Scout hopped out of his bed, rubbing his aching head. He barely remembered anything as he felt the pain overflowing his head like milk in a bowl. He knew this feeling. A fricking hangover. His eyes scanned the room and found a folded note. A quick unfold and a read later he realized what had happened. ''Hey, bro, seems you couldn't handle your drink. Brought you home.'' One of his older brothers convinced him to go drinking. The day before the date! He rolled out of the bed and stumbled into the bathroom, peering at the reflection in the mirror. ''Goddamnit, you look horrible, Benji..'' He lets out a deep sigh and scratched his cheek, feeling the stubble of a five o'clock shadow. He got up a bottle of shavecream and a razor, lazily starting to shave himself.
Brothers, bloody useless. All seven of them. Bunch of idiots. Carmine, Anthony, Clayton.. The whole group! It's not like his mother were any better. Gah, sweetest person on earth with the worst way of picking guys. First dad, and then.. then that weirdo-suited guy.. It's like all intelligence in the family went to his genes. That's why he's the one with the multimillion dollar job, while Carmine and Anthony's working at the frickin' family-restaurant! He lets out an angry grunt, stroking his hand over his now perfectly clean chin. He's going to prove the whole family wrong.
Miss Pauling pulled the covers of herself and her skinny white legs shivered, by the sudden cold embracing her skin. She rose from her sleep and grabbed her glasses from her nightstand. She gruntingly rubbed the back of her head, stretched her arms out and stood up. She dragged herself with weary steps through her appartment, towards that damned kitchen. With eyes glued shut from sleep, she reached for some coffeebeans and poured them clumpsily into her coffeemaker. She walked into the livingroom, being greeted by her two cats that raced towards her to make sure she was aware of their endless love for their human. She patted their heads and walked back to get her a cup of coffee.
She immidiatley felt much, much, better the moment that darkbrown brew glided down her troath. Her thoughts became much clearer and her sleepy-feeling dissappeared.
Now, time to set things straight. It was her first saturday off in awhile and it was time to do some things. "How about the Theater?" she asked her silver tabby cat, who was just rubbing it's head against her ankles. "Hmmm... No.. Maybe I should go to the library.." She picked her silver tabby from the ground and held it close to her chest. The feline purred and pressed his head against it's owner's neck. She put the purring feline down and walked towards her purse. She flipped her agenda out to see if she had any appointments. When she read his name in her hasty scribble, it all came back. "Goddammit." She cursed out loud.
Scout flung his wardrobe open. Argh, so much blue stuff. Frickin' dresscodes. He never really liked blue. He was more of a green kinda-guy. He took out the nicest shirt he could find, peering it over. ''The Rolling Stones''. No. He pulled another one out. ''The Beach Boys''. Ah, screw them. He pulled another one out. A plain, blue t-shirt. ''It's not like I usually wear these.. Atleast I had sense to buy a dozen of them. He threw the shirt on the bed and continued rummaging around in the wardrobe, pulling out a pair of jeans. Nothing too tight, just if.. nothing to loose, he's not one of those.. He cut off his train of thought. No racism tonight. A pair of white socks were added to the pile of clothes too, before he pulled his jeans on, strapping his belt tight enough to not sag. He looked into the bathroom, seeing his own reflection. He couldn't help but to flex his muscles. ''Not bad..'' Scout grinned and slipped his shirt on aswell, then getting his socks on. He springs up to his feet and opens the window, taking a deep breath of the Boston air and peering around. Snow had started to fall, it was mid-fall.
He didn't get to enjoy the sight too much though, as a snowball came flying his way and barely missed him, flying in and landing on his bed. He glared down to find the culprit and saw the oldest brother of the back, Clayton, waving up at him with a grin that only his family could do. ''I told ya not ta frickin' do dat!'' Scout screamed down. ''Shuddup, 'Benji'.'' the older brother shouted up. After a brief moment of silence, Scout burst out again. ''Whaddya want anyway?'' ''Christmas shopping! We have ta start early or we ain't geddin' any of da fancy stuff, yaknow?'' Scout grunted. ''I'll be rite down.''
She leaned with her head against her wardrobedoor and looked down to the pile of clothing on her bed. She casually sipped her coffee and walked around in some old pants, covered in paint from the day she decided to paint her own appartement. She had three options for tonight; A purple dress with lace borders, a Purple dress with a subtle black belt, or go naked... Though one.
Not only that, isn't this too fancy? What if they go to a smokey bar and she's wearing something fancy? Or the opposite? He takes her to a fancy French restaurant and she's wearing her Elton John-shirt. The drudgery.
She left her clothing on the bed to return to the kitchen for another cup of coffee. "why am I even doing this?" she asked herself. She knew well enough the dangers that hold those mercenaries, the bloody mess they can cause on the battlefield, and not to mention outside the battlefield. She could easily be stripped of her career and life.. yet.. Scout is such a handsome fellah! She giggled to herself like a french schoolgirl. She always had a soft spot for the young man, everytime she was in the room with the Admin, who was watching the battle, she silently cheered for Scout. He was just, this kind of man who would run headfirst into trouble and solve it with a bloody beating. She wasn't the type of 'do it, think later.' Her entire life she has been pointing, thinking and marking everything out, so it was clear and out in the open. Yet, the reckless kind of men always attracted her. She just had a soft spot for 'Bad Boys'. And like her late Australian Grandmother used to say, when she sat near the fire and stroked her blonde moustache: 'Paulina, Darling, if you fall in love with a man, always remember that they're like kangeroos.'
She never knew what she ment with that, maybe she needed to complete the sentence, or she was just on her daily drugdose... or her Australian heritage that just played up. Who will know?
Scout and Clay walked down the street, Scout wearing his usual baseball cap and the clothes picked out. Ofcourse with an added jacket. Boston's not the hottest place around during winters. ''So, what does ma want this year?'' ''Eh, let's get her some new dresses like usual. Let's get a suit for André aswell.'' Scout stopped dead in his tracks, looking at Clay like he was insane. ''Wait, wait, wait, we buyin' presents for dat douche?'' Clay shrugged carelessly ''Might aswell, ma likes him.'' ''Un-frickin'-believable.'' The pair continued to go down the street, taking a few turns. ''So, we headin' to da mall, den?'' Clay nodded in response as they turned once more and walked into the big mall. All of Scout's senses were overwhelmed. Women's perfume. ''Damnit, seems the stream o' fat ladies got befo' us.'' Both of the brothers sighed and proceeded to go deeper into the mall. ''Arrite, so you buy dem clothes for ''ANDREY'' and I'll take care of 'em for ma, deal, Clay?'' The older brother nodded and headed off to a men's store. Scout slowly turned and looked in awe at the women's store behind him. ''Hot damn..''
He slowly walked in and peered around. ''Underwear.. underwear.. underwear.. Ooh, nice shirt.. underwear.. there we go, dresses!'' He swaggered into the dress-apartment and picked out a few flowery ones. Ma will love those. He walked up to the register, but luck proved not to be on his side. A fat lady right infront of him. And the line was already long enough. ''I dun' have ta watch her backtitties... dis is insane.'' The behemoth woman turned around. Scout was petrified at the sheer force of ugly in her eyes. ''WHAT DID YOU SAY, YOUNG MAN?'' Scout tugged at the collar of his t-shirt. ''Uh, nuthin', ma'am. I was jus' coughing..'' The gargantuan female turned around again with a huff. The minutes started feeling like hours as the line slowly progressed. Until, it was only the girl infront of the slab of meat and him. ''It's time, Benji..'' he thought to himself and tapped the meatmountain on the shoulder. She turned around and Scout neatly cut infront of her in the line. Now he could just pray for her not to notice him. But alas, disaster struck again. The big lady grabbed his shoulder and spun him around. ''YOU CUT INFRONT OF ME! GET RIGHT BEHIND ME NOW!'' Scout looked around as the whole store was watching. He could see some boyfriends forced in by their girlfriends. He had to impress. ''Well, I would get rite behind ya, but my car's only got half a tank!'' All the males in the vicinity started giggling like idiots. The fat lady, infuriated, threw her to-be-clothes onto the ground and stormed out of the store. ''Sweet'' he murmured out and turned around, putting ma's presents on the register, paying and getting the hell out.
The phone rang. She reached out to pick up the black phonehorn and held it against her ear, locked between her face and shoulder. "Hello, Pauling here."
"Paulina! It's Jenny!"
"Oh, Hey Jenny." She greeted her friend.
"So, I was wondering if you wanted to go out tonight, see a movie or something?"
"Oh..." She pulled her nose up in a grimace and threw a sideway-look at her clock hanging on her wall. "I can't."
"Oh, Do you already have plans?" She heard the tease in her voice.
"Yes, I do. A .. Date? I guess."
"You guess? Oh, Paulina, Sweetie. You're so helpless! Tell me who's the bloke?" Jenny giggled loudly.
"Oh, It's nobody. Some guy from work."
"Well, Where are you two going?" Jenny asked greedy for details.
"I don't know."
"Oh, is he going to pick you up?" Her enthousiasm slightly decreased.
"Uhm, no. I think I'll have to drive."
Jenny stayed silent on the other end of the phone. "Jenny?"
"You dooooo know how he looks like? I mean, that he isn't some freak that wants to do experiments on you in his mom's basement?"
"Yeaaaaaa.. I'm going to leave you, Jenny? Alright?" and before she could even hear Jenny's response she dropped the call. Not in the mood for that nonsense right now.
She returned to stare blankly at her clothing selection. "Oh nevermind! Let's just go with this!" She threw everything back and kept her plain purple dress on the bed. It will have to do. She stroke her fingers through her greasy black hair and decided it was best to have a wash before meeting up with Scout.
Scout peered around the mass of people, looking for Clay. He walked rashly off, his head aching by the smell of fatties drenched in women's perfume. ''Why do they never learn that perfume doesn't cover B-O?'' he mumbled out as he turned around. He stopped and looked around, a deep sigh escaping his mouth as he saw a jewelry store infront of him. Time to prove to ma who the best son is. He took determined steps into the glittery interior of the store, stopping one of the clerks. '' 'ey, pally, where do ya keep ya earrin's? I want the most expensive of the lot.'' Scout said proudly, the clerk showing the way for him and pointed him to a pair of earrings. ''Wow.. I'm no woman, but dat's some damn nice earrin's.. I'll take 'em!'' After a few moments of paying up and seeing the amazed clerk's eyes as he pulled out all the money from his wallet, he felt life was pretty good. Bah, Clay can find his own way home. Scout turned to the closest exit and ventured out to find his way home. Damnit, it was getting freezing in Boston. He took another turn and walked past a dark alley, but the soft thuds of kicking against flesh took his attention before he could walk past it fully. Scout turned and peered into the alley, and saw a couple of older men, about 30-40 in age each, surrounding and kicking a man, smaller then Scout, on the ground. He recognized the kicked man's voice. It was his brother Fred!
He felt the rage inside him build, not a stranger to being that situtation himself. He took a few steps into the alley, and shouted ''HEY! KNUCKLEHEADS!''. All the men turned their heads and grinned at the slightly smaller man, the men now walking up to him. ''Oh, you think you're such a hero now, don't you? I think it's time to give you a lesson, boy..'' Scout reached into his jacket and pulled out a gun, pointing it directly at the leaders face. ''Yeah, knuckle'ead. Lesson one, don't. Fuck. With the Cooper family.'' He said firmly, slowly lowering his gun and firing right between the man's feet. ''Now get the hell away from 'ere.'' The men, slowly but surely, legged it. Scout ran up to his brother laying on the ground and knelt next to him. ''Fred, whadda hell are you doin' here? And who are dose guys?'' Fred groaned and pulled himself up with the help of Scout's jacket. ''Nevermind.. take me home..''
The snearing sound of pages flipping cut through the silence in her flat. She was bored and this book didn't really kept her busy with anything. She was just reading the same line over and over again, looking up at the clock against the wall. Time passed so slowely it was just annoying her to no end. 14.58... 14.59... 15.00. She threw her book shut and launched 'The Selected Works of T.S Spivet' across the room. With an agonized groan she stretched herself out in the couch. She rubbed her eyes weary and stared at the clock... still 15.00.
"What time was I supposed to go there anyway?... Where does he even live?" she rose from her boredom and settled for worries. She totally forgot to track his adress down! She scurried herself from her couch and ran into the bathroom with her wet black hair still glued to her head. She quickly pulled her hair together and made it atleast a bit decent looking and then jumped in another purple dress... 'I have too many purple dresses.' she sighed and ran downstairs, hurrily locking the door. She raced down the building and quickly glide into her old Beatle car. The little Beatle needed some time to properly start, with a loud sputter and tired groans from the engine she rode towards the Headquarters.
Scout supported Fred on their way to Scout's flat, the snow falling down silently on the already snow-covered ground. Not a single word were shared between the two, as they then went up the staircase leading up to Scout's apartment. He opened the door and led Fred in, helping him to the couch. ''You okay, bro'? You need to learn to swin' some punches.'' Scout sat down next to Fred in the couch, sighing and taking his baseball cap off, running a hand through his short hair. ''So, care ta explain whadda hell you were doin' with those greasy italians in an alley-way?'' Fred looked down on the floor and murmured lowly ''It's nothin', they just started punching me.. Don't worry..'' Scout shaked his head and gave his older brother a punch on the shoulder. ''Hey, knuckle'ead, we're family. Ofcourse I worry for ya.'' Another awkward silence passed and Scout turned to Fred again. ''So, how's ma?'' Fred shrugged in response, ''She's good.. She's with André at home now, I think.. It's good that she's found someone.'' Scout scratched his cheek and mumbled ''Didn't mean that someone had to be a snail-eating, surrendering scumbag.'' Fred laughed it off. ''Actually, I was just about to head somewhere and buy ma a Christmas present.'' Scout lifted an eye brow ''Whadda coincidence, bro, I just bought ma some stuff maself.'' Fred put on a barely visible frown. ''What did you buy for her?'' Scout pulled out a couple of flowery dresses from the plastic bag he had carried with him. ''Think she'll like dese.'' Fred instantly looked happier. ''Yes, she will!'' Scout put the dresses back and sat down again, turning abit so he could face Fred. ''Look, wanna know a secret?'' Fred nodded slowly. ''I bought somethin' else for ma too..'' He reached into his pocket and pulled out a black, velvety box, opening it infront of Fred's eyes and revealing the big, pearl earrings. ''Nice, eh?''
Fred blinked and Scout could feel the mood turn, Fred stood up and murmured ''Yeah.. they're good..'', ripping his jacket and heading straight out of the door, without even saying goodbye. He was mesmerized. What the hell happened to Fred? Scout threw the plastic bag into his bedroom, shrugging and closing the bedroom door. ''It ain't mah problem..'' He turned to look at the clock over his TV. ''15.44.. Soon time for the date.. I've got time ta get ready later..'' He said as he laid down on the couch and slowly closed his eyes, the problems of his world slowly dissappearing into the dimness of his sleep.
She walked out of the Headquarters followed by a snickering remark of Sarah, the Deskgirl. She brushed some wild hair back in place and sat down in her Beatle, racing trough Scout's file. There was no problem for her to take the files, she was the one who took care of all the profiles and and background checks of it. Her long fingers raced trough his Physical, Psychological and his Personal reports. Some old sepia fotos and polaroids fall out and she scurried them back together. She nods to herself as she reads his residence information. She throws the file on the passengerseat and rides back home.
16.35, is to be read on the clock on the wall and she decides it's better to get ready now. She took the purple dress from her bed and dissapeared into the bathroom.
Her lean fingers played with her locks and raced a brush trough her thick black hair. She pulled it neat together in a low bun, putting every string of hair in it's rightful place.
She parked her white beatle on the sidewalk and stepped out, armored in her long black coat that provides perfect isolation from the cold outside and fleshcoloured pantyhoses that end in her 'plain' black heels. She attempted not to step in a loose brink of his driveway.
She managed to walk up his doorbell with no major injuries and she pressed against the doorbell. "What if he was just joking?" shot trough her head.
"What if he's not even home?"
He didn't answer. She waited a little longer.
Nothing yet... She pressed the doorbell again and slipped her hands in her pockets and stared down her feet. She crushed an ant underneath the tip of her toes and stared up his door. She sadly sighed and tried to give it another try.
She gave it a longer ring.
Scout felt fuzzy as he led Miss Paulings into his living room, both giggling like madly inlove highschool sweethearts. They embraced eachother and kissed, falling onto the couch, Scout between Paulings legs. Victorious music was playing through his head. Finally! Pauling opened her mouth as if starting to talk, but the only sound escaping from her was a ringing bell. It kept on ringing and Scout felt himself slipping from the velvet embrace of the dream and falling. The ringing got louder and louder, until he finally hit hard ground. He opened his eyes and peered around, seeing himself on the floor of his living room. He still heard the ringing, familiar to a certain something he remembered.. He peered up and saw the clock. ''18.04... Oh shit!'' He scrambled up to his feet and ran out into the hallway and skidded infront of the door, opening it with a big wide smile as he saw the lovely lady infront of her. ''Sorry to keep you waiting, miss!''
Paulings was not amused.
''What a way to court your ladies, Scout.'' Scout grunted abit, not liking him calling her his work name. '' 'ey, 'ey, let's drop the whole professionalism, eh? I'm Benj-.. I mean, Ben.'' Paulings huffed angrily abit, peering down the staircase and then up at Scout again. ''Pleasure to meet you, Ben. I'm Paulina.'' They looked eachother in an awkward silence, Scout taking the initative to break it. ''Alrighty, so I'm jus' gonna get mah carkeys and we'll drive off to a lovele' place!'' Scout took his jacket and searched through the pockets, pulling out a keyring. He put on the jacket and stepped out next to Paulings, closing the door. He gestured to Paulings, ''follow me'', and they went down the stairs in silence, out into the loudness of the city at evening. He ran over to a red Ford Mustang '65, unlocking the doors and running over to Paulings side to open the door for her, with a light bow and cheeky smile.
She takes place in his red Ford Mustang and she gives him a polite smile for his cheesy manners. The anger still rested in her lower stomache, it took her a hard time to hold on to the anger, so she wouldn't just melt all over the floor.
Scou- ... Ben, took seat behind the wheel and started the car. "So, Where are we going?" she asked after her rode out of his driveway.
"Oh, Dis nice little diner, nothin' to fancy! They have the best Chicken Fried Lamb! I'll tell ya dat." He threw her another cheeky smile and she summoned a small smile and stared outside at the passing cars.
''So, how's da deskwork for BLU, den?'' He asked, as they stopped at a red light. ''It's.. special. You'd be surprised, you can barely call it deskwork.'' Scout shrugged a shoulder and peered around at the streets, covered in a light blanket of snow. ''So, winter person or summa' person?'' Pauling looked around and shrugged. ''Spring person.'' The red light changed to green and they off they continued, taking a few turns here and there before Scout pulled up outside of a fancy dinner. On the roof stood a large metallic installement and on it said in bright, neon-blue colours: ' Carmine's ' ''Well, 'ere we are.'' Both stepped out of the car, Scout leading the way and opening the diner's door for her. It'd be semi-full of people, chitchatting about baseball, sports, life, and whatnot. Scout lead Paulings to a booth for two and letting her choose a seat. ''Alright, I'll make the orders. Whaddya want?''
Paulings thought quietly to herself and then shrugged ''Chicken fried lamb.'' Scout nodded and spun on his heel, heading off to the counter. He plinged the fancy little bell. Noone arrived. Scout plung again. No answer. He looked around suspiciously and then hopped over the counter, walking into the kitchen. ''Hey, Anthony!'' he shouted and a tall, lanky figure raised from a chair in a corner. ''Eh?'' Scout facepalmed. ''Wake up, idiot! I've got a chick here and we want two chicken fried lambs. NOW. PRONTO!'' he commanded his older brother, who nodded and lazily got back to work.
Paulina looked around the diner, it wasn't a very special diner. It was a very typical one, with the truckers sitting near the counter, the two old ladies chatting their way, the bunch of baseballcapped-men who were cheering at a small TV, hanging from a corner.
Her fingers plucked a menucard from the menu-holder and read the fine flashy names and logos. 'Carmine Cooper'... Must be his relative.
"Whaddaya like da drink?" Ben suddenly stood besides her. She startled for a second and quietly scanned the card. 'Some decaffeine coffee." "Coming right up." He swaggered off again.
He looked good, very good, when he wasn't covered in blood or dirt. She smiled with that thought to herself and turned the menu card over, it revealed the photo of the owner of this diner. It struck her how much this man looked like Scout! They had the exact nose and jawline, apart from their hair, This man had half-long pitchblack hair and a distant beard. Scout himself was more of brunette.
''So, are you feelin'like an underacheiver yet?'' Scout said and grinned, as he took a seat on the opposite side of the table, sliding her cup of coffee across the wooden table, over to her. ''Well, it's not too shabby. Could be worse, atleast.'' They both shared a laugh. ''Yeah, I've tried tellin' Carmine to chase da cockroaches out. He's just abit.. lazy.. '' He murmured after a sip of his coffee ''Frickin' hippies..'' Scout peered into his coffee, then breaking the silence before it gets too long. ''So, have any hobbies I should know about?'' Paulings shrugged, taking a sip of her decaf. ''I like cats. And going out on the firing range.'' Scout raised his eyebrows. ''Firing range?'' She didn't get to answer as Carmine stumbled out with two plates of his famous chicken fried lamb. ''There the man himself is!'' Scout grinned as the stressed looking, older man put the plates infront of them and then went back into the kitchen. ''Well, miss Pauling, bon appetite.'' he said, not bothering to say 'Appetite' even in a remotely french way. They both cut into their lamb, munching and sipping from their coffee. ''So, Ben.. You have quite a big family, right?'' Scout nodded and swallowed before replying ''Yeah. Seven brothers and my ma. Quite an insane family. Yourself?'' Pauling stabbed her fork into a piece of lamb. ''Just me and my mother. Father left me at an early age.'' Scout sighed, remembering his own fatherless childhood. ''I know that feeling. Atleast ya turned out alrite, eh?'' Pauling smiled at the comment, looking down at her plate. ''That's debatable..''
"So, cats, right?" Scout mumbled while chewing on his chunk of lamb meat. She nodded. "Two, a Tabby and a some stray I found." she smiled and drank her coffee. "Cool, I mean, I'm no cat-person, I like dogs more, but hey. Cat's are cool! My mum has this little white lapdog, it's just ridiculous!" Scout snickered.
"Tiny dogs are okay." she said. "A dog once bit me on my uncle's ranch, since then I'm so scared of them." She smiled and shrugged.
"Tell me about that, when we still used to live in a crappy appartment with da entire bunch, Anthony and Carmine just stole the neighbour's dog and set it loose on me! I think dat started the whole 'runnin'-like-dere's-no-tomorrow'!" He snickered by the memory. "But after all, dogs are pretty sweet animals." Paulina smiled in agreement and dipped the chunk of lamb in the traditional sauce. "You're right. They do make nice Chicken Fried Lamb."
"Ah yea! Family secret, ye know!" and he tapped his nose in a witty manner.
They kept their chatter on long after they finished their meals, many laughs and stories exchanged between them. Paul lifted his left hand to peer at his watch, lifting an eyebrow. ''It's already eight o'clock. Think we should head home?'' Paulings nodded. ''The meal's on da house too, so don't worry.'' They both grinned and Scout stood up, helping Paulings off her seat. He offered an arm to hook and she accepted, and they walked torwards the door, still chitchatting. But suddenly the door flung open right into Paulings face, as three big, bearded bikers barged into the diner. Paulings fell straight on her behind and Scout helped her up. The bikers kept on walking to the desk. ''Hey! Idiots! What da hell's you guy's problem?'' He stepped up with determined to the three, all of them bigger, and more muscular then him. ''Nothing, punk. Just get make sure to not get in our way next time. Got it?'' Scout clenched his fists in pure rage, his older brothers Anthony and Carmine standing at the other side of the desk, slowly starting to bang on the desk and yelling ''FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT!'' The whole diner joined in.
Scout felt the tension rising, having the biggest staredown of his life, both literally and figuratively. The 'leader' biker walked up to him and sent a sluggish blow against him, but Scout quickly sidestepped and gave him a quick jab to the face, which seemed to only anger all of them. They closed in on him and Scout raised his fists, realizing he can't power his way out. He hopped up on one of the tables and jumped behind them, then slid behind the desk. ''Oh, the little guy's scared, eh? Tear him limb from limb!'' The smaller of the bikers went up to the desk and reached over, grabbing Scout by the shirt. But all of a sudden he pulls an aluminium bat from behind the desk and smacks the biker right on the head, knocking him out cold. ''BONK! If you order now, I'll throw in a second beatin', absolutely free!'' He hopped up on the desk with a baseball in his other hand, shooting it accurately at the other biker grunt, sending him stunned onto his bum. ''Nice catch, chucklehead!'' He grinned proudly and then hopped off the desk at the leader, but the leader was ready with an uppercut straight to Scout's gut. He felt like he was getting folded in two. He fell to the floor, dropping his bat, the stunned biker and the leader getting on him and starting to pound away at his curled-up frame.
"OI!" Carmine's voice yelled and finnally got the seriousness out of this situation. He threw the toothpick he was nibbing on, away and stepped behind the bikers. He picked a chair and swung it at the right guy, making him collapse to the floor. The other grizzleybear-like man turned around and faced him. Carmine merely pulled his collar up and opened his arms. "Come at me, bro."
The grizzleybear raged and swung his fists at Carmine. Anthony launched himself from the counter to swing at the grizzleybear's neck and pull him down to the ground. The grizzleybear fell knocked down to the ground. The Alpha-Bear was just swinging his way at the curled-up mess and as his elder brother wanted to overpower him. A High-pitched voice screamed over the entire panic and chaos in the Diner.
"GET! OFF! HIM!"
Pauling held her gun steady with stretched arms pointed at the skinheaded burley man. The beating stopped, and like everybody in the diner froze in fear at the sight of the petite girl with a gun, Except for Ben who spat out some blood. "Oi, Missy. Why don't you just lower that gun?" The Biker-Bear said with a smug smile. Paulina didn't show any fear and stepped closer, pulling the handle to make it load. "Now, I have no problem with shooting you here and right now. Now get lost."
The Biker-bear looked in her fearless eyes and decided he was losing this battle anyway. He threw his half-smoked cigarette before Paulings' feet and walked out the diner, followed by the ringing bell of the door.
She lowered her gun and put it back in her purse. Carmine, Anthony and probably everybody in the Diner stared at her with half-open mouths and wide-open eyes. "Help him up." She muttered and carefully pulled Scout up.
Scout's vision was blurred, everything a red haze. He remembered getting pulled out of the diner after a long, endless beating and getting driven home.
He slowly opened his eyes to see a what seemed to be a black-haired, goggled angel - He felt the sting of alcohol on his bruises, wincing in pain. ''Ooh.. am I in heaven or hell?'' A familiar voice giggled as his vision slowly got clearer, seeing the face of miss Pauling. ''Heaven, I guess..'' He chuckled, but the hearty laugh ended in a painful groan. ''You're gonna feel this tomorrow, Ben.'' Scout grunted, looking around. He was laying in his sofa.
''So.. Did I impress ya any? With the whole fightin' for your 'onour and everythin'?'' Pauling just smiles and pats him on the head. ''Well, it was quite impressive until you started begging for mercy.'' Scout frowned, the events slowly creeping back to his memory. ''Yeah, sorry about dat. I get abit overexcited widd ma balls.'' He smirked smugly at Pauling, getting a sigh in return. ''Whatever, big guy. This was.. fun.. Wanna do it again sometime?'' Scout looked at her like he was trying to figure out if she was just playing a sick joke. ''Uhm, well, sure.. Yea'. Ya got my numbah right?'' Pauling nodded and stood up with a smile. ''I'll call you, just please don't barge into my office again.'' Scout nodded and Paulings turned on her heel, but Scout grabbed a hold of her wrist. ''A little kiss for ya shinin' knight in white armour?'' Paulings shook her head with a small smile, turning around and giving him a quick, neat peck on the lips before leaving for real. ''Seeya next time.''
AN: AWYEAAH! Chris and I just fistbumped eachother, we're so damned - we should just get a trophee. Oh not only because we're just plainly awesome, also because we were noticing that every chapter become shorter.
and shorter.
aaaaaaand shorter.
So we manned up and we wrote this long ass chapter!
PEACE OUT! (Reviews appreciated)