Chapter 8 – Killing The Urge

"Busy?" It was just after 11 and she'd woken up from yet another nightmare. She needed to go out, her body was buzzing with energy.

"What do you have in mind?"

"I need to kill the urge." She used his words.

He didn't need any more information. Her bloodlust was peeking its ugly head and she needed a distraction. "I'll see you in ten."

"So this is the place?" She looked over the outside of the building. It looked better than the last place they'd gone to.

He nodded. "I know the owner so we don't have to worry about last call." He pulled the door open for her allowing her to pass through first.

Sara looked around this bar was definitely nicer than the last one they'd been to. She wondered why they hadn't come here when Mick and Lisa had been with them.

"It's kind of my place." He explained as if reading her mind.

She nodded. Doing her best not to show her surprise at being brought to his special place. She didn't want to put too much thought into it, right now she just wanted a drink. "It's nice."

He nodded, grateful she'd just gone with it, he didn't want to think about the significance behind bringing her to his special place, it had felt right and that's all that had mattered to him when he'd made the offer. He'd been coming here since he was a kid out of juvie, the owner Robbie had been more of a father to him than his own. "Come on." He place his hand on her lower back leading her to the booth he called his.

"Snart!"A small man with silver hair approached them. "It's been a while, thought maybe they locked you up and threw away the key." He patted Leonard's arm. Sara watched this interaction amazed. Leonard had allowed this man to touch him, he was even smiling. "And who is this beautiful lady? I can see why you haven't come around." He gave Leonard a knowing look.

"I'm Sara." She extended her hand to him.

"Hello Sara, I'm Robert but everyone calls me Robbie." He took her hand in both of his bringing it closer to his face. For a moment she thought he was going to kiss her hand but he surprised her when he let out an approving laugh. "A woman that can fight. You did well for yourself Lenny." He patted Leonard on the shoulder. "Don't let Lenny here give you a hard time, he's as soft as they come."

Sara laughed, the look on Leonard's face was priceless. She thought about correcting Robbie but she was enjoying herself way too much.

Leonard sighed, maybe coming here was a bad idea. "Don't you have drinks to fix Pop?" He glared at him.

"Alright alright. I know when I'm not wanted. It's nice to meet you Sara." He walked back towards the bar to prepare their drinks.

"He didn't ask what we wanted." Sara commented ignoring the look of affection that was currently on Leonard's face, a look she'd only seen him direct towards his sister.

"He has a gift for making you exactly what you need."

Their drinks arrived and she had to admit her drink was on point. She made sure not to drink it all in one sip. "Wow." she set the glass down licking her lips.

"I've been coming here a long time. I was underage the first time but Robbie had taken one look at me and had decided to take me in under his wing. I was an angry kid." He took a sip of his drink. "Robbie taught me to fight, to defend myself. With every lesson I got from him it was one less beating I took at home." He sighed. "No more feelings. How about some shots?"

Sara felt honored that he'd shared this place and more of his story with her but she knew it was her turn to keep the conversation light. "You think you can keep up Crook?" She challenged.

"It's on Assassin."

"Now now." Robbie turned up with a tray of assorted shots. "No bar fights." He gave a pointed look to Leonard.

"I'm not the one you have to worry about Pop, she picks more fights than I do. Pick your poison Assassin."

Sara picked a shot downing it. Leonard was impressed she didn't make a face nor did she follow it with a chaser. He followed her lead taking his own shot. They kept the conversation light after that. "It's okay to say you're done. I can do this all day." She grinned at him after several shots.

Leonard was borderline drunk but there was no way he was going to tell her that. He looked underneath the table then leaned over to her side checking her sitting area.

"What are you doing?" She grinned at the pure look of confusion on his face. Drunk Leonard was kind of adorable. Though she didn't dare saying that out loud. She'd keep that thought to herself. For now.

"I'm. I'm trying to see where you're putting the uh alcohol." His words were beginning to slur. "You're like 100 pounds soaking wet."

She laughed out loud, her hand shot to her mouth to muffle her laughter. She was enjoying drunk Leonard. "I have practice."

"Clearly. You alcoholic." He said this with a smile. He was glad to see her so relaxed.

Sara downed the last two remaining shots claiming victory. "Come on Len you can walk me home. Or is it more like I'll be walking you home." He didn't bother with a verbal response he fixed her with a stare instead.

"Hey Robbie" Sara called out when he passed by. "Can we get the check?"

"Don't worry about it, its been taken care of." He motioned to Leonard who looked at her innocently. Leonard had called him before coming explaining that his friend needed a pick me up. He hadn't needed any further, it wasn't often Leonard called him asking for favors, he was just glad Leonard had someone else on his side. "Make sure my boy gets home in one piece."

"Will do. Thanks Robbie."

"Want to know something?" Leonard asked as they approached the door his face serious.

She gave a hesitant response. "Sure."

"See how there are no hinges on this side of the door?" He waited for her nod. "That means the door swings away from you. Hinges and the door swings towards you." As if to prove himself right he pushed open the door. "Comes in handy when you're being chased."

"I'll keep that in mind." Sara shook her head hiding a smile. Drunk Leonard liked to share escape tips otherwise he wasn't too different from sober Leonard. This was exactly what she'd needed. She'd thank him when he was less intoxicated, on second thought she knew he knew and would probably appreciate not being put in an awkward and sentimental situation.

AN: I like the idea of Leonard having someone influence all the goodness in him, it had to come from somewhere. If you didn't know this about hinges now you do. It comes in handy with firefighting and it's so dark you can't see your hand in front of her your face.