"Anything you say in the next thirty seconds is free, starting now."
"Darling, I will do anything you want me to."
"Sit down," Rebecca commanded as soon as he approached the table. Slightly taken aback, Roy did so, agreeing in a confused tone. "Anything you say in the next thirty seconds is free, starting now."
"What?" Now he was really confused.
"Whatever you say in the next thirty seconds," Rebecca repreated. "Stays at this table. Now you've been fucking around – no pun intended – with Riza for a while now and I want to know what your intentions are for her." Rebecca's hard stare met Roy's. Glancing quickly to his friend, Havoc just shrugged helplessly with a look that said "just do it, man".
"My intentions? I –"
"Don't say you don't have any," Rebecca interrupted. "Because I managed to weasel it out of Jean. You like her, right?"
Roy shot a quick accusatory glare Havoc's way, who just shrugged, again.
"Right?" Rebecca pressed.
"Uh, yeah. I do."
"So why are you messing her about?"
"I'm not," Roy replied quickly and defensively.
"You are. You keep making suggestive comments."
"What?" He was confused. He was very open about (the majority) of his feelings for Riza. He asked her if she wanted to date. It was Riza who hadn't given him a straight answer – granted his behaviour didn't help – not the other way around. He wasn't toying with her. He was genuinely asking. "I've just asked her out."
"She tells me otherwise."
"Well, what does she tell you?" Most of the time it was like pulling teeth trying to get a straight answer out of Rebecca about Riza, however this was the farthest he'd ever gotten. He wouldn't waste the opportunity.
Rebecca seemed to consider something before answering. "Well, everything. She told me what happened on that night out – and I mean everything. You made her happy, I could see that much in the bar. But things took a turn and now you keep asking her to go out on a date and she's not sure if you're serious or not."
"Deadly serious," Roy replied. "She's the one that won't give me an answer. I'm not playing with her emotions. I already explained I wanted to know if it was still a possibility."
Rebecca nodded. "She told me that too, but you were persistent and annoying on your first day. Not to mention that at work wasn't the right time or place to discuss it. Couple that with her shock and fear of discovery, no wonder she couldn't give you a straight answer."
Roy sighed, running his hands over his face. This was such a mess. He thought they'd sorted everything out, but apparently there was more to do. However, if it cleared things up with him and Riza, then it was worth it.
"That was longer than thirty seconds," Havoc chipped in quietly after the table had fallen silent. Rebecca elbowed him for his smart comment, making him laugh. Roy appreciated his attempt to try and lighten the mood though.
"Jean, can you go and get us another round of drinks?"
"Darling, I will do anything you want me to," Havoc proclaimed loudly, wrapping an arm around her shoulder and kissing her temple.
"Drinks." Rebecca smiled up at him as he stood. "Thank you," she crooned.
After Havoc left them, Rebecca turned around and fixed him with a serious look. "I love Riza dearly. I think you'll be good for her, however, know that if you do hurt her, or play her, I have a very creative way of removing your kneecaps," she warned.
"Thank you, but that won't happen. I have no intention to," Roy replied. He glanced around them quickly then lowered his voice. "I don't know if Havoc's already told you, but–"
"You already love her."
Roy promptly shut his mouth, a frown gracing his features. "You can't share a secret around here, can you?"
Rebecca smirked. "I'm just very good at extracting it from Jean."
Roy snorted, the implications filling his head amusing him. "I don't doubt you are." Havoc practically fell over Rebecca's feet most of the time.
"One word of advice?" Rebecca offered.
"Yeah, sure," Roy admitted in defeat.
"Drop the shit. Just be straight with her. That's what Riza needs. She doesn't need jokes about asking her out on a date. Ask her seriously. Then you'll get your answer."
Roy nodded, taking Rebecca's comments on board.
"Here we go," Havoc announced, returning with another round.
"Now, let's enjoy our night," Rebecca grinned, raising her glass and clinking it against Roy and Havoc's. "Ah, there she is!" Rebecca cried loudly and suddenly. Roy jumped and turned, looking for who Rebecca was talking about.
Walking towards them was Riza with a surprised look on her face. When their eyes met, she offered Roy a small smile, and pulled up a chair next to him.