Too much to do. Too little time.

[valis2]

Yes, I have spent the entire evening finishing off my flist catch-up. (Not that there was a lot of time involved...by the time I finished dinner, it was 8:45.) Thank goodness. It was up to almost exactly 1000 entries in 10 days.

I have a great idea for the Snupin dark!fic challenge. I want to write it. I really want to write it. But I am afraid to sign up--I am leaving on the 20th and I don't think I'll have enough time to write it.

I really want to write. I have so much brewing in my head that it's a wonder anything else fits in it at all.

*tries to resist urge to sign up for the challenge*

Comments

[pandora-nervosa.livejournal.com]

Ooo...you know, now would be a good time to start that Desmond/Pandora smut!fic you've been planning.

;p

[valis2.livejournal.com]

As Desmond entered the room, the first thing he noticed was the woman in the red dress. Hand on one hip, the other hand holding a jewel-tone drink that sparkled...he couldn't tear his eyes away from her, barely noticing her companion, a woman in a green dress.

His heart seemed to expand in his chest, and his face felt warm. His eyes slid up and down her body, appreciating her curves, her delicious shape, and he loosened his tie a bit after he swallowed painfully.

Her companion noticed his interest, and nodded in his direction, and the woman in red turned, giving him the once-over with her own eyes, and then smiling slyly. He smiled nervously in return.

Now or never, he said to himself, and forced his feet to walk toward her.

She turned slightly, as if to greet him. Taking an elegant sip from her drink, she smiled as he introduced himself, and her companion said something.

After a long moment, and a puzzled look from the companion, he realized that she had been introducing them. "Ah, I'm sorry, could you say that again?"

The woman in green rolled her eyes. "I'm Valis. This is Pandora." She frowned at him.

"Pandora," he said, enthralled. Terribly naughty thoughts of her box flooded his brain, and for a long moment he just gaped at the vision in front of him.

[pandora-nervosa.livejournal.com]

::gasps for breath::

Oh, my holy God.

::breathe Kell::

So many opportunities right there. Woman, this totally does it for me. ~g~

You are amazing!!!!!!!

The woman in green rolled her eyes.

Hee! Love it!

Um, ::cough:: will there be more or should I leave that to my imagination? ~g~

More, please. ~g~

Jesus. Desmond in a tie.

I'm now going to have to search for batteries. You know that, right?

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Oh, speaking of ties - I have the perfect pic to go with this!!!



OMGYAY!! Perfection, no?

Lost is tonight!!!

::happy dance::

[valis2.livejournal.com]

My goodness! Thank you for rewarding me with such a vision! Mmm. Let's see if I can continue this...

They stared at him expectantly, and suddenly he realized that he should probably say something. "Lovely to meet you. Er, both. I mean, lovely to meet you both."

Clearly Valis--the woman in green--was quite experienced at rolling her eyes. "Yes, nice to meet you, too. Have you been a member of the organization long?"

Desmond's mind was blank. "Organization?"

"Yes, the organization we're here for." Valis frowned again and Pandora hid a smile behind her hand.

"Oh, yes. Yes, right, the Dharma Relief Fund, of course."

"Yes, exactly."

What had she asked? He felt his face grow even redder. "Er...a year, only."

"I haven't heard your name before," said Valis. "I thought you might be new to the group."

"We've been members for the last five years," said Pandora.

His heart leapt at the sound of her voice. "And have you found much relief?" he asked.

She laughed at that, and he grinned foolishly. "No, I can't say that I have personally found relief..." She gave him a knowing look. "But we have helped a lot of worthy causes."

"That's good," he said. "It's always a good thing, to help those less fortunate than ourselves."

"Yes, truly," said Valis. "We volunteer for the organization all the time. I've taken in a stray, temporarily..."

His mind raced, trying to think of an answer to Valis's question which would impress Pandora further, but he came up short on his knowledge of animals. "I hear there's quite a problem in the States with wild dogs..."

To his surprise, Valis giggled. "Only too true. And this one is rather naughty...I keep having to use a rolled-up newspaper to keep him in check."

"Discipline is so important," said Pandora, looking directly at him, and he felt himself grow weak in the knees.

"I doubt Sawyer would agree with you," grinned Valis.

Pandora smirked and took another sip of her drink.

He wanted to posture, to appear sure of himself, but inside he was a mash of emotions. "Are you doing anything after the party?" he asked, though it came out more rushed than he had hoped for.

Pandora's eyebrows raised, and she looked him over again. "I might be," she said, her lips curving in a smile.

[pandora-nervosa.livejournal.com]

I love you with the white-hot intensity of 1,000 suns!

OMG, I'm dying over here!

"I doubt Sawyer would agree with you," grinned Valis.

OMG, lolz! That's perfect! I can so see you popping Sawyer on the nose with a newspaper...or his ass. Take your pick!

My favorite line?

"No, I can't say that I have personally found relief..."

Oh, but will she?

::anxiously waits for more::

This has so made my day. Seriously. You have NO idea!!!

♥ you!

See? ::points to icon:: It's even made Desmond happy! He's waiting for more, too. ;p

[valis2.livejournal.com]

While I'm waiting for 10:00 to roll around, I thought I'd add just a little more...

"Do you enjoy dancing?" asked Valis.

As if on cue, the band began playing a slow number.

"Dance with me," said Pandora. Valis took her drink, and Pandora stretched her hand out to him.

Lost in the beautiful depths of her eyes, Desmond tripped on his own feet, but managed to regain his balance before anything too embarrassing occurred.

She guided him to the dance floor, and he placed his hand on her hip, feeling her warmth through the satin of the dress. Up close, she radiated a delicious sexuality, but more interestingly--she seemed vulnerable. He smiled at her reassuringly and took her hand in his other hand.

She was a good dancer, matching him step for step and even adding her own flourishes. He loved the way she moved across the floor, and he was aware that people were watching them. He twirled her once, twice, then brought her close, delighting in the flush that spread across her cheeks.

"Not so shy anymore, are you?" she teased, her eyes sparkling.

"You're beautiful," he murmured in her ear, tightening his hold on her hip. "Enchanting."

"Why, thank you," she said. "What sweet words."

Too soon the song finished, and he squired her back to Valis, who looked even more bored than before.

"Did you see?" said Pandora. "He was a better dancer than you thought. You owe me ten dollars."

"Yes, I suppose so," said Valis, smiling.

"And have you met Mr. Logan yet?" said Pandora, peering behind him. "He's the director of security for our group."

Desmond turned to see a short, stocky man with an absurd hairdo approaching them. "Valis, Pandora," he said gruffly.

"This is Desmond," said Pandora. "We've only just met."

Mr. Logan ignored him completely. "Something's up," he snarled. "We need to get out of here."

"But I've only danced once," said Pandora.

"You can do your dancing later," said Mr. Logan, pulling a cigar from his pocket and lighting it.

"Blech," said Valis. "C'mon, let's go, Pandora."

"Wait," said Desmond. "Will I see you again?"

Pandora smiled and stepped forward, pressing her lips to his cheek. "Sooner than you think," she promised.

He watched as she left, her high heels clicking on the dance floor. A part of him wanted to chase after her and give her a much more thorough kiss.

[pandora-nervosa.livejournal.com]

Woo hoo!!!! Mr. Logan? Rawr! I know who that is.! /sing-song voice. I'd be surprised if Valis doesn't have that piece on the side along with Sawyer. ~g~

Pandora smiled and stepped forward, pressing her lips to his cheek. "Sooner than you think," she promised.

Sa-Weet!

And I'm also very intrigued on why the girls have security. Hmm...what's going on with that?

May I pimp this in my journal or do you want to keep it under wraps? Our little secret?

Using Mr. Logan with cigar icon just for you. ~g~

::loves you so much!!!!::

OMG, Lost in 3 minutes!!

Squee!

[valis2.livejournal.com]

I'm writing this during the commercial break, of course...lol!

Oh yeah, pimp it if you feel like it, hee! Not that many people will enjoy it besides ourselves, I would think...

Desmond took another sip of his scotch.

"Mind if I take this seat?"

He turned to look as a stunningly beautiful woman sat down next to him.

"Yes, of course, go ahead," he said, staring at her.

"I couldn't help but notice your performance on the dance floor," she said, smiling at him as she sat down. "White wine," she said, gesturing to the bartender.

"My performance? Barely adequate," he said, smiling.

"So how long have you known Pandora?" she asked, a little too casually.

Alarms rang in his head. "I've only just met her," he said cautiously.

"Perhaps I should introduce myself," said the woman, stretching out her hand. "I am Yuriko Oyama."

"A pleasure to meet you," said Desmond.

"To new acquaintances," said Yuriko, clinking her glass against his.

"Yes, new acquaintances," he said, drinking and thinking of Pandora, of the lovely red dress she had worn, the gorgeous color of her eyes.

"Last round," said the bartender.

It seemed early for that, but as it was a private event, they were entirely within their rights. Desmond drained his drink and nodded to Yuriko.

She did the same, following him from the bar and across the dance floor.

"May I give you a piece of advice?" she said, her tone light and casual.

"I...certainly," he said as they reached the door.

"Never share a drink with your enemy." She smiled, and the world tilted and spun as it turned black.

[pandora-nervosa.livejournal.com]

Oh, nice Yuriko insert! Wow...Lady Deathstrike! What the fuck does she want with my Desmond????

This is so good. You are made of serious WIN!!! And it's not even my birthday until September! Squee!

I'm serious - this makes me so happy and I'm so incredibly intrigued! Very cool. Your mind is amazing.

♥

And on another note - is Penneh on the island? WTF? Ben can't kill Penneh! Desmond will eat his heart for lunch!

[valis2.livejournal.com]

Had to continue on a new thread--I hate it when they get scrunched up on the side of the screen.

Desmond felt light-headed. He blinked, trying to clear his eyes. Where was he? His head spun as he tried to recollect what had happened.

"Ah, you are awake." A woman's voice.

"Where..." He coughed. "Where am I? What happened?" He opened his eyes and tried to focus. The woman in front of him seemed familiar. Yuko? No, Yukiro. That was her name.

"I wanted to finish our conversation, Mr. Hume," she said pleasantly.

"Conversation?" he asked, still dazed. He moved his arm, thinking to rub his eyes, but felt a chill race through his spine when he heard the scrape of metal against wood, and realized that his hands were handcuffed behind him. He was seated in a chair with arms, in a room with no discernible door.

"Yes, our conversation," she said, stepping closer. "We were speaking of your dancing partner. You remember...the woman in red."

Completely confused, and frightened, he blurted out, "Pandora?"

"Tell me everything you know about her," said Yuriko. She held out her hand, and he watched in horror as several blades grew out of the ends of her fingers.

"What the hell--" His feet scrabbled on the floor, trying to push the chair backward, but it was bolted down. "What the hell are you?!"

"What am I?" said Yuriko. "I am a woman who is rapidly losing her patience." She lifted her other hand and more blades shot into place. "They are quite sharp, Mr. Hume. Make no mistake; I am more than willing to use them should you prove recalcitrant."

Desmond could only stare in abject terror as she drew closer still.

[pandora-nervosa.livejournal.com]

OMG, I've had the shittiest day and this makes it all better! What on earth does Yuriko want with Pandora?? Where does Mr. Logan fit in? Is she going to hurt Desmond? (She'd better not!!) Is Pandora a mutant and going to come in and save his ass?

This is soooo good! Squee!

Seriously, this is the bestest gift I've gotten in a very long time.

::loves you tremendously::

[valis2.livejournal.com]

I am totally supposed to be in bed right now, but I can't resist one last little bit, as I won't be back until laaate Sunday night...

"There is no need to be frightened," said Yuriko. "Tell me what I wish to know, and you will walk away."

"I don't know anything!" He couldn't lean back any farther. "I danced with her, that's all! I just met her!"

"You looked very comfortable together, for having just met," she said, laying a hand on his thigh.

"I did! Sweet Jesus, I just met her, I've never met her before, I have no idea who she is!" His breath was coming in gasps.

"I don't believe you." She frowned.

There was a noise like an explosion behind him, and he was thrown forward in the chair, his hair whipping into his face. He felt a warm hand and cold knives against his neck.

"Stop or I will kill him!" shouted Yuriko. He could feel the tension in her fingers. He held his breath.

"Kill him, and I'll tear you apart with my bare hands," came a woman's voice.

There was a strange tingling in his neck, an almost electric wave between his flesh and the blades.

"Step away from him," said the woman, who sounded like Pandora.

"Come any closer and I will--" Yuriko gasped, yanking her hand away from his throat as if she'd been shocked.

Mr. Logan jumped past him, preternaturally fast, and he threw Yuriko to the ground. Desmond gasped when he saw long blades protruding from between his fingers. Yuriko sprang up again in a cartwheel, striking the wall behind her with her foot, and a doorway suddenly sank into view.

"Get her!" shouted Pandora from behind him.

Mr. Logan made a leap for the door, but it was too late--Yuriko had slid inside, and it vanished behind her. He cursed vociferously.

A warm hand was on Desmond's wrist, and he heard a click before the handcuffs clattered to the floor. Pandora knelt down next to him. "Are you all right?"

"What is going on?" asked Desmond, shaking. "Who was she? Who are you people?"

"Are you all right?" She looked very concerned, checking his neck.

"I told you my force field would come in handy," said Valis, coming around the other side of the chair. She looked downright smug. "See? Not a scratch."

"We're part of a secret organization," said Pandora. "We're allied with the Dharma Relief Fund..."

"For now," said Mr. Logan gruffly, still checking the wall.

"We can't explain things here," she said, touching his cheek gently, as if looking for bruises. "But I give you my word that if you come with us--if you come with me--we will tell you everything."

This was crazy. This was more than crazy--it was insane smothered in crazy. But something within him wanted to go with her. Something within him trusted her.

"Yes," he said quietly. "Yes, I'll go with you."

"Damn it, that's another ten dollars I owe you," grumbled Valis.

Pandora took his hand in hers and led him out of the room.

[pandora-nervosa.livejournal.com]

You. Rock. My. World.

You are so feeding my inner geek! Desmond. Mutants. Logan. Snarky Valis! God, I love your lines in this!

"I told you my force field would come in handy," said Valis, coming around the other side of the chair. She looked downright smug. "See? Not a scratch."

Love it!

This was more than crazy--it was insane smothered in crazy.

My other favorite!

Thank you so much! And I'm glad you couldn't resist this last bit! Have a wonderful weekend, sweetie! I'm going to ponder just what i the hell is going on with these guys over the weekend. ~g~

♥ you!

[valis2.livejournal.com]

Thought I'd write a little bit before I jump in bed...oh, and I heard that Lost was Des-free. I'm glad because I completely missed it, lol. Sounds like it was a boring episode...

"This place is a maze," grumbled Valis.

"Quit yer whining," said Mr. Logan, his eyes scanning the six doorways.

"I swear I marked the door," said Pandora, hand on hip. "With my favorite lipstick, no less."

"You don't remember?" asked Desmond, looking behind him. He was quite unnerved, and couldn't stop looking behind him, expecting Yuriko to jump out at any moment.

"Is this your mark?" asked Valis. "It looks like Gomez Addams."

"Oh, yes! That's it!" she said, delight crossing her face. "Let's get out of here."

Mr. Logan opened the door, gesturing to them to stay back. After a few moments, he gave them the okay sign, and they followed obediently.

There was a splashing sound. "Ick!" said Valis, who was in front of them. "Ugh, Pandora, our shoes are going to be ruined."

"It won't be the first time," said Pandora.

"It could be the last time if you both don't shut up," snarled Mr. Logan, who seemed to be increasingly on edge. "Things don't smell right," he added.

Desmond looked at Pandora.

"He's always like this," she said reassuringly. "It's okay, we'll be to the jet soon."

"Jet?" He was flabbergasted. "Your group has a jet?"

"Yeah, but no cupholders," said Valis. "And you'd better have some Dramamine when Wolverine here pilots..."

Mr. Logan snorted.

"Wolverine? Is that your nickname?" asked Desmond.

Pandora giggled. "No, that's Logan's code name."

"A particularly apt one, if you ask me," added Valis. "The only better one would have been Surly Bastard...it must have been taken already."

Suddenly Mr. Logan--er, Wolverine--held up his hand, and they all stopped. Desmond barely dared to breathe.

He couldn't hear anything. His feet were cold and wet from the standing water on the stone floor.

"You'd better charge up, Pandora," said Wolverine softly.

"I can't, Logan," she whispered. "We're standing in water."

There was a sudden flash from farther on in the dark, and after he heard the accompanying noise Desmond was horrified to realize that it was gunfire.

[pandora-nervosa.livejournal.com]

Crap, how did I miss this?? Sa-weet! God, how I love this!

"Yeah, but no cupholders,"

LMAO!

Oh, I'm so going to just let you move in with me, mkay?

God, this makes my day so loveleh! My week has been horrid - nasty headache for a fucking week solid! This makes me a very happy girl!

::loves loves loves::

[valis2.livejournal.com]

Desmond's first instinct was to grab Pandora and throw her to the ground, shielding her, but there was no time to react.

A strange, unsettling feeling filled the corridor, making the hairs on the back of his neck stand up. Valis stood, hand outstretched, and a strange, thick film seemed to materialize between them and the gunfire.

He could hear shots ricochet off the translucent film.

"If I position it just right, they end up shooting themselves!" said Valis enthusiastically.

Desmond blinked. A force field?

"We need to get past them," said Pandora. "The jet is on the other side."

"How much ammo could they have?" asked Valis.

"A lot," said Wolverine. "Pandora, can you back up to a higher spot? Valis can drop the shield and then you can hit 'em."

"I think I can reach them," said Pandora. "But that would be difficult to aim--I'd certainly hit Valis."

Suddenly the gunfire stopped.

"Let's just get closer to them," said Valis. "I'll move the shield with us. Tricky, but as long as we all stay in the center of the corridor..."

Pandora gripped his arm, pulling him close. "We're ready."

Valis started walking forward, the force field moving in front of her. Wolverine walked next to her, his head moving as he scanned from left to right.

The corridor grew slippery. The water was getting deeper, and Desmond nearly lost his shoe.

"I don't remember walking through water when we came through the first time," said Wolverine.

Pandora looked troubled. "Nor I."

"I don't see anyone--" began Valis.

There was a tremendous roar, and suddenly the wall to their left exploded. Chunks of masonry rained down on the force field that Valis hastily shifted into place.

"Where you think you're going?" shouted a voice.

Desmond nearly gasped as a huge man-shaped thing came through the wall.

"Damnit," said Pandora. "Blob."

"Pandora," said Blob. "Shocking to meet you here."

"Ha, ha," she said, putting her hand on her hip. She gave an arrogant toss of her hair. "Just crawl back to the hole you crept out of."

"First we have a little score to settle." He smiled, baring teeth.

Desmond could not help but want to back away from the giant, rotund man. Despite his comical appearance, he could sense that Blob was bad news.

"Oh?" said Pandora. "So I scorched your shorts. Big deal."

There were shouts from the tunnel, and Desmond noticed that Wolverine had left them, and that Valis's force field had grown much smaller.

"I'm so sorry, we don't have time to entertain you," said Valis. "We have a flight to catch."

"We'll have to tango some other time," said Pandora sweetly. She tugged on Desmond's arm and began pulling him along.

"You'll make time, bitch," said Blob. "Don't think you can just walk away."

"But that's exactly what we're doing," said Pandora. She turned away, and Desmond felt a cold frisson of fear chase down his spine.

"Don't you turn away!" roared Blob.

[pandora-nervosa.livejournal.com]

"If I position it just right, they end up shooting themselves!"

Ha ha ha! Bloodthirsty wench! Love it!

You'll make time, bitch," said Blob. "Don't think you can just walk away."

"But that's exactly what we're doing," said Pandora. She turned away, and Desmond felt a cold frisson of fear chase down his spine.


Ooo...I'm so casual under pressure...lol. OMG, do you think Desmond has wet his pants yet? Poor baby. He's going to need some serious sexing to make him forget all of this...lol.

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

I so love you!!!

[valis2.livejournal.com]

There was a terrible roaring and the lights went out. Desmond slipped and went down hard, his arm slipping out of Pandora's grasp. His head struck the floor, water stinging his eyes and getting into his ears. Choking, he tried to get up, only to slip again.

"Take my hand." He could hear Pandora, and he desperately reached out to her, his eyes blinking uselessly in the dark. Her hand grabbed his, and she hauled him to his feet and tugged him forward. "Quickly!" she whispered in his ear.

There were flashes of gunfire, and he could hear screams and curses behind them and in front of them. He was scared to death but could do nothing but trust in the woman who held his hand--and his life--in her hand.

He slipped again and nearly took them both down, but she pulled him up again. How is she doing this in heels? flashed through his head.

"Almost there," she murmured. "It's not long--just stay with me, stay with me..."

A howl of rage behind them, more crashing and bursts of gunfire, but they kept moving forward.

"Slow down--the door's coming up--" There was a pause. "Stop...we're here. Let go of me, for just a moment...and close your eyes..."

If anyone else had asked him, he would have said no without skipping a beat. But he had come this far--she had saved him--he closed his eyes and let go of her hand reluctantly.

He could see a flash even from behind his eyelids, and a sharp smell of ozone filled the air. Crackling noises erupted.

"It's safe to open them again," said Pandora.

She was in front of him, and he could see her in the dim light from an open door. A keycard scanner mounted on the wall next to it was burnt and smoking.

"Let's go," she said, taking his hand and giving him another beautiful smile.

I would follow her anywhere, he realized.

[pandora-nervosa.livejournal.com]

You are so made of fabulous. So it would hurt his eyes to see my mutant abilities? This is so cool! I'm just all about it now and wish I could draw because I would illustrate the shit out of it...lol. I so suck at being artistic. :(

This is so much fun! ♥

[valis2.livejournal.com]

Writing this has been all kinds of fun. It's really nice not to obsess over every single word, y'know? <3

Desmond buckled his seatbelt, his fingers trembling. He still couldn't wrap his mind around the fact that he had just been dancing at a Dharma party, and he was now on the run, being chased by a man the size of Rhode Island, and was about to jet away to some strange location.

Pandora took the seat next to him, but her eyes kept wandering to the door, presumably worried about her missing companions.

"I'm sure they'll get away from him," he said.

She smiled. "Thank you, Desmond. Thank you for staying with me through everything."

"Yes," he said. "Of course." He caught her eyes, staring deeply into them, feeling his nervousness fade.

"You'd better give us a better takeoff this time," grumbled Valis as she walked up the ramp.

"Enough of your lip," said Wolverine, striding forward to the controls. Valis closed the hatch behind them. She looked a bit worse for wear--the green gown had become a mini-skirt at some point during the proceedings--but settled down into a seat across from them.

"Blob and Lady Deathstrike," said Pandora.

"It is weird, isn't it?" said Valis, pulling off one shredded glove and tossing it on the floor.

"Lady who?" asked Desmond.

"Yuriko," said Pandora. "She was interrogating you."

"Ah." He checked the seatbelt again as the engines roared to life. "She was asking me about you."

"Well, at least she has good taste," said Pandora.

"Where's my complimentary bag of peanuts?" asked Valis.

"We've discontinued that service," growled Wolverine.

"We're going to the Manor," said Pandora, focusing on Desmond once again. "I know you've been incredibly patient so far, but I would ask for just a little more time. When we get there, it will all be explained to you..."

He hesitated, and nodded. He could not believe that she had anything but the best motives.

"Watch out for the turbulence," said Wolverine, and Valis, who hadn't buckled in, fell out of her chair.

"You did that on purpose!" she yelled.

"Yep." He didn't look the least bit sorry.

[pandora-nervosa.livejournal.com]

Writing this has been all kinds of fun. It's really nice not to obsess over every single word, y'know?

Oh, I'm so glad! I thought I was just hounding you for more and you were all, "Bitch, please!" This is so much fun to read! God, I love it.

I so totally think despite the fact that Valis has Sawyer somewhere on a leash, she's totally fucked Logan at some point. You so had him, didn't you. ;p Too much tension there, baby!

I so love this!!!

♥

[valis2.livejournal.com]

Normally I overthink everything, so this is a wonderful way to practice and to just "let go" and write. I mean, this is all just invented on the spot (I'm sure you can tell, lol).

After the flight was over, he found himself shuttled through a mansion, quickly losing track of where he was in the bewildering array of tunnels and corridors. Pandora stayed by his side until they arrived at a guest room, where she told him to wait for her.

The room was comfortable, the furnishings were understated and elegant, and the bed was quite soft. He sat down on it, intending to wait for her to return from her debriefing, but one thing led to another and he ended up lying down, only to drift off soon afterwards.

He dreamt of red silk, lush and warm, of blue eyes that haunted him, of sweet embraces.

"Desmond?"

He woke to find Pandora standing next to the bed, a look of disbelief on her face.

"Did you fall asleep?" She laughed at that. "You poor thing, you must be tired."

He rubbed his eyes with the back of his hand and sat up. "Did your...debriefing go as planned?"

"Yes," she said. "We're all a little worried about you."

"Me?" he said in disbelief.

"Yes, you. Clearly they are more than a little desperate to draw me out, as they proved last night. Lady Deathstrike would normally not involve herself in such a situation."

"Where are we? What is this group you belong to?" He couldn't help the questions that poured out of him. "How can you...do the things you do?"

"Have you ever heard of mutants?" asked Pandora.

He shook his head.

"We're mutated humans," she said frankly. "We have unusual powers. Some of us gravitate to the side of good, or at least not evil, and some of us use our powers for evil. You're at the home of one of the most powerful mutants, someone who has worked tirelessly for good for decades."

"This mansion is his home?"

"Yes. It's a school, too, for young mutants." She looked him in the eyes. "We rarely let anyone see it. It's much too dangerous--there are a lot of humans who would prefer it destroyed."

He shook his head to clear it. "I'm not certain what to think. It sounds like a comic book."

"Yes," she said simply. "I know. But this is my life. Welcome to it."

[valis2.livejournal.com]

If you missed the last installment, it's above...

"I don't know what to think," he admitted.

"Yes, that's understandable." She sat down on the bed next to him. "This is a very strange situation."

"Those blades..." He shivered.

"Lady Deathstrike and Wolverine are alike." Pandora placed her hand over his, and it was warm and comforting. "Their bones are reinforced with a rather amazing metal called adamantium. It's nearly indestructible. Their blades can cut through almost anything."

He shivered again. "She wanted...to kill me."

"She was hoping that I had shared information with you. Or that I had made plans to meet you again..."

He thought for a long moment. "Your...ability..."

"My mutation is electrical in nature," she said. "I can control electricity within my body, and direct it outside of my body."

"Like a lightning bolt?"

"Well, only if I've been building it up for a very long time." She smiled slyly. "But it is enough to knock people off their feet, usually."

"You knocked me off my feet," he said. "As soon as I saw you, my heart stopped."

"I hope it started again."

"Eventually."

"Otherwise I'd have to shock it again." She drew closer to him.

"I'm not certain I could handle it."

"I think you can handle it. And more."

And then she was kissing him, her lips warm and lithe against his, her hand reaching up into his hair to pull him closer. He responded, his own hand snaking around to her waist, stroking her gently through the red silk of her dress. She made a little sound and he tightened his fingers, loving the feel of her.

She broke the kiss, pulling back, her cheeks flushed. "My, my. You were worth saving." Again, the sly smile returned to her face.

"Thank you," he said earnestly. "I think I would not have left in one piece without your help."

She nodded, running a hand through her hair. "You're welcome."

He knew, in his heart, that he had nowhere to run; he had to stay with her to stay safe. But he couldn't imagine wanted to be anywhere else.

[pandora-nervosa.livejournal.com]

This fic is my crack. I swear to God.

Two installments? Squee!!!!!!!

This is so much fun! It shouldn't be legal...lol.

♥ you so much!

[valis2.livejournal.com]

And...in honor of your birthday...an update!

Desmond looked deeply into Pandora's eyes, and knew he wanted to kiss her again. And more.

There was a knock at the door, and it opened, revealing Valis, who had changed into a red shirt and red jeans. "You two are kissing already?!" she said incredulously. "I mean, we always knew you worked fast, Pandora, but wow..."

Pandora arched an elegant eyebrow. "Is there some reason you're here?" she said. "Some vital bit of information you might have been sent to relay?" Her tone was a bit frosty.

"Now that you mention it..." She tucked a stray bit of hair behind her ear. "The big guy wants to see you. Both of you, actually."

Pandora took his hand and stood up. "I had thought he might," she said. She squeezed his hand. "There's nothing to worry about. Professor Xavier is the most honorable mutant I've ever met."

"Y'know what would be hilarious?" said Valis. "It would be so funny if it turned out that Desmond was a mutant too. Like, his ability was really latent, and only just manifests itself now, and it's something really far-out, like conjuring grilled-cheese sandwiches out of thin air..."

"Sawyer can do that too," said Pandora in a mock-sweet way. "Perhaps you should check the kitchen."

"Yes, but Sawyer has to have, you know, cheese and bread to do that."

"Which, conveniently enough, are both in the kitchen." Pandora gave her a meaningful look.

"Ugh, you're no fun," complained Valis. "Besides, I'm supposed to accompany you." She walked back out the door.

"Let's go," said Pandora, turning and giving him a chaste kiss on the cheek. "We can pick up where we left off later." They followed Valis down the winding halls.

To say that Professor Xavier was not what Desmond was expecting was an understatement. He had imagined a huge man with energy crackling around him, and was surprised to see that Xavier was bald, slight, and in a wheelchair.

"Won't you have a seat?" asked the Professor. After they were all seated, and Xavier was back behind his desk, Xavier placed his hands on the desktop and looked at Desmond. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Desmond. I've heard all about your adventure last night, and I apologize for all that you've been through."

"A pleasure to meet you too, Professor," said Desmond, unable to completely dismiss his unease. "I'm thankful that Pandora--er, I mean both the ladies were there. Oh, and Mr. Logan. Otherwise I don't think I would have left alive." He shuddered, thinking of Yuriko and her blades.

"Forgive me for bringing unpleasant memories to the surface," said the Professor kindly. "But this is the precise reason that I need to speak with you. Your safety is now our concern, and I wanted to inform you of the various choices that are before you..."

Desmond listened as Xavier listed his options. Stay on at the mansion as a "friend," and help out; go back out into the world and stay with the Dharma Relief Fund, where there were several mutants with ties to the X-Men who would keep close tabs on him; or back to the real world and sever all contact with the X-Men for his own safety.

"I know that this is quite a lot to digest," said Xavier. "You needn't make your decision this instant. Spend some time here, observe our lives, and then you can make a more informed decision. Valis, please stop thinking of grilled cheese sandwiches, you're making me hungry."

"Aww," said Valis.

"Thank you very much, sir," said Desmond.

"I'll just show him around," said Pandora, smiling.

"I know what that means," said Valis, giggling. "I'm off to the kitchens. Have fun, you two."

"Let's go back to your room, first," said Pandora, leading the way. "It's better to use that as a central point on our tour." She smiled slyly.

[valis2.livejournal.com]

"How long have you lived here?" asked Desmond as they walked down a long, wood-paneled corridor.

"Since my power materialized," said Pandora, her arm looped through his. "I was twelve."

"Twelve?" he said, surprised.

"Some mutant powers manifest themselves at the onset of adolescence," she said. "Mine did so in a rather spectacular manner. I set off a lightning bolt that hit a tree in our backyard and incinerated it."

"Your parents must have been upset."

"They called me a freak and that was the end of it," said Pandora. She smiled at him. "They're no longer my family. My new family began here. Professor X, Storm, Jean Grey, Valis...they're my family, now."

"I see." They walked down another corridor, and took another turn. "Do you...like it here?"

"Of course," she said. "We don't leave very often--the outside world doesn't really understand or tolerate mutants well. But it isn't a prison. There's always something that needs doing, or children to teach...and the grounds are enormous. We have plenty of room...for all sorts of activities." She gave him a wicked grin. "Ah, and here we are, at your door. Perhaps you'll be wanting a shower before we embark on the tour?"

A shower sounded wonderful. He nodded, opening the door, and she followed him in, closing the door behind her. Putting her cool hand on the back of his neck, she brought his face close to hers and kissed him again, her lips soft and sweet against his own.

"I'll be back," she said, and turned to leave.

He entered the bathroom and stripped off his clothing, noticing that his pants were ruined. The water they'd slogged through last night had not necessarily been clean.

The hot water of the shower was more than relaxing--it was cleansing. He let it pour over his body, closing his eyes and trying to forget about Yuriko and her frightening hands.

He turned the water off, and pulled a large fluffy towel from the rack. Sponging the water off his body, he absently opened the door, hoping to cool down the bathroom, which was full of steam.

"What a view," said Pandora, and he looked up in surprise. Her eyes were taking in every inch of his nakedness, and he blushed with what felt like his entire body. "My goodness. Or should I say, my badness...perhaps we might consider delaying our tour just a bit more..."