Rose of Destruction II

[MorningStar]

Bicé - Midtown

They were shown to their table, an elegant two-seater in the smaller room of the restaurant, with lots of dark wood and sparkling crystal. Maxim pulled out her chair and she smiled and thanked him as he pushed it back in for her. He ordered a beer, which she was silently thankful for, because it meant she didn’t have to try to look fancy and order wine.

She perused the menu to give her hands something to do, looking over all the delicious things she had to choose from, but her eyes stealing glances over the top of the menu at Maxim. When the server returned she ordered a Caesar salad and the gnocchi, handing off her menu and taking a drink of her beer. She left her fingers touching the bottom of the glass, and leaned forward to speak.

“So…I know you’ve said before but…Maxim: how does that whole thing work again?”

“Well…”

He scratched his beard again like he knew how sexy it looked. What was she saying? He probably did know, and was doing it on purpose.

“It’s like, I remember the things he did, but it’s not like I did them. It’s like I’m watching someone else do them. I’m still…me. And I remember everything from my own life. At least, I think I do. But it’s not like I have his feelings or personality. He was a total asshole.”

She gave him a look that said, and you’re one to talk.

”He got manicures, Delilah. If that doesn’t make him a douche, I don’t know what does. I may be an ass, but not THAT kind of ass.”

She had to laugh out loud at that, Maxim’s Guide to Proper Male Behavior.

“Well, I guess that means I won’t have to fight you for a chair at the nail salon.”

Their eyes met for a moment, and she smiled at him. It really was easy to be there with him, talking, laughing. A thought occurred to her.

“You know, I can call you Connor if you want me to. I just thought…”

He shook his head.

Maxim: “Naw, this body is Maxim. Another name would just stir up unnecessary questions. Plus, there are things from that name I’d like to leave in the past…”

Delilah nodded. It was the name and face she had fallen in love with…but also the one that had betrayed them, that she had killed.

“Delilah…are you okay? With all that’s happened I…are you handling everything alright?”

She took another drink of her beer and looked down. She knew he had asked because he was concerned, but she really didn’t want to think about any of that right now.

“I’m fine.”

She looked up.

“You know how it is. It’s not easy, but all we can do is get through it. There’s a plan, so…I just hope this is over with soon. I think it’s the waiting that’s the worst part.”

But what was she saying? She reached over and took his hand.

“You’re the one we should be worried about. Do you want to…talk about what happened?”

 

[Bishop]

Bicé - Midtown

“Well, I guess that means I won’t have to fight you for a chair at the nail salon.”

He laughed.

“Not if you paid me.”

She smiled at him, and then she breached an odd subject.

”You know, I can call you Connor if you want me to. I just thought…”

He shook his head.

“Naw, this body is Maxim. Another name would just stir up unnecessary questions. Plus, there are things from that name I’d like to leave in the past…”

He had thought about it a lot, actually, after she had found out who he really was, there on the island of Aerie. And aside from the fact that his bank accounts and property were all under the name Maxim Sheremetyev, he wanted to forget the things he’d done as Connor St. James. The things he had done to Delilah.

“Besides, this is the name we gave Alexia.”

They had done it so she could be protected by his wealth, but still.

He asked her how she was doing, and he immediately realized it was the wrong thing to ask, because it made her sad.

“I’m fine.”

But he could tell she really wasn’t. She reached over suddenly and took his hand, and it startled him at first. He stared are her hand on his for a long moment.

“You’re the one we should be worried about. Do you want to…talk about what happened?”

It took him a second to realize that she meant almost dying. And then he scoffed, waving her off.

“People try to kill me every day. This is no different.”

He shrugged.

“Not to me.”

And it wasn’t, really. Haleigh meant nothing to him, despite what had happened. She wasn’t his friend. He didn’t feel betrayal by her, the way Delilah did. Same old shit, different asshole.

He was absentmindedly rubbing Delilah's hand with his thumb, staring silently at her, when their food arrived and she somewhat embarrassedly retracted her hand. He focused on his plate, trying to think of a way to change the subject.

“So…I met Sally Spectra.”

He gave her a look that said she knew exactly what that meant.

“It was…an experience. But I can see why you like her.”

Delilah: “I’m surprised Blaze didn’t put you in something tie-dyed out of spite.”

He shook his head.

“Naw, naw – she was fine. A little too amused by Sally’s wandering hands I think, but professional.”

Delilah’s eyebrows went up at “wandering hands”. He pushed his dinner around his plate with his fork.

“I don’t think I could make a case for assault…since I paid her to do it. But she did get kind of…grabby.”

They both laughed then, and the conversation continued, more drinks were brought, until they had eaten their fill. The server returned and asked them if they wanted dessert, and Delilah started to say no, but he encouraged her.

“Come on, have something. This is a special occasion.”

She agreed to share something, and he ordered the vanilla panna cotta. Once they were alone again, he reached out and took both her hands in his. There was so much he wanted to say to her, but she beat him to the punch.

Delilah: “This has been really great.”

He nodded in agreement.

“I’ve wanted to take you out for a long time. There’s something I want to show you, like I said.”

He cleared his throat uncomfortably.

“But mostly, I just wanted to see you.”

The server returned and placed the plate of dessert between them, causing them to break their hands. Maxim put some of the white concoction on his spoon and held it out to her to taste.

“You get the first bite.”

 

[MorningStar]

Bicé - Midtown

Maxim seemed to not know what she was talking about at first.

“People try to kill me every day. This is no different.”

“You almost died, Maxim.”

His thumb was tracing random patterns on the back of her hand. She looked into his face, his eyes staring back at her, and tried to figure out if it really bothered him as little as he was letting on.

The server arrived with their food, and she pulled her hand back self-consciously.

“So…I met Sally Spectra.”

She laughed – she had been right about how Sally had known they were having dinner. His look said that Sally had been as flamboyant as usual.

“And?”

“It was…an experience. But I can see why you like her.”

“Sally’s great. I’m surprised Blaze didn’t put you in something tie-dyed out of spite.”

”Naw, naw – she was fine. A little too amused by Sally’s wandering hands I think, but professional.”

She gave him a wide eyed look. What had Sally been up to?

“I don’t think I could make a case for assault…since I paid her to do it. But she did get kind of…grabby.”

She laughed at that, and so did he.

“I think you might be lucky to have escaped with your honor intact.”

Their entrees arrived then, and they talked some more, about unimportant things. Maxim insisted they have dessert.

“Okay…but let’s share one.”

She smiled, and when the server left Maxim reached out and took both her hands in his. She felt something like electric shocks course through her at his touch, and she didn’t want him to let go. She needed to say something, but the only thing that came to mind was

“This has been really great.”

“I’ve wanted to take you out for a long time. There’s something I want to show you, like I said. But mostly, I just wanted to see you.”

She blushed involuntarily, but was saved from speaking by the server returning with their dessert. He had to let go of her hands, and she suddenly felt colder at the loss of his touch. He put some of the fluffy white dessert onto his spoon and held it out to her.

“You get the first bite.”

She let him feed it to her.

“It’s wonderful,” she said in surprise. It was possibly the best thing she’d ever eaten.

When they had finished, Maxim paid the bill over her protests to split it, and had the valet bring the car around. Again he let her drive – as if she was going to do otherwise – and indicated that their next stop was 71st and Broadway.

 

[Bishop]

The Dorilton – Uptown

“Pull into the garage there.”

He handed her a key card for the gate, and they drove down into the underground structure and parked. He opened her door for her, and showed her to a nearby elevator, which they rode to the top floor, accessed by the key card Delilah still held in her hand.

Delilah: “What are we doing here, Maxim?”

“Just wait and see. Trust me.”

The doors opened, and he took her hand, leading her out into the apartment, which was empty but lit by soft light. It was spacious, taking up the entire top floor of the building.

“Maxim bought this place as an investment, but he never lived here. He just let it sit empty all these years.”

He showed her some of the rooms, then led her to a pair of French doors.

“This is the best part.”

Opening them, he stepped out onto an outdoor terrace. He flipped a switch, and tiny lights illuminated the trees and shrubs. She would also see that there was a small greenhouse.

Delilah: “Why are we here?”

He stood facing her, and took a deep breath.

“Because I want you to decorate this place for me. I want you to make everything just as you would want it to be. I want you to have a place that’s your own, that you can go to when you need to get away from the Six.”

He took her hand.

“There’s plenty of room. Alexia can have her own room. Maybe one day you’d like to bring her with you. And there will be no weapons, no violence – I won’t bring any of that here. And you can add whatever security protocols you want. Have Clandestine do it, or…somebody else. Whatever you want. I want you to make this a home.”

She was speechless.

“Just say you’ll think about it. Please.”

 

[Black Widow]

The Chrysler Building -- Exterior 61st Floor

She stood sentry on the gargoyle, enshrouded in shadow on the stainless steel eagle's head. She was completely oblivious to the thunder, lightning, and pouring rain. Behind her, a large spotlight illuminated the iconic crown of the Chrysler Building. Below her, a battle raged in the street in front of Aroma.

All she had to do was leap, and she'd be down there, but she couldn't, for so many reasons. And since Mystique was already there, helping Seph to fend off her former allies, Haleigh could make herself stay here. If the tide turned, she'd have a decision to make. Drop in and fight to save Persephone and the Red Bishop from capture, or return to Hellfire and call in reinforcements. She watched them attack her sister. It looked like they were all down there, fighting as a unit, just like old times, but she was up here, just watching, like a ghost of her former self. Cass was MIA, but the rest of them were there. Her other sisters, Morgan and Blaze. Delilah. Nicolas. Cameron. Five more reasons she couldn't drop down into the fight. Some of the Birds were there too.

When will I wake up from this nightmare?

She wondered, as the rain hammered her scalp before it ran down her face in rivulets and into the neckline of her suit. Persephone and Mystique held their ground, and then escaped, no worse for wear. Haleigh watched, and listened, as the Six and their allies briefly exchanged post fight promises, then escaped before the sirens arrived. Haleigh herself went back to her suite again, and started to strip off her wet battle suit.

Seph was already with Alek again, warning him of Prophet's threats. Haleigh checked the camera feed from Seph's room, and noted the 'debrief' between her sister and the Red Bishop. With Seph safely in the Red Knight's arms, Haleigh decided to leave them be, still. Let them have their last night together. Haleigh felt a frustrated aggression coiled within her like a snake, ready to strike out. She didn't like standing idly by during a fight. She wanted to hit something, expend a little energy, unleash a little violence. Time to head down to the gym, since she wouldn't get to fight the bear until morning.

It wasn't a sprawling setup, but it had enough to work up a good sweat. There was no one else here, so Haleigh locked the doors and put a different feed up on the various screens. One to keep an eye on her sister, one to monitor a few of the others, and one to watch for Bishop and Delilah's arrival at the restaurant. As per usual, the restaurant surveillance cameras lacked an audio feed, but Haleigh observed smiles, hand holding and meaningful glances. They even shared dessert.

So sweet, it's nauseating.

Haleigh thought bitterly, as she started the treadmill on the most intense preset program. Haleigh watched them get into a pretty sexy fastback, and she tracked it through the traffic cameras to their next stop.

Need a little extra time to seal the deal, eh Max?

 

[MorningStar]

The Dorilton – Uptown

It was too short a trip uptown, where they pulled up to a large building of red brick and white stone with a copper roof. Maxim directed her into the garage to park, and then they took the elevator together to the top floor. The whole thing seemed incredibly…odd. Who could they be here to see?

“What are we doing here, Maxim?”

Delilah was feeling a little apprehensive. She didn’t think she could handle another surprise dropping out of the sky on her.

“Just wait and see. Trust me.”

She gave him a skeptical look, but allowed him to take her hand and lead her out of the elevator and into an empty apartment. It had a pretty open floorplan, everything beautifully done, from an architectural standpoint.

“Maxim bought this place as an investment, but he never lived here. He just let it sit empty all these years.”

It was still weird to hear him talk about himself like he was two different people. Which of course, he was – but it still sounded strange. He took her down a hallway, indicating various rooms. He went to a pair of French doors which looked like they opened onto a balcony.

When they stepped outside, Delilah gasped in wonder. Thousands of tiny lights twinkled in the trees on the gigantic outdoor space. No one in New York had this much green all to themselves. There was even a little glass greenhouse.

She was amazed, but the question remained.

“Why are we here?”

She looked up into his face, questioningly.

”Because I want you to decorate this place for me. I want you to make everything just as you would want it to be.”

She scoffed.

“I’m sure there’s about a thousand decorators you could hire…”

”I want you to have a place that’s your own, that you can go to when you need to get away from the Six.”

That shocked her. Double so when he took her hand.

“There’s plenty of room. Alexia can have her own room. Maybe one day you’d like to bring her with you. And there will be no weapons, no violence – I won’t bring any of that here. And you can add whatever security protocols you want. Have Clandestine do it, or…somebody else. Whatever you want. I want you to make this a home.”

She looked around her, opening and closing her mouth, not knowing what to say. A home. He was talking about a future. A future together. And one that included their daughter. Their family. He was clearly trying to ease her into it, like it was a vacation spot. But his meaning was apparent.

She finally looked at him and managed to speak.

“I don’t know what to say.”

“Just say you’ll think about it. Please.”

Think about it? Who wouldn’t want to carve out their own little world in this beautiful place. Away from everyone. A place to hide when it got too hard. It was a dangerous offer, to be sure. And the thought of her little girl playing under these trees…it was all she had ever wanted.

“It’s just, a lot a take in.”

 

[Bishop]

The Dorilton – Uptown

“It’s just, a lot a take in.”

Maxim nodded. Delilah wasn’t the type of girl to jump into anything without thinking, and he knew she wouldn’t agree right away. But he wanted her to see that he was serious, that he wanted to make a life for them, their family. And that he could be patient – this was a place where they could spend time together and eventually with their daughter, but he wasn’t asking her to move here, at least not yet. As much as he saw how upset the Six made her, the way they treated her, he knew she wasn’t ready for that. But he would give her a refuge when she needed it. And one that was better than a walk up with a crappy tv and a worn out couch.

Finally he gave her hand a squeeze.

“I’ll drive you home. Sorry – you can drive me to your home.”

Delilah: “You don’t have to, I can catch a cab from here…”

He shook his head.

“I promised you a proper night out, with me delivering you safe & sound back to your door. Come on.”

He turned out the light and led her back to the elevator, which they rode back down to the garage. Delilah drove them back to the Parthenon, cutting over to Central Park West and passing the Natural History Museum, all lit up at night. They drove through the park, and he could tell it was taking all of Delilah’s willpower to go slowly.

“Let’s not mow down any pedestrians, officer.”

She grinned at him.

Delilah: “Not an officer any more, luckily for you.”

When they reached the hotel, Delilah got out of the car and handed him the keys a little forlornly. Maxim handed the keys to the valet, insisting he show Delilah to her door as promised. They rode the elevator in silence, then made their way to outside Delilah’s door.

“I’m actually surprised I made it this far without one of your buddies trying to throw me out. Or kill me.”

She laughed.

Delilah: “I got you a hall pass.”

He stood there with his hands in his pockets, not sure what to say. The night had definitely gone by too quickly.

“I had a really good time tonight.”

Delilah: “Me too. I had fun.”

“We should do it again.”

Delilah: “Definitely.”

“Well…”

She smiled, her bright eyes twinkling.

Delilah: “Goodnight.”

She paused for a moment, before opening her door and going inside, closing it behind her.

Maxim exhaled sharply, bringing his fists to his forehead.

Idiot.

That was your chance, you moron.

“The douche-iness must be catching.”

He turned around and leaned his back against the door, hitting his head against it a few times.

You should have kissed her, you stupid asshole.

 

[MorningStar]

Soundtrack:

The Parthenon – Delilah’s Suite

Delilah told him goodnight, not knowing what else to say. She stood there, waiting for him to suggest a drink or – what she had been thinking about the entire drive to the Parthenon – kiss her goodnight. But neither of those things happened, he just stood there with his hands in his pockets like he didn’t know what to do. Maybe he hadn’t had as good a time as she had, but then, he wouldn’t have basically offered her an incredibly expensive piece of real estate to do with as she pleased if that were true.

She closed the door behind her, leaning back against it.

Idiot.

She should have asked him to come in for a drink. Or go to one of the fifty bars in this hotel. Or done something.

Ugghhhhhh…I should have just kissed him.

She heard a banging on the other side of the door. She pushed off from the door and turned, looking at it a moment, not sure if someone was knocking or what.

She opened it a crack, to see Maxim standing there facing away from her. He turned, looking surprised to see her.

“Did you just knock?”

Maxim scratched his beard, and stammered.

Bishop: “Uh, no, I mean, I was just…oh what the hell.”

Maxim leaned forward, putting his hands on either side of her face, pulling her into a deep kiss. All the waiting, all the pent up emotion, all his love for her was poured into that kiss. Delilah’s hands slid up his chest to his shoulders. It was like fireworks going off. It was everything.

He didn’t pull away, he just kept kissing her, and finally, as her body melted into his, he pushed her back into the suite, his mouth never leaving hers. He kicked the door shut behind them, his hands dropping to her back and waist, and he lifted her. Delilah wrapped her legs around him, her hands around his neck, then in his hair, tasting him like she needed him to breathe. And that’s how it felt: that if he left right then she would surely die.

Their kiss finally broke, but his eyes were locked on hers with that smoldering dark gaze he had, their foreheads touching, as he carried her into her bedroom. He kissed her passionately again as he set her down on her feet once more. His one hand was still on her back, holding her body pressed against his, but the other was now on her face, stroking her cheek, touching her lips. She kissed his fingers.

Bishop: “Lilah…oh God I love you so much…”

She blinked at the tears in her eyes.

“I love you too. I never stopped. Not once.”

Maxim kissed her again, slowly, gently this time. Delilah pushed his jacket off his shoulders and started on the buttons of his vest and shirt, her mouth kissing his neck while his hands busied themselves at trying to undo her belt.

Bishop: “Jesus, Lilah, couldn’t you have worn a mumu for this?”

Delilah laughed, pushing his shirt and vest off his shoulders. He had finally gotten the belt undone but was looking at her like a lost puppy. She pulled the tulle up over her head and off, and turned her back to him so he could see the zipper on the mini dress that was underneath.

Bishop: “Thank you.”

He kissed her neck, slowly unzipping the back of the dress while kicking off his shoes and socks. Delilah turned to face him again, pushing her dress down over her hips and stepping out of it. She gave him a sultry look and held his gaze while her fingers undid the zipper on his pants. They looked at each other for a few long moments, each body looking perfect to the other, hands exploring each other. His stroked her upper arms, and she leaned over and kissed his chest. He lifted her chin and pulled her mouth to his, then scooped her up into his arms, laying her down gently on the bed. He grinned as he undid the straps on her high heeled shoes, tossing them across the room one after the other.

Part of Delilah couldn’t believe this was happening. There had been so many roadblocks in the way – many of which were her own doing. And she regretted them all. They had lost so much time together, but now he was here, and he loved her, and she loved him. And neither of them were pretending that wasn’t true.

Maxim climbed onto the bed, and as he knelt beside her she had never wanted anything more in her entire life than she wanted him right then. She reached for him, and then his mouth was on hers, their fingers entwined, and she felt such joy.

Delilah could feel him, and her pulse quickened. She broke their kiss, and her hand flung to the side, pointing as she spoke breathlessly.

“Top drawer.”

Maxim’s hand fumbled to open the drawer, then he tore the packet open with his teeth. He rose up from her only for a few seconds. He gazed down at her, motionless for a few moments, then he kissed her, long and slow. He broke the kiss, keeping their faces almost touching, watching her eyes. His knee gently widened her legs, and then he slowly entered her.

Delilah gasped, and Maxim’s hands went to her face, keeping her looking into his. He moved slowly, excruciatingly slowly, keeping most of himself inside her. She pressed her hips against him, wanting more, her eyes pleading for more, her hands clutching at his back.

Finally he released her face and Delilah’s head tilted back, her eyes closing, her breath inhaling sharply. Maxim’s mouth found her breasts, and her back arched against him. He pushed himself up on his hands and at last began to move faster, his hips finding a rhythm. Delilah brought her knees up higher, and he lowered his head to the crook of her neck, moaning.

Delilah murmured his name, her hand going to the nape of his neck, her legs locking around his waist pushing him deeper. Their mouths came together again, tasting each other, drowning in need, in desire. She didn’t want it to end but could barely stand for it to continue.

“Maxim…I’m…I’m going to…”

And the feeling washed over her like a tidal wave, something low in her stomach contracting around him, causing him to cry out.

Bishop: “Goddamnit, Delilah…”

She put both arms around him and held him to her as her body shuddered over and over while his movements intensified until he too succumbed. He rocked against her, gradually getting slower until he finally stopped, still inside her, not pulling away. He brushed the hair out of her eyes that had come loose, kissing her eyes, her nose, her cheeks and finally her mouth again. When he finally pulled away, she whispered against his lips.

“I don’t want to spend another night without you.”

And he whispered right back, without hesitation.

Bishop: “You’ll never have to.”

 

[Bishop]

The Parthenon – Delilah’s Suite

They dozed, lying in each other’s arms, Maxim cradling Delilah against his chest. When he woke up, he remained still, watching her sleep. She glowed, and he wasn’t sure if it was her power or just that she was that beautiful. He had dreamed of this every night since the one where they had made Alexia. And now that it had happened, it was a thousand times better than he had remembered or even imagined. To hold her again was like finding out that the impossible was suddenly a reality.

She stirred, and he kissed the top of her head. When her eyes finally rested on him, she smiled, and he kissed her mouth, unable to hold back even for a moment. He pulled himself up onto one elbow beside her as she lay on her back, head propped on a pillow. He kissed her neck and could taste the salt from her skin on his lips.

He traced patterns lightly over her bare skin with his fingers, and when his hand reached her stomach he flattened it and rested it there. He picked his head up and studied her face.

“I think we should have another baby.”

Delilah scoffed at him.

Delilah: “What, you want to see me all fat and gross?”

He smiled, not letting her put him off.

“I saw you the last time. You were the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen, with our child inside you.”

She gave him a half-hearted laugh.

Delilah: “You can’t be serious.”

“One day we will bring Alexia home, and she should have a little brother or sister. And I want to be there from the beginning this time, by your side through everything. I don’t want to miss a thing.”

Delilah looked sad, and touched his face.

Delilah: “I’m sorry, that I didn’t tell you…”

He put his hand on hers.

“No, no – you did what you thought was best. There’s no fault in that. I wasn’t exactly father of the year material.”

She shook her head at him.

Delilah: “This is crazy. First of all, Ororo isn’t running a day care, and second…it’s too dangerous right now. You know that.”

“But you told me that most mutant children don’t get their powers until they’re older. You could ask Alison. She could do her thing, tell us whether it’s likely that the same thing would happen…”

He took her hand.

“And if it was, we wouldn’t do it. But it’s never going to be a good time, Lilah. We wouldn’t have Alexia if we had waited for the perfect time. It’s time to make a life for ourselves, as a family. I want to give you the life I know that you want. We can’t wait forever…we have to just do it, now.”

He wanted her to know that he was serious, that he wanted to be with her and only her for the rest of his life.

“We don’t have to decide right now, but I wanted you to know…I want you to see, that I’m here for you, and for our child or children.”

He stroked her hair.

“I love you more than my own life. And I would die to protect our family.”

 

[MorningStar]

The Parthenon – Delilah’s Suite

Waking up in his arms was possibly the greatest feeling she had every experienced. Well, almost. It felt unreal, like another dream she was going to wake up from, back in her bed, alone. But for now he was next to her. And he was talking about having another child together.

She thought he was just talking out of his ass at first, until she realized he was serious. She couldn’t, couldn’t do that, there were too many risks. It wouldn’t be safe. But looking at him, the way his eyes were lighting up talking about it…she realized she wanted it. She wanted the chance to raise a child, together. To live in the same place, to come home at the end of the day to each other, to listen to a little boy or girl chatter on and on about what they did at school that day.

The things he was saying, even though she knew it was crazy, started to make sense. A normal life was the thing she had always wanted, and here he was, offering it to her. Telling her what she already knew: if she waited for it to be the right time, it would never come. She had resigned herself to that fact, but here he was, bringing the hope back into her mind.

“I love you more than my own life. And I would die to protect our family.”

She smiled at him.

“I know. I know you would.”

Bishop: “I should have just taken Alexia away somewhere. But I knew if I did, you would find me. And deep down…I was selfish. I wanted to have hope that someday you’d forgive me and we could be together again. But I promise you, Delilah, I will do everything in my power to get her back. To bring her back to you.”

She raised herself up and kissed him.

“I know you did what you did for the right reasons, to protect me. And maybe I needed it. I wasn’t thinking straight.”

She put her arms around his waist and hugged him to her.

“I don’t blame you, okay? I forgive you for everything. And I hope you can forgive me for everything too.”

She felt his hands rubbing her back as he held her.

Bishop: “There’s nothing for me to forgive.”

Maxim kissed the top of her head again, then laid back onto the other pillow, intertwining his hand with hers. Delilah let her other hand wander over his chest. He was damn good looking. She began to kiss his chest, rising up onto her knees, then straddling his hips. He smiled up at her mischievously, while she leaned down to kiss his mouth.

Delilah pressed her body against him, hands feeling his muscular arms, her hips beginning to tease him. His hands found her bottom and began to pull her against him.

When she pulled away, he looked up at her as if he were watching a goddess above him. His right hand touched her chest, her breast, her stomach and she shivered. And then quite suddenly he grabbed her and pulled her down to him again, startling her so that she gave a little yelp of surprise.

He pressed his lips passionately against hers, and she balanced herself with a hand on his shoulder. The other one she slipped between them, taking hold of him, feeling him respond to her touch. She felt his moan against her mouth, then his hand between her thighs.

Bishop: “God, you feel so good…you’re so wet…I want you so much…Delilah…”

She gave him what he wanted, guiding him inside her again, sitting back to ride him. His hands moved to her breasts as she rolled her hips against him, he lifting his up to meet her. He felt so good beneath her, the two of them moving in perfect synchronicity. He raised himself up, his arm hooking around her back as his mouth was now tasting her breasts while she still moved on top of him. He slid his hands down under her ass, helping to lift her as he quickened his movement, making her cry out. She looked down at him below her hungrily, her arms sliding around his neck and clutching him to her as they came together.

They fell back together onto the bed, kissing, their bodies taking a long time to still but remaining entwined with each other.

Bishop: “God, I love you.”

Delilah smiled.

“I know. I love you too.”

 

[Black Widow]

The Hellfire Club -- Gym

Maybe he DOESNT need any more time to seal the deal.

She considered, when she cross referenced the address with the records of Maxim's estate. But it was only a few minutes before they reemerged, fully dressed still, not even mussed hair. Haleigh tossed her own short hair back in mild frustration.

Don't fucking tell me you shot him down, Delilah, you are killing me.

She tracked the drive back to the Parthenon. This was where her video coverage abruptly ended. She'd marked herself hostile the night she left the her former home. It was frustrating to be blind, but if all Bishop did was walk her to her door and kiss her goodnight, he'd be back out for the car soon. She kept running on the treadmill as she waited.

By the time she slowed, she knew he wasn't coming back down. Even Seph and Alek had drifted off to sleep. She stepped off the machine and toweled off her neck and shoulders, then downed an entire bottle of water. She had her orders. Any further delay would refresh her mother's scorn, and that could not be allowed to happen.

She put her hand to her ear out of pure habit, as she listened to the ring tone. Ring ring, ring ring. The anticipation was dreadful. She might have to redial, a brutal thought. Finally, there was a familiar voice on the other end. For a split second, Haleigh almost hung up, but instead she forced herself to speak.

"Delilah. I'm so glad you answered. I saw you and your man out at dinner. True love, it's so adorable."

She said, but there was an edge in her tone that gave her words a sharpness, and hinted that this would not be a pleasant conversation.

"I DO have to admit, I'm pleased to see Max recovered from his Black Widow bite. I went there to beat him to death, and really got a good start to that plan, but after he fucked me.... I just COULDN'T kill him, ya know what I mean? Yeah, you know EXACTLY what I mean, don't you, Darlin'? If I HAD killed him, there'd be no chance of getting another poke, and what a shame that would be."

She barely paused to refil her lungs, then continued venomously.

"Hey listen, I won't keep you long. I'll let you get back to your eternal struggle of trying to lock down that dick. Just wanted to let you know, I left my panties in his pocket for you. I thought you might want to put them on and pretend you're a woman who can actually satisfy a man."

 

[MorningStar]

The Parthenon – Delilah’s Suite

Delilah lay on her side, Maxim pressed against her back, his arm around her and his hand holding hers. She was dazed, coming out of a deep sleep, because of a sound. The phone. The phone next to the bed was ringing. She reached out and grabbed the handset, and pressed it to her ear.

“Hello?”

No one spoke on the other end. Maxim stirred beside her.

“Hello?”

She almost hung up when she heard a familiar voice.

"Delilah. I'm so glad you answered. I saw you and your man out at dinner. True love, it's so adorable."

Maxim whispered, “Who is it?” behind her but she didn’t answer. Instead, she sat up, throwing her legs over the side of the bed.

“Haleigh?”

She could feel Maxim tense behind her. He put his hand on her back.

Bishop: “Hang up, Delilah.”

“Haleigh, why are you doing this? Come home.”

Delilah’s voice was still raspy with sleep, but there was sadness to it.

"I DO have to admit, I'm pleased to see Max recovered from his Black Widow bite.”

“Haleigh…this isn’t you.”

Bishop: “Delilah, hang up the phone.”

”I went there to beat him to death, and really got a good start to that plan, but after he fucked me....

Delilah was sure that her heart stopped beating at those words. She closed her eyes. Her hand wiped her face.

”I just COULDN'T kill him, ya know what I mean? Yeah, you know EXACTLY what I mean, don't you, Darlin'? If I HAD killed him, there'd be no chance of getting another poke, and what a shame that would be."

Delilah’s head hung down, her hair falling into her face, her elbow resting on her knee. Her free hand moved to cover her mouth, then slid down to her throat. Tears were already falling, and Haleigh would be able to hear it in her voice.

“Why, Haleigh? How could you? How could you do this to me?”

"Hey listen, I won't keep you long. I'll let you get back to your eternal struggle of trying to lock down that dick. Just wanted to let you know, I left my panties in his pocket for you. I thought you might want to put them on and pretend you're a woman who can actually satisfy a man."

“Stop…stop this…”

Delilah was trembling. She raised her head, looking up at the ceiling, watching her perfect world crash down around her.

 

[Black Widow]

The Hellfire Club -- Gym

Come on Delilah, get fucking angry.

She thought.

Delilah: Stop…stop this…

Haleigh could hear the anguish in Delilah's voice, and she leaned forward, resting her forehead against a punching bag, closing her eyes. She thanked every god she'd ever heard of that she couldn't see Delilah on a camera right now, that they weren't face to face for this. She swallowed hard, and grit her teeth for a few silent moments. Her whole body shook with the effort it took to steady her voice.

"Oh, I can't stop. I'm on a roll lately, haven't you heard? I steal and shoot kids now. It's the new me. New and improved."

She said, in a tone that sounded hollow and metallic, because she managed to disguise the self-loathing with steely detachment. If Delilah didn't hate her yet, there was only one other button to push. Haleigh could make a threat sound real, even if she knew deep down she'd never actually do it.

"Speaking of kids, how's little Alexia? I bet my mother would be delighted to acquire such a unique power set.... and from what I've seen, Cameron's mother just brings out the BEST in people with her experimentation techniques."

Everything inside screamed for her to hang up, but she remained on the line. She needed confirmation. She needed this to work. She was worried that she would be unable to continue to withstand Delilah's pleas for her to come home, and she was pretty sure the White Queen knew it.

Come on, Delilah.

 

[MorningStar]

The Parthenon – Delilah’s Suite

Delilah put her hand over her mouth to cover the sound of the sob that came out involuntarily.

"Oh, I can't stop. I'm on a roll lately, haven't you heard? I steal and shoot kids now. It's the new me. New and improved."

But Delilah just kept saying, “Why are you doing this?” over and over. Haleigh’s voice was so cold. And she had done the thing to Delilah she knew would hurt her the most. Killing her would have been better than this. She felt like she couldn’t breathe.

"Speaking of kids, how's little Alexia? I bet my mother would be delighted to acquire such a unique power set...and from what I've seen, Cameron's mother just brings out the BEST in people with her experimentation techniques."

Delilah straightened up with a sharp intake of breath. Her voice rose in a mix of danger and disbelief.

“You can’t get to her and you know it. This is between you and me. You leave Alexia out of this, Haleigh. You understand me?! You don’t touch her!”

 

[Bishop]

The Parthenon – Delilah’s Suite

Bishop was in a cozy bubble of warmth, Delilah pressed against him, his arms around her as they slept. With the promise of this being every night from then on, he had stopped worrying about anything. Everything was alright now that they were together.

He was woken from peaceful sleep by the ringing of the phone. Who called a landline anymore? He mumbled something about not answering it to Delilah, but she did. At first it seemed like a wrong number, but then Delilah said her name. He froze. Why the hell was she calling Delilah? He touched Delilah on her back.

“Hang up, Delilah.”

She began to plead with Haleigh, getting more and upset.

He said it again, more forcefully this time.

“Delilah, hang up the phone.”

But she wouldn’t, she just kept on listening to whatever fucked up things that bitch was saying to her. He could see her trembling, hear the pain in her voice.

And then he saw Delilah’s body go on alert, and her final words made his blood start to boil.

“You can’t get to her and you know it. This is between you and me. You leave Alexia out of this, Haleigh. You understand me?! You don’t touch her!”

He reach over Delilah and RIPPED the phone out of her hand, jumping out of the bed and screaming into the phone.

“YOU GODDAMN BITCH! IF YOU TOUCH A HAIR ON EITHER DELILAH OR ALEXIA’S HEADS, I WILL COME FOR YOU. DO YOU HEAR ME?! YOU DON’T TALK TO HER, YOU DON’T COME ANYWHERE NEAR HER! I’M GONNA KILL YOU YOU FUCKING BITCH!”

He hung up the phone and threw it across the room.

Turning, her saw an incredibly distraught and obviously stunned Delilah, still sitting on the edge of the bed. He knelt in front of her, working to soften his tone. He put his hands on her arms.

“She’s safe, Delilah – Alexia is safe. She can’t hurt her.”

 

[Black Widow]

The Hellfire Club -- Gym

Haleigh could hear Bishop in the background, telling Delilah to hang up. She pressed on coldly, past Delilah's heartbroken, repeated question. She only had one answer for that, she was doing it because it was what she HAD to do.

But the second she said that to Delilah, it would change the connotation of everything she'd just said, and that would ruin the game. So she acted like she didn't even hear the question, and then she implied that she had her sights set on Alexia in a voice as hard as she could manage. She heard Delilah inhale sharply, and she thought maybe she'd finally succeeded.

Delilah: You can’t get to her and you know it.

"You willing to BET on that?"

Delilah: This is between you and me. You leave Alexia out of this, Haleigh. You understand me?! You don’t touch her!

"Oh so you DO have a spine?"

She asked with bitter sarcasm. She didn't get Delilah's response.

Bishop: YOU GODDAMN BITCH!

Haleigh blinked stoically at the sudden increase in volume and aggression.

"Hey Max. You ready for Round Two yet?"

Bishop: IF YOU TOUCH A HAIR ON EITHER DELILAH OR ALEXIA’S HEADS, I WILL COME FOR YOU. DO YOU HEAR ME?! YOU DON’T TALK TO HER, YOU DON’T COME ANYWHERE NEAR HER! I’M GONNA KILL YOU YOU FUCKING BITCH!

The line went dead. Haleigh punched the bag so hard, the vinyl ripped a little. Then she hit it again, and again, and again, until the sand spilled out over her feet, and she stared down at it numbly. She had her emotions locked down so tight, she felt like a zombie. It was better this way.

 

[MorningStar]

The Parthenon – Delilah’s Suite

Bishop had heard Alexia’s name and was out of the bed like a shot, screaming at Haleigh.

“YOU GODDAMN BITCH! IF YOU TOUCH A HAIR ON EITHER DELILAH OR ALEXIA’S HEADS, I WILL COME FOR YOU. DO YOU HEAR ME?! YOU DON’T TALK TO HER, YOU DON’T COME ANYWHERE NEAR HER! I’M GONNA KILL YOU YOU FUCKING BITCH!”

Delilah jumped as he angrily threw the phone against the wall.

She watched him, stunned, as he knelt in front of her, put his hands comfortingly on her arms.

“She’s safe, Delilah – Alexia is safe. She can’t hurt her.”

“Did you sleep with Haleigh?”

Her voice came out so quietly she wasn’t sure if he could hear her.

Bishop: “No.”

She pulled her arm out of his grip forcefully. Her voice went cold.

“Did you FUCK her?”

He rolled back onto his haunches as if she’d slapped him. After a moment, he held up his hands in a placating gesture.

Bishop: “I can explain.”

It was true.

She rolled her eyes to the ceiling as two giant tears fell where she had been trying to hold them back. She pushed past him, crossing the room to grab a tee shirt from a chair and slipping it on. Conspicuously NOT putting on his shirt that had been close to the bed.

“How?”

She turned back around to face him.

“How can you explain this?”

Her heart was breaking, she could feel it in her chest.

“And if you say she just fell on your dick, I swear I’ll cut it off.”

 

[Bishop]

The Parthenon – Delilah’s Suite

Maxim tried to convince Delilah that Alexia would be just fine, that there was nothing to worry about. But she just stared at him.

“Did you sleep with Haleigh?”

She spoke so softly, but it cut like a knife. What did he do here? Deny. He wouldn’t consider what they did sleeping together.

“No.”

She pulled away from him abruptly, and it was clear she didn’t believe him.

“Did you FUCK her?”

That BITCH Haleigh. This was low, even for her. She would have known exactly how this would make Delilah feel. He leaned back onto his heels, not sure what to do or say. He just looked at her, then decided to change tactics. He held up his hands.

“I can explain.”

Tears were rolling down her cheeks and all he wanted to do was wrap his arms around her and comfort her. He started to reach for her but she pushed him away, going to the other side of the room to put on a shirt to cover herself. He rose to his full height but didn’t move from the spot where he stood.

“How? How can you explain this?”

He looked at her. She was angry, and upset. He could understand it, but at the same time…

“And if you say she just fell on your dick, I swear I’ll cut it off.”

He knew that was not an idle threat. She was staring daggers at him, her arms crossed over her chest. Maxim ran his hand through his hair.

“I was angry. I had just called you, because all I could think about was seeing you.”

He was getting angry himself, just thinking about it.

“And then that ASSHOLE was in your apartment. And what was I supposed to think, that early in the morning?”

Delilah: “I told you, that was a misunderstanding.”

“But I didn’t know that did I? I heard his voice and I went crazy. And then I get home, and she has this video of you playing, with that BOY fucking your brains out.”

He gestured broadly.

Delilah: “Oh, so it’s my fault?”

“Jesus, Delilah, no, of COURSE not. I’m trying to tell you…”

He wiped a hand over his face.

“I’m trying to tell you that I was mad at you. I was hurt. And I wanted to hurt her for showing me that video, for the things she was saying.”

Delilah: “Excuse me if this isn’t exactly explaining to me how you SCREWED HALEIGH.”

“We started fighting and…”

He threw up his hands.

“One thing led to another, and suddenly we were…”

He took a step closer, speaking with conviction.

“I didn’t even want her. I just wanted to make someone else hurt as much as I did. I admit it, I wanted to punish you. I didn’t plan for this to happen. It was just sex. It’s not like I have feelings for her.”

Delilah: “Is that supposed to make me feel BETTER?”

“No. But the fact of the matter is, we WEREN’T together at the time. This is no different than Ashley.”

Delilah: “Don’t even bring that bitch into this.”

It was EXACTLY the same. And she had forgiven him for that. Despite the fact that he hadn’t done anything wrong.

“And how long were you fucking the beanpole? And let’s face it Delilah, I doubt it was just sex for you with HIM.”

Delilah: “THAT is totally different. Andrew isn’t your FUCKING BEST FRIEND. And he didn’t go over to your mortal enemy who just happens to also have THREATENED YOUR DAUGHTER’S LIFE!”

“So you don’t deny having feelings for him? When I can unequivocally say that when it comes to Haleigh I have NONE. Which is beside the point because we WEREN’T. TOGETHER.”

He exhaled. He didn’t want to fight. He just wanted to get past this. He let himself calm down.

“Delilah, darlin’, there won’t be anyone else now, I swear it. I love you.”

 

[MorningStar]

The Parthenon – Delilah’s Suite

Maxim made excuses. He was angry, he was hurt. She had slept with Andrew for months. They weren’t together. He didn’t care about Haleigh. It was just sex. He didn’t get it. Haleigh wasn’t some no-named stranger. He probably couldn’t have picked anyone else to fuck that could have hurt her more.

“We started fighting and…One thing led to another, and suddenly we were…”

She held up her hand. The last thing she wanted were the details.

“You sat there, and listened to me tell you how there hadn’t been anyone else since we had the dream. And you let me believe that the same was true for you.”

Her hand covered her mouth as fresh tears fell down her cheeks.

“You let me believe that I was the only one you wanted…didn’t you feel any remorse? Any guilt?”

Bishop: “Of course I did, but what good was going to come of telling you? Not when we were so close to patching things up between us. You ARE the only one I want. It would only have hurt you…”

She shook her head.

“You ASSHOLE, no one has EVER hurt me the way you just did. Did you think she wouldn’t TELL me?! Or did you think you would knock me up again quick so I’d have to let you stay around?”

He was inching closer to her.

“Delilah, darlin’, there won’t be anyone else now, I swear it. I love you.”

Delilah slowly wiped her eyes and nose on her shirt, and took a deep breath. She looked right into his eyes, his beautiful dark eyes. She steeled her voice.

“I know you do. I love you too.”

She pushed her hair back behind her ear, hugging her other arm around her self.

“But I can’t do this anymore. I can’t sit around and wait for you to hurt me again. I can’t spend my life with my heart broken because of your latest betrayal. Love is just not enough, Maxim.”

She walked slowly forward, and picked up his pants from the floor. She threw them at him.

“Just get out.”

 

[Bishop]

The Parthenon – Delilah’s Suite

Maxim told Delilah that he loved her, that he didn’t want to be with anyone else ever. And his heart leapt when she told him she loved him too. He would make it up to her, a thousand times over, he silently promised. This pain would all be in the past, and he would only make her happy from now on, no matter what.

And then the bottom dropped out.

“But I can’t do this anymore. I can’t sit around and wait for you to hurt me again. I can’t spend my life with my heart broken because of your latest betrayal. Love is just not enough, Maxim.”

She threw his pants at him.

“You can’t mean that. Delilah-“

“Just get out.”

“Delilah…”

He just stood there, holding his pants, not really believing what was happening.

“God, Lilah, I’m sorry. You have to believe me. I am so so sorry. I never wanted to see you hurt. You have to know that. All I have ever wanted is you. We can work this out. I know we can. This can’t be the end.”

His voice matched the pleading in his eyes. Delilah’s self-imposed composure started to slip again.

Delilah: “Why can’t you understand, that just because you’re sorry it DOESN’T MAKE IT ALRIGHT. Just because you didn’t want it to happen, that doesn’t mean it DIDN’T.”

Tears came to his eyes as they watched her throw everything away, and desperately tried to put the pieces back together. Already too late.

“I’ll make it up to you. I promise you, I will. I’ll do anything. Delilah, please.”

She was crying again, and it was excruciating to watch.

Delilah: “I just want you to go. Please, go, Maxim. I can’t…”

“It was a mistake. It was a stupid, idiotic mistake. I totally fucked up. But you can’t end us like this. We’ve been through too much for it to be over now.”

She was still hugging her arms around herself, her face red and puffy from crying. She shook her head.

Delilah: “But it is over. It has to be.”

“No, it DOESN’T.”

He crossed the room to her, taking her arm. But she pulled out of his grasp.

Delilah: “I can’t look at you. I don’t want to see you anymore.”

She moved past him and went into the bathroom, closing the door and locking it behind her. He moved to stand in the doorway, trying the knob.

“Delilah, please, come out here and talk to me.”

He could hear her sobbing on the other side of the door.

Delilah: “Just leave.”

“No, I won’t. Open this door before I kick it in.”

Delilah: “If you do I’ll call security and have them throw you out.”

He scoffed.

“I’d like to see them try.”

Delilah: “Then I’ll call Cameron and let him make you a vegetable.”

“Delilah, let’s talk about this. Talk to me.”

He put his hand against the door, as if he could feel her on the other side of it. This was insane. He had messed up, but that was no reason to throw everything away. He wasn’t about to just leave, to just let her go. He’d stand here all night if he had to.