A Gunsmith Cats 'Fic

Volume 4a (unedited version…and this one needs it! XP)

By; Talis13

Standard Disclaimer- These characters aren't actually mine. ^^

Author's Note- This is an addition to volume 4 that I felt obligated to write. 4 ended kind of openly and then I already had volume 5 written and they didn't gel. I want to see what Bean has to say in this section about what happened to Rally in 4; as he feels partly to blame on that aspect.

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            Rally changed the bandage on her arm where Ingrid had thrown that knife at her a few days previously. She frowned slightly as she glanced back at the phone in her room. She had tried to call Bean a few times since they got May back; but she had yet to reach him and he hadn't called her. Maybe he was stewing over something. She shrugged into her jacket, packed her CZ75 into her shoulder holster and walked down the stairwell into the living room. "May? You around somewhere?"

            "In the kitchen Rally!"

            Rally stepped into the kitchen as May pulled an apple out of the fridge to eat. She turned and watched as Rally paced a moment and then turned towards her. "I'm going out for a walk May. Want to come?"

            "Nah, I want to watch Toonami. Outlaw Star you know." She shrugged. "Maybe next time though." Rally nodded and then walked out the back door; destination undecided at that point.

            Bean sat in his car 'Buff'; you couldn't miss the car if you tried. It was a custom car he had built for him; streamlined, roaring engine and painted a bright red. He tapped his fingers on the steering wheel and looked out at the park before him. People were walking and kids were playing in the bright sunshine. Couples walked by and he sighed; this was a bad idea. Screw the park. He started the car and it came to life with a growl. He shifted gears into reverse and then into first, driving down the small lanes of the park. He drove down the lane and noted he was coming up where a crowd was beginning to start. He slowed down and looked out curiously; there was a younger guy there, looked like bragging, with his friends and passersby about his car. He had a light gray Mustang Fastback parked next to him. The body needed some work; scratches and dents adorned it as well as needing some of the chrome trim and the emblem on the front panel near the wheel. Bean pulled into a spot near by and got out walking over to the crowd. He eyed the car as he went; it wasn't in too bad of shape. He guessed it was probably a '68. Bean listened to the boy brag.

            "Yeah man, I just got this car like a month ago! It runs like a dream now that I overhauled the engine!"

            "So what engine you got in there?"

            "I replaced the V8 that was in it. It kicks ass now! I can take anybody!"

            Bean arched an eyebrow before another kid laughed. "Yeah right! Have you seen that one chick with the Shelby in town? I don't know who does the work on her car but whoever it is is a genius!"

            "Ah, bring her on! I can take her car down!" he waved a hand. "Girls just don't drive well. Ask my girlfriend about that wreck she was in!"

            Bean smirked and thought about Rally's car; she was the only one with a Shelby in the area. "Actually the gal in the Cobra can drive. She could leave you in the dust, even with that Fastback of yours."

            The boy turned towards Bean who was still smirking. The boy grinned. "Yeah whatever. You a friend of hers?"

            "Yeah. I'm the only one she can't beat that I know of."

            "What kind of car you got? Import?"

            Bean rolled his eyes and pointed over his shoulder at Buff. "Yeah right. American muscle is all I get."

            The boy looked over at Buff and then back at Bean, eyes a little wider. "That's your car? Damn. What kind is it?"

            "It's a custom build. My own design." He replied, shrugging.

            The boy grinned. "You want to race?"

            Bean had to bite down a grin, remembering how eager he was to race back in the day. Before he could reply, another guy spoke up. "Hey! I know you! You drive Mustangs a lot don't you? You got a Mach 1, right? Yellow isn't it?"

            Bean looked over. "You got it." He grinned showing those sharp canines. The kid smiled, arching an eyebrow. "I've seen you with the chick that drives the Shelby. Great minds think alike 'eh?"

            "I just like woman that know their cars." Bean smiled and began to walk back towards Buff before stopping and turning back. "Good luck with your car kid."

            The guy nodded and all watched as Bean got into Buff and the engine came to life once more. He pulled out and continued his drive to the outside streets of the park. He shifted gears again and the car lazily, albeit stylishly rolled to the park entrance once more. He looked out and pulled into the main street. Traffic was fairly light this late in the evening. The sun was just on the verge of going out, casting rays of light and long shadows along the ground. He sighed and turned the wheel, turning onto a side street. Maybe getting something to eat would get his mind off of things. Specifically Rally. He pulled to a meter and got out, walking to the small restaurant. Taking a seat a little ways from the windows, he looked through the menu handed to him. The waiter came up, took his order, then his menu and disappeared once more. Bean leaned his head back, staring at the ceiling, thinking. Why should he stop thinking about her? She didn't do anything wrong; it was him. Of course, he didn't think Ingrid would be able to throw a knife either. That didn't really matter though. Rally got hurt because of something he had done. Rolling his head on his shoulders, Bean glanced out the window and there she was.

Rally looked down at the concrete, small frown on her features, unsure of what to do. She tucked her hands into her duster jacket's pockets with a sigh. He was avoiding her because he felt guilty. Even though he shouldn't; he saved her life! If he were standing in front of her, what would she say? She looked up thoughtfully at the setting sun, it bathing her face in gold. She sighed again. What would she say? I'm sorry you're worried about me? No, that wouldn't work. Don't beat yourself up over something you had no control over? That wouldn't work either because she already tried it. I love you stop avoiding me? That was starting to hold a certain amount of appeal for her and she frowned again, staring at the concrete. She needed to talk to him.

Bean watched as she passed and he felt guilty again. He didn't try and stop her though. He didn't rush to her. And she didn't look too happy. She had tried calling and he conveniently avoided the calls. Bean rubbed a hand over brown eyes. "Damn. I'm an idiot."

His dish was set in front of him ad he sighed, grabbing his food in thought. He was going to go talk to her if it was the last thing he did tonight come hell or high water. She was owed an apology from him. He shrugged uncomfortably in his flak jacket and looked out the window once more, knowing she was long gone. He finished fairly quickly, paid his bill and got into his car. He pulled from the curb, trying to decide if she went home. It was getting dark, so probably. As he took a turn down a side street towards her house, he saw she was not quite home yet. He slowed near her and dropped the passenger window. "Hey."

She looked over surprised, her eyes lighting up a few shades happily, but it not reaching her lips. It was Bean, not her imagination. "Um, hey."

"You want a ride?"

"Sure. Its getting kind of dark anyways." She walked over to Buff, opening the door with a 'clack'. She buckled her seatbelt and he continued on to her house. It was quiet the rest of the ride and right as he pulled into the driveway and killed the engine. He turned to Rally who sat looking at him in the dimness. He had seen that she was happy to see him and that gave him a modicum of confidence; but he still held that self-doubt firmly in the other hand. She was waiting for him to say…something. He gripped the steering wheel in his left hand, turning to look back out the windshield. Rally tilted her head; he acted nervous. Maybe she should start the conversation. Bean turned towards her again. "I'm sorry I've been avoiding you Rally. That was wrong." She nodded but didn't say anything. Getting a heartfelt apology from Bean Bandit was a rare occurrence indeed. "I'm sorry Rally. I hope you can forgive me."

She grabbed his hand and gave him one of her dazzling smiles that matched the blue shining in her eyes. "I was thinking about what to say to you if I saw you anytime soon." He arched an eyebrow and she continued. "The best I came up with is 'I love you stop avoiding me.' But I think I have something better now."

"And that would be?"

"I do love you. That and I don't blame you. There wasn't anything you could have done Bean. I'm begging you; please don't blame yourself. I just should have been more careful. Besides, the knife was just convenient. He had a gun and I'm sure would have used it on me, so its NOT your fault. All right?" she asked as she ran her fingers through his standing-on-end head of hair and moved down to trace his brow just below the headband.

Bean closed his eyes, trying to forgive himself. She did so easily. "How do you do it?"

"Do what?" she whispered, sliding her fingers along his jaw line.

He gulped slightly and took a deep breath. She was doing bad things to his self-control. "Forgive people so easily."

"I don't do this for everyone Bean. I'm doing it for you."

He grabbed her fingers and opened his eyes looking into her own once again. "What happens if you get hurt again because of my doing something stupid?"

She arched her eyebrows. "Ah. The heart of the problem 'eh? This wasn't your fault. I tried to tell you before. You. Saved. My. Life. Period. I can never thank you enough for that. I wouldn't be here if not for you. So it was a knife of yours he used. Big deal. Like I said, he would have shot me anyways. I know you've been avoiding me because you've been stewing. You're the quiet tough guy type."

"Have I been stereotyped?"

"If you had I would have called you a football player jock." Rally stated, arching her eyebrow with a smirk. He gave her a chuckle grudgingly. She smiled again, lighting up the dark car. "No. But you put more thought into things than people will give you credit for. To them, you're probably a football player or somebody that's good at busting heads. Right?" he shrugged. She continued with a smile. "I know I'm right Bean. But that's just not you totally. But I'm glad you talked to me finally. I want you to really think through things, all right?"

He nodded slightly, still not convinced. "Yeah, I guess."

"Listen Bean. Think about what happened and what you could have done. I can guarantee that you did everything you could do short of tackling the guy. Even that wouldn't have helped much. But, when you do think about it, call me and tell me. I want to hear what you have to say. See if you agree with me or not." Rally finished before opening her car door. She turned back giving him another smile. Leaning over the control panel of the car she gave him a quick peck on the lips. "So, I'll talk to you later Bean."

He nodded and watched as she entered her house silently. He backed out of the drive and onto the street. He pulled to a main street and drove until he hit the first bar he saw and got out. Stepping into the dusky establishment he got a mug of Bud on tap. He sat at a booth and glared at the wall in front of him. He chugged half the mug and it landed back on the table with a hollow 'thunk'. And he thought. Where was he? About six and half feet away from Ingrid. Rally was probably a good eight feet away from him. He played the scene through his mind, taking a swig of the beer. What else could he have done? He could have tackled Ingrid; but that probably would have thrown his aim off worse, possibly killing Rally. That idea was out. Could he have blocked the knife himself? Given the distance, maybe, but while he was quick, he wasn't that quick. He sighed and marked that idea off of the mental list. He drained the mug, signaling the barkeeper back over.

The barkeep took the mug, returned with it filled and set it back on the table, picking up the cash Bean left there. Bean swished the liquid around, staring at the wall still. He couldn't think of anything else he could have done. Nothing short of getting Rally killed herself, and that he would never do. He took another drink from the mug and it landed with a resounding 'thunk' again. He closed his eyes once more, playing through what had happened after he dropped May in the hallway. It played through several times and he still could not conjure another alternative. Rally was right; he didn't have any other options. His gut reaction had been the best at that point in time; that was admitted grudgingly at best. Draining the mug, he left it and stood up, rolling back his shoulders and then proceeded out the door.

Out in the parking lot, he started his car and then proceeded to pull out his cell phone. It was nine o'clock, but not late. It rang twice. "Hello?" sang smoothly through the receiver and he smiled.

"Hey Rally. Its me."

"Oh, hey Bean!"

"Listen, I thought about it. Constantly. For the last hour. And I admit, you were right. There really wasn't anything else I could do."

"So. You forgive yourself?"

"Well, grudgingly. I still feel guilty, but its not overwhelming me."

Her tinkling laughter came through the phone. "Wonderful! I'm very happy to hear that Bean!"

He smiled at the sound of her laughter. "Yeah well, I'm trying you know."

"I know. I really do Bean." She paused a moment. "Would you like to come over? May, Ken and I are playing poker."

Bean arched an eyebrow. "And the catch?"

"Well, May is making us play strip." Rally shrugged and Bean heard May's laughter in the background. "Good intentions, I'm sure."

He laughed. "Yeah right. With May involved? Are you joking?"

She giggled. "Hey, its all right. So you want to come over?"

He thought about the prospect. He didn't have a tendency to lose at Poker. As a matter of fact, he was pretty good at it. And he could embarrass some friends and see his girlfriend.  He grinned. "Sure Vincent. Count me in."

"Hey May! Bean's coming and he's playing too!" Bean then heard May over the phone. "Woo Hoo! Bean Bandit in the buff! Bring him on baby!!"

He grinned. "Is Ken there?"

"Yeah. And now he's basically steaming." Rally giggled. "But, hey, we're waiting for you Bean."

"See you in a few Rally."

"In a few Bean. And with any amount of luck, you'll lose."

He chuckled into the phone. "I don't see that happening anytime soon darlin'."

"We'll see. Well, see you Bean."

Both hung up the phones and Bean tucked it back into his jacket. He looked thoughtfully out the windshield and a smile eased onto his features for the first time in a few days.

Author's Notes~ Actual end of Volume 4. ;)