Topic: Fast Food, Lelah's Way - 18+

Lelah

Date: 2011-06-02 12:18 EST
Before he'd left her on Saturday evening, Daniel made plans with Lelah to meet her at Teas N' Tomes for coffee.? There wasn't enough time for any kind of formal date; it was more just an hour or so chat with a friend.? She did, however, invite him over for dinner on Thursday night, dinner that she would cook.? He readily accepted, of course.? She was an intriguing and highly attractive woman, after all, and he wanted desperately to come back to something resembling a normal life.?

Between Monday and Thursday, he spent a great deal of time talking with Riley and David.? Catching up on the past, what had gone on since he left RhyDin.? News of David's murderous alternate universe counterpart Luo had left him wondering if everyone had counterparts like that.? He told them stories about his time in Burma, avoiding the worst of them, though, the ones that were so full of bad memories.? Their account of the time in the wrong Japan was fascinating and lead to even more speculation about whether or not they all had other universes versions of themselves. He visited Riley's dance classes, and David's baguazhang classes, and spent some time in the Bodhi tree catching up with Anisha, who had been very happy to see him back in town.

When Thursday evening finally came, he dressed in a pair of navy blue cargo shorts and a blue t-shirt featuring a battle between Dracula and the Wolfman on it, and went out to the Marketplace to pick up some flowers to bring to Lelah.? Something exotic, he decided.? He'd seen tulips all over her place, but a Cat couldn't just go along with the crowd blindly.? He wanted to stand out, to bring her something different.? Eventually, he settled on blue Himalayan poppies; simply, yet lovely flowers.? He had them put into a glass vase that he thought would go well on her dining room table.? Then he bought a six-pack of good Windhoek lager to go with their meal.? Ready now, he went out to the carriage house.

When 7:45 rolled around, Lelah checked her appearance one last time in the mirror in the living room.? She'd chosen khaki linen shorts, and a halter top with a brown and red floral print that left her back bare to her waist.? Going with artfully minimal makeup, she'd pulled her hair up and fastened it in a ponytail, further underscoring the curves of tawny bare skin of her shoulders and spine.? Then she went to pull out the tarte au pistou from the oven, light some candles, and give Oscar a bone to chew contentedly in her bedroom...with the door shut.

Agonizing for approximately ten minutes over what music to play, she finally went with Azam Ali's bands Vas and Niyaz, putting the three dics in the changer, turning the volume down to a soft level and putting shuffle mode on.? Then she took a deep breath and forced herself to relax.? It was just a date.? She'd been on plenty of dates.? She could do this and not utterly freak out or turn into a hormonally driven nymphomaniac.

At 7:55, he knocked on her front door, carrying vase in one hand, and the six-pack tucked under his arm.? With his free hand, he smoothed his hair back while he waited for her to answer.? He was curious to find out what exactly she'd be cooking for them; she'd only said something French, and recommended lager to go with it.? Through the closed door, he could hear music playing softly, a lovely-voiced woman singing something that sounded very Arabic.?

She opened the door and released the scents of chicken, sausage, bacon, tomatoes, onions, and beans, mixed with herbs and pastry crust.? Giving Daniel a big smile, she glanced between his shirt, which was funny, the beer under his arm, and the flowers, which were stunningly beautiful in their simplicity.? "Hi," she said and stepped back, giving him room to enter.

His nostrils flared slightly as the delicious wave of flavors rolled out from the door, almost eclipsing her own scent, which tonight was composed of bergamot, rose, vanilla, and balsam.? He like the way she smelled every time they met, especially that orange hint which was always present.? His eyes traveled slowly across the deliciously bare skin of her shoulders and leg, enjoying the tawny color of her, and the smooth, very female curves.? Leopard growled his appreciation in the background, and he stepped forward to brush his cheek against hers with a soft purr before offering her the vase of flowers.? "Hello yourself," he said, smiling back.? Two weeks in RhyDin without much worry had done wonders for his demeanor:? Much of the haunted, hunted look had left his posture, leaving him looking casual and almost relaxed.

She took the flowers with a soft, grateful smile and went to put them on the table.? "These are gorgeous.? I don't think I've ever seen blue poppies before."? She arranged the flowers and then glanced up at him.? "They are poppies, right?"

"Yes, Himalayan poppies.? They grow in the park in India where I was born."? He stood close enough for his shoulder to press against hers as he continued.? "They're exotic and beautiful...just like you."

That brought a flush to her cheeks and she kissed his mouth softly, almost chastely, before pulling away and reaching for the beer.? "Want one of these now or with dinner?" she asked, moving away to the kitchen to check on the cassoulet that was still in the oven.

He forced himself to respond to her kiss in just as restrained a manner, knowing that it would only lead to more awkwardness if he let his control slip even a little.? "I'll wait for dinner, I think.? It smells divine, by the way."?

"It's all simple, French country cuisine.? We'll start with a tarte au pistou, then a chicken and sausage cassoulet - because I didn't like the look of the duck at the butcher's today - then a creme caramel for dessert."? The cassoulet was just about ready so she turned off the oven so it wouldn't burn if she got...distracted.? "Does that sound good?"

Lelah

Date: 2011-06-02 12:19 EST
Distraction was a good, if understated way to describe how he felt around her.? Was it simply because she was so lovely?? Or because she was so human and alive?? He hardly knew her yet, but he was curious as hell to learn more of her.? "It sounds great.? Simple ways are sometimes the best."? He stood in front of the table, watching her work in the kitchen.? It was always a privilege to watch a great cook at work.

She glanced up, met his eyes, and smiled.? "Wanna help?"? There was a stack of plates, silverware, and two glasses on the counter next to the sink.? She had a sharp, chef's knife in one hand, and was holding the tarte pan in the other as she sliced thin wedges.

"Absolutely." He didn't have to work very hard to smile back at her again.? He went to the tableware and scooped it up with the practiced ease of someone who'd run his own restaurant, laying the table out in moments, even folding the napkins as though they were for paying customers instead of himself.

She chuckled softly and then brought the tarte to the table before returning for the beer, two of which she cracked open and brought to the table as well.? Sitting down, she reached for the smaller of the sets of plates and served Daniel a slice of the tarte then helped herself.

Once she was sitting, he sat as well, nodding his thanks when she served him.? He took a sniff of the tarte, then cut off a piece to taste.? The garlic, basil and tomatoes should have made it seem Italian, but the creme fraiche added a subtly French touch.? It was quite tasty.? "This is excellent," he said before taking a much larger forkful.

"Thanks.? It was one of the first things that I learned to make.? It's really a simple recipe, but the flavors - especially with the Parmesan - are quite complex."? She ate in silence for a while, sipping beer occasionally, her eyes rarely leaving him.? The music was soft, the candle light quite invitingly romantic, the food was excellent, and if there was better company, she was unaware of it.

"They sure are.? I like the creme fraiche touch.? It changes the whole thing."? When he'd finished the tarte, he leaned back slightly, taking a drink of the beer.? It really was a very relaxing and pleasant date so far.? The way her big, dark eyes stayed on his for most of the time was both flattering and enticing.? It was going to be more than a little hard to keep his hands off of her.?

"Want another piece?? Otherwise, the cassoulet should be just about ready."? She found that she was nervous; he was such an interesting person, with such a fascinating history, and she was just an actress.?

"I'd like to try the cassoulet.? We can always come back for seconds later."? Why was she nervous?? He hoped it wasn't because he was Lycan.? If that bothered her, why would she have invited him here, though?? Well, sometimes a little boldness went a long way.? "Do I make you nervous, Lelah?"? It was better asking it that way than simply telling her he knew she was.

She blinked at him in shock, her mouth falling open a little.? "How did you know?" she asked softly.

Hiding his abilities from her was out of the question.? If they were to have any kind of relationship, honesty was the only way to go.? "I smelled it," he answered softly.? "We ? Lycans ? have very powerful noses."

"You smelled my mood."? She frowned softly and then tilted her head to the side, a sly smile spreading over those lush lips.? Keeping her face perfectly neutral, hiding any expression of what she was feeling, she thought ? hard ? about f*cking him, of feeling his hands and his heated mouth on her body.

The resulting rush of pheromones that burst from her was so strong that he found himself gripping the edges of his chair tightly to stop himself from sweeping the food from the table and taking her right there on top of it.? His breath came in quick pants, and fiery passion burned in his eyes as he stared at her. Leopard began growling and pacing, and it was with some effort that he managed to force human words out of his mouth.? "If you wish us to remain celibate, I would advise against thinking like that again..."

"Holy sh*t," she said in an amazed whisper.? "That's...? That's f*cking phenomenal.? You can really smell everything I'm feeling?? How?? Chemicals?? Pheromones?? How does it work?"

Slowly, taking deep breaths, he mastered both his own body and Leopard's pushing.? "Yes, chemicals and pheromones.? Every emotion has its own scent."? The urge to taste her, to put his mouth on her flesh was insistent enough to warrant looking away from her, down at the food.? "Why do I make you nervous, Lelah?"

She was quiet for a long moment, processing this new information.? She couldn't hide anything from him.? No more secrets.? He'd know instantly if she was lying, or if she had been somewhere - or with someone - she shouldn't have.? Then she pushed that away; thinking about how being with him would force her to be perfectly honest about everything wouldn't answer his question, though truth be told, it certainly added a new layer to her existing nerves.? She reached out and ran a finger around the rim of her beer glass and said simply, "For the first time in my entire life, I feel like I haven't accomplished anything important.? I mean, look at you.? You're probably my age, right?? And you've fought in a rebellion.? You helped people gain their freedom.? I've just made movies."? And nearly pissed away my entire life for just one more taste of heroin, a taste that nearly killed me.

Lelah

Date: 2011-06-02 16:06 EST
"I'm thirty, as of two weeks ago," he replied softly.? If he had stayed in RhyDin, he would only have been 27...but he'd lived those extra years, no matter what the time difference said.? Then he shook his head slightly.? "Your movies have surely made many more people happy than my fighting.? Isn't that worth something?? All I've done is kill and destroy."

She shook her head.? "Not destroy.? Helped create.? You gave people something vital to living - freedom.? You're the kind of person that films are made about."? She reached out and touched the back of his hand with the tips of her fingers.? The timer on the oven went off and she gave him a soft, supportive smile before rising from the table to go and fetch out the cassoulet.

He turned to watch her go into the kitchen, shocked to feel the burning itch of unshed tears in his eyes.? She'd touched his heart right there, with those comments, and he realized then that it was the start of a connection between them that exceeded the merely physical attraction they both felt.?

She brought the cassoulet back to the table and sat down.? She gave him a soft smile and reached for his plate, spooning out a portion of the chicken, sausage and bean stew that made the little town of Toulouse famous...well, it and that painter guy.? Then she served herself and took another sip of her beer.

He was the silent one this time, taking an immediate bite of the stew and nodding in sincere appreciation.? His mind was busy, though.? He hadn't really been expecting such a strong stir of emotion for her this soon.? The physical attraction, that was easy.? She was beautiful, and so his body reacted.? She was sweet and friendly, and so he enjoyed being around her.? But this...what she'd said, and how she'd completely meant it, this hinted at the possibility of something deeper.

She watched him eating and then dug in herself.? "Oh," she said softly after the first taste.? "Well, I'm glad I changed the recipe.? It's better without the duck."? She was going for light, inane conversation for a moment, giving him time to recover from whatever had him so quiet.

"The mark of a true chef," he said softly.? "Knowing when to change things."? Then he reached across the table and put his hand over hers.? "Thank you," he said sincerely, "for what you said about me.? It meant a lot."

She turned her hand palm up and laced her fingers with his.? "You're welcome," she answered and left her hand joined with his as she ate.? "I feel like I know far more about you than you do about me."

"Then tell me about yourself, Lelah Rivka."? At least he'd learned her last name.? Her skin felt cool against his Lycan-hot flesh again.? He rather enjoyed the sensation.

Given the opportunity to talk about herself, she found she didn't quite know where to begin.? To be honest, she was used to answering questions, rather than offering information.? She'd been interviewed enough times, been on press junkets, had thousands of Q&A sessions, and hundreds of panel discussions that it felt odd to just offer up information about herself.? "Well," she began hesitantly, wondering what sorts of things he wanted to hear.?

He leaned slightly forward, keeping their hands joined.? Grey eyes stared unblinkingly at her as she seemed to suddenly become shy.? "Tell me something about you," he urged.? "Something important to you, not to reporters and movie fans."?

She put her fork down and picked up her beer for a sip.? "Something important to me, huh?"? She chewed her lower lip for a moment, searching for something that wouldn't matter to the press or to the fans.

His mouth opened very slightly in unconscious response to her lip chewing.? He wanted to suck on that lush lip, run his tongue over it.? It was a good thing he didn't need to say anything at the moment; he would have found it hard.

"I spent some time on a working ranch when I was 17.? It was in Montana, which is the most beautiful place I've ever been.? I had the crap job - literally.? I had to muck stalls and cart manure around and it was the most peaceful job I've ever had."

He smiled, nodding.? He understood exactly what she meant.? "When I was in Burma, the best times, the most peaceful ones, were when I helped the villagers build their houses and barns."?

"It's funny, huh?? How manual labor brings peace.? Must have been why our ancestors never died of stress-induced heart attacks or had ulcers?"

"Must be," he agreed.? He finished off his cassoulet, quickly followed by his beer, one fingertip tracing a little design on the back of her hand.? "This is very nice," he added, quietly.?

"It is.? Very nice.? Dessert or do you want to wait on that for a while?"? She, too, had finished her dinner and her beer, and reached for two more bottles, cracking them both open and handing him one of them.

"Let's wait a bit.? My stomach needs a few minutes to digest and savor that delicious dinner."? He clinked his bottle lightly against hers before taking a very small sip of the beer.

She mirrored him, sipping her beer with her eyes still locked on his face.? Without conscious thought, she reached out and gently touched the scar under his eye.? "What happened?" she asked in a quiet voice.

Lelah

Date: 2011-06-02 16:07 EST
His eyes slid half closed and he leaned into her hand slightly.? "A man who thought I was a creature of Satan tried to put a silver knife in my eye."? He touch drew a soft purr from him, an odd contrast to the words he'd just spoken.

"Holy crap," she said and cupped his face.? "You've really been through the wringer, haven't you?"? She slid her hand down the side of his neck, out along the top of his shoulder and down his arm where she took his hand again.? "I don't have any scars.? I do have a tattoo, though."

The soft purr grew in pace with the movement of her hand, and he nodded slightly at her summation of his life.? He had been through the wringer, indeed.? "Oh?? And where is this tattoo, pray tell?" He was glad she didn't have any scars:? The idea of that perfect skin being marred was offensive.

She grinned impishly and stood up, unfastening her belt, undoing the fly of her shorts, and tugging them down a bit.? Pulling her shirt up, the shaded outline of a perfect tulip flower was just visible on her left hip, right above the waistband of her thong.?

His breath quickened noticeably when she tugged the hem of her shorts down, gaze fixing on the tulip at her hip, nearly at the level of his eyes.? Without conscious thought, Leopard's urging suddenly bursting through his mental barriers, he leaned forward and pressed his lips directly onto that tulip as he inhaled the delicate scent of her flesh.

She shuddered, her hands reflexively grasping his head, plunging her fingers into his hair.? His name fell from her lips like a prayer and she closed her eyes, torn between guilt and raging lust.? She wanted to feel his lips, his teeth, his tongue at the very apex of her body, probing and teasing, biting and licking and had to physically stop herself from tugging her shorts down the rest of the way and shoving everything off the table so she could lie down on it and offer herself to him.

His tongue, slightly rougher than any human's, rasped softly against the flesh of her hip before he came to his senses and realized he was already breaking his promise to respect her need to deal with her problems first.? With a soft growl, he pulled his head back from her and looked up.? Unwilling to withdraw entirely from her touch, he stayed that way, her fingers in his hair, breath coming hot against her skin.

The withdrawal of his mouth brought her back to her senses and she let go of him, taking a step back and fumbling with her clothing.? "Jesus wept," she said softly...then Crossed herself and kissed the first knuckle of her thumb.? She sat down hard in her chair and leaned forward, burying her face in both of her hands, making a strangled noise that was half a laugh and half a sob.

"Forgive me," he said quietly.? "I lost control.? I'll try not to let it happen again."? He didn't want to hurt her, make her life harder, but goddamn, did he want her!? It was on the edge of physical pain, that desire.

She slid her hands into her hair, grabbing it between clenched fingers.? "What the hell is wrong with me?" she asked softly, rhetorically.? She glanced at him and then sat up straight, her hands falling into her lap.? "God, I'm not...? I'm not usually such a complete slut, Daniel.? I swear it.? It's just that I went for seven years without so much as a kiss from a man and now, I guess it's like I'm a 12 year old who's just stolen the keys to the neighborhood candy store."

"Don't call yourself a slut, Lelah," he said firmly.? "Nothing's wrong with you."? He shook his head slightly.? "Humans are too hung up on whether sex is good or bad, sin or blessing.? It's the way of every creature.? Nothing could be more natural."

"Yeah, that's where I have the disconnect.? I'm a pretty devout Catholic and we're taught...well, you must know what we're taught."? She sighed softly and shook her head.? "I can't help but feel guilty, you know?? It's been ingrained in my head since birth."

It was foolishness, in his opinion, but he knew better than to say that sort of thing about a person's religion.? "I understand."? He glanced away, then back at her.? "Should I leave?"

"I'd rather you didn't," she said in a small voice.? "I like having you here.? Plus there's a butt load of creme caramel and I can't eat it all by myself."

"I like being here."? He let out a soft chuckle.? "We can't have that dessert going to waste, for certain."? Leopard snarled, telling him that dessert was a very minor concern when such a beautiful, available female was right here, ready for him.? All he had to do was push it a little, and she would give in.? He was sure of it.?

She gave him a grateful smile and rose, taking the leftover tarte and cassoulet into the kitchen.? "If you'd like, I'll box up some of this tarte and the cassoulet and you can take it home with you.? Otherwise it'll go to waste and that's a sin."? She took the small ramekins filled with caramel and vanilla-flavored custard out of the refrigerator and carried them over to the table before heading back into the kitchen for a small bottle of Riesling, a little indulgence to go with the sweet dessert.

He nodded, following her to the edge of the kitchen.? "Sure, that would be great. I'll share it with Riley and David."? He sat down at the table again when she came back, reaching out for the ramekin.? In the candlelight, the twisting knife scar on his forearm seemed to dance of its own accord.

The scar caught her attention for the brief moment it took for his words to sink it.? "You'll share it with who?? The Lo's?"? She blinked in confusion and absently settled the caramel custard into his hand before sitting down in her seat and pouring them both small glasses of the wine.

Lelah

Date: 2011-06-02 22:15 EST
He nodded, realizing she had no idea he was living with them.? "I'm staying with them, until I figure out what I want to do with myself here.? Or even if I'll be staying," he added.? He saw her staring at his scar and lifted his arm towards her, silently inviting her to examine it if she wanted.? Sometimes it bothered him when people stared at his scars, but it didn't feel that way with her.? Hell, she'd accepted him being a Lycan ? if that didn't make him a freak to her, a few scars wouldn't, either.

"You're staying with them," she repeated.? Then she shrugged; Riley and David both seemed like very generous, warm people, so it wasn't really a surprise that they'd take someone in.? Then she reached out and trailed a gentle finger down the length of the scar on his arm.? "What happened here?" she asked softly and took a sip of the wine before starting on her dessert.

He shivered a little at her touch, the muscles on his forearm standing up in sharp definition for a moment.? "When I was in Burma, my rebel group was...hunted by people who specialized in killing Lycans.? We had a big firefight in a tiny village."? The scene hit him then, taking him back to it as though he'd never left.? He could smell the blood and sh*t, hear the moans and screams of the dying men all around him, and feel the pain of the many wounds he'd taken.? He closed his eyes, trying to push it back, a fine tremor shaking his body.? "Everyone died, on both sides, but me, and I was hurt.? Badly.? This," he gestured to the forearm scar, "is the least of it."

She frowned softly, her heart breaking for him in that moment.? She stood, slipped into his lap and wrapped her arms around him, resting her head against cheek, and just held him, not saying anything, just letting him take solace in her embrace.

He cradled her in his arms, gently and carefully, as though he was holding a sparrow.? Her personality was so large, it was easy to overlook the fact that she was a very tiny woman in reality.? Hands which had torn men's throats out and crushed bones to powder stroked her back with delicate softness.? Did she know how important contact was to a Cat, or was it just her nature?? Either way, her comforting embrace slowly calmed the flashback until he could breath easily again.? When he could speak, he said softly, "It's one of many scars...only some in my flesh."

She cradled his head between her hands and pressed her lips against the center of his forehead, as though she could wipe away all the horrible memories with the power of a single kiss.? "Do you dream of it?" she whispered softly.

"Every single night," he whispered, eyes closed.? "Even when I'm awake, sometimes."? He nuzzled his face against her neck, sighed softly.

"How do you stop?? How do you comfort yourself?"

"I do things that mean something.? Cook.? Talk to people I care about.? Touch someone."? Especially the last.? She might never understand just how perfectly her reaction had fit his needs, but he wasn't likely to forget it.

She smiled softly and kissed his forehead again before carefully climbing off his lap and retaking her seat.? She reached for his hand, though, unwilling to completely break their contact.? "When I get what Holly Golightly would call the Mean Reds, I list the good things in my life."? She took another sip of the wine and finished the custard.

He shook his head slightly, holding her hand with just a tiny touch of desperation, the need to keep contact going.? "I don't know what that means.? Mean Reds?"? He picked up his spoon with his free hand and tasted the custard, finding it smooth and delicious.

She started at him for a moment in utter shock.? "You've never seen Breakfast at Tiffany's?"

"The movie?"? He shook his head.? "I've...never watched many movies."? He and Riley had gone to some together, but before that, he'd always been too busy with more physical activities.? Sports, hiking...sex.

"Oh, my God.? Right.? We're going to have to rectify this deplorable situation tout de suite," she said with a determined nod.? "Next time we get together, we're having movie night.? We'll watch Breakfast at Tiffany's and...hmm. Oh, I know.? The Fifth Element and my ultimate favorite film, House of Flying Daggers."

"Oh, I've seen the Fifth Element, and House of Flying Daggers," he replied.? "Riley loves sci-fi movies, and David, unsurprisingly, loves the martial arts movies."? He grinned at her, then.? "I would love to watch them all with you, though."

"Oh, no.? If you've seen them already, we'll just have to find something else you haven't seen.? We could watch one of mine, if you'd like."

Lelah

Date: 2011-06-02 22:16 EST
"I would like that very much.? I'll admit to a great deal of curiosity."? He winked.? "It goes with the territory."

That made her chuckle and she tilted her head at him, her expression revealing no small amount of her own curiosity.? "How much of you is leopard, and how much is human?"

"Do you mean physically," he replied, "or the way I feel about myself?"

"And mentally, too.? Like..."? She shook her head, unable to explain what she wanted to know.? "Oh, hell.? I don't know how to ask what I want to know. For example, Riley seems so human.? I've never seen or heard her do anything that would betray the fact that she's not.? Other than being incredibly graceful, but that could just be explained by the fact that she's a ballerina.? But you, on the other hand.? You're much more..."? She frowned softly, searching for the right word.? "Feral?? Primal?? It's obvious that you're not human.? Do you see what I'm saying?"

Now that she'd explained it further, he understood what she was asking, and nodded.? "Yes, I follow you now.? There are a couple of reasons for the difference between us, but the most significant one is this:? Riley was born human, grew up human.? She didn't become Lycan until she was nineteen years old, the result of an attack, as I mentioned the other night.? I, on the other hand, was born a Lycan, and more, I was born a Leopard.? I didn't even know I could Shift until I was the human equivalent of fifteen years old."

"Oh, wow."? She was silent for a moment, then asked, "So you're more in touch with that other part of you then?"

"Yes, that's exactly it.? My Leopard and I, we work together.? Mostly."? Except when it came to how to treat beautiful, inviting women, clearly.? "Riley...well, she struggles with her Jaguar far more."?

"Is it hard?" she asked in a small voice.? There was clearly something more than simple curiosity driving her question.? She wondered how similar this leopard part of Daniel's brain was to the addiction demons lurking in her own mind.

"It can be.? Very much so, sometimes.? The Cat inside us isn't human, and doesn't have the same reactions or motives humans do.? Sometimes, those motives conflict.? Worse, sometimes they coincide, but can't be acted on.? Leopard doesn't like that."? Like not f*cking her on the kitchen table right now, for example.

She nodded very slowly, very carefully.? "It's a bit like having an alien inside your brain, isn't it?"? It wasn't a question that sought clarification; it was a question that sought reassurance, like she knew what she was talking about.? Her words definitely came from a place of knowledge.? She, too, had an alien living inside her mind, whose motives and reactions were very much in conflict with her own, all the time.

He didn't answer her for a moment, head tilted slightly as he regarded her.? The way she'd said that...like she understood what it meant to have those conflicting thoughts.? And yet, she was completely human.? He was positive of it.? At this range, only the most powerful magic could fool his nose, and to what end?? So what was in her mind that let her understand?? "What alien lives inside your brain, Lelah?"? His voice was soft, curious, but not intrusive.? She could answer or not, as she pleased.

She shoved a hand through her hair and sighed.? Licking her lips she took a final sip of the Riesling and then set the glass down on the table.? "You know what method acting is?"

"When you take on the persona of the person you're to play, even when not being filmed, right?"

"Exactly.? That's how I was taught to act.? I completely immerse myself in my character.? I played an FBI agent once and the Bureau was kind enough to let me run through their obstacle course and take a couple of their fire arms classes.? I even got to sit in on a training class, too."? She bit down on her lower lip then said in a small voice, "When I was 15, I was cast in a film about a group of four high school girls who went to an exclusive prep academy.? They were into drugs and booze and sex."

"And so you got into drugs and booze and sex," he said.? Not a question.? "And then you got caught."? He wasn't naive in the slightest.? He'd seen the worst the world had to offer in his very eventful life.? He'd also seen some of the best it had to offer, come to that.

She shook her head.? "Not caught.? Addicted.? To heroin.? For two years.? It almost killed me, too.? When I was 17, I overdosed and was in the hospital for two weeks.? When I was released, I went to rehab.? At that ranch in Montana."

"The most peaceful time you ever had," he said, repeating her words from earlier.? "Did your rehab succeed?" he asked quietly.? He sniffed carefully, but it only confirmed what his nose had already told him ? there was no heroin or any other drug in this house, unless it was kept in a perfectly airtight container and hadn't been opened.?

She nodded readily.? "I'm clean.? Have been for six, almost seven years now.? I think mostly it was leaving LA and going back home that did it.? Everyone I knew in LA was into the party scene; all of my friends went out every night, did lines, shot up, f*cked anything moving, drank 'til they puked.? I couldn't be in that environment anymore.? So I went home, bought a place in TriBeCa, and basically became a hermit until I moved here."

Lelah

Date: 2011-06-02 22:18 EST
"I'm proud of you," he said softly.? Perhaps it was a little strange for someone who'd just met her to say that, but he meant it.? He completely understood the strength of will it took to fight against your own temptations.? Even if it was a never-ending battle.

She gave him a slightly guilty look.? "Thank you.? I almost had a relapse, though.? A few weeks ago, after Rhys and I ended things, I bought some smack from this dealer in WestEnd.? I didn't use it though; Ori..."? She broke off and looked away, sadness pulling at her.? "He helped me get rid of it," she said and closed her eyes.

He put his hand on her shoulder, squeezed softly.? "I'm very sorry that your relationship with Ori is...," he paused, trying to think of the right word.? "Strained.? I can see how much he means to you."

Smiling softly, she nodded.? "Yeah.? He means more to me than I thought possible.? But I ruined it, I guess.? Sleeping with Gideon..."? She sighed deeply and stood up, clearing away the dishes and tidying the kitchen.

All he could say was, "If it was meant to be, it will be.? If not..."? It wasn't much comfort, he knew.? He followed her into the kitchen and wordlessly helped her clean up.

When they were finished and the dishwasher running, she turned to face him and gave him a soft, very grateful smile.? "Thank you, and not just for helping with the dishes.? For...not wigging out and running away when I told you about the heroin.? I've had people completely change their opinions about me after hearing about it."

"What sort of hypocrite would I be if I'd done so, after you'd accepted that I'm not human?"? Everyone had their issues; he was no exception.? "Thank you for sharing it with me.? For trusting me."

She impulsively hugged him, curling one arm around his shoulders as the other cupped his face, her fingers splayed out gently over his cheek.? She stood there for a long moment silently, feeling the firmness of his body against her, the scorching heat rising from his skin and decided that if he was next to her in the dead of February, she wouldn't need a blanket.

He might run hotter than a human, but some of that heat was entirely due to her closeness.? He pressed his cheek into her hand, holding her slender waist with his strong hands.? Resisting Leopard's urgings, that was all he did, too.? No stolen kisses or inflammatory touches.

She stepped back and sighed softly.? "Did you enjoy dinner?"? Awkward silences are awkward.

His hands lingered momentarily on her waist, before he reluctantly dropped them to his sides.? "It was the best dinner I've had in a long time.? And not just for the food, either."

"So...what would you like to do now?"? She glanced at the clock on the microwave.? It was almost eleven.? "A film?? I could make some coffee.? Or...um...If you'd like to go, I won't be insulted."

"I don't want to go."? And he didn't.? As much as he loved Riley ? and David, too ? at the moment, he would much rather be here with Lelah.

A grin, a little nervous toying with her hair and then she said, "Good.? I didn't want you to go, either.? So what would you like to do?"? Unable to stop herself, she reached out and twined her fingers with his, holding his hand loosely with her own.

Take you to bed.? But he didn't say that.? Not because he thought she would refuse, but because she would probably accept, and then feel guilty for it afterward.? He could be patient.? Cats excelled at waiting for the right moment to strike the prey.? The analogy wasn't very far off the mark.? If she'd had his nose, she would know it anyway, his physical reaction was obvious.? Even without it, she might get a hint from the way his grey eyes seemed to darken slightly, their look becoming more intense.? "A film sounds good," was what actually came out of his mouth.? He glanced down at her hand in his and a tiny smile tugged at his lips.

She thought momentarily of the 'sex film' she and Ori had inadvertently done a week ago and flushed bright red.? She exhaled sharply, a sort of snorted laugh, and moved away from him, lest she tear her clothing off right now and f*ck him silly on the kitchen counter.? "One of mine or something else?" she asked as she moved to the bookcase next to the fireplace that held all of her DVDs.

Well, well, what was she thinking?? Something arousing and a bit embarrassing, judging by the scent.? "One of yours," he said firmly.? "I want to see more of you."? No double entendre there.? Not at all.? Nope.

Lelah

Date: 2011-06-02 22:20 EST
She chuckled, a husky, throaty, naughty sound and glanced over her shoulder at him.? "Oh, my," she said with a wicked little smirk.? "I think I know just the film, then."? She turned and trailed her fingers over the spines of the DVD cases until she came to the one she wanted.? She slid it out and turned to hand it to him.

That wicked laugh was like a physical touch, shivering over his skin teasingly.? He moved close to her, taking the movie from her hand and glancing curiously at the case. The film was called Tr?sor, and the cover of the DVD featured Lelah and another very handsome actor locked in the middle of a heated kiss.? "I wrote, directed, and acted in this one.? It was the third film I wrote, though it was the last film I did while still on Earth."

"I find myself wishing I were this man," he murmured, flicking a sidelong glance at her before pulling the movie out of its case and slipping it into the DVD player.

She chuckled and went to plop herself down on the couch.? "Play your cards right, and you just might be."? She grabbed the remote and once he was settled, started up the film.? The opening scene was of a very drunk Lelah, pouring out her heart to a bored-looking bartender.? She was going on and on about the one that got away - the love of her life, a man named Joe.? The rest of the film was told in flashbacks that jumped around throughout the time line of their three-year relationship. The ending scene was of Lelah's character leaving the bar and passing by Joe in the street, but she was too drunk to notice him standing there with a bouquet of flowers for her in one hand and a bottle of wine in the other.

He leaned back into the couch and watched the movie, sitting as close to her as she would allow.? Was Riley the one that got away for him?? She could have been ? had been ? the love of his life.? He glanced at Lelah occasionally, curious about how she reacted to seeing herself in a movie.

As with when she and Ori had watched one of her films, she forced herself to not be as critical as she might have been and didn't allow herself to turn away from the sex scenes.? After watching a real sex scene involving herself, she felt that the scripted ones lacked a certain passion.? The chemistry between herself and Ethan Hawke was evident and she'd admit to being turned on watching it, but...well, the real thing was much better.

His nostrils flared when the scent of her arousal reached them, tempered as it was by her obvious analysis of the scenes.? It was still enough that he gripped the couch cushion tightly and forced himself to take slow, even breaths, and resulted in him missing several scenes.? Was every meeting with her going to be like this?? One of them was going to explode if it was.

When the film was over, she turned to him and gave him a little raised brow, smirky face.? "Well?"? She pointedly did not glance down to his lap, though it took Herculean effort not to.

He kept his eyes on her face, too as he forced himself to think of the movie as a movie, and not just how incredible her body had been onscreen.? "You're a talented woman, Lelah Rivka," he said softly.? "Acting, directing, writing...it was all very good.? A nice touch with the humor, too. The ending was rather sad, though. Her missing what was standing right in front of her."

She smiled softly and nodded.? "Story of my life sometimes. Thank you, though.? It was hard to write, you know?? Writing things backwards and then jumping around in time.? You should have seen my plot board.? It looked like a Jackson Pollock piece."

He grinned, nodding. "I've often wondered about that, when I watch a movie which doesn't run in chronological order.? How hard it must have been for the writer.? But you pulled it off beautifully."

"Thank you."? It was well past one o'clock now and although she hated to admit it, she was feeling rather tired and she had to get up in just a few hours for the last day in the office before filming.? "I start filming on Monday.? The next three months will be crazy for me," she said softly.? "I'd like to see you, though.? As much as I can, as often as I can.? I just don't want you to think I'm giving you the brush off when I tell you that I can't see you sometimes."

"I would love to see you again.? And again.? Fortunately, my schedule is wide open at the moment, so whenever you have the time, so will I."? He rose fluidly from the couch and caught her hand, pulling her up to him, then leaned in and brushed his lips across hers, pulling back before Leopard could take the opportunity to drive things any further than that gentle kiss.? "I'm a patient person," he said softly.? "When I have to be."

She nodded and smiled gratefully.? "You're an amazing man, Daniel.? Thank you for being so understanding and accepting.? It really means so much to me that you're willing to follow my lead."

You're going to make me blush if you keep that up," he replied, though there wasn't actually any embarrassment in him.? He tilted his head, regarding her.? "I have the distinct sense that it will be worth it to wait for you."

Lelah

Date: 2011-06-02 22:21 EST
She adopted her arrogant, imperious Movie Star Goddess pose and said with a toss of lustrous locks, "Oh, I'm so worth it."? Then she cracked a grin and giggled.? "Walk you to the door?" she asked as she reached for his hand.

He laughed softly and nodded.? "I thought so."? He accepted her hand and walked with her to the door, pausing before opening it and turning to her.? "Good night, Lelah," he said softly.

Still holding his hand tightly, she pulled him closer and gave him a proper goodbye kiss, tongue and teeth and lips devouring his mouth, heated passion pouring forth from her before she could stop it.

After the tiniest of surprised pauses, he responded to that kiss with equal fire, hands grabbing the back of her head and hip to press her firmly to him, deep purring rumbling from his chest and through their bodies.

She shivered against him and then pulled away, forcing herself to stop before she dragged him bodily into the bedroom.? She stood panting in front of him, hands clenched at her sides, lips feeling bruised, dark eyes wide with lust.? "God," she whispered in wonder and then shook her head to clear it.? "My latex friend's getting a work out tonight," she said with a wicked smile.

A soft growl trickled from his throat, shaping itself into a single word.? "Teaser."? He took a deep breath, ran a hand over his face, and when he spoke again, his voice was back to normal; as normal as it got anymore.? "At least you have such a friend.? I'll be spending the night in a bedroom above a married couple."? A very energetic married couple.

"Oh," she said softly, then giggled.? "Active, are they?"? Then she held up her hand.? "No.? I don't want to know.? Really.? I'd never be able to look at either of them again and not imagine..."? She groaned and closed her eyes.? "Oh, God."? Biting her lower lip, she gave into the giggles that threatened.

She had no idea...? One day, he would have to tell her about the three of them.? It might be a suitable revenge for the way she'd just teased him.? In fact, he could give her a little dose of that revenge right now.? "Active...does not even begin to approach it."? And before she had time to process that and wonder about his knowledge of it, he turned and loped down the stairs and off into the darkness.? A moment later, the eerie wail of a Snow Leopard on the prowl rang out across the city.? He had some energy of his own to work off.

She was left with a look of utter incomprehension at his comment but he disappeared too quickly for her to ask him for clarification. The sound that followed quickly on the heels of Daniel's disappearance curled itself around her lizard brain and injected cold terror directly into her bloodstream, raising the hairs along her forearms. She shuddered and went inside with alacrity, hoping silently, fervently, that it wasn't Daniel who'd made that spine tingling sound.

((Many thanks to Daniel Tej's player for this scene.))