Biiiiig huggles to Joules for help with dialogue...
Lutra
[smirk] You're welcome - it was fun!
Disconnect "Very, very interesting."
The heavy-set man nodded thoughtfully at the conclusion of Timothy's report – Timothy being one of the long-range empaths assigned to surreptitiously watch Razor.
"If she's forming a relationship - a proper relationship - with this cat-girl, that can only be a good thing, right?" The conservatively dressed, middle-aged woman sitting across the polished teak table from the elder man frowned. "I mean, Razor was partnered with Baxter to give her the opportunity to learn about humans, us, and hopefully gain an insight about the Agency's aims…"
"And she has learnt a little, yes, but she still doesn't understand. Consequently she's still only nominally under our control."
The woman's frown deepened with worry.
"Do you think there's still a chance she could go rogue?"
"With Razor I'm afraid there will always be that chance, but yes - " he held up a beefy hand, halting the woman's next comment, " - if she gets involved with Angel it will help further her understanding." He smiled, a satisfied, almost smug smile. "The girl being picked up by Baxter and Anderson was… fortuitous. I couldn't have planned it better myself."
"You mean this wasn't part of the grand scheme?" the woman chuckled ruefully.
The man smiled.
"Contrary to popular opinion, I am not omniscient…"Cloudie shook her head, trying once again to focus on what was being said. It was hard though. Cloudie was comfortable with her sexuality, knew she could find women as attractive as men but shit Angel was gorgeous, dead sexy, god, she'd love to get this woman in bed, out of bed, up against a wall, jesus, anywhere…
Holly laid a gentle hand on the tinkerer's shoulder pulling the TK back from another compelling, arousing day-dream she'd drifted into.
"Cloudie?" the empath's quiet blue eyes showed her concern, "There's a lot at stake here, if you can't concentrate maybe you'd better not do this."
"No, no, I can do this," Cloudie squared her shoulders. Angel was quivering, wide-eyed and apprehensive, watching the psi warily.
*You're making her uncomfortable.* Razor's thought speared through the tinkerer's brain, eliciting a wince.
*I'm sorry, Razor, I can't help it, Angel's just - *
*I know.* the 'path growled irritably, cutting her short, not wanting to hear what someone else thought of the ex-pet. *But if you can't keep your mind on the job and trip the bomb -*
*I'm not stupid.* Cloudie huffed, then said out loud, "Right, let's get on with it." Holly, Lenore and Razor left the room; Cloudie closed her eyes and reached out to the cat-girl, ignoring the velvety softness warm and inviting beneath her fingertips.It was an elegantly simple device, not designed to be defused. You interrupted the power-supply - it blew: you tampered with any of the connections - it blew. Cloudie gingerly felt her way through the nasty little mechanism and out along the threads of metalised plastic linking it to the chip socket sitting in the back of Angel's skull, the cybernetic voice-box in her throat and some indefinable piece of tech lodged at the base of her brain.
Damn, looked like fiddling with any of those bits of hardware while the cortex bomb was intact would turn Angel into paté.
Cloudie had a sinking feeling she knew who'd been slated for the defusing job…"Do you think you could defuse it?" Lenore asked the tinkerer after they and Holly had left Angel's room – leaving Razor with Angel, though the 'path was still tuned in to the conversation.
Cloudie was silent as she considered the idea.
"I could," she said eventually, reluctantly, "but not on my own."
"Who then - ?" Holly asked.
"Tyler," Cloudie shivered; she felt chilled, crossing her arms over her chest and rubbing vigorously at her upper arms in an attempt to scour away the goosebumps. Now that she wasn't being distracted by the alluring presence of the cat-girl the realities of the situation was making Cloudie's skin crawl. "She can affect electrical currents, might be able to reroute the power supply and trick the device into thinking nothing's changed."
"Let's get her in, then," Lenore said decisively.Tyler was a short, dumpy, mousey little woman, as nondescript as Cloudie was vibrant, but she agreed with the tinkerer that there was a good chance between them they could deal with Angel's little problem. After consulting with the cat-girl through Razor's link, it was arranged that they'd try defusing the bomb early the next morning.
"Well, glad that's settled," Cloudie exclaimed with patently false good cheer, "now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to get laid."
Though it wasn't just sex she wanted – Cloudie mused as she left the infirmary – it was companionship, the reassurance of a cuddle, just to be with someone she liked. It was times like this she missed Nick; the man may have been an egocentric, controlling prick but he'd usually been happy to comfort her - it had bolstered his ego, being needed like that. But Cloudie didn't need reassuring very often…*Dev, sweetie, are you busy?*
*Cloud? A bit, yeah, why?*
*Oh, no reason,* Cloudie worked to keep the tremor out of her *voice*. *S'ok, I'll talk to you soon.*
*What's the matter?* he demanded gently.
Cloudie paused, gnawing her bottom lip – how much could she say?
*It's nothing much, just feeling a little...* she trailed off helplessly.
*Hang on,* Dev was absent for a couple of seconds, then he came back with - *Thirty minutes and I'm all yours.*
*Oh, shit, thanks, Dev.* Cloudie felt guiltily relieved, she really hoped she wasn't pulling him away from anything important. *I'll be with the ducks.*As good as his word, within thirty minutes the young psi was sitting beside her on the bank of the pond.
"What's up?"
Cloudie sighed, leaning against him and resting her head on his shoulder.
"I've just agreed to do something stupidly dangerous."
"Like what?" Devon's eyes narrowed in alarm.
"Can't say," Cloudie sighed again, "but if I screw up you'll know about it."
Devon put his arm around her shoulder and she snuggled gratefully into the simple contact: this was just what she needed to restore her equilibrium.
"When?"
"First thing tomorrow morning."
"Can you change your mind?" Devon murmured against her hair.
"Yes." Cloudie shook her head. "No. This is pretty much the only chance someone has to get their life back. I can't refuse to help."
"No, you can't." she could hear the smile in his voice and she smiled herself: Devon was wonderful.
Cloudie stayed, nestled warmly in his arms for a couple of minutes, then lifted her head to look into beautiful green eyes.
"Devon, could you stay with me tonight? If you've not got anything planned." She whispered, "I don't want to be alone."
"Sure," he said, brushing a kiss over her forehead. "You're really fucking scared, aren't you?"
"Bloody terrified," Cloudie drew in a shaky breath as she smiled, "but I'll be fine." She glanced up at the glass dome. The sun was nearing the horizon – well, nearing the tops of the buildings at least - glowing a neon-red through the pollution of the city. Cloudie carded her fingers through the psi's copper mane, and stretched up to kiss his lips.
"I'd like to have a shower, then eat. Will you join me?"
"For the shower or the food?" Devon smirked.
"Both, of course," Cloudie arched an eyebrow, then laughed and hugged him, feeling better about the whole thing already, "But only if you want to, I don't want to disrupt any plans you have."
"Only Stephan fuss-arsing about decorating, again." Devon smiled at her. "Nothing that can't wait."Cloudie, sated and content, snuggled into the sleeping Devon; if she was going to die tomorrow this had been a perfect last night. They'd left the park and gone back to her place where they'd showered (and Cloudie had been happy to go down on Devon - god the kid had a hair-trigger libido! - without feeling the need for her own satisfaction yet) before eating a large, enjoyable meal at the restaurant they'd been to a couple of days ago. Then back to her place for a few hours of languid, gentle loving where Devon had lavished his skill on her again, having the tinkerer whimpering with bliss before bringing her to a powerful, satisfying climax then finally indulging himself.
Cloudie smiled and kissed his cheek; if he ever decided to settle down his partner would be one very lucky - and constantly knackered - person..."Fuck, I'd hate to wake up here with a hangover." Devon groaned the next morning as his eyes, on first opening, were assaulted by the vivid colours Cloudie surrounded herself with. The tinkerer laughed and kissed him.
"Coffee?"
"Sunglasses…" he muttered. "And coffee. Thanks."Cloudie was dressed and ready to go... or as ready as she'd ever be considering what she was about to attempt.
"Thank you so much for yesterday, Dev," she enveloped the psi in a warm hug, nuzzling his neck, "you've no idea how much I appreciate it."
"Heh, anytime." Devon kissed her. "I'll see you later."
"If there's going to be a later…"
"There will be," he said gruffly, firmly holding her face in his slender hands, "you're too fuckin' good at what you do for anything else."
"Thanks," Cloudie whispered, a single tear spilling over her lashes to splash against his fingers. "And I will see you later." She kissed him, deeply and hard, then pushed herself away and headed purposefully to the infirmary.Angel had had the risks explained to her; the cat-girl was terrified, yet also - oddly to Cloudie - calm, accepting, trusting her life to Cloudie and Tyler's skill. The tinkerer sincerely hoped she was worthy of the woman's trust.
Angel had been sedated and anaesthetised – if they managed to defuse the bomb, the ex-pet would be taken straight to surgery to have it, and the hardware it was connected to, dealt with – and Cloudie was now linked to Tyler, waiting outside the reinforced room to see if the psi could divert the bomb's power supply. There was no point waiting inside, if Tyler couldn't play with the bomb's power there would be nothing left for Cloudie to defuse. The thought turned the tinkerer's stomach.
"Okay," Tyler whispered hoarsely, eyes closed tightly, "I've got it. Good luck, Cloudie."
"Thanks." Cloudie ghosted a smile as she swallowed nausea - she had never been so scared in her life. She closed the door behind her, sealing the room then approached the stretcher that Angel was strapped to, positioned on her side. With sweat beads forming on her forehead and upper lip, the tinkerer gently touched her fingertips to the base of Angel's neck…"You'd better do your fucking best – " Razor had snarled at the psis before they began.
"Oh, spare me!" Cloudie snapped back, "It's not just Angel's life in the balance, you know. Tyler can work remotely; I can't." she waggled her fingers sardonically, "Strictly hands-on, remember. If I don't do my best we'll both end up coating the walls so fucking back off!"Cloudie listened to the bomb; the device was humming away quite happily, unaware that anything was wrong. Tyler was doing a good job - she'd take the woman out for a drink when this was all over! But first… Cloudie concentrated, letting the world at large shrink away until it had no relevance, focusing her attention so tightly on the mechanism it became the only thing in her universe.
The detonator wasn't hard to find, embedded securely in the chunk of explosives. Cloudie twined invisible tendrils of her TK softly around it, then molecule by molecule, neatly cut through the connection. She waited, tense and trembling - unaware that she'd stopped breathing - for the explosion.It didn't happen.
Still hardly daring to breath, still expecting to be obliterated at any second, Cloudie quickly severed the wires connecting the peripheral cyberware to the bomb. She blinked and looked around - she was fucking still alive.
The tinkerer swallowed convulsively; one last thing.
*Okay, Tyler, I'm going to cut the power.*
Cloudie held her breath again as she located, then neatly severed the small wire connecting the power supply to the deadened detonator.Fuck she was still alive…
*Okay - okay I think that's it.* Cloudie stumbled back a couple of steps as two medics rushed into the room to wheel the unconscious cat-girl to theatre.
They'd done it - she'd done it…Cloudie dropped to her hands and knees, stomach tightening in spasms as she helplessly vomited up what little breakfast she'd had. It went on and on until she was dry-retching and only then did she notice a presence beside her, warm hands rubbing soothing circles over her back.
"Well done, Cloudie -" Lenore's low-toned voice was edged with disbelief, "- you and Tyler both."
"Oh no, my part was the easy bit!" Tyler chuckled from Cloudie's other side.
A wonderfully cool, damp cloth was wiped over her face.
"How are you feeling?" Holly asked gently.
"You tell me," Cloudie laughed shakily, "you're the empath." She shot a look at Lenore. "Don't ever fucking ask me to do that again!"
"What if we rescue someone else like Angel?" the ex-cop teased.
Cloudie smirked.
"I'll want a pay-rise - and you as a body-slave for a week!"
Lenore laughed out loud then pushed herself to her feet. She offered the tinkerer her hand.
"Let's get you cleaned up."Cloudie had used one of the infirmary's showers - she didn't want to walk back to her room reeking of vomit - and borrowed some of Holly's spare clothes. The empath had taken Cloudie's soiled clothing away, promising to get it cleaned for her straight away, then offered to get her something to eat.
"No thanks," Cloudie smiled tiredly. "I think I'm just going to go back to my place and crash."*Hey, Dev,* Cloudie contacted the young psi as she made her way back to her room, *I'm alive.*
Devon laughed.
*Course you are. Fuckin' told you so.* There was a moment's pause. *Do you want company?*
Cloudie considered for a moment.
*Thanks, but no, I'm going to sleep until I wake up and then I'm going to get pissed.*
*Let me know when and I'll join you.*
Cloudie laughed.
*I'll look forward to it.*Angel swam back to consciousness, struggling through foggy, sticky layers of half-dreams and nightmares towards the safety of a pale, angular face and brilliant blue eyes.
*I'm here, don't try to move.*
Angel couldn't focus her thoughts coherently but Adelaide knew what she was trying to ask.
*It was a success. The bomb is gone, so is the chip socket and you've been given a new cybernetic voice-box - a human one.*
Angel could dimly feel the pressure of the psi's hands against her wrists. She frowned, her hands felt strange…
*You've got proper fingernails again,* Adelaide explained, *and your hands are bandaged. You've also got human teeth again. The doctor said it'll be about four days before everything's healed and the bandages can come off.*
*F-fur? Tail…* Angel fought the desire to sink back into sleep.
*You've still got those, and the ears. The doctor said the fur was a genetic change and they couldn't do much about it yet. They'll talk to you about it when you're awake.*
*'K.*
*Go to sleep now,* Adelaide said with gruff gentleness, the touch of her fingertips over Angel's cheek lulling the ex-pet down into slumber, *I'll be here when you wake up…*Cloudie opened her eyes and groaned.
Devon was right, you didn't want to wake up in here with a hangover. Fair enough she needed cheering up when she'd moved into these rooms but had she really needed to use such loud colours?
The body beside her stirred and lifted its head.
*Morning.*
Cloudie found herself looking into wide, amused golden-brown eyes beneath a short, red-tipped, light-brown fringe.
"Uh…" what the hell was this woman's name again? "…hi."
The woman grinned, showing even, creamy-white teeth... and dimples in her honey coloured cheeks.
*Briony.*
"Oh, right, sorry." Cloudie was mortified, even with the most casual of partners she'd never forgotten someone's name before.
*Don't sweat it,* Briony's grin widened, *you were away with the fairies.*
"Oh shit," the tinkerer groaned. She didn't want to ask the next question but it would be best to get all the embarrassment over with in one go, "Did we - ?"
*No.* Briony laughed soundlessly. *Like I said, 'away with the fairies'.*
"I'm so sorry," Cloudie was abjectly apologetic, and rather annoyed with herself, what she could see of the woman was very nice.
Briony shrugged.
*Maybe next time.*
Cloudie laughed, then winced at the consequent flare of pain behind her eyes.
"Sure you want to risk it?"
Briony tilted her head to one side, gazing steadily, thoughtfully at the TK and Cloudie had the unnerving feeling she was being read.
*Stranger things have happened.*The memories were beginning to surface. Cloudie remembered she'd elected to go to Neurons because she planned on getting smashed and she tended to be a bit... strident in that state; better to be away from the empaths when that happened. She had a hazy recollection of being on a table – dancing? singing? – and Tyler laughing and telling her to get down before she hurt herself, but knowing she was in no danger because Devon was holding her safe with his TK...
Cloudie blinked, coming back to herself. Briony was out of bed and pulling on her clothes, covering up a truly delectable body.
"Uh –" it took a couple of seconds for the synapses to fire in Cloudie's throbbing brain, "– you're leaving?"
Briony shot her another amused look.
*I have to get to work.*
"Oh," Cloudie struggled to sit upright, panting down the headache, "Can I offer you breakfast, at least? I burn a mean slice of toast." Her grin felt feeble. Briony gave her another one of those unreadable looks, then nodded.
*Why not?*
The peppermint tea helped a lot, so did the aspirin, but that was all Cloudie could manage while Briony tucked into a few slices of moderately over-cooked toast with real butter. Cloudie slowly sipped the hot, delicately fragrant tea as she tried to nudge her brain back on track; what the hell had she been thinking? She'd gone out to get pissed, not nuked.
*Thanks for breakfast.* Briony half-smiled at the tinkerer but made no attempt to touch her, *I'll see you 'round.*It wasn't until Briony had been gone for several minutes that Cloudie realised all of the woman's communication had been psionic, she hadn't spoken a word... And how had she ended up with her anyway? Cloudie had gone to Neurons with Devon, with the firm intention of jumping the young psi's bones later. When had she decided Briony was a better option? Cloudie poked through her porous memory. She definitely remembered dancing with Devon, pressed tightly against him and happily snogging while they swayed sort of in time to the music. That had been after he'd lifted her down from the table, but what happened next was a bit of a blank. She could always grit her teeth against the embarrassment and ask someone. Who else had been there? Devon of course, Tyler – though Cloudie remembered her leaving so there probably wasn't much use asking her - and Stephan. The tinkerer glanced at the daisy shaped clock on the wall and grimaced; 10 a.m. God, she'd not slept in this late since the last time she'd gone on a bender. Cloudie's stomach churned unpleasantly around the peppermint tea and she groaned; looks like there was sod-all chance of her getting in to work before lunchtime. If at all.
Time to start making the apologies.Cloudie had contacted Jeffrey in the workshop first, letting him know she might not make it in. The mechanic, a normal, had sniggered, saying he'd heard she'd been out on the town, but not to worry, the work was pretty light on today. If anything dramatic came up they'd call her. And then the tinkerer contacted Devon...
*Morning, Dev.*
*What d'you want.*
Cloudie frowned, startled by her friend's curtness.
*Uh, thanks for coming out with me last night.*
*Yeah, well, next time you want a fuckin' chaperone, use someone else.*
Cloudie bit back her initial, uncomplimentary reply, took a deep breath and tried again.
*I'm sorry about what happened.* she offered tentatively, half-hoping he'd fill her in.
*Oh suuure you are! You think it's fuckin' funny, asking me back then buggering off with someone else?*
The tinkerer rubbed her fingertips firmly over aching temples.
*Devon this is the most pathetic excuse ever, but I honestly didn't know what I was doing. I barely remember last night. I don't know how I ended up with Briony when it was you I wanted.*
*And that's supposed to make me feel fuckin' better, is it?*
*No of course not,* Cloudie was having trouble concentrating; the headache had battered down the flimsy ramparts of the aspirin and was advancing steadily on the castle of her brain... *And I know it's no consolation, but I'm really, really sorry. Let me make it up to you?*
There was a long, sullen silence, then a growled,
*I'll think about it.*
The surge of relief made Cloudie feel nauseous again.
*Thanks, Devon. Uh -* the tinkerer dashed to the bathroom, *I've got to go, I'll talk to you later, okay?*Cloudie went back to sleep – or fell unconscious, the difference was arbitrary – for another couple of hours, and woke up feeling shaky but better, but still with no real idea of what had happened last night. Devon hadn't been much help there, maybe Stephan...?
*Morning, uh-* Cloudie peered at the clock again, *- afternoon, Stephan.*
*Ah, chérie! You are feeling a little better, oui?*
She smiled at the Frenchman's cheerful tone.
*A bit, thanks.* Cloudie paused then plunged on, *I can't remember what happened last night, Stephan, and Dev is mad at me...*
Stephan laughed merrily.
*Ah, le petit is… sulking. 'e was looking forwards to a good fuck with you.* He sighed a little ruefully. *'e 'as a tongue on 'im, that one…* His *tone* became a little more serious. *But you should not mix your drinks, Nuage. Is not good for you. Le cidre does not go well with le whisky.*
*Whisky?* Cloudie frowned, now that he'd mentioned it, she dimly remembered a glass or several of something clear and golden that warmed her from the inside out. Oh god, that explained so much. *I was drinking whisky too? Shit.*
*Mais oui.* She could *feel* Stephan frowning. *Your friend, la belle avec les yeux d'orés, she was buying them for you. Do you not remember?*
Cloudie's French was barely conversational and as mentally scattered as she was at the moment it took her several seconds to work out what Stephan had said.
*'Golden eyes'? Briony? I don't remember. And why would she do that anyway? I hardly know her.*
There was a moment of silence. She could *feel* Stephan considering this and not liking what he came up with.
*Mais Nuage… she was being your best friend, last night. Making sure your glass was never empty, that you 'ad 'elp to visit la toilette… I thought you knew 'er well. We all thought that…*
*No, seen her around, thought she was pretty; didn't find out her name until this morning.* Cloudie frowned, something had just clicked into place. *And I don't think she was, y'know, interested in me either. Why the hell would she come home with me then? This doesn't make any sense.* The tinkerer groaned plaintively. *I've got the mental capacity of a teaspoon at the moment. I'll think about it later.* She sighed. *Any idea how I can make it up to Dev?*
The silence was longer this time. Stephan *sighed*, then *smiled*.
*Peut-être… un petit cadeau… Bring 'im a plant. Something green, 'erby, easy to look after. Or… something that feels good. To touch. Just a small thing. Something that shows you 'ave thought about it.* He *grinned*. *'e was very 'urt that you did not stay with 'im last night - 'e is very fond of you. But 'e will forgive you much.* For a tiny moment Cloudie *sensed* something almost painful in Stephan's thoughts. *But not everything, chérie.*
*I'm so stupid.* Cloudie felt like crying. *I didn't mean to hurt him, Stephan. Thanks for the advice, mon ami.*
Stephan *smiled*.
*Eh, you must tell him that yourself, ma chère. Later, per'aps. Tell me when and I will make myself not 'ere…*
She managed a slightly watery smile as he *chuckled* and *signed off*.Cloudie spent the day recovering, and wondering (obsessing?) over what she could do to smooth things over with Devon, then around 4 o'clock, she had an idea.
At 6 o'clock, after having been in quiet *contact* with Stephan, the tinkerer knocked gently on Devon's door.
"What?" the young psi's surly greeting, if it could be called that, brought a light flush to Cloudie's cheek. She smiled tremulously and lifted the light-weight plastic box she was holding by its handles.
"Picnic?"
"Now?"
"It's dinner time."
Devon's gaze bored into her, then he sighed exaggeratedly.
"Fine." The TK stepped out of the room, shutting the door forcefully behind him.In the garden, only the ducks were there to greet the psis as they wandered in uneasy silence over the stone bridge to a secluded little spot, fragrant with lavender bushes. Devon hadn't said a word on the way up here, or looked at her, and he slouched, hands thrust deep into pockets. Cloudie darted a sideways glance at him – god, was he pouting? He really was quite young... Her heart went out to him even as she stifled the nervous giggle. Cloudie opened the plastic container, lifting out a colourful, soft cotton rug and spreading it over the grass. Devon watched in silence as the tinkerer unloaded the contents of the carrier; a whole, cold roast chicken, some fresh, crusty bread rolls and real butter, containers of pre-prepared salad vegetables, sweet grapes and strawberries, a bottle of chilled spring water, a thermos (of coffee he found out when she offered him a cup) and a small tub of thick and rich chocolate sauce.
Cloudie made herself comfortable on the rug, and after a second Devon followed suit, but still didn't look at her. The tinkerer sighed minutely; okay she'd stuffed up, it was down to her to fix it.
"I'm really, really sorry, Devon. It was unfair of me to treat you like that, even if I wasn't fully in control of myself."
He stared down at the rug for a moment, then shrugged.
"S'not important." He chewed his lip for a moment, then shifted slightly to look into her face, his own suddenly - vulnerable. His lips quirked very slightly.
"You make your own choices. No one else should try and fuckin' influence that." Lowering his head, he sighed quietly. "Sorry. Had no right to be such a shit."
Cloudie quickly crawled her way around to him, wrapping her arms around his thin frame and hugging him tightly.
"You're entitled to express your feelings though," she kissed his hair, his temple, his cheek, "But next time we're out and some strange woman starts buying me drinks could you say something?" Cloudie teased him with a smile. "I'd have to be out of it to willingly swap you as a partner."
For a moment his body was stiff, unyielding - then he relaxed, just a little, his features softening.
"Did you do all this?" Devon jerked his chin at the food.
"God, no, I can't cook for shit!" Cloudie smiled, "Got it from the caff."
She reached over and picked out a long sliver of cucumber from the salad, then brushed it lightly over Devon's lips.
"Am I forgiven?" she asked softly, sincerely.
He eyed her - somewhat warily - for moment or two, then lowered his eyes, shoulders slumping.
"Course you are. But…" There was a very tiny hint of pain deep down in his eyes, and his fingers were twisted so tightly together his knuckles were white. "… don't say things you don't mean. Please."
Cloudie studied his face. What could she say? She was – usually – very conscientious about being honest; she'd meant it when she'd asked him home with her, still did, only this time she'd gotten… side-tracked.
"Never again if I can help it." she said earnestly.
He gazed at her for a moment, then nodded, trying to smile.
"Easier if I know." He lowered his gaze for a few seconds - then raised his face again.
"I'm hungry. Didn't eat much today - and this looks fuckin' great…"The TK wasn't his usual cheerful little self but with Cloudie gently teasing him – hand-feeding him pieces of chicken and vegetables, and later bits of fruit covered in the chocolate sauce – he'd lightened up considerably by the time the sun had fully set.
Devon lay on his back, hands behind his head, smirking and simultaneously groaning at the tinkerer who was lying beside him, propped up on an elbow.
"No more. Too fucking full."
"Oh go on, just one more!" Cloudie laughed dangling the chocolate laden strawberry just above his nose. "It's the last one - be a shame to waste it."
"You eat it then."
"All right," Cloudie grinned and tipped her head back, lowering the tidbit to her mouth until it was just brushing her lips. She flicked out her tongue, the mobile tip lapping delicately at the chocolate before twining sensuously around the plump fruit and pulling it into her mouth. The look on Devon's face was priceless, Cloudie thought as she contentedly chewed, and there was no mistaking the interesting bulge pushing against the already tight black denim stretched over his groin.
"Oh look," Cloudie grinned, angling the small container of chocolate sauce so Devon could view its interior, "there's a little bit left." She dragged a fingertip through the thick goop, then deftly painted Devon's lower lip with it. The tinkerer laughed, looking at the glistening, brown smear on the psi's lip.
"Nah. Not your colour." Cloudie slowly and thoroughly licked the sweet sauce away, manoeuvring herself as she did until she was straddling Devon's waist. She squirmed, lightly curving her arse back and forth over the TK's groin, loving the way he tensed under her, the way his pale-green eyes darkened with passion. Cloudie could feel herself getting wet - god she wanted him so much! Devon's hands slipped under her t-shirt and she couldn’t help the small moan that escaped her as his thumbs moved over her already erect nipples, flicking the rings gently.
"How 'bout you come home with me tonight?" the psi's gravel voice caressed her, making her quiver as her desire spiked up another notch.
"Yes, please - shit!" That last was rasped out when Devon scratched his fingernails not so lightly across her sensitive nipples fanning the fire low down in her belly. She growled at the smirking TK.
"We'd better leave now or I'll fuck you here."
"What about the picnic stuff?"
Cloudie glanced at the debris of their meal, undecided. She could come by and pick it up tomorrow, but packing it up and getting it all back to the caff would give her the chance to cool off a bit. She grinned and slipped off the psi.
"If we're quick we can be back at your place and at it like knives within five minutes."
Devon sat upright, pulling the cuff of his shirt up and peering at the back of his bare wrist as if he were looking at a watch.
"Our time starts – now!" he smirked.
© 2003 February 14th Lutra (and a little bit of Joules!)
Darkside