Thanks a whole bunch to those who have either reviewed, story alerted, or favored. You make my day! :D Hope you enjoy this chapter!
Rated T for language
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"Hands on the wall." The gunman said menacingly, pushing Raylie against a brick wall, who in turn placed her palms on the wall.
"You owe my boss a lot of money." He continued, standing very close behind her, gun still pointed on her back. Despite this, she couldn't help but roll her eyes, "Umm…you're going to have to be a little more specific…There are several people who seem to think I own them something." Whether or not she did in fact owe anyone any money was open for debate, depending on which side of things you looked at.
"Look, I'm not here to play games with you girlie. If you're not gunna pay with cash, then you'll pay with your life." The sound of the gun cocking was enough to tell that this guy was being serious. Raylie let out an inaudible sigh. She never was much one for begging and pleading, but she'd do anything to stay alive…even if her ego was to be bruised momentarily.
But this wasn't her first time being threatened either. Hell, in her line of work, it was pretty much part of the job description. Even so, she couldn't help if her heart beat a bit faster or her palms became sweaty…there was a gun pressed into her back for god sakes; no one was that fearless.
"Look, I've got a new job. It's a real good payout once it's done. I'll have your boss's money plus interest. I just need another week." Talking herself out of situations was always one of her fortes; Raylie just hoped this guy was a big enough idiot to buy the shit she was feeding him. Sure, part of the story was true –She did have a new job, thanks to Cobb…she just didn't have any intention of paying any goon back. Simply wasn't her style.
The man smirked mockingly behind her, making sure to push the gun even more uncomfortably into the small of her back. "I'm not an idiot…"
Damn. Raylie thought; well it had been worth the shot.
"You either pay now, or die here. Your choice." He spat as Raylie realized now would be a good time for the panic to really set in.
"I think you should leave the lady alone." A new voice spoke and Raylie was surprised to hear it belonged to Eames. The sound of a new gun cocking was heard and because her cheek was practically kissing the brick wall, blocking a good view of things, Raylie assumed Eames had his own gun on the goon.
"This doesn't concern you, Limey." The man snarled as Eames grew even more frustrated. Taking his gun off the man momentarily, he shot off his gun at the ground to show that he wasn't fucking around either.
The sound of the unexpected gunshot caused not only Raylie to nearly jump out of her skin, but she could feel the goon get shaken up as well. Ha! Serves ya right.
"Now back the bloody hell up." Eames' voice was now like venom as he pointed his gun back at the man.
"Fuck, ok, ok. But let me tell you, this isn't over. You still owe us money and we're gunna get it." The man spoke matter-of-factly like he still had control over the situation, so Eames shot off another round, aimed close to the guy's feet. The man quickly scrambled away from Raylie, spitting at the ground before him and giving the Brit one last look of contempt before he hurried off.
"Hmph." Raylie groaned in annoyance as she pushed herself off of the wall and brushed off her clothes. She gave a quick nod to Eames before walking off with the intent of going back to her hotel room.
"Is that all the thanks I get?" Eames called after her; if he hadn't known her so well, he might have been offended at the girl's audacity.
"I didn't ask for your help." She called back to him as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. Eames felt a slight twitch of irritation before following after her. "Hey! I didn't have to save you. I did it out of the kindness of my heart. So the least you could do is pretend to be grateful." The annoyance was very much evident in the Brit's voice, but Raylie waved him off as the two now fell into step with one another. "Yea yea, thanks. But you know perfectly well I could have gotten myself out of that situation." She told him indifferently as Eames snorted in disbelief.
"Yeah, you still think you're invincible don't you sweetheart? So why don't you just pay those people back? It's not like you couldn't get the money or anything. And it seems like it would get rid of all this trouble." Eames asked as Raylie responded, "I have standards. I don't like giving my money to anybody." Eames couldn't help but chuckle; and people said that he had an ego.
"Why exactly are you following me?" Raylie changed the subject as Eames let out another chuckle, "It would appear that you owe me a drink." He told her matter-of-factly as Raylie finally looked at him, eyebrow raised in confusion. "I already bought you a drink at the bar you damn Limey." She replied, purposely using the derogatory word the gunman had used for him, actually finding a bit of humor in it.
"Haahaa." He replied sarcastically before continuing, "And the first drink was a bribe so I would come listen to what you had to say. This second drink is for me saving your bloody life, you damn Yankee." Two could play at that game.
Raylie let out a defeated sigh, after all, it was only one drink. "Fine. But one drink. That's it. Then you're leaving." Eames smirked as he nodded in agreement.
-Eames: 1 -Bloody Yankee: 0.
The pair made it back to Raylie's hotel room, Eames heading straight for the mini bar as Raylie sat on the bed, pulling off her heels. The cutest shoes were always the ones that were the most painful. She rolled her eyes at Eames' enthusiasm for the mini bar as he stood, back turned to her, mixing a drink.
"You know, you can take the drink to go." She told him, not caring to be in his presence much longer. Eames turned around at the sound of her voice, a charming smile on his face as he held two drinks in his hands. "Now where would the fun be in that?" Eames replied, offering her one of the drinks. Raylie looked at him in surprise that he would actually make the effort to mix one up for her, before taking the drink from him.
Eames took a seat on the edge of the bed, sipping his drink as he savored the flavor. "This is nice." He spoke as he stared at a painting that was hung on the wall of the hotel room. Raylie wasn't sure if he was talking about the painting, the drink, or just the fact that the two were sitting in a quiet room together. She very much doubted the latter.
"Wouldn't you agree?" He asked, finally turning his attention towards her. She stared at him for a few moments, not sure how to answer, so she gave a quick shrug and responded, "Yea, I guess."
At her reply, Eames turned back to the painting, "Too bad it never lasted eh?"
At his question, Raylie let out a sigh of frustration, knowing very well what he was talking about now. She didn't want to discuss any of their past relationship; Raylie knew that he was still bitter, so the fact that he was bringing it up now told Raylie that he was probably about to make an ass of himself to try and humiliate her. "Look, it's getting late. I think it's time you go now." She told him, changing the subject.
Eames, however, wasn't ready to leave or change the subject, "Who did you love more?" He asked disdainfully before turning to face her once more.
"Oh for the love of god! I'm not having this conversation with you!" Raylie replied in aggravation. Eames always had the worst timing with things. "Are you just saying that because you truly don't know, or are you guilty because you know the answer and can't bring yourself to say it?" Eames said as he gave her a challenging expression.
Raylie rolled her eyes in response, "You're such a fucking bastard. You need to leave, now!" She stood from her bed, but quickly having to sit back down because standing up so suddenly made her feel woozy. Eames smirked at her reaction and Raylie narrowed her eyes at him, "What did you do?" She asked, pointed a finger at him accusingly.
It was Eames' turn to stand as he towered over the now sitting Raylie, taking her almost empty drink from her hand. "There's one rule you should always remember love, 'that there are two types of people never to accept a drink from: a stranger, or a man you've wronged.'" He told her as she gave him her best death glare, the feeling of sleep suddenly about to take over, "Cobb only needs one Forger and it's gunna be me. Sleep tight, sweetheart." Eames placed a light kiss on her forehead as Raylie fought to keep her eyes open. "God damn motherfucking Brit." She managed to mumble as slumber finally overcame her. Eames chuckled,
-Eames: 2 -Yankee with very unlady-like language: 0.
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Ohh, that sneaky Eames! Lol. You all are being very patient with their relationship history. It's gunna be explained slowly, and more flashbacks to come in the next chapter. I'm doing it this way for a reason! Hope you don't mind. ;P Lol.
Please please review! Always makes me super excited! Haaha. Oh! And I was wondering if you guys would like to give some input on some possible ideas that could be Raylie's totem because they will be going into the dreamworld very soon. I was just planning on using something very simple and kinda boring, but if you had a good idea, let me know! It would be much appreciated! :D Thanks again!