The cold, winter rain of Seattle dusted the streets as he walked. Heading instinctively for his destination, Alec pulled the collar of his leather jacket up around his neck, digging his hands deep into his pockets. The wet thudding of his boots echoed in his ears. The gleaming shine of car headlights basked his soaked form in artificial light, but X5-494 was oblivious, only intent on reaching his desired destination.

It wasn't far from here, and already he could see the large neon sign from across the street. The word "STRIPTEASE" winked at him in a bright, red glow, but his eyes barely glimpsed it; already searching the December darkness for her small form.

Paused on the other side of the road, Alec spotted her. Dressed only in a short, silken mini skirt and a purple halter top that left nothing to the imagination, she looked the same as she had when he'd first seen her. Sharp, elegant features were framed by a curtain of bleached-blonde hair, her eyes wide and black with thick, purple eyeshadow and eyeliner. Her cheekbones were dusted a shocking red, and, as always, her lips were stained a glittering purple. Alec knew by experience that by the end of the night her skin would be pale, marred by tear tracks and mascara stains. Her lips would be bare of the glittery paint; kissed away by unwanted clients that she had neither the strength nor the will to turn away. Her survival depended on these clients, and Alec hated it.

His heart had broke when he'd first seen her. Two years ago, she'd appeared before him, barely sixteen and offering her services for a low sum of $10. He'd been approached by prostitutes before; hell, he'd even visited a few willingly when he'd first escaped the remains of Manticore. But the girl in front of him had thrown him. Something inside of him had... torn.

Alec wasn't sure why. Maybe it had been her age. So used to seeing innocence shining in the eyes of such youth, Alec had been shocked to see nothing but pure despair in her tired eyes. Her face had been alight with false enthusiasm, a parlour trick to lure him into the false illusions of an enjoyable night. But behind the facade, behind the cheap make-up and doe-like expression, lay cracks. She was an open wound, and Alec could see straight through her.

He guessed that she'd been following this particular career path for some time. Hope had long since abandoned this young girl and what had been left was... acceptance. Acceptance of the inevitable. Acceptance of a life she knew would never change, no matter how much she wished it.

And Alec's heart had broke at the sight.

From that moment on, he'd never stopped watching her. Whenever he had the chance, he'd visit this same spot, lingering just out of sight. He watched her clients come and ago, watched her tough exterior crack with every dollar that slipped into her black, laced garter belt. Never once did he intervene, all too aware of the consequences of such actions. Her clients were her survival, and without them she'd be left sleeping on the very streets she prowled. There was also the problem of her pimp - a large, Italian man Alec had come to know as Dominic. The X5 knew he could remove the guy from the picture without a second thought; snap his neck in two with a flick of his wrist. But no Dominic meant no clients for the girl and despite his ill-use of her, her pimp was her protection.

Back then Alec had longed to help her. But he'd been struggling himself. With no money and no permanent place to live, the transgenic had nothing to offer the girl, except a hot meal and a warm bed for the night. But one night wouldn't be enough and he knew she'd be back on the streets again, risking a beating from Dominic for losing out on a potential nights profit. So he had done nothing, just lingered in the shadows, watching her and protecting her from afar.

Until now.

With a tired sigh, Alec strode gracefully across the street to where she stood. She was partly concealed by the shadows of the nearby alleyway, but her features were illuminated by the harsh glow of the sign above her. She waited here, as always, for the men to leave the club. After a long night of oogling unattainable women, the girl waiting for them outside was ready, able and very much available. It was always the same.

Awaiting the nightly rush of club-goers, Alec approached the shivering girl, slowing his pace as her gaze caught his. Shifting nervously from one foot to the other, the X5 could see she was debating whether to approach him or not. By the looks of it, her night had begun hours ago and already she seemed tired... defeated. She stood, leaning against the brick wall of the club, her body trembling from more than just the icy, winter air. Her shoulders sagged, almost as if they'd collapsed under the strain of her emotional turmoil. She was already pale and her eyelids hung heavy, casting shadows across her cheekbones. She was edgy; the teeth sunk deep in her lower lip evidence enough. Right now Alec guessed she was weighing her options. Approach him and risk the humiliation of rejection, or swallow her pride and approach him regardless.

Alec decided to save her the effort.

Pausing mere metres away from the girl, he gazed intently at her. She eyed him warily, her teeth sinking even furthur into her lower lip, drawing blood that swelled into ruby beads.

He tilted his head towards a cheap motel down the street.

"Come on," he beckoned softly, already moving. not waiting to see if she followed or not.

He sensed her hesitation immediately, her indecision apparent by the quiet shuffling of her feet. But the need to survive took over, and before long the sound of her heels on the pavement echoed behind him.

---

The motel room was small, tacky, but unusually clean.

Pocketing the key, Alec watched as the girl removed her jacket, flinging it carelessly on a nearby chair without a second glance.

She'd obviously been here before. She prowled the expanse of the room like she owned it, seeking out the bed without a thought. Her movements were automatic... routine, and Alec had the strange sense that he was sharing the evening with a robot; programmed and emotionless.

With a saddened sigh, the X-5 flicked on the light, marching over to the window to close the aging curtains. Her voice rang out behind him, and he turned to see her sprawled confidently across the bed.

"It's $15 for a quickie," she began, "but by the looks of it, that's not what you came for." Her eyes travelled skyward, studying familiar surroundings with a tired smile. But the vulnerability slipped away and the pinched smile bloomed into a toothy grin; unbelievably fake, and unbelievably heartbreaking.

494 shook his head sadly.

"It's $40 for the hour," she replied blankly, already zipping down her knee-length boots, revealing a pair of long legs encased in cheap, fish-net stockings.

Alec stepped gracefully towards the bed, sitting down next to her small form. "No," he declared softly, "one night."

She froze, hands pausing in its task. Her brow furrowed, her eyes widened and without thought, her teeth seeked out her lower lip. "A night?" she questioned, painfully unaware of such a concept. She'd probably never spent more than an hour with a man, nevermind a night. He wondered if she knew what it felt like, to wake up buried in the arms of a man that had paid not with money, but with love; unconditional and timeless. He doubted she'd experienced such a thing. Instead of roses on her pillow, she found dollars, and Alec could only guess how empty it felt.

"One night," he confirmed, "that's all I ask."

She was silent for the barest of minutes, but with a gentle nod, she answered. "It won't be cheap."

"I hope not," he replied wryly, a tiny smile gracing his perfect features.

A bubble of laughter escaped her in a soft whisper, but it was swallowed down as she plastered a large "I'm here to please you" smile on her face. "Right," she said enthusiastically, already moving to pull the leather jacket from his shoulders. "Let me know if there's anything specific you'd like and I'll be more than happy to--"

"Wait," he interrupted, covering her shaking hands with his own and pulling them away from the lapels of his jacket. "What's your name?"

She gave him that look again; a cross between shocked and bewildered. She answered with a short bark, and dived in to kiss him hurriedly on the lips. As her mouth pressed against his, Alec pulled back, body rigid with quiet determination.

"This isn't gonna be just a cheap fuck," he declared gruffly, gazing directly into her shifting eyes. She stopped short, hands stilling against his chest as she snorted with disbelief.

"Then you've come to the wrong person," she replied hotly, snatching her hands away from his chest and moving to stand. But Alec dismissed the comment and pulled her gently back down on the bed, encasing her hands in his and shifting his body to face her head-on.

"I know you're worth more than this," he told her softly. Her mouth snapped shut, the statement obviously unexpected. Anger flared like fire in her eyes and her mouth twisted with a snapping retort.

"You don't know anything about me. You--"

"I know enough," he cut her off. "I've watched you for years. I've seen the tired look in your eyes everytime a man gets his wallet out. I've seen you cry on your way home." He sighed heavily. "You never stopped, you know? Even after all this time, you still wake up in the morning with tear-tracks down your face. And I know you're worth more than that."

She was speechless now, her face void of the usual facade that did nothing to fool him. She was staring at her hands, studying her fingernails with mild disinterest, but Alec knew she was listening. Her forced smile had faded away and all there was, was the quiet whisper of their breathing.

It didn't take her long to realise her weaknesses were exposed and right before his eyes, the scared, little girl vanished and the street-wise hooker was back.

"What are you?" she sneered, "some kind of pervert? Get some sick pleasure outta watchin' a girl play rent-a-fuck?" She jumped up from the bed, striding angrily across the room towards the chair in the far corner. "You stay away from me," she snapped, grabbing her jacket and heading towards the door. Gripping the doorknob firmly in her hands, she turned back to look at him. "Do you hear me? Stay away."

She turned away from him then, flinging the door open forcefully. Intending to return back to the club to await more clients, she headed out into the cold, night air, but it was his softly spoken words that stopped her.

"I can show you, you know."

She froze, hand still poised on the doorknob, ready to slam it shut in her temper. But instead, she turned and eyed him warily. "Show me what?" she questioned, strangely intrigued by his comment. He rose from the bed, and hesitantly she took a step towards him. Then another, then another. Finally they stood, face-to face in the centre of the room. She was still gazing at him, waiting silently for his answer.

"Show me what?" she repeated.

He answered, his voice a low husk in the quietness of the room. "How much you're worth."

Eyes wide, mouth agape, she shamefully dropped her head and gazed intently at the floor. She swallowed past the lump in her throat and struggled for something to say. Her vocal cords had suddenly forgotten how to work. "I'm not--"

"Look at me," he ordered firmly, and placed a finger beneath her chin to tilt her face up. Sad eyes flickered over his face. "I'm not one of your clients, so don't blank me out."

She stared at him more confidently now, but her gaze was still guarded; her face the same mask she wore on the streets. Alec longed to crack through the shell she hid inside, to discover the girl she should have been and still had a chance to be. Tonight, the X5 hoped to replace the bad memories with one, memorable night.

"Why are you doing this?" she asked him quietly, eyes shining with suppressed tears. "I'm just a nobody... a whore."

"You're wrong," he replied. "I don't know how I can prove it to you, but you're wrong."

She nodded in silent recognition, finally letting the tears slip free to flow steadily down her pale cheeks. "Show me," she whispered brokenly. "I want you to show me."

And with those words, he vowed to show her exactly how much she was worth.

---

Shifting nervously from foot to foot, she waited anxiously for Alec to make the move. She was used to being the one in control, but in this particular situation, she was uncertain of what was required of her.

His hand came up to caress her face, and she flinched. Unfamiliar to such tenderness, she acted on instinct, shying away from such a simple act, which more often than not, brought violence. But he refused to let her close herself off, instead stepping forward to cradle her face with both hands. He ran his thumb across her bottom lip, wiping away the ruby beads of blood that had swelled there from her earlier abuse. The gesture rocked her and a heartbreaking sob was wrenched helplessly from her chest.

She wasn't used to this. Such intimacy was foreign to her and she'd never known the touch - the caress - of a lover who prioritised her pleasure over his own. No one had ever cared enough, and now she found the concept almost frightening.

She felt like a virgin again; the thought of sex sending stabs of fear throughout her. He hadn't even kissed her yet and already she wanted to beg him to stop, to just fuck her and leave her like they always did. But something inside of her refused to cry out. Something inside of her told her that if she threw this chance away, she'd never know what it was to be loved, to be worshipped and cherished. And she wasn't about to walk away from such an opportunity. For the first time in her life, she was going to let someone love her unconditionally and without reason, even if it was only for one night.

"We don't have to do this," she heard him say softly, his fingers still cradling her face. She swallowed past the lump lodged in her throat and stared up at him with glistening eyes.

"I want to," she whispered. "I just don't know what you want me to do, what you expect of me--"

"Nothing," he cut off, his tone firm. "I don't want you to do anything except trust me." His thumb traced the light curve of her cheek with a gentleness that made her want to weep. "Can you do that?"

Hazel eyes studied her intently, and without a second thought, she nodded. She'd never been so certain about anything her life.

With agonising slowness, his lips claimed hers in the barest of touches; a whisper that left her quivering with need. Again his mouth fell upon her own, each kiss more powerful than the next, coaxing small, quiet moans from her willing form. His tongue darted out to trace the flesh of her bottom lip and she winced as her wound tingled with the sensation.

Alec pulled back reluctantly, his hands dropping from her face to grasp her small hand. Leading her to the bed, he sat them both down on the edge and turned her face to meet his. Hazel eyes clashed with blue and in one, graceful sweep he had claimed her mouth again, taking advantage of her surprise and slipping his tongue into the wet cavern of her mouth. He swallowed her soft cry, exploring her velvety warmth with a passion that was alien to her.

Acting on instinct, she tried to harden the kiss. Her kisses were always insincere - as were most of her clients - and the need to shut herself off from her experiences left any contact between herself and her client cold and impersonal. The same routine procedures returned to her now and she was oblivious to anything but the need to separate herself from it all. But Alec wouldn't allow it. Slowing the pace, he kept his kisses gentle and tender and with every touch, she was finding it harder and harder to cut herself off. The X5 had lit a fire inside and no matter how much she tried to shy away from it, his touch burnt through her tough exterior and reduced it to a pile of ashes. She was exposed, vulnerable... and she didn't care.

Alec lowered her slowly onto the bed, his lips never leaving hers. His fingers cupped her cheek before trailing down to caress the soft flesh of her neck and shoulder. His cool touch was a relief against her heated skin and her eyes fluttered closed at the sensation. His lips left hers and followed the path of his fingers, his tongue flickering out to lick her pulse-point. A gasp was torn unwillingly from her throat, but he didn't stop, merely carried on down the column of her neck, tasting the milky flesh as he went.

Foreign to such sensations, she squeezed her eyes firmly shut. Her body was tense with a feeling unknown to her, and every nerve ending was tingling pleasantly. His soft, warm mouth against her skin left her quivering and for once in her short life, she never wanted the night to end, never wanted this feeling to cease.

But it did. She almost cried out in frustration when his lips left her skin. He lifted his head and met her questioning gaze. Her eyes, darkened by desire, were uncertain and Alec knew she was expecting him to run any second now.

But he didn't. Instead he whispered huskily, "sit up". She obliged, and curving an arm around her small waist, he trailed a hand down her back to undo the zip of her top. It fell away with ease and Alec discarded it to the floor, his gaze never leaving hers.

Suddenly - and strangely - feeling self-conscious, her hands flew up to cover her chest. No one had ever looked at her like that, admired her like that, and something about the way he was looking at her made her feel uncertain of herself. She was afraid he wouldn't like what he saw, wouldn't like her body that so many men had used and thrown away. She was afraid he was going to run.

Alec, of course, refused to let her escape into the shell he was trying so hard to break. Gently, he pulled her arms away from her chest and stared at her confidently. "I want to see you," he explained softly. Her head dropped shamefully and a shaky breath escaped her. Closing her eyes she awaited his response.

"Why do you think so little of yourself?" she heard him question. His fingers grasped her chin and tilted her face up to meet his.

She shrugged casually. "I'm a hooker, what do you expect?" she answered. "It's not exactly a big confidence boost."

"Well I'm telling you now... you're beautiful. I don't give a damn what you may think of yourself, I'm telling you differently. You hear me?"

Eyes wide, she nodded. His tone brooked no argument and she wasn't about to disagree. A small bud of confidence bloomed in her chest and she welcomed it.

He removed her skirt with the same grace, and soon enough she was left wearing nothing but her panties. He discarded his own shirt and she restrained the need to reach out and caress the muscular planes of his chest. He was magnificent. Perfectly sculptured in every way, and for a brief moment she wondered what she'd done to deserve this; wondered why someone like him would ever choose her. But she refused to contemplate the issue any further and instead let her eyes roam his body in admiration.

A split second later, she felt the soft mattress pressed against her back and Alec's form loomed protectively over her. He kissed her again, his hand trailing down her stomach to rest lightly on her hip. She squirmed at the movement, sensitive to the lightest of touches, even the gentle grazing of his knuckles across her skin. Wherever he touched, her nerve endings came alive, sending white sparks flashing across the back of her eyelids. Wetness pooled between her legs, and for the first time in her life, she was ready for the man above her.

Instinctively she wrapped her thighs tightly around him, grinding herself against the rough material of his jeans. "Please," she begged huskily,. pulling him tightly against her.

"Wait," he stopped her. "Slow down. I'm not going anywhere."

Her cheeks flamed with embarrassment and she dropped her legs shamefully. "I'm sorry, I just want--"

"I know." He grazed his knuckles down her cheek, running a thumb across her kiss-swollen lips. She was breathing heavily beneath him, a fine sheen of sweat coating her body. He'd hardly touched her and already she was burning up, the heat crawling through her with an intensity that shook her to the very core. "I know what you want, and you'll get it, I promise. But there's so much more I have to show you."

His hazel eyes held a certainty that left her with no doubts.

She answered with a quiet, "okay", and slid her hands down to unfasten the button of his jeans. She met his lips with a new-found confidence, sliding his jeans down past his hips. Her hands followed, stroking the soft skin of his thighs and caressing the hard muscle she found there. Such contrast intrigued her. She knew this man above her was both of these things - a hardened man, capable of harm if needed, but a gentle lover with a soft touch that would leave any girl weeping with the sheer tenderness of it all. The hands exploring her body now where the hands of a potential killer; she could see it in the lines of his face, his body. Experience taught her many things and she knew a dangerous man when she saw one. But his hands - capable of breaking her frail neck in the barest of seconds - were not bruising. They were gentle, tender, worshipping her in a way she never thought she deserved. And something inside of her burst at the pure happiness that assailed her.

Lost in the sensations he was provoking in her, she hardly noticed as he removed his shoes, slipping his jeans off and flinging them to the floor. For a split second, she missed the heat of his body, but before she could protest, he was back, fitting himself perfectly between her legs. He reached a hand out to brush the hair from her eyes, and the simple act stole the breath from her lungs.

She wasn't sure she could handle this - her emotional stability was beginning to fracture, and it wouldn't be long before she broke down in front of this beautiful man. But she wouldn't - couldn't - allow it. In this line of work, weakness was frowned upon. One could not get emotional with her clients. It wasn't what they came for. They came for the sex, pure and simple; not to comfort a weeping girl who shattered beneath the strain of such tenderness.

No, she wouldn't allow it. Wouldn't allow him to see the scared little girl she really was. She was a woman now - a grown woman who didn't let any client get the better of her. Her survival depended on her courage and without it, she was nothing.

Her eyes fluttered open as his hand trailed down her stomach, his lips following. He sucked gently on her pulse-point again, the small gesture eliciting a throaty moan from her. His lips brushed the soft underside of her breast and she arched her back, demanding more contact. But Alec had other plans and slowly - agonisingly - he slid down her stomach, placing light kisses against her skin as he went. Her rested his hands against her hip, his fingers hooking beneath the soft material of her panties. She gasped as with one, sharp pull, he removed the last piece of clothing that covered her, leaving her completely exposed before him. His lips trailed further, past her belly button and to the juncture between her thighs. She squirmed with unconstrained desire, liquid heat pooling between her legs as he placed his lips above her engorged clit. Her breath caught in her throat as for one, suspended moment, he hovered, his lips a mere breath away from where she yearned them to be.

Blood boiled hot and angry through her veins and the loud roar of her heartbeat echoed in her ear. She pressed herself closer to his mouth, willing him to end the sweet torture. An audible cry of frustration escaped her, but it was cut short as his lips encircled her clit, sucking and licking, driving her into a frenzy as he manipulated her body with his mouth alone. Her moans richoeted off the aging walls of the motel and her body thrashed wildly in the centre of the bed. She was almost at breaking point; her centre throbbing hot with liquid fire. Her world darkened for a split second, flashes of red turning her vision a hazy pink.

Biting back a scream and fighting her way through the fog, she tried to force back the oncoming release. She wasn't ready. Her body wasn't prepared for this and something inside of her argued that she didn't deserve this; didn't deserve such a precious gift. She fought back, tensing her muscles and refusing to let the tension overtake.

She wasn't sure how, but Alec knew what she was thinking. Pressing a hand down on her stomach, he refused to let her escape the feelings he was invoking in her. Slowly - gently - he entered a single finger into her wet centre, curling it up to hit the sensitive spot near her cervix. He slipped in another finger. The transgenic was relentless as he pumped his digits inside of her, sucking harder on her clit and driving her forcefully towards her release. She was helpless against him and a scream was torn from her throat as she exploded beneath his ministrations

She lost control of her body, of her mind. She was helpless beneath the onslaught of sensations sailing like electricity throughout her entire being. She jerked sharply on the bed, her hips bucking as the orgasm hit and the blackness exploded into shards of white that tore across her vision with a force that reduced her to a whimpering mass on the bed.

He licked her clean and rose to meet her. Glazed eyes greeted him, shining with unshed tears as sobs tore through the air. Her body was shaking, covered in a light sheen of sweat and her chest heaved as she tried to catch her breath. He gathered her in his arms, pulling her up to rest against his chest and laid them both on the bed.

"Oh God... " she whispered brokenly, her cries muffled against his chest. He stroked her hair back from her face and kissed away the tears that trickled down her cheeks. Her body shuddered against him, shaky breathes escaping her. She was unused to losing control of herself like that. It had never happened before and for the briefest of moments, it had scared her. But the fear had been replaced by an all-consuming pleasure that had sparked its way throughout her. The sobs that tore from her shivering form now were not the sobs of a woman in pain, but of a woman that had just experienced the first orgasm of her life.

The experience had destroyed what little hold she had on her emotions and now she lay a weeping mass in arms. The only thing she found disturbing about this particular moment was that... she didn't care. She was exposed, vulnerable, in front of this man who she had never met before and she could not find the strength within herself to cover up her weaknesses. She wasn't even sure if she wanted to.

"Thank you," she finally said, her sobs nothing more than occasional hiccups now. He cradled her against him, resting his chin upon the top of her head.

Curiously, he asked, "was that your first?"

She nodded absently, and he drew her face up to meet his. His brow furrowed and he stared at her questioningly. "You've never--"

"No," she cut off, "never."

He leaned down to kiss her, soft and slow, but the heat between them grew and before long their kisses were white hot and bruising. She straddled him, sat upon his thighs, and wrapped her arms around his neck, willing him closer. Her breasts pressed against his chest and a deep moan reverberated against her skin as flesh met flesh. His hands came up to cradle her face and his lips trailed down to kiss her jawline, her neck...

"Wait," she breathed huskily, reluctantly pulling away from his ministrations. "I don't even know your name... "

"Alec," he supplied, placing his hands on the small of her back and pulling her against him. Her breasts were mere inches from his face and without warning, his lips encircled her nipple. A throaty moan escaped her and she arched her back instinctively. His tongue flickered out, tasting and teasing, and the fire began to build again.

He moved on to torture her other breast, manipulating her body until her nipples stood out hard and sensitive. He grazed a hand down her left side, tickling the skin of her stomach and thighs as he inserted a finger inside of her, testing her. Warmth greeted him and her slick walls grasped lightly at his digit. He thrust it inside of her, teasing her gently, bringing her to the peak and back down again. His thumb rubbed lightly against her clit, the contact enough to drive her wild above him but not enough to bring her over the edge.

Frustrated, she pushed against him, trying to gain enough friction to release the tension tightly coiled within her. "Alec, please," she begged helplessly, her entire body throbbing. The sweat covering their bodies caused them to slide against each other, never allowing her enough friction. If he didn't finish this soon, she was going to do it herself.

Alec glimpsed at her, her body aglow with desire, her face flushed and her eyes clamped firmly shut. A small smile graced his face, content in knowing that he had caused this. He slipped his hands behind her, grasping her buttocks, and in one, smooth motion, he slid her down onto him, filling her to the hilt. Her velvety walls clamped hard around him, accepting him without question and her wet heat was a welcoming sensation that almost made his eyes disappear into the back of his head. The roar of blood in his ears was deafening, but he heard her high-pitched scream loud and clear.

Her body was still above him, his sudden entrance a shock to her senses. She was grappling for control, just as he was; neither of them prepared for the sudden loss of thoughts, of words or actions. All there was was sensation and the pair had no choice but to give in.

Both breathing heavily, the heat between them reached dizzying heights. Unable to wait any longer, Alec thrust up, slowly at first, keeping his strokes gentle and teasing. She responded eagerly, meeting him thrust for thrust, stroke for stroke. She tried to pick up the pace, the need for release overpowering as he pushed her nearer and nearer.

Alec didn't want this to be over before it had even started. Gripping her hips lightly, he slowed the pace. Instead of changing the speed, he made his strokes longer, filling her to the hilt then pulling all the way out again. He drove her to the edge over and over again, pulling back before the tension broke.

He could tell it was driving her mad. She was a mass of frayed nerves above him, obviously unused to the art of lovemaking. Her previous experiences had probably been fast and furious, over and done with in the time it had taken to slip out of their clothes. Not this time. The X5 refused to let this become another mindless fuck, another quickie to end a long night. He had vowed to make love to her, to show her how much she was worth, and that was exactly what he was going to do.

Quickly and smoothly, he flipped her over onto her back, remaining firmly buried inside of her. He braced himself on his arms, looming over her to watch the play of emotions wash over her face. He wanted to watch her, wanted to memorise the look on her face when she finally came.

Kissing her softly on the lips, he sped up, his thrusts becoming more powerful as he neared his own release. Her body was tense and her walls tightened painfully around him, a sign that she was close. His strokes became faster, shorter. She mewled loudly everytime he hit her cervix wall, digging her long nails into his shoulder blades to urge him closer. He pounded into her, his thrusts still strangely gentle as he drove her closer and closer. He moved a hand down her body to finger her clit, willing her to come before he exploded.

"Let go," he whispered harshly, voice thick with constrained desire. "Let it go, baby." He pinched her clit between his forefinger and thumb, and with a strangled scream, she came, hard and fast. Her body jerked wildly beneath him and her walls tightened with her release. He watched her face as it contorted. Her cheeks were flushed red, her lips swollen with his kisses, and the look alone was enough. With a roar, he reached his own orgasm, spilling his seed inside of her as she milked him for all he was worth.

Fireworks exploded before his eyes and liquid heat spread throughout his body. He stopped breathing, the simple act forgotten in his moment of release, and he was oblivious to the writhing girl beneath him, still caught in the throes of her orgasm as he rode out his own.

Eternity passed before Alec regained control of his senses. Opening his eyes, he looked down at her, breathing heavily beneath him. She was glowing from the aftermath and the transgenic grinned at the open smile she was honouring him with. She'd never looked more beautiful to him, even as tears streamed steadily and silently down her cheeks.

Without a word, he slipped down beside her. Turning on his side, he pulled her towards him, spooning against her and covering them both with a thin blanket. He kissed the back of her neck tenderly, and in the quietness of the motel room, the pair slipped into an effortless sleep.

---

They made love several times throughout the night, one of them waking the other from their slumber to repeat the act over and over. At times it was slow, gentle; other times, it was fast and powerful. Time and time again they came together, the name of their lover torn helplessly from their lips as the passion overwhelmed them. They never stopped, until finally - regretfully - the first light of dawn woke them from their slumber. The darkness of the night was replaced by a dull grey, making the motel room look empty and bare.

Reluctantly the pair left the bed to dress, both wishing for just another night, another chance to say what they needed to say, do what they needed to do. But their lives intervened and both knew that their was more important issues to consider. Alec had a life past the walls of this motel room, while the girls life seemed, more often than not, to play out within these same four walls.

Finally dressed, the pair turned to look at each other. Taking a deep breath, Alec reached into his pocket and drew out his wallet. Taking out a bundle of notes, he threw them carelessly onto the chair beside him.

She eyed the money warily.

"You have a choice here," he explained. "You can take the money," he nodded towards the bundle, "and forget this night ever happened. You can go back to your job, to your clients."

He watched sadly as her face dropped.

"Or," he added, hating himself for the closed look she offered him, "you can come with me and start a new life. You'll have a home, money... you won't have to do this anymore."

He stared at her intently where she stood, shuffling silently from foot to foot. She was gazing absently at the floor of the room, unwilling to meet his gaze. "What will it be?" he asked.

She raised her head to look at him. "You don't love me," she stated. It wasn't a question, it never really had been. She knew the answer.

"No," he answered truthfully, sadly. She nodded silently, offering him a small smile for reassurance. She closed the distance between them, and cradled his face in her small, shaking hands. Hazel eyes stared back at her, and slowly, tenderly, she kissed him, savouring the taste of him like fine wine. He kissed her back without thought, crushing his lips against her own, slipping his tongue between her teeth and exploring the warmth of her cavern. He tried to pull her closer, but she wouldn't allow it. She stepped away, out of his reach, and smiled up at him.

"Thank you, Alec," she whispered. "Thank you for showing me that there is good in this world." He swallowed heavily, unable to find the words to say what he needed to say. He reached out to touch her, to kiss her, but she shied away from him. She stepped around his still form and leant down to pick up the bundle of notes from the chair. She turned to look at him and Alec noted the tears streaming down her face like crystal rivers. Despite the vulnerability displayed openly on her face, he didn't fail to notice that her facade had slipped back into place.

The transgenic knew she had made her decision.

In one last desperate attempt to stop her, he said, "you don't have to go back there." He eyed her hopefully but all she offered him was a sad smile.

"I'm sorry," she breathed. "But I can't swap one lie for another. I don't think I could live like that."

And with that she turned away from him, stepping past him towards the door. He didn't bother looking back.

He listened to the soft click of the door as it opened. He heard her soft whisper behind him, heard her step out into the cold winters air and back to the streets that had been her home for so many years. He could do nothing to stop her as she returned to a life he had tried so hard to save her from. She'd made her decision and nothing he did or said could change that. She yearned for something he couldn't offer her and he knew that if he'd lied, if he'd pretended that he did love her, he'd be no better than her clients.

The door clicked shut and the X5 was left alone.

Strangely empty, he slumped into the old armchair, the sound of passing cars echoing unnoticed in his ears. He didn't move for hours as the dull light of the dawn bloomed into sharp rays of light that pierced the dark, winter clouds.

He sat and he thought and he cried silently as he listened to the memory of her last words whispering through the air.