A/N: First of all: I'm sorry for the delay, I'm just a really moody writer... I've tried forcing myself to sit down and write, didn't work, I still hope you'll bear with me... Just to show you how sorry I am, you'll get two chapters...

Now, with that out of the way... *inhale deeply* Thanks a lot for all of your reviews, guys, I'm still keeping track, so sorry if I don't reply to all of them personally (though I'm trying, promise)... So it's decided, Gaige will appear, but since she was a later DLC-character anyway, I think it's kinda fitting to add her at a later time, though you won't have to wait too long, don't worry... And Tiny Tina, for you, of course, my humble (anonymous) reader... :)

And just so you know, you've already corrupted my mind... I recently tried to add a little Axton-romance (just for the fun of it) and I couldn't do it, so thanks a lot for that... now I have to come up with something else... :P
I also decided to write Lilith a bit nicer than I had initially intended, so don't ever tell me I'm not listening to you guys... ;)

I hope you enjoy...


Tannis' eyes bore into mine and I start to shift uncomfortably. She smiles at me and I can't really decide whether to be flattered or feel like an exotic animal on display...

Before the silence between us can get even more awkward – man, am I glad the guys decided to go to Moxxi's for a few beers, leaving me with the task of checking on Roland – I clear my throat and take a step to my left, sighing when she follows me.

"Would you mind?" I nodd towards the washing machine behind her, pretty sure it holds ammo we could really use right now...

She remains silent, her eyes never leaving mine, that amused smile still playing around her lips and I groan inwardly. Time for more drastic measures... I feign a step to the right and then shoot to the left, my arm reaching out and-

I find myself pinning her against the (still closed) washing mashine, my left hand resting close to her head while I just about manage to stop my right hand from landing on her hip as I try to regain my balance.

Great...

"The offer still stands," she suddenly purrs and I almost jump at the unexpected noise – or maybe it's her hand grabbing my waist, who knows?

My brows furrow for a moment as I rack my brain. Her offer...? Oooh, right...

She seems to notice my understanding and arches a suggestive eyebrow while my mind starts to race at my options. Check on Roland and join with the guys for a drink at Moxxi's or follow crazy Tannis to her bed? Or wall... or locker... or chair... or wherever it is she sleeps – who knows with these people...

Wait a minute...

I suddenly remember something interesting I've found while we were hunting down the four assassins at Southpaw Steam & Power a while back and before my mind – or at least the rational part of my mind – has time to catch on, I have already crossed my arms in front of my chest and challenge, "If I say yes, will you tell me everything you know about Sirens?"

Ugh, all these challenges Sal and I have come up with to pass the time during our journey so far have completely ruined me... But it's too late to back out now and Tannis is already nodding eagerly.

Oh what the heck... I take a deep breath and nodd. "Lead the way..."

"Excellent!"

After quickly freeing herself from between me and the washing machine, Tannis hurries up the stairs, rambling happily as I sigh and turn around to follow her – right after grabbing as much ammo as I can carry from the surrounding washing mashines, of course... First Lilith, now Tannis... The things I'm willing to do for information about my heritage... I guess it's this planet's fault, Pandora's already corrupting me, I can feel it...

"I tried to convince Lilith, but for some reason she refused all my offers so far..."

Wait, what?

"We'll take one of the upper beds, the smell of bacon is slightly less irritating there... That reminds me..." Tannis stops, turning her head back to me. "I did mention I tend to bite, didn't I?"

Oh, right... there was that... Great idea, Maya... great idea...

Tannis obviously takes my hesitation as a sign to continue and she climbs the rest of the stairs, excitedly going on, "This will be most interesting! I'd like to take notes though, I hope you don't mind. Heh, of course you don't, I'm a scientist after all... And if I'm lucky, I might even remember where I left the ECHO recordings afterwards..."

I feel so special right n- wait, we're going upstairs? I'm pretty sure Roland's up there... And that means there's a chance that...

Please let him be alone, please let him be-

"Sup."

Great...

There she is, casually leaning against the doorframe and smiling at me, even adding a suggestive wink behind Roland's back – damn that woman! – while Roland quickly approaches us. And here I stand, frozen in place, staring at them dumbfounded with no idea what to do except flee...

I need to get out of here!

My hand shoots out to stop Tannis in her pace and I turn her back around to face me. "Hey, I... guess I'll take care of your job first..." I announce, making sure to keep my voice low, and Tannis nods, her smile never leaving her face.

"Excellent," she repeats and, just like that, turns to walk back downstairs as if she hadn't just been listing all the different things she wants to do to me in mer mind. "Don't forget to pick up the pizza at Moxxi's!"

One of my eyebrows involuntarily shoots up as I watch her leave. Well, that was easy... Only one more quick exit to go...

Speaking of which... while I still face the stairs – trying not to look like a total idiot with my mouth hanging open – I suddenly notice a large shadow growing behind me and I slowly turn around just in time to see Roland charge at me with thundering steps, being reminded once again of what an intimidating figure he is... Damn, that guy is huge...

"Handsome Jack is gonna kill us all unless you can stop him," he barks down at me while I still struggle to get a clear view of his face which, from my point of view, is slightly obscured by his muscular chest and arms he has crossed – as if his "normal" appearance wasn't intimidating enough already...

"He means 'hi'. That's his way of saying 'hi'..."

I'm almost glad to hear Lilith's voice, although I'm still unable to move away from his towering form to shoot her a thankful smile – not that I'd consider doing that in the first place, especially with her boyfriend (did I mention he's huge?) right next to her, glaring down at me...

"Hi," I manage to croak, smiling weakly while I force my feet to move – preferably away from that towering colossus...

"Right, sorry," the booming voice continues and Roland seems to tense his facial muscles as if... is he trying to smile? "Hi."

That's it, I'm outta here!

I smile at Roland and nod, pointing over my shoulder as I slowly back away. "Yeah, I'll just... go then..."

Before either one of them can say anything more I've already turned around and stormed down the stairs. Keeping my head low, I quickly make my way away from the Raider's HQ and I can already hear the booming bass coming from Moxxi's when I hear hurried footsteps behind me.

"Hey, wait up."

Against my immediate need to quicken my pace, I freeze and it takes Lilith only two seconds to reach me. Once she's standing in front of me, she places a hand on her hip and smiles at me. "You took off so quickly, we didn't even get a chance to talk..."

Not one to take sublte hints then, I take it...

She eyes me carefully. "Is it because of Roland? Don't worry about him, he's not all that bad... He's a big softie inside, you know."

Riiight...

Sensing that I'm not about to answer, Lilith waves her hand dismissively. "Anyway, I've got a job for you."

My eyebrow shoots up. That's why she's followed me?

Lilith seems to take up on my skepticism and winks at me as she inches closer, shooting a quick glance over my shoulder to make sure we're alone before she gently slaps my ass. "I've got a little problem with some of 'Firehawk's followers..." she starts and inches even closer, her hand remaining on my ass as she whispers in my ear, "If you could help me with them, I'd be very grateful..."

I guess it goes without saying that it took all of my willpower not to yelp in surprise like a damn schoolgirl when her squeezing hand emphasizes her words...

"Oh and Roland wants you to find his spy in Tundra Express..."

Damn that woman...

. . .

"Me and Lilith? We made out once. I try to keep it on the down-low."

Who hasn't, buddy, who hasn't...

I groan inwardly as I shove past the guy in front of Moxxi's – fighting the urge to pat him on the shoulder for his "achievement" – and walk into the bar, giving a sigh of relief when I immediately spot the familiar faces at the bar.

"I bet you're not able to empty the entire barrel of rakk ale in 30 seconds."

"Challenge accepted."

I shake my head and lightly punch Salvador's arm as I sit on the free barstool between him and Axton. "You really should stop doing that, Sal."

He turns to me, his eyebrows raised in honest confusion. "Why? It's fun." A wicked grin suddenly spreads across his face as he adds, "Besides, a little challenge never hurt anyone..." After tapping his chin in thought for a second, he leans forward, his eyes gleaming mischievously as he purrs, "I bet it'll take me less time to incinerate ten bandits..."

Don't fall for that! a small voice in my head yells, but as always, my pride is faster...

"You're on!"

Why do I even care...?

A gurgling sound behind Sal makes both of us spin around to watch Zero empty the barrel on the bar in front of him. He has lifted his helmet slightly which allows him to throw his head back as he gulps down the last drops of ale before placing it back on the bar, adjusting his helmet again before any of us can get a real glimpse at his face. Not that we'd care about that, of course... We also don't have bets on what's behind his mask or anything like that... And I'm also absolutely not sure that I'm right with my theory since I think I've just spotted some green skin...

Sal seems to have spotted it as well judging by his disappointed expression when he turns back to me... I raise a suggestive eyebrow before giving Moxxi a handsign who quickly produces a bottle of lager from her- Don't stare, Maya, don't stare!

"All done?"

I take a cautious sip from the beer and take the opportunity to turn away from a smiling Moxxi to face Salvador again.

"Yup." I nod. "We have to kill some fugitives, deal with Lilith's followers and find a guy in Tundra Express..."

Sal nods, drumming his fingers on the bar in front of him for a second before he turns in his chair. "Then what are we waiting for?"

Now?

I put the lager down, swallowing the gulp of beer still in my mouth and pointedly look at the still half-filled bottle in my hand. He follows my line of sight and then waves his hand dismissively before he jumps off his chair.

"Ah, you shouldn't drink and drive anyway." He grins, adding, "It's not safe for your passengers..."

I shoot him a cold glare and slowly take another large gulp from my – well deserved – beer, silently daring him to object. Which he does...

His hand shoots out and pats me roughly on the back, making me almost choke on my beer. I still manage to keep some of my dignity by keeping my mouth shut and simply sliding off the chair, turning away from him as I hastily gulp down the rest of the beer. I smile at Moxxi – ignore her suggestive wink – and place a few bills on the bar before I follow my companions, grabbing the pizza boxes on my way out.

"I'll ride shotgun!" Sal announces when I join up with them outside the bar, his eyes lighting up even more when he notices the pizza boxes in my hands.

I shake my head and keep the pizza out of Sal's reach – which means I don't even have to stretch my arms... "I think Axton should guard the pizza..."

"Thanks, sol-" My eyes narrow and Axton nervously clears his throat. "Sol," he settles. And, giving me a warm smile, he adds, "That means 'sun'."

"M-hm..." Still not convinced but too tired to argue – plus my stomach already tells me it was a bad idea to empty the entire bottle of beer in three large gulps – I simply nodd and roughly shove the pizza boxes towards him before I turn and walk away, a wicked grin playing around my lips. Have fun protecting the pizza from Sal's grubby hands back there... I'll make sure to drive as slowly as possible... "Zero, you're driving shotgun today."

"Challenge accepted."

"What do you mean, 'challenge'? I'm a good driver, damn it!"