Truth and Consequences.. (Feat. Lara Croft and Jackie Estacado)

A brow did arch, she was playing with him to a point and she knew it. Also the brit knew she was doing something to him, question was what exactly? Several ideas came too mind. Yes, unpredictability was her indeed forte' and bad thing for everyone in her path is that Lara Croft knew it and now to use it just so. As she was now, on and with Jackie. Also she had done the same with Terry to a point, but Terry had a different effect on her then Jackie had. Terry pushed her buttons tried to fluster her and usually succeeded in doing so; Jackie was more subtle a Hitman in every thing he did. He could get you and you'd still never know what hit you. Funny thing was he had done this to Lara and she was still semi-unaware of this, or afraid to admit it. Undoubtedly not the un-aware at all. No one defeated Lady Lara Croft, in the end she somehow most always won. And this time would be no different, she just had to word things right and back Mr. Estacado up into a corner so to speak. It would work her way, Lara's plans never failed or faltered. Another forte' of hers those 'Damn the torpedoes, off the cuff' spur of the moment plans and schemes she came up with," Hmm." Hazel orbs fell to gaze at the finger pointing at her ," Must you always try to be so cryptic?" She leaned forward, lips dangerously close to his," Just say it, you want me." Steadily she gazed into his blue eyes unblinking, she had won.

Seemingly he was beginning to become a little unsteady basically by the way she kept playing with his mind. He had informed her that he wasn't into games but letting her know that obviously only made her play even harder. But all in all, in the end he couldn't ever really be mad at her only because of the way he felt for her. The only way to play Lara's game and win was to turn the tables around by playing even harder than she did. Jackie's hands, now out of his pockets, found themselves once more along the familiar territory of Lara's thighs. If she was gonna play it so close then he might as well start to treat this moment as he did all the others. He sustained the overall seriousness that he had a few moments ago but his usual suave manner would play it's role into this one. Jackie set himself closer than she had to him, their faces met, almost nose to nose, lips very close, almost close enough to steal a kiss away if he wished... "Your right, I'm sorry... What I want is you. No other females makes me feel this way and I was hoping that me and you could get together... Officially. No games nothing sneaky on the side... just straight up boyfriend and girlfriend. But I'm wondering now if that's what your ready for? I'm hoping it is but I'll live if me and you aren't an 'Item'"... his blue eyes gazed deep into her hazel orbs as he spoke... the smoothness added to his vocals with each word that escaped from him.

She didn't move, but rather became frozen in place again. His hands rest at her thighs near her guns, it almost made the Raider nervious a man like Jackie near her weapons. However, he undoubtly was armed himself of course; So she relaxed a little. Arms went unfolded now, slender hands falling to rest apon his lower arms lightly. She wasn't the only one playing games and Jackie was indeed up to par. This was intriguing indeed. He moved closer, Lara's first automatic instinct was to move back, but she had forgotten the door was behind her. Stuck, caught within the snares of her own trap, such a first for the Tomb Raider. And it was. A silent unnoticable glup occured in her slender long throat," I....well." Trapped. Her own little game had backfired on her. Lips stayed partly closed, each time she moved them, they brushed against his. The Tough as Nails woman found her breath catching ever so slightly. She was backed into a corner indeed and had her own 'weapons' if you will turned against her," Why would it have to be sneaky on the side? I mean." Suddenly she found herself rather not thinking straight," What makes you say that?" Prehaps she was stalling? Indeed so, she was unsure how to answer this, her mind very torn. Both men Terry and Jackie had been this close tonight. Lara's hazel orbs were wide, full of uneasiness, unsurity," Hm." She thought for a moment, it would be daring thrilling and so forth and also putting her life more at risk," Well if the Yakuza does kill me at least now their reasons will be offical." Stupid Lara! Her mind yelled at her, what a great way to answer him, by telling him that! But she had to tell him somehow," Bloody hell...Jackie I meant, I shouldn't have put it that way...I just found out myself tonight Terry's he...he snuck into see Sara and she told him because Irons told her." Lara's head pressed back against the door one hand coming to rest against her forehead," That's why you had to save me from the train tracks because they got a hit on me to get to you." She felt like shit now to put it bluntly, her hand dropped with a clank against her side where rested a gun as her head fell to one side her gaze down not looking at him," I'm sorry, I never should have said anything." She sighed shaking her head," This has been such a big mess and my mind... I'm rather surprized I'm still somewhat sane." Of course Lara Croft was not completely sane, infact she's just plain out crazy sometimes, but right now she felt stupid. For the first time ever.

He felt the urge to sneak in a kiss from Lara. But that all changed when she had to bust him up with the bad news. She had said the last words he really wanted to hear come from her mouth. Someone else was taking Jackie's burden?? The woman he was quite fond of was being hunted by his worst enemies?? Things were taking a turn for the worst. Jackie took a step backwards then looked off elsewhere. He needed to sit down to absorb this one. He seemed quite calm about it but inside it was starting to act like poison had entered his bloodstream. Jackie slid his coat off then dropped it on the floor. Throwing himself down into the couch... eyes shifted straight ahead. His question was totally thrown out the window. He was somewhat speechless now. He was unsure now if they could even have a relationship together... the longer she stayed with him... the longer they'd hunt her down on his behalf. Jackie had only one solution for that... "Well... I guess that means No then... We can't be together if things are gonna be like this. I guess you'll be flying back to England then early huh?"

Again no movement at first,she felt the change in his form and finally looked at him again. Lara didn't mean for it to be like this if only she could get out the words and tell him that, but it was all just so complicated and deep. A notable frown pressed across her lips, anger flared in the irises of her gaze. But this anger was on herself, no one else. The room rang of silence and tension more so then ever now and she feared to break it. Afterall, The Brit felt asthought she had already broken one thing tonight. That thing being Jackie. However Lara Croft was a woman for challenges and this had challenge written all over it. A soft sigh, as she broke the silence he did aswell," No." Her answer was simple as she moved towards him and the sofa and knelt down after taking off her guns a sign to most Lara Croft was here to stay as she dropped them to the floor near his jacket," I don't runaway from problems Jackie." Slender fingers reached forward and through his hair," Nor do I runaway from cowards like the Yakuza." Her jaw set a moment," They tried to kill me twice, they do it again and they will be no more." The hand stopped resting at the side of his head," I'll admit it, it wasn't the gun I became fond of when we met."Her body moved upwards the sofa was one of those large ones, easily two people could lay on and so she did. Her legs coming to rest next to his, but her frame stayed bent a moment at the waist as the Raider leaned over him," It was you." A hand soflty rested on his chest as she lower and kissed him, then backed away a moment," And you of all people should know when you mess with Lara Croft you mess with trouble with a capital T." She grinned wickedly almost," If they muck with me again, they'll never know what hit them." With that she grew silent and relaxed her body against his, her head coming to rest on his chest.What was he thinking? She wanted to know," I never meant for it to be like this Jackie,for it all to end up a ruddy pain in the arse." She had finally got the words out though they came as a light whisper.

Both his hands had sunk backwards into the couch from the weight of his head. His hands made to be a pillow for the time. An image of Lara laid out on the ground appeared in his head. The Yakuza had been chasing him down for a very long time now and their best had yet to stop him. But even though they hadn't taken him out yet... the thing that bugged him was that they tried harder every time and now they were playing some real hard ball against him. They planned to get him while he was down... Jackie's question was... 'How long would she be able to endure the constant attempts against her life by the Yakuza. He half listened to her words but knowingly knew what she was going to say. He knew her pretty well now to understand her habits... even pick up on her speech. His blue eyes gazed over her form as she laid herself beside him, head on his chest. One of his hands would come free and his arm wrapped around her slightly. He showed his comfort in her being close. He made a low 'Shhh' sound when she spoke her last words... "yeah, I know you didn't it's your fault. It's my fault for not letting you know how dangerous it was to even be in my presence." A light sigh escaped him and he exhaled all the air that was balling up in him... "How about we not talk about this anymore tonight. Let's just move on from all this right now... It's beautiful tonight, let's not spoil it anymore, Ok?"

Silence for the longest time, save for the storm outside, the rain tapping against the windows, and the occasional roll of thunder and flash of lightning. Lara found herself at the moment rather glad her brother wasn't about or the fact Bryce had yet to show up. The penthouse was becoming almost like Croft Manor, a place to call home with one two many memories arleady set in stone. Some of them trembulous, others tender. All she would never forget, the Tomb Raider's mind, body and soul were imprinted by them like a branding. She felt his arm move, and come to rest about her and for a brief moment in time hazel orbs disapeared behind thick lashes. Almost safe, but when you're Lara Croft safety tends to take a back burner to always near death. Intruth she would always be a walking dead woman. Always. And even if Jackie took out every soul on earth wanting to put the woman six feet under more would rear their ugly heads. A silent chuckle on her part," You know Jackie you really underestimate me." The braided auburn head lifted, eyes splashed in green and brown fixed on his face," Danger is as danger does." The brit figured that would get her point across, but to be safe the english accent spoke again," I'm just as much of a dangerous person as you if not in some cases more." Sure knowing Jackie, Mr Mafia's number one Hitman he undoubtly did his home work on her long ago. But it seemed not enough or he wasn't letting on to all he did know about the Tomb Raider," Hm. Yes, it's practically raining cats and dogs outside," Eyes shifted, peering at the parted sliding glass doors which beyond layed the balcony and the outside world," I like the rain, rather soothing." She dropped the subject of the Yakuza without mention.

Jackie's eyes never once blinked, as most the time he never did unless he purposely did so. The night was his time for alertness even in the peaceful confinements of his own home. He could sleep with eyes wide open if he wanted to. But either way, he wasn't really tired... it wasn't too late and even if it was, he didn't sleep most the time anyways. His body having become accustom to this. He looked down to Lara again, hearing her words, which made him laugh slightly... "Maybe I am underestimating you... But then again, maybe I'm suppose to as your caretaker. I'd prefer you being under my wing than being out there solo."... his head came down somewhat, enough for him to place a kiss onto Lara forehead... "But Then again... I know you much better than that, you have too much fun with this danger thing. Almost as if you go looking for it instead of expecting it to just show up." Jackie's other hand removed from behind his head and reached over to one of his holsters. It would then expose the Golden Desert Eagle, which glowed brightly in the light. With a smirk, he would grab one of Lara's hands then slowly place the gun down into it... "Hmmm... I hope you like it..."... a grin kept on his facial feature from that moment on. He awaited her expression to his little gift. The gun he took out was modified on the outside... the entire gun was gold fronted but also it had traces of white gold embezzled into the chamber, making designs. The designs were that of the images of the Darkness. Near the hammer was the initials J.E. on the left side while on the right were the initials L.C.

Lara payed close attention, Jackie was always alert, but at night it seemed moreso her conclusion it was partly because of The Darkness and partly because of the fact of his lifestyle. Her alertness was due to her lifestyle completely. When you walk into a place untouched for thousands of years not being alert can get your head chopped off. A laugh escaped the full lips," I'll make your hair turn gray Jackie Estacado and give you high blood pressure." The aristrocratic accent was fun and games and yet she did have a point," I know I've already given you at least a few headaches, so I won't mention that." The mood change in her seemed to reflect instantly in her whole frame," And the only time I go looking for danger is when I'm working, othertimes it just seems to find me." A mocking grin pressed across her full lips,"Afterall, you ran into me did you not?" A hazel orb winked slyly at him. The Brit went to say more then stopped, lips remaining parted almost as if mid speech and eyes becoming slowly widened. As the gun was placed in her hands slender fingers if programmed to do so closed properly around the handle. Silence, he had drawn her into a speechless state. Eyes moved from Jackie to the gun and back again, then fell on the engravings," Hm." The British Brat found her self able to utter that little sound made when she was thinking.Like it? Oh very much so the woman was rather pleasently surprized also indeed," Um..I.." She searched for the proper words," Thank you." Her other hand snaked forward turning the gun about slowly, inspecting it,' I never noticed the engravings." Lightly she traced the grooves of the artwork on the handle with her finger.

A chuckle came from his lips... He was trouble indeed and it was he who came to her. But she herself was also as much if not more trouble. Knowing her, he wouldn't last too long without the headaches and overly high blood pressure she'd give him. But Lara was an exception to his no hassle policy...He'd never put up with the bullshit with most women, but he couldn't help but hold on longer to what he thought he had. Not too many good things came his way and even if she was somewhat of a daily pain, he was glad that she came around. His eyes looked at her expressions then back to the gun.. that one was brand new. The bullets fresh, also containing his insignia on them, the symbol of The Darkness engraved on each individual bullet. The gun was unused for the most part. Jackie continued to observe her features... "You look like your going through shock or something... It's just a gift. I knew you liked my weapons so I figured... No matter where you go I'll always be there, in that gun. And the gun has the engraves on it because I just put them there... they weren't there all the other times you took them from me."... he grinned, taking note to how they first met and all the other times after that when they continued to meet... "By The way... hows the Manor's condition nowadays??"

She figured as much when he chuckled, he knew he had his hands full indeed involving himself with the likes of her. However, Lara knew Jackie could handle it better then alot of other men she knew or knows. It was rare to see this particular kind of a man smile, grin or laugh.The Brit felt leveled, because as of late she hadn't much reason to joke and laugh herself. Suddenly a sheepish expression came across her face," Oh well, nothing from you has ever come about so willingly to me is all. " If that wasn't the truth," So yes, you could say you gave me a ruddy state of shock there." A sly grin spread across those teasing full lips," But then again, nothing ever completely shocks me." The british accent took a almost daring turn," Even you." Added flare on that one. She was teasing, another forte' of Lady Croft. Her hand closed around the handle once again of the new gun as a brow arched," Are you always so prepaired for things to go your way?" A curious question indeed, but it seemed to her Jackie had indeed come to the penthouse tonight with intentions on obtaining the Lady's affections completely and giving her the weapon she now possesed," Very thoughtful of you...you know you're not quite at all how my first impression was." And he wasn't at all, infact it was this not so much the gift that had shocked her. But then....this was becoming all too much of a good thing, which to Lara sent off a redlight in her head. Clash. Somewhere somehow it would happen..or maybe if she didn't think about it. Ah, but the words of the Ex- Spy rang in her mind. As did his touch, would she ever be able to completely forget him? No. Hazel irises study the man on the sofa with her now, deep down he would never fully have the heart,mind, body and soul of Lara Croft. No man ever had, and it was doubtful any man ever would. A part of the woman would always be disclosed and unreachable on any level and standards. A soft smile," How cleverly sweet of you." Came a responce to his words about him always being with her. She laughed," Oh the Manor is postively peachy now, I dare say though my Father was most likely turning over in his grave at the state the foyer was left in." A rather approved look came across her features," We made a bigger mess then the Illumanti did when they stole my bloody clock." She laughed," However for a while Hillary, my Butler sort of father figure now was dreadfully frighten of going outside at night thanks to you." At the time Bryce was off visiting family and he had missed all the fun, however he was informed about it not long after returning," And my tech geek, Bryce calls you the man with the golden guns." Lara was sure the hitman would indeed find as much amusement in that as she did.

Jackie's expression stayed the same for the most part now. He was content and had figured that the rest of the night would be like it was right now. He glanced to the window, noting that it was still raining, the low thumps from each drop very much familiar, reminding him of when he sat in this penthouse by himself for many nights. He looked back to Lara after a few moments passed... "Well... let's just say that I'm used to always getting my way. And If I don't then nobody else gets their way."... He gave a nod to that remark, thinking on it a little more. His mind in turn dwelled on the past for at least a second. Terry came into mind and what he said before he left. Jackie raised a brow and thought on it till finally deciding to bring the topic up. Her comments kept him in good mood so he didn't ask the question intending on getting a full response but if he did then he'd be happy to know even more... "Lara... Sheridan, before he left he said something... Something about 'Clashing'? What did he mean?"... He looked down at her, noting that she didn't move much while she laid there on the couch with him. But then again, neither did he... he was comfortable of course having her there with him. A hand placed over her hand which held on to the gun. He sat her hand with the gun down onto his chest, the feel of cold steel placing against his chest and going through the shirt he wore.

Lara found herself indeed growing comfortable around Mr Estacado. Oddly enough one would think this man would make her very uncomfortable, but then again this is Lara Croft. Her body relaxed, muscles becoming loose as she sank more into the sofa's crushions and more so against Jackie. A bit of a chuckle," I figured as much, you seem to apply the Hitman's rule of thumb to life over all don't you?" But of course, she implied the Tomb Raider's rule of thumb to her life overall even though sometimes this philosphy tended to get her into trouble more then desired.Then the question of Lara Croft's present relationship problem. He had to ask that didn't he? A long seemly almost held forever sigh escaped her lips," If one was to look at my relationship track record they would find alot of arguements, fighting, and peices of broken hearts." She closed her eyes in an almost defeated like manner as her form took on an almost weary tired feel," I either get double crossed in the case of Alex West, forced into things I'm not ready for as in the case of the perfect marriage or in the case of Terry Sheridan wandering eyes and alike dispositions." Slowly the hazel orbs did reappear as she fixed them on his hand which now rested atop her's and the gun. Lara's mind full of now whats and will this change the course of things between her and Jackie once again?

He intently listened to her every word, absorbing it all into his mind. He held her tighter after she was finished talking, knowing that she obviously didn't like to talk about things like that... It drained her dry. But Jackie was intending to be the oasis to her desert land. His other hand lightly touched along the contours of her face, gently gliding down her cheek... "Hey beautiful... we won't end up like that. We already Clash but it's not the same type of thing. In the end we make up... that's the difference between me and them. And I know I'm nothing like those others, I don't hide my feelings or do I wish to. Don't even let it bother you so much... There isn't a problem that I can't fix and with you I work that much better."... he chuckled a bit and thought about something else... "But you did make me go kinda soft. I've never been this much of a softy, it'd kill the others to see me like this. They'd probably say this is what happens when pimp's go sour."... he looked her in the eyes now, sincerity in his voice and honesty flowing in his emotion... "But I think it was all worth it, no matter what happens in the end."

It did indeed drain her to a point afterall once one has been through alot of fallen to shit relationships it can force a person to become doubltful about anything. However, Lara Croft is and always will be a tough woman able to quickly bouce back from any sort of set back incountered; Even if she has to force herself. Jackie was almost scaring the woman beside him, or rather making her curious indeed as he held her tighter. He really did care? Most did, it wasn't just a sort of thing were a man becoming involved with a woman like Lara couldn't care about her. It was about protecting something so strong and yet deep down so fragile. Though it was a rarity to see Lady Croft's fragile side.Her nerves quivered just slightly as his hand came to glide along the contours of her face, she had come to decide he had a very melodic touch not in any hurry with it or really anything else. Laid back. She found this to make him an oxymoron of a man really two complete opposites together as one whole. This was what also attracted her to Jackie, well besides his dangerous nature. He was indeed a mystery," Hm. You do have a point...we clash indeed.." But she too had made her point. There was a possiblity it would end up not working between them for one reason or another and several reasons popped into the Brit's mind, but she kept them to herself. For now. A laugh," So I noticed." Indeed she had picked up on this change in him of going soft. Worth it? In her mind Lara simply said, we shall see. A slight shaking of her head indicated she disagreed with him on something," Not all problems are so easily fixed Jackie." Lady Croft was and is a woman of logic," Sometimes I think you live in the world of Darkness too much." For a moment brows furrowed in thought," We shall see what occurs in the course of this." Once again the braided head came to rest on his chest as the thunder rolled right above the silence of the penthouse.

Old thoughts suddenly reappeared in his mind. Clashing... that was something that he and his ex, Jenni used to do. She was an exact opposite of what he stood for but now she was gone.. Things got too hot around him and she was forced away from him. She was one of the few that Jackie trusted and loved with all his heart... that was the only other time Jackie went soft, but only in certain areas. For some odd reason, even though Jenni and Lara were so much different, in the end they were very much alike. They both seemed to care for him but would become distant in certain areas of their lives, whether it be expressing feelings with one another or in the physical state. Lara would soon be leaving him, as Jenni did... Hmmm... this was too much to take in at once so he set aside his thoughts and was taken back to reality by the sound of Lara's voice. He didn't change in attitude much Since he'd gotten so good at hiding emotion when he needed to, a practice he used to do with Jenni... "Lara... I'm starting to think that people only fail because they have so many doubts. That's one of the things that hold you back from whatever it is you want to do. I've gotten rid of doubt. Maybe I'm too carefree but either way... I get more done and I accomplish whatever it is I want to have completed. I did force my way into your heart didn't I?"... He looked up at the ceiling, hands tracing along Lara's back for the time. He didn't expect an answer to his question but he had a feeling that he'd get one anyways.

Silence fell, it ringed and Lara didn't seem to mind it for now. Alot was becoming accomplished in all of this talking, things being worked out though there would indeed always be kinks in the relationship. Two of those kinks in the same city at the very moment somewhere. Terry and Sara. Sara would not be pleased with the Raider's choices, but Lara would simply tell the Detective to mind her own business and that would be that in the long and the short of it. Terry however, that would indeed present a rather bigger problem. The Brit pushed thoughts of the ex-spy away, they were not helping matters at the moment and only served to make her remember things a woman shouldn't in the arms of another man. Lightning illuminated the penthouse breifly as a sharp crack of thunder caused Lara to tense a little bit," And I thought thunder was loud in England.." She snidely mused not being one for storms intruth. The silence had been broken by her then Jackie tore it away completely for the moment," Yes, well old habits do die hard." Came an almost deja vu like responce to his failure comment. A slight shrug," I could never be quote carefree. Too logical and set in my ways to be such." but of course knowing Mr Estacado he was probly highly aware of this part in Lara's personality. Suddenly her head shot up off his chest," Oh you did, did you?" her gaze narrowed almost playfully," For your information it is a rarity for anyone to force themselves anywhere when it comes to me." Was she daring him? Presenting a challenge of some sort for him to figure out and try at? Possibly, at the gentle caresses apon her back Lara replaced her head once more apon his chest and let silence reign once more apon them; Amusing at the odd scene they made at that moment really and sleep slowly over took her.