Chapter 9

Meliodas opens a door that I hadn't noticed under the stairs, ever the gentleman - a thought that makes me roll my eyes - he waves for me to enter first. It's a small office space, kind of cramped with a couple of desks lining the walls directly on either side of the entrance. Paperwork of all kinds; I see a couple of order sheets immediately on top of the piles - nothing out of the ordinary for a bar. The shelves had binders full of old orders, tax information, employee information… All of the binders were labeled and organized. Hard to believe a gang was so meticulous.

Once inside, Meliodas reached over one of the desks, pressing a red unlabeled button on the phone sitting at the back of one of the stacks. Immediately it hummed to life with a familiar voice, "Yeah, boss?" Ban answered.

"Time to get to work. Gowther dropped off the goods." Meliodas replies quickly, fishing the flash-drive from his pocket to examine it.

Ban snorts on the other end, "I didn't even see the weirdo come through. Alright… I'll grab the others." He says, and then the phone goes silent. Not moments later, the blonde presses a separate button and there is a click somewhere beyond him before a door opens up along the wall opposite me. You've got to be kidding me…

"A secret room? Seriously?"

He lets his usual grin shine through brighter than ever, "What can I say? I'm a sucker for the dramatic." He chuckles as he walks through the new opening and turns on a light inside, "Bet you can't guess my favorite movie series…"

I follow him in, and find the room to be much larger than the first. One wall has pictures and notes pinned to it, red string tied around pins connecting them to other pins. It was a map of sorts, jumping from articles to pictures, from reports and news clippings to notes scribbled on pieces of paper. There were connections with gangs, with political figures, police officers. I followed strings connecting seemingly unrelated pieces of information, until my eyes landed on the image of a man I knew. The man in the photo wasn't looking at the camera - it was a shot taken from a distance.

This was my target from my failed drug bust…

Questions were all I had right now, but I could not find the words to express them. I'm still studying the map when I hear the others filter into the room.

"We're letting her in on this one?" Ban asks, and I turn to study them a moment.

All of them are dressed differently than I've seen them over the past few days. It's obvious what they're wearing now is for mobility purposes. Ban's the only one with outright disdain dancing across his features. He doesn't think I should be here. He hasn't since the very beginning. King and Diane don't seem as bothered, at least on the surface.

Diane shoots me a smile while King merely nods in my direction as he walks past me and takes the flash drive from Meliodas. "This is it?"

"Came right from Gowther," Meliodas nods. "What we've been looking for should be all here."

The ginger haired man slides behind a beat up desk and inserts the flash drive into the laptop. Ban and Diane busy themselves about the room, getting things ready. Something about the way they are moving, almost in perfect sync around each other, like they have done this a thousand times before, strikes me. Another glance at the board and I can't help but think;

It's just like at the precinct.

A list of criminals up on the wall. All of them are connected together. The board isn't all that different from the one my team and I have been working on for months. This setup just seems so much more… complete than mine.

I glance around the room at each of them. My eyes finding Meliodas last.

These people… "You're not a gang at all, are you?" I finally find my words, and that's the first question I can manage to spit out. It made sense now. Why Meliodas would agree to let me join them - hell why he'd offer to help me at all.

Meliodas has found a chair, and leans back into it, watching me carefully but there is an air of confidence to him, "By definition, that's exactly what we are. A group of organized criminals."

"But this," I wave back to the wall, "This is…" I take a breath as I try to put a name to what I'm seeing. I follow multiple lines, allowing for my fingers to graze the red string, "...about other crimes. Other criminals. This is all investigative work. You're vigilantes."

"Last I checked, vigilantism is still a crime, isn't it?"

I pause… did I really just try to justify the things they've done? Yes, vigilantism was most definitely a crime. It was taking justice into one's own hands. Being the judge, jury, and executioner. I don't get any more time to think on the matter before a piece of sequined material is being waved in my face.

"Here ya go!" Diane beams brightly. "This is the best one I have and despite you having bigger boobs than me," she sends a pointed glare at Meliodas. "This should look fantastic on you!"

"Uh," I sputter, completely surprised by the very sudden change in topic as I take the odd material in my hand. "What's this?"

"A dress silly!" She shakes her head with a small chuckle. She holds it out for me to see and I notice it's a long black evening gown. "It may even look better on you than me, since your butt's smaller and all. Mine sticks out a bit when I wear this."

"You have a nice butt Diane," King insists, not even bothering to look up from the laptop he's bent over. "You in that dress is a gift to the earth."

Diane pinks lightly, a bashful smile on her face. Ban and Meliodas share a chuckle.

"Only smooth when he's not paying attention," Ban pokes the man's cheeks.

King looks up and blinks to refocus his eyes. "What?"

"Nothing," Meliodas smirks at him.

He scowls and returns to his work.

"What…" I start and then shake my head thinking better of it. Instead I take the dress Diane brought for me. "I need this because…?"

I glance at Meliodas, a smug smile dancing across his features. "We're going to a party."

"Right now?"

"It's fucking three in the morning. The kinda party you're going to starts at a much more respectable time," Ban chortles from his spot peering over King's shoulder.

I have a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach. "Who's all going?

"Just you and me, Princess," Meliodas speaks over Ban. "It'll be like a date!"

I'm so close to punching him in the face, when Diane speaks. "Ops, I forgot shoes. You should come with me anyways," she grabs my hand and drags me out the way we came in. All I catch before the door shuts behind us, is Meliodas waving with a smug grin on his face. "You'll wanna be well rested tomorrow and we gotta brainstorm ideas for your hair!"

Speaking of hair, "where are your pigtails?" I haven't seen her in anything but for the past four days. Now her hair is pulled back in a practical pony.

"Huh?" She sends me a confused glance. "Oh, I only wear those for work. Men leave bigger tips when I do that, some girls too. Not sure what it is about them, but people really like a girl in skin tight clothes paired with pigtails. I think the only way I'd make more money was if I was wearing a pleated skirt and a low cut button up." She giggled. "Not that I haven't had to do that before."

For the first time I find myself curious about what Diane did before she became a Sin. She's been the only one fully staffed at the bar along with Meliodas. The other two, and Gowther, seem to come and go. The question is on the tip of my tongue as she continues pulling me along up to her room.

Only once we are fully in her room and the door is shut, does she let go of my hand. The room is a bit smaller than my own, but it could just be the amount of stuff she has making it feel that way. Like her personality, the room is bright and colorful; pinks, purples, and oranges cover the walls, sheets, curtains… even the large vanity against the wall next to the bathroom door is spattered with different shades of pink paint - a strangely artistic choice, but I wasn't exactly in any position to judge. I was also surprised by how messy the room appeared. There were clothes spilling out of every drawer and the closet like fountains. Which was also strange as I'd never really seen her in anything but her work uniform. Some of these pieces looked pretty fashionable...

As I examine her room, Diane prattles on about which shoes would fit me and if I should wear red ones to add a splash of color or just black ones. Diane even pulls me over to the closet and shows me a few of the other options she had for dresses. We both decide the one she first picked was best.

It was like the sleepovers I would have with my friends as a child.

It was nice having someone I could hang out like this again. It had been a long time.

It was about the same time that thought crossed my mind that I realize my mistake. And the true purpose of this "hangout".

"Diane…" I say her name cautiously, not wanting to poke the scary side she seems to have. "Can we go back to that room?"

She turns her bright amethyst eyes on me. We study each other for a minute before she sighs heavily. "Why don't you just come out with what you really wanna say?"

I nibble my lip. How is it possible for her to be able to read me so easily? "They left, didn't they? As soon as you got me up the stairs. That's why you all were dressed so odd."

"You got it," she winks and points a finger gun at me.

I scowl. "Why didn't you go?" I ask even though I already know the answer.

"Someone had to keep an eye on you," she tilts her head slightly as a teasing smile pulls at her lips. "It was either me or Meliodas."

"Ugh," I groan. I suppose it could be worse though, so I sigh. "Thank you for staying behind."

She chuckles. "No problem. I don't get many chances to hang out with other women, it's a nice change of pace." She sits down on her bed, pulling her knees up. "Though, it'd be better if you weren't a cop."

"And it'd be better if you weren't a vigilante," I reply before I can think better of it. Starting a fight with her is definitely not in my best interest. But it's hard to deny the mixed feelings I have about her right now. It was too easy to slip into that "friends" mindset with Diane, and in all honesty, there was a part of me that resented the fact that we couldn't be friends. Real friends.

Diane smiles and shakes her head. "You're funny."

"How so?" I'm getting pretty sick of not being in on all the jokes that go on around this place.

"You use vigilante, not criminal - even though, in the laws eyes, they're pretty much one in the same." We stare at each other, and again I wonder why I'm making that distinction. Like I was trying to convince myself that they weren't the bad guys here.

It was a long moment of my own contemplative silence that invites Diane to speak again. This time, her voice is soft, almost reassuring, "We aren't bad people, Elizabeth." She says almost reading my mind, and my eyes widen at the use of my name. I've hardly heard it the past few days and never once was it from Diane. There's a pang of guilt in my chest that I can't ignore as I watch her.

Something's wrong with me. I'm letting these people sway me with sweet words and kind looks. I can't let myself be taken in. I swallow, urging that guilty feeling away.

Another moment of silence before the brunnette drums on her knees awkwardly and then hops to her feet, "You better get to bed. Don't bother waiting up for them or trying to sneak out again. I'll know if you leave your room."

Then she pushes me into the hall and shuts the door.

I don't even consider stepping out of line. I go straight to my room.

I don't remember falling asleep; but I dreamt of a life less complicated, where I was friends with a bubbly brunette.

The following day passes in a blur. The next thing I know, Diane is getting me ready for the party. I'm wearing the stunning black sequined dress she showed me the night before while the brunette is dressed in much the same thing she was last night.

"What are you guys doing tonight?" I can't help but ask. I think I'd rather go along with whatever they're doing than be forced to a formal party with Meliodas. Then again, considering the mixed feelings I have for Diane, I suppose I'd rather be locked in my room.

"Hmm?" She hums as she finishes curling a piece of my hair. "Don't worry about it. We can talk when we're all back here."

I frown but accept her answer anyway.

"Aaand done!" She says, brushing a curl here, and pulling another one into place there, "Go on, take a look!" Diane spins me around in the chair and smiles brightly at me. I stare at my reflection in the mirror, unable to remember the last time I'd been this… dressed up.

My hair is curled loosely down my back with a few strands pulled back into a half updo. Diane was right that her dress would fit me, if not a little tight in the bust. "It's a bit… lower cut than I'm used to," I admit as I finger the long slit going up my left thigh. "I don't usually show so much skin."

"You and I went through my closet last night. This is the most modest dress I have," Diane rolls her eyes at my reluctance. "I don't know why you don't show off your figure more. You're a total babe! Meliodas is gunna be one lucky bastard walking in with you on his arm."

I groan at the reminder of my "date".

"It'll be fine," she insists with a kind smile - reminding me of the pep talks my sisters would give me growing up. "He's really not so bad when you get to know him. That I know everything act that he does isn't always there. Just… most of the time." Diane chuckles to herself. I scowl as she leads me out of the room. "Eventually you just learn to ignore it."

I doubted I would ever get to such a level of familiarity with the man.

The bar was still open, at least for the next hour, so the moment I hit the main floor, I caught the attention of everyone still nursing their drinks. I don't think I've ever actually witnessed a man's jaw hit the floor in response to my presence, but tonight I seemed to be in luck as at least four did just that. Others hooted and hollered from across the room. I feel like a piece of meat surrounded by a pack of dogs.

"Holy shit…"

I'm so caught up in my embarrassment, I don't hear Meliodas come up beside me until his voice cuts through the ruckus in the bar. My face is burning, so it takes me a moment to glance over to him. With one peek, I can feel the the rest of my body ignite in a flush.

Meliodas is staring at me, eyes wide. But it's different than the other stares I'm getting. It's making my stomach do weird flips. What the hell is wrong with me?

A low whistle allows me a minor distraction as I contemplate maiming whoever that was. To my glee, I find it's Ban. "Looking good, Princess~!" He cackles as he steps up next to Diane, and King. I hadn't even noticed them watching us. "You clean up nice." Ban continues, giving me a crooked grin that has me wanting to follow through with my plan of harming him.

Too bad I'd stain Diane's dress.

"I know right!?" Diane beams widely. The girl is buzzing with excitement. Only King's hand on the small of her back seems to be keeping her from bouncing off the walls. "I have to say I do some damn good work!" She boasts and then pauses turning to me. Her amethyst eyes sweep up and down my form. "Actually. I think I did too good of a job. Princess looks better than I do in that dress!"

"That isn't possible," King mumbles next to her.

Ban snorts and makes some joke that I can't hear. Which of course, sends the three of them into some kind of argument.

The blonde shifts next to me, reminding me of the reason I was searching for a distraction in the first place. "It's just a dress. No big deal." I mutter, unable to control my complexion. The group of three doesn't acknowledge my words but I swear I hear a low chuckle from Meliodas. In my flustered state, I can't make eye contact with him for more than a moment at a time.

The next time I meet his eyes, though, he's recovered from his own surprise and there's a soft grin on his lips, "Whatever you say, Princess." He then offers me his arm, again reminding me of the chivalry of a true gentleman, "Shall we be off then?" he asks me teasingly. As if I had a choice in the matter.

I eye his arm and him respectively - taking in the sharp black suit he's wearing, then loop my arm around his so he can lead me out of the bar and into the night. A night, I'm sure, I will not soon forget.

Dom: Annnnnd… There! Done. *Hands Luv a mirror to show her the make-over she'd given her*

Luv: *blinks at herself in the mirror* Oh… um… whoa. I don't even look like me.

Dom: *Pouts* You don't like it.

Luv: No, no, I didn't mean it like that! *panics* I just... *pauses and leans closer to the mirror* Is that… a french fry in my hair?

Dom: *Teary eyed* It's the latest fashion overseas!

Luv: Okay… if you're sure...

Dom: *Big tearful puppy-dog eyes* You don't believe me?!

Luv: Of course I do! But… Is this kind of style really, uh, appropriate? *tugs the french fry out of her hair.* We're just going to the mall...

Dom: *Bursts into crocodile tears, taking the french fry from luv and cradling it gently for some strange reason*

Luv: Oh gosh no! Please don't cry! *tries to comfort Dom without much luck* How about you give the readers the preview of next chapter? Will that make it better? *rubs soothing circles on Dom's back*

Dom: *Continues crying but gives the preview anyway* Next…*sniff* Time on Don't Trust Me: *Hic* El-Elizabeth finds herself in a change of scenery. *Blows Nose* From rags to riches; can she fake her way through a high-class, high-stakes party she has no place being at? *sniff, sniff* Her improvisational skills - and self control - are put to the test. *cradles the french fry even closer*

Luv: There, there, it'll be alright. *Dom continues crying and mumbling something to the french fry* Note to self… when Dom asks me to go to the mall, just say I'll meet her there… See you guys next time!