Mercenary and the Beauty Ch. 2
Toll Road watched as she walked in and out of the office through out the day, his eyes always looking up when he saw her move. He couldn't help but watch her, over the last month, she truly has become a staple in their lives, having a relationship with them all. Even Barney, who was usually more off standish to outsiders, seemed to have allowed her in. They all did.
But his, while he tried to open up around her, he always found it difficult, afraid of what he would say, or worse wouldn't say. It was such bullshit, he could snap a man in half and not give a shit, but that tiny woman had him sweating bullets. Shaking his head at his behavior.
Amelia was sitting on the table outside where Tool was cleaning a gun. "My brain hurts." She said looking down at him. Which earned her a chuckle from the guys outside.
Lee looked at her, her legs swinging on the table, it amazed him how at ease she was around all of them, and really paid no mind to the weapons that seemed to be out when she was around. If he didn't know her, he'd swear that she was blind or dumb, but it didn't take long for him or the others to figure out that she wasn't either of those things. "Why does your brain hurt?" he asked.
"Too many papers, and numbers in my head, I got a sensory overload with all that in there." She said pointing to the office. "So, I'm going to sit here, and not think about filing."
Seeing Lee sharpening his knives, "OK, I gotta ask, what does a knife do in a fight?" she asked, generally curious. Looking around, they had enough weapons to take over a small country, so looking at the knives, it didn't make sense.
Smirking at her, he kept eye contact and tossed it, hitting the target dead center.
Her eyes moved as his hand did and found the knife sticking out of the target. "O. Well. Now it's clear." Swallowing her spit. Speculating that they were dangerous was one thing, seeing it was completely another. Her eyes found Tool staring at her, "What, you can do that too?" she asked.
Pulling out his big knife he tossed it, hitting the target just slightly off from Lee's knife. Smiling at her face.
Her eyes stared at the target, then back at the men. "OK. Well. Interesting skills." Carefully getting down from the table, kissing Tool on his cheek. "Impressive."
"Oye, what about me?" Lee teased her.
The guys in the shop laughed at him, she just shrugged, "Eh." Walking towards the fridge, she smiled as she grabbed a coke. Her eyes fell on Toll. "What about you, throw knives too?" she asked him.
Laughing at her, "No, I can, but not like them, I have other skills." Being vague. Not like he was going to say, I can pick a man up and snap his spine like a stick, or I blow shit up well.
Tilting her head, "Vague. I like it." Patting his shoulder as she walked back towards Tool. While she liked them all, she trusted them, because Tool did, she was most comfortable with him, well that's not true Caesar was up there. Looking around she found him smiling at her, "What about you? Knives?" she asked.
Laughing, "No girl, I like my guns too much." Holding up a grenade launcher.
Rolling her eyes, "You are all a little bit touched in the head. I hope you know that." She teased them. Snorting when they all made an offended noise. Smiling as her phone rang, looking at the ID, a slight smile on her face. Mentally debating on answering it, but she knew if she didn't, she'd keep calling. "Hey Stef."
"Amelia, I need your help, Josh went psycho, he's going to hurt me. I need you to come get me."
Her eyes bugged out of her head, "Where are you?" Jumping down, looking for her keys.
Crying into the phone, "I'm on at his apartment, on 6th, directly across from the market, 313."
"Jesus, OK, do not move. I'll be right there."
Grabbing her keys she found the guys staring at her, "Got to go." Heading out the door she found Toll Road standing in her way. "Move, please." Trying to walk around him. Giving him a look when he didn't move, "What are you doing?" Looking behind her, she was about to tell Tool to get him to move, but by the look on his face, he wasn't going to do that. "WHAT? I need to go." She almost yelled.
Toll looked down, "Where are you going, that you look so terrified?" His eyes not leaving hers.
Looking up at him, then back at the rest of them, she knew that she wasn't getting to leave without talking. "OK, my friend Stephanie is freaking out because her psycho ex is crazy, I'm going to go get her. OK, now that we know, will you move?" she asked again.
Tool looked at her, then the guys, "Who's up for a little ride?" he asked jumping on his bike.
Toll grabbed her hand, and pulled her towards his bike, handing her a helmet, "Let's go." Getting on the bike he felt her wrap her arms around him, "Where?" he asked.
This was surreal, she didn't know why they were doing it, but what an image it will be for them to roll up on Josh. Giving him the instructions, she clung to him tighter as he darted the bike forward. Keeping her face in his back, she carefully situated her dress so that it wasn't blowing up as they rode. Sparing a glance behind her, she could see all of them, including Gunner following them.
After 10 minutes they all pulled up, Amelia didn't even wait for the bike to come to a complete stop, hopping off, she darted up the stairs, hearing her name being called. Not that it stopped her, her friend was in danger, and she needed to help her. Reaching her door, she could see it was ajar, pushing it open, she looked around, "Stephanie!" she called out, "STEPHANIE, where are you?" Moving further into the apartment, she heard her friend crying. Rushing into the bedroom, she found Josh trying to get into the bathroom. His eyes turning towards her as she pushed the door open.
"Get out of her you little bitch." He stood, straightening himself up. "It's all your fault. You made her think it was OK to leave me." He yelled.
Not taking her eyes off his, "I didn't do anything you fucking psycho, she just got tired of you hitting her. So, Get the fuck out of here, now." Feeling a little intimidated, but she wouldn't let him see that.
Toll Road was the first into the house, finding her standing off with a guy, touching her shoulder, he looked at the man who was moving towards her, not even thinking about it he grabbed him, slamming him into the wall, knocking him out. His eyes finding Amelia's. Giving her a pointed look, "Don't you ever go running into danger like that." He snapped at her.
Watching him make Josh a pancake, her eyes found his, she could only just nod at him. Turning towards the door, she lightly knocked, "Stephanie, it's OK, it's safe. Come on, let's get out of here."
Sitting against the door, her breathing was labored, but the sound of Amelia's voice helped her focus, "Amelia?" she asked.
Leaning on the other side of the door, she could hear the terror in her voice, "I'm here. I promise it's safe to come out. Please. We need to go." Smiling when she heard the door unlock. Stepping back, she looked around the room, seeing that all the guys were there.
Stepping out of the bathroom, she gasped at the men standing there, her eyes finding Amelia.
Seeing that she was scared, "Shhhh. It's OK. They're not going to hurt you. I promise you." Hoping that she was right. Not that she worried about them that way, but she didn't really know who they were outside of what they showed her.
Wrapping her arms around her friend, she took in the bruises on her face, her eyes finding an unconscious Josh. "What do you want to do here?" she asked her friend.
Stephanie clung to Amelia, "I just want to go home."
Nodding, "OK, let's get you cleaned up, and I'll get you home." She was sad, but perhaps it was best for her, outside of the guys, Stephanie was her only real friend. Moving into the bathroom she cleaned up the blood from her lip, and nose. "Do you need to pack?"
Shaking her head, "No, I just need to get to parents' home." Looking around, then back down at her friend, "I can't fly like this."
A small smile, "I know, I'll buy your bus ticket. You'll leave tonight. OK?" she said as calmly as she could.
Nodding. "Thank you for coming." Looking at the guys staring at her, "And bringing bikers?" she said with a question in her voice.
Snorting, "I'll always come, you know that." Looking at the guys, and back at her friend, "They've grown on me."
Getting her on the back of Tool's bike, she looked at them, knowing they were going to head back to the shop, she kissed Tool, and then Toll. "Thanks for stepping in." she said as she got on the back of his bike.
Nodding, "When you get her off to the bus station, we are going to have a talk about rushing into danger." He chided her.
Rolling her eyes, grateful that he couldn't see it. "Fine."
They watched as Amelia left with Stephanie to the bus station, Gunner was pissed, not so much at her, well that's not true he was a little pissed at her, but also that man thought it was OK to hit a woman. While he may not be a saint, never had he hit a woman that wasn't trying to kill him. Looking over at Tool, "She was going to go alone." He said to the room.
Each one of them felt that anger, it was Lee that got really pissed, "Yeah, she would have barged right in, and what?"
Tool remained quiet, he didn't know what to say, her loyalty to the ones she care for was unparallel. "I know. What scares me, is she would do it again, she loves deeply." Lighting his pipe.
Yang nodded, "I'll teach her to fight." That earned him some looks. Rolling his eyes, "She's small, she's not going to be able to fight like you. I'm the one she's the closet in size to." Looking them all in the eyes, "I don't have a hard time defending myself against you," his eyes finding Gunner, remembering when had to fight for his life when he was high out of his mind.
Tool didn't like it, but it would make him feel better knowing that she could at least get away if needed. "OK, I'll talk to her when she gets back."
Toll didn't like the idea of her fighting, but it would put his mind at ease. But perhaps it was the fact that he wanted to teach her.
Sitting around they all changed the subject for now, and enjoyed the rest of the night, but it was Toll Road that kept his ears open for her to return.
Hugging her friend as she was about to board the bus back home, "Get a new phone, and new number. Call me. Please."
Stephanie clung to her friend, "I really can't thank you for helping me. Most people would have written me off. You're amazing." With one last hug, she stepped onto the bus, it was time to get her life together, and not let a man like Josh back in it.
The drive back to the shop was quiet, only the noise of the radio echoed. She knew that as she walked back into the shop, she was probably going to get yelled at. Letting out a frustrated huff, while she could appreciate their concern, she wasn't exactly helpless.
As those words went through her mind, she laughed a bit, compared to them, she was helpless. Pulling into the spot that Tool gave her, she stepped out, figured it was best to get this over with. However, a part of her was regretting not heading home, and dealing with this shit later. That wasn't her style, standing as tall as her 5'2 frame would allow, she walked in to have them all turn to her and stare. Still creepy. She thought.
Tool stood and walked over to her, "Your friend get on the bus OK?" he asked her. Pulling her into a hug.
Wrapping her arms around him, "Yea. All good." Stepping back, she could see that now that she was safe, the yelling would start.
Grabbing by the shoulders, "Do you realize how dangerous that would have been, if you went alone?" he yelled.
Looking up at him, she didn't want to roll her eyes, but the urge was there. "I get that. I do. But you have to understand, up until a couple months ago, you didn't exist to me, so when I had to handle shit, I didn't have giant men at my disposal. So, my brain didn't think to ask." Looking around, she could see their faces, her words made some sense to them, "I'm sorry. I promise I won't be running off like that. I'll ask or call first." Not that she thought she would be needing to call them for much, her life was pretty boring.
After she got the talk from them all, she was informed by Ying Yang that she would be learning self defense from him, to put their minds at ease. She wanted to argue but decided against it. Picking her battles, this was one she was certain she would lose.
Her eyes found Yang's, "I would say thank you, but you're going to torture me. But I appreciate it." She sassed him.
Letting out a yawn, she looked at her watch, it was 2:30AM, groaning, "I need to head home, sleepy." She said mostly to Tool.
"Head upstairs, you're tired. Plus, I'm sure Yang will love to start helping you first thing." He said to her. Laughing at her face.
Rolling her eyes, "Fine." Looking at Yang, "What time?"
"Be ready by 9am."
Groaning as she went up the stairs. Looking over her shoulder to see that Toll Road was watching her. Intensely.
Toll watched head up the stairs, he was still angry at her for heading towards the danger, but she rode on his bike, she held him, it was something that she hasn't done with any of the others. Feeling kind of like a pussy for enjoying the touch she gave him. Pathetic.
By 10:30am she was laying on the ground breathing heavily, refusing to get up. "Why are you so mean?" she huffed out. Sitting up on her elbows, she looked at him, "I thought we were friends?" she added.
Sitting on the floor with her, he smiled, "You are my friend. That's why I'm doing this." Standing up, he held out his hand towards her, "You did pretty good." Looking at his watch, "We'll start this again tomorrow. For now, go shower."
Rubbing her legs, as she went up the stairs, she ran straight into Toll Road, "Umf." Looking up at the wall that she ran into, "Morning."
Looking down at her, she was covered in sweat, her hair was sticking to her face, but it was what she was wearing that made him swallow hard, just a sports bra, and running shorts. Realizing that she spoke to him, "Morning, how was Yang?" he asked, leaning against the wall.
Squeezing past him, "He's mean. I'm bruised in places that should have bruises." Looking down at herself, "But for now, I'm going to shower, I feel disgusting." Patting his shoulder as she ran up the towards the shower.
He followed her, his eyes always watching, he felt like pervert. Shaking his head, he found himself heading to the garage, needing to occupy his mind, which seemed to be plagued with her.
Taking out some of his gear, he checked to make sure that his weapons, and shit were ready for the next mission, whenever that would be. So lost in the thought that he didn't see her sit down in front of him until she cleared her throat.
Amelia finished brushing her hair and braiding into a fishtail braid, while she loved her long hair, sometimes she thought of cutting it. Smiling at the mirror, she was ready to go out to the garage and chill for a while, but she was so close to finishing up the office, that she was sad, she wouldn't have a reason to come around so often. That thought depressed her.
Not wanting to think too much on it, she slipped on a sundress and made her way downstairs, looking at her phone, it was now 11, she was starving, grabbing a granola that was in her bag, she didn't see anyone in the shop, but she heard something going on in the garage. Walking out, she found Toll sitting cleaning his gear. Plopping down in front of him, "What's up?" she asked. Smirking as he jumped slightly.
Looking at her, his heart was beating a little faster, "Not too much, just getting my gear ready." Unsure of what she thought of it.
"Oh, yes. Traveling mechanics." Smiling at him, she tilted her head, "Not an expert by any means, but you guys need to find something better than that. I never knew mechanics to leave so often." Leaning back, "Have you considered security consultants?"
Smiling at her, "Perhaps we should."
She liked him, while he was the most reserved of them, but that's what she liked most, but given the fact that he rarely sought her out, gave the impression that he wasn't too interested, outside her being a little sidekick. Not getting too much time to think about it, she could see Tool walking in, looking over at him, "Morning."
Smiling at her, "Morning, so here's the deal Pixie, we're going out tonight, so you get your butt home, and be back here by 8. Wear jeans."
Standing up, giving him a salute, "Sir!" Giving Toll a quick hug, she gave Tool on too. "See you guys later." With that she headed towards the house, did a little light cleaning, and just relaxed. Tonight she was going to get to go party the with guys.