Bottomline.

Like a cat dragged in from the rain
Who goes straight back out to do it all over again,
I'll be back for more
It's something that is out of our hands, something we will never understand
it's a hidden law
the apple falls
destiny calls
I follow you
Like a pawn on the eternal board
Who's never quite sure what he's moved towards, I walk blindly on,
and heaven is in front of me, your heaven beckons me enticingly when I arrive
it's gone
the river flows
the wise man knows
I follow you
I'm yearning, I'm burning, I feel love's wheels turning
Like a moth on love's bright light I will get burned each and every night. 
I'm dying too,
the sun will shine
the bottom line?
I follow you

Regan stared at the picture on the wall in front of her, dumbfounded. She looked around her, frantically grabbing a girl by the arm that appeared to work in the store.

"Who is this?" she asked, her eyes wide. The clerk looked at the blonde curiously, slightly afraid of her strange behavior, and besides that, her American accent.

"That's Five," she nodded to a cd, picking it up. "They're superstars. Are you telling me you've never heard of them?"

"No, I haven't. Can you tell me where they're from?" she looked at the disc, turning it over and perusing it quickly.

"Right here in London, mam." she smiled happily. "Right beautiful British lads, aren't they?"

Regan was lost in thought. "Oh, yes..." she took the cd, and another with a different cover, and walked to the registers. A plan was forming in her mind, one that would hopefully save her life.

She sank down into the warm bubbles of her bath, resting her head back on the pillow at her neck. She closed her eyes, dreading the memories that always flooded her subconscious, but she needed them. They helped her fight.

"It's no good running from us, Miss Carmichael, we'll only find you again..." Regan's lungs burned as she continued to run, the words ringing loudly in her ears, along with the gunshots that rang out as they killed him.

She stopped, collapsing by a tree, tears streaming down her cheeks. It wasn't her fault, she hadn't known what she was doing. Nigel had said it was just a game, just to see if she could do it. Now he was dead, and they were after her. She pulled a small pillbox from her pocket, opening it, and withdrawing a small oval capsule. As long as she had the micro-disk, she could bargain...

She pulled her shoulder length, blonde hair into a ponytail, wrapping a towel around her as she sat onto the bed, picking up the cds she'd bought earlier that day. Her plan could work, but first she had to figure out how to find him. She walked into the living room, popping the cd into the player as her laptop booted up. Once online, she entered a search phrase, using the name she'd found inside the cd cover.

A picture loaded on the screen in front of her, and she frowned. It was eery, how much he resembled Nigel. Not exactly, but enough to fool the people she was dealing with. She would have to work with him, ofcourse, that is, if she found him.

"Richard Abidin Breen..." she mumbled, popping a gummi bear into her mouth and propping her feet up as she took the keyboard into her lap. "Let's see what you're all about..."

J raised his eyebrows, looking at Abs with a grin. "Looks like someone's got their eye on you, mate," he nodded towards the bar, and Breen turned, eyeing the blonde in head to toe blue leather.

"Not me, man..." he shook his head. "I'm on the floor, lads..." The club was packed, typical for a Friday night, and Abs was loving every minute of it. He knew the others hated this place, just because it didn't exactly appeal to their musical tastes, but it was just his style: fast, loud, and booming through it's patrons. He created his own world when he danced, barely aware that the woman had come up behind him.

He turned quickly as the dj mixed in a different song, stopping when he saw her, smiling at him. He grinned, nodding to the floor, and she smiled in return, her bright blue eyes flashing when he wrapped his arm around her waist, moving with her in time to the music. It was a ballad-turned-dance mix, and Abs relished the flow of her hips with his. She was good, he decided, and maybe he was too quick to judge her before. As soon as the dj's set was over, though, she slipped away, and he lost her in the crowd.

"Damn," he cursed lowly, propping his fists on his hips.

"Not even a name?" Scott tisked. "Shame on you Abidin Breen, you should've chatted her up."

"I didn't want to chat her up, man, I wanted to dance with her."

"Which you did, mate, I'm very proud." Ritchie's sarcasm was lost on Abs, so he gave up.

"Yeah, well, she's gone, right, it doesn't matter..." he waved goodbye, taking one last drink of his lager and heading for the door. "Tomorrow night, man!" he clapped the bouncer on the arm, pulling on his jacket and gloves to walk home.

'I can't do this,' Regan thought, turning off her monitor, the singer's face burning into her brain. "You have to do this," she reminded herself aloud. "or you're as good as dead."

She couldn't get his eyes out of her thoughts; the way they wanted to read into her and find out who she was. But he hadn't said a word, neither had she. She had intrigued him, though, and mystery was what she needed to lure him. Mystery and luck.

She was there. Abs smiled at J, who shook his head. "Man, she's trouble."

"Maybe," the younger man shrugged. "but maybe a little trouble is what I need?"

"It's your call, but I'm sayin' she's not really interested in you, mate. Probably some fan, wants to jump Scott or something..." Brown laughed at Abs' face when his mouth fell open.

"I doubt that," his eyes narrowed. "Not with the way she looked at me."

"Ah! A come-hither glance..."

"No, man, like she saw into my soul..." Abs shivered slightly, noticing that she was walking towards their table.

Her voice was soft, but powerful. "Dance with me." she commanded, never taking her eyes from his as he stood up and she backed towards the dancefloor. Abs obeyed, eager to find out more about her.

"What's your name?" he asked over the blare of the music, and she laughed, turning her back to him, and guiding his hands to her waist.

"Gypsie..." she covered his hands with hers, gasping slightly when he pulled her back against him. "And you are?" she leaned back as they danced, her shoulders in-line with his, and her skin burned when he spread his fingers over the flat, bared expanse of her stomach.

"Richard." He used his first name, hoping that perhaps she wouldn't recognize him, although, she hadn't mentioned it yet, and she probably wouldn't, he wanted to be safe.

After a few minutes, she spun quickly in his arms, catching him off-guard, her face merely centimeters from his. "I'm thirsty," she admitted, pulling back and leading him off of the floor. He grinned, she held fast to his hand. 'not wanting to let me go' he thought as they found a booth towards the back of the club.

"So, what do your friends think of me?" she asked, following his gaze to where the rest of the band sat on a ledge across the dancefloor.

"You're very sure of yourself, Gypsie," he said, and she turned her head to look at him. She'd sat down beside him, something he'd been surprised at.

"I'm very sure that I like you," she returned coyly, and noting his blush. He wasn't as arrogant as she'd first anticipated. Very humble for a celebrity, actually.

"Well, in that case, I'm sure the lads think you're stunning, as I do..." Abs took a sip of his drink, watching her toy with the straw in her daiquiri. She'd take a sip, then nibble the straw absently, something that was driving him slowly mad.

"I need to get home, Richard," she said, glancing at her watch before sliding out of the booth.

"But it's early!" he complained, suddenly disappointed. He didn't know why she had to leave, but he wasn't going to let her get away without atleast getting her phone number.

"Well, you can walk me home, then..." Regan raised an eyebrow, curving her fingers over his hand and gently pulling him with her. "If that's alright, ofcourse?"

"Ofcourse," he nodded, weaving through the crowd with her. The lads watched them make their way to the exit, each one placing a bet on whether or not he'd be back.

"I say, 4 am..." Scott wagered.

"Nah, 6 am..." Ritchie put in.

"I think you're all wrong," J shook his head. "I say he's walking her to her car..."

"A bird like that?" Sean disagreed. "No, I think he'll be lucky to make it home by dinner time..."

Abs smiled, obligingly holding her gloves as she found her keys, unlocking the door to her flat. "Would you like to come in?"she queried, and he started to shake his head, but he looked past her into the apartment and became intrigued with it's eccentric furnishings.

"Yeah, sure..." he walked inside, closing the door behind him as she draped her coat over a dining room chair.

The wooden floors were sporadically decorated with brightly colored rugs, and the walls were lined with framed pop art and posters.  Books were scattered around on the coffee table and even stacked in corners, and the couch and armchairs were draped with afghans and fluffy pillows.

"You have a very nice home," he commented, watching as she grabbed two glasses and a bottle from the cabinet.

"Wine?" she quirked an eyebrow, walking past the counter and handing him the bottle and a corkscrew.

"Why not?" he shrugged, a shy grin spreading over his features. He handed her a glass once he'd filled it, and she swirled the red liquid around for a few seconds, closing her eyes as she drank.

He couldn't help but smile, taking a sip from his as he surveyed the room further.   "May I?"  he pointed to a cd tower standing next to her stereo.

"Help yourself..."  she walked to the large bank of windows, drawing the blinds, before walking back to sit on the couch.  She unzipped her boots, walking to the opposite side of the room and setting them in the closet as he fumbled through her music collection.  He didn't notice as she watched him, her eyes following the curve of his back as he knelt to look at the lower section of cds. 

Her resolve was slipping, whether it was the wine or the wickedly innocent glances he'd given her, she wasn't sure, but she cursed herself for actually starting to like him.   She couldn't lose control of the situation or she'd never be able to follow through with her plan.  She hadn't planned on him being as desirable as she found him.

"How's this?" he turned around, downing the rest of his drink as she walked to him, barefoot, wine bottle in hand.  A sultry latin salsa ballad poured through the speakers and she smiled.

"Perfect." she took the glass from his hand and set it onto an endtable, handing him the bottle.  She noticed the slight hesitation before he took it, happy that it disappeared when her fingers lingered with his.  He drank from it, blushing when a small bit snaked from the corner of his lips.  His embarassment faded, though, when she brushed it away, tasting it from her fingertips.

"Dance with me?" he asked, and she took the bottle from him, taking a drink herself then setting it aside.  She rested her hands on his shoulders, their eyes locking as they moved together.  Abs grew warm from her touch when she moved closer, her cheek soft against his, and he let the music flow through him.

"You're an amazing dancer," she whispered, her breath feathering over his neck and he tightened his arms around her back.

"So are you," he replied, nudging her hips a little more forcefully as the song changed to one of a faster tempo.  Regan gasped, slightly dazed from the clean yet spicy fragrance of him as well as the aroused press of him against her.  She felt his lips on her neck, and she smiled, pulling back slightly.

"You want me." she breathed, her lips close to his, but retreating when he started to kiss her.

"Yes," he growled, his eyes heavy with desire. Yes, he wanted her.  How could he not?  She'd seduced him, and he had wanted her to.  Hell, he'd practically asked her to by accepting her invitation.  He gasped in surprise when she pulled open his bright-blue button up, not bothering to unbutton it first.  Her hands slid slowly over his chest, and she giggled at his expression.

"Uh-oh," she remarked, the sarcastic edge to her tone making him want her even more.  He pressed his lips firmly against hers, kissing her until she whimpered softly in the back of her throat, his tongue plunging needfully into her mouth.  He could play her game, he wanted her to know, but he soon realized he was the one that needed to be convinced of that.  He watched as she turned away from him, sauntering to the bed, her fuzzy-white half shirt flung to the floor as she went.  She kept her back to him, unbuttoning her soft leather pants and pushing them slowly over her hips, not surprised when his hands covered hers, taking over once the garment reached her knees.

The fact that she was confident enough not to wear anything beneath them made him smile as he stood up, tracing his fingers over her shoulders after he'd removed his own clothes, tilting her neck to nibble at her ear. Her hair smelled like kiwi and honey, and the scent intoxicated him, Regan throwing her head back when he cupped her breasts, teasing her nipples with his thumbs.

His touch was making her delirious, and she bit her lip when he slid his hand over her stomach to tease the cleft between her legs. "No," she murmured, pulling his hand away and turning towards him. "Lay down, I'll be right back..."

He wanted to argue, but her soft kiss of assurance kept him quiet.  Abs pulled the sheets back, laying down onto the bed, it's coolness chilling him.  He watched her re-enter the room, sitting up on his elbows when she knelt on the bed, straddling his waist. "Do you trust me?" she asked, her hands hiding something behind her back, and his brows knitted together.

"Yes," he said without hesitation, his eyes widening when she pulled two sets of handcuffs from behind her.

"Then lay back," she instructed, pushing gently against his chest until he was flat against the mattress.  She picked up each of his hands, kissing his palms and licking the pads of his fingers before securing them to the heavy wooden posts in the headboard.  She bent down, kissing the center of his chest before raking her nails teasingly over his pecs.  Regan sat up onto her knees, watching his frustration as she ran her fingers over her breasts, teasing him. 

"Relax," she breathed softly, feeling the tension in his stomach and legs.   She moved to kneel beside him, her fingers kneading the muscles of his legs, and she was awed by the hidden strength in them.  He was very deceptive, she decided, smiling to see that he'd closed his eyes, giving in to her massage.  His abdomen clenched when she reached his thighs, and she couldn't help but feel sympathy for him.   She wouldn't have been able to take being restrained, and she knew it was pushing him not to protest. 

"Gypsie," he pleaded, his brown eyes opening to look at her, the need in them blatant as he burned her with his gaze.  She moved over him, licking a path from his navel to his throat, and letting his groan rumble through her when she raised her hips, sinking slowly onto him.

She circled her hips against his, tears slipping from her own eyes as she felt him pulse inside her.  She wanted to feel his hands on her, for him to take her.   But that was impossible, she knew, it would ruin everything.  His breathing quickened, and she watched him lose control, his cry of release ringing in her ears.   Regan looked into his eyes, apologizing softly against his lips before she kissed him deeply, drawing out the last ounce of his energy with her tongue.

Abs felt drunk, and his vision grew blurry quickly.  He closed his eyes, trying to shake it off, but he couldn't, his body growing weaker until everything went black.

Abs slowly opened his eyes, immediately realizing that his hands were still cuffed to the bed.  His throat was incredibly dry, and when he tried to talk, he was scared to find that he couldn't.

"Don't worry, your voice will come back soon..."

He looked to the corner, his forehead creasing when he saw Gypsie sitting in an armchair, curled under a blanket, her eyes teary and bloodshot as she stared blankly at him.

"Why?" he pulled at the restraints and she winced, moving quickly to the bed.

"Don't fight them, please..." she begged, touching his wrists softly.   It was then that he noticed he was dressed in boxers and a t-shirt and was covered in the blankets. "I had to leave them on..."

She sat down at his side, wiping her eyes tiredly and crossing her legs under her. "I needed your help, and there was no other way." she sighed, then continued. "About a year ago, I got into some trouble in the United States.  A friend of mine convinced me to help him hack into some companies and steal their financial records, as well as some other stuff.  I thought it was all a game, I never imagined that he was actually selling this information to someone."

"You're a hacker?"

"Yes." she shook her head. "Among other things, now...I suppose I should add kidnapper to that title...Anyway, one day he came to me and said we had to leave town, that something was wrong, and I shouldn't ask any questions, so I didn't.  Then we ended up in Paris.  And he was killed by the people the government hired to track us down."

"So why do you need me?" he swallowed hard, and she reached to the nightstand, retrieving a glass of cool water and helping him take a drink.

"I still have the micro-disk that Nigel was supposed to give to the organization he was working for.  The problem is, they don't know that I was helping him.   And they'll only deal with him.  But he's dead."

Abs looked at her still confused.

"I saw your picture in a store one day, and I couldn't believe how much you looked like him.  You could fool them, and return the disk, and they'd never know you weren't Nigel." she looked down at her hands. "If I don't get them the micro-disk within a month, they'll kill me."

"Oh god..."

"So, the original deal was that I somehow get you here and force you into helping me. And if you refused, I would make it very difficult for you to say no..." she pulled a .45 from the drawer by the bed and he nearly stopped breathing. "But now, I realize that it's not worth it...I've already hurt you too much. So, you can go home, and forget about last night and me, and I will never bother you again."

She took the gun and dropped it into her chair, staring out the window.  Abs sighed deeply, thinking.

"Gypsie isn't your real name, is it?" he queried, and she shook her head.

"It's Regan..."

He licked his lips, his voice slowly gaining strength. "Regan, will you please uncuff me?"

She turned back to him, pulling the keys from the pocket of her shorts and freeing his hands. "I'm so sorry..." she began to cry again when she saw the red bruises on his wrists from the metal. "I didn't mean to-"

"Sh!" he cut her off, placing his fingers over her lips. "Let me, um, just wait right here, alright?"

He got up and walked into the bathroom, closing the door.  He emerged a few minutes later, grinning, and she looked up at him, perplexed at his mood.

"I just have one question." he got back under the covers and propped his head on his elbow to look up at her.

"What?" She was amazed that he didn't have dozens more.

"Well, I just can't figure out how you managed to drug me, I mean, you drank from the same bottle I did, I saw you." he shook his head in confusion.

Regan laughed, relieved, then reached back into her nightstand.  She pulled out a small tube, opening it to reveal a clear, gloss-like lipstick.

"It contains a heavy sedative, fast-acting, as you now know."

"But-"

"Why didn't it affect me?" she laughed again. "There's an anti-dote, Richard."

"Ah, I see..." He laid onto his back, crossing his arms over his chest as they sat there in silence. "I'll help you."

"What?" she gaped, standing from the bed to look at him. "After-"

"Look, Regan," he sat up, resting his elbows on his knees. "I understand that you did what you had to do.  You couldn't very well have drugged me somewhere and gotten me here on your own.  But I also know that last night wasn't all about getting me to help you."

She started to say something, but he continued. "So, since this is your game, I'll play it how you want me to play it, alright? Last night is over, now it's time to save your life."

Abs watched her for a reaction.  He was going to act like he believed her. That she had seduced him, had sex with him, just to drug him, wasn't exactly the entire truth, and he knew it.  But she didn't react, a calm, blank expression remained on her face, and his heart sank a little.  Then again, maybe he was being hopeful.

"Thank you." she said softly, turning to walk towards the kitchen.   "I'll make breakfast.  Your clothes should be here soon, and we'll need to start getting you ready." she stopped, thinking. "And you should call your mum, let her know you're alive and tell her that you'll be away for a while, um, helping a friend...but that's all."

She tossed him a cell-phone, and he looked at it curiously.  "It's got a trace-block," she explained, and he dialed his number, doing exactly what she'd said.

Abs looked warily into the boxes of equipment, trying to figure out what everything was. He moved away quickly, though, when he heard the shower cut off, and the soft pad of Regan's feet on the wood floors. When she finally walked into the kitchen, she was fully dressed, her heavy blonde hair twisted into a haphazard bun on top of her head.

"Is all this for me?" he asked, motioning towards one of the boxes that was filled with clothes and shoes.

"Yes." she said simply, never looking up from the box of flavored teas she was perusing. "You'll need to make sure all of it fits before we leave."

"Leave?" his head jerked up. "Where are we going?"

"Welcome to Rome, ladies and gentleman..." the pilot's voice sounded over the plane's speaker system, waking Regan from her nap.

"We're here," Abs whispered, smiling down at her before pulling his headphones off and replacing them in his bag. They deboarded the plane, the singer relieved when she told him their bags were being sent to the hotel.

"Thank god we don't have to carry those things again," he murmured, standing beside her on the curb as they hailed a taxi. She leaned in to whisper something to him, realizing that they were being watched.

Abs smiled, taking her hand in his and kissing her knuckles tenderly. "Very well..." They got into the car, both of them occasionally checking the traffic behind them for anything suspicious. Once they'd made it into the hotel, Abs let Regan check them in.

"Ah, yes, Mr and Mrs. Cole..." the desk attendant smiled. "We're happy you're here, and we hope you enjoy your honeymoon."

Abs took their keys, and followed the bellman up to their room, both he and Regan relaxing to find their luggage already delivered. He watched in curiosity as she pulled a small device from her purse, opening a small panel and scanning each of the bags.

"They're clean..." she announced, pressing a few numbers into a keypad to unlock the heavy cases.

"You have the best toys," Abs grinned, and she looked up at him, her face serious.

"Well, they come at a price..." she lowered her eyes, walking towards the bedroom. She groaned, eyeing the large bed in resignation. "You can have the bed," she said decidedly, and Abs shook his head.

"Nah, that's okay. You can have it." he offered, and she balked at his chivalry.

"Look, you're the one doing me a favor here, all right?" Regan huffed. "The bed is yours."

"Regan, the damn bed is big enough for six people..." he walked past her into the bedroom. "I think we could both have it, and have room for a small country between us."

"I'll take the couch," she mumbled, leaving him to glare at her in frustration.

"Damn woman!" he followed her. "What is your problem?"

"I'm sorry, I'm just nervous, okay?" she sighed, slumping onto the couch. "I'm afraid of what's going to happen. I'm afraid we're not going to pull this off."

He knew that wasn't the extent of her worries, but he didn't push it. "Don't worry, we'll do fine. And you'll be along your merry way in no time."

Regan looked up at him. His cockiness was definately something that set him apart from Nigel. He had been sure of himself, but Abs was quite different. He didn't take no for an answer and he didn't give up; that was something she was glad of.

"Why do you look at me like that?" he asked, sitting down beside her.

"Like what?" she rested her cheek on her palm, propping her elbow on the armrest.

"Like you're trying to figure me out."

"Maybe because I am." she retorted, getting up and opening the case that held her computer equipment. Everything was fitted into foam casing to prevent any damage, and she pulled it out gingerly, setting it up on the suite's desk.

He decided it would probably be best to change the subject so he pulled out the folder she'd given him to study. "How long do we have until the meeting?"

"Seven days," she replied, booting up her computer. "Until then, we have to be convincing. They know that Nigel and I ran, but they didn't think we had been traced. So, therefore, we have to behave like tourists."

"Honeymooning tourists," Abs corrected and she shot him a look.

"Right."

"So, that means we can explore the town a little, yeah?" he grinned wickedly, walking up behind her. "I say, you and me go dancing."

"I say you're delusional." she replied sourly, and Abs kicked at the table.

"Listen," he leaned down, his face inches from hers. "I'm the one helping you out...and I say we go dancing. Tonight."

He stood back up, raising an eyebrow before rolling his suitcase into the bedroom and closing the door behind him.

"Can you atleast pretend like you're going to have fun?" Abs groaned as they rode down in the elevator. He had been stunned when she'd emerged from their bathroom wearing a short, purple-vinyl skirt with a matching jacket over her silver bra and sheer tank-top.

She had been looking down at the floor and her lips curled into a smile as she brought her gaze to his. She drank in his black jeans, tighter than the ones he usually wore, and black v-neck sweater, but it was the silver chain that caught her attention.

"You look very sexy," she said, grinning as she leaned back against the elevator wall.

"Oh, so now you get civil." he threw his hands up, raising an eyebrow when she crossed quickly to him.

"Don't start..." she warned, tracing his freshly-shaven jaw before pressing her lips to his. He deepened the kiss, Regan's hands gripping his biceps for support, neither of them noticing that the doors had opened.

"How sweet..." an elderly woman smiled up at them, Abs laughing as he led Regan out of the elevator and through the lobby.

An hour later, they sat watching the other patrons of the club they'd chosen, letting the atmosphere calm them both as they sipped their drinks. Bright lights pulsated around them in time with the music that boomed from huge, floor-to-ceiling speakers.

Abs stood up, pulling her with him, and led her to the dance floor. "So, tell me..." he said, speaking close to her ear as they danced. "In the elevator...was that just for show?"

"You tell me," she returned, her blue eyes meeting his confused brown globes. Abs groaned when she turned around, pressing her ass against his hips, and he clenched his jaw. She could take him from mad to aroused in a second, and that frustrated him. He usually kept his emotions in check, never letting people get to him, visibly at least, but he couldn't control himself or his feelings, around her.

Regan smiled when he lifted her arms, wrapping them around his neck and nuzzling her shoulder as his hand splayed over her stomach, the pair moving sensuously to the heavy jungle beat. Abs tried to forget where he was, and who she was, and imagined that they were free, him from his responsibilities, and her from her fugitive cause.

"Let's go back..." she suggested, and he spun her around to face him. He saw the desire in her eyes, lacing his fingers through hers and grabbing her jacket from their table as he led her out into the street. Their hotel was only a few blocks away, so they walked, enjoying the boisterous nightlife of the Italian city.

Regan had just slid the chain in place when she felt Abs' breath on her neck, and his chest pressed against her back, his hands braced on either side of her on the door.

"Richard..." she closed her eyes as he kissed the top of her spine, pulling her jacket off and then her tank-top. His lips slid down her back until he unfastened her bra, pushing it to the floor. She tried to duck under his arm to move away from him, but he caught her, pulling her back against him.

"You've had your fun," he growled, and she melted against him, the thought of an argument never entering her mind. He swayed his hips with hers, a song playing in his head as he slowly led her to the bedroom. She sat down on the edge of the bed, watching as he unlaced her knee-high leather boots, setting them aside and kissing her knee. "Lay back..."

She closed her eyes as he unzipped her skirt, sliding it and her purple satin panties down her legs, his eyes flashing at her when he kissed between her breasts, moving slowly over her to capture her lips with his. Her neck arched as he kissed her, his tongue teasing hers before he nibbled her bottom lip, trailing kisses down her chin and over her collarbones. He intoxicated her, just his touch and the power in his gaze made her feel helpless, something she'd been trying to fight for the past few days.

Abs was tired of her avoiding him, tired of her playing games with him. She'd be responsive and candid one minute and the next she'd be cold and detached. He needed her just as much as she needed him, and he was prepared to let her know exactly how much. He worshipped her curves, his deep tan a contrast to her light complexion, and she steepled her knees when he moved between them, his hands holding her thighs as he slid into her.

Regan felt tears prick when he brought his face to hers, pinning her hands over her head. "You don't like not being in control, do you?"

She just looked at him, aching with the heat of him inside her, and she turned her head to avoid his question, Abs kissing her neck tenderly as he loosened his grip on her hands. He moved slowly, almost tentatively, as if he was waiting for her to respond. And she did, wrapping her legs around his waist to urge his movements and gasping when he exploded inside her. She tunneled her fingers through his hair, kissing him as she cried, her orgasm leaving her trembling.

Abs propped up on his elbow, brushing stray curls from her forehead and shoulders as she slept. It was the first time since he'd met her that he'd seen her sleep, and he revelled in the peace that seemed to have overtaken her. There was no worry, no facade, just the temporary happiness that dreams bring. He didn't know why she'd been avoiding him. Maybe it was because he reminded her of Nigel or because she was being careful, knowing that he'd have to return to London as soon as this was over. Whatever her reasons, he forgave her, realizing that his heart left him no other choice.

Regan eyed her breakfast with disinterest, setting her fork down beside her plate.   She couldn't eat, she didn't know why she'd ordered anything.

"Are you okay?" Abs asked, concerned.  She hadn't really spoken to him that morning; she'd been dressed and working on her computer when he woke up. 

Tears welled in her eyes and he stopped eating. There was something wrong.

"No, Richard, I'm not..." she sat back, crossing her arms over her chest. "I'm not the person you think I am..."

"Oh god..." he groaned, "Then who are you?"

"I realize now that you think that the way I was when we first met, that's me.   Well, it's not." she shook her head, looking out over the restaurant's balcony.  "I'm not some dominatrix who gets a kick out of tying people up and taking advantage of them.  I didn't choose this lifestyle, it just became a necessary way of living.  Do you think I like running like this?  Sure, I manage to find cool computers and I get to use state-of-the-art espionage gear, but you know what?   I miss my mom.  I miss my dad, and my grandparents.  And I can never go back to them. Never."

He reached across the table and took her hand, happy that she didn't pull away.   "I'm sorry, Regan."

"This isn't your fault." she looked back at him. "And it's not your responsibility to fix it, either." She stood up, walking quickly away from him.   Abs found their waiter and assured him they'd be back, then ran after her.

"Regan!" he called, grabbing her arm and pulling her around to face him.   "You gave me the choice to be here, remember?  And I chose to help you."

"Yeah, but that was before..."

He looked at her, confused. "Before what?"

"Before I knew you." She rubbed at her eyes, not caring that passersy-by were gaping at them curiously. "I don't want to put you in this position.  It's not fair."

"I'll decide what's fair for me, alright?" he took her hand. "I care about you, Regan..."

"I know," she sighed. "That's why I don't want you to help me."

She headed back to the hotel, Abs just watching her go.

"How are you going to get them the disk?" he queried, watching her as she zipped up her jacket. When she didn't answer, he stood up, angrily. "I can't believe you moved up the meeting!  This isn't smart, and you know it."

She jumped when he grabbed her by her biceps, his grip almost painful. "I'm not letting you go."

Regan closed her eyes, groaning. "Don't make me hurt you," She spun around, almost twisting free, but he managed to hold her fast.  She stopped, the tears in his eyes making her will dissolve.

"Please, Regan..." he pleaded. "Let me help you,"

"Okay," she said softly, and he let her go, grabbing his own jacket from the couch to follow her out of their room.

"What time is it?" Abs wrapped his arm over Regan's shoulders, pulling her closer to him.  They were in a secluded park, sitting on a bench by a fountain that obviously hadn't worked for years.

"It's time..." she breathed, looking up at him. "They should be-"

"Mr. Cole?" a voice sounded from behind them and they turned, Abs rising to his feet.

"Mr. Livinski?" he was glad that she'd coached him on his American accent.

"You brought it?" the taller man questioned, extending his hand.

"Yes," he reached into his pocket and pulled out the vial. "But I want your assurance that we're through.  All of our services have been fulfilled."

A strangled gasp from behind him made him turn, and he saw a man grab Regan just as he felt a prick on the side of his neck.

Abs woke up slowly, his vision blurry and his head pounding. 

"Good morning, Mr. Breen."

He reckognized the voice.  It was the same man from the park. "What?"

"You don't have to pretend anymore.  The deal's over."

Abs' head finally cleared, and he could see the man, sitting across the room from him.   He was on the couch in their suite. "What?"

Livinski laughed. "At a loss for words?  That's all right.  Let me see if I can help.  You're free to go home now, and to quickly forget about all this."

"What about Regan?" he sat up, propping his head in his hands.  What had they drugged him with?

"She's been taken care of, don't worry."

Abs' stomach clenched. "What do you mean, 'taken care of'?"

"Well now, that's none of your concern is it?" he laughed again and Abs groaned.

"You killed her? Why?  None of this was her responsibility!" he yelled, and the man rose to his feet, walking towards him.

"And she isn't yours." he hissed. "If you know what's best for you, you'll forget about her, quickly, and go back to your popstar routine, got it?"

He struggled to keep his fury in check, looking around the room to find all of Regan's belongings gone.  The man left, closing the door solidly behind him and Abs slumped back into the couch, not sure of exactly what to do.  She must have known.   They'd only wanted her, it didn't matter about him.  That's why she had tried to protect him, to keep her distance.  But he wouldn't let her, and now, she was gone.

(two months later)

Abs laughed, watching J and Sean trying to win over two young ladies they'd eyed from across the club.  They were thus far unsuccessful, and Breen simply watched in amusement as they continued to pursue them.  A new song started and he took a sip of his drink, closing his eyes as the slower techno-ballad echoed around him.

"Dance with me," a soft voice commanded from beside him and he opened his eyes, looking up at the woman.

"Regan?" he stood up, pulling her into his arms and embracing her for what felt like an eternity. "I thought you were-"

"Dance?" she said again, smirking, then pulling him onto the dancefloor.   Abs held her against him, and she wrapped her arms around his neck.

"It was all a test," she explained, and his eyes narrowed.

"What?"

"They were testing me." she said again. "They wanted to know if I could survive.  If I had the skills to withstand being a fugitive, and still come through with the information."

"Who is they?" he shook his head.

"I can't tell you that." she looked at him sadly. "But it's all over now."

"So, they wanted you to work for them?" He was trying to grasp what kind of people would put someone through so much hell, just as a pre-employment test.

"Yes," she sighed, looking around the club. "Can we get out of here?"

"Absolutely," he nodded, waving good-bye to J and Sean who were eyeing him suspiciously.

"Isn't that that same girl?" Conlon queried, looking perplexed.

"What girl?" J looked back at the couple disappearing through the front entrance.

"From a couple months ago?" Sean reminded him, but J just shook his head.

"I dunno, mate..."

"Where are we going?" Regan asked as they got into Abs' car.

"Away from here," he replied, fastening his seatbelt. 

After they'd driven a while, Abs noticed her staring contentedly out of her window. "So, why'd you come back?  Didn't you want the job?"

"Oh, it wasn't a matter of choice.  I had to take the job." she answered, opening her door once he'd stopped the car in front of a large stone cottage. "Where are we?"

"My house," he smiled, taking her hand and leading her up the front steps.   She absorbed each room as he disappeared momentarily, returning with two glasses and a bottle of wine.

"Oh no," she grinned, taking one of the glasses from him and laughing to herself when he poured the red liquid into it.

She took a drink, smiling as warmth spread throughout her, from not only the alcohol, but the heated gaze of the man in front of her. "You look beautiful," he whispered, putting their glasses aside and drawing her closer to him.  She felt his hardness press against her and she giggled, pulling back to look at him.

"And I was afraid you wouldn't be happy to see me," she teased, his eyes glowing beneath his dark lashes.

"You should've known better than that," he retorted, spreading his hands over her back as he leaned to kiss her jaw.  Regan sighed at the satin touch of his lips on her skin and she clutched at his shirt when he covered her mouth with his.

"I thought I'd never see you again," he admitted, tears slipping down his cheeks when she traced his jaw with her hands, slightly amused at the ever-changing design of his sideburns.

"Ssh..." She pressed her lips softly against his forehead, then his eyelids, the desire in her growing when his fingers found their way under her shimmery-blue tank top, the exposure to the cool air making her nipples pucker when he tossed the shirt to the floor.  His breath was hot on her neck as he slid down to her breasts, caressing them adoringly with his fingers, then his mouth, Regan's back arching slightly at the suckling.

He walked her backwards to the couch, lowering her gently to the cushions as he slipped her dark jeans from her, along with her shoes and socks.  He kissed a line from her calf to her knee, looking up when she said his name.

"I need you," she said breathlessly, pulling his face up to hers after he'd removed his shirt, then helping divest him of his cargos.  He filled the ache inside her, his forehead creasing as she accepted him, her heat and tightness threatening to drive him over the edge.  She'd invaded his dreams, kept him from sleep, and plagued his thoughts, and now she was here, with him.

He licked a bead of sweat from her neck, smiling as she arched against him, her climax preceding his own.

"You never answered me," he accused softly, holding her against him as they calmed, Abs draping a large afghan over them. "Why'd you come back?"

Regan smiled. "They decided that there were some things about me that would hinder my performance."

Abs kissed her temple. "Such as?"

"I'm not so sure you'll like the answer to that," she frowned, looking up at him.

"Try me..."

(some time later...)

Abs waved goodbye to the lads, grabbing his duffel as he hopped out of the band's van.   After a week of travelling, they'd finally made it back to London, and he was looking forward to spending some quiet time at home.

"Regan?" he called, closing the door and dropping his bag by the couch.

"In the kitchen," she replied, and he heard a soft giggle.

"Da!"

Abs grinned, kneeling down by the wooden high-chair to accept his slobbery, welcome-home kiss.

"How are my girls?" He stood up, wrapping his arms around Regan and kissing her forehead.

"Well, I think someone missed her daddy, but other than that, we're fine..."

"Oh, so Janie's the only one 'round here that loves me, I see..." he teased, tickling her side.

"You know I love you," she answered, both of them laughing when the baby at their sides cried, "Wuv oo!!!"