A/N: Let's keep this going, shall we?

Disclaimer: I. Don't. Own. It. And that hurts.

Green eyes roamed over the paperwork, narrowing with each line she read. Once the document had been completely deciphered, she pushed it back across the desk at the other red head in the room.

"I'm out," she stated emphatically.

"No can dosville, Baby Doll," Reno drawled. "I made a promise to my girl and I'm keeping it. Sign the paperwork and we'll get you started on your training."

"I can't drink."

"Nope."

"I can't smoke."

"Not one bit."

"Then fuck you."

"That, you can do," he purred, pushing the paperwork back toward her. "Anytime you feel like taking a drag off of a cigarette, you can take a drag off of me."

Katrina arched a perfectly sculpted eyebrow at him. "Do Turks make it a point to prostitute themselves out?" She asked, taking out a cigarette and lighting it.

Reno leaned back in his chair, lacing his fingers across his lean stomach. "We make it a point to get the job done, no matter the method," he smirked. "The end result is what matters, not the means to it."

"I have nothing to offer your organization but a rocking rack and a perfect ass," she told him, pushing the paperwork back over to him and sucking down her cigarette. "I respectfully decline your offer."

"Actually, according to your background check, you have a degree in marine biology from Junon University, as well as a good start at a law degree."

"Yeah, a lot of good that did me at The Black Cat," she grumbled as she flicked her ash into the crystal tray on Reno's desk.

"It'll be beneficial here," he told her. "Listen, I get it. I'm a chain-smoking boozer. Have been since I was fucking ten years old. I gave it up for a year. You can, too. And Baby, let me tell you; that first fucking drag of a cigarette after you've been without for that gods-damned long…fucking heaven. Nothing like it. In fact, I'll tell you what."

Katrina lifted her chin. "Yeah, what?" She asked, tempted with the idea of becoming a Turk.

"I'll give it up again, just for you. All of it. No booze, no cigarettes."

"From what I've been told, you're already banned from the alcohol."

"Which is why stopping the cigs will be tougher," he answered. "It won't be easy; it won't be pretty; but it will be worth it. Guaranteed."

The red-headed female sighed and reached for the paperwork, taking up a pen as she did. "You better be right about this, Red," she snarled, scrawling her name across the bottom.

Reno gave her a devilish smile. "I am."

Kandi unlocked the door to the penthouse, quickly moving away as Katrina collapsed through it.

"That motherfucker is trying to kill me," the former dancer groaned, dropping her gym bag and dragging herself dramatically to the new sofa. "I hate him so damn much."

Ram looked up from her book briefly before turning the page. "Who?" She asked in a bored tone.

"That damn redhead!" Katrina grumbled as she pulled herself up to lay on the piece of furniture. "He's starving me and making me work muscles that I'm pretty sure I don't have…"

"Trust me, you do," Kandi snickered, grabbing a bottle of water out of the fridge. She plopped down next to Ram. "You'll feel each of them in a few hours."

Katrina screamed into the cushion. "I don't wanna do this!"

"You're getting paid, so suck it up," Ram told her as she continued reading. "Unless you want to go groveling back to B and the Black Cat."

"No, fuck no, no way in hell." Katrina stated emphatically. She raised her face up and grinned ferally. "Wait, do we have any bricks? I could go chat him up for a bit."

"Kandi has a date with a dude built like a brick tomorrow," Ram smirked, turning another page as the red-streaked woman blushed slightly. "One of those meaty fists to B's face would be a vast improvement."

Katrina sat up gingerly. "Maybe I should take this training shit seriously," she mused. "I mean, it could be beneficial in ending him in the future. I would love to snap his neck one day."

"Only targets in the database get assassinated," Kandi told her, typing out a text on her phone.

"You're Head of IT," Katrina told her. "Couldn't you just, insert him in there?"

Ram snickered as Kandi feigned indignation. "Katrina, how dare you suggest such a thing?" She gasped. "Of course, I could. It'd be a cinch."

"So, you'll do it?" Green eyes sparkled with homicidal glee.

Kandi smiled indulgently. "Pass your training and become a full-fledged Turk and it's done."

Katrina nodded. "Got it," she stated, rising to her feet. "Okay, so since two out of three of us are in this horrible torture of a training regimen, what should we eat?"

Ram cleared her throat and marked her place in her book with a feather. "Actually, three out of three of us," she told them. "Reno put me in the program, too. I start training with Rod tomorrow."

"Really?!" Kandi asked excitedly. "Double paycheck for you, too?"

Ram nodded eagerly. "Yeah!" She answered. "We'll all be Turks together."

"Excellent!" Katrina grinned. She opened the fridge and examined the contents. "So, what do three hot, hungry, bad ass chicks eat on a Thursday night that will not anger the red-head, the cue-ball, and the Ram Rod?"

"Chicken is always good," Kandi answered. "Whole grains, veggies, fruits."

"We have frozen chicken nuggets," Katrina answered. "Beer, Bloody Mary mix, and stuff for mimosas."

"Well, technically that works," Ram snickered.

Kandi rolled her eyes and dialed a number for takeout. "Sushi should work. It's pretty healthy."

"We should go grocery shopping this weekend," Katrina suggested. "Oooh! Or maybe get one of those meal delivery things where they send all the ingredients and instructions to you!"

"That's actually a great idea," Ram said reaching for her computer as Kandi ordered the sushi. "I can't cook worth a shit unless it's breakfast."

"Same," Kandi mouthed.

Katrina grabbed a bottle of water and flopped back on the sofa. "So set us up, Ram," she said. "Start us up on meal delivery and let's get so lethal, B dies a horrible death.

Black painted toes curled into the soft, plush carpet of her room, bath towel wrapped tightly around her body as she looked through the clothes in her closet.

"I'm actually kinda nervous," Kandi admitted to Ram and Katrina as they lounged on her bed. "What am I supposed to wear?"

"Depends," Katrina began with a smirk. "Do you want to get laid or not?"

"Isn't that the point of a date?"

"Not necessarily," Ram interjected, throwing a pillow at Katrina. "Dating is just a means to get to know someone better, to see if a more intimate relationship is agreeable to both individuals. It doesn't always have to result in sex."

The redhead scoffed. "Yeah, it does."

"No, it doesn't," Ram snapped. "Just because it always has for you, doesn't mean that for the rest of us." The blonde turned back to Kandi. "Did Zack never take you out?"

"I mean, we would all hang out together. We'd drink, end up at someone's place," she explained. "Anytime I went out with a guy other than Zack, it never ended well. They would always get super judgmental on the ex-Honeybee thing. Rude sees it as a former job only."

Ram smiled sweetly. "Okay," she began. "Well, did he tell you anything about the date?"

Kandi shook her head. "Not really," she answered. "Just that it was dinner and he'd be here at seven to pick me up."

"I'm thinking go dressy casual, then," Ram told her. "Cute jeans, dressier top, hot shoes."

Katrina nodded. "Yep," she agreed. "Classic combo. Works for a burger joint, steak house, and fancier restaurants. If he was planning black tie, he should have told you before today."

"So, on the sluttier side of dressy casual or just sexy cute?" She asked.

"Sexy cute," Ram answered as Katrina said, "Super slutty."

"Shiva," Kandi laughed. "You guys are seriously no help at all. Get out. I'll take care of this myself."

Katrina rolled off her bed, muscles sore from the Turk training. "Just remember," she groaned, stretching her stiff arms. "Panties must always either be sexy or lacking. There is no middle ground."

Ram pushed the redhead out into the hall. "Kandi, wear what makes you feel good, all right?" She said with a reassuring smile. "You'll look amazing in whatever you pick. I know it."

"Thanks, Ram," Kandi grinned, closing her door behind her two roommates. Turning back to her closet, she chose a cute, formfitting black top. One-inch-thick straps held the garment up and the crisscross corsets laced down the sides to tie at the bottom. It was low cut, but not distastefully so. A respectable amount of cleavage was on display. Not enough to be risqué, but just enough to draw looks of admiration.

Though she wouldn't be able to even see Rude's eyes with the sunglasses on.

Chuckling to herself, she paired the top with a pair of dark blue, flare legged jeans that hugged her curves just right; and a pair of black open-toed stilettos. She felt comfortable and confident. Yeah, that muscle definition on her arms was really starting to show; and she liked it. Make-up was done with practiced ease, her eyes lined in black, and lashes covered with mascara. Kandi hated lipstick, so cherry lip balm was applied instead. It kept her lips soft and smooth, with just a slight tint to them. Her long, red-streaked hair was dried and tousled in a messy, bedhead fashion. Silver hoops and a few black bracelets, a spritz of perfume and she was done.

"Okay," she said to her reflection, and checking her watch. "Let's do this."

Kandi grabbed her phone and shoved her ID and debit card into one of her back pockets. She stepped out into the hall and made her way downstairs to wait for her date.

"Holy fuck, that's perfect!" Katrina whistled, looking at her from over the couch back. "Nicely done."

"For real, though!" Ram exclaimed. "I want those jeans!"

"Turn around," Katrina ordered. "Let me see your ass."

Kandi laughed and did as she was asked. "Damn, Girl," the redhead cackled. "Is that from Turk squats? You got cake, Babe!"

"Glad you all approve," she grinned, grabbing a bottle of water from the fridge. "Feels good going out again."

Ram slid into one of the barstools, picking up an apple and taking a bite. "Okay, so we need to fill you in on the roommate safe dating protocol," she began.

Katrina nodded, rising gingerly from the sofa, and moving to sit next to Ram. "Yeah, we do," she said. "We shouldn't have to worry about this guy as he is a Turk, but better safe than dead. First thing, phone location is on at all times."

Kandi grinned, taking out her phone and showing her that it was. "Already do that," she said. "Old hive habit."

"Secondly, drop a pin when you get to where you are going," Ram told her. "We'll ask him where he plans on taking you and if it doesn't match up, we come in, guns blazing."

"Got it," Kandi agreed.

"Third, if at any point you want out and are not in danger, the secret code to text is 'Did you get the pickles?'" Katrina added.

"Pickles," Kandi grinned. "Love it; and them."

"But, if you are in danger or feel unsafe at all, text 86. Send that to one or both of us and we are there or on the phone with the cops or both." Ram smirked as Katrina nodded. "We 86 the date."

The red-streaked woman took a drink of her water. "Have you ever had to use these?"

"Just the pickles," Ram answered. "No need for the 86 though, thankfully."

"Like I said, better safe than dead," Katrina pointed out. "And check in periodically. We get losing track of time when you're having fun, but we'll be here worried about you until you get home, or we hear from you."

"We are such moms," Ram giggled.

Kandi tossed her water bottle in the recycle bin. "Never had a mom that cared," she said with a sad smile.

Ram reached for her hand. "Well, now you have two roommates/best friends who do."

"Yeah, and it may take an exceptional amount of effort on our part, but we will kill the bald hottie if we have to," Katrina hissed. "Good shot right in the pills, and he'll fall hard just like they all do."

Kandi laughed. "I love you crazy bitches," she said, moving around the counter to hug them. "Thanks, Girls."

The doorbell rang, alerting them to Rude's arrival. Kandi took a deep breath and went to open the door. Rude smiled down at her, dressed in jeans and a tight, black t-shirt. "Thank the gods," she laughed, looking him up and down. "If you showed up in a suit, I would have freaked out."

A low chuckle came from his chest. "I'm in the suit too many hours in a day," he told her, taking off his sunglasses and winking at her. "I'm glad you approve."

"Aw, you match!" Ram gushed.

"Yeah, yeah; Baldy looks hot with his rippling muscles all straining the t-shirt," Katrina muttered. "Where are you taking her? We need the address and the phone number."

Rude arched an eyebrow. "I can do the address," he said, taking out his phone and sliding it open. "Phone number will be difficult. I was planning on taking her to the park on the corner of Mako Avenue and Ifrit Drive. There's a food truck court set up this weekend. The stalls don't have a set number that I know of." He handed Katrina his phone, showing her the address. "I applaud the precaution and hope it's not just afforded to the fact she's on a date with me."

"Nah, this applies for any and all suitors to the inhabitants of this penthouse," the redhead told him, sending a text with his phone to her own. "Now I have your number so if I don't hear from her, I will blow your phone up until I get an answer."

Rude nodded and grinned down at the red-streaked female. "Do I have to have you home at a specific time?"

Kandi laughed and pushed him toward the door. "No," she said. "Just safely."

"I want hourly updates, young lady!" Katrina called. She pointed at Rude. "You may be bigger than both Ram and I combined, but we will destroy you if anything happens to her."

"Yes, Ma'am," Rude saluted, heading out the door. "My phone will stay on at all times. I promise."

Ram waved sweetly. "Have fun, you guys!"

"Bye," Kandi called, rolling her eyes. She closed the door and laughed. "They're nuts."

Rude smiled. "They're loyal," he replied. "That's good. I'll be sure not to give them any cause to destroy me."

"Sounds good," Kandi grinned.

He offered her his arm. "Ready?"

Kandi took his arm and squeezed. "Absolutely."

A/N: Practice roommate safe dating protocol. This world is messed up and people are jerks. Be smart, stay safe.