Deirdre Evering's Story

Tim looked up at Arin and Deirdre. "Oh good you two are back. Okay." He nodded and really looked them over for a sign of how things had gone. Deirdre looked fine and that is all that mattered at this moment. All attention was for Arey now.

"I think she stopped puking." Kat called from the bathroom, where she had taken up vigil as Arey retched into the porcelain throne and held back her hair. Arey's grip was still hard on the sides, and she was breathing hard as she tried to rationalize what had just happened. The eyes alone had been enough to spook her, but everything about that dream had felt too real, like she'd just been made to watch someone be murdered. She didn't even want to begin contemplating why she'd woken up bleeding.

Kat gently pulled her up toward the sink, handing Arey a cup of water and ushering her to rinse. "You'll feel better if you do." Kat urged. Arey complied numbly, feeling too shaken to really do anything but comply to the gentle cajoling.

"We need to cleanse the wound." Vivienne replied, watching the bathroom intently as she waited for the two to come out. "Whoever cast that spell was trying to create a mental link between the two of them, and that mark is the tangible connection."

Deirdre bit her lower lip as she listened to Viv. "Is there anything I can do to help?" She tried to sound confident in the face of the woman who intimidated her so much. Arin said to show her. Show her, prove her wrong. She stood a little taller.

Tim frowned, "Who wants that sort of connection?"

"Yeah. Mom, can you actually track any of that back? Anything we can get a hint at where this person is?" Arin didn't know a lot of the details around the magic that his mother knew. He focused on the physical world. Swords and other combat techniques was where he felt most comfortable.

"If we move quickly, I might be able to catch an imprint." Vivienne conceded. "We'll have to un-wrap the wound however, which will involve some pain and a good deal of restraint."

Tim inhaled. "I can help." He looked at Deirdre, "Maybe you should go and ugh...go and wait in the other room."

Arin raised an eyebrow at Tim, "How about we let D decide for herself then? Besides, we should be asking Arey if she's okay with it before we hold her down. Not to mention, D might be best to help keep her as calm as possible."

Tim frowned a little. "You are right. We should ask Arey."

Deirdre looked to Arin. There was a great deal of appreciation in her eyes. "Whatever I can do to help."

"Kat, is Arey up to talking?" Arin called toward the bathroom. He didn't want to barge in there. He knew no one felt like showing weakness and being ill was one of those times that an audience was not appreciated.

"Uh...Maybe?" Kat replied unsure, as she tried to usher Arey out of the bathroom and toward the bed. "She still looks kind of out of it."

"Arey?" Vivienne began softly. "This will be unpleasant, but we need to know who is attacking you. This is our best option for immediate information, while the connection is still strong." Arey gazed up blankly, but cleared her throat a moment later. "Just do it." Arey croaked. Whoever that was just killed a girl, she could feel it in her bones. If a little pain on her part could help make him stop, she could just suck it up.

"Who do you want holding you down Arey? Viv says there'll be some restraint required. D will talk you through it." Arin was sincere in his questioning. He didn't want to jump in there and assume he was welcome.

Restraints? That was disconcerting. Did it really matter who held her down here? It's not like she knew the others any better. "Don't care." Arey replied tiredly

Tim looked at Arin. "Head or feet?"

Deirdre slipped into the room and gently climbed onto the bed beside Arey. "Hi...." She whispered to her. She brushed her hair from Arey's face.

"How strong you feeling? And you think you're okay with grabbing her thighs? Best leg restraints are just above the knee."

Tim nodded, "Tell me where you want me and I am good."

Arin shrugged, "She didn't seem to care either way. If you're up to it, take her legs. Just don't get kicked. Unless, of course, that falls into your desire to get hit..." he winked and walked toward the head of the bed.

Tim grumbled. "I'll be fine." He moved to the foot of the bed and climbed up, straddling Arey's legs. "Sorry about this." He put his hands on her lower thighs and held her down with his body weight.

Deirdre smiled at Arey. "Hey tell me what you are studying in school."

"Not sure yet...law? Medicine?" Arey replied quietly as Vivienne began removing the gauze from around her stomach, revealing an angry red symbol carved into the skin. It didn't feel pleasant, but there wasn't any earth shattering pain like she'd expected.

Arin winced in sympathy as the wound was revealed. He reached down and wrapped his hands around her wrists, then thought twice, "I don't want you to dislocate a shoulder. So, I'm going to need to get a little closer." He bent down and grabbed her upper arms, laying his forearms across her forearms and pinning her. He used his full body weight to prevent as much movement as possible. He didn't want to add any injuries.

Vivienne reached down into the box and pulled out another token before making eye contact with Arey; a flicker of sympathy there in her eyes. "Brace yourself, I'm going to reopen the connection." She warned.

"Keep your eyes up here. Law or medicine. Big subjects. I am still not sure myself. Do you live on campus?" Viv's words made her anxious but she wanted Arey to stay calm so she kept her voice level and soothing.

In one quick motion, Vivienne placed the coin on the mark with her hand over it, and kept it there. Arey's body suddenly seized up, her upper body trying to fling itself away as a strangled scream ripped out of her throat, eyes rolling back.

Vivienne's sight shifted, no longer her own. She saw a room, and a bloodied body lying on the bed. There was a man, using a knife to cut off the two pigtails of the body before him. He was blurred, but Vivienne could sense rage through the bond. So much rage. Her eyes turned as if sensing their presence, and Vivienne got a clear look at his dark dead eyes. Breathing in a sharp breath, Vivienne yanked the token away, breaking the connection once again. She knew who they were dealing with, and that was not good news.

"Mordred..." Vivienne bit out, mind reeling at the implication, for the life of her unable to reason why the Gleaming would choose to revive him as well. Arey had stopped jerking once the connection was broken, but she had broken out into a heavy sweat, looking exhausted.

Deirdre laid her hand on Arey's forehead and gently stroked her skin. "It is alright now. Close your eyes and rest." Her voice was low and soft. She looked up at Arin. "It is alright now."

Tim looked a bit pale but he held fast until the end. When Arey relaxed and Deirdre spoke he released his hold. He shifted to sit at the end of the bed at Arey's feet.

"Kat can you please get me a cool, damp cloth?" Deirdre looked over at Kat, her hand still gently moving on Arey's face, brushing her hair back. "It is done, just rest."

Tim looked at Arin then to Vivienne. "Why is Mordred back and why is he doing this? She said he killed some girl. Is that true? We can't let him get away with this but can't call the cops, we have no proof. What do we do now?" The lawyer in him wanted to find out if someone was murdered and see justice done. Tim was worried about Arey, about the girl she said he killed. "Maybe it was in the future, you know she saw what he was going to do. Maybe we can stop it." He could tell by the look on Vivienne's face and the way Arey had screamed that he was being optimistic. He felt it in the pit of his stomach. "Mordred had a hate on for Arthur. That hasn't changed has it? And how does he know who she is?"

Deirdre looked over at Tim. "Too many questions, too many things for us to discuss at this moment. Let's make Arey comfortable, wrap the wound and then we can move forward. Everyone breathe a moment. One thing at a time." She waited for the cloth from Kat. Her first task was Arey and then the rest. The blonde looked so pale, so drained and Deirdre didn't want them tossing around all that information and questions until Arey was rested. She was a part of it too, not just a body on the bed. Arey had every right to be a part of the discussion and not to have more things dropped on her after everyone else had figured things out.

The name Mordred made a pit of anxiety churn in Arey's stomach, along with a swell of guilt an confusion. When Tim suggested that the murder she'd witnessed might not have occurred yet, Arey found herself desperately wishing that it was true, though part of her knew it was a false hope. She didn't say anything against it however, afraid that if she voiced her doubt it would be true.

Vivienne had no such qualms banishing the delusion, though she tried to do it as gently as circumstance allowed. "A spell like the one he performed requires a great deal of power. To find you in this manner, and form that connection using blood magic, it requires a sacrifice. I very much doubt that the girl you saw is alive."

Kat came back with the damp cloth, handing it off to D before listening in. "So what do we do now? We can't just let this guy run loose killing people."

Deirdre took the cloth from Kat and began to gently wipe Arey's face and neck. She listened to what everyone was saying, her mind working over all the details. Someone was dead, a girl and they didn't know who she was or where she was. She had been sacrificed and that left Deirdre feeling ill. She focused on Arey though, letting the others work on the issue of Mordred. Arey had been his focus, his target. She looked exhausted and pale. Everything led back to Arey and they needed to make sure she was okay.

"For the moment we need to recoup and train." Vivienne replied, making herself plain. "With the exception of Arin, no one here is ready to face the dangers lurking in the city's shadows. Mordred, however much a man, also appears to be a practitioner of dark magic, which given his apparent fixation, makes him infinitely more dangerous."

She smiled down at Arey before looking over at Vivienne. She understood the gravity of the situation but needed to check in on Heather before she could really focus. Besides training has nothing really to do with me. Arin said he would teach me but really....why? "I have to leave. My friend is in trouble. I just need to make sure she is okay. I left her alone at the club last night and now she isn't answering my texts. If I promise to come back can I go and check on her?"

She reached down to hold Arey's hand as she spoke. "I will even grab clothes and the things I need. I won't run, I will come back until you tell me you don't need me here. I just can't ignore the feeling in my stomach that something is wrong. I will try calling her first but if she doesn't answer I have to go and check in on her."

Tim was ready to train, ready to learn and fight off whatever came his way. He had to prove to himself that last night was not the way it was going to be, that he could do what needed to get done and be stronger for all of them. He looked over at Deirdre and then to Viv, giving her a "You aren't going to consider that are you? She isn't going anywhere." look. His jaw clenched as he resisted the urge to tell her that she was safer here, safer maybe in Arin's room, away from everything and everyone. At least for now. Deirdre wasn't asking him though and he would give his opinion if it was needed. He stood slowly from the bed and leaned against the frame, arms crossed.

A petty angry little voice that Vivienne usually kept locked away reared its head at that. Oh you promise do you? We know the value of such promises from our beloved Queen Guinevere do we not?" It hissed. Outwardly, she was more calm, though her gaze was piercing and hard. It was not fair to compare this girl to Guinevere, her rational mind argued back, suing for calm. I have said so as many times to Arin, and it is the truth, they are different people, let it go.

"I would have your word given officially then, and I promise you that no good ever came from going back on a pact with a faery." Vivienne finally replied flatly.

Deirdre looked at Vivienne. "I promise. I will go, check on her and come back." She looked over at Arin. "I swear I will come back."

She still held Arey's hand and had not moved off the bed yet. She held her breath and hoped that Vivienne would let her go now that she promised. She ignored the way Vivienne was looking at her, trying to keep in mind what Arin had told her about his mother. Don't overreact, she is like that with everyone Something in her gut told her differently.

She just wanted to go home, see Heather and throw something at her for making her worry and then come back. She'd pack some clothes, toiletries and maybe even her dance shoes to help pass the time while the others work.

"I'm going with her," Arin declared. He gently released Arey's arms. "If Mordred is out there I don't think it's a good idea to let any of us go alone. Arey needs time to recover and quiet will do her well. It's safe here. Tim can come with us and we'll make sure nothing else goes awry."

Deirdre looked over at Arin. She wasn't sure if his offering to help would make Vivienne change her mind.

Tim frowned and huffed. He shook his head a little. He couldn't believe that Vivienne was even considering letting her leave. Did she realize that she was most vulnerable of all of them? "I'll go but you have to let me shower and Theo needs to clean my clothes. Maybe best to wait or not go."

Deidre slid over Arey gracefully. "I have to go. Look, before anyone decides..." She looked at Vivienne. "Let me call her and see. If she answers well, all good."

She pulled out her phone and held it up. "Just going to step outside..." She stepped into the hallway.

Tim looked at Arin. "What are you thinking?" He lowered his voice. He looked to Vivienne. "You can't seriously be thinking of letting her go. Arin we need to stay here with Arey, we need to train and going out on silly errands are not needed right now."

Arin looked at Tim, confused, "A quick trip out to her apartment to let her gather her things and check on a friend doesn't seem that silly. Mom, is Arey going to be okay now? Tim, training will come. A couple hours won't be the end of the world. Arey, are you feeling well enough to let us take a quick run out?"

Tim shook his head again. Arin was forgetting about Arey. They all needed to stay here with her. He couldn't make sure they were all okay if they separated. Arin and Deirdre shouldn't be alone together. He wiped his face, he still felt sweaty and desperately needed a shower. Vivienne won't let them go, she knows.

Her hands shook as she pulled up Heather's contact and pressed call. She put the phone to her ear and desperately hoped to hear Heather's voice. Just pick up. Come on, just pick up.

Deirdre was trembling, just a little. There was fear that the feeling in her stomach, the feeling that something was wrong with her friend would turn out to be true. Pick up. The phone rang and rang.

"I've already made a stop in at your residence Timothy." Vivienne replied flatly as she indicated the duffle bag lying forgotten on the floor. "You should find that I have packed it with your essentials." The idea of Arin going to accompany Deirdre did not sit well with Vienne if she was being completely honest, but it did make the most logical sense. Tim was too green to send out as protection yet; that would only put then both in danger. Arin was the best prepared and best trained. If they left, Arin would have to go. She didn't have to like it, but there was no way around it.

Arey didn't like the decision being pushed off to her. The last thing she wanted to do was keep anyone trapped here, especially if they were worried about a friend. She wasn't sure what she wanted either, to be alone or to cling to someone. If she felt more like herself, the answer would have been clear. She hated to depend on people, it sounded cynical, but doing so had only ever led to disappointment and heartache, and those were two emotions she was bone weary of experiencing.

"Sure." Arey replied simply, eyes fixed on the ceiling. Everything Arin had just said was logical, and saying anything else would have been selfish.

Tim didn't like it but he didn't argue. "You grabbed things from my place?" He noticed the bag for the first time. "Thanks." His tone was somewhat cold. "I'll go shower so we can get going if you are all sure this is a good idea."

He walked over to the bag and picked it up. Only now did he remember he was in his boxers. Tim held his bag at his hips.

Kat continued wiping the cloth across Arey's forehead, trying to ignore the palpable tension that had begun to engulf the room. Everyone seemed irritated or on edge, and she hated it. "Why don't I go?" Kat offered up after a moment. "Next to Arin I've got the most experience with this stuff, and if we need to do a little B&E if we run into trouble, I'm more useful out there than in here." She reasoned.

Tim frowned and looked at Arin. "You go instead of Arin and I or go with us? You and Deirdre alone, I don't think so. The last time that happened you both ended up in the incubus' arms. Hell if I am letting that happen again."

"That was one time, and I was off guard!" Kat shot back hackles raised. "How many times exactly have you been caught in a thrall?" It was a cheap shot, but Kat didn't like the implication he was throwing that she was weak.

Tim's eyes narrowed. He shook his head at Kat and looked to Vivienne. "They can't go alone. Kat is still recovering, she needs her rest just as much as Arey. If you are okay with this stupid little errand then Arin and I go with Deirdre."

"Hey, if you've got something to say about me do it to my face, I'm right here." Kat growled. "I'm not a fucking five year old that needs to be managed."

Tim looked at Kat. "Well neither am I and I don't think you being petty helps anything now does it. You want to talk about who was in thrall, well I only had it happen once. I fought it off the second time, he didn't have me moaning and I wasn't the one in the cab writhing around. So let's just see the end tally shall we?" He was angry at everything, Kat just happened to open her mouth. It wasn't right, it wasn't fair but it is what was happening. This is all Deirdre's fault. Tim thought angrily.

"Guys, seriously. We're going to an apartment. With the person who lives in said apartment. No B&E. There is unlikely to be any danger. I'm just going so nothing goes awry. Hell, I might even stop to get a pizza. How about you both just settle down a bit. There's no reason to snap at any one." Arin was getting a little annoyed at how difficult this seemed.

Kat's cheeked flushed red, both in anger and embarrassment. "Fine, do what you want." She said angrily as she got up from the bed and left the cloth lying on Arey's forehead. "Adults always do." She stormed past Tim and out of the room, not really sure where she was going.

The guilt hit Tim hard as Kat stormed out. "You are right Arin." His voice was low. "The situation just got the better of me. I shouldn't have snapped at her." He looked to the door where Kat had gone. He looked at Vivienne, "I was wondering...." He glanced at Arey in the bed and then Arin before he looked back to Vivienne. "Could we maybe take Deirdre someplace, set her up and just...keep her separate maybe? This whole thing is only so heated because she is insistent on leaving to check on a friend. It might be best for her not to be here while we are training. She is proving distracting."

"Can we stop giving her a reason to leave? She is training just as much as the rest of us. We're not in the middle ages anymore. Why would it be okay to train Arey but not D? Move past who you think she was and start looking at who she is." Arin rubbed his face in frustration.

Tim looked at Arin, "They are not the same and you know it. Arey is strong. I mean come on! Look at what she has been through already. Our job is to fight with her, at her side. Deirdre just makes you all act...she just is more of a hindrance than a help and you know it. She wasn't here to help when Arey laid there bleeding. Where was she? Sleeping? On the phone?"

"If we're going to solely judge on how someone deals with pressure on the first take...." Arin didn't finish. He just sighed. "Why the hell has this devolved into a fricken argument. There is nothing to discuss or debate. I've already decided."

"Will you two just stop it." Arey finally snapped, forcing herself to sit up despite the ringing that burst in her ears. "Nobody here is a hindrance, and we sure as hell aren't going to be making decisions for each other while we're not all here." Arey grabbed the side of the bed and swung out her legs so that she was in a sitting position. Her body protested at the movement, but she was beginning to feel trapped in that bed and wasn't going to stay there any longer. "If we're going to be staying here, let's get all our affairs in order and regroup, then we can talk about where to go from there."

"Arey, take it slow, okay? You don't need to be moving around too much. You need to get better before I can start hitting you with swords." Arin grinned, "But, she's right. We need to get you and D settled in here and constantly taking shots at each other isn't a good tactic to feel settled." Arin moved toward Arey and sat down next to her. "You know, you really should just rest. But I'm not telling you what to do. Do you have things you would like me to pick up while I'm out?"

"I'm not going to let some sicko with a knife dictate the rest of my day." Arey said stubbornly, though there wasn't any heat directed Arin's way. "If we go by my place, I should really be there. I didn't come back last night, and Amanda's already threatened to gut you." Arey finished, looking mildly amused. "She's rather fierce when affronted."

Tim was quiet. Arey was right. Arin was right. He was just trying to keep things in focus and it felt a lot like Deirdre was making it hard for Arin to do that. He looked at them as they sat on the bed. It seemed right but he wasn't sure if that was Ywain's memory of Arthur and Lancelot conversing, making plans as he stood by or Arey and Arin just making sense, together. His mouth was set in a line. "I'm going to shower."

He walked off to find a shower that wasn't the one in Kat's room.

Arin nodded at Tim then turned back to Arey, "Right, well, that makes a lot of sense. It might seem a little odd for some bartender to come barging in. Hmm, did you want to call Amanda and ask her to pack you something that she can drop off? We can set you up at my place? You can pretend it actually went well?" He winked.

Arey couldn't help chuckling at his self-assuredness. "Yes well, I might have already mentioned to her last night that it hadn't, but I’d be more than happy to give her a ring. I lost my mobile last night after that whole...blob incident, so I shudder to think about the amount of messages she's been leaving."

Arin winced, "Well, that might complicate things a little. I can get you a phone, but does it look better or worse to come up with my number?"

A grin spread over his face, "Though, it might help back up the story that I changed your mind with my charm."

"Oh, confident aren't you." Arey managed to laugh. "She'll be angry with me either way, but better she hear from me sooner than later. Amanda's not the type to ignore a call regardless, though knowing her I won't be hearing the end of this for a while."

Arin chuckled, "Sorry. Forgot that laughing probably isn't the best for you right now. Confidence isn't something I lack. And there's still a chance that my charm will win you over. However, I'll wait until you're feeling better." He smiled at her as he handed his phone over. "I was just looking for a way to make it easy for you to get some stuff without having to explain the crazy."

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

The conversation with Amanda predictable consisted of a lot of shouting. Arey's friend had indeed not been pleased by her friend's sudden disappearance, especially after their last conversation had left her alone and upset somewhere in the city in the process of calling for a ride. "Do you have any idea the kind of whack-jobs are running around the city?! The cops won't call it, but I read the papers Arey, there's a fucking serial killer on the loose!" Amanda had growled. Arey had apologized, Amanda had huffed, but she'd agreed to pack up some of Arey's things for her. "Are you at least going to be at practice tomorrow?" Amanda had asked. "I don't know." Arey had replied honestly. "Once I've got everything figured out, I'll let you know."

"Is this about your father again? Is he trying to yank you back home for the campaign?" Amanda asked quietly. The assumption seemed from left field, though given the rocky relationship she had with the man, if was a natural conclusion. "I can't really talk about it." Arey replied quietly. "I promise we'll talk later." The conversation had ended soon after that, and Arey handed Arin back the phone with quiet thanks.

"Anytime. While Tim's getting ready I can set you up at my place. TV, computer, whatever. We'll get it so you don't have to worry about hurting yourself." Arin suggested, not patronizing. "Plus it'll give you some time to yourself to figure out your own plan how you want to deal with this going forward."

Tim showered and dressed. He was frustrated, annoyed and feeling just a little bit guilty and stupid. He came back to Kat's room bag in hand. "So I guess we need to think about arrangements for sleeping and such once everyone gets their stuff back here."

Arin and Arey were still sitting on the bed and for the first time Tim felt like there was no tension, no stress. Maybe this is how it is supposed to be. The three of us. Them making the decisions and me backing them up. He felt calmer and more centered just stepping in the room with them.

Arey still didn't feel right sitting it out on the bench so to speak, but she had to admit that she wasn't a hundred percent right now either. She didn't want to be a burden any more than she wanted to be left behind, so she figured she should just stop fighting them on this. "Fine, but come back safe and come back soon."

Arin smiled as he stood, "That's the plan."

Tim dropped his bag "I take that as we will figure all that out when we get back. Let's make this quick shall we?" He nodded at Arin. "Arey it is nice to see some color in your face again." He smiled at her and found himself staring just a little. "We will take care of everything."

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

Sick son of a bitch. Detective Velazquez had hoped when they'd received the anonymous tip that it had just been a prank call, a sick inappropriate one. The body turn around was just too quick otherwise. Walking into the motel room however, there was no doubt that this was the work of their guy. They'd mobilized fast and gotten there within ten minutes of the call, but their man had already left the building, leaving a disturbing lack of DNA behind him for forensics to analyze.

"He's accelerating off his time line Dave." His partner Jerry Malone commented tiredly. They were both getting sick of finding butchered girls with no leads.

"I know." Dave said. "This is the third one this month. Same M.O., same vic type, we're going to have to call it to the press."

"Which means copycats and little busy body old lady's calling in tips on their neighbors." Jerry spat, rubbing a hand down his face.

"I know," Dave sighed. "But they need to know what's lurking out there right now, otherwise the next butchered girl's on us." From under the bed, there began a ringing sound, and snapping to attention, Dave moved toward the sound. Under the bed, was a phone, and he quickly picked it up with a gloved hand. Last time the sick bastard had left them pictured of the vic as he'd raped her as a calling card with her own phone. Was the bastard calling them now to taunt them?

"Who is this?" He asked coldly after pushing the answer button. The phone was showing the listing as unavailable, which he never took to be a good sign.

Deirdre froze at the sound of the man's voice. "H-Heather? Can I talk to Heather please?" Her voice was shaky, her hand unsteady as she tried to keep the phone to her ear. Why is a man answering her phone? The voice was cold, almost angry as it spoke. "This is Heather's number...who is this?" Her voice went soft and the knot in her stomach grew. Heather loved her phone, she was never without it, to have someone else on it felt very wrong.

At hearing the shaken female voice, Dave sighed and tried to back down his down. A friend of the vic he reasoned, dreading the rest of this conversation. "Ma'am, this is detective Velazquez of the NYPD, can I request you sit down for a moment?"

Deirdre felt the blood drain from her face. "Detective?" She slid down the wall until she was on the floor. "I-I am sitting. Where is Heather?" She choked on the words, trying not to cry. She knew. They had joked on how Heather was the killer's type that she was like the other victims. Deirdre shook her head. Can't be. She is fine, lost her phone...that's all. "Can I talk to Heather, please?"

"We haven't made any positive identification." Dave began, trying to stay optimistic for the girl without giving her false hope. "But the phone you are calling was found at a crime scene this morning."

Deirdre was shaking, fighting tears. She knew something was wrong. "Crime scene but maybe someone stole Heather's phone. Maybe...excuse me a moment." She pulled the phone from her ear and stood. She walked back into Kat's room but stopped dead at the sight of everyone. Arey was on the bed, Arin standing beside her. Tim was standing off to the side. She looked at the three and tried not to show she was upset. "Sorry." Deirdre put the phone back to her ear. "What can I do to help? Should I go see if Heather is at home? I left her last night and haven't heard from her...I called because she...I didn't know..." Her voice waivered but she tried not to let it show on her face or in her body language. They were all there, she didn't want them to know she was upset.

When Arey saw Deirdre come back into the room, Arey could tell something was wrong, despite the other woman's valiant composure. Arey wasn't sure how she knew, but she did, like some kind of deeply buried sixth sense. She watched silently as the phone conversation played out, but her concern played freely across her face.

Arin looked over at Deirdre when she walked in. His smile faded as he saw he face and heard her voice. Not a good phone call. He moved toward her. He didn't know what he was going to do but it just felt like he should be near her.

"We'll have the body to the morgue in two hours at the latest. It could prove very helpful if you could come by and preform an identification. If nothing else, to rule out your friend." He offered, hoping for the girl's sake that were true.

Body. Deirdre almost dropped the phone. She nodded though the man, the Detective couldn't see her. "I will go to the apartment first but I will be there to give you an identification. Thank you." She felt cold and detached now. Deirdre hung up the phone.

Don't cry, don't get upset. Keep it together. "I have to go to the apartment and then to the morgue." Deirdre nodded slowly and then looked at the floor. "That is if I am allowed to leave." She could sense Arin moving towards her but she couldn't look at him or any of them. If she did she was afraid she might break down and she was supposed to be strong. "May I leave please Vivienne?"

With a deep breath Deirdre looked up but brought her eyes to Kat's bed, unable to meet anyone's gaze. Strong, proud, confident. That is what they expect of you.

"Morgue...?" Arey was filled with a feeling of dread. Something had happened, she had a guess what, but her mind didn't want to confirm it.

"Of course." Vivienne replied, voice soft and perhaps the warmest they had ever been to Deirdre as she anticipated the girl's loss sadly.

"I'm going too." Arey announced as she pushed herself up, all thoughts of hiding out in Arin's apartment gone. This changed things. Deirdre needed support, the kind she had already extended to Arey on several occasions, and Arey feel a need to know what was going on, witness it firsthand. She couldn't just sit up in Arin's apartment like some tower on high and wait for everyone else to hopefully come back safely. She just couldn't.

Arin lowered his head and sighed, "Arey, I'm not going to tell you to stay. But if you come you have to promise to not try to take too much on yourself." He looked up to Deirdre, "We'll get you where you need to go. Are you okay? Or do you need time to get ready?" Arin could see she was upset and wanted to give her an out if she wanted privacy.

Deirdre didn't know what to say. She was afraid anything that came out of her voice would end with her in tears. She had to take a few slow breaths before she could find the ability to speak.

"Thank you Vivienne." Her eyes moved to Arey as she stood and Arin told her she had to promise to take it easy. Deirdre's lower lip quivered just a little. This woman who she had made remember who she was, who had gone through so much wanted to go with her. She wanted to run to her and hug her but knew it was a bad idea.

Arin's voice caught her attention as she realized he was no longer talking to Arey. Her head turned to find herself looking into his eyes. She shook her head slowly, blue eyes filling slightly with unshed tears. "We should go. I am al-alright." Between Arey and Arin she was having a hard time holding it all in and keeping Guinevere pushed to the back of her mind. Can't be weak right now.

Tim felt like a heel. He looked to his feet as Deirdre tried to hold back her tears and not get upset. She had said morgue and he knew what that meant. He felt even worse for trying to stop her from going. Worse, she didn't even know that he had spoken out against her.

Arin nodded at Deirdre's determination, "Alright. I need to get some things. We know there are fae out there that are noticing us. We should all get something iron as it's easier to carry unnoticed. However, Mordred is human, by the sounds of it. An iron rod will still hurt, but I'd rather have something that might keep him away. I won't give you real weapons yet, sorry. You need to be taught to use them. Until then they are just as dangerous to you as to your opponents. Mom, do you have anything to help Arey manage any pain?"

Tim looked at Arin. "I'll help you gather some stuff up. Maybe give Arey a moment with Vivienne." He looked at Deirdre unsure of what to do. He moved to the door.

"Sure thing. And Kat will kill us if we all go without her." Arin gave Deirdre a sympathetic look, "I'll be right back." He left the room, headed toward his training room.

Tim followed, head down unsure how he was going to find a way to apologize to Kat. He sighed. Big mouth. You have a big mouth...

Deirdre stood there, unmoving. She couldn't, not yet. Arin's look of sympathy tugged at her and she had to bite her lip to stop herself from crying. Her hands gripped her jeans to stop herself from reaching out to him as he left. She had no right to do that and he might think it was Guin, not her. Her breathing was slow and deep.

"I'm ok, really." Arey tried to placate, uncomfortable with some many people looking at her like she was fragile.

"You are not." Vivienne replied. "But you are also strong...both of you." Vivienne said the last part almost reluctantly, but fae cannot speak untruths, which was somewhat encouraging.

"If you don't mind my asking, are there any clothes we could change into?" Arey asked. Half her shirt was already ripped open and covered in blood, which was probably not the best way to enter a morgue and meet police officers.

"Of course, I'll bring you both something." Vivienne said quietly, slipping out to acquire some appropriate clothing.

Deirdre remained where she had been since she stepped into the room. Arey and Vivienne were speaking but Deirdre felt like she was somewhere else. Heather can't be dead. She can't. It isn't her. Her gut told her differently. She tried to slip her phone into her pocket, only to drop it on the floor. She stared down at it. "Oh."

She looked up and slowly realized she was alone with Arey. 'I can leave if you want."

"No, it's fine." Arey said gently bending down to pick up the phone and handing it back to Deirdre. "Do you want to talk about it?"

Deirdre took the phone. "No, no that's okay. I'm not supposed to...I mean I shouldn't talk to you a whole lot. It will just cause issues because of you know..." She bit her lip. "She is just my roommate and my only friend and now she is..."

Deirdre shook her head and looked down, her hands covering her face. Stop it. Stop crying Tears wet her palms and she tried to keep them silent.

"Hey, we don't know anything for sure right?" Arey tried to comfort, pulling Deirdre into a careful hug. The contact brought with it stirrings of emotion, but it was getting easier to separate herself out from it, especially the more she got to know D. "I'm sorry I kind of freaked out on you last night. This is all just going to take some adjusting." Arey tried to apologize. "And I don't care what they said alright. If you want to talk to me then you can do it. They don't get to choose who I'm friends with."

Deirdre put her head on Arey's shoulder, the hug was soothing. "It is her. She is the killer's type. Blonde...blue eyed...out on her own..." Her shoulders shook a little as she tried to stop the tears. She pulled back a little, afraid to her hurt Arey by getting to close to the wound on her stomach. "You don't have to apologize. I did that to you. I am the one who owes you the apology for forcing that on you but they didn't tell you anything and she…Guinevere kind of stood up when they didn't."

Deirdre wiped at her eyes. 'Please don't tell them I cried. They already...well not all of them but still I am already not off to a great start here and I am supposed to be strong to show Vivienne and Tim. I don't want them to know. You shouldn't be my friend." She gave a slight shrug and felt exhausted. She knew the worst was yet to come still. There was the apartment, Heather's empty room and then her body in the morgue. You need to be ready. You need to get it together.

"I was in denial and being a stubborn arse." Arey said flatly. "I've been having strange dreams for months, random out of context daydreams, and had a hallucination in a bathroom that made me practically jump your bones. I didn't want to believe there was something happening to me, so I pretended it wasn't. You just gave me a necessary reality check." Arey argued back.

"I won't if you don't tell Arin I said he was right." Arey replied, trying to manage a grin. "I won't force my friendship on you if it's not something you want, but you're wrong. You seem like an excellent friend and I'd be a sodding prat if I didn't want to be your friend."

Deirdre managed a small smile. "What was Arin right about?"

Her smiled dropped away, "I would like to be your friend but given...given the past there are things that will be difficult. You should know to that I won't be trying to get between you and Arin."

She didn’t' know how to explain and if Arey was anyone else she wouldn't bother but something told her that 'Arthur' would understand. "You two have a connection, I have a mistake to fix. Arin says it was Lancelot's but we know the truth. He likes you, Arin that is. I know that so don't worry. As for us, the whole um...kiss and what not..." She blushed profusely though she still frowned. "Friendship with me might not be easy and you have enough on your plate. Even now it's hard to hold her back. No one would believe me if I tried to explain how she felt about either of them...I will take your friendship but I also won't begrudge you for not giving it."

"Please don't say that." Arey nearly pleaded. "Look, I'm British, I know all the stories about Camelot and the grail and all that nonsense, we're spoon fed it as children over there. What happened between the three of us then was a tragedy, and Arthur wasn't blameless either ok. Whoever we were back then, we were products of our time, and he...let’s just say the not seeing things we don't want to acknowledge thing is a commonality so far." Arey wasn't really sure how to explain this, but it was a feeling she'd always had about Arthur when she was forced to read about the legendary king when she was in school.

"The only mistake we have to worry about correcting this time around is not being honest with each other. We get so worried about preserving each other’s feelings, that we start doing more damage in the process." Arey insisted. "I don't even know where to begin about where Arin and I stand right now, but we barely know each other, and we all have a connection here, not just the two of us. For now, let’s just worry about figuring out who we think we are now, and then we can work on the more complicated stuff."

Deirdre smiled weakly, "You are taking this whole thing pretty well. You are smart, but I am not surprised." She shuffled her feet a little. "The guilt is terrible but deserved considering. Thank you Arey." She gave the blonde a hug. "I don't want to go to the morgue alone."

Deirdre's phone buzzed and she hugged Arey tighter. She dreaded it but knew it was coming, it would be from her parents. Once the most recent murder hit the news they would be texting her. She was just glad they didn't know that much about her roommate. "I'm sorry for crying all over you. I should answer this." Deirdre reluctantly stepped back. In her head Guin was upset for letting go but Deirdre needed to be herself in that moment. She looked at her phone. Princess call us please? We are very, very worried about you. We are thinking of coming to visit, maybe bring you home for a bit. All this talk of a killer in the city. We think it best for you to come home where we can look after you.

Deirdre turned and whipped her phone into the hallway. Tim ducked, the phone narrowly missing his head as it hit the wall behind him. "Whoa! What the hell? I know I haven't been your greatest supporter and I said we should keep you away but you don't have to throw stuff at me, you could have yelled like Kat."

Deirdre looked at Tim. "You said what?" Her voice was low. It was hard to tell if she was angry or upset.

Tim stuttered, "Oh, I-uh-"

Deirdre looked at Arey. "Is that why you are being so nice? Are you all planning to get rid of me? I don't understand."

"What? No!" Arey replied immediately. "No one's making decisions about anyone or anything until we get our ducks in a row and we all get a chance to catch up with what’s happening and just talk."

Tim flinched, "No it was me. I thought well I thought if we sort of kept you away that it would be easier for Arin and Arey, you know a strong connection with no trouble and you seem so fragile and sensitive that it makes things strained. Even Arin pointed out that Kat has experience and Arey is an athlete so she is strong. I just know..." He stopped, knowing as the words left his mouth that not only was he not explaining it well that he was making it worse.

"Look, Tim..." Arey said trying to fight down the anger that those words inspired. "I get that you are just trying to help, that you want us to all be safe somehow as we go along merrily fighting monsters, but no one here is fragile, and everyone here is important. Everyone, so we’re are not separating, and we are going to start acting like a team." Her voice was level and shook with borrowed authority, making her demand very very clear.

"And I am doing it wrong and putting my foot in my mouth. I know...." Tim sighed. "Just going to shut up now. Here." He held out the things Arin had given him. The tone of Arey's voice made him feel worse about what he had said, as if that was possible. "I am sorry I just thought.." Tim let it go. He was wrong and he knew it.

Deirdre didn't know what to say. They had been talking about her. Tim thought her weak, Vivienne didn't like her and even Arin didn't see a strength in her. He had told her to be strong but he didn't think it was there. "I just need to go to my apartment and then to the morgue. I didn't want to cause this."

She looked at Arey, there was hurt in her eyes and it just added itself to the pain she was already feeling. "A team." She nodded slowly. It was hard to hide how upset she was now. It was borderline overwhelming. Don't give them more reasons to doubt you.

"Yes, a team." Arey said firmly. "And teams support each other and help one another to improve. The only bad team mate is the one that gives up on one another, or stops caring, and that's none of us here ok." Arey said looking at both Deirdre and Tim.

Tim hated himself. He wasn't trying to give up on D, he was trying to do what was best for the majority and she didn't seem like the best. He lowered his eyes to the floor and resisted the urge to kneel and ask for forgiveness from his king. "It won't happen again."

"Look, none of us are coming in here with a game plan ok, you were just trying to do your best." Arey tried to comfort, not feeling good about making anyone feel bad about themselves, and she layed an hand comfortingly on his shoulder. "We just have to start thinking about this whole thing differently ok?"

Tim nodded and looked at Arey. "I know, Arin said the same thing. I just thought she was mad at me..." He looked at Deirdre. "I am sorry. I am letting the past cloud my decisions. I thought that if I could negate the issues ahead of time that it would be better."

Deirdre's eyes hardened. "Yet you yelled at me for doing the same thing. So it is only bad when I do it. I understand. You clearly have a better handle on things."

Arin stepped quickly into the room, without taking note of anything, "So, Kat's got a head start on us it seems. Hopefully she'll let me know where we can meet her, but we ought to get moving...." He paused when he saw the hard stares. "Ooookay. So... how are you all doing now?"

Tim grabbed a few small items, as well as a rod similar to what Kat carried. "Ready to go." He walked out of the room.

Deirdre looked down. "Waiting on clothes for Arey. Vivienne has them and then we can go." She picked up a random item and shoved it in her pocket, not looking at Arin as she passed him. In the hall she picked up her phone and pushed it into the other pocket of her jeans.

"They're here." Vivienne replied smoothly as she sauntered in with the clothing, a pair of lightly used jeans and a blue top that matched her eyes. "Thanks Arey mumbled awkwardly as she accepted the clothes. She looked toward the bathroom, but hesitated to go there to change and leave such tension hanging in the air.

"And that's my cue. We'll be in the hall when you're ready." Arin stepped out to join Deirdre and Tim, closing the door behind him.

Arey changed as quickly as possibly, trying to avoid touching the wound, which still seemed to pulse with mal intent. She didn't like the idea of this Mordred person having some kind of connection to her, but for now they had more important things to worry about. Once she was finished, Arey stepped back into the hall. "Ok, ready."

"I'll attempt to locate Katrina with a scrying spell whilst you're out. I'll let you know once I've managed to pin down her location." Vivienne supplied.

Deirdre stood in the hall, away from Tim and away from Arin when he joined them. Her eyes were on her feet as she struggled with her feelings, her concerns and everything that Tim had said. Arey had made things slightly better but in the end knowing what she did now was upsetting.

"How pissed is Kat do you think?" Tim asked as he followed Arin.

"Pretty annoyed, no doubt. I appreciate that you're trying to keep people safe but being the over protective brother type doesn't play well with any of the women here. If you hadn't noticed." Arin grinned at Tim. "Thing is, we're all going to have to pull our weight and no one is to be treated like a wilting flower. You think I think it's the best idea Arey's coming with us? But she's a high level athlete. I'm sure she knows her limits better than I do. I don't get to make the decision for her. Kat's been doing this a long time too. You can trust her, to a degree." He chuckled.

"Not a big brother but charming lover seems to go well...." Tim muttered under his breath. "I just didn't think it was a good idea for Kat to be thinking about going out there with D. The two of them aren't enough to take on things, hell we might all not be enough right now. Arey's an athlete huh? Explains a lot, like her thigh muscles..." Tim shook his head, cheeks reddening a little.

"See, now who's thinking like a lover?" Arin raised an eyebrow at Tim.

"Sure, maybe Kat and D taking on one of those incubui isn't a good picture. But how about this one? Kat and D, small and nimble, stay out of sight easier than you and I? There are always multiple solutions to any given problem. Don't box your thinking in. You'll notice that will apply to my training as well, so consider this an early lesson." Arin gathered various items from around the training room. Handing a few to Tim. Finally he pulled a sheathed knife from a drawer and belted it behind his back, on an angle, such that his leather jacket hid it quite well.

Tim took the things Arin handed him. "Okay sure but I notice you only pointed out how strong Arey is and how long Kat has been doing this. You know it too, don't you? D is the weak link and she is making things dangerous. I mean she says she has to go and everyone ends up at each other's throats. Come on man, she is pretty but she is trouble."

"I didn't speak for D because I don't know her well enough to know her strengths, or weaknesses. It isn't her fault that the lot of you can't just understand that she might need to do a few things in the 'real' world before staying with us. I'm going to go out on a limb and say that it wasn't in her short term plans to have her life thrown for complete loop. Now, it sounds like her friend is dead. And you still want to go after her for being a weak link?" Arin shook his head. He had heard enough about Deirdre's apparent uselessness. "I'm done with this topic, alright? You are not going to convince me because you have no data to back your claim. You know just as much as I do about her."

Tim gritted his teeth. "Hey I feel bad because of what might have happened to her friend but none of us asked for this and yet we are doing what needs to get done. What has she done but make everyone fight? She wasn't wrong man, Vivienne hates her, hates Guinevere. You weren't here when we arrived. Trust me on this one. It was very clear that Guinevere is the last person Vivienne wanted to see in all this. I am just trying to keep things a little less dramatic. You can't tell me it is easy, flirting with Arey with Deirdre around. I know what I see and I see trouble coming."

"Right. Less dramatic. I can see it." Arin huffed. "I said I was done. I continue to be done. And I will remain being done until there's something factual to say." Finished with the knife, Arin headed back toward the main room. "I'm going to check Kat's office. See if that's where she's hiding out."

Tim shook his head. "Fine." God damn it we are starting out just like we did then...he doesn't want to listen to reason when it comes to women and that one will be nothing but trouble for him. He stomped back towards Kat's room.

Arin hoped Tim would start to form his opinions on what was actually happening, rather than letting some preconceived sense of things cloud it. He would need Tim to be clear headed if he had any hope of getting him into peak shape. Arin was trying very hard to not let Lancelot's feelings affect how he treated Deirdre. Arey was different. It was easier to know that he was talking to her and not Arthur, but with Deirdre he had to examine everything he did or said to be sure. He felt horrible not being able to comfort Deirdre when she so clearly needed it, but that was definitely something he couldn't be sure would be understood by any of them. Arin knew that every action he took toward Deirdre was going to be over analyzed, but he felt Tim was looking for something that hasn't even happened yet.

Arin approached Kat's computer room, calling out gently, "Kat? You there?"

"Oh dear umm, Master Arin." Theo scurried out of the room looking rather flustered and upset. "I tried to stop her Sir, truly I did. She seemed rather upset, wouldn't listen to reason." Theo tried explaining as he began wringing his hands.

"Dammit Kat. I almost had it all in line too. It was going to be an easy run out and back." Arin cursed. "She took off on her own, didn't she? Did she look up an address? Did you catch where she was headed?"

"No Sir, she just grabbed her phone and jacket and then left." Theo explained. "You don't think she's planning on doing something unwise again do you Sir? I had so hoped those days were behind her." He said like an exasperated nurse maid.

"Those days? What, yesterday? This is Kat. Unwise might be overstating, but rash and lack of forethought do come to mind quickly." Arin grabbed his phone and dialed Kat's number. "Hopefully she's not so stubborn to not answer."

Arin let the phone ring for some time before giving up. "Shit. Stubborn little...." He didn't finish mumbling, instead he composed a text, hoping that it would be enough to get her to wait, at least.

"Kat, Deirdre got some bad news. Now we're all going out. I came to get you too, but it looks like you have a head start. Care to meet up someplace?" he hit send and hoped for a reply.

"Thanks Theo. I'll let the others know and we'll try and track her down." He turned and headed back to Kat's room.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Deirdre didn't look up as Arey joined them in the hall. Tim was ready and headed down the hall. "How are we getting there?" He looked over at Arey, deferring to her for orders. The way she had spoken in Kat's room had left him feeling more confident in her.

"Unless you have a car Arin, I think we'll need to take a cab. I don't think four of us will fit on your bike." Arey suggested, standing next to Deirdre.

Arin chuckled, "Not likely, no. I don't have a car. It's the bike or subway when there's too much snow. Kat talks about getting one. But that's not super helpful right now, is it? So, D, how far's your place and is it near a subway? Or, we can cab it."

Deirdre didn't look up at Arin. "Yes it is near a subway but cab is faster on a Sunday. I am not that far. Off campus...."

"Take the Mariner." Vivienne offered, tossing Arin the keys to her Mercury. "Not a scratch." She warned lightly before heading back toward the main chamber to begin scrying. It was best they had a more flexible mode of transportation she reasoned.

"Well...I can't legally drive here so...Arin? Tim? Deirdre? Who drives?" She asked awkwardly.

Tim held up a hand. "I can drive. If it makes it easier."

Deirdre shrunk more into herself. "I can but not sure I should."

"No, its fine D. Tim can take it. That way Viv will kill him and not me." Arin grinned at Tim. "I need to be able to answer my phone if Kat or Viv call. Arey, the front seat might be easier for you to get in and out of currently. D, mind sitting in the back with me?"

Deirdre looked at Arey. "That is fine as long as Arey is alright with it." Her voice was low. It was hard knowing Tim and Arin had thought so little of her.

"Yes, that's perfectly alright, I'm not the seating arrangement police." Arey said with a small smile shot Deirdre's way, hoping to raise her spirits.

Tim inhaled slowly, "Now that that is settled can we go?" He was uncomfortable.

"Easy to settle things when we're on the same page." Arin tossed the keys to Tim. "Move 'em out. This way folks." Arin lead the way to Vivienne's car. He opened the passenger doors for Arey and Deirdre and waited for them to get in.

Tim got into the driver’s seat. He adjusted the mirrors, his seat and put the key in the ignition.

Deirdre slipped into the backseat and pulled her seatbelt on. She tucked herself far into the side. "Tim, please when you pull out you want to head back towards campus and you are going to take Gateway to Rothdale."

Arin climbed in next to Deirdre, "Off campus. Are you studying at the uni?"

Deirdre nodded. "Yes, I am a bit behind though. I was at the school of dance."

"Cool. You can help me critique the foot work then. You will likely be a natural. I'll show you the techniques, but you'll find them quite familiar." Arin smiled at her. It was going to be good to have people who should be easy to coach to start his teaching with.

"I can't help you do anything. I know...sure..." Arey said they had to be a team. She would do what she could but it didn't take the sting off knowing Arin found her weak. "Whatever you need me to help with."

"D, I can't imagine the stress you've got going on right now. I'm sorry, I was just trying to distract, get your mind off." Arin tried to think of something else to get Deirdre's spirits up.

"No it is fine. Now is not the time to think about myself. I will help you with whatever you need. We have to be a team. For Arey." Deirdre glanced up at Arin.

"Wait. What happened to Deirdre who wants to do things for herself? I agree, a team would be good. But not for Arey. I'm sure Arey doesn't want a bunch of yes men around her. You should want to be a team because you believe it's a good idea." Arin was confused. It seemed Deirdre had regressed. He knew she wouldn't be quite herself, being worried about her friend, but this was a bit more than expected.

"She was told that she needed to be part of the team, that she didn't have strengths like everyone else. That there was talk of getting rid of her even when she just got used to the idea of being useful." She shrugged. "I get it. I just appreciate you all going with me. I don't know what I am going to find." Deirdre sighed.

Tim tried to shrink down in the front seat. "Arey you comfy?" He looked over hoping to change the subject.

"I'm fine thanks." She replied, trying to stay out of Arin and Deirdre's conversation. They needed to be able to get to know each other too, they all did. That way the tension might lesson and they could all move forward with their lives. "Do you go to uni too?" Arey asked Tim, trying to be conversational.

Arin gave Tim a hard stare while replying to Deirdre, "Some person has been voicing thoughts that may not be fully informed yet. It happens. People are under stress. A lot of things have suddenly shifted under you three. Questions and doubts are natural. However, those ideas were not considered past refuting them. As a matter of fact, I think my first set of students is starting off well enough. I'm ahead of the game. Arey is an athlete. You're a dancer, Tim seems capable of figuring things out quickly. Must be smarter than he seems sometimes, given he's lawyer. I'm making my mental list of how strong you guys will be, but fact is, I've yet to see anything that indicates there is a show stopper weakness."

Tim drove off, "I study law. I work for a law firm as well." He focused on the road. "I hear you are an athlete. I played hockey. You?"

Deirdre actually smiled a little at Arin. "I heard you didn't think I had a strength. I guess I have to prove you wrong." He had a way of making her feel better, more balanced.

"That message has been slightly misstated. My words were, I don't know her well enough to know her strengths or weaknesses. I hope to get to know her better. However, I fully welcome the drive to prove anyone who thinks you have no strengths, wrong. Especially if it was me." Arin smiled back at Deirdre again.

"And good to hear you are also an athlete Tim. You guys are going to make my job so easy." Arin turned to catch Tim's eyes in the rear view mirror, "I'm still going to hit you with swords. A lot."

Tim nodded, "And I deserve it."

Deirdre smiled and actually giggled a little. The thought of Tim getting hit with a sword was a nice thought. "Can I hit him too?" She leaned over and whispered it to Arin.

Tim frowned. 'I can hear you." He looked over at Arey, "So athlete, what sport?"

"Football." Arey replied smiling, glad the mood had lightened a bit. "I'll have to get used to using my hands it seems. At least with hockey you already know how to use a stick."

Arin loud whispered back to Deirdre, "There's your real incentive to learning. You don't have to prove anything."

"Football like soccer right? You're a Brit so you don't mean our football, big men whacking into each other. I also haven't played in a while. Car accident."

"God no. Nothing but a bunch of men tackling each other to the dirt. Not that hockey's much better in that regard, but at least there's some real skill involved there." Arey teased lightly. "I'm sorry to hear that. You seemed...uhm really really fit this morning." Arey said with her face turning red, remembering Tim straddling her legs while practically naked. He really did have a nice...chest...

"Hey now! Hockey is way better than football. Course rugby, now that is rough sport." He chuckled. "Fit? Oh um..." Tim turned equally red as he recalled straddling her legs and holding her down.

He cleared his throat. "I worked hard to be able to walk again. I try and keep in shape." He grew warmer and redder. "You are quite fit as well." He smiled at her.

"Well you are quite successful." Arey replied are her ears turned scarlet. "Product of the running regiment I guess."

Deirdre frowned a little as Arey and Tim flirted. She glanced at Arin, concerned on how he might be taking it. "You are really going to teach me to fight?"

Tim smiled, "Running? We should run. And work out, you know if you are interested. I would love a running partner." He was still blushing.

Arin couldn't quite decide how he felt about Tim and Arey flirting. He wanted to call Tim on it, but he had no place to do it. The only real reason he could was because Tim made such a big deal of his flirting earlier. Yet, sitting next to Deirdre he didn't quite feel like he should make a deal of any of it. "Damn right I'm going to. As I mentioned to Tim earlier, there are no wilting flowers in this group. None of you is made of glass and you should all be able to take care of yourself. You think you'd rather have Tim always hanging out, 'protecting' you from the big bads?"

"I'd rather have you protecting me." She looked down. "I would like to know how to defend myself." Arin mention Tim and Deirdre looked up. Was he jealous? Was he annoyed?

"Sure, I don't mind protecting you. I know just how to do that." He grinned at her. "By teaching you to defend yourself."

"Besides, nothing wrong with a couple women handling my swords." He winked. "Sorry, crude. But really, I had to say it."

Deirdre's eyes went wide and she stammered. One hand went to her mouth, to cover her noise of surprise. "Its okay." No one joked with her like that.

"I'm surprised you've gone this long." Arey teased back good naturedly, having gotten somewhat used to Arin's style of humor.

"Yeah. It was especially hard when you mentioned getting better with your hands. But I'm only human. I can't hold out forever." Arin chuckled.

And just like that the flirting and teasing altered to Arin and Arey. Deirdre sat back and looked out the window.

Tim chuckled. "How much further D?"

"Apartment on the right. Just pull over and I will go in." Deirdre undid her seat belt as Tim parked the car.

"I'll come with, if you don't mind. I'll just hang out at the door. Just... cautious. Maybe too much, but sue me. Wait.. Tim, ignore that." Arin said releasing his seat belt and opening the door.

Deirdre didn't argue as she got out of the car. "Are you sure you don't want to stay with Arey and Tim? Just in case? It is just my apartment." She walked to the front door and let herself in. She glanced over her shoulder in case Arin decided to follow.

Tim shifted to look at Arey. "When did you move here?"

"Tim, lock the door, be ready to move if you need to. I don't want anyone tracking back to this address and waiting. There was a phone, there might have been more identifying items. I really think I'm over reacting but we need to be prepared for anything." Arin stepped out of the car and followed Deirdre. He reached behind him and release the loop on the knife that kept it in the sheath.

"A couple months ago." Arey replied as she watched Arin and Deirdre leave. "Ambrose offered a full ride, and being as far away from home as possible seemed a very appealing option at the time."

Tim nodded, "Nice, full ride is a sweet deal. You like it here? Sounds like you like it better than home at least."

"Usually yes. I miss London sometimes, but not home." Arey replied, not sure why she bothered to make the distinction, since it was fairly meaningless without knowing her family.

"Hmm, gotcha. Is London nice? I have never been out of the states. Gone all over with hockey but never overseas. Would have had a chance at a lot of things if I hadn't...well car accidents have a way of messing things up. You told D you are studying law or medicine? Go law, we need more cute women." Tim smiled and felt his cheeks redden once again.

"Well if all the men in your profession look like you I'll never get anything done. Be too distracted all the time. Besides, I hear office romances never end well. Better go medicine if that's the case." Arey replied with a smile as her cheeks heated up again.

Tim looked down a little. "Well only thing hotter than a lawyer is a doctor so maybe medicine would mean I could flirt with you."

"I think we've already hit that particular milestone." Arey joked. "Here's to hoping you finish becoming a hot lawyer, and I bloody well make up my mind." She said smiling.

"Or we settle for an office tryst. Or just you know...flirt more now." Tim looked pained. "Though I guess I should lay off eh? I mean Arin and all, not really in the guy's code to hit on another guy's girl. In my defense you are really pretty, hard not to."

"You never came off as the kinky type, but good to know I guess." Arey laughed at the visual. As Tim mentioned Arin though her good mood died down a bit. "I'm not his girl." Arey said flatly. "I think we're just working our way to friends. The only reason he even asked me out was from a case of mistaken identity, which kind of kills the mood there you know." She said looking away. "I don't know what to feel or how to feel about anything lately, but I'm single and I'm not going to apologize for flirting."

Tim put a hand on Arey's hand, "Hey, Arin thought you were beautiful. He told Kat and I that. But if you aren't taken I don't mind being the object of some of that flirting as long as you don't mind me flirting back. Also, we run together. Agreed? I promise not to stick my foot in my mouth so much."

"I suppose we do need to work on that with you a bit." Arey smiled playfully. "Running partners it is then. Hope you can keep up." She grinned.

"Oh I can keep up. Don't you worry Arey. And I can't wait to go on our first run. You all to myself, I like it." Tim smiled. "So you ready for sword fighting?"

"We'll I'll hold you to that then." Arey grinned. Flirting with Tim somehow made her feel lighter. With Arin everything was so intense and always seemed to move too quickly. With Tim she felt like herself, no pressure, no predetermined outcomes, just two people who found each other attractive enjoying each other’s company. And Tim was cute, a different kind of attractiveness to Arin's, but so far she liked him. She hoped they would be good friends too.

"Sounds like it will be entertaining to say the least. I'll try to have your back when Arin begins abusing you too much." Arey joked.

Tim groaned, "In this life and the last he enjoys the idea of hitting me way too much. I bet you can kick his ass. And I look forward to sparring with you too. Hey Arey, before all this jumble what did you do for fun?"

"Football mostly." Arey admitted. She didn't really consider herself to be all that interesting to be honest, but she'd spent so much of her life trying to make her mother happy, and then the unbelievable complicated nature of her relationship with her father had left her with a more internalizing nature. "I play piano sometimes, but I wouldn't say I was particularly good. I was starting to get into hiking when I came here. I liked the mountains." She replied.

"What about you? Spend all your time reading dusty law books?" She asked with a smile.

"I would love to see you play sometime. Piano? Oh man, I don't know anything about music. Hiking I know. Only thing I do to relax, takes my mind off all the things I hear in the office. I work with lower income families. Everything revolves around books, statements and homework. This whole thing is kind of a nice break." Tim chuckled a little. "We should tackle some trails too. Ever trying mountain climbing?"

"No. I've heard it's pretty intense though. Take a lot of upper body strength and a good grip." Arey replied. "We'll have to give it a try sometime."

Tim nodded, "You bet. I looked forward to climbing up behind you." He smiled at Arey.

“Or the reverse. We'll have to play that rock paper scissors game to figure out who gets the prime view." Arey teased.

"Oh you are on." Tim smiled and looked over. "Here they come."

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Let's go D. But, when we get to your door, let me open it, okay?"

Deirdre frowned, "Do you really think it could be dangerous?"

"Here's the thing. I don't want to worry you too much, but... I want to be prepared for anything. Your friend's phone was found. What about other identifiers? This might not be the most secret address currently." He tried to deliver it as kindly as he could but he needed her prepared as well and there was no way to pussy foot around this.

She nodded. "Okay." Deirdre stepped behind Arin. She pointed to her door and handed him her key. She put her hands on his back and then pulled them away. "Sorry."

"Why? It's fine. Let's me know where you are. Keeps me from putting you in the line of fire, so to speak." Arin walked to the door and tried the knob without the key first.

Deirdre put her hands back on Arin's back. The leather jacket was cold under her hands. She stepped in close to him. "There are two others who live here." She whispered.

Arin stopped and looked at her, "Geeze. Damn good thing you told me that now. Who are they? Should I expect them home now?"

Deirdre shrugged, "Sunday, they are all probably sleeping." She grabbed his hand. "Come on." She unlocked the door and tiptoed in. There was no sound. "Hangover likely." Deirdre pulled Arin into the apartment and closed the door. "My room is down here."

"D? Is that you? You and Heather stayed out late." A woman in shorts and a t-shirt appeared in the hall rubbing her eyes. "Oh, oh well...." She started laughing. "Princess brought home a guy!"

Deirdre cringed. "No I-I"

"I'm Jeannie. D is one of my roommates and you are?" She held a hand out to Arin.

Deirdre looked at Arin.

Arin stepped up and grasped her hand, "Hello Jeannie. Don't be too hard on Deirdre. It was quite a chore she had keeping all the interest down. I just happened to stick around long enough to impress." He grinned.

Jeannie looked at Deirdre and then back to Arin, "You are kidding me right? I've seen her try and flirt. What did she do, put her leg around her neck or something? I heard lots of guys fall for that yoga, flexibility bull." She crossed her arms and smirked.

Deirdre looked at the floor. This is ridiculous. "Hey have you seen Heather?"

"Now, now. Don't be jealous of Deirdre's ability to charm. Check outside. She's got a hockey player driving her around and the hot bartender helping her gather some things. Too bad, we might have asked you to come along, but I kinda don't like your attitude." Arin leaned casually against the wall, eyeing Jeannie.

Jeannie laughed, "Well good news for me since I don't do men babe. Cocky bastard. I like it. D, you are totally in over your head but he seems like he'll have you panting so that is a bonus. Heather? Nah she went with you and haven't seen her since."

Deirdre looked like a deer caught in headlights. "Right...I...so my room is this way." She bolted down the hall towards her room. Jeannie licked her lips. "Hey, I gotta know someday if she really is as flexible as I imagine. She seems like she'd be wild."

"Go see her in a show then." Arin followed Deirdre into her room. "Odd roommate. She seemed a little aggressive for someone you live with."

Deirdre closed her door. "I didn't get a choice. I moved in and she was already here. I'm so, so sorry for that." She grabbed a bag and began tossing clothes, toiletries, her phone charger and laptop into it. Deirdre paused, her hands on her pointe shoes. She picked them up and then put them down once more.

"No apologies required. It was kinda fun." He watched her try to decide on her shoes, "Bring them. You will miss the chance to use them if you don't. There's no need to completely drop something you like."

Deirdre paused and looked at Arin. "I don't know. Seems personal so not really a team player." She picked them up again.

"Right, because my bike is certainly built for team work. C'mon, you just made a big deal last night about finding yourself. Don't give up what you like now because you feel like there's something you should be doing. Kind of what you hated before, right?"

Deirdre nodded. "But Tim...no, you are right." She tucked the shoes into the bag and then grabbed a couple of pairs of tights and bodysuits. She double checked that she had everything. "I am ready Arin. Thank you..." She moved towards him. "So this is my room, guess it is only fair since I saw yours." Her voice was low.

"Right. It's nice. I'm sorry I didn't get to give you the personal tour." He watched her move toward him. He felt like he should turn to leave, but something was rooting him to the spot. Something in her voice.

"We should go...they are waiting and I have to go to the" She paused. "I have to go to the morgue." She didn't want to leave. The room was small and intimate. Deirdre swallowed hard. "Not much to show you here. Dresser, closet, bed."

"Uh, right... Sorry." Arin shook his head. He glanced over at the bed and the image of her flexibility jumped into his head. "Oh... D..." He rubbed his head, "Too many thoughts in my head right now."

"What?" Deirdre tried to breathe and found it difficult. "Not you, its okay, I understand." Her voice was soft still but slightly sad. "Door is maybe a good idea...."

"No D. It's a lot me at the moment. But really inappropriate timing." Arin forced himself to turn toward the door. "We can talk more when things settle down, right?"

"You? Yes...yes we can talk." She was surprised and she could feel her cheeks flush.

Jeannie was waiting for them outside the door, trying to listen. "That was quick. Sorry D, guess wild in looks but not in the sack."

Arin chuckled, "Keep trying Jeannie. You'll find I'm more of a gentleman. You're showing a lot of interest in me for someone not into men. Better to leave me out of your games you're trying to play with D."

Jeannie chuckled. 'Look I was just hoping you'd be so bad she come running to me to finish the job but hey, guess not."

Deirdre grabbed Arin's arm. Jeannie smiled. "Aww aren't you sweet."

Deirdre moved her hand, giving Arin an apologetic look. "We have to go."

Arin grabbed Deirdre around the waist and kissed her deep. It was quick, but intense and he looked up at Jeannie when he broke it, "Sorry. She won't be running to you anytime soon."

Jeannie's eyebrows raised. "Well now...hot."

Deirdre stood there stunned. Her only kiss had been with Arey. This was just as intense but on a different level. He kissed me. She couldn't say anything.

"Have fun you two." Jeannie went back to her room. "Well I know what I will be thinking about...."

Arin watched her leave, then looked back at Deirdre, "Sorry, but she was really getting on my nerves." He paused, "And, really, I didn't need that much of an excuse." He let go of her waist, slowly and reluctantly.

"It is okay. I think...I mean I know I didn't mind but..." Deirdre was unnerved. "I've never been kissed before, by a guy, that was....never mind. Let's go." She couldn't move yet and hoped that Arin would lead the way.

"That's almost criminal. Keeping something like that to yourself for so long." He grinned. "Yeah, let's go because I really think I am having a hard time not doing it again." He started toward the door.

He wanted to do it again and that made Deirdre smile as she followed him out of the apartment. She put her bag on her shoulder and tried to keep the kiss in mind instead of thinking about the next stop.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"You alright?" Arey questioned Deirdre gently as they re-entered the car. She looked a little flushed and shaken, and Arey hoped it wasn't more bad news for her.

"What? I um..." She looked at Arey as she settled in. "Yes right, I am fine. Heather isn't here, hasn't been here. Jeannie, one of my other roommates was teasing me and bothering Arin, he well, he put a stop to it." Deirdre smiled a little.

Tim started the car, "What he'd do flirt with her?" He drove off.

"No Tim. I'll leave that up to you from now on. I just showed her it would be better to leave the room and stop trying so hard." Arin retorted.

"How'd you manage that?" Arey teased. "Pull out one of your toys? You can be pretty intimidating with those when you try."

Tim laughed.

Deirdre looked at Arin but didn't know what to say. She hesitantly placed her hand on his.

"Intimidation was not required." Arin didn't quite understand why the jibes were not sitting well with him. He should have been able to return them lightly. He didn't think he should make a big deal of kissing Deirdre though and he really didn't want to embarrass her.

Deirdre inhaled slowly. She remembered something that Arey had said. "He kissed me and it shut her up. It was a good laugh on her."

She pulled her hand very slowly away from Arin's and looked out the window. It was all good for a laugh for them and better to have it out in the open.

Arey blinked. "Oh..." She wasn't really sure what to say to that, or how to feel, but the emotions were mixed. "Whatever works I suppose." She said forcing a smile, trying not to think about it too much. Arin certainly works fast... A stray rebellious thought bit out unkindly, but she didn't voice that thought. She's said it herself, she wasn't his girl, and she had no right to feel even mildly jealous. Despite what Tim had said, her date with Arin had been a case of mistaken identity. He'd only asked her out because he thought she was Deirdre, and Arey wasn't the kind of person to stand in the way of other peoples' happiness. Arin and Deirdre weren't the only ones with unresolved guilt from their past lives. One did not have to look hard through the stories of King Arthur to know who the crowd favorite couple was. Lancelot and Guinevere were the tragic lovers, and Arthur the jealous, sometimes doddering old, husband standing as wedge between them. Arey wasn't interested in reprising that role.

Just like that the enthusiasm and thrill she had gotten from the kiss was gone. Deirdre felt terrible. Arey's reaction made her feel as if she had done something very, very wrong. She glanced at Arin and wished she didn't feel bad because she really, really had enjoyed it. You can't do this again.You can't get in the way but....god, it was amazing.

Tim sighed and gripped the wheel. "And this is the crap I have been trying to stop from happening..." He grumbled to himself. He had been enjoying the light flirting with Arey. They had a lot in common and it was nice to talk about things that didn't revolve around past lives or supernatural creatures. Arin why in the world did you go and kiss her? You should have just picked one and left it at that. Tim knew it wasn't that easy on a few levels but it didn't mean he didn't wish it or would do what he could to help. With one action Arin, no Tim corrected himself Deirdre had brought back the tension in the car. Knew I shouldn't have let them go in together. I knew she was going to do something. He just had to get near her. He glanced at Arey. She had said she wasn't Arin's girl but it showed on her face that she wasn't happy. Course he kissed her first and was on a date with her. I might be pissed too. The whole thing was annoying and complicated. If they had listened, Deirdre out of the way to let Arin and Arey connect and I thought D said she wouldn't get in the way? Stop, you are doing it again. Knuckles went white as Tim gripped the wheel tighter. It was far too easy for him to blame D he realized.

"So Arey, where do you live? We will grab your stuff and then head to the morgue." Tim's attempt to change the subject made him sound cold. From his tone of voice one would have thought he was discussing going to grab coffee or stopping at the bank, not taking someone to potentially identify a friend's body.

Deirdre put her head in her hand as Tim talked to Arey. Nothing had happened. He had kissed her to shut Jeannie up. Yes Arin had said he wanted to do it again. She just wanted to be honest with Arey, with everyone. Her eyes moved to Arin once more. He was good looking, the type of guy she tended to watch or look at. He had that rebellious, wild look that she loved and the personality to back it up. He was funny, though a bit shocking. He was sweet and spoke to her in a way that people didn't. And he likes Arey. Okay maybe he thinks you are pretty but you are supposed to stay out of the way. God this sucks...

She looked out the window once more. Who is Deirdre and what does she want? Someone who has no idea what to major in at University but loves the freedom of choices. I want to do things, love to go dancing, coffee and fast food. If things were different I would have gone back to the club and talked to Arin. I miss performing. I want to make my own choices I want...to help, to be useful. I don't want to come between them. I don't want to go to the morgue but I know I have to. I don't want to do it alone.

Her jeans vibrated and she shifted to pull her phone out. She marveled for a moment that it hadn't completely smashed when she threw it. There was a good crack in the screen but it worked still. Deirdre looked at the screen, she shook her head and began to type. Vibration, more typing, vibration and more typing. She grew more and more upset the more she typed. Finally she tossed the phone onto the seat. It slid into Arin's thigh as she looked out the window, furiously wiping at her eyes.

"Not too far from here actually." Arey said giving Tim the directions. The tension in the car hard sharpened again, and Arey felt guilty about it. She needed to try and defuse it somehow, and get over her own petty feelings about them kissing. Deirdre was about to find out if her friend had died, she didn't need to feel guilt tripped about liking the same guy. Even if Arin's affections seemed annoyingly flexible. "I'll be quick I promise." Arey said trying to shoot a smile Deirdre's way as they drove up toward her dorm.

Tim parked. "Want me to come? I can carry the bag."

Deirdre was still looking out the window, ignoring her phone and fighting her tears. She didn't have time for her family right now. "I can go if it is easier than having a guy meet your room mate." She managed to get the words out though they were somewhat quiet.

Arey thought about it for a second before replying. "That might be better actually. Amanda's a bit of a man eater, and she's kind of aggressive when she's pissed." Arey answered. "She's already mad at me for scaring her last night. Might as well not add insult to injury by dragging in handsome men." She tried to joke.

"Besides, always good to introduce friends of friends right?" Arey offer as she climbed out of the car.

Arin felt the drop in spirits in the car immediately. Playful banter turned to sullen silence. He shook his head sadly. He sat silently in the car, stuck in his own thoughts. When the phone hit his leg he almost jumped.

“Oh. Uh, drop this D?” He asked, picking up the phone and handing it back to her.

Deidre looked over at Arin, "Oh...sorry I..." She sighed a little. "You know what, just hang onto it right now. I might chuck it out the window if I take it back and that would be really bad." She opened her door and slipped out, casting a look back at Arin. "I am sorry."

The car door closed and she followed Arey.

"Sure." Arin slipped the phone into his pocket. He took the opportunity to check his to see if Kat or Vivienne had contacted him.

Tim put his head down on the steering wheel as the women left. "Man, what were you thinking?" His voice was calm and low.

"Not in the mood Tim. I've had enough lectures." Arin replied quietly, still looking at his phone.

Tim turned to look at him, "Not a lecture, I get it. Things are all messed up but not cool. I just had Arey convinced that you liked her."

"Sounded like it." Arin's sarcastic tone didn't have as much bite as it had in the past. "I don't really want a cupid though. There's enough of that going around already."

"Hey I am not playing cupid I just don't want this to get all...soap opera like. Can't you keep it in check till we know how they feel? Hell do you know how you feel about them? I just..." He sighed. "You are going to get hurt in this and man, I don't want to see Vivienne if that happens." Tim shrugged. He felt terrible, he really did. Both girls were beautiful and Arey was really fun to talk to. He didn't blame Arin, not one bit but there had to be an easier way.

Arin looked up at Tim, his questions coalescing the random thoughts that had been spinning around Arin's head during the ride, "Yeah. That's mom's biggest worry and why she's been so hard on D without giving her a chance. But you're right. I'll tell them."

Tim frowned, "Tell them what?" He wiped at his face in frustration.

Arin replied, "That I shouldn't be making it harder to figure out what's going on for them. I'm just complicating things unnecessarily."

Tim shook his head. "Pretty sure it isn't you man. Come on, you guys have these past connections that make everything that muddled. Deirdre is pretty and she is Guin, of course you want her but admit it, that is likely all it is. Arey on the other hand. You have a chance to be with this amazing woman and given your past you'd be pretty amazing as a team. Maybe just keep D at arm's length, keep the division clearer." He was trying to sound optimistic.

"Muddled is the point. Clearer heads and all. And I don't want to hear any more about who other people think I should or should not pursue, okay? I am just going to do my job."

Tim wanted to whack his head off the steering wheel in frustration. "Now I can see why the swords would be a good idea." He huffed. "Ever get the feeling we have had this discussion in some form before?" He gave a halfhearted smirk.

Arin narrowed his eyes, "No Tim, considering I just met you a day ago or so, I do not get that feeling."

Tim rolled his eyes, "And we are beyond even joking. Right." He turned to look out the windshield once more.

Arin went back to his phone, not really noticing what he was doing, rather focusing on what he wanted to say when Deirdre and Arey returned.

"Arey?" Deirdre ran a little to walk beside her. "I didn't mean for anything to happen, he was trying to shut Jeannie up. I didn't want it to be some secret though. I won't get between you. I honestly..." She was at a loss. Vivienne had told her that she was always sorry and it was apparent that she would spend a good deal of time apologizing to one or all of them.

"Hey, it's fine, really." Arey insisted as Deirdre tried to apologize. "There's nothing for you to get in between alright. I was just...surprised is all." Arey tried to explain. She wanted to be reassuring about this, and honestly she hardly knew Arin, she really shouldn't care if he was kissing other girls. "Thanks for being honest about it though...it's good to keep things in the open." Arey said trying to smile.

"Be easier if we were into women only..." Deirdre tried to smile though she didn't feel jovial. "Look I don't want to stop something before you get the chance to start. Just don't be mad at him. Arin is really nice and understanding but he has a lot to deal with too."

"Same goes for you too." Arey returned. "Either way, I'm not into having to compete for someone's affections. Neither of us deserve to have to deal with that." Arey said opening the door and holding it open for Deirdre without thinking about it. "If you like Arin, you have just as much right to persue that okay. Where ever the chips fall, I'm not going to be mad at you. We both deserve to be happy, and I think we have to keep reminding ourselves of that."

"I don't want to compete. This doesn't feel like a competition. I don't think that is his goal." She stepped inside as Arey held the door for her. "Thank you. Right now I am just trying to understand my role in all this and not make the same mistakes she did. I don't want us to have secrets. There is no reason for it." Deirdre sighed just a little. "This is going to be strange no matter what I think."

"I think you're right about that one." Arey agreed as they made their way up to her dorm room. Sliding the key into the lock, she turned the nob as was practically assaulted on entry by her roommate.

"Don't you ever do that again blondey!" Amanda growled as she pulled Arey into a bear hug and practically lifted the smaller girl off the ground.

"Am-anda! Can't breath!" Arey gritted out as she squirmed in Amanda's grip. "Too bad." She bit out before putting her down a moment later. "Who's this?" Amanda asked when she spotted Deirdre.

"Deirdre, this is Amanda, Amanda Deirdre." Arey introduced after sucking in some much needed air. "She's a friend. We're...working through the same issue." Arey tried to explain.

"Is that code for you both might be into boobs?" Amanda asked bluntly. Arey's face turned about as red as a tomato. "W-what-? Why would you-? No! Jesus Christ you never stop." Arey stuttered with her face aflame as Amanda chuckled. Arey was too easy to tease sometimes.

Deirdre stood to the side as Arey was attacked by her roommate. "It's nice…" Her words cut off by Amanda's question. Deirdre blushed and closed her mouth. She looked away out of embarrassment. "We ran into similar date issues and found out we have a few things in common." It was the best she could offer in terms of an explanation.

"You mean sexy bartender? Arey, I told you if he stepped out of line I'd cut him for you." Amanda threatened, face darkening as she remembered Arey's phone call last night.

Deirdre couldn't help the slight smile as Amanda referred to Arin as the sexy bartender. "Let's just say our evenings did not go as planned. No one's fault really, just outside forces." She prayed it was enough but still vague enough to satisfy Amanda. "Sexy bartender wasn't the issue." She felt like she needed to defend Arin.

Amanda raised an eyebrow but relented. "Ok. If you change your mind though, I'll help you go all Carrie Underwood on that bike of his." She offered seriously..

Deirdre shook her head but looked at Arey, "We should go unless there is something you need to take care of first."

"Right." Arey agreed as she grabbed the bag Amanda had packed for her. "Thanks Amanda. I'll call you when I've got things figured out." Arey promised.

"You better." Amanda said sternly as Arey and Deirdre made their way back to the car.

Deirdre gave Amanda a small smile, "Nice to meet you." She followed Arey out. "She seems nice."
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tim looked up as the car doors opened. Arey had a bag. He nodded. "Alright then. Buckle up and let's move on." He was on edge. Arin had been silent for a while now and he wasn't sure what was going on in that man's head but his face was serious and Tim had a bad feeling.

Deirdre slipped in beside Arin. She gave him a small smile and did up her seat belt.

Arin watched the women return to the car and get in, “Hey, Tim made a good point while you were gone. I just... I want to set something straight, okay?”

Arin sighed, “It would really have been nice to get to know you both. I really begin to understand where Guinevere was. Being forced to decide between two people you actually like is tough. Of course, she had established relationships to work with.”

“It’s starting to be obvious to me that there’s too much overhead and I have no real chance to get to be friends with either of you without hurting the other. Let alone see if anything develops from there.”

“Here’s the sad part. You both seem nice, fun, kind and are certainly attractive. I have no reason to think I wouldn’t have noticed you if you came into my bar. Actually, I can say that I did do just that. But, because of this insistence on making me something I’m not, or worse, looking at yourselves as something you’re not, I will never have the opportunity for you to just get to know me. As Arin. Everyone wants so badly to question my motives, but no one seems to actually believe me when I tell them. Nor do they want to look past the Lancelot baggage. Heaven forbid that I’m a guy who might like to talk to pretty girls and get to know them. Not me. I’m Lancelot. I move quick to stake my claim and expect people to follow along. I get told who is the better option for me as though it’s predetermined, without being given the chance for me to even hang out with anyone for longer than five minutes.”

“So here I am, trying to prove that I’m interacting with all of you as Arin and yet, no matter what I do I hurt someone. Or I get told how dumb an idea it is for me to be interested. Or I get accused of not actually being interested, just influenced by some past life.”

“Alright, enough monologue. Stupidly dramatic. How about this? I know exactly where I stand. I’m just making it harder for you to figure out where you all stand. So, I’ll keep my interests subdued. You figure out what you want. However long that takes. I’ve a job to do to make sure you all stay safe. I’ll do that. You can expect that from me and nothing else. If it turns out someone is interested in knowing Arin, great. If not, I’m a big boy. I’ll handle it.”

Arin spoke with determination, tinged with sadness. The realization he came to on the drive finally being expressed. I’m expected to be a teacher. I will teach. No other expectations should have ever been placed on me. I’m just as guilty at trying to follow some stupid destiny or something. Stop, grow up, and focus.

Deirdre's heart pounded against her ribs as he spoke. Forced, baggage... The color drained from her face. She had done all those things. She had tried to steer his interest towards Arey, she had assumed that it was Lancelot and not Arin who was attracted to her in her room. He had said it wasn't and she wanted so much to believe that. She had hurt him, she had put him in a spot that she knew all to well and yet it was infinitely worse for him. She was beyond embarrassed. She wanted to ask for forgiveness but was beginning to get the sense that her words meant nothing unless it was to upset someone.

"I understand. " Her voice was quiet. "I won't be here much longer. My parents aren't giving me a choice. I don't think even Vivienne can change their mind." She was sad, she didn't want to leave and yet hearing Arin, knowing how he felt was upsetting. "You haven't hurt me Arin." Deirdre looked over at him. "I really...I'm s-" You always are. Vivienne's voice added to her thoughts. She had liked him. She had wanted to get to know more about him. All she wanted was to be judged for Deirdre, not Guinevere and in the process had done a lot to put Arin in a bad spot. He and Arey had tried with her but she hadn't.

In the front seat Tim wanted to sink lower and lower but kept his attention on the road. You deserve every bruise he gives you, you giant jackass. You stupid, idiotic, judgmental jackass. He cleared his throat. "Look I don't think we need to jump to...I..." He stopped mid-sentence, unsure of how to do this without making it worse. Tim smacked the steering wheel.

Arin shrugged, "Your parents will have to get used to disappointment. You're an adult. You get to choose where you live now. They can ask, but not demand. Assuming you don't want to go back, that is." Arin still spoke with a more determined tone. He didn't leave any doubt that this was fact. "D, they only have as much power over you as you let them. Goes for anyone, really."

Deirdre looked down at her lap. She closed her eyes. How do I tell him I don't want to leave? How do I explain that they will drag me away, no matter how much I fight? How do I tell him that I want to get to know him even if he doesn't end up liking me? Her hair fell forward covering her face.

Tim looked at Arey. "Okay look we are going to the morgue, we are going to go find Kat, get some food. Everyone needs to eat. We will go back to the bat cave, explain to Viv what is going on. She won't be too happy but hey she never is. Arin, you three can talk. You know without other people butting in and adding their two cents..." His ears turned very warm. "Deirdre you aren't going anywhere. Vivienne isn't going to let them take you, you know that. You aren't some little kid. Sounds like a plan right?"

For some reason, Arin's speech rubbed Arey the wrong way. She got that he was trying to say he was backing off, that no one was going to feel pressured by their past life to start or end a relationship before they'd even gotten to know each other. She got that, really. But the, 'poor me, I have too many options and everyone thinks I'm Lancelot' part pissed her off. He had done all those things, trying to stake a claim with Guinevere beforehand (which another smaller part of herself was also pissed about) for starters, and he'd asked her out with the thought in mind that she was Guinevere. Being defensive about it now didn't change that fact. And that wasn't even what she'd been angry about. Dropping all the reincarnation predetermined bull, the fact remained that Arin had kissed both her and Deirdre in less than a twenty four hour period. She was a woman, she was allowed to be pissed about that. Anyone normal would be. They all had baggage to deal with, she was not going to be emotionally blackmailed on this issue, and she was not going to feel sorry for him. If she wanted to deal with that nonsense she would have stayed in London with her father.

For Deirdre's sake, Arey kept her comments to herself. She was about to deal with something very difficult, and she didn't need to deal with Arey airing her 'emotional baggage'. She'd leave that to Arin. Arey remained stonily quiet until Deirdre mentioned her parents. The thought of Deirdre being dragged away and trapped under the suffocating hold of her parents was disturbing to Arey on a number of levels, and she vowed silently that she wouldn't let that happen. "We'll tell them together if it comes to that. Big united front. Sometimes that's the only way to send the message that they don't control your life anymore." Arey promised, voicing her support.

Deirdre nodded though didn't look up. "Thank you. I appreciate it all."

Tim sighed, "So we are good with the plan? Morgue, Kat, food and back to discuss with Viv." He put the car into drive, not waiting for anymore responses. Tim was a little lost in thought as he made his way through the city. It wasn't his first trip to the morgue, he had gone to get statements for cases but it was the first time he was going with someone who knew the deceased.

The car was parked and Tim turned to half face the back. "How do we want to do this?" He looked from Arey to Arin and finally to Deirdre.

"I have to go and identify the body. You don't have to come, any of you. I won't be long." Deirdre looked at the door handle. Come on, you owe it to Heather. Chin up, shoulders back, head high. She wished she had showered or at least taken the time to change from her skeleton shirt. She should have waited for Vivienne and took clothes like Arey had. No time to think about that now.

"I'll go with you." Arey said gently, following her out of the car. She didn't want Deirdre to have to face this alone, and if she stayed in the car with Arin and Deirdre wasn't there, Arey was pretty sure she'd say something they'd all regret later.

Tim sighed. "Should we go too?" He looked at Arin.

Deirdre kept her head up, her eyes forward. She stood tall, shoulders back and every bit the graceful dancer. The only sign of her apprehension was the way her hands were knotted together at her stomach. "You didn't have to come with me but I appreciate the company. I have never done something like this." Her voice was soft.

Arin shrugged, "Go ahead. I'll hold the fort. I'm going to touch base with Viv, see if she's heard from Kat at all. I don't like that she hasn't responded to my text yet."

Tim looked at his hands when Arin mentioned Kat. "Look I really, really....I can't stress this enough, I really fucked up. With Kat, with you. I put my opinion in without really thinking it through, you know taking everything into consideration. It was all surface, all what I wanted to see. I was wrong. I know that every one of those things you mentioned, every single one I did. To you, to Deirdre, hell to Kat in some ways. I am not handling this whole situation well."

"It's to be expected. You've kinda went for a big spin in your life. Things get dropped sometimes. This is the first time I've met anyone like me... meaning past life stuff. Pretty sure I could have handled it better too. Mistakes are where you learn. We'll all get better with it. Kat too. She'll blow off some steam and be fine. Just stop calling her a kid." Arin grinned. "Look, when it comes down to it, mistakes can be exploited by your opponents. Get better at learning quickly from them and you'll be harder to beat overall."

Tim gave a small smile. "Last time my life took a spin I kind of went into my own world. Shut everyone out. I guess this time I am trying to just keep everyone safe and not trying to think about what might happen if I don't. I can't handle the way Deirdre looks sometimes. The sadness, its like I am drowning and I just want to push her away to protect everyone from it. I don't know, I really don't. Then I forget and do things like flirt with Arey, which I apologized to her for but I owe you an apology too, even if it is way too late. And Kat....I owe her so many apologies. She is going to milk it though isn't she? I'm totally okay with that I just want to be prepared."

"See, that's where you and I differ. I see someone struggling, I want to help them, not the people around them. You owe me no apologies for Arey. I don't own her, never claimed to, never would. She's a big girl, she can decide for herself who she likes to flirt with. Kat, maybe... she was pretty pissed. Not sure milking it will be her go to. You might have earned yourself the 'ignore it' treatment. We'll see when we find her, I guess."

Tim looked out the windshield. "I spend a lot of time listening to people in trouble. People taken advantage of, abused and stepped on. I want to help, I do but something about her just makes me so uncomfortable. Like I know a secret but can't tell anyone. I don't even know that it is 'me', know what I mean?"

"Exactly. Which is why you sell Deirdre short when you don't take a moment to look past that. It takes time. I have the advantage that I've dealt with it all along. Doesn't piss me off any less when people start pegging me into their expectations, but at least I have had the time to figure out where I stand with it all. Just know, you cannot rely on your past life instincts under pressure. They are from a different time. So, don't get too comfortable. Find yourself in there."

Tim nodded, "I can't imagine doing this for as long as you have. You know you shouldn't be so mad at the girls for what I did. Your rant, I know it was at me. I wish you hadn't taken it out on them but I get distancing yourself in general. I did that, after the accident. Pushed everyone away. The more they told me what to do, said I wouldn't walk...the more they limited me, the angrier I got but not always a good place."

"I'm not even a little bit angry. I'm sorry it came across that way. I probably over spoke. I often feel the need to over explain myself. Habit from ensuring I wasn't taken out of context." Arin shrugged. "It was directed at all of us. I was trying to use myself as an example of what we've all been doing to each other for the last day. And I'm really not trying to push anyone away. What I'm trying to do is not push myself on anyone more than the required amount to teach." Arin was sincere. He knew he made his share of mistakes and was trying to stop putting people in the same place he hated so much.

Tim nodded. "Okay I can see that. I feel lousy. I need a good run, a piece of pizza and god help, me a beer."

"I need to find Kat. Then I can try and relax."

"You don't think she is in trouble do you? Like she isn't off after those women or anything right?" Tim looked extremely worried.

"I'm sure she's fine. Just blowing off steam." Arin said, while thinking, It's Kat. I wouldn't put anything past her.

"Okay, okay if you figure that I am only a lot worried..." Tim inhaled slowly. "Call Viv."

"Yup." Arin pulled out his phone and dialed the shop.

"I'm working on it." Vivienne replied tartly as she picked up the phone. "Katrina took he bag with her, which means she at least has iron, but also the anti-scrying charm she figured out how to make last year. It would appear we have not done as through a job confiscating those as I would have liked."

"Dammit Kat. Okay, well, I didn't quite feel comfortable doing a full search of her room. You know that. She's a teenager now. Okay, just... I'm not driving. Tim is. So call whenever you find something. Thanks mom." Arin cursed himself for letting Kat weasel her way out of giving up her home grown charms. He should have known better than to believe she would actually give them all up.

Tim looked over at Arin. "No luck eh?"

"Not yet. Kat has some stuff that's making it harder. Look, I have another idea, but... I apologize in advance Tim. You'll get your chance to make amends though." He picked up his phone again and started typing.

Kat. If you get this, Tim feels really bad about insulting you. He offered to let you take it out on him however you'd like, but you have to contact me soon. I don't know how long he's willing to keep that offer open.

Arin shrugged at Tim, "I hope it works."

"What exactly are you apologizing in advance for?" Tim looked a bit worried.

"Let's just say I've incentivized a response." Arin smiled.

"Violence or partial nudity?" Tim cringed not entirely sure he wanted the answer.

Arin thought for a moment, "Honestly, it could be both."

Arin opened the door and moved to the front seat, "Sorry, but if she texts I may need you to look at the phone and confirm. Might not be good spoken out loud." Arin chuckled. "Plus, Arey can comfort D."

Tim groaned, "If it gets her back I am willing to suck it up. " He nodded. "I get it."

Kat had effectively ignored all communication since she’d stormed out of the bat cave that morning. She was pissed off, royally, and she didn’t feel like talking to anyone about it right now. What did they care anyway? She was just the teenage side kick that was good for the occasional pep talk, a liability. They didn’t need her, they had their own little round table super hero club now, no kids allowed! Well screw that noise, Kat was a badass superhero, she thought angrily as she rocked out another game of Super Street Fighter IV at Astro Arcade. She already held several records in the arcade, but turned out anger was great for focusing video game skills.

She’d just beaten her own high score for the third time that day. “I’m fucking Batman!” She growled triumphantly. Tim didn’t think she was Batman though. Just the damn side kick. If his words were anything to go on, she didn’t even make the cut for Robin. No, it was worse, she was mother fucking Batgirl. The one who got kidnapped every other issue and had to be rescued from her own well-meaning short comings. The one who had the awkward as hell crush on Batman that never went anywhere because he could never see her as a woman. Fucking Batgirl.

Why she bothered to look at the latest text to buzz in, Kat wasn’t sure, but she did. If only to tell Arin the bug off, she didn’t need a babysitter. She was also getting really tired of having to tell people that. The content of the text made her stop short though, and she took a minute to pause and consider.

Anything I want?” Kat texted back, a slightly evil looking grin splitting across her lips.

Arin felt the phone buzz in his hand and yelped a little, "Shit! It's Kat."

He read the text. That's what he said. He feels really bad, you know.

Arin looked over to Tim, grinning, "Uh oh Tim. She seems interested in the conditions."

Tim groaned again, "Great. Hey tell her only if she let's us pick her up. I can suck it up. I have been a shitty friend." His mind whirled with all the things Kat might do to him or put him through. It will be worth it if she is back and safe.

Arin nodded, "Good call."

Where are you? Tim says he wants to pick you up so he can hear firsthand the conditions of his apologies. Arin knew better than to make it sound like they were overly worried.

Good. Kat texted back flatly when she heard Tim felt guilty. He was being an asshole.

She thought about Arin's other text for a moment before replying. Terms first then i'll give you the location. Strike while the irons hot and the bargaining power was in her hands Kat figured.

Done. But null and void if you give us the run around. I want a bike ride tonight. I don't want to chase you around the city. ;)

Deal. Full on slave boy, 24 hours. No saying no, no reneging on the agreement, and full and complete compliance with all demands in that time period. I can initiate the 24 hours whenever I choose. Hours to be consecutive and will not roll over. Kat fired back as she got down to business.

Does he get a safe word?

Sure, but it's gonna be Dutch and hard to pronounce. ;) Kat quipped back.

Arin chuckled. I'm asking for final approval. brb.

Tim watched Arin text and he grew nervous. "Why are you laughing?" There was a great deal of wariness in his voice.

Arin looked at Tim seriously, "She drives a hard bargain. I got you some concessions. Practice dutch." He showed him the phone.

Tim's face grew steadily redder as he read the messages. "Are you kidding me? Slave boy? Oh Arin, do you know what she is going to make me do? You should have told her nothing that can get me arrested. This is so not good." He shook his head. "Whatever. If it brings her home I will do whatever she wants."

Arin shook his head, "You're talking about Kat. There's not many arrest warrants that would hold up long with her around. So, that's an empty give back, at best."

"A Dutch safe word is the best you could do? Wow, guess hitting me with swords won't be enough punishment huh? Just tell her I agree and give us an address. She better be there."

"The swords are from me. Not her." Arin smiled. "I think she will be there."

You have a deal Kat. Where are you?

"I kinda feel like this is a little bit you too." He looked grumpy.

"The only thing this does for me is I don't have to wonder where Kat is anymore. I can relax tonight. For that, you'll have less bruises." Arin said sincerely.

"Well that is nice." Tim smiled. "I am glad we will know where she is and get her home too."

"See? It's for all of us then. Nice work." Arin grinned.

"All of us...that's me, learning to be a team player." Tim sulked a little.

Excellent. I'm at Astro Arcade eight blocks over from the shop. If either of you renege on this I will make your lives suck. Kat threatened as she surrendered her location.

Arin laughed in relief, "Well, it'll be a little ways out of our way to get her, but she'll be fine until we do." He tried to keep a straight face.

Kat, this deal has nothing to do with me. Just the middle man. Nothing I could reneg on. We'll be there shortly.

Arin looked up from the phone after he sent the text, "She's at the arcade, down the street from the shop."

Tim's face screwed up in annoyance. "Of course she is."

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

Deirdre opened the door and stepped inside, holding the door for Arey. The place was cold. The hall empty and there was a faint, strange smell in the air. She headed down the hall before coming to a window. It felt like there were eyes watching her but she couldn't see anyone.

A man looked up, "Can I help you?"

Deirdre nodded, "I was told to come down to identify a body. A Detective...Vesz...Vasquaez...Vesqzquaz? I am sorry I was pretty shaken when I talked to him. It was about my room mate."

The man frowned and flicked through some papers. "Just a sec." He moved off into the back.

Deirdre looked at Arey. "I can't remember the detective's name."

"Deirdre?" A man asked as he came out the main hall's door to the office. "Detective Velazquez. We spoke on the phone." The man introduced. He was tall and dark of feature. Young for a detective, but well-built and mature looking.

Deirdre nodded. "Yes that is me. I brought a friend with me. I went home like I said I would but Heather wasn't there." She blinked. "I am sorry. Deirdre Evering." She put her hand out. "I wish I wasn't meeting you like this."

"Agreed." David agreed taking her hand for a quick handshake. When their hands met, David could have sworn he was looking at someone else for a moment, but after blinking hard the image passed. Jerry's right, need to get more sleep... Looking up at the friend, he found he recognized the face.

"Miss Trescott?" That was an odd coincidence. Arey waved awkwardly.

Deirdre stiffened as he took her hand. She dropped hers and frowned. Couldn't be another...no.... She had an eerie feeling creep up her back. She looked from Arey to the Detective. "You know each other?"

"You certainly seem to be followed by trouble lately." David remarked but held the door open for them to pass through. "We've got the room prepared for you when you're ready to go in." He said turning to Deirdre, trying to stay professionally sympathetic.

Deirdre looked at the open door. She took a slow breath in and entered the door. "Heather didn't come home. My other roommate told me this morning. I stayed with friends last night." Her voice was soft and her hands once again knitted together. She forced them down to her sides. Can't break down.

Arey extended her own hand to lay across Deirdre's knit ones. It was there if she wanted something, or someone to hold onto.

"How does this work detective?" Her eyes moved to Arey, a silent thanks in them and she let her hand relax to hold onto Arey's. She was scared and as much as she didn't want them to see her upset she was glad not to be here alone.

"I'll escort you to the room, the front is all double sided glass. You'll be able to see the...the body but you won't have to enter the room. We're confident that this is a homicide, but the ME still needs to do an autopsy to determine cause of death definitively." David explained as gently as possible.

Deirdre nodded. Homicide "I am ready." She looked to the detective.

David led the girls down the hall to the autopsy room. The window showed a stark looking room with an examination table that held what was clearly a body covered with a sheet. "Whenever you're ready." David said gently.

Deirdre gripped Arey's hand and nodded. "Alright." She wasn't sure she was actually ready to see the body and part of her still hoped it wasn't Heather but that part had been small to begin with and it was fading fast.

"Ok." He said softly, knocking on the glass. A woman in a clinical looking lab coat carefully pulled away the sheet, revealing the girl underneath. Arey's hand tightened on Deirdre's afraid her own knees might give out as she saw the face. The body was covered in ruins that had been carved into the flesh, culminating in one familiar symbol on her stomach. It's her, I saw her die, that sicko killed her while I watched...

Deirdre stood tall, head up. She looked at the body, felt Arey grip her hand tighter and she did her best to support her. There on the table was her roommate, her only friend. She was pale. There were marks on her body, carved there. Deirdre knew what had happened. "Its Heather...."

Deirdre inhaled very slowly. "That is my friend. Her...I left her at the club. We knew that there was a killer out there. We even joked that she was his type. Papers kept saying he...he liked blonde girls with blue eyes...I knew when she didn't text me back." The color seeped from her face but she didn't cry, didn't falter. She stayed strong for Arey.

"What happens now?" Deirdre pulled her eyes from her friend's lifeless body to look at the detective. "What happens to her?"

"If you need some time, we can have you come in the make a statement in the next couple days. We need to contact the parents to confirm the ID first, and then we'll preform the autopsy to see if we can get some forensics on this guy and hopefully stop him." Detective Velazquez explained.

Deirdre nodded. "I can leave my cell phone number and I will come give a statement. This is a lot right now." She looked back to the body. I am so sorry Heather. I shouldn't have left you alone. I was so caught up in all of this that I just forgot about you. "She comes from out of city, just outside. If you have her cell, her parents’ information is in there. I can't believe she is..."

Deirdre looked away again. "Sorry. Just too much." She looked at Arey. "Can I go detective? I can't breathe very well right now." She felt cold and numb but she was more concerned with Arey at that moment.

"Thank you for all your help, and I'm sorry for your loss." David said, feeling almost robotic. Keeping a professional distance was part of his job, but seeing these two look so upset cut him up for some reason. "I'll see you when you're ready." He said gently before taking her contact information. The ME covered the body back up as the two began to leave, but David got another eyeful of the mess their serial killer had left behind. If it was the last thing her did, David was going to catch that guy.

Deirdre just kept nodding as the detective offered sympathies. She turned, still holding Arey's hand as they left the room. "She's gone." Deirdre whispered. Her lip quivered but she held it together. "Are you okay Arey?"

Arey has become lost in her own thoughts, rerunning everything she'd seen through the connection that morning as Deirdre pulled her along by the hand. Her breathing had become irregular, and it was only when Deirdre addressed her directly that she managed to snap out of the disturbing memory. "It was her, the girl from this morning..." Arey said weakly, fresh waves of guilt washing over her as she remembered screaming for him to stop a she watched him cut that girl's throat open.

Deirdre nodded slowly. "I sort of wondered when you grabbed me and the carvings..." She shook her head and tried to swallow back the bile. "Come on let's get you to the car." She led Arey out of the morgue's back room and out to the hall. She held her tightly, one arm now around her for support as they made their way out to the car.

Deirdre frowned, seeing Arin in the front. "You are in the back with me Arey. You okay to get in?" She was doing her best to concentrate on Arey and not her own emotions at that moment. Bigger things to deal with. Opening the door she let Arey get in first.

Arin still had his phone in his hand and a relieved smile on his face as the women climbed into the car. The smile faded on seeing their faces, "You two okay? I... don't even know what I could say to help."

Tim inhaled slowly. It was clear that it had gone the way they feared. He frowned as he realized that Arey looked more upset than Deirdre. Maybe it wasn't her friend. "We found Kat so if you need a minute to sit and you know...or talk..." He added lamely.

"Arey is pretty shaken up. My friend was the woman she saw, the woman Mordred killed." Her voice was level and she fought to keep her emotions out of it. She wrapped an arm around Arey. "Let's get Kat."

Tim looked at Arin and then put the key in the ignition. "Maybe once we pick up Kat I will drop you all off and go get some food."

Tim set off and headed to the arcade. He pulled up in front. "Arin you want to run in and get her?" He looked towards the front door.

In the back Deirdre did her best to comfort Arey.

"Sorry..." Arey said in mumbled apology as she desperately tried to stop her hands from shaking. "She was your friend, I should be the one comforting you...not the other way around."

"Don't think anything of it. You are the one who was connected to the whole thing. I will deal later, right now..." She took Arey's hands in her own. "I am here for you."

Arin nodded, "Sure. You won't escape that easy though." He smirked at Tim as he opened the door and headed into the arcade. He scanned the room for Kat, trying to suss her out in the crowd of high school and university kids.

"Three high scores on the same game in one day? That is impressive. Wouldn't mind you giving me a few pointers sometime." A smooth male voice filtered through the crowd.

Kat preened at the attention, grinning widely at the guy she'd been flirting with for the past ten minutes. Dude was hot, bit older too from the looks of him, but not waaaaaay older. Like nineteen maybe. He seemed cool, especially since college guys didn't look her way or flirt back seriously all that often. "What'd you say your name was again?" She asked.

"Matt. Forgot it already? You're breaking my heart darlin'." He said grinning back, dark hazel eyes twinkling.

Arin finally spotted her and headed over. She was talking with another guy and he hesitated a moment before interrupting. He was hungry and wanted that bike ride though, so he tried to be somewhat polite, "Hey! We're here. Tim's pretty excited about your deal."

Matt's eyes shifted to Arin as he interrupted their conversation. His eyes narrowed slightly, but he tried to keep his displeasure from showing. He'd been trying to track this one down for weeks.

"Hey Arin!" Kat greeted, in significantly better spirits than before. "Right, sorry Matt gotta split." Kat apologized genuinely.

"No problem, I get it." Matt replied playing it cool. "Here's my number though...In case you ever want to show me those moves of your's sometime soon." He said with a wink as he handed her a folded scrap of paper.

Arin let Kat lead the way toward the door after she finished with her conversation, "Smooth Kat. Nice work. You kept it to only three high scores today. Gotta make them think they have a chance." He grinned.

"Naturally." Kat grinned as she practically bounced on her way back to the car. "Shotgun!" She called, racing ahead and into the front passenger side seat.

Arin paused as she climbed in and sighed. Should have anticipated that one. He walked toward the closest door, which happened to be the passenger's side, "It's not far. I was planning on a bike ride tonight. If you'd rather head home to talk, I'll take off now." He really didn't know if he'd be welcome in the back seat at the moment.

Tim looked up as the door opened. He blushed. "Hey Kat." He managed though he turned his eyes to the windshield.

Deirdre looked up and frowned a little. "I don't understand. Get in and go back with us. There is no reason for us to be separated now and Vivienne will not look kindly on us arriving back without you. Don't do this." Her eyes met his for a moment. "A team. Don't walk away, even if it is just to walk home."

She moved over, squishing closer to Arey to make room. She was doing her best to keep her composure and arguing was the last thing she wanted to do right now. If he was going to be insistent she was going to let it go. A small smile appeared, "Don't make me come out there and walk with you...you know we'd both prefer to be more comfortable."

"Never walk away." He looked up at Arey. "If it's cool, I'm happy to take the ride."

"Hey!" Kat said grinning, still in good spirits after the impromptu flirting. Pulling out her phone, Kat quickly typed in Matt's number into her contacts.

Arin shrugged. Being ignored was better than be actively rejected and he really just wanted to get home, "Alright. I'm going to order the pizza, maybe it won't take too long and we'll get it when we get home." He opened the door and sat, pulling out his phone. As he dialed he pulled out Deirdre's phone and held it up, a questioning look on his face.

She was relieved when he got in the car. Deirdre closed her eyes a moment and when the door closed she opened them. Her lips parted as Arin held up her phone, her eyes widening in fear. She shook her head frantically. 'Not right now." As if on cue it vibrated, her parents contact on the screen. They had taken to calling instead of texting. "No. No thank you."

Arin nodded, hit the cancel button and slipped it back in his pocket, "Doesn't exist, as far as you're concerned."

Deirdre swallowed hard, her eyes stinging slightly. "Thank you Arin." She couldn't deal with them and everything else right now.

Tim drove off. He was tense and a bit fearful of what Kat was going to do to him. Worst is that he had no idea when it might happen.

Arin shrugged again, "Nothing really. If you'd like I'll answer it and talk to them next time. Or I'll just let it hit voice mail- Oh, hello. Yeah, two large..." He continued with the pizza order on his phone.

Tim parked the car and inhaled, "Made it back without a scratch." Hopping out, he opened the door for Arey. "Hey, let's get you to a chair or something." He reached in to help her out.

Deirdre had been silent the rest of the drive. When the car stopped and Tim came to help Arey, Deirdre turned to Arin. "When you have a moment, alone, could we talk?"

Arin pursed his lips, "Yes... the training room. It's off the back of the main room. No doors."

She nodded, "Thank you. I have some things to do and you can find me there in half an hour maybe? Or later if you prefer..." She suddenly looked very awkward.

Arin saw she wasn't comfortable and he knew she'd been through so much today, "Look. Dinner is here shortly. I wanted a ride, but whatever you need first. Just ask."

Deirdre looked at her hands, "Half an hour, I will be brief so as not to interfere with your plans." She was being, or at least trying to be, very formal. It was all she could do to keep her voice from cracking or the tears to start flowing. "I won't take too much of your time."

"I'll be there and you'll have as much of my time as you need." Arin said gently. He opened his door and stepped out, waiting to see which side Deirdre would exit from.

Her eyes were on her lap and for the first time she noticed that she was trembling. She had been holding Arey's hand, helping her but now she was having trouble controlling her reactions. As the tension and heightened emotions lowered Deirdre could feel her own close to the breaking point. She slipped out after Arin, grabbing her and Arey's bags.

Tim held his hand out for Arey. "Viv! Viv we are back! Got Kat and everything!"

"Thanks." Arey said gratefully when Tim extended his hand to help her out. She needed to calm down, and it was frustrating to her that she couldn't just will herself to stop her hands from shaking. "I'll be ok, promise. I just need a minute." She said taking a deep breath.

"Wanna take a gander at Tim's future?" Kat said conspiratorially to Arey as she showed the other girl her phone. In Kat's experience, humor was the best way to cut tension, and what else were teenage sidekicks good for if not comic relief? On the screen was an adult Robin costume. Old school Robin, as in the one that didn't wear pants.

Arey snorted in laughter despite herself, trying to curl her lips in to hide the smile. "That's a uhm...very interesting choice." Arey got out a little shakily, though she felt a bit lighter as well.

Tim stood to the side, eyeing the two as they whispered while looking at Kat's phone.Deal with the devil...that is what I did... "Come on you two, let's go sit down and relax. Pizza should be here soon and Viv has a lot to get caught up on." He was worried about Arey. She seemed really shaken up. Tim put his hand out to take hers. "Walk with me, you know in case I get weak kneed and faint of hunger." He gave her a smile.

"I am going to drop the bags off in Kat's room." Deirdre watched Tim and Arey, glad that she was having help. "I'll be quick and we can take a seat, okay?" She nodded and headed off quickly towards Kat's room.

Tim watched Deirdre leave and wondered how she could be so calm. Her friend was dead and she had cried. She looked put together. He knew how he would be. His eyes moved to Arey and he instantly knew why Deirdre was able to be so strong. She was keeping it together in order to help support Arey. I think I might have underestimated D... Arey made him feel stronger, like he couldn't let her down.

"Oh this is just for the photo op." Kat said more loudly with a firm grin in place. "I've got a twenty four hour period to work with, so I'm giving myself time to be creative." She finished giving Tim a smirk.

Arey kind of felt sorry for him. Whatever deal was going down between the two of them, Kat did not seem the kind of person one wanted to be creative, at least not when it was directed at them. Arey smiled back at Tim though. He seemed like a tough guy, she was sure he could take it either way. "I'll do my best to catch you if you fall then. Can't promise how successful I'll be though."

Tim chuckled and put an arm partially around Arey's waist, his eyes flicked to Kat Photo op?. He was still willing to suck it up, after how badly he had spoken to her, he deserved whatever she dished out.

"We'll be fine I think I can make it." He gave Arey a wink and walked with her into the bat cave. "Want to go sit up there?" He gestured towards the sitting area. "Seats are at least comfy." He turned his head. "Vivienne? We are back!"

Arin lingered for a moment while everyone else headed inside. He took his time, watching them and waiting for the pizza to come.

Deirdre came down the hall from Kat's room. She watched as Tim walked with Arey toward the dais. Moving slowly she came up behind them but she looked at Kat. "Glad you didn't get into any trouble."

Don't they look cozy... Kat thought sourly as Tim put his arm around Arey's waist and winked at her. "How long has that been going on?" She mumbled grumpily to D as the other girl came up behind her.

"What?" She looked up at Tim and Arey. "What is going on? Arey's had a rough day. So...a day?" Deirdre frowned a little.

"Yeah, nothing a little light flirting and eye making can't fix." Kat grouched sarcastically, before turning her head away for the moment. She wasn't in the mood to watch that. "You alright? She's not the only who had a rough day." Kat asked.

Deirdre gave Kat a slight smile. "I am fine, I'll be fine. There is just a lot to let sink in, you know? Arey is in a harder spot." She swallowed hard, fighting the urge to cry. Now was not the time, not yet. "You really just took off to the arcade? I would have bolted much further." She nudged Kat with her elbow, trying to change the subject.

"Thought about doing something else honestly, but despite what Tim thinks I'm not stupid." Kat said flatly as she remembered considering hunting down that damn incubus from the night before and giving him a taste of iron. She'd felt the need to hit something, so she settled for video games to be her emotional outlet.

Deirdre frowned, "You know that Tim doesn't really think you are stupid. He is scared. He is worried about everyone. Hell he wanted to send me away. Sure, upsetting. Do I wish I had tried to throw my phone at him? You bet but we have all said and done things without really thinking it over. Some of us just need to learn to breathe and pause before we speak." She looked sad for a moment but quickly pushed it aside.

Tim leaned in close to whisper to Arey, "So any hints on what it is Kat has planned for me? Want to maybe tell me what she showed you on her phone?"

Arey laughed lightly giving Tim a slightly pitying look. "Well I wouldn't want to ruin the surprise, but I'd say be prepared for tights...or maybe not. That particular outfit didn't seem to have any."

Tim looked back quickly at Kat before leaning in again to Arey. "Tights? Shit...you are not allowed to hold this against me, got it? It does not take away from how manly I am." He tried not to laugh. "I'll prove it when you let me take you mountain climbing. Earn back my man cred..."

"I'm British remember, we think Shakespeare is sexy. I wouldn't hold a pair of tights against you." Arey said winking back. "But if you want to get all sweaty and flex your muscles for me on a mountain I won't complain either."

Tim grinned and turned very red. He cleared his throat a little. "Good to know..." He couldn't stop smiling. He climbed the stairs, arm around Arey and led her to the couch. "Sit, Arin will bring the pizza when it gets here. Want a drink?" It was then that he realized he didn't actually know where the kitchen was. Theo had brought him tea and Kat, the breakfast his first morning here. Which was what...two days ago? It felt like a lifetime.

Deirdre put a hand on Kat's shoulder. "I'll be back shortly. Make sure they save me a piece okay?" Behind her Arin was coming in with the pizza.

Arin set the pizza on the table, "Dig in folks. Kitchen is through that door, Tim. I've got some beer in my fridge, feel free to help yourselves."

Tim looked over as Arin appeared with the pizza. "I am starving." He sat down, drinks forgotten and opened up the pizza box. He pulled out a slice for Arey and then one for Kat. "Here you go ladies." He looked up at Arin, "Right...I was going to find drinks." He hopped up, taking a bite of pizza as he left.

Arin grabbed a slice and headed to the training room, eating it quickly on the way.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deirdre smiled and walked off. She was exhausted and there was time before Arin said he would meet her. She wanted a moment alone, needed a moment alone to let some of the emotion go. Not all but enough to allow her to focus on talking to Arin.

She made her way to the back room and moved to a corner. She sat down hard and for the first time let the emotions break the surface. Tears came accompanied by deep sobs. Deirdre kept picturing her friend, laying there, cut up and lifeless. She was gone. Heather was gone and Deirdre had left her alone to deal with her own things.

Her whole frame shook with the force of the grief though she tried to keep her hand over her mouth to keep from making too much noise. Deirdre gasped and wiped at her face. She didn’t want Arin to see her like this.

Get a handle on yourself. He doesn’t want to deal with this. She shook her head and tried to take a few calming breaths.

Arin finalized the arrangements for dinner and ensured it would be set up for the rest as he was talking with Deirdre. Finally, a half an hour after they arrived, he stepped into the training room. He looked around, finally seeing her, seated, almost hidden.

“D, if you need some more time I’ll make sure no one else comes in. It’s my training room. They have to listen to me.” Arin said softly.

“No. No sorry. I just needed a minute.” She stood and wiped her face. “Guess that means when you put a sword in my hand I am at your command.” Deidre smiled, trying to move past her sadness.

“Command might be too strong a word. I won’t be ordering you around. However, mercy, that I could get behind.” He grinned, also trying to lighten the mood. He knew she had to be hurting.

“So you prefer to listen to people beg for mercy?” She cocked her head a little and then blushed. “I mean not like beg, beg...” Deirdre looked down at her feet. “So that went quickly sideways.”

“It’s fine. Yes, I prefer my opponents to know they are defeated. I’m not a leader. I don’t command people to obey me. I teach them to the best of their abilities. I suggest tactics. I improve their intelligence under pressure. But I don’t command. So, mercy is preferable to obedience.” He was matter of fact. This was his training room. In here, he was a teacher.

She nodded slowly. “I will remember that when you are kicking our butts.”

Her smile fell away. “I just wanted to thank you, for the phone and all...I couldn’t deal with talking to them or the umpteen billion worried texts and voicemails. I know I have to face them at some point but in the car was not that time.”

“You don’t have to. That’s part of what I meant when I mentioned disappointment. You have support of a bunch of us now. You don’t have to face them alone. You just have to let us know that you want something other than what they are asking. I’m not going to presume I know best for you, but if you ask for help, I will be right there.” Arin was quite straight forward. There was nothing in his voice that gave doubt to his statements.

“I don’t want to go with them.” Her tone of voice matched his. “I don’t want them to come and take me away or tell me what to do. I don’t want anyone to.”

“I can’t promise they won’t try to tell you. But there’s no way I... we, will let you go with them against your will. Stand up for yourself and you will have all the support you need. They come to take you against your will, they might be surprised.” Arin smiled encouragingly.

Deirdre looked at her feet for a moment. Very slowly she looked up at Arin. She returned his smile. “That means a great deal to know I actually have support and help.”

“No matter how things work or don’t, there is no question you will have my support. I think there are others who would agree, but I’m not them.”

Every time Arin mentioned not deciding things for others or knowing what was best she felt like someone was stabbing her in the stomach. “Arin....about what happened, in the car....I know I did those things to you. Doubted where your actions were coming from and all the rest of it. I came here thinking I could just force you and Arey together and it would fix everything. You tried to tell me, to show me and I didn’t fully appreciate your actions. When you moved away from me, in your apartment because I couldn’t, because you didn’t want either of us to be clouded by the past...I never really thanked you. I won’t tell you who I think you should be with, or if you should be with anyone. I....”

She pulled on her shirt a little.

Arin noticed her pause, “Look, you did what anyone would do. Actually, there’s never been anyone in the situation you’re in now, so who knows what anyone else would have done. I doubted my actions as much as you did for a time. But I did know for damn sure that unless I didn’t doubt I would not follow through. It’s easier for me. I said the same to Tim. I’ve been doing this longer. I shouldn’t expect any of you to process it at the same level as I am. But I did. That’s not fair. You don’t have to thank me. I did nothing special. I just didn’t take advantage.”

He paused briefly, “Thank you for not telling me who I should or should not be with. I don’t know any of you very well yet. But I think you are all good people. I can see myself liking all of you. Does that mean more than that? I’m going to try to make sure you have as much choice in determining that as I do.” He shrugged, “Really, that’s the best I can do.”

“All I wanted was choice and I sort have forgot to make sure others had theirs as well. Look, I want to get to know you. I do. Take that as you will. You seem interesting and nice and I know that you haven’t been trying to pull anything with Arey or I. You are figuring it out too. I don’t want to know the roles we once had, I already deal with that enough in my head. I’d prefer to have friends. Today I lost the only one I ever had.” She shrugged a little.

Arin felt gutted. Here was this woman who needed somebody, anybody to comfort her and he felt like she was off limits. He felt helpless, trying to provide something for her without crossing this stupid line caused by a life he barely remembered. It wasn’t fair to her at all, “Not the only one. Or, at least any more. But I understand what you mean... I can’t pretend to imagine what you’re going through.”

Deirdre almost broke down, almost started to cry but caught herself. She wrapped her arms about her body. “I’ll be fine, I just don’t want you to think all I see is the past. When you kissed me, it had nothing to do with her. I very much enjoyed that as Deirdre. I told you, first time a man has kissed me and it was really nice. I liked that Arin did it and I knew that, never doubted it.”

Arin barely knew what to do with himself. He started pacing slowly in front of Deirdre, trying hard to contain the emotions, “D... I have no doubts you’ll be fine. You are stronger than anyone I’ve seen at handling adversity. I wish I could offer you more. If your memory of your first kiss is pleasant, then I’ll take the compliment. It was me, and I really don’t know how best to proceed from here.”

She shook her head, “Not asking for more.” She interjected though she wasn’t sure he heard.

Deirdre frowned a little. “How best to proceed is by doing what makes Arin comfortable and happy. If that means limiting everyone’s relationship to you as teacher and student right now, so be it. Maybe in the future you can add friendship in there. I am not asking for anything, I just wanted you to know that I don’t only see Lancelot. You talk to me and I know it isn’t him. I know I don’t show it or act on it but I do know. I just hate knowing that you feel so forgotten behind the expectations. I know what that is like, I know how painful that is. More than just dealing with her in my head, I know where you are coming from.” She sighed. “I am not very good at this, I think I missed making my point.”

Arin stopped his pacing and chuckled, “Welcome to the club. Verbosity is my curse.”

The smile faded, “I don’t want to exclude friendship. But no one can tell the difference. D... there’s nothing more that I want to do right now than comfort you, as a friend. But I know, anything I do, anything, will be judged out of context. Maybe not by you. By your words, you understand. But that must mean you understand why I am struggling so much with this.”

She nodded, “It is why I wanted to talk to you. Everything we do together will be watched and criticized. I have to stand over here because going over there to hug you while you are struggling would send the wrong message to anyone who sees. I get it. I just can’t have you thinking no one understands. If it means standing here and watching you struggle than I will suck it up. I know what it is like to be alone. So I am here, I can’t be there but you aren’t alone.”

Arin closed his eyes, “The one who understands the most is the one I have to keep the furthest from me. Dammit. Stupid bad romance novels. I promise, the struggle isn’t so bad that you need worry. I can handle it. I have for a long time. I want you to find the comfort you need.”

Deirdre smiled, though it was a sad smile. “And so I too have to keep the person who would understand the furthest away. You let me know how that goes for you standing over there and I will let you know how it goes over here. We can compare notes on what it is like to watch and not be able to actually do anything.”

Arin chuckled, “Yeah, I have detailed notes. They go like this. Fucking sucks. I think that’s the end. Oh, wait. Life sucks, deal with it. I can’t let myself wallow. I need to be who I am. I really hope you can be who you are. I will always be there to support you when you choose that. Even if it’s from a few feet away. Remember that, D. You are who you want to be.”

“I will keep that in mind. No wallowing.” She walked over to him. “I should probably call my parents before they send the police after me.” Deirdre stopped so that she was less than an arm’s length away. She put her hand out for her phone. “Doesn’t get that much easier from here either.” Her laugh was humorless.

Arin took a deep breath as he reached into his pocket and pulled out Deirdre’s phone, “Not even a little. Are you sure you don’t want me to talk to them. I have quite a few pent up feelings that could really use an outlet.” He grinned as he handed her the phone.

Deirdre smiled, her eyes sparkling. “And who would you say you were? A guy on my phone would have them going ballistic. Perfect princess’ don’t have men answer their phones or call their parents for them. Though I would love to watch their heads explode if you did.”

“Do you know a perfect princess? I know Deirdre. I don’t expect perfection, she is fine the way she is. Head explosions are underrated. Good for the sinuses.” Arin was having a hard time leaving Deirdre to her parents’ devices. Obviously she wasn’t going to have an easy time.

Deirdre laughed and slowly removed her phone from Arin’s hand. She wished she could just take his hand, just hold it for a moment so he’d know but she couldn’t, she knew that. “They expect perfection and I don’t know the person they think I am. Right now I just need them to simmer down and this is going to be a nightmare but I will get through it. No explosions necessary.”

“This isn’t the time I referred to when I mentioned disappointment. You are far from it. If they can’t see that, it’s on them.” Arin forced himself to take a step back, “There are more private locations if you wish.”

Deirdre shook her head. She watched him step away, heard the formality come back to his words. Way it has to be. “Here is fine unless you’d prefer I leave the space. I don’t really know a better spot. It is just a phone call.” Her words lacked confidence, she tried to smile.

“Simple, right?” Arin didn’t believe it for a second. “You’re fine here. I’ll let someone know to come check on you in a bit.” He looked up at her sorrowfully, “I would.... I’m off to take a ride though. I need some.... time.”

“I know.” Deirdre nodded and again tried to smile. “I hope you find some peace or closure or answers while you are out there.” She looked down at the phone. “Now or never right?”

“No time like the present.” Arin agreed as he turned. He left the room heavily, but steadily. Peace, temporarily. Answers, maybe. Closure, not likely.

“Hi mom...mom please stop yelling....” Deidre sank to the floor on her knees. She glanced over as Arin left the room. “Mom...If you want me to talk you have to stop yelling at me. Stop crying.”
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tim came back with some bottles of water and pop. "Here, I didn't feel like running off to Arin's apartment for beer. Later?" He looked at Arey, questioningly.

"Thank you." Arey said accepting the bottle of water. "Tempting as that is, I don't think alcohol consumption would be wise at the moment." She declined. Drinking was for pubs and friends, and celebrations, not trying to forget ones problems. That's how alcoholism starts.

"I'll take one." Kat joked as she nibbled on her pizza on the other side of the couch, resisting giving the two of them the stink eye for sitting so close.

Tim looked over at Kat, "Not a chance." He smiled. "I was thinking beers later or maybe another time..." Eyeing Arey a little, Tim sat back on the couch, taking another slice of pizza with him. "How's that wound feel?" He pointed towards her stomach before taking a bite. He wondered where Vivienne was and where Arin went. Tim frowned realizing that Deirdre was missing as well. No jumping to conclusions, Arin said he was staying away from them. Space and all that. Likely just a coincidence or they are getting something or... He tried to stop his mind from wandering.

The wound felt uncomfortable, but not in the way Tim would probably expect. The was the dull pain which was normal there, but the wound itself felt like it was pulsing, as if somehow alive. It was a pretty disturbing sensation, but she didn't know how to explain it. "I'm fine." Arey tried to assure. She took another bite from the slice, though she really didn't feel like eating.

Tim nodded. "So the girl in the morgue...Deirdre's friend? You are sure it was her you saw?" He lowered his voice, a calmer lower tone and placed a hand on hers, holding it lightly.

"You don't really forget the face of someone you watch being murdered." Arey replied, her eyes focusing on something far away. "She was covered in those marks, I remember her screaming when he made them." Her voice trembled a bit before she cleared her throat and tried to sit up straighter. As if that would help banish the image from her mind. Arey squeezed Tim's hand back, silently grateful for the support.

Kat felt bad for Arey, she really did. She understood seeing things you wish you could unsee, more so than a lot of people. In that moment however, all she could see was Arey and Tim holding hands, and it pushed a very deep seeded button in her that made her want to growl and do something violent. For the moment she just stared at the locked hands with blank intensity.

"Hey, we are gonna stop him you know." Tim shifted a little closer to Arey. "Vivienne will be able to help us find him and we will get the bastard." He smiled gently. "He obviously has issues."

He released her hand and brushed a piece of her hair from her face. "Guess I will have to take a rain check on the running and mountain climbing until that is all healed up. Once Viv finally gets here and we give her all the info we should probably all get some rest. I bet you are exhausted after all that has gone on."

Tim looked at Kat, "Where is Viv?"

"That would be an understatement." Arey agreed as she managed a weak smile. "No, I'm definitely going running tomorrow." She said when he talked about a rain check. Running helped her clear her head, it was almost religious for her. "He's not going to take that from me too." Arey said resolved.

"That's the spirit!" Kat explained with a grin that was a little too wide and forced as she wedged her way in between Tim and Arey on the couch. "We'll stop creepy magic guy, and then we'll get back down to the saving the world business." Kat agreed as she gave Arey a comforting one armed hug, effectively killing two birds with one stone.

Tim opened his mouth but didn't say anything as Kat plopped herself between them. He leaned forward so he could see Arey. 'Alright, sounds good. Tomorrow, you and I, it's a date. We run and when we come back we will be ready to tackle anything." He smiled at her.

Tim patted Kat's leg. "Glad to have you back, can you go grab Viv? The sooner we tell her everything the sooner Arey can get to bed." He gave her a nod. "Then you can maybe give me a clue as to what you have in mind as my punishment? Or at least let me actually apologize?"

The word 'date' made Kat practically twitch in annoyance. The dismissal of her so he could continue making goo goo eyes at Arey also did not sit well, and she sure as hell wasn't about to move. "Magic of smart phones." Kat said flatly as she shot out a quick text to Viv. "She'll be down in a minute."

Arey suppressed a smile, recognizing the signs of territorial jealousy when she saw it. It seemed Arin's little sister had a bit of a crush on Tim.

"Thanks half pint." Tim smiled at Kat. "Figures I yell for her and nothing, you text and wham she heads down."

He shifted to sit back on the couch. He was happy. Arey and he were going to be running partners. The prospect of the physical exertion made him look forward to the next morning. "What time do you want to go out at Arey? I am an early riser but I have other things I can do if you want to sleep in. I am really excited to go running with you."

"You want to start at six then?" Arey suggested. She liked running in the cooler morning air, but it wasn't so early that there wouldn't be any light out.

"She said she was working on something. Don't take it too personally, she kind of just disappears sometimes. She'd never longer than a week though." Kat explained as she typed away on her phone. "I'm thinking Star Trek booty shorts...what do you think Arey?" Kat said suddenly as she showed Arey her phone.

"There...ah...short?" Arey offered, face turning a little red at the thought of Tim wearing those.

"That'd be the point." Kat said dryly. "Not sure which color to go with though. Kinda tempted to go with the blue one and nab some Spock ears while I'm at it." Kat mused to herself, envisioning making Tim play Spock to her Captain Kirk in that outfit made her grin triumphantly in satisfaction.

Tim turned red and leaned forward to reach for Kat's phone. "Short shorts? What? Spock ears? Kat what are you planning?" He tried to snatch the device from her. "Come on show me. Arey help me here. Kat, let's be a bit reasonable okay? I will get down on my knees and apologize."

"What happened to Robin?" Arey asked curiously, more than a little amused as she ignored Tim's plea.

"That's still on the table, but now that I think about it, I kind of want to make a calendar. You know, exploit all the options. I'm feeling creative today, I shouldn't limit it." Kat said grinning.

"Can I get a copy?" Arey joked with a chuckle at the girl's confidence.

"Don't worry Tim, I'm sure a few shots can involve you on your knees." Kat said with a smile too innocent looking to be sincere. "A little kinky, but I can work with that."

"Robin? Calendar? Oh come on...." Tim put his head in his hands. "Arey, I said help me..." His face was red. "You are really going to humiliate me aren't you Kat?"

"Not if you enjoy it." Kat said with a wink as she pulled up the earlier text conversation with Arin. "I have written agreement, twenty four consecutive hours of unquestioned servitude. I pick the when, and decide what we do. You show up and comply with every demand in that twenty four hour period." Kat reminded after combing through the text. "I'm still working on the safe word."

Arey nearly choked on her pizza. "You agreed to that?" She asked incredulously.

Tim glared at Kat, "Arin negotiated it and it was the only way to get Kat to answer her stupid phone. Yes, yes I agreed to that." He sighed. "Fine, fine...no more complaining."

He slumped a little. "Alright Kat, whatever you say. I was a giant ass and deserve whatever you dish out." Tim gave Arey a small smile. "I really need to work on thinking more before I talk. Still on for running though. Six works great and I expect us both to work up a good sweat."

Arin came into the room and chuckled at he sight of them all crowded on the couch, "There is a lot of furniture around." He started toward the hall to his apartment, "D is talking to her parents. I don't expect it to be a good conversation. Can someone go in and check on her in a bit?"

"Relax toots." Kat said shifting over until she was sitting on Tim's lap and grinned up. "I'm the forgiving type. And if the pictures turn out reeeeal well, I'll be inclined to keep 'em for myself. Can't be humiliated if no one else sees them."

"I'll do it." Arey volunteered. She got the feeling that the conversation between Kat and Tim might become a bit personal, and she felt the need to make sure Deirdre was alright regardless. So standing up, she waved at the two and wondered off to find Deirdre. "See you at six then." She said in parting.

Tim looked a little uncomfortable as Kat climbed into his lap, "Okay Arey, six it is!"

He awkwardly put his one hand on Kat's back. "Whatever you say Kat." Tim smiled. "I am glad you are back and I am sorry I was such an asshole. It was like I couldn't stop talking."

"Yeah little bit." Kat agreed as she shifted her legs so that she was straddling his lap now instead. "If it means I get to dress you up in skimpy nerd costumes and parade you around my room though, I think I can deal with it." Kat's smile was a little more predatory.

Tim grew very red, "Uh Kat...." He put his hands up in the air to avoid touching her in any way that might be taken as improper. "You probably shouldn't um..." Stinky socks...stinky socks...

"Yup, hey whatever you want me to dress up as. Could you maybe..." He tried not to shift or move under her.

"Shouldn't what?" Kat asked cheekily as she wound her arms around Tim's neck and shifted her hips a bit in his lap in pretense of getting comfortable.

Tim looked up at the ceiling. "Kat you shouldn't be in my lap like this. Do you know how this might look?" Sweaty, sweaty socks. Smelly locker rooms. "So Robin costume and killers on the loose...crazy stuff right?"

"Like we're enjoying ourselves?" Kat quipped. "Most guys would relax and enjoy the view." She said with a wink. "I think you're going to need to readjust your version of crazy toots. Not to say serial killers are everyday things, but dude you haven't even seen pixies yet."

"Kat, I can get into a lot of trouble for..." Tim's ears were burning. "Enjoying this. Vivienne will skin me. Come on, I get it...I was a jerk." He kept his hands up in the air. "How about you sit on the couch and tell me about them." He breathed out slowly.

"Legal age of consent's sixteen, so you've got about a month for that to remain a valid excuse." Kat replied smoothly as her fingers worked their way gently through his hair. "Vivienne's more likely to be pissed off at me for harassing you than the other way around toots. You couldn't take advantage of me if you tried." She continued smirking. "And my enjoyment of this has absolutely nothing to do with the fact that you were a complete jerk this morning."

Tim held his breath as Kat's fingers went into his hair. "Kat." He tried to smile. "I-I, say maybe we go find D too or Arin...or Arey...." Where was Vivienne? Where was anyone else? He couldn't tell her that she was a kid and it wasn't okay, he tried to do that gently already.

"As a jerk though I should pay big time right? I mean you should be ignoring me, make me worry about what you are going to do to punish me, more costume talk..."

"And ruin the surprise? You won't blush nearly as red if you know what's coming beforehand." Kat teased. "I noticed you were getting chummy with Arey." Kat acknowledged with a slight note of displeasure showing up in her voice before she masked it under humor and her usual racy teasing. "That mean you two are finally up for that blondey sandwich?" She asked leaning in closer.

Tim looked shocked. "Oh uh no just offering my support. She had a really bad day you know. Woke up with a carving in her stomach, watched a murder...kind of takes its toll on a person. I wanted to be there for her. Team and all." He leaned back a little as Kat came closer.

"Kat..." He whispered her name. She was pushing the teasing much further than normal and he didn't know what to do.

"Yeah, and being a team player for that kind of thing is grabbing a blanket and a box of tissues and talking about it. I know what flirting looks like." Kat replied flatly as she sighed in frustration when she watched Tim shrink away again.

Tim frowned. Holy fuck...she is jealous? He felt terrible. "Look Kat, I'm allowed to flirt a little right? I didn't mean to upset you. Arey and I are just getting to know each other, flirting happens." Why am I defending myself to her? Arey's beautiful. Kat's... He looked her over and realized he hadn't really looked at her closely. She is young and pretty. Too young. Vivienne will shoot you, she will and she is scary.

In other words none of my business. Kat saw it the second the thought crossed his mind. He saw her as a child, and he was never going to take her or anything she tried to initiate seriously, she could see it in his eyes. For one brief moment, Kat's whole demeanor crumpled into misery before she quickly schooled it under a mask of indifference.

"Who said you upset me?" Kat said standing up. This wasn't fun anymore, and she just wanted to wallow alone in her room. "Got it, I'm not your keeper." She said turning on her heel to head back to her room. She wasn't hunger anymore either.

Tim frowned. "Kat!" He watched her walk away. "God damn it..." He put his head in his hands. "Big mouth strikes again." How had that gone that badly? He was doing the right thing. He stood up and stomped off towards Arin's apartment.

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

Deirdre was still on her knees, her phone at her ear. "I am not coming home. No I don't want you to come get me. Dad...dad please tell mom to stop...I am going to hang up now. I really, really need to go. I can't handle....No I am not drinking..."

She was shaking. The conversation was going on much longer than she wanted. There was no escaping it though, they were far too worked up to be brushed off.

"I am fine. I am going to class, I have friends..." She choked a little on the words. "I need to go. We can talk later."

Deirdre growled, "I am hanging up now! Do not come here and I am not coming home." She hit end on the phone and put her hands to her face. She started crying. It came in such a rush that she wasn't sure it would ever stop.

Arey listened to the tail end of Deirdre's phone call from the hallway, heart heavy as she pieced together a bit of Deirdre's relationship with her parents. Controlling with a side of emotional black mail...sounds familiar.

Arey wanted to give D her space, allow her to stand on her own as she told her parents no. The first time was always hardest, and she needed to do it herself. As soon as the call ended however, and the sound of Deirdre's sobs came through the doorway, Arey bolted to her side. If she couldn't take any of the pain away, at least she could be something to hold onto.

Someone was by her side and Deirdre turned and wrapped her arms around the person. Her whole body was shaking. She clung tightly to them. It hurt. Everything hurt. Her chest heaved.

"I've got you, don't worry." Arey said gently as she held on to Deirdre, rocking them both slowly. "Whatever you need, get it all out." Arey continued, rubbing a hand soothingly on her back.

Deirdre let Arey hold her. She tried to get the sobs to slow down but the day had finally gotten to her. "I-can't-get-her-face-out-of..." Deirdre hugged Arey tighter. She choked and gasped.

She was trying to stop, to come back to the present. There was a lot of other things to focus on and her grief and frustration was not one of them. "I'm sorry..." Her face buried itself into Arey's neck.

"You have nothing to be sorry about." Arey replied fiercely. "You did nothing wrong ok. Whatever you need to do now, don't worry about it ok. It's your turn for someone to listen and give you what you need."

Deirdre moved back a little to look at Arey. "I need to...." She didn't know what she needed. She was upset, she was angry, she was frustrated. She hugged Arey again once more. Her tears soaked Arey's shirt at the shoulder. It went on for a few more minutes before she was finally too tired to keep crying.

Deirdre hiccupped. She sniffled and shifted so that her cheek rested on Arey's shoulder. A few more deep breaths and she was much calmer. "Thank you." She choked out the words followed by another sniffle. "Thank you for being here."

"Of course." Arey whispered, not letting go of her hold. "Do you want to talk about it? Believe it or not, I've got a bit of experience when it comes to difficult relations with parents." She offered gently.

Deirdre closed her eyes. "Yes...maybe....I don't know." She hugged Arey a little tighter. Deirdre took a shuddering breath. "I should let you go rest and eat." She felt muddled and scared. Everything was overwhelming. "You need to relax, you have had a long day."

"And so did you." Arey argued back gently. "Besides, I'm not really hungry anyway." She confided. The last thing she felt like doing was sleep either. She had a feeling any dreams she had tonight were not likely to be pleasant.

Deirdre pulled away. "Do you want to go someplace more comfortable? This floor is cold." She smiled to look happier. "I would like to shower, change my clothes...maybe talk later."

"Whatever you need." Arey agreed, standing up and helping Deirdre up as well. "Should we just use Kat's room? I think It would be weird using Arin's apartment, even if he's not here." Arey asked.

D stood. "I don't know. Kat's room might be crowded. I can sleep on the floor. Arin's...." She frowned. "Kat's room is best." She took Arey's hand. "Means a lot that you came to check on me."

"Well umm...if it's not too awkward we can just share the bottom bunk?" Arey suggested sheepishly. She didn't like the idea of Deirdre sleeping on the floor, but she didn't think Deirdre would let her offer to take it either. It seemed like the most logical option...

Deidre smiled weakly, "Sure, better than either on the floor right? Shower, pj's and bed...I don't want to be alone right now."

"You won't be." Arey promised taking Deirdre's hand as they walked back to Kat's room. Arey was a little surprised to see Kat there when they came in, but the teenager was brooding on the top bunk with headphones on, she Arey figured she would not be welcomed to comment.

Deirdre didn't let Arey's hand go as they walked. She was drained and exhausted. She knew that tomorrow would bring more conversations with her parents but for now it was quiet.

"Do you want first shower?" Arey asked Deirdre. She figured they should draw the line pretty firmly at sharing those, though a niggling little part in the back of her head that she was beginning to recognize as Arthur heartily disagreed. The sensation was weird, so she ignored it with gusto.

Grabbing her bag from the floor she nodded. "If you are sure you don't mind." She felt a bit like a ghost, drifting from one room to the other. She was only vaguely aware of Kat's presence in the room. Her eyes were on Arey. "I will try not to take too long." Deirdre wanted to shower but she also wanted to go to Arey and bury her face in her neck again. It was hard, when she was so emotional vulnerable to keep Guinevere at bay. The draw was harder to ignore and Deirdre wasn't sure she had the fight in her right now to do it.

"Yeah, that's fine." Arey reassured gently as she released Deirdre's hand to let her go take her shower. She felt like is she didn't let go of the other girl now, she never would, and some hot water and time to process would do them both a lot of good.

Deirdre nodded and headed to the bathroom. The shower was hot. The bathroom steamy as she tried to let the day go. There were more tears but they were quieter. When she stepped out Deirdre felt like there was no energy left in her body. She pulled on a tank top and a pair of shorts.

"All done." Deirdre came out of the bathroom, brush in hand and wet hair hanging down her back. "Your turn." She smiled at Arey, tiredly.

By then, Kat had taken out her earphones and was staring moodily at the ceiling. Arey wanted to ask what had happened, but didn't know how well received the question might be, so she left it alone. When Deirdre came out of the bathroom, Arey stood and grabbed her bag.

"Ok, I'll try to be quick." Arey promised with a slight smile as she headed into the bathroom.

Deidre looked up at Kat. "Want to give me a hand?" She held up her brush. "I don't think I have the energy to get the brush through my hair. I refuse to cut it though. Silly I know, you'd think I'd want to make it all gone but I like it and I finally get to wear it out."

She sat down on the lower bunk with a sigh. "Can tomorrow be better? Is there some way we can make that happen?"

"Sure." Kat said simply, swinging her legs over the bunk and plopping down before taking up the brush. When D asked about tomorrow being better, Kat just shrugged.

"You are unusually quiet. What's up?" Deirdre closed her eyes and let Kat brush her hair. "Not in the mood for a slumber party? Don't worry I am too tired for pillow fights. That is what goes on right? Never been to one."

"Me either." Kat replied as she gently stroked D's hair with the brush. "Being fifteen sucks ass. No one every takes you seriously. I might as well walk around in pig tails and frilly sundresses for all anyone ever looks at me." Kat could help getting out.

"No one takes you seriously? I think you are way more mature than any of us. Where is this coming from? Where is the kick ass girl who tried to get me to see who I was, who tried to fight off those weird women? Where did Batman go?" Deirdre reached back and grabbed Kat's free hand. "What's with all the doubt? I thought that was my job."

"She got demoted to Batgirl by Robin." Kat sulked. "And I don't doubt myself, I'm just tired of being a teenager and treated like I'm fragile. Hell, I'm almost sixteen, I'm barely two years younger than you guys, but he's got no problem making goo goo eyes with the coeds!" Kat said in frustration.

"You are gonna have to help me here...I don't know who Robin or Batgirl are..." Deirdre frowned. "He? Who is...Oh...you are talking about Tim aren't you?" Deirdre turned to face Kat. "Hey, don't let some boy get you out of sorts. Speaking as someone that people treat as fragile and a whopping nineteen years of age I have some advice, some good advice that was given to me. Show him, prove him wrong. He sees some kid, maybe it is because he is worried and being overprotective of everyone so show him he is overreacting."

Deirdre smiled. "Come on there are lots of guys who would love to flirt with you."

"I've really got to assign you some homework." Kat sighed as she reached under the bottom bunk and pulled out a crate filled to the rim with comic books, most of them Batman related.

"How exactly do I do that?" Kat asked miserably. It's not like she could magically make herself look older or something. "You mean like make him jealous?" Kat asked puzzled when she mentioned flirting with other guys. Her mind turned briefly to the guy she'd met earlier at the arcade who'd seemed oddly into her.

"I don't know to be honest....I have never had a boyfriend, never really had a guy's attention." Her cheeks flushed a little. "Minus Arin kissing me today but that isn't the same. I don't think making him jealous will work. If Tim thinks of you a young woman and someone he can't flirt with then you can't make him jealous, he will just be happy for you. Prove to him that you are smarter than he is, tougher and his attention is nice but you don't need it. Sounds good right?" Deirdre shrugged.

"So....I have to read these to know what you are talking about?"

"Pretty much." Kat replied indicating the comic books. It was hard to feel like a superhero when the person you most wanted to acknowledge that fact didn't seem to agree, but she got what D was saying. Maybe she should just swear off dick for a while. Boobs were nice too...

"You know if you're still up for that pillow fight, I'm totally game for some hot chick action." Kat said with a lewd grin and a wink, tired of sharing her self-pity and slipped the cheerful incorrigible teenage sidekick mask back into place.

Deirdre smiled, "Hair first then we can talk pillow fight." She turned her back to Kat again. "I will read the comics, it will give me something to think about other than what is going on outside these walls."

"I'd totally be up for a tickle fight too." Kat said wiggling her eyebrows are she hugged Deirdre from behind.

Deirdre laughed, "After today I don't know that I have the energy for either." She squeezed Kat's arms. "Did Arin make it back from his ride? Do you know?" She was worried about him but tried not to sound too interested or concerned.

"No clue." Kat said honestly. "It might be a while still. He like the freedom of riding." She explained.

"Glad to see you're both looking to be in better spirits." Arey replied as she came out of the bathroom, finished with the shower and brushing her teeth, she'd changed into a pink t-shirt and blue running shorts for pajamas. She walked over toward the bed and sat on the other side, letting Kat and Deirdre finish their hug.

"Letting someone brush your hair for you does wonders for a person as does discussing comics." Deirdre point to the crate. "And how dumb boys can be." She adjusted in Kat's arms a little.

"Which is why we have to dress them up in embarrassingly skimpy outfits and threaten to post them on the internet." Kat chipped in cheerfully, which was almost creepy considering the implication.

"Sounds healthy." Arey replied awkwardly, having seen a couple of those outfits she was talking about. Poor Tim...

"Skimpy outfits? I don't think I want to know." Deirdre slid backwards on the bed till her back was against the wall. "At least these guys actually look at girls. Do you know how few guys like that are in a dance school? Not that you can date or even have time for that but would have been nice sometimes." She sighed a little and yawned.

"Good point." Kat agreed lightly. "Nothing worse than eye candy that's blatantly not interested." She mused thinking of Tim's ass, and then his insanely pretty blue eyes that would normally look weird on a guy but he somehow managed to pull off.

"No, there is something worse...." Deirdre said though mostly to herself. "I am ready for bed...what about you two?"

"Yeah, I'm getting up early tomorrow to run." Arey agreed. Kat shifted enough to let Deirdre go, but didn't leave the bed just yet. "You know if you want, I'm still up for that blondey sandwich..." Kat said suggestively.

Arey cleared her throat as her cheeks flushed. "I-uh don't think..."

Deirdre smiled, "But I'm not blonde. You hiding someone else in here?" She nudged Kat a little. "I think Arey needs a rain check on that sort of thing, her stomach needs to heal." She smiled at Arey.

"Well that's the point sugar bear." Kat said winking. "We're the blondes and you're the tasty chocolate filling." Arey's face looked about as red as a tomato and felt like she might choke on air.

It was Deirdre's turn to blush. "Kat you are amazing." She looked at Arey, her eyes growing wide. "Arey, Arey breathe...Kat you broke her..." She scooted on the bed to kneel next to Arey. "Maybe not tonight, though you paint an interesting picture miss Kat." She took Arey's hand. "Been an emotional roller coaster today."

"I'm...ok." Arey got out, trying to banish the picture of being naked with Deirdre out of her head. So much for not making this weird...

"Why thank you. such flattery and I haven't even gotten to demonstrate my prowess yet." Kat chirped. "Let me know if you two change your minds." Kat said in parting before climbing back to the top bunk.

"Night Kat." Deirdre looked at Arey and whispered, "Hey you want me to sleep on the floor? I don't want to make you uncomfortable..." She gave Arey's hand a light squeeze and with her other hand moved a piece of Arey's damp hair from her face. Every fiber of her core wanted to hug Arey, to lay down and curl up with her. Deirdre tried to stifle the feelings, to stifle the urge. Though refreshed from the shower, emotionally she was still weaker than she'd like and it was harder to hold back.

Arey held her breath for a moment as Deirdre touched her hair. Part of her wanted to wrap her arms around the other woman, pull her in and hold her close throughout the night. To give and receive the physical comfort they both cried out for silently. "No...stay." Arey whispered, not daring to let herself say more.

Deirdre nodded and moved to pull the covers back. She laid out near the wall, "Easier for you to go for your run if you are on the outside." She kept her voice low, just a whisper. Sitting up she reached for Arey's hand and pulled her towards her. "Thank you...I...I really didn't want to be alone. I don't want you to feel awkward though..."

She laid down on the pillow and turned to face Arey. "I hate always feeling alone...with Heather gone I thought I no longer had anyone but...maybe not...she is the only friend I have ever really had. Was...was my only friend.."

"You're not." Arey assured, letting Deirdre pull her closer. "It's not awkward, I just keep feeling like I'll do something that will freak you out. I mean I'm not...you know...but I..." Arey didn't really know how to explain her sudden bursts of attraction and intimacy when she was around Deirdre. She wasn't into women, was fine with those who were, but she'd always been attracted to men before. Arey wasn't really sure how she should deal with this, but at the moment she didn't really have the will to put up a fight.

Deirdre smiled tiredly, "I understand. Trust me...I don't have the energy to worry about it right now though and you won't freak me out. I think we might be beyond that...." She closed her eyes. "Can I do anything to help make you worry less?" She opened her eyes once more, looking into Arey's. "I can tell you again there is nothing at all you can do to make me freak out." Guin was pushing, pushing for closeness, pushing for intimacy and Deirdre needed it, she knew that. Not the way Guin wanted it but she didn't care right now. The closeness, the support, the knowing there was someone there is what mattered. "Would it help or hurt if I held your hand to reassure you?"

"I don't know." Arey replied honesty, taking her hand anyway. The touch tingled, like the skin was somehow electrically charged, and Arey shivered. For once in the past two days, it was the pleasant kind. Arey desperately wished that Deirdre was right, and that whatever was about to happen wouldn't freak either of them out.

Deirdre sighed softly as Arey took her hand. She moved a little closer so that she didn't have to stretch her arm at all to reach. "Nothing hurts so far." She closed her eyes. "We'll be okay. We have to be. There is a lot to do and we can do it, together. I believe in you, in us." Her breathing shuddered a little. Arey smelt of soap and something else that Deirdre couldn't place. The bed was warm and comfortable.

Arey lent over without thinking, and kissed Deirdre's forehead softly. "Always..." She said gently, holding Deirdre in an intimate embrace that neither of them seemed able to break.

"No one's having sex in my room unless I'm involved." Kat called dryly from the top bunk.

Deirdre inhaled as Arey kissed her forehead. She moved closer to her. "Still doesn't hurt." Her arm draped over Arey. "Not everything is about sex..." She said a little louder, hoping to put both Kat and Arey at ease.

There was a connection, a draw to Arey that Deirdre didn't fight. She wanted to be closer, needed to be close to someone. In the back of her mind there was contentment, there was love. Deirdre felt able to really rest for the first time in her life.

"Everyone says that until it is." Kat mumbled, but didn't comment further.

"Good." Arey sighed, feeling exhausted but relaxed, and hoped this night their dreams wouldn't be plagued as they fell asleep in each others arms.

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

Tim went into Arin's place and headed right to the fridge. Grabbing a beer he flopped onto the couch. "Women are so frustrating!" He turned the tv on and sat there staring at the screen as he drank.

Today could not have gone worse.

He was on his third beer about forty five minutes later. He was a bit drunk. He was changing the channel on the tv unable to find something to keep his attention.

Arin came back into the apartment, helmet under his arm, dressed in racing leathers, "Hmph. Toss me one of those."

Tim grabbed a beer and tossed it towards Arin. "Today fucking sucked."

Arin caught the beer deftly and put his helmet in the front closet. He popped open the beer and took a long drink to prevent it from over flowing.

He sat down next to Tim, "Yup. What happened to you?"

Tim took a drink. "Well your sister straddled me and I ended up insulting her while being very careful not to insult her. Cause I can't even do that. I put my foot in my mouth so many times....and your sister, man why does she have to do that? I think I made her jealous. How? Why? I am older than she is, she shouldn't be straddling me."

Arin looked at Tim, "You really haven't figured that out yet? Think. What is the common theme every time you've made Kat mad at you?" Arin took another swig of beer, giving Tim time.

"I told her or somehow hinted that she was a kid. But I didn't this time! I swear. She can't go straddling someone! She is fifteen! I can go to jail. She is cute and all but Arin..."

Arin nodded, "You told her that, I bet."

Tim looked over at him, "I didn't say it like that. But she called me out on flirting with Arey and I somehow upset her and it hit me that she was jealous but she really shouldn't be....right?"

Arin scratched his head, a little incredulous, "Tim. She's fifteen. Of course she should be. It was pretty much the only response that made any sense at all."

Tim slumped on the couch and took another drink. "This day fucking sucked."

"You should have went for a ride before drinking. Can't let you do it now." Arin turned back to the T.V. and took another long drink.

"I don't ride." He sighed. 'I think Arey is the only sane one. Where'd you go before your ride?" He looked at Arin. "D disappeared too."

"D asked to talk. I'm not about to say no to her for that."

"Thought you were staying away from both of them? Hey all the power to you if you can figure one of them out." Tim shook his head. "Kiss her again?"

Arin looked at Tim again, noted the empties around him, "You get that one because you've been drinking. I suggest you refocus your line of questioning and try again."

Tim nodded, "D okay?"

"Much better. Yes and no. She is not going to be having a fun time with her parents. But she wants to stay. That's a positive change." Arin finished his beer.

"Arey went to go check on her. I should have gone but Kat..." Tim took the last drink of his beer. "You aren't having an easy time either I guess. Bed. I am getting up at six to go running with Arey." Tim stood, wobbling a little. "Just gonna clean up."

"Sure man. I'm fine. I figured out where I need to be. It'll be... interesting. But I have something to focus on. Don't exhaust yourself on the run. I have your first lessons all planned out. Yes, plural." Arin stood up and went toward his bedroom door.

"No worries. Plan to get sweaty and warmed up." Tim cleaned up the cans and then flopped onto the couch. "Is your place, where you need to be better than where I am? Cause your sister is frustrating man..." He closed his eyes.

Arin shrugged, "Grass is always greener. Sleep on it. Kat is Kat. Not all bad to be liked by someone."

"I know. I know. I like being liked cause I was an ass..." Tim rolled to his side. "You like to be liked...D likes you. Arey…has nice hair. She is awesome..." He fell asleep.

"You got it." Arin said as he opened his door, shaking his head.

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

Tim woke up and though not hung over he certainly wasn't feeling entirely one hundred percent. He groaned as he sat up and ran his hands through his hair. He hadn't even bothered to undress, simply laid out and fell asleep. He rolled his neck, stretching stiff muscles as he stood and headed to the bathroom, grabbing his bag to take with him.

He was happy to find workout clothes in the bag along with his toiletries. He wondered how Viv had gotten in and what she had told his roommates if they had even seen her that is. Tim washed his face, brushed his teeth and pulled on clothes for running. Tying his shoes he was out the door and done in the bat cave just before six.

The next morning, Arey awoke to find her limbs intertwined with another’s. There hadn't been any nightmares, for which she was eternally grateful, and seeing Deirdre's sleeping face next to her was a far more pleasant experience, if a bit confusing. She removed herself from the bed gently, so as not to wake up Deirdre or Kat, and shuffled to the bathroom to go through her morning routine. By the time she had finished, Arey had slipped on her running shoes and put her hair up in a high ponytail before leaving Kat's room quietly for the main chamber. Tim was already there when she entered, and Arey managed a sleepy greeting as she began to stretch.

Tim smiled as he watched Arey come down the hall. "Morning, sleep well?"

"Very." Arey replied with a smile as she spread her legs and bent over the right. "Did you? Kat seemed a little glum when we came back. I didn't know if you both had had a row, but you seem to take it hard when that happens."

Tim watched as Arey bent over and silently wished he was behind her. He gave his head a shake, cheeks turning pink. "Me...well I fell asleep, a bit drunk on Arin's couch so....yes?" He let out a slow exhale when she mentioned Kat. "She was laying on the flirting a little thick and I was trying to you know...not end up in jail for accidentally doing something with a minor and she got upset. I think she was jealous because we were talking. I don't get it. I mean, she teases and stuff but maybe she is just mad cause I was treating her like a kid. Which I wasn't just as a minor. You know cause she was in my lap and straddling me and that is so not something I want people to misunderstand. I was not taking advantage."

"If it makes you feel better she propositioned Deirdre and I both last night...at the same time." Arey said clearing her throat. "I'm sure she'll be alright. We’ve all had crushes we acted batty for at that age. Can't blame you for trying to be noble." Arey said with an understanding smile as she switched to the left leg.

Tim nodded, "Thanks..." His words came out automatically but his thoughts were centered around the women and a bed. Tim looked away from Arey, afraid that his thoughts were readable on his face. "Glad to know she will be okay. I like her, I do. She is really cool, just not really a good thing to flirt. You on the other hand." He turned giving her a smile.

With a chuckle he gestured to the door. "Ready? I will leave you in the dust. Don't think I am gonna slow myself just cause you are a girl. I have a feeling you are way tougher and faster than most."

"You are welcome to try." Arey teased in return as they headed out the door. "I'm not planning to go easy on you either. Care to make this race interesting?" Arey asked with a raised brow.

"You mean something more interesting than watching you stretch? Sure, name it." Tim smiled, arms crossed.

Arey chuckled. "Flatter all you like, but I'm still going to leave you in the dust." Arey smiled. "I was thinking more like a bet. Any suggestions for the terms?"

"No Robin outfits...no short shorts. Other than that....Dinner, you and me." He felt daring all of a sudden.

"From what I heard that's in the works either way." Arey joked. "Done. And if I win, which is the entirely more likely option, what should I get?" She teased.

"Well, what do you want?" Tim smiled. "I am at your service."

"Hmmm." Arey mused for a moment. "I'll let you know after I win." Arey decided. "No short shorts, no costumes, I promise."

Tim looked at Arey with mock concern. "Alright, I guess I can trust you." He took off to the door. "Come on slow poke!"

Arey grinned as she took off behind him, determined to close the early gap. "Say that after you've lost." Arey challenged.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Forty minutes later, Arey finished their race in a full out sprint toward their finish point at the central fountain in the middle of alumni garden at Ambrose. The campus wasn't far at all from the electronics store that serves as their entrance back into the real world, and the campus itself had some excellent running routes. Central Park was her favorite place to run, but the athletic side of campus was a close second, especially near the gardens.

"I won." Arey panted once she reached the fountain, grin splitting her face wide. "Good run, you had me on my toes there for a while." She complimented before taking a drink from the water fountain.

Tim ran and slowed as they approached the fountain. He took a bunch of deep breaths but was smiling broadly. "Great run and yes I concede defeat to you. What would you like for your hard won victory and know that I will be better next time." He had his hands on his hips, moving his legs a little to keep them from growing stiff.

"Ice skating." Arey said after a moment, thinking it over. "I've always wanted to try, but I've never had the chance. Think you can teach me how to skate?" She remembered Tim said he played hockey, and she thought it might be something they'd both enjoy. And if they happened to grab dinner together after that, well everyone won then she thought smiling.

"Oh..." Tim inhaled slowly. He looked uncomfortable for a moment. "Arey, I-" He took a deep breath. "Sure Arey. We can do that." He looked at the ground. Tim really wanted to take her out, do something fun with her but he didn't have the heart to tell her he hadn't stepped foot on the ice since the accident. "I might be a bit rusty though." Tim looked up at Arey and smiled. "I would love the chance to take you on the ice." It has been long enough. She has never been. I want to do that for her.

"You sure?" Arey asked concerned. She hadn't expected the hesitation, she'd thought it could be something fun to do together that he was good at. Maybe I should stop trying to be creative with my choose of dates. Arey thought sullenly. Last time I picked the venue things didn't end well either.[i/]

"Perfectly sure. I just..." Tim sat on the fountain. "I haven't skated since the accident. I kind of...I don't know felt like I didn't deserve to go back there. I had to learn to walk again and others weren't as lucky. I just looked at the ice as a place I lost." Tim rubbed his legs. "That being said the chance to take a pretty girl out is enough to make me realize that it has been long enough. I [i]want to take you out on skates Arey. I'd love the chance to see you laughing as we try and get you to glide around. I just psyched myself out a little." He looked up at her. "Not you at all, I don't want you to think I wasn't sure about you. My own past and that needs to stay in the past." Tim smiled. "You, me and some skates. I love it."

Arey listened to him a little in awe. He'd taught himself to walk again, which was amazing in itself, and here he was racing with her and proving an actual challenge. "Do you have any idea how incredible you are?" Arey blurted without thinking. She felt horrible at first, thinking she was pressuring him into something he wasn't ready for, but his reassurances helped put her a little at ease. "Ok then. I'll be sure to cling to your arm the entire time as I try not to fall on my face." Arey promised.

Tim turned beet red. "I can't think of anything I'd like better than you on my arm as I hold you up." He managed to get the words out with only a little difficulty. She had floored him with her statement. "We do this soon...like tomorrow night. I will make some calls okay? I don't want to wait, I don't want us to get caught up on something. Maybe tonight...do you want to go tonight?" Tim was a bit flustered, both from her exclamation and from his own eagerness to take her out. He stood and smiled. "You say when and I will make it happen."

Tim couldn't remember the last time he'd been this excited and even the thought of getting on the ice, the small bit of nagging guilt couldn't bring him down in this moment.

His excitement was contagious. "Tonight's good, why not?" Arey grinned, happy to see him look so happy. "Think we'll be sore after Arin's training session?" Ask asked humorously. "I believe he promised us quite the thrashing with wooden swords."

Tim grimaced, "He promised me a thrashing many times over with the sword. You not so much. I bet he works us hard but I will ignore every bit of pain for a date with you. It will be worth it. I will make those calls as soon as we get back. I got a few friends who can make things happen." He smiled once again. "I am glad you beat me. Maybe you will even let me treat you to a hot chocolate after. Tradition you know."

"Well I simply cannot allow than now can I?" Arey teased in reply. "I will of course endeavor to defend you fair Sir from the assault of our tyrannical swords master." She finished saddling up beside him. As the talk turned to coco, Arey's smile was more carefree. "You've to but say the word chocolate, and I'll be putty in your hands." She joked in easy agreement.

Tim raised an eyebrow, "Putty in my hands...I like it. You shall have your chocolate, have no fear." He grabbed her hand, "Oddly I am totally okay with you defending me from Arin though I do deserve quite a few of those hits." He pulled her lightly, "Come on, I have a whole new burst of energy now that my evening is looking so amazing."

"Looking to get beaten twice in one morning are you?" Arey teased as she let Tim pull her up. She was looking forward to tonight as well, and the thought helped her keep her mind off the craziness that the rest of her life had descended into. Maybe the both really needed this slice of normalcy.

Tim left the training room. He was a bit slower going as his legs decided to give him a hard time with the stairs to Arin's apartment. By the time he got into the main living area he was winded once more. Grabbing some comfortable clothes he moved to the bathroom.

Tim couldn't remember a shower that had ever felt so good in his life. The hot water penetrated his skin, leaving his already tired muscles relaxed. When he stepped out and dried off he knew it wouldn't be long before he was asleep on the couch. Leaving his shirt off, he pulled on the sleep pants Viv had packed in his bag, brushed his teeth and ran a comb through his hair.

He took the time to stretch his legs and arms, in particular his shoulders though the couch called out invitingly. Tim knew better than to just lay down though. He wanted full range of motion for tonight. Once he was sure he was stretched out enough Tim laid out on the couch and was asleep quickly. Sleep was deep and dreamless until the end.

When he woke, Tim was refreshed but a little stiff. He stretched once more, going easy on his muscles but letting them loosen up. Tomorrow and the next day his body would hurt but for now a little stiffness was fine. He pulled his shirt on and headed down to the batcave and then the kitchen to grab a snack. The workout and nap had left him starving. The place seemed quiet so Tim figured everyone else had taken a nap as well. He smiled thinking of Arey all rested and ready to skate. Sandwich made, milk poured Tim sat and tucked into his meal.

By 7:30 that evening he was dressed and waiting for Arey in the batcave. Tim was nervous but it was the excited kind of nervous. He was dressed in jeans, a sweater and a jacket overtop that was lighter than a regular winter coat and allowed him free movement with his arms. He had a scarf draped loosely over his neck and a pair of gloves tucked into his back pocket. He checked his phone. The texts promised him that everything was in place. All he had to do was take Arey on a drive, get to the rink and see where the night took them.

After training, Arey had walked with Kat back to her room and taken a shower. The hot water felt beyond wonderful to her aching muscles, and it felt good to be clean. She'd come out of the workout alright comparatively, though Arey knew she'd still be sore tomorrow like everyone else. Tim's suggestion for a nap sounded better by the moment, and after about five minutes of stretching, laid out on the bottom bunk and was out like a light.

A few hours later, Arey felt refreshed, and the pre-date butterflies started up again as she did her makeup and tried to pick out an outfit. She settled on a red loose knit sweater over a white long sleeve shirt paired off with light colored jeans and her sneakers. Over that, she wore a light jacket and white textured infinity scarf. Arey was satisfied that she looked nice, but it was an outfit that would take ruffling well, considering she might spend a lot of the evening trying not to fall on her face.

By 7:32, Arey was heading out toward the bat cave, ready and a little nervous, but the excited kind. When she saw Tim, she smiled. She liked that he looked like he'd gotten himself all done up for their date. "You look quite dashing with your cute little scarf and everything."

Tim blushed and casually looked down. "Well..." He brought his eyes back up to her. "You look really, really pretty Arey." He reached out and fingered her scarf. "I like this. Really frames your face and makes your eyes stand out. Going to be hard to stop looking at you, you know."

"As long as you don't slack in your duties to prevent me from falling and embarrassing myself terribly, I promise not to complain." Arey joked, blushing lightly.

"Trust me I won't let you out of my sight and the closer I can be the better." Tim smiled. "Shall we? It is a bit of a drive out there."

"Yeah." Arey agreed easily. "You driving?" She asked.

"Hold up love birds." Kat said from the entry way. She held herself fairly placidly, and her eyes didn't convey much emotion. Wearing a blank mask for all intents and purposes Arey thought.

Tim panicked a little at the sound of Kat's voice. He watched her wary of what she might do and slightly bothered by how neutral she appeared. He didn't want her angry but he didn't like seeing her like this. Guilt hit him harder than he expected.

In one smooth motion, Kat tossed a pendant that looked like a round mechanical button at Tim. It was small and black, which meant it would blend in easily. "That's your panic button. None of us have a great track record leaving home base lately, so no one's leaving without one. You run into trouble, you hit that and we'll come find you."

Tim caught the button easily. He looked down at the device in his hand. "Smart. Great thinking Kat!" He looked up at her, a smile on his face.

Kat shrugged passively, not sure why Tim was putting on a show of being impressed by her. Wasn't he pissed at her or something? "It's just a converted security system with gps components. It only took me like two hours to build, no big deal."

"Only?" Arey mumbled to herself in slight awe. Technology in no way being her particular forte.

Tim shook his head, "You say that but that isn't a small bit of time. Thanks." He looked at Arey. "Ready? And I am not driving since that was Viv's car we took last time and I don't dare ask her to take it again. I called a cab. It is what every New Yorker does."

"Right. Very convenient." Arey replied in agreement. She wasn't afraid of Vivienne, but the idea of asking for her car was also unappealing.

"Cool. Don't get your faces eaten off." Kat said in parting before turning on her heal and retreating back to her Kat corner without further comment.

"Will do, thanks Kat!" Tim waved at her back. "Let's go then. It is waiting outside." He put an arm out to Arey.

"Yes, it was very thoughtful of you." Arey agreed before taking Tim's arm. "Lead the way."

Tim led Arey outside and opened the door of the waiting cab for her. He let her climb in before following and giving the driver the address. Tim closed the door and smiled at Arey.

Nervously, he took her hand. "So when we get there it will be closed, no public. I got us in after hours so you can take all the time you want and have the ice all to yourself except for me. There are loads of skates in the rental room so we will stop there first so you can find a pair that fit. Sound okay?"

"Sounds perfect. You weren't kidding about knowing some guys huh?" Arey said looking adequately impressed as she got into the cab with Tim. She liked the feel of holding his hand, the warmth of it with comforting and reassuring.

"Well you said you wanted to learn. If a guy can't call up some favours to impress a beautiful woman what else is he good for?" His thumb lightly brushed the back of her hand. "Not going to lie. Little nervous. I haven't been on a date in a long time and I really like hanging out with you. Hoping I don't mess this up." Tim gave Arey a small nervous smile.

"That makes two of us." Arey teased with an answering smile. "You're off to a pretty good start if that makes you feel better." Said said a little more seriously, though her eyes were still lit up with amusement, finding his earnest enthusiasm endearing.

Tim smiled a bit more. "It does make me feel better and more confident in my other surprises. Thank you by the way. I know you didn't know but I am actually looking forward to lacing up skates and I never thought I'd get that feeling again. I know you just wanted to learn, I just want you to know your request had a rather uplifting side effect."

"I'm happy I got to help you feel that way. I don't know much about the situation, having something you love taken away from you sounds horrible. I want you to have as much fun with this as I do." Arey said blushing, feeling humbled by the fact she was able to help Tim that way.

"I know I am going to have fun but I also want to get out there. Hard to explain but when you do something stupid you feel like you don't deserve that thing you loved anymore. I think enough time has gone by and you have given me a reason to move on from that little bit of guilt I have left. I want you to enjoy tonight. I want to make sure you love skating and ask me to take you again."

Tim squeezed her hand and then gently flipped it over so he could trace a finger along her palm. "So do you like New York? Is it better or worse than London?"

"It's different." Arey replied as he changed the subject, and Arey didn't feel like she should intrude on his personal memories. "London will always be home, but there's a lot of...baggage I left back there, and it's filled with bittersweet memories. New York's my clean break, a fresh start and new life. It seems kind of cliche to think that way, but that's how I felt when I came here." She tried to explain.

"Not cliche. Sounds like a perfect description. Sometimes a full break, new everything is needed." Tim inhaled as his eyes followed the movement of his finger on Arey's palm. Her skin is so soft.

He pulled his eyes up to her face. "So why soccer? A passion or something you had to do that it turns out you are naturally fantastic at?"

"I started playing when I was eleven. Just because some of my classmates were joining the team. I almost didn't do it actually. I was all gangly limbs and all sorts of awkward back then. I played piano and was kind of shy, so I never really pictured myself as an athlete. My mum was the one who wouldn't let me chicken out of it. I liked it when I joined, so I did it the next year too. When she died, I felt so angry and alone all the time that I just kind of...threw myself into it, I channeled everything into that because the alternative was too dark to think about. When I practised, I felt whole again, and for a little while I could pretend I was going home to our her and our tiny little apartment and not...where I was after." The conversation got insanely personal very quickly, but Arey felt strangely comfortable talking to Tim about it in ways she didn't with most people.

Tim turned her hand back over and pulled her a little closer. He wrapped her arm around his and leaned a little into her. "I didn't know your mom had passed. I mean I know you mentioned it to Viv but....You were young, that is hard on a person. You don't have to tell me but what about your dad? Sounds like you and your mom were on your own and she sounds like a pretty strong woman. Guess that is where you get it from." He leaned over and chanced a gentle kiss to the top of her head.

Arey leaned into the touches, finding them comforting in that moment of vulnerability. "My...biological father is a politician, I guess you'd equate it to something like a senator or congressman. He hasn't announced it publicly yet, but he wants to be Prime Minister one day. He's ambitious like that. It wouldn't surprise me if he announced his bid for the next election." Arey explained with a lack of warmth she had when she spoke of her mother.

"I lived with him after my mom died, and at the hospital was the first time I'd even met him. The love child of an office tryst with a secretary, I was Lord Henry Byron's great PR nightmare." Arey recalled with a kind of cynical humor and emotional detachment that comes from bitter disappointment and shattered expectations.

Tim moved to put his arm around Arey now. "Sounds like he might be a bit of an ass. He can stay over there, we'll keep you. Clearly you are better than he is anyway. So tell me why law or medicine? You know they are like the toughest subjects right? And yes we discussed this a little, so sue me for enjoying listening to you talk about yourself."

"It's his wife who's the real Ice Queen. Henry just...in the end, it's always about him. Whatever grand gesture he makes, even the small personal ones that make you begin to think he really cares, at the end of the day you'll never be more important than what you can do for him." Arey clarified. Henry wasn't intentionally unkind, but his blatant ignorance regarding his own behavior and entitled attitude was its own kind of cruelty.

"I've always liked law." Arey began, trying to explain. "Specifically though, International law. I think trying to negotiate for the expansion of universal human rights and liberties is one of the most noble jobs in the world. I've just always been fascinated by the subject."

"I thought about medicine a lot after my mom died. I guess when you're a kid and you're helpless and you watch your parent die slowly in a hospital bed, you just start to fantasize about how to save them. I used to just think that if I were just old enough, if I were the doctor, I could make her better." Arey elaborated. "It's silly really, but I just kind of stuck, the idea of being a doctor I mean."

"Not silly. Both of those careers let you help people. Different ways but you can help. It is why I want to be a lawyer to help, especially those who get taken advantage of. International though that is big. Lots of variations, lots of things that can come up. I always wanted to stick closer to home but still looking out for human rights of those in my own country. You wouldn't believe the things that people are capable of." Tim laid his head lightly on hers. The topic was heavy and he didn't want to whole date to be weighed down. "Do you like Ambrose?"

"So far yeah. I haven't really been here long enough to take off the rose colored glasses though." Arey admitted.

Tim chuckled, "Yeah after a year those go away and it is all work and books. You end up with good roommates at least? I never did the dorm thing. I moved right from home to an apartment. My first years it was with a couple of the other guys on the hockey team. After the accident, after the rehab it was with the guys I am with now. They aren't so bad."

Outside the cab the sky was a beautiful mix of blues, indigoes and bit of remaining oranges as the sun finished setting. The night was clear and the stars were starting to show.

"What happened exactly? If you don't mind me asking." Arey asked gently, giving his hand a squeeze in encouragement. Tim had been pretty cool about her opening up with the emotional baggage, she wanted to give him the chance to do the same. Sometimes talking about things made them lighter, especially when there was perceived guilt involved.

Tim looked down, eyes focusing on the top of Arey's head. "Well...I was on Ambrose's hockey team and typical jock guy. We partied, more than we should have and often. We were out late one night, driving around. I can't remember parts to be honest." His voice dropped. "I was in the passenger seat. Guy driving he...well he crashed the car. He didn't survive and I was in a coma. Guys in the back had it back too but we in the front took the worst of it. We were dumb kids and it cost us."

He squeezed her hand back. "I just I don't know....it was not a good time for me when I woke up."

"How could it have been?" Arey replied softly in sympathy. That was a lot of guilt and turmoil to try and process. She couldn't imagine how she'd react if she'd been the one in that car and someone had died. "You weren't the one driving, but I can't imagine how that must have felt. Just, don't punish yourself for it ok? You didn't force anyone in that car, and you were as much a victim of that as anyone else. You're too good a person to hold on to something like that." Arey said softly but firmly. She put her hand gently on the side of his face to make sure their eyes met as she told him that, trying to make him believe that.

Tim leaned into Arey's hand a little. "I have dealt a little with that. I know it wasn't just me but doesn't make it go away fully. I should have said something, should have made sure we were safe but I was dumb. These guys were my brothers, I played with them for two years. On the ice, off the ice...we were a family. Then one stupid decision changed everything. He died, I never played again and one of the other guys never played again. It changed everything." His voice was low and broke a little. "Look I'm sorry. I should have softened that story a little."

He tried to smile and bring things back to the more comfortable place they were before he started talking. He wasn't sure why he was so honest with her, he usually gave a shortened, less emotional version when people asked but with Arey it just flowed out. Tim reached up to put his hand on hers on his cheek. "Arey..."

Tim was going to ask her first but decided to stop talking and just leaned in to kiss her softly. It was gentle but lingering. When he finally broke the contact he took a slow deep breath in. His eyes opened slowly to look at her.

The kiss was gentle but emotional. They'd both opened up to each other about a lot of deeply personal things, and this felt like a desperate need to connect the same way on the physical level. When he pulled away, she leaned her forehead against his, trying to find the words after that to communicate how her felt to him.

"Family is a two way street. They should have been looking out for you too. It's not just your job to protect everybody all the time. You deserve to have somebody looking out and protecting you too." Arey said earnestly, closing the space between their lips and leaning in for a deeper kiss, trying to communicate that sentiment physically as well.

Tim's breath caught in his throat as Arey leaned in and kissed him. It was a deeper kiss than he had given her and it didn't take much for him to raise his hands to her hair. One hand cradled the back of her head, the other her cheek with his fingers twining with her blonde locks. His tongue grazed her lips. He could barely find the will to break the kiss in order to breathe once again. He gave her two slow gentle kisses as he struggled to slow his pounding heart. "I overcompensate now on the protection front, hazard of the past or pasts I guess...."

Tim opened his eyes to look into hers. "Your eyes are so amazing. Like the sky on a clear day. You smell good. Not sure what it is but I like it a lot." He had to talk about her, about things that were not so personal for a moment. He feared he might scare her off with how impactful that conversation and the kisses were. Slow, slow down, don't freak her out. Tim leaned in once more to softly kiss her once and then once again. His hand stroked her cheek a little and he still gently held the back of her head.

"That's kind of funny coming from you." Arey laughed lightly between kisses. "Your eyes are bluer than mine, pretty distracting actually." She admitted. "Orange blossom?" Arey thought out loud, a little disoriented by the kissing. "You smell good too. Allspice?" She asked teasingly. He smelled clean but with a sharp distinct kind of musk that was both distinctly male and comforting.

Tim pulled her in a little and kissed her once more. "Actually it is sandalwood and fig. I kind of have a thing for this all natural line of men's soaps." He chuckled lightly as he released Arey from the kiss. "And blue eyes are more intoxicating on a woman but I don't mind keeping you distracted."

"I'll politely disagree on that." Arey said lightly. "Your eyes are gorgeous too, and women go just as crazy for them. Sometimes we like being distracted too." She insisted. "Overcompensating or not, it's your turn to relax ok. Teammates. I'm gonna watch your back too. Ok?" Arey said firmly, running her fingertips gently through his hair.

Tim nodded slowly, "Teammates." He shivered a little under her touch. "Arey I coul-"

"We are here."

The cab driver's voice jarred Tim from his thoughts. He blinked and then looked at the driver. "Right, right...the rink." Very reluctantly he let Arey go, letting her hair run through his fingers as he did so. He pulled out his wallet and handed the driver some cash. "Thanks."

Tim opened the door and stepped out. He put a hand out for Arey. "Ready for this?"

"More than ready." She replied taking his hand as she stepped out of the car. The kissing had made her a little flushed, and her body was practically vibrating from the excitement of it, but she figured Ice Skating would be a good way to work some of that off. Or get back to doing that some more...

"Lead the way, this is your show." Arey smiled.

Tim looked over his shoulder at the rink. "Skating first then...maybe you will let me kiss you again." He held her hand as he led her to the rink's door. The lights were off except for the one on the sign. The place looked completely locked up but as they drew closer the door opened. "Evening. Nice to see you Tim."

"You too Uncle Joe. This is Arey. She has never skated before and I really appreciate you doing this for us." Tim held up their joined hands.

Joe chuckled. "Well sweetie I hope you enjoy it and don't fall too much." He nodded to Arey. He seemed to be in his late fifties, a ball cap on his head and flannel jacket on his torso. He completed the outfit with a pair of jeans and well worn work boots. "The place is yours Tim, you know where things are. Nothing has changed since you were here last. Does tonight mean we might see you back out there? There is a pick up league you know, they could use a few more bodies." Joe eyed Tim.

Tim smiled a little. "Not sure Uncle Joe. Right now I am only focused on Arey and teaching her how to skate. We can chat later okay?"

Joe chuckled and clapped Tim on the shoulder as the pair passed him. "Sure thing Timmy. I'd rather be paying attention to a pretty girl than talking to an old man too. Have fun you two."

Tim blushed at the nickname but kept moving, leading Arey to the left. "Let's start by getting you some skates."

"So, he's your uncle?" Arey asked curiously. Sometimes people just had the nickname uncle or were close family friends. "Didn't realize those connections were family." She mused conversationally as they headed toward the skates. He seemed like a nice man, and she hoped for both their sakes Tim would want to skate more after this. Joe looked genuinely happy to see Tim. Maybe she'd have to drag him out here skating more often.

"So Timmy huh?" She asked almost mischieviously, eyes lit with amusement and conspiratorial smile.

Tim blushed. "Not family no. His nephew is a buddy. We grew up skating here, played hockey as kids. Everyone calls him Uncle Joe." Tim rubbed the back of his head. "Yeah well only people who knew me as a kid call me that and most don't anymore. Just a few like Joe." He eyed Arey, "Don't go getting any ideas now."

He led her into a side door and behind the counter where cubbies full of skates were waiting. "So let's find your size and once we find it I'll take you to a bench and I'll do them up for you."

Tim moved through the shelves to grab a pair of skates for himself. His gear still sat in the bottom of his closet but he didn't mind using the rink's skates for tonight. "Go ahead and grab your size. They are all marked."

"I don't know, this Timmy guy sound kind of cute." Arey teased as she walked over toward the women's eights and grabbed a pair before walking back. "I might want to get to know him a little better."

"But I thought you found Tim dashing?" He joked. "Which one are you most likely to want to get close to?" Tim's eyebrow lifted slightly as he teased. "Come on." He reached out to take her hand once more.

"Oh very. Dashing and bashful and he's got these killer eyes too. Haven't met Timmy though, couldn't say." Arey teased back. "I'm betting I could find some pictures around here somewhere though if I tried..." She trailed off, taking his hand.

Tim sputtered. "Ugh well...maybe but hopefully I will keep you too occupied to snoop." His cheeks warmed as he thought about the trophy cabinet and the various pictures of the teams they used to have up there. With any luck his had been replaced by a newer generation of players and Arey wouldn't get to see little Timmy in his pee wee hockey days.

He led her to a bench and gestured for her to sit. "Take off your shoes and I will help you do the skates up. Have to make sure they are tight enough to support your ankle but loose enough that you don't cut off the circulation." Tim waited for her to sit and then knelt at her feet.

Silently, Arey vowed she was going to find those pictures. The thought of seeing Tim as an adorable eight year old in a jersey and holding a hockey stick was just too tempting. When Tim directed her to take off her shoes, Arey complied, taking off her sneakers and slipping her right foot into the skate and waited for his direction.

Tim lifted her foot from the ground and placed the blade gently on his thigh. He began pulling on the strings. "Tell me if it gets too tight okay?" He pulled and wove the strings around the small hooks. When they reached the top he began to tie it into a bow. "Next."

Arey repeated the process, quietly enjoying having Tim take care of her like this. She was normally so self reliant and stubbornly independent about these kinds of things, but it kind of felt nice to relinquish control and just let Tim take over for a while. Part of it was feeling comfortable with Tim, the other being pretty much out of her depth with the proceedings.

"Ok. Suppose I'll have to figure out how to walk in these." She commented looking over at the rink. It would no doubt be interesting to watch her try.

Tim chuckled as he did up her other skate. "Walking is easy enough but don't worry I will help you onto the ice. I will stay with you." He finished tying her skate. "Alright you sit and give me a second to get mine on. Oh..." He pointed down the bench. There sat a big flannel blanket and basket. Out of the basket sat a thermos and a bouquet of flowers. The flowers were a mix with various colours and types. "There are cups too and some treats hidden in there for later. This way you can keep in mind what you have to look forward to when you get tired of almost falling down."

Tim smiled up at Arey before slipping onto the bench beside her. He quickly removed his shoes and put his skates on. It was almost like no time had passed. They felt right on his feet and Tim smiled. He didn't realize how much he missed the feel of skates. Tim stood and held his hands out to Arey.

"You are going to spoil me. Rotten." Arey said shaking her head with a smile as she saw the flowers. It was an adorably romantic gesture, and she found it entirely endearing as she took his hand and they headed toward the rink. She paused a moment as they made it toward the ice. She wasn't afraid of it, but she was a cautious person by nature. She was just...mentally preparing as she gazed at the ice intently, forming a plan of attack. Despite her earlier joking, she had no intention of falling on her face and looking stupid in front of Tim. She'd much rather impress him with her natural athleticism. Maybe she'd be that lucky...

Tim couldn't help but smile as he helped Arey walk to the ice. The blades were odd to balance on as one walked to to watch her for the first time was a little amusing. "Okay, I am going to step out on the ice. You are going to step out after me. I am your target. You are going to feel like you are slipping and that is okay. Think glide. Slide a foot and then the other."

The rink was lit for them though the stands were completely dark. The ice had been freshly zambonied and shone smooth under the lights. Tim stepped through the open board and took two glides before turning. He held his breath for a moment at the feeling of the ice beneath his feet again. It was surprisingly emotional for him and he swallowed hard before looking up at Arey. "Okay don't try and walk. Hold the edge of the board and use one foot to cause the other to glide on the ice." It was so much easier to show and try than to explain but Tim vowed to do what he could so that Arey had a good time.

"Okay." Arey said before tentatively putting her skates to the ice. She tried to make her feet glide the way Tim had, and he was right, she did feel like she was slipping. It was bizarre and kind of terrifying, that seeming loss of control, and she twisted a bit, trying to catch her balance. The rules for how she'd do that normally though, didn't seem to apply here.

"Keep your knees bent, just a bit. If you go stiff you will fall." Tim watched as she stepped out. She seemed a bit off balance and he quickly skated towards her, scooping her around the waist.

"How about we move together and when you feel balanced you say so and I will let you go." Tim smiled at her. "Told you I won't let you fall if I can help it."

Arey smiled gratefully as he caught her before she could fall. "I trust you." She replied easily, because it was true. As the began skating together, she paid almost clinical attention to the way his body moved (though there were a few less platonic thoughts that slipped past the goalie there too) and tried to mimic that. She kept her knees bent like he instructed, and experimented a bit with how she should move her feet to get that glide.

"You have to lean a little forward, as odd as that seems. You are doing great though." Tim watched Arey as she played around with her footing. He kept a hand on her to help support her but didn't hold her too close, worried that she might not get the feel of skates and her own balance. There will be time later to get closer. "Are you enjoying this?"

Arey adjusted with Tim's advice, slowly finding her balance again, and beginning to become comfortable with her own movements. "Yeah, of course." Arey said a little breathlessly. She slid her hand into his, and allowed a bit more distance between them she they could both move a little more freely, and she continued practicing the little bits she'd learned, satisfied with her current progress. As long as she didn't fall, she considered that a win.

Tim was overjoyed that Arey was enjoying herself. He smiled more as she put more distance between them, getting more confidence the more they circled the rink. It showed evidence of their trek. The shiny surface now littered with lines from their skates. Tim could mark out where they had started, the marks close together as he kept Arey closer in. Where they gave a bit of space as she grew more steady and now were the marks ran parallel with the arm span between them.

"You are a natural. Just have to find that centre of gravity and you won't need me to hold you up. Then I just get to follow you and look at your backside as you skate." Tim chuckled and looked over at Arey.

"Well that hardly seems fair. What if I'd like to ogle your backside too? I think we'll need to switch off and take turns with that." Arey said with mock seriousness.

"But yours is a much, much nicer view." Tim pulled on her hand, forcing her into him. He wrapped his arms around her and stopped their progress. Looking down at her, he let one hand run through her hair. "You aren't too cold are you?" Tim's voice was low.

"Again with the polite disagreement." Arey grinned before Tim pulled her into his arms, and the butterflies started up again.

"Not at the moment." She said almost coyly, eyes hooded as she stared up at him. He was more than a little sexy when his voice went low and gravelly like that. "Are you?"

Tim shook his head a little, "No, not at all." His fingers brushed her temple and moved through her hair once more. "I am going to kiss you again...just fair warning." His voice was still low, his focus solely on Arey, on her eyes, the slight parting of her lips. His hand moved to the back of her head, the other to the small of her back as he held her close to stop her from possibly losing her balance. Tim kissed Arey. It was slow and deep. He let his tongue tease her lips, his hand move in her hair. His eyes closed as he savoured the moment of the two of them on the ice, air cold around them and the stillness of the rink. It was like time stopped for them.

Arey was definitely getting spoiled she decided absently, losing herself a little in the kiss. It was intoxicating, sharing this kind of closeness with a person, and everything else seemed to just fade off into the background. She opened her lips up for him invitingly as his tongue teased at her bottom lip, and the slow intimacy of it encouraged her forward, despite her inexperience.

Tim felt almost drunk with being so close to her. Arey's lips parted and Tim moaned softly as he let his tongue explore her mouth. He hadn't been close like this with someone before. He had made out with girls, slept with puck bunnies but it was more casual, never connected and never close like this. His hand on her back pulled her closer. His breathing grew heavier but slower as Tim took his time to taste her, making the kiss last as long as he could.

I get it now. Arey thought blissfully, enjoying herself and everything about this too much to think too deeply about it. This is why Amanda and the rest of them go so boy crazy all the time. I never knew you could even feel like this. Arey gave a breathy little moan, hearing Tim be as affected by this as she was brought on a new kind of high to the experience, and heat was pooling low in places that left her feeling needy and ache for something she couldn't really describe.

Tim slowly broke the kiss, giving them both a chance to breathe. His hand moved from her head down her back to join its mate. He ran them both back up along her spine. He enjoyed the way her body felt under his hands and he wondered what it would be like to hold her without her jacket or sweater in the way. Swallowing he tried to compose himself. "We should keep skating before we get too cold. There is hot chocolate waiting for us and maybe more of this...?" He kept his voice low, his eyes searching hers. He was fairly certain Arey had enjoyed the kiss but part of him wanted to make sure he wasn't moving too fast, doing too much.

"Right..." Arey said trying to compose herself again. She paused for a moment, biting her bottom lip before working up the courage to say. "I wanna see you skate. Really skate I mean. I'm holding you back here with this beginner stuff, but I want to see what you really look like when you skate. I think I can stay upright on my own and follow behind."

Tim inhaled slowly. He held her still, hands back on her lower back. "I don't...really?" He watched how her teeth had come down on her lower lip and he struggled to fight the desire to kiss her again. "Are you sure? It is nothing impressive and I haven't done it in a year or so." He didn't want to deny her anything but he worried that in the end him skating would simply be boring to her. They had come for her to learn, not for him to 'show off'.

"Yes." Arey said decisively, pupils still dilated from the kiss. "You greatly underestimate how sexy you look when you skate." Beautiful really, though she wasn't sure that adjective would be as well received. She'd always admired the like of grace and poise it took to skate, and Tim make it look easy. She definitely wanted to watch him skate, it was too tempting a prospect not to.

Tim blushed. "You keep calling me sexy and I will do anything you ask. Hell, who am I kidding I'd do anything you'd ask anyway...." He inhaled slowly and stood a bit taller. "Okay. I am going to let you go. You steady?"

"Yeah, I think I've got this bit down." Arey said smiling, gently urging him to go.

Tim let his hands loosen their hold but subtly lowered them. He squeezed Arey's backside before skating backwards from her, a mischievous smile on his face. "Oops...."

He skated backwards a little ways, watching her to make sure she was not going to immediately fall. He found his stride, going slow in case she needed help. He still felt like he was getting his feet back under himself. A year was a long time away from the ice but it felt natural to him. It was like going home again. Tim tried not to think about how much time he had spent in this very rink or the guilt, though small that nagged at him.

Arey made a small noise in pleased shock when Tim made the grab for her backside, blush in place but grinning. She watched him skate backwards, already impressed, and followed behind slowly, but steady. So far she was managing to keep herself on her feet. "Don't think I'm not going to return the favor!" She called out to him, grinning like a loon.

Tim kept skating backwards, smiling the whole time. He was thrilled she had taken the grope so well. He was worried. He had heard the English could be prudish but Arey seemed playful and he really didn't want to do something to screw this up. Her ass was just too tempting to resist. "You are welcome to return the favour anytime." She seemed to be doing fine and so Tim turned. He skated forward. At first his gait was slow and even as if testing himself. Tim didn't want to get too far in front of Arey but it didn't take long for the familiar pull of speed got him. His strides grew longer. Tim picked up speed on the straightaway and he tilted, gliding into the corners and around. He was grinning like a madman as the breeze he created brushed his face.

He had been a fast skater. His long legs and strong muscles serving him well. He developed that speed and by the time he was in University there were only a couple of guys on his team who could keep up. His fear after the accident, once he could walk again is he would never get that speed back. Tim wasn't as fast as his was then but there was the growing drive to go faster. Maybe I'll start skating again.

Tim came around the rink and up behind Arey quickly. He reached out one hand, pinched her backside and passed her, turning to skate backwards once again. "Huh...look what I did again." She was still standing. Maybe Arey will come back with me again. Turning once more he took off for another circle of the rink. His legs moved with an ease that he thought was gone. Muscles remembered even though it had been a long time.

Watching the happiness that radiated off Tim when he skated was magic. He was fast too Arey thought a little in awe at his speed. The competitive part of her wanted to join in, not used to being the slow one, but she had more sense than to try and push the delicate rhythmic glide she'd been able to establish. When he passed her again with a pinch, she decided to try anyway. She was definitely going to return the favor.

"Indeed. You had better watch your backside now Tim, I'm the competitive sort." Arey replied trying to make her strides a little longer and put on some speed to chase after him.

Tim raised his eyebrows a little, "Think you can catch me?" His feet crossed smoothly as he turned once more and began to skate once more with long strides. He looked over his shoulder at Arey, watching for a sign that she was over extending and might lose her balance. "Come on, shake the lead out or you will never catch up...." He teased.

"I going to try." Arey returned, a bit of determination slipping into her eyes. She moved her feet out a bit more, trying to extend out the strides to increase her speed. This was so different from running that she had to constantly think about every move she was making as she moved, which was throwing her off a bit.

"Tease now while you can, I'll be the one laughing when I catch yo-!" Arey indeed over extended, slipping forward and then tried to catch herself, which pitched her backward instead. "Buggering hell..." She didn't hit the ice too hard, having catch herself with her hands, but her backside still smarted a little. The bigger problem was trying to get up. "Well...I went longer than I expected I suppose." She mumbled looking on the bright side.

Tim pivoted as he watched Arey start to lose her balance. He pushed himself to get to her but he didn't cross the distance fast enough to catch her. Stupid. You left her too far behind. He slipped down to a knee beside her. "You okay?" He looked worried. "You were doing really, really well at it. I shouldn't have teased you." He put a hand out to her. "Let me help you up?"

"Yeah I'm fine." She assured, taking his hand as he helped her up. She smiled at him, seeing the worry on his face. She'd hadn't hurt herself, she'd just slipped, everyone she'd ever talked to about skating had done so a few times as well, nothing to feel bad about. "But what if I like it when you tease me?" Arey said playfully, not wanting him to feel bad about enjoying himself on the ice.

Tim smiled a little. He stood slowly, steadying Arey so she could stand as well. "It bodes well for me that you like me teasing you. I feel bad that you fell. Happens but I should have let you go slower instead of making it a thing. However..." His hands moved to her backside and gently, he pulled her closer to him. "I really should make sure you didn't hurt yourself too badly." He smiled down at her, his eyes twinkling playfully as he leaned forward to kiss her. "So, doesn't feel like it is damaged." Tim squeezed her backside.

Arey shivered slightly from the feel of Tim's hands on her, squeezing her ass. She returned the kiss eagerly, taking in the playfulness of it and letting that warm her up from her tumble to the ice. "I would have tried to go faster anyway. Being a slow poke simply isn't in my nature." Arey assured lightly between kisses. As promised, her hands wandered farther south as well, cupping the generous swells of Tim's own ass in the middle of the kiss.

Tim smiled crookedly as Arey's hands grabbed him. "Well as long as you don't feel like I forced you." He sighed a little, it was ragged. "Arey I don't usually go for overly touchy on a first date. I really don't want to stop but if I am doing anything that makes you feel pressured please tell me. I just...I.." He set his mouth into a line, one hand coming up to cup her cheek. "I don't want you to think I am just trying to feel you up. I really like you. It is only a couple of days I know, still early but I want to chance to do this again, to take you out again. To spend time with you. I want to get to know you and I really don't want to fuck this up by going too fast." He kept his voice low, his tone a bit serious. He didn't want Arey to think he was just 'saying' these things in hopes that they'd hop into bed right away. He meant it and there was a lot more riding on this than just a chance with a girl. They had to work together, watch out for each other. Tim didn't want her to resent him or his advances.

"Ok." Arey promised, sensing Tim's seriousness on this matter. She leaned forward, giving him a slow but close mouth kissed on his lips before pulling back to give him her own look of seriousness. "If I stop being comfortable with anything we're doing, I'll be the first one to tell you. We London girls are tough little birds, we know how to give a guy who's getting too forward too quickly a good sock and piece of our mind. Don't worry about that." She said the last part with a wink, before slipping her hand back into his. "You want to give some of that hot chocolate a try?" Arey suggested. If one thing was going to distract her from this and slow them down to make Tim feel more comfortable, chocolate was their best candidate.

Tim smiled, relieved, "In a sec..." He put his arms around Arey and picked her up. He held her close and began to skate with her. His arms held her tightly around the waist, her skates off the ice. Tim made his strides a little bigger, picking up a bit of speed so that Arey's hair moved with the air. "I can't remember a time when I was this comfortable with someone or had this much fun. Thank you Arey." He skated a little faster, still holding her up. Around the rink they went, Tim smiling the whole time.

Arey laughed when he picked her up, the feel of speed exhilarating and so much fun she wasn't sure how to process it all. "Me either." Arey replied grinning, and in some ways that was completely the truth. The feeling of familiarity and comfort she'd felt with Arin had also been there, but that was Arthur, not her. Arey hadn't even know him, barely did now, though they were working toward friends. With Tim though, she was positive this was all her, Arey, not Arthur or anyone else. She was the one who liked Tim, liked hanging out with him, liked teasing and flirting with him. Arey didn't have to worry about questioning anything with him. "How are you single?" Arey joked half serious, clinging to his arm. Tim was handsome, fun, and a proverbial knight in shining armour. Arey had a hard time believing she didn't need to beat back hordes of girls with a stick.

Tim grimaced a little at her question. He skated them back to the open boards and put her down on the matted floor. He stepped off the ice to join her. "I did the stupid frat boy thing before the accident and after well there was rehab and then getting caught up on school. There is classes and work. Dating...it just never happened I guess. Not that I wasn't interested but I wasn't interested in the casual hookup, make out in the corner with some nameless girl thing. I had better things to do than that." He shrugged.

"What about you though?" Tim gestured to the bench so she would sit and he could remove her skates. "You mean to tell me the American guys haven't been falling all over themselves to get to you since you arrived? Was your last boyfriend a jerk? Only in it for that sexy accent?" Tim looked up at her as he once again knelt at her feet.

"I've um...never actually had a boyfriend before." Arey replied, trying very hard not to look as embarrassed by that fact as she felt. "Back home, the only guys coming to call were the ones Henry had pre-approved, and well let me tell you pompous and self absorbed aristocrats are not my cup of tea." Arey tried to explain.

"As far as American boys go, I spend the summer month in veritable football boot camp, so meeting boys wasn't really an option on the table." She continued.

Tim looked surprised for a moment. He removed both of her skates and then sitting beside her removed his own. "Leave them, we can clean them up after." Waiting till she had her shoes back on he took Arey's hand and led her down to where the basket and blanket waited. "Well...I don't know what to say but they were all missing out of time spent with you."

He grabbed the flowers and handed them to her. "Going to sound silly, I know but maybe if things go well and you go out with me a few more times I might get to be your first boyfriend?" Tim's cheeks warmed and he smiled a bit shyly. "If not at least give me the privilege of spoiling you a bit more before you crush my heart?" He gave her a wink.

"Well so far you're off to a good start." Arey teased, cheeks also warming up at the prospect. She sat with him on the blanket, playing with the flowers in her hand almost shyly. "Not really in the business of crushing hearts, so I'll see what I can do." She said smiling at Tim warmly.

Tim felt like the luckiest guy in the world. He reached into the basket and pulled out two mugs and the thermos. The hot chocolate was still steaming as he poured them each a mug full. "Careful still really hot." He handed Arey a mug. "Also..." He reached into the basket once more. He pulled out two boxes, one small and one a bit bigger. "So a date isn't complete without sweets for a beautiful lady. This one is for you, to take home for tomorrow over coffee so you can remember tonight fondly." Tim handed the smaller box to Arey. It was a white box with string tying it shut. Scribbled on the top was the word 'caramel choco brownies'.

"This is for us now however." Tim untied the rope that was around the slightly bigger box. When he opened it there were two cannoli's. "Chocolate chip with chocolate ricotta filling. You said you liked chocolate and they make the best in the city." He held the box out to Arey so she could take one.

Arey's mouth practically watered. Yep, spoiled rotten, no coming back from this she thought carefully taking out the chocolate covered deliciousness and taking a small bite to savor the flavor. She was not embarrassed to say she might have moaned just a tiny bit over how good it tasted. "Ok, you win, surprises good."

"I'm glad to hear you say that m'dear." A voice rang out from the shadowy stands, too dark to see into. "This meeting might have run a bit hostilely otherwise." The voice was oddly accented, and Arey didn't recognize it. The fact that they were supposed to be alone though, coupled with that rather eery introduction didn't bode well.

Tim was watching Arey bite into the cannoli. He was beyond pleased by her reaction. He was about to tease about surprises when a voice from the shadows made him drop the box with his dessert. "Oh fuck." Tim stood and looked for the man. His hand went to his neck, to where he had put the button Kat gave him. He squeezed it as hard as he could. They weren't ready for anything like this. He still had Kat's iron cross but that was only going to get them so far and Arey likely didn't have anything.

"What do you want?" Tim growled.

"Hey there boy scout." Balthazar drawled suggestively as he stepped out of the shadows and toward the pair. "You certainly do work fast. Third girl in as many days, gotta say, maybe not such a boy scout after all."

Arey stood up next to Tim, tense and alert. She'd seen Tim press the panic button, which meant help was on the way. It also meant that help was needed to begin with, so she could only guess this guy was some kind of fae.

"I'm here to talk to your boss here boy scout, simmer down before I decide I want a lap dance." Bal said with a wink before dismissing him from his attention in favor of Arey. "Arthur returned. So that old prophet wasn't just a posturing windbag after all." He mused more to himself that to either of them.

Tim growled again and then whispered to Arey. "Incubus. Jackass drugged Kat and tried to walk off with D in the club. Put quite a..whammy as Kat calls it on me though I fought it as best I could." He took her hand. "Don't know how he knows who you are but this can't be good. Don't let him get near you."

He raised his voice a little. "We have nothing to say to you. Don't want to hear what you have to say either." Tim glared at Balthazar. He couldn't remember what Viv had said when she checked them over. Something about being marked but he didn't remember the name or anything. He was tense and wanted to get them both out of there. He hoped Kat's button worked and the others were on their way.

"You were not invited to talk kiddo." Bal said impassively to Tim, eyes glowing amber a moment, as he sent enough radiating sexual need his way to bring a man to their knees. "The adults are talking now."

Arey's eyes narrowed, feeling defensive of Tim, an instinct to protect, urging her to keep him safely behind her. "How do you know who I am? How did you even find us?" Arey asked as calmly as she could muster, though there was a definite edge to her voice. She needed to stall for time here too, unsure they could outrun a fae. She remembered the shade she'd run into the night her world had changed, how Arin had fought it and how quick it had been. Getting the pompous thing to talk for a while might be their safest option.

"I read souls honey, I could recognize yours a mile off. Very distinct that way you are." Balthazar replied almost as a compliment strolling closer. "I recognized you back at that club, saw your little posse there too. Which I why I maked as many as I could get my hands on." He said matter of factly. "Your boy toy here," He said pointing his thumb at Tim. "I could find with my eyes closed. We got pretty up close and personal." He said flashing some teeth in a shit eating grin.

Tim had bumped the bench, spilling the hot chocolate. He clenched his jaw and fought the wave of desire that came over him. Fucking fae... He remained on his feet but only barely. He had been too tense and worried, not angry enough to fight. He shook his head, forced himself to stand taller and moved to Arey's side. He let one hand go to the small of her back, letting her know it wasn't going anywhere and keeping them connected in hopes of keeping them focused on the threat in front of them. Marked us, knew who we were. The fucker...he targeted Kat and D. Tim grew steadily angrier the more Balthazar talked.

The implication of his words made Arey's insides grow steeley. He'd put Deirdre, Kat, and Tim through some kind of sexual manipulation and turmoil as a means of getting to her, people she now greatly cared about. Her right hand ached to feel a sword, Arey recognized the urge wasn't her own, but she embraced it regardless. This dick needed to pay.

"Consider it a blessing in disguise." Bal offered lazily, hands in his pocket as he now stood about three feet away. His movements so far were non-threatening, but then with fae, appearances were always deceptive. "The name's Balthazar, though most in this city know me as the Underking. Being marked as my property has it's perks." Bal drawled, eyeing Tim up and down lewdly in an almost lazy gesture.

"Like what?" Arey growled, fighting down the feeling of possessive jealousy that surged from watching Balthazar so blatantly try to eye fuck Tim.

"Like the blatant smell of 'mine fuck off' to any fae that gets within a hundred feet. I've got a specific reputation in this town for vindictiveness and tenacity. There aren't a lot of fae stupid enough to try and feed off my humans." Bal drawled matter-of-factly.

Tim sneered, "Oh really? Then how do you explain the two bitches who attacked us outside the club. Your reputation didn't seem to stop them. You sure you are as scary to them as you think?"

"I've already dealt with those two." Bal said smoothly, voiced filled with a kind of cold efficiency that sent a chill down Arey's spine. "One was a outsider hunting on my turf, she's serving her purpose now. The other's hanging in pieces as a reminder for everyone else in the back of one of our clubs. We'll put her back together in a decade or so, once she's learned a little self control."

"And you," Bal said turning his gaze on Tim. "Are talking out of turn again. I think I need to teach my human some proper decorum." His eyes turned amber again, but this time it was like the lighting of the entire rink had changed, everything looked more bright and intense, and Arey was hit by waves of desire so intense she could barely breath, crumpling to the ground on her knees. Everything was too hot too intense. She began ripping layers off with desperate clumsy hands, starting with her scarf and jacket, though somewhere in the back of her mind she railed against it. It was like her body had a mind of it's own, and her mind couldn't get the proper grip to stop it.

Bal emerged behind Tim, seeming to have disappeared in the blink of an eye only to run his hands over Tim's shoulders and down his back until they rested on his hips. "I think it's about time boy scout, you learned your place in the world order." Bal whispered seductively in Tim's ear, blasting him with even more carnal need. "You're food, or best case scenario, an amusing pet. She," He said pointing to Arey. "Is a little higher up on that food chain by virtue of who she is. The only sovereign of humanity that the fae recognize, and therefore I have to deal with. The representative of the food if you will. Keep interrupting us, without my leave to speak, and I will fuck you senseless into that bench. While she watches. And I'll make you like it while you beg for it like a back street whore." He growled in promise, nuzzling his neck with his teeth. "Understood boyscout?"

Tim blinked, he swore it wasn't more than a blink and Balthazar was behind him. Arey was on the ground and he wanted to go to her but was frozen to his spot as hands ran over his shoulders. He ground his teeth as the man whispered in his ear. Tim's knees almost gave out as he was overcome with desire. Fucking fae... He didn't care who he was. He could be the fairy king of Katmandu and Tim would still have wanted to knock him on his ass. Tim growled angrily in response and fought with everything he had to resist the man's presence. He was sweating, he could feel it dripping down his ribs.

His eyes went to Arey. It was a mixture of anger and jealousy that he felt as he watched her pull off her jacket. How dare this guy do that to her! Tim was shaking. His hands balled into fists. If he could just find the strength to turn he'd clock the guy.

Arey's hands were balled up in her jacket, clutching desperately to keep herself from taking off anything else. She shook lightly with the effort, but for the moment it was effective. As her gaze turned back toward the Fae, she say him practically wrapping himself around Tim, touching him, and whispering in his ear with little nips at his neck. The sight nearly made her see red. She wanted to clock this guy, just the way Arin had shown them today, make him take his filthy fae hands off of Tim.,

"Don't...fucking...touch him!" Arey growled, pushing herself up with difficulty, her body physically shaking with the effort. she glared heavily at Balthazar, who retaliated cheekily with a cheshire grin and started running a hand through Tim's hair while the other began playing with the waistband of his jeans, occasionally teasing his fingers lower. The look on his face dared her to stop him, his confidence clear that she could not.

It took everything in him not to moan as hands played in his hair and at the waist of his jeans. The fae's aura was hard to fight but Tim was determined not to go down without a fight. Tim's face was frozen into a snarl as Balthazar touched him. Arey was standing now, facing him and he felt ashamed that he wasn't able to fight his way out of this situation.

"You ready to sit and talk like the good little political figure you are?" Bal taunted as he continued petting Tim obscenely, though pulled back on some of the sexual ora he was projecting out her way.

Arey's eye twitched, almost too angered by the sight to speak. "If I agree will you let go of him?" She managed to grind out, regaining some of her composure and self-restraint.

"After." He agreed. "I don't have any insurance from you otherwise." He drawled.

"And I have any from you?" Arey spat back glaring.

"Pacts with fae are binding sweetheart, and we can't lie. I give you my word, and I physically can't reneg unless you do first. We're funny like that." Bal said between sucking a hicky in place on Tim's exposed neck.

Balthazar sucked on his neck and Tim bit his tongue to suppress any noise he might make. He could taste the blood in his mouth. He wanted nothing more than to punch this guy in his smug fae face but he could do nothing but lean against Balthazar. He hated how weak and exposed he felt. The only saving grace was that he was still wearing clothes at this point.

Arey didn't know enough about fae to know if that was a lie or not, and she gazed with a mixture of anger and uncertainty at Tim, who was basically being sexually assaulted in front of her eyes. She'd told him he deserved someone to have his back, that she was going to look out for him. Arey couldn't let that be just empty words now.

"Willing to deal with the devil then sweetheart? Or do I get to keep this one?" He looked up from his work to shoot her a look, not quite of impatience, but that implored her dryly to speed up.

"Fine. We talk, we come to a consensus, you let him go. Permanently, and I want that mark or whatever the hell you put on him gone." Arey's eyes were as hard as her tone as she silently seethed.

"Now you're learning kid." Bal complemented walking Tim over with him to one of the benches sitting on one while physically forcing Tim to sit on the floor between his legs, though he allowed the poor human the dignity of facing out toward Arey rather than at Bal's crotch, as entertaining for him as that would have been. He gestured for Arey to do the same on the bench across from him, and reluctantly, Arey moved to comply. "If we come to a consensus, then yes. I'll hand over boy scout here back into your lovely company, and I'll retract my claim on him. Do we have a deal?" Bal drawled.

Don't do it Arey! Tim wanted to talk but couldn't find the ability to. He was on the floor now, barely understanding how he had gotten there. Balthazar's aura, the waves of sexual desire he was pushing out was making it hard for Tim to do anything but focus on his anger. He could see Arey and looked up at her. There was anger in his eyes, not for her but for the man who held him captive. There was disgust and disappointment for himself, that he couldn't be stronger and fight him off. He had done a better job when they were in the club but even then, only marginally better.

"A deal to make a deal?" Arey's eyes narrowed, practically smelling the technicalities.

"The ways of my people. Get used to it highness, you're a part of this world now. Deal?" This time, he let the question hang in the air, silently demanding an answer.

Tim didn't want Arey to make the deal, didn't want her to have to talk to this guy. Come on guys! We need you here. A shaking fist was raised to his chest once more and under the guise of clawing at his shirt Tim squeezed the button once more. He hoped they were get another signal, he hoped they were understand the urgency. He released it and squeezed it again.

"Your people sound like pricks." Arey said dryly, trying to school her features and keep her head cool. It was hard as she watched the Fae's hands running through Tim's hair and on his shoulders, like some kind of obscene massage. "You want to talk? Stop playing with Tim while we do." Arey demanded, arms crossed to stop herself from trying to punch him.

"I agree." Balthazar said shrugging, not about to deny the ways of the fae. "I'll keep it to a minimum." Bal compromised. "But he's mine until we finish our business." He finished, leaving his hands in Tim's hair.

Tim wanted to reach up and pull Balthazar's hands from his hair. He'd look like a sulking child in his position on the floor if it wasn't for the mask of absolute hatred on his face. He looked up at Arey and tried to shake his head. His free hand was in a fist.

"Alright." Arey agreed. Eyes shifting to Tim before hardening and back to Balthazar. "What is it you wanted to discuss?" She said tone firm and direct. She wanted to get this over with as quickly as possible.

"Immunity, for me and mine. The unseelie prison is off limits, and you and yours leave us the hell alone if we do the same." Balthazar said without pause, suddenly sounding like one of those lawyers on tv dramas.

"The what?" Arey asked, confused about what he was even talking about. Bal's gaze on her grew confused for a moment, before sparking alight with amusement once again.

"Holy fuck." He said around a bark of laughter. "You really don't know anything do you?" Arey's cheeks reded a bit from the perceived ignorance, but her glare remained stoney.

"She didn't fucking tell you anything, that's a hoot! Awe kid, you just made my day." Bal continued laughing as he absently played with Tim's hair. "How 'bout you boy scout? You get the low down on any of this or are you just as clueless too?" Bal asked condescendingly as he pulled Tim's head back enough by his hair to make eye contact.

Tim looked up, not that he had much choice. He growled out his words in response. "Go fuck yourself. Why should I tell you anything?"

"Why go handsies when I've got your perfectly pouty lips right here?" Bal countered with a shrug, seriously considering turning him around and leaving him that way. "You're body's practically begging for it anyway." He tossed in for good measure as he slid a hand up Tim's stomach to his chest.

Tim snarled and tried to move away. All it did was serve to push his back against Balthazar's thigh. Tim wanted nothing more than to get away but he couldn't. "She hasn't really had a chance to fill us in on details. We were getting to it. Didn't count on assholes like you crashing private parties."

"Hands!" Arey snarled at Balthazar, a jealous rage bubbling up inside her that wasn't necessarily called for. "We're talking. You and me. You keep your hand in a neutral location or I'll-" She threatened.

"You'll what? Glare me to death?" Bal quipped. "Fae are immortal sweetheart, this is me being playful. If I was trying to hurt either of you, or actually feed, I could have you both naked in a mud pit right now wrestling over who got first ride on my dick." He said shrugging, as if that crude statement were some kind of known fact. "And as lovely an image as that makes, I'm restraining myself."

"What's the unseelie prison?" Arey growled out suddenly, trying not to react to the sudden rush of heat forced out her way.

Tim felt a rush of nausea, both from the excessive aura Balthazar was giving off and the sudden image he conjured. He also felt a rush of jealousy at the thought of Balthazar making Arey do anything. Tim tried to push himself up off the floor. He wanted to rip this guy's throat out.

"Cliff notes? A nasty little catch all where the seelie shove things they don't like or find bothersome. Not pleasant, and I have no intention of going there." Bal explained vaguely.

"Sounds like you should be there." Arey said with a hard voice. "Even if I had the power to...grant immunity, why would I let you walk around free?"

"Besides the fact I have hold of your little bunny boo here?" Bal drawled sarcastically, pinching one of Tim's nipples under the shirt to emphasize his point.

Tim half gasped in pleasure and half growled in anger as fingers pinched at him. "Stop that..." He clenched his teeth and tried to get up again.

"What you don't seem to understand yet, is that there's a war coming. The apocalyptic kind that wipes out your race if you don't tread carefully. The seelie, don't give a flying fuck about humans. If they have to watch your reality burn to maintain the status quo, don't think for a second they won't make that decision. Don't let the name light court delude you about that. I on the other hand, happen to like humans. You all are entertaining, less predictable, and you breed like rabbits." Bal said grinning.

"What does that have to do with me then? How am I suppose to stop a bunch of racist immortals with god complexes?" Arey asked in frustration, fighting down the urge to launch herself at Bal for dragging those kind of ragged noises from Tim.

"It involves you, because you have something, or you will, that both sides want, very very badly. You're a player on the board kiddo, and which ever side you end up batting for, that's the one that will win, and they know that." Bal explained smoothly.

"What if I decide not to bat for anyone?" Arey growled back, hating the sound of this more and more. She didn't feel like a player, she felt like a pawn that was being cornered.

"You will." Bal said with utter confidence, and the finality of that almost induced a panic attack from Arey.

"Why would I somehow matter? What do I have that they want so badly?" Arey asked almost frantically.

"Not part of the deal." Bal drawled.

"What?" Arey asked taken aback by his sudden unwillingness to talk. This guy seemed to love doing nothing more.

"Information wasn't part of the deal. That," Bal said wiggling his eyebrows as he pulled Tim up into his lap with an impressive show of ease and strength. "will cost you extra." He finished as he began rubbing his hands up and down Tim's inner thighs.

Tim felt like a rag doll. He was pulled up from the floor and into Balthazar's lap. He tried to stand, to get away but hands stroked his thighs and he felt his body react. No, no...damn it... He had no control over his body and it angered him even more. He knew it wasn't him but it didn't change the fact that he was angry.

His patience was at its end and Tim pushed himself up in an attempt to free himself from the fae's grasp. He let out a small roar of annoyance as he pushed with his legs and used his hand as extra leverage.

Bal's arms came up to circle Tim's waist like a steel grip seat belt locking him in place. Silently be was a little impressed with the human. Most would be a writhing pile of mush in his held by now, but this one was tenacious. "I can see why you like this one so much." Bal mused lightly as he laid a surprisingly gentle kiss between Tim's shoulder blades. "If he wasn't already on the bargaining table I'd be tempted to keep him." Bal said with eyes that danced with amusement.

Arey was trying to hold her own anger at bay, but it was the almost tender kiss Balthazar laid on Tim that finally ripped an all out snarl from her throat, the sound and ferocity of it not feeling like her own.

"Yes or no highness, before I'm tempted to just take my chances and bring this one with me." Bal announced. "When the war comes about and you're negotiating your own terms with the fae, I will be part of them, with immunity from the unseelie prison. Then you get back bunny boo."

"The mark goes away, and you do not fucking touch him or any of mine without express permission." Arey counter offered back. "And in the future, if I'm unlucky enough to see you again, you give me a bloody straight answer whenever I ask you for information!" She added on, a nagging doubt in Vivienne and what she was willing to tell her blooming in Arey's mind.

"Deal." Bal said with a positively predatory grin that was all teeth. "Now we just have to seal it, and our pact is struck."

"How do we do that?" Arey asked, suddenly feeling nervous again.

"Why? Why haven't you spent time with them? We need to be near them. You can't keep pulling away. What good are we if we are not near them? And we love them. Do you have any idea how much it hurts to be kept away?"

Deirdre sighed. "I have a pretty good idea yes....not like you don't remind me all the time. It is different now."

The woman shook her head. "No it is not. You still have to be there for each of them. For all of them. That is our place. We cannot make the same mistakes but we cannot avoid them altogether. We have to do better. We cannot hurt Arthur this time."

Deirdre shook her head. "It isn't like that this time. Arthur is a woman. It is a different relationship. I get a say in this too you know! You seem to forget that."

Guinevere looked at her. "You ignore me constantly. Are we not the same? Two sides of the same coin?"

Deirdre clenched her fists. "I gave you the night with Arey. I laid in the bed and true it was comfortable, it was nice not to feel so alone but I gave you that."

Guin shook her head, "You stifled what I wanted as you have from the beginning. You wish to run. You pull away from Lancelot. You ignore my opinion. I have done this far longer than you and I know them better."

"You know half of them. Just as you and I are half they each have another that has to be considered. Ever think that maybe, just maybe Lancelot might be all hot for you but Arin isn't attracted to me? Do you know what that does to a person? What about Arey? I am sure she isn't super keen on feeling the urge to fuck a woman considering that doesn't top her list of turn ons!"

Deirdre woke up angry. She was breathing hard and her back hurt from laying on the floor. The room was quiet and a quick look at the bed showed that she was alone. Deirdre took a few deep breaths and calmed herself down. Slowly she got up from the floor and began to stretch her back, arms and legs.

She left Kat's bedroom and headed to the kitchen. Deirdre shrugged when she found it empty and dark. Guess everyone ate. Means Tim and Arey are gone. I wonder what Kat is doing? She pocketed her phone and headed off to Kat's computer room.

There too she found an empty room. Deirdre looked around. the hall was empty and everything was incredibly quiet. Where is everyone? Arin? Kat? Even Viv.

She felt a tightness grow in her stomach. Anxiety began to creep in that something bad had happened while she slept. Her steps quickened as she moved into the batcave, only to find it and the training room devoid of any sign of the others.

Her lip quivered. "Hello?"

Arin! He might be in his apartment! Deirdre hesitated for a moment. What if he was alone? What if he wasn't alone? What if he wasn't there?

She took off down the hall to where she knew the portal to his stairs was. Holding her breath she slowed her steps to creep slowly up the stairs. Each step was painfully slow and as she stepped in she exhaled audibly.

"I got the popcorn." Kat said excitedly as she held up the large obnoxiously orange bowl filled with buttery salt covered goodness.

"Perfect. I've got your beer." Arin sat on the couch with a small cooler and six pack chilling inside it. He grabbed two bottles out and popped them open. He placed one in front of the empty seat for Kat and took a long swig out of the other. He grabbed a remote with his other hand and sat back, "Which movie you decide on? Put it in and turn off the lights."

"Evil Dead looks stupid." Kat dismissed offhand with a scoff. "I heard the Conjuring was good. You seen that yet?" She asked.

"Evil Dead is a classic. But much more comedic than horror. Haven't seen the Conjuring. Let's do it." Arin agreed as he turned on the various electronics required to give the best experience possible.

The sight before her was a relief. Arin and Kat sat in the dark, the tv on in front of them and a bowl of what looked like popcorn between them. Deirdre looked at them both and smiled. That smile died away quickly. "Sorry...sorry...I didn't mean to intrude. I just...well no one was around and I got nervous that something happened. I didn't realize..." She backed away slowly. "Just glad to see you are both around. Gonna..." Deirdre pointed behind her. "Night."

"Jesus D, maybe knock? Startled me there." Arin chuckled as he turned away from the movie. "You're not intruding. At least, I don't think you are. Is she intruding Kat? C'mon in. We got beer and popcorn. I've checked Kat's ID. It reads twenty one for the next two or three hours."

"Knock?" She looked behind her at the mirror. "But I can't..." Deirdre shook her head and went silent as Arin talked, her eyes on her hands.

"I'm teasing D. Seriously, don't go wandering around alone. We probably should have asked you to join us originally, but you were sleeping, and honestly, Kat and I got caught up in zombie killing." Arin shrugged, a little sheepish that he had forgot to find out what Deirdre was up to. He'd been completely oblivious to the fact that she would have been alone.

"Oh I wasn't wandering. I mean I guess I was a little but I was worried....It's okay. I'm just gonna go and...read. I should go read." Deirdre felt silly for being alone and even sillier for worrying. Now she just felt like a third wheel. "You guys have your time. I have things."

Arin looked over at Kat. He was pretty sure she wouldn't mind but he felt like it would be better to let her press for including Deirdre. He knew Deirdre was trying to make it easier on him and if he kept pushing he was afraid she'd dig her heels in and leave.

"You're not intruding D. I made enough popcorn to feed a circus, and this couch is huge. Besides, you need pop culture education remember. She didn't even know who Batman was, it's criminal I tell you, downright inhumane!" Kat ranted animatedly. "Make her stay Arin, it's for her own good!"

"You heard her D. Out of my hands now." He shrugged and offered an open beer. "Look, already open. Someone has to drink it. And, seriously, no Batman? I didn't think people actually grew up in caves anymore." He winked at Deirdre. "Really, come, sit. Watch a good scary movie with us."

Arin put down his beer and grabbed the popcorn bowl, "Make room for her to sit Kat. We can put the bowl on the coffee table."

Deirdre wasn't sure what to do. She took the offered beer but eyed it warily. She hadn't had a drink, ever. She wasn't even legal yet. Holding the beer in both hands Deirdre watched as Arin moved the popcorn. I can't sit between them. I can't sit next to him. That will look bad. She frowned. Wait...other than Kat there is no one here to question. It is a movie, we aren't alone, we aren't doing anything. But that is the point...even the appearance that maybe, we don't get the benefit of the doubt. She was torn. She didn't think it was a big deal but neither was a touch to the arm or walking into a room together and she already knew that those led to suspicion. Overthinking it. It isn't a thing.

Approaching the couch slowly Deirdre looked from Kat to Arin. "You are sure? I have never watched a scary movie before. I have never had a beer either and I didn't grow up in a cave just dance school but I guess it is about the same thing nowadays."

Hesitantly she sat on the couch between Kat and Arin. "Kat, do you want to sit here? I don't have to sit here..." She looked at Arin with uncertainty in her eyes.

"You're cool doll face." Kat said waving off Deirdre's concerns and patting the space invitingly.

Deirdre nodded a little but her eyes were still on Arin, questioningly.

"Sit a spell. I promise not to try mave any movie theater moves on you, scouts honor." Kit chirped with a wink.

Deirdre giggled a little, momentarily distracted from her worries by Kat's playfulness. She relaxed a bit and slid back on the couch so that she was actually sitting instead of perching on the edge. "Thank you guys for letting me stay." She looked back over at Arin. If I am crossing the line, making it too hard or awkward please tell me... Her eyes pleaded with him and looked for any sign of his discomfort.

Arin smiled warmly at Deirdre, "Happy for you to join us. Don't squeeze Kat too hard when you get scared. And try not to spill your beer. It's hard to clean off couches." He teased lightly, trying let let her know it was okay to relax and enjoy the movie. Arin still felt that underlying desire for her, but he had much more practice at controlling how and when Lancelot made an appearance. He wasn't about to make Deirdre uncomfortable by pushing her boundaries, and given their previous talk he didn't want make her feel like he was backing out of their deal. Not to mention the fact that he would much rather get to know this girl, Deirdre, before he let Lancelot make any moves on Guin.

Deirdre held the beer in her hands, her eyes on it. "I think to be safe I will just put this on the table." She was worried and nervous about drinking it. She had never had alcohol and wasn't entirely sure that it was a good idea to drink around Arin. Deirdre leaned over and put the beer on the table, grabbing the popcorn bowl as she settled back on the couch. Arin seemed okay with things, didn't appear to be concerned or wary that she was breaking their deal. She was trying very hard to keep things distant but not cold.

The bowl in her lap Deirdre nodded, "Okay....just how scary will this be? First time for me."

Arin chuckled, "Same here. Kat recommended. I suspect, scary enough. You haven't had any of the beer at all. You want something different? Not a beer fan? That's cool too, I have pop."

Deirdre frowned and looked at Arin, "Your first time for a scary movie or this movie?" She was trying to avoid the beer question, not wanting to seem less experienced than Kat. She had already told them she hadn't had a beer before, they had already teased her for being sheltered. She got the sense that Arin was teasing her again but she wasn't sure what to do with it. Not nearly as quick or smart as Kat or Arey. I can't tease back.

"Uh, first time for this movie. You really weren't kidding when you said you've not done movies or beer? Okay, well, don't let me pressure you into the beer." Arin paused for a moment, looking at Deirdre closely again. He knew she was in school still but it was just starting to register that she might be just starting out. "Wait... you aren't even legal yet, are you? I keep forgetting college starts so young. You know, I'm not checking I.Ds today. Not like at the club. And if you don't tell, I won't." He smiled.

Deirdre wanted to melt into the couch. She looked down to her lap. Her shoulders hunched a little as she tried to hide herself with the popcorn bowl. Arin was looking at her and she could feel the heat in her face. "Nineteen...no not legal and well..." She forced herself to look back at him, "Not so much worried that you will tell on me as I am about the affect alcohol might have and given present company..." She shook her head. "Nevermind. I don't know if I will drink it so go ahead so it doesn't get warm or anything."

She looked at Kat, "Can we start the movie now?" She felt impossibly young and immature now. Deirdre wanted the movie to start so that they all had something else to focus on besides her, her age and lack of experience.

"You don't have to worry about alcohol effects. I've asked Kat to behave." He winked at both of them.

"No worries doll face. Pepsi is the nectar of the gods. No shame in that." Kat dismissed easily, popping in the disk.

Deirdre hung her head, "I don't drink pop." She managed to mumble as Kat got up from the couch to put the movie in.

"Water's healthy I guess..." Kat offered awkwardly, tasting foot.

"D, feel free to help yourself to whatever you'd like in my place. Consider it as much yours as mine while you're here. Don't feel like you need to ask for everything you want or need." Arin tried again to make her feel at ease. This was becoming more of a deal than he'd intended. He felt bad about putting her on the spot now, and he just wanted to make her feel like whatever she chose was going to be fine.

Deirdre nodded though her eyes were still on the popcorn and she still wished she could disappear. She appreciated Arin's offer but there was no way she was moving from the couch now. She didn't want to even think about what would happen if she had to go to the bathroom. Deirdre picked up a piece of popcorn and put it in her mouth.

Arin pressed play on the remote, "Here we go."

Deirdre inhaled slowly and tried to steel herself for whatever was about to happen. As it began she was immediately tense. Ever scene caused a whimper of anticipation. She gripped the bowl of popcorn tightly. Her legs found their way up onto the couch and tucked under her. As scene shifted and she felt like she could breathe again Deirdre realized her mouth was dry. Not wanting to make them pause the movie or leave the room and be alone for any length of time she decided to try the beer instead.

Adjusting so her legs were more underneath her Deirdre rolled to her knees on the couch. It took a bit of stretching but she was able to fully push herself up onto her knees and put her hands on the table. She placed the popcorn bowl on the table before grabbing the beer. She was on all fours, her backside in the air as she took a drink of the beer. It was cold, carbonated and burned a little bit going down. Deirdre wasn't used to anything but coffee and water. Where her food habits changed once she left the dance school her drinking habits hadn't. The taste of the beer wasn't unpleasant. Hmm....not too bad at all.

Arin caught Deirdre's movement out of the corner of his eye, his focus on the movie itself. That focus soon shifted as he noticed what she was doing. He found himself drawn to her figure as she leaned over. Wow. Nothing wrong with a dancer's curves. His eyes followed the lines down through her legs, the muscle tone and shape impressive. He looked, but didn't stare. She was very attractive but he wouldn't reduce her to just her parts, though he had no problem appreciating the view.

Kat's eyes followed Deidre's movements as she shifted around for the beer. Unlike Arin, Kat had no problem with openly staring, and found her mouth suddenly going dry as she watched D's lips wrap around the head of the bottle. Kat noticed she wasn't the only one staring, and briefly wondered if it was weird to oogle the same chick as her brother...at the same time...

Placing the beer back down and grabbing the bowl again Deirdre wiggled a little to shift her centre of gravity to allow herself to sit back down between Kat and Arin. The worst part was as she looked back up on the screen a one of the characters had an apparition appear behind them. She let out a small noise of fright and turned her head into Arin's shoulder.

As she shifted to return to her seat he returned his gaze to the movie. He took a swig of his beer and was surprised by her burying her face into his shoulder. He just barely resisted the urge to put his arm around her protectively.

Her heart was pounding and she chanced a peek back at the tv. The thing was gone and Deirdre looked up sheepishly at Arin. "Sorry..." She mumbled before sitting upright once more. She settled the bowl of popcorn back in her lap and tried to focus on the screen. She swore that the pounding in her chest was from the movie and not from having cowered against Arin.

He looked over at her and grinned, "No apologies required. Not an unpleasant experience. Kat and I'll comfort you, no worries." Arin was trying to ensure she didn't feel uncomfortable again by reminding her Kat was there. Nothing more than friendly comfort was forthcoming and the fact they weren't alone should help her worry less.

"I'll be your shoulder to hide against any day doll face!" Kat said with an encouraging wink. "Hell, we'll comfort you together if this thing gets reeeally scary." Kat said with a massive amount of cheek, deciding to just not read into it.

Deirdre blushed a lot and looked down at the popcorn once again. She squirmed just a little unsure of how to take the teasing and compliments. She tried to focus up on the screen instead of her own shyness. On the screen the music built suspensefully. Deirdre lifted the bowl of popcorn as she tried to cover her eyes. She wanted to hide against someone but settled for the popcorn bowl. Just thinking about it, both Arin and Kat offering to comfort her had her blushing and warm. The bowl was just safer though a lot less comforting.

"Oh no...oh no...don't look...." She whispered, half whimpering to herself.

"Hey don't worry D, you can-!" Kat was interrupted by a siren going off through the sound system. The same siren she'd installed earlier that day for her new panic button system. "Fuck, you gotta be kidding me!" She exclaimed.

The siren made Deirdre jump and yelp. . She tossed the bowl of popcorn, sending it off her lap and to the floor as she grabbed Kat and dove towards Arin. She pulled Kat with her, her arm around Kat's neck and practically choking her.

Arin suddenly had a lap full of females and he was at a bit of a loss what to do about it. This wasn't what he was expecting when he invited Kat for a movie, "Oof." He tried to grab them so they didn't all fall off the couch.

"Shit we gotta-oof!" Kat's air was suddenly cut off by Deirdre's hold as she launched them at Arin. Their breasts were flush against each other, and another day, another time, Kat might have grinned like a maniac and counted her blessings. At the moment though, Tim and Arey were calling for help, and her focus was on that as she tried to wiggle free of Deirdre's surprisingly steel like grip. "Trouble...can't breath!" Kat panted out as she struggled.

Deirdre was too scared to register for a moment what was happening. Hands were everywhere and someone was fighting her. Her eyes were squeezed tightly shut and she pressed her face into Arin. As the panic subsided she registered Kat's words and suddenly let her go. "Trouble? What?"

It was in that moment she realized her face was buried in Arin's lap, Kat was almost entirely underneath her and Arin's hands were holding them up from falling off the couch. "Oh...oh god....I-I..." She struggled to untangle herself from Kat and only made herself closer with Arin, almost scrambling to sit in his lap in her haste. Nicely done....way to make this awkward. Deirdre inwardly groaned.

Arin tried to deal with the squirmy, struggling mass of women without grabbing anything inappropriate. He could see them both rolling away and smashing into the coffee table. He thought a little bit of help would be better than that so he tried to lift and hold them as much as possible. Finally pulling Deirdre into his lap with her help he only now became aware of the entire sequence of positioning and hoped he could prevent any awkward physical reactions. Now that he'd thought of it though, it seemed almost inevitable. He blushed.

"What trouble?" She was breathing heavily as she tried to shift but not shift too much in Arin's lap. Deirdre didn't know if she should jump off the couch or move slowly, either felt like she might be crossing a line or insulting him. Arin's hands were on her, he was holding her from toppling off the couch entirely. She opted not to move at the moment so that Kat could explain. She hoped he wouldn't be too angry with her. Not even here...don't mind me...

"The alarm, it's from the panic button I gave them before they left!" Kat explained quickly as she managed to disentangle herself from Deirdre. "They're calling for help!" Kat shouted out as she practically leapt over the couch and ran out of the apartment toward the Batcave.

"Help?" Panic built in her stomach. Deirdre looked at Arin. "I-I um..." She didn't know how to explain her actions and as she looked at him she became aware of a very distinct pressure under her backside. Her eyes were on his face and her cheeks turned very red. She'd never had a man physically react to her presence, at least not that she was ever aware of. Her stomach flipped and pushed down the panic for a moment. Deirdre grew very, very aware of Arin's hands on her body.

"We should go...should I go with you?" Her words were almost breathless. She struggled to breathe. They are in trouble dummy! Get up!

Arin nodded slowly, "Yeah. I'm not sure what Kat has rigged up but if she says they're in trouble, we should get moving." Arin tried to ignore the obvious reaction his body was having and kept the focus on the priority. He gently helped Deirdre to her feet and stood up with her. He didn't immediately take his hands off her though, letting them linger on her hips. "We'll have to finish the movie another time. Plan to come back, okay?" He couldn't imagine she hadn't noticed but rather than make something of it he hoped to just lighten things up and make it all seem normal. He wanted to make sure she didn't feel like she'd done anything out of line.

Deirdre nodded absentmindedly. "I probably shouldn't but...." She bit her lip. "Trouble, we have to go..." She couldn't bring herself to step away from him. Damn it we aren't supposed to be alone together or close. "Arin, I'm sorr-"

"Don't. Why? Nothing that needs any apologies. We're fine." Arin assured her. He finally let his hands drop and he picked up his beer. He smiled at Deirdre and took the last drink. "Like I said, we'll plan a time to finish the movie, but yeah, we'd better follow Kat."

Deirdre tried to smile but the guilt had already settled in. "Okay." She waited for him to lead the way and followed back into the batcave. You are just a sucker for screwing up aren't you? He can act like it wasn't a thing, no big deal. You get all weird. Nice one. A voice in the back of her mind was reveling in the contact. Deirdre did her best to ignore her or the memory of Arin's body. You suck at this whole keeping boundaries thing.

"Car? Where are they? Arey said ice skating." Deirdre asked Arin as they moved swiftly down the stairs. She was trying to forget the whole movie fiasco and focus solely on Tim and Arey. What could be happening? What kind of danger? Worry set in and mixed with her guilt. Oh sure they are in danger and you are busy climbing into Arin's lap. Real team player.

In that batcave, Kat and Vivienne could be seem in front of one of the big full length mirrors in the main room, with Vivienne chanting something in a foreign language as Kat frantically read off the address from the GPS coordinates from the panic button system. "Grab some iron and hurry up!" Kat called out as she pulled out two iron rods of her own, practically bouncing from all the pent up worried energy.

Deirdre froze. "Iron?" She looked at Arin.

"Follow. Quickly." Arin grabbed her hand and almost dragged her into the training room and his stash of gear. He grabbed his knife again, as well as knuckles and a rod for good measure. "Grab what you are comfortable with. Knives are easy to hide but they bring a degree of escalation. Only grab one if you're ready for that."

Deirdre grabbed an iron rod and then let her hand hover over a knife. Something suddenly made her feel more sure and she picked it up. "Ready."

Arin nodded grimly, "Only use that as a last resort, okay? You guys only just started." Arin was surprised, but impressed, that she had gone for the knife. It showed a burst of confidence he hadn't seen in Deirdre often. It was good to see it now as she'd need whatever boost she could get.

He headed back to where Vivienne and Kat were waiting.

Deirdre followed him. Her stomach a tight knot of worry.

Vivienne continued the chanting, until the mirror itself began to glow iridescently. "It's ready." She said grimly, the first to step through with Kat following close behind.

Deirdre looked to Arin and then followed Kat into the mirror.

Arin growled in displeasure. He hated going into situations without some forewarning. The fact that Vivienne stepped through made him realize this was something bigger than just a wandering unseelie. Fuck! With the brief thought he stepped through, a hand firmly gripping the knife strapped to his back.

"With a kiss of course." Balthazar said seriously, though there was a smugness in his eyes that made it almost seem like an insult. Arey's cheeks flushed red in displeasure. The thought of kissing this fae both highly embarrassing and nauseating. The only powerful emotion he'd naturally inspired in her so far was anger, and that quickly creeping back in.

Tim was not impressed with Balthazar's statement but there was nothing he could do. He couldn't move. The veins in his forehead began to stand out as he strained against the iron grip. He stared at Arey silently begging her not to do it, not to make a deal with the fae.

"Why?" Arey demanded, not willing to just take his word on it for the moment.

"Pacts with fae are living things sweetheart, there has to be a physical connection for that bond to form. Be greatful kiddo, I'm being generous here. In the old days, it used to require fucking." Balthazar said off handedly before grinning as he saw how red Arey turned at that. "Ahhhh virgin huh? Now I get why boy scout here's been all kinds of territorial tonight. Staking out a claim on that cherry huh?" Bal said with a wink at Tim.

"No one asked you." Arey bit out in angry embarrassment as she stood up from her seat, dreading what she was going to have to do.

"Don't Arey...don't do it..." Tim hissed out through clenched teeth. He just needed the opening, just to have Balthazar loosen his grip and he could take a swing at him. Come on, just give me the chance...

Bal used his finger in a 'come hither' gesture that beckoned Arey forward, making it clear he was going to make her lean over Tim to do it. "Give papa some sugar." Bal said obnoxiously, reveling in how much fun it was turning out to be to mess with these two.

"I'm going to give you a fat lip if you keep that up." Arey grumbled with a scowl, forcing herself to lean down with a grimace and just take it like a man. Their lips met, and it felt like a spark of electricity ran down her spine. Not the pleasant way that sometimes felt when she'd kissed Tim or even Arin. This was different, and not at all enjoyable, though Bal surprised her by not tryng to stick his tongue down her throat.

Tim turned his head as Arey leaned in. He closed his eyes and silently wished the fae would drop dead, immortal or not.

Once through the mirror, it took a moment fro Kat's eyes to adjust, but when they did the sight before her, made Kat see red. Tim splayed out in the lap of the mother fucking fae bastard that had gotten her drunk, and Arey, obviously in discomfort, was lip locked with him.

"You fucking bastard!" Kat roared, leaping forward with her rods.

Deirdre's eyes went wide as her senses took in where she was and what was going on. "Arey! Kat no!" Deirdre rushed forward behind the girl but her goal was Arey. She was kissing the man who had drugged Kat, who had made her feel so oddly attracted to him. She reached for Arey, intent on pulling her away.

Tim couldn't register fully what was going on but he heard voices and they were familiar. Eyes snapped open to see Viv, Kat (who was rushing towards them) Deirdre (who also was running towards them) and Arin. "About fucking time!" He yelled and tried once more to free himself, bolstered by their presence.

Arey heard voices in the background, and Bal, finishing the pact, released both Arey and Tim from his hold, just in time for Kat to practically jump him as she whacked at him with the rods. The past couple days worth of pent up jealousy and frustration had finally found a target. Bal jumped back almost playfully drawing Kat farther back as he did. "Hey there 'half pint'!" Bal taunted, grabbing hold of both the rods with his hands. The sound of skin sizzling could be heard, but Balthazar looked bizarrely unaffected by it.

"You don't get to fucking call me that!" Kat snarled, trying to pull the rods free so she could aim a hit at his face.

Tim was out of his grasp and he grabbed Arey before Deirdre got to them. He pulled her out of the way before letting her go and turning to face Balthazar. His face was a mask of rage. Deirdre came up and Tim wrench the iron rod from her hand. She yelped a little in discomfort but he paid her no mind.

Arin took one quick glance at Vivienne, "This what you were expecting?" Then he fitted the knuckles onto his fist and approached the fray.

Two strides and Tim was at Balthazar. He was holding the rods that Kat wielded and she kept her hold on them. He swung out for the back of the fae's head. He let out a battle cry as he swung.

Deirdre shook her hand but put her other on Arey. "Are you okay?"

Bal ducked his head with impressive speed, and let go of the rods all at once before stepping back and using Tim's forward momentum to push Tim into Kat and to the ground.

Arin didn't like the looks of the melee. An obviously outnumbered foe was standing tall and not looking for an escape route. Something was wrong with this that gave Arin second thoughts about rushing in. Once again he reached for the knife, just to ensure it would come out quickly if needed. He stood at the edge of the fray, looking for an opening where they wouldn't all get tangled over each other. In that time he closely examined the enemy. Trying to find some hole, or weakness, or failing that, some reason why he was so confident.

Bal eyed Arin with amusement, and something else as well, before his eyes fell on Vivienne. "Auntie Viv! Quite the welcoming party you've got here. What's it been eight hundred years? I heard you had a kid."

Tim fell to the ground with Kat. He reached out to grab her and pull him against his body as they fell. Holding her he rotated his body so that he hit the ground first and rolled slightly with her. He grunted as he hit shoulder first on the solid floor.

Deirdre looked from Arey to the fae to Vivienne. Auntie? Her hand moved down Arey's arm to take her hand. She squeezed it hoping for some sign that Arey was okay.

"I'm ok." Arey replied with a violent shudder as the last of the connection formed into place.

"What is going on? Why is he here? How did he know where you were?" Deirdre didn't understand how that guy ended up there and with Tim in his lap while kissing Arey. "Why were you kissing him? Did he do that weird thing where you get all..." She couldn't even bring herself to say it. This whole situation was strange, including the fact that they were no longer fighting. Wasn't he the bad guy?

"It's complicated..." Arey said weakly, beyond mortified that Deirdre had come in to see that. She wasn't even sure how to properly explain that.

Arin stepped toward Tim and Kat. Keeping his eye on their opponent he reached out his offhand to help them up. Calmly and quietly he addressed them, "Guys. I know you're pissed off. Remember what I said. Anger doesn't help. Get up, take a measure of your foe. This isn't all that it seems. Why is an obviously outnumbered foe not acting like they are in an inferior position?"

Tim looked at Kat and lifted her a little to help her to her feet before taking Arin's hand. "That bastard...he made a deal with Arey...." He growled it lowly at Arin. "Underking...said he was the underking...." He was breathing heavily. Tim looked Kat over. She seemed fine, sort of but there was no time to question it. His attention went back to Balthazar.

"What is going on?" Tim looked at Arin questioningly.

"I'll let you know when I figure it out." Arin replied absently. Seeing Tim wasn't about to rush in headlong again shifted his partial focus to Kat. He needed to ensure she would be calm now too.

Tim nodded and watched Balthazar, he gripped the iron rod a little tighter. His eyes darted to Arey, who was with Deirdre then to Viv. Something is wrong.... The air felt weird, the tension in the room not hostile like it should be.

"Fond of those lofty fictional titles as ever Balthazar." Vivienne replied as she stepped forward, face a mask of impassiveness, though her shoulder were tense and ready. "Explain to me why you are interfering with humans so obviously affiliated with me?"

"You know me auntie, a survivor through and through. You might have the monopoly with that whole savior complex of yours, but I'm looking to get by here without choosing sides either." Bal explained with a shrug that didn't hide his honest pleasure with seeing Vivienne, or his comfort with her presence. "So this is the little cousin huh? He been inducted yet, or is Uncle F'hor still enforcing that Fae purist mantra?" Bal asked casually.

"As I have not spoken with F'hor in nearly fifteen hundred years, I am unlikely to know." Vivienne replied shortly, lips pressed in a firm line. "Slumming among the bottom feeders is unbecoming nephew, as is picking up their habits." She remarked critically.

"You're one to talk." Bal scoffed as he rolled his eyes. "At least I'm not the one popping out half-breeds." Bal quipped. "No offense cousin, you can't help your genetics." He said offhandedly toward Arin with casual affection.

Tim already didn't like Balthazar but finding out he was related to Arin, to Viv and to have him talk the way he was about them made Tim grind his teeth. It was the first time it hit him though that Arin really was part fae. He 'knew' that but it was the first time he really understood it.

"'Auntie Viv?' are you fucking kidding me?" Kat growled looking between Vivienne and the fae dick. "How are you even remotely related to an incubus Viv? You're Seelie, their Unseelie, it's not possible." Kat denied glaring at Balthazar as she held onto her rod menacingly after shoving the other into Tim's hand.

"Balthazar is not an incubus Katrina." Vivienne said tiredly, as if she were fighting off a headache or needed a stiff drink.

"Ahhh, so this is the mix-breed kid I've heard about huh? Though she smelled fae." Balthazar mused as he seemed to disappear and reappear again behind Kat, sniffing at her hair investigatively.

Tim growled and turned. "Get the fuck away from her." He didn't know how Balthazar did that but he hated it.

"Relax kid." Bal said soothingly as Kat swung a fist toward Bal's face and he caught it. "You're of the fae, mixed blood or not. If Viv claims you, you're practically family." He said with a grin.

"That make you the creepy handsy uncle who hands out spiked booze?" Kat quipped meanly as she tried to tug her wrist free. Balthazar threw back his he and laughed at that. "I like this one. Let me know if you get tired of her Viv, I'll take her on for some education." Kat made a sour face at that.

"Let her go." Tim reached out to grab Balthazar's wrist.

Bal's eyes shifted toward Tim. "Kid, the deal was I don't touch you without permission. You touch me first and that bit is off, and I consider it an invitation. That's your one warning, 'cause I will still hop that cherry ass of yours if you tempt me." He said calmly, eyes patronizing. "Don't want your girlfriend to have gone through all the trouble of making a pact for nothing huh?"

Tim looked over at Arey and let Balthazar go. He looked pained. He was shaking with rage.

Deirdre looked at Arey. "Pact?"

"He put some kind of...mark on Tim. Some kind of claim of ownership. I didn't have a way to stop him from taking him otherwise." Arey said looking pained.

Kat hated Balthazar just a little bit more after that, because once again, even if it wasn't completely willing, she had to watch Tim pick Arey over her. The feeling was sinking and deflating and made her want to hit something, preferably Balthazar's face.

Deirdre frowned, "Yes he did and Kat and me. Viv said he marked us all....but a pact?"

The thought that Deirdre was disappointed in her felt devastating to Arey, and she tried to fight down the rising tide of shame that washed over her. "You didn't see." Arey tried to explain weakly, not sure what to say to that. "I have to negotiate on his behalf with some other fae? I don't really understand everything to be honest."

Deirdre shook her head, "No I didn't. I am sure you did everything you could." She hugged Arey tightly. "He is a manipulator, it is what he does." She glared at Balthazar. "He is the lowest of the low..."

"A trickster to be more precise there sweetheart." Balthazar said with a wink toward Deirdre.

Deirdre shivered as he looked at her. "Asshole."

"Sticks and stones their sweetheart. I'm not the only one here with a checkered past in the manipulation department, so mind your own glass house." He shot back with a shrug and narrowed eyes feeling petty.

Deirdre let go of Arey and looked at the floor.

"Mind your fucking tone." Arey growled out in anger toward Balthazar. "You do not know a damned thing about any of us, so don't presume to make character assumptions."

"Enough Balthazar." Vivienne said sternly as she walked up behind Deirdre and Arey, placing a comforting hand almost reluctantly on Deirdre's shoulder. "Release Katrina and speak like a civilized being."

Deirdre didn't move as Viv placed a hand on her shoulder. She looked down at her feet. She was flooded with guilt, for the past and for the present.

Arey slipped her hand into Deirdre, practically vibrating with protective anger on her behalf as she resisted the urge to try and claw the fae's eyes out.

"Geeze, always so formal with you auntie." Bal said almost pouting as he shot a glance over at Deirdre with a sigh. "Chin up beautiful, she wasn't that bad in all honesty. If you're gonna do something bad, might as well be motivated by love right?"

As Bal released his grip on Kat, she pulled back her arm grumpily only to swing it back up into his face. Suddenly there was blood smeared across his jaw, but it wasn't Bal's.

"Ah kid, I coulda told you that was a bad idea." Bal said mildly sympathetic as Kat grabbed back her hand that was bleeding from the knuckles.

"Mother fucker. She swore lowly before glaring up at Bal. "Don't call me a fucking kid." She hissed.

Tim reached out and pulled Kat to him. He put an arm around her.

Deirdre slipped her hand from Arey's. Balthazar's words stung and she felt like a criminal holding Arey's hand. Her eyes were still on her feet. Not that bad...

"Guinevere might have been many things, but manipulative would not be the particular adjective I would use." Vivienne retorted in displeasure. "You are particularly ineloquent today nephew."

"Yeah yeah, never said my claim to fame was in that department." Bal said rolling his eyes before turning to examine Kat after her outburst and Tim's sudden display of protectiveness.

"Ooooh?" He asked, giving her a good look over. "You're right, maybe not a 'kid'." He said with a leud kind of wink. "Look me up sometime if you're looking to feel real adult." He suggested. Kat made an exaggerated gagging noise that made him chuckle.

Tim looked at Viv, "Look he made a pact with Arey. He is all immune from shit when war comes...what do you have to say about that?" His arm was still around Kat, holding her close protectively.

Vivienne's eyes shifted from Tim to Balthazar, look questioning. "If you felt insecure regarding your safety here, why not simply come to me? I do still have some pull with the Seelie court, even if it is greatly diminished."

Bal scoffed at that. "Why? Because you did such an excellent job of standing up against them when they shoved Ygret in the prison, or Conale? Or Lugh? The bitch queen's had it in for our kind even before the war, now she just has a diplomatic excuse. I'm not going to risk my freedom on your generosity or diminished reputation. I have insurance now." Bal said looking satisfied with himself as he gestured toward Arey.

Vivienne looked properly chagrined, though her gaze was still disapproving. "I'll let the pact stand, but you will release your mark from all of my wards, or I will consider it an act of war between us." Vivienne replied firmly.

Tim ground his teeth a little but was happy that Viv was going to make Balthazar release Kat and D too. He looked down at Kat. "Let me see your hand."

Deirdre didn't move under Viv's hand, she couldn't bring herself to look at Arey or anyone. Viv said she wouldn't have called Guin manipulative but Deirdre could feel it in every fibre of her being that she didn't like her. She tried to tell Arin that but the feeling that emanated from the hand on her shoulder confirmed it.

"Totally worth it." Kat mumbled in reply as she let Tim look at her hand, quietly enjoying the attention and the contact being so freely given and unintegrated. It wasn't going to last, but for now she was ok with pretending for a little bit.

"I want familial visitation rights." Balthazar shot back, channeling his inner lawyer once more, face shrewd.

Vivienne's demeanor took on a similar aura and tone as she replied. "Out of the question."

"I have pact rights. You can't physically keep me from seeing her." Bal said pointing to Arey. "I can slip in whether you like it or not. This way at least, it will be announced...mostly." Bal returned, and a sour look passed over her face.

"Holidays." She offered grudgingly.

Tim huffed and looked up at Balthazar. He felt a surge of jealousy as the fae said that he could slip in to see Arey. Just the thought of that man near her made him beyond angry.

"And weekends." He pushed, trying his luck.

"The second weekend of every third month." Vivienne replied immediately.

"Starting this month." Bal clarified, to which they both agreed, before taking each others hand to seal the pact.

Arey stared at the hands a rising feeling of indignation growing. "You said we had to seal it with a kiss!" She accused hotly. "That fae couldn't fucking lie!"

Tim shook his head. "You bastard." He looked at Arey. He grabbed Kat and moved over to where Arey stood. He put his free arm around Arey. "Let it go...he was taking advantage, it is what he does." He leaned over to kiss the top of her head.

"I didn't lie, I mislead, big difference. We lie with the truth. Consider it a free lesson on how to deal with fae." Balthazar replied making a crude kissy face her way.

Kat eyed Tim and Arey as he walked them over to her side. He put his other arm around Arey, kissed the top of her head, and Kat could practically feel herself fading into the background of his concern and it made her ears burn. She felt stupid and jealous, and a whole lot of other crude emotions that was typical of teenage girls. Kat didn't like feeling typical or teenage. Gently she disentangled herself from Tim's hold and backed up a little, tired of feeling like the kid sister with a crush on her brother's best friend. He had Arey to look after now anyway, what did he need her for? She thought bitterly.

Tim frowned and looked at Kat as she backed away. He looked her over and made sure she was okay before turning back to Arey. He pulled her in closer.

Arey enjoyed the contact, feeling secure in it. After Deirdre had rejected her hand, she'd felt a little lost for that comfort.

Deirdre tried not to feel jealous as Tim hugged Arey, kissed her and kept her close to comfort her. She simply stood there, Viv's hand on her shoulder and looked at the floor. She felt ill.

Tim looked at Viv, "Are we done here or what? What does it take to remove the marks?"

"...You will not be...fond of the options." Vivienne said carefully looking at Tim. "Though I will trust my nephew to be quick and discreet. It will mostly depend on where my nephew has marked you." She amended, looking a little uncomfortable before sending Balthazar a sharp look.

Tim inhaled slowly. He looked back at Kat and then to Deirdre. "I'll go first." He kissed Arey once more on the head and then stepped towards Balthazar. "Just do it."

Balthazar grinned like a loon as he stepped in front of Tim, trying not to laugh to himself. "Looks like I get another one for the road eh boy scout?" He teased before latching his lips to Tim's in a dominating kiss and gripping hold of his ass. He delved his tongue inside Tim's mouth for good measure too as he set to work removing the mark he'd placed there the last time he'd held Tim like that.

Tim went stiff in Balthazar's arms as the fae kissed him. He tried not to vomit as the man's tongue probed his mouth. He wanted this done. He fought the urge to punch Balthazar, knowing he couldn't fight back.

Balthazar extended the kiss out a little longer than was strictly necessary, eventually moving one of his hands up to Tim's hair and up his back, being very thorough in removing his marks. Unfortunately for Tim, he'd simply put a lot of them there, and it took his a little while to ghost over and remove all those touches.

"Uh..." Kat wasn't sure if being mildly turned on by that display made her a bad person. Probably she decided, but couldn't really tear her eyes away either as a flush ran up her cheeks. Kat wasn't the only one visibly affected, as Arey fought between violent anger and arousal at the sight, though it wasn't truly either of their faults.

"Control your glamour nephew." Vivienne snapped in annoyance, as some of the aura of his true fae nature began leaking out in waves of arousal more potent than an incubus could ever hope to achieve. She did not need a room full of sex crazed teenagers.

Balthazar finished running his hands along the more sensitive areas of Tims chest and up his spine and neck to remove all the marks, and broke the kiss with his hand holding Tim's cheeks as he gave a little nip to his lips. "We should do that again sometime." He said with a wink.

Tim clenched his hands into fists and stepped backwards with a low growl. He was shaking so much that it was visible. He walked back over to Arey.

Arey advanced on Tim running on pure possessive instinct. She'd watched Balthazar man handle her date enough that night that she just wanted to erase his touch from Tim, replace them with her own, and she pulled him into an embrace before planting a kiss on him too. Comforting and demanding all at once. Claiming perhaps was the better word, making it clear to Balthazar that Tim was off limits.

Tim was momentarily stunned as Arey pulled him in and kissed him. His hands went to her back, pulling her closer. He kissed her back letting his tongue find hers. It was a thousand times better than Balthazar. His one hand roamed lower, gripping her backside and his other moved into her hair.

"I'll go next." Kat grumbled sending the pair a sour look before walking up to Balthazar. "Hey kid." He greeted a bit more kindly, looking over at the couple and then Kat, reading her like a book. He eyed her sympathetically, he could relate.

"I told you not to call me a kid." Kat complained, but she didn't have the energy at the moment to press the issue heatedly.

"Right...vixen sound better?" Bal offered wiggling his eyebrows.

"Don't patronize me." Kat complained. "And don't flirt with me when you don't mean it." She said bitterly.

"Who said anything about not meaning it?" Bal said looking her up and down in an exaggerated manner and pulling out his best bedroom eyes. "I ever tell you I had a thing for blondes?" Her purred.

Tim broke the kiss with Arey. He struggled to catch his breath. "Wow....."

"I know sorry." Arey panted sheepishly. "I just felt like...I had to do something. It was driving me bonkers."

"Don't ever apologize for that but I am sorry..." He looked down at where their bodies were touching and his obvious reaction to her. "I can't control that...." Tim blushed. "You know I think it still feels like his hands are all over me, you should kiss me again."

"Gladly." Arey grinned happily, circling her arms around his waist as she stood on her tip toes for another kiss, her hands moving down to his backside now in good natured retaliation.

"Let's just get this over with." Kat grumbled, eyes wandering back over to Tim and Arey who were STILL making out, and Kat really needed an outlet for some serious jealous rage right now.

"Y'know, I think we should give them a show too. Have a real snog off." Bal mused mischieviously.

"A what? Wait a se-mff!" It wasn't Kat's first kiss. There were a couple of guys at different arcades she'd been friends with over the years who she'd experimented with, but none of them had really known what they were doing. She didn't like Balthazar, he had a bad habit of touching people she had the hots for and getting away with it. He was however, a damn good kisser, and the first to slip her the tongue without either slobbering all over or choking her. She wasn't going to admit that to his face though. His hands ran over her shoulders down her arms and stopped at her hands, rubbing them in obscenely intimate ways until he finally broke them apart with a grin. "You ever want a practice partner who knows what their doing, you give me a call. Okay vixen?"

Tim broke the kiss with Arey and he smiled down at her. "Next date, no unexpected visitors." His fingers ran through her hair. "There will be a next date right?"

"If I have anything to say about it, then definitely." Arey replied, resting her forehead against his, drinking in the comfort and affection from his presence.

"I um yeah...no...I gotta...yeah go..." Kat replied wobbly, feeling dazed and overly warm. "That was...k..."She finished, voice a little high as she turned and tried to make her way back over as her cheeks looked flushed.

Tim pulled Arey in close. He looked over at Kat, concern in his eyes. "It is fine that I hate him right?" He whispered to Arey.

"I think there's enough of us here with that sentiment to form a club." Arey replied in silent agreement.

Tim watched Kat closely. "Good because I hate him..." Tim growled low. He looked to where Deirdre still stood, Viv's hand on her shoulder. She looked small and fragile under the fae's woman's hand. "She knows it is her turn right?" He whispered to Arey. He hated the idea that Balthazar was going to fondle D the way he had him and Kat.

Vivienne's hand shifted on Deirdre as her gaze locked disapprovingly on Balthazar. "I'm afraid it's your turn Miss Evering. Try not to let my obnoxious nephew upset you. He is prone to speaking out of turn and with words that cut particularly deep, even if they are distortions." Vivienne encouraged softly, beckoning her forward.

Deirdre walked forward at Viv's urging. She didn't lift her eyes until she was standing in front of Balthazar. She said nothing but stood there waiting for him to do whatever he was going to do.

Bal stared pensively at Deirdre when she approached, the smallest niggling feeling of guilt itching at him. Tricksters were not prone to that emotion, and mostly lived free of it, but Bal had never found much sport in wounding people who neither deserved it nor handle that kind of treatment well. He sighed in a kind of long suffering fashion, cursing his forever softy heart, blaming it on his prolonged exposure to humans. Emotions were like infectious diseases.

"You know when you stare at me like that I feel like a real dick head." Bal sighed.

Deirdre blinked, just once, confused by Balthazar's comment. What happened to the cocky fae who was strutting around doing what he wished? "I-I'm sorry?" She felt a little bad but he also was a dickhead...

"Jesus, don't apologize for me being an ass. That's the part where you're supposed to point and agree or kick me or something." He joked.

Deirdre shook her head a little. "My mark?"

"There you go, the cold shoulder. Much more self respecting." Bal encouraged with a wink.

"No..No I just..I wasn't trying to be cold..." Deirdre panicked for a moment thinking she was going to cause an issue. "I won't kick you or anything..." She wasn't being manipulative yet she suddenly felt like she was. It was confusing, the whole thing had been since they walked through the mirror.

Arin had been watching with a simmering rage. Seeing everyone he cared about being mistreated by this thing. Not to mention Vivienne keeping him out of the loop. As Deirdre stood in front of him he barely contained himself. Literally shaking with the effort. He knew better than to interfere with fae business, especially when he felt so ill informed. He swore to himself that he was going to solve the information problem as soon as he could. He continued to shake, stepping a little away from the rest of the group. He couldn't trust himself if anyone tried talking to him right now.

"Well, I thank you for that." Bal said sincerely. "And there's nothing cold about you. Or manipulative. I was being an ass. Defense mechanism. Believe it or not, we tricksters tend to have severe inferiority complexes." Bal admitted though he tried to shake that off as a joke. "We're used to rattling people's' cages, it's in our nature, but I didn't want to hurt you. I liked it when you had the spark to you." He said with a wink, though this one was much more encouraging than lewd or condescending, like it had been with the others.

She frowned. "Why are you telling me this?" Deirdre whispered. "You didn't hurt me just showed me the truth of things...."

"Because, only douche nozzles enjoy making girls feel bad. I might be an asshole, but a douche nozzle I am not...I hope." Bal tried to joke. "And I don't think that's the truth of things. Trust me, I met the woman, it was just a cheap shot from a guy who didn't stand a chance the first time around." Bal said warmly, taking her hand. "Let me know when you're ready."

Deirdre was surprised. Balthazar took her hand and she felt her lips part a little as she struggled to find the words to answer him. Unlike with the others he was being civil with her.

"I am ready." Deirdre lifted her chin a little.

"Ok." He said, eyes almost tender as he brought his lips down to brush against her forehead, and rested his hands on her shoulder while he removed the mark. Once he'd finished, he pulled her hand up gently to his lips and gave a chaste kiss to the knuckles. "If things ever get too heavy with this lot, and you need someone to talk to, put your hand on a mirror and say my name three times. Occasionally I'm good at that whole friendly ear thing." He said with an almost shy lopsided smile.

Tim felt odd. Balthazar was being gentlemanly with D. He appreciated the action but couldn't help but wonder what the catch was. His eyes narrowed. "I don't trust him..." He whispered to Arey.

Deirdre almost smiled. He was being nice to her. "Thank you Balthazar." She slowly stepped away from him. She couldn't bring herself to go stand near Arey and Tim, they were having a moment so she moved to stand alone, away from everyone.

"Right...take care of yourself." He said softly as she walked back over. Vivienne cleared her throat to call his attention, and Bal carefully slipped back into persona with his cheeky million dollar smile. "Well all, it's been a slice, getting to know the new fam and my bouncing baby cousin. I'll be seeing you all around...oh gosh this weekend!" Bal said dramatically. "Try not to miss me too much until then."

"Doubtful." Kat shot back, though there was a little playful amusement mixed in there now as well with the annoyance. He wasn't a complete asshole, but she hadn't exactly warmed up to him either. She needed to do some research on tricksters, get some even footing in. In some ways she was relieved, now she had another project to distract her from Tiey, or Arm...or what ever stupid couple name those two decided to go by, because that ship was all but official. Projects she could lose herself in for days...

Deirdre looked to where Arin stood. She worried about him. He had been very silent and looked unhappy. It was a lot of news, a lot of information and it all directly affected him. She warred with herself to go over to him or to stay where she was. One look towards Viv and Deirdre knew she couldn't go to him.

Tim gave Balthazar a mean smile. "Gee can't wait. And why aren't you gone yet?" He was done and wanted to go home, wanted to find a way to talk to Arey alone.

"Why your sparkling personality is just such a gravitas there boy scout, I can hardly help myself." Bal returned mockingly. "Not like I'm seeing family I haven't seen in some eight hundred years or anything. Or...you know...ever." He emphasized making his eyes large a saucers in an 'oh my' gesture. TV really was mankind's greatest contribution to the universe.

"Cousin, I think it is a good time to leave. We'll see you again soon. Right now, not a good family reunion time." Arin finally spoke. His voice cold, a slight menacing tone underlying the words. The shaking had stopped. Seeing how Bal had treated Deirdre took some edge off. He was glad about that, as he wasn't sure what he would have done if Balthazar had treated her similar to Tim or Kat. Though, reminding himself of how he treated Kat brought some of the rage back.

"Go home Balthazar." Vivienne sighed, looking bone weary as she anticipated the fight that was to come.

"Riiiight, awkward. We'll work on that whole scowling thing later. Makes you comes off as unapproachable." Bal quipped before walking into the shadows again and disappearing.

Arin cocked his head at Vivienne. The menace was gone, but the coldness remained, "Thanks for the heads up. I enjoyed the little reunion show. It was quite enlightening, if not entertaining."

Deirdre held her breath. She looked from Vivienne to Arin. She wasn't sure what to do, it felt like she was intruding on a private moment between family.

Tim hugged Arey, "I think we are going to clean up and call a cab." He looked down at Arey, "Coming?"

"That's probably a good idea." Arey said, eyeing Arin and Vivienne wearily. Part of her didn't want to leave them alone, or more specifically Arin, but this was a personal matter and it wouldn't be right of her to intrude. She knew she would not enjoy have a row with her father with all of her friends watching, she could extend the same courtesy to him.

"I officially cut ties with our house in the seelie court centuries ago, contact was both unlikely and unwise. Names hold power with the fae, speaking a name is as paramount as an invitation if the fae in question is powerful enough, and our house is powerful for all its faults." Vivienne replied tersely to her son. She would have prefered to have at least waited until they were home before the interrogation began.

Tim took Arey's hand and led her to go clean up all the skates and wait in the front of the rink.

Deirdre remained frozen to her spot. She wasn't invited to join Arey and Tim so didn't want to intrude. She backed away to be a bit more in the shadows.

Arin chuckled as people started leaving. He was angry, confused and feeling powerless, but he wasn't stupid enough to air personal laundry in public. The quip was just a way to let Vivienne know he planned to talk with her soon. "Sure mom. Lots of reasons. I get it. Not the place to go over details. I get that too." He watched Arey and Tim walk off. The memory of them making out duelling with the sympathy he felt for Tim due to Balthazar's mishandling.

"Wanna come take a walk with me D?" Kat said in an exaggeratedly chipper voice as she extended her elbow out toward Deirdre.

Deirdre shook her head, her eyes on Arin. "He...." She frowned and looked pained. "Kat, he is not okay right now..." Her voice was low.

"Go ahead D, Kat. It's fine. I'm... going for a ride." The coldness had left. All that remained was resignation as he felt another long ride to get focus was needed before he even started with Vivienne.

Deirdre sighed. She looked at Vivienne for a moment, set her mouth into a line and then marched up to Arin. Without asking, without pausing she hugged him tightly. She didn't care what Viv thought, didn't care what anyone thought. He looked angry and alone and that bothered her.

Vivienne's eyes were blank as she watched Deirdre hug her son. She actually kind of respected that show of defiance, and if it comforted her son, she wasn't about to make an issue over it. Her reservations regarding that relationship had already been made clear, but she wasn't going to spoil that needed comfort for either of them by so tactlessly repeating them. "Be safe." She said simply, voice almost tender.

Kat watched from the side, not wanting to interfere. In some ways, she felt like as much of an outsider as any of the others, even if Arin embraced her as a sister. Kat wasn't blood, and she never would be. Those conversations about ancestry and familial issues were ones she had no right to intrude upon, and she only ever felt awkward about it when she tried.

Arin didn't know how to react as Deirdre embraced him. He hesitated, stunned at first. The recent emotions leaving him raw and on edge, the heightened tension and the links to the past being strongly apparent made it impossible to hold Lancelot back and he finally hugged her back. Fully, with as much of the love that Lancelot felt for Guinevere. Arin struggled against it as he didn't want to overwhelm Deirdre, but it was a losing battle. Lancelot won out, but maybe for the better, as even he needed just the comfort of another person now. Arin might have tried to avoid it. Instead, the needed relief from the stress was allowed to happen. Arin visibly relaxed, settling into her embrace and just soaking up her compassion.

Deirdre hugged him as tightly as she could. She buried her face into his neck and simply held on. He was almost rigid at first but then relaxed in her arms. She said nothing, just hugged him. Guinevere was overwhelmingly happy. The love that she felt for Lancelot overpowering everything else. Deirdre managed to hold on a little to the need to comfort Arin. It wasn't about Guin, it was about Arin and how the night had turned out for him. He had watched, listened. In some ways the night had gone worse for him than anyone.

She didn't care about Tim or Arey or Vivienne. She didn't register where Kat was. There was only them for the moment, only Arin and her need to show him that he wasn't alone. She knew they had boundaries that they were supposed to follow but she couldn't just stand by and not do something.

Her right hand moved to the back of his head and she sighed softly into his neck as her fingers moved through his hair. It was in that moment that she knew Guinevere was trying to take over.

With great effort she pulled back a little and looked at Arin. "I couldn't just walk away." Her voice was low as she struggled to gain some control.

Arin sighed as he felt her hand at the back of his head. The sensations both exciting Lancelot and making Arin more aware of his surroundings. As he was reminded who was in his arms, she drew away a little. Arin smiled at her. Fighting off the urge to draw her back in, "Thank you D. I... needed that. Even though I know it wasn't all us, it was us in very important ways, at least for me. I glad you had the courage to face that because I didn't."

She smiled though it was slightly sad. Her hand touched his cheek. "Don't underestimate me. I may buckle sometimes under pressure but...I...I am not weak when I see a time when I can actually be of use." She stroked his cheek lightly. "I know...I know we had a rule but you just..." She let out a shuddering breath. "I hope I am not making it worse now."

"I didn't say I was surprised by your courage. I didn't underestimate you at all. But it doesn't mean I can't respect the courage it took, regardless. I know you are not weak," He looked her directly in the eyes as he assured her. "The rule was there so we didn't rush our comfort level. It was never intended to remain forever. I do not feel uncomfortable. Do you?"

Deirdre smiled a little more warmly, "No but I don't know if that is okay with everyone else. Not you and I am worried about though...." She blushed a little.

"Ah. I see. My whole goal was to ensure your comfort. The others have to deal with their own however they like. I'm not going to be trapped by their lack of understanding."

Deirdre frowned a little. "But Arey? You said you didn't want to make...nevermind..." She shook her head. "You looked like you needed someone and there was no way I was going to leave you alone. That simple."

"And I appreciate that. A lot." Arin stepped a little further out of her embrace, gently taking her hands in his. "I'm not going to make this about Lance and Guin. I'm not going to make it about Arin and Arey, or Lance and Arthur. Arey has Tim. We will deal with what we are as we need to." He smiled. "So far, I'm liking Deirdre. As Arin. And I'll take that as it comes. No rush, no pressure."

Deirdre nodded slowly, unsure where this was going as he took her hands. You screwed up. He thinks it was all Guin. "Wait...what?" His words didn't match her thoughts at all. "I like Arin..as me. I like the way he makes sure I don't fall off a couch when I am stupidly scared." She blushed as she smiled. "No pressure. Friends for now? Maybe..." She shrugged. "Nevermind. Let's just say I like Arin."

"That works for me." Arin was still smiling. He squeezed her hands gently before letting them go, "Though, I do still need to go for that ride. I need to figure some other stuff out."

Deirdre shook her head, "You don't need to explain anything to me." She was a little sad that he let her hands go but knew the contact was likely too long. "Tim said he was getting a cab...guess we will finish the movie another night."

She reluctantly stepped back, giving him the space he seemed to need now. "I'll go wait by the door, let you know when it gets here. The cab that is." She looked over her shoulder at Kat. "Come with?"

Deirdre looked back at Arin, "To be clear it wasn't Guin, not till after I was hugging you, not till after..." She wanted him to know that her actions hadn't been guided out of a past need to be near him. It was her, her desire to see Arin comforted.

"I know. It's one of those things that I like about Deirdre." Arin grinned.

A small shy smile appeared as eyes looked away slightly. Her cheeks warmed. "Oh, well...I just wanted to make sure you knew the reason is all..." Deirdre was terrible at flattery, at compliments and Arin's response was not exactly what she expected. It was simple, concise and affirmed her hope that she had been clear in her motivations. He had known and that made her smile.

"I appreciate the clarity, even though I knew. I like the idea of being straight up with each other." Arin replied sincerely.

Deirdre stood a little taller, her head a little higher. She had no doubt in her actions but she also now felt proud that she and Arin were building a real friendship. It felt strange but better than she had hoped. Can't screw it up if we do it right from the beginning. She smiled at him. "Always."

Arin smiled back before looking over a Kat with some concern. Another reason he was glad Deirdre helped him. He was not in a position to offer anything to Kat before, but now he could at least check on her before he took off. He moved over toward her, "Hey Kat... Anything I can do? You know, I'm glad I have you as a sister, even if it's made up. The rest of my family is fucked up. I like having someone like you around. Reminds me that the family you choose is often better than the family you have forced on you."

Deirdre stood awkwardly to the side, waiting as Arin talked to Kat. She was careful to stay out of earshot. It was between Kat and Arin but she didn't want to go out to where Arey and Tim were. Her eyes were on her feet.

"You know me, I'm always cool." Kat said shrugging, though she moved to give Arin a one armed hug. "Viv doesn't keep quiet about things without a reason. I'm sure you guys'll work it out." Kat said quietly.

"Never a question about your cool factor, Kat. You are the one of the most interesting people I know. Just making sure Bal didn't get under your skin." Arin hugged her back. "She's my mom, Kat. We'll figure it out. Doesn't mean I'm right pissed though."

"Ahhh the flattery, it burns!" Kat joked shoving playfully at his shoulder. "Him? Get under my skin? He wishes he was cool enough for that. Nah, just had to give him a little payback is all." Kat assured, puffing herself up.

"Agreed. Didn't think it would bother you all that much. He had nothing on you. Hey, you know you're my favorite sister, right? I couldn't care less it's not about blood." Arin said sincerely. He knew Kat wasn't going to want pity and sympathy done wrong would only cause her to further introvert. He just wanted her to feel that she had a place because of who she was.

Kat snorted. "Yeah, 'cause you've got quite the selection there to choose from." Kat joked.

"Why look for choices when you know you've got the best first time?" Arin shrugged matter of factly.

"Now you're just being obvious." Kat said rolling her eyes. Arin didn't know what he was talking about on that end. He didn't have anyone to compare her too, and Kat could attest to the fact that she was a Grade A pest and pain in the ass. He was just trying to make her feel better.

"So? You're right. It is obvious. Kinda what I'm saying. Anyway, just... I think you're great Kat and I'm glad Bal didn't bother you much. It's probably an obvious time to say that, but never something that should be unsaid." Arin now felt like he was fumbling. So he just hugged her once more and smiled at her.

"Alright alright, no need to get mushy." Kat said hugging him back. "You're a pretty cool big brother yourself."

"Thanks. Let's collect D and get that cab."

Deirdre looked at her feet still until the siblings came closer. She offered a small smile.

Arin smiled back and offered his arm to her, "There is a cab awaiting our arrival. Shall we?"

Deirdre nodded and took his arm with a giggle.

Deirdre's eyes fell on Tim and Arey as he held her hand. Part of her was pained at seeing Arey and Tim together but she knew that was more Guinevere than herself. As long as you support her that is what matters. You can be there for her without the messiness and that is what will make it better this time. At first she had thought Arin and Arey needed to be together in order for her to redeem Guinevere in this life but perhaps Arey just needed to be happy. Arthur needed to be there for the fight but Arey needed to be happy. If Deirdre could help keep the balance wasn't that the best thing she could do? Didn't Arin say Guinevere had been a diplomat? She let the thought go for now.

Turning, she looked at Kat. "I'll be in the room shortly, something I need to do first." With that she turned and headed towards the mirror that would take her to Arin's apartment. She was quick up the stairs. She knew Tim would be coming up eventually and maybe Arin to get his gear. She wanted to clean up the mess before either of them settled in for the night. Deirdre set to work immediately. On hands and knees she began to pick up the popcorn she had spilt all over the floor and then did the same for the bits that were on the couch. She dumped the handfuls she collected into the bowl. She laid down on the floor to make sure she got any that might have gone under the couch and under the table.

Once she was sure she had picked up as much as she could find she moved to the kitchen and dumped the bowl into the garbage. Placing it in the sink now that it was empty she moved back to the table where she gathered up the bottles. Sadly, the majority of both her and Kat's beer was undrunk. She took the two mostly full and Arin's empty bottles into the kitchen. Deirdre dumped Kat's into the sink with a sigh. Fun evening ruined. I wonder if all our days will be so exciting... Her eyes rolled a little. She picked up her bottle. Only one sip had been taken from it and the glass felt warm. She held it for a moment before deciding to take a drink of the warm beverage. It wasn't nearly as good as the first sip she'd had but it wasn't terrible. Deirdre swallowed the bubbly liquid. Not bad, better cold...or at least colder than this. Turning she leaned her back against the counter and took small sips of the beer.

Her mind replayed the movie, the way Arin had pulled her into his lap as she scrambled there. How he had made it clear that it wasn't a thing, his reaction to her sitting in his lap. Physical reaction, couldn't be helped and didn't mean anything. There was a small sense of disappointment. Did she want it to mean more? She wasn't sure. He was attractive, no doubt about it. Sweet, kind and had done a lot to make her comfortable, to not push things and keep his feelings separate from Lancelot's. He is a good kisser. She ignored the fact that he was really the only person, other than Arey to kiss her. She was certain that he was a good kisser no matter the comparisons. Deirdre took another drink. Can't get caught up in the fact that you think he is hot. Can't do it. She wished she had a friend she could gossip and giggle with about him. She wanted to revel in the crush without someone making her feel guilty. Can't do that with Arey, whole can of worms from the past there. Can't with Tim because well... Another sip of beer was swallowed. Love to talk to Arin but defeats the point now doesn't it? Kat, maybe...if she doesn't think it weird that I think Arin is good looking. She tipped the rest of the bottle into the sink. It wasn't much, a mouthful maybe but her stomach was in a knot and she feared that her own anxiety might not mix well with the beer.

Her phone buzzed in her pocket and she pulled it out with a sigh. It is like they just know. "Hi mom...." Deirdre looked around the apartment and made sure the livingroom was straighten up from their movie gathering before turning the sink on. "Sorry mom, can't hear you. I am doing dishes." Deirdre smirked a little. "What's that? No I am not coming home this weekend. I never said I would. In fact I think I said I was busy with things." Hands plunged into soapy water as she washed the popcorn bowl. "No mom I don't want to go to lunch. No I don't have time for you to come into the city right now. I have school, I have classes. I don't want to ta-Hi Dad."

She let the water out of the sink and placed the wet bowl on the drying rack. "No dad I am not in trouble. I am doing dishes, does that sound like trouble? What do you mean they called you?" The colour drained from Deirdre's face. "No dad the police aren't looking for me. I already talked to them. They have my number...I don't want to talk about it dad." Tears welled up in her eyes. "Not me, no they aren't calling because I am in trouble dad. Please can you just list-"

Deirdre hung her head as her father spoke. He didn't give her time to say anything. He went on and on about how worried they were, how concerned, how she made them feel so helpless to protect her and on and on. By the time he stopped long enough to take a deep breath Deirdre was on the floor, back to the counter and tears flowing. There was nothing but guilt and pressure. Her sobs were silent and shallow though, she had mastered that a long time ago with them.

"Dad...can you...please...just listen?" She struggled to speak between breaths. "It was about one of my roommates. She is dead." Her dad began freaking out on the other end of the phone and Deirdre simply sat there with with the phone to her ear. She didn't have the energy to fight back, to argue or rebuke anything he said.

In the background her mother was equally freaked out. They began making plans, to drive up and get her, to take her home, to call the dance school and get her reinstated. Deirdre shook her head but couldn't find the words. Arin had been right, she shouldn't be talking to them after the day they had. The workout, the rink...she had so little left to draw on. She remembered the way Viv's hand had felt on her shoulder, the way Balthazar had said Guin wasn't that bad and even after he tried to pass it off as ill spoken she couldn't help but feel like a terrible person. How Arey had taken her hand and she couldn't bring herself to hold it just knowing she didn't deserve to be defended.

"I don't..want..." Deirdre managed to meekly get the words out. She wanted to scream at them, to rail against them but she couldn't find the energy. What's the point of fighting? Is it worth it? They don't need me here anyway... Self doubt, guilt, loathing and a dose of sulking all settled in. She was defeated.

"We are done with what you want. We are paying for everything, we are deciding what happens now. You had your fun, your freedom, it is time to be serious princess. The world is too dangerous for someone like you. You are coming home." She held the phone away, her father's voice echoing in the apartment.

The tears stopped. She sat there feeling numb. "We will be up on Friday. You have one week to get things taken care of. I will call the school, the dance school, the landlord....what else...don't you worry princess. You just pack your things and be ready. We will call every morning and every night to make sure you are okay."

The phone was held out in her hand, her father's voice loud to her ears in the apartment.

"Shucks, well hi there Mr. Evering, it sure if nice to make your acquantace here, even if it does have to be over the phone." Kat said in an overly clean and cheerful sounding voice as she snatched the phone out of Deirdre's hand. D had taken too long coming down from Arin's apartment, and she'd begun to worry. She'd also remembered the mess they'd left up there from the movie and felt a little guilty, guessing Deirdre and her overly polite ways would drive her to clean. "Deirdre just left to grab the cookies out of the oven and handed me the phone."

"What? Who are you? Are you one of her roommates? Put Deirdre back on please." Her father's voice was flustered then grew a little distant. "She handed the phone to someone...she is behaving strangely it is good we are doing this. For the best." The voice grew louder again. "Put her back on the phone please."

Deirdre sat on the floor and wasn't entirely sure what was going on. It felt like she wasn't present. She was looking at Kat but didn't see her. She felt like she might get sick or burst out laughing at the absurdity or cry uncontrollably.

"Oh golly Mr. Evering, I sure wish. Deirdre's always super nice to me and helps me do cool projects. She's my Big Sister through the NYU mentoring program for orphan kids. She came over tonight to help teach me how to bake cookies. We don't really get to eat sweets that often at the orphange, so that was sure nice of her." Kat said playing up the innocent kid routine. "Well I would sir, but she's in the kitchen right now. I'll put her right back on when she comes back." Kat said faking an earnest voice.

The man on the other end of the phone sputtered a little, "Big Sister? What in the heaven's are you talking about? Please go to her and give her the phone." He was growing impatient but he refused to yell at a young girl. "I wish to speak to my daughter, now."

"Ok Sir, I'll just put you on hold and go get her!" Kat said in a chipper voice. "Now...which button do I press again? Whoops clumsy me...." Kat said hitting the end call button and switching the phone to silent. "Jesus christ, that's your dad? No offence, but he sounds like an over zealous Ken doll." Kat said making a face.

The phone started vibrating immediately. Deirdre instinctively reached for it. She didn't even look up at Kat.

Kat yanked the phone back, hitting the block call button before walking to the fridge and stuffing it in the freezer. "Nope, I think those guys are done talking for the night. They ask later, say your autistic orphan mentee messed up your phone. Bullet proof excuse. People can't get mad without looking like assholes." Kat said as she swaggered over to Deirdre and plopped down beside her. "Wanna talk about it?"

Deidre stared at her hands. The phone was gone. She blinked a couple of times before slowly looking at Kat. She shook her head slowly. "Police called them..."

"Dick move." Kat said in sympathy bumping her leg against Deirdre's in silent comfort.

"They are taking me home. They are calling the school....F-friday..Saturday. I don't know." Her stomach heaved a little and Deirdre but her head on her knees. "I cleaned up the mess."

"The hell they are!" Kat hissed like a cat that had just been tossed in a bathtub. "They can't take you anywhere you don't wanna be. You got people now, we've got your back. They can call the school all they like, but I haven't met a firewall system yet that hasn't been made my bitch. I can get you re-enrolled in like five minutes!" Kat assured heatedly.

Deirdre shook her head and looked at her hands. "No they are calling the school, the landlord and the dance school....they are in control of everything....It's over Kat. I can't stop them."

"They aren't in control of diddly squat!" Kat contradicted without pause. "And they don't know jack about you or anything else that really goes on in the world. You're a superhero D, part of the team. They call you're school, I'll hack you back in so fast it'll make your head spin. They call your landlord, you've got a place rent free right here. They call your old dance school? Too fucking bad, 'cause we got you first. You have the power here D, don't let them just walk all over your life."

"I have nothing..." She felt completely deflated. "You can say that but they will come, they will call and I will have to leave..." Deirdre but her face in her hands and began to silently cry.

Arin had been standing in the doorway, waiting to gather his things. He didn't want to interrupt but he felt an extra voice with Kat's reassurance would help, "You only have to do the things you want to do. I'm pretty sure there are more than enough people here to dissuade their intent. You are an adult. There is no legal recourse they can take. This particular place, for example, is mine. I don't have to let anyone in that I don't want to. You think your parents are going to force their way through me?" He winked.

Her face still in her hands, Deirdre mumbled, "I have nothing. They control it all. That is great that you have a place they can't enter. I don't live here. I sleep on a floor or in bed with Arey. I have a bag of clothes..." She shook her head.

"Maybe you didn't understand. If you need a place to be protected from them, I offer mine. And you have quite a lot. At least in my opinion. You have Kat, she seems to like you." He grinned at Kat.

"You also have me. And I feel safe speaking for myself when I say I like you. You want more clothes, a bed of your own? That's all coming. You are not going to be left to face them alone. You wouldn't let me face my problems alone, you think I'm just going to desert you now?"

"I can't stay here, you know that. I have friends...they don't care about that. I do but that won't matter to them. They'd rather I was alone." Deirdre looked up at Arin. "I don't want to be alone but what I want doesn't matter to them." She tried to smile. "I cleaned up." She was tired and still feeling quite numb.

"Kat, you and D stay in my apartment this weekend. When the parents get here I'll come up and make sure they know whose place it really is. It will be quite clear that you aren't alone D. And you have it backwards. What they want doesn't matter to you. You give us the word that you want to stay with us and that is what will happen. There's really nothing they can do to me that will convince me otherwise." Arin moved toward the women and sat down across from them. He looked around, "Thanks. You didn't have to, but I do appreciate it."

"I couldn't just leave the popcorn everywhere...I made the mess it was my responsibility..." Her voice was a whisper as she looked at him. "Arin you don't have to go through so much to defend me. I don't want to go with them but I don't know how to stop it....I need help." Deirdre shook slightly. "Kat...thank you for hanging up on them. I couldn't..."

"Actually, that's kinda my job here D. Protecting people is what I do. Let alone the fact that I want you to stay around. Seems like a simple thing for me to decide to help back you up. Everyone needs help now and then. You had the courage to help me. This is only a small thing in return." Arin assured her. It came easy for him to offer this. It wasn't a huge undertaking for him and he wanted to ensure Deirdre knew that.

Deirdre frowned. "I understand that, you are the sort of man who follows through on the things he believes. I don't know how to stand up to them...I will handle it..I don't know..." She was confused. Deirdre tried to stand. "I shouldn't be here. I was supposed to be gone before you came home...I can't be found here. What will Arey or Tim say? Viv doesn't approve." She stumbled as she tried to stand. Everything was off. "You said I shouldn't talk to them after the workout...I didn't listen..."

Arin frowned and stood up quickly as Deirdre stumbled. This was getting to her more seriously than he'd thought. It was no longer about trying to convince her, now he knew he needed to calm her down and get on an even keel, "D, don't worry about being here. Kat's here. Arey and Tim don't matter currently. Just come sit down for a minute okay? Get your breath back a bit?" He put his arm around her shoulders and guided her toward the couch.

"Kat?" Deirdre frowned and looked for her. Arin's arm was around her and Deirdre let him lead her to the couch. Her face turned to bury itself into his shoulder as they moved. "I don't want to go...."

"I'm here don't worry. The blondies are too busy to care right now anyway. It's group cuddle time." Kat said in a chipper voice as she plopped down on the couch.

"Good, I don't want you to leave.... We don't want you to leave." Arin hugged her tighter to himself before sitting her down and sitting next to her.

"I can't focus. They have this way of making me frustrated and then I can't think." Deirdre, unthinking laid her head on Arin's shoulder. "I am sorry. I shouldn't be here still." She looked at Kat and smiled. "I am glad you found me."

"Good thing too. Otherwise I would have missed out on messing with your folks." Kat grinned, hugging Deirdre from her side.

Deirdre couldn't help but feel comforted by the people on either side of her. "I don't know how I am going to explain things to them. I should..." She closed her eyes. "No, I am not talking to them right now. I can't..." She snuggled against Arin and put an arm around Kat.

Arin sat back and let Deirdre lay on him, "No reason to. There's nothing you're going to accomplish. If they are set on coming, let them come. I've faced worse. What do you think Kat? A shade and incubus must be worse than her parents, right?"

"I don't man, the suburbs give me the heebie jeebies." Kat joked lightly. "We can probably take 'em though."

"See, an overwhelming sense of confidence D. We got this. You just relax, okay?" Arin gently ran his hand through her hair. She was exhausted and had an immensely stressful day. At this point Arin wished she'd just fall asleep so she would be recharged and ready to plan for her parents.

Deirdre's breathing increased as Arin ran his fingers through her hair. Her eyes were closed and her face against him. "I should go..." She mumbled against him. "You don't need me here like this..." Deirdre adjusted to lay a bit more comfortably on him.

"Right, don't need you here. Want you here. It's all good D." Arin said gently.

"Can't want me..." She mumbled once more. Deirdre tried to fight the urge to wrap her arms around Arin, to move so that she lay completely against him. Guin was silent. She was so far beyond emotions and thinking that she was empty.

"Too late." Arin stopped moving his hand and just let it rest on top of her head. He evened his breathing with hers to further relax her.

"Kat...we should go to bed." Deirdre sighed against Arin. It was one of contentment. Her hand went up to Arin's chest and rested there. She moved her head to look up at Arin. "You like to tease me don't you?" Her words were soft.

"How am I teasing you?" Arin grinned down at her. "Not saying I don't like to tease, just not sure how I'm doing it right now and I'd prefer to know when I am."

Deirdre smiled sleepily, "You said too late. You are teasing me. I wish I could tell you that I have a crush on you..." She smiled. "If you knew what I was thinking you might not let me lay on you like this."

Her eyes closed and then opened again slowly. "Bed. I should leave you alone. Kat?"

"Not teasing at all. It is quite too late. And, I believe you just told me. And here I am, still wanting you to lay on me. So, I think you have all the answers to your questions." Arin grinned. He wasn't entirely sure how serious she was currently, but he didn't mind the idea at all. She was too out of sorts to take at face value though so he wasn't making any plans, "Not a worry D. You and Kat can stay in my bed tonight. I'm going out for a ride. I'll crash on the futon again."

Deirdre shook her head. "I can't do that to you...I can't get up." She took a deep breath. "Arin, your bed smells like you. I can't sleep there. It means I will be thinking of you and I can't do that..Kat can help me to bed." Her hand ran along his chest.

"You aren't doing anything to me. I'm asking you to take it. Honestly, if you're thinking of me, I'll be quite flattered." He disentangled himself gently, only to stand up and easily scoop her up in his arms. "I hope you don't mind staying with her Kat. Probably be easier for her tonight and in the morning." He carried her to his room.

Deirdre wasn't sure what was happening but suddenly she wasn't on Arin anymore. She looked up at him and then her eyes widened slightly. "Arin...." She came to her senses a little. Her breathing picked up once again. He had her in his arms as if she were nothing. She knew he was strong and though she didn't weigh a lot, he held her as if it were a child. Her arms circled his neck. She was unsure if she should struggle or cry. Deirdre did neither. She buried her head into his neck. "Arin."

"Permission to sleep with a beautiful woman all night and into the morning? You're putting me in a real tough spot there." Kat said sarcastically as she watched Arin pick up Deirdre and take her to his bed. "I'll go grab us some pj's. You two..." Kat said pointing to the two of them with her finger. "...Be safe." Kat said with a wink before heading downstairs to retrieve their sleep clothes.

Arin growled slightly, "Safe? What do people expect? How am I supposed to not be safe." Arin gently laid Deirdre on his bed and covered her up. "I know you think you're putting me out. And you're about to apologize or insist that you can't be here or something stubborn like that. I warn you, I'm going to tell Kat to do whatever it takes to keep you here. So, it's your call. Gamble with her reactions however you like." He winked.

Deirdre stiffened slightly in his arms as he laid her down. She shook her head and tried to stop him. Her hands went out to stop the blanket. "No, no you don't understand." She suddenly felt more awake. Kat had used the same words Viv had. Be safe "I can't be here Arin. You heard Kat. Be safe. That means stay away from me." Panic began to build. "She is going to tell Vivienne and she hates me. She will be angry and I will ruin things. I was so careful but now....."

Deirdre shifted to her knees on the bed. "You don't know how I feel about you and I shouldn't but I can't help it. I should be doing a better job at keeping our deal."

Arin scowled, "I'm not going to fight you D. I'm sorry Vivienne has made you feel so uncomfortable here. That is not acceptable. There is nothing you can ruin other than a comfortable night of sleep."

Arin sighed. All the calmness they'd achieved was dissipating just because of a few words. His own frustration was returning. There would always be someone who was going to question he and Deirdre's actions. He was getting tired of trying to please them. Not to mention what it did to Deirdre.

Her eyes had tears in them. "I'm sorry Arin. I want...it doesn't matter what I want but I do like you..and they will be angry with me because of it." She moved on the bed until her head was on his shoulder. "I have a bit of a crush on you Arin and you being nice to me means everyone will think I am doing something wrong."

Arin started running his hand through her hair again, easily. He had a bit of a silly smile on his face. All the thoughts of his previous frustrations fading, "You really do then? I was wondering if you were just overly tired. I think that's great... I mean... I'm flattered and..." He stopped. He was blathering like an idiot and it wasn't helping at all.

Deirdre wanted to shrink into the bed as Arin talked. Good job. He is flattered and going to find a way to gently remind you that it is not okay... Deirdre lifted her head slowly. "It's okay, I understand. Flattered but not on the same page. I am crossing a line. I told you I would do something wrong. You don't have to say anything Arin." Her voice was soft. She started to move away from him. "I understand." He doesn't think of you like that, he thinks it is Guin and not you. He thinks you broke the rules...

Arin shook his head emphatically and moved his hand from her hair to her upper back, trying to keep her from moving away, "No, no. Not wrong. Not crossing anything. I... look, straight up right? I didn't think you'd be interested or anything like that. I thought you were just going for friends and I was happy with that. D, you're fun, compassionate, sweet and beautiful. If you think I'd reject a crush from you..." He shook his head again.

"Today was very stressful for all of us. We all need to collect our thoughts and recharge. You will greatly disappoint Kat if you don't stay here with her. And I will be much happier knowing my bed won't just smell like me tomorrow." He winked. "Honestly, I want you here and I want you to have a crush on me and I really couldn't care less what anyone thinks at this moment."

He sighed, "There is so much... D, just be patient. I really need to come to terms with a few things but I don't want you to think that you telling me this is on that list."

She shook her head, "I am not asking for anything I was being honest and I shouldn't have. I..."

He was holding her, stopping her from moving. "Of course I was interested but....I won't leave, as a favour to you and not to disappoint Kat." Deirdre's lip quivered, "I didn't mean to make things more overwhelming. And you are teasing me again..." She eyed him a little warily. "Teasing about the bed smelling not like you...I don't know what to do now.." Her hands went to his shoulders.

Arin pulled her into a hug, holding her around her shoulders and mid back, "I don't think you're asking for anything. Why do you keep saying that? You didn't make anything more overwhelming. Today was a lot but you helped ground me. Without your help I'm not sure where my head would be right now. I'm not teasing. You'll know when I am. What you should do now is relax again and sleep."

Deirdre closed her eyes as Arin hugged her. "I will sleep, I think.." Her head rested on his shoulder. "Thank you Arin. We can still be friends right? I haven't ruined anything? You don't dislike me?"

"Far from ruined D. If anything, I like you more. I just want time to process everything. But I do know that I plan to try and hang out with you more. Ensure that crush doesn't get a chance to fade away." He felt an almost irresistible urge to lay her down and kiss her. For once, he wasn't convinced that it was Lancelot influencing that, either. Instead he leaned toward her ear and whispered, "Good night D. Thank you, for everything."

Deirdre stopped breathing for a moment as Arin leaned in and whispered in her ear. She turned her head a little to look in his eyes. "Nothing will change anytime soon....Good night Arin and thank you." She whispered back.

Arin was caught up in her eyes. She wished him good night yet he couldn't break away from her. He cocked his head at her and smiled. He couldn't resist any further. He leaned in and gave her a soft, gentle kiss. Not lingering but meaningful, "I'll see you in the morning D. And I hope a lot more."

Deirdre felt her stomach flutter as Arin gently kissed her. "I-I will see you in the morning...." He had kissed her. After all of that he had kissed her. And hoped for more? She couldn't stop the pounding of her heart. She slowly moved to sit down on the bed, her knees no longer able to hold her up. Her cheeks flushed.

Arin stood up and moved to the door, turning to look at Deirdre on the bed again, "Something about leaving you on my bed while I leave the room... Maybe that won't always have to happen..." He grinned happily and left.

Deirdre watched, speechless as Arin left the room. Won't always happen? Her stomach flipped. It took a great deal of effort for her to move from the bed and take her pants off. She laid out once more in the bed, this time pulling up the blankets. Her mind was on Arin. Everything else was insubstantial compared to what had gone on between them. Deirdre laid on her back, eyes on the ceiling. She knew Kat was coming to bed at some point but her mind was still on Arin.

Kat came back into the apartment a few minutes after Arin had left, wearing a pair of batman pajamas and her right hand freshly wrapped in gauze. She handed Deirdre her set of pj's silently before getting into the bed and pulling herself under the covers.

Deirdre took the pj's but she had a small smile. She undressed and then pulled her pj's on before climbing in next to Kat. "Good night Kat..."

Deirdre woke and took a moment to enjoy the warmth of the blankets around her and their smell. She took a deep breath but unlike last time she wasn't feeling guilty. Arin had made it clear he liked that she had a crush on him. She smiled. Her legs stretched out and she moved her body, arching like a cat. The night hadn't gone spectacular but some good had come out of it. True her parents were coming to get her and when she talked to them next they were going to flip out but Arin and Kat had said they would stand up for her. There were good things out of so much turmoil.

She laid still for a moment and looked up at the ceiling. Last night, that guy...things are going to be rough today. I wonder how Arey is doing? I wonder how Arin is doing? She frowned knowing that Arin had had a lot on his mind, he had told her that but it was clear on his face as well. She hoped there would be a chance to for them to talk at some point. She'd have to tell Tim and Arey about her parents. It wouldn't be right to keep them out of the loop. Viv too. The idea of the fae woman looking at her, so disapprovingly made Deirdre feel small.

Deirdre rolled to face Kat. She wanted the girl to be awake. She wanted to hug her, to thank her for coming in to the apartment when she did. She admired Kat a great deal. The girl had a backbone to her, a determination that Deirdre was in awe of. I wish I could be so sure of myself. The only time Deirdre really felt that confident was when she was dancing. Maybe I can learn to be more like Kat, to go after the things I believe in no matter what.

Kat had not slept well the night before. Her dreams had been of hungry eyes and hard hands. The room was dark and familiar, as was the cage in the corner. She felt all of five years old again, sitting quietly and meek as she worked on the computer so they wouldn't put her back in. She hated the power that damn box still had over, even if it was only in her dreams. It reminded her of all the things she hated about herself. Kat hadn't had this dream in a while, she'd been doing pretty well on that front for the past couple years, but every now and again, when she felt really stressed, it would creep up on her, reminding her why she didn't deserve to be happy.

"Such a good girl." She heard a voice croon above her, a hand that inspired both fear and a desperate need for approval stroking through her hair.

Kat didn't wake up screaming. She didn't jump out of the bed or shock herself awake. This dream was too familiar for that. Instead, the movement of the bed gently coaxed her away, her eyes fluttering open as she struggled to remember where she was. She stared forward for a minute, not feeling like moving yet. That particular dream always left her feeling raw.

"Are you awake Kat?" Deirdre kept her voice soft as she watched Kat sort of move, her breathing changing.

It took Kat a moment to respond, debating with herself whether or not to just pretend to still be asleep. "Yeah, just enjoying the musk." Kat said with forced chipperness and an exaggerated yawn. She sat up, animatedly stretching her arms in the process.

"Musk?" Deirdre shifted to put her arm under her head. "Did you sleep alright? I didn't kick you or anything did I?" She frowned a little. "Hey Kat...thank you for everything last night. And Arin and I didn't do anything. I might have told him I had a crush on him but we didn't do anything..."

"Nah, I sleep like a rock. Probably wouldn't even notice if you did." Kat replied with a grin. When Deirdre brought up Arin, she felt a little confused. "Don't take this the wrong way, but why would I care? It's not my business either way. You don't have to explain yourself to me." Kat said with an encouraging pat to the shoulder. "Besides, big bro's hot. If you're not down for a little action in my corner, I'm not gonna fault you checking out his." She finished with a wink.

Deirdre blushed. "Well I just..you said for us to be safe and I just wanted you to know that we were. You care because you are making sure I don't hurt Arin. I didn't. I told him I had a crush on him and he liked that..." She blushed even more and looked to the pillow. "I just wanted you to know is all but I won't talk about it again."

Part of her was sad, if she couldn't talk to Kat that meant she had no one to talk to. She wanted to giggle, to talk about how Arin made her stomach flutter.

"I was saying be safe like use a condom, not don't hurt my brother." Kat explained a little taken aback that Deirdre would take it that way. "You having a crush on his doesn't bother me. You can talk about it if you want, I just don't want to to feel like you have to have my approval or anything. That's between you and Arin. No one else's opinion should matter."

"Condom?" She looked up at Kat, "Oh..oh no we didn't...oh..." Deirdre paled. "I thought everyone had an opinion about Arin and I. You aren't checking up on me?" She grabbed Kat's hand. "I'm sorry I just thought you were trying to remind me that I shouldn't like Arin. I like him though. I would like to get to know him and I think he likes me. I would like you to be okay with it though. He is your brother and I don't want you to dislike me."

"Checking up on you? Psssht! I'm a self-centered teenager, I've got my own angst to work with without all that busy body jazz." Kat said shrugging. "That's cool, and yeah he does, that's pretty obvious. I tell you what now, if he doesn't treat you right, you come talk to me and I'll kick his ass for you myself." Kat said with a wink. "Maybe give that whole college experimentation thing a try."

Deirdre smiled, she felt a bit giddy. "It is obvious he likes me?" She leaned forward and squeezed Kat tightly. "Thank you Kat. Thank you so much and I will keep the other corner in mind...you know if Arin turns out to be an ass." She squeezed the girl tighter and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. 'You are the first person to not make me feel like criminal for thinking Arin was good looking."

"I'd think you were weird if you didn't." Kat replied matter-of-factly, smile a little more genuine now after the kiss. "And yeah, it's pretty obvious." Kat assured.

"So all the butterflies I am having and when he says things like he wants me around....I've never had a crush before." Deirdre giggled. "I wish I could flirt like you. Does Arin date a lot of confident girls? I wish I was witty like you or him..." Deirdre wiggled a little, snuggling in next to Kat. "What do you do when you flirt with a boy?"

Oh boy, she's really barking up the wrong tree here. Quantity doesn't mean quality Deirdre... Kat thought with a sigh. "Not sure I'm the right person to ask on that one. My batting average isn't exactly what you'd call noteworthy." Kat said almost as a disclaimer. "When I flirt...I don't know, I just don't think about it, don't care what happens in the end. You just have to read the person you're hitting on and adjust, figure out what gets them going."

"What gets them going? I don't know anything that gets Arin going. I don't even know what that means..." Her excitement faltered. "What if I can't flirt? What if I try and Arin hates it?" Deirdre put her head on Kat's shoulder. "You don't end up full of self doubt do you? You just see someone you think is good looking and it just comes naturally. What sort of things does Arin like?"

Kat snorted at that. "You can flirt, I've seen it. You just have to practice more is all." Kat assured. "Guys are pretty simply, they fall into one of four categories when it comes to flirting or dating in general. You've got your alpha male types, they like to feel like they're in control when they flirt, you're general large and in charge type. They need their ego stroked, lots of subtle compliments, but nothing that makes you come off as too eager. You've got to be coy with them, make 'em work for it. That's what they like. Then you've got the guys who want you to be in charge, the shy ones who won't make the first move. They're really fun to flirt with, 'cause they're the ones that'll trip all over themselves trying to keep up. With them, it's about being both confident and patient." Kat explained with a grin.

"Then you have the ones who come off as the alpha male type, but secretly want you to be in charge. They'll do the whole pay for dinner or arcade runs and all that gentlemanly crap they've been conditioned to but once you get down to it they like it when you're in control. Same goes in reverse for the shy type, they come off that way at first, but once they get more confident they start pushing on the roles. It's just about being observant about what they're into and adjusting your approach based on their reactions." Kat finished. "Arin...I think's more the third type. He likes taking care of girls, being a gentleman, being the protector, but I think deep down he'd enjoy having a girl really knock his socks off."

Deirdre frowned. "Oh, so someone more like Arey. Someone who can be all girly when needed but deep down is strong and independant. Not needy like me." She played with a piece of her hair.

"No, not like that. Someone who's going to surprise him, not let him wallow in his introverted ways, someone who's going to be stubborn enough to make sure he takes care of Arin too when he's too busy looking after everyone else to do it himself." Kat corrected. "Those are the kinds of things that'll knock his socks off. He's been around independent women his whole life, that kind of thing is just part and parcel for him." Kat corrected forcing eye contact.

Deirdre inhaled and held her breath. "I like it when he looks after me, I think it amazing that he is so protective over everyone but I know what you mean about being introverted. It doesn't feel great to see him like that. I...I don't know what if this is a mistake and I end up hurting him like Vivienne and Tim think I will?"

She twirled her hair around her finger. "How do you know so much about guys? I know nothing....course most of the men I knew were gay so there is that but still." Deirdre rolled over to her stomach and looked at Kat. "So it is okay that I am not like Arey? All strong and determined? You don't think Arin would rather that?"

"I don't think they're worried about you hurting Arin so much as that you'll all hurt each other. You all are talking a lot of emotions mixing in one kettle, but at the end of the day it's about you all working things out for yourselves. I think you being you is awesome, don't worry about trying to be someone else. If Arin doesn't like you for being you, then too bad for him." Kat returned.

Deirdre sighed a little, her feet lifting in the air. She kicked them slowly. "Maybe this is just not a good idea. Maybe there is too much at stake. But I really like him and want to get to know him more. I want him to like me but..." She put her head down. "Can't this just be easy? Why can't I just flirt like you and it will be super easy and relaxed and Arin would flirt back. Can I go back to being giddy because he kissed me good night?" She mumbled into the blankets.

"Eh, don't over think it. You're Deirdre and he's Arin, cute girl meets sexy bartender if you will. Just take it slow and go with your gut." Kat suggested, moving her legs over the side of the bed.

Deirdre rolled over and slipped off the other side of the bed. "My gut. My gut is full of guilt. I am over thinking, I know..." She stood and grabbed her clothes. "Breakfast time. I think I need coffee and time to think. I wonder if Arin is awake..." She smiled to herself and headed to the door.
----------------------------------
Tim tossed and turned on the couch. His mind was occupied with thoughts of Arey and Kat. He wanted to spend time with Arey, liked spending time with her. His other concern was Kat and what he could do to fix things between them. He didn't sleep at all. He kept picturing Kat's room. I am a fucking insensitive jerk. he rubbed his face with both hands.

The bedroom door opened and Tim sat up on the couch. He was on alert now. Be nice, watch your words. Go carefully.

"Morning!" Tim called out seeing D come out of the room. She jumped and tossed her clothes into the air. "You scared me! Sorry..." Wide eyed she began to pick up her clothes.

Tim shifted and put his feet on the floor. "It's okay my fault."

Kat strolled through the doorway after D, bending to help pick up the clothes after she tossed them in surprise. "So I don't know about you both, but I'm thinking waffles. Not that froo froo belgium crap, but the good old cheap eggo kind, with tons of syrup. Think I've finally nailed down Theo's stash." Kat said with a devious grin.

Tim looked at Kat, he stood to walk towards them. "Waffles sound great. Hey D why don't you go drop off your stuff and meet us in the kitchen? Kat can I talk to you a sec?"

Deirdre looked from Tim to Kat. "Ugh, well waffles sound great I think..." She didn't know if she should leave or not. "Kat?"

Kat's cocky grin remained in place, but her eyes grew a bit more guarded and serious when Tim asked to speak with her. Nothing good ever came from a conversation that started with 'can we talk?' "Go on D. I think I can handle myself with sweet cheeks here." She said with a wink.

Tim was glad for her attitude, the cheekiness of it but he was worried. He needed to be very careful with his words.

Deirdre nodded, "Okay." She took her things and headed back to Kat's room.

Tim sighed and looked at the floor. "Kat, I'm sorry....I was an insensitive jackass."

For a moment, Kat visibly bristled. He was going to try and have that conversation? Right now? She wasn't in the mood for this, definitely didn't want to have the 'it's not you it's me' talk so Tim could lie to try and make her feel better. "You're being weird." Kat said dismissively with a shrug, collecting herself into the picture of self-assured nonchalance.

"Oh. Right. Well sure. I will let you get to your waffles. I am going to shower." Tim didn't know what else to say. She dismissed him out right. He was trying to apologize and he couldn't seem to do it properly. "I cleaned up your room a bit. I didn't want Viv to see and Arey and I were worried. I am glad you were here."

"You do that." Kat said heading toward the door, patting herself on the back mentally for successfully dodging that conversation. His next sentence however almost made her trip mid-step, her head whipping around almost violently and her eyes wild. "You did what?!" He seen that, he'd fucking seen?! God fucking damn it. She knew she should have done that last night, but she'd been in too much of a daze to process or deal with it at the time.

"Arey went to bed and well...she called me in and we were worried. I was worried. I went looking for you and I thought....well I thought it would be a nice gesture to.." He suddenly doubted his actions. "Maybe I shouldn't have."

All hail the good samaritan Arey, Kat thought viciously with a whole lot of spite. Arey's so perfect. Arey can't do anything wrong. Poor Arey, lets all just love her and fall all over ourselves for her too. Arey Arey AREY! Kat's thoughts spiraled meanly for a moment, remembering the current living situation and her goody two shoes occupant. Of course Arey had been worried, and she bet Tim was just beside himself with worry then.

Tim felt like an idiot. "I was just really worried about you and I am glad you are here. I went looking for you last night."

"It's fine." Kat managed after a moment, trying to reel herself back to a point of some kind of composure. "Your gadget girl is running off anywhere to hold up production, so don't worry about it."

Tim grimaced. "I was worried about you Kat, not just a gadget girl. I am not that much of a jerk am I?" He looked up at her. "Is your hand okay? You were gutsy last night with that fae. More so than anyone else."

Kat figured it wouldn't be a good idea to answer that question. "Don't take it personally, that's just my general experience with adults. It's the one thing I'm good for." She replied, a bit more honestly than she intended. That dream had fucked her up today, she was too raw to be having this conversation. "It's fine I guess." She said lifting up her wrapped hand. "Son of a bitch was gettin' too familiar with your backside." She grumbled.

Tim blushed, "Wasn't the only part of me he was getting familiar with." He shivered. "You are good for a lot of things Kat. I wish I could make you see that..." His voice dropped. "Look don't let me keep you from breakfast. I just wanted to apologize. I know I wasn't the best of friends to you yesterday."

The mention of Balthazar feeling Tim up, and the memory of watching that last night sparked a little bit of fire in her, the anger from last night resurfacing. How dare that filthy dark fae son of a bitch tough Tim like that! No one was allowed to hit on him like that except for her! Except she wasn't allowed to now either, because she repulsed Tim and he had Arey now so why be that person. Forcing her affection on him like that wouldn't make her any better than Balthazar, worse actually, because Tim would feel bad about doing it since she was a girl. And like that the spark was gone, replaced with cold resignation.

Kat just smiled half heartedly, her skepticism on that showing. "Not really hungry anymore." She said quietly. "I haven't exactly been nice to you lately either, so I don't know why you would be."

"Because I shouldn't be a jerk to women when they don't deserve it. I deserved it." Tim rubbed his face. "You didn't deserve me being rude or disrespectful." He turned. "I am going to shower, you had things to do. I shouldn't have said anything..."

"I'm pretty sure jumping your bones and forcing you to put up with me flirting with you all the time warrants some rude retaliation." Kat said shrugging, and on the inside feeling like slime. Tim had dealt with enough graphic unwanted touching lately that Kat had pretty much come to the conclusion she'd done the same thing to him. His reaction to it had been the same, and at the end of the day, what was the difference? They both repulsed him and couldn't take a hint. Maybe it was a fae thing?

Tim looked over at her. "Kat it is just that the flirting is...nevermind. I am sorry and I don't want you to feel like you did anything wrong. I'll be down in a few okay?" He walked off towards the shower, feeling worse than he had before.

Kat watched him go, his parting comment further confirmation in her mind, before turning and heading back into the bat cave. Instead of heading toward the kitchen however, she made a beeline for her office, closing herself off within it with a shut door and cheap lock. She didn't feel like dealing with people today, she just wasn't up to it. Computers at least, remained uncomplicated.

Deirdre headed off to Kat's room, tiptoeing into the room. She wasn't sure if Arey was asleep and didn't want to risk waking her. She put her clothes down and gathered out a clean set from her bag. She tiptoed into the bathroom and took a shower. When she was done she felt alert and ready for a new day. I wonder how Arin is this morning? She pulled on her t-shirt, her pants and brushed her hair. Moving quietly she left the room and headed into the kitchen.

She stopped in doorway. Arin and Vivienne were in the kitchen. She backed away and pressed her back against the wall. Just be quiet, just stay quiet and wait.

Deirdre shuffled her feet a little. How long will they be? Maybe I should go somewhere else?

"I believe we're finished here Miss Evering, you are welcome to join us." Vivienne said evenly, not yet breaking the hold she had on Arin.

Deirdre stiffened and walked slowly into the kitchen. "Good morning." She looked at Vivienne and then Arin. She had to actively stop herself from smiling, instead turning her eyes to the floor. "I didn't mean to interrupt."

"Morning D." Arin stepped up to give Vivienne a hug. "Not interrupting. We had an... interesting talk but I think we sort of came to agreeable terms."

Deirdre nodded a little but kept her eyes down. Just breathe. It is okay. She doesn't like you and that is okay. With a swallow Deirdre looked up at Vivienne. "I don't know if Arin told you but my parents are coming to get me this weekend. They intend to take me home. They are taking me out of school."

She moved to get a mug and poured some coffee. Her hands were shaking slightly. "Oh god..my phone is in the freezer..." She whispered to herself. She turned to face Arin and Viv once more.

"Well..." Vivienne said, reluctantly breaking the hug. "That is simply unacceptable. Which school are you enrolled in?" She asked, eyes training on Deirdre. It was not the warmest gaze in the world, but it wasn't hostile either.

"I am at Ambrose, like Tim and Arey. They are going to call my landlord and enroll me back at the dance school. They will be here on Friday or Saturday. I have to call them today. Arin said..." She looked at Arin and then back to Vivienne.

"That you aren't going anywhere. Just like mom said, unacceptable." Arin smiled at Deirdre, "I'm not going to let that happen and I'm not the only one."

Deirdre nodded slowly and smiled at Arin. "I just thought Vivienne should know in case..." She bit her lip. "Well it isn't good for everyone not to have all the information in order to decide what will happen. In everyone's best interest."

Arin nodded, "That's a good point."

Deirdre felt bolstered by Arin's presence. She wasn't sure what she would do if she had had to talk to Vivienne alone.

"I'll handle the school. The I know the dean at Ambrose...he owes me a favor." The way Vivienne said the last part, with an almost half smile conjured visions of blackmail and conspiracy. Sometimes she just liked to be mysterious.

Deirdre nodded. "Thank you. About my parents I don't think they should come here. But I can't stop them if they try and take me home." She felt small under the woman's gaze.

"Short of them kidnapping you and dragging you away, I'm pretty sure you can just refuse. And honestly, if they try and drag you away I'm pretty sure I'm stronger. I'll pick you up and hold on. Think they can drag both of us?: He grinned.

Deirdre blushed a little. "Wouldn't be the first time they dragged me from someplace. But thank you Arin." She raised the mug to her lips to take a sip of the coffee. She had a vision of him picking her up like he had last night. Her cheeks warmed.

Arin frowned, "Well... they won't this time. Before they even get near you they'll be talking to me. You'll stay with Kat in my apartment this weekend. Unless Kat doesn't like that... we'll figure something out. Maybe Viv will have the other rooms ready."

Tim finished his shower and dressed. Things weren't any better than it had been last night but at least Kat hadn't yelled at him and hopefully she wasn't angry. He made his way down the stairs and into the batcave. As he walked into the kitchen he smiled, "Good morning everyone. Rooms? What rooms?" He crossed to the coffee maker and poured himself a cup.

Deirdre moved a little towards Arin. Tim looked over at her and she immediately stopped moving, feeling like she was caught doing something wrong.

Arey had gotten up early that morning, feeling restless, and gone out jogging. She had enjoyed her run out with Tim yesterday, but sometimes a good solo jog was what she needed to clear her head, make herself feel confident and in control again. The past few days had taken their toll on that aspect of her life, and for a couple hours, she just enjoyed the honest pleasure of pushing herself and physical exertion. When she got back to the batcave, she was tired and sweaty, but in a pretty good mood. She made her way to the kitchen, planning to grab a bottle of water from the fridge. She hadn't really expected it to be so crowded, especially with Vivienne there, but she gave everyone a quick smile before heading over to the fridge and grabbing out a water. "Morning."

Tim smiled at Arey. "Morning to you too."

Deirdre smiled and moved out of the way to make sure Arey had room to move. She wanted to move closer to Arin and chanced a few steps his way.

"Howdy Arey." Arin was feeling more social and friendly now that he'd been able to settle out his thoughts with Vivienne. He wished he could have had her commit to some actual deadline for telling them things, but he figured he was ahead just but getting her to admit they might be their own persons. Still, the gang was all here and being mostly friendly, except for Kat. He frowned.

"Anyone seen Kat this morning? How's she doing after last night?"

Tim frowned, "I saw her. She was supposed to come get waffles."

Deirdre took a drink of coffee. Her eyes moved from Arin to Vivienne to Arey and Tim. "She is likely taking a shower. Maybe..." She felt unsure if she should be saying anything. I wish I could just feel like a part of them and not like everything that comes out of my mouth or that I do is dumb.

Tim nodded. "Right a shower. Hey Arey you take a run? And what is this about rooms?" Tim was a little disappointed he didn't get to run with Arey but he hadn't slept and likely would have just held her back anyway.

"Yeah, I asked Viv to help get you all settled. I really just can't take Tim's snoring on my couch anymore." He grinned.

Tim looked incredulous. "Snore? I do not snore."

Deirdre giggled behind her mug. "Well...."

Tim shot her a look, "Come on not you too. I didn't even sleep last night so no way you heard me snore."

Deirdre rolled her eyes, "Like I could hear anything in the room with the blanket over my head. I was enjoying Arin's bed way too much to care what you were doing on the couch." And just like that Deirdre went silent and paled. "I was with Kat...not Arin...I didn't mean...I..." She hung her head and tried to hide behind her mug.

"How'd that go? Tim's not the only one who snores." Arey quipped with a smile, trying to diffuse the tension that had suddenly overtaken the room that was previously so light hearted. Arey had been aware of the sleeping arrangement before that moment, so maybe that helped her not feel weird about it. She also figured she didn't have a right to feel weird about it in the first place, not over Arin, not over Deirdre, and certainly not them together if they ever progressed in that direction. She was sort of dating Tim now, though they hadn't really discussed specifics, and well...uncomplicated right now was probably in everyone's best interest. Arthur had been the weak link in that particular love triangle the first time around, the jealous husband who ran everyone else into the ground because he couldn't deal. No one needed to be exposed to that ugliness, so it was just best if she kept things to herself and stayed out of the way. She could deal.

Deirdre smiled, "I don't snore..." She paused. "So I got a call last night from my parents. They are coming to take me home this weekend. Cops called them and they freaked out on me. They are taking me out of school but Vivienne said she would take care of that. Arin said he won't let them take me but you should all know what is going on. I am going to try and calm them beforehand but don't think that will work much...." She trailed off.

Tim took a drink of his coffee. "Alright well easy done. You want to go, go but if you don't want to go we will make sure you don't leave. They can't go through Arin and me can they?"

Deirdre shook her head, "No..I guess not."

Arin chuckled, "Well... maybe Tim, but I still say I'll hang onto you."

"Or me. I can be intimidating." Arey said in mock indignation before taking a sip from her water bottle.

Deirdre smiled, "Thank you guys. I don't mean for them to cause trouble, they just like to have their way." She gently touched Arin's arm. "Hang on tight, they are strong for two older people from the suburbs." She smiled shyly and slowly removed her hand.

Tim, "So that is settled. Great. And rooms that will be nice. Things are falling into place I guess. More training and maybe some info on what's out there? Seems like a busy week." He looked at Viv.

"If everything goes as scheduled, you all should have separate rooms attached to the main room tonight. If you would like, as most of you are here, we can discuss some of the more pertinent information you seem to be lacking." Vivienne offered, all business for the moment.

Arin pulled a chair out from the table, he paused before sitting and offered the chair to Deirdre. "That's a great plan mom. Let's cover the basics over breakfast and coffee."

Deirdre blushed as Arin offered her the chair and she moved to sit down. "Thank you." She looked shyly at her mug.

Tim moved towards Arey. He leaned to give her a kiss on the top of her head. "Morning you. Come sit?" He gestured to the table.

Arin stepped to the counter and grabbed a mug of coffee before sitting back down beside Deirdre.

"Yeah." Arey agreed easily with a smile, appreciating Tim's affection despite her being sweaty and gross.

"First of all, what do you already know? Katrina gave Timothy a bit more comprehensive explanation when he first arrived regarding the fae, but I'd like to make sure we are all up to speed on those very very basic things before we go into details." Vivienne asked.

"Bal was not at all worried about being extremely outnumbered. We had iron. Yet he did not fight like someone who was concerned. It was obvious to me we presented no threat to him. How would we have been able to threaten him?" Arin asked. This was his most burning question. He hated how cocky Bal was and wanted something to ensure he was on even ground next time they met.

"I think we know the basics that most lower fae will be hurt by iron. That we can fend them off with such weapons. Hence my efforts to teach the group how to use them and defend themselves. Mundane human targets are well within my domain. So we know the minimal information yet cannot adjust our strategies when exposed to a superior enemy."

"I didn't get the feeling he was there to fight." Deirdre said softly.

Tim nodded. Just hearing Balthazar's name made him angry. "He didn't want to fight, he was toying with us. He told Arey that there was a war coming. Feels like we know about the incubus, the succubus but the rest. What else is out there and what is it that we trying to accomplish?"

"My nephew has a very bleak outlook on fae politics, but he is not wrong to foresee another war. As you know, most fae are divided into two classes, the Seelie, and the Unseelie, light and dark. This distinction was made long ago, mostly by humans, to distinguish between the fae that fed upon them freely, and those who did not, or showed restraint. Eventually that rift become permanent, with the powerful houses of the fae, also know as court fae, divided themselves along these lines, creating two separate courts for the fae to pledge fealty. The seelie court swears loyalty unfailingly to it's queen. The unseelie are more divided, as the vast majority remained fragmented in their prison, and infighting among its houses are common place." Vivienne began.

"Court fae, like Balthazar and myself, are on an entirely different level than the minor unseelie you have faced thus far. Iron burns regardless of our cast, but what sears and incapacitates a minor fae like a shade or bogart, can feel like a mere pin prick to those high enough on the food chain of fae society." Vivienne continued. "Balthazar, is what is called a 'trickster' by most human mythology. In reality, he is a child of two classes of both the dark and light courts. During the war, these fae were pressured to choose sides, some did, some did not. Many questioned the ability to ensure their loyalty, and many, even those who had sworn unending fealty to the seelie queen, were locked away in the unseelie prison with the rest of the unseelie. Those who had not been so easily found, went into hiding on earth, and are true members of the shadow court. Unaffiliated, and unattached, which makes them more and less dangerous."

"In essence Arin, you can't hurt him, and no amount of preparing can change that. " Vivienne said sadly.

"That's bullshit. Everyone has some weakness. There has to be something I can do to keep things like that away from us." Arin insisted.

"He seems reasonable to talk to. He was quite fine with me but I guess that is more about who I was than anything...There are others like him?" Deirdre tried to understand the idea of the different courts.

"Reasonable? Jesus D, that's so far from reasonable. Others like him might not be nearly as friendly."

Tim rolled his eyes, "D just cause he was 'sweet' to you doesn't make him reasonable. He is a low life manipulating jerk."

Deirdre nodded and looked down at her mug.

Arin growled at Tim, "Sweet is not how I'd put it."

Tim inhaled, "Hell of a lot nicer than what he was like with Kat or I." Just the thought that guy touching Kat made Tim's hands clench into fists.

"Exactly Tim. Someone like that needs to know there is a price to pay for treating people like he did."

"Alright, we've agreed he's a right prat, but Deirdre's right, he was there looking to wheel and deal, not kill us or the like." Arey snapped, finding this line of discussion unproductive. "He told me that I had something. Something both sides wanted so badly that I had leverage. What is it, and why is it so important." Arey asked, almost single mindedly focused.

"You're right Arin, everyone does have a weakness, and the fae are not without their share. We are immortal, but we are bound by words. They give us power, but they restrict us as well. We can not speak untruths, and if we give our word, it is physically binding. Learn to use your words as weapons and you will be on more even footing." Vivienne explained first. "Tricksters, like Balthazar, are extremely skill in this art, so be sure not to speak without thinking around them, and never thank them for anything. Expressions of gratitude amongst the fae are paramount to admitting a favor owed. You put yourself in their debt when you do so."

"Among the court fae, the power to bind each other with magic is possible in great numbers, such as was the case with the unseelie prison and the creation of the veil. That kind of power however, is beyond us."Vivienne continued.

Deirdre's shoulders slumped when Viv stated that they needed to use their words as weapons. Great... She frowned more as Viv stated that one should not thank a fae. I thanked Balthazar...I thanked him... She put her mug down on the table. Her hands shook a little and she tucked them onto her lap.

"Mankind had only one weapon for which to combat the court fae, and only one means with which to permanently kill one. That weapon has many names, a common one being the sword of light. Another however...is Excalibur." Vivienne paused, taking a sip of tea.

Arin looked over to Arey, "That's why swords are on the list to learn." He turned back to Vivienne, "Words? Nothing else? I can't even punch the creep and keep him away? What the hell am I supposed to do here?"

Deirdre looked over at Arin and took one trembling hand and put it on his.

"I have already negotiated terms for our home. He is only allowed across the threshold, uninvited, on holidays and on four separate and specific weekends throughout the year. Otherwise he will not be able to enter physically. Arey however, has a pact bond with him, and until that pact has come to a conclusion of its terms, or both parties agree to dissolve it, he may contact her at any time. Here at least, it can not be physically." Vivienne soothed.

Tim huffed, "Any time?

Arin held Deirdre's hand easily, but somewhat distractedly. It felt right and natural so he didn't make note of it as an exception.

Deirdre cleared her throat, "And if one has thanked him? What does a debt entail?"

Vivienne's eyes shifted to Deirdre, staying as neutral as possible. "That depends greatly on the fae in question, as you are the indebted party."

"I thanked him, Balthazar after he removed the mark. He told me if I ever needed to talk that I could call on him and I thanked him." Deirdre's face paled slightly.

Arin squeezed Deirdre's hand gently. He also became interested in this debt concept suddenly.

"Balthazar, was rather enamored with Guinevere as a young fae. You are unlikely to recognize him Deirdre, even if you experience as flashback though. He would have appeared to be little more than a child in those days." Vivienne began, sensing the rising panic. "His lingering affection, and his current desire to reconnect with Arin and I leads me to believe he is unlikely to harm you, or molest you in some way. I would urge swiftness however in settling that debt while that sentiment lasts. Tricksters are notoriously changeable, like the weather." Vivienne advised.

Deirdre nodded. "I will talk to him when he visits..this weekend...oh god..." She remembered that her parents were also coming this weekend. 'I will take care of it, thank you."

Tim leaned on the table. "So Excalibur, where is it and how does Arey get her hands on it?"

"I have it." Vivienne said simply before taking a sip of her tea. "I am, in fact, its guardian. The sword is safely sheathed in the stone, and when the time comes, Arey will free it."

Tim looked at Arey, 'So in the meantime we train, we learn more about the different fae and how best to fight them. We deal with the visits this weekend. We can do this." He smiled feeling confident.

Deirdre nodded, "So a busy week." She let her hand shift slightly in Arin's to that she could squeeze it.

Tim's eyes shifted to D and Arin's joined hands. A small frown flickered over his features but he let it go quickly.

"Right." Arey said, mind reeling at the implication that she literally held the fate of the human race in her hands. That mankind's one 'bargaining chip' as Balthazar put it, was on her. Arey wished she felt half as confident as Tim sounded. The crushing sense of responsibility that she'd managed to shake off a little in the past two days descended back with a vengeance, and she felt like if she wasn't careful, it might flatten her.

Tim stood. He watched Arey carefully. "Hey why don't you go shower and we can go out for ice cream or the bookstore? I need to get some stuff to read." He put a hand out to Arey.

Arin shook his head, "Of course we train. We make sure we're all ready to support each other. This isn't on one person. Even if Arey's the one to wield Excalibur, that doesn't mean we sit back and watch her." He turned to Vivienne, "You can't tell me that if I stick my knife in the guts of some fae it won't hurt them? It might not disable them, but at least it buys time so Arey can finish them off. Right?"

Tim nodded and smiled at Arin and then looked to Arey. "I like the way you think Arin. We all have your back."

Deirdre smiled reassuringly. "We all have training to do and we will be more careful about going out. Perhaps we ensure that everyone has iron on them, no matter what."

"You are welcome to try Arin, but whatever blade you use, make sure it's iron. Otherwise you're unlikely to even penetrate, especially with the high casts." Vivienne replied.

"And take those panic buttons Kat made. They were right handy last night." Arey added.

"Everything I use to stick people is made of iron. I really don't plan to stick anyone other than fae." Arin growled.

Arey's eyes shifted to Arin. She wasn't really used to seeing him like this, and it worried her a little. She was used to Arin being confident and mellow almost, the one person they could really count on to be calm. He was the leader material, not her, and Arey wondered not for the first time if they wouldn't be better off if Arin was the one who was truly 'Arthur'. Right now though, he needed support, because he was obviously struggling still from the whole situation last night. She had to urge to do something, but she didn't know what.

Deirdre let her fingers brush Arin's hand. She knew that he had felt helpless last night and now he wanted to ensure he had a place, a purpose. The idea of fighting with words and not weapons went against the training they were doing. She squeezed his hand once more.

"We'll figure something out." Arey said, trying to project quiet confidence. "Something that will put us on more even footing. For now though, you're the best teacher I could possibly ask for, so I'm going to depend on you a lot to get me ready to...do whatever it is I'll have to do. I imagine figuring out how to properly grip the bloody thing would be a start." Arey said to Arin, trying for a reassuring smile.

Arin nodded solemnly, "I'll do my best Arey. Damn right we'll figure something out. This group is too smart to let it slide." He looked up at her sincerely, "You'll do more than grip it properly. If I can't make you the best sword fighter in New York then I've failed."

Deirdre slipped her hand from Arin's. She watched his face as he and Arey spoke and knew that he needed that, not her presence. She sat back in her chair and folded her hands in her lap.

"Sounds like I'm going to be seeing a lot more of those ball drills." Arey said dryly with a bit of under cutting humor. She was going to be putting in some serious hours for this, she recognized that right away. I'm going to have to quit the football team... She thought in sinking resignation, a part of her rebelling against the idea, the part that hadn't fully accepted this was her life now. She had some serious responsibility now though, not just to herself or these people here, but to billions. She didn't have the luxury to be selfish. I might have to drop out of Ambrose too...There's no way I can focus on biochem and all of this at the same time...

The mood changed in the room, everyone seemed to be a bit more confident, a bit more informed and ready to tackle the week ahead. Deirdre slipped from her chair and moved away from the table. "I have to go and take care of something. If you will all excuse me." She smiled at Arin and squeezed Arey's shoulder as she passed by her chair.

Tim was still standing and waiting patiently. He was in no hurry to rush Arey out, he just wanted to see her a little less stressed. She and Arin talking seemed to help and he hoped going out would take her mind off of things, even just for a short time. He watched D leave the kitchen. "We really aren't going to let her parents take her right?"

"What kind of question is that? She's staying. Done." Arin said firmly.

Tim nodded, "Good. That means we do what it takes to ensure she stays."

Arin nodded dismissively. That was already a question he had answered in his own head. Further discussion seemed unwarranted. There were more pressing matters to attend to. He knew he'd have to deal with Deirdre's parents, and he was waiting for it. However, that was coming later. Right now they needed to know where their training should focus and swordsmanship seemed the obvious one.

"So, catching a fae in their own words or hitting them with Excalibur... That's all we got? What about this whole deal thing that Arey made? Was it a good deal? Shouldn't we know more about who's on what side? Especially, who do we actually want to win this war?"

"If tricksters are changeable what stops Balthazar from doing stuff to make our job harder? I mean he has his immunity. What is to stop him from having some fun and causing chaos just because he can? You said he isn't exactly affiliated with one side or the other." Tim put his hands on Arey's shoulders and looked at Viv. "Arin's put out a good question, how do we know who is friend and who is foe? How do we know anyone is actually helping us or do we just assume that every fae we come into contact with is out for themselves?"

"He said he wanted immunity from the unseelie prison. I never said anything about not using the sword." Arey said quietly, eyes a little intense as she remembered Balthazars taunting. Not part of the deal sweetheart! Well perhaps she had the last laugh on that one she thought almost viciously. The thought of killing anyone, running something through, was both weird and adverse to Arey, but she figured she could handle a well placed threat for now.

"What if he decides it is more fun to play around? I'll feel better when we have more training under our belt but I am with Arin, I think we need to know more about who is on what side of all of this." Tim rubbed Arey's shoulders lightly. She was tense under his hands.

"Absolutely nothing." Vivienne replied evenly. "There is a reason tricksters were often revered as deities in the history of human mythology Timothy. They are high level fae who freely roamed your world. And no one, is on our side, not exclusively. The unseelie are undoubtedly hostile, and the seelie will want you to tow the line so to speak. It's a game of politics and asserting your independence now."

Tim frowned, "Then how do we know...I mean Balthazar said we'd have to pick a side, that Arey would have to pick a side. I am sorry but seelie sounds better than unseelie and frankly I'd rather just protect people and send the lot of them away but that isn't how this works is it?"

"The lesser of two evils, but don't let yourself be fooled by their rhetoric of tolerance and righteousness. Their outlook on humans as a whole do not differ greatly from the unseelie. They view you as having very little to no use whatsoever. The unseelie believe you are worth conquering, that's the difference. One desires your subjugation, the other won't lift a finger to stop it should the threat not reach them. Or worse, they'd bring their squabbles here, lay waste to your world and not bat an eye. You register as little more than insects to most seelie. Occasionally pretty to look at, sometimes kept in cages, but at the end of the day they will squash you or throw you away." Vivienne elaborated precisely, making that point as clear as possible.

"They all sound like dicks." Arey ground out. Vivienne did not correct her.

"I second that." Tim shook his head. "Why do I feel like no matter what we do the bad guy is going to get what they want?"

"So, we become more than insects. We show them that we're something they have to pay attention to. If that means getting both the seelie and unseelie a little pissed off, then that's what we do. But if we're going to do that we need to actually be something worth paying attention to. Excalibur gives us one way to hurt them. I do the physical thing. That's my speciality. But there are other ways to hurt them. Words. Arey, Deirdre even Tim with the lawyering, will be good at that. I just need to know a way that I can hurt them. Physically. Let me be effective and I'll make sure they know to pay attention." Arin narrowed his eyes. He was pushing for a spot in all of this. Right now he didn't see where he could help and it was a bit of a thorn for him.

"Balthazar was quick to point out that the only one of us that matters is Arey, we are little more than food. I'd like to show him what I think of his little food idea." Tim grumbled. "Words, yeah I am doing great in that department lately." Tim nodded to Arin, "You got a point though. And with you training us, your expertise we can really throw them off. They won't be expecting us to fight with words and swords. We have both. You are right Arin. We can show them, you can bring that point home..." Tim smiled though it wasn't one of happiness.

Arin nodded.

"So is there anything else we need to know before we go about our day? I was thinking of running errands, maybe swing by the apartment to get more of my stuff." Tim rubbed Arey's shoulders once more. "Come with me?" He looked down at her smiling. "We will take a buzzer too. Just in case. And iron."

"That sounds like a good idea." Arey said, moving her hand up to grab hold of Tim's appreciatively. "I'm going to take a shower first though and change. I don't think you'd want to sit in a car with me very long otherwise." She said with a small smile and stood up.

"Sounds good, meet you in the batcave when you are done." Tim turned and left the kitchen. "Thanks Viv. That info really helps."

Arin still felt somewhat underprepared. He knew iron was only thing that might hurt the high caste fae, but might isn't going to go far when trying to prove they were more than insects. It sounded like iron would be little more than a mosquito bite. Everyone else seemed confident that he'd have it well in hand though. I guess I better figure something out. Maybe Kat and I can do some research or something. Arin sighed and stood up at the same time as Arey. He followed her into the hallway.

"Hey Arey, can I talk to you about something before you head out?" Arin was somewhat hesitant about the question.

"Sure. What's up?" Arey said earnestly when Arin asked her to talk in the hallway.

Arin took a breath, he knew that he was doing the right thing but it was delicate. It could easily head the wrong way, quickly, "So, you know, you said we could talk... Look, straight up. I don't want to have any odd secrets or surprises with us. We all have too much baggage from past lives hanging around. It just makes things worse when something happens out of the blue. And, especially you and I and D need to be honest and upfront otherwise things will go bad right quick. So, with that in mind and the motivation to try and make things as considerate as possible I thought it was only right to tell you that I'm kinda interested in D." He stopped, waiting to see how Arey would respond to that before trying to go anywhere else with it.

Arey blinked for a moment, processing that information that really wasn't news. The chemistry between those two had been fairly obvious from the start, and this was Arin just trying to keep her in the loop about it. It made sense really, a part of them would always be Lance and Guin, and Arin and Deirdre seemed to just click in that achingly familiar way. A part of her felt really conflicted about that. Just days ago she'd been nursing her own crush on him, and briefly reveling in the glow of her first kiss. Everything was complicated now, but those kinds of feelings didn't just go away either.

"That's great." Arey said forcing a smile and gave a gentle pat to his arm. She was kind of seeing Tim now. He was great, handsome, and treated her the way most girls can only dream their first boyfriend(?) would. She liked him, liked getting to know him, and the uncomplicated almost normal nature of it all. If Arin had moved on, then she certainly didn't have any room to be upset about it. She'd already resolved not to get in the way if things developed like that. Arthur had already done that to them in their past lives, she wasn't going to stand in the way of their happiness the second time round. "Deirdre's great. No surprise."

Arin was a little unsure, "O-okay, great. Yeah, that's great. I thought you'd probably be okay with it, since you'd moved on to Tim and all..." He paused, "Yeah, I guess it's not that much of a surprise. I just... I didn't want to assume anything, right?" He was hesitant. He didn't want to jump into anything with Deirdre too fast and he felt Arey should at least know before he'd done too much. She seemed okay, but something nagged at him that it wasn't as easy as all that.

"Hey, It's fine, really. We're both grown ups here." Arey tried to assure him. "We went on one date, you don't owe me anything." Arey hadn't been the one he'd wanted on that date anyway, he'd wanted the girl he thought was Guinevere. Now he had the genuine article, and he and Deirdre had a chance to reconnect and get to know each other. Arin didn't need some kind of high handed guilt trip standing in the way of that. They both deserved better than that.

"No, no. I'm not passing some debt or anything. I know I don't owe you. But... Look, I want to be able to be your friend as well and I think it's fair to have a certain amout of respect for a friend's feelings. It's not that I expect you to approve or give permission or... Sorry. Rambling. I just wanted to be straight up with you. I think we all deserve a straight up approach." He fumbled a bit, trying to explain why he felt it was the right thing to do without making it seem like he needed her approval or he felt the need to walk on eggshells.

"Okay, I hope I didn't make it too awkward or anything. Thanks." Arin smiled at her. He was glad she wasn't upset. He knew it would be easier on all of them if they could be honest.

"Thanks, don't worry, I get it. Just...do what makes you happy ok." Arey replied, and she meant it. She did want Arin to be happy. If everything else felt jumbled and complicated, that didn't.

"Thanks Arey, really." Arin replied sincerely. "I appreciate being able to talk to you like this, but, I won't hold your shower up anymore." He grinned. "Tim'll get impatient."

"Any time. That's what friends do right?" She said, her smile a little more genuine now. Arin just had one of those infectious kind of grins.

The first thing Deirdre did after she left the kitchen was go back to Arin's apartment to get her phone from the freezer. She left quickly, not wanting to be caught in his apartment right now. She took the phone and went to hide in Kat's room until it thawed out. As she sat there she realized that in the end she had not been of any help in there. She did learn something important though and settling a debt with Balthazar was of the utmost importance. She didn't think being indebted to a fae, especially a 'trickster' was in her best interest. She just hoped that Viv was right and there was still time to settle before he changed his mind about her. She tried to remember her past, tried to concentrate on Guinevere and force a memory, a memory of a young boy but nothing came.

When the phone was warmed up enough and turned on once more there was numerous texts and phone messages from her parents. With a sigh she called them and suffered the instant tirade of yelling that came her way. She remained calm, didn't cry or go silent. In the end she was not able dissuade them from coming into town but she was able to explain that she was not at her apartment and that she agreed to talk to them. They reminded her that they wanted her things packed and she agreed. I wonder what they will say when they meet Vivienne. Will she be here I wonder? Will she support me? Does it matter? Nothing I do will be right when it comes to her but it shouldn't matter. I can just prove her wrong, with everything. She nodded to herself, tossing her phone down on the bed and put her head back. This sucks. I need to change, I need to do something. I am just this shadow in the background with nothing to say but ask questions. Her eyes moved along the slats of the upper bunk. I need to show Arey I am there for her, part of the team. I need to show Tim I am not some horrible woman out to ruin every person I come near. And Arin... Deirdre closed her eyes. I need to do like Kat said and just be myself. I went and told him I had a crush on him and it didn't go terrible. That is a good first step. I should talk to Arey. I mean she is getting to know Tim, maybe it won't bother Arthur that I get to know Arin? Can she make him understand that? A pang of guilt hit her. You need to be quiet. We will ruin Arthur if we are not careful. You heard Viv. There is a lot at stake. Arey, Arthur have a lot on their plate and we are the last distraction they need. We need to stand behind them and not interfere, no matter what. No mistakes this time.

Deirdre slipped out of the bed, leaving her phone behind and went to find Kat. When she approached her office the door was closed. Deirdre took the handle and turned it as she started to knock. It was locked. "Oh...it is just me Kat. Wanted to know if you wanted those waffles. Vivienne and everyone are talking about fae and how to stop them and stuff in the kitchen. Want me to bring you coffee or the waffles? Maybe some juice?"

She hoped her voice carried through the door.

From behind the door, Kat did not respond immediately. She felt too raw to try and put up a front today, which was why she'd sought shelter behind physical barriers. Kat didn't deserve waffles and juice, she wasn't hungry, and she couldn't handle being around people right now. Deirdre was just trying to be nice, because that's who she was. Kat didn't want to yell at her to go away, because she knew the older girl would take that the wrong way and feel hurt by it. Kat didn't need one more thing to feel guilty about today. "Thanks...but I'm not really hungry." Kat called out softly, trying to get her voice to sound some semblance of normal.

"Oh...Okay..." Deirdre frowned. "Hey if you want company at some point I am not busy you know...Batman and all...just saying." She put her hand on the door and with a sigh headed back to the bedroom.

There was one more thing Deirdre needed to do before she felt like everything was on the level. She went back to Kat's room and sat on the bed. At some point Arey would come in and she had to work up the courage to tell her that she had watched a movie with Arin and Kat and that Arin had kissed her good night. She would tell her that she had a crush on Arin but if Arey wasn't okay with that then she would stop and she would stay as far away from Arin as Arey was comfortable with.

Straight up, honest...all cards on the table. Only way not to fuck things up like I did last time. Deirdre played with her hair. She was nervous. Would Arey be upset? Would she tell Deirdre to stay away from Arin? I need to get my hands on a lot of books and I see a lot of dancing in my future if she isn't okay with it. She and Tim will be out and I will be alone. Which is fine...if it is in her best interest than it is fine... She could help the tiniest bit of sadness that crept in at the thought of avoiding Arin. Hey no sulking, if that is the way it is than that is the way it is.

When Arey came back into Kat's room, she'd expected to see Kat, not Deirdre, but she gave the other girl a smile regardless. "Is Kat out of the shower then?" She asked.

"Oh, no..ugh she kind of locked herself in her office. She isn't hungry." Deirdre shifted on the bed. "You going to shower?"

Arey frowned a little when she heard that Kat was holing up in her office, remembering the torn up room she'd walked into the night before. "Maybe I should check on her before we leave..." She thought aloud, wondering is she she was the right person to start that conversation. "Yeah, I'll make it quick though."

Deirdre shrugged, "Not sure she wants to talk." She licked her lips, "When you are done, can I talk to you about something?" Deirdre inhaled.

"Yeah sure. I'll try to be quick." Arey promised, grabbing some clean clothes out of her bag and heading into the bathroom.

Deirdre felt ill. She was nervous and unsure but the last thing she wanted was to keep something from Arey. She fidgeted.

Arey hurried through the shower, enjoying the feel of warm water on her sore muscles. She was starting to feel that workout from yesterday, but it wasn't too bad just yet. Stepping out of the shower she toweled off before wrapping her hair in the towel and pulling on her clothes. Her hair was still damp and clingy, and her face was a little flushed from the hot water as she stepped out of the bathroom and toward Deirdre. She grabbed a pair of socks from her bag and sat down on the bed next to Deirdre as she pulled them on. "What's up?" She asked.

Deirdre bit her lip as Arey sat down. "I-I well...you see..." She faltered for a moment, trying to find the words she needed. "Arin kissed me good night last night. Nothing more than a quick kiss but I don't want you to not know. Arey, I have a crush on him and I was keeping distance, we agreed, he and I to keep space but...I like him." She blushed and looked down. Guilt rushed over her in a wave. "I'm sorry. I should have done a better job but we, Kat and Arin and I watched a movie yesterday and it was just nice to spend time with him." She wrung her hands together.

Arey had just had this conversation with Arin. How she'd not seen this moment coming was a mystery, but somehow she hadn't. This felt different than when Arin had talked to her, she'd been mentally prepared to deal with her own feelings. Arthur's was a different story. Anguish, white hot and strong blossomed in her core, and it took her a moment before she felt like she could breath again. The image of a woman, tear faced and pleading flashed briefly across her mind, feelings of helplessness, confusion, and despair close behind.

"I won't talk to him or see him if it makes you upset. That isn't fair of me. You, your happiness and comfort is more important." Deirdre said quietly. "I will go back to keeping as much space as I can between us. I just don't want there to be secrets. I won't be alone with him if that is what you would prefer." She reached out to take Arey's hand. "I just can't keep it from you. I need to be honest or I am just doing what she did and that is wrong."

Deirdre's words gave Arey the strength to push back against Arthur, hearing her willingness to set aside her own happiness, her anxiety. Arey couldn't let Arthur's emotions consume her. Everyone else seemed so concerned with keeping her happy all the time, like she was somehow fragile in a sense. Arthur was the fragile one she decided angrily, tired of being subjected to his emotions and insecurities.

"Please don't be mad at Arin. He didn't do anything wrong. I told him I had a crush on him. I shouldn't have but after my parents..." She went quiet. Arey hadn't said anything but then Deirdre hadn't stopped talking.

When Deirdre finished talking, Arey pulled her into a gentle hug, trying to simultaneously banish Arthur and give Deirdre comfort. "You deserve to be happy too. I'm not mad, at either of you. I've got no right to be. You both deserve to be yourselves and together if that's what you want. Don't worry about my happiness all the time alright. You've got to look after your own first." Arey said gently.

Deirdre shook her head a little, "I have to make sure that I don't repeat her mistakes. It is different this time. I mean, you aren't attracted to women and neither am I but I know there is a pull there. I can't flirt with Arin if it is going to bother you. I can't spend time with him if it makes you uncomfortable but I can't hide it from you when we are around each other. You will be out with Tim. I can only hide in this room so much. I just...I want you to be happy but I don't want to cause you discomfort." She hugged Arey back.

"What we can't do it let them keep controlling our lives." Arey said with a determination that was both gentle and fierce. "It's not about me being uncomfortable D, I want to see you happy too. The both of you. We've all got things we're working through, I can handle mine if you can handle yours. Just don't coop yourself up or hold yourself back because you think you'll hurt me. Knowing I did that to you would hurt more."

"So I can watch a movie with him? You won't be mad? I don't want to hurt you, ever." She looked up at Arey, pulling away a little. "You and Tim are so cute, getting to know each other...does he make your stomach feel weird?" She smiled shyly.

"Oh course you can D, and you don't need my permission to do it ok." Arey replied, trying to make her see that. "Sometimes yeah. I kind of get this warm feeling all over, and I get so caught up with what we're doing or saying that I can't think about anything else."

Deirdre smiled. "That sounds nice. I panic every time Arin comes anywhere near me no matter how many butterflies I feel. I get worried..Tim and Viv...nevermind...So is Tim a good kisser?" She wanted to talk about Arey, not herself and her own insecurities. She would have to explain to Arin that she talked to Arey, that she told her and that she seemed okay with Deirdre and Arin getting to know each other.

It was Arey's turn to look shy now, face turning beet red. "Maybe..." She said with a shy kind of chuckle. "Don't have a lot to compare it to, but yeah, I think so. He just...makes me feel really wanted. It's kind of intoxicating."

Deirdre took Arey's hands, "Really? That is so amazing. Is he romantic? Are you going to go out with him again? You seemed to really like him....you know you were very um...handsy with him." She blushed and giggled.

If possible, Arey turned even redder. hiding her face in her hands. "I don't even know what came over me...It kind of felt like I was a different person. I had to watch Balthazar paw and grope at him for so long, and then after he kissed him I just kind of...went berserk I don't know..."

"But you liked it right? You seemed to enjoy it and he certainly did. You guys are very sweet together. Was ice skating fun? I mean before the fae showed up?"

"Yeah, it was nice. I feel more confident around him, sure of myself I guess." Arey explained. "He's very sweet, and ice skating was fun. It was great watching him in his element."

"Arey you are smiling an awful lot and you are blushing. You like him....a lot." Deirdre giggled and squeezed Arey's hands. She dropped them to hug Arey tightly. "I am glad he isn't a jackass with you like he was with me."

"He's just overprotected." Arey said returning the hug with a smile. "He's been through some things, makes him want to protect everybody all the time. I think he just steps on peoples toes a bit in the rush."

"He doesn't trust me. I understand but it is aggravating. That is he and I though, clearly he thinks of you very differently judging by the way he was grabbing your butt." Deirdre smiled, one eyebrow raised.

Arey's cheeks flushed and she averted her eyes shyly. "Yeah well I might have grabbed his first..." She mumbled.

"Really? Did he kiss you first or did you kiss him? Is it hard to flirt?" Deirdre inquired with enthusiasm. "How do you get a boy to flirt with you? How do you stop yourself from babbling like an idiot? I can't think when Arin talks to me and I sound immature."

"He kissed me, but we were both ready to go for it in the cab, so I think it was kind of mutual..." She explained. "Honestly I'm kind of new to this whole thing. Last night was only the second proper date I've ever been on, and so far I'm starting to think I'm bad luck on that end." Arey said sheepishly. "I'm not really that smooth either..."

"Oh, I've never had a date." Deirdre frowned. "I am glad you had fun, you know before the whole gropey guy. Did Tim try and you know..." She blushed.

"He tried fighting it the whole time. Any reaction he had wasn't his fault. I think that was the hardest part you know, knowing how much he was fighting back and not being able to do anything to really help. I think that dick got off on it you know? Making him feel things even though he hated it..." Arey said remembering the less pleasant part of that evening.

"No I meant did Tim try and touch you..." Deirdre reddened even more. "I wanted to know if he did more than kiss you or grab your ass and if you liked it..."

"Oh..." Arey said feeling stupid. "Oh gosh no. If anything I was the one pushing on that front after the whole...you know." She said embarrassed.

Deirdre smiled, "He didn't? Maybe next time...do you want him too?" She was curious as to how Arey felt about Tim. "He seems to really like you."

"I don't know...I mean...I like it, it feels good...like really good, I just...I'm not sure I know what to do..." Arey admitted. She'd never gone that far with a guy before and she was winging it for the most part. In theory, she knew what went where, and where was supposed to feel good, most people with access to the internet could figure that out these days, but she didn't have any practical or first hand experience. "I keep worrying I'm going to do something weird or wrong and he'll be too nice to say anything..."

"Tim not say something?" Deirdre laughed. "I bet you couldn't do anything wrong. Is he a gentleman or all jock like and brutish?" She heard stories of jocks and their treatment of girls. "I bet he is more like a gentleman than anything, he says stupid things but he doesn't seem like a typical guy...What did he do on the date?"

"He got us the rink to ourselves, arranged this beautiful basket full of flowers and cannolis and hot chocolate, and we just really got to talk. It got really personal really quickly, and we both kind of just opened up. I think it was something we both needed. And we skated. He was a good teacher, patient and funny, and just a great listener. His butt looks really cute when he skates too..." Arey remembered, blushing a little at the thought.

"Oh Arey it sounds amazing..." Deirdre smiled dreamily. "Skating, flowers...guys do that?"

"Who knew right?" Arey said chuckling.

"What will you do next date? Do you know?" Deirdre was excited for Arey.

"I'm not sure." Arey said thinking. "We're going to his place to grab some stuff. He said something about getting ice cream...does that count as a date?"

"I don't know." Deirdre giggled. "Yes, I think so. Just you and him, it's a date. Wait now? Later?"

"In a little bit." Arey said, in no real rush. They had all day, she figured Tim wouldn't mind the wait too much if he really liked her. "Want to help me pick out my make up?" She asked almost shyly.

"Okay." Deirdre smiled. "I don't wear make up though so not sure how much help I will be. I can tell you what looks nice on you. Wear your hair down, Tim plays with it...it is nice..I bet it feels nice. Arin played with my hair, he was calming me down but it was still nice."

"Yeah it does." Arey agreed pulling out her make-up bag. "Nothing too heavy, today. I'm wearing pink, so I think I'll go with some neutral tones." She explained, showing her the make up in a kind of impromptu lesson.

Deirdre slipped off the bed and watched Arey, listening and paying attention. Her only experience with makeup was for the stage, heavy and meant to exaggerate features not enhance. She watched Arey. "Your eyes really stand out. Tim is not going to be able to stop looking at you."

"Thanks." Arey said sheepishly. "I used to be really self-concious about them actually."

"Really? Why?" Deirdre stepped up behind Arey. "Your eyes are gorgeous. Very easy to lose yourself in them...." Her voice trailed off as she looked at Arey.

"Yes well, when I was ten and awkward, they were too big for my face, and Georgie Parker for a year at school would never let me forget it." Arey said in remembrance, eyes looking up at Deirdre.

"Stupid kids. Your eyes are gorgeous..." Deirdre reached out to brush Arey's hair from her face. "See, captivating."

Arey wasn't great at taking compliments. They always made her blush and feel self conscious. Coming from Deirdre though, it also made her feel...kind of proud. Like gaining her approval was a real feat. "Thanks." She said with a small smile, a small blush playing on her cheeks.

"It is the truth." Deirdre smiled shyly. "Can't help but look at them, get lost in them..." Her breathing increased and Deirdre had to step away. "Arey...you should go meet Tim..." She felt drawn to her and Deirdre wasn't sure she could hold it back.

'Yeah...I should...yeah." Arey said clearing her throat, to try and break the spell. "I'll just...go then. I'll see you soon?" Arey said grabbing her purse quickly off the floor to give herself something to do.

"I can't wait to hear how ice cream goes." Deirdre sat on the bed. "Have a great time Arey."

Tim spent the week training with the others and devising ways to spend time with Arey. He pushed himself in every training session. He vowed to himself that he would never hesitate again. He also wanted to learn the calm and patience that Arin had. It seemed to be the difference between them, just as it had in the past. Ywaine and Tim were heavy handed, reacting in anger and leaving openings. Arin and Lancelot could read the fight, knew how to bide their time. When he moved it was with a sureness that was awe inspiring. Tim could do that with hockey, see the ice and read the play but somehow it escaped him here. He spent a great deal of time picking Arin's brain after the class about what he saw and why he did the things he did. He wanted to absorb everything Arin said.

As promised they were able to move into their own rooms and Tim even went home to get a few more things. He grabbed his hockey gear, though he was unsure exactly why. A small part of him hoped he would get the nerve to gear up and play. He made the new room his home. His pictures, his books and his things. There was pretty much nothing left at his old apartment. He paid rent for the last time there and turned in his keys. There was no reason to go back, at least for now. In the future he could find a new place but for now here was where he needed to be. He spent some time catching up on his classes, switching shifts at the law firm and taking a leave of absence in the end. It bothered him to do it, there were people who needed the help but the task before him and the others was far bigger than any dirty landlord.

The week passed pleasurably overall. Days spent in training and school work and evenings spent getting to know Arey. Tim felt like life was getting back on track. Sure it was not how he pictured but somehow this felt better, like a piece of his life was missing before.

He took Arey to his favorite little cafe where the desserts were heavenly and the coffee was some of the best in the city.

He took her to dinner. He choose a small, family run restaurant where the food was all home cooked.

Tim took her for a walk around Central Park, enjoying the fresh air and time alone with her.

They ran most mornings, pushing each other. The exercise and friendly competition making things all the more fun for Tim. There wasn't a chance for them to skate again but Tim vowed that they would go again soon. When it turned colder he would take her to an outdoor rink.

He took advantage of the privacy of the rooms to watch a movie with her, alone. He reveled in the closeness, the intimacy but never pushed for more than a few kisses. He wanted to do more and struggled to keep his hands respectful, often taking a break to get a drink. He couldn't get enough of her but he wanted to take his time, build up their relationship. He asked her more about her family, about herself. He wanted to know everything. Her favorite book, favorite color, favorite movie and TV show. He asked her about soccer and if she was religious. He told her about himself. How he hated watermelon. He loved the smell of banana bread. That his mom made the best mashed potatoes and the worst soups. He told her that he couldn't really cook though he'd like to learn, that he missed travelling for hockey. Tim showed her his well-read copy of To Kill a Mockingbird, his favorite book. He told her everything, anything she asked he answered without hesitation. It was as if they had always been friends and were just filling in the gaps. There was more to it though. The sense of companionship went beyond friends, at least for him and Tim hoped Arey had the same feeling.

Tim even tried to get to know Deirdre. He figured his best option for getting past the judgmental attitude was to get to know her. He found her overall sweet but sheltered. The urge to protect her from the world grew. She had been so cut off most of her life it seemed almost worse now to let her learn just how bad the world at large could be. In the end Tim's reason overruled Ywaine's chivalry. Tim knew that for D to be safest she needed to get caught up on things, needed to learn how much people could suck and take advantage. They talked about school and his work at the law firm. An easy understanding started to grow between them. D seemed less on edge with him and he tried hard to treat her as D and not the woman who ruined Camelot and seemed destined to ruin things in this life.

With Kat Tim was more cautious. He was afraid of being a dumb jock and saying the wrong thing. When the rooms were first done he went to ask her for help. He wanted to set up his laptop so he could still keep up on email, schoolwork and anything else he might require being online for. She was the expert. He brought her a gift on Thursday to thank her for all her work. He knew she'd brush it off as nothing, call herself gadget girl or such but he wanted her to know he appreciated it. He left the bag on her desk. Inside was a set of Batman earrings, a necklace and a t-shirt that said "I am Batman." Tim left a note with it. "Just a thank you from an tech-impaired jerk to Batman, because she rocks."

--------------------------------
Deirdre left the bedroom feeling a mixture of nervousness and excitement. She didn’t know what to do. Arey and Tim were gone and Kat was locked in her office. She walked into the batcave and then the training room. Dance? Maybe... She didn’t feel it but then again she had some pent up energy.

She strolled the training room but just wasn’t sure what she should do. Pack. I should pack....how do I do that? Deirdre walked out of the training room once again. She stopped as she saw Arin coming down the hall.

Arin smiled as he saw Deirdre. It was one of those full smiles that reached his eyes and made them shine, “Hey D! Whatcha up to?”

Deirdre smiled and shyly looked away. “Not much, trying to figure out what to do....Arey and Tim are gone and I have to pack my stuff but...never mind. Hey Arin....” She looked up at him. “I talked to Arey. I told her you kissed me good night and that I…well that I had a crush on you...” She blushed.

Arin chuckled, “Oh? Yeah, I’d talked to her too. It just felt like the right thing to do. You know, let her know I was interested in you...” He trailed off. He realized he hadn’t actually told Deirdre he was interested in her yet.

Deirdre paled, eyes wide and then her face turned pink. “You....you...what?” She felt ridiculously warm all of a sudden.

“Uh, yeah... Sorry? I probably should have told you first? I dunno. It’s not the most normal situation. I just had the chance to talk to her and thought it was a good idea.” He turned red. He felt like he’d screwed up by not talking to Deirdre first. Like she was something to be negotiated rather than approached for herself.

“Of course. It makes sense.” Deirdre swallowed. She didn’t know if she was upset or excited. Arey hadn’t said anything about knowing. She had let her go on and on about feeling bad but she said nothing about already knowing and knowing more than Deirdre. Maybe she thought I knew. Maybe she was testing to see if I would tell her... She shook her head and smiled.

“I told her I would stay away from you if it made her uncomfortable.” She looked at her feet. “I told her I liked you but if she was not okay with it I would back off and give you space.”

“Oh.” Arin couldn’t completely hide the note of disappointment, “I don’t want you to back off. I... well, I didn’t actually offer to back off. Maybe I should have?”

Deirdre looked sad, “No, no I shouldn’t have. I should have stood up for what I wanted but the guilt was so very strong that I just...” She crossed to Arin. “I am sorry. I don’t want to back off but I don’t know how to assert myself. Arey said I should be happy, we should be happy and I don’t want you to back off.” She took one of Arin’s hands. “But if you are reconsidering I understand...”

“What? No!” Arin insisted. He pursed his lips in thought, “But I get it D. Really. I understand the thought. It’s tough to just stop listening to them, right? I’ve had more practice.”

Arin squeezed her hand and smiled at her again, “Trust me, not at all reconsidering. I really am interested. D, I’d love to get to know you more and see where we can go with this. A crush is a nice start, but I want to see if it’s more than that.”

Deirdre blushed profusely. “Oh.” She smiled and looked him in the eyes. “I would love to get to know you too Arin. And now I won’t feel guilty or like I am trying to hide it. Now everyone knows...”

“Well, except Tim and Kat. Kat shouldn’t have a problem, but Tim...” Arin shrugged. “I guess we’ll see how many hits he earns in training.”

“Kat knows....” Deirdre bit her lip. “I asked her for advice on how to flirt. And Arey too. As for Tim well....he can deal.” She smiled.

Arin cocked his head at her, “Asking Kat for hints about flirting. Hmm. Okay, now I’m interested.” He chuckled.

“She told me to trust my gut. Cute girl, hot bartender...You know classic story.” Deirdre realized she was still holding his hand. “Arey was no help either. Though she’s been on a date and I haven’t so that makes her more experienced. I guess I have to go with my instincts.” She shrugged.

“It sounds like Kat had the right idea. You certainly are cute. And I think we should address the inequalities between you and Arey if you plan to ask for advice. You need to go on a date too.”

Deirdre couldn’t stop looking at her hand entwined with Arin’s. “Maybe but someone would have to offer to take me on a date.”

Arin grinned, watching her intertwine her fingers with his, “Offer? You don’t think you could just ask yourself? Don’t think that someone is doing you a favor by offering. Quite the contrary. You’d be doing quite the honor by agreeing, or offering yourself.”

Deirdre blinked repeatedly, “I’m sorry? Ask? A favor?”

“Far from ask. You’d be able to demand a date and guys would fall all over themselves to accommodate. Or, at least, I would.”

Deirdre shook her head, “Oh I couldn’t demand anything and no guy is falling-You?” She looked at Arin. “I-I can’t...you don’t want that...no wait...Kat said you want someone to knock your socks off...” Her free hand went to her neck.

Arin chuckled again, “She did eh? Well, knock my socks off then, D. You’re more than capable.”

Deirdre swallowed hard and stared at Arin. “I-I can’t. I don’t know what to do on a date. I can’t ask you...I have never been on one.” And just like that she was failing again. She let Arin’s hand go. “I’m sorry...” She whispered and stepped back.

“Fair enough D.” He felt her grasp weaken, so he tightened his. He wasn’t going to let her slip into a corner again. He knew she had the strength and confidence. She just needed to find it. However, he also knew better than to push for everything all at once.

“How about this? What do you like to do for fun?” Arin asked easily, trying to reduce the pressure of the date context.

“Fun?” Deirdre looked down. Arin was gripping her hand. He hadn’t let her pull away. “I go to clubs and dance. I eat fast food.” She said quietly.

“Ever been on a motorcycle?”

Deirdre shook her head but looked up at him. “Never.” Her eyes sparkled. “Is it fun?”

“Quite exhilarating. But why settle for my description. Here’s my idea. I take you for a ride to get some fast food, then we hit a club and dance. You tell me, does that sound like a good first date to you?” Arin smiled again.

“You and I? A ride? It sounds like a very, very nice first date...for real? Or are we talking in maybes?” Deirdre wanted him to be asking for real but wondered if maybe he was just testing the water so to speak.

“I didn’t say maybe. Like I said before, you’d be doing me the honor of agreeing. Cheesy, but true. I’m just trying to make sure I can make it worth your while.”

“Worth my while? Arin...” Deirdre smiled. “I would love to go eat fast food and dance with you but the motorcycle?” She inhaled. “I couldn’t be more excited at the prospect.” Her eyes were wide, her smile big. “I would love the chance to ride you…with you” She closed her eyes and shook her head. “Sorry.”

Arin raised an eyebrow, “Okay. I’ll keep that in mind.” He winked and squeezed her hand. “It’s fine D. I’d love to show you what it’s like on a bike. One of my favorite things ever. A motorcycle really focuses me. My only question is, you like speed or finesse?”

“I don’t know...in what?” Deirdre was confused.

Arin laughed, “In motorcycles. I think I know the answer though. I’ll give you a bit of both and then you can tell me what you liked best.”

Deirdre nodded, “Okay. I am excited.” She looked down. “You are still holding my hand.” A blush spread on her cheeks, her voice soft.

Arin looked down at their hands. He smiled again, “Oh? It appears that I am. Is that problematic?”

Deirdre shook her head slowly, heart pounding. “Not at all. I like it. I hope you do it more.”

“That can be arranged. I’ll make a note.” He squeezed her hand again.

“Okay...I should figure out how I am going to get my things. I don’t know when we are going for that ride but say the word and I am yours.” Deirdre’s eyes went wide. “I mean I am free to go.”

Arin raised his eyebrows, “And what, exactly, is that word?” He smirked. “I just need to check my schedule and the first free night I have is all yours. Ride, food, dance, whatever you’d like. However, in the meantime, let’s get your things. How much? Will it fit in a car?”

Her face was very red. “Word? Oh I....” She was breathing harder. “Whenever the ride fits in for you Arin. It isn’t a lot...clothes. The furniture is my parents and they can have it. I’d rather sleep on the floor.”

Arin became more serious, “You aren’t sleeping on floors. Viv will have the room done right. Don’t worry about that. Just clothes? How much? Fit in a backpack?”

“I wasn’t worried. I don’t mind...I just...” She felt ungrateful. “I need my duffle bag and maybe a box. Most of my actual things are at my parents’ house. It is just my clothes mostly, some pictures.”

“Actual things? You need an arrangement to visit your parents and get the meaningful stuff?” Arin started thinking about the best way to force his way in so Deirdre could get the stuff that mattered to her.

“My parents thought it best to keep my room the same so I felt at home when I went back on weekends. I haven’t gone home at all. At their house are my books, my stuff but my apartment has my clothes and a few things. I would just like to get that so my parents don’t take it too. I don’t have the money for new stuff.” She frowned, remembering the most recent text on her phone. “I got fired so I don’t have a job now.”

Arin shook his head dismissively, “Sure. You want a job? I can get you in at Galaxy if you like slinging drinks. It’s not that big a deal though. But I’m not offering charity. Here’s the thing, you got stuff that fits in backpacks, let’s get it on the bike. An early experience for the date.”

“If you want stuff from your parents, we’ll get a truck or something. And we’ll make sure they aren’t there at the time. Just some planning. Kat’s good at that. As for money, like I said, Galaxy. Or we don’t worry about it. Up to your comfort level.”

“I am not legal, I can’t serve drinks.” Deirdre shook her head. “No I don’t want that stuff. That is their princess. That isn’t me.”

She smiled, “Thank you Arin but I will get a new job, as long as Vivienne let’s me leave. It is fine. Really.”

“Actually D. New York law says you have to be eighteen to serve. You’re easily legal. And someone as hot as you serving will be easy to get in.” Arin said seriously. “If you don’t want it, we don’t get it. Easy done. Viv will let you leave. I said that before. It was only about the initial shock that we worried about. And, your safety from other fae. The latter we’ll cover. You’ll work my shifts.” He grinned. “It’ll be my pleasure to work with a cute server like you.”

He frowned, “Oh, wait. I don’t mean you’re incapable of taking care of yourself... Just, I’m back up... you know...”

Deirdre was confused. She wasn’t sure if she should be insulted or appreciative. He said things that made sense but it felt like he was deciding things for her. “Oh, okay. Whatever you think is best Arin.” She blinked back a few tears.

“Ah shit. I’ve fucked that up, didn’t I? It’s not about what I think best... Just... options. All I’m offering are options. You are free to take or leave them as you want...” He looked pained, “I’m sorry, D. I... got carried away, trying to help.”

“It’s okay. I seem to need the help.” Deirdre felt insecure and nervous. He won’t like me, I can’t do anything to knock his socks off like Kat said.

“No... You don’t need... It’s...” Arin sighed. “Never mind. I didn’t think I was patronizing, but obviously I was. There are ways I can help with a job, if you want it. You don’t need it. And either way, I’m fine. If you want help getting your things, I’m willing. If not... that’s cool.”

“You were trying to help, it is what you do and I appreciate it Arin. You are good at helping people.” She smiled at him. “I admire that about you.”

“Not as good as I’d like, apparently.” He grumbled. “Thanks. I’m sorry I ruined our talk. I still want to take you out on that date though.”

Deirdre frantically shook her head. “You didn’t ruin anything. It’s okay really.” She huffed, annoyed at herself. “Look I appreciate the offer of the job and I would love to work with you. I didn’t know what I was going to do. If I can get a job with you all the safer right? I just assume people are planning my life for me.”

“Not entirely the point. I was just trying to assuage your worry. I would never presume to plan anything for you. Kind of the whole point about me saying you would be able to demand a date if you’d like...” Arin felt like an idiot. Things were going so well and then he made her feel like she couldn’t take care of herself. He should have just shut up. He could have mentioned there being a server position and left it at that.

“I’ve made you feel bad...” Deirdre looked at the floor and put her free arm around herself. She refused to take her hand from his.

“No, no. I did that to myself.” Arin shrugged. “Something went off track here. I feel like I screwed things up by talking about jobs and such.”

Deirdre shook her head, “You didn’t screw up anything. Really. I shouldn’t have said anything. You were trying to help, I was ungrateful.” The conversation was going in a circle and she didn’t know what to do. “Please Arin, just ask me out....” Her voice was soft.

Arin drew a breath and tried to dismiss the tangent this conversation had taken, “Okay. Tomorrow night. Bike, food, dance. Today? We’ll get your stuff. The rest. It’ll take care of itself.”

“Today we get my stuff, as long as you don’t mind standing in my room and tomorrow I will have a date with you, much to my great happiness.” Deirdre squeezed his hand and stepped closer. She felt momentarily bold. “Thank you Arin.” She kissed his cheek. “I appreciate all you have offered to help me with. I would like to discuss that job at Galaxy.”

Arin nodded, “Okay. Sounds like a plan.” As she stepped closer he put his free arm around her, feeling some of the confidence come back, “I don’t mind being in your room at all. Standing might be harder though.” He winked. “There might be that roommate of yours around again.”

And just like that they were back to him making her blush. “Yes she might be there.” Deirdre felt her knees go weak as Arin put his arm around her. “You are still holding my hand Arin...” She leaned in to whisper it in his ear.

“You keep bringing that up. Either I have to do it more often so you notice less, or you really have a problem with it. Maybe I should just let it go.” He did just that and put both arms around her, pulling her into him. “Better?”

Deirdre gasped as he pulled her in. “Do it more so I will always notice and yes....” Her eyes were on his. “Arin, I like your arms.”

Arin stared into her eyes, “Okay... I will...” He wasn’t sure how to respond. He pictured himself picking her up and kissing her, but he really didn’t want to rush. He didn’t want to make her feel rushed or pressured. All he could think of was trying to make a joke, “Good. My arms seem to like you too.” And he couldn’t even do that.

Deirdre trembled as she leaned in to put her head on his shoulder. “This is better. I am glad you like me...your arms too.” She took a deep breath. “Are you going to kiss me or am I supposed to ask for that?”

Arin winced, feeling called out, “I didn’t know if I’d be rushing it...” His lame excuse barely out of his mouth before he gave in to his desire. He ran his hands up her back and held her tight as he pressed his lips into hers. Unlike the short, gentle kiss of last night, this was intense. He meant this one and he tried to show it as much as he could.

“I am-” Her apology died on her lips as Arin kissed her. She had spoken out loud, out of turn and for a moment she feared that yet again she had ruined a moment. Deirdre closed her eyes. The kiss was kind that made knees go weak. She gripped his shirt to hold herself up. She could taste him and she never wanted to stop. What had Arey said? Intoxicating.

Arin eventually, reluctantly, broke the kiss and relaxed his grip on her, “I could do that for a long time D. We should get your things. I think we’d both agree that we don’t want to rush into the things that kiss might lead to?”

Deirdre nodded though she wasn’t entirely aware of everything just at that moment. His kiss had left her completely breathless and slightly stunned. “No rushing anything...but Arin I’d really like it if sometime you kissed me like that again.”

She didn’t step way, she couldn’t. “My things are a good idea.”

“I plan to.” Arin assured. He let her go, running his hands along her arms, holding her hands in his for a moment. “If you think we can get it in backpacks, we can take the bike. Otherwise, I’ll ask for Viv’s car.”

Deirdre wanted to get on the motorcycle but knew that there was too much to just stick in backpacks. She was almost pouting as she spoke. “A car is a better idea. I really want to get on the bike, I do but I can’t guarantee everything fits in a couple of backpacks.”

“Done. You ready now?”

Deirdre inhaled slowly, “No because it means stepping away and yes, because it means letting you move...” She laughed lightly. “I already feel like I could just let you hug me for days on end.” With that admission she stepped backwards just a little. “And that is an inside voice that you shouldn’t hear...” Deirdre blushed a little.

Arin chuckled, “That’s okay. My inside voice says hugging wouldn’t last for days because it would end up as something else.” He grinned, “That’s not something either of us are ready to rush for. So, let’s get to your place.”

The blush grew and Deirdre nodded. “Good plan.”

The pair headed to Deirdre’s apartment, armed with a few boxes and her duffle bag. The apartment was empty, her roommates at work. Deirdre couldn’t help but pause at Heather’s room. Someone had been there and was packing up her things. With Arin’s hand in hers she was able to pull herself away and head to her room.

A note was taped to her door. ”Funeral on Monday, your parents called so just leave the key on the counter.” She took the note down with a shaking hand and crumpled it.

It took very little time to pack her things. Clothes were put in the duffle bag, toiletries, makeup and shoes in boxes. Her sheets tossed in a garbage bag with her towels. She’d do laundry once she got back and the rooms were done. By tomorrow she’d have a whole new bed in a whole new space with people who seemingly cared about her in a way that no one in her life ever had. Maybe there is an advantage to this past life thing. Deirdre couldn’t help but watch Arin as he moved about the room. She didn’t look back as they left the room with her things. She paused once more to look at Heather’s room before finding the energy to leave. The last thing she did was put her key on the counter.

The next day Deirdre started early in the training room. Pointe shoes on, she pressed play on her phone and soft music filled the whole room. “I freaking love you Kat...” Deirdre smiled. The girl was so amazing with tech. You asked her for something, thinking it difficult and it was just done.

Deirdre began a basic ballet workout and Arin came in. It became the first of their morning meetings. She would dance, stretch and work on her technique while he worked out. Because training the group meant that he didn’t work as hard, Arin had decided to do his own workouts in the morning. He had ulterior motives. It was a way to spend time with Deirdre while they were both doing something productive. Every day they met like this before grabbing a light breakfast and meeting the rest for training.

Arin alternated the training between hard, endurance focused, and lighter, stricter technique. This allowed their bodies to recover better, and kept the technique fresh. With boxing he added new combos and punches. By the end of the week they had all the basics learned and were just fine tuning technique. Knife fighting was focused on increasing their comfort at distance training and defense. He started mentioning techniques that would be similar with swords. This would give them a head start and start helping their ability to see how multiple disciplines could work together. By the second lesson he started adding in wrestling and other grappling styles. Here he focused on not letting themselves get pinned and escaping from holds. Stressing the point that street fights never work like you were trained for and they should be prepared for anything.

By the end of the week he started very light sparring, where he would go against each of them, one on one, to try and show the practical use of the techniques. Arin felt that nothing solidified a technique more than seeing it actually work. He stressed always being aware of what your opponent was doing. How, once you were experience enough, you could picture the fight in your head before the first attack was made. While fighting he would talk about the theory of the fight in a stream of consciousness. He was not afraid to hit them and often did, lightly, when they got lazy and left obvious openings. In return, he took a few hits himself, allowing them to see what openings could be taken advantage of.

Tuesday late afternoon found Deirdre standing next to Arin’s motorcycle. She was dressed in jeans, boots to her knees and a leather jacket she had borrowed from Kat. Her fingers worked the strap of the helmet that Arin gave her. She was almost bouncing as she tried to contain her excitement. The plan was to go to Galaxy to talk to the manager then a longer ride, dinner and then dancing. The prospect of it all had her smiling so big her cheeks hurt a little.

The talk with the manager was brief. Despite her inexperience he was willing to take her on with Arin’s assurance that he would show her the ropes and she would work on Arin’s shifts. It solved D’s employment problem as well as kept her safe with Arin watching out for her and let them spend time together.

They got back on the bike and Arin decided he was ready to show Deirdre what the bike could really do. The trip from the batcave to the club had been short, enough for her to get used to turns, stops and starts. He noticed immediately that she had got in close to him, her thighs hugged him tightly and tighter when needed. She kept her head in the perfect spot so the helmets didn’t bump and she wrapped her arms around him with ease, as if knowing where the best spot would be for her own balance and his ease of movement. Arin couldn’t help but wonder if she had in fact ridden before while Deirdre couldn’t help but feel immediately comfortable on the back of the bike. It was like her body knew what to do and where to be. Every move Arin made, she stayed with him.

Arin knew he was ready to push the bike and Deirdre. One would reach their limits first and either way this promised to be fun. He took off on the highway and out of the city. He headed north and east where the highway turned into two lanes and the road wound itself out of the suburbs and into the neighboring forests. There were more hills and a lot more turns. He wanted to have them back into the city proper by the time the sun went down so he went over his mental map of the area he loved to frequent, chose a route and headed for it.

The roads twisted and with each curve Arin pushed the bike more. He leaned more and felt her move with him. It was like they were one rider. Arin smiled to himself and enjoyed the rush of the ride and the feel of her body pressed against his. Lean legs squeeze him, hands held her to him and even roamed a little though he was sure it was from changing her positioning than anything else. It didn’t take away from the effect though.

By the time they hit the mid-point and turned around Arin was almost laying the bike out on the turns. It seemed like the bike’s limits were to be reached before Deirdre’s. She rode like a natural and Arin hoped she’d want to do it again.

Deirdre loved the freedom. The bike was fast but it had a movement to it that she loved. Arin hit the curves and leaned the bike. Never once did she panic, never once did it cross her mind to not trust Arin’s ability with the motorcycle. She was comfortable and enjoying herself. If he wanted to take turns at speeds that he could make the bike almost lay down than she trusted that he knew what he was doing.

The ride was exciting. The sound of the wind rushing by the helmet, the speed and the vibration of the bike under her were the most amazing thing she had experienced. When they finally stopped she was smiling and once her helmet was off she wrapped her arms about his neck, hugging him tightly in thanks.

The rush of the ride and Deirdre being close to him for that long heightened Arin’s responses. He wasn’t satisfied with a simple hug. Instead he enveloped her, lifting her off the ground slightly as he brought her face up to his. Just short of crushing her, he kissed her deeply, and passionately. He nibbled and sucked at her lips and couldn’t help slipping his tongue around hers. She was an aphrodisiac and he was responding appropriately. He found her hesitant at first, stunned from the passion and feeling of the kiss but soon melted into his arms. She began to respond back to him, urging him to keep the contact.

He let her slip back to the ground, but held her close with one hand, the other ran through her hair. It lingered on her shoulder and down her arm. He only broke the kiss when it took more effort than it should have to stop himself from unzipping her jacket. Breathing hard, he leaned back and looked up at the sky, “God D... I... need a break. I’m afraid my hands are getting a mind of their own.” The passion in his voice making it clear it was a hard thing for him.

“I’m sorry?” Deirdre was dazed. He had been kissing her, touching her and nothing else existed except Arin. She was shivering but it wasn’t from the cooling evening air. “I guess that is what Kat meant by the leather is good protection?” She bit her lower lip in an attempt to hide her giggle.

Arin chuckled, “Yes, good protection from an overly exuberant guy. Nothing to be sorry about. I wouldn’t want you to change how hot and sexy you are right now. However, I’m also quite aware that being molested in the parking lot wouldn’t be the ideal start to the dance portion of our night.” He smiled at her. He couldn’t resist one more light peck on her lips as she bit them.

“Hmmm...” Deirdre smiled as he kissed her once more. “Is that a warning that you plan to molest me on the dance floor?” She shook her head. “Sorry, inside voice again...Let’s go with I appreciate you not undressing me in the parking lot?” Her eyes were large and questioning. She had never done anything like this before and she wasn’t sure what someone was supposed to do after a guy kissed her in a way that made her entire body feel like it was on fire. It had taken all of her willpower not to run her hands all over his body. The saving grace was the crushing hug that kept her very still and pressed very firmly to him.

“I promise I’m not going to rush you into anything, especially undressing in a parking lot.” He grinned. “Though, I don’t promise I won’t kiss you like that again before the night is over.”

Deirdre nodded. “Next time maybe without the coat in the way...” She blushed. She was inexperienced but she knew what she enjoyed and that was something she very much enjoyed and wanted more of.

“And lose the armor protecting you from the handsy knight?” He winked.

Deirdre looked up at him through her eyelashes, “Yes...” Her mouth went a little dry at the thought of his hands on her shirt, her arms. Slow down or he will think it is Guin taking over. Can’t jump head first when you haven’t even tested the water. “Sorry, too forward. You were right..”

Arin’s eyes widened, “I’ll... take note.” He nodded as she apologized, “Sorry isn’t needed, but you can also trust me that I’ll control myself, even without the leather. Like I said, I’m not looking for permission to rush you. I want to do right by you and that means a little bit of showing you how much I think you’re sexy and beautiful and a little bit of holding back so it builds naturally.” Arin frowned, he wasn’t sure he was explaining it right.

Deirdre had been worried that she had given him the wrong idea, that Arin would think her overly forward. “Not giving you permission to rush...I just...I like that, letting it build.”

“Perfect. Just as long as you know that you’re stunning. Wouldn’t want to make you doubt how I feel about that.”

Deirdre blushed. “Oh…oh okay...” She couldn’t believe he thought her stunning or sexy or beautiful. “Arin? I...” She couldn’t thank him for saying things that like, it felt odd but she did know a way to emphasize her appreciation. Deirdre pulled him down and kissed him. “Thank you...” She whispered the words against his lips before moving back a little, her face flushed and her eyes on his face.

Her response assured his feelings were well received. He was happy and excited that she was responding favorably. He had worried slightly that his heated actions might have scared her off. He looked forward to moving forward from here, and was glad to hear she was as well, “You’re welcome D.” He grabbed one of her hands, “Food now, though? That ride and the workout this morning worked up an appetite.”

Deirdre nodded and smiled. “Food.”

From there dinner consisted of fast food burgers, talk of music, Deirdre’s lack of movie knowledge and then dancing. Deirdre loved dancing but this time was somehow that much better. Arin moving near her, hands touching her and being able to press against him made things more exciting than going out by herself. She felt safe and comfortable with him.

The night ended with the pair back at the bat cave. Deirdre removed her helmet and handed it to Arin. “I want to thank you, tonight was so much fun. The ride was...” She shivered a little remembering the excitement of the ride, the curves and speed. “The ride was the best experience I have ever had. Dinner was great, thank you. I have a real weakness for stuff like that. Too many years of brown rice I guess. And dancing...well...it’s nice to dance with a guy that you like.” She blushed and looked away shyly. “I guess all that to say thank you, I had a very nice time going out with you.”

“I had a great time too D. You are fun to be around. You certainly aren’t hard to look at, either. I can’t think of many better things to do than spend a night like that with you. I hope you consider repeating a similar experience. Mostly the spending time with me part.” He grinned.

Deirdre smiled and unzipped the jacket. “I can’t think of anything I’d like more than a chance to spend more time with you Arin.” He had fun with her and wanted to do it again. She was over the moon. She wasn’t sure if she’d be able to sleep tonight. Slipping the jacket off she folded it over one arm, “I guess I can give it back to Kat in the morning or maybe she’ll let me hang on to it for a bit, you know so we can go for another ride.” She looked up from the jacket to Arin.

“I guess I should let you get to bed. I had a really, really great time.”

Arin watched her as she slipped off the jacket. Something about a woman slipping off leather always got to him. He nodded, distracted, “Yeah. For sure. Kat won’t mind either way, likely.” He forced his gaze back to her face as she looked back up at him. “It was fantastic.” He stepped in close to her and ran his arms around her lower back. He pulled her in close again and raised one hand to the side of her face. He brushed some loose hair away from her cheek and let his hand run through her hair again. “I think I promised another kiss... or, didn’t promise not to give one... Effectively the same.” He leaned in and pressed his lips against hers. It wasn’t as fervent this time, instead the passion built slowly as he started gently. Raising the intensity of the kiss his hand on her lower back moved. Without the jacket in the way it was quite easy to slip it under her shirt. Though he kept it only on her lower back, he lightly traced along her spine with his fingertips.

Deirdre could feel her heart pounding against her ribcage as Arin stepped in closer, his arms around her. She looked up at him, lost in his eyes as he spoke. She hadn’t been listening, not really. Her mind went fuzzy when he got that near and when his kissed her Deirdre let out a soft noise of surprise. The kiss was slow, almost gentle but grew and she kissed him back matching the intensity. She let her tongue gently probe his mouth as his hand found its way under her shirt. The feel of his fingertips on her skin was like a tingle, a small bit of electricity that shocked her with the contact. Deirdre leaned into Arin a little more.

Arin finished the kiss by sliding both hands under her shirt, relishing the skin to skin contact. He kept them lowered, chastely. He leaned his forehead lightly on hers, their noses just touching, “Thank you for the amazing night D. I’m hoping it’s just the first of many more.”

Deirdre inhaled and held her breath as both of his hands went to her lower back. “O-okay....” She felt a little off kilter. If he let her go she wasn’t sure she could stand on her own in that moment. “I want more...” Her eyes went wide. “More nights…with you...I-oh god, inside voice...”

“I don’t know why you worry about this inside voice. I like her ideas. I think I’d get along with her quite well.” Arin smiled.

Deirdre turned very red. “I just don’t know how to talk to guys and you flirt and touch me and I can’t think...sorry...” She wasn’t sure if she should break the contact or if he would. “Will I see you in the morning?”

“You seem to know just fine, if current evidence continues. I like your reactions to what I do, D. It’s very flattering.” He slid his hands to her hips and took a half step back. “I definitely plan to see you in the morning. Your dancing is very motivational for my workout.”

Deirdre smiled and took a slow breath in to calm herself down. “Good night Arin.” She backed away slowly, her eyes on him and a smile on her face as she moved.

He watched her walk away, enjoying her movements as he always seemed to. He let her get through the hallway to her room before heading to his apartment.

One evening consisted of the pair and Kat finishing their scary movie though this time there was no apprehension about sitting near Arin. Deirdre felt more comfortable, less like she was doing something wrong by being near him.

One afternoon Kat tried to show her how to play the zombie game and Deirdre yelped, swore and groaned her way through her attempt. Arin came and tried to help but in the end she surrendered her controller to him and sat back to watch them play. They were fun to watch and they seemed to enjoy her reactions to the gore and violence.

The trio’s conversation centering on fae, ways to slow them down, ways to hurt them and ways Arin could be more effective physically with them. He asked Kat to look some stuff up for him and they all batted around ideas.

Deirdre set up her room when it was ready. Clothes neatly tucked away, sheets and towels washed and put in their place. Vivienne ensured that each had a space to call their own with the furniture and space within the room that they needed. Deirdre didn’t question how, she was simply grateful to have a room. She looked around and found herself missing Kat’s posters and personal touches. She’d never had a room that she could make her own. Even at her parents’ home it was her mother that picked the paint and the pictures that hung on her wall. She vowed to make this place feel like her own.

Tim made attempts over breakfasts to get to know her, to bridge the almost impersonal gap between them. It went well and in the end they fell into a routine of conversation in the mornings. It would take time for them to become friends, they hadn’t exactly gotten off on the best start. Deirdre worried when she told him that she and Arin were taking steps to get to know each other. She expected criticism but instead Tim was surprisingly nonchalant about it. If it bothered him, he hid it well. In the end D was content with things as now everyone knew and she didn’t feel guilty at all for liking Arin or the time they were spending together.

When she had time D read the comics that Kat had pulled out for her. She found herself enjoying the comic world of Batman and Robin. It had fun moments, heavy storylines and interesting, though sometimes ridiculous characters.

On Thursday night Deirdre was feeling very confident in everything. No one questioned her and Arin, they were going slow though the contact was always intense. She found Arin in his apartment, she knocked lightly on the wall.

“Arin, I was wondering if you wanted to hang out in my room tonight. I was hoping to stay in, with my parents coming tomorrow I thought it would be good to be a bit grounded and rested. Maybe you’d like to come there? We hang out here and I feel like it would be nice to have you in my space.” Deirdre didn’t blush, didn’t falter. She was sure of what she wanted.

Arin nodded, “Great! Good to see you moved in and comfortable. Anything I should bring? Snacks, beer, music?” He smiled. Arin was impressed with her confidence. He thought about teasing her about inviting him but decided against it, instead just enjoying the fact she’d asked him.

Deirdre smiled as he agreed. “I have music. Snacks if you like...” She shrugged. “Nothing special planned just thought it would be nice to have you in my room.”

“Sounds good. I’m flattered to be invited into your space.” He followed her back through the hall to her room.

She closed her bedroom door behind them as they stepped into her room. She crossed to the dresser and pressed play on the speaker that sat there. The volume was low, the song an acoustic slower song.

”I am drowning not waving...here in the darkness I’ll find my peace...you try to save me but you are suspended...”

Deirdre sat on the bed next to Arin. Her hand went to his instinctively. Slowly her fingers trailed up his arm. “Arin do you have any tattoos? I know you have...” She lightly touched his ear at the piercing. With a smile and a boldness she rarely displayed she leaned in and nuzzled his ear. “But I was wondering if you have more...well obviously here..”

Deirdre placed a soft kiss at his eyebrow. “Tell me if I am being too forward. Honest question, just also using it as a reason to be close...” Her voice was soft.

”I should have spared you and you might have warned me...glory is fleeting like birds in flight...”

Arin closed his eyes as she moved her hands around him, touching him lightly, “I’ll tell you once you do something that I don’t enjoy. I think you’re quite safe, currently.” He looked over at her, “Yeah. I have some ink. Excalibur lives on my shoulder. A dragon on my thigh. Water dragon. Kind of a family thing.”

Deirdre bit her lower lip. “Can I see? Excalibur that is....” She thought about Arin, without his shirt, without his pants and she felt the heat rise in her face. She pulled the strap of her tank top back up from where it had fallen down off her shoulder.

”Here in the darkness no one can judge us...kiss me completely and seal our fate...””

Arin shrugged, “I guess.” He turned his back and pulled the collar of his shirt back and down. The entire tattoo was not quite visible but Deirdre could make out a detailed picture of a sword being drawn from the water. The shine on the blade from the water and the drips falling from it were very clearly, and expertly depicted. Deirdre could just make out what looked like it might be a hand gripping the handle of the sword but Arin’s shirt covered the rest.

Deidre frowned a little and knelt beside him. “May I? I can’t see it all...” She tried to look down the collar of his shirt. “I can’t see it. I am sure it is nice.” She sighed just a little. Should have said can you take your shirt off so I can see? Words....words suck...

She was close to him and Deirdre let one hand run through his hair. “I like the purple.”

“Oh, right, uh... I’d have to take off my shirt for you to see it all.” He stopped and lowered his head as she ran her hand through his hair. He shivered slightly, “Uh, thanks. Just something I like to have fun with. Purple right now. A couple months ago it was green. I’m thinking fire engine red next.”

“Blue would be neat and you could have taken off your shirt.....” Her fingers trailed slowly through the spikes of his hair. “I would like to see the whole thing... but you don’t...I mean....” She sat down, her hand slowly leaving his hair.

“Yeah, I thought blue too, but after purple... A little too close. I like a bit of contrast in the switch.” He sighed a little as she took her hand from his hair. “Okay, D. I just didn’t want to start stripping by surprise. Sorta give you a heads up, right?” He grinned sheepishly. With his back to her still he grabbed the hem of his t-shirt and lifted it over his head. He kept the shirt loosely around his wrists. Now that she could see the whole thing, the rest of the tattoo was just as beautifully executed as the sword. The obviously feminine hand and forearm rose from a body of water as it grasped the sword. A trail of some type of aquatic plant twisted around her wrist as though forming a bracelet.

Deirdre watched as Arin took off his shirt. She watched the muscles in his back move and couldn’t resist letting her fingers gently brush them. He was muscular but it was lean, defined but not over built. She had thought him good looking but seeing the power, the lines now without his shirt she couldn’t help but stare and admire his body.

Shifting, she knelt behind him and let her fingers of both hands run up his back until they were at his shoulders. Those too were well muscled. She had known he was strong from their sparring but this was entirely different. She took in every curve, every shift of muscle as he breathed and tried to remain still under her touch. Finally Deirdre’s fingers brushed the area of his tattoo. “It is beautiful Arin.” Her breath brushed his skin as she leaned down to see the detail.

A finger traced the blade and Deirdre shivered a little. Memories threatened to break free but she pushed them down. “Did it hurt?”

Deirdre licked her lips and then gently kissed his shoulder. Her hands trailed down his arms slowly.

Arin tried to contain the shivers her touch was giving him. Goosebumps broke out over his arms as her fingers ran over his back. A short, low sound of pleasure escaped as he felt her breath and he closed his eyes again. When she finally kissed him he fully shivered, her hands the only thing holding his arms still. “Mmmm.... th-thanks. I hunted down one of the best artists in the city.” He wanted her to kiss his shoulders again, the back of his neck, anywhere. “Did it what? Oh, hurt? No... not unbearably I mean. A little sting... Mostly the itch as it healed was the worst.”

Deirdre liked the way he smelled. She leaned in close, her nose brushing his neck. “Itch? Must have been hard not to scratch but also harder to reach if you wanted to scratch....” Her fingernails trailed lightly along the tattoo. “I suppose you weren’t supposed to scratch though...”

All she could smell was Arin. Now my blanket will smell a bit like you... That made her happy even though she knew it wasn’t quite the same as her in his bed. Her cheek was laid on his shoulder, her arms snaking under his to circle his chest. “I’m sorry...just couldn’t help it...I just wanted to hug you...I...”

Deirdre took a shuddering breath and then slowly released the hold she had on him. “Warm in here...”

Arin kept his eyes closed as Deirdre continued. When she hugged him and laid her head on his back his body responded. He shifted slightly, as the feedback from Deirdre’s attention cause potential for discomfort. “You seem to have that effect, D. Certainly made me warmer. Apparently you can affect an entire room.” He shuddered again as she released him.

Deirdre blushed. “Does that mean you will leave your shirt off then?” She moved on the bed so that she could gently pulled him backwards. “Do you mind? I am not rushing, I just wanted to see your chest and maybe we could lay down and talk? Bit more comfortable but you can stop me if you wish.” She paused, slightly leaning over him, her eyes filled with worry.

“It’s impossible to refuse a request like that.” Arin dropped his shirt on the floor and laid back easily as she pulled him.

Deirdre relaxed and laid out beside him. Her hand began to rub his bare chest. Like his back it was lean muscle and moved a little under her hand with his breaths. “I am scared about tomorrow. Not even about my parents. They just make me angry and flustered and unsure but I have to talk to Balthazar about a debt. I am scared at what he might want. Look at what he did to Tim and Kat. I don’t want that...not from him. What if it is too late and he isn’t as generous now?”

Her fingertips ran down his ribs and then up again. She inhaled deeply and closed her eyes. Everything about this was comfortable and while Guinevere seemed to be enjoying it there were differences. Arin didn’t smell the way Lancelot had. A little in that they were both men but there were other parts that were different and that made Deirdre happy. She didn’t want to live in Guin’s memories. She wanted her own present and that was with Arin, not Lancelot.

Arin grumbled, “Deals and careful words. I can’t stand that about this whole thing. I’m not suited for that. I’m the fighter. The physical force that backs up the threat of the words. D, I have very little idea of how Bal will act regarding that debt. I do know I will do whatever I can to stop him from taking advantage of you. I just hope it’s enough. Best case, he’ll continue to treat you well and the debt will be innocent. Be careful with your words around him. Don’t agree to anything unless you’ve asked a lot of questions.”

The topic was just distracting enough that he was able to reign in his physical reactions to her touch.

Deirdre frowned against his chest, turning her face into his skin. “I hate words...” She mumbled. “I am better with my body and expressing things that way. Fae play dirty...” Her lips brushed his skin as she talked.

“I can certainly believe you being good with your body...” And, would I ever like to see it.... Calm down there, guy. Arin shuddered again under her touch. He wanted to pull her into him but he barely trusted his hands just laying next to her. If he started touching her now he wasn’t sure where it would stop.

Deirdre lifted her head to look at Arin’s face. Her long hair fell forward, slightly covering her features. “Vivienne said you are half fae. Does that mean I am not supposed to thank you? I have done that a lot...” She licked her lips lightly.

“Afraid to be in my debt?” He smiled.

She shook her head, “No...” Her voice was soft. “You told me to ask lots of questions...so I am....Do I owe you a debt?” Her hand brushed his cheek. Her body was pressing against his, her chest at his shoulder.

“You owe me nothing, D. I’d never take anything from you in payment. I’m not bound by those rules. I am half human and all. You’ll just have to trust me like you would any other human.” Arin looked up at her, watching her eyes. He was hyper aware of how her body was touching his.

“My parents told me never to trust a man. They are just trying to take advantage of their princess....I wasn’t brought up to trust but to be afraid....”

Her eyes were on his as her fingers traced his jawline and then down his neck. Her breathing was slow and deep.

“Healthy fear isn’t bad. Irrationally believing all men are trying to take advantage... well, not ALL men do that.” He lowered his eyes, watching her arm move, seeing her chest rise and fall with each breath. “It’s in my best interests to tell you that I’m trustworthy, so, it’s not something you should take a face value. You will have to determine that on your own, in the end.”

“I trust you Arin.....” She leaned in and kissed him lightly. “Do you have any powers from your fae side?”

He closed his eyes again as she kissed him and didn’t immediately open them, “Powers might be overstating. However, I am more physically capable than the average human. I have an innate sense of how to draw the most from my body and push it beyond what would seem normal. It’s quite the advantage in sports, or other physical endeavors. One reason I could never be an athlete like Tim or Arey. It would simply not be fair to everyone else.”

“Does it hold for all physical endeavors?” Her hand slid down his chest to his stomach. Her breathing became a little irregular. She was being far more confident than she thought possible.

Arin whimpered a little as she lowered her hand, his eyes still closed. He was concentrating hard on behaving appropriately, “Everything physical. I have more strength, more endurance, more finesse, more speed. You saw some evidence on the bike. No one would be able to handle a passenger like that.” He wouldn’t normally brag about himself but he had very little focus to think before he spoke currently.

“I remember the bike.” He had whimpered and Deirdre was afraid she hurt him. She moved her hand away. “I’m sorry....I didn’t mean to hurt you.” She curled a little bit away from him and looked his chest over for signs of how she had hurt him.

“I am certainly not in pain. That wasn’t because you did anything to hurt me.” He opened his eyes and looked at her. “I would say, the opposite of pain is what you’re doing right now. Don’t stop. But I won’t be able to stop you either.”

“Won’t be able to stop me? I am not...” Her eyes trailed down his body. Deirdre blushed as she realized the physical reaction he was having to her touches. “Oh...oh Arin I...” She trembled a little. “I don’t know what to do.” She whispered. Her hands went back to his chest as she looked down at him.

Arin nodded, “It’s fine D, but you are quite attractive and there’s a certain point that that will win out over my willpower to stop you. I’m still not going to rush anything on you myself, but I will have a hard time not just letting you do whatever you think you want to do.” He sighed in pleasure as she touched him again, “I’m not sure what it is you want to do to help you decide what to do.”

She looked a little pained as she stared into his eyes. “Will you stay with me tonight? Just be here with me? If it is too much then maybe we should say goodnight before I do more than I should. I am not sure I am ready for more but I don’t really want you to go. I understand though if I have...made things uncomfortable.” Deirdre inhaled slowly.

“Far from uncomfortable. It’s be downright enjoyable. If you trust me that much that you can ask that, then I’m flattered.” Arin turned over to his side to face her, “I won’t do any more to you than you ask for.”

“You said I would have to determine if I thought I could trust you and I do. That is why I am asking this of you. Lay down with me, stay here with me tonight. Nothing more. Not pushing, I would just like to be close to you.” Deirdre shifted on the bed so that he could pull the blankets back.

He trusted himself. It was a surprising request, after everything she had been doing. Yet, he quite enjoyed the thought of just being close to her. He knew his body wasn’t completely his own when it came to the reaction, but that hadn’t thrown her off much. He looked down and frowned slightly, “Can I run to my apartment for more comfortable sleeping clothes. Jeans aren’t the best to fall asleep in.”

Deirdre blushed, “Of course. I would suggest just your well...underwear but not sure how much I am testing either of our will power at that point.”

He grinned at her, “Are you just trying to see my other tattoo? Or just want to see me in my underwear?” He chuckled, “And will this arrangement go both ways? Do I get to see yours too?”

Deirdre smiled, “You assume I am wearing underwear...” The tease brought out a blush on her cheeks. “I am game if you are.” She narrowed her eyes playfully.

Arin raised an eyebrow, “You’re right, I did assume. Now, is this a raise on my bet? I get to decide to call yours to see if you are in fact wearing any?”

Deirdre bit her lip and considered his questions. “Okay call.” She couldn’t believe she was doing this. The girl she had been even a week ago would have panicked at the thought of causing trouble by sitting near Arin, now she was offering to lay next to him in just her underwear? Not offer, asked...

“Hmph, well, can’t back out now, can I?” He had a last second thought that he’d just pushed her into something she wasn’t ready for. She had just asked him to lay next to her, not strip down. Now they were both talking about being in very little with the expectation nothing else was going to happen. He knew she wasn’t experienced so he wondered if she knew how she would respond in that situation.

“D, you don’t have to, you know. I don’t want to make you think I pushed you into a spot where you couldn’t say no. I have no issues with actually staying dressed, or you for that matter.”

“Would it be easier to not be uncomfortable if we stayed dressed? I don’t know how this sort of things work. I do know I want to see you without your pants but I am not ready for the other things my body wants, not yet. But soon...”

She was uncertain once more. “I don’t feel pushed into this. I asked you to stay. If you would prefer that you have pants I am fine with that. If you are okay without them but knowing we won’t go further than laying here then please do.”

“D, I’m fairly confident that I could be comfortable being naked next to you. I’m a lot less concerned about my comfort at the moment. I just want to be sure I’m not pushing you into an uncomfortable place.” Arin said earnestly.

“Not naked, not yet...” She blushed. “I am not pushed, this is okay with me.” She stood up and slipped her pants down. “See bluffing.” She smiled shyly at him as she stood before him in her blue tank top and black cotton briefs. She shrugged a little. “Okay?”

“One of the few times a bluff is just as good as not.” He couldn’t help eyeing her up and down. Not in a leering manner. Rather his eyes were drawn to her dancer’s legs. Impressively lined muscles. Curves in all the right places. With nothing covering them he enjoyed how long and lithe they looked. Her little tank top leaving more interesting curves to see and imagine himself running his hands over at some time in the future. He shook his head, “Sorry, completely distracted. I have my end to uphold then.”

He undid his jeans and slid them off while lying on the bed. He thought it might be a little less obvious if he did it that way. His boxer briefs left the blue water dragon on his left, upper thigh look headless. What was visible was another exquisitely executed tattoo. If a dragon could look lifelike, this one did. It seemed to be swimming, similar to an eel, as it was surrounded by water.

Deirdre smiled to herself as he looked her over. He seemed to enjoy looking at her and it sent a thrill through her. He had told her she was beautiful but when he looked like that, his eyes slowly taking her in, she couldn’t help but feel beautiful. It wasn’t weird or creepy but flattering and thrilling.

She watched as Arin removed his jeans and she actively fought the urge to move closer and touch his exposed legs. Slow down...no rushing... What she could see of the tattoo it was just as beautiful as the one on his back. When he was done she climbed onto the bed beside him.

Her fingers very lightly traced the dragon. “Someday I hope to see the rest of it...” She was trembling a little as she laid down next to him. “Shit…light....” She hopped up and turned off the light in her room.

Unused to another body being in her bed with her, Deirdre tentatively groped the blankets keeping her hand near the head of the bed where she knew it would be safest. Finding an opening she slipped in next to him once more.

“Quick with the light. You could have seen the rest. It doesn’t require removal like my shoulder. Just needed to push up a little.” She could feel Arin shrug next to her. “It’s not going anywhere though. Anytime you’d like, really.”

“Oh. I just didn’t want to assume. Another time.” Deirdre laid her head on his shoulder and let her arm drape over Arin’s chest. “I-is this okay?”

“It’s perfect, D. Couldn’t ask for more.” He settled himself under her and wrapped the arm she was laying on around her shoulder. He could feel the warmth of her skin on his wherever it wasn’t covered. He doubted he’d sleep much tonight, but that was fine with him. Just more time to enjoy her presence.

Deirdre was hyper aware of his presence and yet completely relaxed. She fell asleep but more due to physical tiredness and stress of the next day falling away under the feel of Arin’s arm around her.

------------------------------
.

Friday arrived bringing with it anticipation of meetings and confrontations. D's parents were expected at the store at 4:00 pm. No one knew for certain when Balthazar would grace them with his presence.

Tim was more antsy than usual. After their run he went back to his room and showered quickly. He wanted to meet Arey after her shower and before breakfast. With Deirdre's parents coming today he wanted to take the time they had this morning. Things were going to get stressful later.

He paced the kitchen with a box in his hand. He was nervous. Will she think it is dumb? She might...I shouldn't give it to her...What was I thinking? Tim turned and was ready to leave the kitchen. No I should give it to her, even if she thinks it is silly...

The rest of the week had been blissfully uneventful compared to the past few days of Arey's life. It had been filled with Tim and moving and training. She got to spend time simply getting to better know everyone, and the down time with Tim was especially enjoyable. It was becoming a routine that she was almost happy for, and the only real low point had been the phone call she'd had with her coach on Thursday. He was understanding, to a point, but Arey had already missed a full week of practice, not to mention school. He'd made it clear, either she showed up for practice on Monday morning, or she would be off the team. If that happened, she'd loose her full ride, and while her living situation in New York was somewhat secure now with her own room at the Bat Cave, it still felt like failure. After the call, she'd locked herself in her room and sobbed for a good hour over the loss, knowing her time wasn't her own anymore, and she couldn't make that honest re-commitment to the team. It felt like losing another piece of herself, but there wasn't anything she could really do about it.

By Friday she was feeling a little better about things, if somewhat resigned. She hadn't really told anybody about the ultimatum yet, but she figured it would come out eventually. Today was about Deirdre though, and supporting her as she dealt with her parents. She'd talk to Tim about it tomorrow. He might understand.

As she made her way down to the kitchen for breakfast, she saw Tim pacing about looking nervous, and wondered what was up. "Are you alright?" She asked a little concerned.

Tim nearly dropped the box at the sound of Arey's voice. He had been completely caught up in his thoughts. "Alright? Oh yeah, yeah I am great. I mean not looking forward to D's parents or Balthazar showing up but hey, take the punches as they come right?"

He crossed to her, shifting the box to one hand. Tim used his free hand to put an arm around Arey, "Good morning beautiful." He kissed her gently on the lips. When he pulled away he looked a little nervous. "Arey...I have something for you. This week has been awesome. Spending time with you has been fantastic and I want to do it more. I-I have something for you." You said that already dummy.

Tim held the box out to her. If she thinks it is silly so be it, laugh it off. You should have gone with something really expensive but seems too early for that kind of thing. "This is for you. A little something to thank you for being you and making this week so wonderful. I hope I get to continue spending time with you and that we are always able to talk, as freely and honestly as we do now." He was babbling now, trying to get the sentiment across of how much he liked her but unable to stop sounding like a lawyer. Inwardly he was kicking himself.

"Morning to you too." Arey said smiling as they broke the small kiss. He seemed nervous and she didn't know why. She didn't want him to be nervous around her, though by now she'd come to realize he got that way whenever he'd done something for her, so she tried not to worry too much.

"You got me something?" Arey asked in surprise as he handed her the box. "You didn't have to get me anything." She said earnestly, but smiled regardless. "I wish I could be like those girls on the tele and bake you a cake or something in return, but I'm a terrible cook." She said with a chuckle. "Guess I'll have to pay you back some other way." She said with a slightly suggestive look. She hadn't opened the box yet, but wanted to put him at ease that whatever it was, she appreciated it first.

Tim blushed. "Oh well...you don't have to do anything to pay me back. I just wanted to do something to commemorate a great week and hopefully more great weeks to come." Her look made Tim's mouth go dry. To say he hadn't thought about doing more than kissing or hugging with Arey would be a lie. He knew she'd never had a boyfriend and he wanted to do this right. He wanted to take their time but her look made him wish he weren't trying so damn hard to keep his hands off of her. Relax, relax... He took a slow breath in. "Open it.."

Inside the box was a hockey sweater, not a jersey but an old style hockey sweater. Tim had always loved the look of those sweaters and on a woman, especially a woman like Arey with an athletic body it was sure to look great. It was red with white trim. "So...there is a tradition. Girlfriends wear their guy's sweater or jersey. You know to show their support during a game. Well...I kind of joined a team." Tim turned red. "Nothing competitive. Pick up and only when I can, I have commitments here to this team but I am playing again and I have you to thank for it."

Tim fidgeted a little. "I was hoping maybe you'd come watch a game or two and maybe you'd wear it." The back of the sweater said 'Matheson' in white lettering. "You'd be my girl in the stands, cheering me on." He wasn't sure what Arey was thinking. "And if not maybe you can wear it to keep you warm while you use those." He pointed to the pair of skates that lay under the sweater.

The sweater was beautiful, and one those old fashion well-made kind too. Arey didn't want to know how expensive that had been, or the skates that went with it. He seemed to spend so much money on her, and the part of her that quietly resented her own father's mentality that love and loyalty could be bought, worried that she was setting him some kind of expectation to be doted on that way. She didn't want to be one of those girls who demanded insanely nice things from their boyfriends in order to keep them happy. This gift though, and the implication was more symbolic and sweet than that, and for the moment she was going to overlook that particular reservation.

"Is this you asking me to officially be your girlfriend?" Arey asked with an unbridled smile. The gesture was too sweet not to be happy with it. "You're playing again? That's wonderful! Is it at Uncle Joe's rink?" Arey asked, excited for him.

Tim turned very red. Arey was smiling at him. He wanted to jump up and down he was so happy that she hadn't thought it cheesy. "Yes, the pickup league Uncle Joe talked about but..." He moved and took the box, placing it on the counter and took her hands. "Arey, I would be so happy if you'd wear my sweater, be my girl in the stands...be my girl out of the stands. But I don't know if I am rushing it...Is it too soon? It's too soon isn't it?" She thinks you are trying to fool her with gifts into being your girlfriend. His heart pounded in his chest as he began to doubt that she was happy about the offer. "I really like you Arey and I would like nothing better than to call you my girlfriend." He managed to almost croak out the words in an effort to salvage the moment.

"It's kinda fast." Arey agreed, though her smile didn't waver. "But I'm willing to give this relationship thing a go if you are." She said pulling him in for a quick kiss. He looked so adorably shy in that moment that she just couldn't help it. She liked Tim, and she figured she couldn't ask for a better boyfriend. They'd already done so much together, opened up on so many levels, that making it official just seemed natural. "When's your first game?" She asked after they'd pulled away.

"I-I don't…" Tim was stunned. At first he panicked when she said it was kind of fast. He had a flash that she thought he was trying to buy her, buy his way into her bed, wasn't serious...all sorts of things went through his head. Then she said she'd be willing to give the relationship a go, which was as good as a straight up yes. Then she kissed him and Tim stopped thinking. He stared down at her, a stupid grin on his face. "Really?"

Tim pulled her back into his arms, "For real? You aren't just saying it right because you think you have to? You don't. You can put the sweater in a drawer or give it back...I thought it would be a nice way to ask and to tell you I was playing again, both great things and all you. Really?" His hands were shaking a little as he ran them up her back. He held her gently at her shoulder blades, trying to read her. Please don't be teasing me...

"It was a beautiful gesture, and I want to wear it." Arey assured, a little shiver going up her spine as Tim's hand ran over her back. "Really really." She said, voice a little breathy. He had magic hands she decided.

Tim smiled, picked up Arey and spun her around. "You have made me so happy Arey." He hugged her tightly and kissed her, hard.

Arey circled her arms around his neck, returning the kiss enthusiastically as she let the warm happy feeling wash over her. She'd never had a boyfriend before, this was all pretty new for her, but she was glad that she was learning it with Tim.

Tim put Arey down but held her close still. "Thank you. I was really nervous. You and I...I don't know it just feels so right. I just love spending time with you." His voice was low as he leaned in to nuzzle her ear with his nose. "I am one lucky guy."

"I think I lucked out a bit here too. Sometimes I don't think you know just how addictingly intoxicating you are." Arey said as pleasant little shivers when down her spine, and she acted on the sudden urge to kiss the junction where his neck met his collarbone.

Tim moaned softly as Arey kissed his neck. The contact was almost electric. "Good, I am glad we are on the same page." His hands were in her hair and he lifted her face to look at him. His eyes sought hers and he said nothing as his fingers gently caressed her cheek.

"I am really, really glad you liked the gift." Tim whispered, his fingers still on her cheek.

Hearing Tim moan sent heat shooting straight down. The knowledge that she had been the one to do that to him, make him feel that good, was its own kind of heady mix that Arey was rapidly getting drunk on. Feeling his figures in her hair felt like magic, and she didn't want the contact to end.

"Loved the gift." Arey corrected, punctuating it with a soft lingering kiss to his lush lips the silently begged for it. "You're sharing a part of yourself with me. That's special." She explained, before diving in for another.

Tim didn't stop her as she kissed him, he pulled her in, never wanting the moment to end. She loved the gift. She took it as special...I hoped... He thoughts stopped as Arey's lips were on his once more. This had gone better than his greatest fantasy.

"I can't wait to see you in it, to get you back on skates...I..." Tim was breathless and feeling slightly drunk on her presence. He wanted to pick her up, take her to his room and lock out the world for the rest of the day. He wanted to lay down with her, hold her hand and talk. He just wanted to be near her.

Unlike Tim, Arey didn't feel like talking. She felt like exploring, and tasting, and a hundred other things she had never even thought about before. She wanted to be closer to him, in every way, though right now the physical aspect was winning the dominance war on that. She had a sudden vision of herself in Tim's arms, legs wrapped around his tapered waist as she kissed a trail up his neck to his lips, and then down again lower. It made her shiver almost violently in want, and she decided she wanted to make that a reality, moving up with athletic grace and ease. She wanted to hear him make those noises again, the ones that let her really know he liked what she was doing.

Her hands were in his hair now too, as they fell back against the wall. Arey was alternating now between Tim's lips and his throat, kissing, nipping, licking, leaving marks. She didn't have a sweater to give Tim with her name on it so people would know not to touch, but the marks she was leaving there seemed like a great substitute.

Tim's arms went instinctively around Arey as she wrapped herself around him. He forgot about talking, forgot about everything that was slow and gentlemanly. He wanted her in a way that left him almost in pain at the need of it. He kissed her back, his hands on her backside. He squeezed, holding her tight against him. Arey nipped at his neck and Tim groaned, shivering under her touch. He wanted to push her against a wall, a couch, the bed...anything that would mean the contact wouldn't end. Tim's voice was low, almost a growl, "Arey..."

Arey moaned into the kiss as Tim's hands grabbed her rear, to contact there made what felt like electricity shoot up her spin, and she arched into the feel, her breasts flush against Tim's chest. She didn't halt her assault on Tim's neck though, finding one sensitive spot in particular by his collar bone that she was paying special attention to. Hearing Tim growl her name was thrilling, and he was just damn sexy when his voice got like that. She couldn't decide whether she liked it better when he was blushing and letting her have her way with him, or when he was the one pushing her into the nearest flat surface.

Her hands wandered, exploring his toned chest now with inexperienced but eager hands, looking for the spots to caress that would make him shiver again. "Say it again." Her own voice was wrecked too, and a little demanding, but she liked hearing Tim's voice like that. She wanted to hear it again.

Tim let out a low growl of desire as Arey's hands roamed on his chest. He wanted to free his hands, to explore her body but he held her up, unwilling to risk the contact being broken. He pulled her tighter into him. "Arey." He'd do anything she'd ask him in that moment. Everything was moving so fast but it felt so incredibly right that Tim refused to overthink it.

"Go for his nipples next sweetheart. Boy scout's got an admirably perky set on him. Very sensitive. Bet he'll moan like a hooker." Called a voice from within the kitchen that was unfortunately all too familiar. One second, the kitchen countertop was empty, the next Balthazar was lounging on it, biting into an apple as he leered. "You two put on a pretty good show. There's hope for you yet."

Tim growled but this time it was in anger as he lowered Arey to the floor and held her close in a tight hug. "Fuck off." He snarled at the fae. "You are lucky I don't come knock that stupid smile off your face."

"Oh please try, pretty please. I've got a raging hard on after watching that that I'd love to have you help me with." Bal taunted meanly, taking another bite of his apple. "Appreciate the hint there sweetheart? You're a quicker study than I'd figured." He said nonchalantly, though there was an undertone there of smug that got under Arey's skin.

"I don't know what you're talking about." Arey glared, keeping her body in front of Tim's, practically shielding his body from view. The possessive green eyed monster was coming out to play again, and the mere sight of Balthazar near Tim was making her want to get into a pissing contest with him.

"Oh no?" Bal said with a quirked brow and his signature smug expression. A vision flashed before her eyes again, much like the one from before, and this time she was in bed with Tim, and they were both naked. Her face flushed immediately, eyes widening at the implication.

"Or how about something a little more adventurous? You're picking it up quick, but you're both still a little vanilla." He said with a predatory grin. This time Balthazar was in the bed with them both, and Arey didn't want to even know the names of those positions. "Get out of my head!" Arey growled viciously. "How are you even doing that?"

Tim looked from Arey to Balthazar. "What the hell are you doing to her?" He held Arey protectively against him even as she seemed to be doing the same to him. He was angry, almost shaking with it but he knew he couldn't touch the man. He hated feeling so powerless.

"Just some notes. You'll thank me later when you both finally jump in the sack." Balthazar drawled lazily, but the image of Arey sandwiched between the two of them faded from view. "We share a bond my sweet lemon drop, and a profound one at that." He said with a wink. "Consider it our own extra special form of communication."

"Does that mean I can get in your head too?" Arey asked, curious despite herself, and the lingering territorial anger simmering below the surface at watching Bal do things to Tim, even if this time it was only a figment of Balthazar's twisted imagination.

"With some training sure. You're human, so that'll take a lot of work, but with some practice, sure. If you want, I can teach you how to block mental invasion too. Not everyone who tries to get in your noggin's end game will be to get in your pants." Bal had started that comment serious, but the wink he threw their way at the end undercut his sincerity somewhat.

Tim did not like this, not at all. Hearing that Balthazar was in her head, could talk to her? It seemed so intimate. His hands gripped Arey's shirt. "Can you at least stay out of her head when you are here or ask her permission first?" There was a hint of displeasure in his voice. Jealousy was slipping in.

"Aww feelin' left out there boy scout? I can clue you into the conversation if you really wanna. Just say the word." Bal offered up, a Cheshire grin flashing dangerously across his face. Arey did not like nor trust that smile, and she used herself to cover Tim a little more defensively.

"You don't touch him. That's our deal remember." Arey ground out in a low hiss.

"And I'm not. Mental projection ain't a contact sport sweetheart." He jibbed back. "No touching involved. Figured you'd be aware of that by now since I hear you've got a psycho trying to get into your pretty little head."

Tim frowned, "How do you know about that?" He ignored the offer. He didn't want to make a deal with Balthazar he just wanted him to stay out of Arey's head.

"Auntie Viv puts out her feelers, I pay attention. Plus that mark on her stomach's a dead giveaway." Bal said flatly, his tone suggesting Tim was slow.

Tim growled again. "How long are you here for again?" He kissed the top of Arey's head.

"The whole weekend, ain't it grand?!" Bal said with a shit eating grin as his eyes flashed amber as they caught Tim's, sending him a brief vision of the threesome he'd shown Arey. Only this time Tim was in the middle...

"And where are you sleeping?" Tim glared, trying to shake the vision that flashed in his head. His teeth were clenched.

"Here...there...maybe everywhere." Bal said vaguely. "I've been scoping the place out. Looked like kitty Kat's got bunk beds. Maybe I'll room with her...?" He mused thoughtfully.

"Good morn-" Deirdre stopped dead in the doorway of the kitchen. She had heard voices. Arin was still putting equipment away and she had planned to get their coffee and water ready. It had become their morning routine. "Oh I didn't realize we had...good morning Balthazar."

"Good morning Deirdre my sweet!" Balthazar said flashing a million dollar smile, though it lack the distinct leering note the ones he's flashed Arey and Tim had. "How's your week been? Eventful? Bored to tears?" He asked conversationally.

Tim ground his teeth together at the mention of Balthazar in Kat's room. "Coffee Arey?" It was all he could say in that moment.

Deirdre smiled and continued into the kitchen. She pulled out two mugs. "My week has been quite nice actually. I lost my job, got a new one...I am working with Arin now at Galaxy. Dancing again. My parents are coming today intent on taking me home." She turned realizing she was saying entirely too much, babbling in her nervousness. "Th-It was nice of you to ask Balthazar." Deirdre paled realizing how careful she was going to have to be with him here.

She poured two coffees and put them on the table before pouring two glasses of water. She eyed the fae warily. Deirdre knew she had to talk to him at some point about the debt but she had other worries today that were more pressing.

"Swanky. Heard nice things about that bar. Now I have an excuse to check it out sometime." Balthazar said with a friendly grin. At the mention of her parents though, the grin died down into something a little more serious. "They giving you trouble?" He asked, brow quirked so high it would give Leonard Nemoy a run for his money.

Arey turned down the coffee, not trusting herself in that moment not to chuck the mug at the fae's head. She wanted to pop him a good one in the nose, just to hear the satisfying crunch. Instead she took hold of Tim's hand, both to silently lend support, and as a very visual 'MINE, BACK OFF'. She didn't have a reason to be jealous of Balthazar, and these kind of subtle mind games were usually reserved for other girls, but she couldn't help herself. Even though it was nothing but a purposefully crafted illusion, watching Balthazar's hands roaming Tim's naked body while he reacted put her into full on jealous girlfriend mode. Right now, she really wanted that magic fae killing sword that was supposedly hers...

Tim sat on a chair and pulled Arey onto his lap. He watched Deirdre as she placed down the coffee for her and Arin. It had become a morning thing. The four of them here after their runs and workout but before training. Deirdre was dancing again and Tim knew that she was happier for it. She was starting to seem more at home, more sure of herself.

Deirdre leaned against the counter. "Define trouble? They are overprotective, overbearing and have pulled me out of school, cancelled my apartment and enrolled me back in dance school. Most of which is fixed or going to be soon enough but they are coming to take me home, this afternoon. I usually do what they say. I don't want to this time but..." She shrug. "Hard to fight instincts I guess. I don't know...I am sure it will be fine. Arin and everyone, they say they won't let me leave." She smiled a little.

"Hmmmmm." Balthazar said thoughtfully, eyes narrowed slightly as the wheels could practically be seen moving in his head. Maybe Deirdre's parents needed some trouble of their own, he though dryly.

Deirdre wasn't sure she liked the way Balthazar looked at that moment. "Hey, you know I have something to talk to you about." She was going to wait but he looked like he was scheming and that didn't bode well for any of them.

Tim piped up, "You know D it is your family and I think that means old Bally boy isn't invited to join us right?" He didn't want to hear about what Deirdre was going to have to do to work off whatever debt she owed, he was dreading the moment she asked and if he could delay it all the better.

Deirdre fumbled, "Ugh…um I don't know? I guess maybe?" She looked from Tim to Balthazar, shooting Arey a look of confusion as well.

Balthazar shot Tim a brief look, eyes flashing Amber in threat. 'Keep it up and I make you see yourself naked with me again' was rather implied. They softened though when they returned to Deirdre. "Oh kiddo, we're gonna have to work on your decisiveness, especially if those two high handed busy bodies have a hold on you." Bal said sympathetically.

Tim blushed and clenched his jaw. His hands tightened on Arey. "I hate him...." He whispered.

Deirdre didn't know what had gone on but the tension rose in the room as Bal looked at Tim. She nearly jumped out of her skin when Balthazar spoke to her once more. "I know what I want...I just don't know how to stand up to them but I am trying. I haven't cried at all this week when I talked to them."

She wished Arin was there. She wrapped her arms around herself.

Balthazar went very still when Deirdre mentioned they'd made her cry. For a moment, there was a dangerous edge to the very air around him. Balthazar had been annoying, inappropriate, infuriating, frustrating, and highly embarrassing, but that level of danger, the kind men you shrunk away from wore like a suit, had not been one Arey had attributed to him before. That edge was one that promised violence and rampage and blood. The moment passed though, and the edge slipped away as Bal managed a more neutral expression. "Well, that's a start then." He murmured, trying for encouraging.

Arin came into the kitchen, smiling. He walked straight over to Deirdre and stood next to her as he waved at Arey and Tim, "Hey, good morning guy--" He finally caught sight of Balthazar and the smile faded. He took a more serious tone, "Cousin. Good morning to you as well. Didn't expect you so early."

Deirdre had to resist the urge to hide against Arin. She settled for looking up at him and smiling a little. "Coffee is ready." Her voice was soft and she instantly looked down once more. I can't do this, I am not ready to stand up to them...I can't be decisive. She had felt good this morning, stronger and ready to take them on even though it was not going to be easy but now the more she thought about it, the more the doubt crept in.

"Hey, what's with the floor gazing?" He reached and gave her a one armed comforting hug. He grabbed the coffee, "Thanks!"

Deirdre looked up once more. "I just was um…filling Balthazar in on my pending visit and how excited I am." She gave a little shake of her hands of excitement though her face was blank and her tone sarcastic.

Tim sighed, "So with visitors I guess no training today? Could I ask you a few technique questions though Arin? Just a couple." He patted Arey's butt and gave her a mischievous grin. He wasn't about to let Bal ruin his entire morning. Arey had agreed to be his girlfriend. Nothing could ruin that.

Deirdre looked at the counter, "What's this?" She crossed to the box. Pulling out the sweater she held it up. 'Matheson' stood out white on red. "Very nice and skates? Tim yours? That is your name right? I think they sent you the wrong size." She was glad for the distraction. Anything to take her mind off her parents.

"Actually...It's mine." Arey said almost shyly, though she smiled. "We're no longer just 'sort of dating', and Tim got it for me to make it official." Arey replied taking Tim's hand and giving it a squeeze for more obvious display.

"If you like the sweater, you should have seen the christening party those two gave it." Balthazar said dryly with a little bit of glinting mischief in his eyes as Arey turned beat red again. Sometimes he really couldn't help himself.

Deirdre looked at Arey, "Really?" She giggled. "Oh who cares how they celebrated. Arey..." She rushed to her and hugged the blonde tightly. The force of the hug pushed Arey into Tim, making her the middle of the hug sandwich. "I want to hear all about it okay? Later though...when it is just us."

D pulled back and smiled. "It is so pretty and really sweet, Tim. Good job." She gave him a wink and moved back to the counter. She folded the sweater and tucked it back in the box.

"Very touching." Bal agreed flatly, with a dismissive tone that was neither sincere nor mocking. "In the meantime however highness, I was serious about that training. I've got an investment with you, and if some psycho killer drives you nut bars first, you will not be very useful to me." Bal drawled, looking more like the shrewd business man Arey had caught glimpses of before.

"How did I know that offer didn't come out of the goodness of your heart." Arey all but sneered back, hackles raised at the thought of Balthazar in her head again. She'd had enough headspace invasion lately for that to be a real button pusher.

Tim reflexively hugged Arey.

Deirdre looked at Balthazar, then Arey. "Training?" She looked to Arin. "Why is he training Arey?" She could feel herself getting tense as if something was going to happen that would change things just as they were settling into something good.

"I'm training her, because I presume none of you are proficiently skilled in mental projection, and my bargaining chip here has a problematic connecting bond with a psycho serial killer seared into her brain. How none of you seemed as concerned about that as me, the most arguable selfish person in the room, is astounding." Balthazar said smoothly.

Deirdre paled. How could I have forgotten about that? Oh god…so wrapped up in myself and Arin and... Her shoulders slumped and she looked at the floor once more.

"I've been handling it." Arey bit out roughly, not enjoying her private concerns aired out so carelessly.

"Oh you mean the little nightmares he's been sending you like creepy little stalker gifts? Tell them about the one with the eyes he cut out. That one's a real gem." Bal tossed back meanly, in no mood to deal with her loner martyr complex bullshit.

Tim hugged her, "Hey things are being looked into. Nightmares?" He looked up at Arey. "Nightmares? Why haven't you said anything?" His voice was soft and full of concern though there was a bit of hurt behind them.

Deirdre looked up at Arey. "Eyes?" She realized just then that Arey had seen a lot more of the details of Heather's murder than she thought. Her hand went to her mouth.

"I'm handling it." Arey insisted forcefully, though the memory of that particular one left her feeling cold and tense. She didn't want to talk about this, didn't want to air out the guilt she felt knowing that those girls, because that twisted little fuck had shown her more than just the one, had died because they looked like her. She'd pieced that bit together fairly quickly. The things he cut up and took with him where the parts that looked like her.

Tim squeezed her, "Hey no one says you can't handle it but you don't have to keep shit like that to yourself. We are a team, remember? Viv should know that asshole has been doing that. Hey, look at me..." Tim reached up for her chin. "You don't need to do it by yourself, I know you can but I am saying you don't have to."

"Right, you want to talk about training and leverage cousin, let's be inclusive. Arey doesn't need it all on her. You said it, she's your bargaining chip. You have an investment to protect. How about you and I sit down you tell me exactly how I can hurt these things. If we're to be a power in this that demands respect at a bargaining table then we need to be able to back that position. We need to show them that not talking to us will hurt them." Arin stepped between Balthazar and the rest of the group. He was getting annoyed at being left out of these things. He wanted the knowledge to do his job and Balthazar might just have a bit more information about weaknesses than Vivienne had, seeing how his whole thing was exploiting them.

"This dude ain't fae kiddo, but he's using some seriously fucked up magic." Bal scoffed. "You all want training on raising mental shields? Be my guest, come along. I'll enjoy myself." Bal said with a shark like grin that held promise. "It's rough work though, I'm warning you right now. It's all about mental focus and force of will. Physical strength or training won't be playing a part, so don't look to rely on that." His eyes locked onto Tim, a glint of mischief lighting there. "So who wants to welcome me into their head first?"

"Go fuck yourself Bal." Kat said evenly, wearing a Batman t-shirt with the ear rings and necklace Tim had given her as she came strolling into the kitchen making a beeline for the coffee.

"Kitty Kat, I was wondering where you'd scampered off to." Balthazar said lighting up with real amusement at the well timed insult. Kat paused mid-pour as she held the pitcher of coffer in her hand before she turned to face Bal with a sour look.

"First off, you ever call me that again and I will kick you in the teeth." Kat began with a sour look. "Secondly, off my counter top. I make cookies on that you barbarian." She grouched, grabbing a dish cloth and cracking it at him like a towel in a boys' locker room.

Bal disappeared in one second and reappeared beside Kat the next, grinning widely. "I knew I liked you." He purred.

"Well duh." Kat said matter-of-factly, as she resumed pouring her coffee.

Arin slid neatly between Balthazar and Kat, "You might be surprised what the fae legacy has left me, cousin. However, I realize not all conflicts will be solved physically. Some will. I plan to be on the winning side of those. You want that to happen as well, I suspect. I've a pretty decent grasp on the mental. Can't do it, but can keep it away, mostly. If the psycho is human, then I can stick him. I'm worried about others like you, cousin. Someone who might not be as... friendly... as you are. How do you handle that situation?" Arin was single-minded in his desire to find ways to defend them from someone just like Balthazar. He didn't like the fact that he could confidently act like an ass without being called on it. While that bothered Arin, it would be nothing if, rather than being an ass, there was actual violent intent.

"Black mail mostly." Balthazar snarked, though was partially serious. You really wanted to gauge your enemies in the fae world? Find all their juicy dirty little secrets. "You want specifics, my trademarked tricks as it were? Put something on the table." He said more seriously, the business man coming out to play. "Rule one baby cousin, nothing comes free with the fae. Tit for tat, and you choose your words carefully." He said eyes shrewd. "The mental shield's your only freebie as an investment protection, and because I'm tired of dealing with that ones' panic attacks at random hours of the night when I'm trying to get it up. Entirely self motivated." He said with a tight grin.

Arin shook his head, "Not what I'm looking for. Blackmail isn't my forte." Arin frowned. "I won't deny the effectiveness. Someone else will be executing that strategy."

Deirdre grimaced at Bal's description of being bothered at night. She stood at the counter and listened intently. Arin was looking for tricks and things to use against the fae. They already knew iron might hurt most of them but they needed better solutions.

Tim hugged Arey tightly. He gave Kat a small wave. He hadn't seen her since he left the gift on her desk so he wasn't sure how she was feeling about him. The week had been alright, training and such but other than her setting up his net they hadn't spent time alone or really chatted. It bothered Tim but he was also so busy with Arey that he figured Kat had her own life and didn't care what a jerk did in his free time.

"What exactly did you have in mind?" Kat asked after a pregnant pause before taking a sip of her coffee, leveling Balthazar with her best poker stare. "Bargaining wise. What are you looking for us to put on the table?"

Balthazar turned his gaze toward Kat and engaged in one of those slow motion grins that tend to spell trouble when they spread across someone’s face. "Well I suppose that depends." He said almost suggestively. "Who's making the offer?"

"Not her." Arey piped up defensively, already not liking the direction of this conversation. Kat's gaze shifted toward Arey, looking mutinous. She could damn well speak for herself, she didn't need miss perfect pretending to be her mom.

Arin turned to Kat, "You don't need blackmail lessons from this guy. You got it covered Kat. That office of yours, a little bit of grease here and there. Maybe even a goon to break some kneecaps. I got that covered. You'll be fine." Arin assured her sincerely. He was trying to make her realize her superior position, currently. He had no desire to get into a debate about what she could and couldn't choose to do.

Tim nodded, "Not Kat." The thought of Balthazar taking advantage of Kat made his blood boil. He was glad Arey had said something as well. Arin's argument also backed up that Kat didn't need to offer anything.

Deirdre frowned as they all agreed that Kat had no need to make a deal with Balthazar. "He's right Kat, you have Balthazar beat in that department. You could give him lessons." She smiled. Her thoughts shifted once more to the talk of the offer.

"I know that." Kat ground out trying to keep her cool. "What I want to know, are the dirty little secrets you lot use on each other. The ins and outs if you will. Mother fuckers don't exactly have data clouds full of stuff for me to hack. I need data, raw if necessary, I'll do the processing."

Bal quirked a brow in challenge. "Sure your...nannies here will let you?" He purred, knowing exactly which buttons to push to set Kat grounding her teeth. "Data you say? You mean gossip, whispers and intrigue?"

"I mean all of it. I drop a name, you give me life stories, no skiving on the details. I'm running a lead, look at my sets and point me in the right direction. You're supposed to be some kind of underground kingpin right? A guy like you collects secrets like currency. I want them." Kat bit out, eyes intense.

"What are you asking in return for giving up this data? Depending on what you want it will it will determine who pays for it." Deirdre stepped forward. Arin had told her to ask lots of questions with fae.

"That...my dear...is a very tall order." Bal said carefully, almost wary now, but not quite. "Big favours mean big costs. I'm not sure you can afford that."

Arin snorted, "Big favours? I thought this was your bread and butter? Sounds like you were oversold. That doesn't sound nearly as hard for the underking I'd heard about as you're making it out to be."

Bal's eyes turned toward Arin suddenly hard as a menacing and practically palpable sort of energy flooded the room. "We are going to get one thing straight here baby cousin. So far, I've been using the kid gloves with you lot, because you're family and because I like you. You want them off, you want to deal with the 'Underking'? I can do that, but you won't like it, so decide right now how you want this weekend to go, friendly or all business? I'm not gonna straddle both for long."

Deirdre didn't like the shift of the energy in the room. It suddenly felt unbalanced. She licked her lips and took a deep breath.

Arin turned back to face Balthazar, he shrugged lazily, "I'm not trying to provoke you cousin. Don't get your panties in a bunch. I'm just making sure you aren't over stating value on a item under negotiation. You're family. I think that goes a long way to how this will end up, for all of us." Arin knew that Vivienne wouldn't entirely stand by and let Balthazar run rampant. It was his only leverage. However, he had no intention of pushing to that point. Reminding Balthazar that family did play a very important role in all this was the only way he could think of to balance the bargaining table.

"You think...sixteen hundred years of accumulated knowledge of dirty laundry and fae politics, as well as the current inner workings of New York's fae scene has overstated value? Knowledge is my bread and butter kid, that how I've kept myself alive this long. She-" He said pointing at Kat. "Is asking for all of it. Not a bit, not a piece, not a future favor granted. That shit ain't cheap." Bal almost growled back, incredulous about why Arin would not understand exactly what that was she was asking.

"Enough of the back and forth I believe a deal was being discussed." Deirdre's tone was more commanding than normal. "I wish to discuss this deal." She cocked her head and looked at Balthazar.

"You can't afford that." Bal said dismissively, though more for Deirdre's sake than out of anger. "Ask for something else."

"Oh? I believe you have a deal to save you and your kind already yes? Would giving a deal for what Kat asks not be in your best interest to further your own protection?" She walked towards Balthazar. Her back was straight, her head high. "Would not ensuring that we can defeat and even get ahead of all that might come at us be the best thing in your interest? I think we can do something, can we not?"

Tim shook her head, "Arey...we can't let her make a deal with him...this is not good. She already owes him a debt." He whispered through his clenched teeth.

"Ask for something else." He stressed again, trying to make her understand. "Knowledge is power for us Deirdre, the more people privy to it, the less value it has. I literally cannot lowball the price on access to every bit of information I have."

"I understand that Balthazar but this knowledge would help us save your neck. That has to count for something." Deirdre frowned. "Can you not tell me the cost so we can perhaps negotiate our side? If the cost is truly too great can we not bargain for less?"

"No, you don't, It is literal power, not just metaphorical. You could sell your soul to me ten times over, and it still wouldn't be enough to equal out. Even one as pure and bright as yours. You can't afford it, ask for something else." Bal said stubbornly, not about to accept that particular deal from any of them. He didn't hate them enough to do that.

Deirdre's face softened, "Then gives us as much knowledge as you feel we need to keep you safe. Give us what we need to ensure your deal with Arey succeeds, call it an investment in your safety. What would that cost be, not all, just what is necessary to save your neck."

"I resent that statement, I'm simply hedging my bets." Balthazar snarked, though he relaxed the tension in his shoulder noticeably.

"Then skew the odds in your favour." Deirdre raised an eyebrow.

"A running arrangement then." Balthazar countered back. "I give you a pertinent piece of information you need, I get to feed. With one of you, I don't particularly care which."

"A piece of information when we need it and you get to feed. Each piece, no holding back on parts that might be important, no missed detail, no oops I forgot that part. Full disclosure of the important information? A piece of information for a meal?" She countered back looking for full clarity. She was worried about the technicalities and hoped if she missed something the others would speak up. "For as long as this takes."

"I'd think a full definition of 'feed' should be in place as well." Arin stated simply.

"Sex, intimacy, prolonged mental connections. That's the most effective way we feed from humans. Full disclosure, full time, one issue at a time, I feed...and If I'm really hungry I get to choose which one of you I feed with. You'll get your end before I get mine, but I get no arguments from the one I choose after." Bal counter argued, defining and accepting their adjustments.

"What are the lingering effects of feeding? Are there any?" Deirdre paled a little as he stated what feeding meant.

"If handled right no, we're a bit more nuanced than your run of the mill succubi. You might feel tired for a few days, especially if I need to take a lot, but generally no. I'm not interested in turning anyone here into a mindless sex slave, nor is that my particular forte." Bal promised.

Deirdre frowned. "Why does it matter how hungry you are? You are just looking to take advantage. Our information doesn't simply become more because your hunger is greater so why does our payment go up?"

"Because, if I am presumably that hungry afterward, that means your 'full disclosure' was extensive. That kind of power drain has to be renewed somehow, and regardless of the amount of information I give, I get one feed. That's not taking advantage that's charity." Balthazar replied dryly.

"Intimacy, mental connection. No sex." Deirdre countered. "You should not get to take advantage in that way when some of us have never had the experience in the first place. That is something given, not taken in payment."

"Physical intimacy is included, no penetration, no nakedness." Balthazar countered. A man had to eat.

"Full disclosure of information, full time, one issue at a time and you can feed. Feeding includes mental connection, physical contact, over clothes, no nakedness, no penetration. Agreed?" Deirdre looked to others before she returned her gaze to Balthazar.

"Fine, all the clothes can stay on." Bal agreed in mock reproachfulness. "You have your deal, tenacious thing that you are." He said with almost a bit of pride before he looked at her a little more carefully. "You know how deals are sealed yes? Ones this size I mean? If you're not comfortable with it, I can seal it with one of the others. I'll keep the terms the same as you negotiated." He promised, offering her a way out.

Deirdre inhaled slowly, her teeth worried her lip. "I can't just shake on it?" She asked tentatively.

Bal shook his head slowly, not taking his usual pleasure in this part of the deal making. "Small deals use hand shakes, bigger deals need more intimacy. It's not a big enough one to seal with...a physical union like sex, but it's big enough to require the same as Arey's did." He finished, seeming almost shy about it. If Balthazar could ever come off as shy that is.

Tim growled, "That isn't right. It just has to be physical contact." He pushed Arey from his lap. "Sorry but I can't just sit here and let him fondle D."

Deirdre put her hand up to stop Tim. She was thinking, working out where the catch was in this. Her eyes flickered. "A kiss? Nothing more?"

"Yes." He said simply. "And if you're not comfortable sealing it, I can do it with one of the others." He reminded her carefully.

"Why do you keep saying that? What is the catch? What is it you aren't telling me about this?" She faltered now, unsure and fearful she was missing something in the deal.

"It comes with a mental link. Bonded on a shallow level the same way Arey and I are until the pact is complete." He explained simply. "You're special. She was too. Better than they made her out to be, she was better than any of them. I don't want to force a bond on you unless it's what you want." He said with quiet intensity that perhaps revealed too much, but he wanted to make her understand.

"Oh..." Deirdre felt like someone sucked the air out of her chest.

Tim crossed, "No way you get a bond with her. It is bad enough you have one with Arey."

Deirdre stepped in front of Tim, her head high, eyes flashing. "You do not get to decide for me."

"Is it in our best interest to give another bond to him? That's another source of information for him. It sounds like the bond itself is something an info gatherer would see value in. Maybe that alone is another deal? Otherwise we're suddenly giving information away for free." Arin wasn't entirely happy with this whole process but he was out of his league. It wasn't up to him to make or break a deal.

"And what kind of important information would I gleam from you hmmm?" Balthazar sneered at Arin. "Where you stash your adorable little knives? Which girl's your flavor of the month? Hardly things I couldn't discover by other means."

"Don't disprove your previous statements, cousin. And don't try and play stupid, childish games with me. I'm not interested. You stated yourself that all knowledge is power for you. Or, are you changing the deal?" Arin sneered back.

Deirdre paled and closed her eyes. "You would be privy to my emotions? To my thoughts? I would have no way to stop you?" She was shaking. Tim was still standing before her. He seemed to be at odds with himself, wanting to listen to D but wanting to stop Balthazar from doing what he was going to do to her.

Balthazar had another scathing remark to send Arin's way, but the concern in Deirdre's voice softened his tone and diverted his attention back to her. "Only to the very strong ones, like fear distress or...intense joy without being present. Not thoughts unless I'm with you or trying to purposefully. You'd be able to feel my presence there when I did. Once I've taught you how to put up mental shields, you can make that more difficult as well. I could technically invade your mind right now without the bond if I tried, but that doesn't mean I want to or am going to. The bond just...lends an ease and familiarity to that communication. If you need me, I'll know, and vice verse if you train for it."

"So teach me to block invasions into my mind and then I will make the deal with you." Deirdre looked at Balthazar.

"You want the lesson now? All of you?" Balthazar asked for clarification.

Deirdre nodded slowly. "Teach and then we will seal the deal."

Arin shrugged, "Get it over with. It seems better to be prepared for it than not. Does the training itself have anything we need to be aware of? You just going to sneak in bond there while you teach us?"

Bal smiled thinly. "Since I'm expected to teach five of you this at once and somehow make it both meaningful and expedient, we're all going to be bonded, temporarily, for this training. More incentive to get things right the first time around that way too." Bal said without much humor. "Go to the main room, and find somewhere comfortable to sit. This ain't going to be pleasant for any of us."

Deirdre looked at Arin, she moved beside him. "Did I do that right?" Her voice was a low whisper, there was trepidation behind it.

Arin had no idea how to answer her. This wasn't what he was good at. He was starting to doubt what use he had to be here but there was no way he was going to say that to her, especially right now. In the end, she seemed to have done well bounding the deal but he wasn't sure the price was worth it. If Balthazar was fighting for himself then he didn't need them and if he did need them, then why take a price from them like that. Why not build a less antagonistic relationship. It wasn't his deal to make or break, "You did great D. I think you covered your bases pretty well."

Her eyes sought his. She looked for answers behind his words and in the end didn't exactly feel overly confident.

Tim huffed and put a hand out to Arey. "Come on, the sooner we do this the sooner he gets out of your head." He glared at Balthazar as he left the kitchen.

Arey took Tim's hand easily and followed him silently to the room where they found a spot and she situated herself down on the couch with Tim.

Kat had paled considerable throughout the course of this conversation, mostly though when the discussion of mental bonds and people being in her head began. The thought of a trickster who collected dirty secrets being in her head was bad enough, she had some pretty dark shit she kept locked away up there that he didn't need to know about, but it was his talk about group bonds to really put her on edge. Balthazar seeing that stuff was bad. Any of them seeing that stuff was unacceptable.

"What are you going to show us?" Kat asked in a small voice she tried to make sound bigger and more confident that it was.

"Whatever I think is going to motivate you the most to make your shield." Balthazar said back, sounding almost bored now, though Kat could hear a facade when she heard one. One bullshit artist to the next.

"We're gonna have access to your head too aren't we?" Kat said, realizing what it was.

"That would be the common assumption of a group bond, yes." Bal said tightly. "I'm much better and far more experienced at erecting shields though kid, so don't get cocky." He shot back with a fake grin.

"Don't call me kid." Kat said grumpily, before taking the seat next to Tim that Arey wasn't sitting by.

Deirdre walked out of the kitchen, holding Arin's hand. She wasn't sure just how ready she was for this. When Arin sat she sat next to him.

"Ok kiddies, circle in and hold hands for the friendship circle." Bal said sarcastically, situating himself between Kat and Deirdre. "Not the technical name, but if it quacks like a duck and all that."

"You quack like a duck." Kat said childishly. Her usual defense mechanism outside of shameless flirting.

Bal, very quickly, stuck out his tongue at her before moving on like it had never happened. "Things are about to get personal fast, so forewarning, if you get antsy don't break physical contact with the circle. Pushing us out is one thing, but withdrawing yourself from us physically while we're in there could hurt you, especially with this many of us involved. We don't need anybody getting lost in each others heads. Who wants to go first?"

Deirdre shook her head, "Not me..."

"I'll do it. Family and all." Arin stated flatly.

"Cool." Bal replied flatly, holding out his hands for Kat and Deirdre to take. "Let's get this shindig started shall we?"

Deirdre was tentative as she reached to take Balthazar's hand. She took Arin's in her other hand.

Arin looked over at Arey, "I guess that's us." He held out a hand.

Tim took Arey's hand and then looked at Kat, "Ready half pint?" He smiled at her that fell away when his eyes caught Balthazar's.

Kat pouted as she took both Tim and Balthazar's hands at once, not relishing the visual pissing contest happening about her. She was too stressed to deal with that right now. "Let's just get this over with." She grumbled.

Arey took Arin's hand, not quite reluctantly, but she was sure to take Tim's first and with more enthusiasm. She didn't want there to be any weirdness from this.

"Alright, everybody just close your eyes and focus on being as blank and open as possible. I'll be doing the heavy lifting of getting us all into Arin's mind. While we're there...don't fuck around. With six of us, especially for a human, that's a pretty big stress load if we're all putting things in his head a once. I'll be there filtering while I teach him how to build a shield. Your job is to stand there and watch so you've got a clue when it's your turn for the head invasion. Got it?" Balthazar said firmly.

Deirdre nodded and then closed her eyes. Her hand tightened on Arin's.

Once everyone had closed their eyes for a moment and let their minds become blank, there was a brief moment where everything felt off balance and almost dizzying before Arey opened her eyes again and they were all standing in a white, blank open space. Arin and Balthazar were a few paces off from the rest of them, standing face to face. "You into dudes?" Bal asked casually.

"To each their own, but I like to stick with the female persuasion." Arin shrugged.

Deirdre was a bit weirded out by the white room. Her panic started to rise but she stood there quietly.

Tim frowned and looked a little ill but remained silent.

Arin looked around, "I know I'm not the sharpest knife in the drawer, but this white room thing is kinda throwing me. My head that blank?" He chuckled.

"No. It's the blank space you just created at the forefront of your conciousness. Part of the exercise. I'm going to create a vision of something that makes you uncomfortable, and you're going to try and push it out. That's easier than pushing against an entire consciousness.'" Balthazar explained.

"I'm estimating by your answer that your comfort level with homosexual PDA is higher than average, so I'll have to tweak that to add to your discomfort level. Congratulations, you're not a homophobe." Bal said dryly. Next to them, Tim appeared. Not Tim who was in the group, but another Tim. One that looked far more pleased about being here than the real one. "You two have some real tension to work out. I figure it isn't this kind, but hell, we'll give it a try." Bal said, a little more amused this time as another Arin appeared next to the copy of Tim. Copy Arin proceeded to grab copy Tim by the shoulders, a fierceness about the both of them, as if they were about to have it out in a fist fight. Then copy Arin yanked copy Tim down for a rough kiss, and it proceeded down hill from there. "At least I let you top." Bal said with a shrug as copy Arin continued manhandling a pliant copy Tim.

Tim was choking as he stared there watching. Really? Really man? He was struggling to keep his mind blank.

Arin chuckled, "Well, that's how it would be if this played out anyway. Okay, so, the idea is I try and push this vision out of my white room? And why do I have Cream running through my head right now?" Arin gathered strength in levity and calmness. If he started to get upset about this he knew he'd already lost. He kept it light and even so he was starting off on the right foot.

Kat was trying really hard not to start laughing as copy Arin yanked off copy Tim's shirt. At this point they were sort of wrestling on the ground with Arin pretty much pinning and sitting on Tim while trying to disrobe him.

Arin's lightness about the whole thing calmed Tim down some. He wasn't enjoying the display but at least he could take a lesson from Arin about keeping his cool. He took a few deep breaths.

Arey's cheeks flushed red at the display, a tiny bit turned on at watching her boyfriend and the guy she'd briefly (definitely past tense there she assured herself) had a massive crush on engaged in an intense make out session. It was kinda weird...but...yeah she was going to stick with weird. She grabbed hold of Tim's hand in silent comfort, knowing this was something he was not going to be comfortable with.

"Good. Detach yourself from the situation. Recognizing that what you're being forced to see isn't real or not really there is the first step to conquering it. Once you get emotionally involved with what's shown to you, you're getting caught in it." Bal explained, closing his eyes for a moment as if searching through something. "It won't always be this easy to detach though. We're going to change it up, see if you can still keep your cool."

Tim looked at Arey as she took his hand and when he looked to her, her eyes were on the wrestling figures. There was no mistaking the pink that had developed in her cheeks. Tim was conflicted about how he should feel about her reaction so instead of saying anything he held her hand tighter and looked at his feet.

Arin nodded, "No doubt." He was a little concerned. He knew his triggers. He hoped Balthazar didn't find them too quickly. Building up would probably work better than pushing all at once. He steeled himself for what was to come.

The scene on the floor changed, though not by much. Copy Tim had disappeared, and in his place was a copy of Arey. Bal almost looked apologetic, though this was still a low ball, and effective as it was bound to make Arin feel doubly uncomfortable due both to the weirdness and tentative peace of that relationship, and the effect it would have on his friends. It was motivation to work fast.

Tim couldn't look up from his feet. His jaw clenched. He didn't even want to look at Arey now that she was, copy her was wrestling with copy Arin. He was reminded how they had been on a date when he interrupted it. If he hadn't there was a chance Arey and Arin might be dating, not he and Arey.

Deirdre watched the figures of Arin and Arey wrestled. Guilt like she hadn't felt in a week washed over her. She wasn't supposed to be doing things with Arin.

"Okay. This. Not nearly as funny. Not cool. What's the deal?" Arin asked, looking for hints on how to stop it.

"Motivation, emotional reaction. When someone invades your head like this, to make you see things, nine times out of ten it's aiming to hurt. Detach and focus. Use your force of will as a weapon. This is your mind, try taking back control. It's your force of will against mine here. Either try changing it into something else or make it dissolve." Balthazar replied, all business.

"Now that's just ridiculous." Arey said lightly, trying to force some humour into her voice to make the scene sting less as she leaned into Tim. If she could poke holes in it, poke fun at it, it held less weight, was less real in her mind, because she didn't want to see that. "I'd never wear a pink bra." She scoffed, squeezing his hand more tightly.

Arin nodded. Start with the small things. Learn the technique, build on that to make better combos and more forceful attacks. He focused on the training they had been doing recently. It wasn't a far switch to change the movements of the copies from a sensual positioning to a more combative position. He started making them perform the moves and holds that they all had just trained on. The idea that the rest of the group would understand that and recognize the shift also helped Arin focus. Not having to worry about how other people would perceive it left more concentration for Arin to further change. Soon, it was simply Arin and Arey drilling some of the combat techniques, appropriately clothed and reacting to each other.

"Right." Tim said through clenched teeth. "Hilarious." Tim nodded as he focused on Arin. He had changed the scene and Tim made mental notes so he could learn from Arin.

Deirdre recognized it for what it was but she couldn't get rid of the guilt that had settled back deep in her chest. This week had been amazing, had she just been fooling herself that they could move past the rest? Arey had Tim, this shouldn't bother her, she knew that and yet there it was.

"Good." Balthazar said simply, nodding at Arin. "Now, try building a shield...or think of it like a barrier, and invisible wall maybe, I've even seen people think of it as water. Push against the scene you're witnessing, and away until can can't see it any longer. Visualize that barrier in what ever form works for you."

"Right. Protection. Something that separates me from the rest of what's going on here." He pictured a set of full racing leathers and helmet. He reached out, grabbed them and started pulling them on. With each zipper pull the scene seemed to shift further away. He pulled on the helmet and did up the strap. Finally, he flipped the visor down and completely shut himself out of the rest of the room. The vision faded and he looked at Balthazar, "Cool. I like it."

"Excellent." Bal agreed, almost smiling. "You work fast, little cousin. I'd expect no different from Auntie Viv's son."

"Well, I can't take all the credit. You're explaining it well. A good combo I guess. Maybe we should think about not punching each other more often." He grinned in the helmet.

"We'll see how long that sentiment lasts. We have five more heads to invade and a whole lot of baggage to air out in the process. Someone's going to want to punch someone eventually." Bal said matter-of-factly, though there was real pride shining in his eyes as he looked on Arin.

"Who's next?" Bal asked calmly.

Arin turned to the group, "My head's done, so it seems. Sorry it wasn't more interesting." He chuckled as the leathers and helmet disappeared. They didn't go far though, and seemed to hang on something within the room. "Keeping those around. Never know when they might be needed again."

"Me." Tim spoke up. "I think I understand."

"Alright then. Brace yourselves." Bal warned before there was a brief flash of light, and the scene had changed. They were in another white room, though somehow this one felt different, and Tim and Arin had virtually switched places.

"I'm gonna throw you a low ball with this one. Mildly uncomfortable, and then I'm going to change things up periodically so that it becomes steadily more emotional. Keep your cool, keep centered." Balth said briefly in encouragement before he began.

Tim shrugged, "Sure." He steeled himself.

The first image that appeared was a memory. It was from the club when Balthazar had cornered Tim, who was currently shirtless and helpless while trying to figure out how to fight back against the wandering hands.

Arey stared forward intently, trying not to let her hackles raise as she watched, but finding it very difficult to manage. Kat had a similar reaction as she watched, though she was much better at keeping it under wraps. She had more practice at this point.

Tim shrugged it off. "Been there, not a thing..." He took a deep breath in and tried to let it go as Arin had. He wished he could laugh it off.

In the scene, Balthazar melted away and instead Kat was replaced, though the scene continued in much the same way. In the group, Kat paled as she watched, mortified and also slightly hurt that Tim found an intimate scene with her somehow more uncomfortable than with Balthazar.

Tim shuffled his feet a little. "Hey now, not cool. Kat has never been that aggressive." He shook his head and tried to shrug it off. His eyes went to Kat. "Half pint don't pay attention to it. He thinks it is bothering me." He was doing his best to focus on the scene. His eyes narrowed. "Ha! See!" He and Kat were now dancing, she trying to show him how to move his hips. His eyes flickered to Arey. He hoped it wouldn't bother her to see Kat acting like that. He looked to Arin next, once again worried that there might be questions about Kat. He was the one who was the jerk, not her.

"I'm just useing clips from your subconscious that cause you anxiety." Balthazar said neutrally.

"No, Kat never did that on a dance floor. See dancing..." The scene flickered back to Kat groping him. "Damn it..." Tim concentrated once more and the pair were dancing once more.

"No, but this bothers you." He said quietly, that way the others wouldn't hear as the scene changed again and it was Tim and Kat on the couch, Kat straddling his hips. He didn't want Kat to have to hear that.

Tim looked at Balthazar. His eyes hardening.

"Stop looking around and focus on what you're doing, Tim. Like boxing. You're bound to get hit if you're admiring the audience." Arin called out.

Tim heard Arin's voice and nodded and kept his eyes on the scene. Arin was right. Tim concentrated and the scene disappeared entirely. "Not cool."

Arey mostly tried not to pay attention to the scenes unfolding, deciding it was just better to block it out. Kat had gotten steadily more quiet though as the scenes progressed, and mostly Arey just felt bad for her. Having to relive something that so obviously bothered her was painful to watch.

"Not my subconscious." Bal shot back quietly. "If it didn't bother you, I wouldn't have used it." For a moment, Bal closed his eyes in concentration before opening them again, looking apologetic. "This ones' going to be a rough one. Try and work on getting your barrier up now." Bal warned.

Tim frowned. If Bal was warning him now Tim couldn't imagine what he was going to show him. Tim concentrated. Barrier...barrier..... He pictured his hockey pads, his helmet.

The scene this time didn't have any people in it per say, but there was a car filled with boys who'd all obviously had a little too much to drink, and it was dark outside.

Tim shook his head, the helmet disappeared.

"Focus." Bal said fiercely. "It's emotional, and hard, and the first thing someone trying to screw with your head will go for. Contain it, detach yourself, push it away."

Tim swallowed hard and focused on getting his helmet back. This time his stick appeared in his hand as well. Tim inhaled, exhaled slowly and kept himself closed off. Can't touch me....

Arey watched with anxiety for Tim as the car crashed, and the sound of sirens soon were added to the mix. She was worried for him, knew how hard this was for Tim, and the urge to run and shield him from it herself was nearly consuming.

Tim braced himself. He had dreamt this many, many times. He knew how it played out. He held the stick out in front of him, stopping anyone from getting him. He took the stick and gave it a shove forward as if he were blocking someone from coming at him. He tried to force the image away. The scene went away.

"There." Tim said a little breathless.

"You did good." Bal said softly in encouragement. "Just be sure to keep your focus and you have a pretty substantial willpower. It's damn near impressive. Just keep your focus and you'll be golden." Bal said giving notes.

Tim nodded. "Sure. Thanks." He was a bit shaken but understood that he needed to focus. He'd have to talk to Arin about that next time they trained.

"Who's next?" Bal asked turning around, inspecting the three remaining.

Deirdre hesitated. She looked at Arey and Kat before putting up her hand slowly. Neither one of them seemed keen to jump in so she felt it best not to hold things up. After what they witnessed she wasn't keen to do hers.

Arin leaned over to Deirdre as she raised her hand, "Hey. Confidence. No one can tell you who you are or what you should be doing. You got this. I know it."

She turned to look at Arin. Guilt washed over her once again. "Thank you Arin." She tried to smile and stand taller.

"Ok, then." Bal said gently. "Brace yourselves." Again the scene changed in a flash of light, and they were once again in another white room, which felt different than the other two.

"Let me know when you're ready." Bal said quietly.

Deirdre looked at Balthazar, "Okay I am ready." She said it but then wasn't entirely sure. "Yes, yes...ready." Her hands gripped her pants.

Deirdre's low ball appeared first in the form of Vivienne, standing cold and impersonal and vaguely disapproving. The copy Vivienne didn't say anything, but then, she didn't need anything besides her dissecting gaze to make people squirm.

"It-it isn't really her..." Deirdre spoke aloud, trying to remind herself. She closed her eyes and when she opened them Viv turned into a puddle of water. She nodded though her body was trembling already.

"Good." Bal said encouragingly with a nod. "This next one will be a little uncomfortable, but not as nerve wracking." Bal said gently as copies of both Deirdre and Arey appeared, holding onto each other intimately and kissing slowly, in a gentle kind of comfort.

Deirdre blushed. "Ugh...well.."

Arey's face turned red. This time it was worse because that sort of thing had happened between them...sort of more than once.

Arin raised an eyebrow. He shouldn't have been surprised. After his visions, this one seemed inevitable. Yet, it still had a little more impact than he thought.

Tim stared. He looked over at Arey. He warred between mildly jealous and turned on. "Interesting...."

"We're not talking about this." Arey said quietly next to Tim, running a hand over her face.

"Not talking. Hear that Tim." Arin smirked.

Tim smirked and nodded. He gave Arin a thumbs up and shook his head. His eyes went back to the scene of the women.

Deirdre bit her lip. "Okay....I think that is enough of that...." Frowning Deirdre focused on scene and the two figures dissipated into smoke.

"You're a natural at this." Bal complimented warmly. "...The next one will be harder. Brace yourself for it and remember...be assertive."

"I am apparently good at shutting things down...mostly..." She gave a light shrug but looked at him as he warned her. Her frown deepened.

This time, it was Deirdre's parents that appeared, calling her princess, talking about dance school and all the other ways they had decided she was going to live her life.

She winced and took a step backwards. Her anxiety rose. She didn't have leathers like Arin or hockey gear like Tim. She was armourless. Nothing came to mind, nothing that could be pulled on to protect herself. Deirdre whimpered.

"Hey, it's ok, just focus." Bal said soothingly. "What makes you feel confident, centered? What makes you feel strong?"

Her head turned to look at Arin. She smiled, remembering his words, his confidence in her. She nodded and closed her eyes.

Bal followed her gaze and caught the drift.

The room went black. Three spotlights appeared and Deirdre was dressed in a black bodysuit, white tights and her pointe shoes. She was on stage. She lifted her chin and stood tall. She was untouchable there.

"Use that feeling." Bal coached. "Barriers come in different forms. You use the music to get to that place when you dance, drown them out." Bal suggested.

Deirdre faltered a little as she tried to think too much about it, one of the lights flickered out. "Music..." She closed her eyes once again and the light came back on and music filled the room. It was loud and she felt lost in it in the best possible way. She smiled and let the music push her parents further and further from her.

Once the figures had been pushed away and out of sight, Bal called success, flashing Deirdre a smile. "You're excellent at this, a true natural. You just need to have more confidence, practice more until you don't have to think about it as much. When you act on instinct, you're flawless."

Deirdre nodded. She couldn't help but feel proud and Balthazar's words just solidified it. She smiled at him before looking to Arin.

Arin flashed a big smile back at her and nodded, "Nice."

"Who's next?" Balthazar called out.

Reluctantly, and only because Kat looked like she was about to turn into a stone statue, Arey quietly raised her hand.

"Brace yourselves, you know the drill." Bal said before the flash of light brought them to another white room and switched their positions again.

Arin leaned over toward Arey, "This is something you have to do alone, but you do have the support of the group. We are cheering for you back here, not second guessing. You got this."

Arey's gave a short nod, too anxious to try and reply to that. Balthazar didn't bother to give her warning when her first vision appeared, though at least he'd gone for something more manageable to deal with.

Lord Henry Byron stood there in an impeccably tailored navy suit, looking at a pocket watch as he rambled off irritably to her in his posh British accent. "I mean really Arey is it too much to ask? This function with Lord Barriston could do a lot for my campaign."

Tim frowned but said nothing. His focus was entirely on Arey. He knew her dad was a soft spot for her and at least it was an easy one. She had lots of practice shutting him out. Tim silently cheered her on.

Arey was tight lipped as she stared at him, trying not to feel small and expendable. "And Davy really is a good chap, being his date for the Hamilton's function wouldn't be so terrible. I'm sure your little school team will understand if you can't make the game." He went on to reason before babbling on about the dress colors his wife, the one he let openly berate her at the dinner table, had picked out for her for their stupid upper crust party he wanted her to miss her senior regional championship game for.

Tim ground his teeth. He knew her father was frustrating, that he cared more about himself and his career but listening to the figure talk to Arey it was worse than he thought. He wanted to go to her.

Deirdre held her breath. She knew Arey understood about overbearing parents but she had no idea to what extent. She made a sour face.

Arey bit her lip out of instinct, trying to keep herself from blowing up in frustration over them memory. I don't live there anymore, that's not my life. She said it over and over again quietly in her head like a chant before slowly the figure started fading away.

"Good. You need to detach more quickly though. If you let yourself get caught up in it, it'll catch you first. Don't reminisce." Bal said firmly. Arey nodded, tasting the tang of blood in her mouth from the lip.

The next scene was more along the lines of what she'd been expecting, but it didn't make the memory less painful. It was more peaceful than some of the other scenes that involved yelling parents or insanely awkward imaginary make out sessions, but this was harder. The hospital room was a sedate pink color, and on the desk in the corner was holding a little potted rose bush with pink blossoms that were beginning to dry out and fall. Arey watched the frail figure of her mother in the bed, a tube stuck down her throat while a girl around the age of thirteen that Arey recognized as herself sat in the chair next to the bed, crying because this was the second day in a row her mother hadn't been able to stay awake, and she could tell by now when doctors were lying to make her feel better. She'd been coming in to visit her mother long enough to know.

Arey tried not to cry remembering that day. It was the first time she'd let herself acknowledge that her mother wasn't going to get better. Her mother hadn't last much more that a week after that, her system just shutting down.

"Why'd you pick this one?!" Arey asked fiercely, anger easier to deal with than grief, which was answer within itself.

Tim grimaced. "Breathe Arey, he has to pick things that they will use to attack us emotionally." He wanted to go over to her so badly at this point that he was almost bouncing on his toes.

"A shade used this on you before. It's a proven trigger and you haven't dealt with it. You need to detach and deal with it so it can't be used to hurt you in the future." Balthazar said calmly while she just glared back at him. The smaller version of her was reading a cookbook to her mother through tear blurred eyes. Only out of the baking section though. Her mother had been a bad cook too, but had a sweet tooth a mile long and was never daunted from baking by something so trivial as lack of skill or talent.

Arey couldn't detach, it wasn't that easy. Part of her wanted to watch this, just pretend for a minute that she didn't know the end to this story.

"Wake up and focus!" Balthazar roared at her, making her jump. "If I was that psycho trying to get in your head right now you'd be next to useless, or worse, a liability to them." Bal said gesturing back to the group. "Man up and deal with your baggage like the rest of them." Bal said harshly, but it was the reminder she needed.

"You can do it Arey. It isn't her." Tim called out reassuringly.

Deirdre didn't know what to do. She watched young Arey sit with her dying mother. "Arey, you can do it. Concentrate."

Arey tried making the cookbook disappear first, dismantling the illusion one piece at a time. Next when the rose bush, a get well present they'd gotten for her mother when she'd first been admitted, and they hadn't know how serious it was yet.Next went her younger self, and after a painfully long moment, the hospital bed, Irene Trescott and all before the room finally dissipated.

"Better." Balthazar said neutrally. "You're more analytical about it, dismantling it into more manageable pieces. That may be the strategy you need to use if it works." He continued, closing his eyes. "This one's going to be rough, but when that psycho tries to play around in your head he's not being gentle either, so you need to learn to push back on a harder assault."

It was one of her nightmares that appeared this time, the one she'd found the most disturbing. She still couldn't see the guy's face, it was blurred, distorted, but the voice was always clear as a bell.

"This one doesn't have as pretty eyes as you, but they're just the right shade." His voice rang out cheerfully, as if he was working in the garden and not currently using a knife to cut the eyes out of a girl's head; and this one was still alive. It wasn't Heather, Arey didn't recognize the girl, and she hadn't heard anything about another murdered girl in the papers. That either meant that this hadn't actually happened, or that it was a memory she'd tried to reason with herself as she'd sobbed into the bathtub. Or maybe they just hadn't found the body yet...

"I'm going to have to show you my collection sometime, the eyes are the best part so far. I haven't found any hands yet that look right." The man said almost in disappointment over the girl's gargled screams. She was too hoarse to do it properly, and the sound was all the more horrible for that. The worst part though was that it seemed like he was talking to Arey, making her a part of the process, privy to his favorite kinks and whims.

"Maybe I'll keep the tongue though, would that be tacky? This one had a talented little tongue on her." The man said almost reminiscing, another reason Arey suspected this was some kind of distorted memory. "I bet you're a good kisser too huh? Bet you'll be all teeth and screams when I open you up." The man said grinning. His face might be distorted, but she could hear that in his voice.

"Not this one..." Arey said in a small voice, looking at Balthazar pleadingly. She didn't think she could handle seeing this one again, listening to him detail out what he wanted to do to her while he acted it out on this girl, a heady mix of fear and guilt ran through her. All those girls' ordeals were because he was looking for her. Arey was the one he wanted, not them. Their only crime had been proximity and comparable looks.

"Make your barrier, find your center of confidence and use that. Don't get caught up in what you see." Bal said sharply, trying to make her regain her focus. Internalizers either had this the easiest or the worst. Arey was an overly analytical thinker, which wasn't good for this.

"I don't know what that is..." Arey said brokenly, flinching at another gargled scream.

Tim wanted to let go and run to her. He wanted to pull her into his arms and shield her from the horrors they were witnessing. He couldn't though, he knew that but it was becoming physically painful to hold himself back. Arms tight, legs at the ready to spring forward towards her. "Arey, think about making a play in soccer...thinking about giving me a good punch in training..." He didn't know how to help her but he needed to. "Excalibur! Think of a sword in your hand Arey!"

Deirdre thought she was going to be sick as she watched Arey's scene play out. The very idea that her friend saw this made Deirdre angry and upset. It wasn't right that that....man...had access to her like that. Her hand tightened on Arin's as she fought against the urge to go to Arey and wrap her arms around her, to whisper to her any soothing thing she could think of to force the man and the visions from Arey's mind.

Arin's eyes narrowed as he saw Arey flinch. She had the tendency to take too much on herself, and it didn't have a good effect on her focus. In a calm voice, Arin reassured, "Arey, you don't have to do it alone. We can be your barrier. Remember the support you have from us and focus on that."

Tim looked at Arin. "Put us beside you Arey. Listen to Arin, he is right! We are your barrier! We are your team!" He couldn't have respected Arin more than he did right now. Arin always knew what to say, how to bolster them when they needed it. He saw things differently than the rest of them and Tim admired him for it.

Arey looked from Arin to Tim as they told her to use them as their barrier. At first, still caught up in the scene, that idea terrified her. She didn't want any of them even remotely near this psychopath, not physically or mentally or any other way. She didn't even want them on his radar. This wasn't real though, she reminded herself, it was just the memory of a nightmare forced in her head. When did she feel safe, and confident, and in control? Football was the first thing to come to mind, but her impending departure from the team had put a stain on that. The answer was when she was with them, training or laughing, or just talking. Arey focused, and copy images of Tim and Arin and Deirdre stood sentinel beside her, and she felt immediately more at ease. She focused on dissolving the scene in front of her, starting with the sounds, then the knife, and then the girl tied to the bed frame. The man...Mordred she reminded herself in some semblance of calm, was the last and hardest to banish, but she managed it, and felt just a little bit stronger afterward.

"Better." Bal nodded, though he acknowledged to himself he was going to have to work with her more on detaching, which she seemed to have particular difficulty with. "It's a good start for today."

Tim grinned, "Good job Arey." He shivered despite himself, that scene was intense and he hated knowing it was in Arey's head. It angered him that Mordred was able to do that to her.

Arey tried to smile back weakly, but it was still a little strained. She just wanted this to be over so she could go for a run or hole up somewhere for a while so she could calm herself down and deal with it.

"I guess that leaves you kid." Bal said looking over at Kat, who looked tense and uncharacteristically silent. "Pass." She said tightly. She didn't want to do this, it was a bad idea and she didn't want to do the whole soul baring pity feast deal. Not when Bal was digging through memories to air out sore spots and the like.

Bal raised a brow, surprised slightly by her lack of response to the 'kid' comment. "Not how this works." Bal said challengingly.

Deirdre looked at Kat, "Maybe another time for her?" Kat didn't look well, not ill but not like herself. Deirdre was worried.

"Yeah, lets do that." Kat said. Or never. Never was better.

Tim squeezed Kat's hand. "You can do this. Come on you are Batman." He gave her a wink.

"Nope. This is your one freeby session. If I come back after this I'm calling payment." Bal drawled.

Kat didn't respond to the wink, and her eyes didn't leave their staring contest with Bal. "Then don't come back." She shot back.

Bal just smiled thinly, though there was a gleam in his eyes now that didn't bode well. Kitty Kat should know better than to challenge a trickster. "The others paid their dues, went through their paces. Suck it up kiddo." And that was all the warning they got before the flash of light and they were once again in another white room, though this one had vague line patterns to it, like a kind of grid system.

Kat stood in the front now with Balthazar looking incensed as she tried to keep her cool. "Get out of my head. I said no, we're not doing this." She hissed lowly, a dangerous edge to her voice.

Tim frowned, "Maybe this isn't a good idea. No point in making Kat that uncomfortable right now. Bal, have a heart?"

Deirdre bit her lip. Something was not okay. Kat seemed on edge, more than Deirdre had ever seen her in the brief time she knew the girl.

"Make me." Bal challenged back, hands shoved into the pockets of his jeans, looking the picture of ease. "You think some dark fae trying to fuck with your head's gonna pop right out just because you ask nicely? Get real kid."

"Don't call me that!" Kat roared, eyes intense, and the white room shook slightly.

Deirdre looked frightened for a moment, her hand shifting in Arin's to hold tighter. "Kat, you aren't a kid. You are part of the team. You can kick the ass of whatever he shows you."

Kat didn't respond, looking like a caged animal ready to attack the next person who tried to get close.

"Jesus kid..." Bal said after a moment, trying with some difficulty to navigate through her head. She had more experience that the others with putting up walls, trying to hide information from him. "Where do I even start with a low ball for you?" He said thoughtfully.

A copy version of Tim manifested once again, this time holding hands with a copy of Arey and virtually ignoring everything else around them. Kat didn't respond much beyond her continued glaring match with Balthazar.

Tim visibly paled.

Kat flashed an almost feral grin at Balthazar, the copy couple melting and morphing into a pair of strippers as Kat tried to force the cocky teenage mask in place over her near panic attack. "You wanna play this game? I'm a master of mind games. I don't need your help, so get out." She ground out tensely, trying unsuccessfully to make her voice sound like its normal self. "Pretty pretty please before I punch you." She finished, managing to throw in some of her usual snark for maximum effect.

"Good try, but you're barely hitting surface level there." Bal said dryly, closing his eyes while he looked for something more substantial to throw at her.

"No." Kat said firmly. "I said we're done. So get out now or I'll make you get out." Kat growled.

Deirdre didn't like seeing Kat so angry. It was almost as if she were fighting for her life.

Bal's eyes flew open when he finally found something, gaze shooting over to Kat almost in pity. "Ah kid..."

"Don't you fucking dare!" Kat yelled, lunging at him, but the scene manifested before them anyway, despite the fact Kat was trying to pummel Bal's face in.

The was a room, poorly lit and slightly damp. Probably a basement. In one corner, chained to a wall with nothing but a bucket, was a girl who looked about fourteen, with dark auburn hair and a face that looked like it had seen better days. The patchwork of cuts and bruises painted a pretty clear picture of abuse, if the chains hadn't been enough of a clue. Nearby was another girl, this one about five or six with short cut ash colored hair and hazel eyes that seemed to dart with fear at every shadow.

"Come on kid, I know you can do it." The older girl chained to the wall pleaded, one of her eyes swollen part way shut. "I've seen what they have you do with those computers. You could shut down their whole system in five minutes, I know you could."

Tim's knees shook. He looked from the young girl in the scene to Kat. There was sadness in his eyes.

Deirdre's eyes filled with tears as she realized the little girl in the scene was Kat. What happened to her? Her parents didn't seem so bad now.

"I-I can't Drew." The younger girl said, practically shaking as she backed away a little. "They'll put me back in the box. I can't go back in there." Her voice was small, timid.

Box? Tim ground his teeth. Someone put Kat in a box? I will kill them. Anger radiated off him now. He barely recognized the assertive, confident Kat in that timid little girl and it hurt to see her like that.

"No they won't kid, I promise. If we do it quick, do it smart, they'll never know. We can get out of here, get everyone out!" The older girl, Drew, said forcefully, trying to persuade the younger girl. "You just have to be brave."

"You're lying." The younger girl accused, taking another step back. "They'll know, they always know!" She cried. "I shouldn't even be talking to you. I'm not supposed to leave the stool-!" The younger girl said looking back and jumped a mile when the older girl kicker her bucket in frustration, hitting it against the back wall with a loud crash.

"Fuck that stupid stool!" The older girl exclaimed, pulling at her binds.

"Make...it...go...AWAY!" Kat was screaming now in between hits to Balthazar's face as she pinned him to the ground and laid in. Balthazar just took it, not even trying to fight back.

"You should just stop." The younger girl said quickly, almost pleadingly to the older girl as she backed away slowly toward her stool. "If you just stop making trouble, they won't hurt you anymore."

"Kat! Push him out! Push him out of your head! Come on! You can do it!" Tim was tense. "Batman, Kat...put on the cape and cowl and kick the fucker right out of your head!" He didn't want to see anymore, it was hard to see what she had gone through. The guilt of knowing that she saw him and Arey that way, so oblivious to everyone else weighed on him.

"I'd rather take what they dish out like a man than become one of their little zombie drones!" The older girl hissed. "I'm not gonna be one of them, not gonna be like you." She sneered back angrily.

"Drew please..." The younger girl looked pained, conflicted between fear and wanting to please her older friend.

"Katrina." A cool cutting voice rang out that still managed to put a chill down Kat's spine, and the younger girl spun around with wide frightened eyes.

"Ms. Lawson." Drew drawled out snarkily. "You're looking especially corpse-like today."

"Katrina, why are you out of your seat?" Ms. Lawson asked coolly, ignoring the other girl entirely.

Deirdre shrunk back a little as the scene kept going. The woman who spoke was colder than any Deirdre had encountered. Her chest rose and fell in deep breaths as she tensed, afraid for the young girl.

"I-I" The younger girl stammered. "I'm sorry. Please Ms. Lawson, I didn't mean to be bad."

"You know you're not supposed to talk to those being re-educated. They haven't learned obedience yet, they say dangerous things." Ms. Lawson said in a voice that aimed for soothing but couldn't achieve that effect. "Has she been planting ideas in your head Katrina? Are you forsaking our Mother?"

"No!" The girl cried frantically, eyes big and tearing. "I didn't, I promise. Please don't put me in the box Ms. Lawson, please! I'm still good I promise, I {i]promise[/i]!" Tears were streaming down her face now as she shook in terror.

"GET OUT OF MY HEAD!" Kat screamed, still hitting Balthazar as the white room shook more violently.

"I know you are Katrina, you're very good." Ms. Lawson said picking up the young girl, who looked even smaller in her arms. "Andrea has not yet learned her place in the world, but you have." There was almost affection in that cold voice, but there was blatant greed there that could be seen under that motherly facade as she petted through the girl's hair. The child seemed to war between flinching from the touch and leaning into it, craving the praise and affection. "And I have another special job for you today." She continued saying as she carried the younger girl with her up the stairs, the older girl watching them leave with a frustrated and defeated look as she pulled on her chains again.

Deirdre shook her head. "Put her down! Stop!" She didn't want the woman to touch Kat.

"OUT!" Kat yelled with one more hit that shook the white room, and suddenly everyone was back in the batcave, holding hands in the circle .Blood was trailing from one of Kat's nostrils as her eyes flew open, frantic and panting as she released everyone's hands and bolted out of the room.

"Kat!" Deirdre called out as Kat ran from the room. She looked at everyone. "Should we go after her?"

Tim shook his head. "Not me, I am the last person she would want to see I think...." He looked at Arey, feeling slightly conflicted. He pulled her in, away from Arin's hand and into a hug. "Good job. I don't know why you didn't tell me, us about the nightmares." Over Arey's head Tim looked at Arin. "You, I owe you a huge thank you. If it wasn't for you I wouldn't have been able to put up my barrier and Arey, you helped her. D too. Just, thanks man. Couldn't have done that without you."

Deirdre looked at Balthazar, "You know that none of us knew what she'd been through. I think she was trying to keep that private. You couldn't find something else?" Her face was pale but her voice gentle. She knew he was trying to teach them but this felt far more raw than all the rest had to deal with, even Arey. She still held Arin and Balthazar's hand. With a sigh she let the fae go. "I had no idea..."

Arin was shaken. He'd known Kat had skeletons. It was obvious after so many years, but he didn't suspect anything like that. He wanted to blame Balthazar for making it up, torturing her, but, from what he'd seen, Bal had nothing on her. He looked to Deirdre, "I... should try..." He gently released her hand and stood. He started to follow Kat, but stopped. He turned to Balthazar, "Don't use this. Ever. On her. This is off limits. I'm not threatening, I'm not asking. I'm hoping I'm just reminding any part of you that has compassion." He left.

"It was the gentlest thing I could grab at from her memories on the surface. The rest were...a lot more graphic." Bal admitted. "The kid's damn impressive, shoved five people out of her head at once." He mused quietly.

Tim looked sad, "Anyone want some water?"

Deirdre shook her head and looked at Balthazar. "Are you still willing to discuss the deal?" She needed to focus on something other than the images of a young Kat being picked up by that woman. She shivered. Between her and what Mordred had shown Arey Deirdre didn't think she'd be able to sleep for days.

"Yes, I think water would be a good idea." Arey said quietly, shocked and a little horrified for Kat's sake over what they'd just seen.

Tim went off to the kitchen for water for everyone.

"Yeah, we can still discuss the deal." Bal said almost tiredly, rubbing his face. This is why getting overly involved with mortals was never a good idea.

"It can wait if you'd prefer. That was...a lot. For everyone." Deirdre looked at the floor. Guilt was still sitting on her shoulders but the things she saw with Arey and Kat pushed forward. Both had dealt with more than Deirdre ever imagined a person could handle. She brushed her hair from her eyes. And you can't even tell your parents no. Have to change things...

"Yes it was." Bal agreed quietly, running a hand over his face. "I wasn't the one however dealing with the most stress here. When you're ready, I'll be ready." Bal promised.

Tim came back with bottles of water for everyone. He handed one to Arey and pulled her to sit on the couch with him. "You okay?"

"Th-" Deirdre stopped herself looking up at Balthazar. Her eyes were wide. "I have something else to discuss with you as well but perhaps not now..." Her hand went to her neck.

"Not really." Arey replied quietly as she curled into his side, reveling in the comfort of that closeness. She needed to suck it up and get over it, she knew that. They'd all just seen what had happened to Kat, and right now they needed to focus on her.

Tim put his arm around Arey and held her close. His other hand ran through her hair slowly. He kissed the top of her head. "We will all get through this. We are a team, there for each other. We gotta make sure Kat knows it too." He lifted Arey's chin to look in her eyes. "You don't have to do things on your own gorgeous. That is what we are here for, for all of it. Okay?"

Deirdre shifted a little, unsure what she should do. She looked to Bal then to the hallway where Arin had disappeared.

"I know that." Arey said quietly, reaching her armed out to hold onto him. "I'm just getting used to the idea is all. I'm not...I'm not really used to being able to talk about things like this with people." She admitted. "We need to talk to Kat." Arey agreed. "The longer we let that sit, the worse it will be."

Tim nodded, "Just remember, not going anywhere so take your time." He stood and took her hand. "Let's go D."

Deirdre nodded and followed mutely.

Arin went to Kat's office first. Hoping to find her in the place that made her most comfortable. He gently knocked on the door, "Kat? It's Arin. You don't want to talk. I'm not here to talk. Just... I dunno Kat, but I would be a horrible person if I didn't at least find out if you wanted me around."

Kat was curled under her office desk, trying unsuccessfully to bite back sobs of conflicting self-loathing and pity. For ten years she'd tried to bury that, her shame at her own behavior, the people who had suffered because she'd been such a damned coward. She wasn't a hero, didn't deserve anyone's love or admiration, and now everyone here knew that too. They're never going to look at me the same... Kat thought heaving another sob as she curled into herself. You're no hero, no Batman...you're nobody...worse than nobody! Kat internally monologued, yanking off her Batman earrings and necklace and throwing them against the wall before ripping at her shirt. She didn't deserve to wear these.

Arin heard the clink of the jewelry hitting the wall, so he knew she was in there. He put his ear to the door, trying to get a sense of what state she was in. He made out the sobs. These weren't sobs of a typical teenager crying. Arin heard the desperation and despair. This was her space, but he couldn't just walk away. He grabbed the door. It was locked, but these weren't heavy duty by any means. Around Viv and Arin, the locks were more symbolic than required. They all knew there was a basic level of trust. Which made it easier for Arin when he put all his strength into pulling the door open. There was a crunch as the lock gave way from the door frame. He grunted with the effort and swung open the door. He didn't see her immediately but the sounds led him to her desk. He flopped down beside her. Seeing her attempting to rip her own shirt off told him all he needed to know and he tried to get close, to hold her, to keep her from hurting herself. He had no words. Anything he said would sound patronizing or glib. All he could think to do was hold her like a brother would and try to help her calm.

"W-why are...you here?" Kat choked out between her sobs when Arin forced open the door and started hugging her. Why did he even want to touch her? He'd seen what she'd done, knew what she really was.

He looked at her confused. He didn't understand the question, "Because you are here. Hard to be in the same place as you, otherwise."

"Why would you want to be here with me?" Kat stressed almost hysterically. "I'm dirty Arin, you saw! I'm bad and I shouldn't be here!"

"Oh, Kat," Arin understood now. He felt horrible for where she was in her head. He knew he wouldn't be able to fix it with simple statements but he needed to start reassuring her, somehow. "No... Kat, what I saw wasn't dirty. It was a little girl scared beyond what she could, or should be able to process. I saw someone trying their best to survive under the most extreme circumstances. And you know what, I get to be with that girl right now. The one who showed the determination, courage and balls to fight through that and come out the other side. I can't even imagine what else and I'm not asking. All I know is, you are far from dirty, and have more right to be here than any of us. You fought to be here. You wanted to be here, because if you didn't, I'm sure you could have folded and suffered whatever it was that was going to happen there. It's far easier to give up than it is to fight through that." Arin was sympathetic, not pitying, not pandering. He was genuinely impressed by Kat's fortitude and was trying to express that as best he could.

"There was nothing courageous about me, I was a damned coward Arin...you don't even know." She said shaking her head as she tried to not choke around the sobs. "I could have stopped them...could have called for help, months before I finally tried anything. I was a brainwashed little zombie clone just like the rest of them, and I've got blood on my hands. I could have done something, anything! I watched them torture people Arin, kill people, and I just sat there like a dog on my stool waiting for any scrap of affection thrown my way." Kat sobbed, denying his absolution.

Tim appeared in the doorway, the others just behind him. Deirdre pushed past him and Arey. She knelt beside Arin and Kat.

Arin nodded, "You're right, Kat. I don't know. I'll never know. I'm not going to pretend I could ever put myself in that place. But, what I do know, is people like that are experts at manipulation. That there are trained agents of the military who have fallen under treatment by people like this. That a little girl fell prey to them is not a failing of that girl. Rather it is further evidence of how horrible the people were who did it. There is no way that I can tell you to just forget what you saw. Making it seem easy that you should just be able to slide in under a door and not feel guilty about it would be an insult to your own sense of compassion. You're better than that, and that's why it'll be forever hard for you to not feel partly responsible. But that doesn't change the fact that you are in no way, actually, responsible. The fact that you summoned courage at all to fight back shows that you are more amazing than the average. How many other's could claim to do that, under those conditions?"

Arin shook his head and held her tighter, "You did everything you could have done at the time. The evidence of that is your presence here. I've always stood by my claim that you're an amazing person. This only solidifies my stance. Anyone who says otherwise isn't going to like my response."

Tim stepped into the room. He saw the earrings and necklace he had bought discarded on the floor. He picked them up and held them in his hand.

Deirdre tilted her head to see Kat's face, her hair falling to the side like a curtain. "I have thought, from the moment I met you and we talked in the bathroom that you were one of the coolest, strongest, bravest people I knew. I am envious of you Kat, I wish I was more like you. You don't see it maybe but I do."

"You don't wanna be like me." Kat said miserably, feeling like she didn't deserve their compliments. They were too good to let her drown in self-loathing, that didn't mean she wasn't a bad person, just that they were good people.

"I don't want to be smart, witty, sassy and spunky? The hell you say..." Deirdre huffed. "I don't want to know how to kick zombies asses in video games or know that Robin is the coolest superhero of the J..the J something?"

"LA, D. JLA." Arin chuckled.

"See! I don't know crap about that and only someone as great as you can teach me." She shrugged. "But that is just simple stuff. I see more than that that I like about you..."

"I think what D is saying, and what we'd all agree on, is that you're a complex person. We all are. There are great things about all of us. There are things we don't like about ourselves, as well. However, it's only the combination of all those things that makes us whole. Take it from someone who had to integrate two whole lives together. Sometimes what you think is a weakness in yourself, another person will see as a strength. Don't sell yourself short. You have more good things in your little finger than a lot people I meet at the club on a nightly basis."

Tim sat on the floor across from Arin and Kat, a little next to Deirdre. The room wasn't huge and he wasn't exactly small so he took the space where he could get it.

"You know, the worst feeling is seeing something happen to those around you and knowing you couldn't do anything to help. Not because you were a coward, cause I know you aren't...but because it just isn't in your power at the time. It sucks, it sucks hard. I have heard things, things that people have done to other people and the thing that gets me every time are the people who have the strength to go on and survive. They are the heroes. The ones who are pushed down and yet don't curl up and disappear. You are one of the strongest people I have ever met and I thought that from the moment I met you and you kicked that succubus's ass and saved my own ass. Never ever think that you aren't worth something. You are worth a hell of a lot in my book." He took Kat's hand and put the necklace and earrings into her palm and closed her fingers around them. "Batman overcame a lot and he has nothing on you. You kick ass." Tim expressed the last statement simply and matter of factly. He wasn't sure if he was going to help or make it worse but he couldn't stay silent. The very idea that Kat thought herself less than others, a coward, made him upset.

"You can't mean that Tim." Kat said looking at him with pure misery in her eyes. "These people...they killed my parents, and I worked for them, bankrolled them. For years. I can't be Batman 'cause he would have kicked their asses no matter what for that. I could have at least tried." She needed him to understand, he obviously didn't. He should hate her not compliment her and when he finally figured that out it was just going to be harder to take.

Tim scoffed, "Bullshit. Even Batman had times he couldn't do anything. It happens to heroes. Come on, he was a kid...his parents shot in front of him and what did he do? Survive because it was all he could do until he was ready. Show me a kid who can fight against what happened to you. A kid Kat, little and young...used by those people. You are Batman, now you are grown up and no one will ever take advantage of you like that again. Why because you survived and came out stronger than they are. Don't let them hold you back."

Arin smiled gently at Kat, "I think you're missing one thing here Kat. You think, the more you tell us about what you went through, the less we're going to think of you. In reality, it's quite the opposite. The more I hear about what you had to go through. What you had to fight against to overcome and be here at all... That just makes me respect you more. I think more of you now than I did before, and trust me, that was already a high bar. You aren't going to scare us away. We aren't going to suddenly think you're some sort of villain."

Deirdre nodded in agreement.

"You guys keep talking like I did something in the end to help save us all. I didn't, I literally did the least culpable thing I could manage. I left tracking cookies undeleted, half-assed cloaking some ip addresses. I didn't save anyone, I was one of the ones being rescued. I helped the bad guys, I didn't stop them."

"No Kat. We keep being impressed because you survived, instead of giving up. You might think what you did was simple, but I don't think anyone here would have had the mindset, let alone knowledge and ability, to do anything like that."

"Kat, I know you don't feel this way right now, but you're not the villain in this story, the people who used you and abused you are. Manipulators do everything in their power to transfer their blame onto you, and you were a child. The only way you're helping them now is by letting them have power over your life now that you're free." Arey said gently as she nelt down in front of Kat and took her hand in hers. "Our opinion of you is never going to change. You're one of us, and you are bloody brilliant. Don't let those people take away your shine."

Kat's eyes watered, and her lip trembled, but she didn't know what to say to any of that. She felt emotionally drained and exhausted, and just wanted to curl up in her bed and sleep. She could build her walls back up again later, get her emotions under control, but for now everything just felt too raw.

Deirdre stood, getting out of the way. Between Arin, Tim and Arey there was just no more room and they seemed better at expressing themselves than she was. She stood nearby.

Arin still held her comfortingly. "Ready to come from under the desk? It's getting crowded down here." He grinned.

"Ok..." Kat said quietly, though she didn't really feel like moving. Staying under the desk however didn't really seem like an option.

Tim stood and made room for everyone else to get up. "Just gonna..." He shifted and bumped into Deirdre. "Heh, sorry." He smiled. "Bit crowded. Like sardines."

Deirdre shook her head. "Right...or you are just clumsy." She smirked. "Giant here has two left feet Kat...best to get him out of here before he breaks something."

Arin let Kat go and slid out to make room. He laid on the floor for a moment, looking up at everyone, "There's a distinct lack of skirts in this group." He chuckled and pulled himself into a standing position, turning around and offering his hand to Kat.

Kat tried to manage a smile. They were joking, trying to diffuse the situation. She should smile, crack a joke, say something snarky. It would be weird for them otherwise. "Right, I'll try and be more accommodating on that in the future." She managed to force out with a rough chuckle.

Arin nodded, "Perfect, set the trend. Maybe the other two will follow suit and us guys will have a lot of leg to ogle."

"Ogle? What about us girls? You men should have to wear kilts. Kat can make it a universal policy for her office." Deirdre smiled at Arin. Her mind flashed to an image of him in a kilt.

Tim put his hands up, "Whoa skirts? I would totally be okay with seeing you three in a skirt. I like Arin's plan."

"I don't know..." Kat said more firmly sliding back on the mask. "I'm thinking a shirts off policy for the office would be much more interesting. For sight seeing purposes of course." She said wiggling her eyebrows. She could be ok Kat thought to herself silently, because they needed her to be ok.

Deirdre quirked an eyebrow, "For the guys right?" She stepped into the hallway.

"Wait, I think I'm switching my vote. I like Kat's plan. Office wide." Arin grinned.

Tim smiled, "Hey I have no issue going shirtless, you Arin? I just think it should like Arin says, office wide. Equal opportunity and all."

"No ma'am, I'm an equal opportunist at heart. Boobs or pecks are all A-ok in my book!" Kat said with an exaggerated wink.

Tim pointed at Kat, "See!" He smiled. "Who wants breakfast now? Kat, you said something about Theo's waffle stash?"

Deirdre groaned a little, "And just when I was getting the hang of killing zombies...guess that room is office limits if I want to keep my clothes...." She glanced at Kat and smiled.

"I make a motion to redefine the boundaries of the office." Arin raised his hand. "Second?"

Tim raised his hand enthusiastically. "Oh second, right here."

"I move that if girls have to go shirtless, boys also have to wear booty shorts." Arey shot back with a raised brow, upping the ante.

"I don't know, I'm thinking daisey dukes..." Kat mused back in contemplation. "Thoughts?"

Deirdre led the way into the kitchen. "I vote we get to keep our shirts and they have to wear the little shorts." She began pouring fresh mugs of coffee for everyone.

"Oh no, D. You can't back peddle now. We've set initial limits." Arin grinned at her and picked up a coffee.

"My office, my rules chumps." Kat said sticking out her tongue. "And I say hear out these little shorts."

"Not back peddling, just saying..." She pouted as Kat started talking.

"I am not wearing little shorts, they will cut off the circulation to important areas." Tim countered, taking his coffee and handing Arey hers.

"The shorts are on the table as long as toplessness stays. I've worn some pretty short, tight, clothes when wrestling. This isn't an issue. Tim, don't bail now."

Tim nodded and thought it over, "Totally worth it for toplessness, alright. I can handle a bit of pinching." He looked at Arey.

"And bowties..." Arey tossed in as an after thought.

"Bowties?" Both Tim and Deirdre chimed in.

"You just want us in the Chippendales outfit then, Arey? This could work, but we'll have to redefine the women's."

"What...bowties are cool..." Arey said with a grin, doubting they'd gotten the reference. She blushed though when Arin mentioned Chippendales, her mind having been more Matt Smith and less...well that.

Deirdre blushed, "I should go find Balthazar. I have a deal to seal with him. And this conversation is over my head." She backed towards the door slowly.

"Like strippergrams? I can totally dig on that!" Kat said grinning.

Tim groaned, "Fine but I ain't dancing. I will totally dress the part but I ain't shaking anything." He raised his mug to his lips and took a sip. "And I think french maids or naughty nurses for the girls in that case."

"Bah, you're not stretching your imagination enough Tim. Under bust corsets and leather mini skirts. Minimum to put Chippendales on the table." He chuckled.

"How does more clothing for you equal skimpier ones for us?" Arey challenged, though there was a flirtatious air about it as well.

Tim nodded appreciatively at Arin, "I like it, I like it....Good. Good. Alright, we have Chippendale in return for leather babes."

"Nah, Arey. We're about even still. Topless with bowties and tight pants, vs. under busts and short skirts. Seems an even trade."

"Yup one bare chest for another. Seems fair by me." Tim grinned.

"Only if your shorts are assless." Kat counter offered. "Only way our full frontal is even."

Tim shook his head, "No, nothing assless on the Chippendales. They wear tight pants. And full frontal for full frontal, why is yours worth more?" Tim barely kept a straight face with that statement. "What happened to equal?"

"'Cause babycakes, I'm a generous C-cup with some real perky nips, and I said strippergram, Chippendales was your suggestion not ours." Kat said with a wink thrown Tim's way for good measure.

"What are we talking. Chaps and a thong? I've a great ass, I'm not concerned about this. C'mon Tim, you run, you skate, can't be that bad." Arin raised an eyebrow.

Tim blushed at Kat's statement about her chest, he tried not to choke on his coffee. "Ugh, yeah okay I can do assless. I think my ass is decent enough for that." He lost concentration for a minute but he was happy Arin was still in the game. He shook his head and smiled.

"Right. Thong for thong though. Under the leather miniskirts. Just to keep it all even." Arin took a sip of coffee.

"Tiny ones...like string thong and red." Tim stated.

Arin raised an eyebrow, "Red? I'm not a stickler for colour."

Deirdre had stopped dead in the doorway as the conversation kept going. She was stunned into silence by the discussion and as much as she wanted to go, she wanted to stay.

"I think I can manage red." Kat purred. "As long as you're wearing one too."

Arey wasn't sure what to say at this point, letting Kat do the brokering because as embarrassing as it was to admit, this fifteen, almost sixteen, year old apparently knew more about these things than she did.

Tim shrugged, "Sure I can do a red thong. Arin?"

"See, this is what I meant about getting into colour specifics. Red, with black chaps? Besides, I think a green thong would suit D better. I think we keep colour non specified." Arin winked at Deirdre.

She squeaked slightly, "Green? Wait...what? What am I wearing now?" Deirdre leaned against the doorframe.

"Fine, but I want those straps showing on the hip bones, no touching them under when they ride up." Kat assorted.

"How else do you even wear a thong? What do you think we are, barbarians?" Arin acted mortified.

"Is it wrong that I'd feel more sure about talking to a fae than I am about this conversation?" Deirdre's eyes were wide. "Ride up?"

Arin grinned mischievously, "But, aren't you? At least half."

Deirdre's eyes narrowed playfully at Arin, "Oh, technicality..."

Tim snorted, "That's right...ha! And I have to be allowed to pull it out if it goes too high Kat. Come on, have some sympathy for the guys."

"That also means no squelching on the deal. I'll get the agreed up gets ups, and everyone has to wear them. One day, batcave wide. Deal?" Kat shot back.

Deirdre smiled, "Hmm and who would have to seal said deal? I don't know...."

Tim paled a little, "Serious? Geez..." He looked at Arey, Kat and D. "Would kinda be worth it...."

"Kinda? Are you blind Tim? Geeze." Arin shook his head. "Not bluffing here."

"I never kid about chapless bootie shorts." Kat said solemnly. "Besides, it'll be good conditioning for your future twenty four hours of servitude."

Tim put his mug down, "Right forgot about that...." He looked grumpy but in a playful way. "So there is a chance I could end up in a thong twice? I don't know...."

"I was thinking more like a bikini for the photo op..." Kat mused thoughtfully. "A red lacy one."

Tim groaned. "Arin if you are good with this deal I will go along with it but I ain't negotiating anymore. I got myself in enough hot water with that sort of thing already. Lace?" He sat at the table.

Arin raised an eyebrow and grinned, "Right. It appears I've been de facto declared the male representative of this deal. Is there quorum on the female side?"

Arey looked toward Deirdre. "I'm fine with it if Deirdre is..." She wasn't entirely sure what this was going to end up looking like, but she was trusting Kat not to dress them in anything too humiliating. She didn't want Deirdre to have to do something she wasn't comfortable with either though.

"Ugh...um....what now? Me?" Deirdre looked at the rest of the group. "I don't know? Green, we are wearing something green?"

"Colour unspecified. But I think you'd look awesome in green." Arin assured.

"Colour of what? Help someone." She looked at Kat, "Can't make a deal I wasn't entirely paying attention. You kind of lost me at bowties."

"We wear corset tops, mini-skirts and thongs of unspecified color. They wear chapless mini shorts, bowties, and also thongs of unspecified color, though preferences for green and red have been stated." Kat reiterated, bringing her up to speed. "For one day, batcave wide. It's team building D!" Kat said with her best puppy dog eyes.

"Well, more specifically, under bust corsets, nothing over the breasts. Leather mini skirts, not covering more than four inches of thigh and unspecified colour thongs. Lace preferred, but leather also nice." He grinned.

Deirdre walked back into the kitchen, the deal with Balthazar forgotten for the moment. She stood in front of Arin, her head cocked just slightly, "Leather corset, full coverage with low front cut, no exposed breasts without consent. Leather miniskirt, 4 inches, no more. Thong of unspecified colour. Preferences noted." She licked her lips, "For you bowties, leather. Thongs, chaps, not shorts...leather. Shirtless."

Arin frowned, "We lost the major bargaining point we agreed on from the beginning. Toplessness was the keystone to the deal. This sounds like a complete shift."

Arey went a little weak in the knees for a split second there watching Deirdre confident and commanding like that, a feeling of familiarity washing over her before shaking it off with a blush. She totally didn't need to know.

Deirdre shook her head, "Not topless. Settle for leather corset, short to the ribs. Only covers the bust but still conceed to the lower neckline."

Arin replied, "Then we're changing to full leather pants, no thong. This isn't the deal we made to start."

"Well I am negotiating now so...deal has changed." Her mouth twitched into a slight smile. "Hmm, leather chaps but mesh shorts underneath."

"I can live with that." Kat offered grinning. "I still want thongs though."

Arin shrugged, "I appreciate the new negotiating partner. But much of our concessions were based on toplessness. If that's off the table then we'll reset our gives."

"We consent to full leather pants, no thong in return for the full coverage corset. Still short in the ribs, stomach showing." Deirdre gave him a questioning look.

Thoughtfully Arin looked over at Tim, "This isn't a bad deal now. You in?"

Tim nodded enthusiastically. The girls in leather was enough for him.

"Shall we state the deal for clarity?" Deirdre smiled, "I was told to make sure things were clear before sealing a deal."

Arin nodded, "Absolutely. Your party agrees as well?"

Deirdre looked at Kat first. "Agree?"

Kat's moth twisted a little. "I still saw everyone should have to wear thongs..." She pouted childishly, her vision of those little red straps peeking out over Tim's waistline a real drawl.

"Who says the guys have to wear anything underneath? Leather pants not overly comfortable with boxers under them but I think they should get to choose." Deirdre's eyes flickered to Arin.

Arin nodded, "Choice of underwear, or not, isn't on the table. But boxers will not work under leather. Thong or briefs at most."

"See. Think of how nice their asses will look covered in leather." Deirdre bit her lip to hide her smile. "What do you say Kat?"

"I gueeeeesss..." Kat replied as giving up some kind of real concession.

"Good." Deirdre looked to Arey. "Well? What say you?"

"Those mesh under chaps would have been nice, but I can live with leather." Arey played along with a grin.

Deirdre turned back to Arin. "Short, full coverage corset, miniskirt leather no longer than four inches on the thigh. Thong of non specified colour. Concession that if Kat can't get skirts that short she is allowed another two inches. Your party in leather bowties and leather pants. Underwear to be determined by wearer of pants. Shirtless."

Arin narrowed his eyes, "This extra two inches... Best effort made to modify said skirts first. No cop outs."

"Of course. It has to be only if the primary skirt cannot be obtained." Deirdre countered. "Not a cop out." She was aware how short those skirts would be but she also wanted to make sure Kat had wiggle room depending on where she had to locate them from.

"I think Kat will not be over challenged to find the primary skirts. This exception might mean she isn't nearly as vigilant."

Deirdre nodded. "Exception only comes in if she can prove she has exhausted all avenues. You get final call on secondary should it come into play."

"Yeah, 'cause I'm the one you've gotta worry about holding back on that." Kat said sarcastically. This was an all around win for her.

Arin nodded, "Just covering my bases Kat. Okay, that's reasonable. Agreed."

Deirdre looked at him, a smile on her lips. "And to seal said deal? Handshake?" She put her hand out to him.

Arin chuckled, "If you deem that fit to close it, fine." He held out his hand and grasped hers.

"Done." She shook Arin's hand and then leaned in to nudge him playfully. "Nice deal. You have work now Kat." She chuckled.

"Easier done when all that's at stake is seeing pretty girls in nice outfits." Arin smiled.

Deirdre blushed. "Alright then." She looked at the counter. "Now I should go..." She turned to head out of the kitchen. Deirdre paused in the doorway. "Are you all okay with the deal with Balthazar?" She looked over her shoulder slightly. "Before I seal it is there anything you wished changed?"

Arin shrugged, "It seems as good as we can get, though assurances that the feeding isn't mocking, or exploitative would be nice, I think."

Deirdre nodded. "Anyone else?"

Tim shook his head, "No but you know you don't have to seal it. One of us can. I can."

Deirdre nodded, "I am well aware that I don't have to. I have made the choice. I thank you for the concern but unless you think the deal itself is flawed I think I should be okay."

Arin frowned, "Would it make more sense for me to do it? I'm family already. A bond seems less oppressive. Just... easier overall?"

Deirdre frowned. "Easier on who?"

"All of us? Me? You?" Arin wasn't sure how to put it, but he didn't really like the idea of Balthazar roaming inside Deirdre's head.

"Hmm." Deirdre thought it over carefully. "Maybe? I don't know. I don't think the bond will be oppressive and now with the technique to block...but you have a point." She looked unsure.

"You made the deal, you get to choose. I'm offering, but I have full confidence in your choice." Arin assured. "I just don't like the idea of him running around your head." He admitted more sheepishly.

Tim looked at Arey and took her hand, "Yeah not fun to know that he can do that."

Arey watched the two of them, unsure what was the right move. "If you feel comfortable with it Deirdre, I'll support your decision." Arey said quietly. Having Balthazar in her head wasn't fun, but they could at least somewhat block out his presence now.

Deirdre looked at her feet. She wished she felt as confident as Arin felt about her decision. She didn't feel good about offering someone else up for the deal. "Alright. Arin will you come with me?"

"Regardless of your choice I will come with you, yes." Arin put his mug down and moved to stand next to her.

Deirdre looked up at him, her eyes soft. "Thank you. I don't know for sure what I will do but thank you."

"I'm here and will support whatever you choose. That's not a question in my mind."

Deirdre left the kitchen to find Balthazar.

"Apparently you lot are more interesting than I gave you credit." Bal said lounging in one of the armchairs near the kitchen as Arin and Deirdre filed out. "For what it's worth I was rooting for the mesh chaps combo myself." He said with a cheshire grin. "Fae anatomy always guarantees a nice perky ass, and boy scouts got a cute little one on him too."

Deirdre blushed. "Well deal is done so..." She couldn't help but picture Arin in the mesh. She shuffled her feet a little. "So, our deal?"

"Right," Bal said hopping up. "Same terms as before that you negotiated. So who's going to seal the deal?"

"Full disclosure of information, full time, one issue at a time and you can feed. Feeding includes mental connection, physical contact, over clothes, no nakedness, no penetration. But...I have one addendum." Deirdre bit her lip. "When you feed you can't exploit the person you are feeding on. No mocking them, you make it as easy as possible and I am always the first choice. You don't get to pick on Kat and Tim."

"But he makes it so easy..." Bal almost whined with a pout before looking more serious. "I'll agree to Kat being off limits, and 'mocking' them, but I can't honestly say if I can hold back on some light teasing." Bal said honestly.

"I didn't say off limits I said you cannot pick on them, meaning you don't get to only choose them hence I am always the first choice, only the others if I am not available." Deirdre didn't like the idea of him targeting Tim or any of them like that. "I can maybe concede on some teasing."

"Wait... not cool. I don't think you need to be the must choice. I agree with the not picking on someone specifically, but you being always a must kind of defeats that point." Arin wasn't entirely happy with her throwing herself in the line of fire.

"Fine, I'll shake things up. Wouldn't want any of you to think I'm picking favorites." Balthazar agreed with a lopsided grin.

Deirdre looked to Arin then back to Balthazar. "I can live with that, even distribution, no favourites."

"Full disclosure of information, full time, one issue at a time and you can feed. Feeding includes mental connection, physical contact, over clothes, no nakedness, no penetration. You must vary your food each time. And no exploiting but light teasing is permitted. Light mind you." Deirdre inhaled slowly. "And Kat is off limits."

"You ask her about that first?" Bal asked carefully.

"You said it and I am holding you to it. I want that in the deal by your own concession." Deirdre eyed him.

"I'm not saying I'm not willing to make that a concession, but you might wanna run that by the bear cat first before go excluding her from the group." Bal suggested.

"Why? It is my deal to make. You conceded and I am taking it." Deirdre clenched her teeth.

"Suit yourself, but don't complain to me if she takes offense." Bal said with a shrug.

"She can't. Or shouldn't. I asked you not to pick on her. You conceded that she was off limits. If she is mad at anyone it will be you." Deirdre smiled.

"True, but it was yours to accept. Either way, I don't particularly care." Bal shrugged, but was secretly a little proud of her.

"True but if you are going to give an inch I will take it." Deirdre shrugged. "Deal then?"

"Deal. Now who am I smooching?" Bal said with his usual swagger.

Deirdre frowned. "Arin has offered to seal the deal and after weighing the pros and cons I believe he best suited to do it."

"Hoohoo!" Balthazar chortled in surprise with a toothy grin. "Little baby cousin it is then."

Arin chuckled, "You flatter me cousin."

"Not gonna gag if I slip you some tongue are you cuz?" Balthazar grinned cheekily as he stepped toward Arin.

Deirdre almost reconsidered as she listened to Balthazar tease Arin. She held her tongue though.

Arin grinned back, "I'm counting on it. I'd be disappointed otherwise."

"Well I aim to please in that department little cousin. Don't worry I'll keep your ass safe when you swoon." Bal said, green eyes sparkling with mischief as he put his hands on Arin's hips.

"If you can't count on family to keep you safe, who can you count on?" Arin stood straight. He wasn't going to let Balthazar get under his skin.

"I think you and I might just get along after all." Bal said chuckling. "Our pact is struck then." He murmured before bringing his lips down to meet Arin's, and as promised slipped in his tongue to tease at Arin's.

Arin closed his eyes and didn't over think. There's a reason and it's for the best. Leave it at that and don't let him bother you.

Deirdre wrung her hands a little. Had she really made the right choice? Arin had been the best at blocking Bal out. That alone made it the smarter choice.

The kiss wasn't overly forceful, but there was a fair amount of tongue and teeth involved as Balthazar wove the pact bond between them, roaming his hands downward a little to cop a quick feel. When he finally broke the kiss between them, he gave a quick and affectionate nip at Arin's throat. "Say, you're not half bad at that." He complimented.

"Damn right, and if you're going to try, don't insult me." He reached and grabbed two handfuls of Balthazar's ass. "Do it right, or don't do it."

Deirdre gasped and held back a giggle. Her cheeks warmed a little.

"Well then." Bal said grinning, Shooting his hands back down to Arin's ass and pulling his front flush against Bal's. "Duly noted. No holds between family eh?" He purred giving his ass a sensuous squeeze.

"Just don't play games. I'm not interested in games." Arin shrugged. He wasn't attracted to Balthazar but he didn't want him to think he could tease and make him uncomfortable. It would take a lot to make Arin wince.

"Not yet kiddo, but give it a few centuries." Bal said whispering in his ear and gave it a light nip. "Watch your first two or three lady loves grow old and die and we'll see how into commintted relationships you are. You're not completely mortal kiddo, keep that in mind before you get in too deep." Bal said in subtle warning before pulling back.

Arin stepped away, thoughtful, "I will. It's a valid point, isn't it. Still, I'll get there when I get there. Your advice will not go unheeded."

Deirdre didn't know what Bal said, he was whispering in Arin's ear. Her teeth worried her lower lip. Her hands pulled at her tank top. Her eyes were on Arin now.

"Good. And just remember, if you're ever feeling lonely, you can always count on family." Bal said with a roguish wink.

Arin smirked, "Good to know."

"E-excuse me...if you are done with the deal I have something else to discuss with you Balthazar." Deirdre's voice was soft.

"Oh? Well then, my attention is all your's." Bal said smoothly.

Deirdre lifted her eyes to look at him. "It has come to my attention that thanking a fae makes you indebted to them. As such, when you were so kind to me the other night I offered my thanks to you meaning I am now in your debt. I wish to ask....I mean I would like to know what I can do to pay the debt to you."

Bal raised a brow, thinking thoughtfully. "I hadn't really thought about it to be honest, though I suppose you're right. It's never good to live in a fae's debt."

Deirdre nodded, "So I was told. I would like to settle my debt to you."

"Hmmmmm." He said pursing his lips thoughtfully. "What are you doing tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow? I-I don't know..." Deirdre looked at Arin. She wasn't sure if there were plans or they were working. Their schedules had become so intertwined that it was second nature for her to look to him.

"Am I invited?" Arin asked. "I'm assuming he's asking you on a date D."

"What? I...oh..." Her cheeks flushed. "Are you?" Deirdre was confused. "A date to pay a debt?"

"Meh...semantics." Bal said with a shrug, but didn't deny it either. "Spend a day in each other's company doing things together. Call it what you like."

"What sort of things?" She could feel the heat rising in her face. Deirdre looked at Arin once again. She didn't know what to say to Bal. She and Arin weren't dating, not the way Arey and Tim now were but after last night and this morning, the closeness and connection couldn't be denied.

Arin looked at Deirdre, "I'd make sure to get specifics. He's being vague."

"Maybe I like to be spontaneous." Bal quipped back. "Give a guy some wiggle room."

Arin shrugged, "Sure. I suggest hard limits then."

"Like not jumping her bones without the all clear?" Bal said dryly.

Deirdre nodded, "That would be a good start yes..." Her eyes were wide. "I just don't want to end up in your thrall..." She remembered the feelings he had brought out in her in the club. "None of that."

"There's an awful lot of negotiating here for this being my favor." Bal grumbled half-heartedly. "But no, I'm not planning on sex-scapading you any time soon."

"Oh..." Deirdre looked down at her feet, feeling bad that she had thought so poorly of him.

"Not negotiation. Setting limits isn't give and take. It's defining the nature of the favour. Nothing wrong with that." Arin stated.

"Except technically speaking those get set before to favor is granted kiddo. Future reference on that one." Bal said dryly.

"Which is exactly what is happening. She offered a favour to repay a debt. Hence, setting the limits of said offered favour. Not granted favour. Jumping the gun a bit."

"No, she already offered up the favor, this is me deciding to call due, ball's in my court once it hits that stage." Bal corrected casually. "This isn't a deal, it a repayment."

Arin shrugged, "You said granted favours are not negotiable. This isn't granted yet. But whatever, your definitions are what you want them to be."

Deirdre ran a hand through her hair. She wasn't sure if she had made things worse or better but things were going over her head once again. Her eyes were on her feet and looked a little distressed.

"Relax hon, I'm not looking to make you uncomfortable with this. I was honestly thinking more like sight seeing. It's been a while since I've had the chance to stretch my legs a bit, and It tends to be more entertaining with company." Bal said soothingly.

Deirdre looked up. "Sightseeing? That doesn't sound like a bad thing." She was nervous about agreeing but Balthazar didn't seem out to play with her the way he did Tim or Kat. "Tomorrow afternoon? After training? Would that be alright?" The last question was directed at Arin, not Balthazar.

Arin nodded, "You don't need my permission. You are your own person." He was assuring. He genuinely didn't think it was his place to tell her what she could and couldn't do. "If you're comfortable with it then cool."

Deirdre had an odd feeling in the pit of her stomach, like she was about to do something wrong but there was nothing to help her. Arin reinforced that it was her choice but that almost made it feel worse. "You are sure? I should repay my debt but...I don't have to go if it bothers you."

"If Balthazar considers you in his debt and this repays it, sounds like a good idea. What bothers me or not is irrelevant. However, you hanging out with Balthazar, who seems to be offering to not manipulate you, doesn't really make me too worried. He has his moments."

Deirdre nodded, feeling better that she hadn't done anything to upset the relationship they were just beginning. "Okay. Then tomorrow, sightseeing." She looked at Balthazar and smiled a little. "I th-appreciate you addressing the matter of the debt with me."

"Tomorrow it is then, It's a date." He said with a quick wink, though he left it at that.

Deirdre nodded and put a hand out to Arin. "Coffee? Food?"

"Coffee is cold but food is good. Or fresh coffee, or, whatever." He smiled at her and squeezed her hand.