but posed the question to see how much she would show him.

She shrugged a smile pulling at her lips, mischief sparkling in her eyes. "I've done it before...a time or two....and you're right..I'll be getting in big trouble."

The man crossed the square quickly toward them, obviously being protective of the girl. Pete watched over his shoulder, his hands still in his pockets, waiting for him to get close enough.

Ice turned her head watching Damien and glancing towards the man coming through the crowd. She sighed. "I should just go with them...before I get you in trouble, too." She tried to make it light. "We'll both be grounded to our rooms."

"You are going with them," he whispered. "And I'll bid you a good night, like a good little boy... but I'll be back."

"You're...a little different, arent you? Most are scared off in two seconds or less when they see the suits. "Thank you for the mini vacation...maybe we can do it again sometime... actually get to the eating part or the resturaunt." She nudged his arm with her shoulder and half smiled.

"Met my share of shotguns and suits, threats and scars... wouldn't trade a single one as long as my date has a good time," he grinned. "Go ahead and get on the cart. I'll be right there." He stopped her a moment, "Give the driver this." He handed her a folded bill, a large one, turning the number up so she could see the denomination. "If I'm not right there, just go... okay?"
((there's a note inside the bill for the driver))

She looked at him. "What are you going to do?" Her eyes travelled behind him to the suit that was getting closer. "Damien...you just met me...it's not worth getting yourself in trouble..." She said softly, sincerely.

"Says who?" he said, softly defiant. He mouthed 'go on' and watched her step away as he bent down to tie a shoe lace, a small object palmed in his hand at the ready.

She got on the cart and handed the driver the bill with one of her 'pretty girl' smiles. She sat back in the seat feeling worried, concerned. She turned to look back at him, not sure how long she was supposed to wait for.

The man came up behind Pieter as he fiddled with the lace, tipping forward as if he startled by the man's 'sudden' appearance. Gaining his balance, Pete's hand brushed the man's pantleg, the tiny transmitter adhering to the fabric unseen beneath the cuff at his ankle. "OH... sorry.. didn't see you there."

Ice watched the suit come up to Damien, but with the people moving around them, she couldn't see clearly anymore. A hand on her arm made her turn away...

[Lovely]

The suit scowled. "Get out and walk away...if you want to keep that face pretty and keep working in this biz...walk away now...pretend the past couple hours never happened." He warned the model in an hard voice. The suit that stood before Damien repeated the same words to him, adding a little. "She's not worth the pain you'll be in if you don't walk away." He smirked coldly.

'Damien' nodded and stepped back, blowing her a kiss and a wink before shrugging and waving. The driver rang his bell and started to pedal, waiting for the other person to step away or get in the cart. "That's about what she said, too... ," he said casually, walking away from the man and filtering into the crowds staying visible long enough to convince the man he'd gone.

She sighed and pushed the other suit off the cart. "Leave me alone.." Her jaw tightened. "I'll be there at the time..." She was surprised how much it bothered her.

The man moved swiftly and slapped her. "Just remember what the cost is..." He stepped back and let the cart take off with her. They knew she would show, like she did everytime.

Ducking down an alley and setting his camoflauge into gear, he doubled back, grasping brick and scaling gently behind kiosks and over cars, nothing more than a gecko lining his way unseen and fast back around the crowds in the street. He heard the driver ring his little bell again at the intersection ahead and followed, watching for the suits. The address was tucked in the bill where she needed to be and he intended to be there as well.

Ice closed her eyes for the drive, not really caring where the driver took her. The cart stopped and she opened her eyes, wondering how he knew to bring her here. Shaking her head she stepped from the cart and sighed. She waited for the driver to take off again, before she ducked into the alley and leaned against the wall. She heard the male voices down the other end and her stomach turned, feeling like nothing more than a cheap wh*re, in more than one way... She turned away and started to leave. She sighed and clenched her fists, knowing she had to go and get it over with. Her feet moved her back into the alley slowly heading to the other side.

His eyes glowed gold a moment, all of him that was visible against the wall as he crept up beside her and whispered lightly, "Told you I'd be back."

She jumped, clamping her hands over her mouth to muffle the scream. Her eyes were wide and her heart thundering in her chest. Ice took a moment, looking down the alley...they hadn't heard. She turned towards his voice, taking a swing at his arm or so she hoped. If it connected it was a pretty good hit. "You scared the sh*t out of me! What are you doing here?"

"Extending your vacation if luck is with us. I'm not going to be able to say anything for a little bit, so pretend I'm not here, but trust that I am," he said, his eyes blinking, one set of lids, than another cross-ways as the gold gleam faded against the wall he camo'ed against. He scrambled up to the landing on the fire escape over her head and pulled out his readout, fastening its clear band around his wrist. The mirrored casing hid it from view unless he was looking directly at the screen. The transmitter showed the man heading to them as planned.

She started to tell him no...that he couldn't stay. "You can't." She whispered. "You don't understand.." She stamped her foot and turned as the suit came into the alley.

"Hello, my dear...thought maybe you weren't going to show up.."

Ice rolled her eyes. "You knew I'd be here...I have to."

[Lovely]

His gaze narrowed on the creature that spoke to her. Heat vision showed the enhancements, the metallic replacements and reinforecements that made the man colder and even less human standing beside her glorious oranges and reds. He paused, remaining motionless as the man searched the area, sensing something.

Ice watched the suit looking around slowly. Taking a step she slipped her arm into his and smiled sweetly. "Soo...we should get started.. I need to get home and get my beauty sleep." She tugged on him toward the other end of the alley. He was hesitant and she pushed further. "The boss will be in a good mood after we finish tonight's list and I get home.."

The suit nodded. "That he will...even more so if you are behaving." He 'dug' at her.

Pete scowled, feeling unusually protective of this bounty. He fought the growl and shifted form fully into his friendly reptile, stepping silently off the landing and gripping the mortar of the wall with his claws.

Ice joined the others as they spoke of the layout of the first building she would go into tonight. She nodded as the talked, shifting into a different sort of mode, more serious, all business. She slipped 'tools' she might need into her jacket and pulled on black leather gloves. She turned and moved away from the group, her hair had been braided as she stood listening to the directions, now she tucked a braid back as she walked.

Scaling along the wall overhead, he listened in, memorizing faces of the others he could see although clouded in detail by his heat vision.

She shimmered from view as she moved farther from the group. She was at the building,slipping inside as an employee left for the night. She moved down the hall and into the room she needed. She stood back as the man moved around, careful to stay out of his way. Looking over his shoulder as he spun the dial of the safe, placing items inside and then locking it. He shut out the lights and left the room. Ice waited a few minutes to make sure he was gone and not coming back, before she moved to the safe.

"Wait," Pete whispered. "Don't move another step." He'd shifted human enough to speak to her, blowing a cloud of dust from a display below his perch. As the dust filtered down, thin lines revealed themselves criss-crossed about the room before the door of the safe.

She looked up and smiled, but frowned. "You shouldn't be here." She scolded and then looked to the red lines. "Thanks.." She carefully stepped between the lines, holding herself tightly.

"Neither should you, but who's keeping track. What do you get when you go back out there? Another right hook and an 'atta girl'? Why do you do this?"

"How do you know I got hit?" She started and shook her head. "I have to ok? I'm here because I don't have another choice." She spun the dial on the safe, quickly going through the numbers.

He listened to the tumblers, "Off by one... start over... it didn't take."

She sighed and did it again. Ice couldn't look at him, but wondered what his deal was. "So why are you here?"

[Lovely]

"I like watching a pretty girl work hard," he stated flatly, honestly as he watched, approving of her rapid skills. "That and maybe you needed a guardian angel.. for a few hours anyway. One who might have an alternative for you."

"There is no alternative... this is my crummy a** life." She sighed. "I need an angel for a lot more than a few hours.."

"Consider it done... one guardian angel who'll take care of the alarm for you. Mind your left foot," he said, skimming above the beams to the panel by the door.

"It's going to take me awhile to figure you out isn't it?"

"Only if you want to," he said, taking some tool from his pocket that clipped to the readout on his wrist and caused the alarm panel to smoke briefly as he raked the controls with a claw. The red beams flashed and dimmed.

She shook her head and stepped away from the desk. "Who are you?" She asked glancing around the room. "James Bond?"

"No, just Damien Steele... but I can tell you we work for the same people," he teased. "Used to do what you're doing... found something better is all."

Ice laughed. "Yeah almost anything is better than what I am doing...and you really have no idea.." She slid into the chair at the desk and slid off the leather gloves. Pulling plasic gloves out of her pocket she quickly slipped them on and started working at the computer. Her fingers in a flurry over the keyboard.

"You're welcome, I suppose," he shrugged, dropping the rest of the way to the floor, watching her fingers fly on the keys, trying to catch some of what she input. "So who are they? Besides lousy photo agents?"

Ice sighed. "Lousy crooks... dirty pigs, scumbag son-of-a-b*tches!" She nearly growled, but then shook her head sadly. "But then what does that make me? I'm just their wh*re.." The computer made a beeping noise and she put in a disk, waiting for the info to download.

"You're too good," he said, denying it.

She pulled out the disk, pocketing it and slipping the other items she lifted into her pockets. "Too good for what?" She stood and looked around the room. "I can walk around normally now, right?" She glanced at her watch, she still had a few minutes before she was supposed to be finished.

"In here at least.. there's probably an independent panel in each room. What more do they want you to do? And too good for what they're having you do... half your talent is wasted on catburglary."

"Yeah well, you do what you have to... to get by. In case you haven't noticed the world is not such a friendly place." She paced a little. "Nothing left in here...the safe was all they wanted."

"Then give me the disc. I'll hold on to it until they're done and you get it back."

She stepped to the door. "Why would I give you the disk?" She looked curious, wondering why he wanted or thought he should take it for her. "Is the hall all clear?" She opened the door barely a crack and peeked out.

[Lovely]

"If all they wanted was what was in the safe, then they don't want the disc. If you have it on you when you go out there and they find it, they might not be happy. I don't care what's on it... just don't want to see you get hurt."

She turned back and gave him a shrug. "I'm going to get hurt anyway." She tossed the disk on top of the desk. "What's on here, might help me to get out of this life." She moved into the hall, taking a moment to make sure she was 'cloaked'.

He slid the disk in his pocket carefully, not that it mattered entirely if he got her out anyway, but he was curious. He shifted into his camoflauge again and shadowed her, watching for heat variances.

She waited for the guard to pass and disappear around the corner, before she exited. She dropped the invisibility in the alley near where she had met the suits. She leaned against the wall a moment, wiping the bit of damp sweat from her forehead. As frequently as she had to use her gift and between the modeling and the late night 'jobs'..Ice was burning both ends and it was starting to catch up.

He took a different route, scaling upward to the roof hatch, the alarm panel having shut down that signal as well. Slipping out onto the roof after fiddling with the standard lock and his pocket tool a moment, he moved to the edge of the roof and started downward. He checked his readout on his wrist, still showing the blip from the man's pantleg, if he was lucky.

Ice moved into the lot where the suits waited and groaned inwardly. HE was there, smoking his contraband cigarettes and looking pissed off. The others had probably told him about her trying to slip off with Damien. "Great.." She whispered and approached. Her hands in her pockets already pulling the items out, she smiled. "Got everything." That seemed to improve his mood a bit...though he backhanded her hard enough to send her to her knees, and she saw dots swim before her eyes. But once he had checked through her inventory, he seemed happy enough.

"Cancel any appoinments she has for tomorrow. Baby you look tired." He cooed handing her a hankerchief for the blood that seeped from her lip. "She needs to rest, take her home." He talked about her like she wasn't right there. He hauled her to her feet and shoved her into the back of the car. "Take her home..."

The suit that had spoken with Damien got behind the wheel to drive and the car slid off into the night as the others got into their cars and went off. Pulling up in front of Ice's posh apartment, he got the door for her and escorted her up, leaving her after walking her into her apartment.

His bike wasn't too far at least. He watched the blips on his wrist as he pulled the visor down, keeping his lamp off and following a short, casual distance behind them, keeping in traffic. He wanted to know where this guy ended up, but Ice was the top proirity.

Watching her bleed to death little by little wasn't going to do her any good let alone the plans the Coalition had for her. He quietly cursed Milo and his grand vision as he pulled up into the neighboring lot, watching the man escort her up. He counted and waited, watching the apartment light come on upstairs. Once the man left, he went in... finding the place more lit and secure than he'd planned. Direct was as good as any. He informed the doorman to ring Ms. Darwin's suite.. let her know Damien was here to see her.

[Lovely]

She was getting an ice pack when the apartment was buzzed. Hearing who was there, she called down to let him up. She had quickly changed into knit pajama bottoms and a tank top. She left the door to the apartment open and sat down on the couch with the ice on her face.

He matched the floor with the windows from outside, but took a moment to find the correct suite, finally seeing the open door. He knocked to let her know he was there and pushed the door open gently, seeing her with her back to the door, her hand to her face. "I couldn't get there in time... I'm sorry. How bad is it?"

"Didn't expect you to get there at all." She said softly, tilting her head to give him a small smile. "I'll live." The ice was helping the swelling, but it showed and the red that would likely bruise, her lip was cut a small bit. "So you were just in the nieghborhood... decided to stop up?" She joked lightly.

"Do you have a cotton ball? A wad of cloth... something?" He smiled softly, "Just tell me where.. I've got something to help the swelling and pain."

"Yes plenty...this is a woman's house you know." She started to get up and paused. "It's upstairs...I'll go." She smiled and winced a bit, heading up the staircase.

He slid beside her, offering to hold her up and as she tipped against the pain, "How about I just follow, okay?"

She didn't say anything but went up the stairs, glancing at the closed door across the hall from her room. Ice went in to her bedroom and crossed into the adjoining bath.

He remained quiet, following closely, stopping at the door to the bath.

She grabbed a cloth and cotton balls, not knowing which he would prefer. "Here we are.." She handed them over an stepped close to where he stood in the doorway. She leaned up and kissed his cheek. "Thanks for earlier...the job... I owe you one."

He smiled beyond his usual level of coldness at the tender kiss on his cheek. d**n you, Milo... he thought. He stepped to the counter in the bath and looked at his reflection, scowling at himself... at his behavior. He shook his head and shifted himself into reptilian form again, taking a cotton ball and pulling it along the glands behind his teeth, saturating it with the numbing poison. He grabbed the drinking glass beside the sink and dumped it in then looked for a bottle of rubbing alcohol or other topical that he could use. A simple toner would work, he said, taking the bottle and pouring a generous amount around the cotton. He brought the tincture and fresh cotton ball to her. Swirling the glass to mix them gently, he dabbed the clean cotton and handed it to her, shifting back to be able to speak with her. "Better than an ice pack." He smiled softly, "Just keep it off your lip. Don't put that on an any broken skin."

She looked at him oddly. "What will it do?" She placed the cotton against her cheek and pushed herself up to sit on the counter. She looked at him, with a sigh. "So you never did tell me what you were doing here." She smiled.

"Numbing effect if used topically... and it will stop the swelling and capillary response... keep the bruise from forming by constricting the flow to the surface. Or it can paralyze and kill if it's ingested," he said dismissively, putting her toner away. "Like I said.. keep it off your lip. As for what I'm doing here, I'm being polite.. and caring... something for which I'll tell you, you should feel quite priveleged. I'm a worse actor than I am a model and I won't keep up appearances. I'm here for you, Miss Darwin... and... I have your disc."

Her eyes narrowed slightly. "I got the part where you said you have my disk....but the rest isn't making much sense...perhaps it's the blow to the face...but would you like to explain?"

"In trade for you showing me what's on this disc... I'll try to tell you something that might be better than what's on this disc. But I could be wasting my time," he said, holding the disc between his fingers.

[Lovely]

She was reaching for the disk when something thumped in the other room. "Damn.." She muttered and started for the door, as the moaning began. Ice hurried for the other room. An older woman was in a heap on the floor of the bedroom across the hall. Ice opened the door and was on her knees, checking the woman over carefully. The woman muttered and moaned, her words garbled and hard to understand. Ice shooshed her and spoke softly. Her hands running over the woman's hips and legs, making sure nothing had broken. Ice pulled her arm over and took her around the waist. Grunting as she tried to lift her gently back into bed.

Pete wandered in behind the noise and saw the commotion. His heat vision glanced over the woman and saw no noteable trauma that a fracture or severe bruise would note. He leaned down and scooped the dear back to her bed gently as Ice pushed the covers aside then back over her.

The woman patted his face with a curled hand that was semi unusable. She mumbled something about "a nice boy..." and looked at Ice. Ice tucked the covers around the woman who was in her sixties and smoothed back her hair. "Yes, mama...he's a nice boy..." She fluffed the pillows. "I'll get you some water." Ice looked up at Damien and gave a small smile. "Damien...this is my mother, Gabby. Mama this my friend Damien." She went to the bathroom and came back with a cloth and a small cup of water. Ice helped her mother to drink the water, which dribbled down her chin, Ice wiped it with the cloth. And settled her mother back, leaning in to kiss her cheek. "Go back to sleep.." Ice took Damien's hand as she stepped from the room and closed the door. Her hand rested on the door a moment as she faced the wall.

"I'm sorry... again... you have a great deal of stuff on your plate already, don't you?"

Ice turned and sighed. "Well if it's not the suits.. it's my other responsibilities that drive them away..." She shook her head and walked to her room.

"Then, yes... I am different, Ice... and I do owe you an explanation.. and hopefully a better answer to all of this," he said, a hand motioning to her mother's door and sweeping to include the apartment and the wide world outside.

"Do you now? Well, I would settle for one night of being so distracted that I didn't think about it all." She leaned in the door frame of her room with a distant expression.

He stepped to her, taking her hands in his. "Careful for what you wish... remember, I'm different," he smirked, leaning to kiss her as he had before, but lingering, not worried about a suit watching him.

She laughed softly into the start of the kiss. She ran a finger down his jaw and winked. "I suppose next you will tell me, you're my fairy god mother and you're going to take me away from all this?"

"No... guardian angel, remember? And I'm not telling you more until you tell me about the disc... you didn't agree, but that's that... no disc, no bedtime story," he teased.

"Well I didn't want a bedtime story anyway.." She smiled playfully as she patted his pockets. "Did you leave it in the bathroom?"

He chuckled, "Maybe... or maybe I want you to look closer." He had left it in the bathroom, but let her pat him down as much as she wanted.

[Lovely]

She crinkled her nose a little and stepped closer, reaching around to slide her hands into his back pockets. She felt around for the disk, sliding her hands out then back into his pockets to make sure it wasn't in there. "Hmmm.." She said softly as her hands still rested on his rear.

"Find what you wanted?"

She chuckled and shrugged. "I'm not sure...I started out looking for one thing, but suddenly find myself wanting something different."

"Oh?" He kissed her. "And what might that be?"

She kissed him back, more deeply then he had kissed her. "Ask me again in the morning.." She pushed him back, into her room -towards her queen sized bed. "If you want to stay, that is?"

In response, he watched over his shoulder, backing up slowly in mock-fear as she propelled him to the bed. Once his leg tapped the edge of the matress, he grabbed her, pulling her down on top of him.

Her mouth sought his with a passion that had been hiding beneath her surface. Her hands went right to work.

She'd had little opportunity to view him during the photo shoot, but now took her time to peruse his form and cascade her hands and gaze along him as he lay before her. He invited her now to resume some of the poses they'd shared earlier, entertaining the actions each implied. He responded to her touch differently than he had to most, feeling warm and comfortable with her. Perhaps it was because he'd seen her at work and play and she was more than just a conquest.. more than just a job. Again he cursed Milo.. sure that the man was laughing in his sleep now, knowing this would happen.

She slid up to kiss him and rolled on top of him again, letting herself rest lightly against him as she explored his mouth. Her hands slid into his hair as the kiss deepened and she slid her hands over his chest and down his abs.

If he stayed, he realized he'd have to take her with him whether she accepted the invitation or not. They'd be looking for her in the morning and if they suspected he'd been with her, she'd pay dearly for it. "You -are- too good," he teased again.

"I don't want to be good." She teased. "I want to be very naughty.." She dipped down to lick his chest and then back to nibble his lower lip.

"No, I mean at what you do... your thievery... took most of what you wanted.. then you took my clothes.. my attentions... and quite possibly even my heart, my dear."

She laughed softly. "How about I take everything I want and you let me know in the morning if there's anything left for me to steal?"

"How about you do just that." She managed to flip a switch in him he hadn't had triggered in several years, causing pleasured moans to escape him on their own, his control and caution pushed aside.

In the back of her mind she knew there would be dire consequences for what she was doing...but for the moment she cast all of it aside for the pleasure and connection she felt with him.

A couple hours later... Her arms loosely held his shoulders as she caught her breath, head resting against his shoulder. Once her breathing evened out and her heart rate returned to normal, Ice snuggled to his side, her head on the pillow. She smiled and this time it lit up her eyes. "You have anything left? I want more.." She raised an eyebrow playfully. There was still hours left before she had to worry about morning and getting him out, before she put him in danger.