Hi guys...I realize it's been a very long time...sorry...I'm in the process of grovelling, will an update make things better? Mucho love as well?

Shedding his skin...

"Okay...just keep breathing...in and out...in and out. Oh screw this..."

The strange muttering made Richard raise an eyebrow at his long time colleague and friend, as he watched his friend pace up and down continuously he felt he really needed a drink and stood up and walked over to the bar without anyone noticing him, he poured two glasses of Jack Daniels and was sliding it in front of the pacer to perhaps seduce him into noticing it.

He did, and the glass was empty before he could take a sip of his own. "What're you so nervous about Xun? You're driving me crazy here..."

"Uh...nothing" Was Xun's curt reply before he sat opposite Richard, still fidgeting in his seat.

They were in Bruce's bar as usual; it had been a week since the boat incident. There'd been many arguments, many plans offered and thrown out. Bruce had decided he refused to be sucked into this pointless killing that Scath seemed to enjoy so much, though others were less rational, Garth especially was thirsting for justice on his fallen friend's behalf. Xun didn't really know what to think, people tend to know what's possible when they get into this line of work...but at the same time, if that had been Richard...he didn't even allow himself to think that thought.

Richard was staring at him now, obviously curious about his partner's obvious restlessness, but suddenly something clicked inside his mind. "Wait...this isn't about that little waitress is it!?" Richard, if he'd been an undisciplined man would've allowed his jaw to drop, but luckily he settled for an incredulous look at his friend.

Xun looked embarrassed but defensive. "Her name's Kori and she is helping me get Rowan back..."

"That's one thing but you had one meeting with her and suddenly you're as skittish as Logan, I don't know what's going on with you guys lately." Xun rolled his eyes, Richard didn't really tend to see anything outside of gang life, sure he could have any girl he wanted, any time, but he just didn't bother with it at all. In fact Xun didn't think Richard knew anyone from outside the gang...it was strange, Xun had always sort of fought to not allow the gang rule his life, but Rich seemed to thrive in that environment.

Xun found himself shrugging, "I need her recommendation when the lawyer starts the adoption process, seeing Rowan again...I need my boy home Rich."

"And what're you going to do if you get him back? The neighbour as we learned last time doesn't appreciate watching Rowan, seeing as she ratted you out the last time, what're you going to do if you get a job in the middle of the night? Sling the kid on your back?" Richard stopped himself saying anything else and then sighed. "You have a good thing going right now, you see him...isn't that enough?"

Xun couldn't bring himself to answer out loud but the answer rang high in his head.

Not even close...

TT

Rachael woke up in a daze, the light was too bright, her eyes were too heavy, her stomach was too shaky, the duvet was too scratchy, the world, in all was not a pleasant place when Rachael Scath did in fact have a hang-over. But it was only then did she actually realize...she was in bed. How the heck did that happen!? And then it rushed back into view. Her slumping in the doorway...Logan appearing...he got her home...did he tuck her in? If so then where was he...oh frick...she thought quickly, now she'd have to grovel to him about this.

She stumbled out of bed, not feeling at all healthy, she shed her clothes and stepped into the shower hoping it would restore her better senses that she needed to get through the door. The hot water suddenly flooded over and she all but moaned in relief. Reaching for the soap she let her mind wander, Malchior...she could only remember his smooth English accent, so polite, so charming! But if she'd spent her time with him...why was Logan the one who brought her home...

God she hated alcohol! (Sorry alcohol! Didn't mean to offend you :P I jest...sorta...)

Half an hour later she was sliding her feet into her shoes and grabbing her bag from the hallway, on the floor, she frowned, knowing that she'd probably thrown it there in a drunken stupor. She winced into the sunlight as she stepped out of her apartment block. And winced again when she saw who was lying on the wall.

"Logan..." She muttered, almost as a profanity. "Hi..."

"Oh wow she awakens! How do you feel this afternoon?" Logan was grinning that stupid little grin at her as usual.

"How'd you think?" She approached him, feeling as though she should be thanking him but the words were stuck in her throat.

"Well after seeing you last night I'm surprised you're not in bed still."

"Ha...I may feel like I'm walking through glue but I have a business to attend to..."

There was an awkward moment; Logan rubbed the back of his neck tentatively. "So...who was that guy yesterday?"

Rachael cringed, though she wasn't sure why. "Just a guy"

"Some guy..." Logan muttered darkly.

"Excuse me?" Rachael felt herself change to defensive, Logan scoffed.

"He left you last night; I had to get you home..."

"What do you want a medal?" Rachael knew she was being harsh, she should be thanking him but she couldn't bring herself to do it. Logan looked confused...even a little hurt?

"Well...forget it then..." He turned and kicked a stone down the street as he walked away. Rachael rolled her eyes at the guilt that suddenly pushed down on her stomach. Little rat certainly knew how to push her buttons.

"Logan...thank you, for last night..." Her words did the trick and he turned to grin at her. He was such a child...and despite that she let a small laugh escape her lips as he bounded back to her.

Huzar for pointless bits of writing!!

Richard was worried...on the outside he was composed and cool, but on the inside a small battle enraged. He was worried for his life, his life being this family, his family being his gang. It was a strange and sort of warped existence but Richard didn't know much else, having been taking in as Bruce Wayne's ward as a young child he'd thought he'd hit the jack pot, Richard didn't remember his parents, only knowing they were killed...so after being passed from home to home until he was 9 he was glad to have a though distant, permanent guardian. But now he was an adult he lived for his guardians 'baby' as one might call it. And that baby was the gang he'd raised for the past 20 years.

So as he fingered the knives inside his pocket he felt no fear, only nerves of letting his family down. Xun had once again ditched him, it was becoming a bad habit of his friend but he accepted it in the name of his son, he held a small soft spot of Rowan, but not for the little waitress who he suspected to be the reason of Xun's avid enthusiasm for ditching him on jobs lately.

Tucked in Richard's jeans was at the moment his sole reason for risking his life (Heads out of gutters please!) a small role of paper was hidden amongst a large bag of cocaine, the cocaine was worth over $10,000 but the papers inside? Priceless. Bruce had sent Richard on one of his most important errands. He had to get his paper to Kent so he could get it to the investors. Kent was a smart though slightly corrupt accountant who passed documents between criminals and the 'honourable' members of higher society.

In the papers were orders for weapons, passes for possible reinforcements to enter the country and the letters which would entitle Bruce to a lot of cash from his investors. It was amazing the loyalty Argent could blackmail out of rich husbands and even congressmen.

He was now entering the business district, suits passed on every side not honouring him with their acknowledgment, blissfully unaware of the weaponry he was carrying. He entered one of the sky scrapers and flashed a card at the security personnel at the elevator. Richard swaggered inside, almost sighing at the almost...blandness of the job so far, but the trouble that could come out of it was catastrophic , so Richard would not complain.

Now on the top floor he gave his name, Dick Grey, to the secretary and he was buzzed in momentarily. Clark Kent didn't look like your average accountant, small and weedy, there were muscles until his shirt and focussed piercing eyes behind those dorky glasses. You needed muscle when you guarded all the finances of criminal Jump City. Clark stood to welcome him in and Richard shook his hand.

"Kent...again, a pleasure"

"Mr Grey it's always a surprise to see you, will Mr Wane not be joining us today." A smirk played on Kent's lips, different names, different identities were very important in this game of masks.

(on a very distant note, IT'S a snow day here in Britain!!! No university for me!!! No ballet, or tap!!)

"No I'm just on a drop off Mr Kent, this months," a small smirk lit up face, " receipts, expenses and the like."

"Of course, I'll see they're filed immediately." Richard then pulled out a thick file out of his jacket, inside was the packet of powders and papers.

"Next time then Mr Grey..." Richard nodded and swiftly exited without a word to the secretary climbed into the lift. Inside there was a sharp looking man on a hand held so Richard leant casually away from him. As the floors slowly moved past them Richard could feel the tension build, though he wasn't sure why, he was subconsciously on his guard. His gaze flickered to the man in the elevator with him and the man looked away instantly. Richard cleared his throat almost nervously and felt for the knives tucked away safely in his jacket.

Thankfully there arrived the ding of elevator doors and swiftly Richard exited, he heard footsteps behind him in the now mostly empty entrance hall, it was now the end of the door and no suits had stuck around for any extra credit. Once out in the chilly streets, where the sun had now forsaken Richard quickened his pace and turned a corner quickly, but still hearing footsteps Richard had a feeling that he wasn't entirely alone for a reason. He reached for his cell phone and began dialling Bruce's number slowly, still listening out for any other 'friends.'

The blow was half expected but still a surprise, the phone flew from his fingers as a burst of pain exploded in between his shoulder blades, he hit the floor but rolled before the a foot stamped down where his head had just been, another followed but Richard grabbed the ankle and threw his attacker off balance, allowing himself time to get up and push the attacker into a nearby ally way.

"I'm not the kind of guy you can mug..." Richard pulled out a knife and held it in front of him, ready at a moment's notice to plunge it into this creep's chest.

"Mug you? I just want to meet you Richard." The attacker's voice was low and melodious but sinister, Richard flinched beside himself.

"Yeah; how come?"

"As Mr Wayne's protégé you're becoming a sort of legend on the streets, I wanted to see if you were as impressive as some gangsters seem to claim..."

"And how do I compare?" Richard couldn't help himself, he was competitive by nature and the fact that he'd won most of his battles was enough to inflate his head at least a little.

"We shall see." Suddenly the knife was out of Richard's hands and a leg was swinging towards his neck, Richard ducked out the way, but he could feel the breeze blowing his hair from the blow. Richard threw a punch but it was caught, Richard used his free hand to catch his opponent's other hand that was aimed for his nose. Both pushed at one another, seemly locked in a pushing battle, Richard took a moment to examine the face in front of him. Shaggy white blonde hair hung over on of his eyes, all Richard could see from that side of his face were several red marks which had spilt onto the other undamaged side of his face where a piercing eye bore into his own. The man was his size, around his weight and by the laboured breathing coming from both of them, around the same strength but this man was a lot older than Richard, and the wrinkles around the eye betrayed him.

"My name is Slade Wilson Richard, I am Scath's own protégé of sorts, only I do not need teaching or taking care of as you do." A grin broke out on Slade's face as he had a sudden burst of strength which sent Richard flying into the wall.

"Nobody takes care of me, Slade is it?" Richard lashed out, throwing all his strength into a kick that landed right into Slade's waiting hands.

"Indeed? I hear you have quite the little Chinese bodyguard...where is he? I'd quite like to," He suddenly twisted Richard's foot in his hand, making Richard loose balance completely and fall "Introduce myself..."

Richard groaned, spitting blood and dirt from his mouth where it had hit the floor. "Listen old man, I could beat you any day..." Even in his own ears Richard didn't sound convincing.

"I'm sure my boy but for now, why don't we save this for next time." A hand grabbed Richard's head by the hair and he grunted as he was brought face to face with Slade, who was pulling his fist back, Richard already knew how this would end...

"Good night...for now."

And all went black.

Dun Dun duuuuuh!!!

Kori fumbled with the straps on her bag, she was sat on the bench in Jump City Park, and it was in a more respectable place than she was used too in Jump. A prime example of this was rubbish in bins and children playing nearby.

Kori frowned a little as she thought of her last meeting with Xun...it had been...interesting to say the least. It was most strange but she didn't quite know how to act around this mysterious man. The son he was so determined to regain, the shady career in crime, the obvious links with the mafia, and yet he was so charming with her. She didn't quite enjoy his forwardness...yet she waited for his touch, she waited for his overstated advances.

"So how old are you?" she'd asked last week. He'd smirked, brushing a strand of hair out of her eyes.

"Don't ask and I won't tell." And her stomach almost swimming in something oddly resembling butterflies had clenched and stubbornly she'd replied.

"Between 25 and 30..."

"Hey!!"

She smiled a little, he was funny. But she had to think of Rowan in all of this, going through teacher training was gruelling, especially with another job, placement at schools and her less than friendly area. Yet that little boy's safety and happiness made it all worth it for her.

A throat cleared in front of her and her head snapped up and there he was, looking confident, suave, sexy...(strip that one from the record). And yet there was a nervousness about him which he held whenever anything turned to his son.

And again...something oddly resembling butterflies clenched her stomach, and she let him...sort of hoping the same was happening to him...

Shedding your Skin...

God...what a terrible scattered chapter...O.o...I apologise!

This is me trying to grab my inspiration by the sensitive area and write whatever pops into my head...

I'll try to update as soon as. Reviews help!!

Much love xxxx