Found

[JACK ROCCOGRANDI]

“Oh, I owe you now?” Jack grinned wider at Rebecca’s tone, glad she found him amusing. “Yeah. What, you thought you were going to get off scot free?” he replied playfully. Truth was, Rebecca could probably ask him to do any favor and he wouldn’t expect anything in return. But if it got her to agree to hang out with him and have a drink, he’d play like she owed him. Was that desperate? In his mind, it sounded borderline that way, but he tried to shrug that off. He wasn’t desperate…just interested.

"Alright, Jack. You win, but not a word of this to anyone. Last thing I need is for everyone to make assumptions about me. Faye is doing a fine enough job making women on the force look semi easy." Jack wanted to throw a fist in the air, but he settled for grinning until she mentioned Faye. Did she make women on the force look easy? Jack shrugged. “I don’t know about that. She seems friendly with the guys, but not overly friendly. Of course, there’s a fair share of men talking about how they wish she would be.” Jack shrugged to indicate he wasn’t one of them. Faye wasn’t his type, hot as she was. She did seem to have a wild streak in her, and he preferred relationships to casual flings.

“Is your place okay? We can go to mine if you would rather.” Jack looked back down at her and shook his head. “No, we can go to mine. It’s not the typical bachelor pad; no hazardous waste,” he assured with that sideways grin of his. “You can follow me over. I’m parked right outside. I live at the Cedar St. Apartments. Know where that is?” He held the door open for her as they walked out into the night towards their cars.

[MAXINE MCMANUS]

Maxi sighed into August’s lips as his hands moved over her gently. She was surprised he was being so gentle with the look he had given her just moments before. When his hand left her butt, though, she knew what was coming before she heard the loud smack, making her jump. It hurt! His hand squeezed, though, taking some of the pain away and in the same moment making her heart beat faster. He pulled his lips back, making her eyes open again, a little uncertain. “I don’t like when you threaten me.” Though his voice was angry, he pulled her tightly to him, making her gasp a little. She didn’t like threatening, but she was actually trying to be serious. His treatment of her friends so far was deplorable. “But I’m curious. What does this really mad side of you look like?” He was mocking her. Again. This time it didn’t bother her as much.

She wasn’t afraid of the look he gave her, but she was confused as he pulled away and walked to the couch. First he wanted her friends gone, now he didn’t want what he had threatened to show those friends if they didn’t leave. Her look showed her confusion as she took a couple steps toward him. He made himself comfortable on the couch, his arms stretched across the back of it and his legs crossed. His eyes were ablaze as he looked at her, his stare predatory once more. What did he want her to do? Get mad? “Go on.. I need to know what I'm in store for so I can weigh my odds the next time I meet one of your friends. What's going to happen, my darling Maxine?” He gave her a devious little grin, and she cocked her head to the side in bewilderment. “Uh…well I can’t just be mad on cue,” she stammered softly. She was no actress. She could give him an idea of what she would do, however.

“I can tell you, though…” she began, sauntering towards him on the couch. The look on her face was serious but it bordered on flirtatious. “…if you do that again, I’m taking away sex for a week.” For the two of them, that was a serious threat. A whole week without sex between them was like a month for any other couple. Maxi wasn’t a sexual creature, she never had been, but with August she was a very different person. Her eyebrows rose to indicate her seriousness. “And if you were to try anything in that week, I would fight you, possibly even bite you. I wouldn’t go down easy.” She was standing just in from of his legs, looking down at him, and though she had a flirty edge to her voice, for the most part, she was serious. She was tired of him fighting with her friends.

[REBECCA TAYLOR]

“No, we can go to mine. It’s not the typical bachelor pad; no hazardous waste,” She tucked her hair behind her ear again and offered a cautious sort of smile. Going back to Jacks place seemed sort of weird. Nice, but weird. He was still a coworker, and a guy, but she figured she wanted to be treated like one of the guys so this was as good a way to do it as any. Even if she was wearing next to nothing. "Well, that's a relief." She teased lightly. "Wouldn't want your leftovers holding a conversation with me." She knew it was a stupid joke and she immediately felt like an idiot, but tried to brush it off, looking the other way, a forced, strained smile on her face.

“You can follow me over. I’m parked right outside. I live at the Cedar St. Apartments. Know where that is?” She wished he would quit opening the damn door for her. She had hands! "Yeah, we had an investigation there the other night." She explained, but she'd known where it was prior to that. "I'll follow you over, though." She said as she made her way towards her own car.

Once she got in she waited for him to back out before following his car. She wondered if she had maybe left something in there to cover herself up more. She remembered there was a sweatshirt in the back and her hand rummaged around behind her as she kept her eyes on the road, her fingers finally grasping the heavy cloth. It wasn't cold out, but at least this would hide the fact that she wasn't wearing a bra. She didn't need him catching any outlines and realizing she was a girl. Rebecca wasn't about sending wrong impressions; that was reserved for women who trusted people.

At a red light she pulled the sweatshirt over her head and then looked in the rear view mirror to adjust her hair. She felt like such a stupid girl doing that, but it was messy. She would need to touch up her roots, soon. Maybe, she thought, she should just go back to brunette. The blond suited her well, though. She thought it made her resemble her mother, who she wasn't even related to. Rebecca briefly wondered for the millionth time what her real mother looked like, but shoved the idea away when she turned the corner, coming up to the apartment complex.

Jack's car parked and she found herself a spot of her own. Finally she got out and made her way over, pushing her t-shirt up into the sweatshirt a little so the shorts were more visible and she looked less naked. She gave him a half nervous close-mouthed grin.

"Alright, let's see this bachelor pad of yours."

[AUGUST WITT]

“Uh…well I can’t just be mad on cue,” she stammered and his grin only deepened. He liked toying with her, but more so he liked giving her the opportunity to do it to him. He would win which was part of the fun. It was the challenge of winning so much that made being with her enjoyable. “I can tell you, though…” He cocked a brow up as she sauntered his way, her hips swaying, tantalizing him. “…if you do that again, I’m taking away sex for a week.” At those words he openly scoffed at her. The insatiable Maxine could never withhold from him, and they both knew it. It wasn't even a matter of arrogance, August simply knew better but he found it endearing that she thought she could threaten him with such silly things.

Her finely shaped, red eyebrows hitched up giving her a serious look and his amusement subsided a little, his own look becoming more serious. He had asked and she was delivering. It was hard to take her seriously, though. “And if you were to try anything in that week, I would fight you, possibly even bite you. I wouldn’t go down easy.”

How could she possibly believe he wouldn't be amused by her challenge? If anything it made him want to call Dawson and insult him to see if she would make good on her promise, simply so he could make her break it moments later. His eyes blazed up into hers as she stood in front of him. He was done playing her game, though. It was time she learned her threats were futile.

August pulled his arms off the couch and leaned forward, wrapping them around the back of her knees to make them buckle so he could pull her to him easier. He pulled her down onto him and then shifted his body to throw her down onto the couch so he could look down at her instead, his body shifting so he could hover over her, his hands finding her wrists. He pulled them up towards her face, pinning her there as he hovered over her now, asserting his dominance once more but being gentle so as not to hurt her. He was very aware of the tender fingers on her hand, and though he wanted to prove a point, he didn't want to hurt her more than she already had been.

"You went down easy enough now." He taunted devilishly, shifting so his pelvis could rest against hers, allowing her to feel how excited she'd made him. "I think i'd like if you struggled a little. It would make things more challenging with my insatiable little gazelle.." He breathed using her internal nickname outloud for the first time. His face moved down to her shoulder, nipping it through the thin fabric of his t-shirt that hung loosely on her. "As for biting.. I don't think that sounds so terrible." He pushed his face up into the crook of her neck, trailing his nose over the soft skin and forcing her head to the side with his intrusion. "Now remind me... what was it I'd said about withholding things that belong to me?" his tone was dark, dangerous but sultry at the same time as he pushed his pelvis harder into her, letting her know he intended to take her, like it or not. "You and I both know your threats are lavish." He grinned, his face coming to her ear, nipping it gently.

[MAXINE MCMANUS]

Maxi saw the blaze in August’s stormy eyes, but it didn’t frighten her. Far from it, actually. It surprised her, because it looked like he was turned on by this challenge. Before she could really react, his arms came around her knees, making her gasp as she buckled into his lap. She knew physically she was no match for the man, but she hadn’t expected him to grab her like that. With a soft cry, she fell back to the couch as he threw her there, his hands pinning her wrists before she had time to snatch them back. He had her trapped, like he always did, and she looked up at him with surprise at how quickly he’d gotten her under him. It was frustrating but hot at the same time. She felt her heart pounding in her chest.

“You went down easy enough now.” His hips rested against hers and she felt a rush at how excited he was. She knew he liked a little fight, but she hadn’t expected to thrill him so much with her threats. “I think I’d like it if you struggled a little. It would make things more challenging with my insatiable little gazelle…” His little gazelle, huh? She’d never heard him call her that before, but she couldn’t help but find the pet name endearing. It was so different, not like “baby” or “honey,” so he obviously meant it only for her. She bit back a smile before gasping as she felt his teeth on her shoulder, her eyes slipping closed. Even through the white t-shirt, the feeling was electrifying. “As for biting…I don’t think that sounds so terrible.” “Don’t tempt me,” she breathed in a half-hearted warning. His nose trailed along her neck and she let her head fall to the side, her breathing soft and fast. He knew all the buttons to push to rile her up, and right now she was finding it hard to resist him. “Now remind me…what was I’d said about withholding things that belong to me?” He had told her she couldn’t keep from him what was his, and right now, she was inclined to believe him. That inclination increased as he pushed his pelvis against hers more, making her whimper with need. No matter what she did, he would always find some way to remind her how much she ached for him.

“You and I both know your threats are lavish.” He spoke right into her ear, causing her to let out a noise between a moan and a breath. The statement was frustrating because she suspected they were true. She wanted to be able to hold that over him, though. “Don’t be so sure about that,” she breathed, trying to slow her heart rate. She turned her face to look at him, finding his eyes with her own deep blue ones, smirking a little. It was so hard to keep her wits about her with Mr. Witt doing as he was, but she wanted to assure him she could make good on her promise. “I don’t have to open the door for you,” she reminded him. “And if you busted in, I can become invisible.” Her wrists twisted under his hands, forcing him to hold them tighter if he intended to keep her beneath him. “You’re stronger than me, but it won’t do you much good if you can’t find me,” she taunted. She wriggled to move her hips further from his, biting her bottom lip as she did so. If he wanted a struggle, she could give him one. Perhaps it would make him angry, but his angry sex was hot.

[AUGUST WITT]

Every move and breath gave her away more and more. She couldn't resist him and it was becoming more and more obvious with every passing second. But then she realized how easy she'd become and he could feel her begin to resist him. It did nothing short of excite him further. “Don’t be so sure about that, I don’t have to open the door for you, and if you busted in, I can become invisible.” She began to struggle beneath him, her eyes bright on his. He held her wrists down with ease despite her best efforts, his eyes remaining on hers, not saying anything. Not yet. It was clear she had more to say.

“You’re stronger than me, but it won’t do you much good if you can’t find me,” she taunted, her hips pulling away from his. "Then perhaps restraints are in order." He replied coyly, his tone deadpan so she knew he wasn't entirely joking. "Your friends already think me a hero. A villain certainly, but also a hero who would never do something so sinister as keeping you tied to the bed to use at my disposal." He pressed his pelvis down on her again, using it to help keep her still by trapping her between himself and the couch. "I think we both know you're not completely against that thought." There was a ghost of a smile on his lips, wanting to take advantage of her, being rough like he had in the earlier days of their little relationship.

He pulled her hands up further over her head, taking both wrists in one hand so he could have the other free. He ran his knuckles down her cheek, his pelvis still keeping her still from her waist down. He stroked her cheek and then ran his thumb over her bottom lip, tugging it lightly. "Would you really be so selfish as to try and keep yourself from me?" He asked, his voice softer now, leaning his lips down to kiss her lightly. He wanted to force his way into her, but that wasn't really his style. Sure, he liked it rough, but he liked his partners willing, too. He didn't like the thought of losing so much control that he couldn't convince Maxine to do as he pleased when he'd been so very successful at it already. "I really don't like your threats.." He breathed, allowing his free hand to roam downward now..

[MAXINE MCMANUS]

“Then perhaps restraints are in order.” Maxi couldn’t help but smirk a little more at the comment. Of course he would suggest restraints. It’s not like he hadn’t done it to her before. Still, his tone was only half-joking, and she knew not to doubt what he said. “Your friends already think me a hero. A villain certainly, but also a hero who would never do something so sinister as keeping you tied to the bed to use at my disposal.” Before she could comment, he was using his pelvis to trap her hips again, pressing his weight down on her, making her moan in both frustration and anticipation, her head arching back a little as her eyes held his. “I think we both know you’re not completely against that thought.” Maxi sighed, not responding to that statement. She made it too easy for him to read her, to manipulate her; where most women would feel weak and hate that they had allowed themselves to be so taken advantage of, Maxi didn’t mind it, not really. August liked the power he had over her, and she did too.

He moved her hands up higher, taking both her wrists in one hand and holding them down firmly. There was no way to fight his grip now. His rough, slightly misshapen knuckles ran across her cheek and her heart began to melt. As always, his thumb brushed over her bottom lip, pulling it down slightly. “Would you really be so selfish as to try and keep yourself from me?” Maxi being selfish? That was a good one. He kissed her lightly and she returned the kiss, her eyes fluttering closed again. He was so impossible. Her heart was jumping despite her best efforts to not let it do so. August’s mouth always did that to her. He pulled back just a bit, his hand traveling lower as her heart raced. “I really don’t like your threats…” Maxi’s back arched into his hand as it moved lower, keeping her eyes on his. “I really didn’t like your treatment of my friend,” she shot back softly. Something about her ordeal with Sebastian the night before had made her gutsier in the way she spoke to Gargoyles.

“You wanted to know what I would do, Mr. Witt,” she breathed softly against his mouth, bringing her nose up to brush against his. “As long as you’re more cordial the next time you’re around my friends, it can just be a threat, nothing more.” Maxi brought her mouth to his, but not to kiss him. Instead she caught his bottom lip between her teeth, tugging it back as she bit down a little harder than she normally would, to let him know she was serious about the biting. She could hardly control how hard her heart was throbbing now.

[AUGUST WITT]

“I really didn’t like your treatment of my friend,” He sighed as he moved to plant kisses on her neck once more, his hand exploring down her body, finding the waistband to the sweats he'd supplied her with. “You wanted to know what I would do, Mr. Witt,” His kisses trailed back up her jaw and to her lips, feeling hers brush so close to his. “As long as you’re more cordial the next time you’re around my friends, it can just be a threat, nothing more.” Her teeth found his bottom lip and tugged, making him groan. He liked her being a little bossy, but he also like knowing he needed to beat this part of her down into submission.

"Is that so, Miss McManus.." He breathed against her lips when she pulled her teeth away. It was becoming harder not to do something about the bulge in his pants, wanting to make her eat that threat. "Well I find it's important we be upfront and honest with one another. I have no intention to allow you to threaten me. Not in my home and not when you've so willingly given yourself to me. You.. are mine. You don't make the rules, baby." He tugged at the pants, pulling them down a little and sliding his hand inside and around to her backside so he could rest his palm against her ass. "Mine." He growled against her lips as he squeezed.

[MAXINE MCMANUS]

Maxi’s lips trailed along August’s neck lightly, smiling as he allowed her more access. After a few moments, though, she sighed and rested her forehead against his neck as his fingers tickled up and down her back. She could have stayed there for the night, for a day, for eternity. Just holding him and feeling him adore her. He was warm and gentle right now and everything she needed. But it didn’t last nearly long enough, his hand pulling her head up so he could kiss her again lightly. It made her smile against his lips, her hand brushing through his hair gently.

“I would love nothing more than to sit here with you like this all night, but I’d like you to get that hand taken care of by a professional, and I’d also like to make sure we both eat tonight. I need you well nourished with the plans I have in store for you.” Maxi giggled a little, watching that grin of his as his hand moved through her hair back to her rear. He squeezed lightly, making her squeal a little, her cheeks flushing a light pink. “Are you hungry now?” She was a little bit, and was about to say so, but his lips were moving lightly over her skin affectionately. “Now that I’ve quenched your hunger for me. At least for the moment.” A light laugh left her, her eyes slipping closed as his lips came back to her neck. She leaned her head to the side so he would have more to kiss, but knew he was right. She probably did need the doctor to look at her hand. “You’re going to make me hungry again if you keep that up,” she said playfully, her hand playing in his hair lightly. She pulled away from his lips enough to lay a kiss on his lips again. It was sweet and she was smiling as she kissed him. Even when she pulled away, she came right back and pecked him again. It was so hard to move away from him.

With a sigh, she stood up, letting her arms untangle from around his shoulders, smiling down at him. “I could eat,” she told him before moving to gather her clothes strewn around the room. It was a familiar dance for her when she was with August. “What are we eating?” she asked, looking over her shoulder at him with a sweet smile. She somehow always seemed to make that decision, but she wanted him to make it this time. He always paid for it, so why shouldn’t he pick what they ate?

[AUGUST WITT]

“You’re going to make me hungry again if you keep that up,” He grinned at her as her fingers nestled themselves in his hair once more. With a great amount of reluctance she climbed off of him and he sighed, having mixed feelings about it. He didn't want her to move, but he knew they needed to get on with their night.

“I could eat. What are we eating?” August stayed in his seat as he watched her move gracefully, picking up clothing, acting sexy for him. She knew exactly what she was doing and he appreciated the visual stimulation. Maybe too much. He swallowed trying to contain himself as he got up from the chair and moved towards the bedroom. He was still aware she didn't have anything to wear, but they could take care of that easily enough.

"Come, let's get dressed and figure that all out later." He offered. "First, you might like to go wash up." He said raising a brow. It had been a suggestion, but the look in his eyes made it clear he expected her to do so. She would want to clean up anyway, though.

---

Their shopping trip had been short since the store they had gone to was about to close, but he had bought her a few things to get her by until they went back to her house to collect some belongings. He decided she could use a few new things anyway. August waited while she changed in the store, paying for her purchases, and then the pair made their way to a little restaurant. It was late and they were some of the last customers to meander their way in, but they received good, speedy service. Lastly he brought her up to the hospital, where he had called after they'd left his home to let them know about when they would be in so to expect them. August wasn't keen on waiting and he wanted to make sure they received a female doctor, preferably an older, unattractive one. He wasn't interested in a man seeing his Maxine, knowing it would only make him jealous and he would rather enjoy her all to himself that night. She shouldn't have a reason to blush for any other man. Ever.

He sat in the exam room with her, she on the exam table, he on a chair beside her. "If you'd like we can stop at your house after this." He offered, looking through a magazine before tossing it back on the counter in there. They always had such out of date reading material, and it was rarely anything worth reading anyway. "So you can collect your things. We'll order you a new phone tonight as well. I'd like a way to be in touch with you if I ever allow you to go home again without me." There was a mischievous twinkle in his eye's as he smirked at her, but it lasted only a moment before he sighed, folding his hands on his stomach and slouching in the chair. Being in hospitals was so tedious. There was a knock on the door and August sat up more as the doctor came in. She was a woman, middle aged, and not exactly unattractive, but not necessarily attractive either. He waited for her to greet them and look Maxine over, of course under his very careful, watchful eye. She was still his, and even if a woman was examining her, he would be overly protective, but perhaps less so than if it had been a man.

[MAXINE MCMANUS]

“Come, let’s get dressed and figured that all out later. First, you might like to go wash up.” Yes she would. As much as she loved him, Maxi didn’t need other people to smell August on her, in every sense of that term. She followed him into the bedroom, her clothes gathered and bundled in her arms. Maybe she could ask him to take her by her house so she could get some things…

_________________________________________________

To her surprise, August took her to a store to get some new clothes so she wouldn’t be out in public wearing his sweats and a t-shirt. She might keep that t-shirt for herself, though. It smelled like him, and on nights when she couldn’t see him, she wanted to curl up in it. Maybe it was silly, but she missed him on nights when she couldn’t see him, and not just because she didn’t get any sex when that happened. Mostly, it was because she missed him being around her for her to snuggle into. He let her do that these days, and she liked to. When they left the store, they went out to dinner, which was good, as usual. Then again, it was hard not to please Maxi when it came to food. She wasn’t picky eater and August had good taste in food. After dinner, they went over to the hospital. That bill was going to make her sick, she knew, since they would want to do x-rays, but she would think about that right now.

As she sat on the exam room table, she swung her legs over the edge as she looked around at the charts. She got an education on ear infections and bronchitis while she waited. August was flipping through a magazine absent-mindedly and she realized how comfortable they were just sitting in silence together. It made her smile. “If you’d like, we can stop at your house after this.” His voice drew her attention and she smiled more. “So you can collect your things. We’ll order you a new phone tonight as well. I’d like a way to be in touch with you if I ever allow you to go home again without me.” There was a smirk and a mischievous look in his eyes as he looked at her, and she grinned from ear to ear. She liked this “we” business and she liked the idea of being with him all the time. How great that would be if they could spend every night together. Of course, it wasn’t possible, but it sounded lovely.

He was sighing and slouching in a moment, though, which only made her giggle a little. She didn’t think she had ever seen August slouch. He was so proper and official all the time…it was cute to see him relax some. Her moment of adoration was cut short, though, when the doctor came in. She smiled at the woman gratefully. “So you hurt your fingers?” “Yeah. One those big dog crates fell on my hand,” she lied softly. The doctor winced playfully and began removing the braces that August had placed on her fingers. “Well someone took good care of them before you got here!” Maxi looked over at August and smiled almost bashfully before looking back to the doctor. Under the braces, nice big bruises had discolored the skin and they were pretty swollen. Maxi grimaced at just the sight of them. “Ew…” she said under her breath, but it was quite audible in the small room. The doctor smiled at her and gently went to push her fingers into curling. Maxi gasped and grimaced. “Ow!” she exclaimed. The doctor stopped immediately, grimacing herself. “Sorry! I had to try.” Maxi smiled up at her, shaking her head. “That’s fine,” she assured. “Let’s get some x-rays to see if there’s a break or any fractures.”

A series of x-rays revealed nothing was broken or fractured; it just hurt so much because there were so many nerves in the hands. They were inflamed, as well as the tendons, but they would heal with some rest. The doctor put on the same kind of braces August had originally bandaged her in, except they were less bulky. She also prescribed some 500 mg ibuprofen to help with both the swelling and the pain. As they walked out, Maxi smiled up at August. “Looks like you are a professional,” she teased. She gave a soft giggle and wrapped her hand around his arm to keep him close. Maxi was the kind that liked to hold a lover’s hand, but she knew August wouldn’t go for that. She settled to hold onto his arm, something she didn’t think he would object to as much. “My house next?” she asked sweetly. She needed some of her stuff to stay at August’s.

[AUGUST WITT]

August sat up when the woman had entered, but he remained quiet as she examined Maxine, keeping a watchful eye over her. He was quick to protect his gazelle, still seeing her as his property even if she was more. He wanted to break anyone who looked at her, and touching her... it made him ill. She was strictly his to be with and he didn't like the idea of sharing her at all. August certainly saw the appeal to that ring that Sebastian had wanted, but he knew it was bad news for Gargoyles to have those. They were psychotic and possessive by nature it seemed, or at least many of them were. If they were day walkers...the city would be fucked. Maxine needed her days to herself since August was taking most of her evenings. Sure, he didn't see her every night, but he intended to see her more now. Sebastian had made him realize how fragile her life could be, and how deeply he needed her.

“Well someone took good care of them before you got here!” The woman said and August caught Maxi's beaming look, but he didn't return the smile. He knew basic first aid. He was required to be able to handle this sort of thing by Gargoyle law so that if ever he or a fellow Gargoyle was in pain he would know what to do so they wouldn't need to see a doctor. Maxine was a different story. She could easily see a doctor. They would find her skin soft, but other than that nothing would be out of the ordinary. He had a time restriction to adhere to, plus he healed much quicker.

“Ow!” Maxi yelped and August tensed, furrowing his brows deeply and sitting up straighter, knowing he would need to step in if the woman did that again. He knew she was trying to help Maxine, but August had it in his mind that no one was allowed to harm her, except, perhaps, for him.

“Let’s get some x-rays to see if there’s a break or any fractures.”

August waited patiently while Maxine got her x-rays, making some work related phone calls and planning on when he should bring Maxine to the council. It was decided they would go the following evening, which worked fine for August. He would tell her later. When she finally came out and had her x-rays looked over, she was bandaged and had been given a script for simple ibuprofen. “Looks like you are a professional,” she teased him as they finally got released, her hand rebandaged. "It's simple first aid, Maxine. I would hardly call myself a professional." He allowed her to hang on his arm, which was far less emasculating than holding her hand. “My house next?” she asked sweetly. He gave a slight nod and opened her door for her, watching her climb into his car as he moved to the drivers side.

He put the car into drive and backed out of the lot. "I've made plans for us to see the council tomorrow evening if you're still interested." His eyes moved to her briefly as he made his way towards her home, which fortunately wasn't terribly far away. It was nice that the city was so compact. Nothing was really far from anything else. "I'd like this little problem taken care of immediately." Sebastian had always been a thorn in his side, and he loved nothing more than the idea of getting him off the streets permanently. His sister was next, and he was sure he could get some charges thrown at her as well. Wasn't it she who forced Maxine and another young woman to change into costumes? And according to Maxine there was a man in her room as well. He was sure he could get rid of both davenports easily enough. "If you're uncomfortable with the idea though, we can try and work something else out." He offered, rarely giving her options when it came to things he felt passionate about. "But I would like for you to aid me in bringing the Davenports to justice. I don't need him to succeed in his endeavor to obtain that ring."

[MAXINE MCMANUS]

Maxi climbed into the car when August opened the door for her and fastened her seat belt as he came around to the other side and started the car. They got going, heading to her house, and Maxi turned her eyes to August as he began talking. “I’ve made plans for us to see the council tomorrow evening if you’re still interested.” She nodded, wondering why it sounded like he was just giving her a suggestion. Did she have a choice to see the council or not? She certainly didn’t see it that way. “I’d like this little problem taken care of immediately. If you’re uncomfortable with the idea though, we can try and work something else out. But I would like for you to aid me in bringing the Davenports to justice. I don’t need him to succeed in his endeavor to obtain that ring.” So he was giving her a choice. She was surprised to say the least, but she had never considered any other option. Maxi had resolved herself to taking down the Davenports, mostly Sebastian. He was the reason she still jumped when someone knocked at the door and the reason August, Becky, and Brett had worried. It was his fault and she wanted him off the streets.

“I appreciate your concern, August, but I’m fine with that. I don’t want the Davenports doing to anyone else what they did to me. And I hate the thought of either one of them being able to walk out in the sunlight,” she replied, curling her lip distastefully at the idea of Sebastian walking in the midday sun. Her look was aimed at the road ahead of them, but when it faded, she smiled again at August. “Tomorrow evening. I’ll be there.” Her promise was soft but sure. Sebastian Davenport wasn’t get away with anything, and neither was Prestine. Maxi was still haunted by imagines of the man she had chained in her room, the one she had called Kitten. She often wondered if she should have tried to save him as well, beg August to let her help him. At least then she would know if he was okay or not. “But…do you think it’ll just be Sebastian that gets in trouble? Will Prestine get in trouble too?” she asked with uncertainty in her voice. Maxi wondered if this business would get back to her mentor Gertie, but figured it probably wouldn’t. The different communities kept their crimes pretty much under wraps, from what she understood.

It didn’t take long for them to reach her house, and when they did, she stepped out and stared at her house for a minute. She felt inexplicably nervous being there. Sebastian was long gone, but she still felt like maybe he could pop out of the bushes. Her eyes looked around wearily, as if looking for Sebastian, but she was comforted that August was there. She tried not to show how apprehensive she was as she made her way to the door. Inside, it looked just as she had left it, purse on the table and broken phone on the floor. It sent a surge of residual fear through her, so instead of going to pick it up, she made her way up the stairs to pack her things in silence. She was comfortable up there. Nothing bad had happened up there.

It only took her about 15 minutes to collect her things, placing them in a light travel bag. She didn’t need much, just enough to last her the rest of the week. The next week, if she was still staying with August, she would need to come get her truck so she could get to and from work. This week was spring break so there was nowhere she had to be during the day and she didn’t need a car. When she was finished packing, making small talk with August, she moved back downstairs to the kitchen. There was no Sebastian, but the reminder of him was there on the floor. She picked up her phone, the screen cracked in half, and placed it on the counter, frowning at it contemplatively. The last call she had made was to August, and here he was. She had called him and he came. She set her bag down and wrapped her arms around August almost unexpectedly, resting her head against his chest. “Thank you again. I’ll never do something that dumb again. I promise,” she said softly. She felt better with her arms around him. It made most of her fear melt away and she hoped it would stay away when she came back again.

[AUGUST WITT]

“I appreciate your concern, August, but I’m fine with that. I don’t want the Davenports doing to anyone else what they did to me. And I hate the thought of either one of them being able to walk out in the sunlight. Tomorrow evening. I’ll be there.”

He liked her willingness and nodded with the finality in her voice. He drove on, listening to her hesitation at the possibility of Sebastian's sister getting hurt in the crossfire. He had misconstrued the way she asked, thinking that maybe she had felt bad for the woman or considered her innocent. Did she like the woman? Had she not dressed her in a disgusting sex outfit? Of course August had found it somewhat appealing. It was revealing and sexy but not in the way he normally found attractive. It made her seem dirty and whoreish, which was not how he preferred his women. He liked them to have a little class, and though Maxine wasn't the epitome of classy, she certainly knew how to present herself properly.

"Prestine will be held accountable for her part in all of this, yes. In addition to her own transgressions concerning the man locked in her bedroom, she failed to notify anyone of your abduction though it was clear she was aware of it. I doubt she'll get off easy. It's for the best that neither see the light of the moon again." She said with mild venom in his voice as he pulled up to Maxine's house.

It was sad to see her so uncertain about walking into her own home but August stayed close and made sure to watch for any movements that could be suspicious. Sebastian wouldn't be foolish enough to hide out around her, and if he was he certainly wouldn't be coming out to see them, that was for sure. He stayed downstairs as she went up to collect her belongings, picking her phone up and bringing her purse to the front of the house. He sighed looking around; so many memories there in the short amount of time he'd known her, and it was Sebastian's that ruined it for them. August enjoyed coming there and having his way with her. Of course he could just as easily do it at his home, and far more comfortably, but he liked how at ease she was there, surrounded by the things she loved. Possessions meant little to August, aside for Maxine. But Maxine cherished each little thing in her home, and there was a part of August that liked to be among those cherished objects. It made him feel cherished as well.

His eyes followed her down the steps as she came and wrapped her arms around him. His nose nuzzled into the soft hairs at the top of her head as she rested her soft face to his firm chest, sighing. “Thank you again. I’ll never do something that dumb again. I promise,” Normally he would smirk, vindicated, but he frowned. "I know you won't, baby." He said softly, reassuring her that it would be fine silently. He brought his hand up to her chin and lifted it with his pointer finger so he could gaze into her eyes. It was beginning to grow late, at least by her standards. "Are you tired? Would you like me to bring you back to my home now or do you have any more stops?" He asked, his face growing slowly closer with each word, his lips finally meeting hers as he kissed her lightly, which slowly grew a little deeper until he forced himself to stop. "Sometimes I wonder which of us is the insatiable one.." He grumbled, pulling away and reaching to lift her bag. "We should get going."

[MAXINE MCMANUS]

Maxi sighed as August’s nose nuzzled into her hair. “I know you won’t, baby.” She loved when he used pet names for her, “baby” seeming to be his favorite. Even better, he sounded so reassuring as he said it. Maxi would never put herself in that much danger again. She didn’t want to hurt August ever again. His finger came under her chin and she lifted her face to his. Her eyes were softer now, and her smile slowly came back with his concern. “Are you tired? Would you like me to bring you back to my home now or do you have any more stops?” She watched as he got closer, her smile growing wider. “No more stops,” she assured softly, hardly above a whisper. He kissed her, and she returned it softly until he deepened it. Her arms held tighter, her lips meshing with his and she felt that old, familiar need sparking again. Just his lips could do wonders to her.

“Sometimes I wonder which of us is the insatiable one…” Maxi let out a soft, breathy laugh, hoping he would kiss her again. The world melted away when he kissed her. She wanted to make this home hers again, and he could help her. One good memory in that kitchen could cover up the last, very nasty one. But he pulled away, reaching for her bag, to her disappointment. “We should get going.” She felt her face falling into a pout again, wanting to stay just a little longer. Her hands gripped his shirt again, hoping it would make him pause. “Wait,” she said quietly. There was a small, coy smile on her lips as she caught his gaze. “Can we stay a little longer?”

She got close to him again, taking his face in her hands and kissing him again. Her arms wrapped around his shoulders as her lips worked against his softly and passionately. She pressed against him, standing on tiptoe to kiss him more, and smiling into their kiss. The fear she felt when initially walking into the room was almost completely gone. August just had a way of comforting her with just his presence.