Love Struck
Chapter 13 - Drinking Among Friends
Shadow's POV 4:00pm
Ghost, Archer, Jason, and I were trying to find a good place to celebrate, but it seemed that almost every bar had some anti-rebellion gang in it. We didn't want to fight; at the least they didn't, I don't have a choice. We just kept searching. Our search led us deep into the city's heart and I guess that was good because we were among a lot of civilians. It kept us covered from any problems.
Jason and Archer led the way as I was holding back with ghost at a slow pace.
"You ok?" Asked Ghost.
I slowly looked into his eyes.
"How can I be Ghost?" I asked back.
"I told you Amy was going to be hard to get, but you can't blame yourself. I'm sure Amy's reconsidering what she said." Assured Ghost.
"I don't think that will happen." I replied.
"Why not?" Asked Ghost in surprise.
"Besides the fact that I almost killed her, I'm also a complete stranger and she barely trusts me." I replied.
"You're looking too hard into this. Amy's a nice girl. She keeps to herself and she always working for Logan." Stated Ghost.
I slowly looked away and just as I did Ghost put his hand on my shoulder.
"Come on, were out here to have some fun and your only among friends. The anti-rebellion is no where to be seen and hell this might be just the thing we both need to unwind." Stated Ghost.
I gently nodded my head.
"I guess your right. It's been months since I was able to go out and relax." I stated.
Ghost smiled and quickly patted my shoulder in approval.
"Hey Ghost! Shadow!" Shouted Archer who was ahead of us with Jason.
We both looked at him.
"You guys like underground?" Asked Archer.
I didn't have any idea what he meant.
"What's that?" I asked.
"It's a hidden racket where all the best drinks are served with some of the hottest women available in the city. It's illegal, but we're the law so that doesn't affect us." Replied Ghost.
"Yeah so do you want to try there first?" Asked Archer.
I looked at Ghost and he was waiting for my answer.
I quickly nodded my head.
"Let's give it a try." I replied.
Everyone was pumped that I said yes. This must be one hell of a bar.
Archer led us into a nearby butcher store.
This store was horrible. It was so smelly and just blood everywhere from the pigs and some cows. The moment we walked in we had to cover our noses. Archer slowly approached the butcher.
"Welcome to my…!" The butcher panicked and went for his nearby knife because he saw we were rebellion soldiers.
The man quickly put it in Archer's face.
"Wo! Calm down!" Shouted Archer.
"What do you want!? Why are you here!?" Asked the butcher.
It was clear this bar was led by the anti-rebellion.
Archer quickly went into his pocket and pulled out a twenty.
"We're here to see your services." Replied Archer while handing the man the money.
The butcher slowly lowered his knife and took Archer's money.
"Can we go in?" Asked Archer.
The butcher looked at his money really close then as soon as he knew it was real he put it in his pocket and looked at the four of us closely.
"Just don't cause any trouble." Ordered the butcher.
Archer smiled and we then followed the man to the back of the store.
The butcher slowly knocked on the door.
"Knock!"
Immediately the door opened and behind it stood a dirty looking man.
"What are they doing here?" He asked while looking at Archer.
"It's ok. There cool." Replied the butcher.
"That doesn't answer my question?" Stated the man.
"We're here just to have a few drinks." Stated Archer.
"Shut up! I wasn't talking to you!" Shouted the man.
Jason quickly jumped in.
"Who the fuck are you telling to shut up, you dirty little prick!?" Shouted Jason.
The man quickly got in his face.
"Listen you ignorant bitch! I own this racket and I don't need the rebellion shutting me down! Give me one good reason to let you in!" Ordered the man.
I quickly stepped between them.
"Listen, we're just four guys looking to unwind and have a few laughs. Please just let us through and we promise not to inform anyone of your business. We get a few drinks and you get some extra cash." I stated calmly.
The man slowly looked me over and then looked at Ghost.
"Alright, I'll let you in, but one sign of trouble from any of you and I want you gone. You understand?" Asked the man.
"Yes sir." I replied.
The man slowly stepped aside and I led my group of thirsty friends downstairs.
When we reached the basement it was a surprise to see everyone stop and look at us with fear.
Ghost quickly got in front of me.
"Come on lets keep this party going!" He shouted as he waved his arms across the room.
"YEAHHHHH!" Everyone in the place shouted in approval.
The music turned back on and everyone went back to dancing and chugging down there drinks.
Archer quickly led us to a nearby table and the four of us took our seats.
"I'm surprised Ghost. I didn't think you were the one for this type of thing." I stated.
Ghost smiled.
"Are you kidding? I might be quiet, but I like a good party at times. Especially with people I like." He replied.
"So who's getting the first round?" Asked Archer.
"I will." I stated while getting up.
Everyone was happy as I started to walk to the bar.
I approached the bar.
The bartender looked at me with a small smile.
"Pick your poison." He said while showing me his products.
"Me and my friends are starting out easy first, just four beers." I stated.
The bartender smiled and quickly tossed me four beers.
I took them in my hands and rushed back towards my table.
When I made it back I tossed everyone a can and retook my seat.
"Thanks Shadow." Said Ghost as he cracked open his beer.
"No problem." I replied while opening mine.
Everyone began to drink and after a few seconds of getting into the mood we started to talk.
"So how long have you and Archer been a team?" I asked.
Archer finished his first drink and looked at me.
"We've been together for four years." Replied Archer.
"How many missions?" Asked Ghost.
"I'd say around fifty seven at the most." Replied Jason.
"Damn. Were they all successful?" I asked.
"All expect one." Replied Jason.
"What happened?" Asked Ghost while finishing his beer.
"Me and Archer were sent into Pakistan to intercept a Intel case being transferred to G.U.N by an Pakistani runner." Started Jason.
"Pakistani runner?" I asked in confusion.
"There men who are really lightweight and nimble on there feet. They travel by rooftop mostly, but if they are stopped they are said to be carrying operation's playbooks and locations of some high ranking officials in the region." Stated Archer.
I nodded and let Jason continue.
"Turns out when we were trying to catch this guy his wife was running with the playbooks. When we finally realized this, she already turned them in to her boss and he was able to blow up the local pharmacy cutting off all meds to the region. Logan had our asses, but he gave us an extra chance, by sending us into South End." Stated Jason.
I quickly jumped in my chair a little.
"South End?" I asked in surprise.
Archer looked at me with a small smirk.
"You know that place?" Asked Archer.
"I used to live close by it. A place called North End." I replied.
Archer and Jason both looked at me in surprise.
"You lived in the states?" Asked Jason.
"Use to, until I signed up for the military." I replied.
"We heard you use to work for G.U.N is that true?" Asked Archer.
I slowly nodded my head.
"What did you do?" Asked Jason.
"I was a sniper. I use to do assassinations and target retrieval." I replied.
"Do you miss it?" Asked Archer.
"After what happened. No." I stated in force.
"What happened?" Asked Archer.
I slowly stood up and replied.
"How about I get some more beers then we can talk about it?"
Everyone raised there hands in approval and I quickly made my way to the bar.
The bartender knew what I wanted and tossed me four beers. As I went to take them in my hands I felt a gently touch on my shoulder.
I turned to find this black hedgehog in my face. She was gorgeous.
"Hey handsome" She stated.
I slowly looked over at my friends and they were watching with care.
"Hey." I replied.
"I haven't seen you around here before, you new?" She asked.
I was slowly looking her outfit over and it was clear she was one of the strippers who worked here.
"Sort of." I replied.
She gently rested her hand on my chest.
"You a solider?" She asked.
"Yes." I replied.
"I love soldiers. They know what they want." She stated.
"And what is it you think I want?" I asked.
She slowly rested her hand on my cheek and started to rub my face softly.
"You want a girl who can provide and give you anything you want right?" She asked back.
"Yes, how did you know?" I asked.
"I can just tell baby. She replied while putting her hand on my belt.
"
I looked up into her eyes and she looked in mine with a smile.
"So, do you want to go somewhere a bit more private and just maybe I can give you what you want?" She asked.
I slowly looked over at my friends and they were waiting for my answer.
I quickly looked back at her.
"Alright." I replied.
She smiled and I followed her into the nearby bed room.
My friends watched in shock.
She slowly shut the door and we were left alone with only a bed in sight.
Ghost's POV
"What the fuck is he doing!?" I shouted at Archer and Jason who were just as shocked.
"He's getting laid that's what." Replied Archer.
"He took our beer!" Shouted Jason.
We all looked at each other in surprise. I forgot Shadow had the beer.
"Does he plan on paying her in beer?" Asked Archer.
"No way. He's up to something." I stated.
"You think?" Asked Archer.
"Yeah, he likes Amy." I replied.
"The advisor?" Asked Jason.
I nodded my head.
"She's tough." Stated Archer.
"She turned him down, that's why you saw him crying earlier." I stated.
"I was wondering why he was upset." Added Jason.
"He's not upset anymore." Stated Archer.
"I bet you three beers Ghost he's going to bail on her first." Stated Archer.
"I'll take that bet." I replied.
"All we do now is wait." Stated Jason.
"I hope he comes out with our beer." Added Archer.
Shadow's POV
She quickly grabbed my hand and took me to the bed.
We sat down and she gently took of my shirt.
She widened her eyes at the body armor.
"You plan on getting shot?" She asked while gently taking it off.
"Around here you don't know who you'll run into." I stated as I looked into her eyes.
"What's your name handsome?" She asked me softly.
"Shadow." I replied.
"That's a hot name. I'm Shade." She replied.
"Shade?" I said to myself.
"What is it baby?" She asked me.
"I'm just wondering why such a pretty women like you is doing this for a living." I replied.
Shade went and sat up after tossing my shirt and armor on the floor.
"It's not what I want to do; it's what I have to do to get by." She replied.
I gently looked into her eyes and put my hand on her soft cheek.
She looked at me in confusion.
"Come here." I insisted while standing us both up off the bed.
I took her to the nearby mirror and I went behind her and rested my hands on her waist.
"Look at yourself Shade. Tell me. Are you a woman who makes the wrong choices?" I asked her.
Shade slowly looked herself over then turned to look at me.
"Who are you?" She asked.
I looked into her eyes with a small smile.
"I'm someone who cares." I replied.
Shade then pushed me back onto the bed and got on top of me.
We both looked into each others eyes.
"Prove it." She said in force.
I smiled and moved in on her lips. As soon as we were about to kiss I turned her so that she was on the bed and I was on top of her.
She looked at me in confusion.
I slowly put my hand on her soft skin and said.
"I never amounted to anything until I found this cause to fight for Shade. I know how you feel and take it from someone who changed his life around that you can do the same. You have the beauty and the smarts to know what you want and trust me you can change your life around." I then slowly got off her and put back on my armor and shirt then I looked back at her with hope.
"I'm going to leave Shade. I know you can make the right choice and please do what's best for your future." I said while opening the door leading back into the bar.
I exited the room leaving Shade alone on the bed in deep thought.
I slowly approached my friends with a smile.
"You owe me three beers Ghost!" Shouted Archer.
I quickly took my seat next to Ghost.
"He didn't do anything look at him. Right Shadow? Tell him." Ordered Ghost.
I didn't reply. I was waiting.
"Shadow!" Shouted Ghost while following my eyes.
In about ten seconds after I left Shade opened the door wearing her jacket and a skirt. She quickly approached the man who owned the racket.
Me, Ghost, Archer, and Jason watched in silence.
"I QUIT!" She shouted at him.
The owner looked in shock as she walked up the stairs towards her dream.
When she was out of sight everyone of my buds looked at me.
"What did you do?" Asked Ghost.
"Told her she was better then a stripper and that there was life outside that she could live." I replied while handing out the beers I got from before.
"You sweet talker!" Shouted Jason while opening his beer.
"I don't know why Amy doesn't want date!" Shouted Archer.
I quickly looked at him with some anger.
Ghost quickly jumped in the middle.
"Let's forget about her and enjoy ourselves." He stated.
"I can live with that." Replied Jason.
"Me too." Added Archer.
Ghost looked at me.
"I can too." I stated.
"Good; now let's toast." Ordered Ghost while raising his beer.
We all slowly lifted up our drinks.
"To the rebellion!" Shouted Ghost.
"To the rebellion!" We all shouted as we smacked cans.
We all took a chug and continued to chat.
As the conversation proceeded I stood up and went back to the bar for another beer, but this was for Ghost.
"Another beer?" Asked the bartender.
I slowly urged him to get closer to me.
He came close and I asked.
"Do you have any chloroform?" I asked.
The bartender looked at me in surprise.
"Yeah, what for?" He asked.
I got him to follow my eyes towards Ghost.
When he saw him he thought the opposite of what I really meant.
"I see. Ok, I'm all for it. I'll hook you up just give me a minute to mix it with his drink." Stated the bartender.
I rolled my eyes as the bartender who thought I was gay went for the chemical.
I was leaving tonight to go do this op for Logan and Nexus and I can't have Ghost wake up and find me gone. Chloroform is a knock out agent that will put him to sleep for a few hours, plus the beers he will have after will add on to it. I'm sorry Ghost, but I can't risk it.
The bartender got the beer mixture and wished me luck as I turned around towards my buds who were still talking amongst themselves.
As soon as I sat down Ghost looked at the reddish beer I had.
"What the fuck is that?" Asked Ghost.
"It's an old drink from when I use to be in high school. It's called the Decker." I replied.
"Can I try some?" Asked Ghost.
I slid him the drink and he began to chug some mouthfuls.
"That's good shit." Stated Ghost while putting down the glass.
"I'm going to get a beer because it looks like someone drank all mine." I said while referring to Ghost.
"My bad Shadow, but that was good beer." Stated ghost.
"It's cool." I replied while heading back to the bartender.
"Thanks." I said as he approached me.
"No problem; now do you want some normal poison?" He asked.
"Just three, I need to be the designated person of the group." I replied while looking back at Ghost who was still drinking what was left of the chloroform.
The bartender tossed me three beers then I went back to the table where everyone was having a good time. I gave Archer and Jason there beers and the last one went to ghost who was yawning a little.
The chloroform will take a few hours to kick in, but when it does I won't have to worry about him.