Bale was concerned the minute Tuna got the call. As she stood there, chattering rapidly, he bit his lip and shifted in his seat. His eyes traveled over her. She was beautiful, smart, pleasant – sure. The blood on her hands, however, told a different tale. Bale rubbed his arm and squirmed again. He couldn’t tell her that. Not now, possibly not ever.

She hung up the phone and jumped over the back of the couch, plopping down next to him. “Her’s got sights on a load a’ bigwigs. They’re havin’ a meeting or something. So it’s gonna be easy to nab the cash.” Her eyes were bright with excitement. “The cash is going to RJ, lucky little maggot, but Christ, it’s gonna be fun!” She grinned at him. He returned the smile only vaguely. His mind was still churning. It only took her a moment to read his face, and frown. “You look nervous.”

“It’s nothin’.” He couldn’t tell her; he was being unreasonable anyways. She didn’t buy it. “Aw, come on. You look like your cat’s hanging off the Empire State Building.” She put her hand on his chest, her eyes roving over his face. “Really,” he insisted. “It’s nothing. Don’t worry about it.” Whatever compelled him to move carried him up off the couch and to the kitchen counter, his back to her. He could hear her following his path. “This is stupid, babe. I’ve gotta go kick some ass in ten minutes and-“

Sudden silence. Bale winced, waiting for the words he knew would come.

“You’re afraid of me.”

In his mind’s eye, he could see it all. Guns, knives. Her face, covered in grime and blood, smiling. Grinning maniacally, no matter who she killed. He barely felt her chin on his shoulder, seeing what she had done with her friends. Her quiet voice brought him back to reality.

“Bale, babe, I’m not entirely surprised.” She pulled him around gently to face her. “I do what I do. There’s no changing that. But I’d never hurt you. I swear.” Before he could respond, she leaned up to kiss him. It was quick, unexpected, and ended all too soon. “I’ve gotta go.” She pulled away, and he was left standing there, watching her pick up her belt and mask and disappear out the door.

Five minutes later, she was joined by two others.

Twenty minutes after that, a few blocks away, suited men and women sat around a table. Silent. Ready to begin their meeting.

The sound of a door met one’s ears, and his eyes witnessed the widening of others’. He swiveled around in his chair to a short-haired woman with a knife at his mouth and a maniacal grin, and two others holding guns to his fellows’ heads.

“Sorry we’re late.”
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Suck suck suck again. XD ACCOMPANY WITH AGRESSIVE EXPANSION FOR FULL EFFECT.