The two men, one tall and muscular, the other slender and short, walk down the street.

"Here we are!" The shorter one exclaims.

"This is a library, Ajax." The taller one grumbles.

"Yeah, yeah. Just follow me Lysander. You'll see."

Ajax strides in and up to the counter. "Do you have any copies of (insert book title)."

The brunette behind the counter smiles at him. "You know we do." She nods and tilts her head to her right and glances at Lysander.



"He's with me Cal." Ajax grins. "Well, not with me, with me. He's my brother and straight. And single." He winks.

"Ajax." Lysander growls warningly.

"Barking up the wrong tree, Ajax." Cal laughs. "Go on."

Ajax quickly hooks his arm through Lysander's. "C'mon big brother." He half leads-half drags his brother through the archway into what looks like a reading room. "Here we are." He pulls a copy of (same book title) and a loud click is heard. The bookcase swings out from wall.

"Are you serious?" Lysander looks skeptical.

"What part of speakeasy did you not hear?" He says softly and pushes past him into the passageway. "Of course it doesn't have a big front door any old person can just walk into." He pauses and turns around. "You coming?"

Lysander follows grumpily and Ajax pulls a lever to close the bookcase door. Electric lights flicker on, lighting the normal looking hallway. Parquet flooring, old faded wallpaper, no doors though, except for at the end of the hallway.

Ajax bounds to the door, throwing it open and holding it for Lysander.

The sound of upbeat music reaches his ears. Something anyone could move to, even if they couldn't dance. And he can't.

The dimness of the room is hard to see in after the brightly lit hallway. "That must be intentional." He mutters under his breath, blinking as his eyes adjust.

It's a large room. Very large. A long bar wraps around two sides of the room, including the one that the door is on. There's a stage on the opposite wall, though no one except a DJ is up there.

Tables are scattered around almost haphazardly, though there is still room to move around them. Booths take up the entirety of the left wall. And it's crowded. It is so crowded. And it's barely eight PM.

"C'mon. Let's go get a drink. My treat." Ajax leads a meandering path to the far side of the bar.

He sits down in one of the mismatched bar stools, something made of hammered copper with a red velvet cushion. He leans forward and smiles at the woman behind the bar. "Lovely to see you tonight, Twine. How's it going?"

"Well enough. A bit slow for it being New Year's, but I'm sure that'll change. It's still early. Your usual?" She asks.

Lysander stands with his arms crossed, examining the bartender. A mask covers her features except for her red lips, but that's not as unusual, all the servers seem to be wearing masks. Long brunette curls swept back in an almost Victorian style with enough volume to hide a knife. Voluminous skirts that could hide a shotgun. And a tight corset top, laced to the extreme. She's probably not hiding a weapon in that.

His analysis is broken by her addressing him. "You keeping a bodyguard around now, Ajax?" She laughs. "I didn't know you were quite that important."

"Nah, this is just my brother, Lysander." He turns to his brother. "Lysander, sit."

With a grimace, he does so.

"Ah, so not a bodyguard, more like a well-trained puppy." Her lips quirk up into a sultry smirk. "What would your bodyguard puppy like to drink?" She directs the question at Ajax.

"I don't know. Something manly."

"I've got just the thing. I'll be right back." She saunters away, a swing in her hips.

Lysander waits until she's too far away to hear him, watching his brother watch her leave. "I don't need you to order for me. Or to talk over me. Or about me." He growls.

"It's just a bit of fun, bro." Ajax lightly punches his shoulder. "Take it easy. You can drop the tough guy persona just for a night."

"It's not a persona."

"Well, whatever it is, it's no fun. Just relax and have some fun." He lays a hand on his brothers shoulder and leans a bit closer. "It's safe here." He says softly. "And I'm here. And the staff knows and likes me. No one's going to bother you. Except maybe me." He leans back.

Twine returns with two drinks. One is an opalescent green and served in a wide champagne flute, the other is orange and served in a Collins glass.

"Death in the Afternoon for Ajax." She sets the green one down precisely on a napkin. "And a Sidecar for Ajax's brother." She sets the orange one down even more precisely on a napkin. "If you don't fancy it, let me know. I'll help you find something you like."

Lysander opens his mouth to retort and then shuts it. He feels weary and worn out and not especially in the mood to get into banter. "I'm sure it'll be fine."

"Let me know if you two need anything. I'll be only a holler away." She flashes another warm smile and moves down the bar to serve other patrons.

"To new beginnings." Ajax raises his glass to his brother.

Lysander sits there, staring at the glass, wondering what the hell he is doing with his life. He reaches for the glass with a sigh and lifts it to clink with his brother.

"New beginnings." He grumbles, taking a small hesitant sip of the drink. As the taste of the orange and the liquor washes over his tongue, he feels a sense of calm. He startles and drops the glass, watching it fall in almost slow motion towards the ground.

Quicker than a lightning bolt, someone's hand comes out of nowhere and neatly catches the glass, only spilling a few drops.

Lysander turns around on his stool in disbelief.

"Whoops, that was close." She hands the drink carefully back to him.

He looks up and her, tall, maybe even taller than him, and lithe and wearing a ridiculously lavish evening gown. Her ears practically drip with green gemstones.

"You okay there." She leans down slightly, putting herself more on his level.

"Yeah. I'm fine." He nods stiffly. "Thank you."

"Well, you two have a good night." She strides away, her dress like a cloud.

Ajax leans forward. "She's cute." He whispers to Lysander.

"And quite taken." He gestures towards where Twine has just jumped over the bar and  wrapped the woman in a tight hug, peppering her face with kisses.

"Not necessarily." He turns back to his drink. "They could just be really close friends. Twine's a very affectionate woman. It's not like they're making out."

"And the proprietor doesn't mind his employees engaging in displays like that?" He asks with distaste.

"You're a prude, bro." Ajax laughs and finishes the rest of his drink. "It's not like they're fucking on the bar.

"Ajax!" He exclaims, looking around.

"What?" He laughs, setting his glass back on the bar. "Take it easy." He slides off the stool. "I'm going to go chat with the DJ, I'll be back in a jiffy." He stands up. "Mingle. Or don't. Just please don't leave." He walks off with a wave.

"I'll be here. Someone's going to have to keep an eye on your drunk ass." He jokes and turns back around, glaring into his glass.

"Is it not to your liking?" Twine has returned, her paramour nowhere in sight.

"What?"

She points at his nearly full glass.

"Oh...to be honest, I forgot about it."

She laughs, leaning forward on the bar. "Well, that's no way to get drunk. Do you want a shot maybe? On the house. I'll join you." She palms two shot glasses from under the bar and holds them up, secured between her fingers.

"Are you even allowed to drink when you're on the job?"

"I have drinking privileges." She responds casually. "So, what do you want? Something spicy? Or maybe something sweet. Or sour. Or on fire?"

"On fire?" He asks incredulously. "You're allows to just light things on fire in here?"

"It's contained. And of course. There's a lot we're 'allowed' to do." She curls her fingers into air quotes. "It is a speakeasy. A place to have fun. There are only a few rules."

"And those are?"

"No violence. No hard drugs in the common room. No property damage. And my favorite, no means no." She shrugs. "Pretty straight forward. Just be a decent person."

"And if I were to break any of those rules?"

"You'd get kicked out. Ajax would be put on probation since he vouched for you. At the very least. You can't see them, but we do have bouncers."

Lysander looks around, scanning the crowd.

"I bet I can."

"Oh? A wager?" She leans further forward. "That sounds fun. What are we betting?"

"Well, it makes the most sense that if I win, then the house is paying for my drinks tonight. Since you seem pretty sure of yourself."

"And when I win?"

"What do you want? I don't really have much to offer. It's not like I can serve *you* drinks on the house."

"Pick something just on the other side of your comfort level. That's what I want." She sets the glasses down and begins pulling out bottles.

"I don't like dancing." He suggests.

"Yes, but do you hate dancing, or you just don't like it." She presses. "I'm looking for something just barely over that line, whatever it is. I'm not going to demand you do something you hate."

"I'd feel...uncomfortable with it, but I would gladly wager it. Besides, I'm not going to lose."

"Okay, so terms then. I'm not going to demand that you point out every single bouncer we have. That would be unfair."

"Well, you don't think I can point out any, so even pointing out one would be a loss for you."

"You're quite confident though, so I'm not going to set it that low." She looks around. "Three. And you tell me how you can tell."

"Sounds fair. Drink first?"

"After. I'm too curious to mix a good drink. Satisfy my curiosity, Lysander."

"Ah, so you do know my name."

"Ajax talks about you a lot. I could go back to calling you puppy if you want."

Lysander rolls his eyes. "The DJ is one, but he's more of backup, since if you have some sort of scuffle here, you'd prefer for the music to keep going and for someone to be capable of distracting your customers. I'm not sure how capable he is physically, but he obviously has his finger on the pulse of this establishment. If something's going wrong, then he'll see it. And, if he needs to then he can cut the music. Also, he has a rather large baton under his table." He points. "The edge of it is sticking out."

"Okay, impressive, but that's only one. And seeing the baton, while still impressive, is a easy catch

"If you say so, but you were the one who told me that I can't see them.

"Fair enough." She pulls out a fresh lemon and carefully slices two rounds from it, setting them aside.

"Those two in the booth furthest from the stage. They're drinking water." He gestures with his glass towards a couple sitting, holding hands across the table.

"Maybe they're both pregnant."

"The one facing the door is wearing brass knuckles. Very skillfully made and they look like jewelry, but still. You can tell by the shape and the way they're molded to not harm her hand if she punches someone out."

"Why both of them, if I may ask?"

"The truth? I know them." He grins.

Twine smacks his hand gently. "Cheater."

"Was there a rule against that? You never said that it doesn't count if I know them."

"Fine." She pulls out a antique looking sugar bowl. "They only count as one then. You need one more."

Lysander laughs for the first time that night. "Okay, this might be the toughest one, but I'll tell you anyway. It's you."

"Oh, really?"

"Yes."

"Why? Tell me." She demands.

"I'm not sure. While I believe you could hold your own in a fight, it takes more than that to be a good bouncer. You need to be able to do more than hold your own. You need to be able to dominate the situation. If you can easily overpower the rowdy crowd, then you can handle the situation with much more ease. And you're less likely to get injured. Usually, you'd want someone who looked big and sturdy. Part of being a bouncer, at least when you're visible, is the intimidation factor." He shrugs. "And, while I'm not entirely sure why, you feel like someone who could deal with any situation thrown at you. Maybe you just have a taser hidden somewhere under your skirts." He gestures at her vaguely. "Or maybe you're actually trained in combat. But, you give off the air of someone who could dominate any situation you need to."

There's silence for a long moment.

"Am I right?"

Twine leans even further forward, another smirk on her lips. "You're quite the perceptive one, aren't you."

"In my line of work, you need to be."

"And what is that."

"I fly planes and airships occasionally. Aerial tours and flight instruction."

She peers at him, brown eyes visible to him now, sparkling behind the mask.

"Ooh, that sounds like a lot of fun. I guess depending on your students of course.. You ready for that drink?

"Sure. What are we having?"

"Okay, so this is one of my favorites. It's citron vodka, herbal liqueur, and a bit of high proof rum. And the presentation is so much fun!" She pours out a jigger and a half of the vodka and a splash of the liqueur. "Then you take a lemon slice," she holds one up and sets it flat on the rim of the glass, "set it on the shotglass and put a sprinkling of sugar on the lemon. Then, you soak the sugar with rum." She smiles, holding a zippo. "I'll light them and then you follow my lead, okay?"

He nods, focused on the show.

She lights the rum-soaked sugar and waits a moment. "Once the sugar has caramelized, you blow out the flame, lick the sugar off, down the shot, and then fold the slice in half and suck on it." She carefully clinks her glass with his and blows the candle out before quite quickly downing the sugar, the shot, and then biting the lemon, making a puckered face as she slams her glass down.

Lysander quickly follows suit, the burn of the vodka followed by the sharp bite of the acidic lemon. He sets the glass and lemon slice down and watches her.

Twine sets the lipstick tinged lemon slice down and beams at him. "Good? Did you like it?"

Lysander pauses for a moment, overtaken by a unusual stray emotion. Contentment. Maybe the warmth spreading through his body is just the alcohol talking, but he's content. "Yeah." He says softly. "I did."

Her smile becomes even larger if that's even possible. A grin from ear to ear, some would say. "Great! What do you want next? You going to finish that one?" She taps the bar next to his Sidecar.

"Yeah, I'll finish this one." He takes a sip of it, glancing around. "Don't let me keep you from your other patrons."

"It's not problem. I'm sharing my section tonight. We're training a new girl, Rocket." She gestures down the bar where a short, masked woman wearing pink overalls and a white blouse is chatting with the tall woman from before is. "This is like her fourth day or something."

"Doesn't that cut into your tips, though?"

"Sure it does. Why would that matter though? She needs money too." She leans an elbow on the bar. "It's pretty nice on a night like tonight. We're going to be packed and this section tends to be a favorite of a lot of our patrons."

"And why is that?"

"Me." She grins an almost predatory grin. "I'm quite good at what I do."

"Of course you are. Good enough to have drinking privileges at least." Lysander chips in.

"Exactly." She glances back at the woman. "If you want another one of those flaming lemon drops, let me know. I'll take the opportunity to teach her. She's got steady hands, but is incredibly shy, so any performative drinks I can teach her will help."

"Fake it 'til you make it?" He asks.

"Exactly."

During the momentary lull in the conversation, he turns around and surveys the room again. "Does my brother always flirt with the DJ?"

"Of course not." She laughs. "Sometimes he flirts with me. Last night he attempted to flirt with Rocket. I think he scared her half to death."

------

"Yeah, I'm liking it a lot." The short woman smiles under her dark mask. "I'm so grateful that you helped me find this job, Cymbeline."

"Of course. You needed a job and this place needed another server. I just solved one problem with another. You'll do great...Rocket."

"You don't think that's weird, do you? The pseudonym I chose?"

"Nope. I mean," she points down the bar, "she goes by 'Twine' and," she points towards the other side of the bar, "she goes by Starlightning.". She laughs, a full-bodied laugh. "Rocket suits you."

"Why's that?"

"Well, for starters, I believe you could fly me to the moon." She reaches out and strokes her hand. "You're also quick. And steady. And cute."

"Hey, rockets aren't cute."

"Fine, awe-inspiring, amazing, brilliant...yes, I like that one. Brilliant."

Rocket's cheeks and ears flush pink. "I'm not bril--"

"Hush!" Cymbeline exclaims, loud enough for a few people to turn and glance at them. "Don't say that. It's my opinion and you can't change that. So, deal with it, 'kay?"

"Yeah...sure."

"You going to participate in the silent auction tonight?"

"I...don't think so."

"Why not? It's all in fun and it's a good way to earn a chunk of cash."

"I...uh...well, I won't kiss just anyone."

"Of course not silly. That's why you can put guidelines. You could even say 'No blondes allowed." She flips one of her long braided pigtails over her shoulder with a laugh. "And you can certainly say "Women only". You know enough about how this place works by now. Sales aren't the only thing management cares about. They care about their workers." She tilts her head to the left. "Twine can attest to that. I think you should do it."

"Yeah, but who would bid on me?"

"I can't bid that much, but I would. So look on the bright side, either you get a nice chunk of cash or you get to kiss me at midnight." She pauses, looking at her.

"Or, if you really don't want to, you can just kiss me anyway." She leans forward, reaching for Rocket's chin. "You know I enjoy kissing you.:" She pulls her close enough to plant a soft kiss on her lips.

Rocket sighs against Cymbeline's lips, closing her eyes and shutting out everything else for a moment. Cymbeline reaches up with her other hand, clasping Rocket's face in her hands and deepening their kiss briefly before pulling back, leaving Rocket's lips perfectly pouted.

"You could always just say only a kiss on the cheek if you wanted." She insists. "I think it'd be good for you to sign up, but I won't push you. Just think about it. I think you have until ten to decide. I can go ask Twine." She offers.

"No, that's okay. She looks busy anyway." She gestures vaguely over to where Twine is lighting two shots on fire.

Cymbeline glances over. "Ooh, he's cute. Not as cute as you of course...and you know I prefer ladies, at least aesthetically." She adds swiftly.

"He looks besotted with her." Rocket giggles.

"She has that effect on men...and women. I do too, to an extent." Cymbeline laughs. "That's one of the reasons she does so well for herself here." Cymbeline stands. "Which is why I'm going to skedaddle. Her section of the bar gets busy, especially on holidays, and you'll have your hands full. I have an errand to run and then I'll be back. Think about participating, I know you could use the extra pocket change."

"Fine, I'll think about it."

"And here," Cymbeline tosses over a small tube, "Put this on."

Rocket catches it deftly and opens it. Pink lipstick the color of a ballet slipper. When she looks back up, Cymbeline is nowhere to be seen.

With hesitance, she heads over to Twine.

------

'Hey Ramos, how's it going?" Ajax slides onto the bench at the DJ booth. "You gonna be part of the New Year's silent auction?"

"Naw, man. That's for the servers. I'm just here to keep the tunes going. I do get to announce the auction and talk up the girls." He smoothly transitions one song to another. "You bidding tonight?"

"Yes, but not for myself." He points towards the bar. "That's Lysander."

"You're brother? You actually managed to get him to come out? How'd you manage that?"

"Bribery and threats. I told him if he didn't come with me I'd stay home. And bother him. And be bored. It worked like a dream." He laughs. "If you remember, I used to be the 'baby sister'. He can't say no to me." He gestures to the bar again. "It seems our lovely Twine's managed to catch his attention."

"It does..." He looks at Ajax and grins. "What do you have planned?"

"I'm going to bid on Twine in my brother's name. Look at him. He desperately needs a New Year's kiss."

"You brought him to her on purpose, didn't ya?"

"Yes. Absolutely." Ajax's grin fades as his tone becomes serious. "He needs to get out and not be a stay-at-home stick in the mud. Even if its just for tonight, I'll take that as a victory." He leans his head against Ramos' shoulder. "I miss my big brother."

"I know babe," Ramos puts an arm around his shoulders. "Did you mention anything to Twine?"

"Nah, I assumed she'd pick up on whatever was relevant."

"Smart move." Ramos grins. "Because she will. Don't know what it is about that girl, but she knows things. She's a clever one."

---

"And then she flipped the bottle, and overestimated how much was in it or something. It went spinning into the mirror behind us." Twine points a thumb over her shoulder. "She only stayed long enough to work it off. Boss said that she didn't need to, but she still did. Then she disappeared. Some of the other girls thought she was too was embarrassed by it, but I don't think she planned on staying very long anyway."

"And what about you? You ever break anything here?"

"Oh, countless hearts of course." She laughs. "But yeah, I've dropped bottles and glasses before. Everyone has. It's just part of human nature to make mistakes."

Lysander laughs, draining the last of his Sidecar and glancing out the corner of his eyes down the bar. He can see Rocket approaching tentatively. "How abotu another one of those fire things." He suggests. "I need to take advantage of my house tab."

"Sure thing, just let me go get Rock--"

"I'm here." She says quietly.

"So you are. Come over here. I'm going to teach you one of my favorite drinks. Lysander here," she gestures to him, "won a bet and gets drinks on the house for the rest of the night. He's also Ajax's brother, so we have to take good care of him." She winks.

"Oh...of course." She nods with more gusto than entirely necessary.

"Okay, so this is a Flaming Lemon Drop. Vodka, herbal liqueur, and rum. A lemon slice and some sugar. And best of all, an open flame." She pulls out an additional shot glass. "You up for joining us?"

"Uh...I don't have drinking privileges, Twine." She glances at Lysander and then back to Twine.

"I'm allowing it. It'll be good for you to know how this drink is meant to be served and consumed. But only if you're up for it."

"Uh, can you do that?" She looks unsure.

"Yeah, of course. I'm your trainer after all. You in?"

"Sure..." She steps up next to Twine behind the bar.

Twine turns towards Lysander. "You don't mind if we use you to practice on, do you?"

"No, by all means." He holds his hands up in an open gesture. One part of him is wondering why its so easy to open up to this woman, another part blames it on the alcohol, and a larger part doesn't even care.

"Okay, so stand here directly in front of the patron." She moves aside to let Rocket take her place. "Now do your stuff."

Rocket steps up directly across from Lysander. "Good evening sir, what can I get for you?"

"Hmm," Lysander rubs his chin. "Do you have anything sweet that you can light on fire?"

"Well, Twine's right here, but she might object." She cups her mouth with a hand and talks in a stage whisper.

Lysander laughs again, surprising himself. "What's the second best option?" He asks, watching Twine intently.

"I've got the ingredients right here for a flaming lemon drop if you'd like. Vodka, herbal liqueur, and rum. A lemon slice and some sugar. And best of all, an open flame." She recites verbatim Twine's words. "Sound tasty?"

"Yeah, it does. Why don't you mix up a few and join me and my new friend here." He gestures towards Twine, playing along with her game. "And Rocket?"

"Yes?"

"Make mine a double."

Rocket nods and jumps to it.

"A shot and a half of vodka and a splash of the liqueur for a single." Twine instructs quietly.

Rocket lines up the shot glasses, pouring out vodka into all of them in one continuous motion without using any tools to measure.

"And how do I know you didn't underpour my drink?" Lysander remarks casually.

Rocket grins at him and catches up a jigger between the fingers of each hand, setting them down with their rims touching. Without a word, she pours his glass out perfectly into both of them. "Three ounces." She says simply before pouring the jiggers back into the glass.

Lysander looks up at Twine, impressed and she just raises an eyebrow and smiles.

Rocket splashes the liqueur in, whisking each glass swiftly with a short bar spoon. Then, she takes a fresh lemon and carefully cuts three thick slices of lemon and slices notches into the rinds of each of them, making them resemble flowers before setting them carefully, like a card shark dealing a hand, on the rims of the glasses.

Lysander glances at Twine again and can see that even she is impressed.

Rocket keeps her focus on her work as she pours small hills of sugar in five points on the lemon rounds. She moves the glasses into a triangle shape and reaches for the lighter, glancing at Twine.

Twine nods. "Go ahead, you've done it right."

Rocket smiles and flicks the Zippo on, lighting the small mounds of sugar.

Twine speaks softly. "So, we wait for the sugar to caramelize then you lick the sugar, down the drink, and bite the lemon."

Rocket looks up at Lysander. "Once your sugar is caramelized, lick it off, take your shot, and bite into the pulp." She holds up her glass and blows out the flame, showing off as she takes the shot, delicately placing the glass back on the bar.

Twine and Lysander follow suit and he laughs."I think she has you beat, Twine." He teases her.

"Oh, you're just saying that because she gave you a stronger drink."

"And this flower." He sets the slice down in his empty glass. "Like a daisy or something. That's some handy knife work." He taps on the bar and glances up at Twine. "You should keep this one. She probably won't break any mirrors."

Twine laughs as Rocket flushes with pleasure. Maybe she's finally found somewhere she can stay, where she's good at something.

"Thank you, sir." She gives the hint of a curtsy.

He laughs. "Just call me Lysander."

Twine watches their interaction, smiling a private smile.

Rocket turns to her. "Oh, by the way...um...Cymbeline said that you could tell me how to sign up for the silent auction tonight?"

"Silent auction?" Lysander asks, curious.

"You'll see. The DJ'll announce it soon enough . If you'll give me a moment."

Lysander inclines his head. "Sure thing. I know you're going to be busy tonight and can't spend it all entertaining a single customer."

Twine gestures at another of the bartenders before leading Rocket through a door to the break room. She turns around and fixes her with a look. "Are you sure? You didn't seem to particularly favor the idea when I asked you the first time."

"Cymbeline thought it'd be a good idea. And she said I could narrow the criteria for who could bid."

"That's true. So, you want to sign up?"

Rocket nods.

"Okay, so fifty percent goes to you and fifty percent goes to charity. And you can set any criteria that you want." She whips out a piece of paper. "Here you go. Fill it out and then give it to me." She smiles. "I have to get back out there."

"Thank you Twine."

"It's no problem. You let me know if you need anything else, hon."

"I will." She watches at Twine pauses at the mirror to refresh her lipstick and then strides back out to the common room.

She sits there for a moment, staring at the paper. She picks up the pen and begins to write. "Ladies only. Chaste kiss only. No tongue." She sits for another long moment, staring at her words and then stands up abruptly, folding the paper in half and gripping it tightly as she leaves the room.

She pauses just before the doorway, glancing at the mirror. She whirls around, hurrying to the mirror to apply the pink lipstick. She stares at her reflection for another long moment before dashing back out to get to work.

---

Twine exits the break room and reenters the bar area to find the speakeasy even more crowded than it was. She glances at the clock and nods with satisfaction. Time to rake in the big tips. She almost glides back to the bar and takes up her place. Lysander has moved from the bar to a table. He's chatting with one of the servers and looking over a menu. She smiles and turns to the amassed patrons at the bar.

Even though Treble was watching her section of the bar, these were waiting for her. She jumps into her routine, taking orders and laying out bottles and mixers and garnishes.

A Brandy Fizz for Benny, one of our regulars. And by regular I mean every night. Always a single Brandy Fizz, then he moves down the bar ordering different drinks from different bartenders. A double jigger of brandy and I squeeze a full lemon into his glass. A generous splash of club soda and a pinch of sugar. I twirl the spoon between my fingers before giving it a quick stir and sliding it over to him. I focus for a moment while I smile. He's tense, but no more so than usual. I open myself up and push gently, easing the tension and stoking his relaxation.

A Hot Kiss for Jeff, a drink that always seems to amuse him. I'm pretty sure he likes asking for a Hot Kiss from me. He's one of those guys who is short and hates it. It takes barely a moment for the practiced thought of easing his insecurities and bolstering his ego. It's caused some problems in the past, but tonight it should be okay. And it'll make him more likely to tip. I pour the coffee, cremes de cacao and menthe, and whiskey into a white mug. I place my lips gently on the rim of the mug, leaving a precise red lipstick print and I wink at him, sliding it over. Oh, I hope he doesn't win the bidding tonight.

Cynthia. I haven't seen her in months. She smiles coyly at me, laying down a large bill. I know that I get to keep all of it and her drink's cost is only a fraction of it. She's dressed in a chic suit, pinstripe slacks, but the pinstripes are actually tiny chains of interlinked hearts. She leans over the bar, sliding the bill into my hand, before picking it up and kissing the back of it. "Pink Lady, if you please, my dear Twine." She sits on the bar stool, glancing left and right. "Take your time for me. Show off a bit, love."

I pour out two ounces of gin into my shaker. "Make a double, dearest." I add another two, my motions fluid and languorous.  I slowly pour in the cream from my small pitcher before cracking an egg neatly into it. I shake it a few shakes before popping it open to add the grenadine. Red syrup almost like blood, turning pink as it hits the shaken drink. I pop the lid back on and shake it until its done.

I spin around to fetch a chilled martini glass from the fridge and set it directly in front of her, on a pink cocktail napkin. I slowly strain the contents out into her glass and set the shaker down with a soft clink.

"Add a couple more drops. Make it bloody." She requests.

I pick up the grenadine with a flip, tilting it to drop four large drops into the pink drink. "A bloody lady for my lady." I give a playful bow.

"Excellent darling. Keep the change." She stands, taking her drink with her. The silence that had pervaded the immediate area with her presence turns back to clamoring for drinks. I turn to the next patron.

---

The speakeasy has become even more crowded, the bar is packed and servers weave through the tables. The area in front of the stage is packed with people dancing to the music.

Ajax hums along to the current song, bouncing on the bench in time with the music. Ramos chuckles and puts an arms around his shoulders and squeezes. "Time for that announcement."

He stands up as the song transitions to another slower one and he eases the volume down. "Ladies and gentlemen!" He calls into a microphone. "Good evening and welcome to 28 Geranium Street. It's good to see such a large crowd here in our humble establishment." He gestures wide at the common room as people laugh. "Well, not *that* humble.

"Tonight, we ring in the new year with merriment...and booze." He stage whispers this last bit, to another round of laughter. "We have a special event for you tonight! Someone tell me, what's the one thing you'll need at midnight tonight." He tilts the microphone out to the crowd.

"A good stiff drink!" Someone yells.

"A well worded toast!" Someone else yells.

The crowd murmurs for a moment before Ramos tilts the microphone towards Ajax.

"A New Year's kiss." He enunciates clearly.

The crowd cheers. Most of them are already drunk.

"Yes, exactly. My friend here has it right. A New Year's kiss." He gestures to a large table in the middle of the room which looks conspicuous and lacks chairs. "We'll be hosting a silent auction tonight. And you'll be bidding for the honor to get a special New Year's kiss from one of our servers. Half of your bid will go to your chosen partner, the other half will go to a local charity."

More cheers.

"Now, there are a few rules. No harassing any of our servers or bartenders. Not everyone has chosen to participate in this event, and none of you will be changing their minds." He shakes a finger at the crowd. "Also, some of our girls have certain criteria. Please follow what's listed on their bid sheets. Even if one of them says something like 'blondes only'." He laughs. "Unless you want to rush out and bleach your hair real quick, don't bid. Your bid will be considered invalid. And finally, cash upfront. If you don't have the dough, your bid will be invalid and the next highest bidder will win." He pauses as the volume swells as people chat among themselves.

"That being said, please do enjoy yourselves and bid high on this special opportunity." He bows and sits back down next to Ajax before cranking the music up and switching it to something more upbeat.

"How'd I do?" He murmurs to Ajax, lips close to his ear.

"Great. That being said, I should go drop a bid on Twine in my brother's name." He leans in and kisses Ramos on the temple. "Have fun. I'll see you at midnight, if not earlier."

"Good luck with your plot, Ajax. Keep a close eye on the bids. Don't let someone beat you." He tilts his head towards the bar and lowers his voice. "I know that Jeff will be bidding and he's loaded. Let me know if you need any interference."

"Thanks, I will." He stands up and strides across the stage and down the steps towards the bidding table.

---

Lysander dips a french fry into some ketchup as he watches the scene unfold. He takes a solid bite out of it and snorts. "Bidding on kisses." He grumbles halfheartedly, part of him thinking it might be fun, another part disgusted, and the greater part missing his last...girlfriend? Lover? Tryst might be a better term. No...affair. Affair was the proper term. He sets down the uneaten half of his fry and closes his eyes, leaning his head in his hands, elbows resting on the table as he reminisces.

---

When he woke up, she was gone with not even a note. He knew where she was, even though he didn't want to think about it. Phoenix was with Ambrose...with his brother. He knew after their last night together she was going to go and have her last night with him before he left.

He sits up in the cold bed, looking at the soft impression in the pillow where her head had rested, probably very briefly, waiting for him to fall asleep. She had been in his arms when he drifted off, exhausted by the day and their recent carnal efforts. He clenches his fist and punches the pillow. Unsatisfied, he turns and punches the headboard, leaving cracked wood and his knuckles bloodied. He rips the sheets off his unclothed body and stands up, looking around at the room that had been his home for the last few months.

He should've never come here. Never gotten involved with the Party Revolutionaries...especially *that* revolutionary. His lover...once-lover. He's leaving.

He pulls the suitcase out from under his bed, already packed except for the few necessities he needed to leave out. He packs those quickly and dresses for travelling, finishing with well-loved combat boots.

Grabbing his suitcase, he strides through the door, turning around to make sure he didn't miss anything.

The room is empty and bare.

He leaves, speaking to no one as he does so.

---

Half an hour later, he's loaded his suitcase into the passenger sear of his aircraft. He climbs into the pilot's seat and waits for the sun to go back down. Having only gotten about an hour and a half of sleep, he drifts off quickly.

---
He's awoken to a pounding on the side of his plane, the sun is setting and he can hear someone calling his name. He peers out the window.

"You think you can just go and leave me!" The voice yells. "He's my brother too. And with him gone and you gone, there's nothing left for me here. Now you let me in before I take your precious aircraft apart with my bare hands and this wrench."

Lysander  pops the door open, looking aghast at his youngest brother. "You have a job here, Ajax. And friends."

"Yeah, yeah." He shakes his head. "But you're my brother and I'm not letting you go without me. Even if I have to hang onto this here wing until you get to wherever the fuck your destination is." He clenches his fists. "You're not leaving me."

Lysander looks him over and notices the small duffel bag sitting at his feet.

"Fine, get in. You're going to have to squeeze in with my luggage though."

Ajax grins at him, hopping into the passenger seat. "Fly on brother."

Lysander rolls his eyes.

"Where are we going?"

"I don't know yet."

"Let's go home."

Lysander closes his eyes, "Sure." He responds tersely, steeling his chin from trembling.

Moments later, they're ascending with incredible speed, pulling above the clouds to avoid detection.

---

"What's up, bro?" Ajax plops down in a chair adjacent to Lysander. "You feeling okay?" He leans forward, concern lining his face.

"What? Yeah. I'm fine." He gives a slight smile and looks at his him. "Just thinking."

"About?"

Lysander sighs shallowly and closes his eyes. "A year ago, today." He shakes his head. "The night I met her."

"Phoenix?"

"Yeah. It was before she went off and founded The Nest...well, even before it was The Nest. Before you joined up. I met her at a New Year's party. Didn't realize she belonged to Ambrose

"You and I both know she didn't belong to him, Lysander."

He shrugs.

"Ambrose and her had a thing. Just like you and her had a thing."

Lysander opens his eyes and slams his hand on the table. "It wasn't like t--" He pauses and takes a deep breath, glancing down at his clenched hands, feeling a wave of calm. He slumps in his seat.

Ajax leans over and pats his shoulder. "New beginnings." He says firmly. "If you won't do it for yourself, do it for me. Your baby brother." He grins at him. "Pweez?"

"Don't pull that." He pushes him away gently, but his lips quirk into the hint of a smile. "You already got me to come to this place."

"And?"

"And what?"

"And you're enjoying yourself, that's what."

"Sure."

"You want another drink? I can go get you one, my treat."

"Nah, I've got drinks on the house for the rest of the night."

"What? How? And you're not wasted yet?"

"I made a small wager with Twine. I won."

"And if you would've lost?"

"I wasn't going to lose."

"Still, tell me. What were the stakes. Free drinks for you. And what for her?"

"I'd do something outside my comfort level?"

"Like what? That's a pretty wide category." He jokes.

"A dance." He shrugs. "I told her I don't like dancing. But, I knew I was going to win."

"Yeah, yeah. You're one of those boring people who only wagers when he knows he's going to win."

"That's not boring, that's smart."

"Sure."

"Anyway, do you want another drink? I'll pick up the next round." He winks.

"Fine. You pick out something tasty though."

Lysander stands and heads to the bar, with Ajax following. Twine is still inundated with patrons, so he scans down the bar a bit. Rocket's standing stiffly behind the bar with no current customers, looking anxious. He corrects his course and strides up to her.

"How about two more Flaming Lemon Drops, Rocket. Make mine a double." He smiles kindly at her.

"Of course si--Lysander." She nods, fetching the ingredients.

Lysander and Ajax sit at the bar and Lysander leans in. "I'm sure you've seen Twine make this one, but I think Rocket has a certain flair to it. I'd say better even than Twine's...at least for this drink." He glances over his shoulder and catches Twine rolling a shaker down her arm and flipping a bottle almost simultaneously.

"She's been trying to teach me, but my hand-eye coordination isn't good enough." Rocket says apologetically.

"You have strengths that she does not." Lysander reminds her.

She shrugs, but smiles and proceeds to methodically make their drinks. Liquids poured precisely. Lemon slice flowers balanced on rims. Sugar carefully mounded on top, doused with rum, and then ignited. She carefully sets the two shot glasses on plain white cocktail napkins. "Enjoy, gentlemen."

Ajax looks around dramatically. "Who? Us?"

Lysander punches him in the shoulder affectionately and nods to Rocket. "Thanks." He slides over a very generous tip.  "Keep up the good work. You'll get the hang of it." He slams the shot and sets the glass down, looking expectantly at his brother who follows suit, and stands up to head back to his table.

Ajax follows him leisurely. "What's gotten in to you?" He asks.

"What are you talking about?"

"You're being awfully nice. And social. And you were flirting with Twine."

"I was not flirting with Twine." He answers, too quickly. "I don't flirt."

"Well, she was flirting with you." He teases, not entirely untruthfully.

"She was?" He asks hopefully.

"See!" Ajax exclaims. "You do care about here flirting with you. And you were flirting with her." He plops down in a chair at the table looking supremely satisfied with himself.

"Stop." Lysander says with a sigh. "I'm not looking for a relationship."

"Who said anything about a relationship?" He looks at him seriously. "I know you were burnt, no pun intended, but that doesn't mean you have to live the rest of your life celibate." He points out.

"Why am I even talking to you about this."

"Because you're drunk."

"Am not."

"Are too."

"I'm not doing this with you."

"So you'd do it with someone else?"

"Yes...I mean no." He glares. "You know what I mean."

"I do. And what you mean is that you'd like to bone Twine."

Lysander splutters. "I. Do. Not."

"Liar."

"I'm--"

"Tell me to my face that you don't find her attractive."

"I never said that she wasn't attractive."

Ajax gives him a look.

"Thinking a woman is attractive and wanting to...er...have relations with her are two different things. I'd say most if not all the servers and bartenders here are attractive, that doesn't mean I'd attempt anything with them."

"Well, you can't say I didn't try." He shrugs. "But still. I can tell. And Twine thinks you're cute too."

Lysander looks at him for a long moment, choosing his words carefully. "What makes you think that?"

"I can just tell. If you remember, I spent a long time pretending to be a girl, or however the fuck that things works. Never quite figured it out myself." He jokes self-deprecatingly.

Lysander glances back over at the bar, where Twine is surrounded by adoring patrons. "You really think so?" He asks, half to himself.

Ajax just smirks, thinking about the scheme he'd put in motion previously.

---

Ajax walked over to the table with all the bidding sheets on it. Each page had the bartender or server's pseudonym written on it in what looked like their own handwriting.

Twine's name was done in intricately worked calligraphy, like she had spent some time on it. He chuckled and penning in L. Bolinsky for a starting amount of a thousand dollars. He was on a mission and he would succeed. He strolled away from the table with swagger, heading back to meet up with his brother.

---

"Sure thing bro. I'll see you around, I'm going to go mingle. You should too. Have some fun."

Lysander grumbles, taking another bite out of a cold fry.

Ajax stands up and meanders through the room in a roundabout path to the bidding table. He takes his time, looking over the other bidding sheets before stopping in front of Twine's. His eyes widen. Someone had doubled his starting bid, raising it to two thousand. He glares at the name. Jeff. That douchebag. He casually adds another five hundred to the bid and wanders off towards the bar, keeping an eye out for Jeff.

As he approached Twine's section of the bar, he spots him sitting and enjoying a drink, his lecherous gaze plastered on Twine. Ajax sneers in disgust as he approaches.

He schools his face into a pleasant expression as he slides into the stool directly adjacent to him with a nod. "Twine, can you kill me again?" He calls, flashing a hundred and setting it down on the bar.

She laughs at that and holds up one finger, attending to a few other drink orders before spinning around to set up Ajax's drink. "It's a bit late for me to kill you, it's already night time." She banters.

"Didn't stop you earlier." He leans forward on his elbows, watching her work. "Rocket's really making progress." He latches on to a conversation topic, something that shows familiarity that Jeff lacks.

Twine smiles. "She really is. She's still not quite there with the flair, but she works hard at it."

"I actually had a suggestion about that."

"Oh?" She asks as she pours iced champagne into an iced flute.

"Lysander actually pointed it out to me, though not in as many words." He glances down the bar, seemingly at Rocket, but in truth to get a glance of Jeff's face. He seems perturbed at his easy familiarity. "She's very precise. She can use that. She doesn't need to do all the lovely flippy things you do. As much as I'd enjoy two of you," he winks, "she doesn't need to be a copy of you. Let her develop her own flair. Give her room for that."

Twine glances at Rocket introspectively. "You know what, I think your brother is right."

"He usually is." He laughs. "But don't tell him that. I've got to have some way of keeping him on his toes. "

"Somehow, I don't think he minds that." She sets the half-full glass in front of him, rolling the bottle of absinthe between her palms as she pours almost a coil of the green liquor atop the champagne, letting it float through the bubbles before sliding it closer.

"Thanks, Twine. For the drink and for introducing me to it."

"It's my pleasure, Ajax."

"And for being such lovely company for my brother." He leans in and whispers loudly. "He doesn't get out much."

"I can tell." She laughs. "He's cute. Kinda like a puppy." She winks at him.

Ajax glances out the side of his eye and catches Jeff fuming. "Well, I'm off again. You know me. I'm like a busy bee when I'm here. Got to go say my hellos." He stands with a salute, taking his drink with him.

As he leaves, he sees Jeff down the rest of his drink and shove the mug forward. "Another Hot Kiss, Twine." He demands.

Ajax makes his way back up to the stage to sit with Ramos. The area in front of the stage is even more crowded and some of the table have been moved back to make more space. He hoists himself up onto the stage with a hop and sits down besides Ramos. "How's it going?"

"Pretty good. Got a good crowd tonight, not that I expected otherwise of course." He glances over at Ajax's grin. "How's your scheme going? I've seen you flitting around like a butterfly."

"I prefer the term 'busy bee'," he laughs. "And yes, it's going well. There's just one hitch. Someone is attempting to outbid my poor brother." He gestures with his glass towards the bar. "I'll need a distraction or something. To make sure I'm the one who bids last."

"You mean your brother bids last."

"Yes. That." He nods. "Any ideas?"

"Well, I could end the bidding a bit early. Or we could find someone to stall him before he can make it to the bidding. Or you could pick a fight with him and get him kicked out...but you'd likely be on the losing end and I don't want that pretty face messed up." He leans in and kisses him on the cheek.

"When's the bidding over?"

"Half till midnight. To give enough to time to make sure the person is still here and can pay upfront."

"We're coming up on that then. 'bout another half hour." He turns slightly in his seat, taking a sip of his drink. "And you'll be precise with your timing?" He teases.

"Of course. What do you take me for?"

"A wonderful person." He stands. "I've got work to do."

"Go get 'em!"

---

Cymbeline slides back into a seat in front of Rocket. "Told ya I'd be back." She drums her perfectly manicured nails on the bar. "How about you mix me up a mojito?"

Rocket spins around, a smile playing on her lips. "Sure thing, Cymbeline!" She exclaims, her excitement tangible as she snatches up a lime, some mint leaves, and her muddler. "How strong do you want it?"

"Surprise me."

Rocket slices the lime into perfect wedges, dropping one of them into a glass with the mint leaves. She rocks her muddler against them for a moment before adding another two wedges and some sugar. She muddles again, then fills the glass up with ice. finishing up with two shots of rum and then filling the glass barely to the brim with club soda. "Tell me how you like it. I did something a bit different this time." She sticks a straw in it and slides it over.

Cymbeline picks up the glass, taking a sip through the straw. "Hmm, I can taste a difference, but I'm not quite sure what exactly you did." She peers into the glass.

"I muddled the mint differently. I've been practicing and trying to figure out the best way to do it. Muddling that is, not just with mint. I've noticed that some of us do it differently from each other. Everyone's technique is a little bit different. So, I decided to start experimenting to figure out how best to do it. Also, not just hoe best to do it, but what differences in the drinks I could cause based on technique."

Cymbeline leans forward over the bar a bit and gently ruffles her hair. "You're brilliant. Didn't I tell you so."

Rocket nods abashedly.

---

Ajax stops at the bar, slowing his steps so as to not interrupt Rocket's moment with the tall woman.

After a moment, Rocket looks up and straightens nearly to attention. "Oh, hi again." She nods. "What can I get for you?"

"Three Firecracker Shooters and a small tray if possible." He beams at her. "As quick as you can, I'm in a bit of a hurry. Otherwise I wouldn't have interrupted."

Rocket blushes. "No, it's okay. I'm here to mix drinks."

Cymbeline turns to him as Rocket gets on making his drinks. "Are you in that much of a hurry to get completely wasted?" She laughs.

"No, they're not for myself. An offering for a friend and her friends. In exchange for a favor." He responds cryptically.

"I see." She eyes him up and down. "Expensive favor."

"It's worth it, and I can afford it."

Rocket carefully arrays the shooters atop red cocktail napkins on a small tray. "Here you go."

"Keep the change." He drops a large bill on the bar and sweeps the tray up and onto his palm, server-style before striding away.

Rocket watches him for a moment. "Wonder what he's up to."

"Cocky kid." Cymbeline mutters.

"He's not that bad." Rocket chides her gently.

---

Ajax makes his way through the sea of tables to one table in particular and sets the tray down with a flourish. The trio of identical women sitting at the table look up at him with surprise that turns to pleasure.

"Ajax!" One of them jumps up and wraps her arms around him.

He wraps his arms around her briefly before taking a step back to hold her by the shoulders. "Emmy. I need your help with something."

She drags a chair from an adjacent table over before sitting back down. "Oh, I had expected as much. You never bring me shooters like this unless you do or its a special occasion. And I know it's not our birthday."

Ajax sits and nods to the other women. "Ruby. Sapphire. I hope your evening is going well. I promise this won't take long."

Emmy leans forward, picking up a shooter. "To whatever nonsense Ajax wants to get us tangled up in." The others toast and down their drinks with her. All three of them set their glasses down simultaneously.

"So, what is it you need?"

"I need your clumsiness Emmy. For you to order something pigmented that will stain and then spill it all over someone."

She exchanges meaningful glances with her sisters. "What did this person ever do to you?"

Ajax leans forward, his voice low. "He's bidding against my brother in tonight's auction."

Sapphire raises one arched brow. "You brought your brother tonight?"

Ruby jumps in. "And didn't introduce us?"

Emmy laughs. "Who's the target?"

Ajax circumspectly turns around, pointing Jeff out to her. "You see the short man with the receding hairline."

"Oh, ugh." Ruby pretends to gag.

"Oh, not him." Sapphire murmurs.

Emmy bites her lip.

"You know him?"

"Yes." Emmy responds. "He...er...well." She glances at Sapphire.

"I dated him once. It went poorly." She says bluntly. "He's an ass with an ego bigger than...well...I guess that's not saying much." She quirks the side of her mouth up, leading to peals of laughter from Emmy and Ruby.

"I'll do it." Emmy nods vigorously. "He knows I'm clumsy. Well...not that he could ever tell us apart, but still." She looks towards the bar coldly. "What's the plan."

"I need him out of the room for at least five minutes, right before the bidding closes. He wears fancy looking clothing, I'm sure he'll hurry to try to get the stains out. I need that window of time."

She looks up at the clock. "What time?"

"The bidding ends at eleven thirty. I need him distracted or out of the room."

"Yes, that bastard doesn't deserve a New Year's kiss, especially if the only way he can is to pay for one." Sapphire sneers.

"Who's your brother bidding on?" Ruby asks, curiously.

"Twine."

"Well, we'll take care of it. Just leave it to us." Emmy clenches her fists."

"Thank you. All three of you." He stands and bows deeply and clutches a hand over his heart. "You have my undying gratitude." He winks and dashes off to check the bidding.

---

Ajax checks the bidding, seeing that Jeff has risen the stakes by another thousand. He reaches for a pen, then dramatically drops his hand, bowing his head in what looks like dejection before trudging towards the stage. With his back to the bar, he looks up at Ramos, catches his eye, and gives him a wink before climbing halfheartedly up the stairs. He plops down on the seat next to him, leaning against him and looking upset.

Ramos looks at him with feigned concern. "What are you up to, silly boy?" He whispers in his ear.

"You'll see. Everything's in motion. I'm going to sit up here and look like my dog died until right before the bidding ends. Any objections?"

Ramos bites back a laugh. "Of course not."

"Comfort me then."

---

Emmy rises from the table, slipping her high heels back on. "Wish me luck, ladies." She strides over to the bar, keeping an eye on the clock. It's almost time. She gathers her rage into a perfect grace and saunters to the section of bar Twine is handling, parking herself green mini-dress and all on the same stool Ajax had vacated before. The one right next to where Jeff sits.

"Evening, Twine." She waves her hand with a flourish to get her attention. "Midnight Rum, heavy on the grenadine." She orders, not making eye contact with Jeff. She crosses one leg over the other, plenty of leg on display. Give 'em the ol' razzle dazzle. "Oh, and drop a few cherries in there if you can. With stems."

She watches Twine mix her drink, but her attention is on the mirror behind the bar. She's watching Jeff watch her. With her dark hair wavy around her face, he can't see her features, most definitely hasn't recognized her yet. She cringes at the way he's staring at her.

Her drink is ready none too soon and she takes a sip of it. "Lovely." She pops one of the cherries into her mouth, plucking the stem and leaving it on the bar. She stands, pivoting on one stiletto heel and pushing her hip out to catch him and lose her balance. She falls towards him, glass sloshing all over him and elbow cracking against his shoulder. The sticky sweet drink splashes all over his white shirt and expensive trousers.

"Oh! I'm so sorry. Pardon me, sir. Oh, I can't believe I just did that." She grabbed a few napkins and proceeds to dab at his shirt, grinding the stain in.

"What the fuck! You stupid bitch! What the hell are you doing?" He demands, trying to shove her fumbling attempts away.

She looks up, and then her face hardens. "You." She hisses, taking a step back.

"Sapphire." He says coldly.

"Guess again, fucker." She glares down at him. "I'm Emmy."

"Oh right, the tr-"

"Watch what you say, or I'll get you kicked out of here so fast your head will spin." She downs the dregs of her drink, sets it on the bar, and spins on her heel. "I'd take care of that if I were you, it looks like you killed someone."

A grin bubbles to her lips briefly before she schools her appearance as she hears his continued swearing and then clomping of dress shoes as he heads to the restroom to try to tidy up.

---

Ajax watches as Emmy saunters away and Jeff stomps to the restroom. He waits until he's out of sight before leaping up and making a dash to the bidding table. He raises the bid on Twine to three thousand dollars and makes his way back to Lysander's table.

"How's it going?"

"It's not as bad as I thought it'd be." He sounds quite a bit more intoxicated than he was earlier.

"See. I told you." Ajax sits in the chair next to him.

"Yeah, I guess you did." He chuckles.

"And this is why you should trust me."

"Yeah, sure." He leans back in his chair.

"Ooh! Looks like the bidding's about to start." Ajax sits upright in his chair, looking around. Jeff is nowhere to be seen. He pumps his fist in the air.

"What's going on? Did you win one of the bids or something?"

"You could say that." He laughs.

---

Ramos accepts the stack of paper from one of the servers, easing the volume of the music down so he can announce the winners.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we're an hour from the New Year and I think the lot of you want me to announce the winners of the Silent Auction. Especially our lovely kiss givers, as they have no idea who has bid on them." He waves at the bar to laughter and cheers from the audience.

"Now, I had considered making everyone come up here and stand, but I think given the intimacy of the 'prizes', I'll hold off embarrassing anyone for another day." He grins at the crowd. "When you hear your name, please locate the lovely lady you've bid on and she will take your money and pour you a drink on the house."

---

"Cymbeline Snow, go locate Rocket and claim your drink." The crowd applauds.

Rocket's eyes widen and she stares at Cymbeline. "I didn't think you'd actually bid on me."

"Of course I'd would. Any excuse to kiss you." She laughs.

---

"L. Bolinsky, you lucky man, go find Twine and claim your drink!" The applause is even louder.

Lysander whips his gaze around to Ajax and glares. "What did you do?"

"I have killed two birds with one stone, brother.' Ajax grins. "A New Years kiss for you. And Twine isn't stuck kissing some loser."

"I will not kiss her." He growls.

"Yes, you will. Because you can't lie to me. If anything, you should be thanking me. Now, go over there before she thinks you don't like her."

"Oh." He glances over his shoulder to where Twine is beaming at him. "I guess I should at least go over there. And you're coming with." He looks him dead in the eyes. "I'm not going to be the one paying for this debacle."

Ajax pushes a wad of bills into his hands. "No can do, I have somewhere else to be. Gotta get my own midnight kiss." He stands. "Have fun." He half-jogs up to the stages, placing a hand down and vaulting onto it.

Lysander sits for a moment, looking down at the pile of money. It's not like Ajax can't afford it. He sighs before pocketing the money and standing slowly.

---

Twine watches him, the corners of her lips twitching with mirth as he approaches. "Big spender." She teases.

"My brother's doing." He eases himself into a seat at the bar, which has cleared out as people have moved to find tables or dance in the New Year.

Twine laughs. "Without your knowing, I presume?"

He nods.

"Well, it's up to you. A New Years kiss could just be a peck on the cheek." She looks over his shoulder at Ramos and Ajax. "He's just trying to get you to open up."

"That I can tell."

She leans in closer, lowering her voice. "I'm a bartender. I hear a lot of people's woes. It's part of my job description." She pats his hand gently. "He's just worried about you.

He opens his mouth to say something, but is distracted by someone tapping on his shoulder. He spins his bar stool around to face the newcomer and barely catches his fist in his right hand. It's Jeff.

"What the fuck is your problem?" He slurs.

Lysander looks at him, puzzled. "I'm sorry sir, I think you may have mistaken me for someone else."

"No. I've not. You're that bastard who outbid me. L. Bolinsky. And set it up so I'd be out of the room when the bidding ended." He struggles against Lysander's grip, trying to use his other hand to pry his trapped hand free.

"I'm sorry sir, but I don't know what you're talking about. I didn't know I was even entered in the bidding until just now. My brother surprised me with this."

"Lemme go, Bolinsky." He spits and then pauses, peering at him. "Bolinsky." Recognition washes over his face. "Your brother." He struggles some more.

"Sir, I think you sh--"

"Where's that fucking faggot. I'll tear him a new one."

Twine sees Lysander's face harden even as she feels his emotions sharpen like a honed sword. A focused anger. Before she can react, Lysander has jumped to his feet and twisted Jeff's arm behind his back, slamming his face down onto the bar. "You'll be leaving now." He growls.

"Fuck off." Jeff spits on the bar.

Lysander jerks his arm harder, pulling him up to look at Twine. "Apologize to the lady and you can go home, none the worse for wear."

"Let go of me you meathead!" He struggles against Lysander's superior strength.

Twine glances around, shaking her head at the two bouncers Lysander had picked out of the crowd previously. They pause on the edge of the crowd that's started to gather.

Lysander twists his arm more tightly. "I suggest you leave this establishment, before you are kicked out of it."

Jeff grunts. "Yeah, sure. Whatever." He stops trying to fight.

Lysander glances at Twine before letting go of him.

Jeff staggers a few steps before spitting on the floor in front of Lysander.

Lysander just stands there, unflinching.

"Fine. Fine. I'm going you bastard." He takes a few stumbling steps away.

Lysander watches him for a moment before turning back to Twine. "Sorry about that, where were we?" He smiles at her.

She shakes her head. "It's no problem." She glances over his shoulder and her eyes widen. "Lysander! Wa--" The words die on her lips as she watches him spin around again, catching Jeff by the arms and slamming him down on the floor. She loses sight of them behind the bar as they both hit the floor.

She circles the end of the bar, carefully opening herself up to both of their emotions as she listens to Lysander's carefully controlled tone.

"Now why did you have to go and do that. You could've left."

Anger washes over her senses. Two distinct angers. One uncontrollable and vicious. The other controlled and carefully honed. A tool to be used.

"I'll fucking kill you, Bolinsky." He seethes.

"Death threats are never attractive, sir." He stands up and hauls Jeff to his feet. "You have one more chance to leave or I will break your arm." His tone is conversational and still friendly.

Twine has no doubts that he'll follow through on his promise. She hovers her hands raised as if to do something, but she's frozen in the onslaught of both Lysander's calm anger and Jeff's unbridled raged. She doesn't even think to close herself off to it.

"You will apologize to the lady." He turns Jeff towards Twine. "And to my brother." He nods towards Ajax, who is now standing at the edge of the circle of people, looking calm and at least a bit amused. "And then you will leave. Do you understand, sir?"

"This is fucking bullshit Bolinsky. I'm not leaving and I'm not apologizing to your faggot of a br--"

His insults are interrupted as he screams, accompanied by the unmistakable sound of bones breaking. "That's Major Bolinsky to you."

Twine gasps with the rush of the pain, slamming a door over her emotions to protect herself.

Lysander glances around, making eye contact with the two bouncers. He hauls the screaming man towards them. "I'll let you take care of this. I'm not sure what your policies are here." He gives a formal bow. "Please excuse me if I overstepped."

"Naw, Lysander." The one with the brass knuckles laughs. "You're nothing if not restrained. This is a much less messy situation than it could've been." She takes custody of Jeff, squeezing his broken arm more tightly than entirely necessary.

Lysander turns his back on the retreating trio and strides back to Twine. She's standing stock still at the bar.

"Twine." He peers into her face.

She takes a reflexive step back and her gaze snaps up to meet his. "Oh, Lysander. Hi."

"Are you okay?"

"Yes. Or, I will be." She looks past him, towards where Jeff is being disappeared. "Thank you for that, but I'm sorry I wasn't able to handle it. You're a patron." Her hands tremble.

"Sit." He reaches out gently for her hand and she takes it, letting him seat her at the bar.

She watches as he turns around and addresses the crowd. "Nothing let to see here, go ahead and get back to your merrymaking. It's almost midnight."

A cheer rises up as people rush back to what they were doing, unwilling to miss the moment. Twine throws her mind open to catch the positive vibes, breathing deeply to calm herself.

Lysander sits on the bar stool next to her. "I'm no longer upset at my brother." He says in seemingly a non sequitur.

"Oh?"

He leans forward so she can hear his quiet words. "He saved you from being won by that asshole. And he saved me from spending that moment at midnight alone." He chuckles softly. "That is if you're still up for it. You look rattled." He leans back again.

Twine watches him lean away, feeling a visceral sense of loss. She shakes her head, but can't quite clear the feeling. Tentatively, she focuses her mind on him and not on the general merriment. Peacefulness, anticipation, hopefulness. She takes a deep breath, latching onto those feelings to bring herself stability. "Oh, don't you worry about that, puppy." She teases.

Lysander rolls his eyes. "If that's the case, where's my drink. I was promised one on the house." He banters.

"Your drinks are already on the house." She stands. "What do you want."

"For you to stay right here." He taps on the bar stool. "What do you have within reach?"

Desire. She can feel the flames of it lick over her consciousness, feeding into her...feeding into her what? She pauses, trying to sort it out. No one has ever stood up for her like that before. She can't remember the last time she felt this safe...and this out of control. His emotions are strong and she wants nothing more than to lose herself in them.

"Sure." She looks up and can see his soft brown eyes boring into her. She quickly turns away to lean forward and grab a couple shot glasses, the citron vodka, and the herbal liqueur. As she sits back down, she realizes that she's left the ingredients for the Flaming Lemon Drop out, just in case he came back for one. The realization startles her, even as desire paints her words. "There's not enough time for the whole song and dance, how about just a simple shot." She holds up the bottles of liquor, avoiding his eyes, and glancing at the clock. Five minutes left.

---

"Excellent." He eases back in his seat, watching her pour their shots. Something has changed in the atmosphere of the speakeasy. Maybe it's just that midnight is steadily approaching or maybe it's the fact that for the first time in a long time he's wanted a woman the way he wants her. He can feel the warmth of her body as she turns around, so very close to him, and passes one of the glasses to him.

"To new beginnings and new friends." She raises her glass, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear.

"New friends." He responds, his gaze meeting hers behind the mask. He raises his glass and clinks it softly against hers before downing it.

---

Twine takes his shot glass and sets it and hers down on the bar top, taking a step closer to him, insinuating herself between his knees. "One minute left." She points out, leaning closer.

He tentatively lifts his arms to wrap them around her, pulling her gently closer.

She focuses on him. Anticipation, amazement, doubt, insecurity. And all of that wrapped up in desire. She could get lost in his emotions with how tangled they are. "You want to kiss me, don't you." She whispers, spurring him on. Showing him that she wants to as well.

The countdown starts with Ramos leading it, but she only has eyes for Lysander.

"Ten!" The crowd shouts. "Nine! Eight! Seven! Six!"

"Five." She leans in and whispers against his ear. "Four."

His arms tighten around her, pulling her against his warm body.

"Three. Two."

"One!" The final number is yelled with a resounding voice that fills the large space.

Twine leans in, lips nearly touching his. Her hands drift up to press against his shoulders.

Lysander pulls her in the last centimeter, pressing his lips to hers firmly.

Twine sags within his embrace, letting herself go to the rambunctious celebrating that swirls around them and to his desire and happiness. It bubbles up inside him as he laughs softly and pulls her back in for another spontaneous kiss. His lips part and he's tasting the citrus of her last shot. His hands hesitantly roam her upper back and she pushes even closer to him, one hand clenching the fabric of his shirt and the other gently stroking his cheek. He wraps one arm around her waist, pulling her firmly against his body as her hand moves from his face to his head, tunneling through his hair for a moment before she pulls herself away from him, both physically and mentally.

Her breathing is uneven as she gazes at him with concealed desire.

He watches her with doubt, opens his mouth to say something, probably to apologize for overstepping.

She puts a finger on his lips. "That was lovely. Happy New Year Lysander."

His features melt into a smile. "Happy New Years Twine." He makes to say something else, but stops and turns his head over his shoulder at the sound of his name.

Twine carefully extricates herself from his embrace, stepping back to a less intimate distance.

"Lysander!" Ajax calls, dragging Ramos behind him. He drops his hand to clasp his brother in a hug. "Happy New Year!" He nearly shrieks.

Lysander laughs, holding a hand up to his ear. "Not so loud now." He glances past Ajax.

Ajax follows his gaze to Ramos and steps back to pull Ramos forward.

Twine takes advantage of his attention not being on her to slip away and back behind the bar. To put her performer face back on and step back into the role of bartender. She reluctantly shuts her mind to external emotions, putting on her usual smile.

"This is Ramos. Ramos, this is my brother Lysander."

Lysander gives a nod and holds out his hand to shake Ramos'. "Good to meet you."

"And you, Major." He puts emphasis on the title. "Ajax has told me a lot about you. And you, sir, live up to your reputation." He laughs. "Ever considered being a bouncer? We're hiring."

"No, I haven't and it's not something I'm that interested in, sorry to say."

"Well, consider it. Let me know if you change your mind."

"You do the hiring for this place?"

Ajax leans forward. "He owns this place." He laughs.

Lysander's gaze snaps back to Ramos. He looks him up and down. "Makes sense. Not sure how I didn't see it before, guess because I was too focused on you being one of the bouncers."

"How'd you know that?"

"Your baton." Twine adds, sliding three Flaming Lemon Drops forward and holding one back for herself. "Gentlemen?" She holds up her drink before blowing out the flame and downing it.

---

---

---

Over the past week, Lysander's nightmares have changed from their usual threats and horror. Now, it's that combined with dreaming about her.

Nightmares that cross the line in to dreams and vice versa.

Lysander dreamt about her last night. And the night before that. And the night before that. In fact, every night since the night he met her. And kissed her. Sometimes she was wearing a mask. Sometimes she wasn't. Every time she kissed him. Or he kissed her.

Last night's dream was the most vivid of all of them.

---

He allowed her to lead him to the dance floor at 28 Geranium St. Another wager, this time one she had won. A crowded dance floor. Their bodies pressed together as she dances with him, against him. Her hips grinds against him with each step. Another kiss. This one hot and frantic. Her hands play with his hair

Then they're in his kitchen and her back is pressed against the wall and her legs are wrapped around his waist. More frantic kisses. Then his shirt is gone, unbuttoned or ripped away he can't tell. She looks deeply into his eyes and he can swear she's actually there with him. That its not just a dream.

He grinds against her, strong arms holding her up. Her fingers rake over his back and she's begging him for more. Desperation colors her voice as he leans in to kiss her again.

And then the sound of machine gun fire roars outside and he's not fast enough. It perforates the wall in front of him. Perforates her.

---
Then he wakes up with a start and a yell, sitting bolt upright in bed and groping for the light. A click and a dim light is cast over his room. His breathing is heavy and even though it was just a dream, his arousal is very real. He groans and throws his heavy blanket to the side. He stands and heads to the bathroom to take a cold shower.

"This needs to stop." He grumbles, pulling off his pajama pants and stepping into the cramped shower. He twists the knob for cold water, gasping and grimacing as the icy blast douses him.

His mind is still on Twine and for a moment, he considers turning the water to a more satisfying temperature, considers reaching down and stroking himself to thoughts of her.

He leans forward and drenches his head and face in the shower spray, effectively pushing those thoughts out of his head.

Unfortunately, the loss of those good thoughts brings back the terrible parts of the nightmare and he clenches his fists, lashing out and punching the wall. He leaves a dent and a couple cracked tiles. Slamming the shower knobs shut, he grabs his bathrobe and wraps it around himself, not even drying off.

He stalks down the hallway towards the kitchen and to the coffee pot. He reaches for the tin of coffee and freezes, looking down at his trembling hands. He clenches them and shoves them into his pockets.

After long moments of calming himself, he strides over to a cabinet and pulls out the packet of instant coffee. He heats up some water and pours the coffee crystals into it, stirring vigorously. He takes a hearty gulp of it. It tastes like shit, but its faster and quieter than waiting for the coffee pot to brew. He glances at the wall, having avoided looking at it since he entered the kitchen and winces. Memories of his dream, not quite lost, fill his mind. Twine torn apart by bullets meant for him. The rustic and quaint kitchen his father built for his mother destroyed and soaked with blood. Cheerful wallpaper splattered with blood. He leans against the refrigerator and slides down to the floor, cold tile on his bare calves. He takes another gulp of his coffee, staring blankly at the floor.

When Ajax wakes up and strolls to the kitchen, he's still there. Ajax takes one look at him and is sprinting to him, coming to a sliding stop before him and dropping to his knees.

Lysander just looks up at him and Ajax can see the dark circles.

Ajax opens his mouth to say something, but thinks better of it. "Do you want some coffee?" He asks, standing up and not mentioning the fact that his brother is curled up on the floor wearing his robe and clutching an empty coffee mug. Without waiting for a response, he walks over to the counter, starting the morning ritual of brewing their coffee.

Ajax turns to the fridge, opening the freezer and pulling out a ziploc filled with what look like yellow cubes. He retrieves two of them and sets them on a pan on the stove, turning the gas on and lighting it. "I'm going out tonight, if you want to join me. " He chats conversationally, and one-sidedly. "Have some work to do today, but I thought I'd go see Twine and Rocket and whoever. And get a few drinks." He pokes at one of the cubes in the pan with a spatula. "Freezing my omelette casserole was inspired. This way I don't have to go through the whole rigmarole. And we can still have tasty food." He glances over his shoulder at his unmoving brother. "Are you going to stay on the floor all morning?" He turns around. "I can stay in if you want."

Lysander shakes his head heavily. "No, you don't need to stay in." He sets his mug aside and stands up carefully, leaning heavily against the counter. "I've got some stuff to do today anyway."

Ajax turns to hide his wide smile. "Oh, so you'll be out for most of the day?" He pours black coffee from the pot and surreptitiously pulls open a drawer, adding something golden and sweet, two spoons of it, to the mug.

He turns around and passes it over,"Here you go," before attending to his own cup. Lots of sugar, lots of cream.

Lysander takes a careful sip, minding the temperature and he lets out a bark of laughter. "Honey." He says in awe. "When did you get honey?"

"Yesterday. From Mrs. Larson. She was cleaning out her pantry. Her late husband enjoyed honey; she despises it." He smiles. "She gave me quite a few jars so you'll be in honey for a while."

"You never cease to surprise me."

"Barter is a far superior system in this day and age." He says sagely, pulling out a few strips of bacon from the fridge and throwing them besides the egg.

The two brother eat their breakfast in companionable silence. Ajax finishes first and clears the table, setting the dishes in the sink to take care of later.

Lysander stands, draining the last of his coffee and setting the mug in the sink as well.

"We're going out tonight, okay." Ajax tells him.

"We?"

"You and me. We're going out. You've been working yourself too hard again and you need another break. Go ahead and lie to me that you didn't have a good time a week ago." He stands with his arms crossed, a good imitation of Lysander himself. "Go ahead and lie, but we're still going."

"I'm going to be busy tonight." He lies.

"No you're not. And, if you don't go with me, I'll hide the honey really well and I won't let you have anymore until you go with me." He glares. "You know I will.

"Fine. We'll go tonight." He sighs. "But we're not staying as late as we did last time."

"Of course not. That was a special occasion. We'll only stay a couple hours."

"Deal."

---

"Great job with the last group, Rocket." Twine smiles at her. "You're getting better at handling the larger ones."

Rocket just shrugs. "It's not that hard for me, as long as they're not all talking over each other."

Twine laughs. "Well, in an ideal world, they'd all wait their turn and not speak up over each other."

Rocket laughs with her. "Yeah, I guess." She glances out at the floor. "Do you think its going to be busy tonight?"

"Well, it's a Tuesday, so it won't be that bad. Why?" She glances over at her and catches her blushing. "Ah." She says sagely.

"What?" Rocket tries to hide her blush by turning her face.

"I know what's up. If its not that busy and Cymbeline comes in, then you can spend more time flirting with her."

Rocket freezes in place and Twine can sense that she wants to bolt.

"Don't worry about it. What Cymbeline and I have going on is different than what Cymbeline and you have going on."

Rocket stares at her like she's grown a second head.

"I know Cymbeline like to, let's see, how does she put it? Flit around." She laughs. "It doesn't bother me. It's not like I'm monogamous myself."

"Oh, I..."

"What, you thought she was sneaking around behind me?"

"No. Maybe? I don't know...I don't know what I thought. I guess I didn't really think about it too hard."

"Cymbeline likes her fun. And she likes you. And she likes me. That's all there is to it." She tilts her head, looking at Rocket. "If you're uncomfortable with that, you should talk to her about it sooner rather than later."

"Oh! No! I don't have a problem with it!" She exclaims, holding her hands up. "I'm just not used to it, is all."

Twine nods once. "Good, because I won't have anyone getting on her about how she chooses to live her life." Her tone is fierce and steely for a moment and Rocket shudders as if she can feel Twine's ire lick over her like flames.

"No, of course not." She unconsciously takes a step back.

"Good." Twine smiles sweetly. "Speak of the devil." She raises a hand in a wave towards the door.

Rocket turns and can see Cymbeline striding in, wearing a purple strapless mini-dress and thigh high boots in a lavender tinged leather. She half raises her hand in a wave, feeling wrong-footed and unsure. Twine's outburst had startled her. She slams a polite smile onto her face, her customer service smile, as Cymbeline sits at the bar. "Hey babes. How about something purple."

"Both of us?" Rocket asks cautiously as Twine is already starting on something.

"Sure. Why not." She leans forward over the bar, grasping her hand and stroking her palm lightly.

Rocket smiles and jumps to work, avoiding looking at what Twine's doing. She pours half a shot each of raspberry and grape Schnapps over ice in a shaker and shakes it like her life depends on it.

"Berry Creamsicle for you, dear." Twine sets a highball glass filled with a sparkly, fizzy lavender concoction. There's even a cherry on top.

Cymbeline takes a sip and makes a soft sound of pleasure. "Where do you come up with these things, Twine?"

"I just put together things you like. How's it taste?"

"Like a berry creamsicle, infused with lavender."

"Perfect."

Rocket strains the shaker into a shotglass, filling it to the brim precisely. She slides it over carefully, setting it on a napkin.

"Nice, something fast to drink." She pounds the shot back. "Yum! I'm glad you didn't both make shots or big mixed drinks. Otherwise, I'd be much more drunk much quicker, or I'd have to hold two drinks."

Twine laughs, but Rocket only gives a halfhearted smile. Cymbeline covertly looks between the two.

"Well, I'm back to my section." Twine smiles to the both of them. "Keep up the good work Rocket." She leaves.

Rocket lets out a breath she didn't know she was holding and turns back to Cymbeline who is looking at her curiously.

"What's wrong, hon?"

"Nothing!" Rocket shakes her head, plastering a smile on.

Cymbeline turns to watch Twine walk away. "I can tell you're not being truthful. Either say you don't want to talk about it, or tell me, but don't keep things from me." She leans forward, elbows on the bar and her hands propping up her chin as she sips the lavender drink from a straw.

"She had...words...for me...about you."

"About?"

"Nothing I didn't already know. I know we're not exclusive. And that you're also with her." She lapses into silence for a moment, picking up a glass to wipe. Anything to give her hands something to do. "Honestly, it doesn't bother me, Cymbeline." She sets the glass back down. "I just haven't dated that many people. And most of them have been men. And all of those were exclusive. And--"

Cymbeline cuts her off. "Stop. You've done nothing wrong. She's on edge about something else and she was taking it out on you. Don't worry yourself. I'll talk to her."

"No! Please don't! It's really not that big of a deal."

"Shh." Cymbeline soothes her. "It is. Your and my relationship is between us and only us. She's very protective. Too protective. I'm a big girl." She laughs. "I can take care of myself. And that includes figuring out my various relationships." She raises a hand up to cup her cheek gently. "If there are problems, you'll hear them from me first. That I can guarantee."

Rocket sighs. "Thanks Cymbeline. I needed to hear that."

"Let's hang out after you're off work. You can come over, we'll get some sleep, and then we'll have breakfast and chat."

Rocket's smile is small and tentative. "That sounds really good."

The two share a soft, quiet moment briefly before another patron sits at the bar next to Cymbeline.

"Evenin'." She drawls. "Nice place you've got here. Know how to make anything really, really spicy?" She tosses her thick, fire engine red hair over her shoulder.

"I can add fresh jalapeno or cayenne pepper to just about anything." Rocket smiles.

"Surprise me, but make it hot." She leans back in her chair and waits.

Rocket thinks for a moment and then jumps to action. Vodka, herbal liqueur, sugar, rum, a jalapeno, and a lemon. She pulls out a shaker, dumps some ice in it, then carefully pours the vodka and liqueur into it. She sets that aside and carefully slices a jalapeno into the shaker, flipping the lid closed and giving it three good shakes. She strains the drink out into a glass, and tops it with lemon, sugar, and rum. She slides it forward and lights the sugar on fire.

The redhead looks at her with a questioning look.

"Once the sugar's caramelized, you blow it out, lick it off, slam the shot, and bite the lemon." Rocket helpfully instructs. She gestures to the sugar. "Now's good."

The woman takes the shot as instructed, slamming it on the bar with a loud whoop. "Yeah! That's what I'm talking about." She claps her hands together. "What's your name?"

"You can call me Rocket."

"Rocket." She looks her over. "Suits you. Now, I'd like a small pitcher of margarita and if you could let Ramos know that I'm here. Name's Phoenix."

"Certainly. I'll take care of that right away."

"Margarita first, if you please." She stands. "I'll be finding myself a seat at one of these tables." She slides over two one hundred dollar bills. "Keep the change. And you're my bartender for the night. If you see me without a drink, send one over. Alternated with ice water. Thanks." She smiles and saunters away.

Rocket and Cymbeline exchange glances. "Well, I guess that's my cue to bounce. "Cymbeline laughs. "Have fun tonight. Don't take Twine too seriously. I'll come fetch you after work." She leans in and says in a low voice. "Not that I think you can't tell, but that woman who was just here looks well off."

Rocket nods. "Yeah, thanks. I've got it. It'll be slow tonight, according to Twine. See you later."

---

Phoenix sits at the table, a margarita in her hand.  Bother a pitcher of margarita and a pitcher of water sit on the table, as well as a water cup. She takes the first sip and smiles in surprise. It has the bite of jalapenos. She's only sitting alone for a few minutes before Ramos comes up behind her.

"Phoenix, how wonderful to see you again." He leans down and reaches for her hand.

Phoenix smiles winningly and extends her hand, placing it in his. "The pleasure is mine. I wasn't expecting you out so soon. I am quite early."

He draws it up to his lips to ghost a polite kiss against her knuckles, before releasing her hand and sitting down. "Business first or shall I let you finish your pitcher?" He laughs.

"Business. I wouldn't have it any other way."

Ramos signals to the nearest server, a young blonde woman, who hurries over. "Glory, please bring these pitchers to my office. And an additional glass."

"Water or margarita?"

"Margarita."

"Yes, sir." She dips a minute curtsy and fetches a tray to carry things. When she returns to gather the pitchers, a twenty lies on the table. A tip from Phoenix.

---

Ajax and Lysander walk through the bright hallway into the dim ambiance of 28 Geranium Street. "Here we are." Ajax sings out.

"So we are."

"I'm going to hit up a couple people. You go get yourself a drink." Ajax bounds off.

Lysander glances around the room and his eyes fall on Twine. She's talking and laughing with a couple customers. He takes a step forward and stops for a moment, shaking remembered images from his head.

Almost as if on cue, she looks up and waves at him, a huge smile on her face.

Lysander raises his hand tentatively to wave back. He makes his way over, unable to pretend he hasn't seen her.

He waits for her to finish before sitting at the bar.

"Hey there stranger. Long time no see." She beams at him.

Lysander nods, closing his eyes briefly and seeing her covered in blood. He winces.

"You okay? Concern colors her voice. "Pulled muscle?" She opens her mind, sending out calming vibes; trying to get him to open up to her.

He shakes his head. "Nah, I'm fine. Just some remembered bad dreams."

With those images at the forefront of his thoughts, Twine is able to barely touch them. She feels the awe and desire quickly turn into grief and shock. She closes her eyes slowly, savoring the feelings before responding.

"Well, I do know some remedies for bad dreams." She offers.

"You do?"

She nods. "First up, a nice stiff drink. Tell me the truth, what did you think of that Sidecar I made for you a week ago?"

He shrugs. "It was fine."

"I could make you something else, anything else." She offers with a hint of desperation.

"I'll have a Sidecar."

"One Sidecar, coming up. Any shots beforehand?"

"Nah, I'm not going to drink that much tonight. At least not as much as I did last week." He grins sheepishly. "I had a terrible hangover. I should've drank more water."

"You did have some. I'm guessing it wasn't enough then."

"Yeah. My ex-girlf--er---person. Friend." He pauses and starts again. "I had a friend once who alternated every drink she had with at least half as much water."

"Sounds like a smart woman."

"She was. Well, is." He looks down at his hands. "So, how about that drink?"

Twine jumps into motion, going through the practiced steps of making his drink. Her focus isn't on it though. She's still paying attention to him.  Something's changed with him and she needs to know what that is. It could just be the nightmares, but she needs something else on top of that. She needs an in.

She slides his drink over with just enough force for it to slosh to the edge of the rim and not spill over. "Vroom. Your sidecar." She jokes.

He laughs and takes a hearty gulp of the drink. "Good stuff."

"Ever traveled in a sidecar?" She latches on to the first thing that comes to mind.

"Nope. But I used to have a motorcycle when I was younger. I prefer being the pilot, not a passenger."

"I think most would prefer otherwise." She leans forward. "Sometimes its easier to just let someone else drive for a while."

He shakes his head. "Not me. Behind the wheel is the safest place."

"I can understand that." She glances away and back at him. "Ajax drag you here again? Or you by yourself?"

"He's here somewhere. Probably wanted to go make his rounds before finding Ramos." He looks around. "Have you had anymore problems with that guy from the other night."

"No, he hasn't come back. I think Cecilia probably gave him some good reasons not to. He's not officially banned yet, though." She leans closer. "I think that's because Ramos wants him to come back so he can take a piece of him." She confides.

"Well, I hope he doesn't return. A man like that has no business being around women."

"You held back when you dealt with him, didn't you." As if she didn't already know.

"Of course I did. I could've broken more than just his arm. But, then it would've been a much messier situation." He gestures at the room. "I'm sure its better for your establishment this way as well."

She shrugs. "Ramos handles it."

---

"Your stock is outdated and unsustainable, Ramos, and you know it. We have the means to produce what you need. And to do so under the radar. You and I both know that those in power know you exist. They're just waiting. They probably think you'll run out eventually." She leans back in her chair, sipping her ice water with a grin on her face.

"You sure do have a way with words, my dear Phoenix." He laughs. "You are correct. What we have isn't sustainable." He laughs almost bitterly. "This was never supposed to be a long-term thing. I just needed something to do and it was profitable. Now, I have a booming business and people who rely on this place being open for their livelihoods."

Phoenix laughs even more bitterly. "You're telling me. I throw one party and I'm a persona non grata." She sets her empty water glass down and pours another margarita from the pitcher. She gestures towards the east with her glass. "Now, I run a community. Even larger than a community. We're almost a country unto ourselves. I heard someone suggest 'President Phoenix' once. I shot that shit down." She takes a hearty swig of her drink and looks at it approvingly. "I might have to snipe your bartender, Rocket." She says lightly. "Makes a mean margarita."

"I won't stop you." He laughs. "I doubt she'd want to move that far."

"I'll invite her girlfriend too."

"And that's where the complication lies. I doubt Cymbeline would want to move that far. She has certain ties here."

"I'm still going to try." She gestures with her glass towards him. "She put jalapenos *in* my margarita, Ramos. Do you not see the brilliance here?"

Before he can respond, she continues. "I want her. I could use her cleverness."

Ramos shrugs. "I won't stop you."

"Anyway, back to business. I want to supply you. And I can get you your shipments quietly. What do you say?"

"I think the only savvy answer here is 'Yes', but what are you getting out of it?"

"Honestly?"

He nods.

"I'm going to singlehandedly end the Prohibition."

He raises one skeptical eyebrow.

"I need our brand on the shelves, so to speak, before I do so. I need people to know us. To enjoy us. To have an in on the market." Her expression is intense. "And, you'll have first dibs on any of our new things once they are more circulated." She looks at him. "What do you think, Ramos?"

"Sounds like something only you could do. I'm in." He nods.

"The paperwork is in this folder." She slides it over. "You can look over it at your leisure, I'll be in town for a few more days at least." She stands. "Shall we go celebrate our new business agreement?" She holds out a hand.

Ramos stands, taking her hand and shaking it. "Yes, too much business is bad for the constitution."

 "I'm going to introduce you to a drink you've probably never had before." Phoenix tells him as she both walk out together.

She leads him bodily to Rocket's section of the bar and sits, propping both her elbows on the counter.

Rocket smiles at her. "What can I get for you, Phoenix?"

She turns in her seat and faces Ramos. "See. That's customer service there. Even though you're her boss and we're together at the bar, she still acknowledged me first." She nods before turning back. "Good job." She pats the seat next to herself for Ramos to sit. "What was that drink you served me earlier called?"

Rocket pauses for just over a beat, before coming up with, "A Phoenix's Bite." She blurts out.

Phoenix laughs long and hard, a belly laugh that garners some attention from other patrons nearby, especially men. "That's it. I want you."

"Excuse me?" Her eyes widen

"I want to snipe you. You should come back home with me and tend bar there. I can get you a job."

"Um.." Rocket gulps. "Well, I can't leave here."

"You can even bring your girlfriend. I'm sure we can find a job for her."

Rocket glances between her and Ramos, who looks like he's holding back laughter.

"Don't fluster my employees, my dear." He chastises her.

Phoenix leans forward. "Think about it, Rocket. I'll be in town for at least a few more days and your current boss knows how to get in touch with me."

"I will." She says sincerely. "So, two Phoenix's Bites?"

"Yes, we're celebrating." She adds.

"Coming right up." She proceeds to mix their drinks, while making small talk. "Oh, I didn't actually ask I guess. Where's your home?"

"The Nest." She says simply. "It's nice there. Much warmer, well, depending on where you live. Less bullshit rules. Well, so I think. I made most of them."

Rocket's eyes flick towards to Ramos and then back to her. "Are you part of the leadership there?"

Phoenix laughs again. "Yes, you could say that."

Rocket slides the alight shots carefully to the both of them.

"You ready for the Bite, Ramos?"

"Sure. It can't be any worse than your bark." He laughs and they both down the drinks. He's left gasping and spluttering.

Phoenix laughs again.

"Well," he gasps. "It's aptly named. Good job."

Phoenix nods. "To being partners in crime. Soon to no longer be a crime." She sets her empty glass down. "Now, if you both will excuse me. I think I see someone I know." She stands and saunters away with a wave.

The moment she's gone, Rocket slides over a small glass of milk. "Thought you could use this."

Ramos glances at her, to the glass, then back at her. "You thinking of taking her up on her offer?" He asks as he takes the milk. He swallows the whole thing in about three gulps.

Rocket shrugs. "I don't know. It might be better for me, but I also have a lot to keep me here. And Cymbeline will never leave."

"You never know. As much as I'd hate to lose you as my employee, I think you should seriously consider it. Maybe leaving would be a smarter move."

Before Rocket can respond, Ajax plops down in the recently vacated seat. "Hey babe." He leans over and kisses Ramos on the cheek. "Rocket." He nods at her, then glances back at Ramos. "Couldn't help but overhear your conversation." He looks back at Rocket "You going to be leaving us?"

Rocket flushes. "No. Maybe. I'm not sure. I got an offer to go be a bartender somewhere else."

"From who?"

Ramos gestures across the room. "My newest business associate.Phoenix."

"Oh fuck." Ajax swears as he sees the familiar red hair and hears the familiar name

---

"Lysander?" A familiar voice queries from behind him.

He turns slowly, almost disbelievingly.

It's her. He stares for a moment, struck silent. She looks exactly like she did when he left. Hair brighter than her temper. An almost incongruous dark blue sundress that bares her legs, arms, and most of her chest. Combat boots that are almost incongruous with her dress.

He can't remember standing up or walking over, but seemingly suddenly he's halfway to where she's standing.

She closes the distance with a bound and runs into his embrace, holding him in a brief hug that turns into a searing kiss. Her arms reach up and around his neck, pulling his heat closer. She breaks away unwillingly to whisper. "I missed you."

Lysander gasps as she pulls away, all the feelings he'd left bottled up after he left crashing into him. And all of those subsumed by arousal and desire for this singular woman. "I did too." He responds, not untruthfully, but far from the complete truth.

"This is a bad idea, isn't it." She tilts her head at him, voice low.

"Yeah, probably." He heaves a heavy sigh and then smiles at her, barely a quirk of the lips. "I don't really care right now though. Do you?"

"No, I don't." She leans into him.

He begrudgingly takes a small step back, one arm still at her waist. "We were actually just talking about you." He chuckles.

"You were?" She smiles at him and glances at Twine. "You talk about me to other ladies? I'm flattered."

"Oh, it's not like that." He laughs and presses a spontaneous kiss to her temple.

"What are you drinking?" Phoenix asks.

"A Sidecar."

"That's boring compared to what the girl over there made for me. I think I burnt Ramos' tongue off." She laughs.

"You know Ramos?"

She lowers her voice. "We're business partners now." She reaches up and pulls him down for another fierce kiss. "I did think I'd be spending the night celebrating that, but then I thought I saw you over here and I had to be sure." She leans against him. "Finish your drink or don't, but you're coming over with me so Rocket can make you a Phoenix's Bite. I know you love my bite." She teases him as she starts to tug him away.

"I'll catch you later, Twine." He waves vaguely as he lets Phoenix lead him across the room.

---

Rocket looks over to where Phoenix has wrapped herself around Lysander and turns back as Ajax sighs and he sits down heavily. "Death in the Afternoon please. Heavy on the death."

Heavy on the death? What did that mean? She'd have to improvise. She listens with half an ear as Ajax explains the situation to Ramos."

"Long story short? They dated...kinda." He pauses as if trying to gather his thoughts. "It wasn't the healthiest relationship...for either of them in my opinion. For any of them..." He trails off.

"Any of them?" Ramos prods.

"She also dated our brother Ambrose."

Ramos looks at him. "Ambrose Balinsky?" He asks.

"Yeah, why?"

"I knew him too. Ages ago, it seems now." He looks back at Phoenix. "They always seemed like they'd get together someday."

"They did." Ajax says bluntly. "And so did Lysander and her." He pauses for a beat. "At the same time."

"Oh." Ramos says.

"Extra death!" Rocket chirps cheerfully, passing over his usual absinthe and champagne, but with a dark green spiral running through it."

Ajax's eyes widen. "How'd you do that?" He leans forward to look at it.

"You said extra death, but I wasn't sure what that meant. Is this okay?"

"Is this okay?" He laughs. "I didn't even know what I expected."

Rocket smiles bashfully and notices Ramos nodding at her.

Rocket glances past them. "Your brother and Phoenix are on there way over. If you wanted to make yourself scarce before then, your window's shrinking." She observes helpfully.

Ajax sighs again. "Nah, I'll stay. I need to keep an eye on them, at least initially." He glances at Ramos.

"I'll stay too. Technically, we were supposed to be celebrating tonight."

---

Ajax watches suspiciously as the couple approaches. His brother has his arm around her waist and a smile on his face. Ajax stares. His brother is smiling. The smile of soft enjoyment he hadn't seen in longer than he could remember.

"Oh! Ajax! You're here too!" Phoenix exclaims. "It's so good to see you again." She breaks from Lysander briefly to hug him. "How're things?" She asks, stepping back into Lysander's reach.

"I've been doing good. Yourself?" He asks as he watches the pair.

Lysander sits on the bar stool next to Ajax and pulls Phoenix onto his lap. "Really good. We're celebrating tonight!" She exclaims. "Ramos and I are entering business together." She turns to Rocket. "Can we have four Phoenix's Bites, please."

"Coming right up, Phoenix." She nods, jumping to it.

---

Twine watches with barely concealed ire as Phoenix and Lysander walk away. She forcibly turns her attention back to her job, picking up a glass and wiping it and checking if she needs anything stocked.

---

"Okay, now." She announces. "You blow out the fire, lick the sugar from the lemon, take the shot, and then bite the lemon." She holds up three fingers. "Three. Two. One. Go!"

The four takes their shots, though none with as much enthusiasm as Phoenix.

"What do you think, Lysander?" She turns her head slightly.

"Well, it's quite hot." His face seems frozen in a wince.

"Oh, babe. Let me ease that for you." She turns more in his lap, reaches up, and pulls him back down for a long, soft kiss. "Better?" She whispers,

"Yeah." He sighs happily.

"Good." She kisses his chin and turns back to the others.

Ajax and Ramos are taking shots of milk.

"Pussies, both of you!" She jokes, laughing. "It''s not that spicy. I guess you just can't handle my bite." She laughs.

Lysander leans forward to whisper in her ear. "I can."

She shivers. "I'll hold you to that." She whispers back.

"You know I can." He nips at her ear.

"I do and I look forward to it."

---

Twine growls as she feels the wave of desire crash over Lysander. It's a slow night tonight, and she doesn't have anything to keep her distracted currently. She pricks at his irritation slightly, hoping to cause some friction.

She slips out of his mind and into Phoenix's. Slowly, cautiously. She wants to see what makes this bitch tick. Joy. Fondness. Anticipation. Desire. Tiredness.

"Perfect." She whispers to herself as she pushes on that last emotion with a scowl.

---

Phoenix yawns, leaning against Lysander's chest.

"You tired?"

"Just a bit. It's been a long day."

"Still keeping long days?"

"Yeah, there's so much that needs to be done." She smiles at him. "You know that. I keep actual twenty-four hour days now though."

"And how many hours of sleep do you get in one of those days?"

"One or two." She yawns again.

"You need your sleep."

"I'm not sure what's wrong. The stimulants shouldn't be wearing off this early."

"Do you want me to take you home?"

"No." She struggles to sit up. "I'm perfectly fine to stay here longer and celebrate."

Lysander leans down to whisper in her ear. "If you're sure you'd rather stay here." His lips ghost over the rim of her ear. "Instead of go back to your place with me."

She turns her head and gives him a predatory smile. "That could be fun. We could leave right now."

"Not right right now."

"Of course not. I'm not so far gone as to let that slip in public." She slides off of his lap, making sure to grind against him as she does. "I'm going to call it a night. Got another long day ahead of me tomorrow. How about dinner tomorrow, Ramos? We can go over the specifics and finalize paperwork."

"Sure thing. I'll meet you here at six-ish? Then I'll take you to my favorite restaurant."

"Sounds like a plan."

Lysander stands. "I'm going to...make sure Phoenix gets back to her hotel room safely." He avoids eye contact with Ajax. "Don't, uh, wait up for me."

Ajax shoots him a look. "Uh-huh."

"It was so good to see you again Ajax." Phoenix smiles.

"Uh-huh." He says skeptically.

Phoenix's smile falls slightly. "Well, have a good night." She turns and begins striding towards the exit.

Lysander quickly follows after her.

"Make sure you get some sleep!" Ajax calls out as a parting word.

Lysander turns back around, closing the distance in two strides. He leans in close to Ajax. "I know okay. I know." He bites out and sighs. "We both do. We both acknowledged it. And you know what? We don't care." He stands up straight. "I'm an adult and can make my own decisions. So just lay off." He turns around and marches towards the entrance to the hallway where Phoenix is waiting, leaning against the wall.

Ajax stares after him, aghast. "Fuck." He turns back to the bar and holds up two fingers.

Rocket jumps to mixing another drink for him.

Ramos carefully eases an arm over his shoulders. "I'm sure it'll be fine."

He scoffs and shrugs it away. "You weren't there. You didn't see him. You haven't seen him." He clenches his fist and pounds it on the bar top. "You saw him just now. That's not how he normally acts."

Ramos sighs. "Well, you know him best, but did you see him? He was smiling. He was laughing. He didn't look ready to jump to attention and take down anyone who looked at him funny."

Ajax rolls his eyes.

"Maybe you're too close to the situation." He says carefully.

"He's never snapped at me like that before. At least not since we were kids."

Rocket hands him his drink. "What you need to ask yourself, Ajax, is if you want to be the one to deny him some closure." She glances towards the doorway they left through. "So what if it was a bad time then. Things change."

---

"You ready to go?"

"Yeah, let's get out of here."

They step into the brightly lit hallway. Once they get to the end of it, instead of pressing the button to open the bookcase door, Phoenix whirls around and pulls Lysander close. "Hold on."

A moment later, they're in the dimly lit ambiance of her hotel suite.

Phoenix stays in his embrace for a moment, leaning up to kiss him deeply. She pulls away before he can deepen the kiss.

"I have something I want you to try." She strides over to a crate that's sitting on the kitchenette counter. She jumps up to sit on the counter and motions for him to come over. "Vodka, rum, or cider." She pulls the lid of the crate up.

Lysander steps up between her legs, hips against the edge of the counter. "I'd rather try some of this." He runs a hand over her hip and down her thigh.

She laughs as she scoots forward, wrapping her legs around his waist. "Seriously, I want you to taste some of this. Pick one." She leans back. "Taste one and maybe I'll let you taste me."

"You pick for me."

"Cider it is." She grabs a bottle opener and pops the cap off. She takes a swig, then passes it to him. "Tell me what you think."

Lysander takes the bottle and takes a sip, followed by a impolite gulp. "That's good." He takes another drink. "How'd you make it taste so good?"

"Trade secrets, love." She says, then freezes and her eyes dart to his.

He close his eyes and leans forward, putting his forehead against hers. "It's fine. We both already agreed that this is a bad idea."

"Yeah." She sighs. "I did...do...in my own way."

"That's one of the reasons why." He curls his hand around the back of her neck and pulls her into a short, but intense kiss. "Just enjoy this. We'll deal with the fallout afterward."

"Yeah."

Lysander slides his hand up her leg under her skirts to grab her hip. "Yeah. Now kiss me."

Phoenix wraps her arms around his neck and kisses him forcibly. Her hands drop to the bottom of his shirt and she starts pulling it up and off. She succeeds, with his help, and runs her hands across the hard planes of his chest and down to his stomach. "I had nearly forgotten how good you felt." She murmurs as breaks off their kiss to take another swig.

"I haven't. He grabs the hem of her dress, sliding from under her thighs and bottom, then up to around her waist. "Arms up." He growls.

She laughs. "Yeah? Maybe I should make you work for it."

"If you want to keep this pretty little number intact, you'll raise your arms for me. Otherwise it'll be in tatters on the floor." He grips one hip, digging his fingers in.

"You wouldn't." She gasps.

"You know I would." He leans forward and kisses her again. "Mmm, you taste like apples." He pulls back and reaches into his pocket, pulling out a folding knife and hold it up. "Now. Dress. Off."

"You said arms up the previous time." She teases, sticking her tongue out at him and raising her arms, bottle of hard cider still clutched in her hand.

He slides the knife down the counter and pulls off her dress the rest of the way. He tosses it aside and leans back to look her up and down. He tugs at one of her bra straps. "Take this off."

Phoenix hands the bottle to him and reaches behind her back, unhooking the clasps and pulling the straps down her shoulders and off. "So demanding." She whispers, leaning back and grinding her hips against him. "You going to keep these on, or join me in wearing nearly nothing."

"I think I'll keep my pants on and you'll lose the thong." He attempts to step out of the tightness of her legs.

She tightens her legs around his waist, crossing her ankles behind his back with a grin.

Lysander reaches behind himself, prying her legs apart with difficulty and stepping away briefly.

Phoenix swings her legs apart, heels up on the counter edge and her hands holding her knees apart. "Is this better?" She leans back against the cabinets, her empty hand skimming over her inner thighs and down to the crotch of her panties.

"Much." He steps forward and begins untying one of her combat boots; the laces are double-knotted.

"Mmm." She reaches over and strokes his back.

"Touch yourself." He commands. "Get yourself wet for me."

"Oh love, I'm already wet for you."

"Wetter." He presses kisses to her calf and slides her boot off, followed by the thick woolen sock.

Her hand drifts down to brush against her clit through the thin, damp cotton. She moans softly.

"Just like that." He puts his hand on top of hers and grinds her hand more firmly against her cunt before moving to her other boot.

"Please." She begs.

"You can be patient for me. " He drags his fingers over her thigh and calf.

I can be patient for you later. Or tomorrow." She pants. "I need you now."

He makes short work of her last boot and sock, dropping them to the floor. "Right here and now?"

"Yes." She reaches for his belt. "Just fuck me right here on the counter."

He grabs her by the hips and slides her off, spinning her around and pressing her against the counter. He grinds against her. "Like this? Right here?"

"Oh yes." She bends over the counter, the cool marble chills her nipples, drawing them into hard points.

Lysander yanks off his belt and unfastens his pants, pulling his hard cock out. He places his hands on the counter on either side of her and grinds against her, pressing his chest against her back.

She thrusts her hips back against him, starting a rhythm she so desperately wants him to finish.

He slides a finger under her thong, thrusting it inside her in time with her movements. A swift movement, and he's reached for the discarded knife and sliced through the back string of her thong.

"What did you--" She's cut off by his thumb on her clit, drawing moans from her lips. "Oh. Yes." She scrabbles for handholds on the counter, finding none.

"I'll buy you another one." He laughs, his hands finding handholds on her hips, pulling her back against him. "I've missed this." He reaches down with one hand, lining himself up with her and sliding forward, into her.

They gasp together and she trembles against his body. "Yes. Yes. Yes." She pushes back against him, thrusting erratically.

He laughs again, a soft and relaxed sound. "Relax. Let me fuck you." He starts a slow, unhurried pace, fucking her deep and hard.

She lets out a loud sigh, legs shaking. "Just don't stop."

"I won't." He promises, between strokes. "I'm going to fuck you here. Then I'm going to carry you to your bed and bring you off a handful of times, then I'm going to fuck you again."

"Oh, please." She begs. "I want you."

"You have me."

"I've wanted you."

"I know. I can tell." He reaches under and tweaks her clit between his thumb and pointer finger. Her cunt clenches around him and he shudders, unable to hold back anymore. Unable to keep up the slow, rhythmic pace. "Aw, fuck." He groans.

"Yes! Yes!" She screams.

He continues rubbing her clit, driving her closer and closer. "I'm not going to be able to--" He grunts as she clenches around him in orgasm and thrusts in deeply, holding himself there, feeling the trembling in her body as he spills himself into her. A few more strokes of her clit and she comes again, soaking his thighs with a loud, piercing scream.

She pushes herself off of the counter, pulling off of him, and turning around in his arms. Her eyes are bright and full of desire for him.

He leans forward against her and pulls her into a deep, passionate kiss.

She lifts her legs up around his waist again, grinding her hot, swollen lips against his stomach. She pushes him away enough to get out one word. "More."

He drags her back into the kiss, carefully biting at her lower lip. He slides his hands under her ass. "Which way to the bedroom."

Her laughter peals out and she leans back and points to a door. "Through there."

---

Cymbeline arrives at 28 Geranium St five minutes until closing. She passes Twine and opens her mouth to greet her, but stops at the look on her face. Before she can say anything, she's left through the door.

Frowning, she looks for Rocket.

Rocket raises her hand in a wave, holding up four fingers with a smile.

Cymbeline nods and leans against the wall, waiting for her.

After a few minutes longer than four, Rocket dashes over.

Cymbeline draws her into a fond embrace. "You ready to go?"

"Yeah, just need to grab my coat." She leaves and returns, bundled in an old woolen coat with patched elbows. "Let's go." She loops her arm through Cymbeline's.

The two walk in quiet companionship out of the speakeasy, through the bookshop, and out onto the street. "I have a small lasagna cooking. It should be just about done once we get back.

"Oh good. I'm starved!" She exclaims.

They walk down the cold sidewalk, warm in each others company. It's a short walk to Cymbeline's studio.

"How was the rest of your shift, Rocket?"

"It's Imogen. I'm off the clock. It's Imogen." She reminds her.

"Imogen." She repeats. "Sorry, I guess I'm just used to mostly seeing you at work recently."

"It's okay. I just like hearing you say my name."

Cymbeline leans in. "Imogen." She whispers.

Imogen giggles.

"Imogen. Imogen. Imogen."

"Oh, real mature."

"I'm just trying to even out the Rocket to Imogen proportions for you." She turns a corner. "So?"

"Hmm? Oh. Yes. It was...interesting."

Cymbeline raises an eyebrow. "More so than usual?"

Imogen nods vigorously. "Very. I...well..I kinda got a job offer." She darts a glance at Cymbeline.

"Oh? Where?"

"Um...the Nest."

"What?" She stops and turns to look at her. "What for?"

"Phoenix, she's part of the government there or something, I'm not too sure, well, she said there was a bartender job there for me or that she wanted me to be her bartender, it wasn't quite clear. Said she wanted to snipe me from Ramos."

"Are you going to go?

She shrugs. "It's pretty far away."

"Well, you should think about it."

"I know." She glances down at her feet.

The two walking in only slightly strained quiet companionship the rest of the way.

"Here we are!" She sings out.

Imogen cocks her head to the side. "Didn't you used to live over there?" She points down and across the street."

"Yup. Things happened. I needed to move." She pulls out her key and lets them into the dim hallway. "Let me get my mail and we'll head up." She pauses in front of a bank of mailboxes and unlocks one of them, pulling out a couple envelopes and prying out one package that barely fit. She closes the box and shoves her mail into her bag. "Onwards." She links her arm back into Imogen's and they continue up the metal staircase.

After three flights of stairs and one trip down a short hallway, she unlocks a door, opening it to a small, but cozy space. "Make yourself comfortable, I'll get some tea going." She closes the door and deftly slides the deadbolt. "There should be something that fits approximately in the smaller dresser.