Lyrics belong to Hot Hot Heat "You owe me an IOU". Ending lyrics belong to Papa Roach "Sometimes"

: Overtly individual - covertly traditional
She couldn't seem to make up her mind
And the only thing constant

Was the constant reminder she'd never change:

Lucy POV

"You're awfully quiet," Scud remarked when we were ten minutes back to the hotel, and I hadn't spoken yet.

"Yep," I answered, nodding.

"Any particular reason?"

"Nope," I lied.

"Right," I saw him nod, and knew he wasn't convinced. "What happened with Asha?"

"She showed me her factory where she makes drugs that kill people on one side, and hides massive weaponry on the other. By the way, here's the address." I handed him a scrape piece of paper. "Can you call everyone and let them know where to send everything?"

"Yeah. What else happened?"

"Nothing," I answered more forcefully.

"Okay," he took the address and started making phone calls, and I continued to zone through the directions back to the hotel. Really trying hard not to remember Asha pressed against me, and really not to remember how good it felt to have her there.

Amy POV

I let out a sigh of relief as Lucy pushed into the plush suite we were using. The whole trip I had been nervous beyond belief, seeing her I could finally let all the tension go. I met her in the middle of the room, pulling her into a tight hug, which she returned, but I thought felt a bit mechanical.

"You okay?" I asked, pulling back a bit.

"Yeah," she nodded, not meeting my eyes. "I saw the lab. There's enough ecstasy being made there for all of Florida to be rolling."

"Anything else?" I asked, still not convinced she was alright.

"Where's the lab?" Max asked, stepping into the room from the balcony, behind her Dominique put out her cigarette and followed.

"I have the address written down," she dug through her pockets for a moment before Scud handed it to her. "Oh, right," she nodded, handing over the address to Max. "Scud already let everyone know the deliveries should be made there."

"Everyone said things are going ahead of schedule, and we agreed on having the deliveries here Tuesday morning."

"The day after tomorrow?" Janet looked surprised.

"Otherwise known as Tuesday morning," Scud nodded, sitting on the couch next to her. I guess old habits die hard because he put an arm around her, and she leaned into him before they both snapped apart, each checking to see if Max or Lucy noticed. Luckily both were highly focused.

"I think the roof would be your best point of entrance. I saw two doors while we were up there, one on either end of the factory. I doubt the doors are locked, at least the one our end wasn't, there might be some nighttime electrical lock though."

"Probably," Max nodded. "Janet," Janet jumped from the couch, where she had been leaning closer to Scud again. "Go through our stuff; make sure we have two electrical lock picks. If not get on the phone and make sure the back up team brings them. Either way get on the phone and tell them the plan goes down Tuesday morning."

"Day after tomorrow," Janet scurried off to the phone; Scud looked longingly after her for a moment.

"Why don't you help her look?" I quietly suggested.

"Good idea," he smiled, jumping up to quickly follow her.

"And how many people will she have guarding the place? This could be a suicide," Dominique inquired from where she was now lounging on the couch. "We do not want to get ourselves killed."

"She probably has a heavy guard, fifteen to twenty patrolling the site. I saw four in uniform while I was there."

"There could be more blending in with the workers," I added, Lucy nodded and gave me a slight smile.

"Could be."

"And the workers? Are they going to be a problem?" Max asked, I could tell by her face she was laying out a plan in her head.

"I doubt it, most of them seem to be illegal immigrants, and I doubt she pays any of them well. Asha has always been good at cutting costs." I hear some bitterness in her words, but that's no surprise.

"I want you there with her, to receive the orders. We'll arrange a text code for you to let us know when the last order has arrived."

"Right," Lucy swallowed hard. I stood, moving to stand behind her, placing a calming hand on her shoulder. She stood up quickly, starting to pace. I watched her, frowning. "Her and Katia have no other business in town than this. I'll call Asha later and let them know the deal goes down Tuesday."

"Sounds good," Max nodded "I say we all try to get some sleep."

"I'll go make the call," Lucy practically ran to the door, slamming it behind her without a look back.

"She better not mess this up," Wax warned.

"She won't," I promised, heading after Lucy.

Lucy's POV

"Everything goes down Tuesday," I had filled Asha in on the how fast everything was going.

"Katia will be pleased. And maybe she will get that brat Michal out of my hair."

"He's a cute kid," I defended the poor little guy.

"Whatever. I miss having a girl with no strings attached, a fantastic body, a tongue that can..."

"I'll see you Tuesday morning Asha." I hung up; her chuckle ringing in my ear as there was a knocking at the door to the suite Scud and I were sharing.

"I'm coming," I called, hurrying to open the door. Amy stood leaning against the doorjamb, looking in at me with those perfect eyes as I opened the door.

"Can I come in?" She asked.

"Why couldn't you? You're planning on sleeping here aren't you?" I asked, feeling a little annoyed as I walked away from the door, leaving her to let herself in and shut it behind her. I stopped by the mini fridge, taking out a couple bottles of Jack Daniels, wishing they were bigger, but any port in a storm. I dropped some ice cubs in a plastic cup, and emptied them in.

"Isn't that a little strong?" Amy asked, sitting slowly on the couch, keeping an eye on me the whole time.

"Not after the day I've had," I answer, taking a large sip, and swallowing down the burn.

"And what kind of day was that?" Amy asked.

"A hard one," I answer, taking another larger sip, starting to feel the warmth spreading through me.

"What is your problem?" She asks, I glance at her and she has the most confused look on her face. I feel my heart breaking a bit, knowing I am causing it. She looks like I feel right now.

"It's just been a rough day," I speak slowly, eyes shut, teeth clamped. I don't want to say anything stupid.

"I need you to tell me more than that, Lucy. This whole shutting me out thing is not going to fly." I prepare myself and swallow the rest of the alcohol. "You have to trust me so I can help with whatever is going on in that head of yours. I'm your girlfriend."

"So," I laugh a little, the alcohol hitting quickly, but as soon as I say it I regret it. The look on her face tells me it's one of those stupid things I didn't want to say.

"So?" She repeats, looking at me with disbelief. "Lucy, what the hell is going on?"

"It's none of your business," I turn to her, voice rising a bit.

"It is completely my business." Her voice is louder than mine, and she is standing now.

"And why's that?"

"Because I gave up my life for you!" She yells, stunning me for a second. "I gave up a career in the Deb's, being near my family."

"You don't think I gave anything up?" I yell back. The door opens, Scud starts to come in, takes one look at the two of us standing, both obviously upset and looking at him. He shuts the door, and leaves. I look back at Amy. "I gave up a job I loved, more money then I could earn in my entire life, and the only thing I had left of my family. I think I gave up more than you, considering you wanted to leave the Deb's, go to art school. Something I made possible by the way, Barcelona being your idea, can I remind you."

"Whatever," she sat hard on the couch, arms crossed, not looking at me. I sighed, knowing this was getting us no where.

"I just feel too tied down sometimes," I try to speak slow and evenly, managing pretty well.

"I thought you wanted to be with me," she speaks thickly, tears obviously threatening.

"I do," I quickly assure her. "And you are worth everything I gave up and more."

"You too," she agrees.

"Just this whole mission has me all fucked up," I take a deep breath, hating to open my mouth, but knowing I can't keep it shut about this. "Asha kissed me tonight." Her eyes shoot up to meet mine, narrowing slightly.

"And you told her to stop," it's not a question, but I answer.

"No, I kissed her back," she looks somewhere between crying, and ripping my head off, so I quickly add. "But only really quick before I pushed her off."

"Right," she sits stone still for a few moments. Just as I begin to wonder if she's okay, she finally speaks. "I think you should go."

"What? This is my suite."

"Paid for by the Deb's," she reminds me.

"Where should I go?" I ask.

"I don't know. Asha's? I'm sure she's got a warm bed for you." We glare at each other for a few moments, each waiting for the other to back down. Finally I reach over, grabbing the room key, and my I-pod.

"Fine," I head for the door.

"Where are you going?" She yells after me.

"If you don't want me here I'll sleep by the pool." I slam the door storming angrily away. Although if I think hard about it I am more mad at myself then her, and really mad at Asha. I stab at the down arrow and the elevator immediately opens.

Inside the elevator I shove my headphones into my ears, needing to loose myself in the music for a little while. Blow this all out of my head. By the time I reach the ground level I am completely immersed. I walk quickly through the lobby, and out to the pool area. Grabbing a towel I through it on one of the chairs and lay down. I shut my eyes and try hard to block out everything.

: I'm dreaming about tomorrow
I'm thinking of yesterday
I consume myself in sorrow
This moment in time
Is what I betray
I am searching for the answers :

5