Desperado
McRaider
Summary: Riley looked between the two women, feeling his embarrassment mount with each passing moment. "You're—she's your—I think I'm gonna be sick!"
Author's Note: Technically this is a prequel to another story I've written but haven't posted yet. Those who you do not recognize are my own. There is actually a train that goes from DC to New York and it takes roughly an hour (not positive on the exact time). Kati is played by Billie Piper a young Brit actor/singer who has a lovely personality.
Desperado why don't you come to your senses?
You been out ridin' fences for so long now
Oh you're a hard one
I know that you got your reasons
These things that are pleasin' you
Can hurt you somehow
Don't you draw the queen of diamonds boy
She'll beat you if she's able
You know the queen of hearts is always your best bet
Now it seems to me some fine things
Have been laid upon your table
But you only want the ones that you can't get
Desperado, oh, you ain't gettin' no younger
Your pain and your hunger, they're drivin' you home
And freedom, oh freedom well, that's just some people talkin'
Your prison is walking through this world all alone
Don't your feet get cold in the winter time?
The sky won't snow and the sun won't shine
It's hard to tell the night time from the day
You're losin' all your highs and lows
Ain't it funny how the feeling goes away?
Desperado, why don't you come to your senses?
Come down from your fences, open the gate
It may be rainin', but there's a rainbow above you
You better let somebody love you, before it's too late
Chapter One
Riley Poole sighed as he boarded the train, showing his pass to the conductor before stepping inside the back of the train. He dropped into a seat, staring out the window as he allowed himself to be lost in thought rather than listen to the happenings and people outside the actual train. He'd never been on a train before coming to New York on this trip. It was one of his first trips alone as well. It had been nearly three months since the finding of Cibola, Ben and Abigail were bickering in their house as always. Patrick and Emily were speaking off and on however they were by no means getting back together. And Riley was back to being the odd man out, though he wasn't sure why that surprised or bothered him so much, he'd always been the one without a proper place.
Leaning further against the padding of the seat he closed his eyes, allowing his exhaustion to seep into his bones as he tried to find a comfortable position against the cool window. "S'cuse me," a gentle British accent cut through his thoughts. Slitting one of his eye lids open just enough to glance at her he was met with bright chocolate eyes.
His eyes opened further and he took a moment to look at this woman before him, she was probably in her late twenties, dressed in a roomy hooded pink sweatshirt and a gray short sleeve beneath. Her jeans looked just a little too long for her 5'4'' stature. Her hair, dishwater blonde with hints of brown at the root, was pulled back from her face in a lazy bun, but looked nice. Her face was round and pale, but she was plain but at the same time Riley found her to be completely beautiful. She wasn't skinny, probably a medium build, someone who could afford to gain or lose a few pounds either way. Riley realize he hadn't responded to her, "Yes?" He questioned his beautiful intruder.
"This seat taken? I traded a compartment with some husband an' his wife—"
Riley glanced around before shaking his head, "No, please join me."
She smiled and took a seat across from him, Riley couldn't help but notice how cute she was when she smiled. Then he realized she was speaking, "Name's Kati Chase, nice to meet you."
He returned the smile and shook her outstretched hand—he felt his heart skip as he realized their hands fit together perfectly, as if molded for just each other. "Riley Poole, so what's bringing you to the city of DC?"
She looked around briefly, "Oh is this the train to DC?"
For a moment he thought she was serious before she giggled, her tongue peaking out beneath her teeth. He felt his stomach flip as he felt his own laugh bubbling up, "Are you following me?" he played along.
"Damn you caught me; I have this disorder where I follow strange, cut men onto trains. Expensive but fun."
He laughed out loud at that, she was sarcastic, he liked her, "You're good."
"Thanks, actually I'm a seventh grade English and History teacher, and I just got a job in Lincoln Middle School—I start in January and I've got family in Virginia. So I'm going to stay with them briefly while I try to find an apartment and get settled before I start my job.
Riley nodded, "I used to attend Lincoln Middle School—course that was like nineteen years ago…okay now I feel old." She giggled softly at him and shook her head as he offered her a brief smile. "I recently came into some money and I happen to be building my own house, but I'm renting out my old apartment. It's not much but, its home, and it's probably cheaper that most apartments around DC."
"Really?"
He nodded, "I haven't stayed in it lately, and most of my stuff is still there, I'm staying with a friend of mine while my house is built since its only right down the street from him. But you're welcome to take a look at the apartment if you'd like. I might even consider giving it to you half price."
"What's the catch?" She smirked at him.
"Dinner…with me?"
She scrutinized him for a moment, "Hmm not sure I can agree to that, after all you're a strange and cute man."
"I'm also a computer professor at George Washington University."
"Very nice, cute, strange and technologically savy."
He grinned widely, "That's me!"
Somehow over the next house the two shared stories about their students, a little of their families and life in general. Riley was pretty sure this was the best trip he'd ever been on. As they stepped off the train in Washington DC Riley glanced over at her, "Are you in a hurry, or do you have some time to kill?"
"Depends, what did you have in mind?"
He shrugged with a smile, "Well you still haven't answered me on the whole dinner thing. I also happen to know all the sights in this place."
Kati smirked, she really liked Riley, and it was hard not to like someone who appeared as quirky as her. Plus he was cute, and smart. In nearly an hour she'd found herself more comfortable with him than she did with most people. She felt as though she'd always known him, "Well then Mr. Poole, lead on!"
They walked in front of the Mall and Lincoln Memorial, Riley was enjoying watching her responses to the sight of the beautiful monuments as they passed them. "I'd never realized they were so large. I've heard all about them naturally." She'd looped her arm through his at some point as they walked side by side. Riley seemed to know the history behind every monument or memorial, Kati loved it as he would add his own brief history or stories with each of them.
"So this is your first time in DC?"
"Yes, I was born in Germany and grew up in Britain and New York, I'm sure it seems quite odd—"
He shook his head, "I don't think so, I'm sure lots of people haven't seen these things yet. I was born in Virginia and raised there for the most part, though I've just recently been given the chance to travel more. It's a beautiful country and as my friend would say, it's just riddled with history."
"I would love to hear it sometime," she smile at him as she squeezed his arm.
"I'd love to tell you," he replied honestly looking at her.
After their walk they went to lunch at a nice little pizza place on the corner by the Capitol, she took a seat in a booth across from him and smiled, "So did you really find the Templar Treasure?"
He shrugged, "No, I helped, my best friend is the one who was really convinced we'd find it. Did you read my book?"
She smirked, "One of my students brought it into history class asking if it was true. I decided I should read it before I gave the answer. It was very well written, I didn't realize it was actually you until you mentioned you'd come into money. No worries though, I'm not here to stalk ya."
He chuckled, "I'd never get so lucky to have a stalker as beautiful as you—" his eyes shot open as he realized what he'd just said.
Her own cheeks were burning, "Thanks."
Riley got past his embarrassment enough shortly before they were finished to ask her what he'd been aching to ask her since first meeting her, "Listen, it's been awhile since I've dated anyone, and I'm pretty sure I'm kind of rusty at it, but would you like to have dinner with me…tomorrow?"
She smiled as she reached out and squeezed his hand, "You appear to be doing a lovely job, and yes I'd love to have dinner with you."
"Really?!"
She laughed out loud, "Yes."
"Okay, I'll pick you up at seven and dress nice!"
She gave him a mock salute, "Yes sir!"
"Can I drop you off anywhere?"
"Nah, I'm meeting an old friend at the Smithsonian shortly, but thank you."
He nodded as he put money on the table, "I've got an appointment for my new house, I'll see you at seven; how can I get a hold of you?"
She handed him a slip of paper she'd written her cell number on, "Call me."
"I will!"
Kati smiled softly as she watched him leave; Riley Poole was different, and not in a bad way. He seemed to enjoy talking with and listening to her. She certainly enjoyed talking with him and listening to his stories, she got the feeling he didn't open up very often to people. She felt a pang of guilt for not telling him the truth right away, but she didn't want that to affect what was or wasn't developing here. Her relationships were her business not her sisters.
TBC
