Gambling Time: Chapter 5
...Wednesday Night…
"I'm just saying…"
"It's done," I interrupted. "Where are we?"
Ignoring the frustrated sigh coming through my ear piece, I lept. My jump carried me from the rooftop to the light pole. From there, another light pole before landing on the rooftop across the street several stories below me.
"We're where we expected to be," Sam finally answered. Once my roll bled off momentum, I regained my feet for the next sprint. Wouldn't do to be late to my own party.
"Anyone unaccounted for?"
"Not yet. You know, this isn't going to go unnoticed, right?"
"That was the idea."
"Not what I meant, Renée, and you know it. People are going to figure it out."
"Maybe," I answered knowing he was probably right. "Look, this isn't a good time to argue about something that we already knew was going to be a thing."
"Damn it, Renée," he cursed.
According to Danny, this area of the Docks technically used to be part of the Boardwalk until a few years ago. Today, it acted like something of a buffer between the tourists, and the hardened criminal element that resided further into the cities no man's land. It was a shame, really. In my run tonight, I past several places that looked like they would have been fun hotspots back then. From here, I could see a restaurant that might have once been dedicated to fresh seafood. Now it's parking lot was dark and empty aside from the creep weeds breaking through the asphalt. With its location and what I could see of the view from my own perch, I bet the dinners view would have been fantastic.
Even though this area wasn't active anymore, I could see the bright lights of the Boardwalk proper clearly. If I listened hard enough, I'd probably be able to hear laughter or other various bits of revelry. A sharp contrast to the imposing buildings behind me where only every other street light worked, or even existed. Whether that was due to age, poor maintenance, or more likely; cape fights, was anyone's guess.
"You worry too much, mon cher," I said. Turning around, I looked for movement. Nothing stood out, but again, that wasn't surprising, considering. However, that did little for the hairs sticking up on the back of my neck.
"And you worry to little," Sam groused. Switching tactics he asked, "What about your beau? This isn't going to sit well with him when he finds out. And let's be honest, chérie, he's going to find out."
"He's not stupid. He knew what he was getting into," I answered before taking off again. I needed to be two streets over for a better look. "Besides, you don't even like him and now you're concerned over his reaction to current events?"
"Not really. I mean, what does he know about shit? Besides, something about him don't seem right. Seems shysty," he grumbled. "But you like him, and I'm just saying, this isn't going to go well with him."
"I think he'll surprise you."
"It's you being surprised that worries me, Renée."
"Maybe," I chuckled. Moving to the edge of the roof to get a look at the street below, I added, "but I like surprises."
On seeing the flashing red and blue lights, I muttered, "and speaking of surprises."
The squadcar kept pace with the car ahead of it. Both moving through the mostly abandoned street as fast as they dared considering the potholes and such. Honestly, it was surprising neither car lost a tire, or wheel really. Looking away I could see the glow of at at least two others moving this way to intercept from different streets. Obviously trying to cut them off.
"Looks like you're going to have to start the party without me," I said. "I'm going to be late."
"What happened?" Sam asked tiredly. I couldn't help but chuckle at his tone. He really didn't like this.
"Nothing I can't handle, mon cher," I answered before leaping on top of the adjacent light pole for a better shot. Pulling a card, I charged it up with just enough to blow a tire. Hopefully that will keep the car from losing control too much.
"I knew it!"
Turning around at the sudden voice, I found a cape floating in the air behind me. Ignoring her for the moment, I said, "You know what to do. I'll see you after I'm done here."
Sam's sigh was his only response as I disconnected the call.
"I knew you were up to something," Glory Girl crowed.
"I am?" I asked, smirking while also keeping an eye on the approaching vehicles.
I wasn't sure what was more funny, the triumphant look on her face, or hearing her snort to my question.
"I overheard you today at school," she said. "When you were on the roof talking on your cell."
"It's not nice to eavesdrop on private conversations. It's not very heroic, you know."
"Yeah, like I'm going to take advice from someone like you," Glory Girl scoffed. "I know about your stupid code talk. Do you honestly think you're the first one to think of something like that or that we wouldn't have gotten information on you as soon as you came to town?"
Not surprising, but good to know. Not all hero groups back home got along well enough with the PRT to share information. I figured things would be different here, but it was still good information to know New Wave was on the short list.
"I heard enough to know you were plotting something," she continued. "And that it had to do with someone stealing a bunch of cars tonight."
"So you followed me to prove it, hmm? Stalking isn't very heroic either," I pointed out.
"You should look up more when you're plotting crimes," she said seemingly unphased by my comments. "Seems like a stupid thing to forget but everyone makes mistakes, and you made your last one tonight."
"I'll keep that in mind going forward," I drawled. "But, I haven't done anything wrong yet that you can prove, ma chère."
"Please, it's obvious you plan to stop that car from getting caught." She surely stated. "When he is caught, he'll rat you out and that will be enough to prove to everyone what kind of cape you really are."
"Everyone, or just Dennis?" I asked, letting a knowing smirk show. "Should a certain someone be worried about your interest in my love life? It's flattering, chérie, and you do have a certain je ne sais quoi, but the ladies do not interest me in that way. Sorry."
"What? No, I didn't," she sputtered before catching on to what I was doing. After a moment, she growled through her embarrassment, "Enough, you're coming with me."
"So sure about that?" I asked. "This isn't Downtown, girlfriend. You're in Gambit's house now."
"Whatever," she said, rolling her eyes. "You're better off giving up. You can't take me you know. I'm invincible."
"If you say so," I chuckled.
The next moment we both readied ourselves for the inevitable. Glory Girl tensed, body ready to rush my fragile position on top of the light pole. To bad there wasn't anyone out here to see her, it was a striking pose. Tiara slightly sparkling in the dim light, cape and one piece dress slightly fluttering in the wind showing hints of the shorts underneath, but mostly her long legs. Couldn't blame her for that though. If you have it, flaunt it, and it wasn't hard to see why she was popular at Arcadia, or as a hero even without the classic Alexandra Package.
I couldn't help but wonder if she practiced it. Looked practiced.
As for me, I stayed half kneeling while enjoying the rush of adrenaline that always hit me right before doing something that most people considered incredibly stupid. While I prefered to avoid cape fights, that didn't mean I didn't enjoy the challenge now and then.
"So, Villain vs. Hero; the battle eternal. Shall we?"
"Gladly," Glory Girl smirked.
She rocketed toward me. Leaping upward, I managed to flip over her while she dealt with the fact her target wasn't where she expected it to be. A quick twist and my foot connected with the back her head. Instead of flying across the street. She barley crossed half way before spinning around to try again. Just in time to take the card I already had charged.
The brief flash was enough to send her off course buying me time to slide down and get my feet on firm ground since fighting on top of a light pole was foolhardy at best. I didn't get very far before she on me again.
Sliding my foot back, I ducked under the coming hit letting Glory Girl's fist strike the building behind me. Broken fragments pleted the back of my armor confirming my information that she had super strength, and a lot of it.
That confirmed she could give a good hit. The only question now was if she could take one.
Striking with an uppercut rocked her head back. Ducking under her next swing I pretended to kick high with my left foot before quickly sliding in with a roundhouse to her stomach. It didn't do as much as I'd like and Glory Girl seemed to think being this close put things in her favor. She never saw my leg move upward, strait up my body catching her just under her jaw with the side of my foot. A quick snap downward caught her with my heel, just missing her groin but still hitting her upper thigh. Hard enough earn a shout and to buckle her knee, forcing her to put distance between us and favoring her left leg.
"Where did you get your earrings, mon'amie?" I lazily asked. "
"Seriously?" She snorted.
"Diamonds are not very practical for girls in our line of work but I like shiny things and they sure are pretty."
"New jewelry isn't going to be a problem where you're going," she said rushing me again. This time not letting her feet touch the ground and not staying near as close as a moment ago. Giving her a sliding motion to her movements that prevented either of us from doing more than dodge and strike at each other once.
Telling, but not enough. The problem with fighting flying bricks like Glory Girl, was that a lot of my usual style didn't work if they decided to keep things like this. You also can't easily trip most flyers, or use gravity to your advantage. Instead, the game became about keeping distance where their strength wasn't as effective and trying to get them to make a mistake.
Our brief exchange did teach me a couple of things about her though. One, her rushes were controlled, not the mad dashes most brutes I'd tussled with used. Two, she was also trying to keep the fight in the street. What advantage it gave me was marginalized by her ability to fly. However, while she had powers similar to Alexandria, she didn't have the same control over her flight like the iconic heroine. Glory Girl could take a hit, true, but inertia was still a thing and it took a second for her to overcome strong hits and she absolutely didn't like dealing with multiple hits.
Deciding to test part of that theory, I let her fly at me, waiting until she'd committed herself to the attack before moving.
Twisting away, I jumped under the hit charging the sole of my boot. A cheap trick that worked well on capes who tended to be hard to put down. The kick to the back sent her ragdoll flying toward the building but just short of crashing through it, she shot upward.
"Take a card, any card!"
Adjusting my balance to compensate for the damage I'd done to my boot, I threw charged playing cards after her pockmarking the side of the building marking her ballistic climb. None of them hit, and I didn't hold out any hope the peppering she was getting was doing anything but pissing her off and slightly tearing up her costume.
Glory Girl recovered in seconds, turning her climb into another charge. The earlier smirk on her face more of a snarl showing her frustration at not being able to get her hands on me. That didn't detract from the shine in her eyes however. It was a look I knew well. Part of her was enjoying this, though I doubt she'd ever admit it. My tactics did manage to do one thing, I had her full attention now.
That's right, Gambit's the only one here.
Like before I moved to slip just past her. Unlike before she was expecting it this time.
"Got you!" She crowed as vice like hands grabbed my ankle and foot before she threw me away with ridiculous ease.
Right at the car being chased by the police.
Her shout at finally getting me turned into a gasp as Glory Girl realized too late what she'd done, and too late to do anything about it but watch. She had the Alexandria Package, not Legends.
Not how I planned to do this, but I could work with it.
Quickly charing three cards, I threw them at the street. The driver seeing the volatile objects racing toward them, jerked the wheel sending the expensive looking car into a sideways skid in a desperate attempt to not get hit.
However, I wasn't aiming for the car. The cards hit the street inches in front of it. Between the following explosion and skid, it flipped into the air as I intended. My own flight ended on the asphalt. Trying to bled off the momentum I tried rolling.
Even as my back hit the street kicking the air out of my lungs, I knew how absolutely insane this was. Me rolling out of control across the street, sideways flipping car just above, and just ahead, broken pavement which I'd get to know better shortly.
This was going to make a great story later.
Even better, was the look on the driver's face. Something I saw clearly in that split second as we passed each other despite the cracked glass that separated us. The driver, who looked exactly like what one would expect from a run of the mill thug, sat buckled tightly, one hand gripping the steering wheel. The other hand flipping me off. A single cut bled from their split eyebrow was the only detraction from the resigned look on their face. Mouthing something I only caught part of as we went our separate directions.
Bit….
The car bounced a couple of times before sliding to a stop down the street on its hood. Laying across the street like a barricade. Thankfully the cop cars chasing it also stopped, blocking off the road ahead. I figured I was only about twenty feet away before I finally came to a stop.
Laying in the street, I looked back at the car I barely managed to avoid. Glory Girl floated just in front of it, checking on the driver. Must have been well enough, or maybe their condition wasn't her concern as she turned away, moving toward me.
"Stay down, Gambit."
Chuckling, I got back to my feet. Despite nearly getting me killed, Glory Girl didn't waste time catching up to me. Looking a little pale, she still looked eager to keep going, if I was.
Facing her, I smirked. "You should be careful, Glory Girl, because if you keep this up, you're going to have yourself one Ragin' Cajun on your hands. And you wouldn't like me when I'm...upset."
Flipping her hair over her shoulder, she snorted. "I told you, you can't beat me. It's over."
"We'll see. The fun's just starting, chérie."
Using her distraction, I hit her with a charged card sending her into a building. She wasn't there long but despite my injuries, I was already moving back into the fight myself.
As if the buildings and three cars formed boundaries of an arena, we fought in the street. Glory Girl tanking everything never staying close while I threw cards and moved nimbly to keep her from getting her hands on me again. With each pass we picked up a bit more of the others fighting style but little changed in the stalemate between us.
She was good. Despite her well known temper, it never completely owned her. A few minor lapses in judgment aside, she didn't forget about the cops at one end and tried to keep the fight away from them. Which led to another change in her actions.
Rumors followed capes like a stalker, and Brockton Bay was no exception. Most of them ridiculous but if you put enough of them together, you can find the grain of truth which spawned them.
One rumor I heard on the street said Glory Girl's sister, Panacea, routinely patched up criminals Glory Girl tangled with. Easy enough for a traiteur of her level. Handy for a cape who could dead lift a cement mixer and make it look easy. Several mentioned that if anyone at the Protectorate knew just how many times, or how hard, Glory Girl routinely beat up the people she brought in, they'd probably have either forced her into the Wards, or worse. So now that we had an audience it limited how hard she could come at me depriving her of more options.
Likewise I wasn't going all out either. Sticking mostly to my playing cards and reflexes. Which seemed to annoy her greatly. Even limited to the ground, I was faster and had the advantage of projectiles. Sure, she could take it and was stronger, but that did little good when you couldn't get your hands on your target. Currently, we were fairly evenly matched. But all things come to an end, and as the fight dragged on, her frustration continued to mount until she finally cracked.
At some point she noticed my balance wasn't what it was at the start. With a burst of speed she closed the distance catching me in the stomach. I didn't even see it coming until it was too late. All I could do was take the hit, while charging my glove like I had my boot with enough energy to return the favor.
I went flying one way, while she went the other. Of the two of us, she got the better end of the exchange.
Glory Girl's flight ended faster than mine. Her feet broke asphalt creating two shallow trenches on either side of a third made by her hand to help slow her down. The end result was Glory Girl coming out of a crouch like a boss, boots crunching broken pavement as she walked toward me again.
Which, admittedly, was a lot cooler than kneeling on the street in front of a pool of blood I'd just put there after having been ragdoll thrown across said street. She could give Buyou Amos a run for his money when she was pissed.
Her conflicted face told me she was worried she'd might have gone too far, but that slowly changed to determined when I rose to my feet.
Spitting the little bit of blood left onto the street, I smirked saying, "You're going to have to hit me harder than that if you want Gambit to stay down."
"That can be arranged," she returned. Giving credit where it was due she looked pretty intimidating as she readied herself. Would have made a great poster for New Wave's marketing department, if Glory Girl ever wanted to up her image.
"You want to kick this up a nickel?" I drawled. Moving so as to present as little of a target as possible, I slowly pulled my staff from my coat. Extending it and giving it a bit of a spin I let it rest at my side.
Smirking, I continued, "Alright, mon'amie. I'm your player and that's just my game."
The silence between lasted for a moment, like a scene in a spaghetti western. The night was fairly quiet without us fighting. The dark around us strobed in blues and whites from the squad cars lights. Headlights from those two cars illuminating the buildings on either side of Glory Girl.
Looking over her shoulder I noticed several more things. One of them being two police officers turn to look at each other, then turn back to us.
Unable to help myself considering our audience, I relaxed. Folding my staff back up, and putting it away. Glory Girl's confusion turned into a snarl when I leaned forward slightly, lazily crooking my finger at her to take her best shot.
Like when she hit me a moment ago, she shot forward closing ground fast. I let her, never moving an inch.
"Glory Girl!"
Seeing the look of triumph in her eye's I doubted there were many things that could have gotten through to her at this moment. One of her teammates probably, but not many others. However, when someone like our new arrival shouts, even villains who didn't like him tended to listen.
As I learned from fighting her, interia was a thing. Yet Glory Girl still managed to pull back just short of plowing through me.
"Armsmaster," she said.
Up close, and outside the confines of the PRT building, I had to say Armsmaster was even more imposing than the last time I saw him. The weight of his armor seemed to reverberate in the now quiet street with each step he took toward us. As if a mountain of metal wielding a halberd was slowly approaching us.
Still flat footed, it affected Glory Girl more than me. Then again, I watched him arrive and wasn't as surprised.
"Would you please stop fighting my newest," Armsmaster said before turning to look directly at me. "Probationary Ward?"
Keeping my smirk in place, I winked at Glory Girl when she spun to face me.
Half shouting, she asked, "You're a Ward?"
"Probationary Ward," Armsmaster smoothly corrected. "Very probationary."
"Oui," I answered, not bothering to wipe away the slight trail of blood ticking the side of my mouth. "Didn't you get the memo? They say Gambit's a hero now."
"You said you were a villain!"
"Considering you were stalking me, I was actually calling you the villain, chérie."
"You are not a hero," Armsmaster corrected again. "Not yet, and not at all if there isn't a very good reason for why the two of you are tearing up the city."
"Just a little misunderstanding," I said.
"Explain."
Before I could say my piece, Glory Girl said hers.
"Armsmaster, I heard her plotting with someone on her cell. She was up to something so I followed her until I saw her set up to stop the police from capturing that car."
"See, like I said. Just a little misunderstanding. I was actually trying to stop the car for the police," I corrected. "Which, I did. Not exactly how I planned on doing it, but still. That is what a Ward does, no? Help the police?"
"You are not rated for patrol and have no authority to assist," Armsmaster noted. "Much less to do either alone without supervision or without Consol's permission. But that is something we'll deal with later."
"We'll see about that," Glory Girl spat. "I think that carjacker you almost killed is going to have something different to say about all this."
A short flight over to the upturned car ended in a shout of surprise.
"Glory Girl?" Armsmaster asked neutrality.
"He's gone but, where? How? He was unconscious when I checked on him!"
Keeping a straight face, I shrugged when Armsmaster turned to me.
"Who started the fight?"
"She did," Glory Girl said, pointing at me.
"That's actually not true," I couldn't help correcting. "She attacked first."
Mouth open to refute, Glory Girl exalted noisily instead realizing I was right.
Behind me, the bulb of the sole street light still standing in our arena blew out. It was surprising really it was even still standing, considering the damage. Same could have been said for the buildings around us. All of them showed damage from the fight. Holes from my cards, and a few from Glory Girl's body still easily visible thanks to the squad cars. Armsmasters visor seemed to take it all in.
"I see," he sighed. Turning to the two PRT grunts behind him, he said, "We'll settle this back at Headquarters. Standard Protocol."
"For Gambit, Sir?"
"For both of them."
The two agents turned to each other for a moment before nodding. "Yes sir."
"What?" Glory Girl shouted. "You can't be serious. You're going to foam me too?"
Turning to her, Armsmaster said, "Standard procedure when encountering capes fighting in the city where there is no clear hero, is to contain all involved to resolve the situation. So, yes Glory Girl, you as well. It will give you time to consider your actions tonight while waiting on your parents to pick you up."
Unlike Glory Girl I wasn't outraged at seeing the two armored agents walking toward us taking aim with the nozzles of their gear. On the contrary, I expected this would have been the likely end result for tonight.
Hand on my hip, I waited patiently as the agent in front of me approached. Since their arrival interrupted my fight with Glory Girl, I decided to end the night on a high note.
"I've never been sprayed by such a… well equipped individual before," I said earning another sigh from Armsmaster and a stunned look from Glory Girl. Batting my eyelashes at him I added, "Be gentle."
Instead of immediately hosing me down, the agent just stood there.
"Oh for fucks sake," his partner cursed. A woman by the voice. Turning away from Glory Girl, she activated her sprayer sending its contents racing toward me.
XxXGambitXxX
Once the foam set I was moved to the back of the PRT van. Glory Girl joined me a couple of minutes later when negotiations with Armsmaster broke down. It was probably his idea we were only covered up to the shoulders and facing each other for the trip. It was the kind of thing Dennis said Armsmaster would do.
Other than Glory Girl embarrassed face silently glowering at me, not much to say about the trip except that it was all done pretty quickly. Before long we were at PRT headquarters, sprayed down with whatever it was that neutralized the foam, and kind of processed. While not stripped down, both of us were searched and personal belongings removed. A process which took longer for me than for Glory Girl.
"Like disarming a third world country," the PRT agent assigned to us muttered looking over the the collection of card decks I had left, a dozen throwing knives, my staff, a pair of foldable batons, a few small tools, pepper spray, brass knuckles, a leather sap, five one-hundred dollar bills, and other bits I generally kept on me when working.
"Be prepared," I said, quoting one of the oldest Girl Scout Mottos while giving a jaunty three finger salute. "Besides, a girl never knows when she's going to need the essentials."
The agent processing us silently held up the six inch knife I usually kept in my boot.
"What? A big city can be a dangerous place for a girl on her own."
Looking over the same pile, Glory Girl snarked, "No guns?"
"Guns are the tools of amateurs," I replied. "Or the desperate. Gambit is neither."
From there both Glory Girl and I were interviewed and questioned separately. Once finished, I was taken to a cell, where Glory Girl joined me a few minutes later.
"Now, both of you are going to sit here until your processed," Armsmaster informed us. "There will be no fighting and no usage of powers. If either of you use your powers in any way, this Agent will activate the foam sprayers and you will stay that way until I decide otherwise.
"I don't care what the issue is between you, but it ends now. Glory Girl is a hero from a respected organization. Gambit, while I have my doubts about your intentions, you are currently one of my Wards. I expect a great deal from my Wards, and twice that from you. Both of you are on the same side, so act like it and understand that if something like this had happened at a more public venue, like Arcadia, this situation would have ended very differently. So, work it out."
He didn't wait to hear what we'd say to his little speech. Instead, he turned on his heel and walked away.
Sighing greatly, Glory Girl flopped onto the cot on her side looking miserable. Taking the opposite one, I did the same, though without the angst but probably more pain.
I never liked awkward silences. Or silences of any kind, really. Reminded me too much of those days before I joined the Rats. However, what did a semi reforming villain say to a stalwart hero of justice?
So, what's flying like? Or maybe, I think we got off on the wrong fist. Err, foot. No, that's really not much better considering our brawl earlier. How about, Hi. I'm the devil cape Dennis and Assault are trying to sway to the light.
Lame.
"I'm in so much trouble," Glory Girl moaned.
Or we could go with that.
"I doubt that."
"Mom is going to be so pissed."
"You should relax. This really isn't as bad as you think it is."
"We're in a cell. I was arrested!"
"This isn't a jail cell. At least, not one for capes."
Rolling my eyes, I waved at our accommodations. "Judging by how hard you were swinging at me earlier, you could bend those bars and walk out of here if you wanted. As for me, do you really think that lock can stop my own power, or skills?"
She cocked an annoyed eyebrow at me.
"This cell is obviously symbolic," I said, continuing when she didn't say anything. "Most likely meant for situations like ours where the capes in question are not flight risks but still need to be held for a while."
"And the PRT agent standing by the switch to the foam sprayers?" Glory Girl asked.
"Insurance incase Armsmaster misjudged us and we decided to start fighting again."
"And what makes you think all that?"
"Even if the PRT wanted to press charges against you, what do they have? Fighting? You're a cape, its what capes do. Destruction of property? Even I know no one really cares about the Docks and no civilians were hurt. Besides, you heard what Armsmaster said. You're a respected hero from an friendly hero group. Worse case we sit here for awhile before someone from your group comes to pick you up. Sitting here is about the only thing he can do to punish you for earlier."
"And what about you?" she asked. "You're not worried about any of this?"
"Not really," I answered casually. "He'll probably take the damages out of my Wards pay and it's not like I can't get more money if I need it."
"And how would you do that?"
"There are always opportunities, if one has a mind to go look for it."
"You're not reformed at all! I can't believe they would let you into the fucking Wards!" she hissed angrily, glaring at me.
"I know," I said smirking. "But, standards here are not what they were back in New Orleans. They let Clockblocker in, so why not Gambit?"
"Clockblocker has never put another Ward in the hospital!"
"If you needed to go to the hospital, why didn't you tell Armsmaster?"
"I don't, aggghhhh! You're… you're so infuriating! Actually, it's no wonder Dennis is infatuated with you!"
"Of course he is. I'm me, afterall," I said, smirking while trying to ignore how I felt. "And I'm pretty great."
The girl sighed, longsufferingly. "You are pretty good. Great? Too far. But it's not often I meet someone who can go toe-to-toe with me like that. And don't think I don't know you weren't going all out."
Nodding, I decided to give a little since she had. "Of course I wasn't, just as you weren't, and the same to you, mon'amie. I tend to avoid cape fights because most capes take things too seriously. If you're not enjoying the things you do, why do them, no?"
"Is that why you became a thief? Just like the rush of ruining other people's lives?" She asked pointedly. There wasn't much heat to it though.
"I don't think we know each other well enough for that sort of intimacy and Gambit doesn't do backstories. Ruins the mystic."
"Fair enough," Glory Girl snorted. "So, you're a Ward,"
"I'm in the program as a probationary ward," I corrected. "Armsmaster likes to be very clear on that point."
"A Ward. You."
"Yeah."
"Seriously. You. You're a Ward."
"So my contract says," I answered bemused. "If it makes you feel any better I have no intention of sitting for any photo shoots. Not really my style."
"It really doesn't."
"Didn't think so. Just thought I'd mention it."
"It's just," Glory Girl muttered seeming frustrated and annoyed. "You? A Ward? How? You're practically the poster girl for authority issues!"
"You're not wrong," I nodded.
"If half the things in your file are right then you're a criminal, not a hero."
"I never claimed to be a hero, chérie. Just that I'm in the Wards."
"You're a thief!"
"Gambit isn't just any thief," I said, mildly insulted. "I am a very good thief."
"You even admit it!"
"Why would I lie?" I asked. Not succeeding very well in keeping the smirk off my face judging by her expression.
"To screw with, quite literally, everyone," Glory Girl half shouted. "How could they let someone like you into the Wards"
"Well, you're not going to find Gambit on any team posters," I explained, relaxing as much as I could on the cot. "It's more of a part time arrangement between us."
"Not buying. You're telling me that the PRT let you see the other Ward's faces? Not. Buying. It." Glory Girl snorted.
"I haven't even met any of them yet," I said. "Not officially, and certainly not unmasked except for the two we both know about. Although I do have to thank a certain someone later. If not for him, I probably never would have had this option."
Paleing slightly, Glory Girl quietly asked, "You don't mean…"
"The look on his face when he finds out is going to be very worth it," I chuckled. "I suppose I should thank you as well, since you're half the reason for my current circumstance. Would you like a picture when he finds out? Should make good blackmail material later when you want something from him."
Ignoring her eye roll, I said, "Look, we're going to be here for a while. A couple of hours most likely. Or until Armsmaster feels that we've learned our lesson about fighting each other in public. So relax."
"Relax?" Glory Girl snorted. "And what do you suggest we do, trapped in here for the next couple of hours?"
"Well, we could sit here brooding over things that we can't change, like you were earlier," I said. "Or we could trade stories."
"Trade stories."
"Sure. Tell me about Brockton Bay, and I'll tell you about New Orleans."
"Seriously?"
Smirking, I said, "You know you want to hear what Carnival is really like."
XxXGambitXxX
"... so I said, eleven hours? That's your problem, girl. You need to stay hydrated in a marathon."
Blushing, Glory Girl ducked into her hands, laughing but that wasn't anything compared to the laughter coming from the PRT agent assigned to watch us. She howled, half leaning against the wall to keep standing.
Which was the scene Assault and Clockblocker walked into.
"Not quite the scene I expected to see walking in here," Assault muttered.
"Did you expect us to be fighting?" Glory Girl asked.
"Assault was hoping," Clockblocker chuckled.
"Is time for our eviction?" I asked, turning toward them. "Or is it time for my strip search?"
Slowly looking Clockblocker up and down I added, "If you're thorough, mon'ami, I might return the favor."
"So, that's how you shut him up," Assault laughed, shaking his head at Clock's frozen form. "Doubt Armsmaster will go for it, but still, good to know."
"I would pay to see it, if you were willing to even joke about my way of shutting him up, Assault."
"Well see," he said. "I'm sure an occasion will come up to make it work. The Director would probably dock my pay again, but it would be worth it. However, as amusing as it is to see Clockblocker tongue tied, we're here to tell you your time is served."
"Your sister's here for you, Glory Girl," Assault said before turning to me. "Need a ride home?"
"Non," I answered.
"How pissed is Mom?" Glory Girl asked Assault while the PRT agent unlocked our cell.
"That's your problem when you get home," Assault answered. "Unfortunately I'm pretty sure Armsmaster's already filled her in, but she's not the one to came to pick you up."
"Oh, I'm in so much trouble," she groused.
Following them down the halls, I asked, "What did Danny say?"
"From what I heard after Armsmaster told him who he was, Mr. Hebert's first question was, 'how much bail money do I need?' My source said the conversation went downhill from there."
"You suck so much," Glory Girl groused. "You're not even going to get into trouble for this?"
"Oh, I'm probably in for a long lecture. Maybe a guilt trip to two and possibly a lot of cursing," I said casually as we approached the front doors and my freedom. "I'm actually looking forward to it. You know, for a straight arrow, he knows a lot of swear words and has very inventive ways of stringing them together."
Following us, Clockblocker just silently shook his head. Being in costume, he really couldn't say much, but I'm sure I was in for it later. The conversation didn't pick up again until after we got our confiscated possessions back, minus most of my weapons as they were not 'Ward Approved', and exited the building.
"Oh, crap," Glory Girl muttered on seeing her sister waiting for her.
Panacea, or Amy Dallon as she wasn't in costume, stood arms cross and tapping her foot next to a nice car. I couldn't see her very well from here, but she didn't look happy. Glory Girl's shoulders hunched up a bit.
"Well, I guess I should get back so Mom can yell at me," she said before turning to me. A strange smirk on her face. "I still don't trust you."
"I'd think less of you if you did," I laughed.
"I'll catch you later, Gambit."
"Only in your sweetest dreams, ma chère."
Rolling her eyes at my blatant trolling, she walked toward her sister. If looks could kill, the glower directed at me probably would have killed me twice.
"Now I have reason to think Amy doesn't like me,"
"I told you a quick way to get on her bad side was to pick a fight with Vicky," Clockblocker chuckled.
"Why doesn't anyone believe me when I say I didn't start that fight?"
The blare of a car horn drew our attention back to the street. Amy and Glory Girl were already gone, which just left the jeep sitting at the curb being the source.
"Am I seeing things, or is that really a pink jeep with purple flames?" Assault asked.
"There's my ride," I said. Turning back to the duo I gave them a parting wink. "Until next time, boys."
Walking away, I didn't catch whatever it was Assault said to Clockblocker but I had a pretty good guess. Instead I casually approached the jeep until I could get into it.
Sitting in the driver's seat, Jess smirked at me. Dressed in a smart red dress and looking like they were out on the town before picking me up. The only thing that detracted from that image was the small bandage covering the cut bisecting their eyebrow.
"You're a fucking bitch, you know that cunt?"
"And here I was worried you didn't have a good time tonight," I laughed.
"Shit, you want to show me a good time? Come with me to Palaquine. We'll party till dawn and really give the PRT something to lock us up for."
"Sorry, I can't," I said regretfully. "I'm sure Danny's worried about me. I should get back and let him know the PRT let me go and explain what happened. Besides, he was supposed to have made lasagna tonight."
"Fuck that, wait. Store bought or homemade?"
"Homemade."
"So, there's homemade lasagna at your house?"
"Pretty sure Sam's still busy hiding the goods we liberated earlier, so, yeah."
"Fuck it, we're going to your house."