Chapter 9: Date Night

"Complete success." Bayard locked his shotgun in a drawer under his counter. The gun had torn through three men at once like tissue paper; the recoil was a bit harsh, but that was a side effect of a powerful gun. He wasn't very adept in guns with heavy recoil, so it wouldn't be an everyday gun. He decided to keep it on reserve for when he needed tremendous stopping power. He tapped the counter impatiently waiting for a customer. He had sold ten pistols today, so business was slowly but steadily picking up. That being said, most of his day was still idol and incredibly boring. He was very grateful for the jobs Balalaika and Chang gave him. If he had to spend all his time waiting around like this, he'd do himself in Kurt Kobain style, and he had the shotgun for it. He considered pounding his head on the counter to pass the time and was about to give in when he heard the bell chime above his door. "Welcome to Lady Luck. Don't mind the less than clever name." He was met with the dark eyes of Sawyer.

"Hello…Bayard." The Goth girl's lips formed into a little smile

"Sawyer, what can I do for you? I didn't think you were interested in guns with that giant chainsaw of yours." He commented

"I actually….came here to see…you." She looked around nervously. Whether her irregular speech was due to her nervousness or ultra voice was unclear to him.

"Did Chang give us a new job?" He asked

"No. I am…not very good…at this."

"What?"

"Would you like to have dinner….with me?" Her cheeks tinted lightly.

"Are you asking me out?"

"Y…yes I am. It can be as friends…if you wish." She held her breath

"I would like that very much." He replied

"Hey Rock, you want to go to dinner?" Revy asked in a bored voice.

"Sure." He shrugged. She pulled him to his feet and out the door after announcing to Dutch and Benny that they were leaving. The two walked the dark streets of Roanapur toward the diner. It wasn't usually a good idea to walk Roanapur at night. Rock reminded himself that he was with Two-Hand Revy and she was armed. No one in their right mind would try to rob Revy; anyone who tried that….well he would feel no sympathy for someone that stupid. She wrapped her arm around his shoulder affectionately and quite possessively. Anyone who didn't know any better would think that Rock was keeping Revy safe, but those people never knew better did they? "This city is a bit romantic at night. I never really noticed." It sounded really stupid.

"That sounds really fucking stupid. I know what you mean, though; the city of the dead has its moments." She replied. Talking seriously with Rock had become a habit for her. She let her defenses down around him, her mental defenses anyway. Revy was not a sentimental person. Many words came to mind to describe Revy, and sentimental was not one of them. The streets of New York did not leave much room for those kinds of things. Money was crucial to survive so she geared herself toward that. While she still cared heavily about making money, it was nice to have something outside of that. Two-Hand Revy was romantic with another person. She decided to take the "fuck it" route and rested her head on his shoulder. No one would know.

"Revy?" He cocked an eyebrow

"Got a problem, dumbass?"

"Not at all."

"Why…do you have your gun…..with you?" The cleaner asked pointing to the weapon holstered on his belt.

"I always have a gun on me. I feel naked without it." Sawyer fought hard to keep her mind from exploring that thought. She averted her eyes toward the stars above the city and fought back her blush. "Besides, I need this to protect a pretty girl." Her cheeks darkened considerably at his words. No one had ever called her pretty before except for Rotton, and Rotton didn't really count for much. "What are you thinking about?"

"What?" She looked to him.

"You seem deep in thought." Bayard replied

"Just…..random thoughts. Here….we are." She motioned to the door. It was a small charming diner; she ate here often. Bayard moved to the door and held it open for her. She smiled and entered before him. It was a sexist practice, but he considered it a nice thing to do.

"Welcome back Sawyer." The greeter said "You have a friend this time. I'm guessing the usual booth." Sawyer nodded and the woman led them to the back corner of the diner. It was the most secluded area in the building. It was also seemed somehow darker than the rest of the place. The hit man noticed that it was perfect for Sawyer. From the greeter's surprise, she probably ate here alone most of the time. "I'll leave you to it." She left the menus.

"I'm glad to get out. Nothing happened today." He commented "What about you?"

"I had some cleaning to do, but otherwise….the same. How have you…..been finding the city of the dead?"

"It's not really so bad, if you don't screw around too much."

"I see." Sawyer wasn't used to this "talking to people" thing. She wasn't sure of what to say. She would usually retreat into herself at moments like this. She grabbed the menu and hid her face shyly. She already knew what she wanted, but this was a good distraction.

"There is no reason to be so nervous. I don't bite, on the first date at least." The cleaner was even more grateful for the menu as her face reddened at his implication. She took a raspy breath and lowered the menu.

"I never….do…this. I am sorry….for my shyness. Most cute boys are…not interested…in me."

"Well, I don't get a chance to meet many cute girls in line of work. I didn't even get to go to my prom because the girls just steered clear of me. Hit man does not make for lady magnet." He said. Sawyer gave a thoughtful look then smiled at him.

"Chang baby, good to hear from you." Balalaika could feel his scowl through the phone at her little nickname for him.

"Don't call me……what's the point really?" He sighed. "I just called to say that your new guy did fine work on that job."

"My new guy? Chang is that really what you called for?" She teased.

"Well, I was wondering if you wanted to have dinner with me." The Triad Boss replied. Balalaika had pretty much ruined Chang for other women; she was the only woman he had showed interest in since their little shootout when they both first arrived in Roanapur. He put his hand over the scar she had given him. Chang didn't really care about other people. He liked some people, but it wasn't really a big deal if any of them bit the dust. The Russian veteran was one of the people on his extremely short list of people he would truly miss. Both of them should have died that day, yet both of them lived. Hell, it had to mean something. At least, it meant something to him. He had often wondered who would win if they were ever to finish their little war, but it was far more fun to be at peace with her.

"We shall meet at our usual place. Until then baby." Chang was met with the click of the receiver once again before he could utter a retort. It was just as well because he'd gotten tired of scolding her for calling him baby. He didn't even know why it bothered him. It was just something about it made him feel dirty, not that dirty was necessarily a bad thing. He stood up and gave his men a nod before striding out the door in his usual cool fashion. He caught site of himself in the window of his car.

"Goddamnit, I'm smooth."

"Rock, I have an idea." Revy grinned

"Hmm, what's that?" Rock asked taking a sip of his coffee

"When we get back, you want to fuck?" Revy snickered as the business man choked on his coffee out of sheer surprise. He coughed and gasped for breath as the hot liquid plunged down his air pipe. "C'mon Rock, you know you want to." She smirked even wider.

"What brought this on all of a sudden?" He asked

"I've been having…..thoughts lately. Well, for a long time now." She replied

"Are you serious?"

"Does it look like I'm joking?" She put his hand on her breast. "Call for the check, now."

"That was…nice. You did not….. have to walk me home. It is….out of your way" Sawyer said

"It's a nice night for a walk." The two walked in an awkward silence. Sawyer closed the gap between them inch by inch as they walked down the street. Sawyer was always one to let actions speak for her, so she decided to get back into her element. Without warning she latched onto his arm causing him to lurch slightly. "Hi." He chuckled. Sawyer could have sworn she noticed a blush on his cheeks. She was glad to have that effect on him; it felt nice to inspire an emotion besides fear.

"My home…is just through….that alley."

"Bad things happen to people in alleys."

"I have you….to protect me." Sawyer clung even tighter as they walked slowly down the alley. It was unlikely that this was because of fear. The fact was that Sawyer loved anything dark, though she could do without the smell of a Chinese takeout dumpster. Sawyer saw that they were nearing her house. It was rather disappointing that the night had to end so early. They neared the end of the alley when a figure stepped from around the corner and approached them. They were about to be robbed, no doubt about it. Bayard had to wonder if this was the same man that robbed the Lagoon's businessman, not that it mattered at all.

"Hand over all of your money." The thug brandished a switchblade and flipped it open to show he meant business.

"What if I don't want to?" The hit man asked with mock curiosity. Sawyer had to hold back a raspy chuckle knowing that the mugger was a toy to her companion. The mugger was completely thrown by Bayard's reply. Who in their right mind wouldn't cower at his mighty switchblade? He knew that's what his assailant, using that term very lightly, must have been thinking. The mugger looked to his other victim, again using that term lightly, who was eyeing him rather coldly. She was just imagining all the ways that she could butcher this fool and all the ways he would scream, cry, and beg.

"Then maybe I'll have to cut up your little bitch over there." Bayard glared and drew his pistol in an instant. The shot rang out blasting the mugger's kneecap into pieces. He collapsed and let out an agonized wail, his face contorting in surprise and pain. He just blinked, and the next thing he knew he was bleeding from his leg. Bayard felt a twinge of amusement at the inner turmoil the poor scumbag must have been feeling at the moment.

"Apologize to her."

"Wh..what?" The mugger screamed again as his other kneecap explode into a burst of flesh and blood.

"Apologize to the lady. Are you that fucking stupid?" The hit man cast a condescending look. The mugger looked between Sawyer and Bayard timidly.

"I'm sorry for calling you a bitch."

"There you go." He raised the gun toward the criminal's head when Sawyer grabbed his arm in protest.

"Please…let me….finish him." Sawyer pleaded

"Are you going to use the switchblade?" He asked

"I would rather….use my bare hands….than that pathetic blade."

"By all means." He stepped aside. The Goth approached the fallen mugger and closed her hands around his throat.

"You happened upon….Sawyer the cleaner. It was just….bad luck." She smiled as the man's eyes glazed over in terror at the mention of her name. She began the arduous task of strangling the life out of him. He struggled rather pathetically to no avail. "A chainsaw…builds tremendous upper body strength. The reason I do not….use a gun…is that I find it…too quick. I like to feel…the terror of my prey up close. You cannot do that….with a gun. Look into their eyes….as they die." She let the corpse fall limply to the ground. She moved back toward the hit man and clung to his arm yet again. "Shall we continue…on our way."

"Sure." They reached Sawyer's home much too early for her tastes. She shifted uncomfortably from foot to foot wondering what he was going to do. He leaned in and gave her a light peck on the cheek. She blushed deeply. "Thanks for tonight. I will see you again?" He asked

"If that…is what you wish."

"Good night Sawyer."

"Call me….Frederica." She smiled and disappeared behind her front door.

AUTHORS NOTE: Chapter 9 is finished. I know that not much happened this time, but I thought it would be a good chance for characters to interact. It was a fun little excursion into daily life in Roanapur. I promise the next few chapters will have some more meat to them.

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