~ Ab Initio ~
by Cruise


Disclaimers: You know the scoop!

Special Thanks: Acknowledgments are the same as all other parts.

Comments are happily accepted at Cruise1313@aol.com.


Part X

Lark pulled into her driveway stopping her Mercedes in a rush still flustered by the day's events. She sighed deeply trying to compose herself with a million thoughts running rampant in her head. She looked up and noted the house was dark and Rayne's car was nowhere in sight. "I'll kill her if she's out goofing around when she should be here helping me with these silly parties!" Lark replied the agitation evident in her tone of voice and her anger mounting as she clicked the garage door opener.

"What in the hell?" Lark asked angrily and clicked the opener again which was dead. "Great!" She fumed throwing her hands up in defeat and shoved the car door open. "What else could go wrong?" She angrily asked herself out loud throwing the defective garage door opener against a tree with a satisfied smile consuming her face when she watched it shatter into pieces. "No…don't answer that. I don't think I want to know." She huffed agitated by everything that seemed to be going wrong quickly approaching the front door.

Lark fumbled with her keys and her bags finally opening the door and stopping cold in her tracks. She smiled happily and felt the tension in her body immediately evacuate the premises when she saw the beautiful dozen of red roses strategically placed in front of her. Lark put her belongings down in the chair next to the door and approached the beautiful bouquet. She looked around seeing the house was lit by candles placed all over the living room and down the hallway out of her sight. Lark smelled the roses reveling in the pleasant aroma and picked up the card accompanying them. Her heart fluttered and her smile widened when she read the card recognizing the handwriting as Rayne's.

Roses are red…and sometimes of different hues

Follow where they lead

To find out what's waiting for you!

'Ooh, Rayne is so sweet and romantic.' Lark gushed lovingly feeling completely relaxed and special. She stepped around the table and smiled seeing a trail of every imaginable color of roses possible leading down the hallway illuminated by the candles along the floor. Lark picked up each rose smelling them and felt a wonderful sensation consume her body. She wondered just what her sexy lover had in store for her and frankly, she couldn't wait to find out! She picked up the last rose and opened the door captivated by the lovely sight before her…Rayne sprawled out naked on her side comfortably positioned on the pool table grinning mischievously.

Lark quickly glanced around the dimly lit room filled with candles and the sound of slow jazz filtering throughout the room. "It's about time you got in here sexy." Rayne seductively replied sending a warmth throughout Lark from her dark lover's silky voice.

Lark caught her breath and smiled, "I had to stop and smell the roses." She answered tantalizingly flashing an engaging smile holding up the roses to her nose and smelling them sauntering towards Rayne.

Rayne smiled seductively and rolled onto her stomach when Lark stopped in front of her completely captivated by the blonde beauty. Lark held the roses in front of Rayne who smile and captured Lark's gaze smelling the roses offered to her. "I'm glad you didn't stop for too long." Rayne sexily replied taking the roses from Lark while holding her sexy gaze and put the flowers on the table next to her before drawing her lover closer to her. The feeling of Rayne's hands on Lark's ass was overwhelming and it sent a rush of blood straight to her sex.

Rayne softly kissed her taut abdomen and worked her way up slowly, but steadily capturing a quickly hardening nipple through Lark's silky blouse. Lark's eyes closed from the wondrous feeling of Rayne's lips upon her breast and tilted her head back in response to her enjoyment slipping her hands around the back of Rayne's neck. She clutched Rayne's raven hair when Rayne paid a visit to her eagerly awaiting other breast.

"Oh, baby…this is just what I needed." Lark moaned in a whisper opening her eyes when she felt Rayne's soft lips against the warm skin of her neck. Rayne's breath against her neck and ear tickled her in an erotic pleasurable way.

"I heard you had a bad day with the alterations to your dress." Rayne whispered sympathetically tracing the contours of Lark's ear with her tongue.

"Oh, aah…you have no idea." Lark answered momentarily distracted by the unpleasant memory of the events earlier in the day. "I couldn't…aah…believe." Lark stammered, her passions soaring when Rayne moved her kiss along Lark's jaw line briefly stopping for a fleeting kiss upon Lark's lips on her quest to the other side of her lover's neck. "I was so upset and…aah." Lark answered breathless her train of thought broken, finding it very difficult to concentrate on what she was saying. "Oh, aah…Holly." She attempted to continue opening her eyes to find Rayne's blues staring into hers.

"Will you please forget about all of that and make love to me?" Rayne asked softly placing a sweet, satisfying kiss on the lips before her pulling back to wait for Lark's answer.

Lark stared at Rayne in momentarily silence finally realizing that nothing else mattered except the woman staring back at her. Rayne was an irresistible force that she somehow managed to momentarily ignore. "I'm so sorry baby." Lark apologized ashamed of the way she was acting.

"Don't be…join me." Rayne's throaty response came pressing her lips against Lark's and her tongue seeking entry which it was quickly granted. Lark wrapped her arms around Rayne's neck deepening the kiss and felt Rayne grab her under her arms lifting her onto the table Rayne's kiss holding steadfast. She lifted Lark up on the table both kneeling before one another finally breaking the searing kiss.

Rayne's small smile grew in intensity when she gazed into the green eyes she loved so much and saw everything that she meant to Lark in them. "I love you so much Rayne." Lark exhaled softly and sincerely staring into Rayne's piercing blue eyes.

"As I do you Lark." Rayne answered honestly and smiled warmly her hands cupping Lark's face. She looked upon the actress' soft lips and drew them to hers for a moist, passionate kiss. Rayne slowly lay back guiding Lark down on her never breaking the sensual kiss her hands freely roaming along Lark's back. Lark broke the kiss breathless, her heart racing, her arousal mounting and sat straddling Rayne. She captured Rayne's gaze and slowly began to unbutton her blouse in a slow seductive tease.

The slow erotic movements Lark made excited Rayne and she wanted Lark in a bad way. She felt the wetness between her legs intensifying and placed her hands on Lark's bare stomach slowly moving them up. Rayne unhooked Lark's black, silk bra that attached in the front slipping her hands under the material and softly caressed her perky breasts. "Oh, Rayne." Lark moaned breathless and placed her hands on Rayne's which softly kneaded her breasts.

Rayne's touch was heaven and earth to her. It was so sensual, so soft, so caring and meant only for her. Rayne sat up and wrapped her arms around Lark who did the same and thrust her tongue deeply into Lark's mouth sending a tingling sensation throughout her small body. They clutched one another closer both tongues ferociously and tenaciously fighting for dominance. Rayne's hands moved down Lark's body to the waistband of her shorts and pushed them down to her knees.

Rayne wanted to feel Lark's wetness on her stomach and…right away. Lark stood before Rayne cautiously avoiding the overhead light watching Rayne pull her shorts off and bury her face in Lark's mound kissing and tasting her lover to her hearts content. Her tongue danced a slow erotic tango with Lark's center gliding along her hard clit and dipping deep inside her younger lover consuming Lark's essence. Lark moaned delightedly placing her hand on Rayne's head moving her closer to her hot sex and spread her legs to allow her lover complete and free access to her.

Rayne tightly clasped Lark's firm backside devouring the erotically decadent mound before her with an unbridled passion. She sucked and licked Lark's sex unable to control herself as Lark's musky smell consumed her…excited her…overwhelmed her. "Honey…I can't stand anymore. I'm going to fall!" Lark moaned desperately her legs becoming extremely weak from Rayne's ministrations that she could no longer support herself. Lark settled her mound over Rayne's mouth both wanting to continue their erotic moment. Rayne's tongue explored everything about Lark who rocked her hips up and down against Rayne's mouth. Her breathing became more erratic and the wondrous sensation of having Rayne between her legs overwhelmed her.

She knew it had to be a crime to feel this good and if it was lock her up now because she felt incredible. Lark's hips rocked faster and watched as Rayne's blue eyes slowly opened expressing a slumbering passion reflected in them. Lark was amazed at how Rayne had a way of wanting more than she had to give but somehow managed to make her give her more…every time and Lark was glad she was the recipient of her lover's sexual quest.

"Rayne that feels so good my love." Lark moaned feeling her release draw closer with Rayne's own release drawing near as she lustfully consumed her young lover. The way Lark seductively moved, moaned and tasted heightened her passions every time she had her. Lark was able to penetrate the secret depths of her hidden sensuality as no one ever had before. Lark was her match in every way, her true love, her soul mate. She knew Lark had to have been put on this earth just for her and she hoped Lark felt the same way towards her. She knew it actually and loved their romp through ecstasy and wanted Lark to know just how much she loved her.

"Let me have you my love." Rayne asked in a sultry, seductive tone slipping her tongue deep inside her lover's warm, wet sex. She was rewarded by Lark's sweet musky fluid over and over again as her own release consumed her erotically charged body. She paused for a breath and eagerly consumed the rest of her lover who collapsed forward bracing herself with her arms spent from the ecstasy she had just experienced.

Lark panted desperately to calm her labored breath and to slow her thundering heart as another powerful orgasm ripped through her body feeling her sensual lover quickly devour the offering. She couldn't take anymore, her sex was oversensitive and she slowly slid down her lover's long, sweaty, slender body finally resting between her legs taking what she wanted…what she desperately desired…Rayne…all of her.

Rayne lay in a pleasure coma as Lark consumed everything about her. She wanted Lark in her arms to hold her, love her and revel in the wondrous feeling that consumed her body. "Come here baby." Rayne whispered guiding her lover on top of her and stared into her emerald greens that sparkled in the candlelight. Rayne smiled lovingly and wiped her remnants off Lark's top lip slowly moving in for a deep, meaningful kiss.

Lark melted into the passionate kiss feeling complete in the strong arms that wrapped themselves securely around her in a loving embrace. Lark broke the kiss breathless and lay her head on Rayne's shoulder snuggling her face against her lover's neck placing a soft kiss there. She twirled Rayne's long, raven hair between her fingers reveling in the glorious feeling that overcame her and whispered, "I love you so much Rayne."

Rayne's satisfied smile grew larger and she felt a catch in her heart as those words spoken by Lark meant so much to her. She held Lark closer and tighter to her kissing her forehead replying, "I absolutely love and adore you honey."

Lark's eyes watered and she smiled broadly holding her lover even tighter sealing her feelings with a lingering kiss on Rayne's neck. Both lay in silence knowing they would have to soon part the wonderful confines of each other's arms, but wanted to linger in the moment awhile longer. Lark closed her eyes enjoying the pleasurable sensation of Rayne's hand softly rubbing her back. "Care to take a shower with me?" Rayne sexily offered kissing the top of Lark's head.

"I thought you would never ask." Lark chuckled leaning up to look at her beautiful soul mate and kissed the lips before her.

Rayne smiled lovingly when she sat up and moved off the table holding her arms out for Lark who crawled into them comfortably. "You are so incredibly beautiful Lark." Rayne eloquently admitted passionately kissing Lark and carrying her into the bathroom.

The pair finally finished their showers after thoroughly exploring one another's bodies with soap, water, wash cloth, shower brush, hands, lips, tongues and a brillo pad. Okay…no brillo pad, but I had to snap everyone out of their fantasy of Lark and Rayne's shower excursion to continue. Now, back to the story.

Lark and Rayne dressed reluctant to leave one another for their respective bachelorette parties. They both would be perfectly content to spend the remainder of the evening making love to one another. Rayne picked up the cushions and blankets off of the pool table after picking up the candles from the hallway and threw the blankets into the washing machine. She closed the lid and felt a familiar delightful tickle in her stomach when Lark's arms wrapped tightly around her slender waist. She smiled and felt Lark kiss her back and turned around in the arms that held her tightly to look upon the object of her affection. "Hello gorgeous." Rayne sexily replied and kissed Lark.

"I'm surprised you're doing the wash honey." Lark teased breaking the kiss.

"I have many skills my love. Besides, I had to make sure the white comforter wasn't turned to pink." Rayne sarcastically answered with a laugh.

"Very funny Rayne!" Lark answered with a scrunched up face at the teasing comment. "I couldn't help it that they turned pink."

"Honey…red clothes don't mix with white ones." Rayne teased with an arched eyebrow.

"Well, I didn't know that at the time. I was just trying to be helpful and wash your clothes." Lark whined. "Besides, you looked cute in pink boxers." Lark teased and pinched Rayne's butt planting a kiss on her chin.

"Oh, yeah…real cute Lark." Rayne laughed and lead Lark out of the utility room.

"I'm not very good with stuff like that." Lark admitted sheepishly following her tall lover into the living room.

"That's because you're a princess." Rayne laughed and was halted by her lover who glared at her put off by the comment. "My little princess." Rayne whispered and kissed the pouting lips before her.

They broke the kiss when the doorbell rang. "Do I have to go?" Lark whined disappointedly.

"Unfortunately." Rayne pouted holding Lark closer and kissing her.

"Waah." Lark whined with a shared laugh by Rayne.

"Get going…you'll have fun." Rayne coaxed Lark towards the door.

"Oh, the garage door is broken, it won't open." Lark replied turning to inform Rayne.

"No, I disengaged it so you'd have to use the front door."

"Oops!" Lark sheepishly grinned. "Well, the garage door opener is broken then." She answered with a laugh.

"What happened to it?"

"It got personal with a tree when I lost my temper." Lark laughed reaching for the doorknob.

"Remind me to not make you mad." Rayne teased with a chuckle.

"I love you." Lark whispered and kissed Rayne once more.

"Ditto." Rayne answered with a blushing smile and watched Lark open the door to greet Holly who was waiting. "You two behave." Rayne teasingly warned and saw Jayce slip in the door behind Holly.

"Same goes for you two!" Lark warned and pointed at the pair to get her point across.

"Yes, dear." Rayne teased and winked with a smile.

"I love you." Lark mouthed and blew Rayne a kiss exiting the door noting the flush red look on Rayne's face her blushing quite evident. Rayne sighed disappointedly when Lark disappeared behind the closed door and really had no desire for the silly bachelorette party that lay ahead. She knew it was important to her brother Jayce who planned everything and didn't want to ruin it for him so, she figured she'd go along with the ruse and attempt to have a good time.

The parties were in full swing and everyone was having a blast except for Rayne. She watched her brother's candidly interact with other friends of hers from work and family members realizing she was in a group of people yet, felt so alone…something…no, someone was missing. It was Lark if you were wondering or not paying attention! Rayne glanced over at a picture of Lark and smiled lovingly when she saw the beautiful face of the woman who meant so much to her. The face that exuded so much love, caring and such a wonderful zest for life.

Her revelry was interrupted when Jayce announced they were going to watch porno flicks. He excitedly gathered everyone around the big screen TV and Rayne chuckled shaking her head. 'How cliché…porno flicks at a bachelorette party.' Rayne thought with a laugh and resigned herself to the fact that this was no party for her, but an excuse for the guys to hang out together without their wives or girlfriends around. She was just the opposite…she actually wanted to be with her intended. She laughed as everyone cheered exuberantly when the blond naked woman with the hot pink 'come fuck me pumps' on asked the man to make her squeal like a pig. 'I'm outta here.' Rayne thought disgustedly and snuck out of the room unnoticed. 'How in the hell do those woman have sex in those freaking shoes and those long ass fingernails?' Rayne asked in disbelief shaking her head and entered her office.

She took a seat in front of the computer and decided she didn't want to know the answer to her question. 'Some things are better left alone…and that was one of them. Although, Lark would look very sexy in those hot pink 'CFMP's'. She thought grinning mischievously rubbing her chin and chuckled settling into her chair to write her vows to Lark. Rayne picked up Lark's picture tracing the fine features with her finger thinking about everything she feels for Lark. 'Now, how do I put those into words? I'm not that great of a writer. Where's Stoley when you need her?' She asked as if Lark would tell her. Once she began to write everything she wanted to say flowed out of her freely and easily. She clicked the icon and started the printer to make a copy of the vows. She read over them and the sound of the phone ringing startled her. She picked up the phone to answer with her heart racing from the fright as she was lost in her thoughts of Lark.

"Hello."

"Hi baby." Lark's silky, sweet voice replied lovingly.

"I was just thinking about you?" Rayne sexily answered.

"Oh, yeah…like what?" Lark asked excitedly and intrigued that she was on her lover's mind.

"Some really naughty thoughts." Rayne teasingly replied.

"Ooh, I think I like that. Scratch that…I love that!" Lark answered excitedly feeling a tingling sensation run throughout her at the possibilities.

"Do you have any hot pink 'come fuck me pumps'?" Rayne asked intrigued by the thought that maybe Lark did indeed have them.

"What?" Lark asked embarrassed by the question.

"Oh, never mind." Rayne answered with a laugh. "How's your party?"

"It's okay." Lark answered unenthusiastically wondering why Rayne would ask her about the shoes. 'What is she up to?' She questioned inwardly. "The party is basically so the chicks can have a night out to themselves without their kids, husbands or boyfriends."

"Same here. They're in watching porno flicks on the big screen TV." Rayne informed Lark with a chuckle swinging around in the chair plopping her slender legs up on the desk beside her.

'Aah…ha. That's why she asked me about the shoes.' Lark thought intrigued by Rayne's naughty thoughts. "That's what they're doing here too." Lark answered laughing joined by Rayne who burst into laughter.

"I hope we don't get to that point that we feel the need to have to go to separate parties for a break from one another." Rayne admitted sad that her family and friends would feel the need to be that way with their significant others.

"Me either, but with our busy lives I don't think that will happen. Both of us are apart for work so much that we usually want to spend our free time with one another."

"Very true. So, how come you're not in watching the dirty flicks with the babes? Oh, geez!…tell me my mom isn't watching those movies." Rayne worriedly asked when she realized who was at the party.

"Who do you think brought them?" Lark asked chuckling and filed her fingernail with an emery board .

"You lie!" Rayne replied in disbelief and sat up in the chair firmly planting her feet on the floor bracing herself for Lark's answer.

"I'm not lying. Let's hope they don't bring in a stripper or I don't know what she might do to them. She was doing keg stands earlier." Lark informed her stunned lover examining her freshly manicured fingernail.

"My mother?" Rayne asked with a laugh. "Doing keg stands? Who knew?" She asked completely stunned by her mother's actions.

"Certainly not you honey." Lark laughed along with Rayne and threw her fingernail file on the table pleased with her manicure.

"I guess so! Please tell me you took pictures." Rayne asked with a mischievous laugh.

"Honey…I may be blonde, but I'm not stupid. Let's just say, we will have no difficulty finding a baby-sitter at anytime we need one not to mention a back up sitter in my mother." Lark informed her lover who laughed hysterically.

"Good thinking babe. What's your mother doing?"

"I can't even go there on the phone you'll just have to see the pictures." Lark answered laughing.

"It sounds like you're all having a better time over there than we are over here." Rayne chuckled and heard a loud roar of hollering and cheering from the other room. "Oops…hold on. I think the party is picking up." Rayne informed Lark and stood up to find out what was happening from all the commotion.

"What's happening?" Lark asked in excited wonderment.

"Give me a second to get to the pool room babe." Rayne answered quickly walking down the hall stopping in the doorway in complete shock. Lark heard the cheers and shouting in the background and heard Rayne reply, "Holy shit!" In complete disbelief.

"What's going on?…Rayne!" Lark shouted dying to know what was happening.

"Oh, aah." Rayne stammered snapping out of her state of shock. She blinked rapidly swallowing the lump in her throat closing her mouth which hung agape. "Well…aah, my father has his shirt off and a stripper on his shoulders dancing around the room." Rayne explained bewildered.

"No shit?!" Lark laughed in amazement.

"Your father has a bra and aah…oh, shit…he has on pink 'come fuck me pumps' prancing around the room like a stripper! So, you do have some of those shoes." Rayne teasingly accused her lover. "Wait….how does your father fit into your shoes unless…" She paused, her tone mischievously suspicious. "They're his and he's secretly a transvestite." Rayne laughed.

"Very funny! Maybe he's wearing the stripper's shoes and she's really a man!" Lark answered both laughing hysterically.

Rayne clicked a few pictures and noticed an unfamiliar person also taking pictures. Her demeanor changed from laughter to seriousness in a heart beat. "Lark…I'll have to call you back. I have to confiscate some film."

"NO! I want to see the pictures." Lark whined not wanting to be left out on the fun.

"You'll see them from my camera and not a stranger's. There's someone here I don't recognize taking pictures which could be used against both of our father's Lark. I'll call you back." Rayne answered with urgency and concern reflected in her tone of voice.

"Okay…be careful and call me back!" Lark answered no longer hearing the shouting instead hearing the dial tone.

Rayne put the phone down and tucked her camera in her pocket approaching the unknown photographer. "Can I ask who you might be?" Rayne asked tapping the man on the shoulder.

"I'm a friend." The man arrogantly answered looking Rayne over.

"Not of mine. I need your camera and film." Rayne demanded holding her hand out.

"Like hell! You have no right!" He shouted angrily alerting everyone else to what was transpiring. The shouting and loud music ceased as everyone was transfixed on the situation at hand.

"Now, you're wrong on that account buddy. It's my house, I'm a Secret Service Agent and you're threatening national security by photographing a U.S. Senator and Ambassador without their knowledge which I'm pretty sure you intend to sell for a very high price." Rayne angrily answered flashing her badge and gave a quick sideways glance noting other agents sidling up to her protectively. "Now, the film." Rayne demanded again her hand held out waiting for the requested item.

The man looked at the threatening woman, the agents and at the Senator who embarrassingly removed the bra from his head then to the agents behind Rayne and reluctantly gave her his camera. Rayne opened the camera and removed the film exposing the film to the light forever damaging the incriminating evidence. "Empty your pockets." She demanded.

"Oh, come on." The man objected and was quickly searched by the other agents as well as his camera case with all the film being confiscated and quickly destroyed. "You can't do that!" He vehemently protested.

"Do what?" Rayne asked sarcastically and arrogantly.

"You can't search me like that and take my belongings."

"What are you talking about? I didn't see a search or any belongings taken…did any of you?" Rayne asked casually looking around the room shrugging her shoulders and pretending she had no idea what the man was talking about.

"The only thing I see is someone trespassing on private property. Actually, I think he made unlawful entry." Rayne's partner Tom announced planting his large imposing figure in a defiant manner before the man.

"I'll tell you what dude." Rayne arrogantly replied and moved next to Tom. "Take your camera, your case." Rayne replied handing the said items to him continuing, "Your scummy self, your bimbo and get the fuck out of my house before I charge you with trespassing, breaking and entering, and not cooperating with a government agent in a national security compromise." Rayne offered with a devilish smirk.

"You can't do that." He nervously replied packing his camera away.

"Try me." Rayne snarled moving closer to him. "Look at all of my witnesses." Rayne cockily smiled seeing the fear in his eyes which flicked around the room before settling back upon Rayne who crossed her arms over her chest.

"You're right…sorry. We're leaving." He nervously conceded finally coming to his senses realizing he had better leave and motioned to the stripper.

"You're a smart man." Rayne sarcastically answered with an arrogant smile and winked at the man who quickly left with the stripper.

Rayne watched as the two agents escorted the pair out of the house. "Thanks Rayne." Senator Morgan replied gratefully sidling up to the taller woman.

Rayne gave him a sideways glance. "You're welcome sir. As always, your safety and virtue are my main concern." She answered with a wink and turned back looking at the Senator's agent assigned to him suspiciously. "Tom." Rayne replied looking at her partner who moved next to her. "Take the Senator's agent into the kitchen. We need to find out why he didn't check out the stripper and her camera toting friend as he was assigned to do this evening. I'll be in there in a minute."

"Sure, but can I be the bad cop this time?" He asked teasingly noting the smirk on his partner's face from his remark.

"Very funny partner!" Rayne laughed watching her comrade in arms leave and guide the agent in question towards the kitchen.

"What's going on?" Shayan asked confused by the situation approaching his overly suspicious sister.

Rayne looked at her brother matching his blues which were filled with concern and confusion. "I'm about to find out." She answered dryly and took a step to leave.

"Need any help?" He offered stopping his focused sister.

"No, stay here and liven up this party. Just don't let anymore strippers in here." Rayne reassured her brother with a laugh exiting the room.

Rayne padded down the hall and pulled out her camera to remove the film from it. She destroyed her roll of film to keep the incriminating pictures from falling into the wrong hands. No matter who took the pictures, it was too risky of chance. Rayne grimaced when her bare feet met the cold tile of the kitchen floor. 'Fuck…I hate that!' She thought angrily approaching her partner. "Let's go into the dining area." She informed the pair and motioned them to the large dining room table. 'Yes, get to the carpet…QUICK!' She thought hopeful cringing from the feeling of the tile under her feet. She sighed a breath of relief when she felt the comfortable carpet under her and wiped her feet on each pant leg before taking a seat to somehow rub off that uncomfortable feeling on her feet from the tile floor that still lingered there.

"How long have you been assigned to the Senator? What's your name?" Rayne asked looking at the very young and quickly intimidated agent across from her.

"Aah…my name is Danny and I've been assigned to him for two weeks now ma'am." He nervously stammered staring into the stormy blue eyes that peered at him across the table.

Rayne looked at Tom and her eyebrow shot up questioningly. "Ma'am?" She mouthed to her partner who snickered. Rayne looked back at the young agent and inhaled deeply before continuing. "Agent, you neglected to perform your duties as assigned and you must be held accountable." Rayne informed him leaning forward and resting her arms on the glass table.

"I'm sorry ma'am…it's my first assignment and I…aah…" He stammered nervously wiping a bead of sweat that formed on his forehead from the menacing look Rayne flashed him.

"First off, don't call me ma'am because you're really pissing me off with that and secondly, you have to protect the Senator as well as the Ambassador whether it's some kind of physical harm or from incriminating pictures being taken of them in a compromising situation." Rayne informed the nervous agent angrily.

"Yes, ma…ah…Agent Donnovan." He carefully corrected himself noting the unpleasant glare Rayne threw at him. "I aah…guess I just got caught up in the informal atmosphere of everything." He admitted sheepishly knowing he screwed up big time.

"Oh, really? Well, guess what? You're not cut out for this job if you look at it that way. That's the worst fucking attitude to take dude!" Rayne angrily answered attempting to control her temper that threatened to explode at one more idiotic comment from the young agent. "This is a matter for Director Bailey to handle and I'll be sure to give him my full report and my recommendation regarding your future employment with the Secret Service." Rayne informed the nervous agent even angrier as his comments repeated in her head rising to her feet followed by Tom and the other agent.

"Agent, wait for me by the door please." Tom ordered the man who quickly followed his orders…this time.

"Give me a minute to get my shoes on." Rayne replied moving to get her shoes.

"No, you're staying here to get ready for your big day tomorrow." Tom ordered his stubborn partner stopping her in her tracks. "I'll take care of this matter." He confidently assured her.

Rayne looked at him noting the seriousness in his brown eyes and relented. "Okay…thanks. I appreciate it. Listen, have them check this guy out thoroughly. I have a bad feeling about him, that he's not an agent." Rayne answered with great concern and suspicion.

"You think so?" Tom asked in disbelief that the agency would overlook someone who's credentials might be suspect considering the extensive background checks they have to go through before becoming an agent.

"Yeah, I've got a feeling. Besides, he can't be that stupid and be a trained agent. I can't believe they would assign him to the Senator either! What the hell were they thinking?" She asked concerned for the Senator's safety after the whole kidnapping situation they went through because of the Senator's political beliefs.

"I'll have him checked out and I think they're trying to get the best person for the job Rayne. But, you're not available so, they have to make do with what they have." Tom sincerely answered and patted his partner on the back before leaving.

Rayne sat back down at the table and scratched her chin wondering if she had been to hard on the young agent. 'Maybe I'm wrong about him, but I can't help the way I feel. I don't have a good feeling about him at all.' Rayne thought warily. 'Maybe I should be the one assigned to the Senator.' She thought as an option. 'Alright, find out the facts with the agent and go from there.' She reassured herself walking back to the phone knowing she didn't want to have return to the rigors of protecting the Senator especially since it's a re-election year. She would be away from Lark way too much and wasn't going to let that happen…again.

Rayne dialed Holly's number into the phone. 'I'll just have to choose the Senator's agent myself.' She thought arrogantly or was it? Maybe…or possibly it was just because she was overly protective of him considering the fact that the Senator is Lark's father.

"Hello?" Lark's worried voice echoed through the receiver.

"Hey, sexy." Rayne answered rubbing the back of her neck to relieve the tension she felt from what just happened.

"Are you okay?" Lark asked her voice thick with concern.

"I'm perfect now that I hear your sexy voice Lark." Rayne answered smiling and lay her head back against the chair she was sitting in relieving the tension.

"Are you going to kill me with suspense or are you going to tell me what happened?" Lark questioned anxiously.

"Oh, yeah…that." Rayne teased and explained, "Seems we had a photographer here who was very willing to take some compromising photos of our father's and sell them for a high price."

"Oh, no! Fortunately, you were able to catch them. How'd they get past daddy's agent?"

"I'm not sure…we're checking him out now. I really don't have a very good feeling about him."

"It's a good thing that you're suspicious of some people or this could have been one hell of a disaster." Lark answered relieved and proud that her lover foiled the photo scam.

"I guess so. What's happening over your way?" Rayne asked happy to change the subject to keep her mind off her gut feelings and focus on one hell of gorgeous blonde on the other end of the line with the most beautiful, angelic voice.

"I'm going to bed. Everyone here has passed out cold." Lark answered with a laugh.

"Sounds like a good idea. I'm heading that way myself. I need my beauty sleep for my very important date with a sexy blonde tomorrow." Rayne teased sexily with a chuckle.

"Well, now. I hope you have a wonderful date as I'm positive I certainly will tomorrow." Lark answered grinning widely feeling the butterflies tickle her belly at the thought of how special tomorrow is to her.

"Oh, you can count on it as long as she doesn't stand me up." Rayne joked padding down the hall to her bedroom peaking her head in the door noting much of the party goers had left and the remaining one's were passed out on various pieces of furniture. She chuckled and headed into her room.

"You can count on the fact that she will not stand you up. In fact, she'll be there early." Lark guaranteed with a giggle.

"An actress…early? Cut if out woman!" Rayne laughingly teased.

"When it's an event this important she'll be on time especially seeing as how it's something she's been waiting for all of her life…committing herself to her soul mate for all of eternity."

Rayne smiled happily feeling a tingling sensation in her stomach from Lark's admission and paused briefly exhaling a satisfied sigh before stripping her jeans, underwear and bra off. She crawled into the large bed settling herself against the pillows. "I'm looking forward to seeing you tomorrow baby. Have sweet dreams tonight." Rayne sincerely professed.

"You too my sexy beast. I love you Rayne." Lark gushed into the phone wishing Rayne's arms were wrapped tightly around her, but didn't want to risk bad luck for the rest of their lives by seeing her intended before the ceremony.

"Love you sweets." Rayne answered her blushing smile widening with the butterflies fluttering uncontrollably in her stomach. "Goodnight."

"Night babe." Lark answered softly clicking the phone off falling back on the bed and sighing disappointedly that Rayne wasn't with her.

Rayne put the phone on the night stand, stripped her shirt off and crawled under the covers lonely for a certain green-eyed actress she loved more than life itself. You know the one…the blonde who captured her heart the moment she first laid eyes on her.

Rayne stared at the ceiling worried that the vows she wrote for Lark would express everything she meant to her. They had to…they were straight from her heart. Rayne tossed and turned in bed for the majority of the night fretting over the vows, but mostly because Lark wasn't snuggled comfortably in her arms. Rayne woke with a start when she heard a clanging noise outside her window. She jumped out of bed and rushed to the window to see the entertainment company they hired setting up the tents for the ceremony.

Rayne's racing heart settled and she looked at the clock noting she had about two hours of sleep out of the five spent in bed. She slipped on her sports bra, a pair of gym shorts followed by her socks and sneakers deciding an invigorating morning jog on the beach would settle her nervousness. She headed out the back door towards the sea wall pulling her long, dark hair up into a pony tail and sucked in the fresh ocean breeze. The fresh, clean scent filled her lungs giving her a feeling of completeness. "I'm home." She smiled contentedly that she was back were she belonged before setting out on her exercise excursion.

Rayne finished her morning workout, advised the 'set up' crew as to tent placements and headed in for her shower as the time was disappearing quickly. She finished showering and headed towards the closet to retrieve her outfit. Rayne thought about how special she wanted their day to be and tried to think of some way to make it extra special for Lark. She opened the closet door looking into her wardrobe and smiled mischievously knowing just exactly what special thing she could do for Lark. "She's going to die!" Rayne laughed sarcastically thoroughly happy with the plan she had in store for Lark.

To Be Continued…

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