Awww thanks so much to LucyBethFan1, Gater101 and riotfish for their reviews.
I wrote this chapter when I was home sick today – got a nasty stomach bug – hope you all enjoy it.
Disclaimer: These characters are not mine, but the story is, yada, yada, yada…
Notes: The lyrics contained in this chapter are from the songs "Innocent" by Fuel and "Full of Grace" by Sarah McLachlan.
Chapter 4 – Innocence
10:30pm
Well, Luka thought dismally. It can't get much worse than this. This place is like a funeral parlour with a beverage service.
Luka watched the burly bartender with a hooded gaze. The poor guy, who's nametag read "Paul" had spent most of the evening arguing with whom Luka presumed were the local drunks, about whether they had "had enough for the night."
A lone figure in the corner addressed a slurred remark to Paul, punctuated with numerous expletives, before promptly emptying the entire contents of his stomach onto the table in front of him.
"Right, Marv, that's it." Paul went straight over to the man and began furiously dragging him by his arm from his seat and then pushing him with enormous difficulty to the exit. The door slammed shut behind him with a resounding bang.
Once Paul had returned to his position behind the bar, Luka pushed his now empty glass away. "I'll go another," he mumbled, the alcohol beginning to have a familiar numbing effect on his brain.
"Sure," Paul agreed. "What are you in the mood for this time?"
"Surprise me," Luka said dully.
"Okay, then." Paul began pulling assorted bottles down from the shelf and uncapping them. "How does a Double Kamikaze sound to you?"
Luka shrugged, unconcerned. "Sounds fine."
Paul stopped his mixing and pouring to appraise Luka. "Women troubles," he decided.
Luka looked up. "Excuse me?"
Paul chuckled. "I've worked here for nearly ten years and the only guys I've seen desperate enough to drink a Double Kamikaze are guys with women troubles. So what happened? The old lady kick you to the kerb?" He placed Luka's drink in front of him.
"No, but in some ways I think that might have been easier." Luka picked up the glass and drained half of it in one gulp. He sputtered slightly. Shit, he cursed. That's strong. "We had a fight and… I left."
Paul guffawed loudly. "Dude, that's awesome!" He leaned forward and clapped Luka on the shoulder. "Put that bitch on ice!"
Luka eyed him disdainfully. "Yeah," he muttered. Choosing to ignore this idiot and his sexist ravings, he turned back to his drink, lowering his head once again.
All our lives get complicated
Search for pleasures overrated
Never armed our souls
When we were innocent…
All those colours long since faded
All our smiles are confiscated
Never were we told
What the future would hold
When we were innocent…
"Hey, buddy." Paul rudely interrupted Luka's thoughts. "Check out the babe who just walked in."
Swallowing an impudent retort, Luka turned his head, feeling it spin as a result of the dizzying alcohol. He felt like his brain was rattling around inside his head. There's a reason why you don't normally drink much, Kovac, he berated himself.
A striking young woman stood in the doorway, surveying the room. She had long brown hair and sparkling green eyes. Clad in jeans and a glittery top, paired with heels, she approached the bar and took a seat next to Luka. "Just a Seven & Seven," she told Paul. He began to busy himself with making her drink, but Luka noticed him looking up, glancing at the woman's chest every so often. Luka snorted out loud in derision. Typical.
The girl turned to him suddenly, looking him up and down. "Something wrong?" she queried, an eyebrow raised.
"No," he murmured, watching as she reached into her handbag to extract a packet of cigarettes and a lighter.
"Anyone care if I smoke?" she asked the two men. "Good," she said, placing a cigarette between her glossy lips and flicking her lighter. Paul wordlessly passed her an ashtray as she took a long drag.
"Thanks," she said, looking at him sardonically.
Luka winced as she disappeared behind a cloud of smoke. He hated smokers – it was one of the things he had found most trying when he was with Abby.
The woman turned to Luka, her eyes sultry. "My name's Rachel." Flicking her cigarette into the waiting ashtray, she observed, "You look lonely."
Turning her whole body to face him, she asked invitingly, "Can I buy you a drink?"
Luka knew he was somewhat intoxicated and realized that yet another drink probably wasn't going to help matters much. But what the hell? he thought. It's not like I have anything left to lose.
"Sure," he replied.
And while confessions not yet stated
Our next sin contemplated
Never did we know
What the future would hold
Or that we'd be bought and sold
When we were innocent…
Sam lay in bed, the absence of another body sleeping soundly beside her wreaking havoc with her mind.
And her heart.
Tears began to slide down her cheeks.
I feel just like I'm sinking
And I claw for solid ground
I'm pulled down by the undertow
I never thought I could feel so low
Oh, darkness, I feel like letting go…
If all of the strength and all of the courage
Come and lift me from this place
I know I could love you much better than this
Full of grace
Full of grace
My love…