A VEGAS LIFE
Disclaimer: Do not own any of the characters mentioned in the story below, except for Ashley Johnson, as she is my
creation.
Possible spoilers for all episodes...
Rated M for sexual content and harsh language.
Summary: A new quest arrivals, which means a lot of tension for Ashley and the rest of the crew. Then, some unexpected
things happen and it forces them to make some decisions.
Alternative Universe:I made a few changes, main change is that Ed and Jillian are no longer married, they have been divorced for a
year now.
Please r&r!
Chapter 2 - The Thruth
Ashley followed Ed to his office. She silently cursed him, but most of all herself. If she would have just kept her mouth shut about Mr O'Shea, then Ed wouldn't have heard anything and all of this would not be happening right now.
But she hadn't kept her mouth shut. She wondered why Ed had burst out on her like that. It's not like he was always so nice and polite. He liked a joke, more than one. On the right occasions of course. And this was one of the right occassions. Mr O'Shea was in no position to have heard something and she knew she could trust her friends for not go running to him and tell him all about it. So what was the big deal right?
Ed walked into his office, holding the door open for her. She closed it behind her and sat down in one of the chairs.
"Wanna tell me what that was all about?", Ed started.
Ashley took a moment to gather her thoughts, then started talking.
"What that was all about? You know what it was all about. It was just a joke Ed".
"Just a joke? You call that a joke? Sedating someone and then shipping him of doesn't really sound like a joke to me", he said, his face deadly serious.
Ashley started to get angry. She couldn't believe this was actually happening. She didn't understand why Ed made such a big deal out of her joke, and she was planning on telling him that.
"But that's all it was. A fucking joke. Nothing more".
"I don't buy it Ashley. Now try again and tell me the truth this time", Ed replied.
"Fine! You want the truth? I'll give you the truth!".
Ashley stood up and started pacing around the office. Her breath was unsteady, her eyes flared with anger.
"It's time you see the truth Ed. The truth about Mr O'Shea. He might be a wealthy prick, but to me he's nothing more than a oversexed animal, who doesn't understand a fucking thing, even if it hits him right in the face. He's blind to everything around him, if it doesn't concern him. He wants whatever he can't have, but won't see it. He believes that money can buy anything and that everything he sees and wants is for sale. Including yours truly."
She took a deep breath before she continued.
"And I'm sick of that. I'm so sick of that, that sedating him and shipping him of didn't sound like a joke to me. It sounded more like my number one wish. Something that would make me really happy. And if that makes me a bitch, than so be it.Deal with it".
"Deal with it? That's your advice? You are being rude to one of my best clients and I need to deal with it?", Ed said, his voice giving away that he still hadn't see the problem.
"Damn it Ed! Would you open your eyes already! Don't you think there's a reason for the fact that I always try and hide from him. That I always have an excuse for not meeting him, not having diner with him?", Ashley said, her voice almost yelling.
"Cause if you don't see it, then I'm pretty most talking to myself here".
She looked at him. Desperation had filled her eyes and she was on the verge of crying. She tried to stay strong, but the more she tried, the more it seemed like she was fighting a brick wall.
Ed stood up and walked towards her. He gently put his hand on her left arm and turned her around so she was facing him.
His tumb lifted up her chin so they were eye to eye. His hand softly cupped her cheek. His eyes penetrated hers as he started talking.
"What are you so afraid of Ash? Tell me, just tell me", Ed pleaded.
She sighed deeply. She swallowed the lump in her troath before she replied.
"I'm afraid of what it will lead to. Not the diners itself, not the drinks on the house. But after that. What happens when we're done eating? What happens when we're out of drinks? What will happen when he gets drunk? Will he touch me, will he grope me? Will he do everything he promised me he would do? I can't take that risk Ed. I won't".
She cried now, leaning into his touch. He wrapped both of his arms around her as she broke down completely. The sobs were ravaging through her body, her tears were almost unable to stop.
After a little while she swallowed a few times. She took deep breaths to get herself back together. She wiped away her tears furiously. She sighed. She looked at Ed.He didn't say anything, but his eyes were dark, filled with anger. She knew he had a pretty good idea of what O'Shea promised her he would do. The thought of what Ed might do about that, scared her a little.
She also knew she had to get it out in the open with. She couldn't bare that burden anymore. Not by herself. Not any longer.
She took a deep breath.
"He promised me that before he would have to leave, he and I would have shared his bedroom in all the ways he could possibly think of. Whether I wanted it or not. Whether I would cooperate or not.".
She paused. Feeling like she was together again, she continued.
"It's not like I'm scared of every man that comes around here. I'm not. It's just that those man don't imply that they are willing to rape me, just to get what they want. Or at least they are not so out in the open with it. The men that I meet are nice, polite and care only about the gambling. Not about me or the hosts I asign to them. They know that this is a casino, not Hooters."
She looked at Ed. He still seemed very angry. So angry he almost seemed dangerous. She made her way to him, taking his hands into hers. She looked in his eyes.
"It's just the way he acts around me. The vibe I get when I'm around him. The way he looks at me. The way his eyes turn dark and flare with anger, everytime I turn him down. With or without real excuses. Even though he says he understands, his eyes betray him. Telling a different story. I don't know him very well, but the very thought of him, doing what he promised, makes me sick.", She spit out her last words.
"And there would be no greater gift to me, if I would never see him again. But I know that's impossible. I also know he's one of the best clients we have and that we can't afford losing him. I just needed, wanted, you to know what I know. How I feel and what he makes me feel. As long as I know that you're watching me when I'm with him, I'm ok. As long as I know, that you would be downstairs, the second he tries someting, I'm good. I need to know Ed. I need to know that you understand what he is like.
That you don't see him as just a quest, but also as a possible target. I just needed you to know the truth."
She got herself totally together now. Her breath was normal and the flames in her eyes had disseapeared. She looked at Ed again.
His eyes were still dark, flaring.
"Promise me you won't do anything stupid Ed? Please?"
He looked at her. She could see he's was proud of her. He wouldn't have to say it.
"I promise", he replied, looking her in the eye.
"Good, that's good. I'm going back to work now".
She gave him a quick hug, before she turned around and made her way to the door.
"You know, you look a little like him when you're eyes are so dark and flaring", she said, continuing walking.
"Yeah? Are you scared of me too?", he asked surprised.
"Yeah, but no. I ain't scared. You only turn me on when you like that.". She winked at him.
And with that she left alone.
To be continued!
No dance in this chapter. Turned out to be longer than I thought. But I promise. Next chapter will be one of love, dancing
and unsuspected things...
Please R&R!