Deidara sighed in relief, finally she was seeing sense. He threw back a shot of whatever liquor was offered to him. Lights flashing from the dance floor reflected off a mirror, catching his attention. The image of Emiliana perched prettily on his legs and his form reclining like an emperor was quite a sight. He studied her in the mirror, how she could still look classy while dressed like a stripper was beyond him. Emmie was wearing more than most women in the club but exuded an air of mysterious seduction and her dark vampy makeup was a dramatic contrast. Dark blood colored lips wrapped around a straw as she sipped her drink. Dragging his eyes and mind from the thought of her lips wrapped around something else, he focused on her form instead. The white of the outfit set off her pale skin and made her seem to glow in the dark. Deidara put his hand on the small of her back and she stiffened immediately.

"Calm down, you're supposed to be my girl remember? You can't act for shit," he said mildly. Emmie gave him a glare then leaned back into his chest. "When is this guy coming? We've been here forever," she complained. "He'll get here when he gets here," he said. "This is pretty boring though, let's play 20 questions." Emmie looked torn between wanting to know more about him but not letting him know anything about her. "Fine. I'll start. Are you in charge of a gang?" Deidara nodded, "Yeah, I head all of East New York. No need to look so surprised." Emmie's incredulous stare wounded his ego.

"Ok, my turn. How old are you?" Emmie poked him in the throat. "You never ask a lady her age," she said primly as he choked. "Bitch, I bet you're 40. 42. 45." Emmie tried and failed to quash her smile. She had a nice smile, shame she rarely showed it to him. "Quit it! Fine, I'm 32. How old are you?" Deidara leaned back, "Damn, I'm 28. You're an old lady." As quick as a middle aged woman at a sale, Emiliana threw her cocktail into his face. "Why you-"

Annoyed, Emmie turned away, "You're such a child. It's such a surprise you're alive at all." "What's that supposed to mean?" Deidara demanded. "You haven't had any real world experience then." Emmie said snootily. Deidara shifted his legs making her almost spill the rest of her drink. "Oh, at least my life hasn't peaked. How are you single? You've got no one looking out for you," he shot back.

"My standards are higher than yours. How has my life peaked? I'm successful and I do have friends," Emmie hissed getting in his face. "How about you? How come you don't have a girlfriend? Can't get it up?" Deidara gripped her leg, "I can have any woman I want but I have plans. You've peaked because what else do you have to look forward to? You've got it all!" Emmie was about to give him a scathing reply but a man slid into their booth.

"Shock! Good thing you're here," Deidara reached across the table to shake hands with the other man. Shock was a tall brawny Viking of a man who had a shock of dirty blond hair that stood up willy nilly. He looked like the kind of person who would poke his fingers in electrical sockets for fun. "Dee!" Shock boomed, "So you've finally found a girl that can tame you huh? No wonder all the other girls are so mad! Now what can I do for you." Deidara waited for him to drain his pint before answering. "I've heard the Akatsuki family has some competition now and I'm wondering if you guys here are getting stuff from someone new." Shock leaned forward, "Yeah, I've been buying from a new seller, Asian guy. Not sure if he's Triad for Yakuza but he sells the goods cheaper and more pure than the Akatsuki. I've got no loyalty for the Akatsuki, I'll buy from whoever's selling."

"One more thing, are the drugs transported through electronics or involved with video games at all?" Deidara asked, feeling Emiliana tense. "I dunno, you'll have to ask McDougal." Deidara raised his brows, "McDougal is involved in drug running now? He was always in the weapons department." Shock finished his drink and stood, "Yeah, well the world's changing and I dunno if it's for the better." With a nod, Shock stood, ordered them another round and stomped off to do whatever he wanted.

"Hey, slow down," Deidara warned as Emiliana downed another shot. He didn't know how much more her small form could handle. "I can handle it," she growled slamming down the glass. "Let's go," he said pulling her up. "Hands off, bastard," she slapped his hands away.

Staggering back into the apartment, Deidara kept his arm around Emmie. He was pleasantly buzzed but she was sloshed. Without his arm around her, she would've tipped over into the storm drain. "Leggo, peaked, you're a losherrrr," She slurred. "Ok ok, you get first dibs on the shower remember?" Deidara said. "Whoa, damn. Hang on." He said catching her when she slumped. "Let go! I'm just kinda dizzy I need to sit." She muttered.

"Nope, we're almost there." Deidara quickly unlocked the door and ushered her in. He closed the door and locked the door behind them. Emmie stood, swaying slightly, "This sucks. I wanna go home," she complained. "Bath time, you drunk," He said and picked her up, "Don't you dare puke," he warned and carried her into the bathroom. Setting her down on the edge of the tub, he gave her a clean towel and shut the door.

45 minutes later the water was still running and Emmie didn't come out yet. "Come in Emmie, get out! I got to piss!" Deidara banged on the door. When no reply came he opened the door and found Emiliana sitting on the ground of the shower fully clothed with the water running over her. Her hair tumbled down past her shoulders pooling around her. The white fabric was soaked and translucent, Deidara averted his eyes, "Hey, hey are you ok?" He turned the water off and swept the towel around her shoulders seeing her skin covered in goosebumps.

"I've been thinking," she started, "Yeah?" He asked softly. "You're right I've peaked. I don't have anything to look forward to anymore," she sighed. "Fuck. I didn't mean any of it-" he began guiltily.

"You think that I'm a perfect little princess with a perfect little life and I've never had any problems right?" She accused, "I'm 32. I've reached the top of my game but sometimes I feel like I'm invisible. At night I get so lonely I feel like I'm drowning," Emmie leaned into him. Deidara put his arm around her tentatively, "I'm sorry, Shit. I'm not used to talking to ladies, uh I didn't mean any of it. Please don't cry," he murmured wiping a stray tear away. Emmie cried harder, "Shit, don't cry. Ok, I'll do whatever you want." He said desperately. "Even getting salad for lunch?" Emmie looked up teary eyed. Deidara huffed out a laugh and nodded.

Laying back on the bed, Deidara reflected on Emmie's drunken confession. She was right, he thought someone like her could never be unhappy. Emmie had it all: beauty, brains, a successful career. He closed his eyes, they had a lot more in common than he realized. Deidara sighed, now that he had a peek inside of her soul, he didn't hate Emmie that much anymore, if he even hated her in the first place.

The water ran and after a bit Emmie came out. Deidara watched her closely, "I'm fine. I'm not going to cry," she said and Deidara stood and walked over. "Hey, I'm sorry. I really am." Emmie tucked wet inky strands of hair behind her ears, "It's not just you I'm drunk and stressed and overwhelmed. I just want my brother to be ok." She said tearing up again. "Ok, ok we're gonna work this out. It'll be fine, we're gonna solve this." He said gently.

Emmie threw her arms around him and hugged hard. Shocked, Deidara hesitantly slid his arms around her and rubbed her back in soothing circles. He buried his face into the crook of her neck and breathed in her scent-a warm, gourmand, and spicy perfume. It sent electric thrills in him. She loosened her grip and Deidara took it as his cue to let go and he slid his arms from her reluctantly. "Go to sleep. It'll be better tomorrow," he whispered