"Hello, Charles."

Charles turned toward the feminine voice greeting him. It had been years since he had last seen her. Yet, time had only enhanced her intriguing beauty. At thirty-two years of age, intriguing was an apt word for Tawla Nassis. Years of self-discipline etched into the fine lines of her face leaning her features from classical to striking. The contrast between her features and those lines was fascinating.

A small slightly aristocratic nose set below a pair of fawn colored eyes so sorrowful they could tug at the most hardened soul. And Heaven knew he was a controlled man not a hardened one. He shook off the thoughts of his own character and resumed his study of her physical characteristics.

Her tawny brown hair touched her shoulders in a sophisticated version of the popular shag the younger generation sported. Her sleek body and petite size completed the picture of helpless damsel.

The saying you can't judge a book by its cover certainly fit this situation. Tawla may appear to be fragile but he knew an iron will reinforced every bone in her body.

"I appreciate you coming so quickly." He held out his hand in a gesture of welcome.

She placed her hand in his, her face lit with amusement. "A debt owed is a debt to be paid. If only all the debts to be repaid were so simple."

"It has been difficult for you?" He asked with concern.

Every trace of merriment left. "It has been hell but then I am comfortable in hell's residency. You should know that better than anyone."

Kyler heard the door open and close from where she sat at the small vanity brushing her hair. It was amazing how quietly Remy moved, his footsteps were barely audible as he approached her.

She was careful to keep her eyes downcast in pretense of ignorance to his presence. A shiver of awareness down her spine told her that her body couldn't pretend it didn't know. The hairs on the nape of her neck stood up and she wondered if he would always affect her so. He had better be as afflicted as she was. In fact, she was going to make certain of it.

She raised the brush parallel to the top of her head causing her breasts to rise against the neckline of her nightgown. The downward stroke of the brush pressed her breasts against the thin fabric.

After ten such strokes, she felt it safe to steal a peak at him. She was pleased to note the frank appraisal of his gaze. "I didn't hear you come in." She whispered huskily, hoping the coyness of her tone wasn't overdone.

She raised both arms over her head stretching and arching her back. She watched the appraisal ignite into sensual hunger. "Did you want something?" She teased provocatively.

"Oui." He slid his hands under her knees and picked her up startling a surprised gasp from her. He set her gently on the bed before lying down beside her. He covered her body with his own, warming her with sensual heat.

Long fingered hands speared through her hair drawing her mouth to his. He nibbled and caressed her lips with his tongue, licking the soft whimpers from her mouth.

The kisses started out sweet and soft but quickly became the familiar rage of fierce need. She felt his hands smooth down her shoulders easing the nightgown away from the silky skin. He released her mouth so he could place tiny, wet butterfly kisses on the skin he bared.

Everywhere his lips touched, a molten fire of pleasure was left in their wake until she trembled with desire for him, only him. He reclaimed her mouth for a searing kiss as he made ready to join their bodies.

"Love you." Remy whispered. The words little puffs of breaths against her lips.

"I love you." She cried out as the fullness of his flesh penetrated her slick sheath. She gave herself over to the pleasure. The peak was swift and intense and she knew that this was the way it was meant to be between them, loving, safe and complete. ******************************************************************************

That had not been on his agenda when he first entered their room but he could never be sorry for the pleasure they received from each other. Their appetite had been sated. It was time to talk of the things he had on his mind before he was so pleasantly distracted.

Remy locked his arms around Kyler and shifted his weight causing their positions to reverse. The extra effort he had to exert to concentrate was worth the feel of her sprawled on top of the human heap they made.

"De Nassis woman is here."

Kyler raised her head from her resting-place on his shoulder. "Why does everyone refer to her that way? I thought you knew her."

"Complicated, p'tite. Don' know her well. De professor tried t' recruit her lon' time 'go. Turned him down. Dat's was it."

"That isn't it. You guys talk about her like she's something scary. What is she? Who is she?"

He tried to organize all the information he knew of Tawla so he could describe her to Kyler but the words would not come. Mere words would only pale anyway. Tawla had to experienced.

"You meet her t'morrow." He told her. "Wait fo' me t' see her."

Her eyes widen. Damn, now he had alarmed her. That wasn't what he wanted. However, he was taking no chances with her safety.

"Is she dangerous?"

"Didn' say dat. Wan' t' b' sure you safe is all."

"You didn't have to say it. Look, is this woman is a threat then we can go to Charles and tell him the whole thing is off. We'll find another way without her help." She gripped his shoulders tightly. "I don't want you exposed to anymore danger than absolutely necessary."

He smiled. "Didn' know dere was any other kind."

"I am not kidding!" She retorted shrilly.

"X-men face danger all de time. Thought you knew dat and could handle it." He looked at her face searchingly. "You sayin' you can'?"

She shook her head wryly. "We have never discussed this before have we?"

Remy didn't answer only waited. A part of him was still worried about losing her. It wasn't as if he was looking for roadblocks but he wanted to make sure they could jump any obstacle in their path. Baring that, he would take pleasure in smashing in them out of their way.

Kyler watched him. When it became apparent he wasn't going to say anything; she took a deep breath and addressed the issue. "Okay. Honesty right?"

He nodded.

"I honestly don't like the danger you face."

Remy opened his mouth to protest but Kyler waylaid him by placing her fingertips on his mouth.

"Sshh. You didn't let me finish. I don't like it but I know that it is a refutable part of what you do. I won't be able to stop being afraid for you when you leave to save the world. I just can't shut off my feelings like that. But I will always be proud of what you are doing and who you are. Is that good enough?"

He removed her fingers from his mouth and kissed her palm. "Oui. Good 'nough."

"Besides," she added pithily. "I can hardly complain. When I set up shop here, there are bound to be times you will worry."

"What dis bout openin' shop?" He sputtered. "You soon have de babe t' care fo'."

"Many woman take care of their families and work too. I can't believe your going all old fashioned on me."

This was Alice in Wonderland. Any moment a white rabbit was going to pull out a gold pocket watch and start singing. He couldn't believe she wasn't planning on devoting all her time to him and the baby.

Maybe that was arrogant but he couldn't help it. He opened his mouth to refresh his point of view but she distracted him again by snuggling back down into his shoulder.

There was no need to argue about it now, he decided. Once she had the babe, he was confident she would change her mind. With that hope firmly entrenched, he wrapped his arms around her and closed his eyes. *******************************************************************************

"As you can see, the situation can turn volatile. That is why we thought it best to gain your cooperation."

Tawla watched Charles clasps his hands together on the desk before him. Her eyes swept the study he had escorted her to shortly after she arrived. He was a little like his study, she decided. Full of quiet elegance from the long fine boned fingers to the tip of his broad shoulders. Even the hoverchair could not detract from the aura of power and appeal that surrounded him.

She tore her thoughts from their previous direction. Charles was a great telepath. She had developed psychic shielding in recent years to prevent mind leaking but they could not withstand his powerful probes should he chose to peak. She was not on speaking terms with Miss Manners but she was pretty certain it was not okay to late your host catch you ogling him.

She focused her thoughts back to the business at hand. "This is a small price compared to favor you could have asked of me. Are you certain you want to use my debt in this particular fashion?" She asked him.

Charles shook his head emphatically. "I want this clear. We only seek permission to use your file if all else fails in the retrieval of Gambit's son. We are not asking you to use your power."

A grim smile, completely devoid of humor, tugged at the corners of her mouth. Funny, no one asked. People normally tried to threat, manipulate, or coerce her into using them. "A shame. I could make things much easier for you."

"That which does not kill us makes us stronger." He responded.

The smile widened this fusing genuine warmth in it. She got a kick out this man. "Always noble. Very well. I own you much. You will have your permission and more."

His eyes brows drew together in a thick frown. "I don't understand what you mean by more."

Tawla waved her hand in a distracted manner. "Don't worry. I will not offend your delicate sensibilities by causing death. However, I must have the debt paid to my satisfaction or I will not consider myself free of obligation."

The frown grew fierce. "If it was your hope to reassure me with your words, I have to inform you I am not."

She looked deeply into his eyes allowing him to view the truth there. "I owe you my sanity." She said simply. "I will not do anything to dishonor your gift. Now if you'll excuse me, I have some hunting to do."

To be continued

Comments? By Jleskridge@aol.com