A Gunsmith Cats 'Fic
Vol. 4 (unedited version)
By; Talis13
Standard Disclaimer- Most main characters in this story belong to Kenichi Sonoda. Except the bad guys- they're mine. *shrug * Well, enjoy the newest fic! ^^
May walked to the front of the Gunsmith Cats store and looked out the barred window. Something out there was bothering her today; she just was unsure of what. Rally came out of the back room flinging her apron off. She sighed and then turned and watched May. "What's wrong?"
"I'm not sure yet. Something's just…bothering me today." May finished as she walked back behind the counter.
"I see. Well, I need to run an errand May. Can you watch the store for me? I probably won't be gone twenty minutes."
"Sure Ral'." May stated as she slowly flipped open her magazine and sat down.
Rally grabbed her CZ75 handgun and her jacket. "Thanks! I'll be back in a few!"
May heard the hum of Rally's Cobra Mustang's engine and then turned back to her magazine. She second thought something though and then pulled out a piece of paper. Looking out the window once more, May wrote down the model of the car that had been sitting across the street for quite a while now. Being prepared just in case never hurt. So, she wrote down the license plate number and car color as well. She noted that somebody was finally getting out of the car, so May tucked the piece of paper into her magazine and set it back on the table behind her. She then felt the grenade she had tucked under the desk next to a gun Rally had strapped there. A group of four men came out of the car and across the street towards the gun shop. May tensed, ever so slightly.
They walked into the shop, looking at May. One stepped out and pointed at May. "YOU, are gonna be our bargaining chip."
"Who are you?" May asked, fingers closing around the hand grenade.
"Matt Ingrid sweetheart. I figured you'd remember. Since it was your bitch of a friend that threw half of my crew in jail."
May smiled. "Oh yeah, I remember now." She pulled the grenade out and it flew through the air with a metallic 'ping' of the fuse opening.
The grenade exploded in a flash of thick smoke and May ran for the door. Unfortunately, Ingrid reached an arm out and grabbed her just as she ran near him. "Not so fast brat."
"Come on guys. Lets move. That other bitch catches us here, we're as good as gone." He stated as they walked out the door.
About fifteen minutes later, Rally roared around the corner past the gun shop and noticed that May wasn't behind the desk. Rally parked and jumped out of the car, running towards the shop to lecture May about leaving the desk. She ran into a very empty room. Looking around, Rally smelt the gunpowder still in the air. Not to mention a couple of cracks in the window. She searched around the store, calling for May. She was not there. She used her cell phone to call their house as well; nothing there. Apparently this was a clean getaway. And May's hunch about something being awry rang true now as well. Rally locked the front door of the store and flipped the sign over to 'Closed' as she called on her cell phone once more. It rang twice. "Yo, Bean Bandit."
"Hey Bean? Its Rally." She stated.
He paused. "What's wrong babe?"
"May's gone. Can you help me?"
"Sure. I'll be there in a couple of minutes." Both hung up their phones.
Rally looked around the store once more to be sure. True to his word, Bean's Corvette roared to a stop across the street. He strode over to the door and Rally unlocked it letting him in. He hugged her. "Now, what's going on?"
Rally retraced her steps. "Well, I told May I had to run an errand, and to watch the front desk. She said something was bothering her, but sure she would. I left. I wasn't gone fifteen minutes Bean! She was gone! You can still smell the smoke from one of her grenades, so SOMETHING happened!!"
He grabbed her, holding her close and stroking her hair back. "Calm down. You won't be able to help her this way." She began to breath a little more evenly. "Okay. Now, who could have taken her?"
"Well." Rally was thinking over the list of people that may have been out to get her. She sighed. "That's a long list. Um, we had a couple of bounties last week, but nothing big. We've had a few over the whole month."
"Well, let's take a look around, try and dig up something." Bean replied as they both started to run through the room's contents. They scoured the room, not finding anything. Rally sat at the small table behind the desk. Bean looked over her shoulder, pointing. "Vogue? That yours?"
Rally laughed. "Yeah right! No, its May's."
Bean cocked an eyebrow and tugged at a slip of paper in the magazine. Rally's eyes got extremely wide a she read what was on it. She looked back at Bean who was smirking. "How do you do that?!?"
"It's a gift." He replied as Rally ripped the paper from his fingers.
"This is probably what was bothering her today! She said something was wrong! I bet this car was parked outside, waiting for me to leave!! She's a genius! I'm gonna call Becky!" Rally ran over to the phone. It rang a couple of times.
"Becky speaking."
"Becky! Its Rally! I've got an important scout job for you!!"
"Geesh girl, clam down! What happened?"
"I think May's been kidnapped! But, she wrote down car information, like make and color and the plate number. Can you work on it?" Rally asked, still gripping the paper.
"Um, yeah, give me what she has written down; although don't be surprised if its just a stolen car." Becky replied.
"I understand. We can go out and take a look around town for it at least." Rally began. "Let's see…a Starfire hatchback coupe with Firenza across the bottom of the door. Ugh. White with black license number GHK 331. So what is this gonna cast me?"
"Um…free of charge this time. Just find May, 'kay?"
"Thanks Becky. I owe you one. Get whatever you can find, ASAP. Thanks!" Rally finished and hung up the phone.
She looked back at the slip of paper with a sneer. "Ugh, Starfire?"
Bean just smiled. "Yeah, that's pretty much what I was thinking when you said that."
"Well, I want to go out and see if I can find this car. They can't have gotten far." Rally stated as she grabbed her jacket.
"We don't have a direction to start in Rally. You're a little headstrong when it comes to getting going with this shit I've noticed."
She turned, hands on her hips as she looked up at him, deadpan. "I'm headstrong? Mr., 'I'll just let Red Cross suck five pints of blood right before a job it's no big deal'? Did we forget that already Bandit?"
"I'll drive." Bean replied as he pulled his keys out of his jean pocket. They jangled in his hand.
Rally turned back towards him. "Alright. Thought you'd see it my way."
They both got into his black Corvette and buckled up. The car roared to life as he turned towards her. "Where do you want to start?"
"That a way." Rally pointed behind them down the street. He nodded, rounded the Corvette in the road and they started quickly down the street the car pushing at a good clip; around sixty miles per hour. Rally was peering through the slightly tinted windows of the Corvette as Bean rounded a corner. She glanced up and down the street, feeling her eyes tear up slightly. She would not cry. Nope. No sir. No crying for her. A tear streaked down her cheek. Damn it. Her fingers tightened around the seatbelt clasp in anger; May was gone because she had to leave for a minute. This is what happened when people weren't careful. Her best friend gets kidnapped! Maybe this was a bad idea. If this could happen to May, it could happen to anyone she knew. Even to Bean? Maybe, even if he acted like a bulletproof ox, she knew that he was just as human as she. She stifled a sob in her throat, seatbelt clasp locked in her hand, her arm just barely shaking from the strain she inflicted on herself.
Bean glanced over, watching as Rally looked out the window. He also noted her shaking shoulder and her hand wrapped around the seatbelt lock, knuckles turning white from the strain. He grabbed her hand but she yanked it back, looking down at the floorboard. "Don't! I can't let anyone else get hurt! So just don't!"
He arched an eyebrow but continued driving. He looked down the road and saw the car they were looking for; it was at the curb. Pulling up behind it, Rally jumped out of the car while it was still rolling to a stop. Bean followed her a moment later. She looked through the passenger door, looking for any explosives. Not seeing any, she tentatively opened the passenger door and looked at the backseat. May generally tried to leave something… she smiled as she noted a small slip of paper stuck in between the seat cushion and the side of the car. She pulled the slip out, looking at it. Bean stood over her shoulder, keeping a short distance back, but still reading what she held. There was a little car face with writing. "Taylor's Tavern; MI" Bean read. He looked at Rally. "What's this?"
"MI would probably be Michigan. I assume 'Taylor's Tavern' is where she's being taken." Rally stated thoughtfully waving the paper as if that would produce more information. "I need to see if Becky can find anything on this place."
Bean nodded and they walked back to his car. Rally buckled her seatbelt and pulled out her cell phone. It rang twice. "Becky speaking."
"Hey Becky, its Rally. Drop your chase of that car."
"Its stolen anyway. But, consider it dropped."
Rally rolled her eyes. "Great. I need any information you can get me on a place called 'Taylor's Tavern'. May left a note; it looks like the place is in Michigan. She has MI written there. That's all I have."
"I'll get right on it." Becky stated and then paused. "Don't beat yourself up Rally. It's not your fault, all right?"
Rally sighed. "It is my fault though. If I had been there-"
"You might be dead. Just concentrate on finding her and stop kicking the problem Rally Vincent!" she hung up.
Rally stared at the phone a moment before closing it again. She sighed sadly and grasped the paper in her fingers, sparkly blue nail polish catching the light. She glanced over at Bean who was giving her a concerned look. He made no move towards her this time though. She huddled down in her seat, looking at the floorboard. Bean drove back to her house, pulling into the driveway. Rally tried to open her door but he reached a hand across the space and stopped the door. She continued staring at the floor. He looked at her. "Rally, look at me." She continued staring at the floor. "You won't get out of this car until you do Vincent."
She took a deep breath and turned towards him, eyes still red. "What?"
He arched an eyebrow. "Explain to me how this is your fault." He still rested his hand on her door.
She scowled at the wheel behind his shoulder. "How could it not be?! I left. She was there and they were after me. Jesus! What will I do if something happens to my best friend?! I would never, ever forgive myself you know that? I really need to get her out of this business. It's not good for her; she's going to get hurt if she keeps hanging around me." Rally ended on a huff.
He looked at her and moved his hand from the door to her chin, turning her face towards himself. She jerked slightly but he held her tight with a frown. "Stop that. There is nothing you could have done. You were not there. Even if you were, what would you have done Rally?"
"I DON'T KNOW! SOMETHING! ANYTHING!!!" Rally sobbed. "I could have protected her Bean."
He pulled her across the car seat into his arms. She didn't pull away this time and instead buried her face in his jacket, arms around his neck. He just held on to her for a moment as he held her. "May is perfectly capable of protecting herself and you know that. You could smell the flash in the shop; she tried. And we know if May can't help herself, even you might have some trouble. You know that. No matter how good you are. Hell, you could have gotten taken yourself. Then where would you be?"
"Probably in some godforsaken hole in the wall in Michigan." She sniffled.
He hugged her tighter. "But you're not. You're in the best place you can be in to help May right now. And she knows you'll do it."
"I better. I'd never forgive myself if I didn't. I'd give up bounty hunting if I couldn't."
Bean arched an eyebrow. "Is that right? So would you take me up on my offer then?"
Rally rolled her eyes. "This whole partner business again? Come on Bean; it didn't work before, what makes you think it would work now?"
"Now get the terminology right Vincent. Professional partners." Bean grinned; at least she was thinking about something else for a minute. "And we weren't dating before."
She blushed and sat back. "So?! That doesn't make a difference Bandit!"
He pushed black bangs back from her blue eyes. "Yes, I've noticed thank you Miss Vincent."
She punched his arm. "You did that on purpose you big jerk!!" she yelped.
He grinned and opened his door. "You needed to get out of your pity party darlin'. That's why."
She slid out the door and got her house keys out. "Yeah whatever. I'm fine."
He arched an eyebrow and followed her to the house. "Uh huh. Sure."
"I am dammit!" Rally yelled, shoving the key into the lock with more force than necessary. She flung the door open and tromped in. He followed with just the hint of a smile. Her cell phone rang and Rally snapped it open. "Rally Vincent."
"Hey its me Rally."
"Becky, that was fast! What have you got?"
"Well, I went through and looked for that name you gave me first. Bad news; there is more than one. More bad news, there is not one in Michigan."
"How the hell am I supposed to work with that Becky?!" Rally yelled, scowling.
"Calm down!" Becky snapped. "I'll locate a list of the closest ones. You think of what else 'MI' could stand for. I'll call you back."
"Thanks Becky." Rally whispered into the phone, hanging back up. She turned and paced the floor, thinking. What could MI stand for? Michigan was off the list. Bean leaned against the sofa, arms crossed, watching Rally pace.
As she turned again, he held an arm out in front of her. "How can I help? You're making me nervous."
She pushed his arm out of the way and continued to pace. "I have to figure out what MI stand for. Its has to be something; it's a May Hopkins brand of a Scooby Doo clue."
Bean smiled. "I see." He watched her continue her trek up and down the carpet before stopping her once more. "Would you mind taking a seat for a minute Rally?"
She stopped and sat in a chair. Bean leaned back in the sofa with a sigh. "Thank you."
Nodding, Rally thought. "What could it be? A place? Maybe another part of the name of the tavern? Maybe it's an actual place; like a nickname for a spot somewhere."
Bean thought a moment and then looked back at her, arms along the back of the sofa. "What about somebody's name?"
She was about to discard that idea when she stopped, mouth open. She looked over at him. "That is a good idea. Let's work with that." She tapped her fingers on the table next to her. "I've hauled so many people into the station, there's no telling who it might be."
"Could you call the pigs and get a track list of people you've brought in?" Bean asked.
Rally frowned at him at the word choice. "Pigs are livestock Bean. These are police officers."
"Same dif." He shrugged.
"Whatever Bean." Rally sighed. She pulled out her phone again and called.
"Roy Coleman."
"Hi Roy! Its Rally! I have a question for you."
"Sure. Go ahead Rally."
"Okay. Is there any way I can get a list of the people I've brought in recently?"
"Yeah, you should be able to. How far back do you want to go so I know how many trees to kill." He replied, grabbing a piece of paper.
Rally giggled but it sounded false in her ears. "Um, how about the last six months?"
"Sure." Roy replied, writing it down. "Now, my turn."
"Huh?" she asked, looking confused. Bean arched an eyebrow.
"What do you want this list for? You've never had one before, so I assume there's a reason." He replied, tapping the pen on the desk.
"Uh, a reason?" she asked glancing at Bean. He just pointed at her; it was her call to get the cops involved. She gulped. "Well, we have a problem."
"Yes, I gathered that. What specifically is the problem?"
"Um, May was taken this morning from the shop. We found the car she was taken in and a clue she left in it. So, I'm working on that."
"Rally? May I ask why you failed to report this to the police?" Roy asked calmly. "And what's this 'we' stuff?"
"Um." Rally bit her bottom lip. "Me and Bean. And because I can handle it on my own Roy! Stop acting like a dad!"
Bean chuckled as Roy sighed. "It's a kidnapping and you and your criminal beau are out working on it? How wonderfully shady." He sighed again.
Rally scowled at the phone. "Criminal beau? What in the hell kind of terminology is that Roy?!"
"French I think." Bean stated with a grin.
"Hush." She hissed at him. "Besides, I can handle this! I have before! And this is Bean we're talking about! So don't worry about it!"
"Fine." Roy replied. "You don't get her back in twenty four hours, I'm putting the boys in blue on it, okay? And I'll drop this list off at your house."
"Agreed." Rally stated. "Thanks Roy."
Both respectively hung up and Rally closed the phone with a sigh. She looked over at Bean who still had a smirk. "So, he getting your list?"
"Yeah." Rally replied with a smile. "And he's personally dropping it off. So you get to finally meet him!"
"Whoa, hold up." Bean held his hands in the air. "I don't meet cops, did you forget?"
"Are you helping me or not?" Rally asked as she set the phone behind her on the table.
"Of course I'm helping-"
"Then you're staying." Rally stated. "Otherwise, go now if you're not going to help."
He bowed his head and lifted it with a growl. "Why the hell do I have to be here anyways Rally? The only reason he's coming is to try and get me! You trying to set me up?"
Rally looked shocked. "I would do no such thing to you. I don't appreciate the doubt Bean. I gave you your options. Help me find May and stay or go now."
He closed his eyes for a moment, wondering how he talked himself into these messes. He looked over at her. "Fine. I'm staying then."
"Good. Thank you." Rally replied. She stood up and walked into the kitchen. She opened the fridge and after looking in and called to the living room. "You want something to drink?"
Bean sat scowling on the couch, arms crossed. "Yeah a beer'd be good."
Rally rolled her eyes but got him one anyways. She stepped back into the living room and stepped to the couch, handing him the bottle. He took it with a nod and a frown and she sat back in her chair. She smiled slightly at Bean's pout. "Stop acting like a baby."
He turned his frown towards her. "I'm not acting like a baby. I have a reputation to uphold Vincent. And having every cop in town know who I am wouldn't help that. Coleman sounds like he has a level head on his shoulders."
Rally shrugged. "He does. I'll talk to him and make sure he doesn't give you the third degree, okay?"
Bean took a drink of his beer and then pointed the bottle at her. "I'll hold you to that." She nodded and they waited for Roy to come.
Around two in the afternoon, Rally heard a knock at the door. She watched as Bean watched SpeedVision on the television. Jumping up she walked to the door after hearing a knock. She slipped out the door, noting Bean arched an eyebrow at her. "Hi Roy."
"Rally." He nodded towards her. "Can I come in?"
"Yes, but first business." She began, standing in front of the door handle. "Don't give him the third degree, got it?"
Roy arched an eyebrow. "Your boyfriend? Don't worry about it. What did he do? Threaten you?"
Rally arched an eyebrow. "Of course not! He would never do a thing to me."
Roy nodded as he grasped the folder under his hand. "Suuuure Rally. May we go in now?"
Rally nodded with a small frown and opened the door, allowing him in. She stepped lightly through the door behind him. Roy arched an eyebrow at Bean sitting on the sofa, watching television. Rally leaned down arms around Bean's shoulders whispering in his ear. "Now be nice."
He smiled at her. He stood and walked around the sofa. Roy looked up; the guy was huge. Six foot seven probably? He completely dwarfed Rally by a foot. Bean held out a hand little expression on his face. Roy arched an eyebrow and shook his hand; strong handshake; that's usually a good sign. "Hi. I'm Roy Coleman."
Bean smirk. "Bean Bandit."
Rally jumped in with a smile before the eye daggers started between the two again. "Okay Roy! What have you got for us?"
Roy arched an eyebrow. "Got a table we can use?"
She pointed at the coffee table and Roy sat in the seat Rally previously occupied while she and Bean took seats too close in his opinion to each other on the sofa. Roy opened the folder, pulling out several sheets. "As you can see, you've been a very busy lady the last six months. What exactly are you looking for?"
"Something with 'MI'." she began gesturing. "Maybe initials or something."
Roy scanned through the more recent entries. He then handed some to Bean and some to Rally. They all looked for several minutes, just scanning the paperwork. Rally's phone rang and she picked up. "Rally Vincent."
"Why hello Miss Vincent. Missing anything?"
"Who is this?" Rally demanded, sitting straight up and dropping her papers to the table. Roy watched as Bean wrapped an arm around her pulling her closer, and listening as she held the phone out enough for both of them to hear.
"I have your little friend. These small girls are so easy to pick up, you know?" Rally was about to bite back a reply but Bean stopped her.
She took a deep breath instead. "What do you want?"
"I want my people out of jail."
"Even you should know I couldn't do that! I'm just a bounty hunter; I don't have extra keys to the cells!"
"Okay. Here's another option." The man began. "I'll accept money. We'll make a swap for your friend."
"Let me speak to her."
"No, I don't think so."
"You can kiss that money goodbye unless I talk to her pal."
The man sighed. "Fine. Guess it wouldn't hurt; just as insurance she is alive I suppose."
"Rally?"
"May! Are you alright?"
"Other than being manhandled out the shop this morning, yes, I'm fine."
"That's enough of that." The man stated putting the phone back to his own ear. "Now, terms and conditions. I expect a million dollars cash."
"I don't have that kind of cash! What the hell am I supposed to do?!" Rally stated.
"I'm sure you know of someone that would make the loan to you, hmm?"
Rally closed her eyes and reopened them when Bean squeezed her waist and nodded. She took another deep breath. "I'll find somebody. Where are we meeting?"
"I'll call back later with that information." And he hung up the phone.
Rally had her eyes closed as she hung up the phone, clicking it back into place. Roy looked across at her. "Would somebody fill me in? I couldn't hear anything from over here."
Rally was silent so Bean shrugged and took the reigns. "Sounds like he wants a million in cash for May. She seemed all right judging by her voice though. He let her speak for like, thirty seconds. And he's calling later."
Roy sat a moment watching the two on the couch. He arched an eyebrow. "And where are you getting a million bucks Rally? Mutual fund?"
"I'm not sure yet Roy." She sighed.
Bean shrugged. "I'll loan it to you if you need a front." He rubbed a hand down her back. She looked over with a small smile in thanks. Roy arched an eyebrow; those two were awfully serious not being together that long to the best of his knowledge. Maybe there had been something going on beforehand. He nodded. "Okay, well, it sounds like you two have this covered then." He set the paperwork on the table and got up. "I'll be running along. Conditions apply though Rally. If she's not back in twenty-four hours I'm sending people out on it."
Rally nodded. "I know Roy." She walked him to the door an opened it. "Thanks again."
He looked back in at Rally and then to Bean whom was watching leaned back against the couch. "You two be careful." He locked eyes with Bean and then turned to go.
Rally shut the door with a sigh and leaned her forehead against it. "He's pissed."
"You noticed that too?"
"You two were glaring daggers at each other every chance you respectively got. And he's mad at me."
Bean arched an eyebrow. "Why would he be mad at you?"
She knocked her head against the door once. "Because you're here."
"What, does he have a thing for you?"
"Not that I'm aware of. He's happily married. May says he treats me like a daughter though. All overprotective and things." She shrugged, forehead still resting against the wooden door.
Bean looked up thoughtfully. "Okay, that makes sense by the way he was acting. My like, second girlfriend's dad acted just like that."
Rally giggled. "You probably scared the guy. How old were you?"
"Mm…fifteen I think?"
"Gotcha." She lifted her head from the doorway and stood looking at it. "I'd be really happy to crack my head on this door as hard as I could and knock myself out right about now."
Bean walked over and wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her from the door. "I'd rather you didn't. You don't really need a concussion right now."
She laughed. "It wouldn't possibly hurt at this point."
Phone ringing, Rally walked over and picked it up from the table. "Rally Vincent speaking."
"Don't sound too happy there Rally! Becky has come through for you again!"
"Becky? What did you find?"
"Well, there are two of the named bars in Illinois. Those would be your most logical choices. But, here's the better of the information. While both places have their share of shady characters that do business in each respective tavern, there is one guy in particular in the place in Prospect Heights."
"Prospect Heights? Whom are you talking about?" Rally asked, perching the phone on her shoulder.
"Well, the bar has quite the list of illegal clientele in and out. Your pal Grey actually hung out there for a while, before you two had that showdown at the OK Corral. Not to mention, that drug brat Brian Jacobson and some small-time Chicago mob. But, the interesting one is a guy who goes by the name Matt Ingrid. Ring a bell?"
Rally thought a moment. "Yeah. I think I got some of his crew a while back."
"Bingo! And what else?" Becky urged with a smile. "Matt Ingrid?"
"MI!" Rally hollered with a grin. "Becky, you're a genius!!"
"Thank you, thank you, I know."
"And so very modest too. Can you give me an exact address? We have to head out ASAP so Roy doesn't sic the police on the chase."
"Sure." She paused. " Hey, waitaminute. What is this 'we' stuff? It can't be May because she's the one gone so, who?"
Rally dug her toe into the carpet. "Um, Bean?"
"Hold on a sec. 'Bean' as in Bean Bandit driver extraordinaire? The one you had a certain amount of loathing for? Are we talking about the same guy?"
Rally rolled her eyes. "Yes Becky. That Bean Bandit. There's only one I'm aware of. Why?"
"Huh. So, you guys an item or what? I know May wanted to hook you up, but I never heard much more than that." Becky stated thoughtfully typing at her computer.
Rally sighed. "Yes, you could say that. Now that that's taken care of, address please?"
"But I'm not done questioning you yet!"
"Becky. I'm on a time limit here. Even Bean lead-foot that he is couldn't make it if you keep me on the line."
"Hey! I can get you anywhere you want to go!" Bean stated before laying a light kiss on her neck.
"Sorry Bean." Rally apologized as she heard Becky giggling on the other end.
"Wooo. Sounds a little hot between you two! Kinda, heavy petting 'item' or kinda 'already taking a roll in the hay' thing?"
"Becky!" Rally sighed, blushing and holding a hand to her forehead. Bean just grinned at her.
"Hehehe…this is great. A bounty hunter dating a courier driver: two of the best at it even. Anyways, address. Got a pen?"
"Yeah. Fire away." Rally stated grabbing a notepad and pencil with a relieved sigh.
"You are heading into Prospect Heights, suburb of Chicago. The address is 560 West Peoria Road off of Elmhurst Road. Got it?"
Rally scribbled down the address. "Yep. Thanks Becky, you're the greatest! I owe you one!"
"No, now you owe me two." Becky replied, tapping the keyboard again.
"Hmm…"
"Yeah, well, it was your idea. I'll think of payment. Maybe…I don't know, some info about you and Bean maybe."
"We'll see." Rally replied, glaring at the phone. "Talk to you later."
"Later Ral'! As always, a pleasure doing business with you."
Both hung up and Rally looked down at the paper and then over to Bean who was leaned against a doorjamb, watching her. "You familiar with Prospect Heights?"
An hour later, after Rally had packed a small arsenal in the trunk along with some of May's grenade stash in Bean's car, they were on the road. Rally had changed into her light Kevlar jacket and leather driving slacks and boots, CZ75 stashed in her jacket. She tucked her fingers into her sleeve nervously, double-checking that her Grendel was still there. She glanced over at Bean, flak jacket in place, silently looking down the road through the customary Oakley sunglasses. He had been silent almost since they started. "You always this friendly with the people you drive?"
"In comparison, I'm real friendly with you." Bean turned a toothy grin towards her. "Why?"
She shrugged with a smile. "Curiosity got the best of me I guess."
Silence once again enveloped the car. Rally bit her bottom lip, thinking. She reached under her seat and pulled out a small CD case. Unclasping it, she opened the small box and paged through it. "Can we listen to something?"
"Sure. What have you got?" Bean asked, glancing down at her CD book.
"Let's see…Pink, Veruca Salt, both Creed CD's, Fastball, Limp Bizkit…"
"How about Limp Bizkit then?"
She shrugged, pulled the CD out and stuck it into the player. 'Intro' played through and it launched into 'Just Like This' with the customary Limp Bizkit roar. Rally started bobbing her head out of habit; they had catchy tracks. Bean glanced back down at her CD case. "You an alternative rock fan?"
She nodded with a smile. "Yep! What about you?"
He shrugged. "It depends. I've got this CD, but that's about it. The rest of my collection is mostly hard rock and metal."
"Ah. I bet you wouldn't like most of my collection then!" Rally laughed as she flipped the cases pages again. "I've got pop and lots of alternative. Like Veruca Salt. That's my favorite one to play while I'm driving I think. I also like Pink and a newer favorite is this one I picked up by Sade called 'Lover's Rock': its got beautiful songs. She can really sing."
"What's your favorite track on this disc?" he asked, pointing at the stereo.
"Mm…probably track ten; 'n 2 gether now'. That's a good one." She stated as she shut the case and stuck it back under the seat. "Although May claims my favorite song to play while I drive is 'break stuff'; the little brat."
Bean laughed. He turned towards her with a grin. "I think I understand why."
She reached across the seat and punched his shoulder. "Jerk." She grinned. She sat silently looking out the window as the scenery flew by, thinking. She turned tentatively to where she faced Bean. "Um Bean. I wanted to apologize for earlier."
He arched an eyebrow, eyes not leaving the road before them. "What for?"
"Um." She looked down, arranging her thoughts. "For pulling away and yelling at you earlier. I'm really sorry."
"Its all right Rally. You're just concerned. Nothing wrong with that."
She nodded and looked back out the window. "How long until we get there?"
He shrugged and looked at his watch. "Probably fifteen minutes or so."
She nodded. "Good." She heard her cell phone ring. "Rally Vincent."
"Hello again my dear."
"Oh, it's you. So where are we meeting?" Rally asked as Bean glanced over at her.
"Come now, no pleasantries?" Rally scowled and the man continued. "Well, let's set a place and a time, hm?"
"Fine."
"Excellent. We'd like to meet you and a wonderful suitcase of cash at 731 East Main Street. You bring the money and I'll bring the girl, deal?"
"What time?"
"Let's see, I'm in no hurry personally…"
"What time today?" Rally hissed.
The man chuckled. "Calm down my dear. She's still in one piece, alive and kicking as the case may be. How does seven thirty sound to you?"
"Fine. Seven thirty."
"Oh one other thing. No cops, hmm? We don't really need them around for the transaction. Because if they are, you won't see this little girl alive again." With that he hung up the phone.
Rally hung up the phone, putting it back into her jacket and put her fingertips to her temples. She took several deep breaths, lowering her hands from her head. "Okay. I will not lose it. I will not lose it."
Bean arched an eyebrow at her barely audible mantra. "We'll get her back Rally. I promise you."
She nodded and flashed him the hint of a smile. "Thanks Bean. I appreciate it."
He nodded and continued the drive towards Prospect Heights, Limp Bizkit blaring in the background. Pulling into the suburbs, Bean looked over. "So, how did you want to do this? To the address Farrah gave you or just meet them tonight?"
"To the address Becky gave us. Two reasons; one they won't expect that. Two, I'd never get enough money to pay you back if I handed over that much cash! Besides, we need to get May back ASAP."
"Good point." He agreed, turning down another side road. Following along the map in her hand, he pulled past the tavern that the guy was staying above, pointing it out as he went. "That'd be it."
She nodded, mentally going through her list of weapons. "Okay. Now, a plan. Throw out any ideas you have." She stated glancing up at the second floor of apartments; there weren't many.
"Storm the place?"
Rally rolled her eyes. "Yeah good idea. I hide behind you on entrance huh?"
"Don't be silly. I'd hide behind you. I think you're the only woman I know that can pack an army arsenal on her person without anybody knowing it without feeling you down." He replied with a grin, still looking at the second floor.
She laughed and then cut herself off. "Hey wait a minute!! We have to be serious Bean!"
He shrugged. "Well. It looks like there's, what? Four rooms up there. A fire escape along this side." He stated pointing at the metal escape that indeed was strung along the side up to the floor. "But there's probably an entrance inside too. But I don't think it'd be easy to sneak in that way though."
She shook her head. "No. It would be hard for you to get in that way. Not me."
"You're not going in there by yourself Vincent."
"How do you propose we do it then Bandit?" Rally asked, arms crossed.
Bean matched her crossed arms, looking over his sunglasses at her. "How about we go in the tavern and have a seat? At least that way we'll have some damn clue as to where everything's at."
Rally, arms still crossed, looked from him to the bar and back again, a small pout on her features. "Fine. I guess that'll work. But I'm positive they know what I look like."
"Did you bring anything to dress in?"
Rally arched an eyebrow and looked back behind them, pulling a bag from the back seat of the Mustang Bean drove. She leaned over the seat, digging around in the bag. Bean watched with an amused smile as she dug through several weapons, ammunition and down to the bottom. She reemerged with some makeup and mousse. "I'm glad May made me pack stuff like this."
She pulled the makeup out and turned to flip the visor down. She looked in the mirror and began applying her makeup. She started with the foundation, lightening her skin slightly and then moved to blue eye shadow. Pulling a tube of lipstick out, she put on the lipstick that she found a bit too bright. "I hate this color. It makes me look like a hooker." Bean laughed and she turned back to the mirror with a smile. She then got out the mousse and moussed her hair back behind her, a few wisps near her face. She turned towards Bean who was eyeing her critically. "How do I look?"
"I remember that look. Outside that club before my last drug run." He stated, pointing at her. She grinned and shrugged. "But, you do look different. Not your typical beautiful self, but different."
She nodded. "Good. Let's go in then. I'll even buy you a beer for such a wonderful compliment." She winked and got out of the car.
He shrugged with a grin. "Sounds good to me."
The walked the short distance towards the bar and Bean opened the door. They stepped through and into a fairly silent place. Soft music was playing in the background as the bartender mixed drinks, and people sat on the stools and watched television or in booths alone. Bean strolled up to the bar, Rally in his wake and ordered a drink. Rally just got a Diet Coke. Bean gave her 'that look' and she rolled her eyes with a small smile, paying for the drinks. Looking around, Rally walked over to a booth that was in view of a stairwell near a far corner. As she watched, she noted that another person came in and went up the stairwell; but he had to get clearance from the barkeep. She frowned: how did they get May in? Maybe they used the fire escape to sneak her in. That seemed logical. She took a sip of her pop, noting another man walk in and head towards the stairwell. She stared a moment, trying to recall his face; she knew it was someone she knew. "That's him." She whispered into her pop. Bean arched an eyebrow and looked towards the stairwell as well.
Matt Ingrid was about five foot seven and around one hundred and fifty pounds. He had bleach blonde hair that was streaked with darker brown. He was wearing a button down shirt and khaki slacks with dress shoes and a brown jacket over his shoulders. He waved towards the barkeep with a disarming smile and headed up the stairs. Bean rolled his eyes. "Hell, I can bench better than his weight." He mumbled into his beer.
Rally had to stifle her giggles. "Okay. Well, we need to figure out something."
Bean shrugged and stood up stretching. He then motioned Rally to follow him. He walked next to the bar, sunglasses still covering hard brown eyes. The barkeeper looked up. "Yes sir?"
"Hey. I was wondering if you had a place open upstairs?"
The barkeeper wiped his hands on a towel and threw it over his shoulder, eyebrow arched. "Those are apartments upstairs." He glanced over at Rally.
Bean frowned. "I gathered that."
"Sorry: can't be too careful. I have one apartment open upstairs. You can take a look if you'd like." He motioned over one of the guys working behind the counter. "Steve? You want to show this young man the open spot upstairs?"
"Sure boss." Steve replied, grabbing the keys from behind the desk and beginning up the steep stairs.
Rally followed behind Bean up the narrow stairwell. Bean looked up. "Christ this is a small fit." Rally just giggled lightly behind him, resting a hand on his back, the other on the stairwell handle.
Steve stopped at one doorway and put the key into the door, it swinging open with a hollow creak. He stepped in, signaling both through. Bean walked through, his spiky hair just brushing the top of the doorway, glancing around the room. Rally looked around as well. Steve went on his merry way through the rooms. "Its just a small apartment, but you've got a single bedroom, a bath and this, the living room. Which I guess a lot of people double as a kitchen too." He stated with a shrug. "Feel free to take a look around though."
Bean looked into the bathroom and turned back to Steve. "Could you give us a minute to talk?"
"Sure. Take your time." He replied before jamming the keys back into his pocket and walking back down the steep stairwell. Rally turned to Bean with a smile. "You're pretty slick, you know that? I'm even more impressed with you than I was before."
He grinned. "Thanks babe. That means a lot coming from you."
"Now that we're here, what to do." She mused quietly, hand under her chin. "We could just browse the halls I suppose, act like your normal couple apartment shopping."
He grinned, pushing the Oakley's back up on his nose. "Us? Normal? Is that what you just said?"
"So normal's stretching it a bit." She waved a hand at him and grinned. "Let's go meet the neighbors honey."
Rally followed Bean out the door, she checking all of her weapons. There was the small gun in her ankle holster. Then her CZ75 in her shoulder holster. Also a boot knife on her right side. Then the gun on her wrist slide. Everything checked out in place. She wondered if Bean had anything on him, but then remembered he generally packed enough knives for himself plus some. She rolled her eyes at her musings and then watched as Bean stepped up to a door, ready to knock. "What are you doing?!" she hissed stopping him.
He turned. "I'm knocking on the door, what's it look like?"
"That's not what I meant smartass!" she began.
He grinned and knocked on the door, pushing Rally to the side slightly so she wasn't in direct view. An older woman answered the door and looked up with whistle. "Damn. Can I help you young man?"
Bean grinned with a bow of his head. "Maybe. Do you know which place this guy with blonde streaked hair lives? We're looking for him."
She frowned. "Yes. He lives around the other side in room three." She shut the door after glaring at Rally as well.
"Well, now we know he's not a favorite with the locals." Rally stated as she walked down the hall around the corner to the other two rooms, Bean in her wake. "Okay. Let's see, what to try…" she stopped and shrugged. "You knock, when they open it I'll toss a smoke grenade into the room.
"What if May's in there?"
"She'll know when it hits the ground that its one of her's. She'll be fine." Rally stated as she pulled one from her jacket pocket, ready to release the pin.
Bean shrugged and walked to the door and knocked. It took a moment before someone came to the door after a bit of scuffling was heard. It sounded like maybe three or four people in there. Someone was shouting through the door. "Who is it?"
"Got a delivery to make." Bean replied, getting ready to go: for what he didn't know.
"A delivery? From who? Who is this?" another voice replied. That's two.
"This is Bean Bandit, I'm a courier. And I don't know who the hell its from. I just deliver." He replied. Rally smiled: she remembered a time not to far back when running into this courier was usually bad news for her.
There was a bit more scuffling when a third voice entered into the fray. "Let the man in! I know who he is!"
The door opened fairly quickly at that point. A ruffled younger man stood there looking up, probably around twenty-three years old. "Damn. It is you. Boss! It is him!" Rally took that opportunity to pull the pin and roll in the grenade.
May was sitting in this cramped dump of a room for a good four hours at least. She wished she were anywhere but here. Aside from fending off horny goons and avoiding Ingrid, she wasn't terribly amused. As a matter of fact, it was downright boring. They had her tied to a chair, feet together and hands behind her back. Thankfully, they didn't gag her since she promised to be quiet. Suddenly, she heard a knock at the door a second before the two men scuffling near it heard. She saw 'Ryan' answer after getting out of a headlock. "Who is it?"
"Got a delivery to make." Came through and May had to bite down a grin. She'd know that voice anywhere.
"A delivery? From who? Who is this?" Chad replied rubbing his head in confusion after Ryan broke the headlock.
"This is Bean Bandit, I'm a courier. And I don't know who the hell its from. I just deliver." May almost laughed out loud. If Bean was here, so was Rally! They came early to rescue her!!
Matt came up from his chair and pushed the two towards the door. "Let the man in! I know who he is!"
May prepared for- well, she didn't know what exactly, but with these two, you're just prepared. She heard Ryan make a comment and then the familiar 'ping' of a grenade fuse opening. She smiled at one of her smoke grenades rolling under Bean's feet towards the small group; May closed her eyes and held her breath, counting to three. It exploded in a small flash and large plume of smoke. She heard Rally ready her CZ75 and booted feet stomp into the room; it had to be Bean judging by the heavy sound. He yanked the sunglasses off, his eyes squinted almost shut, he pulled a large switchblade out and cut the ties from her ankles and wrists, picking her up under his arm and taking her back out to the hall. "Stay here sprite."
She about punched him for that, but decided to stay put and scowl at his retreating form instead. Bean went back into the room where Rally was being outnumbered three to one. She calmly drew a bead on Ryan and fired the gun, shooting his right leg out from underneath him. Bean saw Ingrid draw a gun from the brown jacket he still wore and pointed it towards him: a Heckler and Koch P9S. Ingrid fired four shots in succession at Bean, hitting only his lined jacket, so it failed to leave much of an impact. Maybe a bruise or two, if that. Bean lowered his arms from his face and quickly drew another two knives from his jacket; these just plain throwing knives. He took aim and quickly flung the knives, nailing Ingrid in the arm once as well as in the shoulder. Ingrid pulled the knife from his shoulder, aiming at Bean, but then he turned and flung the knife towards Rally. "Rally!!"
Rally turned just in time to see Ingrid behind the thrown knife and it heading towards her. She tried to move, managing to miss a fatal throw, but the knife did get hooked in the fabric of her jacket; it wasn't too deep though. She gritted her teeth, turned back towards Chad and shot his finger off the trigger of a small handgun as well as one through each leg, downing him.
Bean turned towards Ingrid. "You son of a bitch." He reached back a fist and swung, Ingrid getting slammed back into the wall. He hit with a crunch and Rally grit her teeth in empathy: ouch. Bean approached Ingrid, who by that time was out for the count and pulled him up by the collar. Rally trotted over to him and yanked on his bandanna ties. "Don't Bean. We'll just tie him up and take him with us."
Bean growled under his breath and then dropped Ingrid back to the floor. May stepped into the room again. "Everybody okay?"
"I'm alright." Rally stated as she watched the knife drop to the floor from her hand. "Just a small injury. Bean?"
"Fine." He stated as he glared out the window, arms crossed over his broad chest. May arched an eyebrow; he was quite protective of Rally. She smiled brightly and pulled out some rope from a box she saw Ryan dig through earlier. "Let's tie him up"
Rally smiled, right hand gripping her now slightly bloody arm. "Oh, put these on too." She reached behind her jacket and pulled out handcuffs.
May cuffed him and then tied his feet together, smiling and whistling happily. "By the way guys, thank you for saving me!"
Rally smiled. "You're my friend May; of course we'd save you!"
Bean nodded but didn't say anything. May finished and Bean started out the door. "Let's just get the hell out of here."
May arched an eyebrow at Rally as they followed Bean out the door and down the stairwell. Bean and May went out as Rally stopped to talk to the barkeeper. May followed silently. "Hey Bean? What the hell's wrong with you?"
He glanced back down at her, putting his sunglasses back on. "Nothing."
May rolled her eyes. "Whatever. Rally was right, you are a terrible liar Bean." He glared at her but did not say anything as they made it across the street. May smiled slightly, realizing how he must feel. "Rally's fine Bean. Just wrap her arm and she'll be okay you know."
Bean glared behind the glasses and leaned against the Mustang. May just hopped in the backseat. Rally came jogging across the street after explaining to the owner what was going on. She sat in the passenger seat and watched as Bean leaned against the side of the car, smoking. She turned to May. "So, what's wrong with him?"
May smiled. "You're right, he is a terrible liar. He's just worried about you."
Rally rolled her eyes. "I'm fine! What's he worried about?"
"Just…you." May stated as she turned, looking out the window. Bean opened the door before Rally could continue and hopped in, starting the car. They pulled out and were on their way home once more.
Bean pulled up to Rally and May's house, killing the engine. May excused herself to go call Roy and Rally got out as Bean sat quietly. Turning back to Rally, he looked down at her, face expressionless and arms crossed once more. She looked back up at him, blue eyes looking tired as she gripped her arm once again. May had found some bandages in Rally's bag and wrapped her arm on the way home. The bleeding had mostly stopped by that time anyway. She looked tentatively at his eyes. "I'm not sure what I did Bean, but I am sorry."
He took a deep breath, uncrossing his arms and pulling her towards him. "Its not what you did Rally."
"Then what is it? Is it because of this?" she asked, pointing at her arm. "I'm lucky it didn't get stuck in my throat because you warned me it was coming, don't forget. I owe you."
He hugged her. "That doesn't cut it for me."
"Don't worry about it Bean. It's not your fault. Like I said if you hadn't warned me I'd probably be dead. So, I thank you." She finished and wrapped her uninjured arm around his waist. "So don't beat yourself up, please."
He nodded but didn't say anything. She smiled up at him tiredly. "Well, I'm going to go in. Little tired."
"That's fine." He stated, releasing her from his strong grasp, his gaze locked on their intertwined fingers. "Be careful and I'll call you later."
She smiled and reached up, bringing him down for a quick kiss. "I'll talk to you later Bean. And thank you for helping get May back."
He nodded and got back into his car, and drove off. Rally frowned after he left. He wasn't acting too well. He was blaming himself too much for what happened to her. She walked towards the house as May came back out. She looked up with a smile. "I called Roy! He was happy to hear you and Bean didn't get me killed. He mentioned Bean though: how did he even know?"
"Well, he came over to drop information off and met him." Rally replied. "Wooo. Bet the sparks were flying then huh?" May asked.
"Yeah, you could say that. They were being civil to each other, but just barely." Rally rolled her eyes as they walked towards the door, contemplating her relationship with Bean. They were such a contradiction of terms and qualities as people: but she really loved him anyways. She shut the door with a click, happy to be home.