Coffee and awkwardness just don't mix.. {Mercy}

[Mercedes Rowe]

Mercedes had a feeling the wound would gradually heal on its own. She just needed some time. It was better than being question by hospital staff. There were few people that knew she was a shifter. Lucien just got thrown into that club. During her unconscious state all she seemed to dream about was how disgusted Lucien would be with her now that he finally got to see that beast in her.

There were a few times she heard his distant voice. At one point she opened her eyes and looked up at him. He was telling her to keep pressure on her neck or to tilt her head towards him. She did as she was told and turned her face into his chest, pressing it there so the shirt would continue to apply pressure on the wound. He was telling her to stay awake, but she was so unbelievably tired. Her eyes closed, but her eyebrows shot up, trying to heed his advice, except it was a losing battle.

She wished she could reassure him that she’d be alright. Now that he knew what she was, if he planned to stay around, she’d have to let him know that their wounds could usually be healed, unless it involved losing the head or silver. The first would be instant death, the second a slow and painful one.

At his apartment, even under unconsciousness, she felt enveloped by Lucien’s scent. It made her smile slightly, bringing her much needed comfort in her state.

Sometime later, she wasn’t sure how much later it was, she started to come out of her sleep. Her eyes opened slowly and stared out at the walls surrounding her, wondering where the hell she was at when she realized someone was near her, holding her hand and breathing deeply.

It scared her for a moment, wondering what the hell she had gotten into the night before, until last nights events started rushing back. Her hazel eyes darted to the man breathing. Then her free hand came up to rub a hand over her bandaged throat. He had taken care of her. She couldn’t believe it. He hadn’t been revolted by the beast she was. How had that happened? It made her eyes shine with unshed tears. She hadn’t realized until now just how much she was hoping he would accept her.

Then she got to thinking. What if he helped her only because he felt bad for her? She hoped that wasn’t it. She didn’t want to be treated like some charity case.

She sat up and just realized she had no clothing on. Pulling her hand from Lucien’s she slipped his jacket around herself and pulled it tightly together. She was worried about the man in front of her. She distinctly remembered hearing bones crack when he got hit in the ribs. Her eyes traveled up to his neck too, staring at the bruises on them. She was so pissed. She should have protected him better than she had.

Moving in, she brought a hand to his neck, sliding it gently over the bruises and wishing to inspect it and his ribs to see if anything was broken, except she was nowhere near her medical equipment. The bruises brought her lips together in a tight line. If Lucien hadn't finished that vampire off she would be out hunting for him now, except she knew she really wouldn't. She would have sat here tending to Lucien to make sure he was well.

“Lucien…” She spoke softly, not trying to startle him, but trying to wake him up. He had a pulse, which was one of the first things she looked for. “Do you want me to take you to the hospital?” Stupid question! He’s been sitting there all night looking over you and you think now he wants to go to the hospital?

[Lt. Lucien Calugarul]

While she slept, Lucien kept guard. His side and neck were hurting like a son of a bitch, but he was used to ignoring such pains. Back in the army, no rational soldier wanted to be sent to the hospital or medical tents, after all. They weren't called 'death houses' for nothing.

Dilligently, he watched the rise and fall of her chest; stiffening at every exhale, and breathing a sigh of relief as her chest rose. It was so strange, this feeling that surged through him. The protectiveness, the possessiveness...if he didn't know better, he was impersonating a wolf and claiming his mate.

His lips quirked at the thought. No, he wasn't the wolf...she was. A vision of her animal half flashed through his mind then; the bunching of muscle, the sleekness of her body, those powerful jaws, and the courseness of her tongue on his arm. Her eyes had been the same, he thought, tentatively smoothing back the hair from her face. Those beautiful, smiling eyes hadn't changed.

Hopefully, he would see them again. Did all shifters heal quickly? He tensed as he watched her, hoping that it were true.

After a few hours, however, adrenaline began to leave hsi body and sleep demanded entrance. Pulling out a gun from under the bed, he set it on his lap and moved his chair so that he could see the door. Mercy was breathing normally and the bleeding had stopped, so he would grab an hour's nap, then changed the bandage. He hadn't sensed anyone following them, but he had to be sure.

Heaven help the fool who tried to attack them a second time.

For once, he was dreamless, falling into a light slumber. At the feeling of someone touching his side, however, he was instantly awake and alert. His free hand snapped around her wrist, jerking her hand away from him. He half faced the door, pointing his gun, lips pulled back into a snarl as he positioned himself in front of the cot--

And blinked. The doorway was empty...what?

When the doctor's voice cut through the sleepy fog of confusion, reality dawned. Setting his gun down onto the chair, he eased himself onto the edge of the bed. A frown pulled at his lips. Him? Need a hospital? All he'd had was a couple of cracked ribs; SHE'D been bitten by a vampire!

"No, I am fine," He said with a shake of his head. "How are you feeling? Do you need doctor? Ah, I call my friend, Julian. He is medic and will give you medicines." He rose to get his cellphone.

As she jerked the jacket higher up over herself, however, he froze. From where he stood, he could see the soft curve of her neck...and lower. Clenching his teeth against a punch of desire that surged through his gut, he quickly turned around and went to his closet. He emerged with a large tee and a pair of sweats a short time later.

"Here," He said gruffly, handing her the clothes. "You can wear for now. I will go call medic and he will come to take care of you, yes? I will be right outside."

Without giving her a chance to respond, Lucien hurried out of the room, closing the door behind him. He took a minute to collect himself, glancing out of the hall window to check the street behind. A deep breath, some mental berating and a smack of his cell phone later, and he dialed the familiar number.

"Jackman," The medic's voice crackled through the line. Thank God, it was the doctor and not his 'son.'

Keeping his voice curt, he relayed his mesage and tried not to sound too relieved when Julian agreed to pay a visit. Snapping the phone closed, he gave a knock on the bedroom door and opened it, keeping his eyes on the floor.

"Clothes are good? If not, I can go to store for you. It would be good to stay here for a while, in case more of them come."

[Mercedes Rowe]

Mercedes had been quite surprised when her hand to Lucien’s neck brought him out of his slumber. It was like he was waiting for someone to show. His hand latched onto her wrist, pulling it away while going into a protective position in front of the cot. She went completely still as his gun was trained on the doorway. She was afraid to breathe or make any sharp movements.

When he seemed to slip out of the confused state, she waited for him to release her hand. As he let go she dropped it down to the cot as she sat on the edge of it, huddled beneath his jacket.

“No, I don’t need a doctor. I’m perfectly fine,” she told him, but he was already rising from the bed and heading to get his cell phone. “There’s really nothing they can do.” Her hazel eyes lifted slowly as he froze, unsure what caused it. Was he afraid of her now? She felt sick to her stomach.

She tilt her head, looking a tad confused as he abruptly turned and went into his closet, only to reappear a moment later with a large t-shirt and a pair of sweats. She took the offered clothes and nodded, “Thank you, but-” He was out of the room, not giving her time to put in a word edgewise. She was going to inform him that she was perfectly well. She didn’t need anyone looking at her. All she truly wanted was to make sure he was well. “I could use a hug right now,” she said to the empty room. She rubbed a hand wearily over her forehead.

While he went about making this unneeded phone call she got dressed, as well as taking the bandage on her neck off. She ran a smooth hand over it and noted that the wound was still there, but felt like it was healing nicely. It would likely be gone within a day or two.

Her thoughts wandered as she got dressed. Lucien seemed so distant, not like the man she had kissed last night. Just thinking about it made her heart flutter beneath her ribcage. It saddened her, but she understood that after he had figured out she was a shifter he didn’t want to be close to her. It was a common theme with what couple of men she had gotten close enough to.

With a heavy sigh, she pushed a hand through her hair and was about to head for the door when there was a knock and he opened it, keeping his eyes focused on the floor. “Yes, the clothes are fine. Thank you for the offer, but-” She went for the door to step around him. “I am sure I will be fine. I am good at rebounding back after attacks.” She spoke of last night as well as the attack from the were when she was younger.

Her eyes stayed off of his face, not wanting him to see the pain in her eyes or to look at him. He would steal her breath away and leave her flustered when she needed to be level headed. She didn’t want Lucien feeling uncomfortable in a shifter’s presence, so she made the decision that she would go back to her daily life and not bother him any longer.

Plus, she did not want this doctor or medic or whatever he was probing her. She knew she was fine. She didn’t need him to give her an opinion of what she already knew. She was completely fine. However, it would be good this person was coming. He could inspect Lucien for her, since he didn’t seem to want her to check his wounds out.

But for goodness sake, she felt like exploding at him for feeling so distant, but she always was calm or was most of the time. She took a deep, steadying breath and brought her pained eyes up to look at Lucien. “Do I disgust you now?” She asked, wanting to know that answer before she stormed off. She thought she deserved to know if the beast in her was the reason he was acting distant or rather…closed off.

[Lt. Lucien Calugarul]

Yes, for all of his better qualities, Lucien was a fan of the art of half-listening; he was well aware of the fact. He knew that Mercy had been trying to make him stop moving around, denying the fact that she needed a doctor…but hell if he could stop himself from doing just that. The damned protective instincts within him were flaring like crazy, especially when he saw her wearing his clothing.

She looked good in his shirt, he thought as a rampant wave of desire punched through him yet again. She looked good in his shirt, surrounded by his scent, and standing in his home.

Du, perhaps it was time to visit that psychiatrist yet again…

It was his turn to protest when he came back into the room and saw her moving around. Against his better judgement, he moved closer to her, wanting so much to put his hands on her shoulders and push her back onto the cot. After losing so much blood, she needed to rest! Even DeVoux, the only other wolf shifter he knew, needed to recuperate after a particularly nasty fight. What if she tore open her wound? Pushed herself too hard and fainted?

Oh, there went that strangely tight feeling in his chest again. He couldn’t understand these strong feelings he had while around her…and after such a short time of knowing her! It must be the insomnia, or the fact that she’d helped him during battle. It was some kind of strange need to thank her in some way; yes, that was it.

“You were attacked before?” He asked sharply before he could stop himself. What was that nonchalance about recovering after being bitten by a monster. Had she been attacked before? Was she in some kind of danger. If he had any hackles, they would most definitely be rising as he felt the insane need to kill whoever had hurt her.

God, maybe it was her animal side rubbing off on him…if that was even possible. He and Derek were going to have to have a long, detailed talk about the life of a shifter. A long, detailed talk.

When her eyes came up to his and he took in the pain reflected there, his breath caught in his chest. Though his common sense screamed that he stay where he was, that they talk like civilized people with some respectful distance between them, his body didn’t seem to want to listen. In a flash, Lucien was across the room and close to her, only a few inches separating their bodies.

His face was stripped of masks as he looked down at her, one hand coming up to trace his finger gently across her cheek. Did she disgust him? God, what had given her that notion? She had probably been shunned in the past; that would be why she was so wary. The need to hurt those who hurt her rose up within him again.

His voice was soft as he spoke, forgetting his English for a moment before he caught himself. “Nu, dulceta…eºti frumoasã. You do not disgust me, Mercedes. You are beautiful…in any form. You believe me, yes? You are beautiful.”

[Mercedes Rowe]

Mercedes watched the way Lucien’s jaw tightened. He was upset about something, but she had come to the conclusion that it was her. Why else was he so uptight and withdrawn? He looked like he was about to explode; the tension coming off of him felt that thick.

Of all things she hadn’t expected the next question he spoke so harshly. It bit out and made her flinch with worry. “I…yes,” she fumbled with her words, unsure why he sounded so angry and asking such questions, but she decided not to elaborate on the attack on her when she was younger. Even this many years later it was still a touchy subject. She had taken that part of her life and shoved it into a box somewhere.

Right now, she wanted to figure out Lucien. Did he care for her and she was reading between the lines wrong? She didn’t understand how that was possible. She had read his body language perfectly when she had woken. He had put a clear distance between them, which was normal. It’s what she had expected. It had worried her since she started to get close with him, and now that he had finally learned the truth about the beast in her he didn’t want to be near her.

Then he closed that space between them in what seemed like two strides. Her eyes shot back up into his eyes trying to read them. His face lost that hard edge to it. He looked warm and inviting to her. Her eyes fell shut, taking in the feel of his gentle caressing touch. When she opened them back up all that pain and worry that was in them seemed lost. All she could think about was him and how he made her feel in that specific moment in time. The feeling took her breath away.

He went on to answer her question. She gave him a confused look as he spoke in Romanian, words that she did not understand, but they sounded beautiful, whatever they were. “Really? I do not scare you?” The worried expression that had fallen on her features since she had woken up was completely gone. In its place was a warm and caring expression.

Unable to contain the excitement, she hopped up on her toes and flung her arms around Lucien’s neck, ignoring any pain it gave her neck. She hugged him fiercely, holding back no inhibitions. Her lips pressed into the crook of his neck, letting her nose take in his very scent. The hard line of his chest pressed against hers as she held onto him.

She knew then that with every cell of her being she would do anything for this man. Last night was testament to that. She would have died in his spot if she had needed to. In a single night she had practically fallen head over heels for him. It was frightening, but she also welcomed the feeling.

Her eyes darted towards the front of his apartment. “I believe your doctor friend is here,” she said against his neck, wishing this friend of his wasn’t there. She knew she was fine. She stepped away from Lucien, sliding her hands gently over his shoulders and down his arms. “I want you to have him look you over. I am perfectly fine,” she said vehemently, even though deeply she wanted to be the one to care for him.

[Lt. Lucien Calugarul]

Ah, that was what it was, the soldier thought as he gazed down at the silly woman in front of him. The emotion buzzing around in his chest had to be fondness…with a hint of desire. He wanted to know more about her, to understand why she was so quick to judge him, to be her confidant in the days to come.

But that would also require him to become truthful with her, didn’t it? He would have to tell her what he did for a living…and what kind of Team he supported. Would she fear him when he admitted that he wasn’t just a common soldier taking orders? That he was an ‘interrogations specialist,’ which was merely just a fancy name for a torturer? And what emotion would those wide, soulful eyes gleam, when he told her that the purpose of Shadow was to eliminate supernaturals who didn’t follow human laws?

He did his best not to think of it, to focus on the now, but he could not. Especially when she threw herself into his arms and kissed the side of his neck. Tenderly, he held her, hitting the wall behind him with a grunt as he did his best not to topple over. Yes, she definitely was a Were, he thought wryly, grunting again when he bear hug became a bit painful. Supernatural strength and all.

Not that he minded. He always did have a thing for…capable women.

“Nu, you do not scare me. The wolf is part of you, Mercedes, and is…almost natural. Like your preferences…just hairier.” He froze for a split second as he realized that he was teasing her, but chalked it up to that new found emotion sitting warmly in his chest.

He opened his mouth to go on, to let her know his secrets as she had to him…but was never given a chance. A knock sounded on the door a second after the doctor announced Julian’s arrival, and the call from the hallway was less than pleased. It seemed that he’d just dragged the medic away from a particularly interesting dead body.

He really did have to find normal friends.

“He will look at you first, then me,” He said firmly, before moving to the door. Compromise was key, when in a relationship, he thought with a tiny smile. Opening the door to admit the team’s doctor, he ushered the man in.

Scowling and dressed in civilian clothing- jeans, shirt…please, say that wasn’t blood on the collar- Julian stalked into the room and passed Mercy without a second look, placing his doctor’s kit on the living room table. He pulled out a chair and turned, finally giving the both of them a once over.

“Lemme guess; I got two patients, right? Good thing I brought extra gauze. Alright, first one up, come sit down. I have a dead alien waiting back at the base, and it won’t autopsy itself. Miss? You’re first; let’s go.”

[Mercedes Rowe]

Mercedes let out a surprised sound as her hug caused Lucien to stumble back. The wolf had been enjoying his scent, which it really liked. Scent was a big part of the wolf’s desire as well as Mercedes. She could have stayed pressed against his neck taking it in as she kissed his neck with affection, but the moment he let out a painful grunt she leaned her upper body away rather quickly. Her hand came down gently on his ribs that she recalled getting hit. “Broken ribs?” She asked worriedly. “I knew you were hurt.”

She was worried for the taller man standing before her, but the worry dropped away as he spoke and it was in a…teasing manner. Her hazel eyes sparkled with amusement and her lips slid upwards. “That…that was funny, Lucien,” she pushed a hand against his arm in a flirtatious manner. Then, almost feeling that need to be upfront with him, she spoke honestly. “I can tell you one preference my wolf and I agree upon,” she looked in his eyes, “that’s you.”

God, she wanted to kiss him stupid.

But, his doctor friend had just arrived as well, interrupting anything they might share together in that moment, so Lucien slipped in one last note before he strolled off, leaving her no time to argue that she thought he should be looked at first. She was already healing, albeit feeling a little tired, but that was expected until her wound healed completely up. She watched Lucien walked away from her to go to let the man in.

She stepped out of the room, watching the man as he came waltzing in like he commanded the place. One eyebrow shot up, thinking this was going to be an interesting meeting. He barely even glanced at them as he moved to the living room table, setting down his bag. He finally turned after he sat down, looking at them both. Well, at least he seemed not too horrible. He seemed in a rush, but weren’t all doctors? She was like that at work most of the time.

Casting a quick glance at Lucien, she walked towards the other doctor, tugging at the shirt she was wearing nervously. She wasn’t nervous about the inspection, but nervous because this was someone that Lucien knew, someone he obviously trusted.

She came over to sit down near this other doctor and brought a hand to her hair, pushing the tendrils back from her neck as it covered the wound up. Then the words came. “I am perfectly fine.” She was about to tell him the wound would be gone in a day or two, but she didn't know how much about her being a werewolf she should share with this man. Could she trust him like she could Lucien?

Her eyes looked back at Lucien again, giving him a confused look. She wished she had asked him how much she could trust this doctor before the man had shown.

She still wished that Lucien would sit down and worry less of her and more about himself. “I’m quite positive that Lucien has broken a couple of ribs. I would rather we fixed him up first,” she pulled her eyes away from Lucien then. She was still not satisfied that Lucien was biting back any pain to make sure she was well first when she knew she would be fine. Sure, she had a lot of blood loss, but it wasn’t anything some rest wouldn’t cure.

Her eyes moved from Lucien to regard the other doctor. Her eyes settled on his civilian clothing, but the first thing she noticed was the red splotch on the collar of his shirt. Was that blood? Did the doctor not wear scrubs when he saw his patients? Her brow furrowed as she stared at it before finally pulling her gaze away. Then the weight of his words hit her. “Autopsy?” He was a doctor, wasn't he? She never worked on cadavers, only during medical school.

Now she got really nervous. She tugged again at Lucien's t-shirt she was wearing, pulling it around her fingers and watching the other man with a worried expression.

[Lt. Lucien Calugarul]

Oh, if the urge to kill Julian for putting that wary look on Mercy's face wasn' so strong. He wasn't used to this; these feelings, the suddenj and seemingly unbreakable tie between them. He actually felt like hurting the medic for nothing other than being so close. What kind of sense did that make? None, God save him! None!

But none of that mattered, he thought, as his mind flashed to their embrace shared only moments before. She'd held him so tenderly...so lovingly, and his soul had reacted to it. And when she'd declared that she wanted him? Hell if he hadn't felt the need to send Julian away just to be with her.

And it wouldn't be for long, would it? She was a werewold so obviously trying to hide her true nature from the world. What if she found out that he hunted her kind for a living? That he helped oothers kill supernaturals for not following human rules? Would she run from him? Take revenge for her fallen brethren as the vampire had? Something inside said no, but he'd lived for too long amongst betrayal to trust that deadened organ in his chest.

Back in the dining room, Julian merely smiled, though the expression didn't reach his eyes. "Don't worry, ma'am," He said, setting out his instruments on the table. "I only do that work for dead bodies. Let me just take a look at you, then we can work on Lucien."

With a clinical ease, the medic fell into the exam, checking the site of injury and applying a fresh dressing. When that was done, he stood and faced his fellow soldier. "Well, that was a waste of my time. Your diagnosis was correct, ma'am; you're fine. You'll need to get some rest and replace those fluids you lost, but all in all, I don't see any life threatening problems. Now, your turn, Lieutenant. Park it."

Lucien stiffened as the title came out of Julian's mouth. Had he ever told Mercy that he was in the army? They knew so little about each other, he tought as he pulled out a chair next to the doctor and sat. Gritting his teeth at the movement, Lucien pulled his dirty shirt off, revealing a set of nasty bruises around his ribs. He cursed in Romanian and glared at Julian when the man began the assessment, looking at the far wall to keep from making too much noise.

"One boken and three cracked. You need to get your ass back to base so I can do some x-rays," Julian declared a few minutes later, peeling off his gloves. He applied tight bandages, put down a bottle of pain pills in front of Mercy with a raised brow that seemed to say 'you'll be the only one who could get him to take them,' and moved to leave.
"I expect to see you at my office at 0500 tomorrow, Lieutenant," He said and lefy without waiting for an answer.

Lucien just shook his head. Julian was always on the go...but he had good reason, he supposed. Turning back to the doctor, he offered a half smile.
"Is good that you are okay. You feel better? Do you need food?"

[Mercedes Rowe]

Mercedes kept still as Lucien’s doctor friend looked at her neck. When he digressed that she was perfectly well and how it was a waste of his time. She sighed heavily as he moved away, thankful he wouldn’t be doing any other work on her. She was still leery of this man, working on cadavers. He sounded like a mortician, not a doctor. “Thank you for looking me over,” she nodded her thanks.

Her hazel eyes stared at Lucien now as Julian pulled the title out. Her brow scrunched together, and she knew she was going to have to ask him what exactly it was that he did. They hadn’t had too much time to really get to know one another, so it was definitely not something brought up. It explained somewhat as to why Lucien was domineering in his presence. She had gotten that feeling the first time she had met him.

As she watched Lucien sit with a flinch, she wanted to go to him. For Heaven’s sake, she was a doctor. She wanted to take care of him. It was a natural need that she felt, to take care for someone you care about. Her mouth dropped when the shirt came off and she stood quickly. She didn’t need doctor Jeckyll to tell her that Lucien had broken a rib or that some were cracked. The moment Lucien spoke in Romanian she was by his side, bringing a hand down onto his bare shoulder for comfort while also giving off a protective stance.

After the doctor made his assessment and told Lucien he was to come in for x-rays tomorrow, she nodded at him. Her eyes met his the moment he pulled the pain pills out, which she understood. “Thank you, again,” she said to the doctor’s retreating back.

Standing near Lucien now, she could see his bruises a little more easily. She came down to sit on the table in front of him and took his hands into hers. “I am fine, Lucien. I expect you to get some rest. I want you to work on healing up. As for food, I can fend for myself. Actually, I’ll see what I can pull together for the both of us. We both could use some sustenance.”

She reached for the pill bottle behind her and brought it around. Taking one out, she handed it to him. “Let me get you a glass of water.” She didn’t ask him to take the pill because she did not want him to refuse. If needed be she would make some form of a rebuttal to what he wanted.

It was only moments later that she returned with a glass of water, placing it in his hand. “Take that. You’ll feel better,” she promised him. “And don’t worry about anything. I’ll take care of you.” She leaned in and brought her hands to his cheeks, cupping them gently as she pressed her lips against his forehead.

[Lt. Lucien Calugarul]

Well, didn’t the woman’s surge of protectiveness toward him make him all warm and fuzzy inside? He’d been focused on the far wall, so as not to kill Julian or make too much unmanly noise, but it seemed as if his entire body had turned into a magnet when she moved around the room. Every part of him was so…tuned to her, he thought with a small frown, that where she went, half of his mind went with her. She was standing behind Julian at one point, and while he was doing his suffer in silence routine, he was so uniquely aware of her presence. And God, when she sat? It was even worse; the need to touch her, to console her, to lean into that outwardly frail softness until he was lost in her.

There they were again; those sudden, strong emotions that didn’t seem to want to die. They scared him, if he really wanted to be truthful; he’d never felt anything so clearly since he’d been with his wife. Was he betraying her memory by being with the doctor? That familiar guilt crashed into his chest, and he felt himself pulling away from her, sliding his hands from hers as his eyes locked on his feet.

As if hearing her comments, his stomach growled and his cheeks colored in response. “You do not have to cook, Mercedes.” He paused when he heard her name beaten to death by his accent. Du, there was no wonder why everyone called him ‘Vlad.’ “Is not much in fridge, but we can order food. I have menus in the drawer in the kitchen,”

Frowning at the little white pill in his palm, he watched her leave…and instantly regretted it, as his eyes fell to her derierre. God, she was beautiful, like some kind of painting. He had to hold onto that guilt, he told himself with an inner growl; hold onto that guilt and keep his distance. His mouth watered when he remembered their kiss, but he couldn’t get involved.

Hell, she probably wouldn’t want to anyway, once she found out what he did for a living. But that was for later. For now…there were a pair of lips chastly kissing his forehead. He’d dry swallowed the pill once she’d left, and reached around her to place the water on the table behind her. Before she could move, he caught her around the hips, pulling her down onto him with a sound in the back of his throat that not even he could categorize. He needed to taste those lips again, and, his movements slow, as if he were afraid of moving too fast and scaring her off, he stole a kiss.

And knew what Heaven must feel like. Goddamn those pills for working so fast! It only took a few minutes of gently tasting her lips that he began to feel foggy, and with a frustrated groan, let his head fall back onto the couch behind him. Almost reverently, he looked up at her, one hand coming up to brush a strand of hair from her cheek.

“You are an angel,” He murmured with a sigh, settling down into the couch as sleep tugged at him. His mind already half asleep, he placed a kiss on the side of her neck and promptly fell asleep.

Oh, how his ego was going to hate that one. He could just hear Raven’s voice in his head now; ‘God, Vlad, you didn’t even have sex and you’re falling asleep on her!’ A few hours later, Lucien awoke, feeling like he’d had a few dozen dirty socks shoved into his mouth. With a grunt, he pushed himself upright and yawned, running a hand through the disheveled mess of his hair.

[Mercedes Rowe]

Concern slid over Mercedes eyes as Lucien slid his hands from hers. He couldn’t even make eye contact with her. There was such a feeling of worry encompassing her as he stared hard at his feet. She was almost afraid he was hiding something from her, but she wouldn’t know unless he confided in her.

When his stomach growled, she stood. “If I can’t find something to cook I’ll order something,” she told him. He didn’t protest too much, so that was good. She would have made or ordered something without his consent anyway. She wanted him to eat, and she knew he hadn’t eaten since before they were attacked. He had sat by her the whole time, she assumed.

After she placed that kiss on his forehead and went to hand him his water, she watched as he reached around her and set the glass down. “You took the pill?” She asked, expecting him to tell her that he tossed the pill out. She could see him doing that. She was ultimately surprised when he grabbed her hips and pulled her down into his lap. She watched his eyes with fascination as he seemed to be set on something. She didn’t know it was a kiss, but the moments their lips met she moaned unconsciously in response to it.

Their lips pulled apart and her body was responding to a need to make Lucien hers, this overbearing need to mark him as her own. She watched him as he let his head fall back with a groan. A smile crossed her Asian looking features as he moved a strand of hair off of her face. She caught his hand with her own, holding it near her face as she kissed his palm.

She watched as his eyes grew weary. The medication was kicking in. Before he passed out he kissed her neck and she licked her lips, wishing she could explore more of his mouth, but that would have to wait. His shoulders drooped and she knew he was out.

For some time she sat on his lap, playing with his hair and watching him sleep. It seemed fascinating to her. She wondered if he had any dreams and what they were about. Occasionally she would lean against his chest to listen to his solid heartbeat.

Her feelings for him seemed to be getting stronger and stronger. She was so afraid she was moving too fast for him though but, god, she couldn’t stop what was already moving. It actually really frightened her. It was something she had never felt before.

A few hours later Lucien would find Mercy curled up on the couch next to him. On the table in front of him was Chinese food that didn’t appear to be touched. She ordered it about an hour ago, but exhaustion took its toll and knocked her completely out.

[Lt. Lucien Calugarul]

Du, he did hate the pain medications that the doctors prescribed nowadays. Was it some kind of medical necessity, to make pills that had side effects that made a man want to vomit? Or see double? Or feel like he’d dragged his tongue through sand? Rubbing at his stubbly chin with a grumble, he shook his head to merge the two coffee tables in his line of sight into one. Smacking his lips together, he reached for the glass of water on the table and downed it in one gulp, wincing at the nasty taste.

He really needed a shower and some mouthwash, he decided with another grunt, as he pushed himself up on the couch. Rubbing the heels of his palms into his eyes, he took a deep breath, ready to yawn…and froze.

The smell of Chinese food pervaded his senses and he frowned in confusion. Why was there takeout in his apartment? Had he ordered it? As the confused thoughts filtered through his muzzy brain, the events of the past few hours came crashing back, and he instinctively stiffened, his hand going for his gun. The coffee shop, the alleyway, the vampire, Mercy getting hurt…Mercy.

His head whipped around as a warm puff of air brushed up against his bare arm, and he instantly relaxed. There was his doctor, he thought with a small smile. Looking like an angel right out of a painting, she was sleeping on the couch next to him, curled up like some sort of adorable kitten.

But no…not kitten. Werewolf. Slowly, his smile faded away as he watched the soft rise and fall of her chest, and softly, so as not to wake her, brushed a stray lock of hair from her face. He knew of the shifter kind from his brother in the Team, Derek, and had learned that there was a distinct difference between those born and those turned. Normally, the latter had to be bitten, ‘infected,’ for the conversion to take place. Had she been attacked? Forced to change against her will?

The thought practically made the hairs on the back of his neck rise in righteous anger. It took all of his self control not to give into the unfamiliar urge to hit something, and he consoled himself with the feeling of her warm breath at his side. Ignoring the food, he slid back down with a pained grumble, and curled himself around her, his arm on the back of the couch.

“How beautiful, you are,” He murmured, tracing her cheek with a finger. “And foolish, to allow yourself to be hurt for me. Who are you, Mercedes, to make me feel this way?”

[Mercedes Rowe]

Mercedes had been sleeping so deeply when someone shifted next to her followed by a low grumble it felt like a distant dream, until she heard Lucien’s voice, like he was pulling her awake by it. The trace of his finger over her face had her mumble something incoherent. Her eyes opened quickly when she realized she had spoken out loud in her sleep and remembered who was next to her.

She shifted with a sigh and lifted her chin to look at him. “Lucien?” She asked with a sleep filled voice. It sounded hoarse to her own ears. Then….she froze. Lucien was so very close to her, stroking her cheek, and had just spoken to her in a hushed tone. The last couple of sentences were still processing in her brain as she wasn’t completely awake and aware, except for her body being very aware of his closeness. He smelled so good.

Her hand came to his that was on her face, capturing it between his fingers. She moved it towards her lips, kissing the palm with a feathered touch of her lips. Letting his hand drop away, she glanced at the food that was still untouched. “How are you feeling? Better?” She hoped better. The idea of him hurting extremely bothered her. She wanted to fix him, take his pain away.

She sat up then, acutely aware of how relaxed he looked. Her eyes darted back to the food. “I bought some Chinese takeout for you. I thought you might be hungry when you woke.” Except her thoughts were still concentrating on those words she had heard when she had first started to wake.

Before she knew what had taken over her, she was back against Lucien, except closer this time. Her lips had found his. The moment she captured his soft lips with her own, she felt at ease, as if everything was perfect in the world or maybe he just made her feel perfect.

With a slow blink, she pulled away and apologized for abruptly throwing herself at him. How embarrassing? She bit her bottom lip, staring hard at the coffee table with its Chinese food on top.

Her hand came down to the shirt of his she was still wearing, tugging at it as she thought of the last 24 hours. There was not a single thing she would change about it either. Meeting Lucien had been the best thing that had ever happened to her, but she just couldn’t get the words out to tell him, so instead she acted like a wild child and threw herself at him. Brilliant…bloody brilliant.

After coming back to her senses, she answered the question that he had asked just as she was waking up. “I’m just a girl, Lucien, a girl with a curse,” she kept her eyes pinned on the coffee table. “And right now, I’m wishing that I wasn’t werewolf…for you.”

[Lt. Lucien Calugarul]

Du, but his name on her lips was the most heavenly sound he’d ever heard in his life. He closed his eyes against the bliss of it, a harsh breath escaping him when she kissed his scarred hand. What was it about this woman that made him feel so very connected, so very fast? He just couldn’t get over the sudden…rightness that he felt when he was with her. It was as if he’d been waiting for her all this time.

With a small nod, he slowly levered himself up, biting back another uncomfortable grunt. “I am better, yes. I have gotten these kinds of wounds before. Is nothing serious; will be gone in a week or so,” And he’d probably be put on light duty for a while, which would have irked him, but instead had him wondering how much leave he could get. Strange.

Another small smile graced his lips as she motioned toward the food. She was so kind, to think of him…especially after she was attacked because of him. The thought made him frown, his face darkening as he thought of the vampire. Was he the last? Would others be looking for him and his team mates? And, more importantly…would they look for Mercy because she’d been seen with him? His body went cold at the thought, and he silently cursed himself for his weakness. He should never have gotten her involved with him; asking her to coffee had been a horrible idea. He should just have her leave with the promise of a phone call, and she would be safe—

It only took one kiss to have all intelligent thought dying away, he realized during a haze of desire. It was like a fire had been ignited in his veins; when her lips met his and the kiss deepened, any thought of separating himself with her became a moot point. He wrapped his arms around her, settling her more comfortably against him and slanted his mouth against hers. She smelled of flowers and faintly of antiseptic, and strangely enough, he wanted his own scent on her.

And who was the one with the animal half, here? When she pulled away, he couldn’t help a low, disappointed rumble from escaping him. He wanted her…enough to put her in danger. God, how much of a selfish ass was he?

He shook his head, half in an attempt to clear it, and half to deny her statement. She made herself sound as if she were nothing special…and that her curse was a bad thing. Catching hold of her hips, he brought her across his lap so he could hold her, positioning them so she wasn’t lying on his bruised side.

”If it wasn’t for the wolf, you would have been seriously injured because of me and my work,” He said, locking his eyes with her. A slightly teasing smile touched his lips. ”The wolf is a part of the beautiful woman who has somehow made me smitten with her. Is not a curse…is a blessing, my angel.”

Idly, his thumbs traced half circles along her hips, and he took a deep breath and steeled himself for what he was about to say. ”You are not the first wolf I have met in my life, you see. I am soldier with the US government, and before that, with Romanian Army. In Romania, I fight for freedom of my people…here, I fight against people who are not necessarily human. Who hurt people because they wish to, or cannot help themselves. Is because of my work, that you were hurt.”

[Mercedes Rowe]

Mercedes furrowed her brow slightly and wondered just how many times Lucien had been in situations like this. She couldn’t believe he was talking about broken ribs being nothing serious and having wounds like this before. She wanted to snap someone in two for hurting him. He was such a kind man. Why would anyone harm him? She recalled the first time she saw him. He brought in some bum off the street. There was not a man she knew that would have done such a thing.

All her angry thoughts had been completely squished though after that damn kiss. She must look like a floozy, throwing herself at him like that. My god…it was hard not to get close to him though. She wasn’t sure what it was about him that made her feel so special. Yet, she barely knew anything about him. It was crazy. If someone asked her if she believed in fate she would have denied any belief, but now….now she was almost certain fate had played a hand in them meeting.

Her hazel eyes shifted to look at him. That low grumble after the kiss seemed to please the wolf in her. If she didn’t know any better she would have thought he had a beast in him as well, disappointed at staking its claim. She had to clear her head and push her beast down.

A shocked gasp came out of her mouth when he grabbed her by her hips and pulled her onto his lap. Being this close to him had her forgetting what it was she was even pondering about. Her eyes locked with his and she linked her arms loosely around his neck, brushing her fingers over his neck and through his hair.

Her eyes went distant as he spoke of her infection not being a curse. How could it not be? She did not think of it as a blessing at all. Sure, she could handle a fight better than most women, but she hadn’t asked for this. “Smitten?” All his other words were lost and her lips lifted into a smile. He was smitten as well? She wanted to kiss him again, except he started to speak of his line of work.

Her brow scrunched together with confusion as he told her who he worked for and what he did. “You work for the government? I assume when you speak of going after people that aren’t necessarily human that you mean like me, right? Well, maybe not exactly like me, but more like the person that did this to me?” She asked him softly, not particularly wishing to broach this area of her life, but wanting to know exactly what types he was speaking of. “And don’t ever speak of this being your fault. It wasn’t, at all.”