I should have called her.

The jet touched down on familiar soil. Vanilla was still in his seat rolling a piece of ice around a glass. I stared at the familiar skyline of glass towers and jumbled history. It was so different in my time yet so very unchanged. Industrialisation was a hard thing to shake off once it had you.

But those glass towers held a new familiarity in them now. One I very much liked.

In fact I could see part of the glass tower that held Quinn's old office in it. Our meeting was not ideal but the moments after that. Well...

"I won't keep you, immortal. The evening is yours."

I froze in my seat waiting for a trap. For the joke to come spiralling out or for a mortal to be thrown before me in challenge. But he simply sat there and crossed one leg over the other gesturing his hand out to the door.

"I'll be in touch."

Ah, there it was.

But to be honest. That was more than I thought I 'd get from Paragon tonight. And I had long ago recognised that you never look said gift horse in the mouth. I dropped my head in a short nod of appreciation.

"I am here to serve." I repeated for what must have been the dozenth time this week.

"I am sure you are." Vanilla drawled with a smile that showed teeth far sharper than I had seen the like of in immortality before. A shudder went through me without control.

I went for the door and passed the staff with a mumbled thank you.

A dark car waited for me on the tarmac. I could have run for it.

I opened the door swiftly and practically threw myself into it. The driver flinched ahead of me and greeted me with the usual script he had until–

"Ms Fletcher? Is that you?" Jamerson, my old driver widened his eyes in shock before a genuine smile took hold of him.

You really thought of everything didn't you? I thought, resisting the urge to check if Vanilla watched with that timeless gaze from his seat.

"Jamerson, you have no idea how good it is to see you." I answered genuinely.

He chuckled, "A long week, ma'am?"

"You have no idea. Please get me out of here." I chuckled with him, but meant it far more than he knew.

He nodded turning back with a smile and shaking his head.

"I thought that would be the last I saw of you. You left hastily." He added, glancing at me in his rear mirror.

I remembered the rushed flights. The extra large pay packets I'd given both my drivers. It was a farewell and respectful handshake. But I had to agree with him. Not a return I expected in the next decade at least. Then I remembered the orders I'd given to my staff.

"My apartment..." I ventured.

"All in storage I'm afraid."

I nodded expecting as much. Half, if not all of it was probably in my vault now–along with Quinn's. I winced.

"Miss Adams... her belongings were also stored whilst we were away weren't they?"

"Actually, Miss Adams had them returned the night before, ma'am. She used your card as verification."

"I'm sure she did." I grinned, shaking my head.

"Is that where we are heading, ma'am?"

I shook myself out of my thoughts, realising we had been driving aimlessly outside of London City airport for the last few minutes.

"Yes." I blurted. "Please."

Jamerson nodded and quickened the pace. My heart would have increased if it could. I hadn't called her. Quinn had practically resumed her life in London and I... What? Was about to waltz into her house like nothing had change. No, no, no–this wasn't right. But what was?

I frowned.

"Jamerson? You have a wife, if I remember correctly?"

He chuckled and met my gaze in the mirror. "I do, ma'am. Love of my life."

I smiled. Wishing I had spent more time in his world than my own so constantly.

"How do you make it up to her if you've acted poorly?"

My question took him off guard and he glanced back at the traffic. "Well, ma'am, I'd start with words. If they failed... well flowers help too."

I chuckled. "No, I don't think that will cut it."

"That bad?" He mused, turning the stirring wheel. "I know a jeweller in Knightsbridge?" He offered.

I laughed louder and leant back in the chair. I didn't miss his own smirk as we turned off onto the main road. Something personal. Something between us.

"Jamerson, how long would it take to get to the vault in this traffic?"

He chuckled. "Rush hour is almost dead, I'd say thirty minutes."

"Let's go." I answered.

* * * * *

"Good luck, ma'am." He nodded, pulling up outside of Quinn's house.

I stared up at the gorgeous white facade with rows of flowers under the windows. The brass knocker upon the black door mocked me.

I smiled to him quickly and pulled myself and the wrapped package out of the car before I could doubt myself. Jamerson drove off into the night. It only just struck me as I looked down that I was in black military combats, that were riddled with over dozens of bullet holes. I had goddamn body armour on–

No, this was stupid–you're a fool and she's going to tell you as much–

I turned on my heel and took a few quick paces before I felt a cavernous tug at my chest. I dragged my glove over my face and let out a puff of air.

Why was this so damn hard? You're an immortal–an elder no less. You've just halted the production of nuclear weapons and the start of the next global war and you cannot knock on this woman's door?

But that was Quinn Adams' door.

I tightened my fists and looked down at the neatly wrapped brown paper in my hands. I give her this, apologise and then take my leave. I nodded to myself. Good. Fantastic.

I turned for her door. It was somehow worse that the lights were on. Lawyers worked late but I supposed at a new firm they wouldn't want to scare her off too quickly.

I took the stone steps two at a time and regretted it. Because then I had to face the door.

Knock. Fletcher.

I knocked. This was too much. I shouldn't have.

I dropped the package at her door quickly before fleeing down the stairs. I darted beyond a parked vehicle when I heard the door open. I sat on the wet tarmac instead of facing the woman I loved. Coward. The thought alone made me rise to my feet.

The greater fool was one that did not try at all.

I walked around the car and stood in the lamp light. Quinn glanced up, startled, with the package in hand. She stared at me slowly. Dragging her eyes up and down my state.

Then she dropped her arms and walked down her steps towards me. I stayed frozen in place as she wordlessly approached me. I watched her closing the distance half cast in lamp light and shadow. Those beautiful forest green eyes stayed fixed upon my own.

She stopped inches away.

Then she slapped me.

I had the good grace to turn my face with it. But in the same moment she grabbed my jaw almost to draw me in, and then thought better of it. Her fingers lingered on my skin. My arms fell limp at my sides in shock. Then she pushed me off her entirely.

"The second I know where this plane is headed I will tell you?" She demanded, incredulously sending my words back at me, "–I have every right to leave you out here."

"You do."

"Shut up and get inside." She ordered, turning on her heel and tucking the package under her arm as she did.

I watched her back as she padded bare foot back into her house. I had only noticed now that she was in nothing but a pair of shorts and an over sized t-shirt. I resisted the smirk. This was truly not the time.

The warmth and scent of her wrapped itself around me the moment I crossed the threshold into her space. Her home. I shut the door quietly as she stormed into her living room. I swallowed and cast my eyes around, lingering on the warm glow of the fire light. The fireplace was alive and crackling as she took her place back into her winged armchair. I had interrupted her reading time it had seemed...

I couldn't stop the smile that took hold.

"Don't." She warned, glancing up at me. "You're not off the hook."

"Open it." I answered her, crossing my arms and leaning against the wall.

She glared at me before taking the package in both hands and opening it slowly. Bringing each fold of brown paper off as if she would keep it later. When she finally pulled it away she stared. Then her eyes grew wider.

I settled in for the show.

"First edition."

"Obviously."

"T. S. Eliot." She whispered.

"His best work also came after the First World War." I answered.

She brushed her fingers over the cover like it would shatter before her. But I kept it in optimal condition. Far better than any museum would. She drew back the cover and gasped.

"He signed this? Personally?"

I chuckled. "Yes, we met in Oxford... he was in need of inspiration should I say."

"Fletcher..." She murmured, tracing his pen strokes that he had hastily written after one too many a drink. I snorted thinking on that night at the University's pub. She finally schooled her features back into neutrality and carefully placed it on her coffee table. "It's very nice." She paused, trying to get past the long dead, great poet. "But don't think for a second–"

"I'm in your good graces." I drawled for her.

She crossed her arms, mirroring my own pose. I relaxed out of it and put my hands into my pockets. That drew attention to the rest of me.

"Are those damn bullet holes?" She demanded.

"They should have known better right?" I smirked.

She scoffed, "I wouldn't mind adding to it."

I widened my arms and my smile widened. "I'm right here, Lawyer."

She paused appraising me slowly.

"Yes. You are." She murmured.

I swallowed, suddenly feeling less confident as my blood cooled. I couldn't get a grip on my usual wit around this Quinn. The one that assessed and paid far too much attention.

"Quinn."

Her eyes flicked up to mine and off the body armour that was now useless.

"I'm sorry."

Her lips twisted. Before finally she got off that chair and closed the distance between us. She buried her face into the crook of my shoulder and neck and whispered unintelligible things. Her breath sent shivers through me as I circled her in my arms and drew her against me. Her hands fisted as much fabric of my back that she could. They travelled under my armour and against my hips until she could feel my skin. Feel that I was present and here in her living room.

I had more than half a mind to do the same but still felt I was out of place to do so.

"Fletcher." She mumbled.

I pulled back and took her face in my hands. "Yes."

"Why is your ass soaked?"

I fought the laugh and lost, dipping my head into her chest. I felt the smile on her lips before she tilted her head at me. "Seriously?"

"I sort of... sat in a puddle when you opened the door."

"You fell?" She demanded, more amused than shocked.

"I did not fall anywhere, Adams." I answered flatly.

She shook her head and grinned me down. "You're an idiot." She finished.

"Yes." I agreed, placing my hand against her neck and dropping my head down an inch, "I'm going to kiss you now."

Her smile started the same time my lips pressed softly against hers. Then she took her hands off the damp clothing and moved them around the back of my neck like we had never been apart. I picked her off the ground in pure familiar instinct and held her there against me. She broke our kiss apart only to breathe, before taking both sides of my face and kissing me hard enough to make me question immortal strength entirely.

The demon. The constant flame driven urge to consume and take had not even been a feature in my mind at all until she deepened the kiss that way. If this came with the power of elder blood I would more than happily accept.

She drew back again when she realised how far she had accelerated the situation. Her eyes darted between my own and I felt the pressure of her legs now wrapped around my hips.

"Are we okay?" She breathed carefully, gauging the demon that was far away.

I liked the way she said we. Even when it was Quinn taking all the risk...

"Never better." I whispered onto her mouth, kissing her again as I walked her onto her sofa before the fire. It burned and consumed as we did.

"Haven't–heard that before." She murmured around my lips.

When she dug her nails into my hair and dragged them down my neck however...

My teeth sharpened without warning and Quinn smirked up at me with a smug expression.

"There she is."

I shook my head and tried to gather my senses back, but she dragged my face back to hers and ran her tongue against my teeth–

"Quinn–" I hissed, jolting back a foot and glaring down at her. This time she did return a sheepish look my way.

"Sorry, that was a little far..."

"A little?" I demanded.

"Thought I was losing my touch." She mused, running her fingertips along my neck. I shivered against her and carefully watched her under me.

Then she frowned slightly with a smile.

"The fire makes your eyes look... so gold. It's mesmerising." She said in a low voice.

"I'll explain that one tomorrow." I answered, kissing her before she could ask further. But she was all too happy to comply and the heat in the room seemed only to increase. We stayed tangled like that in our own world of her lips and the intoxicating scent that was so... Quinn. It wasn't until the fire started to get low that she whispered against my ear.

"Upstairs." It was not a suggestion.

"This new Quinn is very demanding." I noted with a wicked grin.

"And this Fletcher returned to me is a terrible communicator–"

"A terrible what?" I cut in, throwing her over my shoulder easily and standing from the sofa in a swift move. Quinn giggled over my shoulder and slapped my ass with a hand.

"You soaked my furniture and not in a good way!" She snickered.

"Maybe you can show me the good way." I suggested, turning for the stairs.

"Unbelievable!"

I grinned and placed her down in front of me.

"Always." I answered, watching those emerald green eyes catch the low fire light before me. She slowly placed a hand on my chest and met my eyes.

"I love you."

It still surprised me when I heard the words. It sent my blood mad and made me question if I were mortal. But it also resolved and steadied me. It was the language my soul already spoke when it was around her. I took her hand from my chest and kissed her palm.

"As I love you."

The corner of her mouth caught upwards and despite it all, red warmed her cheeks in the most beautiful fashion.

"Take me to bed, Fletcher."