Boy like me; Colt!

[Harleigh]

I bite.

She was scared to death. And she was never scared. C'mon this was Harleigh. The confident teasing, Harleigh. She was never scared, and yet.....here she was scared shitless.

Taking a few steps towards the door she stopped for the fourth time. She should just turn around, get back in her truck, and leave. But she didn't. This was Colt she was talking about. To stand him up would just be a sin. Pushing a strand of hair behind her ear she grinned. She was right...this was Colt she was talking about. The handsome mississippi were who absolutely made her heart flutter. He was amazing in every definition of the word.

Finally entering the small sophisticated restaurant, she made her way to the hostess. The brunette stood there looking down at a list of people barely looking up at her as she spoke. "How can I help you?" Harleigh cleared her throat forcing a smile. "I'ma here for a date, a guy about 6"2, real handsome." The hostess looked up at her and smirked as if sizing her up. "Oh...well you're the lucky lady...a few of our waitresses have already tried to call dibs on him. Right this way."

Harleigh rolled her eyes, but her insecurity was bubbling inside her. Were all these girls in New York really that horny that they couldn't back off from a guy who was obviously here for a date? She took a deep breath trying not to scream. Then she saw him. Well.... she didn't really see him... more like the back of his head...oh and a very busty blonde waitress... Pushing her insecurity away she walked over to the table.

Her cajun anger boiling inside she tried to make it simmer down, and as soon as she saw his face it seemed to disappear completely. He was so handsome, and nothing was going to ruin tonight. "Well hello dere stranger." She smiled. "E'cuse me miss I believe this is where I sit." She grinned and took a spot in the seat across from Colt. The waitress immeadiately straightened up. "Yes...hello there. And what can I get you to drink?" Harleigh smirked over at Colt. "You wouldn't happen to have any beer on tap would you?"

The waitress cleared her throat her eyes widening. "Um...uh. No, but we have wine? Would you like a glass or a bottle?" Harleigh raised a brow. "Well I'm not paying sadly so I can't make that decision." She looked over at him her happiness clearly showing in her eyes. She was the luckiest girl alive right now. This felt oh so perfect.

[Colt]

Never quite like this

He sat there, brows slightly furrowed, heart racing as more waitress crowded around the table. Smiling down at him and arguing over who was going to serve him tonight. Swallowing with some difficulty, he cleared his throat. "Uh... I'm expecting a lady." The look on their faces, nearly made him sink lower in his chair. "Can I get some water please?" He suddenly felt like his throat was closing up and he couldn't breathe.

After a moment of downing half the glass of ice water, the waitress semmed to clear out, going back to their work. His eyes scanned the room for a clock, finally stopping on a elderly man in a table close to him. "'Excuse me, sir. You happen to know what the time is?" He asked, his southern accent thick. "Eight twenty-five."" Colt nodded lightly, muttering a soft thank you.

A blonde came up to him then, talking about their specials and how darn cute he was. "Uh.. I... uh..." He was speechless to say the least, and it just happened to get worse when a Cajun accent filled his ears.

"Well hello dere stranger." She smiled. "E'cuse me miss I believe this is where I sit."

Colt smiled brightly, nearly jumping up to grab her chair and pull it out for her, holding it as she sat down and scooting her in. His eyes never left her as she spoke to the waitress about some beer. "Um...uh. No, but we have wine? Would you like a glass or a bottle?" "Well I'm not paying sadly so I can't make that decision."

He smiled sweetly. "How about some sweet tea instead?" He asked, raising a brow. "If I remember correctly, last time we drank we ended up getting soak and wet. Not sure if I want to ruin another hat tonight." He joked easily, his hand reaching over to gently hold hers on top of the table.

He'd been on some dates before, that's true. But they were never quite like this before...

[Harleigh]

The waitress seemed to hang on every word that came from Colt's lips, and all Harleigh could do was smile as his hand came up to grasp hers. Smiling softly a warm feeling filled her making her want this night to never end and she just got here. "How about some sweet tea instead?" He asked, raising a brow. "If I remember correctly, last time we drank we ended up getting soak and wet. Not sure if I want to ruin another hat tonight."

Harleigh let out a laugh. The waitress automatically assumed something dirty because she blushed and nodded softly. The watiress scurried away, and Harleigh gave all her attention to Colt. "How have you been for these last two days dawlin'?" She smiled. It made her happy to be able to say that and not have to be teasing anyone. She knew deep down that she couldn't tease him, because anything she said or did she meant....and she only met him a week ago.

Yet, they hung out for 5 days straight and then she let him be on his own for two days nowing people tended to get a little fiesty when they were around each other too much. Though she was sure she could be near him everyday of her life and not want to strangle him. That was alot to say coming from Harleigh considering she wanted to strangle alot of people that weren't part of her family.

Taking a deep breath she looked down at their hands, and how they fit so perfectly in one anothers. This was fate on the highest level, but Harleigh didn't want to admit it. She didn't want to feel attached and dependent on him. She swore she would never be a slingy girlfriend, and here she was only knowing this guy for a week and she already felt like she could be with him day in and day out.

Shaking the thought she let her eyes travel up to his face. "Did ya miss me?" She laughed softly. "Just kidd'n no one misses me after spendin' a good five days with me." She grinned. The waitress came out with their sweet tea and sat it down. Taking a sip of her tea she opened up the menu. the waitress spoke looking at Colt directly. "And can I get you something to eat Darling?"

Harleigh raised a brow looking over at Colt. Did that waitress really just call him darling? Deciding not to make a scene she stuck her head back down looking at the menu.

[Colt]

"How have you been for these last two days dawlin'?"

He smiled, his thumb gently caressing the back of her hand. A soft smile dancing along his face as the waitress hurried off to fill their drinks. "I've been good. Could have been better." He smirked softly at her. Looking over at the table, all he could do was stare at her blue eyes, and it seemed the longer he did, the more he got lost in them. He knew he couldn't sit here and stare at her without saying anything. That would just be rude, and his momma raised him better than that.

But he couldn't help himself. They were the color of an exotic sea. Sometimes they were sparkling blue, other times they seemed to look like a sea foam green. He was amazed by them, amazed by her. Despite living in the south, and seeing his fair share of southern girls, none of them compared to Harleigh.

"Did ya miss me?"

He opened his mouth to speak, but then she went on. "Just kidd'n no one misses me after spendin' a good five days with me." And again, his mouth opened to speak, but the waitress quickly interrupted. "And can I get you something to eat Darling?" Looking from the waitress back to Harleigh, he smiled softly. "Of course I missed you." He said softly, not really caring if the woman overheard this or not. "How could I not? You got me to dance in the rain, for cryin' out loud." He laughed out-loud.

Finally looking back up at the waitress, he picked up his menu. "Can you give me five minutes to decide?" He asked softly. "Oh wait, y'all got burgers? I'm in the mood for a good burger." He smirked, looking over the menu at Harleigh. "What about you? What are you hankerin' for?"

[Harleigh]

"Of course I missed you." He said softly, not really caring if the woman overheard this or not. "How could I not? You got me to dance in the rain, for cryin' out loud." Harleigh smiled softly and she ust felt like melting in her seat. He made her feel like she was the only important girl in his life besides his mama. She leaned over the table, not caring if it was un-lady like or not she kissed him softly on the lips.

Looking up at the waitress she smiled. Nothing really could ruin this night. He knew all thr right things to say and when to say them. "What can I say I'm pretty amazin'." She smirked. "I think I'll have the same..." She finally placed her attention on the waitress. "A good burger never fails to make a night better." She grinned.

Only they would go out to a fancy restuarant and order burgers. The waitress shook her head nonchanlantly and walked away going to place thier orders. Looking back to Colt she smiled. "Y'know i hate to get all mushy and stuff, but this is really amazin', being here with ya and all.... It just feels....." She paused looking down at their hands. "Right." She looked up at him her eyes showing the purest of happiness.

Harleigh knew she hadn't been this happy in a while. Not even when she was at home. Colt brought a sincere smile to her face and it hadn't left since the day she met him. He was everything that was good about her life these days. She just didn't know how to explain it, and she sure didn't want to run him off.

[Colt]

That soft kiss was something he didn't expect. To tell the truth, he thought she was standing up to knock the waitress out. But it wasn't like he was going to object to either scenario. "What can I say I'm pretty amazin'." He smiled, nodding lightly as he tried to form words into sentences. "That's... uh, very true."

"A good burger never fails to make a night better."

"Again, very true." he laughed, grinning from ear to ear. "Though, no burger compares to my dad's. He has this special sauce he puts on them. It's like they melt in your mouth." He smiled softly, finding himself missing home. Missing his momma and his dad. Not to mention his brothers, even Gage.

"Y'know i hate to get all mushy and stuff, but this is really amazin', being here with ya and all.... It just feels....." "Right?" They both managed to say at the same time. Smiling, his head fell a bit as he let out a soft laugh. "I know exactly how you feel. Feels like everythin's just fallin' into place."

Moments later, their orders came in from a man this time. Perking a brow, he didn't even want to ask where the woman had gone. Not like he truly cared, anyway. But it didn't matter now, did it? He slowly let go of her hand with a gentle smile as he grabbed one of his fries. "Um, can I get some barbecue sauce for my fries?" He quickly asked as the waiter turned to leave.

The man nodded, and scurried off to get it. Smirking, he looked up at Harleigh. "I know what you're gonna say. Barbecue sauce, on fries? Yuck." He laughed. "But it's really good. Gives them some zing."

[Harleigh]

"Again, very true." he laughed, grinning from ear to ear. "Though, no burger compares to my dad's. He has this special sauce he puts on them. It's like they melt in your mouth."

Harleigh grinned. "Well then one day I might just have to taste those burgers, wont I?" she grinned softly. It was so great sitting here and as she spoke she heard him say right as the same time as her. This was how she knew that this wasn't a waste of time. This was something more....something she could pour all her heart into and know she wasn't going to loose all hope.

"I know exactly how you feel. Feels like everythin's just fallin' into place."

Her heart melted. She wanted to just jump up and down with excitement. "You're truly amazin' Colt." A man came out carrying their plates and she giggled slightly knowing the waitress was embarrassed after watching her kiss him. She grinned up at the man. Taking her plate she looked over at Colt as he spoke.

Before she could speak he was already saying something. "I know what you're gonna say. Barbecue sauce, on fries? Yuck." He laughed. "But it's really good. Gives them some zing." Harleigh raised a brow shocked. She almost fainted. "I don't think that's yuck at all. I love barbecue sauce on my fries....it's amazin' and I do believe my daddy always said the same thing about it." She grinned.

The man brought the barbecue sauce out and they talked, ate, shared the little cup of barbecue sauce. Before they were done eating he managed to make her laugh so hard she snorted and she manged to make him choke on his sweet tea more than a few times. It was the best feeling she had ever had. They were finished and full, and they both had smiles on their face about 10 miles wide.

A check was placed on the table and she watched as he took it up like a gentlemen. "I enjoyed every bit of this dinner Colt, but tell me it's not quite over yet..." She smiled licking her lips.

[Colt]

"Well then one day I might just have to taste those burgers, wont I?"

He smiled, nodding lightly as he nibbled on a fry as he waited for the waiter to return. "One day." As in, whenever he decided to go back home again. "You're truly amazin' Colt." He smiled sheepishly at her. "If you say so."

Time seemed to pass by quickly. Laughs were shared, food nearly popping out of their mouths from laughing so hard while they tried to finish their meal. Before he knew it, the waiter was taking their plates away and dropping off a check. Picking it up, he quickly grabbed for his wallet in his back pocket, paying the bill with no hesitation.

"I enjoyed every bit of this dinner Colt, but tell me it's not quite over yet..."

Taking to his feet, he smiled easily, walking over and helping her to her feet. "Not quite." He laughed softly. "I was thinking." He paused, holding the door open for her as they exited the restaurant. "Moonlit walk in central park." He paused, a twinkle in his eyes. "Or maybe a run, burn off that dinner. Then maybe some desert?"

[Harleigh]

"Not quite." He laughed softly. "I was thinking." He paused, holding the door open for her as they exited the restaurant. "Moonlit walk in central park." He paused, a twinkle in his eyes. "Or maybe a run, burn off that dinner. Then maybe some desert?"

Harleigh smiled. "I like those ideas." She took his hand, and they walked hand in hand out of the restuarant. As they walked down the street she grinned softly. "I'm likin' the sound of dat run right about now.... I'm feelin' a lil' on da full side.." She rubbed her tummy.

They walked down the street towards the park close together. She manged to lift his hand up and around her shoulder letting herself nestle under his arm. The air was a bit chilly, but not because it was cold outside, but because everytime she looked at him she got goose bumps.

It wasn't long before they were at the park. It was a beautiful night and nothing could have been more perfect about how they would spend this time. She made her way towards a forest-y area of the park. She turned around as he lagged behind a few steps. "I'm still trying to figure out what exactly our desert will be?" She grinned slinking behind a tree and taking off her dress. She leaned around the tree and threw it at him. The dress landing perfectly on his face.

"You mind hangin' that up for me dawlin'?" She giggled, and before long she was in the midst of a change. This was a horrible feeling, but she couldn't help but be excited knowing that on the otherside of this change was another were who loved running just as much as she did. Her change complete she came running from behind the tree letting out a few small howls as she waited for him to change as well.

[Colt]

"I'm likin' the sound of dat run right about now.... I'm feelin' a lil' on da full side.."

He smiled, grabbing her hand as they walked side by side down towards the park. "Ugh, you and me both." He laid his free hand on his stomach and gave it a small rub. He couldn't wait to be rolling in the grass, and stretching out and running around the park.

He watched as she let go of his hand and charged ahead a bit. "I'm still trying to figure out what exactly our desert will be?" She ducked behind a tree, undoubtedly changing out of her dress. Opening his mouth to reply, the same dress came flying out and landing on his head. Laughing, he nodded as she asked to hang it up somewhere. Looking around, he decided it wouldn't be wise to put it on a bench. Walking over, he hugged a tree and climbed up a few, hanging it over a branch as she came running out in wolf form.

Laughing, he took off his shirt, hanging it on a branch next to her dress. Looking down from the height he was at, he figured he could just shift and jump. Pain crossing his face, he let the transformation come on easily, letting out a stifled howl before jumping down and rolling through the grass.

Tongue dangling out, he smiled over at her.

[Harleigh]

Running over to him she nipped plyfully at his neck. She licked the side of his face one good time before running away through the woods. She was a god runner, but no where near as good as he was. There was only one thing small wolves like her could do....and that was hide.

Speeding up she changed her trail letting out a howl right before she changed her trail moving progressively to the left. Her scent would shwo up, but it meant nothing unless he could see her, and once she crouched down low enough in the brush he would have a hell of a time trying to find her, even if her fur was a pale white.

Finding the perfect hiding spot she crouched down just in time to be able to hear his paw prints hitting the ground. It was great to go on a run, and with him... it only made it that much sweeter to pounce on him. He came running past the bush she was hiding behind, and as soon as she could she launched out of her hiding spot and onto his back.

She rolled with her her grasp on his neck light and playful. She growled softly, and it sounded like a laugh. Nipping at his nose she licked away at his face as she kept him pinned to the ground.

[Colt]

There he was pinned down, her on top of him. He should have known. "It's not all about speed, Colt. It's about trackin' the scent, little brother." Gage's voice filled his head, as he stared up at her. Letting out a painful howl, that quickly turned into laughter, he shifted back. "Well this is just not fair." He laughed. A blush creeping onto his cheeks as he realized what he had done. Taking in a deep breath, he focused back into his wolf form, a soft whine pushing from his mouth.

She eventually moved, and he quickly got up, tilting his head back up to the area where they had stripped. Running back, he whined as he shifted back into his human form, climbing up the tree and grabbing his clothes. After his jeans were on, he threw his shirt and her dress over his shoulder and made his way back down to solid ground.

Laughing lightly, he tossed her dress towards her direction. "Here ya go." He sighed, leaning against a tree as he waited for her to change. His head turned at the right moment, watching as she walked out from behind the tree.

Pushing away from his tree, he made his way over to her. Without a word, his hand reached out, brushing some of her blonde hair out of her face as his hand rested against her jawline and neck. Moving in slowly, his lips met hers in a delicate deliciously sweet kiss.

[Harleigh]

"Well this is just not fair."

Harleigh let out a loud howl of laughter as he willed himself back into wolf form. He dashed away not giving her enough time to tease him for be completely naked in front of her. She ran after him finding herself back to their changing spots. She made her way over to the tree she stood behind earlier thanking him with her eyes as he brought her, her dress.

Changing quickly she slipped her dress on and emerged from behind the tree. Without a word he made his way over to her. Slipping a piece of her hair behind her ear she smiled and his lips met hers in a sweet kiss. She pulled back smiling and licking her lips. "Don't think this will make me forget how funny that was early." She grinned softly, but before he had time to reply she had already pressed her lips to his.

She pressed her body against his and guided him over towards a tree pressing his back against it gently. She ra her hands through his hair. He was just so perfect....oh so damn perfect. Grinning against his lips she found herself willing herself to take off his shirt. She shook the thought.

Before she knew it they were on the grass, her on top of course. She grinned softly pulling away. This felt so right. She wanted to say some snarky remark, but nothing was coming to her. Instead she pulled the bottom of his shirt up and above his head. She grinned running her hand down his rock hard chest.

Her eyes lit up and she was sure she looked like a kid in a candy store before she finally leaned back down to place a passionate kiss onto his lips.

[Gage]

Finally Found You

He was hot on the trail now. There was no denying it, it was Colt's sent he had. From the bar towards restaurant and now towards the park. Boy, this boy was in for it. Making' him run all over the god-damned united states, searching for his sorry ass.

Taking a whiff, he kneeled down, smelling something else... Magnolias? "What the...?" There was clear paw prints in the dirt infront of him. And, they were fresh. "So you're not alone..." His jaw set, a sigh pushing from his lips as he continued on.

He walked towards a line of trees, and the scents just got stronger. Lifting his head up, he could clearly see two people making out on the grass up ahead. He bite down on his lip, adjusting the hat on his head as he walked closer, taking in a good look.

It was Colt.

"Well, well." He laughed half-heartedly, hands on his hips. "Lookit what we have here..." His brown eyes gleamed under the rim of his cowboy hat, before he smirked, tilting it down further, showing only his lips and chin as an odd laugh filled the air.

[Colt]

"Don't think this will make me forget how funny that was early."

All he had time to do was smile, before her lips came crashing down on his. He loved those lips. Soft, and supple. They somehow made their way over to a tree, his back pressed against it as she pressed herself against him. His arm wrapped around her, laying on the small of her back as the other kept hold of her head.

Before he knew it, they were on the ground, and he could only chuckle softly as his shirt came off and was thrown into the open field. He could see her in his life, for the rest of his life. But then again, it was a little soon to be thinking like that. They had only just met a week ago... But then again, he couldn't shake this feeling.

"Well, well."

Breaking the kiss, his eyes widened slightly as his head turned. Not being able to see his face, he knew it was Gage, just by the voice, and the way he laughed. "Lookit what we have here..." Colt swallowed roughly, his eyes focused on his older brother. "Gage." It barely came out, but there it was. There he was.

His eyes met with Harleigh before he slowly moved her off of him and took to his feet. Despite his brother being there, he still showed manners. Offering a hand to help her up as well. After she was on her own two feet, he stood in front of her, almost protecting her in a way as both of the Turner brothers stared each other down.

"What are you doing here?"

[Harleigh]

The best kiss of a life time, and if she hadn't heard the footsteps she was sure shw would not have been able to stop herself. Before she had time to tell Colt a voice rang out, downwind. She almost jumped, but Colt obviously knew him because he only tensed a little.

"Well, well." He laughed half-heartedly, hands on his hips. "Lookit what we have here..."

Harleighs eyes widened she couldn't tell if the laugh was genuine or forced. As Colt got up she couldn't help, but feel the lump that rose in her throat. Who the hell was this? Colt helped her up holding his hand out, but the stance he stood in afterwards told her she should just keep quiet. It was never a good thing when a man stands in front of you. Especially a mand you were just kissing.

Shaking the thought she finally zoned back in to hear Colt's voice speak to the stranger. "Gage."..."What are you doing here?" Harleigh's eyes widened. Gage? Like the Gage? Like older brother, Gage. Swallowing the lump in her throat she took a step forward. She could stand for herself. She was never one to look weak at all, and plus she would make herself known one way or another why not make it formal?

"Well hello there," Harleigh stuck out her hand almost feeling the tension form around it. "You must be the older brother Colt has been ramblin' bout. I'm Harleigh. Harleigh Boudreaux." She smiled a genuine smile her hand still held out to shake his hand. She was never one to look scared or be rude to someone's family... this was the only way she saw to break the ice.

Her father used to always ramble on about not waiting for other people to say hello 'You always break the ice Leigh, Don't you ever be a wall flower now, ya hear.' Smiling in her consience she felt warm all around. She missed her daddy and his crazy words of advice. If she missed her family, she was sure Colt did too. Then why did he look so un-happy to see his brother.

[Gage]

"What are you doing here?"
"Well hello there, You must be the older brother Colt has been ramblin' bout. I'm Harleigh. Harleigh Boudreaux."

Gage simply looked at her hand, and flicked his hat up to look at the girl standing beside his younger brother. His momma raised him to be polite, but politeness went out the window along time ago, about the time that Colt took off without a word. "It's obvious, isn't it?" He threw back, a smirk on his lips.

"Y'know, you nearly gave momma a heart attack. I know you know better than that, after what happened to Alyssa. But yet, here you are..." He sighed, his eyes swaying over to Harleigh. "Gotta hand it to ya, Colt. She is pretty. Looks kinda wild too." He grinned.

"Y'know exactly why I'm here, no need to go off and act like Jayjay."

[Harleigh]

"It's obvious, isn't it?" He threw back, a smirk on his lips.
Her eyes widened and her smile fell from her lips. Retracting her hand slowly she didn't even bother to look back at Colt. She didn't need any suport for this. She had dealt with assholes before. This was just another notch in her belt, and well she wasn't going to let it get her down. Even if it was the brother of the most amazing guy ever.

"Y'know, you nearly gave momma a heart attack. I know you know better than that, after what happened to Alyssa. But yet, here you are..." He sighed, his eyes swaying over to Harleigh. "Gotta hand it to ya, Colt. She is pretty. Looks kinda wild too." He grinned.

Harleigh was not one to comment on anyone's momma, and she didn't know who alyssa was but at the moment she didn't care. She looked wild? Wild her ass....she was not some mangy little mutt to be called wild. She was a sophisticated were from New Orleasns.... Taking a deep breath and raising a brow she took a step back.

"Why thank you for the compliment though I'm not so sure it was one..." She said almost coldly. Finally taking time she looked back at Colt. Her eyes rimmed with tears. She didn't bother turning back to the older brother he had hurt her feelings, but she hid it well wiping her eyes before taking her place next to Colt. She was not going to let him get to her.

Even if it did feel like the guy of her dreams family had just rejected her.....already....and she only met one of them..... She sighed inwardly.

[Colt]

There she was, being polite as always, and he knew, he just knew how Gage was going to be. He was going to be the rude asshole, he always was when he wasn't infront of their mother. If their momma was here, it'd be different. "Gotta hand it to ya, Colt. She is pretty. Looks kinda wild too." His hands clenched at his sides, as his jaw set, eyes glaring back at his older brother.

"Why thank you for the compliment though I'm not so sure it was one..."
"Y'know exactly why I'm here, no need to go off and act like Jayjay."

"Ain't no reason for you to go about and bring Jayjay into this. Or Alyssa, Gage. God damn it." He spewed. "I left for a reason. I didn't want to deal with your sorry excuse for an older brother. Where were you, huh? Where were you when Alyssa needed you most?" He could see tears in Harleigh's eyes, and anger quickly filled his.

"I ain't goin' back." He paused, shoving a finger in Gage's face. "And you can't make me."

[Harleigh]

"Ain't no reason for you to go about and bring Jayjay into this. Or Alyssa, Gage. God damn it." He spewed. "I left for a reason. I didn't want to deal with your sorry excuse for an older brother. Where were you, huh? Where were you when Alyssa needed you most?"

Harleigh grabbed Colt's hand and squeezed it. Something bad obviously happened...now she knew he left because of it. Her eyes filled with sadness watching the anger fill across Colt's face. She studied his face a moment then his testosterone shot up a whole new level as he stepped foward.

"I ain't goin' back." He paused, shoving a finger in Gage's face. "And you can't make me."

The tension immeadiately rose and she felt what was about to come. She had seen this site too many times before. Using her small figure and her speed she pushed herself between the two. Her eyes blazing a bright blue. "Okay obviously ya'll have some things to talk about....but here is not the place, and now is not the time."

She huffed a curse word. "Ya'll are def. were's..." She rolled her eyes. "Now we can settle this the civilized way..." She glanced to Colt. "Or the hard way..." She shot a look at Gage. "And trust me I may be small but I can handle myself buddy." She smirked, but her eyes still held her fury.