A.N : Welllll back again with another installment. Thanks for all the reviews and feedback. I would like to take time thank a special guest for giving me such a wonderful idea in this particular. Also although this is a AU fic, I try to keep the core of the characters the same as in the canon series no matter the situation or location. So how will that effect Rock in this story? Will he wield to the temptation of owning a gun? Or become the master negotiator we know him to be? All this and more will be answered in the next few chapters.

Enjoy.

Disclaimer: I do not own Black Lagoon. This chapter also contains language and terms that some may find offensive.

Rock awoke to the sounds of the morning commute buzzing beneath his apartment. Looking over at his alarm clock, rolling into 6 am he sighed. Although he was starting to get used to the noisy atmosphere of the city, the past weekend had been a nightmare for him. It was his first time getting robbed in New York, and Rock was sure it wouldn't be his last.

Sluggishly walking towards the bathroom he scratched his head, wincing in pain. Friday night he made the foolish decision in deciding to grab a few things before heading back in for the night. He made a plan to make it home before dusk but seeing as how the store was so close to the apartment he thought he'd make it with no problems. As soon as he got to the counter to pay for the items, two men entered the store robbing him at gunpoint. He had been stupid. Stupid enough to think he could talk his way out of the situation and things got physical.

Looking into the mirror at his blood shot eyes, he rubbed his face. His eye was still bruised. As much as he thought about calling in sick, as much as it would give him a chance to recuperate, he felt better when he was at work. Being around the unguarded smiles of his coworkers, in a professional environment that reminded him of home, he clung to it as much as he could until it was time leave. It was somewhere safe, and a place he knew he wouldn't have to look over his shoulder every five minutes.

Taking his coat in hand, he exited into the bustling crowd

He knew it would be obvious, his black eye being the topic of discussion at work. Rock tried his best to find a way to stay in his cubicle and away from his coworkers as long as he could. Things seemed to have picked up a lot lately and he hoped it would be to his advantage. Entering the office he spotted Marie, answering a phone call. Swiftly walking by the front desk he waved towards her direction before turning the corner.

"Morning Rock", he jumped at her presence. "Thought I'd catch you before you-" She paused, looking at him.

"Rock", she shouted rushing him to the side. Que pasa contigo? she whispered to him, grabbing his face.

"Marie, I'm fine. I just had a run in with some guys this weekend", he replied removing her hands.

"Is everything alright? They didn't take anything did they?"

"It's fine. I have my wallet and I'm alright, really", he gave a weak smile flinching at the thought.

She frowned. "I know money is tight, and you're not in the position to move but you need something to protect yourself Rock."

He frowned. It was something he didn't want to hear again. "I...I'm not the type to own a gun, Marie."

"You can learn. They're not as scary once you learn how to use one."

"No, I can't. Besides, I've only been here a month. Not sure any legitimate gun store in New York would be willing to sell to someone like me", he gave her a weary smile. It was a legitimate excuse. He was only a month in to living in New York, and there were certain privileges he hadn't yet earned.

She looked as if she wanted to say something but then refrained. Walking back towards the front desk she motioned for him to follow her.

"At least have this with you", she reached into her purse handing him a small rectangular box.

"What is this?" he studied the device, reading the lettering on the side before frowning. "Wait, no."

"It works, you stun someone with that thing and its enough to bring them down."

"Marie", he whined. "I'm not taking this. Besides, what about you? I can't take your taser."

"Don't worry I have a back up", she scrambled to her purse pulling out a can of pepper spray with a smile.

He sighed, it was no arguing with her, so he decided to put it in his pocket to ease her mind.

"Aren't these illegal in New York?"

"Hey, a little buzz never killed anyone and besides, its either you or them Rock. In neighborhoods like that, you have to fight to survive."

He thought of Revy, the night she retrieved his wallet and the advice she gave. Up to this point he had been afraid of conflict, but as much as he would try to avoid it,

at some point he knew it would come looking for him.

"There's a lot of gang members down on that end of town always looking to prove something. Most of them are punks who can't fight worth a damn. Sometimes all it takes is you standing up to them and calling their bluff." She placed her hand on his shoulder. "Just be careful ok?"

"I'll try my best."

He mulled about the situation over lunch, mindlessly picking over his salad. It felt odd carrying the taser Marie gave him and he decided it would be best if he kept it in his bag. Most of his coworkers haven't said much about his eye, while some took pity on him. They offered him advice and a place to stay while he searched for another apartment. But the more they began to speak, the more his jaw tightened with annoyance. Pity and charity were two things he loathed. It felt as if they looked down on him, as some weakling unable to stand up for himself. The conversations were jarring and he hoped to focus on work, to keep his mind away from the situation. However one look at his eye in the mirror and he was forced back into reality.

"Hey Rokurou", a soft voice called.

He looked up at the sound of his name. "Oh, hey Yukio."

She entered the break room sitting across from him. "I heard the news about-"

"Yeah, news seemed to travel fast around here", he mulled. Placing his elbow on the table, he subconsciously cradled his face in his hands. "I'm sorry, I don't mean to be rude. It's just -"

"I understand. I-" she paused before getting up from the table. "I have an idea, come with me".

"Hm?"

"I'm sure you're tired of people looking at it, I think I might have something to help", she pulled at his arm sleeve, motioning him to follow.

They walked towards her cubicle, passing a group of their coworkers chatting. He winced hoping to pick up his pace to avoid any communication.

"Most of the people in my office space are out at lunch so you wont have to deal with anyone." She reached for her purse, sifting through her things.

It was the first time he'd ever been on this side of the office. Rock looked around her cubicle, spotting pictures of family and friends, sticky notes that seemed to clutter the walls around her computer. Little trinkets of bubbly characters and animals that gave the bland desk a liveliness about it, causing him to smile.

"Here, sit down." She motioned.

On command he took a seat in the leather couch leaning back slightly. "What are you-"

"Just trust me", she smirked pulling out a make up kit.

He gave her a skeptical look, looking towards the make up.

"Here, close your eyes."

Rock flinched at her touch, feeling the soft prickling of the brush against his eye. He let out a soft sigh, feeling the soft brush tracing around his face in a circular motion as he felt a wisp of air against his cheek. He wasn't used to being this close to someone. He began to fidget in the chair, retracting his face from her grasp, hoping she wouldn't protest.

"It might not get rid of it all together but, it'll help."She flicked the small mirror up giving him a glimpse. He could still see a dark purplish outline, but it wasn't as noticeable from a distance.

"Thanks Yukio." He exhaled with relief. "You're a life saver."

She giggled, then handed him the kit. "Here, you can keep onto this until it heals."

"Thanks, I'll make sure to return this as soon as possible."

She paused, "You know Rokuro, you might want to-"

"I know I know, carry a weapon. I'm not fond of the idea but, i'll take it into consideration."

It wasn't enough to reassure her, so instead he decided to change the subject. He reached for a photo.

"The family I presume?"

"Yeah that's them", she replied on cue. "My father", she pointed to the older man with a hand around her shoulder, "left for Japan while I was in high school."

"Has he visited?"

"Last year around Christmas. He visit more often than he used to."

Looking back at the photo he spotted a large man, standing next to her father. "Is this your, brother?"

She laughed. "Well my father may have seen him as a son at some point before we got together but, that's Ginji, my ex."

"Ex huh?" he squeaked. The man was the definition of intimidating. The cold stare he presented in the picture, his large stature. Rock definitely did not want to meet the man, or get on his bad side. His hands were the size of his head and Rock was sure it wouldn't take much for the man to snap him like a twig.

"He was born in Japan, but he moved here around the time I attended middle school. Anyway, enough of that", she sighed. "Did you still want to go visit central park this weekend?"

She too was running from something. He could tell the past was a touchy subject that she refused to delve any deeper into. So he decided it was best to let it be.

"I'd love to."

Walking past groups of teenagers huddled together having a good time, to the couples strolling past the shops locking hands with one another. The commute on the way home always reminded him of how much he felt like a shut in. If it weren't for the outings he casually had with Yukio, he wouldn't have gotten to experience much of New York at all. He thought back to their first outing. Walking around Time Square with Yukio early in the morning surrounded by tourist and locals, he felt as if he was in a different world. Looking at the luxurious condos and apartments in beautiful neighborhoods with well groomed streets. All enclosed in safe neighborhoods and boroughs seemed so far away from his reach. Dragging his feet towards his apartment, he sighed. All he was left with was the stench of the gutter.

But then he thought about the night life he experienced with Revy. Seeing the lights illuminate off the pier with an outline of the city from afar. In that moment he felt a sense of comfort. It was gorgeous, it was dangerous, it was troubling, and it was his. His city, and his home.

But as much as the moment of comfort gave him more confidence to stay, the constant reminder hanging over his eye wasn't helping.

Dragging his feet towards his apartment he glanced over at the other tenants. Most seemed to either be locked away inside away from sight during the day until the city lights illuminated to make their venture outside. He didn't receive as many glares has he had in the beginning which was comforting.

Changing out of his work clothes deciding to call it in for the day, he heard a knock at the door.

"Rock, you home?" A muffled voice called, tapping a bit harder.

Opening the door her spotted Revy, dressed in jeans and a black jacket holding on to a backpack. He hadn't seen the girl since the morning she decided to yell at him for no apparent reason. If anything, she was a ticking time bomb that came in and out of his life on a short notice. Everything about the girl seemed like such a hazard. She was short tempered, ill mannered, foul mouthed, and trigger happy. All of his attempts at defusing a situation always seemed to backfire in his face. Seeing as how being nice always made things worse, he decided maybe it was time he stopped trying to skirt around their inevitable confrontation.

"Hey Revy."

"Still here I see. I thought by now you'd be running home with your tail between your legs." He flinched, she always knew how to take a blow to his pride with ease.

"Yeah, well", he shrugged his shoulders, "I'm not going anywhere anytime soon." He replied as she entered the apartment.

"Whats got you all mopey?"

"Why do you care? If I remember correctly I'm not your buddy, or your pal." He arched an eyebrow with amusement.

She scoffed, taking her shoes off at the door. "Whatever. I see you're in a bitchy mood." Plopping down on his couch she sighed.

Closing the door, he walked into the kitchen to begin dinner. He wasn't too worried about leaving Revy to herself in his apartment. She already seemed to make herself at home.

"Rock, what is this?" He heard her voice call out to him, with amusement.

Leaning his head towards the front room, he spotted a black device clasped in her hands. Less than five minutes alone in his apartment and she seemed to have found the taser, Marie gave him earlier. He knew he wouldn't hear the end of it. It was already a bad day, and he knew the night wouldn't get any better. The last thing he needed was for Revy to rip his masculinity to shreds.

"Does it come with a rape whistle and some pepper spray too?" She laughed on cue. Squeezing the trigger on the side he heard a crisp zapping noise as her eyes lit up with amusement.

"Well would you look at that, it works." He replied in a flat tone.

"I guess so", she chuckled, "This is a nasty little fucker here, but its still weird to see you with one." She emphasized. She seemed like she had a rough day. Her voice was strained and tired, and her eyes which normally lit up with passion began to dim. Even so she always found the energy to give him a hard time.

"Dinner is almost ready so, you can just hang out here if you want." He said walking into the kitchen.

"Sure, sure. Hey Rock, I need a place to crash for a few days," he looked over at her, clearing the black strands of hair falling in front of her eyes.

"And? You made it pretty clear food for intel is as far as this goes." If he was being honest with himself, he still felt bitter about the remarks she made the previous morning. He didn't have the energy to let his offer blow up in his face again.

"Damn, of all the advice you've ignored from me, you remembered that." She hissed, pulling her hair back into a pony tail while unzipping a bag.

"I have a trade then."

"A trade?" He was curious to what she could possibly have to offer.

"Yeah", she slid off the couch and walked towards him. "Since you're still here in this shit hole, I decided its time for you to have this."

She pulled out a pistol. It was the same gun she held close to his face awhile ago. "It's gotta be better than that toy you got on the table over there."He looked down at it, then towards her.

"Why?"

"Why? Why not? Look around you Rock, this isn't some grand hotel. That might have been the first time you got robbed but it damn sure wont be the last."

He held it in his hand. It felt odd. He didn't think in a million years he would have to see as many guns as he had in the past month, let alone to hold one. Rock couldn't fathom how something so light could hold so much power.

"I know you green cards can't have one of these bad boys in New York but this one is off the books."

"What about you?"

"What about me?" She scoffed. "I'm not the one getting robbed. Besides those could cost you a hefty price trying to find a clean gun, so you're a lucky son of a bitch. So about me staying here", she asked.

He shook his head placing the gun on the table. "I dont want it but, you can stay here. But I have a few conditions."

She looked skeptical at him, then at the gun before shaking her head. "That would be?"

"I can't keep answering the door at all times of the night, I need a steady time when you'd be here."

"Whenever I need to."

"That's not good enough."

"Tch. You've been mouthing off a lot lately. What, that ass beating made you go soft in the brain?"

"Its my place, my rules. You don't like it then go somewhere else." He replied, looking towards her. The tension in the room was unbearable. He knew he brought it on himself, but he refused to be a doormat in his own home. If he had to fight to survive, then this was the first step.

Then suddenly she began laughed. "Don't get your panties all twisted Rock. Fine, we'll take about that later. Can we just fucking eat without another argument?"

He could tell she was too exhausted to fight. She sat down at the table, drawing out a long sigh. "Sure."

They sat in silence, eating. He glanced over at her lost in thought as she ate. They both seemed to have a lot on their minds. Twisting the fork around his spaghetti lost in thought she spoke.

"So what do you want to know?" she sighed breaking the silence.

Taking another bite he looked towards her. "What do you mean?"

"You know, trade for trade. Since I'm sitting here eating free food and for the time being have a free space to crash the next few days, I'll hold up my end of the bargain."

"Alright then", he paused trying to figure out a way to ask the questions that have buzzed in his mind for some time. "How do things work here?"

"Be more specific, Rock", she said with annoyance.

"I mean, who's in charge? Back home we had local Yakuza groups. They had control over certain areas and districts and some viewed them as part of the community instead of the boogie man. They helped pump drug money into the community, controlling it. So, who's in charge here?"

She stopped mid chew, hesitant in answering.

"Now why the fuck would you need to know that? You're a white collar working stiff, the less you know about this place the better. Got it?"

"But I live here", he pushed. Rock decided to use her situation of fatigue to his advantage. He knew she wasn't looking for a fight. "Information like that is crucial and you know it."

"I don't have to tell you shit." She banged her hand on the table, raising her weary voice.

"That's the deal isn't it? Food for intel. You agree'd to tell me what i needed to know, so I'm asking you Revy. If you don't, then you'd owe me."

She sighed, jabbing her fork in her food with annoyance. She took awhile to answer the question, but he knew she would.

"It depends on where you are", she said softly. "People from all over the world come here to New York to lock horns with one another. Its a cesspool of criminals looking to get over on each other. Everywhere there is a turf war brewing. Chinks , beaners, the homeboys down in harlem, the Ruskies, guidos you name it. Even on Wall Street the white boys and the jews have that on lock."

He frowned, on top of her being rude, she was also racist it seemed. "Revy that's not nice."

"Doesn't have to be. You might have had different gangs back home but here there are people coming from everywhere. America is the land of opportunity and all the scum of the earth come here to New York. Freedom comes at a price and the more money you have the more you can buy your way to paradise. That's just the way it is here."

He didn't agree, but decided it was best if she continued.

"Here, in the heart of Roanapur Avenue", she tapped on the table, "the Triads have this area locked down. The guys walking around in black suits together even in 90 degree weather, that's them. Nothing moves without their orders, no one sells anything without their consent."

"What about everywhere else?"

"Rock, like I said the less you know, the better off you are. Besides, I doubt you'll be sticking around here long." She took another bite.

"Why's that?"

"People like you don't stay here long. You'll find a better paying job, leave this place, find some other dorky working stiffs to hang out with."

"Revy, I need to know." He pleaded. "It could save my life." He locked eyes with her, not letting up on his request.

She sighed. "You never listen to any of the other advice I give you," she muttered, "but fine can't say I didn't tell you when you get your neck broken. In New York, the Italians have most of the power. They have the most influence and territory. The Cosa nostra's are dog fighting themselves leaving nothing but a blood bath. Next are the cartels. They don't have as much territory in New York but they control most of the drug trade routes headed to the west coast. Then the Triads, they're starting to scrap with the Italians and gain more power. Its only a matter of time before that happens", she smirked.

"What about the Russians?"

"The fuck are you talking about? Where'd you hear about that?"

"From Bao." He wasn't sure why it was such a touchy subject.

"Bao is a lying piece of shit. I wouldn't trust him as far as I could toss the fucker's dead body." She got up from the table, walking towards the fridge.

Twisting his neck over towards her he frowned. "He said they're starting to gain a foothold in New York. Faster than the Triads even."

"Like I said, they're nobody. Just a small group that'll be wiped out." Revy grabbed a soda and popped the lid taking a sip. "And another thing, how many people you've been talking to about this?"

"Just Bao."

"You going around asking people about this kind of shit is going to raise questions. You have a death wish or something?" she yelled

"No, I just wanted to know and Bao-"

"You're still not listening. You don't trust anyone, and you damn sure don't ask too many questions. The only people around here who are nosey are cops, you want people to think your some undercover narc? Stop being a dumbass and stop wandering around trusting strangers."

He was quiet, taking his plate to the sink. "So, if I'm not supposed to trust anyone, that must include you too, right?", he snapped.

Call it a shear moment of stupidity, but something in his brain forgot to warn him he wasn't supposed to take petty jabs at the woman who was feeding him information. But at the moment he was too exhausted to care.

Revy ignored him, dropping her plate in the sink next to him. "You're a real piece of work you know that? I'm headed to bed." He looked up to see she flipped him off.

He sighed, focusing his attention on the gun lying on the table before getting up. Revy already lied down on the couch with her back turned towards him with her headphones on. At that moment he knew he screwed up. He gotten so used to taking any hurtful comment she could throw at him that he decided to be petty with her. Putting his hand on his head he groaned, the whole night was a disaster.

Walking towards the closet he sifted through his things to find a few blankets.

"Revy, I have to let the couch out."

"Fuck you, you prick." She hissed.

He sat down on the couch next to her, plopping the covers on top of her. "I'm sorry for being bitchy tonight."

She looked up at him cracking her eye open.

"You've helped me a lot since I've been here...well besides when you put a gun in my face but"

"Rock, just pull out the damn couch."

"Oh, right."

Rolling off the couch, covers in hand she decided waited. He decided to move the furniture around to make room for the sofa bed. Moving the coffee table closer towards the wall and moving a few trays. Pulling out the couch he reached over for the bedding when he spotted her undressing next to him.

"R..revy.", he stumbled, feeling a slight blush spread across his face. She always wore baggy clothes that hid her curves. But now, with only a tank top and a pair of panties covering her, he could see how small and frail her figure was. On the side of her arm he spotted a black tattoo running up her arm and onto her neck. He began to wonder just how long it had been there

"Are you just going to stand there and stare or are you going to fix that bed?" She crossed her arms. "Sometime this century, Rock."

Avoiding her gaze, he focused on the task at hand. "Sorry." He tucked the sheets around the edges, making sure they wouldn't loosen and went into his room to grab a pillow.

"Well here you go. Towels are in the bathroom and if you need anything, just ask."

"Yeah, yeah", she swatted before crawling into the bed, headphones fastened on her ears.

Scratching his head he walked back into the kitchen, deciding to clean up before going to bed himself. Through the sounds of the dishes clinking against the sink, and the humming of the refrigerator he hummed to himself. It was the quietest his apartment complex has ever been. No gunshots, or sirens, or loud sounds of people outside arguing. Just the sounds of the rain tapping against his window. For some strange reason on another, for the first time since leaving his home in Japan, he felt at ease. Moments like these, where he had a moment of peace to catch his breath after a long day, seemed to be therapeutic. Clicking off the kitchen light, he stumbled towards his bedroom hoping not to disturb his guest.

"Night Rock", a raspy voice murmured.

"Night Revy."

Moments like these, made him believe he could make it after all.