Kill Bill: Prequel Volume 1

by Bloody Satisfaction

Have you ever wondered how the relationships in Kill Bill Vol1&2 became to be? How did it all start? This story is an indepth look, for TRUE KB fans. This is a prequel to help answer the questions that have been plaguing everyone.

14. Happy Birthday You Live in a Zoo

Chapter 14:

Happy Birthday You Live in a Zoo...

"Something's wrong with Bill." It was late in the afternoon; the sun was beginning to die over the vast horizon. Standing out side that familiar hacienda where numerous cars were already parked stood Budd and Beatrix.

"Why would you say that?" She inquired in a light tone as they stood in the vacant drive way. Beatrix was clad in a gypsy-style skirt of a pale indigo color and a white shirt with ruffled sleeves, and a pair of sandals to match.

Budd stood beside her leaning up against his truck with a pair black slacks and a button up white shirt, a black jacket hung over his arm. "He's just so fucking happy."

Bea laughed lightly and ran a hand through blonde locks. "Elaborate for me, Budd cause I can't see the logic in not being glad that your brother is happy."

"No, don' get me wrong Bea, it's nice to see that he's happy but come on, Bill happy. That's rare".

Beatrix nodded and than glanced over to him through the shades of her sunglasses. "Are you pointing fingers at me?"

Budd immediately threw his hands up in the air and waved his digits. "Hell no." He gave pause and quickly turned on the tall blonde. "Bill's never and let me repeat never held anything remotely consisting or sounding like a birthday celebration for me. Even when we were kids he blew it off. Now, suddenly out of the goddamn blue he decides to invite everyone for a party."

"Stop questioning it so much and enjoy it." She bluntly pushed an open palm at his back which made the man stumble forward. "Come on."

Elle spotted Budd and Beatrix standing out by his truck as she slammed the door shut of her red 67' Corvette. The tall willowy blonde sauntered toward them clad in high heels, and a white blazer and pants. It was hard to tell what she was wearing underneath the jacket...but whatever it was, was low cut. She was swinging a brightly colored gift bag in one hand.

When she reached them, she blew Budd a small and sarcastic kiss. "Aw! Happy Birthday Budd!" With that she swung the bag up and slammed it into Budd's chest. "Gotcha a little gift...ya know something real special," she cocked her blonde head the side, winked her blue eye and giving Bea a small nod, continued on into the house...her tall heels clicking on the tile porch. Budd stared at the gift bag in his hand and pushed curiosity aside as he threw the package through the open window of his truck to land contently on the front seat. I think I ll save that one for openin later. He then turned and followed Beatrix inside.

Inside O-Ren and Verinta were in the kitchen. They were just putting the finishing touches on their "creation," a large obnoxious birthday cake custom tailored for Budd. They had found as many small plastic cowboy toys as they possibly could and had stuck them all over the cake. Along with this they added some barn animals and random Western additions, fences, a barn, etc. At one point Bill had walked by and added an Indian but the poor man was quickly plucked off the cake by the two women.

They were finally getting down to the business of finishing the cake after playing around; putting the cowboys in questionable positions, adding red "blood" frosting here and there and having far too much fun than should be allowed with a birthday cake. "This is hideous," Vernita laughed, stepping back looking at the cake. She was wearing a pair of khaki slacks, sneakers and a snug fitting black v-neck shirt. "It's perfect..." she added with a grin.

Bill had been given...well, more like he had given himself the manly task of manning the BBQ. He stood over the grill on the back patio, hot poker in hand like it was a weapon of choice. He looked fairly cheerful...for Bill that is. His good mood only interrupted when he had managed to get a small amount of grease on his silk button up shirt. "Fucker," he spat, picking up the offending hamburger patty with the poker and flinging it into he nearby bushes. Indeed, Bill throwing a birthday party for Budd was something quite rare and rather out of character for Budd's older brother. It was sure to raise a few eyebrows, but at this moment Bill didn't really give a shit. Weren't even killers allowed moments of happiness and then?

As they entered O-Ren stood there dressed in a pair of baggy black pants, a low cut tank top, and high heeled boots was there to greet them. She was there basically as a distraction so Vernita had time to stow away the birthday cake for later. "Happy birthday Budd," she chimed with over dramatic enthusiasm. "You don't look a day over thirty-five."

Budd chuckled lightly. "That's cause I am thirty-five, dearie."

Beatrix had taken off her sunglasses and stored them in her bag which was left in the hallway and was now approaching the two. A contented smile graced her features but blue eyes narrowed in on O-Ren with speculation. Instead of a hello, a long white digit extended and plucked off a smudge of red icing from the half breed s cheek. She than nonchalantly licked the icing from her finger. "Yummy."

Budd stared at the blonde with wide, bulging eyes. O-Ren had a delicate hand over her mouth to contain her laughter. "That was sick. Fuck, don't do that again," Budd declared as he started to walk away. Beatrix rolled her eyes and followed after him, O-Ren at her heels. "It wasn't real blood," Bea corrected in a hasty manner.

"It'd of been better if it was," O-Ren added in with a wide grin. Beatrix shot O-Ren a look as the group halted at the bar.

Vernita had successfully been able to hide the cake just as Budd and Beatrix came in. "Ah, look what the cat dragged in?" She smiled broadly, "Budd, you old shit...and Bea..long time no see." She watched in amusement as Budd mistook the "blood" frosting for the real thing. She laughed, just wait until he saw the actual cake.

Elle was already at the bar, long legs crossed, she seemed to find the whole frosting incident equally as amusing. If anybody could appreciate Budd's odd "cake" it would be her. "Thirty five," she shook her blonde locks, "Jesus Budd...you're basically dead." Who knew how old Elle was, but she certainly was not one to talk. "If ya ever went to just end it all..." she smirked in Budd's direction, "..just let me know baby."

Vernita rolled her eyes, leaning on the counter. She eyed Beatrix. They hadn't caught up in sometime and she was curious to know what her blonde friend had been up to this past month or so. Later, hopefully. There was a loud cursing from out on the patio, very obviously Bill's voice.

"Aw, poor baby," Elle continued to sneer, "...he can do about a million things well, but barbequing is not of them...he should just stick to making sandwiches."

Vernita nodded, sitting next to Beatrix...Elle had a point there. "So Budd, are we all the guests your gunna get here?"

"Sadly yes," Budd drawled in a sarcastic tone. He walked behind the bar and began reviewing the liquor choices.

"Aye, Budd is so depressed that he has to spend his birthday with four beautiful women," Beatrix cooed with a suppressed giggle.

"A tragedy," O-Ren added in as she took a seat next to Vernita.

With a smirk on his face the cowboy snatched out a bottle of whiskey and set it on the table. "Yup, I'm just cryin' on the inside knowin' I gotta be stuck with all you bitches all day long." He chuckled lightly as he turned to rummage through the cabinets.

Another loud yell from the out side patio could be heard followed by the familiar sound of shattered glass. O-Ren leaned back on the stool with a wide grin. "Someone better go make sure Bill hasn't killed himself or the burgers."

At this remark Beatrix casually rose from her seat. "Allow me." Putting a mischievous grin she took graceful strides across the room and through the sliding glass door to the outside. Spotting Bill, the blonde took notice to the amount of raw hamburgers on the patio and the amount on the grill. The amount on the grill dwindled dramatically from the amount on the patio. She had a distinct feeling some coyotes would be very happy. Her grin widened. "I was told to come out and make sure everything was alright," she spoke up in a casual tone, standing behind him.

Bill turned around to look at Beatrix, scowling deeply. A raw hamburger patty was hanging like some sort of road kill from the end of the sharp poker in his hand.

"Everything's just dandy Kiddo..." he grumbled slapping the patty on the grill with truly murderous force. "This fucking barbeque can't cook worth shit. I knew I should have bought a new one last week..." He turned back to the grill. Of course, it was the barbecue's fault...not his. It was beginning to look like ordering out for pizza was going to be a wiser move...then again, the pizza delivery around here wasn't exactly top notch. After a moment, Bill spoke softly, his attention still on the grill. "So, how are things?"

Beatrix was glad Bill's attention was on the grill and not her for she had a rather large smirk on her face. She ruffled a hand through her hair and gave a tight nod. "Things are fine," she replied in a softer tone. Blue eyes watched in utter amusement as the man fought with the raw meat.

"Should I go take an order of what everyone wants on their pizza?" She inquired trying to hide the sarcasm in her voice with seriousness. Bill answered by picking up a patty right off the hot grill with his bare hand and throwing it into the nearby bushes...which already held enough raw meat to feed all of the areas numerous domesticated coyotes. "Fuck," he hissed, slamming the lid shut on the grill. "That's it..."

"Bill," Elle called from inside, "Not all of us are fatasses like Budd, we need some sustenance soon here!"

"Plan's changed," Bill called back, giving Beatrix a small smile...apparently he wasn't taking the whole thing too badly in the end, "I've decided we're going to have pizza instead...Budd like's that sort of shit better anyways." He turned back to Beatrix, laying a friendly hand on her forearm. "Wh-"

"Pizza?" Vernita suddenly came out onto the patio, pausing just noticeably when she saw the two of them. Her attention quickly turned back to the matter at hand, "Your so full of shit Bill...you just can't coo-"

"Budd likes pizza better..." Bill glared, rapidly ending any sort of argument Vernita was going to make. Funny how Bill seemed to know what Budd liked without the man's own input. This was no new thing.

Vernita rolled her eyes, "Fine...fine...but it's going to take like-" she caught Bill's look, "Ok! Ok! Pizza it is...c'mon Bea," she made a little beckoning gesture to the tall blonde, "...let's order...shall we..." she flashed Bill a wide sarcastic smile. Beatrix flashed her own smile of sarcasm in Bill's direction before she turned and walked back inside with Vernita.

O-Ren looked up as the two reentered. Her expression was mellow-tone. "What's our new plan?" The tall blonde crossed back over to the bar and snatched up a pad and paper in the process. Setting the pad on top of the counter she leaned forward on the bar and held up the pen. "Bill is magically going to pull a pizza out of his ass. So, what does everyone want?"

Budd chuckled. "Pizza sounds a hell of a lot better than barbeque any who. I'll take artichokes and sardines on my half." Beatrix made a soft noise of disgust at the order but jotted it down. "Next."

"Anchovies," O-Ren stated. She caught the look she was receiving and added, "I'm fond of raw fish."

"That's not raw fish, its smelly fish," Budd countered as he down the rest of the whiskey from his glass. Elle seemed to think this whole thing was pretty funny. She laughed, and continued to laugh when Bill walked in with a glare and immediately went down the hallway to change his shirt. She turned back to Beatrix, "Meat...and lots of it... I don't want any of that smelly ass shit," she pointed to Budd and then O-Ren, "...touching my pizza."

Vernita sighed, giving Beatrix a sympathetic look, "Maybe we should just order a few...Bill's sure as hell paying for it...so why not? Oh, and I'll have that vegetarian stuff..." she spotted Bill coming back, wearing a new shirt that looked a hell of a lot like the one he just had on. "And what about you Emrill?"

"What about what?" Bill grated, grabbing the whiskey bottle from Budd before sitting down next to his brother.

"Pizza, what kind do you want?"

"I don't really care, not a big fan...," he caught Vernita's look, "Just order."

Vernita sighed once again and went to order. Her Spanish wasn't great...so for all they knew, they were going to be getting a fried goat, two extra large fluffed pillows and a half and half feta/blue cheese salad.

"So Bill," Elle eyed Bill and then Budd, "What small feeble sentimental corner of your stone heart caused you to decide to throw a little birthday party for Budd here?"

Bill shrugged, "Thought I'd try it out...so far, I'm thinking it was a bad idea," he glared at his brother. Vernita returned from ordering the pizza. "Well...food's on it's way...at some point." She sat back down next to Beatrix with a deep breath. Elle bit her nails, "So...who's for Twister?"

Budd scowled at the glare he received from Bill. It wasn't his fault the birthday party wasn't going well; he hadn't even thrown in the idea to have one. It was all Bill's doing but he had to remember that Bill hardly ever blamed himself for something that went wrong, when it was his fault. Budd snatched back the whiskey bottle from Bill and refilled his empty glass.

"I know," Beatrix began in an overly sarcastic tone laced with a sinister tint. "We can play pin the eye on the one eyed bitch."

O-Ren had to put a hand to her mouth to keep from laughing at that one. She knew it was all in good fun but it was deadly funny. Budd was the one to burst out laughing and he slapped a hand to his thigh. "I like that game. I wanna go first."

Elle's blue eye widened, she looked from Beatrix to Budd...back to Beatrix. "Think that's funny huh? Bea?" She stood up, hands on her shapely hips. "Very...VERY...funny!" Elle had apparently just been looking for a fight. "And Budd! You podunk piece of shit, I-"

"Whoa...chill out Elle," Vernita said.

"Fuck that," Elle snorted, "You know what Bea, you can just-"

"Elle," Bill said with deadly softness.

Elle didn't seem to notice, hear nor care, her attention was fully on Beatrix, "You just can't help yourself, can you? It's like you have fucking teretts or something...just gotta say it! I swear one of the-"

"ELLE," Bill repeated with far more volume and threat of repercussion.

Elle sat back down, seemingly crumbling. "Yes Bill..." she said meekly, tossing one last glare at Beatrix. One of these days...Elle swore that that blonde bitch was just going to go too far.

Vernita looked at Budd, "Can we at least try, for Budd's sake here...to have a good time alright?" Budd was idly twirling the half empty whiskey glass on the counter with his index and forefinger. He glanced up and said in an overly sober tone, "Ah, yeah. But what would be one hell of a birthday present. Seeing those two," He motioned to the two blondes. "Duke it out. Yeah that'd be mighty fine." He snatched up the glass and downed the contents.

O-Ren still held an amused expression over the whole thing but she knew better than to speak her part on the matter. She casually rose from her seat and sauntered behind the bar to make herself a drink. Beatrix had arms crossed over the counter top; she began a leering gaze in mismatched directions. Perhaps she had gone out of boundaries with that remark but she had been tempted and the temptation was pleasurable. Lips parted to speak but she stopped herself and canted her head down.

Bill turned to Budd after his younger brother's little comment about Elle and Beatrix. "Shut up Budd," he snapped from Bill..who had said that very thing on more than one occasion. "And stop drinking so fucking much...I don't want you passing out or puking anywhere in my place again." He looked disgusted. Normally Bill was fairly quiet around others with his personal issues with Budd. Elle remained quiet, smarting from what had just happened. She hadn't glared at Beatrix in nearly one minute.

Vernita placed her elbow on the bar and laid her chin in it...looking somewhat downcast. So, this is what happened with a bunch of killers attempted to have a good time. Budd frowned deeply and hung his head as would a scolded child. Bill could have that effect on people, especially when it came to siblings. He briskly brushed the glass aside and to the far end of the bar. Uneasy quiet had filled the room and remained that way until O-Ren decided to be the one to break it. She had been fiddling with her glass of sake when she abruptly picked her head up as if a spark had went off in her head. "I know a game we could play."

Everyone picked heads up and stared at O-Ren with a silent 'what the fuck?' She rolled her brown eyes. "In Tokyo we call it Fa-we-sha."

"Fuck your neighbor?" Budd translated with a furrowed brow.

On queue Beatrix exhaled a sigh and translated, "No shit head, it means Like your neighbor. What kind of game that is I sure as hell don't know."

"The game is, everyone goes around the room and says something 'nice' about their neighbor, or in this case the person next or across from them. Eventually everyone will have said one nice thing about everyone here." The Chinese-half breed smiled broadly at this idea.

Bill stared at O-Ren along with the rest of the room. A not only 'What the fuck?" expression on his face, but also a good mixture of "You've got to be kidding me?" was mixed in. He looked to his right...Budd sat there solemnly. Great. Elle snorted. "Your stoned O-Ren...I mean seriously..." Vernita gave O-Ren a quirky smile, "I like it..."

Elle rolled her eye, "This is retarded..."

"Grow up," Vernita snapped, "At least O-Ren's trying...Ok, well I'll start then," she turned towards Beatrix, "Well, Bea here is very beautiful...stunning really...She's one of the coolest people I've met and she can kick ass like no other white chick I've ever met...How's that?"

Bill gave a small smile, "I doubt your going to get much argument on that one Vernita." Elle didn't seem too happy with the "kick ass like no other white chick" comment...but she didn't say anything. "Ok," Vernita said, "Who's next?"

Beatrix held a pleasant smile from the compliment. She wasn't about to go blushing and feeling embarrassed over it but just held a smile. She folded her hands on the counter. "I'll go," she stated, blue eyes casting to Budd. The cowboy picked his head up and blinked. "Alright birthday boy all in all you are a very nice guy. I can always get a good laugh from you." She placed a single digit to her chin in momentary deep thought. "And," she pointed that digit at him non-threateningly. You remind me of a big teddy bear, a big deadly teddy bear." Budd stared unsure if he should be flattered or appalled. O-Ren still had a broad smile on her face as she was rather exuberant that her game was a success. She knew had hard it would be for everyone to be 'nice' to one another.

"Okay, my turn!" O-Ren turned towards Bill. "Bill, he's a toughie but I will say that I have always loved Bill as a father figure. He was there for me as my own father would be if he were still a live today. I truly owe a great deal to him." If O-Ren was expecting an aww from anyone it wasn't going to happen. This game, at the very least, was turning out to be somewhat amusing.

Bill bowed his head slightly in O-Ren's direction. "It has been my honor O-Ren. I'm sure if your father were still alive today he would be extremely proud of you...proud of the woman you have become," he leaned back slightly, looking at O-Ren much like a proud father would, "...his daughter has turned out to be as equal in beauty as she is in brains. A truly wonderful combination...much like Japanese and Chinese itself." He gave her a smile, "He would be proud to know that you have become one of my most successful protégés." Once again he gave O-Ren a small bow of his head, "I believe that counts as my turn..." he stated simply.

"Touching..." Elle said, "Well...fine I'll go then." She didn't look all too excited, then again nobody really did. ," she looked at her dark skinned counterpart, "...your very athletic, and pretty damn smart I'll say so myself." She rubbed her chin, "And one amazing killer with a knife. Yeah...you're not too bad all around." Vernita gave Elle a nod, taking any compliment she was willing to give.

"Budd, what about you?" Budd proceeded to lean back in his chair and eyed Vernita carefully. "Well," he began in a tall-tell voice. "Unfortunately I find that I don't work with you, Vernita, as much as I do with the others. But, when do have our here chances to chit chat I find your company enjoyable."

"Oh, this is going so nicely," O-Ren blurted out. She was acting like an excited child at a candy store. It was pleasant to see the young women at a rare point of contentment. "My turn, Okay Beatrix." The tall blonde looked up and gave her full attention on this one. "We have known one another for quite some time and I believe we hold a solid relationship. Whether it is friends or associates. I have great respect for your skills, personality, and beauty. What we have we don't have much of but what we do have I will savior to a point." She grinned and gave Beatrix a knowing look.

"Splendid, I'll go again," said Beatrix as she leaned over to lock eyes with O-Ren. She returned the look.I'm your silly rabbit."

O-Ren was rather content with this statement as well as Bea. A silent pact between the two as they settled in their chairs. "Who's next?" There was a few long moments of silence, as everyone tried to figure out who had not yet complimented who. It was obvious that a few rather awkward combinations remained. "Alright, Jesus..." Elle leaned forward, pointing a long finger in Bill's direction, "Bill...you're a real hard ass...and a bastard to boot. But, I respect you...despite all of that. I can depend on you. I wouldn't want to work for anybody else. You have made me what I am today." Well, that point was under question.

Bill raised his eyebrows, "And you know I care for you very much Miss Driver," he replied smoothly. Elle smiled, a tad girlishly.

Vernita did her best not to roll her eyes, "Alright...Budd," she looked at the cowboy, "your a good guy...you have your moments...but overall I have enjoyed working with you. And," she laughed, "...I think Bea is onto something with the teddy bear thing..." Budd held that expression of appalled or flattered when Vernita complimented him. He leaned back in his chair and rubbed at the back of his neck. Apparently Budd was having more trouble than all the others in comprehending the game. He straightened up and skimmed the room for whom he didn't play yet.

"Bea, you're fine," he said this rather suavely and made a tip of the hat gesture. Beatrix held a baffled expression but took it for what she could get and nodded. O-Ren was going to ask Budd to elaborate on that one but she decided against it. The game was going well. "Vernita! We work well together. You are the perfect counterpart and I wouldn't risk my life with any other knife wielder but you." Vernita gave O-Ren a small nod, "Thank you O-Ren. You are one of the most intelligent and respectful killers I have ever met. I would trust my life in your hands...well I have...and I will continue to...And, " she added, "...your extremely calming to be around...which is something I can't say for everybody here.." She smiled to add more humor to her words.

"Well Budd," Elle blurted suddenly, as if she felt the need to get this obligation over with, "...your...," she narrowed her eye at the hat perched on Budd's head, "...your...," she chewed her lower lip. Bill hid a smirk under the guise of rubbing his nose. Elle continued to struggle, "Your...a pretty good shot with a gun...well not as good as Bill, but your still pretty damn good...and not so bad with swords either. And...well your still a dipshit, but you're pretty amusing to make fun of. Your truck smells." Vernita made a face...well...that wasn't entirely flattering, but nobody was going to press Elle any further on that one. Her dark eyes slid over to Beatrix. Things were going to get a little deicer from now on.

Budd wasn't as obligated to show an expression of neither bafflement nor flattery for that one. He straightened up and cleared his throat. "Yeah, thanks a diddy there Elle. You're not always a complete bitch. And even when you are kinda civil I still find ya bitch but a loveable bitch. Kinda like a mini teddy bear." He grinned wide and settled back content with his compliment. Beatrix hadn't gone for awhile and decided to speak up, "Let's see Vernita, you are a great friend and terribly caring at times. You're always there for me, especially when I end up getting myself shot." She smirked. "All in all we're pretty tight." Momentairy silence pursued before O-Ren zeroed in for a compliment. "Ah, Elle, I have to agree with Budd on the bitch factor. But, I respect you and you're pretty fucking good at what you do."

Elle stared at Budd, "Mini teddy bear?" She then nodded at O-Ren...Elle had no problem being a bitch, and being told she was "pretty fucking good" was enough for her.

Options were winding down. Bill cleared his throat, turning to his younger brother, "Budd," he laid a hand on his siblings shoulder, "...I know you often think I'm too hard on you...and perhaps I am. But, I want you to know...it's for your own good. Your the only brother I have and sometimes...well many times...you drive me fucking nuts...I want you to know I still care. Budd, your the only man I've ever loved," he gave Budd a knowing smile, obviously this was some inside joke between the two.

Elle made a small huffing sound, feeling the pressure, "Ok...Ok! Bea," she fixated her cycloptic gaze on the other blonde, "...I know we don't always get along...ok, we hardly ever do. But I want you to know that even though I may not like you, I still respect you. Your one of the best fighters I have ever seen," she nodded as if proud of herself. "Okie dokie...that's..that."

Beatrix stared at the other blonde and took in those words carefully. She knew that took a lot of guts and she respected that as well. She gave a small nod and moved a hand up to tuck away a loose strand of hair. "I know I fuck you over a lot and sometimes it's all in good fun and sometimes you deserve it. But, know that I still and always will think of you as my counterpart. We hate one another so much because we are so similar." She shrugged her shoulders. "We envy one another." She leaned back contented with her play in the game. Elle nodded slowly at Bea, content with the other blonde's explanation. Elle, for the most part, had to agree.

"That was disturbing," Budd remarked with a light chuckle. He turned to Bill. "The last one for me. Bill, my big brother. I know ya love and I know ya hate me. We got ourselves a love hate relationship. Even if you don't think I do I look up to you. You've got a hell of a lot that I don't and fuck I've got a lot of what you don't. But, yeah, that's what brothers are for." He exhaled a breath and leaned over to retrieve his drink but thought against it and recoiled. Bill gave his younger brother an appraising look...glad for Budd's honesty, at the very least.

O-Ren darted her gaze around the gathered counting who had gone and who hadn't. "Okay I think everyone has gone but Bill and Beatrix." She gave a sharp nod to both of them. "Quick before the pizza gets here." O-Ren, like everybody else had keyed in on the fact that both Bea and Bill had avoided talking about one another thus far.

"Well," Bill leaned back, fixing his intense gaze on Beatrix. "Beatrix Kiddo...," he smiled...a little knowingly, "...is, as we have all so perceptively noted is beautiful...very beautiful. She's a true fighter, a warrior and a killer deep down in that femme fatale heart of hers. She's sexy, smart, charming...all things that a woman should be. I have been very impressed by her progress under my tutelage. And I believe that she's only going to get better as the years go on. I do believe," he added with a raised eyebrow, "...that if I were to have a muse, it would be Beatrix."

"Aww," came from Budd's side of the bar. This was quickly followed by a smack upside the head by O-Ren. Budd made a mocking wince and settled in his seat.

Bill knew Beatrix found that all terribly flattering as the twinkle in her blue eyes ignited. She stared at him in silent thought before she blinked hard to knock herself out of it. Damn, it was her turn. She canted her chin down in an unsettled manner as the wheels in her pretty blonde head turned. It had been hard enough for Bea to get out something close to the truth for everyone else. Now it came down to Bill and she was at a loss for words. Even when Bill had asked her about her feelings she had to let actions speak for her words and she certainly couldn't do that now. She had to come up with something. Slowly she rose her eyes to the staring audience.

"Bill...Bill is..." But her words cut short by the echoing and daunting sound of the door bell. Grinning almost a little too happily Beatrix bounded off her chair. "Pizza's here. I'll get it," she declared as she snatched up Bill's wallet from the counter top and headed down the hallway. Bill smirked. Saved by the bell on that one Kiddo.

Joking aside, Bill knew that Beatrix had honesty problems... he certainly had his own as well. But he was beginning to find out that she preferred actions over words when it came to expressing herself. This wasn't exactly a bad thing, but it was something he knew he had to take note of for future reference. He wondered if she would ever really be able to express herself to him with words. For Bill, he was honest, when it suited him and he was a pathological liar when it suited him better. He watched her grab his wallet and leave for the door and then turned to Budd, giving him a 'don't even dare say anything' glare. Vernita had sat there eyebrow raised and now only got up to help Beatrix with the pizza. Elle meanwhile, sat with a small frown on her red lips...not entirely sure how to take in that whole exchange.

When Bea and Vernita returned with the armfuls of pizza boxes, things became much more laid back as everyone began to dig in. Everyone enjoyed their fair share of pizza as casual chit chat was taken. Mostly catching up was done between those that hadn't seen one another in quite some time. Playing catch up was always fun. For convince and the sake of being lazy they used paper plates which were easily disposed of after everyone was through.

Budd was now lying stretched out on the couch, hands folded on his more than slightly pudgy stomach. "Alright gals," he rang out in a cherry tone. "I'm ready for my strip show."

"We didn't order you any stripers, Budd," O-Ren clarified in a sober tone as she turned on her bar stool to face the living room. "Why the fuck would you need to order 'em? I've got four lovely ladies right here."

Beatrix was just exiting from the washroom when she came in on the present conversation. Slender brows furrowed. "What are we doing?"

"Come here, Bea," Budd waved a hand to beckon her. Beatrix took a few steps in his direction but she wasn't about to completely oblige herself to his commands. "You're gonna strip for us."

She laughed bitterly but quickly broke it off with a firm set, "No." She changed her direction and went back to her seat at the bar. "Ask someone else."

Budd scowled in disappointment. "Fuck okay Elle?"

Vernita rolled her eyes from her sitting position on the couch, "God, Budd...glad to see you haven't changed with age."

Bill had just crossed the living room from the opposite hallway, "Nobody is stripping Budd," he growled, giving his brother a long glare, with that he stalked out of the living room down the other hallway. Obviously, not wanting to join in...Bill was keeping himself busy with other things.

Elle smirked at Budd, getting up from her stool and walking saucily towards him. "Ok...Budd," she stopped in front of where he was laying and bent down as low as she could go...her low cut shirt giving Budd more then enough of a clear view of her chest, "...pretty nice huh?" She pursed her lips and made a movement as if to unbutton her top...but her hand suddenly switched directions and came down with a swift chop right in the man's crotch. "OOPS! Slipped, sorry honey!" She straightened up a look of pure sadistic delight on her face as she watched Budd recover from that, "Fuck you Budd!" she flipped him the finger, "I'd rather strip for a group of horny thirteen year old drooling piece of shit boys than you...Although, there ain't much difference, now is there?" She turned on her heel and stomped away.

Vernita laughed, "You deserved that Budd...you so did."

Budd was busy rubbing at his lower regions than paying attention to the laughs he was receiving.

"That was nice Elle," Beatrix said as the women trudged back over to where the others were. "I should have tried that." O-Ren grinned and gave a nod agreement.

"Ugh," Budd groaned from his side of the couch. "Got any more of those games, O-Ren?"

"No, that was the best I could come up with," she replied with evident disappointment that the party was going down hill. She leaned against the counter and began to go into deep thought on what could boost the party. Everyone sat in silence for a few moments, Budd's grumbles of pain the only real sound.

Suddenly, Vernita's head snapped up as she apparently came to an idea. "Alright, you lying bitches!" She smiled, "I've got one for ya..."

Elle groaned, "Oh no..not another game.."

"Yes, another game!" Vernita smiled with sadistic glee. "Your gunna love this one Elle...Ok...this is called "Two Truths and a Lie." How it works is...everyone takes a turn. They tell everybody three things about themselves that most likely none of us know. Thing is," she held up a finger, "one of these three must be a lie. We have to try and guess which one it is...and this can't be stupid shit either...good stuff. I think you'd be surprised what is and is not a lie."

Elle looked mildly interested, "So basically, it's all about lying your ass off."

"Well that and hearing all sorts of weird shit you never knew about people," Vernita replied. She looked over her shoulder at Bill who had just reentered the living room, "Bill's gunna love this one." she chuckled.

"Love what?" Bill looked up crankily.

"Lying," Elle grinned.

"I don't lie," Bill replied flat pan. This produced quite a round of well deserved laughter.

"Ok...ok...who's gunna start this thing?" Vernita asked.

O-Ren had been quite keen on the idea of playing games today so she immediately found this new game fascinating. She casually strolled into the living room and situated herself on a vacant chair. A leg crossed over the other and folds folded in her lap. She grinned slyly. "I'll go first." There was a moment of pause as the Chinese-Japanese half breed reviewed her three 'lies' in her head. "Alright the first thing you don't know about me is I use to sleep with a stuffed monkey named Shi-wa."

"A stuffed monkey?" Budd inquired with raised brows. He had gotten over his groaning in pain and decided to pay attention to the game. O-Ren sent him a death glare. "Shut the fuck up Budd and let me finish." Budd settled back on the couch once more. O-Ren continued, I'm partial to old Chinese love and war movies and I enjoy bubble baths."

The group stared a moment calculating which was the supposed lie. Beatrix spoke up first, "I can see you taking the baths as odd and twisted as that is the monkey perhaps but the love and war movies I see being far-fetched."

"I'm still wonderin' 'bout that stuffed monkey," Budd stated with a scratch to his chin. E

lle stared at O-Ren, "The monkey I can believe...and even the bubble baths...but she's totally lying about the love and war movies...no way. Your no hopeless romantic O-Ren..." She shook her blonde head.

Vernita looked like she was deep in thought, as she contemplated what O-Ren had said. "No monkey..." she decided. "You were a military kid...yup, no monkey." She laughed, "Yeah...I can just see it now, O-Ren sitting in a dark room, crying her eyes out over some romantic movie...hah!"

Bill raised an eyebrow, suddenly a least somewhat interested in what was going on. This sort of thing seemed much more to his tastes. "Hrm," he laid a dramatic finger on his chin, "...O-Ren...I'm willing to believe the bubble baths...but I'm with Vernita...no monkey."

"So O-Ren?" Vernita prompted, "Spill the beans..."

O-Ren leaned back in her chair with an amused grin. She allowed dramatic pause before revealing her lie. "I don't ball my eyes out over romantic shit."

The cowboy stared. "You have a stuff monkey?"

O-Ren rolled her eyes. "Keyword, Budd; use to."

"A stuffed monkey." The man was more than baffled by this truth for some reason. Beatrix laughed. "Okay, someone else go so Budd can get the idea of O-Ren cuddling a stuffed monkey out of his head."

"I knew it," Elle slapped her palm down on the bar.

"Stuffed monkey?" Bill chuckled. "Very cute O-Ren. I'm sure you were a very adorable child..." He patted her arm, a twinkle in his eye.

Vernita looked amused and happy that her game idea was catching on. "Ok...well, Elle you got O-Ren's right, so I think it's only fitting you should go."

"Alright, fine..." Elle leaned back, "Well...let's see here...when I was a small girl it was my ultimate dream to be a dancer...no Budd, not an exotic danger you shithead, but one of those classy ones...ya know...the big stage and all, hrm so much for that...Ok, that's one...two...I killed a dog with my bare hands when I was thirteen...fucker tried to bite me...so I bit back."

"That's definitely believable," Verntia mumbled.

"Shut it," Elle snapped, "And three...," she leaned forward, "...I once met Queen Elizabeth...that's right, dumb bitch."

Vernita let out a laugh, "That's...a very...interesting assortment there Elle. But I don't believe worth a shit that you wanted to be a dancer."

Bill snorted, "You didn't kill a dog...that wasn't until you were sixteen and you killed it with a fence post..."

Elle raised her shoulders, as if to say "Maybe, who knows."

Beatrix sat back with raised brows, arms folded over her chest, and an amused expression held to her features. "The dancer I can believe because at a younger age, Elle wasn't such a bitch but a cute little girl, as hard to believe as that is, who had her own dreams." She flashed a mocking smile to the blonde that was all in good fun. "Meeting Queen Elizabeth surely never happened."

"I agree with Vernita and the dancer part. I can't see it," came O-Ren's opinion. Budd was sitting upright, one hand lying over his stomach and the other off the edge of the couch. "I'm gonna stick with the dancing." He made a small noise of disappointment. "I still think ya woulda made quite a sexy pole dancer." He chuckled lightly.

Elle looked amused, "Well, I did in fact meet Queen Elizabeth...when I was ten...she was dumb...,my dumbass father thought it would be...'enlightening' or something...And I did in fact kill a dog with my bare hands when I was thirteen."

Bill looked mildy surprised, "You told me sixteen and with a fence post.."

"Hrm, sorry...," she tilted her head the said, "I lied to ya..."

"Ah," Bill said, "Well...touché then." He didn't look entirely amused.

"So, you never wanted to be a pretty dancer than huh?" Vernita said with a smirk.

"Fuck no," Elle snarled, "I was never a cute girl...when I was little I wanted to be godamn Annie Oakley.."

Bill burst out into laughter.

"Straight truth on that one Billy," Elle made a crossing her heart gesture, looking deathly serious.

"Well...heh, you aint too far off there Elle," Vernita laughed.

"Hrm...I suppose..," Elle replied, "And Budd, just for that stupid pole dancer comment...I think your cowboy ass should go next."

Budd grumbled about having to go next and spend a good few seconds coming up with his choices. "Alright then." A finger came up to scratch at the side of his nose. "Kinda hard when Bill knows too much but I'll give it a try." He grinned wide. "Firstly; when I was a little kid I use to own this rabbit named Scoopy, damn I loved that rabbit that was until Bill here told me he wanted to play a game. He was gonna teach me how to use a kitchen knife against an enemy. He tricked me into decapitating Scoopy. I swear, it still bothers me till this day." He whimpered back a wave of emotion, if it was true or not was to be decided. "Second, I hope to one day settle down and work at some club, preferably being a bouncer in a titty bar." He leaned back. "Lastly; I have my own little fantasies about you gals."

Beatrix cringed. "Ew. Sadly I believe the fantasy one. The bunny maybe," She gave a side glance to Bill with a smirk. "Sounds like something he'd do. But the bouncer I'm not too sure about."

O-Ren ran a hand through her hair as she kept a more calming manner over Budd's lies and truths. "I'm going with the fantasies. As sick as you can be I don't believe you'd be that perverted."

Bill surpassed a sadistic smirk, he remembered Scoopy...annoying little piece of shit. He had always hated rabbits.

Vernita was laughing, she obviously wasn't ready to make a guess. Elle was staring at Budd, "Ya know Budd...the fantasy thing I just can't help but believe...always wondered why you keep wandering off into the bathroom when we're around...Same with the titty bar...probably will be the best job you'll ever have...if you ever reach that far in society. So," she shrugged, "...as much as would like to picture a cute little Bill here tricking you into cutting off poor Scoopy's head...I'm gunna say no on that one."

"Budd," Bill looked serious, "...I would hope you never have aspirations so low as working in a titty bar...that's despicable...If you ever end up doing that, I hope one of us put you out of your fucking misery."

Vernita had pulled herself together, "You're so full of shit Budd...your too busy having fantasies about men to even think twice about us ladies. Hah!"

Budd was staring at his brother in a silent drawl of emotions before he shifted his position and put on an undaunted facade. "I did have a bunny named Scoopy and I 'do' want to work in a titty bar." He didn't look in Bill's direction. "And you're right I don't have fantasies about you gals. As perverted as you may think I am, Bea, I respect you gals too much to pull shit like that."

"Ha, I knew you weren't that perverted. Good old Budd can fuck as many gals and guys as he wants but he knows never, not even in his dreams to touch us. That's real sweet of you Budd," O-Ren said with an added smile. Beatrix held her expression emotionless to cover the ping of guilt. She never held that much respect for Budd and perhaps she should start double checking her opinions on the cowboy.

Bill couldn't believe that Budd was still sore over that stupid bunny. Of all the things...just fucking stupid. He couldn't help it if Budd was so easily manipulated...damn bunny had to go anyways...it had gotten into his room and used his prized comic book collection for a litter box. Bill looked back at his brother, not the slightest hint of remorse on his face.

Vernita let out a long breath, exchanging glances with Bea, "Thank god! I don't think I could ever sleep knowing Budd was laying there, thinking of us and ja-"

"Enough, enough..." Elle held up a hand, "...I just ate. And if ya want to work in a titty bar...well more power to ya Budd...I can't wait to see your trailer," she laughed.

Bill looked even more disgusted, despite Budd's recent rise in respect amongst the women, he felt differently.

"Alright," Vernita folded her hands over the bar, "I'll go next...One, when I was young, I wanted to be a doctor when I grew up, two...I lost my virginity when I was fifteen to the star high school quarterback, three...I once set fire to a neighborhood house when I ran away from home." She leaned back, folding her arms.

"Fifteen huh?" Elle smirked, "Too old for you...nah, I think you wanted to be a doctor..sounds like something stupidly idealistic you'd think of."

Bill leveled a finger at Vernita, "Arson...not your cup of tea..."

"Doctor Vernita Green," Budd mused quietly. "Just think of all those scalpels and sharp objects you could use to cut up people with." He chuckled lightly to himself. "Ah, I gotta stick with the fifteen. I'm sure it was some high top dick ass guy but you probably fucked the second you knew you could. No offense intended." He flashed a dopey smile.

O-Ren gave a sharp nod. "I'm sticking with Bill and saying no to the fire. I can't see you as a pyro-fanatic."

Beatrix let her demeanor settle and came back to enjoying the fun of the game "Gotta love the idea that you lost your virginity to some high school jackass quarter back. I lost mine to some sweet... well, he wasn't a high school boy." She grinned deviously. "The fire I'm spectacle about."

Vernita laughed at Budd's comment...taking it all in good humor. "Well...I guess you guys know me all to well...I didn't set that house on fire...I did set my friend's hair on fire though...but that's a different story. And that quarterback," she made a face, "...he was awful...of course I didn't know the difference back then. Speaking of," she looked coyly at Beatrix, "...And what was this you were just saying Bea, hrm? I believe you've sparked our curiosity."

"Indeed," Bill looked rather interested at Bea, his eyebrows raised. "I think that's your cue Kiddo."

Elle snorted, "Ohhhh...this is gunna be good..." she leaned forward sarcastically as if about to watch an enthralling movie.

Beatrix exhaled a dramatic breath and sat up a little as if to prepare herself for a death sentence. She had to be coy and sly on this one as she knew a lot could cause unneeded brawls. "Okay, to pine your curiosity, I lost my virginity at thirteen. I got pissed at my mother for bringing some dipshit into the house to play around with. They kept me up the whole fucking night and that was when I did care about my schooling and I wanted to do my studies. So, being the clever and spunky little teenager I was I came up with an idea. That night while she was out at work, that guy came by. Decided to fuck him. He wasn't any good and he smelled funny but the grandest part was when my mother came home and caught us." A sadistic smile crossed her angelic features. "I had my revenge and damn did it feel good." She gave pause as she settled back into the couch. "Anyway, second I've kissed Bill and not your sappy, giddy girly kiss on the cheek."

"I knew it!" Budd had sprung up and was pointing a finger at Beatrix. "Tell me, Bea, did you fuck him too?" Obviously the man had some problems with this topic.

"Shut the fuck up Budd, of course I didn't," Beatrix retorted with a sneer. She knew she was throwing the dice high with that little 'lie' but she wanted to play dangerously for a change. And it was a big thing for her to come out with a truth such as that.

"Settle down you two." O-Ren stated in an overly calm and eerie tone. "Let Beatrix finish. She still needs to tell one more." Budd sat back and averted his gaze from the tall blonde to prevent anything further.

Beatrix raked a hand through her hair in an uneasy and frustrated manner. "Lastly, when I was younger I use to be a follower. I wanted to be the popular girl in school. I even went to prom in high school. Of course, I went with a senior when I was only a freshman. I wore the full out puffy dress and ruffles." There, she finished. Arms still folded she held a more vacant expression.

Bill chuckled. He knew it...he knew she was going to bring that up somehow. He wanted to say something, but decided to keep quiet until the "mystery" was over. At the same time he was very surprised Beatrix had actually told such a blatant truth.

Elle looked...well shocked. It was hard to tell which one of those things had done it...probably all of them. Vernita's jaw dropped. She stared at Beatrix in disbelief.

Elle finally spoke up, "You...DID NOT kiss Bill...no way...You may have gone to prom in a frilly dress and fucked your mom's boyfriend...but you didn't kiss Bill." She seemed very adamant about this as if she didn't want to believe it even if it were true.

Vernita finally found her voice, "Well...Jesus Bea...I'm gunna have to say the thing about your mom and that guy is a lie...I just can't see you doing that...no way...And...the other two...seem," she grimaced, "...more likely I guess...Still...um..." she trailed off.

"Come now Kiddo," Bill's eyes widened, "...do tell, we are all dying of anticipation here..."

Beatrix sat with a smug grin. "As sweet an angel as you all seem to think I can be, I'm sure as hell not." She held up a single digit to add to the act. "I did in fact fuck my mother's boyfriend for the sake of getting my own satisfaction." She shrugged her shoulders casually. "What can I say I hold grudges." A heart beat. "I kissed Bill."

It was hard to tell how the Chinese, Japanese half breed held that information. She gave a slow nod and said, "Did you like it, Bea?" Her gaze almost threatening.

Beatrix blinked. She hadn't expected so many people to get so up tight about it. She sat up and leaned forward in O-Ren s direction. "Yeah, I liked it a lot."

Budd coughed loudly. "So, let me get this straight, you, Beatrix, fucked your mother's boyfriend because they had wild hot sex all night and kept you awake." He watched her give a nod of her blonde head. "You did in fact, kiss Bill and, point taken, you liked it." He glanced to Bill to see if he showed any signs of having the same emotions. "But, you did not wear a puffy dress."

"Precisely."

Bill nodded, rubbing his chin, perfectly willing to bring it further in the open, "Hrm, indeed..no girly kiss either...that's for sure. Very nice...I think I want more of them actually, " he drawled, looking upraised...but actually the whole thing with Beatrix's mother was actually rather disturbing...Bill reminded himself to ask her more about that later. She definitely had this way of surprising you. He would never have guessed that about her. Elle sat there, slack jawed. "Holy fucking shit!" Vernita nodded.

"You kissed Bill?" Elle seemed despondent.

Vernita looked at Elle, "What? I'm talkin' about that thing with her mother's boyfriend..." she gave Beatrix a look, "That's fucked up Bea! Damn, girl...you definitely aren't a sweet angel..." She shook her head in disbelief.

"You KISSED Bill?" Elle repeated.

"Ok.." Vernita patted Elle's shoulder tentatively, "...chill out Elle. At the very least she didn't wear a puffy dress."

"Well, what a fucking relief!" Elle spat out.

Bill held up a hand, "Calm down...let's move on, I'm the last one left here..." For Bill this was actually rather easy, he had a life full of over the top and bizarre situations he could draw on...the only hard part was picking which ones. Deciding quickly, he leaned forward, going into 'story' mode, "One...when I was a boy I had a big time crush on a friend's mother. She was tall..blonde...beautiful woman. I was smitten...obsessed. Being the sneak I was, I found a way to hide in her closet now and then...it was one of those wooden slat ones...full view." He smiled, "Needless to say..she had no idea," he raised an eyebrow, "I kept at this for nearly a year...finally she caught me...I got punished...but." he chuckled. "..the best part was when..oh, about ten years later she didn't even make the connection that had been me. Even when she rolled over in the morning." He smirked, "Two, I indeed served in the United States Army for a hellish four years...where I was nearly discharged five times on accounts of shoplifting, assault and insubordination...Three...I and a couple Apache guys ate a whole bunch of peyote...I ate over thirty-five buttons. I ended up running around stark naked in my neighborhood...I smashed two windows..breaking open an artery, vandalized three houses that were not my own and nearly bled to death."

He spread his hands out, "Oh...the mystery..."

O-Ren was the first to take her guess at Bill's three lies. Her facade remained calm and any hostility she held before long since evaporated. "You didn't serve in the army. I never saw you as a political man and being in the army almost seems to degrade who you are."

Budd had different opinions on the situation. He held an amused grin. "You fucked that gal?" He chuckled. "Damn, I thought you only peered in on her now and then. Always told me you were going out to get your own private shows and you told me to stay home and watch cartoons." A hand came up to ruffle his hair.

Intense blue eyes were focused on Bill. Kiddo held a rather exuberant mix of feelings towards the event. She decided to let it pass but she kept note to the fact he wanted more kisses. They'd have to work on that later. "The idea that you made a peep show out of some young unsuspecting woman only proves how much of an asshole you are." She played a wide smile and her head blonde head canted. "But getting yourself fucked up with some Apache shit heads it's not your style, Bill. You hold too much honor and self respect to allow yourself to act in such an immature manner. Especially being careless enough to nearly bleed to death."

Bill smiled, "Hah...sorry to say it Kiddo but that peyote trip story is all too true...but I agree, that was pretty stupid. I was...younger. Budd," he smirked, giving his brother a small wink, "...that thankfully is all true. Especially the part about me getting to sleep with her in the end part...she had no idea. I thought I was pretty damn cool for that." He nodded his head at O-Ren, "I actually was drafted into the Army, but you're right O-Ren...not me, at all. I dodged...ran to...well Mexico of all places."

Vernita laughed, "Damn Bill...your lucky to be alive..."

Bill chuckled. "I suppose so..."

Elle hadn't said a word since Beatrix's little "confessions" and she looked as if she had no desire to say anything more. "Well," Verntia slapped a palm on the bar, "...that was certainly...interesting..." Beatrix remained settled on the couch with no intention of getting up. Blue eyes held a far off glint as she registered all the new information she received within the past ten minutes.

Budd was busy staring at Beatrix. Bea of course felt the stare and blinked her gaze back to him. "What?"

He shrugged and adverted his gaze. Beatrix glowered and turned away from prying eyes.

"Yes it was, O-Ren agreed with an added nod. She rose to her feet and took graceful strides over to Vernita. She leaned and whispered, "How about we bring out that cake before—" Vernita nodded silently to O-Ren. She'd nearly forgotten...with all of the distractions. She got up to get the cake when Beatrix's raised voice caused her to stop halfway there.

"Fuck Budd, if you have something to say, say it," Beatrix had abruptly spat rather loudly, her hot gaze turning on him.

"Nah, I was just still tryin to imagine that you..uh..kissed Bill."

"And the problem with that is?"

"I just can't believe."

Her anger intensifying as she sat up and leaned forward a little. "If you can't seem to get the idea through your thick head perhaps you'd like me to demonstrate," she hissed in a low tone.

Elle turned as well, a pissy look on her face. Bill seemed to be fairly calm about the whole thing. He gave Beatrix a small coy smile at her "threat" to Budd about demonstrating. "Honestly Budd...," he said smoothly, "I can't remember the last time you really cared about such things when it came to me...I certainly don't ask you what sort of two penny whore you were with last night."

Vernita snorted but didn't say anything she herself wasn't too sure how to feel about the whole thing. Bill was right, they shouldn't really care...but this was Bea...it was a little different. She quietly continued into the kitchen, glad to escape whatever was about to happen for the moment. Bill looked at Budd waiting for an answer...he looked amused but there was no missing the growing challenge in his expression.

Budd decided to take the challenge as he sat up, hands folded in his lap as he leaned forward. His head was bent down but his eyes were leveled to Bill's. "Yeah, well, that's cause my two penny whores don't work for me."

The tall blonde stood there in the middle of the room between the two men looking rather unhappy. "So, I'm a two penny whore?" She questioned with a raised brow. This whole new quarrel brought O-Ren to turn back to the living room. The cake could wait.

Budd chuckled. "Yeah, Bea, ya sure are. You heard it straight from the Billy-goat's mouth." The woman shifted from one foot to the other as if to prevent herself from lashing out at either of them.

Bill's eyes flashed angrily, "Budd, you fucking asshole...how dare you even attempt to put words into my mouth. You know very well what I was talking about, and twisting my words to try to make Beatrix look bad is well...pretty fucking pathetic. I think I have a little more respect for her than to call her a whore...which apparently you lack."

Vernita had disappeared into the kitchen. At the sounds of Budd's and Bill's raised voices she decided to stay in there for a few more minutes. Elle had shrunk back into the shadows, a little smile on her lips. This was going to be gooooood.

Bill leveled a finger at his brother, far from finished with this, "Be, very...very careful with what words you choose next from your limited two syllable vocabulary...," he hissed.

Deep down Budd was hurt by his brother's verbal lashing but more or less he had become use to it. After years upon years of getting little to no respect it came easy for Budd to brush them aside. He cleared his throat and stared down at his thumbs that he was twiddling carelessly. "I hold the same respect towards Beatrix as anyone else in this here room, Bill." He pointed out shallowly. "And I ain't saying she's a two penny whore but what I am saying is that it just don't sound right. She kissing you or you kissing her."

"I am still in the room," Beatrix noted in a hot temper.

"Yeah, and?" Budd shifted his eyes to the tall blonde taking in her rather disgruntled appearance.

"And, I'd appreciate it if you didn't talk about me as if I weren't here."

"Note taken," Budd replied as he leaned back. "Now, Bill look at in retrospective. How would you react if you knew I was fooling around with one of your coworkers? Hm? What if Elle and I were fooling around, persay? That'd seem pretty fucking wrong now wouldn't it?"

"I do believe," Bill countered, "you did call her a whore...but.." he brushed it aside, "...we'll leave that be since it's completely inappropriate anyways." Like Budd, he was acting as if Beatrix had suddenly disappeared. He leaned forward, "And just how exactly do you know what," he mocked his brother's voice, "..'just don't sound right'...Are you some fucking ignorant prick now?"

Elle cleared her throat, "Let's talk about how disgusting the idea of Budd and I fooling around is?" She sounded revolted but amused...somewhat.

Bill considered this, "If you and Elle were fooling around...well...I would give you my warnings and assume that you two being...mature adults..although I'm beginning to wonder, would work things out between you. I would wish you the best and figure that was enough." No doubt Bill was doing a good amount of lying here, but it was so hard to tell with him. "I don't think it's my place...nor your place to judge what's wrong now is it?" Elle snorted. Bill turned back to his brother, glaring. "Are you jealous Budd?"

Budd widened his eyes. "Hell no. Why would I be jealous?" He shifted his weight on the couch. He leveled his tone and came back to collect himself, "In some manner it is my place to tell you what is right and what is wrong. I may be a younger brother but the younger has to look out for the older. And with you and Beatrix I'm just going to give my warnings."

"I am still here," came a growl from Beatrix. She was still standing there and even more irritated to the fact that both of the men were ignoring her presence. Budd gave her a fleeting glance and continued, "I'd give you my warnings and I hope you two know what the hell you're gettin' into."

"Fucking assholes," Beatrix sneered quietly as she bolted across the room and into the kitchen area. She apparently had enough of being ignored. Bill watched his brother defend himself...his angry expression softening somewhat. When Beatrix got pissed and stormed off, he made a partial effort to call her back...but it was no use.

"As I only want the best for my big bro," Budd ended with a lopsided grin.

"Well Budd," Bill replied, "...that's real sweet of you...But I think I can handle myself perfectly fine." He leaned forward, speaking to Budd in a lower friendlier voice, "...Don't you think that I know what I'm getting into...we kissed Budd...that's it...I appreciate it, I really do..." he slapped Budd on the shoulder, "...but let it go, alright?" He sat back up...looking pleased with himself. "Doubtful that will ever happen again anyways," he nodded with a smirk towards the kitchen entrance that Beatrix had just stomped into. Part of him wanted to get up and find her, but he sure as hell knew better than that. Elle didn't look any happier. "Bunch of fucking men..." she hissed and went into the kitchen herself. Bill looked over at Budd with a sigh, "Typical..."

In the kitchen O-Ren had returned to helping Vernita stick the candles on the birthday cake. She picked her head up as Beatrix walked in and soon followed after by Elle. Her expression remained vacant to show her opinions on what just took place. Beatrix came up beside Vernita and leaned over to view the highly exuberantly decorated master piece. Slender brows furrowed. "Do you think he really deserves it?" She asked quietly her tone bittersweet, her question pertaining to the cake. O-Ren raised her gaze. No, but we wouldn't be good friends if we didn't supply a cake for the birthday boy."

"Who said we were friends?"

The half breed smirked at this and shook her head. "I won't even attempt to argue my point," she stated and returned to sticking another candle deep into the frosting.

The "women folk" finished up in the kitchen with Budd's cake. "God...I just hope these candles won't melt all over the cowboys...that's really going to make it taste like shit." Vernita eyed the gaudy cake over the now lit candles. "Well...it already looks like shit...so at least there will be consistency," Elle quipped moodily. Vernita ignored Elle and hoisted the cake off the counter, "Give me hand here O-Ren...C'mon let's get this over with." The two of them carefully walked the heap of frosting and child's toys out from the kitchen into the living room...Elle and Beatrix following behind.

Budd and Bill were firmly planted in their masculine placement on the couch. Bill turned as the group of women entered the room. It was definitely a funny picture, four beautiful and deadly women escorting a hideous burning cake. "Hrm, well Budd," Bill mused, "...looks as if the ladies didn't forget about you entirely...and my my isn't that a precious piece of pastry they have there."

Vernita cleared her throat. She hated singing...but the cake had been her idea in the first place. With a cringe, she began singing, "Happy Birthday to you..." only hoping that the others would join in. There wasn't much of a choice so everyone not exactly happily joined in with a chorus. It had to be one of the quickest and chopped up pieces of 'happy birthday' one would song but it was sung. They set the cake on the table across from the couch and Budd leaned over with a satisfied grin. "Make a wish," O-Ren stated with her own smile of pleasure.

"Mmm what to wish for." Budd placed a single digit to his chin and went into deep ponderment. Beatrix exhaled a grunt of air as she had little patience at the moment.

"Okay, okay," He inhaled a large huff of air and in a three little pigs fashion blew out the candles. A few golf claps admitted through the small group.

"Alright, let's get this baby cut," O-Ren said as she turned to fetch plates and forks from the kitchen.

Beatrix had her head canted as she eyed the masterpiece . "We really should take a picture of that thing before you mutilate it."

Budd grinned. "Yeah, but it in the big book of scary memories." Bill could only guess at what sort of podunk wish Budd had just made...probably wishing he worked in a titty bar and spent his spare time drinking beer and listening to Willie Nelson records. He frowned deeply. Vernita laughed, attempting to lighten the mood. "Yeah, we really should take a picture of that thing..."

"It's hideous," Elle said dryly, looking over the mounts of red icing and plastic cowboys.

"Hey...what the hell is that cowboy doing to that horse?" Verntia plucked the horse off the cake with lightning speed. "Nothing..."

Elle snorted. "Let's cut this bitch up!"

"Hey Bill..why don't you hack this thing up with your Hanzo sword?" Vernita quipped.

Bill looked disgusted, "My Hanzo sword is getting nowhere near that...thing..."

"Alright, alright..." Vernita replied giving him an overly dramatic 'whoa there' expression. Verntia always seemed to have a knife with her, and she picked up a large butcher knife from the counter and began, in an expert manner, slicing up the cake with efficient speed and accuracy.

"Budd, I think your gunna end up eating most of this...," Elle observed as large chunks of cake were distributed onto the plates. "I don't think your going to mind that much though..." As Vernita cut O-Ren distributed the cake pieces. She handed a rather large piece to Budd whom took it happily. More smaller pieces were given out to the others. As everyone went to find seats Budd was already half way down with his first slice. "This ain't bad. Good job gals." He pointed a frosting battered fork in O-Ren and Vernita's direction.

Beatrix, more or less unintended had situated herself on the smaller couch where Bill was seated with his sliver of cake. She hadn't entirely forgiven him for the episode earlier but her mood was calming down. One long leg crossed over the other as she settled the plate in her lap and dug in. "Budd's right. Even though compared to its disgusting appearance it is rather tasteful," she commented lightly.

O-Ren smiled. "Good, maybe that means everyone will take some extra home."

"No, just this one piece is good for me."

Budd chuckled. "Yeah, Bea has to watch her twiggy figure." The blonde shot him a look. "I don't always have to watch my figure," she replied snidely and put another portion of cake in her mouth.

Budd had devoured a good portion of the cake. The rest of it was given to those who were wiling to take some. After cake, everyone hung around for awhile chatting. The hostility level appeared to have dropped a bit, although Elle hadn't seemed to have recovered as well as the rest. Finally, people began leaving. Budd seemed pretty happy with how his birthday had turned out and left no doubt to go have a few dozen beers as a nightcap. The women left cheerful enough...Elle excluded.

In the end only Bea and Bill remained. Nobody said anything about this...well it was Bill's house, that made sense...but thankfully nothing else was said. Bill had again made himself comfortable on his favorite couch...the small one. He was idly toying with one of the cowboy figures in his hand. This could only mean one thing, Bill had something on his mind...well more than he usually did.

"So...Kiddo..." he glanced in Bea's direction, The blonde peered up with an expression of 'uh oh,' Bill has something on his mind plastered across her facial features. She had situated herself on the over stuffed chair across from the small couch Bill was settled on. "Why don't you tell me more about your mother?' Beatrix had told him little about her mother...she had said enough that he knew how to take low potshots at her about the woman...but no real details. And after what Beatrix had told them tonight, his curiously was most definitely peaked.

She was leaning back in a slouched but all out comfortable position. Long white arms draped over the arms of the chair and legs bent at the knees. Her head canted to the side in a curious manner. "She was an inconsiderate whore that didn't have the right values when it came to raising a kid. What else is there to know?" Well, Beatrix was just playing into a game. She knew he wanted more than that but she wasn't up to supplying it that easily.

Bill tiled his head to the side, a disappointed expression on his face, "Please...Kiddo...give me a break. That's not what I meant and you know it. Don't fuck with me on this," he tossed the cowboy on the coffee table in a seemingly innocent action...but again, when Bill did even mudane things they seemed oddly threatening. "I know she was a whore...so was my mother, I honestly don't give a shit, who cares." He held up a finger, "What I...want to know is...about your mother, not that she liked to fuck random men all of the time, but...about her." He gave her that head tilt again, "I think your smart enough to figure that one out...and I know you don't want to play this little game with me...but humor an old bastard...and tell me..." Again, a demand, not a question...

Arms crossed to daintily fold over her chest. Her chin tilted to her chest but blue eyes stayed focused on him. It was clear she wasn't keen on the idea of explaining her mother but Bill gave a demand and it wasn't nice to disobey him. "When I asked my mother who my father was she had a hard time figuring out if it was the local milk man or the man at the gas station. At a young age I was naive and sought out the supposed fathers I thought I had. All of them were fucking assholes and didn't answer me a thing. So, I went back to my mother one night and told her that I couldn't find him. She asked me who couldn't I find? I replied, rather frustrated for a young age of six that I couldn't find my father. She laughed in my face and said for all she knew I could have been some artificial shit. So," she shifted her weight, her expression undaunted by childhood memories. "This just showed me how much my mother 'really' loved me."

Any normal person would have felt very sympathetic towards Beatrix after what she had just said. But this was Bill, one of the hardest motherfuckers currently alive. "Ah," he said, expression unchanged. "And...why was it so important you find your father? Closure? A sense of belonging? You wanted to know what he looked like? You wanted to kick his ass?" Bill had never known his father was, but he had never even attempted to find out who he was. Not only because this would have been an incredibly daunting task, but he had no desire to know the man he would forever feel the need to compare himself next to...even at a young age he had preferred to be his own man. Fuck that bastard, whomever he had been.

"Next question...as you consider that one...,'" Bill continued, "You think, and your likely correct, your father was an asshole...interesting that you have this...tendency to gravitate towards assholes." He raised his eyebrows, "No denying that one Kiddo...for all you know your father was some bastard like myself. Interesting how things go in cycles, hrm?"

Beatrix stayed in her current position with an unchanging and cold expression. Any other woman would most likely break down in tears to words like that Beatrix Kiddo wasn't like that. She was too strong to let herself get emotional over shit such as family. Her mouth formed into a tight line. "First, before I go answering your questions," her voice cold but kept a degree above freezing. "I don't appreciate your so clever and adequate zingers. You asked me to explain my mother, my feelings towards her and all I'm doing is giving you an answer." Brows narrowed. "To answer your first question; yes, perhaps I was looking for some type of closure. Unlike you, Bill, I do like to end one part of my life before wandering off into another. I don't believe at a fragile age of six that I would have kicked his ass but later on I sure as hell woulda killed him."

Bill was impressed with Beatrix's replies. "You misunderstand me...I meant no insults," he nodded slightly, "But your right..." No apology of course, but it was something. He shook his head, "I appreciate your attempt, as childish as it was, to find your father. I think that says much about you...," he paused, "...no zinger intended. It's a truly worthy quality. I could hardly expect you to react the same way I did."

Her gaze shifted from him a moment. "Second answer; very interesting the cycles my life seems to take. I never find the bastard whom gave me life so I find the bastard that can help me take life away. Seems like a pretty fair deal."

He chuckled at her second reply, "Indeed...that's a good point." His look softened slightly, "I hope you didn't misinterpret that comment...it was a mere observation that's all."

He leaned back, taking all of this in. "Your tendency for...redemption came very early." Obviously Bill was referring to Bea's little confession earlier in the night about her mother's "friend." "I have to admit you surprised me somewhat with that little bit of information tonight. I would never have guessed that..." He did sound truthful when saying this. Apparently, Bill had decided to move on...slightly from the former topic.

Beatrix shrugged her shoulders as if the whole incident with her mother's friend was no big deal. She relaxed as the tensing in her muscles began to loosen. "That's what I'm here for, to surprise you." She offered a playful smirk before getting back on track. Bill returned the smirk, "Well...I will admit you did surprise me on that one." He found her comment about fucking instead of killing very interesting...but he kept that one to himself for the moment.

"When I was thirteen I didn't know how to kill a human being so fucking seemed to be the next best choice. You should have seen my mother's face," She shook her head slowly with a smirk to herself as if viewing the snapshot in her mind.

"Thirteen...Jesus...," Bill shook his head. He wasn't entirely sure why he found that so disturbing after all of the things he had done and seen himself...it seemed pretty trivial. Perhaps it was because that thirteen year old had been Beatrix.

"She was so pissed off. More at the guy for being so fucking stupid as to fuck a thirteen year old kid. But she gave off her fair share of anger at me. At least I know where my hostile manner comes from."

"I can imagine," he replied at her comment about the look on her mother's face. "Then again, after how she'd raised you thus far...I don't see how she could be all that surprised." He smirked, "Your hostile manner...well, I wouldn't go blaming your mother entirely for that one Kiddo. We are each just as much products of what we choose to know just as much as we are of what we were raised to know." Another Bill-ism, but one he fully believed. "Just remember...having control over that hostility is just as deadly, even more so.." Bill stopped, unsure where this conversation had gone. "What were we talking about?" he flashed a smile.

This brought a laugh from Beatrix and she shook her pretty head in utter amusement. Her gaze rose to him. "We were talking about my fucked up family." More or less she took in his advice as always did when Bill decided to share some of his wisdom. Unlike any of the other vipers Beatrix took it to heart and referred more times than she could recall to a few selected Bill-isms.

"I've got another surprise for you," she stated with a playful grin tugging her lips. "I received a postal from my mother about a year back." She noted his raised brows and continued, "She wrote asking how I was doing, what I had been up to, shit like that. She wrote that she was living in some trailer park in up state, didn't specify what up state. She also shared information that she met someone and they were keen on being hitched later that fall. Invited me to the wedding." She suppressed a laugh. "Obviously I didn't go and I didn't write back. . ."

Bill did look somewhat surprised at this new bit of information, "Really?" He thought about what she said. While, on one hand it would have been, at the very least sentimental, for her to make an attempt to see her mother...Bill fully understood Beatrix's decision not to. Obviously, seeing the woman again would only "raise up the old demons"...He knew he had no room to speak in this category and decided not to elaborate. "Well..at least your mother sounds like...she's attempting to live a normal life," Bill concluded. "Redemption so to speak." He gave Beatrix a knowing look, "Not all of us are allowed such things." He learned forward, "At least you know that your mother still knows you exist Kiddo...she made an attempt...that in itself is certainly something. I know your probably don't give a shit about that, but I think there's some comfort in that thought."

Beatrix hid away her smirk and gave a nod of agreement. "Yeah, I've got a little bit of comfort and reassurance out of that letter." She gave pause as her thoughts wondered. "I sure woulda liked to have wrote telling her how my life progressed. The second I walked out that door four, five years ago she was screaming at me how I'd never amount to anything all alone in that cruel world. That I'd coming crying back to her. I still pine on the fact that she was wrong." She laughed to herself and a hand came up to aimlessly tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "I do envy her for a couple of things. She's trying for a normal life and I've got this." She rose up her hands in a gesture to expose what was around her. "I still gotta wonder if I made the right choices." She trailed off and raked a hand through her blonde hair. "I'm starting to ramble on, aren't I?

Bill nodded silently...he knew how Beatrix felt...perhaps more than she would ever know. Not only that, but to see this..."softer" side of her was...well, a little refreshing. Funny, coming from Bill. He gave her a soft smile, "Here comes the part where I get to sweet talk ya...you ready?" Ok...well, who knows if your mother would agree with your...vocational choice, who really gives a shit? But...I think she would be proud to know that you turned out to be...what I consider, a wonderful person...a beautiful woman...and nothing at all like her." In the process of saying this he had stood up and crossed over to Bea's couch. He was now standing in front of her, a hand under her chin. "Don't you ever for one second think you are like her...you are your own person...your a killer not a whore a far better choice," he smirked, "But...your a killer for me...so I consider that certainly worthy." He looked a little more serious, "Your choices...have been far from ordinary Kiddo...but I couldn't see it any other way..." He tiled his head to the side, eyes dancing, "How was that?"

"Perfect." At this moment the tall blonde rose to her feet and wrapped her arms around him. Her head turned to the side and cradled against his shoulder in an aliquant show of gratitude. Again, actions or words. Usually Beatrix never allowed herself to break down as she felt she had too much self control to allow herself to sink to that degree. But, she was only human and like all humans as unordinary as they could be all had their moments of weakness. Bea could pick out a certain few and this one stood out on her vague but evident list. She inhaled a shaky breath making no action to move away.

Bill had his moments and these were the moments she cherished. Not when he was acting like his classic self but when he went out of the box. Just for her.

Well, that was...new...and...so damned nice that Bill couldn't help but melt into that embrace. He wrapped his surprisingly strong arms around Beatrix's thin but agile form. He knew how hard it was for Beatrix to be "weak" like this and he knew he had to seep up every precious moment of this "weakness" as if it were some rare elixir. He also knew that Beatrix had never been this way with anybody...and he was pretty damn sure he could safely say that and be completely on target. Knowing this only made the whole thing that much more precious.

Bill was becoming more aware of this "sweeter" side of him. He wasn't entirely comfortable with it, but he didn't want to entirely shy away from in either. He had never been so "sweet" with anybody as he had been with Beatrix so far. In fact, he'd never been "sweet" with anybody else. This in itself was telling him something. He'd always had a more...affectionate side. But this side of him was like the other side of a coin. For all the intensity, control and drive he had for murder and manipulation he could flip around and use those qualities for more...affectionate matters... Rarely did these two sides work as one. And that affectionate side of the coin did not exactly entail being "sweet." In the past he had mainly used that side to get what he wanted...mostly from women. It had allowed him to charm his way through many parts of his life. But now, with Beatrix...he didn't really feel like he was using that side of him...neither side actually...and that was...very, very different. What exactly was he doing then? He didn't really know. Bill blinked, attempting to bring himself back to the moment. He pressed his hand against the back of Beatrix's blonde head, gently holding her head against his shoulder. He bent his head slightly, his lips on her ear. "I meant every word of that," he whispered in a low barely audible voice, "...I know you have a hard time trusting me and believing what I have to say. But, I swear to you...those were all truths, as true as a bastard like me could speak them..."

Truth was a fickle and rather complicated matter. In Bill's case telling the truth came easier for him and Beatrix was never entirely sure why that was so. What she did know was that telling the truth for her didn't come so easy. She wasn't incapable of telling the truth but when came to the subject of 'them' she found truth much harder to come to terms with. She knew for years to come she'd never fully submit herself to ever telling Bill the truth concerning her feelings towards their relationship nor towards certain unanswered questions. And, she had a feeling that flaw would one day back fire. But, for now she lived for the moment and this moment was particularly nice. A smile upon her face and blue eyes thawed over to warmth. Arms around him, her head nestled against his shoulder; she preferred this second best to kissing. Kissing allowed more dangerous emotions to seep through but something as simple as an embrace allowed only a contented bliss. She wanted to say something in acknowledgement to his words but she couldn't find anything fitting. Just a few more seconds and she'd let go, maybe.

Despite all his words, past, present, and future...Beatrix would never fully believe Bill. In the scheme of things, one could hardly blame her. But, Bill would eventually grow to resent this. It was simply easier for her to answer him with actions or...at the very best vague truths. His resentment for her lack of truth would even lead him to feel the need to falsely induce the truth. For as much as he didn't trust her to tell her own truths, he trusted her even less to tell truths about himself. Things would to say the least. But, again...that was the things to come. Now, that blazing future was only a small glowing ember.

Bill was beginning to figure out what Beatrix liked and did not like. She liked being like this...like they were now and thus he made every attempt possible to make that moment the best he could. He didn't make any movement to let go, but simply stood there, her head resting on his shoulder as he watched her through halfway closed lids. For now, this whole thing was their's to control. He would do as much or as little as she wished. Later on...perhaps...the control could be passed.

Beatrix was more than happy sticking to the simple embrace than going any where near kissing. Because kissing could lead to other things she wasn't mentally ready for that. Besides, simple, precious moments were the ones to remember. Lids closed over blue eyes in a momentary relaxation. She wasn't tired but the all out feeling of peace was wearing down her senses. With great hesitance she raised her head from Bill s shoulder and turned to lock eyes with him. A small smile tugged at her lips and blue eyes shimmered. "I should get going."