A/N: OK. So I know I have another BDS ficon the go, but I love to have more then one on the go, call me crazy. Anyways, I always go back to my old stories that I write anyways. So here's another plot bunny that wouldn't leave me alone. I hope to add to this one fairly quickly and finish it just as fast. Hope you enjoy. Please R and R !
Disclaimer :Whatever, you know the rulez
Pushing Forward
Chapter One
"Hey Melissa!" A loud burly, bearded man behind a bar shouts at one of his waitresses. "Your order's up." He wipes his hands on a white towel, tosses it to the side and rest his palms firmly on the wood of the bar. He nods to the drinks to his right and then glances back at her. "Sometime tonight."
"Yeah, I see them." Melissa heads towards the counter top with two empty trays in both of her hands. "You sure seem to be in some kind of rush tonight Will." She hands him the empty trays, pulls an elastic from her pocket and forms a bun at the back of her head with her dark curly black hair. While reaching for the tray of beer and whiskey, she accidentally knocks her elbow into the the back of a woman's skull.
As a reflex the woman ducks her head a little lower. "Missy, you really need to work on your hand and eye coordination sweetie." The woman's eyes never leave the screen of her laptop that's sitting just in front of her.
"Yeah well maybe you should stop working while your here and actually visit me at work for a change." Melissa offers her friend a wink and begins to walk to the table the drinks were ordered for.
The other woman adjust her glasses and continues looking at her screen while eyeing her friend from the corner of her eyes. "I'm here everyday after my hard day of work and sometimes on the weekends when you decide to ditch me for some overtime." She snorts out. "I'm starting to think Will should pay me as well."
"You wish Leira." The giant of a man huffs out. "Not unless you start waiting some tables for me."
Leira stares at Will over the brim of her tiny black framed glasses. "Now I really think you're the one dreaming, Will."
Drawing her attention back to her work, Leira begins scanning over her nights worth of notes. After a few minutes of proof reading, she shifts her weight from one side to the other, while trying not to fall off the bar stool. She's always liked working at this end of the bar, it's close to the wall so that no one can sit to her left, the cash is at the opposite side, so no one will be paying for their booze near her, and what she considers the best part, this is the end that Will has all the glasses set up, that means when Melissa is cleaning and placing, she gets a little break to talk to her best bud.
Admittedly, she doesn't have time for a social life anymore. Nights out on the town are out of the question these days. Both girls decided a while back that putting as much money as they could away was the best idea for the moment. Plus, at the age of twenty-seven wasn't that suppose to be the plan?
When they did have days off, the two woman would meet up and either go to dinner and a movie or just opt to shopping. Being of similar height and weight, shopping was always fairly fun and had its advantages. The only real difference between the two were their hair and skin and obvious choices of employment.
Leirais fair skinned with shoulder length auburn hair and has a toned, slender body. Where Melissa is very tanned, border line orange from over tanning (she says it's to make up for the time she misses from the sun in the winter) and has long black curly hair, her build is slim but not athletic.
The girls met at an old job working as sales clerks and have been good friends ever since. After leaving their previous employment, Melissa took a job here at Will's Pub, which was known for it's excellent service and wings. Currently, she rents an apartment just a few blocks away. Leira on the other hand, bought an apartment building down the street, which she stays at, and runs her own business, Buy or Bail. A company that basically helps people decide whether or not the property or building they are looking at is worth buying or running away from. At first, the company didn't do too well, with only a few calls a month. Now however, after three years, the company is booming with over twenty employees and well over a hundred regular clients.
Life is good.
"Wow." Melissa plops her now empty tray down on the dirty dish cart. "Just, wow."
Leirarolls her eyes and watches as her friend goes behind the counter and begins wiping down the beer mugs with a towel. "I told you, come work for me. You would be paid way more then what Will can offer you here." She glances up at the owner. "No offence Will."
The bar keep shrugs his shoulders. "None taken. Just stop trying to steel my staff."
"So what happened? Some a-hole grab your butt again?" Leira giggles and looks back to her screen.
Smiling sheepishly, Melissa shakes her head. "No. Stupid. I'm surprised that no one from that rowdy loud table hasn't even attempted to."
Looking over towards the table Missy's directing her attention to, Leiraglances over her shoulder quickly. She sees a few regulars laughing with their heads tilted back and a few guys she's never seen before. Nothing really out of the usual there.
"Why are they so loud tonight?" Leira takes off her glasses, turns off thelaptop and pushes it aside. Melissa poors a coke and rum for her friend and places it on a napkin on the counter top.
The waitress grins, looks from the rowdy table then back to her friend. "The guys were talking about you. Specially, Blazer."
Hearing that nick name, Leira sighs. "You're trying to get me to leave aren't you?"
Melissa continues wiping the glasses and placing them under the bar. "Blazer is telling the new guys how he's been after you since I've started here. And how he thinks he's close to getting into your pants."
Almost chocking on her drink, Leira looks up at her friend. "In his god damn dreams!"
"That's exactly what Ed said." Melissa shakes her head smiling. "But then Ed said something along the lines of if Blazer's so close to getting with you how come just the other night he saw you throw your drink in his face."
Both the woman laugh.
"God, don't look now, but it looks like Blazer's heading your way. As a warning, he's had quite a bit to drink already." Melissa pats her friends forearm and then continues about her business.
Exhaling deeply, Leiradowns her drink in one last gulp. "Think I'll need another." She grins back at the waitress who nods.
"Hey there gorgeous." She hears a husky voice behind her.
"Blaze, I've told you that line doesn't work." She doesn't turn to look at the man behind her. Why? Because for one she knows what he looks like, tall, barrel chested, brush cut and he's probably still wearing the same jeans and jean jacket he wears every night. Two, she just doesn't want to give him any satisfaction.
"Come on honey, you got to give at some point." She feels an arm wrap around her shoulders and breath by her ear. Leirabrushes of the massive arm and doesn't turn to face the beer stenched breath. "Awww...Don't be like that."
"Seriously, how many times have you tried this now? Because honestly, I've lost count." Frustrated, she finally turns to face this ridiculous man. "It's not going to happen. It never will. Now go back to your table and don't talk to me ever again."
Shocked. Blazer takes a step back, a swig of his beer and then wipes his mouth on his forearm. "Stupid bitch." He glares at her smiling. "You'll regret turning me down you hoe."
"Hey now, that's no way to be talkin to a lady." Leira and Melissa see two men standing behind Blazer, obviously brothers, or really close friends that like to wear the same type of clothing.
The lighter haired man places a hand on the regulars shoulder. "We can tell ye that there's lots o'fish in the sea an ole that..."
The darker haired man steps closer and finishes. "but how bout we buy ye a beer instead?"
Smiling, Blaze nods and heads back to his table. "You to mics are alright."
Winking in their direction, the darker haired man turns and follows.
"Sorry bout that lass. T'wont happen again." The lighter haired man offers a gentle smile as he leaves.
Amazed, the two woman look at each other. "That was...different." Melissa admits.
"Yeah. I think that's the first time someone other then Will or you stick up for me." Still stunned, Leira stares at her drink. "When Blaze leaves, which is like in thirty minutes, send that table a round of pitchers from me."
"What? Why?" Melissa demands practically shocked. "Listen, just cause two guys you don't know say something to a dumb drunk hitting on you doesn't mean you have to pay them back a favor."
Leira shrugs her shoulders. "No it doesn't. Just call it my good deed of the month." She smiles. "Sides, whens the last time we had any guy other then those regular idiots say anything to us." Again, bolth girls laughter is heard at the far end of the bar.
As if on cue, thirty minutes after Blazers little embarrassment, he leaves through the back exit.
"Bought time." Leira has been eyeing the clock, waiting for him to leave. She only smokes after he leaves, trying to avoid any way possible to be trapped alone with him anywhere. "I'll wait about ten minutes then go for a smoke." She shouts towards the back and hears an 'alright' echo from the kitchen. She watches as Missy brings the tray full of pitchers to the table of loud mouths. The bar is filled with even more noise and banging on the table after those men find out they are getting free alcohol.
Leira begins to wonder if it was a good idea to send that amount of beer to an already intoxicated table full of men.
She finishes her drink, puts on her black and grey checkered wool coat and heads for the back door. "Dear god how I need some nicotine right now." On her way she passes the rowdy table and they all cheer and raise their glasses to her. Smiling she nods, places a cig between her lips and continues to her destination.
The winter air is cool, but she doesn't care. Snow or no snow, she's going to have this cigarette and enjoy every second of it. She leans against the little make shift picnic table and inhales the smoke from her sin stick. Shivers begin to kick in, but that doesn't ruin her determination to enjoy her nicotine. Tightly, she wraps her left arm around herself and stares at the NimBin at the end of the alley way, lost in blank thought.
The back door creaks open with a loud grinding noise that makes her jump. "Shit."
She sees the lighter haired man walk out from the bar laughing. "Oh sorry lass, didn't mean to scare ye." He pulls back his lips, showing a bit of white from his teeth in a 'shit I'm sorry face'.
Leira exhales a puff of smoke. "No problem. Was just kind of staring off into nothing is all."
The man pulls out a cigarette as well and then begins patting his jacket and jeans. "Ah shit." He looks over to the woman sitting on the picnic table.
"Yeah I have a light." She pulls out a pink zippo. "Sorry it's pink." She flips it open and holds out the lit lighter, her hands shaking from being cold. The man bends forward and covers the flame with his hands and pulls in a drag of his cig.
"Whatever works." He shrugs. "Ye freezin?" He takes a seat beside her on the table.
"Yeah, but it's worth it." She takes another inhale. "Oh and thanks by the way."
The man looks at her puzzled. "What ye thankin me for? It's we who should be thankin ye. We just did what any gent should do. Were ye on the other hand bought a round for a table of anoyin, loud mouth arses."
"Well not many men are that polite these days."
"Aye. It's a shame. A man shouldn't talk to a woman like that on any account." The man lifts up the collar to his black pee coat and raises his shoulders. "Just the right weather to make a man think of home."
"Leira Hemmings." She holds out her tiny manicured hand.
Her new friend places his cigarette to the corner of his mouth and accepts her hand with his rough one. "Connor MacManous. So, if ye don't mind me askin. What's the story with that fellow and ye?" Connor pockets both his hands into his coat.
Leira sighs, and lets her head fall backwards slightly. "He's just some ass hole that's been after me since my friend started working here is all."
"Right. So how long ago was that?" Connor tosses his smoke to the ground and rubs it out with the sole of his boot.
As if pondering, Leiratakes a minute to answer. "I think she started here like three years ago."
Shocked, Connor's eyes widen and Leira laughs. "I know right? Why the hell has she been here so long? Trust me, I would love to know the answer to that one."
"Well she's...uhmm...dedicated I'll give'er that much." He snickers.
Seeing the man shivering, Leira looks at him questioningly. "Aren't you finished smoking?"
His brow lifts and his nose crinkles. "Aye, but I'm not about to leave ye outside alone. It's dark and there are men that would harm a woman at night at these hours."
She tilts her chin in his direction. "You sure are of a different bread Connor." Taking the last puff of her cig she makes her way back to the bar. Connor opens the door and lets her in. She shakes her head. "Thanks."
He follows close behind her, she makes way past his table, looks back, smiles warmly and continues to the bar counter. Connor takes his seat beside his brother, his back now to the bar.
"You were out there a while." Melissa grins mischievously at her friend. "And with a good looking man to boot."
Leiraplaces her laptop in it's carrying bag as well as her glasses. "Oh be quiet. We were both having a smoke, Connor needed a light so..."
"Connor? So you got a name? Girl you move quick." Melissa snaps her gum between her teeth in excitement.
"Ok. And that's my cue to leave. I'm going to the bathroom, then I'm going home." Leira pushes her hair back and leans over the counter top. "Don't you do anything bad while I'm doing lady business, or so help me..." She points a scolding finger at her friend.
"Yeah, yeah. It's just...Honestly Lei, whens the last time you've even thought about a guy?" Melissa's face softens. "I think you just need some romance..."
"I mean it Missy." Leira points her finger again. "I swear I'll stop coming here." She says, heading to the ladies room.
"Right. Like I haven't hear that before. You love me too much." Melissa continues snapping her gum and cleaning the bar counter.
"Hey miss." She hears an Irish accented voice. "Can I get a shot of whiskey and another pitcher of beer?"
The waitress eyes the man in front of her and notices that he's the man Leira was talking to. Her evil grin appears. "Tell you what hun. You do me a little favor and I'll buy your table a round."
Connor eyes go from side to side and he begins rubbing the back of his neck. "Uhmm...sorry lass..."
Grossed out by cluing into what he's thinking she meant, Melissa's face scrunches. "Ewww. No not that. I see that you were talking to my good friend."
"Leira? Aye." He looks at the waitress confused. "And?"
"She's going home. Actually she lives just a few buildings away on the opposite side of the street. Can you do me a big favor and try to convince her to let you walk her home."
Connor's lip does a twist of disgust. "She walks home, alone at this time of night?"
Knowing she's struck a nerve, Missy continues. "Yeah. And you know, after what that creep Blazer said to her...I'm just really worried when she doesn't wait for me to finish my shift and walks home." Sincere but also trying to play match maker, she hopes this man takes her up on her offer.
Tapping his fingers and looking back at his buddies, Connor nods. She can see him head back to his table just as her friend returns to the bar.
Leira picks up her bag, buttons her coat and leans over and places a light kiss on Melissa's cheek. "Ok same time tomorrow?"
"You betcha!" Melissa waves innocently at her friend.
"What did you do?"
Melissa sees Connor say a few things to the darker haired man, who looks back at Leira, smiles and then nods in the lighter haired mans direction. Connor slips into his jacket and walks back to the bar.
Leira follows her friends gaze, sees Connor heading in her direction and then glares at her friend. "You're so evil!"
"Yeah, but I'm the good kind." She giggles.
"Yer friend told me that ye walk home alone at night. I'm walking ye home tonight lass."
Feeling crimson climb to her cheeks from either embarrassment or anger, Leiratakes a deep breath to calm herself and then turns smiling at her new friend. "I'm fine really. You should just stay here with your buddies and have a good time. I just live a few blocks away."
Connor shakes his head. "So it won't take me that much time to walk ye home and then back here. Sorry. I know yer probably not loving the idea. But me and me brother would feel awful if somethin happened."
"Your brother?" Leira knows her guess was right, the other man and him are related.
"Aye, the other gent I was with. T'is me twin brother."
Leira looks back at her friend, who wiggles her eyebrow seductively. Leira rolls her eyes and then turns back to Connor. "Alright. But don't expect me to invite you up or something like that." She laughs off, hoping he gets the hint.
"What? No course not." He steps back shaking his head with his hands up. "Just want to make sure ye don't get...hurt." It's not the word he was thinking of, but he can tell by her facial expression, she understands. He opens the bar door and offers her his arm. "Right, now. Point us in the right direction."
"Right." Leira takes one last look at her friend before leaving and takes Connors offered arm. "To the front of the building, cross the street, then we go right."
He nods. "Perfect, it's snowing. Hope yer wearing enough warm clothing."
After a few minutes of silence and walking arm in arm, Leira points to a building down the end of the street. "That one there."
"Thank the Lord. We're freezin our areses out'here." He feels her squeeze his arm a little as a cool wind whips snow past them.
"You can say that again. Look I know I said I wouldn't offer you to come up, but I can at least let you warm up before you go back again." She sheilds her face with the collar of her coat as another wind whips past.
"It's alright. Ye don't have to do that. The booze will warm me up once I get back." He looks down at her smiling.
They reach her building, she unlocks the front door and steps in. Looking back at him she sighs. "Are you sure you won't just come in for a few minutes. I feel really bad. I've never had anyone walk me home before." She admits.
"Aye. I'm sure. It's not...the right thing to do." He sudenly finds his feet interesting. "Just cause a man treats ye good for a few hours, doesn't mean ye should let him in." He laughs at himself. "That didn't sound'right did it?"
She shakes her head. "Not really."
"I'm not sayin I'm a bad guy. I'm just sayin, ye don't know anythin about me." He cringes. "That make more sence lass?"
She smiles. "Yes. But I was only offering for you to warm up right here in the entrance. Nothing more."
His face goes grim and he climbs the set of stairs. "I know what ye meant. But it doesn't matter. If I was anyone else, I might have thought differently, and wether we were in an entrance or yer apartment...trust me, things can always go bad."
"I know." She bites at her bottom lip. "Call me strange Connor, but I get the sence that I would be safe with you. Please be careful on your way back, the side walks get slippery."
"Aye." He watches her close the door and head up the stairs in the lobby. Satisfied that she's safe, he makes his way back to the bar.
"So?" Melissa greets him as he enters the bar.
"Sorry?" He looks at the woman, puzzled.
"So what happened?" She asks excitedly snapping on what he can smell is new gum.
Connor offers her a warm smile. "Yer friend is nice. No offence, ye shouldn't send her home with someone ye know nothing about."
Her mouth agape in shock, Melissa stares at the man before her. "Oh my god. You're right." She covers her face with her hands. "What was I thinking?"
Feeling a bit out of place, Connor tries to comfort the woman. "I didn't do anythin to her. It's just some friendly advice."
"Aw fuck Conn, did ye have to make'er cry?" The darker haired man stomps over and pushes his brother out of the way. "Sorry'bout him miss. He doesn't think before he talks sometimes."
"Fuck ye Murph." Connor begins patting the woman on the back. "Look miss I'm sorry."
"I'm not crying. I'm just angry with myself. As if I sent her home with a strange man, from a bar, that's probably horny as hell and drunk." Melissa removes her face from her hands.
"Hey...woah there. Me brother might be strange and horny, but he's no drunk!" Murph jokes trying to lighten the mood.
"Woah. You guys are...different." Melissa pulls her hair back for a third time tonight and wraps it in a bun once more. "I'm going to call her and make sure she's alive."
"She's fine." Connor explains.
"Says the guy who might of cut her up into tiny pieces."
"Yer crazy." The lighter haired twin exclaims. "In the span of fifteen maybe twenty minutes, ye honestly think I had enough time to do that?" Connor crosses his arms. "Then sorry lass, but ye've gone off the deep end."
"Whatever, I'm still calling her." Melissa picks up the phone and begins dialing her friends number.
"Crazy." He says one more time while pointing at her and then walks away.