A/N: I would like to thank chick feed for suggesting we co-author a story. It was amazing how easily we have been able to blend our work and how like minds we are. It was a pleasure to join forces with her and let our imaginations run wild. I am honored to be posting our story and I hope you enjoy it.
NC
C1
Prologue
-oOo-
Set on the outskirts of town, the place was a typical biker's bar. The air inside had a permanent blue tinge, courtesy of the tobacco and...other stuff...being smoked. The seating featured plain wooden three-legged stools, designed for numbers rather than comfort. It boasted three pool tables and a genuine Wurlitzer set up for rock lovers. Lacey, the owner, ran a good bar as far as her customers were concerned. Your Alcopops, wine and cocktail drinking types never crossed her threshold, which was just as well, as she didn't bother keeping any of that "Designer dog spittle" at the back of the bar. Lacey's served spirits and beers. If you really wanted something non alcoholic, she'd fill you a glass with tap water, and charge you for it. If you wanted a meal, she'd direct you to the nearest restaurant. Hers was a drinker's bar, that's what her customer base wanted, that's what they got. End of story. Most often, when the door opened and let a portion of the blued air rush for freedom, Lacey and her team would know, or at least recognise, the customer strolling, strutting or staggering in. The guy who had just strolled in, Ah good, a strider, she'd never seen before, but she certainly hoped he was set to become a regular.
"I'll see to this one Pete."
Whether it was because he was a first timer, or whether he was just that self-confident, Lacey didn't know yet, the guy didn't follow the normal procedure on entering. He didn't come a couple of steps into the place, pausing there whilst he checked out who else was in before walking over to the counter, he just walked directly over to where Lacey was waiting to serve.
"Hi sister...What whiskies do you carry?"
"Depends. You want the good stuff? Or the cheaper hit you faster, but come round harder?"
Despite the looks that gave Lacey thoughts of leaping on his bones right there and then, the guy was clearly frayed around the edges.
"Gimme the fast hittin' stuff. It's turnin' out to be that kinda day."
The guy's expression was a mix of sombre and utterly fed up. Hazel eyes met hers as she handed him a double.
"Looks like you need it."
Long chestnut hair fell over his eyes as he nodded and he shoved it out-of-the-way with a huff of exasperation.
"Stupid, crappy, stupid hair!"
Amused, Lacey hiked one eyebrow.
"So...Get it cut."
The guy looked at her like she'd just come out with the dumbest idea ever.
"Can't ... S'not mine."
-o-
Lacey watched as tall, dark and Oh My God threw the whisky down in one hit. Just my luck. Gorgeous, in my bar, and ten barrels of Looney Tune!
As the thought left her mind, the bar door opened again, silhouetting another hunk of a man. He was shorter than the first, and not as bold and confident. As the door slowly closed, he stood in the entrance letting his eyes adjust to the light in the bar. She watched his gaze sweep the room, quickly coming back to rest on the hot thing in front of her. With a walk not as sure and determined, he made a bee line for the first guy.
She watched the one sitting stiffen and a hand reach for something under his coat until he saw the person out of the corner of his eyes. Relaxing, he growled just loud enough for Lacey to hear.
"Another."
"Dude! I have looked all over town for you."
The newest, short-haired, looker sounded mad, whilst taking a seat beside the taller one. Lacey heard the taller one huff whilst picking up the refill.
"Well you found me."
Lacey wiped a spot in front of the new arrival.
"What'll it be?"
Gorgeous green eyes looked up at her and she flipped, maybe there's a God after all she thought. Two lookers in one night, hopefully one was a keeper.
"Beer." Was what he finally got out as he rubbed a hand down his pent-up face. He watched the other throw back the double in one quick gulp.
"You might want to slow it down, remember, my body doesn't do well with whiskey."
"Bite me."
The younger's retort was dismissive and he motioned for another. Well so much for that bubble bursting, Lacey thought, they were both one card short of a full deck as she set a beer down for the older one. She continued to listen to their conservation as she busied herself behind the bar.
"Look I'm as upset as you, but getting drunk is not going to solve anything."
"But it'll make me feel good."
"Yeah, until you're upchucking and I have to deal with your hangover."
"I told you to be careful, don't touch it, since we didn't know what it would do, but no-o-o-o you had to go and catch it."
"I was trying to get it in the box, ok? It slipped, it was reflex, I know I messed up, you don't have to rub it in. Look we can fix this; we just have to determine how to reverse it."
"Reverse the curse is what I'm hopin' you mean, yeah? Not the object? 'Cos you know, there's gross, and there's blaaarghh. An' reversin' the actual object would definitely hitblaaarghh!"
"How many of those have you had already? Obviously I mean the curse. We just need to do the research."
"Or maybe we could just ask Bobby?"
"Or we do the research."
"Ask Bobby?"
"Research!"
-o-
They get some real strange guys in the bar, Lacey thought, but these two had all the other ones topped. She had no idea what they were talking about, but it didn't sound good. Pouring the taller one another double in response to his signal, the shorter one give him a stern, disapproving face as the first gulped it down. Green eyes admonished the tall one.
"Come on, we need to get out of here, or I'm going to have to carry you back to the motel. You need food."
The taller one nodded his head, sending his hair swinging again as he commented, reaching into his pocket for a couple of bills and tossing them on the bar.
"I could go for a bacon, double cheese burger about now. Haven't eaten all day! Thanks sweetheart, if I was myself tonight, we could have had a really good time."
Green eyes sputtered, tossing money on the bar as well.
"Dean, really? And you're not gettin' to poison me with the crap you eat...Thanks."
The short-haired one smiled at Lacey. Be still my beating heart, she sighed. Lacey watched the two dreamboats get up, the older trying to steer the younger toward the door as he stumbled. The younger grumbled and jerked his arm out of the others grasp and pushed thru the door. Gotta be a full moon, they're getting crazier all the time, she sighed picking up the money and wiping down the bar.
So there you have it, chapter one. What do you think? Leave us a review, we'd love to know what you think.
NC and Chick Feed
