"Can't believe we got sidelined again…"

"Stinks."

"It was the Boss' call."

Flannery tried to keep the frown off of her face as she continued brushing the chain of her motorcycle. At this point the only real reason she was doing this was just to ride on her own free time. It wasn't like she was going to be able to go driving on any jobs or anything. Unlike the others, she just didn't want to openly whine about it.

Jessie had taken the Black Vipers on yet another job, and while they had been allowed to come along, she'd had them hanging back far from the action. They weren't even close enough to the scene to be considered back up. Honestly, she wondered why she even made them waste the gas?

They had been part of the gang for a little over a year and a half now, and Jessie had recruited them because they each had a skill she said could be of use to the gang. But for all that talk of how skilled they were, they never got a chance to put them to use. It was more than a little annoying, but Flannery knew better than to complain.

The others however didn't have any problem voicing their displeasure. At least not when they were alone anyway. "Well maybe she needs to make better calls. I could have stayed at home and actually gotten work done," Bonnie said crossing her arms. Jessie didn't even want her hacking the cameras inside. Just… why?

"Why are ya'll even complaining? I got it way worse. I made a bomb and didn't even get to see it blow up!" Sue Ellen said crossly. "It had been perfect too! Do ya know how beautiful that probably looked? And the only person who could truly appreciate it was outside, so far away she couldn't even hear it!"

Bonnie sighed. "Really? At least you got to do something…"

"I don't like putting work into something I don't get to appreciate. Especially bombs."

Flannery narrowed her eyes. "Would you all just stop yapping already? It ain't gonna change nothing. I don't like it any more than you do, but Jessie is the one making the calls. She's the leader. If she doesn't think we're ready yet, then we ain't ready. We just have to wait until she thinks we are…"

"Well, I hate to tell you, but I think that's gonna be quite a long wait."

The four turned their heads and saw Kenny making their way into the barn. The boy smirked and waved towards the girls, who all had mixed reactions. Sue Ellen and Jorie both smiled, while Bonnie blushed and looked down to the floor. Flannery narrowed her eyes before turning back towards her bike.

"Hey Kenny," Jorie said waving towards him.

The blonde made his way over towards his oldest friend and planted a kiss on her cheek. "Hey Jorie, looking prettier every day as always," he said, earning a giggle from her. He then turned towards Sue Ellen. "And Sue, still looking like too much of a woman for anyone to handle. A fella is gonna get lost in all of those curves."

She laughed. "Hell yeah. But yer always welcome to try," she said winking at him.

Kenny turned his attention towards Bonnie, who had still been looking down. "Don't think I didn't notice you Bonnie. You look pretty as a picture today," he said, smirking.

Bonnie blushed deeper and tucked some of her hair behind her ear. "Thanks." She wasn't sure she was ever gonna get used to Kenny flirting with her. She wasn't used to anyone showing her attention like that, let alone guys like him.

"And Flannery. Just how are you doing this fine morning?"

"What do you want Kenny?"

"Prickly I see," Kenny said amused. He walked over and leaned against one of the barrels in the barn. "Just came by to see how the job went."

"Why don't you ask your mama then?" Flannery asked, not taking her attention away from her bike. She was already wise to the type of guy Kenny was. A smoothtalker who used his words and his charm to sway people. Her own mother had warned her about guys like him.

Kenny shrugged. "Ah c'mon now. You know my mama don't like talking about business with the gang with me. Far as she'd concerned anything about the Black Vipers is woman talk," he explained. She didn't even go into details about it with his father. Gideon never seemed to mind any though. He had his own things going on.

Flannery was about to say maybe he shouldn't poke his nose in it, but Jorie spoke out first. "We got sidelined again," she said bluntly.

Kenny clicked his tongue. "Did ya now? Well that's a shame. Ya'll don't hardly go on jobs anymore in the first place, do you?" he asked. Over the years the gang had become far less active. Partly because most of the older members… well, they had mostly settled down for the most part.

Some had families, others had different jobs, and they couldn't just go off whenever they wanted anymore. This wasn't lost on the girls, which is why it sort of bugged them that the few jobs they did take they didn't get to do much, if anything, on them. "She really is just planning on keeping ya'll around for my sister, huh?"

Flannery sighed. "What are ya trying to get at Kenny?" She knew what he was doing. He was leading up to something, and she didn't feel like hearing him drag it out.

Kenny smirked. "I'm just saying it seems like a right waste. Having ya'll wait around for someone who ain't gonna be ready to for years when you all are raring to go already. If I was calling the shots then-"

"But you ain't," Flannery said sternly.

"But I could be," he countered. "Mama is stubborn as a mule. She knows I can take over the gang, but she's more concerned about some petty old tradition. And I ain't planning on sitting here for however many years it takes her to see she's wrong. I'm planning on leaving and starting my own little gang."

The girls looked at him surprised. "Wait, really?" Jorie asked standing up. "You're actually planning on leaving?"

He nodded. "Damn straight. But before I left, just wanted to see if any of you ladies were interested in joining me," he said looking around at them.

Flannery raised an eyebrow. "Are you seriously trying to poach us from your mama's gang? That's a bit low of you, ain't it?" she asked. Jessie would flip when she found out about this. He and his mother already had a rocky relationship, but knowing what he was planning on doing… she'd probably try to tar and feather him.

Kenny shrugged. "Making mama angry ain't exactly something new for me. And I'm done watching her doing small things in this small down. There's bigger heists and names to make and rob out there," he said. "Would you rather sit around here doing nothing, or go out and actually start raising some real hell?"

For a few seconds the girls were just silent, but then Jorie spoke. "I'm going."

"Jorie!" Flannery said in disbelief.

"Well he's right!" Jorie argued. "It ain't like we're ever gonna do anything around here."

Flannery looked ather annoyed, and Kenny stood up. "Well, looks like you ladies got quite a lot to talk about. So tell ya what. I'm gonna be leaving tomorrow morning, crack of dawn. So ya'll can talk it over, and anyone who decides to come along can meet me here then," he said.

Flannery scoffed. "And what makes you think we're not just gonna go tell yer mama what you're planning soon as you leave?" she asked.

He shrugged once more. "Nothing is stopping ya I suppose. But I just don't see ya doing something like that. Trust ya too much," he said winking at her. "You ladies have a nice night. I got quite a few things to pack… well, not really, but there are a few affairs I have to get in order. See you tomorrow, hopefully. If not, you'll see me in the papers soon enough."

As soon as he left, the girls all exchanged glances. "You're not seriously planning on going with him, are you?" Flannery asked towards Jorie.

"Sure am," she said simply. "Better than doing nothing around here." Kenny was her closest friend, and… well honestly, a bit more than that to her. With the way things were now, there was no reason to stay in town if he wasn't. Being on the road with him and actually getting something done was much too tempting to pass up.

Sue Ellen hummed. "Well… I would like the chance to get to blow something up proper for once. And be there to enjoy it," she said fondly.

"Yer all really thinking about betraying the Vipers? Stabbing Jessie in the back? Do you really think that's going to work out?" Flannery asked. She turned towards Bonnie. "Talk some sense into these two, would you?" Bonnie was supposed to be the smart one. If anyone could see how crazy this idea was, it was her.

Bonnie looked down in thought for a moment. "Ginny is nine she's not going to be ready to takeover anytime soon," she stated. "And I know that Jessie wants to keep up with tradition and everything, but… how long are we really going to wait for our chance to make our mark?" she asked. "I'm not saying we should go or stay. I'm just saying… we should think about it."

"I've already thought about it, I'm going," Jorie said.

"You just wanna go because ya want to be with Kenny though," Sue Ellen said smirking.

"That's not the only reason!"

"But it is a reason."

Flannery sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose as the girls continued to bicker. Damn that Kenny. He really has a way with words. To just drop this on them and have them actually consider going… she hated to admit it, but the boy was a crafty one.

That didn't necessarily mean she was just about to run along with him though…

Kenny whistled as he waited in front of the barn, his duffle bag packed and his bike ready to go. It would only be a short while until the girls got here. At least he hoped anyway. He knew at the very least Jorie would be coming along with him. Girl was loyal to a fault, which he damn sure appreciated.

He had a feeling Bonnie and Sue Ellen would come along too, but Flannery was a coin flip. He would have prefered she had, but the girl had always been wary of him. That same cautiousness was what has made her such a valuable member though. At least he wasn't worried about her ratting him out to his mother.

For all her talk, she had a soft spot for him that she just couldn't hide. It might have been a hell of a tiny one, but it was there.

"Hey Kenny."

He smirked as he saw Jorie make her way up towards him. She was carrying a packed back at her side, which she tossed aside as she approached him. "Right on time." She reached up and wrapped her arms around his neck, planting a kiss on his lips. Kenny looked surprised for a moment, but then leaned into it, wrapping his arms around her waist. "Mm, and feeling mighty frisky too."

She giggled. "You didn't think there was a chance I was gonna let ya go off and get into something stupid all by yourself, now did ya?" she said. "Would have been way too much fun to miss out on."

"Never doubted you for a second. Don't suppose you saw any of the others on your way here though, did ya?" he asked.

Jorie hummed. "Nah, but I didn't pass by their houses on the way here." Last night the only one who'd left the barn with a clear answer was her. Sue seemed like she was into it, while Bonnie was still on the fence. And Flannery… was hard to tell what she was thinking. She knew it'd be nice to have them along… but the idea of just having Kenny all to herself didn't hurt either. "If they don't show up, then-"

"Hey! Don't go trying to write us off just yet," Sue Ellen shouted as she approached, her own bag slung over her shoulder. Bonnie was right beside her, carrying a backpack.

"We've talked it over, and we decided to come along with you. Partly because we saw you had a point, and partly because if I don't Sue will blow you all up before the first week it up," Bonnie said bluntly. The larger girl pouted at her.

Kenny chuckled. "Nice of ya'll to show up. Feel a right bit better knowing we have more of an actual crew now. But there's still one missing, ain't there?"

"I'm not missing…" The barn behind them opened, and Flannery made her way out. The other girls were more than a little surprised to see her, but Kenny just smirked. "I was going maintenance on the bikes. I assume ya don't want to stop anywhere close since when your mama catches word of what yer doing, she's gonna hunt you down like a dog. So it's gonna be a long trip, and I wanted to be sure they were in top shape."

"You actually came, I'll be damned," Jorie said.

Flannery crossed her arms. "Someone has to make sure ya all don't end up getting yourself killed. With him leading ya, who knows what'll happen."

Kenny laughed. "Ha! Well she ain't wrong," he said before looking over everyone. "Since the gang's all here now, don't see any reason to keep on sticking around. Let's get those fine rears in gear ladies. The new Black Vipers got places to rob and things to steal." The girls smirked before making their way into the barn to get their bikes.

He gave each of them a pat on the rear as they entered, all except Flannery, who stood there and kept looking towards Kenny. "Second thoughts?" he asked.

She sighed. "I'm still not sure about this… or you. I mean yer right. Leaving is better than sitting here and doing nothing. But following you? Feels like I'm rolling a dice here," she said bluntly. "Why should any of us trust you to lead?"

Kenny smiled and stepped towards her. He reached up and cupped her chin. "Because I'm smart enough to pick someone who'll call me out on my shit when I need it as my right hand woman," he said, causing her eyes to go wide.

"Me?" she asked, confused.

"Ma always said you had a good head on your shoulders. And she was right. Bonnie and Sue won't make much of a fuss, and I love Jorie, but she ain't too eager to speak out against my ideas. You on the other hand. You can keep a fella on the straight and narrow," he explained. "So it's gotta be you. Whenever ya think something is headed south, just say something. I may not look it, but I'm not the type to brush the words of a lady off without a second thought."

Flannery looked genuinely surprised at his words, but quickly collected herself. "If… if ya want me to call you out on every bad idea you have, ya might not ever get a word in," she said blushing slightly.

Kenny let out another laugh. "Maybe not. But at least any duumb plans I come up with will be a little less dumb by the time we get around to pulling em off."

She redhead huffed and turned around to head into the barn. "Whatever."

"Atta girl."

Kenny gave her a slap on the butt as she headed inside, and she blushed deeper. He was a smooth talking charmer, that much was for sure… but he seemed to genuinely think highly of her skill set, and that felt pretty damn good if she was being honest. She still wasn't sure how this was going to turn out, but she was willing to roll that dice.

Hopefully she wouldn't regret it.

"For god's sake, get up Kenny. And put a shirt on."

Kenny chuckled from underneath his hat as he laid on his bed. "I don't see anybody else complaining about my shirt being off," he said amused. "Besides, my clothes are in the wash. So you can complain to whoever's turn it is."

He then grunted as he felt something land on his stomach, then tipped his hat up to see a laundry bag. "It was my turn, so there ya go. Now get dressed already. The others may wanna want to watch you walk around like that, but I don't…" she said turning to leave.

Kenny smirked before moving the bag aside. He reached out and wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her on top of him. "Liar," he said chuckling. He hugged her closely. "Since yer done with laundry, keep me company while I nap for a bit."

Flannery blushed and scoffed. "I have other stuff to do Kenny…"

"Do it later." He reached up patting her on the head so her head laid down on his chest. The other hand, unsurprisingly, made its way to her rear. "You earned a break I think. Take a nap. That's an order from the boss."

The redhead let out a breath. When it came to major things, Kenny usually listened to her. But with stupid little stuff like this he was so stubborn. "Whatever… yer so lazy it's unbelievable..." she muttered as she started making herself comfortable.

Kenny hummed, kissing her head and then resting his chin on top of her. "Say, just wondering. Ya ever regret coming along with me?" he asked, rubbing her rear.

She pinched his side."Every single day…"

Kenny chuckled. "That right? Well, a little too late to back out now," he said, giving her bottom a smack. "I'll keep trying to make it worth your while though."

"Like you could…"

Flannery said, closing her eyes. If he was gonna keep her here, she might as well just get some rest. Dealing with Kenny and the others always kept her busy, and he was right about her earning a good rest. They really were so much more trouble than they were worth.

Still, knowing everything she did now, she probably still would have gone with them back then. Because with all the trouble they caused, they were her gang. And if she didn't keep them all in line, then who the hell would?

A/N: Some more Black Vipers content! This one on how Kenny formed the gang. Most of the gang didn't have much of a problem heading out with him, but Flannery was pretty sketchy about the whole thing. She warmed up to it after their first few heists though.