Carly marveled at the token to her sanity for the next couple months. Just below one of the most popular tattoo parlors in the city, stood her operating room. One gurney, two freezers and large tubs for disinfecting the tools in.
"It's not much…" Grave Robber grumbled and lifted the heavy bag full of instruments onto the gurney that stood stationary in the middle of the room.
"No, no, no. It's wonderful, thank you." Carly shushed him and stared around at the room in awe. For a moment she couldn't help but stare at him in awe too. No one had gone out of their way to do anything for her, at least for nothing in return. The kindness made her heart pound in her chest, it was overwhelming.
"Now all that's left to do is get you some clients, organs and zydrate and you're in business. I'll make a few calls in the morning." Grave Robber pulled his jacket tighter around him as they exited the room.
"This is a hell of an apology." Carly grunted as the door ground against the frame. Grave Robber shooed her away from the door and frowned when the door wouldn't even touch the frame.
"The fuck…" Grave Robber grumbled angrily and pulled at the door mercilessly with no prevail.
"It'd be helpful if you moved your boot out of the way…" Carly smiled and did her best not to laugh at the frustrated man.
"Thank you." Grave Robber stared at the door knob as if she hadn't said anything.
"I'm sorry, have I emasculated you?" Carly let out a hearty laugh he had never heard before.
"Carly…" Grave Robber grumbled again and put on his mean face. They both knew that he didn't mean it, but to say that he still didn't intimidate her would be a lie. Those icy blue eyes peering at her past strands of multicolored hair always seemed to catch her off guard.
"Sorry." she apologized and blushed.
Grave Robber stood up at full height and turned to face Carly, towering over her. Leaning and forward, he braced his arms against the wall on either side of her head and leaned down closer to her. "Now, how would you like to see what Amber was bitching about all these years?" his Cheshire grin glowed against the darkness of night.
"Absolutely." Carly said breathlessly.
Weaving through alleyways, they finally found their destination: Grave Robber's main alley. Within seconds those looking for a fix sprang from wherever they were at and approached the two of them. Knowing that he had work to do, Carly found a near by trash can and sat perched on top of it. The junkies came to Grave Robber for a reason- he was the best- and she didn't want to get in the way of that. Another pang of guilt rippled through her when she was reminded that the mere fact that he was taking her under his wing put him in danger.
"Who's the fresh meat Graves?" A random junkie strutted up to Carly and stared at her with amusement.
"Leave her alone." Grave Robber eyed her warily and collected from another customer.
"I'm not gonna hurt her, I just wanna know who she is. You were dragging a little girl around a while ago. Do you like little girls?" The woman taunted and ran a finger under Carly's chin, but before she could reach her jaw Carly smacked the woman's hand away.
"I'm a business associate, and if you would be so kind could you not fucking touch me." Carly sneered.
"This one's meaner." The woman pouted. "The younger one was cuter, I read all about her in the magazines..."
"I said leave her alone Mel." Grave Robber snapped.
"I'd listen to him." Carly cocked an eyebrow.
"I'm just havin' some fun. What do you do for fun sweet cheeks?" The woman sucked the inside of her check cockily.
"I cut people open for a living." Carly smiled curtly.
"You drag around some serious freaks Graves." The woman rolled her eyes and handed him her payment. Despite running her hands up and down Grave Robber's lapel to get his attention he said nothing, took the money, and gave Carly an approving wink.
"Gather round my children!" Grave Robber bellowed like a teacher during story time. "While some of you are enjoying my fine product for recreational use, there are those who are still on your quest for genetic perfection! If you are stick around, because I've got the best surgeon in town." Holding his hand out to Carly he summoned her over. "This is Doctor Wallace. She will take care of your every need for half the price, and better yet- no repossessions. She escaped the hand of the very that's holding the noose around your necks once you signed that contract."
"What bullshit are you feeding us Graves?" The same woman asked sarcastically and glared at Carly as if she were a snake. Carly shrugged and pulled her GeneCo ID out of her pocket and showed it to the crowd.
"I hate them just as much as you all do. I'll take care of you as if you were my own." Carly promised.
"You couldn't be in better hands. Whatever you need, tell me first. We need to keep this gem a secret, don't we children? Don't reveal your secret to the enemy." Grave Robber wrapped his arm around her shoulders and gave it a light, reassuring squeeze.
"If any of you are interested, please come over here so we can talk." Carly called whoever was interested over to her spot so Grave Robber could get back to work. "What's your name, beautiful?"
"Polly." A little girl that seemed to be no older than 16 blushed.
"What do you need?" Carly pulled out a pen and paper.
"A heart, the doctors at GeneCo said it was defective." Polly frowned and touched.
"Don't worry sweetheart, I can fix that. Give me your last name, phone number, and address. I'll get in touch with you." Carly reached out and squeezed the little girls hand and took down the rest of her information.
The hours of the night seemed to move far too quickly as each page of her notebook filled up with names, numbers and adresses.
"Carly time to go." Grave Robber called over his shoulder once he noticed that the sun was about to rise.
"I'll give you call when we get everything in Julian, okay?" Carly smiled and put a star next to his name. The man nodded solemnly. He knew that he was dying rapidly and that there wasn't much time. "Hey, don't worry. You're at the top of the list." she caught the man in a hug.
"...thank you." Julian whispered and disappeared off into the darkness like the rest of her patients.
"Doctor Wallace, I have this terrible affliction." Grave Robber wailed and hobbled over in feigned pain.
"What seems to the problem Mr. Robber?" Carly asked in the most serious tone that she could muster.
"I...I don't know. Some vicious girl just took a sledge hammer to my manhood a few hours ago. I thought I was okay but the damages seem to be more serious than I thought...Oh god!" Grave Robber cried and clutched onto her arms and stared up at her with puppy eyes.
"What a bitch." Carly stood as still as a rock and gave him a crooked smile.
"You are the worlds worst doctor, I'm dying by the minute here!" Grave Robber hung his head exasperatedly.
"Your cure is at home. Big fluffy pancakes and eggs will patch up any hemorrhaging." Carly patted his head.
"Whatever you say doc." Grave Robber linked arms with her as they walked back for breakfast.