A/N. I own nothing. Thank you for all the great reviews. I never knew writing could be addictive.
SPOV
Maybe I was a little too forward because he refused to shake my hand after I introduced myself. I even gave him my biggest smile. Oh well. Now he gives a nod and indicates I should sit in the seat across come him. What is it with the silent treatment? I sit down and a plump waitress with a knowing smile approaches the table. He orders a bottled water and I order a coke. When Mr Silent decides to speak he calls me Babe. He doesn't know me. What the Hell! The Dick used to call me Babe when he was trying to convince me to do disgusting sex things to or with him like threesomes. Eewww! I lay into him with both barrels.
He tries to interrupt me and that just pisses me off more.
As quickly as the anger appears, it dissipates. And I slump back against my chair. Then the creature in my tummy makes itself known and I am happy again.
I look at the menu and decide I want the fattiest thing on it, just to mess with Mr Tall, Dark and Handsome. The waitress arrived with our drinks and asked if we knew what we wanted. The way she said wanted and the fact she never looked at me told me exactly what she wanted.
I cleared my throat and proceeded to give the waitress my order. "Ahem! I will have a bacon cheeseburger and large fries." I could see Mr T,D and H squirming a little so I added " make that a double."
She never looked at me but she was writing something down. I just rolled my eyes. He seemed to be a touch bit unhappy if the scowl on his face was any judge. I barely resisted the urge to laugh, when, in a flat voice he said "grilled chicken salad with no dressing." The waitress was now openly grinning and I was loosing the battle,so I hung my head so no one would see me smile. He looked like something tasted nasty.
Once the waitress was gone Captain Cavey announced he would help me but there were rules I must follow.
"Rule 1 you do exactly what I say, when I say it." My eyes narrowed.
"Rule 2 do not undermine me. Or question me." Rhino mode coming on.
"Rule 3 I am not happy about being a babysitter, so if you fail to follow rules 1 and 2, I don't babysit anymore. Are we clear?" Oh Hell no, rhinos are in the building. He looked at me expectantly, like he expected complete compliance.
I attempted to mimic his pose but I just looked stupid. I opened my mouth and reconsidered. I leaned forward with my elbows on the table and rested my chin in my hand. I batted my heavily mascaraed eyes and began to address each rule.
"As to rule one-fat chance."
"As to rule two-bite me!"
"And as for rule three" I snapped him a one finger salute.
Uh oh! Thunder clouds are forming! A twitch has developed in his jaw. He lifts his left hand and pinches the bridge of his nose. That can't be good. It is interesting though. A southpaw, Latino Batman who is cut like Adonis. I suppress a shiver. He started to speak then stopped. He leaned forward and stared me directly in my still fluttering eyes. "Listen Miss Plum. I am a former Army Ranger, I have been a part of and lead more missions than you can imagine. I have drawers full of medals from service in Hellish countries the Devil would not visit."
I sit a little straighter, feeling a little guilty for being so flip. "I made it back from each and every one with very few casualties. If I offend you, too bad. I am not you mother, your priest or your babysitter. If you want to learn to defend yourself and survive this fine. If you want to go get yourself killed or worse that's fine too.. No skin off my nose either way. When you decide what you want, let Connie know and she will contact me."
With that parting shot he left before lunch arrived. He threw several bills on the table before walking toward the door. I flipped him the bird over my shoulder. "I saw that Miss Plum. I also have eyes in the back of my head" he retorted as he went out the door. The ringing of the bell signaling his departure.
