Forsaken of Federal Hill

Rashid headed back to the Outreach, defeated. He had wanted to take care of everything there at once, but with his mark run off and anyone else he could interrogate dead, he had no choice but to wait.

He made his way up the stairs to the lounge. Randy sat next to the new girl on the couch, subtitles on her show, as she was poring over one of her stack of books. Rashid wondered if his buddy was going to try to make a move, but he was heard before anything happened.

Rashid held his hands up in mock defense, trying to slow down the questions before they got difficult to answer in company. "We're just waiting on the rest of them to make it back before we continue on, everyone's cool, how's this place held up? And how's Fang and her patient?"

”Todo será bien,” Lola said before translating, ”Everything will be alright. How are things with you?” Randy had seemed a bit off when he returned but she didn’t know him well enough to inquire. Staying out of business she shouldn’t be in was something she’d learned in the ghetto, even though she had a bad habit in meddling in her friend’s. Then again, Tanya was family so she didn’t ever think twice about doing what she felt was right by her.

”Your Asian friend stopped cursing a while ago and went to go find some candy at the vending machine.”

"Did she now?" Rashid laughed. He had to. This whole thing was absurd, he was glad someone was still being themselves.
"That's good, means she made herself at home up here. She knows what's up, Fang'll help out your girl, you'll see.'

Rashid slumped into a chair, talking to a normal person for a bit might be relaxing, who knows? "Went well, for our get together. Half-brothers don't always see eye to eye, but I think some real progress was made tonight. So, Lola, have to ask, what are you going to class for? I mean, she said you were putting yourself though school. What for?" Lame, sure, but dry conversation will get him to relax a bit, at least until the annoyed glare he was getting from Randy wore off.

“Uno no elige su familia,” Lola shrugged, “But I hope everything works out alright between you two.”

“I'm going to school for accounting,” she beamed. “I know, sounds boring but it opens a lot of opportunity, no? I can't take my clothes off forever. No one wants to see saggy viejita chichis.”

“I know I've said this before, but my girl she really likes you. I think she can kick this habit, she's just hurting you know? She was asking after you like she was worried, she never did that for Lex no matter what shit he was into. She was just always glad he was gone.”

“Keep in mind, you hurt her I will stab you. I'm a real Latina, I made my first shank in the womb before I busted outta that place.”

"No, you're right, you really can't" He couldn't help but smile at her statements. She was energetic, and hopeful. It was a bit contagious. "Girl, shanks don't scare me, but if you come at me with one of those chanclas? I'm out. Won't go near her. Promise."

His head swam. She worried about him? Why the hell? She knew enough to be dangerous, and that he was dangerous. The gun sat with a wicked weight in his waistband, reminding him that things weren't finished. He needed to lock it up. But first, he wanted to make sure she was doing alright. "You did say Fang was out, right? I'mma slip in and see she's doing ok then, before that woman returns. Then catch some Z's."

Rashid made a show of 'sneaking' to the room for his company before stepping into the dark, hoping she was fast asleep.

Cho was glad to see Randy and Rashid return safely, and Randy had made it sound like he should be expecting the others any time. He hated sitting in the Center waiting for the pack to return, he always felt so useless. Even May could fight, and her driving skills made sure she was always relevant this side of the gauntlet.
But Cho... well he was there waiting for them and he tried to do his best with that task. He'd ordered some pizzas in case people came back hungry, he'd helped May take care of their guests, he's spent a lot of time working on the App Rashid had asked for and he had spare clothes waiting for everyone.
Echo had messaged him that she wouldn't be coming back tonight, he hoped that meant she had gotten the Scorpion's bane. His phone buzzed and he checked it. A message from Riley that he and Rory would be back soon. That left Luke and Helen.
He sighed, changing up his playlist to help his mood stay positive.
***********************************************
May didn't know what was wrong with her. She's had to leave the room, her face flush. It was all she could do to pry herself away from the pretty blonde girl, with such smooth skin...
She shook lewd images from her mind. This wasn't like her, May didn't get this way with just any girl. Something was wrong. Maybe a spirit was possessing her! Yes, they were facing a pleasure spirit. That must be it.
What should she do about this? She didn't know and Echo wasn't around. Neither was Rory. Rashid would be back soon, but she didn't want to tell him, he might get mad. No, she would wait for the Cowboy and Helen, they would look into it for her and keep it quiet.
She decided to keep herself away from the pretty blonde until then.

The tea and the massage had helped immensely even if the little Asian woman seemed to jump up abruptly and head out. Trixie figured it was because she thought she was falling asleep, and she had been. It wasn’t a deep slumber and her head was filled with strange twisted nightmares that kept returning over and over. She wanted them to go away and wished again that she could just take something to make them stop.

Trixie heard the talking distantly outside, and it brought her out of her shallow sleep. It sounded like Randy had returned because he and Lola were the loudest two people she had ever met. She did not look forward to being in the same building when the pair finally had sex, Lola was likely going to sound like a Spanish nun at an exorcism.

At some point she had yanked the thin sundress off her small frame and remained nude under just the sheet. She could remember being both hot and cold, sometimes at the same time and she still felt the dull ache throughout her being. Trixie needed something to scratch the ever present itch that consumed her but May’s words had stuck in her head; there had to be a better drug.

The door creaked open and she waited a second before lifting her head, expecting Lola, May or even Randy to be there. She hadn't expected to see Rashid back so soon but the softened look on her face spoke for the relief that was on her mind.

”You’re back,” she said a little hoarsely, realizing then that at some point she had been crying. Trixie sat up a little to inspect him from across the room, ignoring the cold air that brushed across her torso as the sheet fell away. At least from there he didn’t look injured, or very disheveled from a fight. No he looked as formidable as ever and damned attractive on top of it.

There was just no surprising this woman. He thought he had been quiet. Guess not. There wasn't much light left in the room, but that hadn't even bothered Rashid, his eyes worked better with the basics: black and white. She looked terrible, but better than she was when they arrived. Fang had magic fingers alright, and her massage techniques beat out anyone. "Told you I would be. How you holding up?" He knew the answer already, but if she wanted to lie to make herself feel better, he'd let her.

Worry played across her face, so he tried to smile, get her to relax. He may not have been able to deal with her problem the way he wanted to, but he was damn sure that that man would think twice before trying to come back.

Rashid looked down for just a moment. Her bare skin against the dark sheets looked so enticing, a breeze from the open window made her shiver, and he did too, but not from the cold. It wasn't a good time, people outside, more expecting to show up later, questions he wanted to ask, but a certain vision popped back into his head from earlier, and his body reacted as he walked over and sat down.

She smiled a little at his response, knowing that she shouldn’t have posed the question because she hadn’t doubted him for a second. He was back sooner than she thought he would be, which rose a lot of questions to her mind but she wasn’t sure she wanted any of them answered. ”I’m doing alright, just achy that’s all,” her blue eyes flicked away, not wanting to concern him with her problems at the moment. Everything felt horrible but it didn’t seem to matter as much now that he was back. She could do this and she didn’t want to appear weak in his eyes.

He moved closer and her mind moved to things that might serve to distract her. It was a bad time for those thoughts but the idea itself changed the ache into a completely different one. She marveled at how even at ease he still reminded her of a predator stalking his prey and how she wanted to be the creature he sunk his teeth into.

”And you? How are you holding up?” She echoed his question, knowing it was silly to ask because he was much stronger than she was. Now that he was on the bed next to her, she couldn’t resist reaching out to run a slim hand along the broad surface of his chest, almost as if reassuring herself that he was really there.

She broke eye contact, and for a moment, She's mine, he felt her pain, worry, fear. He could be here, this moment. "I'll be better once this whole thing is behind us and I can breath again." Her touch was gentle, reassuring, dangerous. A rumble came from his chest before he could catch himself. Then he looked down and realized that he shirt was spattered with dry blood, and he turned red at the thought. She had no idea, and it was probably that asshole, Lex's.

But what if she did know? The thought buzzed around his in his head. Would she be happy, or upset? Does it matter? Rashid smirked at the thought. He unbuttoned his shirt and began to take it off, now that he knew it was there, he could smell the sharp tang of iron, and it made his mouth water.

Trixie could feel the movement deep in his chest but knew it wasn’t out of an malice directed towards her. Of course it reminded her of how he growled during her dance at the club, the same alluring, wild sound that stirred her blood in a very primal way.

It was too dark to see the splatters that had prompted him to remove his shirt so she assumed he was moving to the more comfortable cotton one under it. She sat up more so her hands could drift back on him, running along his chest and back as she rested her cheek against his shoulder. It was nice to feel the tight formations of his muscles under less cloth, even though she desired much less between the two of them she was unsure what he wanted of her. This is a drug that could help that itch The thought caused a playful smirk to flicker quickly across her features.

”I could help you breathe again,” the words came out even though her brain was advising caution but he didn’t seem like a cautious man.

This girl was a tease. There wasn't any other way to describe what she was doing. Except this time, there wasn't an exchange. This wasn't her job tonight, and she decided that Rashid was marked anyway. Not that I mind anyway.

Her features were flawless. She didn't need any of that make up she wore on stage. He picked a strand of her hair away from her face and tucked it behind her ear. "Offers like that better not be hollow if you make them." Running his hand down her side, Rashid kicked his shoes off and climbed onto the bed, straddling her. It wasn't the field he saw, but she looked just as ravishing, laying vulnerable beneath him.

"I do have a question for you though." He turned just enough that his eyes reflected the dim light cast by the bare crescent moon. He smiled, a cold, hungry smile as he gazed down at her."Do you believe in monsters?"

Trixie’s job was just a job but this was something else. Genuine desire had welled up inside her, not the fake kind she put out there for sale at the Dollhouse. This was real. Very real.

Shivering as the hand ran down her side, she smirked back at him. ”No hollow offers for you, sugar,” she breathed as she let him climb on top of her, not that she would have had much choice even if she had wanted to prevent him. Despite the fact that she had been nude in front of countless people, this was certainly different and she felt as if more of her lay open for him to see than ever before.

”Monsters?” She mused as she looked at the feral glint in his eyes. ”Every man has a monster in his heart. Tell me yours and I will tell you it’s beautiful.” Trixie slid a hand to rest on over the center his heavy beating chest as she spoke, knowing that this man had demons lurking inside him as well, ones even darker than her own. Would it be so bad if they didn’t have to face them alone?

"Some time soon, I'll show you my world, since you are a part of it. He rested his hand on her clavicle, the delicate bone shaping part of a greater whole. With a nail sharp as a claw, Rashid traced his way down to her hips, blood lightly beading at each moment he hesitated. The way she squirmed under him felt amazing, the way her breath drew in with surprise, the sound of her heart speeding up when she gave him her body. It set him on fire.

Tonight, there was war. Inside of him was the beating of a drum. This woman invited him, and this Rahu wouldn't refuse the challenge.

It had certainly been a long interesting few days and Luke was looking forward to getting some rest while being around the rest of the pack who had convened at the community center.

”Do you think we can convince Rory and Rose to crash here tonight? Just to have everyone together under one roof would be nice and really help us all de-stress,” he said getting out of the car and coming around so he could help her out and take the grocery bags. Luke was a little excited because he had told Helen about Texas Sheet Cake and she was insisting on trying to make it. It wasn’t necessarily his favorite but it reminded him of home.

The mood inside seemed pretty relaxed, except for May who was munching down a box of Red Vines like they were going out of style.

”What the hell are you watching Randy? Oh, hi I’m Luke,” he said suddenly noticing the little Hispanic girl that was sitting so close to the big guy that she was nearly overshadowed. Luke figured it was one of the guests his friend had told him about. ”Where is Rashid?”

Helen smiled and let Luke grab the groceries. She was wired right now, full on essence, her body mostly healed and her enemies tore to pieces for what they'd done. And she managed to impress the boys.
Despite the rather unforgettably terrible start to her day, it was turning around now. And hopefully, if she was able to sleep, she'd wake up feeling even better.
"I will beg and plead with her. Do you think I can play the "I was tortured" card on Rory? Even he'd have to stay if I did, right?" she said, trying to make light of the situation, put it behind her where it belonged.
They made their way upstairs, Cho racing up behind them excited to see her and Luke back. She gave him a hug, knowing how he felt about being left home.
"How thoughtful! I'm starving. Will you help me bake this cake in a few? I need a Texas Sheet Cake recipe." she asked him. He nodded and raced off to his computer, snatching a redvine out of May's hand. May didn't even seem to notice.
Helen went to say something when she realized Luke was speaking to guests. They had guests?
"And I'm Helen." she said with a warm smile. Randy got up and scratched the back of his head, realizing he hadn't introduced the very friendly (and super cute) girl.
"Shit guys mah bad. This mah gurl Lola, she's gunna stay with us while her friend Trixie gets better." the big man explained.

”Rashid said something about houseguests. It’s nice to meet you, Lola,” Luke said politely. He couldn’t help but notice how friendly Randy had seemed with the girl and wonder if there was more to it than that.

”Your friend went in to check on Tanya awhile ago, but I don’t think you should go in there,” Lola smirked a little. ”I think I’m crashing on the couch tonight.”

Luke snorted and decided to let sleeping dogs.. well.. Lie. ”Well I guess I’ll help with the cake then, Helen. You can’t make a Texas Sheet Cake without a real Texan helping anyway. First I’m going to check on the others and make sure everyone is accounted for,” he said wandering back outside of the flat to shoot texts to Rose, Rory and Echo. The only one that responded right away was Echo, which wasn’t surprising but she said she’d be back in the morning. Shrugging he went back in to wreck havoc on the kitchen.

Rory held the door open for Riley I’m gonna hit the showers first, I’ll be up in a minute. and headed to the outreach’s male showers. The adrenaline was gone. Rory leaned his head against the wall and let the hot water wash down him as he watched the swirl of sweat and blood get swept toward the drain. He was a monster. They all were, but that just seemed to complicate things. People were always difficult. They would say one thing and do another. They told you that everyone was special and good, but then only cared if you were good looking and good at sports. They believed big and little lies about the universe and themselves and passed on those lies to their children and the world around them. This wasn’t a problem though. He had his books, and his work. He didn’t need friends. Friendship caused pain, it’s laughter and its loving caused him nothing but distain, because it was a cover, another lie. He had bottled all that up, packaged it and put it on the alter as a sacrifice to his work. Now he had no work to speak of- he had a pack and was a job as a janitor and lame ass secretary. He hadn’t tried to “get” them because since his change everything that had been contained spilled out through the edges. He didn’t “get” himself much anymore. It was like all the awkwardness of puberty all over again only worse, because everyone ignored him then- It taught him lessons, and helped him build his armor. Yes, that’s it. He was a rock. He was an island.
Rory dried off and put on a spare set of clothes he always kept in his locker. He walked up the stairs. Just outside the door he was greeted by the muted sounds of conversation and laughter, and the smell of something cooking. He took a deep breath, put on your mask. No one wants to see the real you anyway. He affixed a lopsided grin to his face, and opened the door.
Most of the folks were here, some new faces which caused a bit of puzzlement, but Cho offered a slice of pizza and he grabbed a spot listening to the idle banter between May, Cho and the others.

Helen laughed as Luke came in to help her and Cho bake. Lola turned out to be a good fit, and it was clear that she and Randy had something going on. Riley came back and said Rory would be up in a few. Everyone was home but Rose and Echo.
"Barbie doll, I do lay down in you room, come talk with me when there is cake." May said, not waiting for Helen's nod of acknowledgement. Something was up with her, she didn't smell right, wasn't her usual self. But that was a problem for later, right now she wanted to be around as much of the pack as she could. She snuck a bite of pizza as Cho and Luke argued over who got to lick the spoon.
Then Rory came up the stairs and sat down quietly. Cho passed him a slice of pizza and Helen smiled warmly in his direction.
"Glad your back Rory. Thanks for all your help today." she said genuinely. She walked over and put an arm on his shoulder. Everyone was teasing Randy about watching a show he didn't understand. He'd apparently become addicted to Mexican Soap Operas earlier today. She took a seat next to Rory, snaggign another piece of pizza before talking quietly with him.
"Luke was thinking everyone should stay here tonight. I know Echo's away and I haven't heard back from Rose. But the boys said they would, and think May is going to. How 'bout it, should I get one of the sleeping bags for you too?"

What was the social protocol for sleepovers? Last one he had involved Power Ranger pajamas and a Star Trek movie marathon. No. Rose’ll probably be working late with her end of things. I wouldn’t want her to worry. Rose wasn’t the problem. All of them together bothered him. The idea of a party was nice, but all of them together just made him uneasy. Too big a target, especially here at the outreach. Thanks though Rory looked over at Randy and the new girl. Who’s she?