Alright the first little part is too cute . . . and fluffy. And there are some more limey bits later. And the meet with Johnny B.

Birthday Surprises are the Best Kind

Sphinx glowered as he shifted in the waiting room seat of the salon, trying not to openly glare at the people who were steadily inching further and further from him. He knew he looked dour and terrifying-especially since he'd just tossed on a pair of jeans and one of his darker tee shirts before taking the belt from Ripley with a long suffering sigh- btu damnation he couldn't really help it. Every single man in his family looked the same damned way . . . . and most of the generations had the darker hair and bigger stature that he had inherited from his own father. But for the life of him he honestly couldn't understand why these people kept trying to flatten themselves against the wall.

He'd come in smiling and holding Ripley's hand for God's sake!

He sighed, stretching out as much as he could and letting his head lull back against the wall before he closed his eyes. God he should've known that coming here wasn't his best idea . . . but his little lover-he grinned to himself at that fact before trying not to grouse at the gasp that came from his right- had been thrilled to hear she was going to get to see her friend. And damnation she was going to . . . Just like she was going to make all of the aggravation he'd been putting up with worth it when they got back to the damned room . . .

He shifted again, trying to get comfortable. He'd been here for almost three hours now . . . and he was about to go back there and brave Paul's company. Because the people that were waiting out here were not fairing well against him. And he wasn't even doing anything. Actually the only one brave enough to even openly look at him was the toddler that kept trying to escape his mother's grasp. And kept smiling and waving every time he'd look in his direction.

He shook his head. The kid was cute . . . with big dark curls and eyes almost the same shade as his own, save a bit lighter. And he had to wonder if he favored some member of the child's family just enough that he wanted to investigate. Kids were odd like that. They tended to go after exactly what they shouldn't and were too damned curious and nosy to be afraid of the things that terrified adults. But then they were scared shitless over the oddest things. Like thunderstorms or loud noises and bright lights.

Now he knew from his psychology classes that it was because the filter to their senses were underdeveloped and their brains processed every piece of information or stimuli the same. But it was still funny to see in action. The boy slipped out of his captor's hold, scurrying across the room and right to his knee . . . and Sphinx knew not to make any sudden movement or the mother was going to freak. So instead he dipped, slowly to where he was almost level with the tot before nodding to him.

The boy grinned, waving excitedly before reaching out and extending the worn and tattered toy he was clutching- and what it was he had no clue but he knew it had definitely seen some better days- before speaking to him.

"Rexie!"

Sphinx looked over the toy curiously before nodding and ruffling the boy's curls. Which earned him a loud, bell like laugh that made the others in the room start to relax. The boy went to hand him the toy and he shook his head slowly, pushing it back to the boy with a smirk. Honestly . . . what was it with the curly headed kids from Wake Beach?

"No, boy-o. You keep it."

The boy looked at him perplexed while the women in the room started to chatter. And it was only the sweet disarming kid before him that kept him from glaring at all of them. So before they were terrified and now they could gossip and cluck like hens? The boy cocked his head to the side and looked at him worriedly.

"Not sad?"

Sphinx sighed, shaking his head as he removed his hand from the boy's curls slowly. And smiled just enough to get the kid to stop looking so damned . . . cute.

"No lad. Just waiting."

The boy seemed to understand that and smiled, waving again before turning to go back to his mother before he stopped. He turned, wrapping his tiny arms around one of Sphinx's legs and he knew from the chorus of awws and coos that he should've never lamented his solitude. Because as the boy grinned and went back to his mother he realized that the other people in the room were all openly staring at him now. Christ, how long did it take to get a bloody hair cut?

Ripley looked over her lavender blonde hair with a relieved sigh. Paul had worked as fast as he could but the chemicals couldn't be rushed. Neither could the deep conditioning mask or her hair would feel like dry hay. She ran her fingers through it, happy to see the color she loved . . . but with one slight difference. Instead of the one patch of black-like she'd had before- Paul had pulled out his favorite colors and added a semi permanent streak of bright vermillion red where the black had been before. And forced her to have her nails cleaned and painted a dark gray while they waited to rinse her color.

She'd already been wrapped and waxed . . . and now all she needed was for him to finish the last touches on the makeup he was insisting on-natural with rosy cheeks, glossy lips and a dark tint to her lashes- so she could go rescue her lover from the boredom he was sure to be deep into. She blushed, smiling as she smoothed her shirt down in place. She'd changed into her shorts-something Sphinx had groaned about before running his hands up her legs appreciatively- and tossed the raw silk tank top and cashmere hoodie on over the white lingerie set. Something Sphinx had yet to see.

She knew he would love the lace-he seemed to generally like that well enough and Atley had mentioned it was one of his favorites of all the different textures she usually wore-but the smooth and hairless skin would be his biggest treat. Well, other than her hair. She smiled at Paul as he shook his head, winking at her.

"See? I told you . . . it all works out eventually. You will learn to listen to me . . . Think he'll like the hair?"

She nodded, running her fingers through the big loose waves and curls again before she reached up to smooth out the peachy pink gloss on her lips. She stood, stretching as she tried not to yawn while Paul just chuckled and ribbed her.

"Is he that good honey? Because you were never this damn . . . sated with the other idiot."

She blushed darker before smacking her friend . . . and leaning into him to gossip. Paul would never tell anyone but Jesse. And she wasn't telling anyone else but Sway. Besides, girl talk made this even more fun.

"You have no idea . . . God it makes me wish we'd gotten all of this settled before now. I mean I do already for other reasons but . . . damnation this is a benefit worth reaping, you know?"

Paul nodded, hugging her before he turned to greet his next client.

"I know . . . and its almost always better when you have to work for it. But I can tell you what's making the difference here is how much you like him. Well, that and he's hot and doesn't run his mouth all the damned time. I have to say I'm jealous. You're never going to have to worry about hearing one of his buddies pop up and ask about how great you give head."

Ripley nodded, pulling away and trying not to laugh at the other woman's startled face at Paul's outburst. She smiled apologetically before turning back to Paul as she grabbed her bag.

"How is Randy? Have you seen him lately?"

Paul nodded, winking to the now laughing woman as she caught the gist of their conversation.

"Oh he's as good as a gossiping piece of shit can be. Which reminds me, if your boy ever needs something to hit, you tell him where Albertson lives please. He's driving me and Jesse crazy."

Ripley laughed, shaking her head.

"You know just because he looks terrifying doesn't make it so, right? I mean for all you know he could be a teddy bear . . ."

Paul rolled his eyes, going to speak when the woman between them popped up.

"Oh? Are you talking about that darling man out there? The tall handsome one?"

Ripley blinked before looking to Paul perplexed as he nodded. And suddenly she was weary about what this woman was going to say. Because she'd better not have anything negative to say about Sphinx or her next words would be her last.

"Yeah . . . he's her boyfriend. Why?"

She grinned, reaching out and patting Ripley's arm with a warm approving smile. And Ripley wondered if she'd stepped into the twilight zone.

"Oh he is absolutely darling, honey. Why little Joseph Mercer is out there and refuses to leave him in peace. But despite what we all thought would happen he just smiled and nodded, letting the boy climb all over him before talking to him. And when Joseph hugged him I thought my heart was going to break. Just goes to show you can't judge a book by its cover . . ."

Ripley blinked before waving to Paul as he shook his head and trailed behind her, grabbing her hoodie as they rounded the corner into the waiting room.

"Oh no you don't! I am so going to see this for my own eyes . . . because if Gloria isn't crazy then I'm going to owe Cooper almost three hundred dollars."

She turned, brow raised.

"Why?"

"Because Coop swears that you two were going to tame each other down . . . and I don't buy it at all. You've always been to wild . . . and that man screams force of nature."

She rolled her eyes before stepping into the room . . . and had to bite her tongue to keep from laughing as Paul groused. Because there, right in front of Sphinx jabbering a mile a minute was Joseph Mercer. And Sphinx didn't look about ready to climb the walls . . . but he was glancing at the practically swooning women nervously. Ripley covered her mouth, trying to contain herself before she stepped further into the room. And as soon as he saw her all humor vanished.

She smiled bashfully, moving to sink into the chair beside him before she smiled down to Joseph. He really was a sweet kid . . . just like his father, Michael. Who had worked off and on with her mother as a contractor for larger jobs. She looked up, seeing Annie and waved, smiling even brighter as the woman stood and moved over to them. Annie blushed, reaching down to get her little bundle of hellfire and brimstone as he still jabbered to all of them.

She looked to Ripley with an apologetic smile.

"I am so sorry . . . but he's at that age, you know? He keeps us busy . . ."

Ripley laughed, reaching over and taking Sphinx's hand before answering.

"Yeah . . . I kind of saw that. How old is he now?"

"Three tomorrow actually . . . and every bit as rotten as a true Halloween baby. Mike swears he was a day early."

Ripley grinned, looking to her lover with a wink before reaching up and taking Joseph's outstretched hand. Who just giggled when she scrunched her nose at him.

"I've heard t just gets worse . . . but with boys its bound to anyway. How is everything?"

Annie's smile softened as she nodded, shifting the quieting boy.

"Good . . . I'm glad to see you, Ripley. Mike still goes by your parents' place to check on it . . . How are you? Do you like Los Angeles?"

Ripley shrugged, glancing at Sphinx with a warm smile as he shifted and sat up further in his seat. Squeezing her hand before she turned back to answer.

"Pretty well . . . it isn't anything like home but . . . I like it well enough. I think I'm going to end up staying there . . ."

Sphinx smirked at her, shrugging his brows before he stretched to his feet. Joseph looked up at him as he towered over all of them and she couldn't help but giggle as he laughed. She leaned into Sphinx, looking up to him as he slung his arm over her shoulders; tugging her into him as he shook his head at her and the boy.

"Wow . . . Giant."

"I know. But he's a nice giant. Annie it was really good to see you. Tell Mike I said hey, okay? Bye Joey!"

The boy waved frantically to Ripley, laughing as his mother turned to go when her name was called. And as she pushed Sphinx out the door, she heard Paul grumbling about his lost money.

Sphinx waited until the girl got him outside and the door shut to turn on her. As she went to speak, his mouth moved over hers fiercely as his fingers threaded in her now softer and shiny curls. The same damned color he loved . . . and dear God the red . . . He pulled away, resting his forehead against her bangs as they tried to catch their breathes. But she finally reached up and cupped his cheek, smiling as she blushed to him.

"Happy Birthday . . ."

He groaned, dipping to kiss her again before a sound behind the door made him rethink it. Not here . . . he couldn't do this here . . . he got her hand and pulled her with him to the Malibu before he handed her the keys. And when she looked at him perplexed he shrugged, kissing her again.

"Wherever you want to go Love. But make it private."

She blushed but nodded, hopping behind the wheel as he crossed to the passenger side. God he had no idea . . . and he didn't care what happened she wasn't changing her hair again. Ever.

When they pulled up in front of her parents home, he raised a brow to her but shrugged as she got out. She went to the door, unlocking it quickly before pushing it open . . . and letting him pass before she turned back to lock it. She dropped her bag, stepping into him as his hands pushed her hoodie off her shoulders and onto the floor before they found the hem to her shirt. And when the lavender gray raw silk was over her head he had to groan.

The bra was a startling white lace and completely see through . . . and looked mouthwatering against the tan of her skin. He knelt in front of her, hands splaying over her ass as he tugged her close enough for him to run his nose over the tiny swell to her stomach. Something else he absolutely loved . . . he moved, kissing the top of her tattoo before he looked up to her. And he knew that whatever this was between them was progressing faster than anything either had ever done.

He'd heard-from San, Frankie, Donnie and even Atley- that the first month and a half to three months of any new relationship was pretty much just a combination of food and sex before it fizzled away into whatever was left-and usually they didn't survive past then if there wasn't anything interesting after the sex started to stale. . . which led him to believe that he'd actually been in more than he'd thought; albeit short lived ones. But he knew that he wasn't in any hurry for this to 'fizzle out' . . . he wanted to see if it could last. Because he was actually interested in the girl quivering before him . . . this was turning out to be some grand unexpected perk.

She sighed, letting him unbutton her shorts before he slid them down her hips and to the hardwood floor before stepping out of them and sinking onto his bent knees. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders, letting his hands settle on her hips before she leaned down to kiss him sweetly. And he had to wonder why she'd brought them here . . . until he glanced over and saw the sun starting to sink lower and closer to the waves as the sky tinted red.

He looked back at her, shaking his head as his lips brushed over hers again. And as his hands came up to trace her ribs he knew where he wanted her next tattoo . . . . and that he would be going with her to get it. He ran his fingers over her left ribs again, loving that she shivered even before his fingertips brushed against the soft lace of the white fabric cupping her chest.

"I know what else I want for my birthday . . ."

She looked at him unsure for a moment before nodding once. And as he moved, leaning her back against the cool floor he dipped to his the spot he'd been touching.

"I want to see your next tattoo right here . . . Nothing too big or detailed, just simple . . . but I want to be able to trace it while we're together. Like I do the other."

She reached up, cupping his face before nodding as he dipped to kiss her. And she asked against his lips.

"What do you want it to be?"

He shrugged, knowing he really wanted to see something that was purely his there but they hadn't been together like this long enough. So he decided on the next best thing. His hand traced over her stomach and down to settle against the other tattoo, tracing the crest permanently branded into the soft, supple skin.

"Something that means something to you, Baby. Anything you want it to be . . . I'm your lover, not your master."

She groaned before shaking her head, kissing him as her hands knotted in his shirt. He moved long enough to let her rid him of it before his mouth was back on hers. And as she moved to whisper to him he had to wonder if they were ever going to be able to leave this place. She was so more at ease here-in her home-than she was in Long beach . . . and though he loved seeing her there part of him felt it was a sin to keep her from the place that was so much a part of her forever.

Another reason he refused to brand her. He wanted this to last-to be permanent-but things rarely ever were. And she didn't need to look at some mark on her body one day in regret and think of him. He wouldn't be able to bear the thought of it. But her next words washed away some of his doubt for the time being . . . and he found himself hopeful that she would learn to be as at home in Long Beach as she was here. She'd already grown to thrive in the year she'd been there . . . maybe if he tried hard enough she would think of it as home. And she wouldn't abandon him to return here . . .

"Oh baby. You may not own me but I am yours. And I'm happy to be . . . so long as you're willing to have me."

He nodded, kissing her again before letting out a stuttering breath.

"So long as I'm breathing . . . and so long as you want me . . ."

Atley watched Memphis try not to pace as they stood together on the roof of one of the downtown parking complexes. They were a bit early but it wasn't a bad thing . . . Hell it could save them if all of this turned out to be some kind of trap. Which is part of the reason he was keeping his hand in his jacket pocket. And securely around the loaded and cocked Beretta . . . because he wasn't getting shot again. Not by this sonofabitch anyway.

He sighed, keeping an eye on Memphis as a dark Crown Vic rolled up the ramp; parking just far enough away to make it a difficult shot. He cussed to himself. These were no dope boys full of Gustavo with shit for brains . . . this guys was smart and crazy. And that's what made him dangerous . . . . Two men piled out of the back and started towards them slowly and leisurely.

The tallest was black and lanky, with the same thick gold chains around his neck as the others while the other was a lighter complexion with rows braided into his hair. They stopped just far enough away to be cautious without overly rude . . . and the shorter man spoke. But Atley noticed the taller one was watching both of them. This guy was one of the hired thugs . . . but he was smart. Meaning he bore watching.

Memphis stilled, hands in his leather jacket pockets as he looked the others over. And Atley didn't need to see his face to know it had gone emotionless. Memphis Raines was a kind person with a good sense of humor and a likeable personality . . . so long as you were in their crew or just a good decent person. But to people like this-and to the others that had tried to fuck with him since he'd started running at sixteen- Raines was a proverbial badass. And he wouldn't hesitate to throw down and dirty if he had to.

And it was a fact these men were learning. Especially if the way the smallest was fidgeting was any indication.

"Where's Johnny B?"

The shortest spoke up while the tallest sneered, letting Atley see that both of them had golden teeth. Which made either of them a candidate for lifting Ripley's Ferrari and for shooting at them.

"Johnny B don't come out . . . not safe. Why he's gotta a crew, dog. He aint' gotta come out no more . . ."

Memphis shrugged, going to turn as he dismissed them.

"Then tell him when he wants to make an appearance he can. I don't deal with fucking thugs."

The tallest one grinned as the shortest one snorted. And Atley knew that either of these guys could be the crew boss. Or neither of them. But the smallest piped up again and started talking. And Memphis stopped.

"You got problems . . . so do we. We gotta war on . . . . and we running lame. So you call us and offer to deal. So we here to deal. Whatchu got that you think we gonna want?"

Memphis straightened, rolling his shoulders as he glared at the man before continuing.

"what I've got is a proposition to end some of the unnecessary violence. You assholes have hit my crew twice and we haven't done shit to you . . . but we aren't interested in starting a war. We want to make peace . . . because we're all getting hit by this new division."

The taller one snorted, stepping forward and shorty seemed about ready to die. But he stepped back and let him speak, meaning he wasn't as lowly as Atley had thought.

"What if we don't want peace? We want to run . . . to expand. We got people to pay and take care of . . . mouths to pay and debts to feed. Can't do that with too many boosts."

Memphis shrugged, glaring at him.

"Not my problem . . . but I have a solution for some of it. Los Angeles county is massive. One of the largest in the state. You obviously have sheets we don't . . . and we run exclusively for a few private supporters now. So I figure we divide it up. Heaviest population would be neutral . . . with the lower ones divided out equally. No favoritism. No bullshit and no more bloodshed. Everyone wins."

The man shrugged, pulling his hand out of pockets and scratching at his chin before he tilted his head. But his words but Atley on edge.

"Or . . . we kill your whole crew, adopt those fine two ladies as our own . . . and keep it all. Better deal to me . . . Especially with the way those ladies work it. Hell, I might just keep the shortest one for myself. Or both of them . . . You dig?"

Memphis just shrugged, mimicking the other man's motions intentionally . . . and Atley had to suppress a grin. He tossed out his ace, their trump car that Cacuzza had armed them with . . . and he almost wished Sphinx was here to see the man fold. Before he remembered that they would've never gotten to talk. Especially not after that little comment. Which reminded him of what he needed to do . . .

"Yeah I guess it would. Only problem is you touch us then Cacuzza has boys waiting to rain down on you. Hard. And it won't be those pansy ass One-Niners you're squabbling with. We're talking hard ass killers that would love to cut you to fucking pieces . . . So take the damned deal. You dig?"

The man nodded and Atley stepped forward, nodding to them as Memphis went to turn. And he truly savored the way both flinched when he grinned darkly at them.

"Yeah and about those fine ladies . . . I ever even think that I've seen you near them and my friend is going to tear you apart. And I'm gonna laugh while he does it."

The taller one snorted, rolling his eyes.

"Which friend? The big black fucker or one of those little pretty boys?"

He grinned, shaking his head once.

"Nah man, the big mother fucker your boys shot up. That is still pretty pissed about being hit."

The man actually paled as the shortest shook his head, obviously not believing him as he laughed nervously.

"Nah, nah. That fucker went down for good. Hell, his ass was probably dead before he even hit the ground. Ain't no way he's gonna do shit."

Atley laughed, shaking his head as he stepped forward and nodded to the tallest.

"Oh trust me, he's alive and well. And that shortest pretty little thing? She's his . . . and where he was just pissed about being shot he was livid about you boys making her worry. But then shooting at them . . . and causing that wreck . . ."

The tallest one shook his head.

"Nah man, we shot yeah. But we didn't cause no wreck. Didn't have to . . . car was fucked. You couldn't collect. 'S all we was after."

Atley raised a brow before shrugging, turning to walk away to where Memphis was waiting.

"Hey, I believe you man. But Sphinx . . . he isn't going to care. She got hurt . . . bad. And he's gonna collect heads for that shit if he sees your boys. So keep that in mind if you ever decide to try to adopt either of them. You dig?"

The man nodded, hands up.

"Yeah man, I dig. Hell, I feel it. His girl can drive though . . . crazy little bitch. She hit one of our boys . . ."

Atley shrugged, going on back to the car. He would never tell Sphinx about that. Because the appreciation in the man's eyes when he'd spoken about both Sway and Ripley was disheartening . . . and unnerving. But he would stick to this deal. For the time being . . .

Atley crawled into the car beside Memphis, watching the other boost's hands shake slightly as he cranked it. He knew the kid was rattled . . . hell they all were. But it had to be done. He reached out, placing a firm hand on Memphis's shoulders before nodding to him once.

"You did good Raines. It'll keep . . ."

Memphis nodded, putting the car in gear before pulling out of the space and towards the exit. And as they navigated the turns and twists he glanced over. And asked a question that had Atley trying not to cringe.

"You ever gonna tell Sphinx that Johnny B wasn't responsible for the wreck?"

He shook his head, reaching into his pocket and cocking the gun before pulling out his cigarettes.

"No way in hell man. Cause then he'd want to find them too . . . we ever hear about it, I'll deal with it then. But for now we just need to mention as little as possible about Johnny B or Ripley's wreck. Especially since we all see how they are now . . ."

Memphis laughed, nodding as he turned back to the road. He needed to wait for a clear spot to merge back into traffic. And he definitely didn't want to explain to Otto why his pride and joy was fucked up. He glanced to Atley before deciding to keep up the conversation. It was helping his nerves . . . He never wanted to have to do this again . . .

"Yeah . . . I noticed. Where is he anyway? I mean, I know he was going to make himself scarce for this but . . . you mentioned he'd be gone all weekend . . . Anything wrong?"

Atley snorted, shaking his head as he took a long drag from his cigarette. And Memphis knew that he was trying not to tell him something. Good ol' Atley. He was loyal to a fault . . . and he hated to keep secrets from the crew unless he had to . . . Finally he caved and turned, pointing at him as his half ashed cigarette hung from his lips.

"You say shit and I'm letting him kill you, you got it?"

Memphis nodded, pulling out and into the flow before slowing for a red light a few feet later. Christ he hated city traffic sometimes.

"Yeah man, I get it. What? They fighting again?"

Atley shook his head.

"No but I think we're going to wish they were. Donnie took Ripley to get the stitches out this morning. And as soon as he got off work, Sphinx was packing her up and hauling her to somewhere near Wake Beach. I got no clue why or where . . . but I do know that she wasn't aware of the fact when Donnie left dropped her off."

Memphis blinked . . . before groaning as he laid his head on the steering wheel.

"Ah man. Damn it! Now I'm gonna have to hear about that too? Sway's already pitching a fit because Sphinx apparently acts better about the tats than I do . . . And now he's taking her off somewhere for no reason? Is he trying to fuck me over or what?"

Atley laughed, shaking his head.

"Trying to keep from fucking himself over is more like it. He knows he isn't going to be for her what you are to Sway. And he's trying to make up for it in other ways . . . I think anyway. Hell the only reason he even let me know was to tell you."

Memphis shook his head, pulling away from the light.

"man . . . how do Otto and Junie feel about it? I know Otto talked with him the other day and Junie was pretty standoffish before . . ."

Atley shook his head, running a hand over his face as he tossed his dead cigarette out the window.

"Dude Junie is all fine about it. She told him for them to stop by and eat on their way back in. With just her and Otto. Can you see that shit?"

Memphis stopped before laughing so hard Atley had to reach out and steady the wheel as he tried to breathe. When he was able, he waved him away and steadied the car, shaking his head. That would be about as good as the first time he'd brought Sway home to meet his mother . . .

"Man . . . to be a fly on the wall. We get to aggravate Otto about it though . . . right?"

Atley shrugged.

"so long as Junie and Sphinx don't find out then yeah . . . who knows, we may stop by and drop in to save the poor bastard. Because he pretty much steered clear of all of this before Ripley, you know?"

Memphis nodded, shaking his head.

"God man . . . Sphinx . . . who would've thought he would go for all of this shit . . . its so weird to think you know?"

Atley nodded before sobering and Memphis knew whatever was about to be serious.

"I don't think he ever thought he'd want it, Raines. And despite how much we want to we can't rag him too much or he'll pull away from that girl. And that's gonna kill her . . . She really cares about the big lummox. And if she's willing to put up with him . . . Hell, I'll move mountains to give 'em a chance you know? They both deserve to be happy."

Memphis nodded, hearing the warning. Open Season on Harassing the Sphinx had to be down played . . . but not cancelled. They were just going to have to be smart about it . . . or they would all get butchered.

Everything is trying to fall together. Too bad nothing ever goes so easily . . .