<div align="center"><strong>~ Gamble’s First Officer Sasha Dearing ~ At the pub with Si and Steve, looking forward to a stiff...drink ~</strong></div><br/><br/>Slipping smoothly into her chair, Sasha slanted a wry glance over at Si as he shared his characteristically haughty opinion of the less than classy establishment.  Catching the eye of a barmaid as she strolled up behind him, instead of replying Sasha leaned forward and ordered her drink: “Ng Ka Py,” then raised a slender eyebrow toward Si waiting for him to order - if he so deigned to lower his standards enough to partake of the pub’s fare, of course.<br/><br/>“So, Si...we got an actual problem with Badger, or are we just talking the usual run-of-the-mill weasel war?” With six empty chairs ringing the joined tables, sitting so close to Si felt oddly intimate. The thought caused her to reflect on the way the elegant man had instinctively and protectively escorted her to the table, brought to mind the feel of his warm breath brushing across her ear with his whispered words. Under different circumstances the dignified gentleman cum gunhand would certainly prove an intriguing puzzle to work out, she mused. But with them working so closely together...a sigh slipped softly past her lips, and once again Sasha found herself mightily looking forward to her time with Jacob later that night.<br/><br/>Speaking of puzzles...Peering around, Sasha spotted Steve standing at the bottom of the entry staircase and frowned in displeasure that not only had he<strong>not</strong>made it to their table, he looked for all the world as if he was rounding second base in getting much better acquainted with one of the locals. “McPherson!” Sasha sharply barked out his name as an unmistakeable command. However, since it was apparent the man didn’t have the discipline she would have hoped, Sasha followed up her command with a few less ambiguous words. “Save the gorram happy hands for later, and get your ass over here!”<br/><br/><div align="center"><strong>~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~</strong></div><br/>Lilah giggled under her breath as she cheerfully contemplated whether or not she was actually drunk. She didn’t usually drink on the job, but tonight had been a special occasion. The sheer silken fabric of her belly dancer costume whispered against her bare skin as she moved, her sensual dance movements accentuated by the pale blue fabric contrasting with her toned tanned skin. Snaking her arms gracefully upward, she lifted her long thick auburn hair off her shoulders as she swayed her way across the room. As she glanced toward the entryway, she caught sight of a large man descending the stairs and she smiled at him, the soft dimple curved into her chin catching the shadows and deepening the appearance of the delicate cleft.<br/><br/>Rolling her hips and twining her arms in her graceful dance, Lilah (http://www.babeskickass.com/pics/sexy-brunette-in-blue.jpg) sensually swayed closer to the ruggedly appealing man, slowly turning her body as she moved closer, her eyes drifting closed for a moment as her hips undulated provocatively. All of a sudden a brief scuffle broke out nearby, shoving her lithe body forcefully backward into the big man as she yipped in surprise. Whether he acted out of instinct or saw it coming, she was grateful to find her fall broken by the strong arms of the big man behind her. Although a warm blush quickly stole across her cheeks as she became aware of just where his hands had landed; one full soft breast was warmly surrounded by one of his large hands, and the open palm of his other hand was pressed firmly against the taut skin of her lower belly. A warm current of pleasure radiated from where his hands touched her, and Lilah’s body relaxed comfortably into his enveloping arms as she enjoyed the moment.<br/><br/>“McPherson!”<br/><br/>Suddenly, a woman’s commanding voice cut through Lilah’s reverie, and it became immediately obvious that the big man embracing her...McPherson...was the focus of the woman’s ire. Lilah quickly scrambled to stand up straight, her wide brown eyes looking softly into his as she turned to face him. Gently slipping from his arms she spoke in a smooth warm tone, “Thank you for the soft landing.”  A smile blossoming over her lush lips, she grinned in cheeky invitation. “Why don’t you come and find me later when you’re free...McPherson?”<br/><br/>