03: Jasmine Clarke

22:02 September 16th

The place was crowded with sport fans, which spilled into the dancing area. While Laura served drinks at the bar, Skye and two other employees set up a few tables on the dance floor and turned on the one large television they have in that area to the game that was being watched on the other side of the bar as well. The air was becoming heavy with all the people, so she told Laura she taking a moment outside.

She breathed in the fresh air as soon as the door closed, turning the loud noises of talking and shouting into muffled sound. Rolling her neck, she leaned against the metal door and closed her eyes.

"Fresh air is always nice."

Skye opened her eyes and stood straight. Jasmine stood in front of her, an innocent smile on her face with her hands holding a clutch.

"Yes, it is. How are you liking our little club?"

"It's very… American," she said in her British accent. Skye raised her eyebrow at the answer. What did that mean?"

"Laura and Matthew - "

"Are good friends, are they not?" Jasmine interrupted. Skye pressed her lips together. It wasn't her job to make Matthew at least notice Laura. "Anyway, it was nice to meet you… Skye Lovett."

Jasmine looked up into the sky, seeming to look for something. Skye frowned, looking up as well. She saw a shadow, barely an outline, but it was there. Nightwing. Her heart beat a little faster.

Nightwing wouldn't admit it, but he had been sitting there for a good ten minutes waiting to see if she would come out. He told himself that he would leave exactly at ten minutes, but at that mark she walked out with a smile on her face. Nightwing suddenly felt awkward at waiting and watching her. He should go down… who is that? He narrowed his eyes and saw the tall, elegant woman speaking to Skye. Skye didn't seem amused.

As soon as the woman lifted her face, Nightwing frowned. It was Mistressia. What the hell was she doing? She looked in his general area with a sly smile, and Nightwing knew he was being called out. Damn.

He slid down into the alley and came into the light. Skye seemed surprised, but quickly caught herself and allowed her face to become apathetic once more.

"Oh, I knew you'd come. I couldn't wait to see you again." Mistressia grinned and clapped her hands like an excited girl. "I heard you were around this area. We got interrupted last time."

Nightwing didn't show any emotion, but he glanced at Skye. She raised an eyebrow and looked between them.

"Jasmine…" she started, then stopped.

"Mistressia, what are you doing?"

"That makes much more sense," Skye mumbled.

"What's what supposed to mean?" Mistressia said with a pout. "Mistressia is a lovely name. Jasmine is… an old name."

"Mistressia is a name for villainesses," Skye quipped with narrowed eyes. Nightwing held back a smile. "What do you want with Matthew? He's a good guy, don't."

Nightwing stepped in front of Skye, the closest he's been to her up to now, and faced the villainess, as Skye called her. She made a good point - just what was Mistressia up to? She was a jewel thief, not anything more.

"Oh, I don't care at all about Matthew, I just wanted to get his attention." Mistressia tilted her head flirtatiously and stepped forward. She put a hand on Nightwing's chest. He didn't move, but he felt Skye shuffle behind him.

"You did this all to get his attention?" Skye stepped around from Nightwing with a look that said 'what?!"

"What's wrong with my attention?" Nightwing mumbled, a little put off. No one heard him, though.

"Of course, looked at him. He's the full package. We go well together," she crooned, sighing happily toward Nightwing.

"Wow, that's pathetic. Giving a bad name to women everywhere," Skye commented. Mistressia was starting to get annoyed, Dick knew he needed to step in before these two went at it.

"Skye, call the police. Mistressia, didn't I send you to jail just a few days ago?"

"Oh, please, I didn't do anything. I was only looking at a few pretty things."

"After breaking and entering," Nightwing added. He heard sirens coming close. "Time to try again."

Mistressia began to pout. Nightwing rolled his eyes and pulled out his zip-ties. She kept pouting as she held out her wrists and let him bind them.

It didn't take long for the police officer to sheepishly accept the woman into his custody. He was the one from before. Nightwing memorized his name so he could speak to his contact in the department. Finally, she was gone and Nightwing let out a breath.

"Have you tried telling her no?" He turned to see Skye leaning back against the door once more.

"You have no idea."

"Hm, maybe you should try something more straight forward." She thought a moment, exaggerating thinking by tapping her lips. Nightwing smirked. "How 'bout never ever ever going to happen."

"I don't think it will work," he replied roughly.

"Does this happen a lot?" Skye looked curiously at him. He opened his mouth to answer, but the door was pushed open by a male employee. He stopped when he saw Nightwing, frozen. "Yes, I'm coming. Be there in a moment." Skye pushed the door closed and turned back around to face him.

Nightwing had the urge to disappear when the man noticed him, but he fought it. One more moment with her, then he'd leave. She smiled at him when she turned.

"Duty calls," he said, gesturing toward the door. He started to walk backwards.

"My name is Skye," she told him as he moved into the shadows.

"I know," he answered with a grin. She didn't seem surprised.