Author's Note: Of all the various outfits and states of undress we see Jack in throughout the entire series, the pinstripe suit and fedora he wears in "Jack and the Gangsters" is hands down my absolute favorite of them all. I lost my mind when Jackie the Blade was first introduced, taken in by the magic of the suit, and it's only gotten even more hypnotizing after all these years. A special "Thank You" to snuberr from the "samurai daddy" Tumblr blog for permission to use her pic for the cover and Ashi's dress in the fic, and as always, to everyone on the JackXAshi Discord server for their help while I wrote this. Lyrics are from "Strangers In the Night" by Mel Tormé.
Ashi frowned as skyscrapers loomed against the horizon. Her experience in Aku City was more than enough time to ever spend in an urban environment. So dark, so metal, a modern version of the cavern she grew up in. "Let's head elsewhere. We have plenty of daylight left, and we're not in need of supplies."
Jack didn't say anything, just continued to study the skyline. Something was very familiar. His eyes darted from building to building, recalling their names with little effort. "Chicago!" He cried out cheerfully.
"You know this place?" She asked, frowning slightly as she mentally chided herself for being an idiot. He spent so long traveling, he's a walking atlas of the world.
"It may be a city but it has a certain charm to it. I come here when I can for a respite."
"You come here to relax?" A large dirty city like this? "What's so special about this place?"
"Would like to find out?" He asked, his handsome face filled with a smile, his hand stretched out in invitation.
Who was she to deny him a chance to unwind? In his 50 year struggle, she doubted he got that opportunity often. It was only fairly recently that he found his sword again, and with it, a more relaxed demeanor. He deserved this. "Yes, yes I would," she agreed, taking his hand.
His grin never left his face as they entered the city limits. Ashi was on high alert, taking in everything. The streets were narrower compared to the wide, open roadways of Aku City. The buildings older and less modern then those she was accustomed to elsewhere. More welcoming then the cold, hard styles of before, and a complete absence of the red and black color scheme that Aku was so fond of. Still, not a hint of trees or grass anywhere, just stone, brick, and concrete. But Jack continued to wear his happy smile, looking quite relaxed and happy here. Perhaps these supposed "charms" lay elsewhere in the city.
Very few fancy hovercrafts here, only the old combustion engine vehicles, like the one that pulled up right next to them. Ashi didn't have a weapon on her, but she still tensed, ready for anything.
The driver side window rolled down, and her eyes narrowed, watching carefully for the glint of a gun barrel. Nothing is came out except the excited face of the cab driver, "Jackie, sir, welcome back! I'd be honored to take you wherever you need to go, no charge."
"Are you familiar with the Pibbles tailor shop?" Jack inquired.
"Sure am! I wear his threads whenever I'm off duty. Come on in." The driver ran out of the car and opened the door for them, bowing as Jack and Ashi sat inside.
"Jackie?" She never heard anyone call him that before.
"I'm known by a slightly different name here," he explained, motioning for her to enter first.
"Jackie the Blade, to be specific, ma'am," the driver explained.
"Oh now I have to hear this story," she said as Jack sat beside her, buckling in shortly after the car took off.
He opened his mouth to explain, but the driver beat him to it, his tone as giddy as a fanboy. "He swiped the Neptune jewel, a gem that can control all the water of the world. No one has done that since its creation a millennia ago, not even Aku. It's guarded by the forces of nature, but Jackie grabbed it without a scratch on him!"
"Just a slight burn," Jack corrected.
"Where is the jewel now, and why did you steal it to begin with?
"I returned it to its proper place. I took it to gain an audience with Aku. I was *so close* to defeating him once and for all, but I was thwarted."
"When was this?"
"Would you believe less than six months after I arrived in the future? Here it is 50 years later, still no closer to my goal."
Almost fifty years ago, more than twice her age. If he succeeded, she would have never been born. "You'll make it, Jack. I promise we'll succeed and bring him down."
"We're all rooting for you, sir," the driver said.
"Thank you both," Jack humbly nodded.
"Why a tailor shop? Is something wrong with my clothes?"
"Oh no no, not at all. My other name is associated with a different set of attire. The proprietor keeps my suit safe for me while I am away."
"Little Joe sell the finest clothes in the city. Everyone wants his outfits, or has one but keeps them safe for that special occasion-eyes on the road, ya moron!" The driver yelled as he swerved to dodge an erratic car. Ashi reached out to steady herself, unintentionally placing a hand on Jack's thigh. She blushed brightly and mumbled an apology, trying to forget how hard and muscular it was.
"I am glad to hear he is doing quite well for himself," Jack replied, and Ashi noted a sense of familiarity, as if he and this Little Joe person were close.
"And here we are, the Pibbles Tailor Shop," the driver announced as he pulled up to the curb, and once again ran around the car to get the door for them. "Good to see you again, Jackie. I hope you and your lady have a marvelous time in our fair city."
"I always do, and I am confident it will be the same for Ashi. Thank you my friend."
"I'll spread the word you're back in town," the driver promised as he pulled away.
Jack led her up the steps and into the shop, loaded with mannequins and hangers filled with an assortment of suits and casual wear for the men and dresses for the ladies.
A brown haired man stuck his head out the door of the backroom as the bell sounded. "Welcome, welcome to my shop-Jackie! Good to see you again, my man!"
"Little Joe! It is good to see you as well," Jack greeted, embracing the proprietor.
Little? He's taller than Jack! Chicago has charms? More like confusion. "Nice to meet you, Joe. I'm Ashi. You certainly don't live up to the name," she observed as she shook his hand.
"I'm Joe Pibbles Junior. The name stuck, even when puberty was kind to me," he explained. "Jackie, I kept your suit nice for you. You wouldn't believe it's half a century old. The old boss knew quality when he saw it." Joe said as he led Jack to the back to change.
"I'm supposed to change as well?" Ashi wondered out loud, looking around at the selection and feeling intimidated. So much to choose from, what would be best?
"As much as I love your outfit, dear, you deserve a Chicago look same as Jackie." Little Joe came back, holding measuring tape. "So let's get started."
It had been decades since Jack wore his traditional gi and sandals compared to the short weeks since he regained them, abandoned shortly after he lost the sword, but he was happy to temporarily lose them again as he changed into his old pinstripe suit, feeling the shackles of his quest leave him as he abandoned Samurai Jack in favor of Jackie the Blade. He smiled in the mirror, admiring his reflection. "Welcome back, Jackie," he greeted with a tip of his hat. He avoided Chicago when the sword was gone. Word would spread quickly if Jackie the Blade was missing his defining attribute. How wonderful to be back one last time before he faced Aku.
He went back into the shop, a compliment to Joe's care of his suit dying on his tongue, his mouth hanging uselessly as he took in Ashi's new outfit. A light purple stole was draped around her shoulders, long, white gloves that ended just past her elbows, and a red ankle-length dress with a slit down the side and a low cut back. She was absolutely stunning.
Ashi had always thought Jack quite handsome, even when she wished him dead, but this suit brought out his beauty by a thousand fold. It awakened strange, wonderful emotions inside her, feelings she could barely describe, but ones she wanted to keep experiencing. "You look amazing," she said lamely. Amazing didn't begin to describe how he looked. Did any language have apt words to properly convey his god-like appearance?
"So do you," he returned, unable to keep his eyes off of her.
Joe leaned back on his heels, proud of his work if it left his customers so mesmerized with each other. "It's getting late. May I call in some reservations for dinner for the two of you?"
"Please do, the finest restaurant that is available to us." He smiled brightly at his companion, "Ashi deserves the best."
She blushed, wanting to deny his claim but couldn't bring herself to do it. "Jackie," she whispered in his ear as Joe was on the phone. "We can't ask him to pay so much money for our meal. A roadside stand is good enough for me."
"Little Joe will not pay for anything," he assured her, patting her hand. "In Chicago, the mafia pays for everything I do, so I enjoy the finest of everything. Put some of their money back into the hands of people who deserve it more."
"What?" She pulled back, appalled by what she heard. "Where exactly did you get that suit? Why did stealing the Neptune jewel guarantee you an audience with Aku? What is it that you aren't telling me?"
"I temporarily joined the mafia in hopes that I could gain an audience with Aku so I could end him. They said stealing the Neptune jewel would impress him, because he was unable to get it himself centuries ago. While preparing for the heist, I adopted a new name, new attire, and fell in love with the city, staying a few extra days even when my attempt at Aku's life failed."
"Jackie…" Her hero, carrying on an alliance with criminals? How could this be? All the changes suddenly made sense; a dark side of her man had emerged.
"I am not condoning their actions! I just want to show you a good time. I meant it when I said you deserved the best," he shyly pointed out.
She blushed, "I really don't." She argued as she looked down, suddenly feeling inadequate.
"Yes, you do," he argued, lifting her chin so their eyes met, sharing shy, comforting smiles. She leaned in close, placing a hand over his heart, but shot away when Joe came back.
"Alright, you're all set for a table at Pascal's. They're really looking forward to having you, Jackie, and especially Miss Ashi. Lots of interest about the lucky woman who managed to be on Jackie the Blade's arm."
"I am quite lucky," she agreed, giving him a dazzling smile as she placed a hand on his forearm. He reverted to his old shy samurai self for a moment, grabbing his hat and attempting to hide his red face, flush with embarrassment. Still attached to his arm, he proudly escorted her out to the cab.
Little Joe wasn't kidding. Not only was the restaurant abuzz with chatter about Jackie's return, but many questions about her and her relationship with the man. No one dared to ask her directly, but they loved to pretend that she couldn't hear them as they talked amongst themselves. How she envied Jackie, who acted oblivious to everything, probably quite accustomed to it. Did he realize he was encouraging their talk, or was that the point, to let the whole city know how much he cared about her? Always the gentleman, making sure that she was first and foremost and often wearing a proud smile, as if there was no one else he wanted to be with.
He wasn't kidding about wanting the best for her. To her, food was always mere sustenance, a source of energy to fuel the fight, nothing more. Sharing a meal was simply obtaining filling a natural need, and an excuse to talk, since they were stuck in one place. This, this was completely different. The options on the menu overwhelmed her: beef, pork, chicken, turkey, venison, lamb, meat was meat, wasn't it? Jackie patiently answered all her questions, no matter how inane, except for why he seemed uncomfortable talking about chicken. And then the different ways of preparation, of combining different foods for a unified taste, and seasonings. Was this art for the stomach? She finally chose a simple dish, vowing to experiment with other foods as Jack promised to take her to a great variety of eateries during their stay, and nearly flipped from the explosion of taste. Suddenly she stopped caring about enjoying ill-gotten gains if it meant enjoying such delicacies, and the money was going back to the hard working souls who earned it.
The atmosphere and décor was so very different compared to the random spots that they would camp out on the road, and their clothes made her more aware of the differences between them. On the road, she was more than content to be friends. Now, it almost felt like a date, and more than ever was she conscious of all his masculinity. The only thing that didn't change was conversation, and the comfortable friendship between them. "I can see why you like Chicago so much."
"I have saved the best for last, the biggest reason why I love this city, but to enjoy that, we must go elsewhere."
Arm in arm, they entered the Blue Monkey, turning everyone's head.
"It can't be."
"Jackie the Blade!"
"He hasn't aged a day. What's his secret?"
"Who's the lucky lady on his arm?"
"I never saw him with a dame. Did his dick finally wake up?"
Just like at the restaurant, Jackie acted oblivious to all the talk, but Ashi felt self-conscious. Many people gossiped as they passed by when he was Samurai Jack, but Jackie the Blade seemed to have captured an entire city's attention.
"Drinks?" The waitress asked as they took a seat at his reserved table.
Ashi predicted the usual request of hot water, but Jackie surprised her with "Caipirhina Peach Punch, please."
Since when did he drink alcohol? She couldn't be left behind, trying to think of something she had seen or heard of before. A nearby patron smacked his lips, a half-full glass of brown liquid in his hand. "I'll have what he's having."
"Gentleman Jack whiskey, no problem."
Jackie's face turned bright red. Ashi kept her face blank until the waitress left, and then cracked up laughing. "They named a drink after you?"
"I guess?" He shyly replied. "Whiskey is quite strong. Are you sure you want it for your first alcoholic beverage?"
"With a name like Gentleman Jack, I have to drink it, see how it compared to the real thing," she smiled.
There was a brief pause in the music as the band quietly talked amongst themselves, and then played a soft jazz number with a melancholy trumpet taking the lead. Jackie smiled and let his whole body relax in his chair, "This is what keeps me coming back, the excellent music."
"I can see why," she agreed. "It's beautiful."
Couples moved to the floor before the stage, swaying to the music in each other's arms. The moves were nowhere near as complicated as the one she performed at the rave, but it seemed so intimate to be close to their partner. Ashi looked at Jack, hoping he would be interested in dancing with her, but he only leaned back in his seat, nursing his drink and enjoying the music.
With a prayer, she took a small sip of her whiskey, feeling a surge of warmth go through her body as it smoothly slid down her throat. "This is quite good. It certainly is aptly named."
Jackie blushed and held his glass high, "to a good trip."
"To enjoying everything this city has to offer." They brought their glasses together and then drank, their eyes locked together. Was it the whiskey or those mesmerizing eyes of his that gave her a jolt of heat? She looked away to catch her breath. Damn, he was beautiful.
Ashi saw him coming from a distance, a man about the same height as Jackie, but the similarities ended there. He was quite skinny, wearing a white pinstripe suit and fedora made of cheaper material then Jackie's suit, even to her untrained eye, and an auburn five o' clock shadow on his chin. His smile captivating her as he approached. "Good evening, milady, Jackie," he tipped his hat to both in turn. "Would you like to dance, with Jackie's permission, of course?"
"She doesn't need my permission," Jackie pointed out, casually taking a sip of his drink.
"All the same, I believe in paying my respects. Your name carries great weight in this city."
"I accept," Ashi said, taking the stranger's hand, and followed him to the dance floor. Nerves struck her as the band started playing a faster song then most they had been playing all evening. After watching people slow dance all evening, she felt comfortable imitating their movements, but she did not know how to socially adjust for a faster tempo.
"I've never really danced before."
"Just follow my lead," the man instructed, taking her in his arms, putting one hand at the small of her back and the other taking her hand, and guiding her through the steps.
Ashi blushed at how close she was to the stranger, enjoying these strange sensations coursing through her body. She stole a quick glance back at Jackie, whose hand rested on top of his jacket, just above the sword, the sole sign he was keeping watch. She smiled at him, appreciating his discreet concern.
"So what is the name of my beautiful dance partner tonight?" The stranger asked, gently guiding her face back to him.
"Ah-Ashi," she stammered, caught off guard by his comment. No one had ever called her that before. The closest Jack had ever gotten was complimenting her new dress this afternoon.
"Lovely name, it suits you well. I'm Dean."
"You really didn't need to ask Jackie for permission to dance with me, Dean. He knows I can take care of myself." Her tone took on a slight edge, a warning that she could easily put him down if he tried anything.
"Of that I have no doubt," he casually replied, expertly moving her into a spin, before pulling her back "I don't think Jackie would keep any woman on his arm unless they could keep up with him, but I must admit, he certainly chose quite the lady. I've seen him a few times, heard even more stories, and this is the first time anyone has ever seen him with a lady, much less someone as gorgeous as you."
"I was in a bad frame of mind for so long," understatement of the century, she mentally chided herself. "Jackie helped me see the error of my ways." No need to tarnish his reputation by telling the story of how he almost gave up on himself.
"He never asked me to stay with him, but he hasn't asked me to leave either, and I don't want to." It hurt that their relationship hung on such a tiny string. Why did he let her tag along? 50 years he was on his own. It's not like he needed a bodyguard.
"Every woman knows how amazing they are when I'm with them," he told her as they swayed to the music. "Is he blind or are his interests elsewhere? Don't get me wrong, I'm not knocking the man. Most of us here are bad guys, including myself, I won't deny it, but we're saints compared to Aku and the atrocities he committed. We want to see him succeed and bring that bastard down. Jackie is our only hope."
Interests elsewhere? What exactly did that mean? Was he too focused on his quest to allow himself to see her as anything more than a companion, or was he not attracted to her at all? "Thank you, I certainly want him to help him achieve peace."
"Anytime, Ashi, anytime," he said as the song started to slow, dipping her low. She was so enamored by the intimacy of the move, wishing it was Jackie doing it instead, that she didn't notice Dean's eye drifting down her chest, nor the secretive smirk that gave away how he felt about what he saw.
What she did notice was the arm around her waist that pulled her backward when she was upright again. "Get away from her," Jackie quietly growled, his jacket open, his sword in clear view, still holding her close though she was safely out of Dean's reach.
"It's cool, man, it's cool," Dean held his hands high as he stepped away, anxious to keep the sword within its sheathe.
"No, it isn't," a bouncer said as a meaty hand grabbed Dean's shoulder and escorted him off the floor. "The Boss wishes to have a word with you, and you know he doesn't like to be disturbed this late at night."
Jackie wasn't sure if it was the same miniature man that gave him his suit and name all those years ago or someone else, but he was certain the man would be punished severely for what he did to Ashi. He didn't approve of the mafia's actions, even moderated their ambitions from time to time, but he knew he had an honorary position of esteem within the organization and respected the chain of command.
"Would you like to dance?" Jackie asked with a warm smile.
"I thought you'd never ask," she replied with a warm smile of her own. She turned around, his arm never leaving her waist, feeling the now familiar heat coursing through her body as he took her hand. She wasn't quite sure what had just happened, but she was grateful that he cared enough to help.
His eyes never left hers as he guided her across the floor, full of affection and apology. She did the same, nervous yet comfortable in his embrace, and thrilled that she was with him and not someone else.
"What...uh...wh-what did he say to you?" Jackie stammered, afraid to hear the response.
"Nothing bad," she assured him, "but..."
"But?" He carefully encouraged, eager to hear her response. Anything even remotely offensive, and he would go directly to the Boss and demand to punch Dean in the face.
"Do you think I'm beautiful?" She quietly asked, searching his face for the slightest trace of an answer.
His heart broke at her desperation. "Ashi," he leaned in close, whispering in her ear. "You are a goddess. The moon weeps with your beauty."
Ashi trembled from the soft intensity in his voice, and rested her head on his chest. "I think you're beautiful too," she said, her voice cracking with emotion as a tear wet his suit. She smiled as she felt his lips move against her hair, but couldn't hear what he was saying. She snuggled closer, knowing in her heart that whatever he said was something meaningful.
Strangers in the night exchanging glances
Wond'ring in the night
What were the chances we'd be sharing love
Before the night was through.
The pair shared a small chuckle as they pulled apart. If only their first meeting had been so simple.
Something in your eyes was so inviting,
Something in your smile was so exciting,
Something in my heart,
Told me I must have you
Both were hit by a sudden rush of shyness, looking away for a second before returning to each other's eyes, a slight blush on their cheeks.
Strangers in the night, two lonely people
We were strangers in the night
Up to the moment
When we said our first hello.
Little did we know
Love was just a glance away,
A warm embracing dance away
Was it just Ashi's imagination or did Jackie pull her closer to him? She gave him a questioning look but he just gave a confident grin that put her at ease.
And ever since that night we've been together.
Lovers at first sight, in love forever.
It turned out so right,
For strangers in the night
As much as he didn't want to be even remotely associated with that man, the look on Ashi's face spoke volumes about how much she enjoyed it, so Jackie felt compelled to dip her low, but his eyes never once strayed from hers. This time, she refused to break eye contact, too drawn into the depths of his eyes to even think about anything else. She clung to him as he pulled her back up, a leg wrapped around his, lost in the majesty that was Jackie the Blade. Her lips migrated toward his, drawn like a magnet. He hesitated for only a moment before moving in.
Sudden cheers from the room startled the two and they pulled back from each other.
"That's how it's done, Jackie boy!"
"Excellent footwork, my man!"
Several men came over to congratulate Jackie on his dancing, and his skills at pleasing his lady. Though he was admittedly average at best, they knew how to play the social game and praise their betters no matter what they did.
"You're a very lucky woman, miss," one said as he bowed before her and removed his hat.
"Yes," she agreed, smiling at her blushing Samurai as these hardened criminals fawned over him like children in the presence of their hero. "Yes, I am." She parted the crowd as she walked, giving Jackie a dazzling smile as she offered him her hand. "Let's get out of here."
He readily accepted and escorted her out of the club, ignoring the quiet commentary behind them that predicted what would happen later that night. He doubted sex would happen, but spending time with her was more than enough for him.
Dean, my new favorite punching bag-I mean OC. So glad I get to finally share him with everyone. I've had his scene written out since August. Many of the major scenes in this fic are already written, so hopefully it won't take me too long to finish.