Chapter Twenty Five

When she got to the next town she had to raise a brow in surprise.

Ayrshire was a lot prettier than Bullworth would probably ever be. The people generally had an upbeat feeling and she could smell Christmas in the air. There was a Christmas Market she was dying to go explore, all pretty red's and gold's and wooden stalls galore with drool worthy smells making her feel all fuzzy inside, but she had only ten minutes to find the salon. Setting off reluctantly away from the wonderful looking market, she found the place and started her little pampering session.

A full body massage and scrub relaxed her. A facial freshened her up, all lemony and citrusy and zingy. A whole load of permanent hair removal made her feel smooth and sexy again. Yeah she'd have to go back a few times for it to stay gone, but it was so worth it, no matter the expense. By the time she came out three hours later with her hair touched up, she felt as if she'd gone through a training circuit with five professionals. Absolutely deliciously exhausted in the best way possible.

'Or second best.' She hummed to herself tiredly with a nod, stretching and feeling like jelly, peering around the place and deciding that the Christmas market at night was too alluring a chance to pass up.

"Why are you without one of us?"

Ivy jerked up at Gary's voice, eyes wide in surprise when he glowered down at her.

She blinked at the fact he was wearing a beanie cap with a little visor part on it and it was slanted low over his bruised eye.

Her lips quirked as his eyes narrowed further.

Heh.

"Wait. Where the bloody hell did you come from?"

"Bullworth Academy. Well?"

"Ha. Ha. If you must know, I needed to release stress." She smiled slightly at his suddenly heated look and sly twitch up of his lips. "That you got hurt... It pisses me off. If I'm around, you're not supposed to be harmed." It was stupid of her to think that her fists could solve all their problems, but to be fair, it was galling to think she couldn't even hold off some low life Mad Cats and save him a black eye, even if he needed to learn to better protect himself, being a gang leader in the making and all. "And it's that type of scum as well. I'm not saying you can't fight. It's just my job and I don't like it usurped."

He snorted at her, crossing his arms. "Loser. We can't have you known to be affiliated with any of that to our school. I'm already a sociopath at Bullworth, but I won't let rumours of you start when you're still so useful as a mysterious unknown."

Ivy huffed. "I know." She turned away to the market and slowly walked to it, with him easily falling in step beside her. "Doesn't mean I like it. I do it for you, ya know."

"Mhm."

Ivy scoffed at his ambivalent reply and with a grin, snarkily remarked, "Did Petey treat your wounds?"

He reached his arms around her waist and pulled her close, putting his face in her hair before kissing the edge of her jaw. "I like your hair like this," He commented and used his free hand to fiddle with her flared ends. "Keep it like this."

She leaned into him, surprised at his attentions. Was it because they were in another town? Likely. "I'll take that as a yes, then. He patched you up like a personal nurse." Ivy teased and then was laughing at his tickling hand before flinging her head back when he simply tickled harder at her pleadings for him to stop. "N-No! Gary! G-Gary, you- Ahahaha!" She bolted from his grasp and put a hand out. "No. You stay there. Let me get my breath back!" She said in a rush, putting her hand out as a guard as he stalked forward, intent on capturing her once more.

"As if I'd stop from touching you after such a polish you've had." He grabbed her hand and tugged her close forcefully, still somewhat on a high after such a good day.

Ivy let him, wanting to be touched and accepting the wanting kisses he gave, giving her own affectionate ones back, finally giving in and touching his face when he pulled back and taking the injury in for herself with a critical eye. A simple black eye, nothing worse. "A right old shiner…" She chuckled and pulled his cap back down, realising she was kind of in a rather intimate predicament; the market metre's away with the festive atmosphere in the air, no space between them with her arm around his neck and both of his around her waist. She didn't really know what to do with her floating hand as they simply stared at each other warmly but Gary plucked her hand out of the air and kissed her wrist, looking in her eyes the whole time and placing it on his shoulder, hand staying over hers and entwining their fingers, snow slowly, delicately falling around them.

"What am I to do with you, hm?" Ivy asked with a warm smile and a soft fond look on her face, thumb coming out to rub his neck fondly.

Gary smiled a little, eyes warm and soft and so very peaceful in her presence in such a happy atmosphere, finding no other better time to tell her. "I'm in love with you," He stated, completely meaning it, enjoying the way her eyes widened in stunned shock but also seemed to light up. He felt her heartbeat thump double time in her wrist against his. "Truly. I love you, Ivy Jones, and I know I always will. That's a fact I can't dispute even if I wanted to. It can only be you. You're the only one I need with everything I am and don't you forget it. I love you. Understand?" He demanded.

"S-So soon?" She breathed, bewildered and he instantly got she wouldn't have the reply he wished for, but that was fine and he simply nodded.

She was his and he belonged to her and they both knew it as fact.

He could wait for her to catch up.

He smirked to himself.

It wouldn't be the first or last time such occurrences would happen.

"Yes. Why hold back when you're mine always?"

A ringing bell made her jump and clench her free fist while the arms around her once light and relaxing as if holding her was the most natural movement they could do, went tense and iron-like and insanely protective and the strength she felt was uncannily like Jimmy's. She really had modded him as well, hadn't she? She frowned as the tree incident came back to her. Yeah. Yeah, she was pretty sure that was a yes. In turn, the Brit relaxed her worry straight away. He really was three times as strong as a normal human. Scary. He was exactly the type of person who was a villain. More the insane genius, she supposed, but still a supervillain type what with the super-strength.

Like a bad Bruce Banner.

Not that she was much a fan of comics, but that was the thought that came to mind first for some reason.

Oh, forget comics!

He said he was in love with her.

He loved her.

Wow.

That was amazing.

Gary Smith told Ivy Montgomery that he loved her.

She gulped, utterly overwhelmed and completely gobsmacked.

"Last hour to buy!"

"Oh." Her hand dropped to his chest and the other followed, pushing herself off and grabbing his hand with a wide grin. "C'mon, lover, let's do some shopping." She ignored his rolled eyes and pulled him with her, smiling when he linked their fingers, mind still on the unbelievable announcement he made. Soon is what Ivy had thought, but falling in love after a couple months in a serious relationship wasn't anything actually 'surprising'. In fact 'expected' was more the word. She'd fallen for a man quicker than a couple months twice before. Try two weeks once and also twenty six hours as a first love, and for her, as sexually adventurous as she was, that was fucking fast, though she knew couple's who'd fallen in love at first sight and were still together after eight years.

She shook her head inconspicuously and they went window shopping, Gary making sly comments on things and people. Soon enough however, they parted and looked at different stalls, Gary ordering himself some food she herself had declined, while she looked at pocket watches on long necklaces. Cheaply made as they were with a crappy plastic face and easily malleable metal with a probably short battery life, they quickly stole her heart and she ended up buying a couple.

She looked over to the food stand and twitched at the immense jealousy that flowed through her when some other bird was talking and giggling and trying to touch her male. Pleasure flowed through her when he shifted away from her flirty touches and scowled at the woman and Ivy forcefully turned away, willing the territorial feelings away.

That wasn't her.

She wasn't a jealous person.

Her previous boyfriends getting chatted up by unknowing women had only made her want to snicker at their uncomfortable faces that looked pleadingly at her before she came to the rescue, smug that her man could attract attention but would be her man all along.

So what the fuck was this?!

Why was she so… possessive of this male?

Her head felt like it was throbbing on one side and Ivy put her hands to her temples, willing away the migraine that suddenly occurred and forcing back the pained tears it brought on. Very rarely having migraines, she nonetheless knew this was one as her stomach felt like it was rolling. A hand on her shoulder made her look up into a strangers face. A man, maybe even only five years her senior looked down at her in concern. "You are in pain?" His accent was German, fitting for a Christmas market and she couldn't help staring at the soft blue eyes before nodding, mentally smacking herself out of it. Oh, but they were the most gorgeous colour of eyes she'd seen in a long time. "A, uh…" His brows furrowed.

"Migraine. The worst headache."

"It is sudden?"

"Mine are."

He scrambled around in his back pack, taking out some ibuprofen and a bottle of water. "Here. I am Johann." He pronounced it 'Yo-hann.'

"Ivy."

"Please." Johann held them out. "Use these."

"Thanks… or Danke, Johann." She said of her very limited German.

"Good." The blond smiled a little at her try. "But it is a hard 'K' sound."

"Danke?"

"Ja. Sehr gut."

"Johann?" A woman, most likely his wife came up looking concerned. "Is everything okay?"

"Liebling. Do you get 'migraines'? How do you…?"

Ivy took the pill, piercing the packet to take it out, and the bottle and swallowed it down. "Thank you very much Johann. Um…" She went into her bag and took out the ten percent discount she received for her next massage for spending so much and handed it to them. It looked like a simple credit card sized bit of cardboard one would give to customers but the ten per cent discount would work for anyone. "Here. It's a discount I got from a spa I really like. I'd like you to have this for your kindness. The spa's just around the corner and their staff are really nice when I went there. Thank you Johann… and his liebling?"

The woman smiled kindly. "We have a little area behind the… Oh…"

Gary came up, suspiciously staring at them both, and noted the open package of ibuprofen. "Thanks for looking after her." He handed Ivy a panini and then tugged her along. "Bye." He pulled her away and got them lost in the crowds. "Ivy. Don't ever take anything from people you don't know. We're going to find a toilet right now, and you're going to puke it up."

"I don't understa-"

He gave her a sharp look and she stopped speaking abruptly, holding her head as a shock of pain went through it. "We're already making waves in the underworld, woman. You can't risk the chance of someone out to kill you before we properly start out to make sure we don't rise up. And we will rise up. Here." It was a portapotty thing and she grimaced at him but he simply raised a brow, trying not to twitch at the pain that it caused his eye. "It's your own fault. Hurry up."

"In here?" She complained, nearly whining, head throbbing terribly.

"Yes."

"I've… never made myself throw up?"

"Now you can have your first go and deflower yourself that way." Gary mocked, opening the door for her and giving a sarcastic smile as he took the panini back.

"Uh. Can't you just… Punch me in the stomach? It won't be as traumatic," She grinned cheekily.

"Idiot." He pushed her in and closed the door, calling in with a, "Don't come out until it's out."

Ivy sighed in disbelief, wondering how to do this.

Didn't you just stick your fingers down your throat?

She gave it a try and could feel herself gag and cough.

'Oh goodness. How do people do this?! Wait, it won't affect my anti-pregnancy pill will it? Nah it's already dissolved. That was hours ago, moron.' She dismissed and then tried again.

And again.

And again.

She then threw up by sheer force of will of sticking her digits down her throat until something happened and bile burned the back of her throat after she finished, fingers shiny with saliva. 'Okay. Never again. Lesson learned. Don't accept anything from anyone or you'll be hacking up your stomach crap cause Gary's fucking paranoid. Fine. You win, Gary.' Her head felt oddly better too. 'Throwing up is kind of a cure for migraines? Shortest migraine ever then. Awesome.'

She grabbed some tissue to wipe her mouth and dry her fingers, chucking the used pieces down the bowl and then flushed the toilet and exited. "I don't get bulimic chicks at all," Ivy stated upon leaving the portable toilet. "Yeah, it's out," She said at his expectant look, exasperated and took back her food, munching on it angrily. Bile was yucky and to be honest, eating made her feel a nauseous after hacking up. But it was bacon and cheese. Om nom nom. Ivy cursed her weakness for bacon. This food of the gods always made her remember her friend Rose whom hated bacon, and the smell had always been enough to make that girl run to the toilet.

"Good. Lesson learned?"

"Yeah, yeah..."

His chuckle was low as he pulled her down the section of the market they'd yet to see.

It was quiet for a few minutes as she munched, looking at stalls before turning to him. "Why'd you follow me? I'd have been back by eight or nine."

"I figured you'd go out to find a fight and went to do damage control." Gary shook his head and led her away from a cheese stall by the hand. "You went for a massage?"

Ivy smiled dreamily up at the sky. "Fighters need to take care of their bodies. I should have been going every fortnight, really. Or at least after each big fight I've had. Man, that guy had the hands of the gods."

"Guy?" His voice turned dangerous at the thought of another man touching his woman.

"Yeah. Ack!" She dodged his grab, and instead of letting another grab go for her, she held onto his wrists. "What?!"

"Some male put his hands all over you?"

"A masseuse, yeah. A last minute change from-"

"Penelope Drew. Yes."

Ivy was very glad she had more than one email and that the one he seemed to have known her password for (she was gonna delete her history and 'remember me' type of cookies when she got back) wasn't the one she'd gotten the holiday booked on.

She kind of planned to just go without him knowing.

Or let Jimmy tell him… As they were leaving.

Or better yet, at the airport with five minutes until take off and they were waiting to be let on.

"She was ill. And what's his face took over. Uhm. Mike? Michael? Nick? I dunno." She tugged him closer. "It's better that way because his strength got into the muscles quicker which I needed rather than a softer more luxurious touch of a woman which I'd usually prefer."

"I'm not having a man touch you like that."

"Don't be ridiculous. He was obviously gay." A lie. A big one that was somewhat believable due to where he worked. He actually was a bit too interested in her talents and she'd had to try and downplay things and brush aside his little remarks. Highly unprofessional, but he was the best masseuse she'd ever paid for. She'd definitely go again.

Gary paused at that, narrowing his eyes, knowing he'd look into it himself. "I still don't like it." He declared, moving them along again.

Ivy mentally shrugged, brushing that off as she tried not to grin at successfully lying to him. It didn't bother her one inch because that masseuse was that good. "I'll be going back to him after each big fight, though I'll find another for the normal in between sessions. Should get Jimmy down here as well. How's your arm?"

"It's fine." He was already busy thinking about adding onto his gang and maybe buying out some salon parlour when they got into their underground life. That could be far too obvious though and routine made people dead on top of obvious. Maybe he'd have to find a few files from his Grandfather's beginnings and see what he did. His arm reached out to drag her to him as he thought, quite happy with not having to hide his selfish nature for the sake of progress and that she didn't mind either.

Most of the students had departed nearly instantly to their homes outside of Bullworth and none lived here his amazing memory knew, and the others who stayed actually lived in Bullworth like Petey and Gary or stayed on campus like Jimmy and Ivy due to inability or dislike of going back. He could touch her till his heart's content and not have to constantly watch over his shoulder. In fact… He turned her around and deeply kissed her now he knew he could without repercussions he couldn't control, pulling back to admire the flushed pleased face.

Ivy guided them to the bus stop with a stupid grin on her face, taking in the ambiance and enjoying the surrounding place. Maybe it was the newness that led her to enjoy it so much, or maybe because it was all special and Christmassy or maybe even because she could share it with her manipulative boyfriend who seemed unprepared to let go of her.

She smiled to herself, happy, feeling warm inside and out.

Dear Deities she was a sap.

"The bus comes in five. I'm getting a drink from the shop over there," Gary muttered, nodding to the shop across the street.

"Sure."

"Want anything?"

Ivy gave it a short second of thought before shaking her head. "No thanks."

"Back in a minute." He pressed another hard kiss to her mouth and crossed the road to enter the shop, smirking.

Ivy smiled to herself and took out one of her pocket watch necklaces with a small hum of satisfaction. Maybe she could try and jazz it up somehow? It was plain, and she could try and trace a pattern onto the rounded shell. The little button to open it was pressed and she didn't acknowledge the people arriving at the bus stop, wondering if she should stick a small photograph on the inside.

"Hey cutie. What's a pretty little thing like you got in her hand?"

An odd thing to note was that Ivy, despite being rather perverted and flirty, didn't really realise when she was being hit on when in a committed relationship. Her mind only focused on the man she was dating as a sexual being. Sure, attractive men were noted as being hot or sexy, but it was as if her mind clicked off the mating function to anyone other than her partner. So, when she didn't respond, also busy thinking about her designs on her jewellery, it was because she didn't think she was being referred to. There were other girls at the bus stop.

"Don't be ignoring me, cutie."

"Huh?" She blinked at a voice near her ear and the snickers around her and looked up in annoyance, lips pursed at the sight of some punk dressed guy in front of her and way too close. "Back up. Haven't you heard of personal space?" He didn't move and she was so very, very temped to show him why she should be listened to.

His hand reached up to touch her but it was knocked away by a bottle of Pepsi Max, causing him to yelp.

"Get the fuck away from my girlfriend." The growling voice snarled out.

"Who the fuck-?!" He was cut off by a punch to the jaw before being hefted up by the front of his black band shirt. "Gah!"

Gary narrowed his eyes, knowing the ex-Bullworth Student. "Chuck Davis. Twenty Four. No job. New Coventry, twenty fifth block tenements." He then said other facts like his email and his number and his family and their details, and Ivy was amazed by the mind of her boyfriend. He truly was dangerous to behold. She felt strangely aroused by this show of domination. "You touch her or talk to her again? I will end you."

Chuck nodded in fear before scarpering off with his friends.

Ivy ducked down and picked up the Pepsi Max as he turned to her, handing it over, barely looking at it as she took him in, eyes dilated and wanting. "That was hot. That right hook was… Good." Her voice was breathy and he let a long smirk crawl up his lips at her look of heated attraction. "Well executed. You should stay around mine tonight. Definitely. Mhm. Yup. Mine."

Gary was rather sure she was going to be especially nice to him tonight.

.I.

A couple days later, Ivy peered down at the groaning idiots on the ground in front of her in frustrated interest.

Sometimes Gary didn't watch his back enough.

She knew this was a retaliatory attack due to one of his drug bust upsets, letting the cops know of a large den going on in outer New Coventry he'd found out about that ruined one plan or another of his. Some little gang wanted revenge because they'd been working for a larger group who was punishing them for this drug line upset by wiping them out. The larger gang (…something beginning with Hell or Hellion or Helios, maybe? Anyway, them.) didn't care for excuses, but the smaller gang wanted to live of course, so their last bid was to find the one who'd got them done in.

Somehow they'd tracked it to Gary. Likely to be completely accurate, but Gary did not leave behind mistakes.

He just didn't.

Hence why she was frustrated.

Just how had they linked it to him? What gave him away? Who gave him away?

Still, they'd been taken care of when she heard his name mumbled between them, lingering near the Academy. Ivy knew it wouldn't be the last time this type of thing happened, even if she'd have liked for it to be.

Kicking one that looked a lot better off than the others, she let him roll away painfully and went back inside, taking her gloves off as she went to search for her man.

The Scot had to make sure he hadn't been harmed, after all.

She wouldn't tell him of this, because he didn't need to know every little problem, especially if she'd already dealt with them.

This was her man to look after, both physically and mentally.

Something like this was nothing.

Upon seeing Gary snickering with Jimmy and Petey near the library, she grinned and happily joined them, jumping Petey who yelped at her sudden action, but didn't push her away, happy for the family type bonding she gave him. "How's it going, my boys?"

"Where've you been?"

"Just out and about. Can't a girl have some quality private time? So! Any new plans, me lovelies?"

"Well…"

.I.

Three days later was Christmas and Ivy was awoken by her terrible twins jumping on her bed and waking her up.

"Grah! Go away! Christmas is cancelled!"

"Ivy! Get up!"

"Get up!"

"Move it!"

"Move it!"

She leapt up and pounced them down, laughing at the yells of righteous anger as she tickled them. "That's what you get, you little shits. Oh, here." She opened her wardrobe and took out four presents for each of them. "Here ya go brats." She'd gotten the two better sets of work tools, prank items and Matt liked 3D puzzle building things so she'd gotten him that, while Tom liked wooden make it kits, so she'd gotten him a trebuchet one she'd found in Ayrshire. Seriously, she loved that place more and more each time she visited it.

Ivy had already sneaked around and dropped the girls their presents she'd bought them. Mandy had a new bottle of perfume Ivy had noted she liked as her previous was nearly finished and some hair things. Pinky had a free full body massage ticket at the centre she had gone to. Mina had gained some personalised jewellery with her name on them. She'd bought the other girls she was close enough with boxes of sweets of all kinds from all over the world instead of putting any thought into things. She'd also gotten John a coin sorter, because he was the type to carry around so much spare change and also a laptop light because he actually asked it of her.

She hoped Choi came through for her considering Gary's gift and that Choi himself enjoyed the new set of fighting clothes and box of Dit Da Jow she'd made for him with her father's special recipe of it.

Ivy stayed with them for an hour and a half listening to their stories before they decided to go and see some of their friends still on campus on the promise that they'd go out to eat with her later for some Mexican food because screw a roast dinner on Xmas. When she heard the whistle, she looked out the window and saw Choi. Grinning widely at his nod, she held out a finger, grabbing her sparring boots to put on and her I.S. jacket to pull over her tight orange long sleeved t-shirt and baggy jeans. She tugged on her gloves, found her bag of goodies and grabbed her key before she went down the window exit.

Choi helped her down. "I'm here for two things today. One for Gary from you. One for you from him."

"Eh? Really?" She perked up with a surprised grin.

Choi bobbed his head once. "Let us go and get him."

Ivy led the way to the Boys Dorm, now with a peaked curiosity, a found a pebble, lobbing it gently at the window. It gained the attention of her boys, who opened the frame upwards. Petey waved cheerfully. "Merry Christmas Ivy! Here!" She caught the present with one hand while going through her bag with the other on her hip and chucked him his present. "Thanks!"

"I asked Choi to help me with yours, Gary," Ivy said, opening her present and grinning at the set of lip balms and mini whiskeys. "Oh shit, Petey. You know me well. Thanks a bunch, bro." She put them in her bag, keeping a citrus balm out and using it straight away. Her lips had been hurting as of late, and she really liked fruity balms. They tasted good. Gary would approve too.

"You're welcome, and thanks for the book! I had trouble getting a hold of it." He grinned at the extra candy sweets she'd also given him. "These are awesome."

She winked. "Yeaaah, there was a reason for that. I'll be dropping your roommate off later."

"I'll be at home with the family." Petey shrugged, not looking too excited.

"Have fun with that." Gary snorted from inside.

"I'll try."

"Bye Petey!" She waved happily, seeing the Polish boy withdraw and Gary appear.

"I don't know which one was harder to get a hold of." Choi commented as Gary jumped out the window and the Muay Thai man led them away to the car. "I knew people for yours Gary, but it was a case of convincing them to come. Yours was hard to find, but easy to convince." He looked over at Ivy looking very amused. "Perfect for what you want."

.I.

"Up. Both of you."

Ivy ached but she got up again at the command to do so, sweat pouring.

Fucking Gary.

Fucking Choi.

Wonderful fucking bastards they were.

While she had set up finding men for Gary to get info of weapons, drugs and business dealings to start them off on their way, Gary had set up a challenge of fights for her, professional after professional in a storage warehouse. It was half corridor with a one way mirror on the left and she was very sure she had many people on one side watching her face off against these people after making her wait before each door unlocked itself. Gary included. Vale Businessman included. Eun Choi included.

She didn't know what Gary had planned this for because showing her skills in front of others didn't seem the wisest thing he'd ever done and she'd easily have been happy with a dinner for the two of them or a simply pair of earrings or something like that. Christmas wasn't that big for her since she wasn't a Christian or any sort of believer. It was more a family and closest people get together thing and have amazingly tasty food which is why she'd made sure the Mexican place was open and had contacted Boss prior to asking her twins.

She dodged a lightning fast punch and countered with her own, finally getting in a skilled hit that disorientated the swift Philippine man using his art of Escrima. He was trying to do Baliog Pomali on her neck - grappling ways to crush the soft parts on her upper body - having already tried to use his damned weapons on her that she had been able to disarm him off, but he'd given her a beating for it before being shoved into the hard concrete and getting dazed. He was on the same amazing level as Choi, hence why the intercom had bid them to get up.

Her body was bruised and battered.

But she felt deliciously good.

Her next hits finally knocked him out and she looked up at the blank wall in front of her. He was the last and the past two hours had been a fighting heaven for her, but she'd definitely taken damage. Her left shoulder dislocated, left leg quaking at the hits taken to it which each advanced student had decided to take advantage of one after the other and making her limp because of it. She was a great fighter, and with these guys on her level, it had been a hellish paradise for her.

Her body shook, exhausted and she fell down to her butt, leaning arms behind her to prop her body up before the dislocated one gave in and she fell to the floor, instead enjoying the cold concrete on her over-heated body for a moment. She looked at her bare arms, having dropped her I.S jacket in the first room when she realised what was going on and grimaced at her bra somewhat on show after Jiu-Jitsu Six just before Tae Kwon Do Seven decided he also liked knives with his kicking spree and that her top really wasn't cutting it. She was glad number Fifteen was now down.

Her breasts had gotten in the way, jiggling around freely in her bra instead of bound down and tight in bindings, and she wished her short arse wasn't so chunky in the breast and butt department, or at least was taller to pull it off with her muscled body. Ivy was no model and nor was she a bodybuilder, yet she had enough to get a man going and while she was thankful and all, what with her sex drive being as high as it was, it still would have been nice to be a little smaller even though she wasn't that big to begin with. She'd had to tie the top together extremely tightly before the next room which helped her a little.

Getting up was a chore the Brit did her best to do, but adrenaline had run dry and her quivering body was using up the last of its' energy just to get her to the start.

On the slow, slow way back, she took her ruined orange top off completely, and used it to mop away sweat as best she could from everywhere. She cursed her short hair barely long enough to put in a ponytail and instead hoped her sweat would keep it back as she ran a hand through it. It partially worked and she went on drying herself, uncaring of people watching when she couldn't see them. She shoved part of the top in her jeans to let it hang and finally got to the first room, swiftly going to her hoodie and slipping it on, leaving the warehouse entirely to go outside into the cold snowy area.

There weren't any cars around or bikes or people.

It was quiet, her skin was nearby sucking in the cold air to cool down her overworked body and she wanted to find a place to snooze in despite it being Xmas and having to be all merry with family. She peered around the Blue Skies Shipping Warehouse, tired but utterly satisfied. She touched her jaw and eyed the untouched snow, before ducking down to pick some up and hold it against her chin.

"Damn, girl. You okay?"

Why did random strangers always come up to her?

Ivy looked up at the woman - girl.

One her age.

Slightly punkish.

This place didn't seem pretty typical for it, so where had this chick suddenly come from?

"Uh, yeah. I asked you a question."

"I'm fine," Ivy said, standing up heavily and realising she needed her shoulder popped back in.

"Oh shit! Were you… have you been… raped?" She hissed out in concern, taking in the bruised body and bloodied fists.

"No! Listen. I need a hand here-" Ivy stepped back and grimaced when she realised the only clean-ish thing she had to use was her sweaty t-shirt because picking up a stick from this place could possibly give her syphilis or something. "-No, not a doctor. My shoulder is dislocated. You need to pull very hard. Are you ready?"

"W-What?!" The ginger squeakily yelped in alarm but obediently held her arm tight when Ivy shoved the t-shirt in her mouth.

"Now!"

Her shoulder popped back into place with a disgusting click. Ivy let out an agonized moan, breathing heavily and span into a reflexive automatic stance in front of the girl who helped her when the door opened with a bang. Gary stepped out looking vicious scowling at the woman behind his one but then took in the situation.

"Ivy?"

The shirt dropped from her mouth and she idly caught it. "I had a dislocated shoulder."

"I see. I would have helped you with that," He scolded irritably, coming up to her and checking her arm, which ached unhappily. "You'll be in pain for a couple weeks now."

She shrugged, wincing at the pain. "It was on a first come basis."

"Hmph." Gary cocked his head at her before looking at the ginger girl. "You are… Zoe Taylor, right?"

"And you're Gary Smith." Zoe acknowledged with an odd tone, making him narrow his eyes at his name being known from someone outside of Bullworth Academy but decided that prior students knowing was acceptable.

'How'd he know that? How'd she…' Ivy thought, then figured they'd simply heard of each other. An ex-Bullworth student? "Well then. Thanks, Zoe."

"It's fine, and yeah. I did." She eyed her warily. "Is…" Zoe said hesitantly, looking at Gary, leaving it off and Ivy shook her head in denial, knowing what she meant.

"Gary's my best friend," Ivy stated with a half-grin as he came up to her and took in her wounds, pushing her jacket aside and checking the slice which was more a vague cut in her skin before he dropped down to balance on the soles of his feet and push up her left leg jeans. "And apparently my medic."

"Right." She looked with narrowing eyes at the protective male. "Best friends."

'Observant.' Gary thought to himself and then caught himself, because there was a niggling thought at the back of his head that another girl in the group wouldn't go amiss, and someone with some good surveillance skills would be good. Then he frowned at himself as he took in Ivy's wounds. 'Why am I thinking about more people? Do we need it yet?' Well, it wouldn't do any harm to sway people to his side at any time. Whatever, whenever, really. They could always do with more people. If it was another girl, he wouldn't have to worry so much either about Ivy being around so many damn males.

He thought back to the most certainly non-gay masseuse he made sure had been tormented by setting up nasty treats; smashed windows, stolen things from his home and warnings to be careful who he tried it on with. No-one could say Gary didn't make sure his girl wasn't well looked after. He kept her pleased, both mentally and physically and made sure she was healthy and taken care of... and that other men were kept away from her.

Hence why he knew as much as he could about her; especially that she was going on holiday, and was taking this as a chance to see what he was like without his main 'pill' being around, though he only admittedly found it out when she'd gone for her massage, disbelieving they could hide something like this from him so easily. He didn't like how she hadn't told him, as if he wouldn't have eventually known, but hey if she wanted to play it like that he could play the angry betrayed boyfriend card.

He also didn't like the fact she was going away in the first place, but at least she'd be going with the one he'd mostly count on to look after her.

His brown eyes flittered up to her curious yet utterly exhausted look.

Strong, silly woman of his.

His thumb absently rubbed her leg comfortingly.

As if he wouldn't know.

"Uh, yeah?" Ivy blinked at the other girl. "Do you go to another school around here or have a job?"

"Some far out one, though I did have a job. I'd go back to Bullworth if I could." Zoe scowled in the direction of Bullworth. "But that Burton…"

Ivy scowled as well. "Ugh. Gross bastard needs an arse whooping."

Gary could do something with this. "He needs to go," He prompted and the girls stared at each other in consideration.

"You know, he jogs every morning in Old Vale."

"I know a certain someone who hates him as well," Ivy said, thinking back to Jimmy and the instant dislike the two seemed to hold for each other; the outright perverseness for fourteen and fifteen year old girls made Jimmy pissed off and the fact such a strong guy never joined the football or wrestling team and instead had an interest in music and art and photography shamed the Gym Teacher and he took it personally. She shuddered at that. "Ew." She flinched, still in pain, leaning on Gary slightly to alleviate the hurt of her left leg, hand on his shoulder for balance. "He needs to go. Seriously. I'd prefer some stereotypical lesbo physical ed. teacher. That guy is just nasty."

"Asshole got me kicked out when I complained about him."

"I can't do much in this state but Jimmy could have fun with this one." Ivy really felt the need to rest before she hit the restaurant and blinked down at Gary when he rose, eyes following his upwards. "What do you think?"

"I'm sure I could work things out, thistle."

Ivy smiled, closing her eyes in amusement before opening them and looking back at him with a wry grin.

Gary smirked knowingly back at her, glad she understood him.

They both knew Zoe would be back pronto.

Ivy grinned at her, standing on her own again and partly zipping up her hoodie, and trying not to grimace at the pain her shoulder and leg and everything gave her. "We best be off. Have a good Christmas, Zoe." She winked, walking back to Bullworth with her boyfriend by her side as Zoe waved after them. "So did you enjoy your gift?"

"Not as much as I enjoyed watching my girl doing her stuff." He'd never admit to how impressed he was with her talents, but that in there was something that was nothing short of incredible. The one thing he'd been thinking was how lucky he'd been to scoop her up and an urge to bind her to him more thoroughly emerged soon after she'd quickly taken out number one. Hmm. How incredibly valuable she was… he really didn't want to let that go. "But very useful."

"We should steal Choi into our employ." Ivy nodded resolutely, causing him to laugh lowly.

"I'll end up spoiling you if I do that."

"No, no. No spoiling here."

He rolled his eyes at her earnest look. "You'll have to ask Vale Businessman." If she asked, he was willing to get her what she wanted.

"Uh…"

"Exactly." The teal leader eyed her bare upper body and it's cut as she limped along with him. "Now zip your hoodie up."

"Nah, I'm still boiling, Gary." She smacked his hands away when she finished that sentence. "No one's around, anyway."

"Would you just do it up?" He muttered in exasperation, pleased when she finally zipped up fully. "Finally. I don't want anyone else but me seeing that. I got good headway on mine as well."

Ivy gave a tired smile. "I'm happy you got what you could from him. Thanks, you know? That was the most…" She was speechless, her eyes lighting up at the warehouse behind them before turning back to him. "The most insanely amazing thing anyone's ever done for me. That's worth all my Christmases in one!" She twirled around happily on her good leg. "Best Christmas ever!"

Gary caught her around the waist and half smirked down at her, half staring at the happiest expression he'd ever seen on her and then recalled something from one of those giggling girls in the drama club and paraphrased a little. "Think of it as making up for the ones I missed not loving you."

"W-What?!" Ivy's eyes widened as red flushed into her face. That was not expected, in any other her damn fantasies of romance, even as a teenager before she started getting real males as opposed to love story ones. She looked away at the ground, having no idea what to say at Gary Smith saying that, stammering her words. "I-I-I-"

He laughed obnoxiously loudly at such an action, mocking her and took the harsh smack to his arm.

"How easy! Unbelievable!"

"Shut up, arsehole! I didn't expect that from fucking you!"

"Hence why it was so easy, moron! So, I've finally made the perverted Ivy flush! And such a stunning shade of red too." He mocked dramatically, unable to help cupping her cheek and pushing her up against him as his lips delved down onto hers, simply taking the affection he desired. He broke apart and grabbed her hand. "C'mon. Let me help you with that Dit Da Jow stuff when we get to your room. I can show you how else my mouth can be used and how my hands are just as good as yours at things."

Forget stupid soppy love lines - this was far superior! It was something of physical worth she could enjoy with her man. She squeaked out a happy, "Yes, please!" causing him to burst into barking laughter and pick her up, shuffling her around to his back and walking back like that, enjoying the kisses and nibbles on his neck as she slumped on him, cocooned in the warmth of their admiration and affection for one another as they joked on the way back home to Bullworth.

.I.

A/N: I liked this one a lot - a date, lust, fighting. :D Did you?

By the way, are you a Zoe fan?

To all my viewers - thanks a ton! To my reviewers, thanks for pointing out mistakes

Please Review!

LaRS