A/N: this is just a small project that I got inspired for. It should only be about 5 ish chapters. Hope you all enjoy! If you are interested I also have a tumblr called lavendermoonwine!

The first time she met him, he smelled of gun powder and the sea. But that was not the part that caught her attention. Working in a tavern on the docks of New York, the smell of ocean and gun powder was common among patrons. But he moved differently than anyone else that came through those doors. If there was a word to use to describe his stride it would be "revolution".

With every step, Catherine could see the start and end to all wars. And he was a man who was very aware of the personal power that he held. Her eyes locked onto all of the weapons he carried on his person and took in a deep breath. A dangerous man too. So many women in this very tavern would have swooned over him -some already were- but not Catherine.

A dangerous man meant a possible dangerous situation. In her tavern. With her patrons. That kind of disruption was bad for business, could cause damage to property and have the red coats come sniffing about. She had hoped that he had just come for a pint and that he would be on his way immediately after. But he moved with a purpose and Catherine realized that he definitely wasn't going to just go away after he locked eyes with her

'Christ don't let him cause trouble. This week has been eventful enough as it is.' she thought to herself.

The stranger approached the bar and leaned his forearm against it. Catherine watched with guarded eyes as the music shifted to her favorite song, "She's Like A Swallow". He was even more attractive up close, she had to admit to herself, admiring the scar rolling over his right brow. Still, she wasn't ready to relax around him. Catherine bore her blue eyes into his dark brown ones, trying her best to imitate an imposing bar keeper.

"Haven't seen you around these parts." She noted evenly.

"Aye." He agreed in an Irish lilt, "I'm not often in this part of the city."

"What brings you here, then?"

"Business." Was his succinct reply.

"Well does that business involve you ordering a drink?"

A wry smirk curled at the corner of his mouth at her sharp tongue, "Aye. A jigger of whiskey."

"Coming right up."

Catherine pulled out a bottle and poured the robust whiskey into his cup before sliding it his way. The stranger wrapped his gloved fingers around the cup and took a drink. But his eyes continued to stare at her from over the top of his spirit. Her patience was wearing thing. He wanted something and she knew it.

"Let's not play games, sir." Catherine told him shortly, "You want something and I have a business to run, so just get to it."

The smile he gave her was small but roguish, "Would you believe me if I told you that what I wanted was you?"

"Not a bit. You came in here with a purpose and it definitely was not for me."

"Sharp." He praised, "But I won't lie when I say you are lovely."

"Flattery will not get you very far in these parts, sir." Catherine scoffed.

"It's Shay. Shay Cormac."

"I didn't ask. Now what do you want?"

The smile slipped from his face, "I'm looking for information." Shay said, leaning forward, his voice dropping to a low timbre, "What can you tell me about the gangs that have taken up residence in this district?"

Her brows shot up at his request before she furrowed them again and shook her head, "I can't help you with that, Mr. Cormac."

He frowned, "Why not?"

"I don't do business or have anything to do with criminals."

That was a lie but it spilled past her lips without a crack in her poker face. The Rum Runner had a reputation for being a safe harbor for people in trouble. Including those on the run. Taverns didn't just deal with food and ale, they dealt in secrets, connections and sanctuary. Some of her own staff had once been on the wrong side of the law, hard times pushing them to desperation. But here she gave them a fresh start. And she couldn't discriminate on where she got her business. And secrets…secrets she also sold just as she did any pint of beer.

Shay arched a skeptical brow, "Now lass, I thought we had a better rapport than that? And there's no point in lyin' to me. I've already found out about your reputation on the streets."

Trouble and well informed. Catherine was not a fan of that combination. But she kept the scowl from her face and picked up another cup, wiping it out with her cloth. If she gave up as soon as anyone insisted they knew something, then she would be out of a job and all of the secrets she knew would be up for grabs. Besides, sometimes people bluffed. However, she had a strong suspicion that Shay knew exactly what he was talking about.

'I can't just let him have that information. Not for free. Those men, as much trouble as they are, give me a lot of business and are a part of my network. We may not be friends but they are still a part of the network.' She thought, flicking her guarded eyes back up to his gaze.

"Just what are you trying to insinuate, Mr. Cormac? I don't associate with criminals."

"How about I make it worth your while?"

Catherine set down the cup she was cleaning behind the counter and then leaned forward, staring him down, "I'm listening."

"First, if we're going to be making deals, let me get your name."

A smirk quirked in the corner of her mouth and she tucked a loose tendril of light brown hair behind her ear, the rest swept up off her neck to keep her unburdened while working, "That will cost you extra."

He chuckled then, "And how much would the lady's name cost?"

"Depends on what you can afford."

Her eyes glinted fiercely as they stared each other down. She was reeling him in and she could tell. That would make it much easier to slip him minor information and get away with it. However, their moment was broken when one of her regulars, Willis, staggered up to the bar with a laugh, his black hair falling loose from his ponytail.

"Ehhhh, Cat! Cat, Cat, Catherine, I've been," he braced himself against the wood and swayed dangerously, "I've been, uh, waiting for you to come refill-hic- my rum."

Catherine pulled back from Shay and fixed a venomous glare on her regular. But Willis was far too drunk to notice or care. The Irishman, however, had a satisfied smirk on his face, which made her feel even more cross. Frustrated and feeling a headache coming on, she pinched the bridge of her nose.

"Catherine? That's a lovely name."

"And it will be the only free thing you are getting tonight. Enjoy it." She replied tersely.

"Heyyy, Cat, I'm uhhh thirsty." Willis took a hold of her wrist and hauled her closer to him, but the counter still kept them separated, "But you –hic- don't need to give me rum. I, hehe, can think of another way you can satisfy my thirst."

In a bold and lecherous move, Willis grabbed the front of her bodice at the top of her breasts and tugged her forward. Shay started to move then but she quickly held up a hand to signal him to stop. Catherine had run this tavern for several years on her own. She aimed to keep it that way. The brunette gave Willis a sultry smile then and reached her hand out to caress his left cheek, sliding her fingers back into his hair.

"Oh Willis." She purred, "Didn't I tell you earlier that I had cut you off?"

Before he had the chance to answer, Catherine shoved downwards, slamming his head down into the unyielding wood. His nose cracked from the force, blood spurting out and onto the counter before she shoved him backwards where he crashed to the ground. Willis began cursing loudly, the entire bar stopping what they were doing to watch the next sequence of events unfold. Her drunk patron staggered to his fee, his eyes blazing with unbridled rage. Shay was already on his feet and glared down at Willis.

"That's no way to treat a lady."

"Sit back down, Mr. Cormac. I've run this tavern before you stepped in here and I'll continue to even after you leave." Catherine leveled her piercing blue eyes onto her patron, "And you, get the hell out. You've caused enough fuss for one night."

"You bitch!" he snarled.

"Stay out of this, Cormac." Catherine barked before she saw him move.

"But this man-!"

"I know perfectly well what he's doing. Stay out of it."

Willis charged forward, a snarl curled on his lip but instead of moving out of the way, the bartender pulled out a flint lock pistol and leveled it right at her unruly patron's face. Even drunk, Willis knew that he couldn't take on a gun.

"You're drunk, Willis. Get the hell out of my tavern and go home."

"I'll tell my wife!" he spat in a pitiful threat.

"Please do. I'm sure she'll pay me for putting you in your place. Now get out."

Anger made his cheeks flush red but he staggered out into the freezing New York night, defeated. The silence ended then, the music starting up again in the corner, everyone else going back to their conversations. Catherine tucked her gun back beneath her counter and returned to standing in front of Shay.

"You're a tough woman." He noted.

"Running a place like this, you have to be. Now let's get back to business. You said you would make it worth my while?"

"That I did. Perhaps we can continue this…some place private?"

Catherine did not need to be a smart woman to notice the way he looked at her when he said that, to catch the way his voice dropped even lower at those last three words. She scoffed then. He certainly was full of himself, wasn't he? But she supposed when he looked like that he had a bit of room to be.

"Not going to happen." She told him bluntly, "I'm married, Mr. Cormac. Besides, I wouldn't take that as a valid payment even if I weren't."

"I see. My apologies, I didn't know you were married."

Catherine had to admit she was surprised that he was willing to drop his flirtation and interest just like that. In her neck of the woods it did little to dissuade men from propositioning her. Begrudgingly she had to give him a bit of respect for that.

"Your apology is accepted. Now what were you offering?"

His gloved hands produced two hundred and fifty pounds to which she snorted, "Please don't waste my time."

"Is there something wrong with what I offered?"

"That kind of money may get you places at other establishments but not here. If, in theory, I was affiliated with criminals and I really did have the reputation you claim, that means that theoretically my reputation would be what would keep a considerable portion of my patrons coming. Giving out the kind of information you want would theoretically ruin my reputation if it got out. Meaning this won't be cheap."

Shay squared his shoulders, "Then what's your price?"

"Ten thousand. Take it or leave it."

"That is unreasonable." He told her furrowing his brows in a scowl.

"It costs big to get big." Catherine smiled, "Why don't you think on it over your whiskey."

She carried on with her work, feeling quite confident that she had won and Shay would leave without the information he wanted. Catherine did not lightly sell out significant information about her network. But if he did come up with the money she would take it. Despite the flimsy contact she had with them, they had been causing her a lot of problems lately and had even started trying to get HER to pay protection money.

Catherine had no plans on changing her price. That was until Abner entered her bar. He leered at her with his yellow, blocky teeth and let his unkempt hair hang into his face. Willis was belligerent but not too much trouble for her to handle. He always came back in the next day, apologizing profusely. But Abner was an entirely different level of trouble and she could never get him to stop coming. The young woman instantly left from behind her bar, grabbing one of her pistols and intercepted him at the door.

"I've told you that you are not allowed in here anymore Abner?"

"Awww." He said mockingly, "But why? I brought great business."

"You know very well why. Harassing me, my patrons and my staff was reason enough. The last bar maid I had working in here left with a black eye and tears because of you. Get out before I bring in the red coats."

"Ooooh, scary." His massive hand seized the muzzle of her pistol and held it away from him so it could do no damage. His other took her jaw, his grubby fingers gripping her tightly and forcing her to look up into his face, "And I still ain't seen that husband of yours around."

"He's away on business."

Abner grinned, "He's always away on business."

"I am aware. Now get off me!"

Catherine squirmed but when he didn't let go and laughed in her face, she viciously kneed him in the groin. The pain was enough to force the brute of a man to release her and she stumbled back, pistol still in hand. This time Shay did interfere and moved swiftly between them, shoving back Abner.

"I think you need to take a walk. Or I'll have to teach ya some manners."

Fights were normal in her establishment. But after the confrontation with Willis, Catherine really didn't want another one, especially with Abner. Flintlock pistol ready, she pointed it at the focus of her ire. Abner curled his lip in a sneer but backed away with his hands up in surrender.

"Now now, Cat-"

"Don't call me that." She interrupted coldly.

"No need to get hasty here."

"Just get out Abner."

"…alright. For now."

He slipped out the door leaving the tavern in peace once more. Catherine heaved a relieved sigh and then turned back to face Shay.

"Mr. Cormac, I've changed my mind about the price and you might find this more affordable."

The Irishman looked down at her with a quirked brow, "And what price is that?"

"Abner has been a thorn in my side for well over a month. He has harassed me, my patrons and caused more than a few barmaids to leave in tears. Run him off and keep him from coming back and I'll give you whatever information you need."

Shay gave her a small smirk, "Consider it done."