Light and Shadows: A Plum Fic
By Ammarine
Prologue
He watched her exit the blue monstrosity and buy lunch form the deli before heading next door to the bond office. She left the deli balancing a brown paper bag and a bakery bag in one hand and a cardboard tray with 4 cups in the other. It had become a little routine over the past few days, visiting one and then the other.
He had spent the past 4 days following the bitch around Trenton while she, oblivious, went about her life. It incensed him. She had no respect for the dead, just ignored and forgot about them as she moved on. How he wanted to tell her, no, show her that her victim had not been forgotten. He had studied his brother's ways under his master's tutelage, before she killed him too. Did she not realise that was their way of life? Obviously not, with her pandering after two different men. She got off easy; both of the men would kill or be killed for her. Very few had that luxury.
Looking back at the storefront of the office, he inhaled deeply and recited the Mantra he used to hear his brother chant. Respect, Respect. He knew she would be in there for a while, gossiping like the bitch she was, so he reclined in his seat and looked over at the photo lying on the passenger seat.
"Soon, my brother. You will be avenged soon."
Chapter 1
It had been like this for 4 days now. Whenever I'd leave my apartment, my neck got all tingly, meaning I was being followed. I didn't know who it was, though I figured it was one of Ranger's Merry Men. It couldn't be Ranger himself, he'd left 7 months ago on a job, and I hadn't heard anything at all about him since. I only know he's still alive. Well, I suppose so. I figure, if he's dead, the Merry Men would at least tell me, right?
Anyway, back to my tailer. For some reason, it started 4 days ago and I haven't the slightest idea why. I mean, I'm on leave from working at Vinnie's (despite the fact that I somehow wind up having lunch there with the girls everyday), spend most of my time sleeping, shopping or eating and the only work I do is the occasional distraction gig for the Merry Men.
Well, there are a couple of other things. Since the Slayer fiasco some 8 months back, I started up going to the gym or running most mornings. I figure I'm too busy (read: lazy) to do both each morning. Then, after lunch, I visit Sunny's and shoot the crap out of a paper person. Until 6 weeks ago. Now I get to shoot the crap out of a paper person and hope the Merry Men don't comment on my 'wonderful' sharpshooter skills. Tank offered me the use of Rangeman's gym, since I am apparently still an employee, but I don't want to scare them. I don't look pretty after a workout. I have sweat pouring out every pore, and combined with my makeup running and my untameable hair, I'm a walking Halloween costume. Seriously.
In other words, I haven't done much recently other than distracting and trying to improve my skills. There isn't even a sex life for me anymore. Joe and I finally faced reality a week after the Slayers and Ranger left not long after. Who needs men when I have my trusty shower massager? Though I certainly wouldn't say no to some rippling muscles covered by mocha latte coloured skin… oh bugger, now I'm drooling and the girls are looking at me confusedly.
"Sorry," I muttered, pulling off the lid to my honey mustard chicken salad, "had a bit of a flash."
"I know what you mean, girl, those flashers can be nasty." I almost choked on a piece of tomato. Somehow, I don't think Lula and I were on the same wavelength. I moved on.
"Hey Lou, you manage to get Lenny to stay home this weekend?" I asked my best friend as she took another donut.
"No, but he said my mother-in-law wants them to visit. I was thinking they could take a weekend trip to see her." MaryLou's mother-in-law only lives 3 streets away, but I had a sneaking feeling that Lou often wished the distance was closer to 3 states.
"What you planning, white girl?" Lula asked. I explained
"It's my birthday on Friday and I don't want to spend it in my apartment alone. You girls up for a night on the town?" I was answered with exclamations of "Sure" and "You betcha" and "What will I wear?" I hadn't thought about that. Guess Lula's not the only one who has nothing to wear.
It wasn't long before MaryLou had to leave for Car Pool duty. I said my goodbyes then too so I could make my way to Rangeman. The drive was great, I only had 2 red lights, but I still felt weirded outlike someone was on my tail. Only problem was, I couldn't spot them and as I turned onto Haywood, the feeling disappeared. They had gone. I hoped it was a Merry Man, otherwise I was in trouble.
A large crowd was in the range waiting for me when I arrived. Well, more of a small crowd of big bodies. Most of the faces I knew, but there were a couple that were new and they didn't look like they were going to be welcoming.
"Bomber, about time you hauled ass!" I didn't even have to turn my head to know the voice.
"Well, I have more important things to spend time playing Doctor, Bobby," I goaded him.
"Break it up you two," Tank started before giving me his special handshake. He spent 2 hours with me one afternoon teaching me a handshake so I didn't feel as 'uncool'. All the other guys wanted to learn it, but it was for nobody else, just Tank and me. He became my surrogate big brother once Ranger left and I haven't regretted the change in our relationship one bit.
"What you plan on working with today, Bom?" Lester growled behind me before scooping me into a bear hug.
"Dunno, Les. How about the lucky door prize?" I squeaked out, trapped by his massive arms.
I felt rather than heard him chuckle. "Alright, come with me, then." He freed me from him and I finger waved to Tank, Bobby and the boys before following after Lester.
He led me out of the gun range and along a corridor I'd never been in before. Wondering where he was taking me, I asked him.
"Don't worry, sweet thing, your virtue's safe with me." It took a moment for me to understand what he was saying, and when I did I poked out my tongue at his back. Using his Merry ESP, he simply laughed, but stopped when my tongue was stuck out at him.
"Are you really sure you want to tease me like that, girl?" he growled, turning to face me. I swallowed thickly. I had always joked around with the boys and their sexual innuendoes, but this time, Les looked completely serious. I began chewing nervously on my lip. Lester's eyes were fixated, darkening quickly.
"Why are you scared? You know I'd never hurt you." He held out a huge hand and didn't step closer until I had taken hold. Before he spoke again his eyes flickered to a point over my shoulder, but softened when they locked with mine. Damn security cameras. "You're like a breath of fresh air, sweet thing. It's something I just can't get enough of. You keep me, and the rest of the boys, sane in a world of chaos. But come on, we don't want to give the boys a free show."
Pulling me behind him, Lester made his way along the rest of the corridor, down a flight of stairs and another corridor until I was facing a heavy looking door.
By the time my practice with Lester was finished, my arms were aching and my head spinning. I had spent the past 2 hours becoming intimately acquainted with a bolt action rifle. Sniper practice. I doubt I'll ever need to use it, but as Les said, "You never know what skills you need in life, so it's best to learn as many as possible." I suppose that includes snipering…
Before I left Rangeman late that afternoon, I pulled Tank, Bobby and Lester to the side.
"Ummm, guys? Well, it's my birthday on Friday and the girls and I were going to go out for the night. Do you boys want to come? You're my closest friends, andI'd love it if you can make it." I grinned at the smiles that lit up their faces.
"Sure Sweet Cheeks, count us in," Tank replied with a wink. I squeed and gave each of them a hug. I would have done a group hug, but it was hard enough me getting my arms around one muscled body, let alone three.
"If Hal, Snake or Cal are free, they are welcome to come too. Gotta dash, see you tomorrow," I called over my shoulder as I was heading to the elevator door.
"Nice view there, Bomber," Bobby called out to my back. I just flipped him the bird over my shoulder and heard three deeps chuckles in response.
A/N: Please let me know what you think of it, whether I should continue or not, you know, that sort of thing. Unless I can get another chapter done tonight, there won't be any updates for any of my stories for at least a week: I've got a uni field excursion starting tomorrow. This is just something I'll be working on when my muse refuses to work on Behind the Facade, so I can't guarantee regular updates.
Also, just to let you know, this is going to get dark, but there will be some comic relief and I'm almost positive there'll be some smutness. Love you all!