Where There's Smoke There's Fire

A Late Interruption

Somewhere around 11:30, I hear a knock on my hotel door. I guessed it was Jeff coming to tell me to go to bed so I called out, "It's open."

"I'll be in bed soon," I mumbled, still reading the files Luther sent me. It had taken a while for him to crack it, but he always delivers.

"I was sort of hoping you would stay up a little longer." Frank said as he came in.

"What are you doing here? I thought you had gone to bed."

He eased himself onto the couch beside me. "Couldn't sleep. I thought I'd come over and keep you company."

"I was just reading some old files on Mirage."

"Oh? May I?" He asked with interest.

"I suppose so," I turned my laptop to face him.

After a few minutes of reading he said, "It's good that they kept such close tabs on Mirage." Frank settled back on the couch, his gaze was one of contemplative thought.

"I agree. Its made our job easier, anyway."

He pulled my legs over his and laid a hand on my knee. After a second of hesitation, I shrugged. There's nothing wrong with cuddling.

"Your eyes are beautiful,"

"Wow, how original," I roll my eyes.

"Come here," His arms enveloped my body, drawing me into a passionate kiss. Soon I was being pushed into the couch cushions and Frank was toying with my jeans. His hands slithered into my shirt and started to tug it upwards. I vaguely heard him mumbling curses when it became stuck.

My shirt was slipping past my head when I came to my senses. I grabbed the cloth, pulled it back over myself and sat up abruptly.

"No no no, that's not allowed." I say as I push him off of me and stand up.

"Oh? You looked like you were enjoying it." He said with a coy smile.

"No, well, yes. But that's beside the point."

He gave a low chuckle as he pushed himself off the couch. "You can't fool me, Lola. I know exactly what you want. You, my dear, are guilty of nothing more than seeking the adult satisfaction of an adult desire."

"You think you know me so well, hmm?" I said as I tied my hair back in a ponytail.

"I know your type. It's always the same."

His comment made me angry. "My type? That's an age-old discussion. One that is not worth having at this time of night."

"Your type," He continued, "is the type that pretends to be immoral, earthly, call it what you will, but you will always do the proper thing in the end. You never cross the line. Fend off my advances, refuse my ghastly attempts at seducing you, your innocent façade is impregnable. I find it revolting."

"Revolting? To have a moral standard, unlike yourself, who would sleep with whoever passed you by?" I said with rising frustration.

"I have standards, they're just more sensible than yours and allow more freedom. A man has a right to his desires."

"And therefore has a right to the person he desires, is that it?"

He blinked, and sat back onto the couch. He rested his head on his fist and stared at me. "The person? Now that comes back to the debate of free will and all that rot, now doesn't it? If I have complete and utter free will, then yes I have a right to the person I desire. The only catch would be that they also posses free will and could therefor usurp my right to them."

"I don't believe anyone has a right to another person's body, no matter what their desire."

Frank smiled. "That's were our opinions differ, my dear." He grasped my hand and pulled me into his body. "I believe I have the right to satiate my desires. The only problem is that you are hesitant to satisfy yours. But that can be changed." He stroked the back of my neck and kissed me gently. I could feel my resolve slipping.

"Your ruining me with your stupid theories. Go to bed you little devil, before my resolve melts." I mumbled. I didn't want him to go.

"Make me," He whispered as he nibbled my ear. He leaned into me and we fell to the floor. I winced upon impact and he smothered me with kisses. "I knew you wouldn't last long." He chuckled.

"Go away, or you'll get me into trouble,"

"I like trouble, you will too soon enough," His lips moved to my neck.

"So what's your type?" A soft moan escaped my lips and I wished I could take it back. Frank can't win, not against me.

"I make your type fall at my feet. One day, I'll have conquered you as well, my dear Lola."

His voice was alarming. It wasn't his usual low, quiet voice. It was gravely and strange. This was the voice of a mad man.

I tried to move away but his grip on me did not loosen.

"Frank let me go," He bit my lip as he kissed me, drawing the slightest amount of blood. "....st...stop..." I muttered, barely being able to breath let alone speak.

He laughed against my mouth. It was an insane growl of a laugh.

Then I heard knocking coming from the front door.

We both froze.