The Author(that would be me;of course that depends on whether or not you like this stuff) would greatly appreciate

(a) a car (b) a million dollars or (c) a condominium.Or you could send email.It's your choice. xenickz@hotmail.com

Part 7

He strolled into the bathroom and locked the door behind him.

She was leaning against the sink,watching him,with an air of almost exaggerated repose.

He stared hard at her,taking in the six foot tall frame,the long dark hair and wild blue eyes.The photograph they had given him hadn't done justice at all.He could see why they said she was beautiful as she was deadly.

Her eyes flicked over him casually,her expression almost bored but he could tell she noticed every minute detail.She was definitely a professional.

"Well,you certainly took your time,"she remarked.There was something about the way she spoke,every word slow and deliberate flowing as smooth as though it were honey,her voice velvety,sounding as though she were slightly amused. Her smile on the other hand, held all the warmth of a glacier and gave no such impression.

He gave an equally frosty smile,his steely gray eyes glinting coldly. "I didn't realise I had any reason to hurry,".

His reply didn't faze her in the least.If anything,it only seemed to amuse her even more.The corner of her mouth quirked upward and she gave a ghost of a smile. "Clever,aren't we?"

"Well,"he said, "I found you didn't I?"

Her expression remained as empty and cold as stone.The only indication that his comment had riled her was the sudden flare of icy blue fire in her eyes but a bare instant later,it was gone.

Smug satisfaction filled him and he resisted the urge to laugh out loud.

Well,well,well,it looked like the big bad Destroyer wasn't so big and bad after all.You just had to know what buttons to press.

She stood up suddenly,with feline grace and began walking towards him,the blue black highlights of her hair shining under the fluorescent lights.Her footsteps echoed in the silence that had fallen around them.Every move she made was calm and controlled but the tigerish gleam in her eyes told him she could rip his throat out without batting an eyelid.

All of a sudden she was standing in front of him.Her eyes shone like an animal's,deep,fathomless. Everything about her was untamed and primal.

For the first time in his life,he was afraid;and he knew he had every reason to be.

"So you did,"she purred and he blinked,having forgotten his earlier remark."I'm impressed,"she murmured in a tone that suggested she was anything but.

The blow came so fast that he barely saw it.The next thing he knew,his jaw was throbbing and he could taste blood in his mouth.

He looked up just in time to see her booted foot speeding toward his chest.The crunch of bone breaking shattered the silence .He sank to his knees with a groan,desperately gasping for breath,his lungs burning,pain exploding in his chest,blinding,red-hot agony overtaking everything until he knew nothing else.

He raised his eyes.Hooded blue eyes gazed at him thoughtfully,her expression still the same.

She stepped behind him and bent to speak in his ear. "Frankly,I'm disappointed," her voice syrupy smooth.

"I thought you might be a little more of a challenge,".

Jesus,was she pouting?

In that moment,he hated her more than he had hated anyone in his entire life.

His gun.

The thought came to him with surprising clarity,given the sluggish way his brain was working.

It was strapped around his ankle;all he had to do was reach down and get it.

Ever so slowly,he inched his fingers down his lower leg.

"Does it hurt?" she asked mock sympathetically.

His breath caught in his throat as his fingers brushed cold metal and for an moment,he almost sobbed in relief.

"Go to hell,"he spat,his teeth clenched.

He grasped the gun in his hand,the crushing pain suddenly forgotten.

"After you,"she smirked.An instant later,he felt her hand wrap around his and pull the revolver up to his head.

Sweet Jesus.

"Only,it'll be a lot sooner than you think,"she laughed,cold,savage and utterly beautiful.

He could feel the barrel of the gun against his temple.The bitter irony was that his hand was still around the gun,it was his finger on the trigger.All she had to do was apply a little pressure…

And he was going to blow his own brains out.

He swallowed,his mouth suddenly a desert.

His entire body tensed and he squeezed his eyes shut.He would have said a Hail Mary had he been able to remember how it started.He could feel the warmth of her breath on the back of his neck,her finger tightening around his.

I don't want to die.

"Bang,"she drawled lazily in his ear.

His heart almost stopped and he cried out in anticipation of the pain.It took him a few seconds to realise he was still alive.He sagged wit relief,opening his eyes shakily,his body trembling violently.

"Thank you,"he breathed. "Thank you,".

It was the last words he spoke.

She switched on the tap,watching almost idly as the water filled up the sink.Her eyes strayed to the mirror and found a stranger staring back at her. The face was familiar enough,like one of those faces you saw on a busy street that reminded you of someone,only you just never could figure out who.

Strong features,as thought they had carved painstakingly from stone by an artist.

A full unsmiling mouth that sometimes curled in a crooked,almost self-decaprecating smile.

Sunkissed skin.Smooth.Soft.Smeared with blood.

She watched indifferently as a drop of blood ran down from her temple to her cheek,past her chin and along the length of her throat,painting a smooth crimson line that stained her skin.It was like a badge that proclaimed her guilt; a grotesque reminder that she hadn't really changed at all.

She clutched at the sink as her knees threatened to give way,her eyes still pinned firmly on the image in the mirror.

Cerulean blue eyes burned with despair,regret and relief.

Despair because she realised that no matter what she though,said or did,the Destroyer was very much a part of her.

Regret because she knew she could never change that.

And relief…

Relief simply because a small part of her had knew this,had always known this.It welcomed the knowledge beause this was the only life she had ever known.The Destroyer was who she was.It was as critical a part of her identity as Danni herself.

The about turn she'd convinced herself she'd done had been terrifying and wonderful and totally unrealistic.

She should have known better.

Suddenly,she realised that the sink was overflowing.She splashed the water on her face,enjoying the sensation of the cool water on her overheated skin.

Slowly,she began to wash the blood away.

Julia turned around as the room door opened.It was Danni.

She opened her mouth to spoke but stopped as she watched the older woman stumble in as though she was in a drunken stupor.Her eyes were bloodshot,the expression on her face dazed.

"Danni,what's wrong?"Julia asked softly,her blood running icy cold.

Danni blinked,as though she'd forgotten she wasn't the only one in the room.Slowly the confused in her eyes abated and was replaced by a steady purposefulness. "We have to leave.Now,".

"Leave?"Julia repeated. "Why?We just got …here,"her voice trailed away as it suddenly became excruciatingly clear. Of course."They've found us,"she said woodenly.It was more a statement than a question.

Danni's jaw clenched visibly.She nodded curtly but gave no other answer.

"I'll get our things together,"Julia said,suddenly feeling weary.

How much longer?How many more times am I going to keep running away?When am I going to get my life back?

She began putting items into a bag blindly.There was a bleakness inside of her that threatened to swallow her whole.

"Hey,"she stopped as she felt Danni place a hand on her arm and looked up into concerned blue eyes.

"It'll be all right,Jules,"Danni said gently. "I promise,".

Julia studied Danni's steady expression and for reasons she couldn't explain she found herself believing her;maybe it was because right then she needed to hold on something.Even if it was a promise from a friend who was still virtually a stranger.

Danni smiled . "I'll meet you outside in ten?"

Julia nodded,returning the smile as Danni grabbed her jacket and strode out the door.

"Where to?"Julia asked as Danni started the engine of her car.

"To see a friend of mine.He can probably help us out,"Danni shot her a quick glance.The younger woman was staring at her with an incredulous expression. "What?"

"You have friends? "

Stormy blue eyes narrowed and Danni turned to glare at her.Her eyes met twinkling green ones and she relaxed slightly. "One or two,".

Julia grinned and a comfortable silence fell.

"Are you the eldest?"Julia asked suddenly.

Danni raised an eyebrow. "Where did that come from?"

"It's called small talk,"she said,as though explaining something to a young child. "I ask you a question and then you ask me one,".

"Oh,".

"So are you?"

"Am I what?"

Julia considered screaming aloud. "The eldest,"she said with exaggerated patience.

Danni rolled her eyes mentally. "No,"she paused slightly. "You?"

Oh well,Julia thought. It's a start.

"Yeah,I am.Scary thought,isin't it?Do you have a sister?"

"No,"Danni deadpanned. "You?"

Julia stared at her in exasperation then her expression melted into one of amusement and she laughed softly. "At least you're getting the hang of it,".

Danni gave a crooked grin in response.

"So what was it you said you did?"Julia asked.

Danni tensed inwardly. "I didn't,"she said lightly,trying to buy time.

"That's right,"Julia said. "You said you were an ex-cop but you never told me what you're doing now.Besides running around saving people,that is,".

"I'm kinda in between jobs at the moment,"Danni put her sunglasses on . "Besides,running around saving people takes up quite a bit of my time,".

Julia studied her thoughtfully. "I'm sure it does,"she said wryly,but her voice was serious.

Julia followed Danni into the restaurant,pausing to take a look around her.It was Italian,a small cosy place;something most people would have driven past without taking any notice of it.She knew she would have.

She decided she liked it.

Danni stopped at a table,where a dark-haired man sat.He had chocolate brown eyes that perpetually seemed to be laughing and olive skin.He was attractive and sported a goatee. Julia had to force herself not to estimate his height and weight.It was a habit she had,sizing up everyone she met storing their details away just in case she should ever need it,one that helped in her line of work.On the other hand it sometimes wrecked havoc on her social life.Plus it annoyed the hell out of Elaine.

The mask fell away and Danni gave him an open smile. "Hey Jack,".

"Hey Danni,"Jack returned with a smile,before standing to give her a quick hug. "And who is this?"he asked as his eyes fell on the blonde.

"Jack,this is a friend of mine,Julia,"

Jack stared at her in open-mouthed amazement. "You have other friends?"

Julia bit back a laugh.

Danni scowled.

The younger woman shook his hand. "I have a feeling we're going to get along just fine,".

Danni shook her head. "Everyone's a comedian,"she mumbled under her breath.

The three of them sat down.

The waiter came up to them and Danni ordered in rapid Italian,without even looking at the menu.

Julia was impressed. "You must eat here a lot,".She opened the menu and studied it with the seriousness of a military general. "So what's good?"

Danni shrugged. "I only eat one thing here,".

Julia stared at her aghast. "You've never tried anything else?"

"Nope,"Danni drawled.

Julia looked as though Danni had told her she spent her weekends impersonating a cow.

"Ever?"Julia asked faintly.

"Ever,"Danni confirmed,taking some satisfaction from the fact that she could annoy the younger woman.

"Danni here's a real party animal,"Jack supplied helpfully. Danni shot him a withering glance.

Julia and Jack continued to crack jokes throughout the meal at Danni's expense,who steadily ignored them,only throwing them a warning look every once in a while.

Julia paused for a moment,wondering if they had offended her but the sight of twinkling blue eyes warmed her.It was the first time she had seen the older woman look so relaxed.

Her demeanor had softened,her body languid,full lips curling every so often into a small grin,just barely revealing brilliantly white teeth that contrasted with tanned skin.

So many different sides to her,Julia marveled.She frowned,remembering their conversation in the car.Who are you really? she wondered silently. Who are you?

"I like her,"Jack said to Danni as they watched Julia make her way to the ladies' room.Danni shot him a grin.She'd known him a long time;they'd seen each other through a lot. "You like anyone who's female and pretty,".

He smiled sheepishly. "Guilty,".

Jack had started out as a pick-pocket,then had graduated to theft.He had been one of the best,going by the self-proclaimed title of the Prince of thieves.Unfortunately,he'd made a few enemies and had been set up.Someone had tipped off the police and he'd been caught robbing a jewelry store.After two years in jail,he'd decided that it was in his best interests to stay on the right side of the law.For a while anyway.

He became an informant,listening to the buzz on the street and selling information to the the highest bidder.

"What's been happening?"Danni asked,lighting a cigarette,knowing he would pick up on her meaning.

He sobered instantly. "I was hoping you could tell me.Word is,that Antonio hired you to knock someone off.The next day,you've split and the victim is nowhere to be seen.Dead or alive.That's set off a lot of speculation,I can tell you.I've heard three different versions of your death,four of you being arrested and one of you joining the convent,"he gave her a wicked grin. "I liked the last one,".

She inhaled deeply,her forehead furrowed. "I couldn't do it,Jack.Couldn't kill anymore.I don't know how or why it happened.I don't know what I'm going to do.I just know that right now, it's something I can't do anymore,".

"Jesus,"he exclaimed in awe,sounding impressed.

Silence fell as he contemplated that. "I'm glad you've stopped.I never said anything before,"he said softly. "But I was never very comfortable with…what you did."

She smiled sadly. "I knew Jack.I just never cared at the time,".

He picked up his glass and drank thirstily.Suddenly he sprayed beer all over the table.

Danni raised an eyebrow.

"It's her isin't it?Julia.She's the one you were supposed to kill,"he slapped the table with his hand. "I can't believe it took me so long to realise that.This is so unreal,"he shook his head. "I've never thought you …well,you've always been so determined that I…did shechange your mind?"

"Something like that,"Danni said dryly.She turned to him with fathomless eyes. "She doesn't know yet,".

"What doesn't she know?"

"That I'm who I am,".

He frowned in confusion. "So who does she think you are?"

She sighed in exasperation. "She doesn't know that I'm an assassin.That I'm contracted to kill her,".

"Jesus,"he breathed again,looked decidedly less impressed.

He met her gaze,his face dark and angry. "What were you thinking Danni?You've got to tell her!"

Her blue eyes were as empty as the depths of space. "What would you do,Jack,if the one person who claimed they wanted to protect you told you they had been hired to kill you?That they had even…"she forced herself to speak the words. "Tried to kill you.What would you do?"

Deflated,he looked away.

"I'm damned if I do and damned if I don't.If I tell her,she'll run screaming.If I don't tell her,she'll probably find out eventually and run screaming anyway…but right now she needs my help.You know that I'm the only one who can help,Jack,".

He looked at her unhappily. "I hope you know what you're doing,".

Now that you mention it,don't have a clue. She smiled confidently. "Don't worry about it,"she said loftily,crushing the cigarette in the ashtray. "I know exactly what I'm doing,".

To be continued …

That's part 7,pretty much.As always,if you liked it,write to me and tell me.If you didn't,write to me anyway and lie. xenickz@hotmail.com