Ok, you can cover this up. Right?

Scarpetta had spent a good twenty minutes putting on a cover up, but she could still see the damage done to her skin. There was no way she would be wearing a scarf since it was summer or a hoodie for that matter. She was lucky enough that the ones on her collar bone were not visible, but her neck was another story and she would have to keep her hair down. She was going to give Jigen a piece of her mind once he got his ass out of bed. She was pissed and less panicked now that she had recalled last night events. She couldn't believe that she had fainted and let that asshole get away with what he had done.

She was going to meet Fujiko at the pool after breakfast, but Scarpetta had a feeling that Fujiko would be joining them. That would make everything so much more awkward since the entire gang would be at the table with close contact with one another. Scarpetta's nose twitched as she smelled food being cooked and knew that Jigen had woken up and took it upon himself to make breakfast for everyone. She would always get red in the face when she was next to him in the kitchen, but now she was pissed. She wasn't going to let this one slide for a second, no matter how sweet and caring he was being. Just because it was a different day doesn't mean her memory was swept clean.

She stormed out of her bathroom and took a few breaths before opening the door of her bedroom. The odor of bacon and waffle batter could be smelt in the hallway and she followed it all the way downstairs, around the corner and into the kitchen. Just as she thought, he was by the stove flipping bacon and waffles. He was the only one there, good that would give them the needed time to speak to one another. She leaned against the wall as she watched Jigen place a waffle on a medium stack of waffle next to the pile of bacon.

" So, were you thrilled with yourself last night? "

She was vocal about it and had a serious tone added to it.

" I would have enjoyed myself more if you didn't faint. "

That bastard. Scarpetta could almost hear the smirk in his voice when he spoke and that caused her to move closer. She was by the window against the wall as she watched the marksmen shut the stove off and clean the area around him a bit. He removed the apron from himself and back onto the hook that was stuck to the wall. Scarpetta was nowhere amused by this man or what he was doing or trying to do for that matter. She could still taste the stale cigarettes in her mouth and the expensive vodka she had stolen from the party.

The two mixed so well with one another and she hated it.

" I think you played a part in that Jigen, if I didn't know any better, you knew where to land those teeth of yours. "

Of course the man laughed and that only made her feel more irritated by every second she was in the kitchen.

" By the way, how's that neck of yours? I'm sure I did a number on it."

" Tch, it's fine, but I can't hide this shit forever you know. "

" You must not be that upset with me if you're still wearing my shirt. "

She bit down on her tongue to keep herself from saying anything that might get her in trouble later. She had forgotten about that stupid fucking shirt because she was so blind with rage that she wasn't even thinking about changing. She turned away, rolling her eyes at the male as she heard him getting closer. She moved away from the wall and decided maybe it would be best to go upstairs and change. She felt a slight tug of her wrist that was preventing her from going any further. She spun around on her heel and glared at the gunman, making sure to stand her ground towards him. She wasn't going to give in this time, no way in hell this was going to work again.

" Keep it on, so Fujiko can see. "

" You're still on about that? " She scoffed. " Piss off and let me go Jigen."

This wasn't a game anymore and she didn't want Lupin or Goemon to see this either. This was an ongoing battle between the lady looter and the gunmen.

" Why are you so paranoid and ashamed? " He asked.

Scarpetta stopped struggling against the grip he had and felt herself calm down.

" I'm not ashamed, I just don't want to be viewed as a puppet just because Fujiko and you have a vendetta. It's you and Fujiko that should be ashamed, I would have never thought that you would go so low as to use me as bait. This isn't a game to me anymore, in fact, it never was, even if I had to play pretend for a few nights. I really don't want to get Goemon nor Lupin involved either if that's alright with you because I know how they love to ask questions."

He didn't seem too satisfied with that answer because the grip got tighter and he was pulling her forward.

"I want them to see, I want them to know because it will make her leave you alone. I know that what I am doing is wrong and I'm sorry for that, but I have to prove to her that you're not an object that can be used by anyone. "

" Here, let me prove it to you then. " She growled.

Scarpetta raised her hand above her head and gave the male a harsh and loud smack across the face. He let go and it caused her to fall backwards to the floor with a loud crash that would have woken up the thieve upstairs. It was silent for a few minutes and right one cue, Lupin ran downstairs with a smile on his face as he stormed to the stove, of course he was oblivious to what just happened. Goemon was the second, but took his time to view the situation. He said nothing as usual, but he had a good understanding of what had just happened. The female stood up from the ground, brushing herself off as she took her seat next to Goemon. Jigen went to the stove to make himself a plate just as Lupin was piling on waffle after waffle.

Fujiko was the last to come downstairs and decided that now was a good time to get her own food. She got one waffle and a few pieces of bacon and of course black coffee that had been freshly made. Her back was throbbing in pain, but she pushed herself to the table and began to eat as if nothing had happened. Jigen did the same since he realized that Goemon had been looking at him and Scarpetta. Goemon was smart enough not to announce the tension the Fujiko and Lupin were oblivious to.

" How can you drink that just straight black Scarpetta? " Asked Fujiko.

" When you've worked in a coffee shop and practically live off the stuff your whole life, you get used to it."

Scarpetta happily took a drink from her cup, smiling as she did so which caused Fujiko to cringe.

"Besides, everyone knows that Jigen makes the best coffee out of all of us. "

Fujiko had dumped sugar and cream into her coffee as Lupin diluted his with water.

Pansy ass bitches.

The comment was something to throw everyone off, but Goemon wasn't all that convinced when he had begun to eat his food. She hated the fact that Jigen made the best food and coffee and she had latterly just slapped him across the face moment ago. He had been quiet this whole time and was focused on his food and coffee, he didn't even bother looking at her. Good, she didn't want that, less attention and as soon as she was done, she would go to her room. She had to come up with an excuse to not go swimming with Fujiko, surely Lupin would take her place.

No, she had to go in order to avoid Jigen especially after what she did.

" Scarpetta, can you help me with the dishes when you get done eating?"

Scarpetta looked up from her plate and looked at Jigen with confusion.

" Sure thing. " She said

She put up the fakest smile she could and finished her meal, going to the sink to start the water for the dishes. She was cussing inside her head because she had to be alone with him again and had no clue what was going to happen. She began to wash her own dish and placed it in the second sink a she waited for the others to give her the plates and cups. Lupin came up, giving her a small pat on the shoulder and a kiss on the cheek. It didn't bug her anymore than it had a few years back or she would have laid him out on the floor.

" Thanks Scar, I really hate doing dishes with Jigen. "

" Why? She asked.

" He get cranky when I throw water at him. "

Oh for god sake, just kill me. Dunk my head into the skin and hold me down till I stop moving.

Lupin moved away from the sink to let Fujiko and Goemon place their plates in the sink. She just wanted to get this done or at least have one of them stay so Jigen would do anything rash. It was karma, telling her that she indeed had fucked up so bad. She finished Fujiko's plate and saw her leave with Lupin, but Goemon stayed behind a bit and looked at Jigen. Scarpetta turned her attention back to the dishes and began to rinse them a she was sort of happy that there was someone else there. She realized that there were more dishes around the stove and of course some left overs. She was sure that they would make some sort of sandwich out of the leftovers or at least the bacon.

" What's going on with you two?"

The question sort of struck a nerve in her body, but she knew that it was going to come up at some point. She finished what was in the sink and began to work on the stove as she got containers and lids to keep the food covered.

" Goemon, I know that you are concerned, but I think it would be best it's you stay out of this one. It's between Jigen and myself, I don't want you getting caught up in what is going on."

" I know, but..."

" We can handle it. " She said.

" That doesn't ease my mind."

I'm sorry, but that's the best I can tell you for now. "

She heard him sigh as he left the room, but took one final look at the both of them before going outside to join Lupin and Fujiko. Scarpetta felt slightly better but she had forgotten that she was still in the same room with Jigen.

Shit.

What the hell was she even supposed to say to him? Sorry? Maybe don't talk?

Either way, this whole thing was stressful and he had been staying still for what seemed like days. He only moved to get a cigarette and then drink from his cup. She was sure this was what he wanted, to put pressure on her and make her say something she would regret or maybe try to do something. She tried to focus on washing the pots as she looked outside to see Fujiko, waving at her. Scarpetta shook her head no and this had caused Fujiko to come closer to the hide out. Damn it, just want she needed right now, not only did she have to deal with Jigen's moping, but Fujiko was going to make it worse. Just her very presents was enough to make both her and Jigen cringe. That was something they both had in common, but there were other things then that too. She could see this ending badly if she didn't do something quick, but all she could do was wash dishes and stay by the sink.

mind was in a frazzle as each step the looter took put Scarpetta more on edge. She didn't want to admit, but she was sort of intimidated by the way she was looking at her. She had seen that look before in fact, she was familiar with it because it's the same look she gave her the night... oh no.

Scarpetta dropped the pot onto the floor, making her go backwards and causing Jigen to shoot up from the chair.

" Oh I see what spooked you ." He smirked. " You wouldn't happen to be thinking about that night? would you? "

God, shut up.

She ignored him and went back to the sink making sure that the pot would stay in one spot this time.

" Did I hit a nerve? "

" Jigen shut up, she'll hear you! " She hissed

" Hey, are you guys coming outside or what? " Asked Fujiko.

Well if Jigen got off his ass these dishes would get clean fast.

Scarpetta smiled at Fujiko even though it was fake from the get go as she tried to find the right words.

" Yeah, I just need to finish these up i'll be out there when I can. "

She only shrugged " What about you Jigen are you coming out? "

Please say yes. Please say yes.

" Naw, maybe some other time when i'm feeling up to it. "

Scarpetta wanted to cuss right then and there for the slick comment he just pulled out of his ass.

" Oh come on, you stay inside practically everyday what's the excuse this time? " asked Fujiko.

It's me, i'm the excuse.