He had never been a deep sleeper. It probably went back to when he was sleeping in a tent with four other men, afraid a Giant Radscorpion would wander into camp during their slumber. Usually when he snorted awake, there was nothing to be seen, unless Yes Man had moved something during the night. This time when he shot his eyes open, he saw the courier slipping off the mattress, grab something from her bag and head to the door.
Normally he wouldn't go after a broad when she walked away, but this was a special case with one special broad. Glancing around to make sure no one else was awake, he silently followed her out the door. She was on the stoop, a pack of cigarettes in her hand.
"Want one?" She offered, not looking surprised to see him there. He sat down next to her, nodding and taking the pack.
"Didn't know you smoked."
That brought a soft laugh. "Kept finding the packs everywhere. It helps with the stress." A lighter flicked, and Benny couldn't help but frown.
"Is…is that mine?"
She glanced at it, then back to him. "Jessup told me to shove it up your ass when I met you. No offense, but I think I'll pass." It was thrown back to him, the unlit cigarette still hanging from her mouth.
Leaning forward, he lit her stick than his, feeling strange at the contact. It was such a soft gesture, a sweet one. It was foreign, and he found himself craving more.
Whether or not she had noticed, she kept quiet and simply took a long drag, staring at the stars. They sat in comfortable silence for a few moments before Benny spoke.
"You know, you still owe me answers for that little bet earlier."
"I knew I should have set the limit to five. Go ahead, ask your questions." The courier clearly didn't mind, turning to him with a grin.
He had to be careful about this. She was withdrawn and intelligent, a dangerous mix. Maybe the personal questions could wait.
"When you find whoever this other courier was, what are you going to do?" That was a safe bet. She was expecting it, and it would be asked at some point anyway.
"I don't know," She said softly, tugging absent-mindedly at her shirt. "I want answers any way I can get them. I'd rather solve things peacefully, but judging from the graffiti all over the caravan, I don't think that's going to happen." The cigarette was stubbed out, and another one lit.
"Why do they hate you?" He found himself almost angry at the thought. She was such a sweet woman, one who cared for the people. She was willing to give him, of all people, a second chance. The idea that someone hated her that much was painful; it was…he didn't even know how to describe it.
"I have no idea," She muttered, brushing a stray piece of hair away from her face. "We'll talk about it when we get there, okay? Not before. Go ahead, ask another question."
It was out before he could stop it. "When we get back to the Strip, I'll make a real nice setup in the Courtyard. Lights, fancy dinner, the works, you dig? Feel like joining me?"
Her pretty little lips parted in confusion, an eyebrow raised. "Did….did you just use up one of your questions to ask me on a date? A romantic date?"
"And what if I just did, Pussycat? I did say I owed you in that letter after all."
That got another laugh, though this one was nervous. "I don't get it. We spend all our time torturing each other when we're not having sex. I had my team beat you after you made me beg. And you want to wine and dine me?"
"I'm an old-fashioned cat, baby, what can I say?" He didn't mention that this was unusual for him, that he never pursued relationships. Besides the fact that he spent most of his time working, he was picky when it came to women. And this little courier had everything he wanted. She challenged him, pushed him to the edge—and it felt fantastic.
The woman stubbed her second cigarette out and turned her body to him, looking thoughtful. "I know I'm not the best when it comes to sharing thoughts and emotions, but you don't have to do this to get me to open up. I will do it eventually; I just want a little time."
"Not changing my mind. You in or out?" Despite his best efforts, he felt anxious. It eased when she gave him a soft smile, and nodded.
"All right, you win. It's a date. Now, my turn to ask you a question. Just how comfortable is that suit? It has to be, since you slept in it." She ran her hand over his shoulder, and he kissed the top of her head.
"You wouldn't believe, baby."
"Oh really? Lemme see if I can believe." When she rested her head against his shoulder, he wrapped his arm around her waist to keep her in place. They sat like that for a while, smoking and staring at the stars, both with the same thought in mind.
This is so wrong…but it feels right.