Disclaimer: I should punch you. Of course this isn't mine!

Beta Thanks: My friend, Ruffin. You're the best.

Summary: Dark Ace awaits his punishment.

He sees her in her frustration, peering over the edge on the deck of the ship. She's watching the last of her kingdom burn to the ground and it's his fault because he didn't do his job."It doesn't matter."There's no emotion in her voice and she almost appears to be calm. Almost. After all, he hasn't come all this way just to almost know his Master."I never really felt like it was my kingdom. It always felt like my predecessor. I want something bigger in a much more previously populated area. Find me this place, Dark Ace. I know you won't let me down."There's something different, though, in the way she's speaking to him. It's formal, and he knows exactly what his punishment is. The undesirable need to put what he ate that day in the nearest garbage can is more than he can stand."And what about us, Master?"His head jerks toward the voice and realizes Ravess and Snipe have been standing there, ever the loyal servants. He completely missed whatever orders they were given and the chance to convince her he could to it twelve times better than they could. He can feel his body start to relax before tensing up again at his obvious mistake; those annoying-as-hell Storm Hawks could have surprised them and he would have been completely unaware. She did that to him though. Made him forget, made him do things he wouldn't normally do. Like house-hunting for instance. He's rolling his eyes at this thought and doesn't even realize she's already in front of him. And they're completely alone.She's not smiling, but she isn't angry either."I hope you understand my reasons for your assignment. The others are starting to suspect something."She walks back toward the railing and he follows her without question. He loves this spot because of the privacy it gives them. There are no windows and she can control the locks on the doors. Her hood unravels and melts into the fabric on her shoulders. A shudder travels through his body and he can't help but think what this means. Her waist feels tiny in his hands, but he knows better than to comment on her size. He retreats to his favorite spot on her: the crook of her neck. His lips find her skin and a sigh escapes from her mouth. Their position doesn't last long before she's turning in his arms, pushing toward and against the wall to their left. They know time is precious and land won't conquer themselves, but he won't pass up the chance to conquer her.