A Queen to A King

[Deleted]

Rakasha sat in her office watching the pride move around her and smiled while she brought a cup of hot Jasmine tea to her lips taking a sip. Slowly she placed the cup down on her cherry wood desk top and sighed it was time. It was time to look back into her past and let all be cleared, she was now ready to face the last piece of the puzzle to make her feel as if all was taken care of. The lose ends back in the windy city tore at her mind with the questions what if so she had to settle it once and for all. Moving her hand to her hair moving it away from her face as she let it go back to its normal color one that people thought she had to get dyed. Smiling as she took a breath and decided to do it now, her eye looked out the window staring at New York her home, this was where her heart truly laid. Hitting the button on the phone she signaled to her Secretary that she was to be left alone.

Picking up her phone and moved her nimble finger over the keys slowly dialing a number that she will never forget. She wondered if he would even answer his phone since this number would most likely come up unknown or under the name of Anna Marie. Well it was time to see she was ready and waiting to see as she put the receiver to her ear listing to the tell tale ring. The sound was hollow and almost like a warning to her but maybe that was what she was feeling since she left them and did not turn back to them. Though she did fix herself in a way that she never thought she would, gone was the battles to gain her control her rages and depression. They were all gone now it was time to take the last step of controlling her mind. She thought she heard the phone pick up and smiled.

"Hello?" She said in a voice that one would not recognized as her for more laid in it then before. It was full of self confidences and a calm that was never there before then the undertone was a warm motherly tone that spoke of her new place.

[Hieronymous Banks-Walker]

Hiero was alone which had become a rarity in his life as of late. He was waiting on Ray to arrive and give a report so that they could discuss things. He sat his legs propped up on the coffee table the remote loosely on his lap as the television played some nonsense that he wasn’t really watching. He was simply taking in the sound of an empty house. He was basking in the feeling of warmth that the Pride home now had and which he thought it would never have again. He’d been putting it off but he supposed that he needed to remodel a few of the unused rooms instead of keeping them as a shrines of a sort.

He’d not turned his ringer off and it sprung to life playing the chords he thought he would never hear again. He allowed it to ring twice more before he picked it up tapping the screen answering it before his voicemail took over. Before he had a chance to speak her voice wafted across the thousands of miles between them. He smiled without meaning to. He’d only ever wanted her happy and it seemed she had found that small bit. Licking his lips he just listened a moment hoping she would say something else. As the nanoseconds ticked by he knew that she wouldn’t go any further just yet so he did.

"Yes that is what most people say in greeting. Either that or hi, salutations, or greetings. Perhaps if you were in another place Hola, or Aloha, or Guten Tag, or any number of other variants on the theme." He joked as a way to break the ice that he heard developing. “So yes hello Kitty, what’s new pussycat?” It was maybe a bit to familiar but he wouldn’t labor under some misgivings just because she was miles and months removed from him. She would always be in his heart and in his thoughts. So there was no reason to not continue as if no time had passed and no distance separated them.

[Deleted]

Kasha let out a giggle as she listened to him on the other end of the line. She missed him and his ways but she found she was not in love with him but she did and still loved him in her own little way. He helped her but he also hurt her in a way that was able to kill her but she moved on that near death she had is what made her into her. She shook her head slightly as the laughter bubbled up inside of her while she wrinkled her nose. Chicago will always be her home away from home...Well not really any place he was a home away from home but it was not as it once was.

"Well forgive me there King of the Jungle this little Kitty just wanted to say hi. Oh and I guess you already herd but I am now higher up then most would even think I would go. Though you never doubted me...by the way I have to say thank you..." Rakasha sniffed a little with a little rub her eyes the brown contacts starting to bother her as she shook her head again. No now was not the time to do this she would thank him later with a gift maybe a new bike...that was another time. She hoped she didn't step on his toes if she did. But this kitty is wondering if she was allowed back into the windy city to finish up the ties that she had there. Plus she wanted to now if the King of the jungle would lower himself to breaking bread with this little Kitty here"

She spoke as the smile stayed on her lips her left hand petting the pelt of a rouge that tried to invade her city and take her throne from her. She would never take a step into another city with out letting the head of the pride know of her arrival it was time to play the game of their kind. She was raised to play before her family found out about her color. Her eyes glanced at the many faces in her building getting ready to start up things for the new idea she had. She was going into body guarding well not her unless she was needed but her new idea was that. She would train them all and then hire them out but that was for a different time.

Oh I cant keep calling my self kitty I sound like a young blood doing it. So how about...humm something a little more scary ...I know man eater no no that wont work you do not eat a man...Oh I got it Lets go with Rogue...Or something more powerful..." She tried to keep it going with a stern sounding voice though her old joking ways could be heard in her voice. "Ok ok I kid there but no really I do have to ask Officially I guess. I the Regina of the Orgoglio di Cuor di Leone Pride in New York would like to ask you the Rex of Cibolla Campo Clan if she is allowed to come ack to her second home to visit? AKA...I miss your Face Hiero and I would like to see it." She stuck her tongue out at the phone knowing he could not see it but she felt that he knew what she was doing and was smiling like he use to for her.

[Hieronymous Banks-Walker]

Kasha let out a giggle as she listened to him on the other end of the line. She missed him and his ways but she found she was not in love with him but she did and still loved him in her own little way. He helped her but he also hurt her in a way that was able to kill her but she moved on that near death she had is what made her into her. She shook her head slightly as the laughter bubbled up inside of her while she wrinkled her nose. Chicago will always be her home away from home...Well not really any place he was a home away from home but it was not as it once was.

Hiero listened hang on her words and forcing himself to not read between the lines. She was no longer his lion in any way that could be measured. She would always be his lion however and even with her standing he would always see her in the pinstriped two piece she wore when she first arrived all those years ago. He wasn’t sure if it was a great idea for her to ask officially. He knew why she felt she had to. He also had an idea as to why he should say no or to broker an arrangement. Why and how he should comport himself for this call. After all this was an official request one clan head to another. There were things that should be negotiated. There were things that should be worked out. There were promises and agreements that should be haggled over.

He wouldn’t do any of those things. He wouldn’t. Sighing a little to sincerely he looked at the phone as she spoke getting to his feet he moved through the house towards the kitchen. His body moving his thoughts racing “You know Kitty you always have a place here. As Regina you know there are things we should discuss but I trust you. I know you. So, you know the answer. You knew the answer before you asked. There however is one caveat. One small point that needs to be worked out. Your open invitation means only you. Not your Rex, not your advisor, not any of your guards. No one but you.” He didn’t have to say as much so directly but he had never beat around the bush he had never lied to her and he had no intentions of starting now. He loved his brother but he did not want to see him. He was sure that she knew of his intelligence gathering. He was also sure she knew what had taken place and the reach of the Abstrahimus.

Shaking his head as he opened the fridge he grabbed a water and leaned against the counter opening it and taking a sip. He continued he veered away from the subject that was on his mind and nearly on his tongue. Instead he asked, “With all of the hullabaloo in Boston how are you faring in the rotten apple?” If he could he would talk with her until the mornings light. He could admit that he would always love her and what they had. There would always be a part of him that missed her. It was better this way however. She was better for it and what she’d done to herself had value now. She didn’t have him to deal with. She didn’t have him playing knight. She had herself, her Pride, her city and her life. He had…Chicago.

“Nevermind, we can discuss that when you get here. Tell me how’ve you been I could listen to you for the rest of forever you sound happy.”

[Deleted]

She felt her cheeks flush at the nickname he was using, only he would ever call her that and live. She never really liked a pet name really nick names yes...Pet names not really but then again she gave him one too as she smiled again. Slowly she took a breath as she listened to his guidelines, she new this was for the best. She could not bring his brother to Chicago no she would not do that to him. Part of her was accepting the rules then again the other side was telling her she was opening herself up for something. Then again she wanted to ask why her Rex could not come with her. If you look at it her and the Rex were and are partners in every since of the word but then again she would not push it. Nope no matter how much she wanted too. Well at lest not yet she would want to look into his eyes and find out why. 'What if Heiro...Wait no lets not even finish that thought...' She said to herself as her fingers started to type the top of her desk as her mind ran wild with what could happen as she chuckled.

She knew him and still trusted him with her life and she would trust him on this. If things went South she would have to go from there, she would let everyone know what was going on. She already knew that her right hand would be all over everything if something went down but if she had to she could take care of herself. Then again this was Hiero her King Of the Jungle she was safe around him so all the plans that Sam was going to do would for not. Then again she would never let Samuel know she she shorten his name in her head or when she talks about him to her friend Izzy who was still in the city. "You know if you were anyone else I would basically tell you to take a long walk off a short pier but since it is you and I trust you completely which could lead to my down fall but eh if I have to be a hostage I could think of anyone else hands I would want to be held by. At least you can cook and I wont have to set the toaster on fire again... But really Hiero I would not do that too you I have more respect for you then that. But then again I have the same offer to you but I promise you that where ever I lay my head you will have a place to escape to but the same rules apply my door is open to you and your door is open to me so we are golden." She said in her I mean what I say but I am just in a good mood voice, slowly she leaned back in her chair grabbing her tea as she listened to the bass in his voice. It was calming to her and as she twirled a strain of her hair as he talked about her city being the rotten city, if it was anyone else she would snap or hurt them. Then again like she thought he was different then anyone else.

Taking a deep breath as she rolled her neck feeling the stress move out of it. Slowly she got up and started to walk around her heels clicking on the tile floors of her office as she moved to the window and looked out on her city the place she loved. "Hiero I have been up and down you know how self discovery works. Some times you are the monster then you are the good guy. Then again I find I am damn good and I love it here. I missed the food here and I missed the sounds and smells. I know it sounds strange since this was the place that tried to kill me more then once. I mean come on here you got to come up and sit with me we can go over to Jersey and hit the Deli to get a big ass sandwich and some dog. Oh we can go to the the tea room an get a drink. I missed the park and hell I missed my crazy mother and her uptight stick up her ass way...Hell! The truth is this place feels like home I guess you can say well my first home at least my second home will always be with you...." Pausing for a few second as her cheeks turned blood red and she shook her head that came out wrong but right at the same time.A nervous giggle left her lips as walked back to her desk and sat down.

" YEah when I got back here a few months ago I officially challenged my brother but I did at least waited two weeks before I did. I was almost laughed out of the room something about being a woman but you would be shocked what a open handed hit on a Rexs cheek in the middle of a pride gathering could do...Didn't help that I spit at his feet and turned my back to him......" She trailed off wondering is she spoke too much. She would have to tell him the story to his face since it was him and she would tell him though Samuel may tell her not too. She should really listen to him but she would always turn a blind eye to Hiero and she did not really care about the rules involving him. So when, where, and how do you want me King of the jungle?

[Hieronymous Banks-Walker]

It was again his time to listen he mmhmm’d at the right places letting her know he was in fact listening. She wasn’t in the room with him but he also nodded a smile on his face. She was rambling trying to express how well she was doing and summarize what had transpired in her sojourn. The reader’s digest version was still a mouthful. There would be more than enough to talk about once she arrived. He could feel her small hesitation at his opening volley of just her. If it was anyone else there would be a long haggling of which guards she would be bringing what security she would need or want. He would if she were anyone else have to plan against a potential hostile takeover. He would have to extend certain courtesies that would befit her rank as Regina of a Pride. He of course would have been as intractable as ever managing by dint of his amassed strength to insist that she came with the bare minimum. Or that they meet in another city.

She wasn’t anyone else and he wouldn’t play those sorts of games. She was part of the Pride here and as such would always be welcomed as one of the Pride. Her Rex and her advisor however would not be. They would have to be treated as what they were. Strong lions that could challenge. Hiero didn’t want that to factor in to her visit. He wanted her to be able to settle whatever business she felt she needed to without that being a factor. He was making it easy on her while also making sure that he would be responsible for her well-being. She wasn’t his any longer but in the interim in her time visiting she would be. She would once more be one of the Pride if only temporarily. He knew Ray would try to monopolize her time somewhat but that was to be expected he was a hound of sorts when it came to the female form. Kicking himself for allowing the vampire to slip out of his attention Hiero thought of Eliachem. He knew that Kasha and he had entertained each other. He hoped that she wasn’t coming to solely deal with him. If it was so be it he just hoped that was not in fact the case.

Taking a sip of his water he nodded as Adrian walked in tossing his jacket over the kitchen chair moving right to the fridge. The lion had blossomed in the last few months and while he was still single he was at least happier. He knew that Jane or Nat would be along soon enough as they both ended their days around the same time. It was interesting how familial things were. He would always miss Red and her munchkin but family was family was family be it with or without blood. The idea had a growl threatening in his throat as images of Mwel came to his eye. There would be time to deal with him later just not now and maybe not for a good little while.

" A little dramatic but effective I am sure. If you have time when you touch down there are a few things I’d like to discuss with you. As for the when well... I could have a ticket waiting for you at the airport in twenty minutes. Or a private plane waiting in six hours the choice is yours." He ignored the double entendre she posed while keeping the good cheer she was hoping to elicit. She like everyone he loved would always have a place in his heart. He however would not open that door wide enough to allow either him or her to walk through even by accident.

[Deleted]

Kasha looked up at her door and let a soft smile touch her lips as she saw hers leaning there holding coffee and a bagel. Waving him in to the office as he placed the cup on her desk and the plate on her table moving closer he picked her hand and kissed it his eyes locking on her nodding to him then flicking her hand to send him out the door her eyes promising later. She heard the slight growl as her eyes flashed and eye brow rose a little wondering what he was thinking to feel that way or hell what he saw. She would ask later but right now sh would file it away for later and mark it in her mind. Taking a breath as she listened to him, she always did have a flare for the dramatics and he knew it, well used to she found her place in the world and was calming down a lot more then most would of though she would.

"Well I did not agree with what he did with my pride. I found that they were no better then low ranking thugs and no lion should live like that or be told that is what they needed to be. So I did it and I would gladly talk to you when I get there, maybe over coffee or tea. We can talked about the things that were left unhashed and how the prides have changed. Or hell we can talk about how I found dresses in my brothers closest and heels to match them..The twenty minutes sounds great to me...Hiero do not put me in Southwest what ever you do or I may just try and walk there. I will see you in about five hours then?" She said as she waved her hand to the girl at the desk and nodded letting it know the trip was a go and have bag packed. "I am just going to grab a shower and head to the air port how does that sound? I also have to inform the others what is going on. Though I know I will have to check in with them...you know how a Rex can get over one of his pride..." She trailed off thinking of how to say the last part as she flipped her hair, she was going to miss her warm bed. That was only a part of it she would miss her Rex as he would miss her they were and are equals in everything that was done. " And then I am his partner, he gets cranky dealing with the youngest ones with out me there. Yet he is the nicer one out of us." She chuckled as she got a nod back everything was set up for her to leave for a few days. She was going to rent a car at least a nice one for a week or so, who knows how long it all will take to do what she needed.

"I do have a few people I need to deal with and a few things I must do. The first person I need to see besides the pride is a cranky little privet dick. If I show up there with out seeing her she would skin me alive. I know I like it where it is" Taking a sip of her coffee as she waited to see what was going to happen now.

[Hieronymous Banks-Walker]

Hiero smiled as she prattled. The more things change he thought. As he felt her mood change some, she was probably thinking of her partner, he assumed. Her mentioning of Adrian’s sister had a question in his head but that too was nothing for the moment. “Okay Kitty you will have a first class waiting at Laguardia and an escort when you touch down.” Hiero chuckled at what he had planned for her arrival. He also knew she’d had plans otherwise there was no way that she could just up and leave even with a Rex acting as her subordinate. A Rex as her helpmate, what a world what a world. He knew she was a strong lioness when he’d first laid eyes on her he couldn’t have hoped for better for her. Though he could have hoped better for them all but they were each as they were meant to be.

"Sadly most lions tend to become involved with crime. It’s a natural fit with our abilities and penchant for respecting strength above all else. It’s unfortunate but I’ve found a few ways to use those connections for a better end. In fact that’s one of the many things that we can speak about." Pulling his blue tooth from his pocket Hiero turned it on and synched placing it in his ear as he switched screens on his phone. He brought up the flights into O’hare. Settling on a seven day trip he booked her ticket with United. It was one of the few that had open first class tickets and available slots. Sending a quick text to ‘squish’ he had him get a car and wait for her. "I suppose... I should let you get your things together for your flight. Unless you have things already all set?" Smiling he ignored Adrian’s face as he looked form the skillet he was heating up and his phone chiming relentlessly. Moving with his water to the couch in the other room he listened to her breathing wondering lots of hows and whys.

[Deleted]

"YOu are still the best if I was there I could kiss you but at last I am not so no Hershey kisses for you. And to think I was willing to share my chocolate with you... As for a escort do I really have to have one? I mean I do know the city you are sounding so much like Zac and Sam right now its not funny. Zac is so worried about me and I have a feeling that Sam is the same way." Kasha added the pout in her voice to let him really know what she thought of what he was doing to her then she chuckle. The fact that she had to have people following her made her a little upset, but with power came responsibility even if she wish she could still be on the streets. Her pride needed her the way she was and she did it to make sure the were taken care of. She signed the last few papers that she needed too as she gt up transferring her call to her cell as she turned on the head set on with a wicked smile on her lips. Her pride ran well and would run well with out her there for a few days at least.

She moved out of her office her heels clicking on the tile floors as she moved grabbing her bag by her secretary desk with a smile on her face and a nod of her head to the young one as she walked on. Her eyes glancing about wondering if they knew what was happening and that she was leaving for a while. Things would be smooth as long as her brother and mother followed the rules. Hopefully her mother did not try to work everyone over while she was gone or she would have to kill her. She did not want to hurt her mother but she had no problem doing it if she must. If it was for her pride that old woman would be the next pelt on her floor. Slowly she came to a stop the door was open to the elevators as she nodded to his words. "Of course you are right about us felines of the lione but I find it works better if used right he had them worst then a local gang banger I mean fuck if you are going to be in crime get into it not the drug game or selling flesh and things of that nature I will not allow it and Zac agrees with me there too." She growled out the allow it part then to a deep breath to calm herself. She just got pissed at the thought of what her pride was before she was there and saved them from themselves. pressing the button to go to the bottom floor as she tapped her foot waiting for it to hurry up. Her hands moved over her phone sending a text to Samuel so he will know whats going on as she braced herself for his anger.

"Now King of the Jungle you know me very well do you think I would not have everything set up just in case you said yes?" I am hurt that you forgot how well I can be prepared when I need to be. I already have my bag set up and ready to go all i have to do is swing into the gym here take a quick shower and I am out the door. So who's face should I look for when I get off the plane? Also am I staying at the prides house or should I book a hotel I would rather the house but its up to you oh mighty one" She said as she moved to the gym that was in ht building heading straight to the showers that looked like little apartment showers as she started it up placing her phone on speaker as she started to strip and smiled she fell back in love with herself but she was not vein as one would think. She just wasn't depressed anymore and she wasn't drinking like a fish anymore.

[Hieronymous Banks-Walker]

"Yes, yes I am you need to keep that in mind maybe." Hiero joked his voice falling heavily across the miles between them. As her voice switched in gear he could imagine her disrobing getting ready for the shower or at least he hoped it was a shower she was getting ready for. “I’ll let you go so you can focus a bit. I will tell you that you will have two faces you shouldn’t mind all that much once you touch down.” Standing he stretched moving to the shelf of movies picking out ‘Bunraku’ and ‘The Last Samurai’ to while away a few hours. “As a guest it would be very rude of me to insist that you pay for a hotel when we have more than enough space here. Besides we have a suite on hold at the Anastasios if you need to be pampered more than we can provide here. So you’ll have the security of having a choice.”

Hiero smiled at her jokes even as his mind went to a dirtier joke as she mentioned Hershey Kisses. He didn’t give it much thought even as the image danced in his head. He was sure that she had already booked a room somewhere discreet under an assumed name with someone else’s credit card. It was an SOP he used often enough to know that between the two of them her and Mwel had already been taken into use. He could have a few checks done so as to save them a small bit of liquid cash with having to keep a room that wouldn’t be used. Then again if he did that could be taken the wrong way. So he put it out of his mind as he opened the disc tray on the player and slipped in Bunraku.

"I hadn’t forgotten your penchant to keep a few Go bags around. Luckily you don’t need them these days. So yeah go get into the shower I’ll talk to you when you touch down. I am taking it that the rustling was you getting ready for it and the echo is your bathroom. Tiled right with warmers built into the floor and walls to keep the mirrors from fogging up. If I am right it’s a familiar set-up. But go I’ll talk you in…" If she didn’t Hiero would keep her talking right through her boarding. Not to mention he was sure she had a few last minute things to tend to with her Rex and Mwel.