“Here.” I offered him a sparkler. Loki lit two and I brought one over to him. He didn’t look too forlorn with his ankle wrapped in ice, stretched out on the lawn chair. Cute…his jams and color coordinated, button down shirt only enhanced his cute-ability. Too cute, with his bottom lip sticking out a bit as he watched the other bots and clones whoop it up over lighting the fireworks.

So very rarely do I get to see that little boy….

His fingers touch the wire peeking out from my fist. Standing next to him, I start waving mine around – leaving those nifty light streaks where you can write your name and stuff. I, of course, start drawing rude things, just so he can pretend to be exasperated with me and laugh.

Which he does and she share a smile.

“Sorry…”

“Quite all right, beloved.” He looks a little less hurt at me.

“Didn’t know the fuse was so short.” Yeah, yeah, yeah, I’ve been over this with him. The two of us, standing out by the launch pad to fire up one of the rockets we brought: he’s leaning over me as I crouch down. The distinct sound of my Spike lighter cuts over the boys’ excited chatter. Flick, hiss and I know I’m in trouble.

Back paddling as fast I can, Will and I tumble rather roughly in the sparks. Rolling him over in my arms just desperate to get away, the spray of embers just miss us both – me cursing the whole way -- which alerts the yahbows behind us that the tumbling act is not part of the show.

Gathering the burnt wire, I deposit the refuse in the nearby sand bucket. Going back, I set at the end of the chaise lounge. Lift the pack – looks like the swellings gone down. Bless clone healing powers. Looking up into those baby-blue eyes, I see the plead.

“Looks better. But if it starts to hurt, I want your fanny back here. Got it?”

Grabbing his sandal, he hops along until the strap is hooked and then he’s running out with the rest of the alikes. Goddess, he’s so…..*sigh*

I’ll give him a few minutes before I go back out. He’s not going to be the only one to blow up the watermelons we brought.

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I saw them coming. Of course I did. I mean, how could I possibly miss them, right??? Seth, with that hair, Lin with her surprisingly short locks, and... him. Still, friends first, right?

"Seth, cutie. Nice to see you, sweets. And Lin. LOVE the hair. Very you." I couldn't help smiling then, because I could see Fangy creeping up on the poor girl. I guess she hadn't mentioned cutting her hair to him. Wooops.

I was smiling as he dragged her off a little, but that faded as I turned my eyes to my new 'friend'. He of the wild black eyes.

The first words out of his mouth-- and I swear this by the Gods themselves-- were: "No woman of mine dresses like that in public."

Now, okay. Maybe this outfit is a little... revealing. Certainly more so than my usual attire, but I told Sully he could pick for me, and this was what he came up with. Yes, the skirt is even shorter than the one from a certain cheerleading outfit I once wore. Yes, the top is tight. So tight that wearing a bra was out of the question. But I'm not flashing anyone or anything, so what makes him think he can talk to me that way?

This is the moment when I realize that I haven't even met him. Oh, I know who he is, because that much is obvious. And I know he's mine, too. Even if his words hadn't identified him pretty well, I'm pretty sure that I'm the only one who's asked for a Rack-bot.

So I stare at him, my arms folded across my chest. That is one hell of a baleful stare he's got; I have to say that much for him. He's got the whole 'more sinister than sinister' thing down pat. Doesn't mean I'm gonna let him get away with thinking he's in charge.

My eyes narrow just a bit more and I growl quietly. It's times like this that I'm glad I've picked up the trick of that, because it seems to shock this new bot of mine. One short step closer has me gazing the inch or so up into his eyes and I let just the corner of my mouth twitch up.

"Number one," I tell him, speaking soft and slow, "I am not yours. If I belong to anyone but myself, it's Sully. You, on the other hand, are mine." I nod sharply, watching him trying to process that little tidbit of information. "Number two: Even if you DID have some sort of claim on me, it would not extend to wardrobe decisions. Do you understand that, Grimjack?" There. I've said his name for the first time.

Well, he doesn't look happy, but I think he understands. Or I do until Sully wraps wet, cotton-covered arms around me from behind and rests his head on my shoulder. That's when Grimjack's eyes harden even more, and if I didn't know better, I'd think he was considering the best way to take apart my honey.

"This th' new bloke, then?" my boy-- my mate, really-- says. He doesn't sound impressed. Not at all. In fact, he sounds more... amused than anything else. "Not much ta look at, is 'e, pet?"

And that's the Sully I know and love. He leans against my back, nuzzling at my neck, and all the while he's fully aware of the smouldering resentment and dislike growing in this new bot I've gotten.

I can't help but wonder-- and not for the first time-- if maybe this was a mistake. I don't know if these two men of mine are gonna be able to get along. Hell, I don't know if any of us are even going to survive this first meeting. Okay, okay. I'm being over-dramatic.

"And you're supposed to be a.. what?" Damn, his voice is smooth. Hell, it's almost entirely lacking in inflection but then again, that's a Rack thing. Grimjack eyes what he can see of Sully and shakes his head slowly. His gaze flicks about the backyard, pausing momentarily on each Spike he sees, and then he's looking at mine once again. "I see," he murmurs, obviously feeling quite smug, "You're just... one of many. This should be easy, then."

How did I suddenly end up behind Sully? I could swear he was behind ME a second ago, and Gods know I never felt him move, but... damn.

"Wha' I IS," he says intently-- and judging from the slight sibilance I can hear, I'd say he's wearing his other face-- "Is 'er primary. 'Er mate. Don' matter wha' ya THINK ya are, ya git. Y'll ne'er be nothin' but 'er secondary. A' best."

I don't even see his hand lash out, he moves that fast. In fact, I don't know anything's happening until Grimjack's swiftly indrawn breath tells me. I step back then move to the side, not letting Sully's sleek form block my view, and I see...

My heart. With his hand mere inches away from my new bot's eyes. I want to step in. Really, I do, but I think this is some strange guy thing. I don't understand it, but then again I don't have to. In fact, there's nothing I can do except... walk away and hope they don't hurt each other too badly. But first they're gonna have to take their little power-play somewhere else. This is a party, after all.

"Sully," I say, one hand rising to take his from the air in front of Grimjack, "Not here. It would be rude."

Have I mentioned how much I love my honey? He just gazes at me from the corner of his eye for a second, then smiles and kisses me. His features flow quickly back to his usual stunning looks and he finally relaxes.

"Yeah, pet," he tells me, "It would a' tha'. We'll do this later. Af'er we's 'ome." He glares at the new arrival one more time, then kisses me again. "Behave yerse'f, love. Gonna go... cool off a bit, right? See if'n maybe one o' th' guys wan's ta watch a movie 'r som'thin'."

And off he goes, leaving me here with this new creature. Which I suppose is fine, considering. Best to get the rules hammered out right off the bat, right? Problem is...

"This is a party. Whatever issues we have to resolve, we'll deal with later. For now, just... try to act civilized, okay?" So I push him down into a chair and stalk quickly to the bar, nodding to Loth. Poor bot. All day in the kitchen and now he's tending bar. Still, he seems happy enough, so who am I to judge?

It takes less than a minute to procure a couple of beers and head back to where I left Grimjack. "Here," I tell him, passing him a bottle. I sit down in a different chair and meet his intent stare, and suddenly I realize. He's not trying to be challenging. He's trying to be seductive. It's actually almost funny.

"Come on," I add after a minute or three of strained silence. "I suppose I should introduce you around." So I do, and damned if Grimjack doesn't seem to be getting it. In fact, I think it only takes meeting three of the Spikes before he understands that regardless of how alike they may seem at first glance, each and every one of them is an individual. Hell, I think I even see the instant when he realizes just how very WRONG his words to Sully were. 'One of many', indeed.

Still, maybe that knowledge will make things easier. I hope so. Until I know for sure, though? I'm at a party, and I'm going to have fun... even with this big sack of sinister hanging on my heels. Hell, I might even push him into the pool. Maybe it would make him lighten up. I think I'm gonna find out.

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Py sat on a lawnchair beside the pool, finishing off a Smirnoff Ice while her bot pulled up a chair to sit beside her.

"You shouldn't drink that so fast," he warned. "You know how you get when you're drunk."

Py gave him a look. "I'm not gonna get drunk off of one drink, just buzzed a little. But six? Six will get me drunk," she said, grinning and lifting the bottle to her lips. "Besides, *you* know how I get when I'm drunk...you should be *giving* me more drinks."

When the bottle's contents were empty, she batted her eyes at him and handed him the empty. "Please, baby?" she asked in that do-this-for-me-and-I'll-owe-you-big-time voice.

Sure, he could've gotten her another drink. Could've gotten her pissed out of her mind, only to have her cling to him all night, whispering suggestive comments in his ear, and grinding with him. Make her want him even more than he wanted her; and boy did he want her. But instead, like many clueless males on the Earth, he chose road B.

"Hey, can I see your wallet for a sec, babe?" he asked, setting the bottle down.

"Why? I don't have any money in it. And unless you want to go to Costco or Blockbuster, the rest of the cards in there are useless." She took it out of her back jeans pocket and handed it to him.

He flipped through, pretending to look for something, but suddenly dropped it to the ground beside the bottle, scooping her up in his arms. She cursed under her breath, knowing what was coming. He knew she hated when her wallet
got wet...

With a loud splash he dropped her in the pool, clothes and all, grinning to himself and squatting to his knees on the water's edge. She broke the
surface, gasping for breath. The look on her eyes told him he'd pay dearly for what he just did. ~Mission accomplished.~ he thought to himself.

And he knew she'd get him back, not just by punishment, but in the same way. She would embarrass him in front of the guests, and he wanted her to, that way she could let out some anger right then instead of keeping it all bottled up. So he did what any gentleman would do for a lady.

He smiled and offered his hand.

Only she didn't pull him in like he thought she would. She merely pulled herself out of the water on her own, every inch of her soaked to the bone. She grabbed her wallet and headed inside, trying to find a bathroom where she could change into her bathing suit.

And that's when 'Gelus knew he'd gone too far this time. Usually she'd get him back right away then be fine for the rest of the night, and punish him later. He avoided eye contact of all the other guests as he followed her into the house.

Another guest pointed her in the right direction and she thanked them before heading off, not answering any of his apologies, not even looking at him. When they arrived at the bathroom, she slammed the door in his face, locking it.

He sighed and leaned his forehead against the door. He'd have to make this up to her, and fast.

Behind the door, Py peeled off her wet clothes, her eyes burning with tears and chlorine. How could he do that to her?

She already had her bikini on underneath her clothes so she didn't have to change into anything. Hanging her clothes on the shower rack, she took a
quick look in the mirror. Her hair was soaked, but still in its short ponytail. Her makeup was still on, just smudged a little. But that was the look these days, wasn't it?

She opened the bathroom door and there he stood, looking like a kicked puppy, if she hadn't been so mad, she would've taken him into her arms and kissed him. But instead she walked past him, grabbing a few boxes of pizza to take out to the pool for the guests.

Again he followed her, what else could he do?

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Grimjack put up with introduction after introduction -the names barely registering in his head after hewas presented with one platinum-haired Spike afteranother.

He had become bored, nothing holding his attention. Atfirst he wondered what would happen if he simplythrew the brown-haired beauty over his shoulderand hauled her away from all this, and away from thesnarling one who called himself her 'mate'. Whatwas that anyway? Whatever it was, he was certain
he could change his woman's mind.He watched her talk animatedly to one of the women,who had yet another of those things hanging off her.His glance flicked over to the one that had madehim and brought him to his woman. She had her back against a tree, another of them pinning her there.He wondered for a moment if he should go help his maker, but since she didn't look as if she was in distress he dismissed it from his mind, and he turned his attention to his woman.

He stared at her, trying to get her attention, wondering how long it would take her to notice.When she finally did, her eyes snapped withannoyance.

"What?!"

Grimajack smiled secretly. He didn't want to admitit, but he loved her when she was like this, shewas just utterly alive. He ran a finger up her arm,eyes smouldering. "We should go."

Tis' eyes widned, before she licked her lips, "Don't worry - we will, Grimjack. Eventually."

She couldn't quite keep from sighing at the look onhis face, but still... new bot. He had to be felling alittle... unsure. They generally seemed to. Add in the
fact that he'd been delivered to her at a party, and thus had little chance of creating that 'bot/mistress bond immediately, and... she supposed he had reason toseem so. Well. So... what would pass for clingy if he were anything but a Rack.

He loved it when she said his name, "How soon is eventually?"

He kept his voice soft, silky, keeping his dark eyes on her.

Tis sighed, "I told you - this is a party. These are my friends. Just relax alright?"

The finger running up and down her arm, suddenly flashed and tightened around her arm, as he hauled her forward. Her eyes darkned with anger, and he didn't realise the mistake that he made.

Tis' eyes settled on his hand, staring at it, until he realised what he had done, and swiftly let her go.

"You, sir, take liberties to which you are not entitled. Yet." And with that, Tis shoved him straight into the pool.

He hit the water hard, and he came up spluttering, looking around to find everyone laughing. He glared at them all, though it didn't have the effect that he was going for as several of them just laughed harder.

Asmara who had been lazily floating around in the pool in her inflatable giraffe, drifted closer to the sputtering Rackbot. That in itself was a mistake, as Grimjack's dark eyes fell on the giraffe, and he acted without thought, lashing out at the toy. Before he could make another move, he found himself pinned to the edge of the pool, a soft hand, firmly grasping his throat.

He heard another splash, and managed to look out of the corner of his eyes to find one of the other
Spikes had leapt into the pool - by the purple tips in this one's hair - he recognized him as the one that had come with him and his maker...Seth.

"Asmara! Are you ok?" His blue eyes flickered with worry, as he swum towards Asmara.

The dark-haired beauty that held him pinned, glanced at Seth, "Bad puppy! Mummy is not hurt."

Grimjack tried to move out of her grasp, but he couldn't budge from her grasp, and found liquid-brown
eyes wathcing him with amusment. He stilled, and settled for glaring at her, his eyes sliding to rest on the remains of the inflatable giraffe.

He muttered beneath his breath, staring at the bits of plastic, "Freakish leaf-eating beasts..."

Asmara's eyes narrowed, "Bad, bad man..." she ran her free hand through her dark tresses. "Got me all wet. Don't like getting all wet!"

When her grip started to tighten even more, Seth gently pried her fingers away.

Asmara hissed at him, "Bad puppy!" Before swimming to the edge, and fluidly got out of the pool, heading straight into Chris' arms. She looked down at Seth who
looked up at her rather forlornly, and she sighed, "Come on puppy. Mummy shall take you for a walk."

Eagerly, Seth clambered out of the pool, leaving Grimjack in the pool by himself. He swallowed experimently, testing to make sure that the
dark-haired beauty hadn't damaged him. He looked up into the emerald green eyes of his woman. Eyes which shone with amusment.

It was an effort, but she managed to keep her voice steady and light. "You have no rights which I do not give you, Grimjack. I know you're still learning the
rules, but that's the most important one. You exist because I requested that it be so, and Lin was kind enough to create you. Beyond that? We'll see." She nodded swiftly, then grinned.

"I suggest you climb out of there now. I'll see what I can find for you to wear."

His head hung slightly as he complied, dignity hanging in tattered shreds.

He glared from beneath hooded lids at the bleached creatures wandering about, silently vowing revenge on each and every one who had laughed at his misfortune.

Then, as his woman stared at him with brows arched,he forced himself to at least appear somewhat placid, This was, as she had said, a party. He wanted her to
enjoy it.
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