Chapter 25: Stress

You're testing my patience again.
[Be]Careful for your sake!

-Godsmack

Faye crawled slowly from her hideaway and inched towards the shadow by the door. Comm clutched tightly in her fist she held it over her head.

CRACK!

Roy crumpled with a startled shout. The electronic's guts sprinkling out of his hair. Faye hissed over the destruction of her communicator. Grumbling as she prodded the downed bartender with a finger. He groaned softly, begging Amy not to smash anymore of the expensive booze. Certain he was down for a bit she scurried back into the plant, snagging the guard's pistol. She flipped the cylinder open, scowling at the empty chambers. Cussing she dropped it back to the desk and took a few steps towards Roy before returning and stealing the dead man's pepper spray, club of a flashlight and handcuffs. Her face twisted unhappily as her feet squidged in the congealing puddle surrounding the desk chair. Grumbling while tip-toeing back to the unconscious Judas she dragged him roughly around the corner. Angry puffs sent her bangs fluttering back as she clicked the metal cuff around his wrist. Pushing him upright, she looped the chain through his belt loop and caught the opposite hand. Certain he'd remain out of the way she dusted off her fingers and slipped back inside.

Hovering in the entryway she tried to decide whom to deal with first. Timan was with the bulbs, Dot upstairs attempting to hack into the plant wide network. Deciding they couldn't do much with the plants working at their elevated levels she steered herself towards the stairs. All that was needed was a minor loophole in the programming and Dot could take the whole system down. Swallowing her fingers curled around the handrail, foot settling softly on the bottom step.

The plant loomed in the distance. Jet slapped the truck's roof to gain the girls' attention. Milly slid the back window open and peered out, "Yes?"

"Pull over." He continued glaring into the distance, "We should head the rest of the way on foot." His fists flexed, hand snapping to the side and just missing the corner of Spike's jacket. "Shit." He glared at the navy shadow melting into the dark, "Spike. Spike! We'll take the front you circle to the back and..."

The cowboy didn't respond, simply flapped a hand and disappeared.

Meryl hissed, "Was that Spike?" as the truck spluttered off.

"Uh huh." Milly giggled, "He jumped out when you slowed, Meryl." She glanced back at Jet, "Mr. Vash is probably already helping Miss Faye and..."

"I don't think so, Milly." Meryl sighed and removed the key, "That Broomhead probably steered towards the most dangerous person."

Jet nodded, expression grim. "All we can do is play back-up." Growl, "Avoid the bulb room and make sure there aren't any hidden men."

Both women nodded.

Jet dug at his neck, "My money's on Timan keeping watch of the cash crop. He'll be in with the bulbs and that's where Vash and Spike will head." His eyes narrowed as he glared at the building, "That skinny kid's probably lurking around." Frown, "Dot, most likely, is fussing with the network. Remember, Faye's in there somewhere so make sure you know who it is before you shoot." He shook his head, "They want her, so she may be in the middle. I'm not sure why but I've heard them mention she's part of a complete set. We need to get those guys out of there and away from her so she can do what needs to be done." He growled, hopping from the truck and marching up the road, insurance girls scurrying behind him. He slowed at the clutch of ships dotting the plant's makeshift parking lot.

"Meryl. Milly." He pointed left, "Head that way. I'm going," he jerked his head to the right, "this way. I want to see if I can keep our bounties from flyin' out of here. I'll meet you inside." The girls nodded and the three separated, slinking off to complete their assigned tasks.

Vash could hear his sister's soft thrum, their focus elsewhere. Senses heightened he crept carefully down the poorly lit hall. 'What's happening?' He held his breath hoping for a response. 'Sisters? Knives?' A soft snap whispered up the hallway, Vash's gun glinting near his face. 'Please. What is going on?' He dashed towards an access panel, 'Why...'

'Hush Vash.' His sisters murmured faintly, 'All will be as it should.' They fell silent. Their melodious chimes stilled, 'The engineer is safe, your friends are near.'

'The half-breed is close, brother.' Knives muttered, 'He will be here shortly.'

'But...' Vash swallowed, setting the grate gently to the floor and slithering into the dark shaft. Instinct screamed he was missing something. His sisters' dismissive response to his worry, Knives' lack of pleasure in Faye's potential failure mixing into one hell of a confusing brew. Teal narrowed as he peered into the bulb room through the loosely thatched screen.

Timan's voice drifted from behind, "See to Dot." His shoes scraped loudly across the floor, "I need to contact the doctor."

Vash sighed. Relieved the bulb room was empty. Pressing against the metal mesh he took stock of the door. It was open but unguarded. Groaning softly, he pressed against the screen, gasping when it fell away easily. Black gloved fingers snapped out of the duct, snagging the wire frame before it could clatter to the floor.

Vash hissed through his teeth, head popping from the air vent to scan the space without obstruction. Hastily he dropped his feet to the floor and snapped the screen home before scurrying off to hide. A tense breath whistled free when he was safely hidden behind a distant bulb. The soft, steady tread of Timan returning growing louder as the man stepped back into the room.

The henchman was in deep conversation, "Yes. Dot is removing the various safety measures as we..."

A nasally voice snarled across the link, "Just rip them out." Sniff, "I don't give a shit anymore. What's important is we get that girl." Chuckle, "According to Soro's latest reports the bidding has quadrupled since last time she mentioned we had Vinder's only heir in stasis."

"Should I go collect her?" Timan grinned, fingers flexing, "Source told me she is staying at the ranch just outside town."

"No." Otz shook his head. "Too much work." Snicker, "Disturb the plants and she'll find us."

Timan turned his head, the sound of movement filtering in from the hall. "It would seem she has already come calling." With a flick of his wrist he flipped the comm closed body swiveling completely to face the door.

Faye dashed up the stairs, toe catching on the top step. Falling forward she released her hold on the flashlight she'd stolen off the dead guard, sending it skittering across the metal flooring and into the control room's door. Dot appeared, eyes wide as she scanned the hall. Catching sight of Faye she rushed the stunned woman.

Startled, Faye jumped to her feet hand flapping frantically for the filched spray tucked into her pocket.

"Look," Dot was rifling through her own pockets, hunting for her gun. "Just give..."

Faye pinched her eyes closed and pressed the small trigger, a stream of pepper spray smacking the approaching hacker square in the face. Dot squealed. Hands flailing, she cracked Faye in the side of the head. Ducking before another hit could meet her ear Faye gasped as Dot began to wobble precariously. Her eyes and nose running madly. She began to swivel, trying to determine what she was caught on.

"No!" Faye was on her feet, "Don't..." gravity took over, sending Dot careening down the steps. Faye cringed at the hollow pop the woman's head made on the ground floor. Hand dropping slowly she finished her warning with little emphasis, "move." Rushing quickly down the steps she scanned the battered body, a breath of relief escaping when a pained groan escaped the broken hacker.

Footsteps from the front of the building and the hallway put Faye in a panic. Green swiveled to the shattered doors, the dark silhouettes easily recognizable. Teeth clenched she hissed, "Meryl. Milly. Hide!"

The two jerked in surprise and dashed away.

"Dot?" Scargrow hollered from the bulbs. "Hey Dot, you OK?"

Faye fussed. Giving up on hiding, her gaze shifted to the ceiling as she mournfully muttered, "So much for subtlety."

The young man appeared, gun drawn and trained on Faye's chest. It shook slightly as he took in the sight of his bruised crush, "Did you kill her?" The safety clicked free, "Shit. I know you hated her but to beat her to death?"

Faye waved her hands before her chest. "No. NO!" She nudged the hacker with a toe, pulling a pained groan from the woman, "See? She isn't dead and I didn't do this." Wince, "Well, not intentionally." She pointed to the stairs, "She fell." Spine straightened, "And I didn't push her!"

He marched closer, hand curling around her arm. "Come with me." Faye winced at the bruising force of the muzzle mashed into her ribs. "If you weren't worth a fortune I'd kill you right now."

Faye bit her lip, deciding silence was the best option at the moment. The kid was obviously in love with the stupid lolita. She glanced back into the entryway, just catching the familiar shadows slinking in. "I had nothing against her." She muttered.

He sped his pace, jerking the captured arm roughly when she stumbled, "Shut up." His fingers shifted, pinching her. "I saw what happened at Dimithril." The gun burrowed deeper, "So don't tempt me." He cussed when Faye tripped, his generally patient demeanor melting as he fumed and fretted over Dot's well being.

Vash tensed at the sound of a faint scuffle outside. Wondering who it was, he flattened to the floor and peeked around the bottom edge of his bulb shield. Scargrow's legs became visible. The young man grunting as he dragged something in with him.

Spike had just convinced the grate back in place when he heard movement from the adjoining room. The crawl space was dark, musty and cramped. The soft buzz of the bulbs made the walls vibrate gently and distorted sound. He stilled, trying to pinpoint where Timan was compared to his exit. From the shush of feet across the floor the bountyhead was on the opposite end of the room. He peered through the mesh screen, trying to identify any immediate threats.

Vash's keen eyes caught the movement. Finger to his lips, he quietly flagged the cowboy over.

Spike slithered from his hideout, replaced the grate and sidled next to the waiting gunman. Vash nodded in greeting, silently asking the cowboy if he knew anything about Faye or the insurance girls. Spike shook his head and with a half shrug swiveled his gaze about the room searching for Timan and catching sight of him at the far wall. Both men turned to watch the door as it clanged open. An enraged Scargrow tugging a grumpy Faye with. She hung beside him, stubbornly limp. Vash grinned- she was safe.

Spike placed a crumpled smoke to his lips and waited for the show to start.

Timan stepped close and caught Faye's chin, "Was she alone?"

Scargrow nodded, "Dot fell down the stairs, she's out cold and I didn't have time to look for Roy."

Faye snickered, "That bozo is tied up at the moment."

Timan's grip tightened, "Where're your friends?"

"I don't know." She tried to shrug, "I'm not their keeper."

Timan's hand swung back then paused, returning his forceful grip. "Where's the Stampede?"

"With Meryl, I'd presume. Geez, your spies faulty or something?" She snorted and tugged from Scargrow's grip. "You hired someone to keep an eye on us shouldn't he fill you in on what they're doing?" Eye roll, "Pff… what kind of criminal mastermind are you?" Grin, "Oh wait. You're just the hired help, aren't you?"

His eyebrow quirked, "Where are the insurance girls?"

Faye shrugged, "No clue. Like I said, last I saw of Meryl she was walking with Vash out into the fields." Sniff, "Shit for all I know they're making their own stampede of hybrids as we speak."

Spike bit his lip to keep from chuckling at Vash's pinking complexion.

Timan scowled, "Why can't Dot access the mainframe and disconnect these bulbs?"

Faye giggled, "Because she's in a bruised heap at the bottom of the stairs." His rough grip returned, tighter. Green eyes flashing Faye snickered, "She got something in her eyes and tripped over her cute little shoes." Frown, "Really, I'd have made her wear something a little more sensible," she wagged a flat soled, boot shod foot, "Heels like that are a real health hazard."

Scargrow jerked her roughly, "You're a hazard."

Timan seethed and pointed back into the room. "Disconnect them."

Faye grinned, "Bite me."

Vash signaled Spike to ease around the edge of the bulbs. With a nod the cowboy slunk away.

Timan focused on the man holding Faye, "Get the stuff. We'll rip a bulb out on our way." He caught a handful of Faye's hair, "You'll sell for a pretty price, especially after we freeze you again."

Faye paled and tried tugging free.

Vash took aim and barked, "Faye!" she turned towards her name. "Hold still." She completely froze. Vash grimaced at her proximity and fired winging the aggressive henchman. Spike materialized from the opposite side taking out Scargrow with a precise punch. The boy crumpled instantly. Timan began clicking his tongue, blood dribbling off the end of his fingers. "I so hate the use of firearms but..." his undamaged hand disappeared into his coat, "You've given me no choice."

Spike, realizing Faye was stuck in the middle of a gunfight snarled, "Move it!"

She dropped to the floor, rolling quickly towards him as Timan pulled the trigger. Tucking her head, Spike herded her behind a bulb. "Agh!" She tried to crawl out, "Those idiots they're going to damage..."

Spike caught a shoulder and yanked her back, "Hold up."

"They'll..." she pulled away.

"Faye." His grip tightened, "FAYE!" He shook her waiting for green to swivel away from the bulbs and towards him, "You can't help them if you're shot." His foot snapped out, clipping a groaning Scargrow in the head. "Stay put."

She fussed and fought, earning a position trapped against Spike's chest. "Leggo, Lunkhead."

"No." His incapacitating hug grew stronger, "Not until those two are finished playing Short and Courtright."

Faye twitched, "You're comparing Vash and Timan to an extortioner and the gambler who refused to be shook down?"

Shrug, "Distracted you, didn't it?" His hold loosened, "Besides, Short was heralded a hero and Courtright was still considered a good guy."

She turned her head to give him her complete glare, "You're telling me," disbelief filled her tone, "Timan is a good guy?"

"No." Shift, "It was just the first gunfight I remembered." He prodded the splash of chipping red that streak her cheek, worry waning when he realized it wasn't hers.

Her body relaxed some, "Idiot."

"Hey," Vash yelped, "Be careful where you aim that thing!"

Timan stepped to the side, working his way to Spike and Faye's hiding spot. "All I need is one viable bulb," his gun swiveled to where the engineer and bounty hunter were, "And her."

Spike curled over Faye and roughly pushed her away from the approaching man. He snarled, "You left unarmed, didn't you?"

She had the decency to wince, "I... uh..." a hiss escaped, knee scraping over a raised piece of floor, "left in a hurry and..."

Furious he flicked the back of her bare leg, "Who's the idiot, Faye?"

A foot snapped back, "Shut up." The scrambling increased, "I thought I'd be fixing a bulb not trying to keep from..." a bullet zinged over their heads, "being shot!"

Vash returned fire, herding Timan back away from the couple. "Hey!" He took another shot, "You shouldn't try to hit people when they aren't looking." The bounty hissed, a thin ribbon of blood growing across his cheek. Vash grinned, "Especially when I'm right here."

Too intent on crawling away, Faye cracked her head off the base of the distant bulb. Rolling onto her bum she cradled her forehead in misery, only to snarl when a familiar hand tugged her around and behind the blockade. Watering eyes glared at the frowning cowboy. Spike flicked the bit of bang blocking the reddening welt from view and grinned, "No worries, just your head."

Her nose crinkled, "Har. Har." Eyes drooping to his gun holstered safely at his side, "Why aren't you helping Vash?"

"Someone emptied it and swapped clips." He pulled it free, slipping the magazine out with an angry cuss, "See?"

"Whoa." She took the evidence, "How'd..."

"I've two guesses." Snarl, "Ed or one of the Thompsons."

"But..." Faye glanced up, "Why?"

He shrugged, not willing to discuss it. Deciding the less she knew the better. He watched her expression, thoughts flickering past her eyes in rapid succession.

A hissing inhale bleached her features, body spinning to study their shield. "This is it." She placed a hand on the glass, "This is the one that's causing all the trouble." Her finger tapped the bulb gently, eyes narrowing. "Shit. I need to get to the control room and see why." Green flicked back to the illuminated sphere, "This one shouldn't be active. Hm..." She began crawling towards the edge of the room Spike's hold on her ankle keeping her in place. "Let go." She shook, the boot slowly working free.

Vash yelped the sound of a bullet ricocheting off a distant wall ringing loudly. Cowboy distracted, Faye worked the boot further of her foot. Brown narrowed, realizing her trick. Instantly, he released, eased to his knees and sprang smashing her to the floor.

She flattened, air escaping her lungs in an angry whoosh. Arms lifted above her head, fingers digging and scraping angrily across the metal she tried to inch free. He growled in her ear, snagged both wrists and pinned her hands to her sides. "Wait Faye." He huffed softly, trying to get a grip on her stomach so he could roll them out of sight. "Let Vash finish and then..."

White pant legs came into focus. Cussing his luck, Spike roughly ripped Faye off the floor and tossed her into an open access panel. Dashing after, he winced at the pained groan that escaped her his shoulder knocking her roughly back.

Distracted by the couple and the end of his job, Timan didn't see Vash close in. An angered snarl escaped just before the butt of the Vash's gun crashed into his jaw. Spike was out of hiding and trussing the bounty up before complete unconsciousness overcame him. Faye wobbled stiffly to her feet. Wincing as she worked her way to the door, brain already processing what needed to be done. By the hallway she was sprinting- just missing the startled trio in the entrance way.

They watched as she scurried past obviously in engineer mode. The little bit the three could discern ran along the lines of: disrupting signals, output verse consumption, and potential autonomous organism.

Jet's eyebrow rose as he pulled Roy to his feet. "What the hell?"

Meryl glared at the route of Faye's retreat, "Something must be wrong with one of the bulbs." When the three entered they found Vash and Spike guarding Scargrow and Timan closely. Jet dropped Roy beside the two and surveyed the room. "What was Faye so upset about?"

Spike bobbed his head towards a softly humming bulb near the back.

Frown, "What's wrong with it?"

Vash scowled, "It just started working."

Blink. "Huh?"

Sick of waiting, Spike kicked a bleeding Timan, "What the hell did you do to the back bulb?" He appeared unfazed by the insurance girls' shocked gasps. Timan only chuckled, earning him a rough tug upright by Jet.

The cop growled, "We ain't playin'. What did you do?"

He blinked and shot Vash a satisfied smirk.

Unsure what to do the gunman rubbed his neck and stepped away.

Milly moved closer, "Why did you hurt Miss Faye's hard work, you… you… you very bad man!"

"What were they planning?" Meryl glanced at Vash, then back to the thug.

"That's the question of the night." Spike lit up, a thin ribbon of smoke curling from his lips.

Jet shrugged, "Faye and Ed'll figure it out." That said he meandered away to check on Dot, find a bandage to slow Timan's bleeding and an empty room to dump the ragtag crew. A few minutes later he reappeared and waved the bigger insurance girl close, "I'm going to take Milly back with me. She can help Ed. You and Vash keep track of our meal tickets. I found an empty room to the left. Check their pockets before throwing them in. Meryl, could you check their wounds and help Faye if you can." He disappeared around the corner before any objections were raised.

Spike shrugged and latched onto a grumbling bounty. Meryl scurried ahead to open doors, "Why's Faye so worried about bulb three?"

Vash frowned, hefting his own criminal. "Not sure. It's running OK, it's just not… eh… supposed to be."

Spike's comm chirped just after he dumped Timan with a satisfying 'whump' in the small space. He flicked the device open, "What?"

Ed peered back from the other side, "Spike-person?"

An eyebrow rose in distrust, "Yeah?"

"Uh…" her displeasure over having to speak with him clear, "Look Faye-Faye doesn't know Ed is calling but uh..." she peeked off screen. Spike could only assume at data from the control room. "Could you or Vash-man try and talk to bulb three?" Spike scowled, she'd been conducting rudimentary chats with the hive quite a while.

Voice low he growled, "Why can't you?"

"Ed doesn't know and the plant ladies won't tell." She stared at an image off to the right. "Faye-Faye is worried the angel will die if she doesn't figure out how to help it soon." She blinked back at Spike's frown, "She won't ask Spike or Vash to help. She's afraid the plant was separated on purpose and may hurt you." She stared at the cowboy, some hidden message in her usage of the pronoun.

"And?" He shifted his hold on the comm.

Blink, "Ed's pretty sure Faye-Faye talks to them when they let her." She scratched her nose, "But not like Spike and Vash can." She fidgeted. "Ed thinks it will be OK but Faye-Faye will be very, VERY angry if Edward is wrong." Smirk, "But, since it's Lunkhead's safety," her eyes glittered, "It is a gamble Ed will happily make."

Spike's grip tightened, "Why you..."

Frown, "Ed does not wish you dead, Spike-person. Just mai..."

Vash appeared over the cowboy's shoulder and grinned, "It's OK, kid." He gave a thumb's up, "Didn't you tell me you're never wrong?" Wink, "I trust you."

Ed jerked, shocked Vash had stepped in. She smiled stiffly. "Be careful. Edward does not know why number three is running not hooked up all the way and neither does Faye-Faye. She thought it was malfunctioning yesterday, but now it is giving off a strange signal." Her nose crinkled, "The plant ladies refuse to let Ed help organize them either and learn what they're doing." Frown, "Edward is not a suitable play queen." Gold eyes blinked at Spike, "Spike-person should stay away from Vash while he is talking to the mystery plant." She puffed, "So you don't mess things up."

Spike nodded and passed the comm to Meryl. "Keep an eye on Vash." He raised his voice, "I'm goin' to go check on Faye."

Ed stiffened, eyes narrowing.

Meryl glanced at the fuming teen then cowboy's spine. "But…" Spike waved as he drifted around the corner. She glanced back at Ed, "What do I do?"

Obviously pouting Ed muttered, "Just make sure spiky haired Vash man doesn't get hurt."

"How?" She shook the small device, wishing it was someone's neck.

The teen shrugged and disconnected.

Meryl glared at the blank screen and grumbled, "Well you're no help." She glanced back at a flustered gunman. Gray locked with teal, red clad shoulders rising to his ears.

He muttered softly to himself, "Huh."

Frown. "What's wrong?"

Scowl, "They won't tell me what's going on for some reason." He shivered at the hint of familiarity oozing from the sphere. Meryl shifted uncomfortably; certain things were far from calming down.

Spike hovered in the control room doorway, watching silently and with growing trepidation as Faye flitted and fussed about the small, dimly lit space. She hadn't realized he was there, her focus locked on the readouts she was still printing. A gasp tore free, eyes widening. "Holy shit!" She dropped to the floor, pen appearing from the mess twisted up at the back of her head. Flopping to her stomach the equations flew across the page. Her head bounced, spine hunching as she rolled back to her bum. "I knew it." She was on her feet, pen back in the collection, "I knew they' were..." Teeth mashing lip she scurried to the door. Grunting when a strong hand curled around her elbow.

"Hey Faye." Spike gently jerked her to a stop, brows furrowed. "How can you be sure it's a new angel?"

She huffed, "I'm not."

His grip shifted, expression morphing to mulish determination, "Faye?"

"The readings show consumption not production." She wriggled from his hold. "The plants are pumping power into a bulb."

Blink. "So? Don't they share power as it is?"

"This is different." Sigh, "It's a plant's life support type thingy."

Chuckle, "That's the scientific term?"

She pinked, "Shut it."

"So," he glanced out the door and muttered, "why not unplug it?"

"Just flipping the switch will most likely throw things in flux." She rubbed her forehead, "If they continue what they're doing they'll screw up everything Ed and I've worked on. The set-up isn't currently made to create an autonomous plant." She dug at her head, "It's too soon for them to be producing offspring anyway, things haven't settled enough for it to survive which means..."

"Faye." Frown. "Let them kill it."

She gasped. "What?" Head shake, "Look, I have to alter the flow of power. Get him to separate willingly. If this continues something's gonna give and it won't be pretty."

Spike tucked a stray bit of bang behind her ear and muttered, "Why do you care?" His fingers slid to the back of her neck, "What if it isn't as mellow as Vash?" He stepped closer, "What if it's more like that psychotic brother of his?"

She grinned, "Then I guess I'll just have to keep armed while I figure out how to pop him out, won't I?"

He glared at her, "Faye stop. You didn't bring a gun and..."

"I'll be fine." Giggle, "Relax." She tapped her chin mind elsewhere, "I doubt at the moment he can even say boo."

"Faye," he let his hand slide off her shoulder as she stepped away, "It isn't worth it."

"Probably not." She froze. "But if the plants kill one of their own before it is decided he is a threat, the entire hive'll be thrown in disarray, which will destroy their links and ruin their output. They'll kill themselves from the inside out." Misty green locked with mismatched brown, "If the plants fall out of sync the whole planet shrivels and dies with them." She tugged at the hem of her shirt, "I might not care about a lot of things but wiping a whole planet out just because I don't feel up to the job is a shit storm of bad karma I just don't think I'd be able to live with."

Spike grinned, "Didn't know you believed in karma."

"I don't," she winked and flipped his tie, "but it's good to blame when things turn crappy."

He shrugged at her happy giggle and stepped aside trying to focus on the chatter he normally heard when visiting the plant. His worried frown no longer concealed- they were silent.

'Hey!' He waited for a response. Patience quickly waning. 'HEY! I know you're floatin' around out there.' A few faint chimes answered, 'If she ends up hurt, I'll let you all die. Regardless of what happens to the planet. Got that?'

He gnashed his teeth when tinkling reached his cerebellum. 'Yes. We understand.'

Spike stiffened at the masculine snort, 'Loud and clear, nephew- though you'll fail."

He hissed, "No, she won't."

Faye stopped at the stairs to glance back, "Oi! Lunkhead, you coming?"

He flapped an arm her direction, "Minute." She simply grinned and disappeared down the corridor leading to the bulbs. Spike watched her go and groaned, "Sleep with her once and the next thing I know I'm willing to blow a whole fuckin' planet up to keep her safe." Shrug, "Gettin' soft I guess." He scowled and shook his head while a hand roughly slid through his hair, "Not acceptable."