Coffee and Pool (Feat. Lara Croft, Sara Pezzini, Terry Sheridan, and Ian
Nottingham)
What a night it had been, but at least the day had been pretty smooth so far. The archaeologist was dressed in her usual attire. Shorts, a blue tank- top, boots and of course to complete the assemble her guns and her black leather trench coat covering the assemble. The long braid of auburn locks fell down her slender back as she walked towards Star Bucks, the few times she had been to New York and visiting Sara, the cop woman had gotten the Tomb Raider fixed on lattes and those yummy bagels. Sunglasses fixed across her hazel orbs, Lara eyed the skyline. It was growing close to sunset. Never a good thing in New York City. Oh well, unless Mr. Estacado was feeling like a fight or simply wanted to check up on her personally the surrey native had nothing to worry about. Sara was supposed to meet her at the establishment. A thought crept to mind, was Sheridan keeping close tabs on her now too? Did she have two members of the male species watching her like hawks? Both for similar and different reasons? Hurray for Lara and her crazy love life, drench that in sarcasm. How she got into all these fixes were beyond her, but here she was in a how did Terry put it last night? Ah, yes a pickle. The glass door opened smoothly as the tall woman entered, boots soundless against the tiled floor as she approached the counter," Vanilla latte' tall please." exited the words via that rich accent of hers.
The stakeout on Iron's estate continued and it was as Pezzini had feared, the heat was coming down on her about her tact and reckless nature. She thought back to her barrage of questions in the Lieutenant Siry's office. Granted he was her boss, and the closest thing she had to a father but Sara hated to worry the man. She knew he blamed himself for his partner's death (Sara's Father James Pezzini), just as Sara blamed herself for hers (Michael Yee). Her reckless nature was why Yee was gunned down before her eyes. She didn't know which was worse, Watching your partner die or in the case of Siry, never finding the murderer. The brunette sipped her long cold coffee and winced at the flavor. Her emerald eyes spied the grounds though a telephoto lens as she watched for anything amiss. The 35 mm Nikon was her best weapon right now and she knew it. Although everything in her being wanted to bust the door down with guns a blazin' she understood the meaning of corroborative evidence. The 'rat tat tat' on the driver's side window startled her out of her thoughts and she looked into the face of her partner Jake McCarthy. "Hey there Pez. I'm here to relieve you." He offered as she lowered the window. Sighing she opened the door, the interior light illuminating as the door's sensor began to beep. Jake took her seat in the unmarked sedan and Sara leaned against the door for a moment. "Thanks McCarthy. I'm late for some coffee and bagels with Lara Croft." The blonde would be surfer arched a brow and leaned his elbow on the frame. "And I'm not invited? Man. some luck. Tell her I said hi would ya?" Sara nodded with a smile, "Sure thing. Hey thanks again." Pezzini walked the few blocks to her motorcycle and within a few moments was strolling into the local Starbucks "Hey Anthony!" she called to the middle aged guy behind the counter. "The usual please. and don't let her," she nodded to Lara, "pay for this I got it."
A familiar voice," You're to kind darling." The Brit grinned," How goes the fun at stakeout?" The sunglasses were removed revealing her hazel irises," Bryce sent over some of his tech things today. How lovely it was to get six computers, four need to be assembled min satellites and a hundred of what he refers to as his Bugs." The Raider waved a hand," Don't ask." She took her hot drink and ordered one of the orange seed bagels, then moved to a empty table and sat. One chair turned around and her boots propped up on it," So anything new? We ought to hotwire the place you know, tap his phone and all." A careful sip was taken," Ahh, now I know why I miss this place so much." A smile," Anyhow, sure Irons will probably know we tapped him, but still it's worth a shot." And she knew exactly who to send in to do it," All we got to do is wait for him to go somewhere and then Terry and I could go in and set it up." Her plan was simple," I say he and I because, he's an ex spy actually and I'm used to getting into places I shouldn't." A wiry grin, "Unless of course you've a better thought?" Eyes fell on Sara a moment," You look pale still dear. Get much sleep last night after all the fun and games?" There was humor in her tone, but also noted concern for a dear friend.
Sara reached into the back pocket of her hip hugging jeans and grabbed the chain wallet free. Flipping a few bills onto the counter she grabbed her tall _mocha latte and stuffed her wallet back. Sara knew that despite her best efforts in trying to convert her partner and this sassy Brit toward New York living they would still have a place in their hearts for home, but it didn't stop her from trying. "Thanks Tony" she mused, walking the short distance to her friend. Flipping a chair around and straddling it, the detective placed her chocolate infused beverage on the small table and draped her hands over the back of the chair. "Pale?" Sara forced a wry grin and closed her eyes shaking her head with the smile. Upon meeting Lara's gaze again she answered frankly, "At best I get about 2 hours a night. And you're looking at my diet." She gestured to the coffee. "True there is a bit of substance, I think I'd die if there wasn't a hot dog vendor half a block from the station." She chortled a bit trying to make light of her situation.
Sheridan moved slightly walking away from the building he'd spent the entire day doing business rather than being able to relax. From the exciting night prior to the dulling droning of old men in blue double breasted suits. Typical for the former spy he was dressed in all black. Black slacks and a black long sleeved shirt, though like yesterday it was covered this time but not by his leather but a longer black trench coat styled jacket. Boots moved across the sidewalks of New York, though silently he though of being back in London, anywhere really, besides New York. And people thought the British were rude. A hand shoved though his hair as he walked by a pup. There was a sigh of almost disgust, the American bar was trying to have that English Pup feel, but failed. Head shook "Bloody yanks." He muttered the pup wasn't even opening until 6. Eyes rolled slightly and he kept moving down the sidewalk. Stepping into the coffee place, were he to even walk another block there would have been another just like it. A brow arched as he looked up and moved to the counter. "Welcome to Starbucks, can I interest you in a iced _Mocha Frappe to day, Sir?" lips pursed a moment and the Brit gave a bit of a quizzical look. "No I don't want any ruddy iced _mocha.. .thing. Just a coffee, black, think ya can handle that mate?" the boy behind the counter nodded and took Sheridan's last name while he moved to a tall round table in the corner. Muttering once again to himself "Yanks.. .mucking up coffee.. no tea time. And trying to copy English Pubs.." his head shook slightly while his name was called and he returned to the table. Looking down at the steaming black liquid he stirred it a moment, putting s little sugar and cream in it. Forearm rested around the cup while he leaned down against the tables top. Thoughts running though his mind he took a sip before stopping. Sure he'd been shadowing Lara, but he hadn't intended to met her, at least not yet. Eyes panned over the table from his cup to the surrey woman. "Now who's stalking who? Hmm, Lara love?" from shifted still hunched slightly over his corner table and coffee.
A nod," Yes pale." Another sip of her drink as eyes peered over the rim of the cup watching the woman carefully," Something you'd like to discuss about? You seem more trouble then I am as of currant." Lara was hinting about last night and Sara's sudden spacing out moment of silence as the Brit thought a moment," Does it have something to do with Tall, Dark and Creepy?"A rather lady like a bite was taken from the bagel as Raider made sure her coat concealed her weapons well. All she needed was questions popping up from your local yokels about them. A chuckle, though living as a permanent resident of New York City strange happenings were probably nothing new to them. But guns like she carried, well Lara preferred to play it safe. Less question and answer moments that way," Your not keeping your mind on the tasks at hand either dear." Lara removed some papers from a pocket inside her coat and sat forward boots removing themselves from the chair she was using as a foot rest," There are people here in New York and surrounding areas that have copies of The Book Sara." The Brit shifted into serious mode suddenly," Irons can do just as much damage with them as he can the real deal." A pause to sip her Latte'," And I did a run on what artifacts that we suppose he stole. All of them have to do with the ancient rituals of raising the Dead, do you know of any particular reason Mr. Irons would want to raise...." Hazel orbs narrowed, as she shifted and turned," Bloody hell must you be so damned sneaky?" A coy smirk crossed her lips," Actually I was just talking about you and the services you can provide to us." A slender hand gestured to Sara," We need to tap Irons' pad, up for a little bit of breaking in and all that fun?" A brow arched as her left boot kicked outward forcing a chair to slide noisily across the floor," Join the party Mr. Sheridan." She crooked her index finger at him then pointed to the chair," Please." She droned, hating to ask nicely.
The Witchblade wielding cop tucked her hair back dragging her nails though the somewhat tangled mass and with the tie about her wrist, fastened the locks at the nape of her neck. She hoped the somewhat tight ponytail might make her look more refreshed, and less of a maniacal girl on the edge. Her light green eyes seemed hollow, soulless. Deftly she grasped the paper cup in her hands and relished in the warmth although it burned her hands. Sometimes pain reminded her she was alive. After taking a sip she replaced the cup atop the table and her gaze lowered. She stared blankly toward the floor as she spoke to Lara. "I know you're concerned. Hell I'm concerned. I'm sure you know the life of a cop is hard enough without the stresses of a. a." she didn't know how to describe the Witchblade, so she just twisted her wrist and drew back her new leather jacket sleeve. The aroma of her new jacket was comforting and the subtle creak of the material as she moved showed the jacket still needed breaking in. "What say we leave things be and I blow another week's salary on a drinks at the bar? I could use a few games of pool to get my mind off the job." A devilishly shaped eyebrow arched toward the sky as Sara tempted the Tomb raider with the proposition of the game. "Besides we have a few hours left before we can break into Irons' estate."
A simple nod," Of course I'm concerned." She finished off her coffee," I'm your friend it is my duty to worry about you." Hazel orbs focused onto the Blade Wielder curiously. Something was turning around in her mind," There something on your mind Darling?" The cup was tossed into the trash," Hmm. Two points." The bagel was soon finished off as well," Pool? I haven't played for ages." Lara stood stretching," Sounds like a plan. I need to get my mind off a few things as well." Lara took the napkin left my Sheridan and placed it into the breast pocket of her trench," Fool. He never changes his cell number." Eyes rolled," Some ex-spy." Hands slipped into pockets as the Raider's gaze peered outside, night was falling. Little yellow eyes in the distances and then they were gone. A slight scowl, Lara hated to be watched. Especially by annoying pest lings. Lara quickly looked back to Sara," So lead the way Miss Pezzini." And calmly the British woman waited to follow her friend.
She lifted the cup to her ruddy lips again and accepted the remaining bits of warm caffeinate beverage. Feeling her exhaustion lighten a bit with the rush the coffee provided. "If I didn't know any better I'd ask you the same question." Sara retorted in response to the something on your mind question, her eye catching Sheridan as he left. "Truly though, I can see why you fell in with him. simply delicious." Sara's head jerked up as she tossed her cup into the trash and followed Croft outside. "That reminds me, you have a fan club. Jake says hi." The detective smiled and nodded to her bike, "I'll take the lead on this one. Besides I think I know the perfect place." Secretly Sara hoped that while she and Lara shot pool and played darts that they might score some info, but she left that to herself for the moment. "But to answer your question about what's on my mind, all I can say is it's getting stronger.' (Of course she was referring to the Witchblade) "And I just don't want to slip into the void." Sara straddled her bike and began to affix her helmet waiting for Lara.
A brow was arched," Oh well Hmm." Lara's eyes slightly fell towards staring at the ground," Well.. he is nice too look at sure. Not bad in the sack, but...." She pushed back a few strands of hair that had fallen from her braid," We clashed...too much alike." Suddenly Lara Croft felt vulnerable and rather well, she just felt in a manner she had not for a long time. The Raider had walked so she arched a brow slightly," Sara dear, mind if I catch a ride?" She pulled her trench coat more around her again, eyes gazing about," I walked, seeing as my new permanent residence is only a block and a half away." Idly she pointed down the right away from Star Bucks," As the saying goes, every road leads to a Star Bucks." Chortled the auburn trussed woman. Snagging the extra helmet from Sara's bike the Brit slipped on to the back of the machine, "A fan club hmm? Yes, I'm starting to see a trend in this." A chuckle," Unless I see Mr. Surf, tell him Hey back." The Brit gripped the back of the bike and gazed around," You must come by and see my new pad sometime. I could allow you to live there when I'm not stopped in New York."
The powerful Buell Lightning X1 was Sara's pride and joy, and although the bike looked a bit big for her Sara's powerful legs were more then enough to kick-start the engine. "You keep tempting me with an apartment that rivals Jake's and I'll be sending all my paychecks to you." The Witchblade wielder revved the engine and then took off onto the street Ducking to and fro she leaned with the bike as her speed increased. Sara didn't have time to deal with traffic at the moment so she bent the law around her agenda. A few beeping cars and half a dozen yellow and red lights later and Sara skidded the bike into a vertical space of the seedy bar and with her boot kicked the stand to, cutting the engine. Removing her helmet, Sara tucked it under her arm and walked toward the door. "I'm hoping to get some good scratch while were here, so keep your ears open."
How only a few hours can change things during the day. This was not Ian's type of place at all. It was seedy, it was dirty, it was raucous, but he found himself here. Why? It was a night to celebrate, that was for sure. And when he heard that Sara would be coming here, well, he found himself here after that. Dressed in very casual clothes for him, a pair of denim jeans, and black T-Shirt with boots on, he looks around the bar to its patrons. It wasn't the crowd he was familiar with, that was for sure.
A laugh," You won't have to pay me for it." A smooth grin crossed Lara's lips as she followed the Detective inside," I owe another grand on it which will be paid in full tomorrow morning." A brow arched slightly," You drive your bike as good as I would." She scanned the place. Hazel orbs taking everything into account," Hmm. I know a few places in London which would rival this." Lara noted just about every sort of scum you could think of was here. From bikers to women of the night, and for some reason the Raider was glad she was armed and could give a mean right hook. The auburn head nodded briefly," Sure thing love. Ears are open and ready to pick and scan." The Brit was feeling easy going and ordered a beer," Leave it in the bottle please." A moment later the long necked glass container full of amber liquid was slid across the bar to her," Thanks." She slapped the proper bills down for it and turned to Sara," Want something? On me this time. The Raider handed the Cop a twenty," Get what you want. I want to look at cues." The lanky woman moved over to the rack which lined the wall of the bar and walked down it studding each long wooden stick before finally choosing one and finding an empty table sitting up the game.
Sara secretly thanked her boss Lieutenant Joe Siry for making her wear a vest today, and she adjusted her .357 concealed on her right side. A crack of the Thermoset resin billiard balls and Sara's attention was turned toward the pool table. A few scumbags from the bar noticed the pair enter, and then went back to their conversations, shots of liquor, beers, and the like. 'Ah Blaggards What a shit hole.' She thought to herself. "Sure thing Lara." She moved her way toward the bar and leaned against the counter. After a few minutes of the bartender chatting with his regular customers he approached her. He was of average size and his light brown hair threatened to poke his eye due to the length. "Hey can you get me a shot of crown, a Killian's Irish red and a Vodka gimlet." The tender set to work and after a few minutes returned. Sara slid the twenty to him, downed the shot and carried the two drinks to the table. "Hey. figured this was your style," she offered to Lara, holding out the tumbler glass filled with vodka and lime juice. "Straight pool. and shots called beforehand... What say.. you?"
Lara shed her trench coat carefully. Her weapons slipping off her waist concealed in the brown folds of the coat and placed onto a chair nearby so she could keep an eye on them. The tall Brit stretched and then removed the triangle from the multi colored balls and twirled the stick in her hands," A drinking challenge? Really now Sara." wicked grin tugged at the full lips," You're on." Slender fingers took the vodka and lime juice mix, her head tilted back and in seconds the liquid was gone," Hmm. Not bad." She sat the glass upside down on the side of the table and grinned to her shall it be said partner in crime,' You can break." With that the British Bombshell snagged the chalk and began to work it against the tip of the cue.
Sara unzipped her leather jacket's sleeves expanding the fabric and then she pushed them up into the crook of her arm. Her holster didn't allow for a discreet removal, and in this place she didn't think anyone would mind her weapons. In fact she spotted a few people with bulges in their jackets. Sara selected a cue that didn't seem too crooked and set to work chalking it. Her green eyes narrowed as she leaned down and sized up the object ball. With a swift stroke, Sara broke the triangle of balls apart and sent a few into pockets. She winked and looked to the Raider. "Six ball corner pocket," Sizing up again Sara sent the ball home and then strolled to the cue balls location. "Fourteen, side." She overestimated her power and the striped ball rattled against the pocket's sides and didn't drop. "Damnit!" she cursed. "Looks like you're up." The detective stood and walked to her beer taking a long swallow.
Lara watched amused. Sara was good, the Brit would admit. However," Not bad." Golf clap. The sassy woman moved forward, her frame leaning across the table," Hmm. Let's see." Hazel orbs peered about," Ah. Yes. There we are." The smooth wooden cue slid backwards against her fingers, her arm extending back with it," Fourteen," A bit of a nasty competitive smirk," Side." Her muscle sent the cue springing forward into the ball. Crack! The white object rolled forward at a nice speed and into number fourteen as the satisfying sound of the ball sinking into the pocket emitted," Ah. I love that sound." The Brit sauntered around the table, a few of the men turned now to pay attention to the women ," Now. Next victim. Number two top right." Again her long form repeated the same actions as before, and again that sound. Plunk. The swarmy Raider offer Her Friend a wink," Hmm. Number eleven..."She scanned," Bottom left." A tricky shot, none the less but Lara figured she could handle it. Her body sent the white ball crashing forward. It bounced off the top corner of the table, then traveled down the length of the table hit Eleven only to send it sailing back in the direction the white ball had come off the table and towards Sara's head," Bugger!" The Brit moved fast, years of having to move quickly to avoid being chopped in half or other little nasty surprises waiting in Tombs to try and end your very life. Just as the ball would've connected with Sara's right temple, a slender hand reached up and caught the ball," Oops. Too much power behind it.." the Brit smiled sheepishly, but her tone was genuine none the less as she was now sprawled across the pool table having dived onto it to catch the wild ball," Nice save." Came a male's voice from somewhere as Lara blushed indifferently.
Sara's throat worked to down a good portion of the beverage, and as her head was tilted back the toned muscles of her throat were fully exposed to the on looking eyes. Sara set the beer back on the small shelf with a heavy hand and devilishly smirked. Even though Sara was a non-smoker by trade she had resilience to the clouds of it that billowed about the room. Years of working the bar scene and interrogation rooms seemed to harden her lungs to the malicious smoke. "Not bad at all!" she leaned against the wall and admired the brash Brit. As if on cue, with the sudden display of acrobatics Sara's favorite workout song thumped in her ears and she quirked a brow, admiring Rob Zombie's 'Living Dead Girl'. "The thumping beats of the tune amplified her mood for this shit hole of a bar and as she strolled to the table again the detective couldn't help but sway her hips to the beat. "Nice moves, can you dance too?" Sara licked her supple lips and as her teeth dragged against the soft flesh of her bottom lip she turned to the group at the other table, "Like what you see huh? Care to make a wager?" The athletic cop sucked in her cheeks a bit as she pursed her lips and side- glanced their obvious ringleader. "You boys play your cards right and I might even let you buy me a drink." Sara was in the mood to hunt and although her front might have been apparent to the Tomb Raider, these testosterone driven scumbags hadn't no clue.
Lara quickly hopped off the table placing the ball back on it with a sigh of relief," Bloody hell... that was close." A thumping beat coursed into Lara's ears," Nice." The auburn head moved along to the rhythms, closely watching her friend getting her drift. Smoke and mirrors. Trickery amongst thieves. A masquerade. All that sort of fun. She twirled the cue again in her hands and drank down some of her own beer and sat it back on the edge of the pool table with a wicked grin," I bet you blokes could use some excitement, ante up fellows." Lara laid her accent on thicker then normal. One of the men arched a brow at her interestedly like. A hazel wink was returned to that arched brow. To put it into laymen's terms the two Bombshells were mucking with them. Lara like any girl enjoyed a good game of cat and mouse with a man. And the more dangerous the better the game. Usually Lady Croft preferred to be the cat, but sometimes the role would occasionally become reversed. Not often, but once and awhile. This time however Lara was all feline.
His place in the bar was in the shadows. He had suspected that Sara or Lara hadn't seen him yet, all the better to him. His leg was just fine, having it been fixed the previous night before. He watched as they play pool together, then as they get a little more cocky in their skills, offering challenges up to the other people in the bar. "I'll take that wager." He says, loud enough for them to hear him, even over the noise of the bar. He stands, and moves out of the shadows, bringing the beer glass in his hand as he walks over to them at their table. "After all, I don't think two measly females could stand up long enough against me." He says, as he moves to put the glass down on the edge of the pool table. He looks to Lara with a nod, then to Sara with a nod, and a slight smile on his usual stoic features. "That is if the females at this table aren't afraid to lose." He says with a small smile, as he looks to them. "Usual eight ball game, or do we want to go for nine?" He asks, as he moves over to pick up a cue, as he looks it over, then walking back to them. It was going to be a interesting night if things were perking up like they had been for the last two nights.
The trio of men walked in close and the leader produced a billfold, tossing it onto the beer stained felt. "Alright, the game is simple, eight ball; I'll take any man here as my partner and I'll beat the two of you. I'll even let you pick." The leader sneered, thinking the two girls didn't have a chance in hell, regardless of his teammate. Sara popped her neck and looked to the Tomb raider, "I think we can manage that huh?" Her green orbs narrowed in on Nottingham and she caught herself at a loss for words. Quickly recovering the cop didn't want to give her ruse away and she went right back into character. "Think you can beat us handsome? Well saddle up," she thumbed toward Nottingham, "How bout this guy?" The goon nodded, figuring this was a win win situation. The detective nodded to the Tomb raider and the saucy redhead tossed her the cue she had left near the shelf. "Thanks!" she said as she deftly caught the slender pike. Sara tiled toward the bar and called to the tender. "Hey can we get a couple of shots here? Tequila. and leave the salad (referring to the limes) behind the counter I don't do salad."
A voice," Well, well if it isn't Tall, Dark, and Creepy." The nod was returned. Eyes drifted to Sara, curious as to how the woman would act. Lara, was leery around Ian Nottingham not too keen on the man. To put it bluntly she didn't trust him, and despite her Friend's possible relationship with the man she probably never would. brow arched at Pez as she continued this facade even with Nottingham. This was going to become rather amusing to say the least, and Lara had have the mind to ask Sara if she was drunk. However let the game be played, and being part of the game Lara shifted back into acting )," Shall we let these poor saps go first then?" Full lips pursed slightly, before being placed against her beer bottle as the amber liquid slid down her throat. Tequila? Lara eyed the Wielder slowly. Perhaps she was trying to get drunk after all, "Hmm?" Eyes drifted to Nottingham a moment, what did he make of all this? The Tomb Raider found herself actually wanting to know what Creepy was thinking. The shots came around, and just to please Pez Lara downed one and waited for the apparent fun to begin.
He looks over to the man he was paired up with, the biker bar stereotype if there ever was one. He leans over to the man, and speaks softly, but enough to have Lara hear. "I'd be careful about the British one. She tends to have violent outbursts." He says, as he just nods back to Lara, as he then looks to Sara, downing a shot of Tequila in one go. He wasn't sure if the Witchblade gave her some immunity against alcohol, but it wouldn't for much longer if she kept downing shots like that if it did. He takes the cue ball, as the others get racked, brushing past Sara gently as he moves to set up his shot. He then surges the cue ball forward into the others with a swift movement of his cue, sending the balls scattering all over the table. He sees two of the solid balls go in to respective pockets, as he looks to Lara. "I believe we're solids." He says, as he moves around the table to continue his shot. Lining up a shot again, he moves the ball forward knocking into another solid, only to have it stop a near centimeter from going over the edge into the pocket. Sighing, he takes his cue up into his hands as he looks to them. "Your shot ladies." He says, as he lets move past him for their own shot.
Sara winked to Lara, "I believe before you nearly took my head off with that last bit, it was my shot?" Smirking the detective removed her leather jacket, revealing her .357 and acting the 'tough gal criminal'. Nimble fingertips chalked the cue and she sauntered back to the table. "Hold this for me will ya?" she asked Nottingham as she picked up a shaker of salt. The brunette walked to Nottingham's partner and before he could protest, had licked a wet spot on his neck, sprinkled it with the white grains and licked it clear. Her green eyes narrowed devilishly as she took her shot, tossing the small glass over her shoulder. She winked to the pair and proceeded to call and run down all the striped balls. "Care to double the stakes?" She leaned against the table, and looked to her partner in crime. "My friend here can make this bank shot (referring to the remaining eight ball) with her eyes closed."
She watched closely, then eyes narrowed," Cheeky." Hissed the British high society tone at him. Hazel orbs rolled as the full lips idly mumbled," Violent outbursts.. I'll show you violent outburst." Make that Tall, Dark, Creepy and Smart-assed. Lovely, so he had a mouth too. Why had she failed to pick up on this before," What is it with New York men and their cheeky lips?" Eyes averted to Sara wanting an explanation curiously, that is if the woman wasn't getting so smashed she couldn't think straight. A sheepish grin," Hmm. Right. Sorry bout that. Accident you know." The Brit swallowed hard, at being reminded of her little mistake. Arms crossed as her cue rested leaned against the pool table. A brow quirked as Sara played Tough Girl, then Badass Girl. Hazel orbs shifted to Nottingham a moment, her expression curious. However Sara's words caused her head to snap to the right and eyes to fix onto the Copper," The Hell? Sara...are you out of your bloody mind?!?!" Brownish-green orbs went wide," I say your smashed darling." Arms remained folded. At this point she would rather be Tomb Raiding in the buff, no guns then having to do the near impossible.
He thought of the wager as he looks to Sara. Yeah, she was definitely going sober at this point in the game. "We'll that bet. But, if she can't make it, you two have to do something completely humiliating, not to mention, lose all of that money on the table there." He offers out, looking to them, as he un narrows his eyes from when Sara licked salt off of the man's neck. He felt like killing his partner just for that, but he would hold off on that for right now. Was he jealous? Possibly, it certainly was out of the question for her to do such a thing. Sara was almost drunk now, and he wondered how much trouble he'd be getting himself into protecting her tonight
Sara caught the Raider's bluff toward the men and knew that this game was won even before it began. She and Lara had planned it perfectly. Sara was far from drunk, after all she was half Irish. It was in her blood to hold her liquor. The men had taken the bait that she was smashed out of her gourd and Sara bit her lip to hold back a smirk of contentment. The green eyed lady rolled her neck and an obvious popping was heard by all. "Well are you in?" she retorted to the other man. The brute sneered and gestured to one of his goons, who promptly produced the needed funds. "Yeah babe I'm on." He spoke with a thick New York accent, tossing the bills next to the other billfold. Sara straddled a chair and adjusted her weapon looking to Lara. "Come on Lara, let's put this game to bed."
Brows furrowed. Nottingham was pushing buttons. Lovely. What next? Lara's arms unfolded," Hmm. You surprise me Creepy." Actually she was rather shocked," Does the Master know about your after hours side?" Snide, very snide. But then again that's Lara Croft for you. Eyes fell on Sara. Planned perfectly yes. And to be honest this was one of those, damn the torpedoes, off the cuff, pulling things out of your ass sort of plans. Lara's favorite in other words. A nod to her Partner, and then the woman sauntered forward. Hazel orbs fixing the shot in her mind. Her breathes became deep, nervous? Yes, however same old' Lara Croft as always. The full lips parted, all eyes were on her as she took a baited breathe and leaned across the table. Swallowing hard the Brit closed her eyes," Eight ball, right corner pocket." The entire bar was silent. The cue slide back, her movements were slow and then crack! The cue had shot forward into the white ball sending it crashing into the eight ball Lara did not open her eyes. Instead she just listened, the rolling of the ball across the felt green top. The sound of breaths held around her, including her own. The Brit did not want Ian Nottingham to get his sick satisfactions out of her and Sara. Finally the Raider willed her orbs to open just in time to see it sink into the correct pocket," Yes!" She gave Nottingham a so-there expression before looking to Sara," If you ever do that to me again." The Raider breathed," Scare the bloody hell out of me like that." An actual lonely bead of sweat trickled down the brow of Lady Croft. Pressure could do that to even the most fearless of women as she downed the rest of her half full bottle of beer.
He kept his stoic face on as he looked to Lara, sinking the ball into the corner pocket, finally. A little too much tension for his sake, he was sure of it. They had been set up, that was clear now. He looked to the male partner and shrugged as he looked to Lara again. "Good Job. Your expertise with balls shows." He says leaving it at that. "And I'm on my own tonight actually. Irons is missing. My guess is somebody ended him." He says as he looks to the two of them. "So I suppose that means I'll be on my own for the next few nights as well." He says with a half smirk, as he looks to Sara, but that comes off as a genuine smile, however small. "Another game, ladies?" He asks as he looks to the two of them, starting to rack the balls up again.
Sara chortled to her companion Lady Lara, "Oh that was bloody brilliant!" she mocked a British accent that sounded more slanted to Irish. Her forefinger and thumb snapped together as she turned to the masculine pair. "Match and set. Thank you for playing. you can pick up your consolation prize at the door." As Sara reached for the pile of bills, she was grabbed by the upper arm. "You trying to hustle me girly?!" The brutish gent growled into her face. Spittle flew from his mouth as he spoke and Sara gasped in surprise at the sudden change of mood. "Hey I warned you fair and square that you were gonna lose, and you didn't listen." Her hand edged toward her sidearm, and as the brut caught sight of her actions he thrust a knee up into her stomach. Sara coughed, and as she bent down her ponytail was grabbed and her face and upper torso was slammed into the felt covered slate of the second pool table. "What makes you think you can come in here and hustle me for all that dough?" he snarled.
Lara smirked," Wasn't it though?" She slapped a high-five to her partner in crime," Perhaps I should make my visits to NYC more often and not just for business." She sat down the cue she had been using back onto the rack and chuckle," Sara, darling British doesn't suit you." A sarcastic grin. The Brit had turned her back when the sudden sounds of a struggle alerted her. Not good, Within seconds both Desert Eagle .44 Magnums were out and one was pressed against the man's skull holding Sara down," That's no way to treat a Lady." Click, a bullet was resting and ready to go," Especially my friend." One of the bastard's friends came up on Lara's other side. Instantly her other gun was pointed at his head," We can do this two ways yanks." Her tone was dark, as was her hazel orbs," Way one, you let my friend go and walk away." Another click of the second weapon," Way two, you paint this establishment's walls a new color." By looking at the woman, one could see she wasn't beyond pulling the triggers," The choice is yours Gentlemen." brows arched, her arms steady unmoving," You okay Sara?" Hazel orbs did not leave intended targets as the Brass balled Brit awaited for the men to make their moves.
They would never get the chance to make their next moves because when the first man holding Sara down, turned away from Ian, Ian moved in and grabbed the man away from Lara's gun, and tossed him out of an adjacent window. The second man looked up and moved towards Ian, but in one fluid movement, Ian arched around, and kicked the man squarely in the side of his head, right in the temple. Seeing the man down on the ground, he looks to Lara. "Once again, you're starting trouble." He says, as he moves to his beer glass, and taking a drink. Setting the glass back down, he looks to the two of them, then Sara. "Are you alright?" He asks, his voice flat, but it held a hint of emotion in it. More than he would normally give to other people when asking the same thing.
"Yeah I'm fine." Sara spoke though gritted teeth of anger. The brunette stood and looked toward Ian and Lara with relief in her eyes, "Thanks, but I could have handled that." She complained, more upset at herself then the two that had just saved her ass. As Sara laughed off the excitement her eyes' glanced toward the broken window and her jade and yellow infused orbs widened in horror. The jerk had backup. Sara pushed Nottingham out of the path of fire as she screamed in surprise. "Look out!!" A flash of the sawed off shotgun caught her full force in the chest and knocked her into the air though the overhanging lamps above the table. Sara landed in a crumpled mass of drywall and glass temporally out of commission.
Lara arched a brow," I'm impressed Nottingham." And she was too, genuinely. She holstered her weapons and looked around," Mind your own bloody business, nothing to see here." Seeing the guns strapped to Lara's hips most went back to doing their thing," I started trouble?" The British accent scoffed," No. More like trouble seems to follow me where ever I go." A nonchalant shrugging of shoulders. She was used to trouble following her, finding her. In fact it was her favorite stalker. Sara responded and then," Bugger!" A gun shot, Lara watched as everything seemed to move in slow motion. her friend pushing Ian out of the way, her taking the bullet," Sara! No!" And slamming backwards. Even Lara's own movements were slow, to her. But to the rest of the bar it seemed she had formed the gun in her hand as it shot off without her even stopping to aim nailing the guy right between the eyes ," Anyone else?" Narrowed darkened Hazel orbs glared around the bar," Don't muck around with my friends." And just to get her point across she kicked the fallen man's body out the window and picked up his side arm to use incase another flaming idiot got ideas.
He didn't expect what was going to be happening next. When Sara pushed him out of the way, he thought she was doing in out of spite because he had beat up the guys who attacked her. But when he too heard the buck shot ring out, he immediately looked to Sara on the ground, her eyes closed from the blast. Getting to his feet and rushing over to her, He instantly starts looking for the wound from the shot. But when he looked closer at her shirt that she was wearing, he didn't see any blood, just something dark underneath it. He lifted up her shirt slightly, to see the bullet proof vest underneath. He breathed in a sigh of relief, as she just probably had the wind knocked out of her. Looking up to Lara, he nods. "She's going to be fine." He says simply, as he lowers her shirt back to where it was before he had lifted it up. Gently brushing the hazel hair out of her face, he looked to Sara's closed eyes, leaning in closer to her face. "Wake up, Sara." He says softly, gently moving his hand across her cheek gently, hoping this would motivate her to get up.
Sara shuddered a bit and slowly started to come around. At the sound of a voice and someone touching her, she suddenly felt the pain in her chest. Her eyes flashing open as she groaned, the brash copper was attacking the nearest thing. "Get off me! Get off!" she shouted taking swing toward the nearest person aka Mr. Nottingham. Her fist stuck but without much force behind it, and all at once her memory of the past seconds flooded back. Wincing again Sara fell back against the wall with tears welling at the corner of her cheeks. "Damnit Aww I'm pissed. I'm really pissed! Lara tell me you got em' 'didja get em?" Sara reached into her shirt and began to un- Velcro the protective Kevlar. "Sorry about that." She offered toward Ian, pulling the dark blue vest from under her shirt and tossing it onto the ground. Sweating a bit Sara shakily got up and breathed hard.
Lara turned and looked to Nottingham," Wearing a vest huh?" A small flicker of a smile," That's my girl." For a moment Lara watched Nottingham, the concern and gentleness. It shocked her, how could a man like that be so gentle? She also felt like she was going to gag. The Brit bit down on her tongue to keep from saying anything she might regret later. Hazel orbs tore themselves away from the sappy scene and back to glaring around the bar," Hmm. I think we best be going. Dare I say we've out done our welcome here." Lara nodded," Considering I put a bullet between his eyes, I would guess that suffices as gettin' him wouldn't it?" She emptied the sawed of shot guns bullets then dropped it on the floor," Get Her Nottingham, my place would be the closet about three blocks back." The Brit grabbed her trench coat and slipped it on," I can run her bike, please tell me you got wheels yes?" She eyed the man snidely," Or do you just always magically appear every where?" Arms folded awaiting an answer.
He looks to Sara, nodding, as he gets back up from when she hit him. He looks to her, glad that she was alright, and nodding at the thought they had overstayed their welcome. "I think it would be best if we leave as well." He says, as he moves towards the exit, wanting them to follow him. "And yes, I do have wheels as you put it. The only reason why I appear out of nowhere is because you don't pay attention." He sends back out looking to her. He then moves back towards the entrance, a classic obsidian 1967 Firebird convertible is sitting out in front for him as he moves towards it. He would carry Sara, but he was sure he didn't want to get hit again. "Your lead miss," He says, wanting Lara to take the lead, as he moves into his car.
Sara stumbled to the chair that currently housed her jacket and with a glass encrusted hand picked up the garment. She stuffed her left arm in and then with the movement to follow with her right, she winced and clutched her chest again, stuffing her arm into the sleeve regardless of the pain. "Mother." she kicked the leg of the pool table and cursed again, ".Fucker!" The bar was speechless as she walked with her escorts toward the door. A gawking eye stared at her movements and Sara lashed out irrationally, "Well what are you looking at?!" The face turned and became fascinated with the floor as the anger-ball of a detective exited in a huff. Once outside, Sara reached into her jacket and made a quick call to the department, relaying the situation before entering the classic sports car.
A brow arched. "No. You're creepy," She paid attention," And sneaky." Lara placed a helmet on her head and straddled the steel beast starting her up," Hope you can keep up Mr. Nottingham." With that the woman took off. This time of night the streets were empty usually this time of night. And so there were. Arrival time to Lara's newly acquired through business and pleasure means would be cut in more then half. Sara had every right to be pissed hence why Lara said nothing about the fact or her wording choice as they left. In fact the Brit herself was rather hot under the collar. Downtown New York: run by the world of finance, and ultimately the Mafia. This building housed Lara's new penthouse and was also owned by the Mafia, namely the head himself. Jackie Estacado. With a sharp turn Lara parked the bike on the curb and waited for Nottingham and Sara. Hazel orbs peered closely into the shadows, sure enough a crazy looking Darkling peered it's head out , gave her a smirk and seemingly disappeared," Insufferable creatures." She hissed coldly hoping it heard her too.
He looked to her speed off, and once he saw that Sara was in and buckled up, he turns the ignition on, roaring the car to life, as he takes off after Lara. The convertible was no slow poke when it came to speed, as was shown as he weaved through whatever cars were still on the road, much like Lara had. Looking over to Sara slightly, he then returns his vision back to the road, as he pulls up right behind Lara, and then halts the car completely. Getting out, then moving over to open up Sara's side for her, he looks to Lara's building. "I suppose it will do." He says simply, looking to Lara.
What a night it had been, but at least the day had been pretty smooth so far. The archaeologist was dressed in her usual attire. Shorts, a blue tank- top, boots and of course to complete the assemble her guns and her black leather trench coat covering the assemble. The long braid of auburn locks fell down her slender back as she walked towards Star Bucks, the few times she had been to New York and visiting Sara, the cop woman had gotten the Tomb Raider fixed on lattes and those yummy bagels. Sunglasses fixed across her hazel orbs, Lara eyed the skyline. It was growing close to sunset. Never a good thing in New York City. Oh well, unless Mr. Estacado was feeling like a fight or simply wanted to check up on her personally the surrey native had nothing to worry about. Sara was supposed to meet her at the establishment. A thought crept to mind, was Sheridan keeping close tabs on her now too? Did she have two members of the male species watching her like hawks? Both for similar and different reasons? Hurray for Lara and her crazy love life, drench that in sarcasm. How she got into all these fixes were beyond her, but here she was in a how did Terry put it last night? Ah, yes a pickle. The glass door opened smoothly as the tall woman entered, boots soundless against the tiled floor as she approached the counter," Vanilla latte' tall please." exited the words via that rich accent of hers.
The stakeout on Iron's estate continued and it was as Pezzini had feared, the heat was coming down on her about her tact and reckless nature. She thought back to her barrage of questions in the Lieutenant Siry's office. Granted he was her boss, and the closest thing she had to a father but Sara hated to worry the man. She knew he blamed himself for his partner's death (Sara's Father James Pezzini), just as Sara blamed herself for hers (Michael Yee). Her reckless nature was why Yee was gunned down before her eyes. She didn't know which was worse, Watching your partner die or in the case of Siry, never finding the murderer. The brunette sipped her long cold coffee and winced at the flavor. Her emerald eyes spied the grounds though a telephoto lens as she watched for anything amiss. The 35 mm Nikon was her best weapon right now and she knew it. Although everything in her being wanted to bust the door down with guns a blazin' she understood the meaning of corroborative evidence. The 'rat tat tat' on the driver's side window startled her out of her thoughts and she looked into the face of her partner Jake McCarthy. "Hey there Pez. I'm here to relieve you." He offered as she lowered the window. Sighing she opened the door, the interior light illuminating as the door's sensor began to beep. Jake took her seat in the unmarked sedan and Sara leaned against the door for a moment. "Thanks McCarthy. I'm late for some coffee and bagels with Lara Croft." The blonde would be surfer arched a brow and leaned his elbow on the frame. "And I'm not invited? Man. some luck. Tell her I said hi would ya?" Sara nodded with a smile, "Sure thing. Hey thanks again." Pezzini walked the few blocks to her motorcycle and within a few moments was strolling into the local Starbucks "Hey Anthony!" she called to the middle aged guy behind the counter. "The usual please. and don't let her," she nodded to Lara, "pay for this I got it."
A familiar voice," You're to kind darling." The Brit grinned," How goes the fun at stakeout?" The sunglasses were removed revealing her hazel irises," Bryce sent over some of his tech things today. How lovely it was to get six computers, four need to be assembled min satellites and a hundred of what he refers to as his Bugs." The Raider waved a hand," Don't ask." She took her hot drink and ordered one of the orange seed bagels, then moved to a empty table and sat. One chair turned around and her boots propped up on it," So anything new? We ought to hotwire the place you know, tap his phone and all." A careful sip was taken," Ahh, now I know why I miss this place so much." A smile," Anyhow, sure Irons will probably know we tapped him, but still it's worth a shot." And she knew exactly who to send in to do it," All we got to do is wait for him to go somewhere and then Terry and I could go in and set it up." Her plan was simple," I say he and I because, he's an ex spy actually and I'm used to getting into places I shouldn't." A wiry grin, "Unless of course you've a better thought?" Eyes fell on Sara a moment," You look pale still dear. Get much sleep last night after all the fun and games?" There was humor in her tone, but also noted concern for a dear friend.
Sara reached into the back pocket of her hip hugging jeans and grabbed the chain wallet free. Flipping a few bills onto the counter she grabbed her tall _mocha latte and stuffed her wallet back. Sara knew that despite her best efforts in trying to convert her partner and this sassy Brit toward New York living they would still have a place in their hearts for home, but it didn't stop her from trying. "Thanks Tony" she mused, walking the short distance to her friend. Flipping a chair around and straddling it, the detective placed her chocolate infused beverage on the small table and draped her hands over the back of the chair. "Pale?" Sara forced a wry grin and closed her eyes shaking her head with the smile. Upon meeting Lara's gaze again she answered frankly, "At best I get about 2 hours a night. And you're looking at my diet." She gestured to the coffee. "True there is a bit of substance, I think I'd die if there wasn't a hot dog vendor half a block from the station." She chortled a bit trying to make light of her situation.
Sheridan moved slightly walking away from the building he'd spent the entire day doing business rather than being able to relax. From the exciting night prior to the dulling droning of old men in blue double breasted suits. Typical for the former spy he was dressed in all black. Black slacks and a black long sleeved shirt, though like yesterday it was covered this time but not by his leather but a longer black trench coat styled jacket. Boots moved across the sidewalks of New York, though silently he though of being back in London, anywhere really, besides New York. And people thought the British were rude. A hand shoved though his hair as he walked by a pup. There was a sigh of almost disgust, the American bar was trying to have that English Pup feel, but failed. Head shook "Bloody yanks." He muttered the pup wasn't even opening until 6. Eyes rolled slightly and he kept moving down the sidewalk. Stepping into the coffee place, were he to even walk another block there would have been another just like it. A brow arched as he looked up and moved to the counter. "Welcome to Starbucks, can I interest you in a iced _Mocha Frappe to day, Sir?" lips pursed a moment and the Brit gave a bit of a quizzical look. "No I don't want any ruddy iced _mocha.. .thing. Just a coffee, black, think ya can handle that mate?" the boy behind the counter nodded and took Sheridan's last name while he moved to a tall round table in the corner. Muttering once again to himself "Yanks.. .mucking up coffee.. no tea time. And trying to copy English Pubs.." his head shook slightly while his name was called and he returned to the table. Looking down at the steaming black liquid he stirred it a moment, putting s little sugar and cream in it. Forearm rested around the cup while he leaned down against the tables top. Thoughts running though his mind he took a sip before stopping. Sure he'd been shadowing Lara, but he hadn't intended to met her, at least not yet. Eyes panned over the table from his cup to the surrey woman. "Now who's stalking who? Hmm, Lara love?" from shifted still hunched slightly over his corner table and coffee.
A nod," Yes pale." Another sip of her drink as eyes peered over the rim of the cup watching the woman carefully," Something you'd like to discuss about? You seem more trouble then I am as of currant." Lara was hinting about last night and Sara's sudden spacing out moment of silence as the Brit thought a moment," Does it have something to do with Tall, Dark and Creepy?"A rather lady like a bite was taken from the bagel as Raider made sure her coat concealed her weapons well. All she needed was questions popping up from your local yokels about them. A chuckle, though living as a permanent resident of New York City strange happenings were probably nothing new to them. But guns like she carried, well Lara preferred to play it safe. Less question and answer moments that way," Your not keeping your mind on the tasks at hand either dear." Lara removed some papers from a pocket inside her coat and sat forward boots removing themselves from the chair she was using as a foot rest," There are people here in New York and surrounding areas that have copies of The Book Sara." The Brit shifted into serious mode suddenly," Irons can do just as much damage with them as he can the real deal." A pause to sip her Latte'," And I did a run on what artifacts that we suppose he stole. All of them have to do with the ancient rituals of raising the Dead, do you know of any particular reason Mr. Irons would want to raise...." Hazel orbs narrowed, as she shifted and turned," Bloody hell must you be so damned sneaky?" A coy smirk crossed her lips," Actually I was just talking about you and the services you can provide to us." A slender hand gestured to Sara," We need to tap Irons' pad, up for a little bit of breaking in and all that fun?" A brow arched as her left boot kicked outward forcing a chair to slide noisily across the floor," Join the party Mr. Sheridan." She crooked her index finger at him then pointed to the chair," Please." She droned, hating to ask nicely.
The Witchblade wielding cop tucked her hair back dragging her nails though the somewhat tangled mass and with the tie about her wrist, fastened the locks at the nape of her neck. She hoped the somewhat tight ponytail might make her look more refreshed, and less of a maniacal girl on the edge. Her light green eyes seemed hollow, soulless. Deftly she grasped the paper cup in her hands and relished in the warmth although it burned her hands. Sometimes pain reminded her she was alive. After taking a sip she replaced the cup atop the table and her gaze lowered. She stared blankly toward the floor as she spoke to Lara. "I know you're concerned. Hell I'm concerned. I'm sure you know the life of a cop is hard enough without the stresses of a. a." she didn't know how to describe the Witchblade, so she just twisted her wrist and drew back her new leather jacket sleeve. The aroma of her new jacket was comforting and the subtle creak of the material as she moved showed the jacket still needed breaking in. "What say we leave things be and I blow another week's salary on a drinks at the bar? I could use a few games of pool to get my mind off the job." A devilishly shaped eyebrow arched toward the sky as Sara tempted the Tomb raider with the proposition of the game. "Besides we have a few hours left before we can break into Irons' estate."
A simple nod," Of course I'm concerned." She finished off her coffee," I'm your friend it is my duty to worry about you." Hazel orbs focused onto the Blade Wielder curiously. Something was turning around in her mind," There something on your mind Darling?" The cup was tossed into the trash," Hmm. Two points." The bagel was soon finished off as well," Pool? I haven't played for ages." Lara stood stretching," Sounds like a plan. I need to get my mind off a few things as well." Lara took the napkin left my Sheridan and placed it into the breast pocket of her trench," Fool. He never changes his cell number." Eyes rolled," Some ex-spy." Hands slipped into pockets as the Raider's gaze peered outside, night was falling. Little yellow eyes in the distances and then they were gone. A slight scowl, Lara hated to be watched. Especially by annoying pest lings. Lara quickly looked back to Sara," So lead the way Miss Pezzini." And calmly the British woman waited to follow her friend.
She lifted the cup to her ruddy lips again and accepted the remaining bits of warm caffeinate beverage. Feeling her exhaustion lighten a bit with the rush the coffee provided. "If I didn't know any better I'd ask you the same question." Sara retorted in response to the something on your mind question, her eye catching Sheridan as he left. "Truly though, I can see why you fell in with him. simply delicious." Sara's head jerked up as she tossed her cup into the trash and followed Croft outside. "That reminds me, you have a fan club. Jake says hi." The detective smiled and nodded to her bike, "I'll take the lead on this one. Besides I think I know the perfect place." Secretly Sara hoped that while she and Lara shot pool and played darts that they might score some info, but she left that to herself for the moment. "But to answer your question about what's on my mind, all I can say is it's getting stronger.' (Of course she was referring to the Witchblade) "And I just don't want to slip into the void." Sara straddled her bike and began to affix her helmet waiting for Lara.
A brow was arched," Oh well Hmm." Lara's eyes slightly fell towards staring at the ground," Well.. he is nice too look at sure. Not bad in the sack, but...." She pushed back a few strands of hair that had fallen from her braid," We clashed...too much alike." Suddenly Lara Croft felt vulnerable and rather well, she just felt in a manner she had not for a long time. The Raider had walked so she arched a brow slightly," Sara dear, mind if I catch a ride?" She pulled her trench coat more around her again, eyes gazing about," I walked, seeing as my new permanent residence is only a block and a half away." Idly she pointed down the right away from Star Bucks," As the saying goes, every road leads to a Star Bucks." Chortled the auburn trussed woman. Snagging the extra helmet from Sara's bike the Brit slipped on to the back of the machine, "A fan club hmm? Yes, I'm starting to see a trend in this." A chuckle," Unless I see Mr. Surf, tell him Hey back." The Brit gripped the back of the bike and gazed around," You must come by and see my new pad sometime. I could allow you to live there when I'm not stopped in New York."
The powerful Buell Lightning X1 was Sara's pride and joy, and although the bike looked a bit big for her Sara's powerful legs were more then enough to kick-start the engine. "You keep tempting me with an apartment that rivals Jake's and I'll be sending all my paychecks to you." The Witchblade wielder revved the engine and then took off onto the street Ducking to and fro she leaned with the bike as her speed increased. Sara didn't have time to deal with traffic at the moment so she bent the law around her agenda. A few beeping cars and half a dozen yellow and red lights later and Sara skidded the bike into a vertical space of the seedy bar and with her boot kicked the stand to, cutting the engine. Removing her helmet, Sara tucked it under her arm and walked toward the door. "I'm hoping to get some good scratch while were here, so keep your ears open."
How only a few hours can change things during the day. This was not Ian's type of place at all. It was seedy, it was dirty, it was raucous, but he found himself here. Why? It was a night to celebrate, that was for sure. And when he heard that Sara would be coming here, well, he found himself here after that. Dressed in very casual clothes for him, a pair of denim jeans, and black T-Shirt with boots on, he looks around the bar to its patrons. It wasn't the crowd he was familiar with, that was for sure.
A laugh," You won't have to pay me for it." A smooth grin crossed Lara's lips as she followed the Detective inside," I owe another grand on it which will be paid in full tomorrow morning." A brow arched slightly," You drive your bike as good as I would." She scanned the place. Hazel orbs taking everything into account," Hmm. I know a few places in London which would rival this." Lara noted just about every sort of scum you could think of was here. From bikers to women of the night, and for some reason the Raider was glad she was armed and could give a mean right hook. The auburn head nodded briefly," Sure thing love. Ears are open and ready to pick and scan." The Brit was feeling easy going and ordered a beer," Leave it in the bottle please." A moment later the long necked glass container full of amber liquid was slid across the bar to her," Thanks." She slapped the proper bills down for it and turned to Sara," Want something? On me this time. The Raider handed the Cop a twenty," Get what you want. I want to look at cues." The lanky woman moved over to the rack which lined the wall of the bar and walked down it studding each long wooden stick before finally choosing one and finding an empty table sitting up the game.
Sara secretly thanked her boss Lieutenant Joe Siry for making her wear a vest today, and she adjusted her .357 concealed on her right side. A crack of the Thermoset resin billiard balls and Sara's attention was turned toward the pool table. A few scumbags from the bar noticed the pair enter, and then went back to their conversations, shots of liquor, beers, and the like. 'Ah Blaggards What a shit hole.' She thought to herself. "Sure thing Lara." She moved her way toward the bar and leaned against the counter. After a few minutes of the bartender chatting with his regular customers he approached her. He was of average size and his light brown hair threatened to poke his eye due to the length. "Hey can you get me a shot of crown, a Killian's Irish red and a Vodka gimlet." The tender set to work and after a few minutes returned. Sara slid the twenty to him, downed the shot and carried the two drinks to the table. "Hey. figured this was your style," she offered to Lara, holding out the tumbler glass filled with vodka and lime juice. "Straight pool. and shots called beforehand... What say.. you?"
Lara shed her trench coat carefully. Her weapons slipping off her waist concealed in the brown folds of the coat and placed onto a chair nearby so she could keep an eye on them. The tall Brit stretched and then removed the triangle from the multi colored balls and twirled the stick in her hands," A drinking challenge? Really now Sara." wicked grin tugged at the full lips," You're on." Slender fingers took the vodka and lime juice mix, her head tilted back and in seconds the liquid was gone," Hmm. Not bad." She sat the glass upside down on the side of the table and grinned to her shall it be said partner in crime,' You can break." With that the British Bombshell snagged the chalk and began to work it against the tip of the cue.
Sara unzipped her leather jacket's sleeves expanding the fabric and then she pushed them up into the crook of her arm. Her holster didn't allow for a discreet removal, and in this place she didn't think anyone would mind her weapons. In fact she spotted a few people with bulges in their jackets. Sara selected a cue that didn't seem too crooked and set to work chalking it. Her green eyes narrowed as she leaned down and sized up the object ball. With a swift stroke, Sara broke the triangle of balls apart and sent a few into pockets. She winked and looked to the Raider. "Six ball corner pocket," Sizing up again Sara sent the ball home and then strolled to the cue balls location. "Fourteen, side." She overestimated her power and the striped ball rattled against the pocket's sides and didn't drop. "Damnit!" she cursed. "Looks like you're up." The detective stood and walked to her beer taking a long swallow.
Lara watched amused. Sara was good, the Brit would admit. However," Not bad." Golf clap. The sassy woman moved forward, her frame leaning across the table," Hmm. Let's see." Hazel orbs peered about," Ah. Yes. There we are." The smooth wooden cue slid backwards against her fingers, her arm extending back with it," Fourteen," A bit of a nasty competitive smirk," Side." Her muscle sent the cue springing forward into the ball. Crack! The white object rolled forward at a nice speed and into number fourteen as the satisfying sound of the ball sinking into the pocket emitted," Ah. I love that sound." The Brit sauntered around the table, a few of the men turned now to pay attention to the women ," Now. Next victim. Number two top right." Again her long form repeated the same actions as before, and again that sound. Plunk. The swarmy Raider offer Her Friend a wink," Hmm. Number eleven..."She scanned," Bottom left." A tricky shot, none the less but Lara figured she could handle it. Her body sent the white ball crashing forward. It bounced off the top corner of the table, then traveled down the length of the table hit Eleven only to send it sailing back in the direction the white ball had come off the table and towards Sara's head," Bugger!" The Brit moved fast, years of having to move quickly to avoid being chopped in half or other little nasty surprises waiting in Tombs to try and end your very life. Just as the ball would've connected with Sara's right temple, a slender hand reached up and caught the ball," Oops. Too much power behind it.." the Brit smiled sheepishly, but her tone was genuine none the less as she was now sprawled across the pool table having dived onto it to catch the wild ball," Nice save." Came a male's voice from somewhere as Lara blushed indifferently.
Sara's throat worked to down a good portion of the beverage, and as her head was tilted back the toned muscles of her throat were fully exposed to the on looking eyes. Sara set the beer back on the small shelf with a heavy hand and devilishly smirked. Even though Sara was a non-smoker by trade she had resilience to the clouds of it that billowed about the room. Years of working the bar scene and interrogation rooms seemed to harden her lungs to the malicious smoke. "Not bad at all!" she leaned against the wall and admired the brash Brit. As if on cue, with the sudden display of acrobatics Sara's favorite workout song thumped in her ears and she quirked a brow, admiring Rob Zombie's 'Living Dead Girl'. "The thumping beats of the tune amplified her mood for this shit hole of a bar and as she strolled to the table again the detective couldn't help but sway her hips to the beat. "Nice moves, can you dance too?" Sara licked her supple lips and as her teeth dragged against the soft flesh of her bottom lip she turned to the group at the other table, "Like what you see huh? Care to make a wager?" The athletic cop sucked in her cheeks a bit as she pursed her lips and side- glanced their obvious ringleader. "You boys play your cards right and I might even let you buy me a drink." Sara was in the mood to hunt and although her front might have been apparent to the Tomb Raider, these testosterone driven scumbags hadn't no clue.
Lara quickly hopped off the table placing the ball back on it with a sigh of relief," Bloody hell... that was close." A thumping beat coursed into Lara's ears," Nice." The auburn head moved along to the rhythms, closely watching her friend getting her drift. Smoke and mirrors. Trickery amongst thieves. A masquerade. All that sort of fun. She twirled the cue again in her hands and drank down some of her own beer and sat it back on the edge of the pool table with a wicked grin," I bet you blokes could use some excitement, ante up fellows." Lara laid her accent on thicker then normal. One of the men arched a brow at her interestedly like. A hazel wink was returned to that arched brow. To put it into laymen's terms the two Bombshells were mucking with them. Lara like any girl enjoyed a good game of cat and mouse with a man. And the more dangerous the better the game. Usually Lady Croft preferred to be the cat, but sometimes the role would occasionally become reversed. Not often, but once and awhile. This time however Lara was all feline.
His place in the bar was in the shadows. He had suspected that Sara or Lara hadn't seen him yet, all the better to him. His leg was just fine, having it been fixed the previous night before. He watched as they play pool together, then as they get a little more cocky in their skills, offering challenges up to the other people in the bar. "I'll take that wager." He says, loud enough for them to hear him, even over the noise of the bar. He stands, and moves out of the shadows, bringing the beer glass in his hand as he walks over to them at their table. "After all, I don't think two measly females could stand up long enough against me." He says, as he moves to put the glass down on the edge of the pool table. He looks to Lara with a nod, then to Sara with a nod, and a slight smile on his usual stoic features. "That is if the females at this table aren't afraid to lose." He says with a small smile, as he looks to them. "Usual eight ball game, or do we want to go for nine?" He asks, as he moves over to pick up a cue, as he looks it over, then walking back to them. It was going to be a interesting night if things were perking up like they had been for the last two nights.
The trio of men walked in close and the leader produced a billfold, tossing it onto the beer stained felt. "Alright, the game is simple, eight ball; I'll take any man here as my partner and I'll beat the two of you. I'll even let you pick." The leader sneered, thinking the two girls didn't have a chance in hell, regardless of his teammate. Sara popped her neck and looked to the Tomb raider, "I think we can manage that huh?" Her green orbs narrowed in on Nottingham and she caught herself at a loss for words. Quickly recovering the cop didn't want to give her ruse away and she went right back into character. "Think you can beat us handsome? Well saddle up," she thumbed toward Nottingham, "How bout this guy?" The goon nodded, figuring this was a win win situation. The detective nodded to the Tomb raider and the saucy redhead tossed her the cue she had left near the shelf. "Thanks!" she said as she deftly caught the slender pike. Sara tiled toward the bar and called to the tender. "Hey can we get a couple of shots here? Tequila. and leave the salad (referring to the limes) behind the counter I don't do salad."
A voice," Well, well if it isn't Tall, Dark, and Creepy." The nod was returned. Eyes drifted to Sara, curious as to how the woman would act. Lara, was leery around Ian Nottingham not too keen on the man. To put it bluntly she didn't trust him, and despite her Friend's possible relationship with the man she probably never would. brow arched at Pez as she continued this facade even with Nottingham. This was going to become rather amusing to say the least, and Lara had have the mind to ask Sara if she was drunk. However let the game be played, and being part of the game Lara shifted back into acting )," Shall we let these poor saps go first then?" Full lips pursed slightly, before being placed against her beer bottle as the amber liquid slid down her throat. Tequila? Lara eyed the Wielder slowly. Perhaps she was trying to get drunk after all, "Hmm?" Eyes drifted to Nottingham a moment, what did he make of all this? The Tomb Raider found herself actually wanting to know what Creepy was thinking. The shots came around, and just to please Pez Lara downed one and waited for the apparent fun to begin.
He looks over to the man he was paired up with, the biker bar stereotype if there ever was one. He leans over to the man, and speaks softly, but enough to have Lara hear. "I'd be careful about the British one. She tends to have violent outbursts." He says, as he just nods back to Lara, as he then looks to Sara, downing a shot of Tequila in one go. He wasn't sure if the Witchblade gave her some immunity against alcohol, but it wouldn't for much longer if she kept downing shots like that if it did. He takes the cue ball, as the others get racked, brushing past Sara gently as he moves to set up his shot. He then surges the cue ball forward into the others with a swift movement of his cue, sending the balls scattering all over the table. He sees two of the solid balls go in to respective pockets, as he looks to Lara. "I believe we're solids." He says, as he moves around the table to continue his shot. Lining up a shot again, he moves the ball forward knocking into another solid, only to have it stop a near centimeter from going over the edge into the pocket. Sighing, he takes his cue up into his hands as he looks to them. "Your shot ladies." He says, as he lets move past him for their own shot.
Sara winked to Lara, "I believe before you nearly took my head off with that last bit, it was my shot?" Smirking the detective removed her leather jacket, revealing her .357 and acting the 'tough gal criminal'. Nimble fingertips chalked the cue and she sauntered back to the table. "Hold this for me will ya?" she asked Nottingham as she picked up a shaker of salt. The brunette walked to Nottingham's partner and before he could protest, had licked a wet spot on his neck, sprinkled it with the white grains and licked it clear. Her green eyes narrowed devilishly as she took her shot, tossing the small glass over her shoulder. She winked to the pair and proceeded to call and run down all the striped balls. "Care to double the stakes?" She leaned against the table, and looked to her partner in crime. "My friend here can make this bank shot (referring to the remaining eight ball) with her eyes closed."
She watched closely, then eyes narrowed," Cheeky." Hissed the British high society tone at him. Hazel orbs rolled as the full lips idly mumbled," Violent outbursts.. I'll show you violent outburst." Make that Tall, Dark, Creepy and Smart-assed. Lovely, so he had a mouth too. Why had she failed to pick up on this before," What is it with New York men and their cheeky lips?" Eyes averted to Sara wanting an explanation curiously, that is if the woman wasn't getting so smashed she couldn't think straight. A sheepish grin," Hmm. Right. Sorry bout that. Accident you know." The Brit swallowed hard, at being reminded of her little mistake. Arms crossed as her cue rested leaned against the pool table. A brow quirked as Sara played Tough Girl, then Badass Girl. Hazel orbs shifted to Nottingham a moment, her expression curious. However Sara's words caused her head to snap to the right and eyes to fix onto the Copper," The Hell? Sara...are you out of your bloody mind?!?!" Brownish-green orbs went wide," I say your smashed darling." Arms remained folded. At this point she would rather be Tomb Raiding in the buff, no guns then having to do the near impossible.
He thought of the wager as he looks to Sara. Yeah, she was definitely going sober at this point in the game. "We'll that bet. But, if she can't make it, you two have to do something completely humiliating, not to mention, lose all of that money on the table there." He offers out, looking to them, as he un narrows his eyes from when Sara licked salt off of the man's neck. He felt like killing his partner just for that, but he would hold off on that for right now. Was he jealous? Possibly, it certainly was out of the question for her to do such a thing. Sara was almost drunk now, and he wondered how much trouble he'd be getting himself into protecting her tonight
Sara caught the Raider's bluff toward the men and knew that this game was won even before it began. She and Lara had planned it perfectly. Sara was far from drunk, after all she was half Irish. It was in her blood to hold her liquor. The men had taken the bait that she was smashed out of her gourd and Sara bit her lip to hold back a smirk of contentment. The green eyed lady rolled her neck and an obvious popping was heard by all. "Well are you in?" she retorted to the other man. The brute sneered and gestured to one of his goons, who promptly produced the needed funds. "Yeah babe I'm on." He spoke with a thick New York accent, tossing the bills next to the other billfold. Sara straddled a chair and adjusted her weapon looking to Lara. "Come on Lara, let's put this game to bed."
Brows furrowed. Nottingham was pushing buttons. Lovely. What next? Lara's arms unfolded," Hmm. You surprise me Creepy." Actually she was rather shocked," Does the Master know about your after hours side?" Snide, very snide. But then again that's Lara Croft for you. Eyes fell on Sara. Planned perfectly yes. And to be honest this was one of those, damn the torpedoes, off the cuff, pulling things out of your ass sort of plans. Lara's favorite in other words. A nod to her Partner, and then the woman sauntered forward. Hazel orbs fixing the shot in her mind. Her breathes became deep, nervous? Yes, however same old' Lara Croft as always. The full lips parted, all eyes were on her as she took a baited breathe and leaned across the table. Swallowing hard the Brit closed her eyes," Eight ball, right corner pocket." The entire bar was silent. The cue slide back, her movements were slow and then crack! The cue had shot forward into the white ball sending it crashing into the eight ball Lara did not open her eyes. Instead she just listened, the rolling of the ball across the felt green top. The sound of breaths held around her, including her own. The Brit did not want Ian Nottingham to get his sick satisfactions out of her and Sara. Finally the Raider willed her orbs to open just in time to see it sink into the correct pocket," Yes!" She gave Nottingham a so-there expression before looking to Sara," If you ever do that to me again." The Raider breathed," Scare the bloody hell out of me like that." An actual lonely bead of sweat trickled down the brow of Lady Croft. Pressure could do that to even the most fearless of women as she downed the rest of her half full bottle of beer.
He kept his stoic face on as he looked to Lara, sinking the ball into the corner pocket, finally. A little too much tension for his sake, he was sure of it. They had been set up, that was clear now. He looked to the male partner and shrugged as he looked to Lara again. "Good Job. Your expertise with balls shows." He says leaving it at that. "And I'm on my own tonight actually. Irons is missing. My guess is somebody ended him." He says as he looks to the two of them. "So I suppose that means I'll be on my own for the next few nights as well." He says with a half smirk, as he looks to Sara, but that comes off as a genuine smile, however small. "Another game, ladies?" He asks as he looks to the two of them, starting to rack the balls up again.
Sara chortled to her companion Lady Lara, "Oh that was bloody brilliant!" she mocked a British accent that sounded more slanted to Irish. Her forefinger and thumb snapped together as she turned to the masculine pair. "Match and set. Thank you for playing. you can pick up your consolation prize at the door." As Sara reached for the pile of bills, she was grabbed by the upper arm. "You trying to hustle me girly?!" The brutish gent growled into her face. Spittle flew from his mouth as he spoke and Sara gasped in surprise at the sudden change of mood. "Hey I warned you fair and square that you were gonna lose, and you didn't listen." Her hand edged toward her sidearm, and as the brut caught sight of her actions he thrust a knee up into her stomach. Sara coughed, and as she bent down her ponytail was grabbed and her face and upper torso was slammed into the felt covered slate of the second pool table. "What makes you think you can come in here and hustle me for all that dough?" he snarled.
Lara smirked," Wasn't it though?" She slapped a high-five to her partner in crime," Perhaps I should make my visits to NYC more often and not just for business." She sat down the cue she had been using back onto the rack and chuckle," Sara, darling British doesn't suit you." A sarcastic grin. The Brit had turned her back when the sudden sounds of a struggle alerted her. Not good, Within seconds both Desert Eagle .44 Magnums were out and one was pressed against the man's skull holding Sara down," That's no way to treat a Lady." Click, a bullet was resting and ready to go," Especially my friend." One of the bastard's friends came up on Lara's other side. Instantly her other gun was pointed at his head," We can do this two ways yanks." Her tone was dark, as was her hazel orbs," Way one, you let my friend go and walk away." Another click of the second weapon," Way two, you paint this establishment's walls a new color." By looking at the woman, one could see she wasn't beyond pulling the triggers," The choice is yours Gentlemen." brows arched, her arms steady unmoving," You okay Sara?" Hazel orbs did not leave intended targets as the Brass balled Brit awaited for the men to make their moves.
They would never get the chance to make their next moves because when the first man holding Sara down, turned away from Ian, Ian moved in and grabbed the man away from Lara's gun, and tossed him out of an adjacent window. The second man looked up and moved towards Ian, but in one fluid movement, Ian arched around, and kicked the man squarely in the side of his head, right in the temple. Seeing the man down on the ground, he looks to Lara. "Once again, you're starting trouble." He says, as he moves to his beer glass, and taking a drink. Setting the glass back down, he looks to the two of them, then Sara. "Are you alright?" He asks, his voice flat, but it held a hint of emotion in it. More than he would normally give to other people when asking the same thing.
"Yeah I'm fine." Sara spoke though gritted teeth of anger. The brunette stood and looked toward Ian and Lara with relief in her eyes, "Thanks, but I could have handled that." She complained, more upset at herself then the two that had just saved her ass. As Sara laughed off the excitement her eyes' glanced toward the broken window and her jade and yellow infused orbs widened in horror. The jerk had backup. Sara pushed Nottingham out of the path of fire as she screamed in surprise. "Look out!!" A flash of the sawed off shotgun caught her full force in the chest and knocked her into the air though the overhanging lamps above the table. Sara landed in a crumpled mass of drywall and glass temporally out of commission.
Lara arched a brow," I'm impressed Nottingham." And she was too, genuinely. She holstered her weapons and looked around," Mind your own bloody business, nothing to see here." Seeing the guns strapped to Lara's hips most went back to doing their thing," I started trouble?" The British accent scoffed," No. More like trouble seems to follow me where ever I go." A nonchalant shrugging of shoulders. She was used to trouble following her, finding her. In fact it was her favorite stalker. Sara responded and then," Bugger!" A gun shot, Lara watched as everything seemed to move in slow motion. her friend pushing Ian out of the way, her taking the bullet," Sara! No!" And slamming backwards. Even Lara's own movements were slow, to her. But to the rest of the bar it seemed she had formed the gun in her hand as it shot off without her even stopping to aim nailing the guy right between the eyes ," Anyone else?" Narrowed darkened Hazel orbs glared around the bar," Don't muck around with my friends." And just to get her point across she kicked the fallen man's body out the window and picked up his side arm to use incase another flaming idiot got ideas.
He didn't expect what was going to be happening next. When Sara pushed him out of the way, he thought she was doing in out of spite because he had beat up the guys who attacked her. But when he too heard the buck shot ring out, he immediately looked to Sara on the ground, her eyes closed from the blast. Getting to his feet and rushing over to her, He instantly starts looking for the wound from the shot. But when he looked closer at her shirt that she was wearing, he didn't see any blood, just something dark underneath it. He lifted up her shirt slightly, to see the bullet proof vest underneath. He breathed in a sigh of relief, as she just probably had the wind knocked out of her. Looking up to Lara, he nods. "She's going to be fine." He says simply, as he lowers her shirt back to where it was before he had lifted it up. Gently brushing the hazel hair out of her face, he looked to Sara's closed eyes, leaning in closer to her face. "Wake up, Sara." He says softly, gently moving his hand across her cheek gently, hoping this would motivate her to get up.
Sara shuddered a bit and slowly started to come around. At the sound of a voice and someone touching her, she suddenly felt the pain in her chest. Her eyes flashing open as she groaned, the brash copper was attacking the nearest thing. "Get off me! Get off!" she shouted taking swing toward the nearest person aka Mr. Nottingham. Her fist stuck but without much force behind it, and all at once her memory of the past seconds flooded back. Wincing again Sara fell back against the wall with tears welling at the corner of her cheeks. "Damnit Aww I'm pissed. I'm really pissed! Lara tell me you got em' 'didja get em?" Sara reached into her shirt and began to un- Velcro the protective Kevlar. "Sorry about that." She offered toward Ian, pulling the dark blue vest from under her shirt and tossing it onto the ground. Sweating a bit Sara shakily got up and breathed hard.
Lara turned and looked to Nottingham," Wearing a vest huh?" A small flicker of a smile," That's my girl." For a moment Lara watched Nottingham, the concern and gentleness. It shocked her, how could a man like that be so gentle? She also felt like she was going to gag. The Brit bit down on her tongue to keep from saying anything she might regret later. Hazel orbs tore themselves away from the sappy scene and back to glaring around the bar," Hmm. I think we best be going. Dare I say we've out done our welcome here." Lara nodded," Considering I put a bullet between his eyes, I would guess that suffices as gettin' him wouldn't it?" She emptied the sawed of shot guns bullets then dropped it on the floor," Get Her Nottingham, my place would be the closet about three blocks back." The Brit grabbed her trench coat and slipped it on," I can run her bike, please tell me you got wheels yes?" She eyed the man snidely," Or do you just always magically appear every where?" Arms folded awaiting an answer.
He looks to Sara, nodding, as he gets back up from when she hit him. He looks to her, glad that she was alright, and nodding at the thought they had overstayed their welcome. "I think it would be best if we leave as well." He says, as he moves towards the exit, wanting them to follow him. "And yes, I do have wheels as you put it. The only reason why I appear out of nowhere is because you don't pay attention." He sends back out looking to her. He then moves back towards the entrance, a classic obsidian 1967 Firebird convertible is sitting out in front for him as he moves towards it. He would carry Sara, but he was sure he didn't want to get hit again. "Your lead miss," He says, wanting Lara to take the lead, as he moves into his car.
Sara stumbled to the chair that currently housed her jacket and with a glass encrusted hand picked up the garment. She stuffed her left arm in and then with the movement to follow with her right, she winced and clutched her chest again, stuffing her arm into the sleeve regardless of the pain. "Mother." she kicked the leg of the pool table and cursed again, ".Fucker!" The bar was speechless as she walked with her escorts toward the door. A gawking eye stared at her movements and Sara lashed out irrationally, "Well what are you looking at?!" The face turned and became fascinated with the floor as the anger-ball of a detective exited in a huff. Once outside, Sara reached into her jacket and made a quick call to the department, relaying the situation before entering the classic sports car.
A brow arched. "No. You're creepy," She paid attention," And sneaky." Lara placed a helmet on her head and straddled the steel beast starting her up," Hope you can keep up Mr. Nottingham." With that the woman took off. This time of night the streets were empty usually this time of night. And so there were. Arrival time to Lara's newly acquired through business and pleasure means would be cut in more then half. Sara had every right to be pissed hence why Lara said nothing about the fact or her wording choice as they left. In fact the Brit herself was rather hot under the collar. Downtown New York: run by the world of finance, and ultimately the Mafia. This building housed Lara's new penthouse and was also owned by the Mafia, namely the head himself. Jackie Estacado. With a sharp turn Lara parked the bike on the curb and waited for Nottingham and Sara. Hazel orbs peered closely into the shadows, sure enough a crazy looking Darkling peered it's head out , gave her a smirk and seemingly disappeared," Insufferable creatures." She hissed coldly hoping it heard her too.
He looked to her speed off, and once he saw that Sara was in and buckled up, he turns the ignition on, roaring the car to life, as he takes off after Lara. The convertible was no slow poke when it came to speed, as was shown as he weaved through whatever cars were still on the road, much like Lara had. Looking over to Sara slightly, he then returns his vision back to the road, as he pulls up right behind Lara, and then halts the car completely. Getting out, then moving over to open up Sara's side for her, he looks to Lara's building. "I suppose it will do." He says simply, looking to Lara.
