She sighed and knocked. She had to do it. Stahl was waiting for her but did not come right away. Then, sliding the door open, he looked down. Huge almond eyes and fluffy hair. She looked like crap and it made her seem vulnerable. He caught himself on a wisp of a tender thought...Wait! Wait! a voice in his head said. That's not what you want or are ready for. Is this some kind of a joke? Long forgotten feelings like tenderness and love were no longer in his vocabulary.
Stepping aside, he invited her in. His hair was mussed, face damp and gleaming in dusky blue light. A lone lamp was lit in a corner. "He has been sleeping", she thought spotting his rumpled pants and shirt. His eyes seemed calm, voice quiet. He had some time to think since the last time he saw her. He let himself simmer down and look at things logically. What did he secretly hope to accomplish? Her running to him after he made her life a living hell? After countless uninvited encounters, after bothering and suffocating her in the name of his work? Her life was ripping to shreds and he was wielding the dagger.
He gestured towards the living room. She poured herself a glass of water if only to stop her hands and her mouth from shaking. He was looking at her, waiting. They stood like this for neither knew how long. He wanted to be nice but somehow could not. Instead, he settled for matter-of-fact and waited further.
"Come", she woke him up from his reverie.
"What?", he replied.
She came over, closer, looking him straight in the eye.
"Help me".
"Help you with what?"
"Save my friends".
"Harlee, you know that's not possible".
"Then make it possible! I know you can. You told me you would protect me. So do it for me".
"And why would I do that? You are no longer my asset".
She frowned in thought.
"Take off your shirt". He did not move.
"Take off your shirt or I will rip it off you", she whispered. Taken aback, he complied but only half-way.
Harlee came very close.
"You think you are the only one suffering, Stahl? Look around. The bodies are piling up. How long is this going to go on? I know you got hurt and I am so sorry but I can't erase that video now". She moved an inch closer, their bodies arm length apart.
"So what would it take for you to help me? This?", and she ran a finger down his bare chest. "Or this?" and she almost kissed his shoulder. "Or this?", and she let her hair and breath caress his neck...His breath deepened and he felt himself grow at so little of "this". "How pathetic", he thought. She was no fool, either. She grabbed her bag and her keys and made a hasty retreat. In truth, he terrified her to no end.
"Jesus", he thought, "What was that?