AU in which James and Olivia never worked for Six. This was posted on my AO3 a while ago, but I took it down. I'm reviving it here, with a few minor changes. For those who read it when it was on AO3, it doesn't change too drastically, but there will be a few fun things added in here and there. For those who haven't read it before, I hope you enjoy the ride.
The place was buzzing with people, which was good for her. She loved people watching.
Especially in a place like this.
She wasn't naïve by any means. She'd lived enough years and told enough tales of her own to know the sorts of games they played in places like this went far beyond the Black Jack tables. And those were the games she liked. She could cast one glance at a man and tell if he was winning or losing.
She looked around the busy casino. The bar was elevated above the rest of the floor so it gave her a good vantage point.
She could tell who was into what by the way they moved. A subtle glance across the room… meeting the dealer's eyes for just a second longer than necessary. The ones who never really paid attention to or cared how much they won or lost at the tables. They knew the real money was waiting for them in a backroom under the guise of a conference call or perhaps an unpaid bar tab.
Mostly, she loved guessing the stories behind the suits. She'd developed a keen eye over the years and she knew a class A con when she saw one. She could tell by the way he walked, how he stood. Fifty percent tricks and one hundred percent charm, wrapped in a smooth designer suit and a smile to rival the sunshine.
She'd felt his eyes on her ever since she arrived. She idly wondered when he would finally decide to come over and try to sweet talk the elegant older woman sitting alone at the bar.
She ordered another drink and turned her eyes to the stage as another act began to perform.
She didn't have to turn around.
"You certainly took your time about it," she cuts her eyes over to him with a smirk, taking a small sip of her cocktail.
He flashes her a feral smile. "All good things…"
They've known each other only a few minutes, but he can tell right away that they're two of a kind. It's been a while since he's been able to match wits with someone; to talk to someone who understands his memories of this life. The uncertainty, the thrill… the dances with danger, the glamour and the grief. She senses he's as lonely as she is; it didn't take him long to work his way into her heart.
He knew she was smart enough to know the sort of deals he was into, and that it would take far more than good looks and a disarming smile to win her over. She was the sort of woman who didn't much care for getting her hands dirty, but who'd had enough of a past to know that there was no future. Only now.
She lived long enough to know that sometimes not knowing the whole truth was probably for the best, and most of the time, it was best if questions were left unasked. He was the sort of man who left his emotions out of it all; had probably convinced himself that he didn't have them anymore. He was the sort of man who had too many variables in his life and hadn't yet figured out that having a constant could be a good thing if you were smart enough to take advantage of it.
They both knew from the moment they met that they were in for an interesting ride and it would be one they'd take together.
Whether they realized it or not, they needed each other. They'd both been alone for far too long. Two tired old alleycats coming in from the cold.
He didn't ask how she could read him so well, just leant against the bar and stared at her face, as if trying to commit every line to memory. He noticed how, although she was older, there was something youthful about her. Something… ethereal, one might say.
She looked up at him as she handed her money to the bartender.
It didn't go unnoticed that she always paid in cash.
"Bad form, dear. You shouldn't slouch in Armani."
He raised an eyebrow and she smiled.
"I may have lost a lot of things along the way, but my good taste was not one of them. It's rare that anybody dresses with style anymore. It doesn't go unnoticed."
He looked at the floor and back up at her, shaking his head just slightly, amazed at how she seems to see right through him, no matter how much charm he employs. He can't afford to get too close to people, to be too vulnerable, and normally someone reading him that well meant nothing but trouble. But for some reason, he wasn't put off by it. If anything, it only drew him in closer. He trusted her with the secrets he hadn't yet shared, and probably wouldn't need to as she'd know them all anyway.
There was just something about her.
He couldn't quite put his finger on it, but she was no ordinary woman.
Which was good.
He was never the type of man who settled for ordinary.
She got up from her seat, flashed him a smile and gently reached out to adjust the lapel of his suit. Their eyes met for just a second longer than necessary before she said her goodbyes and walked away.
He found her later, standing outside, the scarf over her shoulder billowing in the chilly night air.
He walked behind her and wordlessly slipped his jacket over her shoulders. It was a bit large on her and the excess of fabric nearly swallowed her whole, but he knew her size was deceptive. She was a powerhouse in her own right.
She looked over her shoulder at him with a smile. "Thank you, James. That's very kind of you."
"Has your car not turned up?"
"No, I thought I'd just… have some fresh air. It does get a bit smoky in there. I've never really like the smell of cigars myself."
He chuckled. "How long ago did you call?"
"Thirty minutes ago," admitted softly.
He smiled. "You could have told me, you know. I can have you lifted home."
"You're far too busy in there. You should be back there keeping eyes and ears on your eyes and ears."
He smirked. "They'll manage. Nothing we haven't handled before… or couldn't handle, should the situation arise."
"Confidence is key," she smiled.
"Indeed." His eyes flickered down to her lips for the briefest of moments before he turned his attention to the casino again. "Listen. You stay here, I'll go make sure everything's settled inside and I'll give you a lift myself. Alright?"
She looked at him skeptically.
"I promise, I'll be a gentleman," he smiles.
She chuckles. "If you insist."
"I do," he smiled. "I won't be long."
He hesitated a second before leaning in to press a light kiss to her temple. He felt her breath hitch and pulled away, offering her another smile before running a hand down her arm.
"In case I neglected to mention it before, you are very beautiful, Olivia. Very."
She looked away for just a second, feeling the heat in her cheeks begin to rise.
She looked up and met his eyes again. "Confidence is key…"
He offered her one last smile and kissed the back of her hand, making her breath hitch again, before turning to go back into the building. She watched him leave over her shoulder and walked over to stand by one of the large pillars out in front of the building.
She leaned back against it, smiling to herself.
"They're so precious when they think they're winning…" she chuckled softly.
Within a few moments he was back by her side, taking her hand to help her into the back of a rather sleek looking Aston Martin. She knew it must have been a personal purchase, most likely from a deal gone very good. There was no way he could justify the purchase of such a vehicle on a company credit card. She moaned softly as she glided ever so effortlessly into her seat. This was more comfortable than her car.
'Exceptional car, exceptional company,' she mused.
He got in on the opposite side as she gave the driver her address.
"Penny for them?"
"I was just thinking…" she started. "This should prove to be a most pleasant journey."
She smiled him, crossing her legs as she sat back and made herself comfortable, very glad indeed that she'd given her own driver the night off.