AN: I recommend playing Closing time by Semi-sonic when you get to Lockon and Sumeragi, there's a link on my profile to the song.

Enjoy!!!

CLOSING TIME

After the meeting Lockon knocked softly on Sumeragi's door, there was no answer. Curious he opened the door only to be greeted by an empty room and a short note that lay on the bed.

I'm sorry Neil, I just can't go back.

-Leesa

He was disappointed but it's not like he didn't expect a note and a dash after a meeting like that. He also congratulated himself for picking this particular hideout, knowing there was only one bar around herefor miles. Guess it's time to check up on uncle Flynn he thought to himself as he grabbed his leather jacket and headed for the car.

Meanwhile aboard Ptolemy, Lasse and Ian watched from the observation deck as Tieria took to instructing Lyle on land manoeuvres.

"If this keeps up we might lose a Meister" Ian remarked as Lyle backed Cherudim into a supply closet while Tieria yelled at him from below.

"You mean 2 Meisters" Lasse replied as they watched the two in question bicker.

"Are you sure you didn't want to be its pilot?" Ian asked as Lyle knocked over a storage crate.

"I've never piloted a Gundam, I would be no better than him. Besides Lockon wants Lyle to pilot it and that's final."

Ian shook his head at the mention of the lead Meister.

"I'm guessing your proposal of the Almagest didn't go to well?" Lasse added

"He'll come around, I know Lockon he wouldn't miss the opportunity of firing a new gun" He said hopeful.

Lyle powered off his Gundam and popped the hatch before reigniting his battle with Tieria.

Ian shook his head as they watched "Let's just hope he comes to his senses soon"

A semi trailer pulled up to the only bar within miles of city limits, Flynn McCue's looked like a true Irish pub. A nice pier and the vast ocean created a perfect backdrop to the place.

"This looks like the place."

"You sure, miss?" Asked the friendly potbellied truck driver.

Sumeragi had no clue as to where to go from this point onwards but a bar to her was like a second home.

"I am. Thank you for the ride." With a final wave she strolled into the front entrance. Behind the bar doors a culture of beer guzzlers and roughnecks were hidden from daylight. The stained glass windows prevented the light from seeping in and entrapped everyone to their own shadows which suited her just fine.

Sumeragi took a stool near the edge of the counter. She observed 3 men who appeared to be regulars seated a few seats away from her to the left, while 1 drinker was seated to her right. In the background she could hear a horse race being commented on the TV as the group of men that surrounded it continued their game of pool.

A warm fatherly man behind the counter approached her.

"Hello my dear, what can I get you today?"

"Scotch on the rocks"

He was back in an instant with the scotch before extending a hand

"Nicholas Flynn, owner and barkeep. What's your name hon? Don't see you around here often."

Names were a top level secret, but she was no longer a part of Celestial Being so she thought what the heck, "Leesa Kujo, thanks for the drink, and it's nice to meet you."

"Likewise, shout if you need anything." He instructed before pointing to the woman at the far end, taking the order of the lone drinker. "That's my wife Melody over there, she can also help you."

She nodded her thanks as he walked away. Flynn did not approve of beautiful women drinking away their sorrows, but she looked like she really needed one and so he kept an eye on her.

Leesa was on her fourth drink by evening. The three regulars took over the game of pool as the previous players came to surround the lone drinker. She found it odd that they all looked familiar but she just couldn't place them.

"Everything alright Leesa?" The concerned voice of Melody took her out of her thoughts.

"I'm fine, thanks." She replied with the best smile she could muster

"How can you be fine with nothing but that booze in your stomach?" She placed a steaming plate of shepard's pie in front of her, "Homemade shepard's pie, on the house." She said almost motherly like.

Leesa smiled, she didn't even realize how hungry she was until the steaming plate in front of her invaded her senses.

"Thank you Melody"

The elderly woman beamed before walking away to attend to more chores.

As Leesa ate, her thoughts were on Neil. She hated to leave him there but what could she do? There was no way she was going back to Celestial Being, and she knew that's where she'd end up eventually if she stayed with him.

Hours latera muscle bound man in his early thirties walked in. He was followed by a slightly leaner muscular man. Both wore the same uniform of Black T-shirts and Jeans. He stepped up to Melody and gave her a peck on the cheek before patting Flynn on the back. Sumeragi picked up the words, mom, dad and Paul.

From what she could discern the Flynn's had just traded shifts with their son Paul and his friend for the night. Melody and Flynn waved a last goodbye to Leesa as they left for the night.

Paul walked over to the woman who caught his parent's attention and introduced himself by extending a hand, "Hi, Paul Flynn. That's my co-worker Miguel."

He was pretty good looking up close she thought to herself as she grasped his firm hand and introduced herself.

"So what's a nice girl like you doing in a place like this?" He asked as he started wiping some mugs.

"Just trying to get away from my troubles..." she replied vaguely.

He smiled at that. "Well, Leesa, you've come to the right place"

Shortly after a regular signalled for a drink, seeing how Miguel was busy he excused himself and went over to the regulars.

Suddenly the lone drinker stood up as his pals parted away, letting him move closer to her.

"Leesa Kujo, I knew I recognized you from somewhere." She was about to dismiss him as a tired drunk, but as she looked up and good a good look at him it finally clicked.

"Anton!" She said surprised. She did not recognize him earlier due to the new salt and pepper beard he was growing.

"Hey fellas come here, it's her" and the other 5 dishevelled men of Billy's ex-guard came closer to her. She looked to Paul and Miguel but both were busy with other customers.

"Because we lost you, the boss fired all of us...but if we phone him now he may take us back." He turned to his drunken team and they all cheered.

Miguel who was closest to the group looked up and noticed the scene, with that he slowly slipped a hand under the counter.

"...But wait, why should the boss enjoy a nice piece of ass like yours?" He leaned in close enough for her to smell the alcohol on his breath.

More cheers erupted from the group when Paul's voice reached their ears.

"Alright fellas now I think you've had enough." At the same moment Miguel appeared beside Sumeragi with a shotgun aimed at Anton's head. "Now step away from the girl"

Sumeragi looked between Anton and Paul when she caught a dark figure behind the latter.

"Paul look out!" but her warning was too late as the figure attacked Paul from behind, starting a fist fight. Miguel got distracted and with that Anton's men jumped him and started another fight.

The two bartenders' were no match for the experienced team of guards and were getting pummelled. Leesa turned to Anton and pleaded "Look I'll go with you just stop hurting them"

Anton looked down to her before roughly grabbing her arm and leading her towards the door.

"You're right, we don't need to be here, we'll have a good time just you and me." The drunken guard laughed as he started to grope her, his hand running up her body.

They were almost out the door when it suddenly flew open and an accompanying fist connected with Anton's face. The guard doubled over to the floor as a very pissed off Neil Dylandy kicked him in the face before he could stand again.

The other guards saw what happened and made a run for Neil, but he quickly took out his pistol and capped a fewknees in quick succession. The five were now writhing on the floor in agony as he started to speak.

"All of you get the hell away from here. And never come back."

They didn't need to be told twice as those who could walk scurried away carrying their wounded comrades and unconscious leader.

Neil did not relax until the start up of their engines was no longer heard. With that he turned his attention to Sumeragi.

"Leesa are you okay? Did they hurt you?" He asked, his voice laced with worry as he gently grasped her arm.

"I'm fine but they-" she pointed to Paul and Miguel and was interrupted by Paul's cheer.

"Neil Dylandy?" The barkeep's son pried himself off the floor, sporting nothing too serious other than a number of bruises and a broken nose. Paul stopped to help Miguel up but his eyes never left Neil.

"Long time no see Paul."

Once Miguel was on a seat Paul walked up and embraced his adoptive brother.

"Man look at you" He said sizing him up, "Where've you been man? And what happened to your eye? Flynn and Melody will worry about you like crazy. How's Lyle?"

"Wait! You two know each other?" Sumeragi asked curious. Neil started to explain but questions streamed out of the barkeep faster than he could process. Duty overcame the young bartender as he looked around the pub.

"Look stay for a while, we'll all catch up. Let me get everyone back under control" he said looking around the bar at all the people that were still ducked for cover. Miguel started helping others out of cover.

Neil led Leesa to take a seat on the bar stool as Paul walked away to help the patrons.

"Are you sure you're okay?" He asked again running a hand down the arm where Anton had grabbed her.

"I'm fine" she smiled weakly, "I'm just glad you're here" she reached out to touch his cheek as he looked to her. "Thank you"

"Who was that guy?"

Her hand fell to the counter as she answered, "One of Billy's guys, turns out he fired them after our escape?"

"He was drunk out of his mind" He said angrily.

"Worried were you?" She teased "Well there's no need, Anton was way too drunk to do anything."

Some of the patrons were leaving while a good portion took seats by the lounge and started discussing what was going to be known around town by morning.

Paul came over to Neil and Leesa and set down two glasses of whiskey before taking a seat on the other side of the counter.

"Thought we could use a bit of the good stuff tonight." He said, before pushing the glasses to both of them. "Alright Dylandy start talking?"

"I guess I better explain us to Leesa first." He said looking to her as she nodded in agreement. "After my parents died Flynn and Melody took Lyle and myself in. Paul's like a brother to me and Flynn is my uncle on my mother's side."

She listened attentively as both men recounted some highlights of their days growing up together, clearly enjoying the good company.

Neil and Sumeragi managed to convince Paul that the eye patch was needed to relieve a case of double vision. Seeing how neither of them could really explain that he had no eye. They also fabricated a story of how they were co-workers out on a weekend retreat before they had to go back to work; at least that last part was almost true.

"Well it looks like your shooting skills are still top-notch. Double vision or not, Dad's gonna be proud that you're still a good marksman."

After some time spent talking the bar picked up again as more patrons entered all wanting to hear a recount of the night's events. Paul left the couple alone as he went to help Miguel.

"That was a good cover" he said smiling as he turned to her

"Yeah the best we can give him for now." She replied before taking another drink.

Once he was satisfied that she was alright he decided to give her some room.

"Well don't stay up too late. We're gonna need all the tactics we can get for tomorrow, just in case." He said half joking about the way she had handled the situation with Ptolemy earlier.

Leesa laughed at that, "You know I could stay up all night and still have the tactics to kick ass. Join me for a drink, Neil?"

"Well I don't know...I think I've had enough. When I was in highschool alcohol got me in trouble. But you'll probably hear all about it from Paul."

She was slightly drunk now. All of the day's alcohol was starting to get to her as she took his arm and pulled him to sit beside her. "I'd rather hear it from you. Besides alcohol got me in trouble too, but never stopped me though. You can't let those people take away the best you life, Lockon. Like they say, live a little."

She was reverting back into Celestial Being mode, just like during those many nights they spent talking in the cafeteria. Miguel came and refilled their rounds as they continued. Amused, Lockon stayed seated, curious about her past.

"What happened to you in high school?"

"Pretty much the same as now. Minus the shooting, planning, almost dying, everyday. Well, unless you count shooting glares at those with unpure thoughts, planning the assassinations of my teachers and dying under piles of homework."

They both had a good laugh at that.

"And you? What could you have done that would get you in trouble? You don't seem like the bad boy type to me?" She teased.

He smiled fondly, the alcohol was getting to him as well since he spoke without thinking.

"I got a girl pregnant." He took another gulp of his drink not daring to meet her gaze.

Sumeragi looked down in silence for a while, she knew no one was perfect
and in her eyes he was no exception, but neither was she. They were both
perfect in their imperfection she thought to herself. After emptying her cup, she swayed in her seat a little before muttering,

"Damn lucky girl."

This took Lockon by surprise. She never ceased to amaze him, and her recent comment just knocked him out of the park.

"Woah" He exclaimed laughing "I think you've had enough" With that he stood to support her.

Yet Sumeragi was hell bent on not leaving the comfort of a bar tonight, "Let me go. Sit down Neil, I'll have had enough when I say. You never know what'll happen tomorrow, today could be the last, it'd be a shame to go without drinking life to the full. You too, drink some more."

He realized that the stress of the day was starting to wear on her and so he gathered up as much sobriety as he had left in him and kept on supporting her as she stood.

"That's really not a good idea."

Yet she surprised him for the second time that night by pushing him down to his seat, "I said sit! I don't want to have to make this an order Lockon. 3 more drinks, what do you say?"

Realizing she was back into tactical commander mode he succumbed to her demands.

"I'll drink if you sit too."

Happy that she'd won Sumeragi took her seat as well as another swig of beer.

"So tell me more about that girl?"

"The damn lucky one?" He asked smiling.

"That exact one." She grinned back, happy to see him laid back for a change, "How, how'd it start?"

He took another swig before recalling his first girlfriend, "We met and dated in highschool. In our final year we slept together during our homecoming."

"Sounds sweet." She said, being supportive "Then what happened? Is that why she left?"

Lockon was halfway to being hammered so he laughed before he took another drink "left, she left alright. She left the world when she died in a car accident." Even though months after her death it was determined he was not the father he always felt guilty for how she left the world.

Sumeragi shook her head, "I stand firm on my point still a damn lucky girl. Luckier than I was anyway."

"What happened to you?" He asked downing his glass.

"Well I tell ya people stare, they all stare like animals. They want to own your body but they could care less about your heart. I had to find that out the hard way, the damn bastard." She said recounting her first high school love and her first heartbreak.

Lockon was now leaning on an elbow as he studied her seriously before saying, "Give me a name and he's dead."

That was unexpected she thought smiling.

"That's sweet of you Lockon. I'll be sure to remember that. It's a promise."

"You bet" He smiled back and winked. As she continued,

"Have to say it was partly my fault too, being too damn naive. And then I got furious...had a record for violence at my school. All for good reasons mind you."

"What reasons would those be?"

"Let's just say that by the time I was done with that school, all the wild beasts have either been tamed, or left the woods."

"Sumeragi the beastmaster. So that's why you're so good at controlling us." He teased

"That's right pet. All brilliant stratagems have to come from somewhere." She joked back, as she checked her wallet "Damn I can't believe I drank all my cash away."

"Well I guess all good things come to an end."

"Aren't you the slightest bit drunk at all?" She wondered glancing up at him in curiosity.

"What's that, might the great Sumeragi Lee Noriega have a lower tolerance for alcohol than another human being?"

"Shut up...I've been drinking longer." She said laughing, "I could outlast you, I'm sure..."

Lockon took out his wallet and laid some cash on the table, "Now what type of gentleman would I be if I didn't pay for a lady"

"That's the spirit! Today I thank god for thee, Lockon Stratos. It's a shame I didn't meet you in highschool."

"Yes it is, but I guess you'll have to settle for the grown up version now, won't you" He said more than a little wasted now.

She raised an eyebrow at his implications "Lockon?" before laughing "good one, as if I could..."

"Am I not good enough Sumeragi-san?" He asked a bit disappointed.

"Not good enough?" She reached out and patted his cheek. "Lockon you're too good, and even as equals, geez, what the heck...I've passed out again haven't I? Am I dreaming?"

The feel of her hand on his cheek brought him unimaginable bliss. He didn't want her to let go and so he laid his own atop hers.

"No dream just two equals enjoying a drink."

"Damn it! I knew this was a dream..." She slumped on the table before mumbling "Not the first one..."

Now a bit concerned he tried again, "Um...Sumeragi-san I'm still here."

"Persistent aren't you?" She looks up. "Drinking is awesome, if only for the reason that I get to dream like this."

"Okay, now we've gotta stop" With that he stood up and offered a hand to her. "Come on we're leaving"

"What?" she sighed, accepting his hand. "Where are we going?"

"Nowhere in particular just need to get you away from the booze for a while."

"Whoa hold up... I'm not dreaming. Otherwise I'd be hearing something different at this point. Lockon?"

"What? What would you have me say?" He asked as he steadied her once again.

"You're actually here...wait, then what you said..." She looked up at him with the expression of realization, "this has gotten way out of hand. You um, heard what I said about dreaming...?"

"Yeah I did, but don't worry your secret's safe with me." He smiled as she turned really really red and fumbled for words.

"umm...uh...I ah...ahem. um. So um...now what?"

"Come on let's take a walk, neither of us can drive and I can't leave you alone." He stopped suddenly and steadied himself by the table as the alcohol worked its magic.

"Are we going back to the..." She grabbed Lockon to steady herself, "...to the cabin?"

Once he was more coordinated he secured an arm around her waist. "Do you want to? I'd really rather just breathe some fresh air"

"Usually I'd say this is a bad idea, but heck, we're both drunk." She put an arm around him in return "let's walk...as equals, none of this superior hierarchy crap."

"Sounds good to me." Lockon replied as he waved a goodbye to Paul and Miguel.

They walked out onto the pier. The night air was cold and the beach was deserted save for some seagulls that walked the boardwalk. After some time Lockon spoke up.

"Say you never did tell me, what was the other guy's name? Are you afraid I'll kill him too quickly?"

She laughed at that, "It would be too good for him. His name is Gabe Loweman I checked in on him a couple years ago, he hasn't changed. Still out everyday, lives, drinks, breathes women. Except now he's draggin a wife and a kid with him. I so wanted to stick a gun in his face... but I couldn't."

Noticing her change in mood he stopped their walk and turned to face her. "Hey, I think you deserve way better than that bastard."

"You're one of the few..." she starts but changes her mind, "After um, *clears throat* him, most people wouldn't even come near me. Cost me what few friends I had and earned me the reputation of a slut. Billy only started talking to me a few months after. Truth to be told, I don't blame those people, from the outside...that's probably what it looked like." She looked out into the ocean before adding, "Even now I'm still drinking. I hardly deserve better-"

Some primal instinct had come over Lockon and suddenly he leaned in and kissed her fully. The kiss was soft sweet and unexpected. His lips were like chocolate that made her melt into him and forget her worries. Both were on cloud nine when just as suddenly as it began Sumeragi found the courage to step away.

"We're both drunk, Lockon. This is hardly right." She exclaimed, surprised by his sudden action.

Some of the senses that left him briefly came back as he looked at her, "Um...look I'm sorry it's just...I don't like seeing you so sad. I'm sorry if I've actually upset you more." He added for lack of better words.

"No, no, it's not that..." She breathed trying to get the desire he'd awoken in her back under control "...just, why?"

"Well...I really like you" He said stepping closer. "You don't hide behind false pretences. You're real, strong, courageous and beautiful. Who wouldn't like you?"

"What if everything you see is a false pretence? I left Celestial Being, I've even left you..."

"You were going through a hard time," He said reaching out to tenderly move a hair away from her face. "And before that you thought we died and you blamed yourself."

"Some of you did die." She whispered turning away from his touch.

"That was not your fault we all know the risk of war, at the end of the day casualties happen. They will be avenged that's for sure." He added, at the remembrance of his dead comrades.

"I'm not an idealist, I know that. But I can't help but think that bad things tend to happen to people around me. I wasn't careful enough back then, if I was none of this would've happened. One day that casualty might be you, Lockon."

"Hey, come here" He stepped closer and took her into his arms. "Whatever happens or does not happen to me is not your fault. I'm a soldier and when push comes to shove I get shoved."

"And if you expect me to just sit there in the commander's seat watching you get shoved you're wrong. I won't let anyone else die anymore, especially you Lockon." She said as she let herself cuddled into his shoulder.

"I'm touched" Lockon replied smiling

"We'll win a real victory tomorrow Lockon."

"Hmmm....I don't know if I can wait that long. I'd rather win the battle I'm fighting now."

"You already did." With that she leaned in to kiss him.

A/N: So the offer of being named after a character still stands. The first to tell me what the Almagest has to do with Ptolemy is in.

That's right folks that line was a Killzone: Liberation reference, you know which line I'm talking about. In case your wondering B/N stands for Beta's notice.

B/N: I played only Killzone2 so I have no frigin' idea. I'm sure everybody else also doesn't. So write it anyway.