Chapter 9 - Operation Gray
"Where to?"
The cab looked like a garbage can puked in it and it smelled like rotten eggs mixed with gym lockers. The driver didn't look or smell much better.
"The fanciest French place in town." I told him while counting through the coins I'd borrowed from Torres' change jar.
"You sure that's where you wanna go?" He asked, adding in a cough while driving out on to the main road.
"Yes, sir." I was trying out this new nice girl thing.
"Got a hot date?" He chuckled.
"Oh yeah." I tried not to be too sarcastic.
"This one a keeper?" He glanced into the rearveiw mirror at me and grinned.
"Yes, sir." I smirked. "There's no way I'm letting this one go."
"Well, good for you." He nodded while speeding up the cab over the limit.
We got there in no time. He said it was the best French place around, so it has to be the one Shane would bring her to.
I paid him in coins and he laughed before driving away. I zipped up my jacket and walked over to the front window. It was fancy to say the least. The whole place was candle city. Plants hung from the cealing and romantic music came from a live four person band. Waiters had on fancy clothes and walked like marching band members.
No friends would come here, that I could tell you for sure.
"Can I help you?" I looked over to see a waiter person standing behind a box thing with a dozen menus on it. She smiled at me.
"Uh...yes." I tried to look polite and nice as I walked closer to her. "I was just wondering if Shane Gray was on your list?"
"I'm sorry. I'm not allowed to give out that information." She kept smiling.
"Oh, no, you see...I'm his sister." I smiled. She didn't buy it. "Our family is throwing him a birthday party and I'm on lookout. He didn't say which place he was going to..."
"I wasn't aware it was Mr. Gray's birthday." The lady frowned and glanced inside.
"Oh yeah." I followed her gaze. She was looking straight at Shane and Torres sitting at a table in the back.
"He didn't mention it..." She seemed disapointed.
"Pssh, how else would he be here with that hottie?" I smirked and crossed my arms. The girl looked down at me with squinty eyes as she tried to decide whether to believe me or not.
A couple walked up behind me and the lady stared at me, silently telling me to move. I smiled and turned around. The couple was too happy for me to just walk by without doing anything...
"Heeeeeeey." I smiled at the man and winked. The girl stopped smiling and looked between us. The man looked confused. "I remember you. That was a crazy night! Too bad we ran out of condoms..."
It was hard to hold in my laughter as I walked away. I smirked as I heard the lady smack the man and his calls to her as she walked the opposite direction.
I walked around the corner and to the back of the building. There was just a regular ally in the back. A few waiters and a cook stood around smoking.
"Hey, you can't go in there." One of them told me as I walked towards the back door. I looked at him and almost busted out laughing again.
"Barry? I didn't know you worked here." I smiled as he came closer.
"Caitlyn Gellar." He grinned. I pulled him into a quick hug and the other workers went back to their conversations. "What is the infamous princess of all things down and dirty doing around here?"
"Actually I was just about to ask what the king of the hood is doing working at this cheesy joke." I laughed as he leaned against the brick wall.
"You know how the ladies love to spend my money." He grinned before smoking to the side and dropping the bud to the ground. He stepped on it and sighed.
"Yeah." I put my hands in my pockets.
"So what's so great about French food that brings you here? Security's tight, wouldn't bother trying to pull a job on these guys." He shrugged.
"Thanks, but no thanks. I'm trying this new thing where I don't break the law." I smirked. He laughed and nodded.
"I hear ya." He agreed.
"But there is this one problem I have." I told him.
"Oh yeah?" He seemed interested.
"That is, if you're up for that favor you owe me." I smiled.
"Fire away, boss." He laughed while cracking his knuckles.
"You know the new guidance person? Miss Torres?" I asked.
"Yeah, yeah. The new meat at school." He nodded. "What about her? She got some kind of history? Sex, drugs, anything good?"
"No, it's not like that." I shook my head. "This time it's different. We don't want her to get fired. Besides, there's no blackmail on her. She's clean."
"So what's the job?" He crossed him arms over his chest.
"Alright...this is top secret. No money on this one, okay? You can't sell this secret." I told him.
"Sure, sure. Just spill it." He smiled eagerly.
"I got kicked from my place and I'm staying at hers." I started, he tilted his head to the side but didn't say anything. "But that's not the big part yet."
"Then what is it?" He asked quietly.
"I'm trying to get a thing going with her. We've kissed, but nothing too serious yet. The problem is that this total idiot porn star is in there trying to put the moves on her. She just thinks it's a friendly get together." I explained.
"Hmmm..." He thought it over. "What's he look like? Fancy hair with a suit and tie?"
"Probably." I bit my bottom lip. "He probably won't leave her side."
"Alright, recap." He rubbed his hands together. "Fluffy hair boy is in there touching up on your territory and we need to...?"
"I don't know yet." I confessed.
"No plan? Bless the sweet virgin mary...Caitlyn Gellar without a plan? This girl must really be something special." He grinned.
"You've got no idea." I sighed.
"Right, so how dramatic we want this? My break is over in a few minutes and I can pull some strings to be their food slave." He explained while looking at the other waitors.
"Nothing big. I don't want evidence that I was here." I told him.
"Cool, cool." He nodded. "Follow me."
He carefully walked to the back door and opened it. He walked in and I slipped in behind him. We walked in to the kitchen. After a few minutes we got to the door the opens both ways, the one leading out to the resteraunt area. I could see Torres perfectly. I pointed them out to Barry.
"Damn...his hair is fluffy-er then I'd expected." He grinned.
"Don't be fooled. He's just another porn star jerk that messed with the wrong girl." I smirked at all the things we could do to him.
"That's the Gellar I know." He laughed before we moved to the side to let people through. Then I caught sight of the food.
"Got any fancy cook friends?" I smirked. He smiled too and walked me over to an asian guy with a tall chef hat on.
"Sup Boston?" He greeted the guy.
"Who's the girl?" Boston asked while looking at me. "She's stands out. If the boss man sees he'll fire us both."
Barry looked around the room and walked over to a wall with hooks on it. He gabbed an apron and tossed it to me. I pulled it over me and tied it around the back.
"Better?" Barry asked.
"Much." Boston replied while adding some sauce stuff to a nasty looking dish.
"Alright, where's your list?" He asked.
"Up top." Boston sighed.
Barry looked at the row of post-it looking papers stuck on the cooking stuff in front of Boston's face.
"Perfect." Barry smiled, then looked at me and added, "He's got their table."
"They who?" Boston asked while adding more sauce stuff to the dish.
"Gray plus one." Barry answered.
"We pulling another operation tonight?" Boston asked before putting the dish on a plate and moving over to prepare the next meal.
"Yup. That's why Caitlyn's here." Barry gestured to me. "She's a bad ass mother that you don't even wanna cross."
"What's the dirt on Gray plus one?" He asked.
"Stealing property." Barry whispered. "Very important property."
"I don't know...we've already messed with two meals this week. I can't risk another complaint. I might loose my job." Boston shook his head.
"I know, I know...but I'll take the blame on this one Bo." Barry told him. "My fault, all the way."
"Barry, if it's too much then..." I didn't want him getting fired because of me.
"Nah, it's cool Caitlyn." He smiled. "I owe you for covering me back with that fire alarm deal."
"Alright." Boston sighed. "I'll do it, but it's your head."
"You picked the right door, Bo." He grinned. "Now hear's the plan..."
I know what you're thinking. You think that we put all kinds of sauces and peppers in Shane's food, right? Actually, we did do that...but we did so much more too. (Evil grin here)
"He'll be in the bathroom for at least an hour trying to get all that out of his system." Is what Boston said about the food. "And all this stuff right here will have his mouth on fire longer than that!"
No one said a word about me being in the kitchen while this happened. And when Barry took out the main course to their table, I slipped off to the side in the hall that leads to the restrooms so I could hear.
"It's about time." Shane smiled as Barry set down their plates in front of them.
"Sorry for the wait, sir. We're very busy tonight." I never realized Barry could sound so...smart and classy. I guess once you get past all the slang his voice is just as great as any other guys.
"It's fine." Torres smiled politely.
"Would you like some more wine ma'am?" Barry asked her, looking at her half full glass and not Shane's empty one on purpose.
"Yes, please." Torres handed him her glass. Just as Shane was about to raise his own glass for him to take Barry turned around like he didn't see him. He walked back to the kitchen but I didn't follow him.
"So..." Shane's voice made me want to punch him. "Are you having a good time?"
"Yes, I am." I didn't like the lovey dovey tone in her voice.
"Aren't you glad you gave me a second chance?" I could practically hear the smile on his face.
"Everyone deserves a second chance. No matter what they've done...or how stupid it was." Her voice was serious.
"Well...I'm happy you came here with me." His voice was still all smug and happy. "You won't regret it."
"I won't?" She asked.
"Nope. Because after this nice meal I've got a lot more planned. I've already arranged for a limo to take us to the nearest beach for a midnight stroll. After that we've got ice skating down at the rink. I've rented out the entire place." Was he trying to get me to come over there?
"Oh, Shane...that all sounds amazing...but I have to get home. There's school tomorrow and I promised Caitlyn that I would be back soon." I could hear how much she wanted to go with him.
"I never did get the story on that girl. Caitlyn. Why was she at your house when I came over?" It didn't sound like he heard her. Maybe denial?
"Oh...she's a student. A very special student. She's got no where else to go so she's staying with me for a while." I couldn't tell if she was happy or sad.
"Haven't you only had your job for...what did you say? A week?" He questioned.
"Yes, but...she's just really important to me Shane." Her tone was dead serious.
I was surprised when I heard Barry's voice behind me.
"Why aren't they eating?" He asked.
"They're talking." I tried to tell him to shut up without being too rude.
"A special case? I think she's got anger problems." Shane replied. Okay, now I know he wants me to come over there.
"Who are they talking about?" Barry asked.
"Me." I whispered.
"This is really good." It took me a minute to realize Torres meant the food.
"Yeah, this is the best..." Shane's voice trailed off. "...hot. Hot! Hot!"
We peaked around the corner to see Shane reaching across the table to drink out of Torres' glass. Barry still hadn't filled his up again.
I tried not to laugh too hard as Shane's face turned red and he stuck his tongue out. He fanned it over and over again as Torres sat back and looked around at the other people eating. She was blushing from the attention Shane was getting.
"Nice." Barry laughed.
"Are you okay?" Torres asked Shane quietly.
"Yeah." Shane leaned back in his seat, breathing heavy. She looked worried, but I could still see a hint of a smile on her lips.
"What else can we do to him?" I asked Barry.
"A whole lot more than just this." He laughed.
* * *
I ended up having to catch a ride with Barry so that I could make it home before Shane and Torres. I was waiting by the front door when they finally decided to show up.
"Did you have fun tonight?" I heard Shane ask. I wanted to slap him.
"Yeah, I did." I could hear her trying not to laugh at something.
"Sorry about our waiter. I don't know what his deal was." I heard Shane say. Now I want to slap him twice for making it even more personal.
"It's okay." She replied. It was quiet until she spoke again, but it was so quiet that I had to push my ear against the door to hear it. "I can't Shane."
"What? You don't want to kiss me?" He sounded shocked.
"No...it's not that I don't want to kiss you...it's just that I don't want to kiss you." She replied.
"Huh?" Shane questioned.
"I mean, this was suppose to be a friendly dinner. This wasn't a...date." She said slowly. It was quiet again.
"But I thought we really connected tonight, you know?" This was all just a bunch of crap. He just wanted to get her in bed. Jerk.
"Shane...tonight was really nice, but I have to go. Caitlyn might already be asleep." She said softly. Ha, fat chance.
"Caitlyn, Caitlyn, Caitlyn...do you ever stop talking about her?" He asked. I smiled. So she talks about me, does she? I knew it. I'm just too sexy.
"Sorry." She muttered.
"No, I'm sorry. Again. For everything I've ever done to you." His voice was gentle but I'd bet ten bucks gentle wasn't even close to what was on his mind. Stupid porn star.
"I really should get inside." She told him. I heard her back up. It was quiet and begged for them to talk. Silence only meant one thing was going on. And I don't want my lips where his have been.
"Shane..." Her voice sounded desperate. I decided I'd give him the three strikes rule. "...please."
"Just one kiss." He was whispering.
"Shane." Strike two. "Stop."
I heard her back press against the door. Aw, screw it. Strike three.
I turned the knob and opened the door. Torres immediatly stepped inside but Shane stood still. He had had his eyes closed. He opened them and was shocked to see the door open and her so far away.
He looked straight at me.
"I do believe she said to stop." I told him, moving to stand directly in front of him.
"Had your ear against the door, did ya?" He asked, probably thinking he could get me in trouble.
"Of course. Can't trust a stupid ass boy like you to keep your hands to yourself." I replied.
"Isn't it past your bed time?" He asked.
"You should go away now." I warned him.
"Maybe you should take your own advice." He retorted. Ha, stupid.
"Guys...come on." I heard Torres say behind me.
"I'm so sorry that you have to babysit this, Mitchie." He said looking up at her. I hated how they were both taller then me.
"Go away." I said through gritted teeth.
"Or what? You gonna hit me? Shrimp." He was testing me.
"Jerk." I replied without hesitation.
"Baby." He replied with a glare.
"Porn star." I smirked.
"What's that suppose to imply?" He asked.
"Oh I think you know what that's suppose to imply." I kept smirking at his glare.
"Why don't you run off to bed before this gets ugly." He warned.
"Too late for that, you're face showed up." I replied.
"What's your problem with me?" He asked.
"You won't leave us alone." I said like it was obvious.
"Us? I think you might be confused. Mitchie seemed perfectly happy on our date." He smiled.
"It wasn't a date." I glared at him and he smiled that supid smug smile.
"Jealous much?" He teased.
"Very." I said truthfully.
"Aw, someone's a got a little crush?" He obviously thought I liked him and not Torres.
"Leave." I demanded.
"Don't worry, I understand. It's perfectly natural to become tense and jealous when you're crush is around. And you're secret's safe with me." He winked.
"You're right about me being jealous." I put on a girly smile for him. "But I'm not jealous of Mitchie."
He frowned and I shut the door on his face. I turned to see Torres with wide eyes and her mouth slightly open.
I smiled at her before walking past her and towards the couch.
"What was that all about?" She asked, following me.
"It's not my fault he's such a..." I didn't get a chance to say anything.
"Caitlyn!" She cut me off.
"What?" I asked innocently. "I didn't do anything. He started it."
"Fine, you know what, I'm too tired for this. I've had a long day and I'm ready to go to bed. And there's school tomorrow." She sighed while walking towards her door.
"So did you ever find out about the whole internet porn thing?" I called after her. She didn't reply right away.
"It must have slipped my mind." She said back after a few minutes.
"Bull." I sang.
"Okay, so I didn't ask him about it. What was I suppose to say? Oh, hey Shane, I was just casually looking up background information on Google about you and just happened to find this porn site with you on it!? That is not how he would take it." She confessed. "It'd look like I was looking at porn and came across one with him on it."
"Well a perv like him would've loved to hear that." I called back.
"Caitlyn..." She said in that teacher warning voice.
"What? We're not at school so you can't tell me what I can and can't say." I reminded her.
"My house." She said back.
"Fine." I smiled to myself at how in charge she was. When I first met her I had no idea she could be like this.
"Are you ready for school in the morning?" She asked after a few minutes.
"Are you?" I smirked.
"Go to bed." She said simply.
"That's what I thought." I muttered to myself before slowly drifting off to sleep in the sitting position on the couch. Who knew causing harm to Shane Gray could make you so tired?
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AN: Go ahead and shoot me for the long wait. I deserve it. :(