A/N: I haven't updated in a long time, partly I guess because I picked up a few other things. But FIREmblemFAN did ask me to update, and so, six months later, this is for you :)
Please note this chapter has a small bit of rated R to it.
Thanks!
Kajouka
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A bit of Love
Rua walked down the hallway with an omelette in one hand, and a glass of orange juice in the other. For a lack of any other options, she knocked on Cloria's door with her foot. "Room Service!" she called out cheerfully.
Cloria pulled the door open. "What do you want." she said, her voice cold and harsh. She nearly surprised herself. Cloria couldn't remember the last time she had spoken that way. At least, she hadn't done so since she left her father's house.
Rua pushed her way into the room without a care to Cloria's attitude. She placed the dished down on a small table and turned back to Cloria with a smile. "Now I'm not use to serving people," Rua said frowning down at the plates. "But I assume you haven't eaten anything in awhile and you can't beat up Jin on an empty stomach."
"Who said I wanted to beat Jin up," Cloria sighed, frustrated that Rua had managed to gain access to the one place she thought she was safe.
"Ok, then we can't have a cat fight until you've filled that little belly of yours," Rua said plopping down on the bed like she owned the place. "Because you definitly have murder in your eyes right now.
The food went ignored. "They aren't aimed at you," Cloria replied. "You cannot help who you are. But what he did was terrible." She looked away. She did not want to be having this conversation, and she didn't want to be having it with Rua. "Look, he's yours. It's obvious. It's been that way from the beginning. I was just too stupid to see it."
"Hah!" Rua laughed kicking off her boots so she could put her feet up on the bed. "So you DO want to kill Jin!"
"Besides, that boy itsn't mine," Rua said smiling sadly for a moment. "He might have been at one point but not now. But he's an idiot. You can't imagine how many times I tried to kill him when we were kids. I nearly succeeded once or twice!"
Cloria shook her head. "What is wrong with you? I don't want to be your friend. I don't want to hear stories about you and Jin as children. Do you think this doesn't hurt enough that you have to continue to remind me that YOU are the sole reason why he doesn't love me?"
"I'm not leaving until you eat all of it," Rua said daring Cloria to disobey. "I don't cook often you should feel honored."
"You just don't get it do you," Cloria replied. "Why should I feel honored? Because you have graced me with your presence?" She sighed. She was never this mean, but she felt a horrible hatred of the woman and all things to do with her. "Or because you show up here and then start acting like my mother?"
"I may be about the only person in this world, besides yourself of course, who knows how think-headed Jin can be," Rua said sitting up. "So I'm the only one who can help you get the man."
"Besides, I think I kinda like you!" she said smiling. "And I want to see Jin happy, no matter who he decides to be with. But to tell you the truth, last night Jin and I talked, and that spark we had is gone. Its not love, its just friendship that we share now."
Cloria turned around. It didn't seem possible that the words Rua was saying were true. She felt like this was a trap, and that she would fall right into it. "Jin made it clear to me that he would fall in love with no one else."
"Really? He's a bit of a drama queen sometimes, huh?" Rua said trying really hard not to laugh. She was sure she'd loose the girl if she did. "But then, until yesterday I would have said the same thing. I think both of us were just clinging to the memory of our love, and when I saw him again I knew that I had changed so much and so had he. Yesterday, it was closure for both of us."
Cloria raised an eyebrow. "Yesterday. Yesterday I was sitting under the stars, dreaming about being in his arms." She sighed, "Rua, i can't keep doing that. I can't stand here and dream about a man who's lost in your eyes. I don't care what you think. I saw myself. I heard myself. I don't think he's going to change."
TodaDevi: "So you're just going to give up?" Rua asked staring Cloria right in the eye. "That's it. Your big love is over in one day and you're going to spend the rest of your life crying in your room alone? Your right, Jin would never fall in love with a girl who could give up so easily."
Cloria turned red. "I don't need this from you. It's not your place to dictate what I choose to do in response to Jin or his actions. Don't you see? You are NOT making this better for me. If anything, you're making it worse." Cloria was fuming, and all she wanted to do was get away. She was horrible at confrontations.
"You're right I am making this hard for you," Rua said standingup and making her way to the doorway. "I won't just hand Jin over to any girl. Personally I think Jin is the type of man worth fighting for."
Rua stepped out of the doorway but gace one quick glance back at Cloria. "Eat your eggs, their getting cold."
Cloria glared and Rua. She wouldn't eat the eggs or anything else that bitch brought to her. Cloria nearly gasped at her thoughts. She couldn't stay on that ship any longer.
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Faye yawned as she walked into the room. The TV was on, rolling something stupid, when Big Shot came on. She plopped down to watch - after all, they could always use the money.
Jet groaned from his seat on the couch. BIgshot always interupted good movies, but the money was a welcome option. Jet leaned forward towards the screen.
Faye smacked Jet in the arm, "You don't make a good window Jet, and I was watching that."
Jet grumbled and shifted over, alowing Faye to see the television. "You weren't watching anything, you just walked in," Jet commented.
"Well, I'm watching it now!" Faye retorted. "You know I like Big Shot." She crossed her arms over her chest. "And we could use the money."
"I'll agree with you there..." Jet said while he settled back into his seat while the show started up.
Big Shot came on, raving about some 10 MM woolong bounty. "You know Jet, You and I could really use that money. He doesn't look that difficult to catch either."
"You can't judge a book by its cover" Jet said, "But money is already in short supply so it's worth a shot..."
"He's in Estoria as well," Faye comment as the show continued. "We wouldn't have to go anywhere."
"That's definately a stroke of luck," Jet admitted as he levered himself off of his seat. "We might as well take the opportunity, even if we fail we still don't lose much"
Faye stood as well, adjusting her jacket. "Alright Jet, then what's the plan?" She asked, as she headed towards the dock.
"Catch the bounty" Jet replied flatly as he fell into step behind Faye.
"The descriptiveness of your plan speaks wonders," Faye muttered as she climbed into her zip craft. "Really Jet, I knew that much."
"It's easier to formulate a plan when you know more about a bounty other than what planet he's on." Jet then climbed into the Hammerhead and closed the hatch.
"Well, you should have been paying more attention to the show. They said he was last seen in the drug alley," Faye commented through the speak box. "I think we should head that way, and get a read from the locals of that area. Dangerous? Yes, but you and I can handle that."
"I should hope so," Jet retorted through the speak box. He started up the Hammerhead exited the Bebop.
Faye smirked. Jet was much more sensible than Spike when it came to reality. Hell, he was more sensible than her, although she'd never admit it. She followed the Hammerhead out of the Bebop, putting the RedTail on Jet's left.
"Since you were paying so much attention to Big Shot today, what did our bounty do to earn the price on his head?" Jet asked as Estoria began to come into view.
Faye shrugged, "Killed someone over drugs. It's pretty typical of criminals these days."
"No crime is typical," Jet said remembering the saying from his days as an officer, those were the days. "Let's just do this quick though."
Faye nodded, "We're coming up on the area now." She pointed down to a few shady bars.
"Alright," Jet said as he began to touch down the Hammerhead in a parking lot. "Let's make sure we get him out of here before any friends he might have decide to help him out."
"Alright," Faye replied, parking next to Jet. "You go in first, I'll follow. I can scan the crowd and hit on him while you make yourself cozy at the bar."
Jet suddenly looked somwhat dissheveled. "I believe hitting on him is more your department...." Jet replied.
"That's what I said, Jet!" Faye stomped, frustrated that he hadn't gotten her meaning the first time. "Or are you just trying to get me all crazy before I go in there."
"Get crazy? I'm pretty sure you already are," Jet commented as he opened the bar door.
Faye rolled her eyes, as she watched Jet enter the bar. He never seemed to pass up an opportunity to put her down. She waited a few minutes, and then entered herself, scanning the crowd as she put on her sexy Faye walk. She smirked when she saw the target, and waisting no time, plopped down at his table. This tactic seemed to work well with her. "Hey Sugar."
Jet took a seat at the edge of the bar and looked towards the target, how men became so attracted to Faye so fast was beyond him, of course that was because he knows the true Faye. The Faye that borrows all his money...
The bounty, smirked, "Do you think I'm that dumb. You waltz in here and pick me out. I know there's a bounty on your head. I also know there's a gun pointed at you from under the table."
Faye remained cool, "Do I look like a bounty hunter to you? Oh I'm sorry, I thought they were after bounties, not sex."
Jet became worried, usually Faye had them by now, he began to draw his gun under the bar.
"You really a prostitute?" The bounty asked, his eyebrow raised. "You don't look quite like the sort."
Faye gave him a mock grin, her eyes fixed on his, although under the table she gave a soft signal to Jet, "I didn't say that, now did I?" she replied.
Jet stood up at the other end of the bar. "Put down any weapons you have!" Jet said firmly. He poitned his gun to the bounties head.
The bounty turned to see Jet's gun at his head. The distraction was what Faye needed to get out of his range, and she pushed off the chair, landing on the table. Her own gun was drawn, but she pointed it towards those behind Jet, challenging anyone in there to fire at him. "I think you should do as he says," Faye replied.
The bounty didn't agree. He wasn't going down easily. He whipped his gun up from under the table, but Faye expertly kicked it out of his hands.
"I advise you stand up and come with us quietly." Jet said to the prone bounty. "And don't run," Jet narrowed his eyes "You better not make me run..."
The bounty laughed, "Why should I? If you kill me, you get nothing," He pushed the table up, sending Faye flying across the bar.
"Yeah, but your still dead, and I think that's a very important problem to you..." Jet said, keeping his gun trained on the bounty.
Faye rubbed her butt. "Damn it, that hurt," she muttered, picking her gun back up. "I'll kill him myself, Jet!" she cried out, aiming the barrel at the bounty.
"Maybe so, but who wants to spend their days in a maximum strength prison?" He retorted, making the motion to go left before dashing right towards the back of the bar.
"Oh whatever!" Faye cried, firing at shot at the guy's ankles.
Jet broke off into a run after the bounty, hoping that there wasn't an exit back there.
The bounty tripped and nearly fell, but kept hobbling. He supressed a scream at his throbbing ankle, but he was on enough drugs to keep it from slowing him down too much.
"Ah, Fuck," Faye replied, pulling herself to her feet. This wasn't good. She raced after Jet. By the time she made it out the door, Jet already had the bounty caught and tied. Faye kicked him in the face. "That's what you get for knocking me off the table!"
It wasn't long before the pair returned to the Bebop, each 5 million woolongs richer.
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They had gotten off the elevator but never broken from the kiss that Vicious had pulled her into. Still kissing him, but more passionately she backed him into the wall next to his office door. Slowly fingering for the doorknob and opening it at just the same pace.
Vicious had his arms wrapped tightly around Julia's waist, as his mouth pressed against hers. As she opened the door, he guided her into the office, still locked in the heated embrace. "Julia, I want you tonight," he whispered, his voice husky. The words were more of an order than a statement. Vicious always got what he wanted.
Julia slammed the door behind them with her foot and locked it as he spoke to her. "Well, at least you know what you want." She said as she walked him backwards to the couch. As he sat down, well fell down actually; on the couch she sat on his lap, facing him, engaging in a more passionate kiss then before as she unbuttoned his shirt.
"It looks to me like you don't plan to object," Vicious replied, his hands wrapping around her waist again. One found its way to the zipper of her dress, and he slid it down slowly, until it came to a stop just above her butt. "This dress looks beautiful on you," he said, kissing her again.
"It seems though, that you think it would be better off me." She grinned as she pulled his shirt off of him and began to suck on his shoulder. She massaged his sides as she moved up and down his neck.
Vicious grinned, "I really couldn't agree more." He replied, pulling Julia's dress over her head, interrupting her kissing. He tossed the dress to the floor, and quickly cupped her chin in his hand. "As feisty as you are tonight, Julia, please, let me kiss you." He leaned down and passionately took her mouth with his again. He wanted to draw this out and enjoy it. He didn't know how long this would last.
Julia was lost in his kiss, her body loosened and slowed down to his pace. She dropped his shirt onto the floor off the side of the couch and leaned into his kiss more.
Vicious felt the change in her pace, and briefly wondered why she had been so frantic in the first place. He thought to ask her, then changed his mind. He didn't care right now. He quickly unhooked her bra and dropped it to the floor, then cupped a breast in his hand. She was perfect. His kisses became more passionate, as he moved down her neck, slowly. "Julia..." he whispered.
"Vicious..." she moaned. She lightly dug her nails into his back as she held him tight and close to her body. She moved slowly down his back and put her hands into the back of his pants.
Vicious stood then, picking up Julia with him. He carried her to his desk and set her down on top. "How much do you want me?" He whispered in her ear, his arms still wrapped tightly around her body.
"I want you now, more then ever." she whispered with a seductive smile. She didn't want to go slow, she had had enough of slow, but she would let him have what he wanted tonight. After all, she had missed him, maybe slow was what she needed. She flipped her hair away from her face as she kissed his chest.
Vicious smiled. "More than before?" He made reference to their past relationship. The question was slightly loaded, although Vicious suspected that she would say yes. One hand found it's way to her soft folds, and he played with them lightly as he waited for an answer.
She smiled. "Don't feed me that line." she said, "Not here. Not while you do that. You know that answer, and you know I care about you." she moaned as he touched her and her hands moved down his body to his waist, removing his belt.
"You told me you would never leave me," Vicious reminded her gently. He didn't mention that she had left him once. Spike would come up between them soon enough. He didn't need to rush it. He let his pants drop the floor, then moved up close to her. He was ready, and he could tell she was too. He slid inside her slowly, groaning as she closed in around him.
She couldn't think of a rebuttal, a wave of heat flashed over her as he entered her. She moaned as she pressed her nails into his lower back lightly. After a few seconds passed she responded. "I know what I said, I mean it."
"I hope so Julia," Vicious replied, as he began thrusting. The comment was both a small threat and an admission that he would be hurt if she left. She could take it any way she liked. He groaned again, his mind finally unable to think enough to carry on a conversation. Instead, he focused on the physical pleasure. His hands gripped her hips as he thrust, making it easier for him.
Julia gripped his ass and squeezed tightly. Her moans became louder with each thrust. Each wave of pleasure threatened to take her breath away but she encouraged him with her fingers, by playing with his testicles as he moved.
Vicious moaned, each thrust building. After what seemed like forever, he felt himself climaxing. He called out Julia's name a few times, before slowing down to a stop. It was good, to be with her again.
Just as Vicious began saying her name, Julia felt her orgasm growing as he kept moving in and out of her. She moaned louder then before and as he stopped she arched her back as a smile passed over her lips. He had always known how to please her, but, well, she passed the next thought out of her head as quickly as it had came, Spike was gone, now she had Vicious. Vicious.
Vicious picked Julia back up and carried her to the couch. He set her down softly, kissing her lips. "That was wonderful. Just like the old days." He grabbed a blanket and pulled it up over them. "I wouldn't mind doing it again later."
Julia didn't move from his lap, facing him, he was still inside her. She cuddled up in the blanket with him she pressed her body against his. She spoke softly as she nuzzled up against his neck, "I wouldn't mind it either."
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Jin stepped into the dim atmosphere of the bar. He and Kade had left the craziness of the SeaDog for the more serene atmosphere of a bunch of drunks. "This place will do," Jin said sitting down at a table out of the way.
Kade nodded. He had no idea how this would go. Cloria might be the death of them, for a different reason than normal. "Look Jin, what are you doing?"
"What am I doing?" he asked signaling a barmaid. "I'm going to get a double scotch, chase it down with some whiskey and then maybe move onto some of the finer spirits of life."
Kade sighed, and ordered his own drink. As the barmaid left her turned back to Jin, "you know what I meant."
"Elaborate for me," Jin said looking about the bar. "I seem to be missing the fine print recently, so I'm not even going to pretend to know what you mean."
"Cloria, Jin." Kade replied. "What happened with Cloria?"
"I don't know!" Jin said exasperated. "That's the problem. One minute everything's going fine she cook's us a great meal, then people are talking about love, I run into Rua, Cloria's crying, Sam's breaking things...I'm telling you my life has turned into a circus."
Kade sighed, "Jin, she got drunk yesterday. I've never seen her like that. What did you say to her?" He watched as the waitress set down their drinks. "Look, there are things you keep private and then there are things you tell your best friend. This is one of them. And who the hell is Rua?"
"She's the reason Cloria was drinking... well... no. Maybe, I don't know," Jin said grabbing his newly arrived drinking and taking a heavy swallow of the liquid fire. It was cheap stuff and burned rather than soothed as it went down. "Rua is my old girlfriend. I told Cloria that I couldn't be the guy for her, because of what happened between Rua and I. And then yesterday when I went out walking, I ran into her and we talked and then she was on the SeaDog and then Cloria was there. And she was crying, I think Rua talked with Cloria this morning. I haven't seen her today yet, have you?"
Kade shook his head. "No I haven't. I don't think she's doing well though, Jin." Kade sighed, "Since when did you turn into a fool? You know she's perfect for you."
"I've always been a fool," Jin said taking another satisfactory drink. "She may be perfect for me Kade, but I'm not good enough for her, and eventually she's going to see that and be happier for it. She needs a prince, not a pig-headed idiot like me."
Kade laughed, "To a woman, the man she loves is a Prince. But you're right about one thing Jin - You are a pig-headed idiot." He took a drink, and slammed the glass down on the table. "It just pains me to see her cry. She's like a little sister to me."
"I can't stand it either Kade, I just don't know what to do to make it better," he shot back the last of the scotch and reached for the whiskey. He was getting smashed, no matter what Sam's philosophy was, every once and awhile you just needed to get stupid drunk.
"She use to live on the SeaDog, back when my father was still alive," Jin said. He didn't know if it was the alcohol or the memories but he could feel himself getting melancholy. "We grew up together on the ship, she wanted to see it and I couldn't just say no. And then she ran into Cloria, figured out the situation in her uncanny way of reading people, and has since been trying to make friends with Cloria."
"Do you really think that's a good idea?" Kade said, taking another sip of his drink. "I know Cloria can't hurt a fly herself, but she's easily hurt in return."
"Rua has a way with people I've never managed," Jin sad smiling into his glass. "If anyone can get to Cloria right now I think she can."
"It's your friend, Jin," Kade said, "and it's not my place to tell you what I think she should and shouldn't be doing. Just, make sure you watch Cloria ok. I think it's really up to you to fix the situation, not Rua."
"Yah, but I don't even know what to do about Rua yet," Jin said downing the entirety of the whiskey in one shot. "I mean we were in love with each other for three years, and then I just left her...because I was a pig-headed idiot. And then I mess up with Cloria and Rua comes back. Rua doesn't show her weaknesses to anyone, who knows what she's thinking right now."
Kade sighed, "I don't know if Cloria could handle seeing you back with Rua Jin. Is that what you're thinking? Because you made it clear to Cloria that your heart belonged elsewhere."
"No, its over between us," Jin said angrily. It was more to convince himself then Kade, and he knew it. "I like Cloria a lot, a lot more than I thought. But now that I've seen Rua again I don't know what to do. I can't just walk out on Rua a second time and I don't think anything I do will make Cloria happy now."
Kade glanced out the window. "Then I have a feeling our ship isn't going to feel as much like home as it did before."
"Dammit Kade!" Jin said slamming down his empty glass. "I want her to be happy more than anyone else. But do you know any perfect way to solve all this?"
"No I don't Jin!" Kade replied back, feeling the anger in his tone. "But I didn't cause this mess either! I didn't go bringing my ex home the day after I find out that one of my good friends is in love with me. Do you have ANY idea how insensitive that looks?"
"I swear I didn't plan it that way," Jin said he lowered his voice but the menace was still there. Jin was itching for a fight, he needed some way to release all his pent up frustrations. "I didn't say I was right I'm just trying to do my best. But that ain't good enough for you is it hot shot?"
Kade's eyes hardened, "What the fuck is that supposed to mean, Jin. To me, it doesn't look like you're trying much at all." This was getting ridiculous.
"Get up," Jin demanded staring hard at his friend. "You can't just say shit like that and I'm not hitting a guy while he's sitting down."
Kade pushed the table back and stood. "Oh what now. You've fucked up your relationship with Cloria, and now you're going to fuck up with me too?" He pushed Jin. "You have a lot of nerve, for a fool."
Jin didn't waste time on words he balled up his fist and sent it flying right for Kade's face.
The punch landed square on Kade's face, sending him reeling backwards. He had pushed Jin, but he had never expected his friend would retaliate back with such force. "So that's how it's going to be then."
"God, I needed that," Jin said. The contact had been satisfying but a bit sobering. "Kade, are you going to help me? Or just complain about me?"
Kade was dumbstruck. "Help you? Jin, you just punched me in the face."
"Yah, but its not the first time we've come to blows," Jin said. He still hadn't let his guard down, any minute he expected Kade to hit him back, despite his calm words.
Kade shrugged, "I suppose you're right." He walked forward and slapped Jin on the shoulder. "Now look. You got to hit me. Here is what I want you to do. Go in there, and apologize to Cloria, but do it the right way. None of this crap about how you can't love again. Just tell her the truth, no matter what it is." He smiled softly, "I don't know how she'll take it, but at least you can do your best to clear this up."
"Will you tell me what the truth is, oh great guru?" Jin asked, he was still aching to be punched he knew he deserved it.
Kade picked up his drink and slammed the rest of it down, "That is something you'll have to find out for yourself, my friend." Kade put down the glass, "But honestly, there is a beautiful girl back at home who loves the hell out of you. Don't forget that." With that, he walked up to the bar to pay for their drinks.
"Yah," Jin mumbled to himself. "But what about me?"
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Rocko sauntered down the hall, looking for Jade's room. He was ready to get on with his assignment, and was thrilled that he would be with her. Arriving at her door, he knocked softly.
Jade was comfortably resting in a chair when she had a light knock on the door. Wandering who that could be she made her way over the door. Clad in a black haltor top and bootcut pants with a pair of black stilettos gracing her feet. If anything, she wasn't prepared to be doing the assignment. Opening the door she said, "Hello.. Oh, it's you."
Rocko grinned, "Yeah, just me." Her lack of excitement in seeing him only fueled his desire. Woman who played hard to get were sexy. "You don't appear ready to go." Rocko had changed out his Red Dragon uniform for something more casual. A pair of black pants and a plan top was all he wore.
"Hmmph, I'm ready.. I'm always ready.. Let me just grab my coat." Grabbing her long leather trench coat, she quickly put it on. Her gun was holstered to an ankle, but it was always holstered somewhere. Slipping out beside him she closed and locked her door. "So, what are we doing first?"
Rocko shrugged, "We probably need to buy some drugs - and figure out who is selling them from the Blue Snake." He walked down the hall beside her. "I've already got a car lined up, so we can head to their territory. We'll need to make sure that we don't appear as Red Dragon goons, or else they won't sell to us." He led her to the garage and opened the car door for her.
"Mmm, and what shall be our cover story? I don't know about you, but I won't come off as some Red Dragon goon." Slipping into the car, she gave him a little smile. At least he had manners.
Rocko laughed, "No, I suppose you won't." He turned on the car, immediately switching the station to something more his liking, and backed out onto the street. "I think we should just be teens looking for a good time."
She chuckled a bit, "That will work.. But honestly, what is this music? It sucks." Fiddling with the radio, she changed the station to something more HER liking. "There," she said with a smirk.
"Whatever happened to the driver's choice," Rocko mumbled, loud enough for Jade to hear him. "This is terrible!"
"All right, fine." She flipped the radio off period. "Instead we can just.. talk and get to know each, I suppose." She sighed and shrugged, purposely. "We are going to be working with each other, after all.."
Rocko nodded, "I wouldn't mind getting to know you, Jade. Tell me, how long have you been with the syndicate?"
"Well, around 3 or 4 years... I suppose. Yes, considering I'm 17 now, mmm... yes." Casting a glance at him she asked, "What about you?"
"I got in about four years ago, when I was 17. I had nothing going for me, and Vicious said I had potential. I guess he was right," Rocko replied. "The syndicate is the only family I've ever known, and I'd die for them."
Jade nodded, she completely understood what he meant by the last comment. "All though it may appear as if I don't like the syndicate, it's completely the opposite. I would also die for them.. They are my true family and they have been since the day I became one of them." She paused for a moment before continuing, "It's seems to long that I've been there with them, when truly, I haven't. You know, if you also got in around four years ago.. I didn't notice you."
"We've probably just been assigned to different areas. The syndicate is large - and Vicious's team hasn't been as powerful as they are now. I'm glad he's in charge. He's the type of man who will make sure we come out on top, no matter what the cost. Killing the Van last week was the most exciting moment of my life." Rocko turned the car, and headed towards the drug alleys.
"Ahh, I wasn't apart of that, but I can't say I was saddened by that fact. Instead, I was stuck watching Churel because you know... her grandfather. Even though I don't understand why it would matter, she DID kill her own parents for Vicious." She started to watch outside the car very carefully as they started to approach the drug alleys...
"I was unaware of that." Rocko replied. "It seems that Vicious has his hands in everything these days. He amazes me sometimes. The way he plots - he sets things up so far in advance and he always knows what to do." It was obvious the young 21-year-old idolized Vicious.
"I suppose some things don't get around as much as I thought.." She smiled to herself as she listened to Rocko go on about Vicious. "Yes, I suppose.. but his weakness is, and will always be, Julia. You could all most include Spike in that mix, but in the end, it goes down to Julia. In turn, it can make him work harder for something than he ever has, but could turn out to be his downfall. I don't think that will happen though, with the way Alaura was acting during the meeting." She couldn't wait to get started.. Even if it was just a silly drug buy, she loved slipping right under the enemie's nose.
Rocko parked the car, "Julia," he commented, "Yes, I think we'll need to be wary of her, Jade. I remember three years ago, when Spike left and Vicious, changed..." He walked around and opened the door for her. "I don't want to see the two of them fuck him up any worse than they did the first time around."
Stepping out of the car, Jade smoothed her clothing down, preparing. "Thank you, and no.. None of us would want to see that, again. He shouldn't be back with her, but I can't change that." Somehow, Rocko had managed to get past some of the ice surrounding her heart, but he still had a ways to go.
Rocko shrugged, "Then maybe we should see to it that Spike doesn't come back, although I know Vicious is set on being the one to kill him." They walked down the alley way and Rocko nodded towards a bar with a blue snake over the entrance. "Bingo. Let's finish this little conversation later."
She nodded silently.. She walked with him towards the bar, stopping before the door. "Now, be the sweetheart madly in love boyfriend of mine that I know you are, and open the door for me." Jade winked at him quickly.
Rocko grinned. He could go for that act. He opened the door for her and then wrapped his arms around her waist. "Sweetie, If this is what you want for your birthday, then I'll pay anything to get it for you."
Nestling up to him she giggled, "Yes, you know it's what I want, honey... And it will be for us. Now, we just have to find someone..." Jade could all most gag at having to be so lovey dovey, but she was one the who had suggested it.. and.. it felt nice to so close to Rocko.
Rocko laughed, "I'm sure someone here can help us." He hugged Jade again, and dragged her up the bar. "We'll take two beers, and we'd like to know if there is anyone here who can help us with some candy."
The bartended nodded. He looked over the couple apprasing them as two helpless kids. "Here are yours beers, and I'll be right back."
Up at the bar, Jade stayed close, lean against Rocko as she took her beer. Not without cursing in her about the carbs, she took a little sip. She giggled well looking up at Rocko. "I'm excited, this is my first time." Taking a larger sip of the beer, she smiled to herself.
A man walked up behind them. "You lookin' for some candy?" he said softly. Rocko nodded, and the man motioned to a table in the back.
"Come on sweetheart," Rocko said, nearly giggling with excitement, as they followed the man to the back.
"Now, this is expensive stuff, but it's the best." The man replied.
"Where does it come from?" Rocko asked in his I'm stupid but curious voice.
"That's none of your business," The man replied. Rocko took note - they must have an exclusive supplier.
"Whatever," Rocko replied. "We'd like enough for two for two nights." The deal was made quickly. "Hey, can we come back to you again?" He asked. "If my sugar likes your stuff, we'll get more." The man nodded, and vanished into the back. Rocko squeezed Jade's hand and they headed back to the bar. He tossed some bills on the bar and nodded at the bartender, "Thanks man. Keep the change." Then they exited the bar.
She still held onto Rocko, incase someone was watching. "That went well, didn't it, muffin?" Jade knew they would be making a return visit, and soon. They needed to find out more, but at least they knew it was an exclusive supplier.
Rocko led Jade to the car and as soon as they had sped off, he dropped the act. "I think we have an in, and if we're able to keep buying from him, we should be able to move up the chain some. Good customers are rewarded." He let a hand rest on her knee, testing the waters some.
About to brush Rocko's hand off her knee, she stopped, allowing it to stay. It felt uncomfortable for only a matter of seconds, but she quickly got used to it. Under normal circumstances she wouldn't let anyone her touch her, and didn't like it when they did. "Yes I agree.. We do have an in. What are you going to do with the drugs?"
"I don't know. Toss em', Take em'. Whatever you had in mind," Rocko replied. Being in the syndicate afforded them enough drugs that he didn't need the ones they'd bought. "We might need to take them though, because that dealer will ask us what we thought."
"Eh, I was going to toss, but we can take them if you would like." Normally, Jade prefered to say away from drugs, for various reasons. Her old habit had been kept hush hush, and eventually she kicked it, but old habits died hard. Smoothly lying she said, "I don't care, it's your decision." She could only hope he didn't know about it.
"If you don't want to take them, I can just do it. Only one of us has to know what they feel like," Rocko suggested, as they drove back into the main part of Estoria. He could see the syndicates main office coming up on the left. Sadly, he wished their drive had been longer.
"All right, thanks." She didn't need to say anymore and she wouldn't. "What time do you want to meet tomorrow?" Being prepared was important to her.
"Let's meet for lunch. We can discuss our next move at getting more information from that man. " Rocko replied, parking the car. He was disappointed that she seemed about business again, but he had expected it to be that way from the start. "I'll see you then," he said.
"That's sounds good, and it better be somewhere nice." Leaning over, she kissed him on the cheek, softly. A second later, it was over, and she was getting out of the car. Heading towards her room, she sighed. Jade had enjoyed the evening, more than she would have liked to admit.
Rocko was too stunned to speak as Jade walked away. Had she really kissed him? Was it part of their act or did it mean something? He shook his head, hoping he'd have the chance to find out. He hoped Vicious would be pleased with their progress as well.
---------------------
Allison sat cross-legged on a sidewalk at the edge of the city, her old acoustic guitar resting in her lap. She strummed the intro of a song as she glanced at her surroundings. She had picked a decent place to play. It was along the wall of some pub called the Prancing Pony.
The joint wasn't much to look at, but the location was right, not too far from the docks. She had a great view of the bay. As nice as the place was to look at, there wasn't much in the way of generosity.
Despite all of the milling people, there were only a couple of woolongs in her open guitar case. It may have been her imagination, but Allison could have sworn there were actually less than when she had started that day.
She shook off the thought as she continued to play an old tune, probably too old for any of the surrounding pedestrians to recognize, but she didn't care. It was one of her favorites.
"Thanks," she uttered as one of the pub's exiting patrons dropped some charge into her case. It wasn't enough to buy a piece of toast, but she wasn't about to complain. It was something.
With a subtle smile, she inhaled deeply before singing along to the melody, her voice carrying only as far as the noises of the bustling sidewalk would allow.
