And The Struggle Continues.
Author Chick's Notes: A little background on Chaz and some fun for the 'terrible twosome' fans. Disclaimers are in chapter 1.
Blah Denotes spoken Arabic.
And The Struggle Continues.
It was late in the evening. Short Fuse was hanging out in the apartment occupied by Sci-Fi, Tripwire, and Chaz and talking. They'd shifted from business to social in their conversations and Short Fuse was now finding himself having to explain a few things to Chaz.
"Why do you call him monk, Eric?" Chaz had asked, jerking a thumb at Tripwire.
"You didn't tell him?" Eric asked the other two.
Tripwire laughed. "Nope. I guess now is as good a time as any." And with that Tripwire explained to Chaz how he'd dropped out of high school in Japan to join a Buddhist monastery.
"One of my best friends is a clergyman?" Chaz asked in horror. "Tor I'm appalled!"
"Not Quite." Tor replied. "I didn't stay long enough to take my vows."
"Thank God." Sci-Fi muttered under his breath.
"Let me guess? One of those vows was about celibacy?" Chaz smirked. Tor laughed as Sci-Fi groaned and complained about the injustice.
"It would have been the first one I took." Tor explained. "Sea can handle the other ones I tend to live by, just not that one."
"Well no! It would mean I would have to go somewhere else for sodomy purposes!" Sea exclaimed. "You have any idea what a pain in the ass that is?"
"Pun intended or not?" Tor grinned.
Eric held his hands up in surrender. "Thank you! There's only so much I can handle about your love fest folks."
"Prude." Sea poked his tongue out at Eric. Chaz was laying on the floor howling in laughter at the exchange.
"You'd better change the subject or he'll really get going." Chaz laughed as he pointed his toe in Sea's direction.
"Good idea." Eric agreed. "So what's a kid from South Africa doing in the States?"
"My Dad sent me to school here, right before the take-over." Chaz began. "Initially it was to be for one year as an exchange student, but things got a little out of hand and I ended up stranded here."
"Did you try to find a way home?" Eric asked.
"Several times, but something would always come up and I'd loose the chance." Chaz sat up as he continued. "I ran out of money and ended up on the streets in Frisky. That's when I met Tor and Sea."
"Yeah this skinny blonde kid came up to us one day to bum a smoke. We've been stuck with him ever since." Sea laughed.
"Hey!" Chaz protested. "I've earned my keep!"
"And trust me, we're eternally grateful too." Tor added. "Chaz became our right hand in the filching business." He explained to Eric.
"It put a roof over my head and nicotine and caffeine in my bloodstream." Chaz shrugged.
"Wait a sec." Eric began. "This is the kid Courtney and Robbie were talking about right? The one who got that stuff out of the club that night?"
"Bingo." Sea chirped. "He also kept an eye on our place along with Angel when we shipped out here last year." He added.
"Oh that must have been a riot waiting to happen." Eric laughed. "Judging by how you two went at it when I was there last week."
Chaz smiled. "Nah Angel's a sweetheart. It's her mad designs to 'de-scruff' me that have us teasing each other." He added. "At first, Angel was leery of me because of where I'm from, and the fact that I am white. I don't know how Apartheid was presented here, but Angel figured that being Asian meant that I would be an arse to her."
"I can see that. Lonzo did the same thing." Eric said.
"Lonzo?"
"Stalker." Sea explained.
"Oh! Okay." Chaz said. "You lot and your code names screw me up sometimes."
Sea laughed.
"You're lucky if you can recall last week." Tor added, poking Chaz with his toe.
Chaz flipped him off before continuing his story. "Anyway. After I got it through her head that 'no I have no problems with you because you aren't white', we got along famously. That's when the make-over idea took over." Chaz snorted. "I am usually referred to as the 'unkept Boer' when it comes to her. She never got the hint that it was all a ruse." He laughed.
"Oh she did too!" Sea blurted. "Its just Angel, being Angel, that's all."
Eric laughed then sobered up as he thought of something else. "Now that it's possible, have you ever thought of heading back home?" He asked Chaz.
Chaz bit his lip as he pondered the question. "Things were bad enough when I left South Africa, I can't even begin to imagine what they must be like now. Yeah I have thought about it, but I don't even know if there's a home to go to." He replied after a moment. "That's why I stuck around to help out Tor and Sea. After it's well and truly over, then I'll go home. If anything to help clean up the messes both COBRA and the former government made."
"The offer of us tagging along still stands Kiddo." Tor offered.
Chaz smiled. "I wouldn't have it any other way. You and Sea took me in and made me family." Chaz fought the urge to choke up a bit as he continued. "You didn't have to help me, but you did. I'm forever indebted to you for that."
"Oh believe me. You've more then paid that debt off, just by helping us." Tor added.
"Yeah sure." Chaz retorted as he lay back on the floor and propped his feet on the couch next to the couple. "I still have to work off the food bill." He chuckled.
"He has a point Babe." Sea piped up. "I've never seen anyone pack away the chow like you do Kid."
Eric laughed. "Major chow hound huh?"
"Oh my God!" Sea groaned. "And I thought I could pack away the food. I'm a non starter compared to Chaz!"
Tor glanced to his side. "I wouldn't be so sure. They stopped letting you in at Mike's after a while."
"Oh shit! I remember that!" Eric howled. "The only person I know who has been asked to leave an all you can eat place!"
Sea raised an eyebrow at Eric. "You ate in the same mess hall as me. Tell me you wouldn't take advantage of real food when you had the chance?" He defended.
"Yeah but not like that!" Eric laughed.
"Whatever." Sea rolled his eyes. "What are doing up Dizzy?" He said when he saw his pet amble into the room. Diz hopped up onto Chaz's chest and made his way to Sea. "I know we didn't wake you up with the racket." Sea said as Diz climbed up to his shoulder before curling up and going back to sleep.
"He wants his Mummy." Chaz teased from the floor.
"Dude! Shut up." Sea glared at Chaz.
In another apartment, Imani sat curled on the couch next to Cover Girl. Dusty and Clutch had opted for the other side of the seating area to be safe.
"So what do you think of Gladys?" Cover Girl asked Imani.
Imani smiled warmly at the question. "I adore her! She's been so kind to me and made me feel welcome. I admit I was a bit nervous at the idea of meeting her."
"Mom fell in love with her in two seconds flat." Dusty added.
"Yes she did." Imani agreed. "She was also nice enough to show me that you weren't always tall and skinny." Imani smirked. Dusty leaned his head back and cursed at the ceiling.
"Oh?" Cover Girl asked.
"She had pictures of him when he was a baby." Imani smirked.
"Oh that's cold!" Cover Girl laughed. "Was he cute?"
"Adorable. And FAT!" Imani laughed. The two women howled in laughter while Clutch leaned over and lay an understanding hand on his friend's shoulder.
"By the way you." Dusty began, directing his gaze at Cover Girl.
"Uh-oh."
"What the hell did you teach her?" He asked, referring to Imani.
"Why?" Cover Girl grinned.
"Now I ain't exactly complaining, but we went looking for new wardrobes and she went to town!"
"So?" Cover Girl and Imani chimed in.
"Since when did you start worrying about what I do?" Imani asked. "I am trying to look like an American after all…at least as much as I can." She added.
"I know Love. It's just you got real good at it real fast."
"She had a good teacher." Cover Girl smirked, thumping her fist on her chest. "Besides? Why do you care?"
Dusty shook his head. "Let's just say I get a little worried when I see younger men eyeing up MY wife!"
Clutch fought the effort to laugh out loud at the looks Dusty got from the two women. Imani cocked an eyebrow at him while Cover Girl gave him her best disapproving look.
Imani cleared her throat and Cover Girl laughed. Clutch winced as he waited for the berating the tiny Arabian was about to give her husband. "Firstly, they're stupid." She stated holding up her hand to show off her wedding band. "If they can't see that, to bad. Secondly…" She began. "Any of them DO try something and I'll kill them. Simple as that. And lastly, most likely none of them speak Arabic, so you are quite safe." She finished.
Dusty held his tongue for a moment. He knew she wasn't done deflating his ego so he just waited for it. He didn't have to wait long.
"Is there anything else? Or did you get all of the male posturing out of your system?" Imani smiled sweetly at Dusty. Cover Girl was sliding out of her seat, she was laughing so hard.
"Okay truce. You win, I'm an idiot." Dusty held his hands up in surrender.
"Yes." Imani chirped.
"Can we change the subject before I dig my grave any deeper?" Dusty begged.
Clutch looked at his watch. "Actually, Court and me have a job in the morning and it's getting late." He stated.
Cover Girl glanced at the clock and winced. "Uhg. Plane maintenance. My favourite." She groaned.
They all rose and headed towards the door. "Why don't we return the favour later this week and invite you over for dinner?" Cover Girl suggested as she and Clutch got ready to leave.
"Sounds great." Dusty smiled. The group bid each other good night and Cover Girl and Clutch headed back to their apartment.
After closing the door behind their guests, Imani turned to watch Dusty pick up from the evening. She nibbled her lip a little and came up behind him. You are honestly worried about what other men think of me? She asked.
Sometimes. Dusty replied. I still see the young girl ready to knock my head off with a two by four… Imani waited for him to finish as he thought of how to word his feelings. It's just that I forget that you can take care of yourself. That and I admit I worry sometimes. You've changed since we first met.
Imani cuddled up against him and he held her tight. If it means anything at all. Imani began. My father always said that I would make a terrible Muslim wife. I'm to free willed.
That helps. Dusty muttered.
Imani shook her head and continued. What I mean is, you let me be myself. I am very grateful for that. She said, craning her face up to look Dusty in the eye. She noticed he wasn't convinced. All they see is a prize. She began. You see the personality as well and accept it…or should I say tolerate it? Dusty chuckled at the comment. And like I said earlier. Imani added. They're too stupid for me anyway. Not to mention ugly. And probably worthless in battle.
Okay. I get the point. Dusty laughed. He lifted her off the ground and brought her closer to him.
Imani kissed the tip of his nose and smiled. We have to get some sleep too. We have weapons practice in the morning. She reminded him. She yelped suddenly when Dusty heaved her over his shoulder and carried off to their room.
You soul-less dog! She bellowed as she pummelled his back with her tiny fists.
Dusty laughed as she continued to berate him and pound on him. That's what I like about you. Pint sized for easy carrying purposes.
TBC…