Well I'll be writing this story a bit different from here on out. I'm having a hard time writing the thoughts of the characters, I feel like I need to choose a perspective, or character, or something, and stick to it. I'm going to try writing thoughts in Italics as well, to help differentiate between regular narrative, thoughts, and "dialogue." Something I should've been doing from the start I think, but hey, it's my first time! I'll go back in and edit some more on chapters 1-3 soon. Anyways, if you don't like my changes, or you think I should drink bleach, let me know with some feedback! Thanks for reading!

Chapter 4 What Makes a Good Man

The Black Lagoon and her crew were nearing the end of a solid week of constant jobs out at sea, and everyone aboard was antsy to return to Roanapur. With Revy only slightly recovered from her injury, and the repair job on the Lagoon Company building nearing completion, they all were ready for some R&R on solid ground.

Rock tried to count how many times he's sat on the bow, smoking like he was now, watching the Blind Buddha come into his tired line of sight, and exit it. He wore an exhausted expression on his face as he stared once again, at the city he's grown to love and hate, slowly come closer and closer.

His thoughts then worked their way towards the possible reasons why they've been working so hard for a straight week, and not actually taking that so-called vacation. He came to his first conclusion.

The amount of jobs we've been doing... I'm starting to wonder if Dutch actually got the cheapest insurance money can buy.

Rock scratched his head as he thought out loud. "We've been running in and out of Roanapur, and all around the South China Sea for a whole week. I bet he's trying to scrape up the rest of the dough for those deck mounted guns."

Revy stepped out from the shadow cast by the Lagoon's cab, where she had stood watching Rock for some time.

She let out an exaggerated sigh, "Yeah, that's a great theory, professor Rokuro. So fucking what if he is?! Do you got a problem with us having more firepower? Mr. pacifist."

Rock turned and looked over his shoulder from where he sat. His gaze met her eyes as he spoke to her, "It's not really my place to make those decisions, so no, I don't have a problem with it Revy."

Revy slowly walked over to Rock. She was uneasy, now being officially back on her feet.

She said, "Well look at you, all knowing your place now like a good doggie."

Rock had no response for her, he just faced forward and continued to stare off into the distance, exhaling smoke. This prompted Revy to walk up and stand behind him, and pat him lightly on the head like a dog.

Trying to be funny, Rock let out a meek sounding, "Woof woof."

The patting stopped, and Rock turned around to see Revy's reaction.

She had a hand on her wound, and was looking at him with a smile on her face. Her hair whipped around in the air that flowed over the Lagoon, as it changed direction while idling along. The sun was now shining behind her, and Rock took a brief moment to capture that image in his mind. The smile that was on her face was a genuine one.

How Rock knew this? It was the same smile he gets when he offers to go out drinking with her. No hints of impending violence, no twisted expression accompanying it. It was a warm smile, the kind Rock likes to see on her face. One of the main reasons that he goes to the Yellow Flag with her so often, is to elicit that kind of reaction, and to simply make her happy.

The woman does love to drink.

Revy dropped the smile. "You're getting better with the jokes Rock, though, you really ought to stay away from anything that requires you know... A man's voice?"

Rolling his eyes, Rock turned around and watched as the Lagoon Company Building came closer.

Revy continued her light patting on his head, standing close behind him.

Rock mumbled under his breath, "Well at least I can still walk straight."

Outraged, Revy shouted, "EXCUSE ME?!"

Revy then proceeded to pat Rock on the top of his head again, though it was much harder, and with a balled fist. She began another one of her verbal assaults, arms flailing in the air as she screamed him out.

Dutch sat at the controls of the Lagoon. He had seen some of their exchanges on the bow of the Lagoon before, but this one made him wonder.

Dutch spoke over his shoulder, "Benny boy, I want to place another bet."

Benny wheeled over to better hear Dutch, "What is it?" He said.

"Well first, you got to come get a look at this."

Benny stood and left his room, wandered over, and looked through the window to see what was unfolding.

Benny said, "Did we miss something Dutch? They really do look like a happy couple right now."

Dutch replied, "I don't think we have, but I bet you this is a continuation of whatever went on at Revy's apartment."

Benny asked, "Do you think they did the deed?"

"Noo, I doubt it. Rock wouldn't risk injuring her, and as you can see, she's recovering quite fast. Whoah, ha! I think it's gonna happen soon though!" Dutch chuckled, seeing Revy go ballistic on Rock.

Benny pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose, He proposed a bet, "You know, I think you might be right this time Dutch. Twenty dollars says this week it happens."

Dutch scratched where his glasses sat perched on his ears. "Okay, I'll match that bet, but mine's on next week."

After Revy finished her outburst, she came back down below deck. Her hands were twitching, and she had a murderous expression on her face. She was still very furious over Rock's comment, and neither Benny nor Dutch dared even a glance at her. She stormed off to her cot, growling under her breath.

Dutch noticed the fuel gauge was quite low, so he pointed the Lagoon in the direction of their refueling station. It wasn't far from the company building. It was a large capsized ship, washed up partially onto the shore, overgrown with plant and sea matter. Quite similar to the one they launched off when they took on the attack chopper. It was considerably smaller than that ship, but it was nearby, and it had become the perfect place to keep their fuel stocks hidden.

If you've spent any time in a place like Roanapur, you'll quickly learn one of the many harsh realities; if it isn't locked up, or nailed down, you might as well put up neon lights that spell out steal me. It may be that way in most big cities, but Roanapur had a special case of that. Dutch never fills the main fuel storage at the Lagoon building unless he knows he'll be mostly on land for over a couple months.

Dutch spoke into his earpiece, "Time to roll up those white-collar sleeves Rock, it's your turn filling her up today."

Rock heard him clearly in his own earpiece. "Alright, I'm on it." He replied.

He got up and walked towards the Lagoon's engine room. After climbing down inside, Rock walked through to the forward cargo hold to grab a large keyring and flashlight. He made sure not to disturb Revy, who laid on her cot flicking through a magazine full of guns and scantily clad women.

After returning up onto the Lagoon's deck, Rock tossed his cigarette into the water, and jumped across the gap to the bridge of the overturned ship. He then worked his way around inside, managing to run his head into his surroundings only once. After finding the hatch with the oversized padlock, Rock let himself inside the waterlogged room.

Shining the flashlight around, Rock saw six large cylindrical tanks all connected by a main line. They were suspended from the side of the ship, which was the roof in his case.

Well those look like they're a new addition.

Rock saw part of an old gasoline pump that looked like it belonged at a 1950's gas station, attached to one tank. His light then shined over a rope ladder hanging down to the water line. He climbed up and unrolled the extra-long hose from a large spool that also was attached to the hull, and dropped the slack into the water below, causing a loud splash. He then carried the nozzle back outside, dolling out the excess hose as he went.

After fueling up, Rock returned the hose, but forgot to bring the flashlight with him. He fumbled the nozzle in the dark, accidentally soaking his shirt and dress pants with a splash of high-octane fuel. He also managed to trip and fall into the gunk which floated atop the knee-high water, as he very clumsily made his way out of the waterlogged ship.

When Rock was finished, he stood inside the Black Lagoon's engine compartment, covered in filth. He radioed his boss, "All done Dutch, I checked the fluids twice and went through the rest of the checklist, we're all ready to go in here."

Dutch replied, "Allrighty Rock, good work, we'll be on solid ground again in no time. We've got visitors waiting for us at HQ, so get yourself cleaned up, or at least changed. I swear, I could smell you through the bulkhead."

Rock replied into his earpiece, "Yeah, don't I know it."

Rock looked at his hands, and wiped them on his already ruined shirt. He had grease, fuel, and smelly grime all over his clothing.

Dammit! I liked this outfit.

Hating the smell that clung to him and his clothes, Rock stripped down to his boxers and tossed his grubby clothing into a pile in the corner. He decided he'd grab them later when they clean out the Lagoon in port.

Rock remembered that he kept three full changes of clothes in the forward cargo hold. They just so happened to be in a large suitcase, one that sat under a certain woman's cot.

Here we go again...

He quietly entered the forward cargo hold and walked over to Revy's cot, kneeling slowly to grab his suitcase. Rock heard a sniff and a noise of disgust come from Revy as he went to reach underneath. A boot clad leg moved down and in Rock's way, stopping his attempt. He got a handful of Revy's shapely, scarred, and well-toned thigh instead.

Peering around her magazine with a raised brow, Revy asked, "What in the fuck do you think you're doing Rock?!"

Rock stared up at her with the expression of an innocent deer caught in the headlights.

She shrieked, "And whyYY THE FUCK ARE YOU NAKED?!" She began to blush profusely.

"I-I'm Not.."

Revy proceeded to kick Rock square in the chest, with the flat of her boot. He fell flat onto his back, onto the floor next to her cot. He took a moment to wheeze heavily, trying to catch his breath. Revy just stared at him with a shocked expression from where she laid on her cot. She held up the magazine to cover most of her reddened face, except for her eyes. She noticed he had boxers on, red plaid ones, and that they outlined his features quite well.

Rock let out a small cough before he said, "I was trying to get my clothes..." Rock coughed again. "From my suitcase Revy."

Revy's let out a silent sigh of relief, though there was a hint of disappointment in it as well.

She returned to her usual self. "Oh really? Well, why don't you speak up next time, moron!"

"Well I.."

She threw the magazine at Rock, who caught it in the face right as he sat up. Revy then sat herself up and leaned over the cot, pulling the suitcase out from underneath for him.

Pushing the suitcase across the room with an outstretched leg, Revy said, "Here, go on ahead..." She caught another whiff of Rock. "Damn! You fucking smell like shit Rock! Just take it and get the hell out of here, fuck!"

Rock let out a sigh.

It's times like these I really miss the clean space of a well-maintained office.

Revy pinched her nose and turned away. "What are you hanging around for? Just take the damn suitcase and go, Christ." She said.

"Okay, okay, I'll go." Rock stood and made his exit.

That went about as well as expected.

Rock worked his way back into the bunk area, and placed the suitcase onto one nearby. He then fumbled with the large combination padlock he kept on it, until it clicked. He opened it up, and was greeted with a bright stack of orange & yellow Hawaiian shirts with sandals, in the place of his usual office attire.

Rock held one of the shirts up, with and glared at it with an irate expression on his face. His right eye twitched.

That... Witch! She should know not to mess with my clothes by now. This is the last straw!

Rock balled up the shirt and tossed it back into the suitcase, slamming it shut.

He ranted to himself as he started making his way back to Revy in the forward cabin. "Oh, I'm going to give her an earful.."

Dutch cut in over the radio, "Alrighty people, finally, we have arrived."

Everyone chimed in, muttering curses and words of relief over the comms, everybody except for Rock.

Fed up with the situation at hand, Rock made a snap decision. He stretched his arms behind his back, straightened his posture, and made his way towards the nearest exit.

Rock exited the Lagoon last, emerging from the engine compartment. He acted no different in his demeanor as he made his way over to the side of the Lagoon, and hopped onto the pier where the rest of the company stood conversating.

With Mr. Chang and his armed escort.

Rock stood barefoot, in nothing but his plaid boxers, smelling like absolute ass, blissfully unaware of the bright red boot shaped imprint on his chest. It was beginning to bruise quite colorfully.

Benny, Revy, and all of Chang's armed guards turned their noses away or covered them, trying to avoid the stench wafting from Rock.

Dutch palmed his forehead and spoke in a dangerous tone, "Please tell me you're not going off your rocker again Rock."

"No, no I'm not Dutch."

Rock wore a plain expression as he approached Chang. He offered an outstretched hand to the Triad boss. "It's good to see you again Mr. Chang, how have things been with you lately?"

Even with his signature black sunglasses on, Chang's expression was clearly one of open-mouthed shock. His expression shifted into a bright smile soon after though, and a deep belly laugh began to erupt from the man. He shook Rock's hand vigorously, and the two men smiled.

Chang said, "Ohhh man, it's good to see you too Rock! And here I thought I had a rough time on my vacation." Chang chuckled some more. "You never cease to amaze me Rock, I have to say, you really are quite the enigma." Chang paused to eye Rock again. "Now I won't ask! But I know, that you know, that you don't want to go around giving people the wrong idea Rock. We know some very important people rely on you for your civility here in Roanapur."

Rock pointed a finger at Revy and replied, "You have her to thank for my current state, she decided it would be cute to swap out my spare change of clothes I kept aboard the Lagoon for some god-awful Hawaiian shirts and sandals."

"Oh yeah!? Well that doesn't mean you have to start acting like some fucking nutcase in front of boss Chang!" She hollered.

"Relax Revy, you should know that clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society. You took that away from him, so it's safe to say you'll be treading a thin line for a while with this one two-hands." Chang warned her, gesturing to Rock.

Revy replied sarcastically, "Ha! Yeah, I'm suuure I will be."

Dutch perked up when Chang spoke, smiling when he recognized who he quoted. "I should've figured you a fan of Mark Twain." Dutch stepped forward and motioned towards the office. "I've been told by Balalaika the office was rebuilt and furnished first, shall we continue this conversation upstairs Mr. Chang?"

"Fine by me Dutch, lead the way."

As the group made their way up and into the office, Chang tried to convince Dutch to switch to his insurance. He told Dutch that he would have been eligible for a company hot tub with the amount of money he's put up for Balalaika's plan. Rock ended up getting lost in his own thoughts as he half listened to the group. Just the sight of Chang had him back thinking of how he could de-throne him, and all of the other mob bosses in Roanapur once again.

Well I suppose one is already taken care of. Whether or not the Italian-American seat will be filled again remains to be seen. Perhaps I could get more information on that situation from Balalaika somehow...

The group entered the main seating area in the Lagoon Company building. They sat on the new couches and chairs surrounding a nice oak coffee table. Benny sat the hard drive that he had been carrying on the table between the Lagoon Company and Mr. Chang's armed entourage. He then sat down on the couch beside Dutch.

Rock stopped and watched the exchange quietly by the door, behind Chang. His whirling thoughts quieted themselves quickly when he saw the hard drive get set on the coffee table. The feeling in the room shifted in that moment.

Chang reached into his black trench coat, and pulled out a small brown paper bag. He sat up took the hard drive, placing the bag where it once sat.

"Before we talk about this here," Chang gestured with the hard drive in one hand. "And everything else that has transpired Dutch, please allow me to give you some housewarming gifts. Do pardon the poor packaging, it was a gift from a friend of mine. Unfortunately, he has since passed on, though we used to exchange bottles on the regular as a formality."

Dutch sat up from his own laid-back position on the other couch, and grabbed the paper bag. He ended up pulling out a bottle of vintage Ardbeg 1973 Moncrieffe from it, causing his jaw to drop for a brief moment.

"Heh, that's one hell of a housewarming gift. Come on now, didn't you get me anything?" Revy asked.

"I'm sorry two-hands, but I'm afraid I'm all out of goodies." Chang teased her sarcastically, smiling.

This caused Revy to look away and growl. She stood up from her chair beside Dutch, and wandered over to get a beer out of the fridge nearby. The conversation continued.

Dutch made his statement, "Okay, what's the premise for this Mr. Chang? I happen to recall failing to hold up our end of the transaction."

Chang motioned to one of his armed guards, who came over and bent down so he could speak into his ear. The guard stood after receiving his orders, and took two of the five others, walking off down the main hall, entering rooms.

"Your next housewarming gift is more of a necessity rather than a nicety, I hope you don't mind Dutch. I can't continue until my guards sweep the premises for bugs and the like."

"Actually, I had planned on doing that myself later today, so no, I don't mind." Dutch replied, as he eyed the bottle in his hand.

Chang smiled a wolfish grin. "That's a special bottling Dutch. One meant for the Italian market."

"Well, you sure kept some interesting company Mr. Chang." Dutch smiled back at him.

"He wasn't much company Dutch, in fact, my only interest in him was for his taste in fine wines and liquor."

"Oh, is that right." Dutch remarked, focusing on the bottle again.

Chang's guards came back out into the main seating area. All three were carrying telescopic handheld mirrors, and flashlights. The one guard left a handful of miniaturized listening devices on the coffee table, and then they all began lifting up the office ceiling tiles around the group, inspecting the space directly above them for more bugs.

Dutch set the Ardbeg Moncrieffe back on the table, swapping it out for some of the bugs that Chang's men had recovered. He held each one up individually, and then began crushing them one by one.

Benny sat and watched in horror as two bugs got smashed. He finally spoke up, "Hey! Hold on Dutch, save me some of them ok? I might be able to do something with those." Benny took and pocketed the remaining bugs on the table.

"You serious Benny?" Dutch asked.

"Yep, I think I may be able to repurpose them, or sell them for a decent price actually. That's if they find the main transmitter." Just then, right behind Benny, a guard knocked down a ceiling tile and caught a black box that fell down with it.

Chang said, "Heh, well it looks like it's your lucky day then."

The guard handed the transmitter and remaining bugs to Benny, who muttered his thanks to them. He observed his new tech with gleeful eyes.

"Please, make sure you take those outside, I really don't like having them around." Chang said.

Benny inspected the transmitter for a few more seconds. "Oh, uhh, ok, I'm going to make a quick run into town then, I think I'll need some new screwdriver heads, might even have some new ones made by the looks of it. I'll see you all later then." He wandered over to the door as he spoke to the group, and then made his exit.

Dutch said, "Hmm, I wonder how long those have been there. Come to think of it, it's been a while since I've fumigated the place."

Chang replied, "Come on now Dutch, you and I both know the answer to that."

Rock hated listening to Chang speak, in fact, while he was out at sea, he constantly found himself wishing it was Chang and his men getting gunned down in the battle that transpired a week ago.

He just loves the sound of his own voice, I can't stand it! People who think their own shit doesn't stink should take a deep breath of their own pile for once. Wait, I swear I've heard something like that before...

Rock's persisting lack of clothes was beginning to draw attention again. Chang's guards had begun glancing at him as they busied themselves putting the ceiling tiles back. Some had expressions of humor on their faces, others had suspicion in their eyes. Revy's gaze had kept bobbing back and forth between Rock and the conversation, non-stop. Chang was going on about how Dutch shouldn't trust Balalaika as far as he could throw her, when he suddenly stopped mid-sentence.

Rock quit breathing as the room fell silent.

Chang cocked his head slightly. Realizing that Rock was still in the room behind him, he said, "Hey Rock? You know, you should go and get yourself cleaned up buddy, you'll feel much better if you do. Oh, and you might want to put some ice on the boot mark on your chest, you'll be lucky not to feel that one in the morning."

Caught red handed. "Oh, uhh yeah, that's a good idea." He replied.

Yeah right, message received Mr. Chang. Well I guess it's only fair I can't eavesdrop on their conversation. I'm just glad he didn't have me killed back then.

Rock walked out of the room and down the hall to the bathroom, not hearing one word being said behind him. He let himself inside, and put his ear to the door.

Damn, I can't make out what they're saying.

After a minute of listening to faint muffled voices, Rock gave up. He decided a shower really would do him better. He finished up showering feeling clean, but not at all refreshed. The constant week of work with little sleep was beginning to catch up with him. He wrapped his lower half with the white bath towel he had used, and left the bathroom as quietly as he could.

I hope I haven't missed all of the conversation.

Rock's movement toward the utility closet paused when he overheard laughter.

"Ohhh boy, Ha! Now If that isn't the truth Dutch, I really don't know what is." Chang said, coming down off the laughter.

"Well Mr. Chang, I gotta say, I'm very happy we've cleared up the misunderstanding." Dutch said.

Dammit! I guess I missed out on the good bits after all, oh well.

Disappointed, Rock tuned out the conversation, even though he was walking closer to it on his way to the utility closet. He opened it, fumbling through the clothing that was hung up, looking for his other backup change of clothing that he kept at the office.

He found them, and paying no attention of his surroundings, Rock dropped his towel to the floor, dressing himself like he does every morning in a quick, efficient, and autonomous manner. He was missing a tie, so he wore his white dress shirt with the top three buttons undone. Rock also failed to notice that his shirt and pants had bullet holes in them, most of them having perforated his shirt.

Rock closed the closet door. Turning around, he ended up face to face with Revy, causing him to jump out of surprise.

"Oh! Heyy, Revyy, I didn't hear you.. OW!" Rock yelped.

Revy smacked him in the chest with the back of her hand, pushing him aside.

"I hope you realize Rock, you kind of showed everybody your naked ass when you put your pants on. Now get out of my way, idiot." She walked past him, into the restroom.

Both Dutch and Chang were scowling, staring at Rock silently. Some of Chang's guards looked angry or uncomfortable, and the others held back hints of humorous smirks from creeping on their faces.

Rock stared back at them with dark circles under his eyes, and scratched his head while wearing an embarrassed expression. He muttered, "Uhh heyy, listen guys, I'm really sorry about that, I have this routine I do.."

Chang held up a hand, stopping Rock's explanation with the simple gesture.

"Don't worry about it Rock, I was just about to leave anyways." He said.

Dutch spoke up, "Boss Chang, I apologize for the behavior of my employee. I really hope this hasn't soured relations between us."

Chang stood to leave and said, "No, not at all, you've got nothing to worry about. I too, am very glad we were able to sort that problem out Dutch. And don't expect me to stop calling on you for your services, there is no other entity quite like Lagoon Company here in Roanapur. Besides, in this kind of world, we're all entitled to slip up once in a while."

Dutch rose up and shook his hand. He replied with a smile, "Thank you, very much, Boss Chang."

Chang and his guards made their way over to the door, with one of them opening it for their boss. Chang stopped in the open doorway, and turned around to face Rock and Dutch.

"There is something I need you to do Rock. I know I'm the last person you want to receive orders from, but I mean this when I say it, please take care of Revy. One look at her tells me she isn't even at 50% of her fighting capacity. She might heal well, but she should be taken to check back in with the doctor she visited. That woman will lose her mind soon if she can't get back to what she does best. And, you know you need her to survive in a place like this."

Rock was surprised by the request. "O-okay, I'll be sure to do that." He replied.

"As much as we may dislike one another Rock, I'm sure we can both understand that squandering the presence of a companion like her should be a crime."

"Yeah, I guess you're right about that." He pondered what Chang told him.

Chang waved at the two men and said, "Dutch, I'll call you again when I got something up your alley, enjoy that Ardbeg my friend." He made his exit.

"Oh I certainly will, and you have a good evening Mr. Chang." Dutch replied, shutting the door behind the last guard.

Dutch turned around to face Rock. "Well you heard the man, the sun may be setting, but you've got a priority that needs tending to Rock. I can't have our gunman underperforming, so I'll call ahead and let the doc know you're coming. I put on some coffee when you were in the shower, grab some and wake yourself up. I'll be cleaning out and getting the lagoon ready for her new additions, so call me if something comes up." Dutch made for the other door.

Rock nodded his head yes. "Wait, so we were working to get those guns after all." He said.

"You know I've been meaning to do it for some time Rock, and I wasn't about to stick Boss Chang with the bill. We did fail to finish the job after all." Dutch said.

"True." Rock said, scratching his head.

"Hey, why don't you stop by the Yellow Flag tonight Rock. I'm going to buy us all some drinks, and I know Revy's been done with her pain meds for a few days now, so it wouldn't hurt to get some liquor back in her system." Dutch said.

"Yeah I agree, I'll be there." Rock said, rubbing his chest.

As Dutch went on down to work on the Lagoon, Rock walked over and got the coffee Dutch brewed for him. He downed one cup immediately, and filled another.

Revy emerged from a steamed up bathroom, to see Rock leaning on the closet door with a cup of coffee in his hand. He was tapping his foot out of impatience, appearing to have been waiting for her. She tied her long hair back into her usual ponytail.

"Oh boy, what is it now." She said.

"Finally, okay, Revy, you need to come with me, Cha.. I mean I want you to go back to the doctor for your follow up visit. Dutch went ahead and called ahead for us, so we need to get going. Benny took the car, so we'll need to walk." Rock said.

Rock could tell that Revy was getting ready to boil over again after hearing that, so he downed the rest of his coffee, set down the mug, and swept her off her feet before she could get a word out.

"Prick." Revy muttered, giving up before she started.

Rock carried her over and stopped next to the closed door.

He gazed into her eyes and repeated what Chang had said earlier. "Squandering your presence should be a crime."

Revy's eyes went wide at his statement, and the beginnings of a blush began to appear on her face.

Rock cracked a grin and adjusted his hold on her. "Could you get the door please." He asked.

Revy growled and opened the door.

Rock chuckled. "Thank you for your cooperation." He said plainly.

Revy scowled at him, and flicked him in the chest.

He was descending the stairs slowly. "Ouch! Hey, if your too much trouble, I'll just have to drop you Revy."

"Well if you do that, I'll just have to shoot you dead." Revy replied, grinning.

He smiled back. "Yep, and I'd deserve it."

"Mhmm." Revy replied quietly.

She hooked her arms around his neck, and rested her head on his shoulder, not saying another word. Rock lumbered along, carrying Revy under another sunset enveloping Roanapur and the shimmering South China Sea. It was a beautiful one, like the heavens were casting a vivid multi-color glow down upon the earth.

The sun had set by the time Rock and Revy entered a street on the outskirts of town. A large M35A2 deuce and a half cargo truck came screeching around the corner up ahead. It roared down the street, passing by both of them.

Rock kept on moving, not paying it much mind. Revy on the other hand, had recognized the white and black nuns' habit the driver was wearing. She locked eyes with the driver, and smiled a wicked grin at her, watching the vehicle pass by.

Eda stared at the image before her with her jaw hanging open, not paying attention to the road at all. She had witnessed a tired, battered, and sweaty Rock carrying Revy under the streetlights.

"Whaaat!" Eda exclaimed.

bump.. DING-CRRUNCH!

"FUCK!" Eda shrieked. She steered the deuce and a half back onto the street.

Revy erupted in laughter in Rock's arms after watching what had happened over his shoulder. "Ha! Looks like our holy sister took out a stop sign. Well, I know why, and I bet I'm never gonna hear the end of this now." She said.

Rock replied plainly, "So that's what that was, huh."

He was showing signs of exhaustion as he huffed along, still carrying Revy. The two were only a few blocks away from the doctor's place.

Revy said, "You know, I am able walk now Rock."

"We're almost there Revy." He was wheezing as he kept on going.

She wriggled in his arms. "Set me down! I can walk from here, you moron!"

Rock exhaled, "O-ooohhhkayy hhooo!" He set her down on her feet.

Revy eyed Rock, who was standing with his hands behind his head, still huffing, covered in sweat. "Were you a jogger back in japan?" She asked.

Rock eyed her with a perplexed expression. He wiped the sweat from his face with his shirt sleeve, replying in between breaths, "That question came out of nowhere, I wasn't exactly running. That being said, yes, I was, when I had the time. I admit I've let myself go quite a bit, since I've been here in Roanapur."

"Hmm, well you're not that far gone Rock, I mean, you can still return to that picturesque happy life in Japan anytime you want you know." Revy said.

"I really don't appreciate that Revy, we've been over this many times already. I'm not going anywhere." Rock replied, scowling.

Revy continued, "Well it sure seemed like life was better for you in Japan, considering all the.."

Rock wasn't going to hear it again. He interrupted, "Well it turns out! That I'm much happier here in Roanapur Revy. There, is that what you wanted to hear?"

"Well I'd say you sure picked a fucked up place to find your happi.."

BRRRT! KDOOSHK! BRRRT!

Revy was cut off by the sound of nearby gunfire. Instinctually, she drew a cutlass, and grabbed Rock by the collar. She dragged him into cover behind the front of a parked box truck, near the engine compartment.

BRAK!BRAKBRAKBRAK!

Rock had a bewildered expression on his face as he knelt next to Revy on the street curb.

Revy said, "Sounds like it was coming from the direction of the doctor's place."

BOOOOM!

Revy grinned wickedly. "Yup! I say we go fucking knock on the front door."

Rock's hand wrapped around the barrel of her cutlass. He wrenched it out of her grasp.

"U-hey!"

"No! You're not going off and getting yourself killed, you can't even run on your own yet, and I'm not about to let you drag me into a gun battle. The doctor's visit is going to have to wait till tomorrow, and that's if he is even alive tomorrow. I can cancel it."

Revy raised a fist towards Rock, "Fuck you! I can.."

Rock had enough, "NO! Now take this, and shut UP!" Rock wrapped a hand around her back, and pulled Revy's body closer, pressing her into his front. He shoved her cutlass back into its holster with his other hand, and then scooped her up off the ground once more.

Now Revy was the one wearing the bewildered expression. Her body bounced with Rock's pace as he quickly carried her away from the sounds of another gun battle.

"We're going to the Yellow Flag Revy. Dutch said he's going to buy us drinks tonight, but considering the circumstances, I believe you and me should get started early."

Revy's expression changed immediately, smiling, she snaked an arm around and up the back of his neck, and patted him on the back of the head.

"Good doggie." She chuckled.

The two were now walking side by side through main street Roanapur. Farther away from the gun battle, but not quite out of earshot. They both walked past a destroyed restaurant sporting crime scene tape all over the outside. Rock noticed that their surroundings had been silent for the last few minutes they've been walking, like the city was holding its foul breath.

Strange...

Rock took a brief glance at the wrecked business, and wondered what had happened there. He continued walking past it with Revy by his side. He fully understood now that something wasn't quite right, there were no flocks of reprobates outside any of the nearby businesses. He looked around and saw that the lights inside the buildings were all on, and the neon lights above the gambling hubs and dive bars were buzzing as always, but there was only two other people on the street with them.

A drunk stumbling along ahead of them, nursing a bottle, and a young prostitute leaning on a street lamp across the street, who had her back to them.

"What the fuck is going on? Where is everybody? This street should be packed with all kinds of freaks." Revy said.

Rock finally realized what else was different.

All of the doors have closed signs on them...

Rock suddenly stopped moving. The hair on the back of his neck stood up. Revy stopped too, sensing the change in her partner, a hand moved to a cutlass.

Rock connected the dots. At the same time, he had the gut instinct to get out of sight, so strong he felt it in his bones.

I need to.. We need to move, Now!

Without saying a word, Rock suddenly grabbed Revy by the wrist, and pulled her into the entrance of a nearby alley. He quickly unbuttoned his dress shirt, stripping himself down to a white sleeveless undershirt. He gave it to Revy.

Rock asked his partner in a quiet and urgent tone, "Put this on now, leave it unbuttoned, and Do. Not. Argue."

He had a sly look on his face as he spoke to her. It was a look he's rarely ever shown. Revy hated it, she thought it looked wrong on his face, but she did as she was told.

He grabbed her by her hips, and moved her further into the alley, out of the streetlight.

Revy's expression changed from bewildered to angry before she piped up, "H-hey! What in the fuck do you think you're.."

"Ssshhh-shut up!" Rock whispered worriedly, looking towards the street.

Not a moment later, the two of them heard a chorus of high pitch squeals coming from tires in the distance, and the sound of several car engines coming closer.

Rock said, "Give me your hands."

Not giving her a chance to reply, Rock grabbed her hands, and pinned her up against the dirty alley wall with his body. He placed one of her hands on his behind, and one on his back. He nestled his head under her hair, in the crook of her neck. He also placed one of his own hands on her lower back, and the other on the back of her neck. A lover's embrace.

Revy's eyes went wide as she began to blush a deep shade of red. She had no words for what he was doing to her. She could feel his breath on her neck, but she didn't dare move a muscle.

Rock said softly, "Don't say a word, just hold still unless someone comes past the alley, I'm not going to try anything."

About six black sedans came roaring past the alley, some with their windows rolled down. They stopped at the intersection nearby, and Rock thought he could hear some arguing between the people in the cars.

Sounds like they're speaking in Italian... And here I figured they were all wiped out...

After what seemed like an eternity, they heard the cars tear off into the distance. The two stood there, still holding one another.

Well it's a good thing my gut wasn't wrong! Mmmm, her warmth, it still feels the same as the night I spent in bed with her. I need to feel this again. And her hair smells so nice, cigarettes and shampoo... Mmm, and these legs... Wow.

"What are you doing with your hands?! Uhhh Rock? Hello!? Rock! RRRR!" Revy slammed her boot down on Rock's foot.

"OOO! OOOW! DAMMIT!"

Rock released Revy instantly, and backed up hopping on one leg. He leaned on the other side of the alleyway, holding his hurting foot, inspecting it.

"Oww Revy! Why'd you do tha.."

C-CLICK!

Rock froze when he heard that familiar sound, he looked up slowly, and found himself staring down both barrels of Revy's cutlasses.

As if a crushed foot and two 9mm Berettas aimed at him wasn't enough, Revy's expression was the nail in the coffin, so to speak.

Her eyes showed a brief flash of something very strange, but it was quickly replaced with a more dangerous expression. Not a single shred of a conscience could be seen in her eyes now, it was unnerving, though it was not enough to make Rock forget what he saw in that moment. He couldn't get over the strange look in her eyes, even staring down both barrels of her guns couldn't shake it from his mind.

I've seen that before... That's the same flash of something I saw in her eyes a week ago. Just what is that look?

Revy took a swift step back, and kicked Rock in the stomach with the toe of her boot. All the air left his body once again, and he doubled over onto the pavement, gasping for breath.

"Ihhhehh I'm sorryhhh Rev.."

Revy screamed, "SHUT THE FUCK UP ROCK! I DON'T WANT TO HEAR IT!" She jammed a cutlass into the back of Rock's head. She was trembling, teetering on the edge. If Rock didn't look up at her soon...

He shouted, "Well?! What do you want to hear Revy?!"

Rock was still breathing heavy from being kicked, but he stood up quickly, snapped his hand back, and grabbed her wrist. Revy didn't try to resist his strength, she just let him take the gun from her hand. He held it behind his back where she couldn't grab at it, which was quite the futile move, as she still had her other one pointed at him. Revy let him snatch her cutlass, mainly because she really just wanted to see if that same slime ball look was still in his eyes.

She was still unnerved over the expression she'd seen on his face before he embraced her. Revy didn't see Rock's usual sad softness in his eyes. Rather, she saw the eyes of a manipulator, a cunning quick-thinker, a special kind of monster here in Roanapur.

Revy knew that very few people have that kind of sly, calculating gaze. Most of those who did, were often the kind who pulled the strings behind the scenes in Roanapur. The type of people you that know are only seeing what benefit you are to them, when their attention is on you.

"I thought we were past this, this bullshit Revy!" Rock exclaimed, rubbing his stomach.

Revy holstered the cutlass in her off-hand, and wrapped her free hand around Rock's throat. She pushed him back up against the wall he had been leaned against, and pressed her lower body into his.

This time around, it was Rock who had a bewildered expression on his face.

"R-Revy, what are you doi.."

Revy flashed a sultry grin. "Oh shut the fuck up Rock. Now, can't you see I want something?" She teased.

She had her hand around his wrist, on the arm that held her other cutlass behind his back.

"I got a round in the chamber, so if you accidently shoot yourself in the ass, it's nobody's fault but yours." Revy said, plainly.

Revy took a step back from Rock, and he handed her gun back to her. She holstered it, and walked away from the situation, back into the streetlight.

She turned to him, and wearing the same warm smile that Rock's grown so accustomed to, she said, "Well? That Bacardi isn't going to drink itself, come on now, partner."

I swear, she really is insane.

Rock walked over into the light and stood next to her, wearing a guarded expression on his face. Revy slipped out of Rock's dress shirt, and handed it back to him. He buttoned it up, looked her in the eye, and nodded his agreement. They walked off in the direction of the Yellow Flag once again, neither one saying another word the entire way there. The two of them knew they'd go on with their night as planned, as if a treaty of silence had been signed between them with that single nod.

As the two rounded the corner onto the street of their favorite bar, they saw a man wearing a black suit exit the building. He slowly walked off into the night, in the opposite direction, not appearing to be in a rush.

Just as Rock and Revy were about to enter the Yellow Flag, Bao came rushing outside, nearly smacking Rock in the face with the door. He had a briefcase in one hand, and his Remington Model 1100 in the other. Bao was sweating beads, and when he saw Rock, he jumped out of surprise.

"Christ Rock, you look awful! But hey that's a good thing this time, cause I shit you not, I just met your evil twin a moment ago. Did you two see what way he went?" Bao asked them, setting down the briefcase.

Rock replied, "Was he wearing all black?"

Bao nodded yes, wiping the sweat from his brow with a sleeve.

They both pointed to the man who was walking down the street. He was only a block away.

Bao motioned towards the door. "Thanks guys, head in and get seated at the bar, I'll be back in just a moment. That gentleman forgot his briefcase." He picked up the aforementioned item.

"No way, I'm not gonna miss this!" Revy said.

"I'll be inside then." Rock replied, letting himself in.

Bao ran up the street towards the man, and stopped a ways back from him behind a large dumpster. He shouted, "Hey Mister Japanese! You forgot your fuckin briefcase!"

He threw the briefcase towards the man with all his might, and shouldered his shotgun. The man was on a crosswalk when he turned around, just in time to catch it in his arms. He looked at Bao with a shocked expression, his face turned as white as a sheet. Bao shot the briefcase, quickly ducking behind the dumpster.

A massive fireball erupted in the empty intersection, rattling the windows of the nearby buildings.

"Nice shooting Bao!" Revy hollered from up the street.

"Thanks Revy! That actually means something, coming from you!" Bao shouted back.

Revy held the door for him, and the two walked in just in time to witness Eda in her usual pink sunglasses and nightlife attire, fawning over Rock.

"Revy..." Bao warned, making his way back to the bar.

Revy's eye twitched when she saw what Eda was doing. Rock was sitting at the bar, and Eda was standing, pressing her assets into Rock's back, pouring him drinks from behind.

She held the glass up to Rock's lips, and then stepped back to take a sip from it herself.

BLAM!

The glass shattered in Eda's hand, as did a bottle of premium liquor on the shelf behind it. The whole bar instantly became dead quiet.

Eda exclaimed, "Ow! Hey you bitch! I was going to drink that!" She flipped Revy a bloody middle finger.

Bao howled, "OHHH! God dammit Revy! That's enough! You're paying for that damn bottle! And the glass! You're either paying this time, or you're not getting served here anymore!"

Revy looked at Bao with a dismissive glare. The background racket inside the bar picked up again. Bao groaned, knowing his own words wouldn't make much of a difference. Rock sat with his back to the heated exchange, too tired to care.

Rock looked at Bao and said, "I'll pay for that bottle, and the glass Bao. Make sure to add a bottle of Bacardi onto that while you're at it."

Bao harrumphed, "Well, as long as Revy doesn't start anymore shit, I'll be fine with that. Just don't go ruining your liver too fast, alright?"

Bao placed his shotgun in its usual spot behind the armored bar and resumed his work. He cleaned up the mess on the liquor shelf display, then made a call on the landline.

"Oh, Bao? Get me another whiskey over ice." Rock added.

Bao nodded, and continued to murmur into the phone which sat nestled in-between his ear and shoulder. He produced Rock's drink quickly, setting it in front of him.

Eda reached over and took Rock's handkerchief from his shirt pocket, wrapping her hand with it. She kept an eye on Revy as she walked over from the door. Revy took the open seat next to Rock, who had sat at the end of the bar. Eda squeezed in between the two so she could be face to face with Revy, and looked at her friend with a provocative grin.

"Well somebody's frustrated! How are you Revy? You know, you looked a bit stiff like Frankenstein when you walked over to the bar. What happened? Are you still recovering? Or did our innocent little Rock here finally plow you?! Eda teased, bumping rock with her rear.

Revy's eye twitched again as Eda was teasing her.

Eda sat partially on Rock's lap, causing his face to go bright red. He leaned away from her and sipped the new drink Bao had served him.

Revy gave Eda a dangerous glare. "Still recovering Eda, now, if you don't want to wear this drink, get your ass off of Rock, sit on a stool, and quit acting like a bitch in heat."

"Well then, it's good to see you too Revy." Eda said.

The three sat and sipped their drinks, smoked, and got caught up with what's been going on with one another for a good while. Dutch and Benny showed up a half hour in, they came in through the back, greeting everyone. They sat at the bar and joined in on the conversation, and Dutch ordered up a round of drinks as promised.

Balalaika showed up not long after them, causing the whole bar to go dead silent once more. All that could be heard was the click of her heels as she approached the bar. Everyone inside the building except Rock, turned and watched her as she came in. He just sat in the same position, staring into the wood grain of the bar half asleep, and the other half, not caring who or what was behind him.

As long as I can relax, with this cigarette in my hand, I don't care if this place goes up in flames for the thousandth time. As long as I can just breathe, and sip this drink..

The Lagoon Company stayed put, while the other patrons on the stools at the bar got up and parted quickly, as Balalaika came closer. She stopped in front of Bao, who stood on the other side of the bar cleaning a mug, chuckling quietly.

Balalaika said, "I'd say Your luck has changed for the better, this time Bao. Here is half of the bounty that Hotel Moscow and the Triad promised." She handed Bao a thick white envelope.

Bao replied, "What?! Why not the whole bounty?"

Balalaika smiled a sideways grin. "It's quite hard to be 100% sure when there are no remains to identify the body Bao, you know that." She said.

Bao chuckled, "Heh, If you give me enough time, I'm sure I can find his head out there somewhere!"

Balalaika laughed along with him, replying, "Ohh dear, yes, I'm certain you could Bao. But, we have to sit on it for a while, to make sure there isn't a second bomber, you see."

The entire bar murmured their disbelief and concern quietly when they heard that tidbit of information.

Balalaika turned to leave, and Bao grumbled his thanks, returning to cleaning the mug he had in his hands.

She stopped abruptly after taking several steps toward the exit, and turned to face the end of the bar.

Balalaika locked eyes with Revy. "Two Hands! Has Mr. Okajima helped you recover?!" She demanded.

"Unfortunately." Revy replied, sipping her drink.

"Good. Lagoon Company, Bao, I'll be in touch." Balalaika said, making her exit.

Rock didn't even move an inch during the whole exchange, he really was at the end of his rope for the day.

As soon as Balalaika's last guard left the room behind her, the bar immediately roared to life again, all except for Rock, who had been mostly quiet the entire night. He continued to sip his drink periodically, finding himself lost in thought again. He rubbed his chest, and stared into the glass, ruminating over what Mr. Chang told him earlier.

What a fool I am, I should've realized that myself. She's been a blessing in disguise this whole time I've been here in Roanapur. She's saved my life more times than I care to count, but I've got no real way to pay her back. And I really need to be careful with this woman. I'm certain she's satisfied with who she's become. Her pride is certainly more dangerous than the average persons. One moment she wants to kill me, the next, she's smiling all warm and genuine, like a different woman entirely. I'd really like to just sit with her and talk about these things like regular people, but I know she'll just blow it off with some rude, twisted comment like usual. I mean, at least, I think I've really trie..

C-CLINK!

Rock's train of thought was interrupted with the sight and sound of two shot glasses slamming down on the counter in front of him. He looked over at Revy, who flashed a daring grin. Dutch and Benny watched him, smiling, seeing if he was going to step up to the challenge. They'll likely be the first in line to place bets. Eda was nowhere to be found, her spot appearing to have been empty for some time.

"Well? Can you still hold your liquor against a real woman Rock?!"

Rock stared at Revy with a blank, tired, and emotionless expression, he let out a deep sigh. He flicked away the cigarette in his hand and stood up slowly.

Rock cracked a grin. "Hmph, a real woman huh? Well, you'll just have to prove that to me now Revy." He said.

"Hooo! Oh boy here we go!" Benny said, grinning.

The bar erupted in cheer, and a crowd began to form, eager to place their bets.

Dutch smacked down 10 dollars on the bar.

"I've got ten on Rock!"

Later on that night...

Revy hit the floor first, landing on her ass, causing a roar of applause that drowned out the groans of disappointment. Rock stood tall, and held the empty shot glass in the air like a trophy. He looked down at Revy, who looked ready to vomit, and attempted to offer a hand to her. Instead, the motion caused him to stumble, and nearly fall on top of her, and if it wasn't for Benny grabbing him, he likely would have.

Benny said, "Okay big guy, you've had enough, don't go crushing the love of your life to death with your drunk clumsiness now. I've gotcha, this way." Benny led him to the back exit.

"Ooo! Don't forget Racardi! I got that for the Bevy." Rock pointed to the bottle on the counter as he was ushered towards the exit.

Dutch pocketed the near-empty bottle of liquor. "I've got it Rock." He said.

Dutch had picked up Revy, and lumped her over his shoulder like a bag of potatoes. He carried her out back behind the bar. Benny followed with Rock.

Revy screeched drunkenly, "Be gentleee Rock!"

Benny and Dutch both burst out in laughter, and Rock started to as well, but he ended up vomiting where he walked instead. He got some on his own shirt and pants, his shoes, and Benny's feet.

Benny said, "Hey watch the sandals man! I just got these, gross!" He shook some vomit off his foot.

Dutch chuckled. "Ha! Shit Benny, the things that come out of their mouths when they get drunk."

"Hmph, yeah your telling me." Benny replied.

After Benny loaded Rock in the backseat, and Dutch sat Revy up front, they all tore off heading towards Lagoon Company HQ.

They were halfway there when Rock belched, "Uuurup! Take me to my apartment please, I need a tie."

Dutch remarked, "Your apartment? A tie? Heh, what?" He steered the GTO around another corner.

Rock replied, "Ye, yes I need a tie."

"You guys usually crash at the office after a night like that, but if you insist." Dutch said.

Rock replied plainly. "I really need one."

"Just how drunk are you Rock?" Benny asked, sitting beside him.

Rock said, "I think I could have gone two more shots, and I think I vomited most of that back up, I think."

"Well whatever the case, your place is right around the corner here. We'll wait in the GTO while you get yourself changed, if you're not back in five minutes Benny will come get your drunk ass." Dutch said.

They pulled up outside Rock's place. "Go on, get yourself changed Rock, we'll be here." Dutch said.

Revy belched, mumbling something.

Rock stumbled out of the car. He made his way cautiously inside the building, and found the dimly lit stairwell leading up to his floor. After hugging the rail the entire way up, he found his neighbor's door, twice, before he found his own door.

Rock let himself inside, leaving the door wide open. He fumbled the wall nearby for the light switch, and when the lights came on, there was a person wearing baggy black clothes and a balaclava standing right behind him.

"Why is it... dark again?" Rock asked, falling down on his front.

Rock was surprised by the sudden darkness, the sensation of something wrapping around his head & neck, and the feeling of being lifted up off the floor.

Those were his last thoughts before slipping unconscious.

END Chapter 4

As you can see, I'm trying out different things with my writing, so thank you for sticking with me. I'm going to save up for a fiction writing course online, so I can learn how to write proper. I quite enjoy it, and I will even more when I can do it better. Now, on a less serious note, I had a kinky Black Lagoon dream the other night! I was getting frisky with Balalaika. Outside. In the middle of a snowstorm. Does this make me a certified Otaku now? ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) Talk about strange, and ohhh man I hated the ending. My god damn alarm clock woke me up, just as the fun started! Thanks for Reading!

What I'm listening to while I write: What Makes A Good Man by The Heavy, Bad Company (Remastered Version) by Bad Company, Me And Mrs. Jones by Billy Paul, Play That Funky Music by Wild Cherry, Gettin' It by Too Short, and finally, See You When I Git There by Lou Rawls.