As quickly as it had started, the performance was over. With a large showy gesture she poured the last ingredients into the glasses. Only then did Mordecai actually realise that she'd been mixing two different cocktails. One was a fruity purple and the other one had a saucy yellow colour. Moxxi added a last a last squirt and a pinch of shimmering lilac powder to the purple drink and slid it over to the still baffled Vault Hunter.

"You made two cocktails?" He cocked his head. "Or is this some really fancy stuff that has several courses?"

"Now that's an idea I have to try out!" She laughed and picked up the yellow drink. "But no, this one is for me."

"I see." He muttered, not sure whether to be relieved or disappointed

"However," she nodded towards his glass with a meaningful smirk, "I still hope that this one will be only the first of many courses."

"That, dear, will depend solely on this drink."

"Now does it really? I doubt it." Her sly expression remained unchanged. "And how am I doing so far?" she cocked her head.

Mordecai picked up his glass and eyed the roiling concoction. "So far, quite well", he replied, visibly impressed. Slowly he brought the tumbler to his mouth, took a hesitant sip – and almost choked. "Fuck!", he managed to wheeze between grunting coughts.

Moxxi's laughter chimed like golden bells. "What did you expect, fruit juice?", she asked while taking a jaunty mouthful of her own drink.

The vault hunter banged his fist onto the counter, blinking away tears and trying to calm his breath. "I don't- whoa!", he shook his head to throw the double images before his eyes back into position.

After a few calming breaths, he tried again: "I don't know what I expected, but... well, not this." The hunter beamed with amazement and raised the glass again. This time he knew what to expect so the second hit wasn't as hard. Still, it made him suck a sharp breath of air through his teeth.

Mordecai slammed the glass onto the bar, threw his head back and let out a roar of laughter. "This stuff is good!", he boomed, but in a sudden attack of dizziness he almost lost his footing.

"Careful, dear! I wouldn't want to lose you like this", Moxxi called out and quickly grabbed his wrist.

The man carefully placed his hands on the counter until his sense of balance had recovered enough. "I guess I still have to get used that."

"Yea, Eridium sometimes does that too you", the brunette pointed out casually, "Don't worry though, it doesn't last long."

"Eridium, huh?" he raised the glass against the light and eyed the glimmering concoction.

"It gives the cocktail a certain kick, don't you think?"

"Yes, I think the term "kick" describes it pretty well", Mordecai replied with a lopsided grin on his lips and took a third swig. The fourth one only made him twitch a little, the fifth one he could finally take without having to hold on to the counter. He carefully sloshed it around his mouth and savoured the strange drink. "What was this beast's name again?"

"Doesn't really have a name", Moxxi replied while cradling her own glass, "It's not up for sale, you know?"

Mordecai nodded thoughtfully. "I can see why."

"However," that naughty smile crept on her face again, "I like to call it 'Miss Moxxi's Love Juice'"

"Interesting...", he drawled absorbed in thought and sampled the drink again. "And what's it made of, except for Eridium? Because I can taste something really familiar." He opened and closed his mouth a few times and smacked his lips, trying to extract the flavour. "Can't put my finger on it though."

"That's a trade secret, sugar." The bartender winked at him sassily cross the edge of her drink. "But I'm sure you'll work it out."

Mordecai ignored the tease. "You know, I think might have it."

"You do?" the bartender lifted an eyebrow and leaned closer, her chest swaying between her propped up arms

"Yeah, just quickly let me double check", he replied and bent down, put his free hand under her chin and kissed her sweet, glistening mouth.

He felt her heat and her wetness, relished her aroma. He felt her full lips part willingly, their tongues intertwining, fueled by old longings.

But suddenly, Moxxi jerked back, her jaw clenching and almost biting off Mordecai's tongue. She stumbled backward until she bumped into the bottle rack. The hunter watched in utter confusion. He quickly vaulted across the counter to hold her and keep her from stumbling over. "What the hell happened?" In his voice lay serious concern.

Moxxi steadied herself, looked up and shook her head incredulously. Then, she burst into clangorous laughter. "I really had forgotten how strong this stuff is."

"What stuff?", he asked, still bewildered, "Do you mean-", he pointed at his half-empty glass, "That stuff?"

"Yup." She pushed herself away from the shelf.

"You mean if I drink this," he pointed at the glass, "And then..." he pointed at her.

"Kicks like a Goliath without his helmet." She grinned.

"I'm so sorry, my dear. I had-"

"No, don't be! It was just a little... unexpected." She tucked back an unruly strand of hair and then looked at him. She suddenly seemed strangely shy and girlish.

The hunter studied her face, the noble cheekbones accentuated by the powdered, pale skin. The arched, confident eyebrows, the dark and sensual lashes. And those eyes, those glowing emerald eyes... He could lose himself in them.

"As long as it was only the drink..." a familiar smirk appeared on his lips as he slowly reached for his glass. He downed it in one hearty swig, put his left arm around Moxxi, pulled her close and dug his right hand into her chestnut hair before kissing her with all the fervent passion accrued over all those years.

At last, we are getting to the juicy parts in the next chapter!