The talk of the bar was like a gentle murmur to B.B. as she sat in Rattlers and she was glad to be at an inn. Camping out was not really her cup of tea, though she could do it if she needed to. She was more of city girl herself, even if she had been raised on a farm. There were just some comforts that could not be denied, and she could watch the stars just as well from a window than outside.
She had understood that it was nessicary for safety measures while Krick had been after her young friend, but she perferred sheets to sand.
They had stopped in Vein Valley at Nega's request mostly. It had been closer, and a drive from there to the canyon was long enough as it was. B.B. pondered if mainly it was becuase she wanted one more night beofre B.B.'s... trial for a better word.
It had always been her intention to go back. She had thought a cell was her destiny, and many a swift ax or shot to the chest. Being invited to join was... interesting, especially since the request had come from Stone and not Nega. She had assumed she would be brought in as a merc, an assassin, but when Healer was suggested to her, she found the curious idea likable. It suited her more, and the longer she had to ponder the idea, the more inviting it seemed. And since she had Tesh's old medical book, she thought she had a fair chance to build on what barely counted as fist aid skills that she had aquired just from being in her line of work. And again, she had owed the good idea to Stone.
Speaking of Stone...
She saw him sitting in a corner, brooding. A small smile on her face, she grabbed the bottle of wine she'd bought from Ratter along with two glasses and slipped off her stool to the gray rat. She knew men were watching her hips sway as she moved, her limp hardly visable, without even having to see their eyes. But her attention was only on the one she wanted.
She had him once, just once, but it was enough to make her want more. She had promised not to say a word about their 'relationship' but she told herself she was not going to allow it to be one night stand. She'd wait as long as he needed, but advances were going to happen. Tonight seemed as good as ever, especially since Sleet and Nega were already... preoccupied upstairs.
"Hi," she said as she slid gracefully in the chair opposite him, practice through the years making the motions second nature to her. "I got us something to drink. Nega told me you like sweet tasting food, so I figured this would be perfect."
She indicated to the clear bottle, red liguid in it shimmering in the light and laid two glasses on the table.
"How about it?" she asked, her gaze inviting and sultry.
"Oh," she said with a raised eyebrow, chin resting delicately on the back of her hand. "That's awfully sweet comming from the man who's done nothing but ignore me the entire trip back. Actually, since our little bath session. I wonder..." She trailed a single finger over the rim of her glass. "Do you have any ideas on how to make me feel a little more... wanted?"
She didn't even bother to be modest as her good foot rubbed lightly at his leg. She felt drunk, even though she'd barely touched her drink. She'd gone through this little dance before, she knew the steps so well it had become boring. But with him, she felt the passion that had never been alive with any of the others. There was no money to gain from this, only pleasure, pleasure she was craving so badly it was exciting.
Stone froze. His breath hitching. "Got an idea." He waggled his empty glass. "My mind and body are worried about two differt things." he grunted watching the glass be filled again. "making you feel wanted or making you feel satisfied?" He asked sipping at the sweet wine. "I can do both."
"I know," she whispered. "I remember. Gods do I remember."
She gazed at him as he started on his second glass, sipping lightly on her own.
"Tell me something Stone," she said playing wih a peice of her hair a little. "When was the last time you just sat down and relaxed? Just let the world go on without you for one night? I bet it's been a long time."
"I sit down and relax. soemone is gonna kill me.." he paused looking at his empy glass again. "when an...sassin fergets hes an assin, den dats when dey... drunk already?" he groaned standing. "Come on, I wanna make sure I get ya fer I pass out." He smirked his tounge thicker than he guessed two glasses of wine would have done him. So much for being a non-drinker. Where was his dignaty?
She smiled, her sultry attitude gone in a second as she shook her head in exasperation. Well, so much for romance. If she'd known he was going to slam the stuff she would have requested smaller glasses.
"You know," she said as she stood and grabbed one of his arm and slung it over her shoulder to support him and led him upstairs to a seperate room(Stone had made it perfectly clear not having to hear the noise was worth the extra cost), "wine is more for sipping than anything else. You're not suppose to chug it."
The got the door open with little difficulty and got him inside, kicking it shut behind him. She sighed at the one bed, and knew she wasn't going to able to have the fun she'd been hoping for.
"I guess I should just let you sleep," she told him, still helping him stand. "Hope this isn't enough to give you a hang over. Come on, let's get you to the bed."
Stone smirked lopsided at her. "Now pretty, da I loook'ite a si..sipp..sippin' kid?" Le flopped back. "Yer are pretty, pretty. Damn fi..fine.. pretty n' se-hic-xy." He tried kicking off his boots. finally getting one off it clamoured onto the floor. the other was more tricky.
"Ya know... if I.. If I didn't have her, if we never.... I'da jumped ya when.. ya fist shawed up."
B.B. swallowed tightly as he talked. She quickly put a finger to his lips, trying to stop him.
"Shh," she whipsered. She wanted to hear what he had to say. She wanted desperatley to hear about his former lver, the one that had caused him so much apin that he had sworn off love for seven years. But he wasn't in his right mind. He'd never forgiver her if she took advantage of him like this and let him talk. "Just shh Stone. Let me help you."
She removed his other boot beofre moving to unclip his weapons harness. After his shirt and her jacket was gone, she slipped in with him. She kissed him, just intending it to be a chaste one, but once her lips touched his, she didn't seem to want to pull away.
'Should I really?' she thought for a moment, her hands moving over his chest. Her conscious didn't entirely whin, as she told herself it was better than hearing about his past. This at least she had been after while he had still been sober.
Stone slipped her finger in his mouth. When she kissed him, he didn't want her to stop, his paws fell onto her sleek glossy coat and caressed, everywhere ..
~~~~~~~~~~~
Sleet Moaned, his moan sounded off to him, it sure wasn't Nega's. "Stone?" His ears perked. Again the deep moan from the room next door, followed by a higher pitch squeal of delight. "BB?" he blinked leaning down and kissing Nega's neck. "I thought we got seperate rooms because of us."
Nega hissed in frustration, her back pressed against Sleet's chest, her fists clutching the pillow.
"Ignore them," she moaned. "I was figuring it'd happen anyway. Besides, don't you think you should be concerntration on something else here?"
--
B.B. felt her face flush as she twisted in the sheets underneath Stone, his gaze lingering afterwards. She wasn't even sure he was drunk anymore. The first time had been sweet and passionate, but not reallly what she would have called... playful. It was amzing how teasing he'd been, but now he was looking at her strangely, and she wasn't certain why.
"Stone?" she asked. "Are you okay?"
Sleet kissed the back of her neck. "Working on it now." He chuckled rubbing her back with his fingers, giving her the best massage ever.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Stone stared at the pretty female beside him. Head resting on the pillow he smiled at the white angle above him. "You... changed yer hair.... I love you.., Gage." he closed his eyes, the alohol and activies taking more from him than anything in a long while. He drifted off to sleep.
"G...Gage?" she asked, her heart feeling as if it had just broken into a million peices. "No... my name is..."
But it was too late. He was asleep. She swallowed and shakily got out of the bed, dressing slowly as she trembled.
This was nothing new. She had been called other women's names all the time. She'd heard the 'I love you... whoever' line enough time that it didn't even phase her. In fact, she had even encouraged some men to do it, knowing heart break or being too nervous to pursue the one they really wanted was what had driven them into her bed. But this was different. She wasn't a whore for Stone, she had hoped to be a lover and a friend.
Well, hadn't she been stupid?
"You still love her, don't you?" she asked softly as she turned to him, tracing his face lightly. "She must have been wonderful... to still have your heart after stomping all over it."
She felt tears trickle down her face and rubbed them away angrily. Why was she crying? He had never told her this was a relationship, it never had been one. Only her stupid delusions, thinking once in her life a man would want her heart as well as her body. She'd set up her own fall.
"Screw this," she said as she stood and made her way back down to the bar. Ratter raised an eyebrow at her. "You have another room available? I don't think Stone would appreciate my company right now."
"Done kina earl-"
"Shut up and give me the key," she snarled at him. She was not in the mood to partake in any kind of crap from anyone. Silently he gave her what he asked for and she went back up to her own room after paying him and went to sleep. She didn't even allow herself to cry, even though she thought she deserved the right.
"We could be great together. Just the two of us! You.. me... the world." A young creamy almost white mouse with brilliant red hair and bright green eyes smiled up at him. Her body far more mature than her 15 year old self. Her generous breasts making her a wonderful weapon now that he had trained her.
"I'm not leaving the Tribe, I can't leave the Tribe. Not for any reason." The young grayeyed rat told her."Stay with me, here, we can be together here."
"I'm a MOUSE! I don't live in dark caves with no windows and bath once a month."she scoffed. "Its not like anyone would even notice or care Stone, you're young and still a lower leavel, come on, Think of it."
"I Care! I would Notice! This is MY HOME! I'm not leaving it for some Two-bit Assassin Hussy!" He snapped.
"TWO BIT HUSSY!?" She growled raising her gun. "TWO BIT ASSASSIN HUSSY!"
Stone's gray eyes windened. "Gage I-"
Stone bolted upright in bed, his eyes wide completely disorianted by the hotel room. Blinking back the faded memory he looked around. Remembering where he was and who he had been with. "BB?" the dark room didn't answer. With a heavy sigh, he crawled out of bed. his head fainly hurting.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sleet woke cuddled up to Nega, the sun streamed in through the covered windows. "Morning Sweetheart, want to get a shower together?" kisisng her cheek.
Faint light greated Nega's ees as she awaoke. She smiled at the request and the kiss on her cheek.
"Mmm," she moaned softly. She slipped from underneath the convers and stretched a little, winking at him when she saw him watching her body hungrily. "Sounds like a great idea. But just be sure that you get me extra clean.
--
B.B. leaned against the window, watching the morning sun. She felt oddly numb, and a part of her wanted to stay in this little room forever.
Sleet grinned. "I'll wash every inch of your silky fur." he promised jumping out of the bed.
~~~~~~~~~
Stone washed up, enjoying the small simple pleasure of running recycled water over his fur. Cleaned up and dressed, he headed down to the bar. A nagging bad feeling thumping at the base of his skull. "Morn' Ratter, up early eh?"
"I'd say the same to you, you sure musta did something to piss off that pretty little thing last night. She came roaring down here demanding another room." The rat chuckled. "What ya do? Fall asleep on her?"
Stone frowned. "I..." blinking he remembered sitting at the table with BB, but..was it her in his bed or.. "Oh no." He groaned. "I think its worse than that Ratter."
Nega grined as Sleet moved in for a kiss, hopping on him and wrapping her legs arround his waist and arms arround her neck. She kissed him passionately as he carried her to the bathroom, her tail flickering to shut the door behind him.
--
Hair braided and clothes adjusted properly, B.B. sighed and realized asside from sulking, she didn't have much more to do in the room. Well, guess she was just going to have to deal with life like she always did.
She moved over to the door and was about to open it before a knock sounded. Great, probably Nega looking for her. She had woken early from her fitful sleep, she should have gotten downstairs before anyone had noticed she'd taken another room. Well, Stone had been drunk, so she could lie and say that he had demanded his own bed. She doubted he'd even remember last night.
"Yes Nega?" she asked as she opened the door, but did not see the gray rat she had expected.
"B.B" Stone nodded looking at her pretty face. "I think I owe ya an appology, about Last night." he shuffled his feet. He was a grown man and scared of ..of What?
"I'm not sure all what happened last night.. but.. I don't think I was right to ya. Was I?"
"I'm Sorry B.B."
B.B. swallowed, one hand still on the door knob, the other hanging limply at her side. A thought of slapping him came to mind, but it wouldn't accomplish anything.
“The bed was a little crowded with three of us in it,†she stated evenly, keeping her eyes trained on his chest. She knew if she looked him in the eyes she’d start to cry. “I took ‘I love you Gage’ as my cue to leave you to what you really wanted, your memories. You seemed more content that way.â€ÂÂ
Stone froze, his small ears flicking back against his head. He wish she'd slapped him enstead.
"I don't love her, not anymore." His shoulders sagged. "Shit, I didn't think I screwed up that bad." He looked away from her. "I'm sorry B.B, I never wantedta hurt ya." He turned to leave.
"You.. don't have to come back with us.. I understand if ya don't wanna."
“Stone,†she said, reaching out to catch his arm. She forced herself to smile lightly at him as she turned him arround to face her. “I’m not mad at you, okay? If I’m mad at anyone, it’s myself. I said that if you wanted anything from me, I'd be here to give it to you. I just got a little too involved emotionally, but I'm all right now. You’re no different than any other man in my life; you wanted the body, which is fine. I was just stupid for falling in love when all I needed to be was a replacement. Now I can go back to being smart about this kind of thing. I owe my heartbreak to myself, not you. Please don't feel guilty."
Stone sighed. "No, that's where your wrong." He lfited his hand to her face. Tipping her chin to look at him. "Yer body isn't what got me askin' you to join. Yer head, yer loyalty to yer friends and... your sacrifice for others... If I wanted just your body I woulda handed ya that ruby for a night and left you with that mutt enstead of letting Nega get all worked up over you."
"I told you I wasn't ready BB. Not for what you need, but damnit! I like you and respect you more than that!"
"Stone... please just stop," she pleaded softly. "You were right, okay? About everything. There is no good part of love, there's pain and that's it. I got my little stupid experience, and I learned my lesson. I never asked anything of you, and I know I never can. All I wanted was to believe for a little while that you actually wanted me... even if just was in bed. If you want me to be Gage... at least you're happy, so why should I be sad?"
She felt tears streaking down her cheeks and she clenched her eyes shut, hiccuping as she cried.
Evil double post!
Stone grabbed her cheeks, forcing her to look at his face. "If I wanted you to be Gage then You'be better get yoru damn gun out and shoot me. Thats what the little bitch did to me! Left me fer dead in a ditch! Yer better than that! Your prettier than her! And just because you both have the same body type doesn't mean a damn thing! YOU ARE A RAT! NOW LOOK AT ME IN THE EYE!" He demanded. "Look at me!"
He smirked. "Stop crying. I ain't a fucking coldstone jerk you know."
B.B. stared at him, wide eyed and shocked. She trembled a little at the volume in his voice.
"She did that to you?" she asked softly. Her chested heaved a little as she breathed, and felt his hands on her cheeks. Every lick of common sense was screaming at her to forget it, that she was being stupid all over again, even as she reached up and placed her hands over his, turning her head slihtly to kiss his palm again and again, giving his wrist a fast lick. She stepped closer to him, closing the distance between them and stopped mere centimeter from his mouth.
"Stone," she breathed. "I know you don't feel the same as I do... But can I pretend, just this once? I'll never ask again, I swear."
"yeah. She did."
His gray eyes softened staring into her light pinks. "Ya can ask any time..I .." He didn't finish; pressing his mouth against hers softly. He finished closing that bit of gap between their bodies.
~~~~~~~~~~~
Sleet chuckled dressed and running out of the room. "I AM SOOO Going---" he froze seing Stone and BB kissing in a rooms doorway. "Need a camera."
B.B. broked the kiss suddenly when she heard Sleet. Judging from Stone's expression, he had noticed the boy's pressence to. Quickly she pulled him into the room with her, slammed the door and pushed him into it, flattening her body against his.
"Ignore him," she whispered. "You threaten his life later, for now, its my turn."
She licked at his ear before blowing against it softly.
"Or would you rather have the boy in here instead?"
--
"What are you shouting about so early in the morning?" Nega asked Sleet as she stepped out of their room, tying her still damp hair in a ponytail.
A shudder of pleasure passed through Stone. "Ahh.. no, I don't share...Not with little punks..." He swallowed hard. "Are you sure ya wanna start something like this?" his paws caressing her.
~~~~~~~~
Sleet leaned one ear against the door. "Stone and BB were kissing and not just a little kiss, but a deep romantic kiss."
"Start something like what?" B.B. asked, hands resting on his shoulders. She gave a little gasp where his hands had just roamed.
--
Nega eyes widened a little as she looked at Sleet. He was trying to listen to them have sex? She bit her lip and told herself not to stopp to his level. It was none of her bussiness, no matter how curious she had been since talking to Stone about B.B. How it worked out was their own bussiness.
"Move over," she whispered to Sleet as she moved to the dorr as well. "And don't make a sound."
His paws fiddled with her waistband. "You tell me." he hummed nibbling on her neck and throat.
~~~~~~~
Sleet slid over to let Nega have some door space. His eye raised hearing a zipper undo.
Arbiter
Stone had been preoccupided with thoughts of his next meeting with Leader over BB's joining the Canyon Tribe. It wasn't that he did this often but twice in such a short span and both outsiders, one not willing to breed and the other unable. he knew he was going to get flack for this, but hell... a healer was important. its not like they LEFT the Tribe all that much other than going back and forth between the canyons.
His attention snapped as soon as she slid gracefully across from him. "Hey." he nodded to her glancing around at the other patrons who noticed the hot babe sitting with the grizzled rat.
Stone stared at the bottle. "One glass shouldn't hurt this assassin's judgement too badly." He paused sniffing as she filled his flute.
"what is it first?" he asked curious lifting the delicate glass. sniffing in it. The sweet ruby liquid smelled inviting.
Sipping it cautionusly, the bubbles danced down his throat, the sweet aftertaste alive in his mouth. He downed the flute. "Nice, very nice, tangy.. sweet.. bubbly." he smirked. "Reminds me of someone at this table." he smiled at the pretty white female rat.
"There are three things you can count on...."
"Your brains, your bros, and your bikes?" Vandal asked.
"No, Hunger, Thirst, and never a bathroom when you need it." Jacket grumbled.