Henry's nose was nearly touching the flyer.

"I think you are reading too much into it." Gabby chewed in the inside of her cheek and raised her eyebrows at Chris. He shushed her. This was normal behavior for Henry and if it made him feel better to break down every little dot and speck of smeared printer ink he wasn't about to stop him. The historian had called them down to his classroom every day this last week but today would be the last day. Chris appreciated how worried he was about them but it was starting to make him more worried about himself.

"Do you see this? Do you think it's a number?" Henry asked Chris. He watched Gabby put her face in her hands.

"I think its just a smudge." Chris pulled the sheet towards him. He happened to bump Gabby while doing so and for some reason she jumped away. He frowned. She's been doing that recently.

Henry only shook his head. "They shouldn't be allowing children to do this."

Chris tried not to bristle at the thought of being called a child. He was nearly 18 after all.

"The flyer said 'youth group'. Its not exactly like Scott can go without looking suspicious."

"They should wait for another situation."

"Henry, Sheira said it's been years since you even got wind of a meeting. We literally are just gathering enough information so you... 'adults' can find the next one. In and out. We just need a second invite and then I can have a some kind of explosive di-"

Chris wrinkled his nose.

Gabby squinted. "-stomach emergency."

He stared at her outright now. "Are you ok?" Since when did she care if she grossed him out?

Henry sighed. "I've done my best to talk you out of it I suppose." Flipped the flyer over. "I still think you should talk to Mariah about it.

"The flyer? She's looked at it before."

"Not closely enough. She's got a better eye than me."

Chris doubted anyone had a better eye but took it anyway. Gabby slapped her pants clean and started to salute Henry, remembered last second and swiped down to her mouth, nearly jabbing herself in the eye in the process.

"I think you get weirder by the day." Chris informed his now red-faced friend.

-----

Henry's anxiety around the mission was starting to get to him. After all, they still hadn't worked out Mariah motives for bringing Gabby here. The fact that she, Scott and Henry all seemed to have different expectations of who should be handling this was not reassuring. Gabby either didn't know them well enough to be concerned or she was hiding her anxiety well. He bet it was the latter.

She cleared her throat before the turned the corner to her room. "Do you think confronting her directly is the best idea?"

"No. But- I mean, I feel like we have to wiggle around it."

"Stop doing that with your arm."

"Wiiigggle, Chris."

Chris pinched the bridge of his nose. Gabby continued to keep doing that with her arm. "You said the messages to Mariah from this 'L' seemed nice but Mariah was scared you would touch them."

"Correct."

"And Scott wants The Lily to take care of the meeting tomorrow."

"Correct. So what are you saying."

"I... I don't know. That's why we need to talk to her. Before the final debriefing tonight. Let's go through it again." Chris grabbed her arm and gently, but firmly made her relax it at her side.

"Ok."

"Scott and Mariah hate each other for both past and petty reasons. Scott wants The Lily to destroy this arm of the church- basically just a simple blood bath. Mariah wants us-"

"Me until you butted in-"

"Us." He insisted. "to infiltrate and gather intel. That's... usually the opposite of what I'd expect from them."

"Maybe he doesn't want us to get the credit."

"If he thought it would be easy for us to get the credit, why is Henry so anxious? Henry genuinely thinks we could get injured. Scott would love to watch me lose a leg."

"How about this. Lily is Mariah's friend but is dangerous based on the letters. In that case, I'd imagine Scott is no fan of The Lily and maybe he hates them more than us."

"And Mariah would prefer we die over them?" Chris frowned. "Maybe me-"

"No. She loves you Chris-"

"But why would she go through all this trouble to save you just to give you over to the church."

"Maybe Mariah is overestimating us and Henry and Scott are underestimating?" Gabby sighed. "You're starting to hurt my head. And we haven't even touched on why she would lose her shit over me touching her letters. We are just guessing at this point. So why don't we question her. You said she was being nicer than usual."

"Which honestly is what scares me the most. She's treating me like its my last day on earth."

But Mariah wasn't there. Gabby slipped into the room first and even stuck her head in the bathroom. No sign. "Did she say to meet us here before your class? And I could stay here safely..."

"Yes." Chris was unsurprised but quickly nodded towards the pile for junk. "Let's look then."

Gabby grimaced. "I don't think that's a good idea. If she catches us-"

"I'll notice before she gets near the door."

"Uh, you didn't last time. Remember? You were trying to figure out if I was sleeping and held me down and-"

He cleared his throat. "That... I was very focused. I couldn't do both. This is different."

Gabby shrugged and just as quickly dropped to her knees to begin picking through with a practiced efficiency. How many times had she done this?

"You're a menace." He mumbled and joined her. The pile had slowly built up again over time. He found a pair of glasses cases, one with what appeared to be normal gray tinted shades and the second were only broken with one lens. So, trash. There were notebooks filled with nonsense poetry but he felt a little guilty reading any of them. One leather bond book had what appeared to be home-made coloring book patterns. Maybe optical illusions since they were particularly hard to look at. He found a heavy box absolutely filled with iron jewelry.

Gabby held an iron stud up to his ear. "You'd look good in this."

"And be poisoned 24/7? I think I'm good. Also, no- wait, let me see that one."

She dropped a handful of iron earrings into his hands.

"Is that blood?"

"I dunno- is it? You're the one that can smell."

"Smelling on iron is like smelling through water."

Gabby tilted her head.

"In that I can't do it."

"Typical. The one time, the singular instance- the first moment-"

"Gabby."

"-we actually need your skills and you're useless." She patted his hand. "I forgive you."

"Feel free to try yourself." He offered them to her. "Since I'm so useless."

She put on a show of inhaling and then her expression changed, squinting and huffing a third and fourth time. "Wait."

"I'm ready to be impressed." He smirked but she poured the jewelry back into the box. "Oh, too hard for you too?"

"Wait wait- Chris- smell this." She held up a note book she was holding before she took the jewelry. There was a card in it. She smelled her hand again and offered that too. "Its familiar but not... do you know what I mean?"

He held the card by an edge curiously and let the pleasant heat finish behind his eyes and sniffed. Immediately he felt dizzy, colors popping before his eyes like leaves and then, something like a fire? A camp fire. The smell of leaves and perfume and water- not fresh, salt. A fire on a beach, a trio of wool blankets and smoke rising from a wooden cabin.

"Chris?" Gabby was sitting next to him shaking his arm. He opened his eyes. His head throbbed. "Oh- shit." Gabby dropped her head on his chest with a relieved sigh.

"Mmmm? What happened?"

"You sniffed it twice and then just, fell over and starting twitching. I thought you were having a seizure. Do you feel dizzy? Do you know where you are? Who am I?"

"Gabby. I'm fine. Just a little headache." He touched his temple and slid up into a sitting position. "I think it triggered a memory or something but I don't know from when."

"Some memory. You passed out!"

"Its fine- wait. She's back. Put it away-"

They scrambled to reset everything and by the time the door clicked open were sitting on Gabby's bed pretending to really consider the flyer.

"Oh, Mariah. Hellooo."

Chris stared at Gabby. For a fake spy she could be obvious sometimes. It didn't seem to matter though, Mariah barely glanced at them as she shrugged off her jacket. She sighed. "Hey."

This. This is what he had been talking about. She was acting almost anemic when she saw him.

"We had a question for you."

"We did?" Chris wondered which of the hundreds of questions she was going to ask.

"Yes. We were wondering, if I babysit as requested, can I have ice cream."

"Sure. Why the hell not."

"I'm confused what that has to do with me but-"

"Oh if you join me you can have some too."

"I'm good. But I do have a question for you Mariah."

Mariah took awhile to focus on him and then she only shrugged for him to continue.

"Why are you not concerned about me- us- going into the church tomorrow? Henry and Scott seem more concerned."

"I don't know what you mean."

"Why did you save me." Gabby asked.

"Save you?"

"And why are you pretending you don't care now?"

Her blank stare turned into a smirk. "Oh, but you're incorrect. I'm really not concerned." She looked between them both. "I suppose because I consider you both to be similar to... cockroaches. Yes. That's it. Cockroaches." She grinned. "Does that help?"

"I see."

"Also, you-" Mariah snapped at Gabby. "You and Santi need to back off each other."

"Huh?"

"Santi?" Chris turned to stare at her.

"It's been mentioned a few times you've been sitting on his lap and such. Considering how you were in college..."

"Ok first-" Gabby wrinkled her nose. "No. Second, what does college have to do with this?"

"I mean I stalked you. Its fine, do whatever, or whomever, you want, but not here." She wagged a finger. "The higher ups don't take kindly to human fraternization."

"Where is this even coming from?" Gabby demanded.

"Just a friendly warning! Someone brought it up is all. Now- did you have something else to ask?"

"Nah. This sex manic cockroach is good. See you tonight." Chris felt her hand close around his wrist as she stomped out of the room. When they were well down the hallway Gabby leaned her head against the wall and crossed her arms.

"She's hiding something. She just deflects when-"

"Oh, I'm aware, Chris. I've been living next to her long enough. Apparently, we found something serious." She smiled but her face was still tense. "She's fucking good at it though. Give me a minute."

"Sure." He was impressed. It had taken him months not to take her bait. "So, uh, when she said in college you-

"Really? You are going to try and shame me for that?"

"I'm not shaming you. I'm just... Mariah mentioned it."

"Would you care if I was taking bubble baths?"

"Uh."

"Or eating cookies."

"Gabby-"

"I'd think since you aren't human you'd care less about our arbitrary rules related what body parts are off limits to feel good. Don't you think that's dumb? We can just do things we like to do without attaching importance to everything, you know? I don't like to think sometimes."

"I know you're upset over what Mariah said I was just-"

"Are you afraid of backrubs too? If everyone is having a good time who cares. I'm going to do what I want. And if that's an issue, you can go fall in a hole because it doesn't affect you."

"Ok I get it." He held up both hands in surrender. He'd hadn't expected such a strong reaction but she was making it clear she didn't think it was his business. And maybe she had a point. "I get it. I guess human society still has a bigger hold then I thought."

She raised her eyebrows. "You are like the only one here who hasn't gotten naked in front of me without a care. I'd say that part of it has a strong hold."

"That's completely dif... I'm not going to-"

"I'm not asking you to. Just pointing out sometimes I'm better then you at being a betern." She waved him off, smirking.

If he wasn't so flustered by the whole thing he would have glared at that comment.

"Huh. I feel better now." She stood up straight again.

"Wonderful." He did not.

"We'll have to try to get Mariah to talk again later."

"We only have tonight."

"No. We have plenty of time. I feel like after the mission they will be more open with us. Go to class before you find another reason to judge me."

"I don't-" he huffed but she was already waving him goodbye.

------

Class was difficult. They were trying to learn how the mathematicians of the Pack had come up with the current algorithm that predicted the next household which might have a betern in it. The topic was fascinating but it was hurting his head to try and understand the statistics behind it while still having both the conversation with Mariah and Gabby stuck in his head. Annie was in her element and probably was doing a better job of breaking it down for the other apprentices than Henry had but Chris was still lost. For the first time in awhile he felt frustrated with where his education ended. If he'd had a chance at college... maybe Gabby was right. Maybe when he had more influence he could convince them to let the Pack members who wanted get a human education. In the long term they were stuck playing by human rules after all so it would be better to-

"Are you going to write it Chris?"

"What? Oh- sorry Annie I missed that last part. Can you say it again?"

Sanjay scoffed.

Maybe it was because his head was pounding but the noise got to him this time. "If you want to say something, say it."

Sanjay rolled his eyes to him as though he were barely worth the thought. "Oh you suddenly care what the rest of us are doing? Well we actually have to work to have the privilege of going into town. So can you at least not slow us down while you pretend to work?"

So Santi had told. It was supposed to be just for Matt to know but of course Santiago had managed to overhear. Chris shot him the dirtiest look he could manage. To his credit Santi looked a little apologetic when he winced. But he still asked if he'd try and sneak him a candy bar from the store.

"You're going to town?" Angela frowned. "Since when?"

"Its... not a big deal. Mariah needed to collect some things for the reunion is all I'm not actually doing the real tour. I'll barely be out."

"They could at least pretend this is a competition." Angela slapped her notebook closed. "I'm not feeling well. You guys continue without me."

"Angela it's not- I didn't ask-"

"Yeah, I know you didn't ask for it but if you actually think you don't deserve it you could always turn them down." She raised her eyebrows. He looked away. "Yeah, thought so."

Chris watched her leave, conflicted. She was wrong but also... not. He wasn't just going into town but he couldn't pretend it didn't look like favoritism. They had favored him this whole time- no that was just because he was doing better than any them. The leadership only recognized that. It wasn't his fault.

Sanjay grabbed his things as well, glaring at Chris the entire time and he had to bite his tongue not to yell that he wasn't going to the grocery store, he was doing this for everyone.

Annie apologized, promising to regroup later and followed her furious roommate. She was frowning at him too. She must have practiced her disappointed teacher look previously. Without her, there wasn't much point in continuing. He kept his eyes down, not wanting to see anymore glares directed at him until it was just him and Matt.

"What, you aren't going to follow everyone else?"

Matt was drawing something in the margins of his notebook. "No. It's not like I can escape you anyway."

"But you were thinking the same thing when Mariah told you."

Matt sighed. "I was thinking... you're making a mistake agreeing to this."

Chris was surprised. "What?"

"Sanjay is right. They do treat you differently and you think that's a good thing but if I were you, I'd be wondering why. I know Sanjay thinks you don't work hard. I've seen it's the opposite. You're going to get hurt. Jumping during that hunt was crazy dangerous." Matt rolled his shoulder. "Personally, I prefer not to get lap dog benefits and keep all my limbs intact."

"That's not true."

Matt gave him a lazy smile. "If you say so."

It was Chris' turn to leave in frustration. That couldn't be right. Matt hadn't seen how many times he'd argued or refused to do what Mariah said. He wasn't a lap dog. And Matt didn't have Gabby to think about. Matt didn't have to work, he was already very good. He could be great but he was lazy. Chris considered what he was doing tomorrow and Henry's warnings. Were they putting him in danger? No. This was his own idea after all.

His first thought was to seek out Gabby and see if she was done babysitting but when he tried to knock no one answered. He didn't want to go back to his room and see Matt and certainly not Mariah. If he went to the kitchen Steph would surely put him to work. He barely noticed where he was going and found himself next to the training room out of habit. He could work on a timed bren. Just to prove he was still faster than most of them despite what everyone seemed to think but someone was already in there. He didn't know why but he paused to listen and realized he'd heard his name. Chris didn't know why his first instinct was to hide, but that was exactly what he ended up doing when he realized he recognized their voices. Angela and Samantha.

"-can't give you a good explanation." Sam was saying. "But don't give up just yet. I'm sorry I can't give you the same advantage but he's too young still and from what I understand they have to put up with him because of Mariah."

Put up with him because of Mariah. His frustration was gone to be replaced by an empty kind of hurt. Oh. That would make sense though. It wasn't even until recently they'd asked him to join them much. It was- They were moving. The only thing worse than overhearing this conversation was for them to know he had. He ducked into the post-training waiting room, shutting the door as quietly as he possibly could.

"It's a party I guess. Hannah did you want to say hi to Chris?"

Chris hadn't bothered to look around the darkened room and jumped completely off his feet at the voice.

"Gabby?

"Yes! Shhh we are watching a movie. Want to join us?"

"I-is that allowed?"

"Yeah, you're her Packmate. And they let me." She waved the thought away and patted the floor next to her. "Should be fine."

Probably wasn't but the alternative places to go weren't feeling very promising either. Still reeling from everyone's anger and Angela's conversation, he joined her.

"I just can't believe the rest of you guys don't get to see her much. She could list everyone's name but said she barely knew anyone. It's kinda sad."

"Who?"

Gabby shoved him and pointed. "Hannah- who I'm babysitting. Who is sitting right there."

"Oh. Of course."

"You ok? Why are you here?"

He didn't want to explain. Hannah was staring at the screen, mouthing the words to a song. She hadn't seemed to care he'd come in. "They made it sound like she was too feral..." She looked normal enough to him.

"Not at all. I mean- I don't think she acts like a human kid her age and she does bite. But not too hard. She can bren like that." Gabby snapped her fingers. "I bet she'll be a force when she gets older."

Chris gave her a curious look. "Part of the reason she is here. Apparently she was threatening to the old guard that lives in the forest- her and her siblings so they-"

"Killed them yeah I know. She told me the first time we met."

Chris flinched. "I guess it makes sense its on her mind."

Hannah turned and 'shhh'd' them loudly and Gabby turned back to the movie, pulling her knees to her chest. Chris stared at the screen.

The movie ended and he watched the pair of them move on to some kind of coloring game. He was invited but promised he was happy to watch. It was weird. Not only did she not seem very feral, she was very excited to have them both 'playing' with her. Why was Hannah never allowed to mingle with the Pack?

"So is she normally a handful?"

"It's not too bad. Hannah's actually a brilliant kid." She whispered watching her dot something aggressively. When she was done she walked over to show Gabby with a big smile. It was mostly scribbled but looked like she'd gotten her own name down. She showed all her teeth.

"Nice work! We can have some more ice cream- Hannah wait we don't use our hands- shit-"

Or maybe she only seemed civilized enough. He watched as the pair of them struggled for the container.

Gabby was holding one of Hannah's very green hands and doing her best to keep her from touching the walls.

"Noooooo!" Hannah had gone limp in Gabby's arms as she tried to drag her to the bathroom to wash up. Her skin began to glow.

"Chris- I- can you please give me a little help?"

"How??" He watched the child rapidly turning into a small gray pup. One of her ears didn't stick up all the way and her feet were caught in her blue shirt. It would have been cute if all her teeth weren't bared and she wasn't snapping at the air.

"I dunno Prim can speak wolf with like... body language can't you? I've never had her in such a confined space!"

"Poorly..." he wasn't in the mood to completely bren down and honestly didn't know if it would help or hurt. He'd have to try Henry's method. It turned out to be easy. One step towards her and a growl and she fell on her side and licked the air a few times, whining. Appeasement.

"You are useful." Gabby brushed sweat from her eyes. "Hannah- are you going to wash your hands or is... he-" she pointed at Chris. "Going to have to make you?"

"Please don't say it like that." Great. He could add scaring children to his list of skills.

It worked though. Soon there was a little girl again sullenly washing her hands and chin. It was actually incredible how fast she could turn and how little heat she gave off. Gabby wasn't kidding. It was almost like she wasn't born from the wrong species at all.

For the next half an hour Gabby had her practicing using a spoon until it tired her enough she passed out into her lap. Gabby picked up the sleeping child and repositioned her carefully over her shoulder. "Thank you. If I brought her back to Prim covered in ice cream..." Gabby flinched. "She bites too."

He stared blankly across the room after she left, finally deciding to finish the rest of the ice cream. It was mostly melted. Of course. At least he wasn't bitten.

"There." Gabby was dusting her hands off as she walked back in. "Your first time babysitting was a success, although feel free to do more next time then sit and look grouchy."

"Mmmm."

"As soon as we clean up we can go to-"

"Can we stay here a little longer?" He blurted.

"Sure. You don't have work, right?"

He nodded.

Her eyes were moving over his face slowly. "Are you worried about tomorrow? I thought you were feeling ok about it earlier."

"Tomorrow?" He'd almost forgotten and laughed darkly. Right. His pack might be happier if he didn't come back at all.

"What's up? You look like... well I dunno but its not good. Is it from that book earlier? I've been wanting to ask what happened. I know you think you were fine but you really did just fall out-"

"Do you just put up with me or do you actually like my company?"

Gabby's face scrunched. "What kind of question is that even? You're my friend- of course I like your company."

"It's not an act?"

"I feel like I have déjà vu. I swear it. Chris, come on, what happened?"

He wasn't even sure how to explain. "Mariah's the only reason anyone tolerates me. She scared them into it. Matt, Angela, Annette... Santiago. I'd hate to see how Sanjay would treat me without being threatened."

Gabby gave him a blank look. She laughed. Then she frowned. "Oh. You're serious. Chris- I dunno what actually happened but I think you misunderstood."

"I didn't. Sam and Angela were out there just now. I overheard them say as much." He couldn't meet her eye.

"Then you didn't get the whole story." Her voice was quiet. "I have spent hours with Santi. Too many at this point. I would have noticed if he secretly hated you. In fact, I'm pretty sure he considers you a good friend." She had her hand on his arm.

He stared down at it. It was a nice gesture. "No. You're wrong."

"You are such a... come here." She grabbed his arm and pulled hard enough he toppled sideway, half sprawled across her.

"Gabby."

"Shut up and listen." Her fingers ran up the back of his neck and he felt a shiver run down his spine. He had no choice but to relax. Like in the back of the truck. "You get so paranoid. They are probably just mad at you because you get to do something none of them can."

"Mmf."

"Don't argue with me." She snapped. Her fingers were rubbing along his temple. "People can get mad without having some big conspiracy behind it."

"You didn't hear them-" but his voice faded. This wasn't a fair fight.

"Chris, people like you. You're always helping them when they need it, you're funny, you're killer in the kitchen... I mean you could probably stand to chill out sometimes but it can be a good thing too."

"...inviting me because they feel bad when... and I..." he was having trouble forming the sentences he wanted to while she was playing with his hair but she seemed to understand and sighed loudly.

"I don't know why you always look for the worst in people. Or in yourself. Do you think I would be doing this now if I didn't adore you?"

"What?" He moved so he could look up at her. Her fingers stopped.

"I... just mean- you think too much." She patted his cheek. He wanted to hold her hand there. He thought he probably did think too much. He worried that he should be doing something to help her relax instead of her doing this for him. She should be worried about tomorrow. At least he could protect himself and they still didn't know why- her hand started to move again. As she requested, he stopped thinking.

-----

He didn't know how much time had passed when she asked if he felt better.

"Yes." Chris had to force his eyes back open. He considered their awkward conversation earlier in the day. "So you just want me to do things without thinking."

She grinned. "If they are things you like, yeah. I will be an example by having some ice cream."

"Oh." Chris sat up to allow her go over to the container sitting on the table. His stomach rolled with guilt. "You hadn't had some earlier?"

"No I was too busy trying to keep a certain puppy from painting the wall- are you kidding me. Did you eat the rest of it."

"First of all, I thought you had some. Second, it was like five bites left- how did a child eat that much alone?"

"Chri-is I just wanted a taste."

"I'm sorry. I'm really sorry. We'll convince Mariah to get you more- Gabby don't-"

She swung a decorative pillow. "No. I wanted that ice cream."

"I said I'm sorry!"

She had two pillows now. "I can't believe I gave you a head rub! I'm never being nice to you again!"

"Gabby..." he ducked but she swung the second one. He caught it with one hand but that left him unbalanced and she pushed him. He kept the pillow out of reach and knocked the other one away. She joined him on the futon to grab it before he could.

"What are you doing... you aren't going to win."

"Give it back."

"No. You're going to hit me with it."

She was trying to get enough leverage to yank it away and put her knees on either side of him. "Yes! I am! And you deserve it! Come. On. Let. Me. Hit you. Again!" She spit her hair out of her mouth.

He was laughing now and dropped one behind him, it disappeared into the crack between the wall.

"No!" She was completely sitting on him now, fighting for the singular weapon.

"Gabby-"

She lost her balance as well and he wrinkled his nose. Her hair tickled.

"I just wanted to taste some." She whined looking down at him pitifully.

"I swear I'll convince Mariah to get you an entire gallon you can eat by yourself."

"That's not what I want, Christopher."

Oh she must be mad. "Ok. Ok, just tell me what you want."

She looked thoughtful. Then a slow grin spread over her face. "Ok."

He felt nervous. That smile was too mischievous. Had she found another pillow? "I'm listening." He promised.

She leaned in. Far. Too far. He couldn't breathe for her closeness. Her lips were by his ear, cheek pressed to his. What was happening. When she giggled his body lit up with little electric shocks. It felt amazing.

Her mouth was against his. Just briefly. A brush so quick he almost didn't dare think it was on purpose. She leaned back.

"Wha-" his words caught as his throat forced him to swallow. Her hair had silhouetted her face in soft waves and he was forced to remember how pretty she was. While she had him pinned. Every bit of practice he'd had freeing himself from his exact position didn't matter because somehow he wasn't quite able to move. He didn't want to move. This couldn't be real and if he moved...

"I told you. I want to taste that ice cream." This time both her hands were on his shirt collar and her lips were not gentle. Her tongue slipped under his and he gasped into her mouth. His fingers dug into the fabric beneath them. He could feel it tear under claws and he felt dizzy.

She pulled back and Chris had trouble catching his breath which was strange considering he'd barely moved. Her face was flushed.

He put a hand to his lips, confused when his brain started halfway working again. "You only wanted to taste the ice cream. You weren't able to try a bite."

She nodded.

He squinted at her, hand still at his mouth. Then it dawned on him. He felt stupid. And elated.

"That's not what you wanted." He pushed himself onto his elbows to be closer again. She didn't pull back and he cautiously ran a hand down her side, fingers curling around her waist. "Liar."

He watched her tongue run across her lower lip and her mouth turn into the playful smile that was keeping him lightheaded.

"No I'm not." Her protest was so close to his own mouth he almost couldn't think. Almost.

"Gabrielle- you taste like mint too."

----------------------

Happy now?

-Andi