I'm back baby, and so is Natalia! Introducing (very proudly) the sequel to 'The Great Seduction'!

I own nothing save for characters of my own creation and the plotline and this is for entertainment purposes only, no money is being made from this blah, blah blah-let's just get reading already!

(If you can't tell, I am very excited about this)

Love you all!

Stuffing my hand into my bag, I brought out a handful of Skittles then began to let them slide into my mouth, grinning as my tongue lapped up the sweet taste then I began to chew, slowly so that I could savour the taste before consuming some more.

Humming along to the song on my I-pod, I shuffled my feet with the rhythm, lifting my hands to dance along despite the fact I was in the middle of the street. Who cares? If you got the beat, you gotta move your feet.

Tipping back my head I threw another couple of Skittles into my mouth then frowned, looking through my songs to find another one with an upbeat tempo. Eyes so focused on my screen that I didn't look where I was going.

The traffic was racing through at the rare occurrence of a green light and although the rushing sound of the cars were all around me, the music drowned most of it out so unwittingly, I stepped out onto the road. When a horn blared at me, screaming in fury I looked up and yelped but a hand grabbed my arm and tugged me back, forcing back onto the sidewalk as the driver shouted. "Watch where you're going!"

"Slow the hell down!" I bellowed back then turned to thank the person who had probably saved my life. Lifting my eyes I did not even catch a glimpse of the guy before lips were pressed firmly against mine and there was a hand on my back, pulling me closer still. A few people wolf whistled and I squeaked, eyes shut upon instinct and refusing to open from shock before they shot open and I saw a very familiar face. "Han!" I gasped as he pulled back from me then smirked.

"Still an attracter of trouble I see." He murmured to me in that god damn sexy voice and I shivered at the sound, not pulling away from him.

"Huh?" I blinked, too caught up in his scent, eyes and that cocky smirk he had plastered on his mouth. "Oh, right." I blushed sheepishly. "Probably why you came running so fast." I answered then flung my arms around him. "You're here!"

"Yes, I am." He answered bluntly. "Now do you need me to make sure you get home unscathed?" I tilted my head back, smirking at him.

"I'm a big girl, I can walk myself home." He cocked an eyebrow at me disbelievingly as I drew back then poured some more of my sweets into my mouth. Suddenly the bag was gone and I blinked as Han frowned at the contents, poking his finger inside before drawing out the red ones, my favourites. "Hey! No fair, that is crossing a very dangerous line." I warned him, springing forwards but he had already thrown them all into his mouth, snatching them from me. "You jerk!" I pouted, thumping my fist at his chest then lunged for the bag but he lifted it up out of my reach. "You are so dead." I growled at him as he retained his overly confident look on his face.

"Is that all you got Natalia Sophie Francesca?" Damn him, damn him to hell. He can't calm my temper by just speaking my name like that! There has to be some sort of law against it, if not then I'll damn well make one!

"Jackass." I pouted, crossing my arms across my chest as he finished the packet off then slipped the packet into the bin. "I paid good money for that bag. It's my end of week treat!" He grinned so I turned and began to walk away, crossing over the street then made to leave him behind but Han seemed to have other ideas.

His strong arms curled around me and I instantly inhaled sharply, untamed attraction spilling from me as I instinctively leaned back into him as his face carefully leaned into the side of my head, burying into my hair which hung loose over my shoulders to cover my ears against the wintery cold.

When I heard the crinkle of paper, I looked down to see him offering me a large brown paper bag. Inside were two hot muffins. One plain, one chocolate. I love this guy. "You are forgiven." I decided simply, burying my hand inside then drew out the chocolate muffin, taking a large bite then turned to Han. "How long?"

"Not long. A few days." He answered with a soft sigh, pulling me to him away from the centre of the street so that no one would knock into us. His arms wound around my waist and he gazed down at me, letting go with one hand to brush back my hair as I ignored my muffin to pay him attention.

"I missed you." I murmured to him and he nodded his head, hand resting to the side of my face whilst his thumb brushed away some stray crumbs with a tiny smile of amusement.

"I know. I'm sorry." Shaking my head I leaned forwards and hugged him, resting my head against his toned chest as he sighed deeply. We stayed like that for a time, drawing comfort one another but then I sensed Han tensing his right shoulder, twitching slightly so I pulled back and frowned at him.

"What's wrong?" He gave me a meaningful look and my eyes widened slightly before I lowered my voice. "You're hurt? Damn fool. Come on, I'll patch you up." I tugged on his arm and marched him back to my apartment, this time taking extra caution as we crossed the roads and Han kept his face hidden from the cameras and I did the same, sneaking into the building. "What happened?"

"Just a contract." He answered simply, not going into any further detail. Sometimes I hated the way he kept me very carefully separate from his other life, never combing the two so I never knew exactly what was happening and what he was doing, which made me worry however I understood that for him, I was his kind of sanctuary, his solitude where he could put that part of him aside. I had to compromise and for Han, I was willing to do it. It was no worse than if I were a soldier's wife, I suppose, she would feel the same worries I did, however circumstances were often entirely different.

I unlocked my door then kicked it open, striding inside and flung off my coat, scarf and hat to get out my first aid kit, glancing over to Han who took off his coat, jacket and then his shirt as he sat down painfully in a seat. "Han?" I murmured softly to him as I approached him. I'll admit, my eyes did flicker rather intriguingly over his torso as he opened his eyes and looked at me.

He sat forwards and I looked at his back. My eyes widened with horror. "Han, that's…" He had been hurt bad. Really bad. There was blood pooling from the patch he had covered the wound with but it was completely red and there were dried rusty trails trailing down his back. "You have to go to hospital." He shook his head. "Han." I growled in warning but he shot me a look. "Han I'm serious, this looks bad." I said as I peeled it back, wincing as I saw the deep stab wound. "Please…"

"Just clean it for me." He answered in a dark tone and I sighed, closing my eyes. Saying nothing more I took a cloth that I had dampened and began to wash away the blood, the cracked stains on his back slowly rubbing away and I made several trips back to the sink to clean out the cloth, the warm water soon completely red.

I used cotton balls to swab around the wound, disinfected it then put in a few stitches to keep it together. Good thing I was trained for this kind of thing. When I had pressed the disinfectant to Han's wound he had hissed slightly but then clenched his jaw tightly to hold back any further sound.

Once a fresh patch had been placed over his wound and I had taped it down, I set about clearing up as Han went over to the bedroom, opened a drawer of his things then pulled on a fresh shirt. Tossing the kit away I drained the water then scrubbed the sink clean, scrubbing fiercely through narrowed eyes.

Slowly his arms slipped around me from behind and instantly I relaxed, exhaling to relieve the tension from my body as Han kissed my shoulder gently. "Thank you." He murmured to me softly and I closed my eyes, unable to look at him.

With his arms still about me I dried my hands, looking out to the snow filled city, pale clouds still hanging low overhead with the threat of a snowstorm looming not too far away. Han's hand brushed against the inward curve of my waist, his head still resting on my shoulder as he relaxed against me and I against him, though I still kept my eyes facing forwards.

"Han." I said and he lifted his head, looking at me as I carefully in his arms, finally turning my green eyes to face his dark orbs. "Please don't keep soldiering on." I murmured to him, lifting a hand to brush my fingers against his face which remained firm and expressionless. "Just…take care of yourself. Please, for my sake as much as yours."

Without a word he smoothly reached down and touched his lips to mine, making me exhale softly into him before turning my face upwards to reach him better. His hand slid around to the back of my neck then tangled his fingers into my hair, his breath hitching slightly as I fisted my hand into his shirt, pulling him closer to me whilst my tongue suggestively touched the borders of his mouth.

He drove me insane with want, even after two years of seeing each other. It was hard sometimes, there were cases when I would go months without seeing him before he would turn up again but then other times he would be back every couple of days and once, he even stayed for a full three weeks without leaving. It was a crazy patchwork quilt, misshapen and unpredictable with what was going to come next but all the same, I could hardly complain. I loved Han and although neither of us had really admitted it yet, I knew that we were reaching that stage where it would be okay to say the words out loud.

Suddenly Han pulled back and his head turned to look at a canvas in the corner of my studio, covered by a large sheet and he tilted his head to the side with curiosity. "Want to see?" I whispered and he nodded his head. Another thing about Han, he genuinely liked my art. Loved it even. He once spent an hour going through just one scrapbook and I couldn't pull him away with it. He said he liked the way I caught life in every single creation, with the light and colours.

He followed me over as I reached out and carefully pulled the sheet away, revealing the canvas's proud display as Han stood back and gazed at it. It was a blossom tree, petals caught on an imaginary wind, pale pink with an azure blue sky caught like shards among the branches.

I said nothing, rolling the sheet up in my arms then tossed it aside as Han's eyes wandered freely over the painting, which was admittedly one of my less adventurous creations but pretty all the same. "It's going for auction." I said to him quietly, standing at his side as his arm curled around me. "In two days at the gallery on Nineteenth Street." Turning my face I could not hold back my smile as I placed my hand on his shoulder then leaned against it, content with simply studying his face as he gazed at my newest artwork.

For a while he said nothing before finally, he looked down at me. "You are too talented." He spoke quietly and I instantly warmed at his words. "Now, what do you want to do?"

"Honestly? Just stay here." I admitted and he turned his body to face me, leaning down to press his cheek to mine. "Maybe order takeout and I'm pretty sure I have a good stock of cookies in the cupboard." Han chuckled, shaking his head.

"Your sugar craving is going to make you fat one day." I pouted then punched him in the gut, making him grunt and double over as I smartly stepped back from him.

"You can take that back or you're sleeping on the sofa." I announced but when his eyes slowly rose to meet mine, fire burning in their depths, I realised that I was now in some deep trouble. "Holy crap!" I yelped then darted away. "I come in peace! E.T phone home!" Leaping over the sofa I tried to run to my bedroom where I could barricade myself inside until Han gave up the chase. No such luck.

He barrelled me over as I leaped, the both of us crashing into the sofa then tumbled from the cushions as Han tried to grab my wrists and pin me down but I twisted, wriggling out from beneath him then flipped him over, careful of his wound then scrambled to my feet. "This is not mature behaviour!" I yelled over my shoulder, using the table to separate us as Han lowered his stance, moving to mirror me whenever I made to move off somewhere. "And completely irrational!" He smirked then suddenly darted forwards, sliding over the table and grabbed me before I could escape. "No! Don't do it!" I pleaded him as he lifted me up into his arms, writhing like a snake. "Han! I swear you'll be sleeping on the STREET unless you put me down right NOW!"

He laughed. Then when he had me pinned down on the sofa, he began to tickle me. I squealed and yelled, squirming beneath him as he found all my sensitive spots until finally I was burning with laughter, giggling like a schoolgirl until finally he stopped, firmly holding my hands down as he gazed into my eyes.

His were soft, warm although there was a slight tension in them, watching me carefully as my smile began to fade. "Han?" I murmured his name and he sighed, going lax against me so I shifted beneath him, turning onto my side to face him as we curled into one another, his fore finger stroking the side of my face as I closed my eyes and simply absorbed his presence, the gentle caress soothing me until I was drifting in and out of sleep, lulled by the sensation of his closeness until I felt him shift, pulling away from me.

I moaned softly, blinking myself awake as Han walked over to the cupboards and began to make himself something to eat. "Hungry?" He asked me in his mellow voice but I shook my head, yawning with a stretch. I hadn't realised how tired I was until now. Perhaps an early night's sleep was exactly what I needed. Shower first.

Slipping away into my bedroom I grabbed a set of slacks and a tank top to wear for pyjamas as well as my towel then stepped into a hot shower, twisting my hair up to keep it from getting wet then listened as Han cooked something.

My music blaring from my I-pod, I began to sing along, not caring that my voice could shatter glass. I could feel Han smirking from the kitchen. Once I was all squeaky clean I jumped out, dancing along as I continued to sing mockingly, pulling on my pyjamas then pulled on a hoodie over the top, grabbing my music pod and slipped it into my pocket as I walked back into the kitchen.

My stomach rumbled when I inhaled the mouth-watering scent of grilled chicken, rice and heaven knows what else. Now I was regretting telling Han I wasn't hungry. He looked back at me then pushed a plate outwards and instantly I brightened. "You gem." I sighed, grabbing the plate as well as a knife and fork before carrying it over to the table, sitting down to eat. "So what's the plan for you?"

"Stay here." He answered simply. "Until I get a call." Stupid phone. Do you think he would notice if I tossed his cell into the sewers? Probably, this is Han we're talking about. Glancing up at him I frowned ever so slightly before returning to my food. "Natalia." His voice sent an involuntary shudder down my spine as I looked up at him. "You know I cannot help the way things are." He murmured and I nodded my head, lowering my eyes down again.

"I know." He paused before continuing.

"Are you angry?" I shook my head honestly.

"No."

"Do you ever get angry?" Slowly I put my cutlery down, pushing the plate away to turn and face Han who was watching me carefully, reading every single sign my face gave away so I kept it carefully guarded.

"Sometimes." I admitted. "But I'm used to this. My dad was the same, now you. It's always been a part of my life so I've just grown to accept the fact that I won't be able to have the ideal relationship with any kind of man that walks into my life. You're all I want Han, which means I'll accept any time I can get with you no matter how long you're gone for in between. I'll always be waiting." Standing up I picked up my half-finished food. "It's apparently what I'm good at." I added a little bitterly then stalked back to the kitchen, feeling a little guilty that I hadn't eaten everything on my plate so I took some kitchen foil and wrapped it up.

Han did not say anything. Perhaps I should have just held my tongue, he's been through hell and I probably am not helping but what am I supposed to do? It gets a little lonely just sitting here waiting all the time. I can't go anywhere since I never know when he'll be back and I could miss him, which I don't want, yet there's so much I want to do. I want to go travelling and see the world, not stay cooped up here where the city practically chokes me.

I can't even call him like a normal girlfriend would do as I might interrupt something or give him away or blow his cover. I just have to sit and wait every single day, never knowing when he'll come back. Some days are easier than others, let's just put it that way.

Rubbing my head to try and ease off the headache, I gave up trying to stay awake and simply went to bed. It was dark already so I drew the curtains closed then slid under my quilt, hugging it around me as I curled up into a tiny ball, simply staring into the blackness as I tried to think. What the hell was wrong with me? Han goes through enough crap without me giving him more stick. I was being totally unfair.

With a sigh I was about to get up when my door clicked open and the quiet footfalls of Han's shoes touched me ears so I lifted my head. "Natalia?" He murmured softly and I couldn't hold back my smile as he said my name.

"I'm awake, Han." He walked up to the bed then sought me out so I flicked on my bedside lamp so that he could see.

"Natalia…" He began to speak but I shook my head.

"Just ignore me." I told him softly, pulling him closer. "It's okay. Honest." He sighed with relief, his shoulders slumping slightly as he released the tension. He moved closer and I turned my head further, closing my eyes as I met his lips with mine before he pulled away and began to undress.

I lay back my head, watching him quietly as he pulled on some sleeping bottoms but didn't bother with a new shirt, climbing in beside me completely bare chested and I turned over, placing my hand on his chest then began to trace the lines of his impressive body, making him chuckle then lift my hand to his mouth, kissing my wrist tenderly then pulled on it, sliding his other hand beneath me as I shifted closer. "I missed you, Natalia Sophie Francesca." Han murmured in my ear, lips brushing and I shivered, making him smirk.

"I missed you too, you damn jackass. Now go to sleep. I'm shattered." Nodding his head he let me get comfortable first, turning over and curling up into a tiny ball which he then moulded to, placing his arms around me as my head tucked neatly against his chest. Content, happy and feeling very safe, I went to sleep without a problem.