PART TEN

Tess rolled over in bed, pulling the covers above her head. She knew it was almost past ten a.m., but she didn’t have class for another hour and welcomed this chance for a little extra rest. She’d been studying incredibly long hours lately, and was constantly fatigued. So she pressed her eyes shut, and settled the comforter more fully over her face, hoping that the piercing morning sunlight wouldn’t wake her again.

Sleep quickly enveloped her, hazy brightness wrapping itself all around her, and suddenly she and Liz were walking silently in the desert. Heat rose from the pavement in waves, as they slowly ambled along the edge of the blacktop.

Why are we here? She asked Liz curiously. Tess couldn’t remember how they’d arrived in the desert at all, just that she’d suddenly found herself there, walking with her close friend--someone who felt like a best friend, yet that that wasn’t exactly right.

You know the answer, Tess. Liz answered with a gentle smile, and then turned away again, walking ahead of her—off the highway-- through sagebrush and sand.

Tess was alone now, watching Liz’s retreating form, her dark hair blowing in the wind.

Why are we here? Tess called after her again. More sunlight, glinting off of rocks, shimmering like a mirage, as Liz turned slowly back toward her.

You know why, Liz teased with a soft smile. Then suddenly clouds formed overhead, and the shimmering light became much more peaceful and cool, as dark clouds quickly gathered.

Tess stared at the sky, gentle raindrops pelting her face. Liz had vanished, leaving Tess completely alone in the desert, and the storm clouds grew heavier. Fear began to choke her heart, because she was lost, had no idea where she was, really--until she noticed the rocky outcropping just above her, and realized that Liz had lead her to the pod chamber.

Why am I here? She asked of no one, and her only answer came when a strong hand gripped her upper arm, whirling her around.

Yet he wasn’t a stranger. It was Marco, and he stared down into her eyes intently, his rain-soaked hair falling loosely across his face. You’re here for me, he breathed, cupping her face firmly in his hands, drawing his lips near her own. She felt his warm breath fan against her cheek, as he paused a moment, staring at her. His eyes were like rich, dark chocolate, his lashes wet from the rain.

With that, Tess slammed suddenly awake, sitting up in bed with a start.

Her heart was racing, and her breath came in quick pants. The dream had been so real, the emotions positively explosive. She shook her head, trying to clear the fog that had engulfed her mind. She had to get a grip on herself--she wasn’t just feeling a nagging attraction to Marco anymore, now she’d progressed to deeply erotic dreams about him.

And why had Liz been there? It was like she’d been leading her, guiding her somehow, and Tess wondered why that was significant.

****

Marco stood outside Tess’s dorm room, staring at a full-length poster of James Dean that was plastered on the door, and wondered why he’d even come here this morning. He’d convinced himself that he merely wanted to talk about the current situation, about making sure everyone was prepared, but in his heart he knew the real reason was far more complicated. He could have easily given Max the security information, yet somehow he’d been drawn here--hadn’t been able to shake the idea since last night-- when his heart had been shadowed by such deep loneliness.

In his dream, he and Tess had been riding on his motorcycle late at night, her small hands wrapped tightly around his lower waist. It was unclear where they’d been headed, but one thing was certain…they were going someplace to make love. They hadn’t spoken; there’d been only the thundering of the bike’s engine--and then he’d heard her voice, clear and certain. You’re the reason I’m here.

Marco drew in a shaky breath, and raised his hand to knock. He rapped firmly, right between James Dean’s eyes, and heard a muffled stirring from within the room.

Maria’s forgotten her key again, Tess thought, and padded barefoot to open the door for her. Only when she opened it, it wasn’t Maria she saw on the other side of the threshold, but Marco—and she remembered too late that she was wearing only a long t-shirt.

A long, very thin t-shirt.

"Hi," he said, his voice rich and throaty, and Tess couldn’t miss the way he was staring down at her, surprise flickering in his moody eyes. Surprise or…something else she couldn’t quite identify, until his eyes darted downward for the briefest moment, and his face flushed slightly.

"Hi," she nearly squeaked, quickly folding her arms across her chest, and felt her own face begin to burn in embarrassment.

"I need to speak with you," Marco stated formally, casting his eyes away, to some unseen place within her room. Not a difficult task since he had to be at least a foot taller than her.

"Sure," she replied in a strained voice, opening the door to him. He stepped past her with the same confident stride she’d observed the other night, and her heart began to pound heavily.

Why had he come here at precisely this moment, right after her dream? It seemed an uncanny coincidence and left her unsettled as she closed the door behind him—almost as uncomfortable as her realization that she’d opened the door to him in this half-naked state. She grasped within her mind for some kind of strategy that might save them both any further embarrassment, and decided hurling herself beneath the bed covers would be the fastest solution. So she did just that, and looked up to find him simply standing in the middle of the room, his face flushing even more deeply now, as he stared down at her.

Great, she thought. Somehow I’ve managed to make this moment even more completely mortifying than it already was.

"You know, actually…" she stammered, transfixed for a moment by his dark, sultry eyes. "Actually, I’m just going to go change clothes real quick," she finished, flying awkwardly past him toward her dresser.

She felt his eyes on her, as she yanked open a drawer, removing a pair of jeans and shirt with shaky hands. Then she opened her lingerie drawer, and stared down into it for one endless moment--surely he’d notice if she removed her bra. Damn.

"You know, maybe I should just wait outside a moment," Marco volunteered with a throaty laugh. "That might be better for both of us."

Tess faced him slowly, gripping the clothes against her chest, and was surprised to see a warm, charming smile spread across his features.

"Probably so," she laughed, their eyes locking for a long moment, as they both just stood there. She swore desire flashed in his black eyes, causing her body to respond unexpectedly.

She drew in a quick, steadying breath. "I’ll come get you in a minute," she finished, and realized that her voice sounded breathy, as excited as he’d instantly made her feel.

****

Marco stood in the hallway, wondering what had just transpired between the two of them. His heart was beating quickly, and he couldn’t help feeling slightly aroused--nothing had prepared him for the way Tess had looked when she’d opened the door, her blonde hair tousled and wild, her face still flushed from sleep.

But the thing that had unnerved him the most had been her t-shirt, and the way he could see the outline of her full breasts—how her nipples had stood out beneath the thin material.

She almost looked as if they’d been doing something much more intimate than simply standing in her doorway talking. Marco shook his head, trying to clear it--he couldn’t afford these thoughts about Tess, especially not with how tense security was at the moment. Correction, he thought, he couldn’t afford this at any moment. She was a part of the unit, and he was a protector—period. Granted, he wasn’t her protector, but that hardly mattered. He couldn’t let some crazy dream deteriorate his thinking…make him irrational in his decisions.

Yet he simply couldn’t deny the effect she’d just had on him, or how real and erotic last night’s dream had felt—a dream so powerful, that he’d come to her this morning without any plausible excuse.

****

Tess buttoned her jeans, aware that her fingers were trembling slightly. The worst part was that it wasn’t just embarrassment that had unsettled her like this—it was Marco himself. She’d remembered how beautiful he’d been the other night, but now in the wake of her dream, he seemed even more stunning. His black hair and dark, olive skin stood out against his crisp white shirt and black jeans, giving him an almost smoldering appearance.

Face it, she thought, he’s beyond hot. And for a moment, she remembered the way Liz had teased her so relentlessly the other night—as if she’d seen into her mind about him.

Great, she thought with a groan. I’ve just behaved like a complete idiot. Naturally, he would think she was incompetent in her duties, that she was nothing more than a flustered child. She stepped into the bathroom, grabbing a brush, and when she caught sight of herself, couldn’t help but groan again.

Her hair was thoroughly unkempt, and her face quite flushed.

Marco had made her blush like that, and certainly he had to have known it.

But you made him blush, too, a quiet voice reminded her. When he saw you in your t-shirt. Her heart began beating even more rapidly, and she wondered how she’d ever survive this little meeting with him.

****

Tess sat on her bed, legs tucked beneath her, and she was glad to be properly clothed when Marco settled beside her. "I wanted to talk to you about what everyone should expect," he hesitated a moment, running a hand through his wavy hair. "Well, from a security standpoint," he explained.

"Me?" Tess asked, her eyebrows raising in surprise. "Shouldn’t you talk to Michael about this?"

Marco glanced sideways at her, and she realized that his thigh was nearly brushing her own, sending a little shiver of electricity across her skin. Why had he sat so close to her on the bed?

"You’re Max’s second," he stated firmly.

"Well, officially. But…" Her voice trailed off, as she realized how difficult it would be to explain the delicate balance of all their relationships.

"But?" He pressed, frowning in confusion.

"Well, Marco, things were really pretty confused for quite a while," She explained. "For a long time, we all thought Michael was his second, and so now it’s kind of like we don’t even think that way. We just both support Max…each other."

"I understand." Marco nodded. "Yet you assumed it was Michael I should talk to about this…not you."

He stared into her eyes meaningfully, deeply, and she realized he’d just seen right through her--so easily.

"It’s just how we do things," she offered quietly. "You read the letter…you know what we all thought."

Marco sighed heavily, rubbing his eyes. "Ah, yes, the letter."

Tess was surprised to see that his eyes had shifted, and now there was something very melancholy in their depths. Tess’s heart lurched within her at the sight. How could such a strong man--a protector--seem suddenly so very vulnerable?

She touched him lightly on the arm, surprised by her own boldness. "The letter upset you, didn’t it?" She asked softly.

"It’s not important." He shrugged dismissively, his voice suddenly remote.

"Obviously it is," she pressed, letting her hand drop away from his forearm.

"Not really," he replied, tossing a quick glance at her. "I’m more interested in why you refuse to accept your authority within the unit."

"Where do you get off on saying that?" Tess demanded, surprised that he’d angered her so suddenly.

"You’re the one who said I should speak to Michael instead of you," he replied calmly

Tess sprung from the bed, anything to be away from Marco’s imposing presence, his overpowering physicality. Even the heat radiating from his body was starting to infuriate her, it was so unsettling. In fact, this whole interchange had set her on edge.

"Can we drop it?" she snapped. "Really."

"Certainly. Whatever you wish."

"What did you want to tell me?" She asked, tossing her hair over her shoulder defiantly, as she turned to face Marco. All the earlier sexual tension had evaporated, replaced by sudden combativeness.

"Just wanted you to know that things are very tense right now."

"That’s why you came to my room?" She asked incredulously. "You told us that the other night."

Marco glanced away from her guiltily, and suddenly she suspected that it wasn’t the real reason he’d come at all—she could read it in his expression.

Then why had he come? The words from her dream suddenly resurfaced.

"I came here to suggest that everyone pack a single bag of basic necessities," he answered quietly, staring down at the floor. "It’s doubtful that there will be time to do so when the word comes."

Tess’s blood ran cold at his words—somehow it gave everything an air of urgency, made it all seem uncannily real. And all her previous irritation vanished.

"You really think we’ll have that little time?" she asked.

"Yes."

Tess stopped pacing, and sat again on the bed beside him, making sure she wasn’t nearly so close to him this time.

"I don’t want to scare anyone," Marco assured her. "Use discretion?"

"Absolutely," she nodded. "I’ll tell Michael," she finished, glancing at him meaningfully. For a long moment, they stared at one another, and she felt her heart begin to beat rapidly again, as desire stirred afresh. That’s what Marco’s simplest glances did to her—they made her lose a slight foothold on reality whenever she met his dark gaze.

Slowly, he smiled at her, clearly realizing she’d just acknowledged something in his earlier assessment. "Good," he nodded. "He needs to know."

With that, he rose slowly from the bed, and walked toward her door. "I’m sure I’ll talk to you soon," he said, opening the door, and then glanced at her with a tentative smile.

"By the way, you looked really gorgeous in that t-shirt," he whispered, his voice suddenly very husky. And then he disappeared into the hallway before she could even respond, shutting the door behind him.

All Tess could do was sit on the bed, her face flushing wildly—and wonder if she’d just imagined the whole surreal interchange.

Finally, as she heard his muffled steps fade down the hallway, she collapsed against her pillow with a loud groan--and decided one thing was certain.

Marco McKinley was one very sexy and enigmatic man.