Queen of Spades (House of Car...

A/N: Look to the side, there's a picture of Monster there. Yes I am bribing you people with a picture of a cute puppy :D Vote if you love cute animals! :D

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The clock struck midnight but not a single body on the dance floor turned into a pumpkin. A throbbing trip hop was blasting through the speakers, a mash up DJ Mask noticed was a huge hit with the writhing mass of bodies below. These people dancing in abandon were lost to the world around them and willingly absorbed into the one DJ Mask wove around them. It was almost physically jarring when the music was layered and replaced by tin can club beats. DJ Mask's set was done, and it was time for the next DJ to be announced. There was roars of applause and excitment as the club owner bade thanks to DJ Mask, and Alice slipped behind the curtain to change. Originally Salali was supposed to meet her here with a change of clothes so Alice could enjoy the rest of the night. But after learning that her friends and once lover Honon had died, Ace had reluctantly asked Mal to meet her here.

What she hadn't expected was to see him here ready to dance. Malcolm was wearing well worn jeans that were slung low on his hips. He had a simple black button down shirt on, but in the heat of the club, he'd unbuttoned it and it hung open to frame a rather delicious looking body.

The thing about having a personna like DJ Mask, was that the character tended to develop their own personality almost. Even though you originally came up with their existence, that personna has the power to alter your behaviour. So while she still had on the body armour of Mask and had just pulled off the covering face, Alice acted without any thought to repercussions and grabbed the front of Malcolm's jeans, pulling him closer and then landed a kiss to his lips. Then the more logical woman flushed and stepped back.

"Sorry. Got caught up in the music." Alice explained, suddenly awkward. She really had to stop doing that.

Thankfully Malcolm laughed. "You know how weird it was to have an alien DJ kiss me?" he teased. Alice narrowed her eyes at him, about to retort when he pointed to where her outfit was.

Alice shucked the costume eagerly. It was hot! Eyes were heavy against her skin and she looked over her shoulder to see Malcolm staring at her. She'd stripped down to her skivvies right in front of him without hesitation, not to be a tease, but simply because she hadn't been body conscious in a long while. If anyone popped their head back here it would look terrible. Here she was in black booty shorts and her Leboutin knock offs, silky dress clutched to her chest for a modicrum of cover. In a rush she pulled the dress on over her head and tied it up, her heart ramming in her chest. Then she pulled her long hair out of its braided bun and left it down. Long hair is sexy and feminine, but it also was hot and tangled like a rat's nest. But she'd deal with that later.

"I'll take this out to the car. Be back soon." Malcolm stepped up close to her to grab the costume from her. Alice was clutching it to her abdomen and when he slid his hands around to grasp it, his hand brushed along the front of her body, a teasing touch that sent shivers racing across her skin.

"I'll be on the dance floor. I'm sure you'll find me." Alice replied and slipped out back through the curtain. He's your teacher, he's got a girlfriend. You need to remember this and stop kissing him! Alice scolded herself internally. There was just something about him though. It wasn't that he made her feel safe so much as when she was around him, she felt like she'd never been a victim. He made her feel special and normal all at once.

Since she couldn't seem to stop thinking about him, Alice pushed thoughts of Mal to the side of her brain and instead focused on sinking into the crowd and enjoying the new DJ's set. DJ Mask was still building a following, too new to really be a main act, so the DJ that Mask had opened for was now showcasing. And he was good. It wasn't hard for Alice to let the music wash over her and clear away all thoughts, instead just live for the moment and the beat.

Given an option, Alice's dance style is a mix of sultry, sensuous moves and acro ballet. Her hips wiggled, her body shimmied and her eyes were mostly closed and she enjoyed the freedom of movement. And dancing in a dress like she was wearing was a tactile delight as the fabric was cool, ticklish and whispered over the lines of her body as she danced. Hands slipped around her hips and she didn't mind, making minute adjustements so that she was dancing with the partner instead of just in front of him. It wasn't the over board griding that a lot of pairs were doing, instead it was a teasing brush of bodies only occassionally grinding together and it was starting to really make Alice's heart rate race. She felt a hand brush the hair from the side of her neck and her dance partner whispered, "Found you."

A brilliant grin spread across Ace's face as she realized it was Malcolm she'd been dancing with all along. Goosebumps peppered her skin as she felt him put his hand back on her hip, gripping her to keep her close. For right now she could pretend he wasn't 7 years older, her teacher and even that he had a girlfriend. Right now it was just Ace and Mal, dancing in their own space, bodies matched as they moved together with the music. Until someone jostled into them and broke the moment.

"Drink?" Malcolm asked apparently forgetting that Alice was underage. She wasn't about to remind him though and nodded, a girlish and happy feeling in her gut as he grabbed her hand and guided her through the crowd to the bar.

Malcolm leaned over to the bartender and even standing next to him, Alice couldn't hear what he ordered. But whatever it was, he ordered two of htem because the bartender set down two glasses and poured. It was an innocent looking drink, orange with a dash of red in it and Alice was thirsty enough that she drank it quicker than she should have. She was standing at the bar, with Malcolm close behind her. There were enough bodies around that he was pretty much glued to her back and it was a position that was distracting Alice all to hell. It was definitly not helping her think innocent thoughts or remember that having a crush on him was a terrible idea. And when he leaned over her shoulder to order another round of drinks, she stopped breathing entirely. With his button shirt undone, and her halter dress having no back, all she could feel was his skin against hers and it nearly made her swoon. But he stepped back a little to give her more room and she sucked in a deep breath, turning around so that the bar was at her back. She raised an eyebrow and clinked glasses with him, a silly grin on his face after he downed the drink. Mimicing him, Ace shotgunned hers and was dragged back out onto the dance floor.

It should have occured to Alice that there would be others here that might recognize them. Malcolm was a teacher and most of the female student body would give their right arms to have him dance with them the way he was with Alice right now. But it wasn't until she heard Malcolm say, "Oh s***." and disappear that she remembered.

Her eyes scanned the crowd and fell upon her friends making their way through the crowd towards her. She wasn't disappointed to see them, but with them here that meant that Malcolm couldn't be. Kim crashed into Alice with a tiny but fierce hug. "You made it!" she gushed.

"Who was that dancing with you. I couldn't see but he looked familiar." Justine asked, frowning. Alice just shrugged, not wanting to answer.

"You guys look great!' she shouted, trying to be heard over the music. And they did. Sammy was the most uncomfortable looking, probably because she was a bigger girl. Most of the women around them were painfully skinny and scantily clad, whereas Sam would never starve to death and had on a jean skirt and a frilly top. Kim was in jeggings and a one shoulder shirt, Justine had on a little black dress, Butch was in jeans and a wife beater and Theresa was sporting a crop top and matching skirt.

"And look at you Miss Sophisticated dresser!" Kim laughed, motioning for Alice to twirl. So she did, and as she spun, she spied Malcolm watching her from the bar. He had two drinks in his hand again. Ace bit her lip, fighting the urge to go to him. When she caught his eye, she beckoned to him with her finger, eyebrows raised in challenge.

"I thought you were working?" Butched asked, glaring off any guy that tried to get close to his friends. Alice was greatful for him because as soon as Malcolm had fled, other guys kept trying to come up and grind with her.

"Finished and here I am!" Alice laughed, unaware that she was now being stalked.

Her friends were all yammering and not really dancing, so they let the crowd push them to the edge of hte dance floor. Alice enjoyed talking to them but mostly she wanted to go find Malcolm again and dance with him. She'd thought he understood her challenge, find a way to come to her, but he hadn't appeared yet and she tried to ignore the disappointment.

"I'm going to the bathroom, I'll be back." Alice shouted at Kim, wanting someone to know why she'd disappeared. She slid through the crowd of people towards the back area. As she passed by the curtains where she'd changed, a hand shot out and grabbed her wrist, pulling her behind the curtain. Expecting the worst, Alice automatically shot her other hand out and desked the person yanking her in the face. Instead of letting go of her, Ace found herself being pinned up against the brick wall hidden by the curtain. Malcolm had one of her wrists pinned down by her hip and the other was above her head. She could see the red mark her fist had made but her attention was completly grabbed by wild fire that danced in his eyes.

"It's just me. Sorry for scaring you. I just saw this opportunity and had to take it." Malcolm explained, having to lean close to make himself heard. Maybe it was the alcohol, maybe it was lingering courage from being DJ Mask, or maybe it was just pure impish desire, but Alice leaned forward and gently bit his ear lobe. Malcolm jerked his head away and gently held her face by the jaw. He looked in her eyes for a moment then kissed her. Ace wrapped her arms around his neck and opened her mouth, his quick tongue exploring and bold. His hands ran down the exposed skin her dress left on her back and grabbed the back of her thighs, hiking her up so she could wrap her legs around his waist. His fingers dug in but Alice didn't mind, she drank in the sensations. His mouth broke away from hers and burned kisses down her jaw and then dipped down to her neck. He was pressed hard up against her and she could feel his powerful heart beat hammer through their chests.

Until they both clearly heard Kim's tentative voice call out, "Alice? Are you ok in there?" front right next to them. Malcolm let her jump down and her turned his face away, hoping the student hadn't recognized him.

Alice was flushed, breathing heavy and still a little dazed from their mutual mauling. "Ah.. yeah I'm fine Kim. Thanks." Alice replied, completely lost on how to salvage this situation. This would so get her taken away, and likely get him fired.

Kim was staring intently at the back of Malcolm's head, frowning. "And who is this? Why are you hiding? Do I know you?" she demanded, getting angry and obviously thinking this guy was no good.

"Kim. Ah... it's DJ Mask." Alice lied suddenly. "We ah... well, I know him and we're kind of a secret. Ok?"

Kim blinked, looking surprised. Then a wicked smile spread across her face. "He is a guy, I knew it!" she hissed in victory. Alice stared at her friend for a moment then started a nervous laugh.

"Don't tell anyone ok? His identity is a secret." She whispered conspiratorialy. Whisper being a relatve word as she had to yell to be heard. She could feel Malcolm shaking from where he was trying not to laugh.

Kim grinned at her and gave a conspiratorial wink. "I'll tell the others you've headed home. Have fun." she urged and disappeared back into the crowd.

Malcolm still had his head buried in Alice's hair and Ace wrapped her arms around his waist. "That was...." he started but Alice interrupted him with a finger to the lips, followed by a kiss.

"Don't tell me that was a mistake. Just for right now, don't tell me that you regret that. Neither one of us is dumb enough to think this is a good idea. If anyone caught us, or even suspects you could even get arrested and not just fired. I'd get taken away, sent to who knows what ungodly family. I'd also get booted from school and have to wait another year before I could graduate. And that's not even taking into consideration the seven years between us. It's far too likely that once the risk appeal wears off you'd want to find someone more equal than I could be." Alice babbled nervously.

"Shut up." Malcolm commanded, shocking Alice quiet. "I was just going to say that was crazy." he stepped back a little. "But you're right." he agreed.

Alice took a deep breath and straightened her skirt back down. "I think we should get out of here." she tried to squash the rising urge to cry. She hated herself a little right then.

Malcolm didn't say anything, just slipped out the back door. Alice waited a moment, then followed, running quickly to get into the Jeep. Her costume was folded neatly in the backseat, tucked into a box Mal had floating around. It was snowing out and he'd been smart enough to throw Alice's jacket in the passenger seat, so Ace pulled it on; greatful for its warmth. They didn't talk as he drove, but both were catching stolen glances at each other out of the corner of their eyes. Alice couldn't help it, though she kept trying to command her eyes to hold still. Malcolm hadn't done up his shirt yet and it lay open, revealing his chest and stomach. His racer jacket was just a heavy frame for the distracting peeks of flesh. Alice swallowed and tried to shift her hormones into an off position.

"Coffee?" she asked as he stopped the Jeep outside her apartment. He nodded his head abscently and followed her inside, his internal struggle evident by the frown he wore. There was a note propped up on the kitchen table, telling Alice that Salali had gone to spend the night with Honon's family, but if she needed her to call the house number listed. "If you get the water boiling, I desperately need a shower." Alice remarked and walked past the kitchen towards her room.

"I really think we should talk first." Malcolm stuck his head around the corner.

"Fine." Alice reluctantly agreed. She stepped into her room but left the door open so they could talk. She unbuckled her heels and thankfully stepped out of them. She groaned softly as she stretched her sore feet out on the cushiony carpet. Next she untied the dress from around her neck and it fell to the floor with a whisper. Ace stretched up, trying to loosen the muscles in her back.

"I'm sorry that I ever put you int......" Malcolm stepped through the doorway, trailing off as he caught sight of her.

A strange rushing sensation flooded through her, ears buzzing. She should have felt embarassed, standing naked in front of him except for a pair of booty shorts. But with his eyes on her, she felt secure and not vulnerable. His eyes burned with the darker aspects he tried to deny existed, and he walked further into the room. She didn't wait for him, moving herself to meet him half way.

One of Malcolm's hands sunk into her hair and the other wrapped around her back. Her hands were pressed against his chest, one on skin, the other on dress shirt. Her fingers picked up the pounding drum of his heartbeat. He paused with his lips a breath away from hers, looking into her eyes and giving her the chance to say no. But she didn't want him to stop, so she rose on tip toe and pushed their lips together.

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A/N: CUE DRAMATIC MUSIC! Actually the music clip on the side is entirely how I pictured their tension in this entire chapter. So what do you guys think? Will they go through with it, or will they come to their senses first?