Star's Notes:Revamped and Repost 8/09.

Thank you guys in my headandxxCarpeNotemxx

Disclaimer: I do not own Mercy Thompson series.

xXx

Ironed Kissed

By
Patricia Briggs

Adam dropped down beside the bed as if he were too tired to stand. With the same suddenness, though I thought I was more than adequately hidden, he reached out and grabbed me by the scruff of the neck and pulled me out from under the bed and onto his lap.

I shivered, torn between the knowledge that I didn't deserve his touch and the tentative understanding that he didn't blame me, no matter how much I thought he should.

"My father always told me that when I heard good advice, I needed to listen to it." He said.

He continued to hold me firmly by the scruff of the neck with one hand, but the other caressed my face. "We're going to wait for a talk until that stuff has worn off completely." His caress stopped. "Don't misunderstand me, Mercedes Thompson. I am mad at you."

He bit my nose once, hard. Wolves do that to discipline their young – or misbehaving members of the pack. Then he tipped his head so it rested on mine and sighed.

"Not your fault," He told me. "But I'm still mad as … mad as heck that you scared me like that.

"Darn it Mercy, who would have thought that a pair of humans cause all this misery? Even if you had called me, I wouldn't have objected to you going… at least not because of I thought it was dangerous. I wouldn't have sent a guard with you just to go talk to some human." He put his face against my neck then gave a half laugh. "You smell like my aftershave."

Hard arms pulled me tightly against him as he said in a quiet voice, "It's only fair to warn you that you sealed your fate tonight. When you knew you were in trouble, you came to me. That makes twice, Mercy, and twice is almost as good as a declaration. You are mine now."

His hands, which had been moving in circles in my fur, stopped and took a good hold. "Ben says you might run. If you do, I will find you and bring you back. Every time you do run, Mercy. I won't force you, but… I won't leave or let you leave either. If you can fight that cursed fairy drink, you can certainly overcome my advantage being an Alpha gives me if you really want to. No more excuses, Mercy.You are mine, and I'm keeping you."

xXx

Runaway Coyote:

Life After TriCities

xXx

Grumbling, I let my head fall against the counter while I mentally counted how many days of sleep I lost because of that dream-memory. I guess running wasn't the best plan I could have come up with, not that I had any. It had been at least four, almost five month since that day. I am still uncertain how I managed to run and hide; too many things, too many doubts. I sometimes look over my shoulder expecting to see him there.

Maybe even hoping he'll be there.

I rubbed my hands together before I started to flip idly through an old magazine; my eyes kept darting over to the garage door. Running wasn't so bad. Well, that's what I told myself. I managed to get a job in mechanic shop. Yeah, a big let down from owning my own shop but at least now I didn't have to worry about paying Zee.

Snorting, I knew that it was a bad idea. Especially knowing that this might be the first place they'll come looking for me. That is if they came... if he came. Maybe that was the reason I was here. I was not hiding but waiting to see if his word spoke truth.

Silly though, I knew better he might not want me anymore. Maybe he already had someone else. Just let it go Mercy. Snapping out of my thoughts my eyes wander to the customer making his way across the garage to stand beside the counter.

"Hello there. I am here to pick up my car. You're Thompson correct? I heard a lot from James and he say your hands are like magic." He rub the back of his neck nervously uncertain what to say.

Giving him my best forced smile, I slide off the seat heading to the backroom. Picking up a set of key attached with a few papers.

"So you're Michel Patterson. I need you to sing some papers before I can release the car to you." I told him, handing over a small pile of papers.

He nervously reached out for them, eying me briefly. Just as he did I shiver at the sudden the sudden urge to crawl under the counter and hide. It took all my self control to keep me in place. And just like that, my senses went at high alert at the sudden change.

My eyes snap to the corner, catching sight of a dark silhouette. Michael froze, glancing up from the paper work as if he had realized something. Following my gaze to the corner he trembled and I could smell the faint stench of fear starting to imitate off him.

Scrunching my nose at the sudden bitter scent, I lean away from him and fixed my eyes back to the corner to see nothing. My eyes snap back to Michael to see him stumbled back and laughed, trying to masks his fear.

"Sorry about that though I saw something. Must have been my eyes playing tricks on me" His words were quick and hasty as his eyes fix back on me.

Nodding at his word I keep my expression neutral as if nothing had occurred. I knew he was lying but I wasn't going to tell him otherwise. Shakily he finished signing the papers, giving me the payment. Quickly heading off to an important appointment he had scheduled; another lie but I let it slide.

As soon as he disappeared from sight, my eyes narrowed. It seemed that everywhere I went there was some sort of business to take care of. Coyote business that is. Pacing to the corner I crouch down to sniff the air, hatred and rage.

Cranking my neck back, I glanced at the clock. It read fifteen minutes past seven. It was time to close the shop. Grunting I busied myself with the garage door, the spare parts and fixed some paper. Just like that I headed out home as if nothing had happened, looking forward to spending some time with Medea.

In my hasty escape I left most of my things behind. I didn't mind leave everything. I don't own much. Medea and Rabbit were the only things I could not part with. Everything else I could easily buy at convince store. I am still not sure if I should count the walking stick as part of the things I brought with me. After all, it had willingly followed me from Tri-Cities.

Pulling up into an old rundown house decorated by varies styles of graffiti I smiled.

Home sweet home

Getting out of my car I made my way to the door not two steps out and I was already greeted by a trio of shabby looking kids. They were what I would call "wannabe gangsters", running around causing trouble. Despite the way they acted they very nice and decent kids. Just born in the wrong neighborhood.

I had seen them around the neighborhood before. I ignored them and they ignored me. I helped them out a week or two after I moved in. Because of that, they sort of saw me as there big sis and came to me for help of any sort. I was considered the only adult that could help them and could understand them. In part it was true, I liked to help or as most would say stick my nose into trouble. It was my nature and I had more than a few bruise to prove it.

"Yo sis! Ain't it a bit late for you to be out?" called out the oldest of the three standing up. His hands were stuck in his pockets trying to look harmless.

Smirking, I crossed my arms over my chest and tried to look menacing "Well, that depends. Are you here to visit me or did you guys get in trouble...again?"

"Aw! Come on Big Sis! It wasn't our fault they were messing with my lil' sis. You met her. She's harmless!"

Looking back to the two still sitting down I shifted in place.

"Yeah, yeah. I know" Shaking my head I went past them, unlocking the door.

I turned to them. "Come on in. I am planning on making brownies."

With that I headed in leaving the door opened. Making my way to the kitchen I dropped my bag on the counter.

I stopped at the sudden texture of hair against my leg. I grinned at the sight of Medea rubbing against me. Scooping up a purring Medea, I rubbed my cheek against her for a moment before setting her back on the floor.

Turning on the lights, I proceeded to gather ingredients, pots and pans and placed them on the table. I nodded to the trio who had made themselves at home and sitting on the kitchen stools.

They watched as I mixed the ingredients. I waited for them to feel it was safe before I could ask any questions. Humming, I continue while studying them.

Jake was the oldest of the three. He had just barely turned eighteen last week. He had been the one that started the small gang around this neighborhood so people would stop messing with them. He was decent looking - about six feet tall, nice complexion, blond hair and hazel eyes. He was a ladies' man.

Mathew, or Matt for short, was the second oldest of the trio. He was pretty short compared to the other two, only measuring at about five feet and eight inches tall. He had recently turned seventeen. He had a nice tan complexion with auburn hair and hazel eyes. People often mistook him to be a player but he was more of quite guy that like to cause trouble.

Now Jim, or Jimmy as his closest friends call him, was the tallest of the three, reaching about six feet six inches. He had dark hair and a light complexion. He was a tad bit chubby and looked like a thug. Of course, he was a sweet heart.

"So Sis, what's with you and baking? I mean, I don't see you as the baking type. You know, with all em' cars."

Glaring, I huffed. "Well Jake, I would say the same for you. You don't look like much but you run a decent gang."

Huffing back at me he shifted in his seat, he crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow at me.

"Hey, hey I work hard for my gang. You know that."

"Whatever." I snorted at his comment and quickly looked over at them.

"Sooo, why are you guys here? I doubt it's something good."

Shifting on their seats, they kept looking away from me. The sour smell of guilt filled the room. Finally Jake turn to look at me and smile. His smile was stuck between mischievous and distressing.

Oh no, not good.

xXx

Star's End Notes:Small changes make a huge difference.