La tabla Giovanni (samuel)

[Samuel Banks-Walker]

Laughter and meal accomplished theybwhiled away a few moments longer when she suggested uber. He shook his head denying such a suggestion.

"No. Uber ever." The security risks outweighed the ease. If she asked which she doubted hed explain how he'd usurped their servers previously.

He didnt need to say to what ends but his onngoing war with the commissioner was finally over and the world at large was none the wiser.

He stucck out his thumb hailing one of the waiting taxis. As they enetered he guided them through Central park then to her abode circuitously. It required a franklin to which he tossed the cabbie two in addition of their tab. Exiting and truly alone he was all hands and intentions. Partially so as to lighten her liad of parcels and partially as a way to hav3 better access of her.

He had every intention of not only sating her but his own affections. He doubted th3yd be sleeping come break of day.

[Monica Davis-banks walker]

She had forgotten and blushed," sorry hun your right"

The cab ride was all mouths and hands.when they got to her door she unlocked it and let him wander while she put her food away. Then coats off and her smile as she went to her room peeling off her top.

Skirt dropped, boots and tights off. She stood at the end of her bed posed in sheer black demi cup bra and matching boy cuts trimmed in deep red scalloped lace. They molded to her frame the lean dancers frame with just enough curves and thickness.

Lip licked she watched him stalk towards her looking like the predator he was. Her heart sped palms got moist and belly tightened." I love when you look at me like that...like I'm something you want to devour and possess both at the same time"

Biting her lip she ran her hands over herself need palpable. When he took her to the mattress she whimpered. That's how the next few long hours began for them. Wrapping each other in passion and love. Storing it all for rain days.

[Nobody]

Cavorting as they were wont they met the rise of day still awake and midgame of man and woman... Fade to the bright light of day.

[Monica Davis-banks walker]

When she woke the feeling of warmth was the first thing then him solid and relaxed next to her. She grinned but then it hit her trying not to squirm but his arm was on her middle putting pressure on a very full whining bladder.

Finally she managed to squeeze out snd dash then return with a relieved sigh hands face washed. Watching him she smiled, he looked as if he belonged there among her mussed bed things and backed by a very full display of stuffed animals in various dance costume. Ballet, hip hop there was even mc hammer bear.

It was a small concession to the fact she had a soft heart loved dance and needed comfort occasionally after a bad day. He'd raised a brow his first time over because originally they had been on her full bed. He'd gotten herva bigger bed and some where else for the bears because otherwise he'd not want to spend the night.

She still chuckled at the time she managed to put her bigger ballet bear in his arms and snap a picture on her phone. He had growled and tickled her till she let him delete it. Looking to her phone she sighed. Grabbing her robe she went to call her mom.

Monica knew he would wake and look for her. So she started coffe and sat at the table with the cell." Mami it's moni..yeah yeah no I'm ok just wanted you to know first...ai no mami I'm not pregnant for goodness sake. No i just found out they accepted me into the federal marshals program. It means ill be in DC for like five months and get bigger cases..yes ma like the lady on tv with the vampire husband."

She wanted to bang her head on the table this conversation was torture and she could already hear the tears in her moms voice.

[Samuel Banks-Walker]

Sighing as she rose out of bed he took pleasure in not having his survivors senses kick in. He didn’t jump up ready to fight. He didn’t snap awake checking entrances and exits. No, none of that, he simply laid in her scent as she’d with one incessant push snuck from bed. He’d toyed with her keeping is arm in place until he’d felt her need. Once he heard the toilet flush and water begin he rolled over just so happening placing his further into her forest of bears. A smirk on his lips as he thought of how endearing her occasional want of them was. Not too mention he inhaled deeply of her. Quietly a thought began to percolate in the labyrinthine mind of his. One he knew he would follow up on soon enough.



Listening to her traipse through her apartment a bounce to her step he could hear from a mile away. She was light on her feet yet he could feel the way she moved. The scent of coffee filling the air he fought initially the call of day. The other world separate form their nation of two. He dreaded and appreciated in measure as without one theirs while priceless would be heaven without a hell. Sitting up slowly and all too gracefully for a man of his size he crept for bed into the restroom his feet barely touching the ground. As he flushed and washed he slipped form the bedroom following the wake of her warmth and scent of coffee. Preparing a cup for her and himself he didn’t slide into the table with her. He instead wrapped one arm around her hugging her sharing his warmth placing a kiss on her neck. It said he adored her and would be here but would leave her to this moment. Going to the window in her living room he stood one watching the street below as well as scanning the buildings near at hand.



He fought the urge to chuckle as looking down he spotted Abel leaning against the hood of his nest acquisition. It was a simple black sedan. At least o the surface. It was a retrofitted ambassadors car. He’d shipped it to Joe’s in Chicago to have its armoring redone as well is shocks and supports so as it didn’t sit low giving away its armored status. In the process it’d come back heavier with a more powerful engine and improved runflats. Abel was impressed and that was vote of confidence more than any other. He was waiting to hear from JJ so as to have it sent out once more to her so that her hacker Mr. Smith could improve its tech profile and counter measures. As it was it was analog as the transistor but it did its job. Abel had been itching to bring it out of mothballs but there was never a need to be that low profile.



Samuel supposed this was just the ticket. He also felt a twinge of disappointment that Abel knew exactly where he was and yet the Pride did not. Yes he’d kept himself shielded but even that he’d expected that his training would have opened the door for them to find him should the need such as slipping his guard detail ever arise. Yet no Pride member was on the street in fact as far as preternatural aside from the clearly not closeted witch adjacent to Moni’s apartment the area was basically empty as far as he could tell. He didn’t open his shields wide as that would have been a beacon but even as shielded as he was he knew the signs and not even the graffiti visible showed any activity.



So he sipped and did his best to not eavesdrop on Moni’s conversation it wasn’t easy to tune her out especially as he wanted to go ease her burden. He however remained where he was giving her the privacy needed to relay her news and deal with its fallout.

[Monica Davis-banks walker]

Felt him coming and grinned tgen the domesticated behavior had her trying not to giggle. His kiss made her want to groan hang up and return to bed. Wafching him hungrily then wincing because she'd missed a question " no..no mami please don't get abuela...arrrrgh"

She wanted to curse but then" hi abuela si..they are paying more..no i have to go train yes abuela i know. No not sure if there are any handsome male marshals"

Face in palm this was horrible, she looked at him like please just shoot me now." I promise that I will do everything I can to stay safe and alive do you have great grandchildren some day but I have to go pack and talk to the cheif..hug the babies for me..bye..no bye byeee"

Finally hanging up head to tablegroaning.

[Samuel Banks-Walker]

Hearing the conversation brought to a premature close he said nothing. He only knew vicariously what the normal familial ties and responsibilities were. He loved his blood and appreciated his Pride but he didn’t have such issues. He was the provider for his mother since he was still far too much a boy. Their roles had switched early enough on that he had no idea what any other was like. Then there was his brother whom he hadn’t believed alive until two-thousand five. " I am glad you told them now as it will give them time to properly plan your going away party." He said as he eased alongside her massaging her neck with his now free hands.



He meant it as he knew how much family meant to them. "Everyone will miss you and you will take all of that love doing your best excelling and becoming not just our hero, not just the cities hero, but the entirety of your new working regions hero. I know you will do great things and help many." As he spoke he worked down her centerline massaging away the acrobatics they’d gotten to as well as some of the tension form having to share such news with not only her mother but her grandmother.



Easing to a stop he retrieved his cup rinsing it and setting it in the sink to dry." The day beckons. And while we need to eat breakfast is not my strong suit." It was as close as he came to admitting he cooked like an army chef. Which while filling, and fortified wasn’t always the most appetizing.



“I’m thinking the Rodere owned Thai place not far from the federal building so we don’t have to rush so you can make your appointment to sign your contract and back to your precinct.” He said tossing out suggestions.

[Monica Davis-banks walker]

His nearness soothed her chapped nerves his words made her laugh" oh god your right they are going to go crazy"

Then his hands and oh yes she melted like warm butter small sounds falling from her mouth. It was hard for her to feel him slip away and despite the deeply satisfying night they had she felt her body warm. Sighing and tamping that down he was right they had things to do today.

She felt her eyes widening thinking, before hom she had liked sex well enough but it hadn't been so much a need. She'd go months even a year between relationships or lovers and never saught anyone out. He had her craving him like drugs. Was it a love thing? His prowess which was significant? Or a shifter thing?

Part of her wanted to know she felt it like a phantom in her mind. Standing " I can cook but rather go with your plan as if we don't shower and dress we won't leave today"

Giving him a clear and leisurely look over. His hero talk she slipped over to not mull it. She had Matt call her a cowboy that seemed to be theither side of the hero coin.

[Samuel Banks-Walker]

Knowing how much her emotions would get to her in the coming weeks he nodded at first then said, " Yes they will and you will hate and love every minute of it." He would do his best to minimize the separation anxiety but there was no way to do much else when it came to her departure. It was the right call for her and that’s what mattered. A portion of him thought back to her nerves when he gifted her such a dainty box earlier. He knew what the nerves could have been from but pushed it out of his conscious thoughts as he knew that yes he wanted her in his life for as far as he could see or dream. He also knew he would save her the harm of the full weight of his life if he could. The thought that came was would he walk away from the Pride especially now as he was not only their militis but their Rex.



As their militis he’d taught them loyalty he’d built their confidence. He’d whipped them into shape each willing at the behest of the Regina to sacrifice themselves for the other. He wondered could he ultimately make that choice, now. Smiling he went to her lifting her from her chair, “Well shower you say. Lets get dirty enough to need it. Holding her in his arms he lavished her his kisses making their way from her lips across her neck and collarbone and back. Supporting her he glided them towards her bathroom and eased them into her shower…

[Monica Davis-banks walker]

Surprised squeak but then she laughed and went with him. Soon the water had gotren cold and all over the floor. They got out and she quickly combed and rolled her hair in large rollers. Drying off whole asking his opinion on outfits.

He chose a charcoal jacket to go go over a deep jade knee length linen sheath dress. The jacket was close in shade to a pair of leather ankle boots with a low heel and silver chain detail. She put on silver understated jewelry but also donned her new pendant. Light makeup with a nude lipshade tucked in her purse for after breakfast.

Hair loosed and finger combed to bouncy waves of caramel shaded hair. She sighed and looked at him " do I look ok? I mean are the eyes to much..or the boois?"

She was nervous she wanted to impress them and look nice for him and her meeting with the cheif.

[Samuel Banks-Walker]

She was quickly grown into an addiction he had to admit. For him unlike most it wasn’t about feeding the beast but managing the duality of his nature and Monica seemed to have a rasp on how to appease both without ever putting herself or him at risk. Faster when speed was of the essence slower but never prey never fear. She trusted him moreso often enough than he trusted himself. He held no illusions as to how monstrous he could be. He did at times silently struggle with his grip on that other half of himself. It reared its head in small moments in ways most wouldn’t catch but she did and she still held no fear of it or him. It was cathartic in a way he wouldn’t have expected outside of finding a mate amongst the Pride and even then he knew that there would be moments of fear. His strain his flavor of lion while wholly lion was something from far enough back that it carried with it the feel of wrongness even with the lions of the Pride. He never figured out how Mouse was able to be wholly at peace with his Pride and was loathed to ask.



Water cooled to just above uncomfortable they forced themselves out of her shower and began dressing she putting on an impromptu fashion show for him. Finding an ensemble that projected strength but openness wasn’t easy. Her professional attire was designed by nature of her position to be one that projected strength. He knew she would have more leeway in the martials but necessity would often have her dressing much the same while on duty. Her cycle he knew would be three two four two unless there was a special case that happened across her department. He knew without asking or going into details that she would be heading into the Preternatural branch where her skills would be most of use. He didn’t have to like it to understand it.



Reclined as he was in shirt vest pants socks and shoes he wasn’t completely dressed but he wouldn’t be attending business today he would be dealing with Pride issues he would be consolidating the loose unaffiliated lions and as such he too was intending to dress a little more openly. The major concession would be his lack of tie. It was a hard habit to break he wore a tie every day of his life since he’d founded the Exauda. It was part and parcel of his armor of doing business. Watching her try on outfits one after the other he smiled as she settled on one that was perfect. Strong yet open. Hints of color in a scheme that said she was to be taken seriously and trusted. " You look as if you are preparing to change the world. It is a superhero’s secret identity ensemble, my dear detective. I love y…it on you."

[Monica Davis-banks walker]

Her heart stopped and then sputtered back to life her eyes met his staring deep. He'd slipped she caught it but instead of prying she smiled " thank you sweetness, shall we go?"

Monica knew but let him have his mystery, he had given more of himself to her than he had anyone and she knew it. Walking to the kitchen making sure stove off, and electronics off. When he was ready they locked up and left. It was a strange feeling to come down stairs and run right into abel.

She grinned having missed seeing him and nodded to him not questioning and slifing into the back seat

[Samuel Banks-Walker]

He returned her stare with one of his own thoughts too numerous taking root or simply flying through leaving seeds. He smiled rising in a gesture far too gracefully predatory for his human seeming. Closing the distance he kissed her full gliding away slipping on his gloves coat and overcoat. The motion to all appearances two seemingly synonymous movements. Yes it was a small flourish to vanity in her presence but she was worth the parting of the curtain to the man and more beneath. " You’re very welcome and yes lets."



As they exited after Monica checking all of her appliances and securing her apartment until she returned he nodded a greeting to Abel clapping his shoulder as he held the door sliding in behind Monica. The drive was slower than imagined as the traffic started earlier near her home. Short of flight or the train there was no way around it. A such he busied himself his fingers playing along the edge of her dress teasing the feel of him against her with the soft textural aspect of her dress to heighten the feeling.



Arriving at the restaurant which in truth was more of an upscale greasy spoon they all made their way in Abel taking a seat at the bar top closer to the door. The Rodere present immediately began texting and calling friends and associates. The Pride under Rakasha had strained though generally friendly relations with the Rodere so much so that one of their dishwashers was loosely associated with the Pride. Samuel knew he worked afternoons and wouldn’t be here now. It would be for the most part just he and Monica enjoying breakfast. One Police Plaza where she and her superiors worked was a ten-minute walk or a three-minute drive away. The Marshals office while in the same Plaza was Five minutes walking further and all totaled a five-minute drive. It was just far enough out of the comfortable walking distance that he knew not many of her fellow officers would be in. If any at all.



Once settled he looked over the menu quickly knowing that with the Roderes sense of smell being so acute that they would be in for a treat of sorts.

[Monica Davis-banks walker]

His tease was cute, her mind went to the shower and her cheeks went red. She texted her sister who had after being called by her mother had texted her an earful of both chastisement and congratulations mixed. She repeated to herself she loved them thst they meant well.

The flurry of activity at their arrival didn't escape her. She felt them out and saw clearly what they were. She knew few members of the rodere as occasionally they were put on retainer to help with arson or missing persons with their scent and taste ability. None of these she recognized.

Settling she scanned the menu debating. Eggs Florentine made her nose wrinkle but at least they didnt serve breakfast pho. That had been disaster when her surviving brother had taken her for brunch while she and samuel had been breifly to busy after the incident with the wolves.

Deciding on a steak and egg sope with tea and a fruit plate. She refused to let her nerves start."so um I was wondering.. if they throw this shindig are you going to come or can you not because of "

She made motion to him as to say because of his place in the pride and or anonymity.

[Samuel Banks-Walker]

Brow raised at the question he placed his order along with an Oliang. Once the waiter scurried off to get their meals started he rested his hand on hers. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world. Whatever you need.” He said meaning every word as he knew as much as she wasn’t sure she wanted him there that she would appreciate his security even there with her family. They would no doubt pounce him with questions queries and be distracted by his presence.



He also knew psychic gifts ran in families genetically tossed down. Of course, the studies showed the gifts skipped and bounced around within DNA strains. The chances that some of her talent existed in other members of her family was strong though more than likely nowhere as strong. He also knew that even without her gifts some people were able to feel what he was no matter how careful he was. It was a matter that if came to light could cause a small stir but he doubted Monica’s family was biased.