"Once I knew the depth where no hope was, and darkness lay in the face of all things. Then love came and set my soul free." —Helen Keller

On the earlier the next morning, a kind of hallowed renewal seemed to purify the air, and cleanse this island-city of Roanapur. The breeze that came up from the coast was crisp and fine, and where the rising Sun broke over the horizon, the firmament was cast in empyrean shades of violets, fuchsias, and citrines with Monet-like brilliance. The city shimmered and gleamed like wet gold, and at a distance, it might've reminded the passing romantic seafarer of the fabled El Dorado of legend, or even the lost city of Atlantis. Just as God arose to judgment to smite the wicked in the time of Noah and the Great Flood, a passing tropical storm had washed the streets of this paradise-macropolis clean. Clean of the dregs, the pimps, the cunts, the scum; at least for another hour or so.

A sultry draft permeated Revy's dimly lit apartment. It was dark, and hot, and humid, and the lacquered, rosewood ceiling fan hummed quietly from above as she and Rock slept peacefully atop her bed. Morning steadily crept through the drawn shutters. It's rays snaking brazenly across their wearied bodies and disheveled bed sheets, before at last arriving on Rock's bruised and blackened visage. Slowly, his eyes would lift awake. First the right, followed by a considerably more swollen left. He lay on his back, watching the fan spin hypnotically round from below as he came to.

This isn't my room? He realized.

Tensing slightly to sit up, he quickly registered a soft, skinny arm draped lovingly across his bandaged chest… an arm painted in black tribal tattoos. A naked leg there was also, extending out long and lithe over his lap, hugging his groin from behind the faded pink towel still loosely wrapped around his waist. He quickly relaxed back into the bed, then took in a breath of hope as he rotated his head right, praying to God she really was there… and she was.

Revy. Still sleeping like a baby. All funky and warm. Her hair a gorgeous mess of wispy red-lavender, splayed all around her face and head like the halo of a fallen angel. She lay on her side, her breath lightly fanning Rock's lips as she slumbered away. Gently and quietly, and Rock looked on in awe of her guileless beauty. No. She was more than beautiful, he thought. She was perfect... like Christmas morning.

Rock couldn't resist any longer, eager to reveal more of her stunning features. Reaching over with his left hand, he boldly brushed a lock of plum silk back behind her ear. Revy stirring delicately in response. Thankfully, her eyes remained closed, and then, a sweet, sleepy smile graced her lips and she pulled herself closer against Rock; humming chaste, kitteny sighs along the way.

Rock couldn't believe it. Was this real? He ruminated on the events of the night before carefully. An awful, despairing night, when all hope seemed lost. How did he survive it? An ordinary man, placed in an extraordinary situation… and he just so happened to come out on top? But what if this was just a dream? Worse. What if… he had died? Could he be dead? Right now? Could he have died the night before and gone to heaven? But then, did it really matter? If he had died, then this was the place he would've wanted to end up. Heaven or Hell, it didn't matter, as long as he got to share it with her. Together. For once, Rock stopped listening to his head, and started listening to his gut, and right now his gut was telling him that he wasalive. Rock was alive, and Revy was alive, and nothing else mattered! Nothing, but right now. Right here. This moment.

"Revy." He whispered her name without thinking, then bit his tongue.

Her face seemed to pout a little at this, saying nothing in return, then turned over suddenly onto her side away from him. Rock fretted for a moment, but then relaxed and smiled.

Rock, you idiot. He kicked himself.

Revy was having sweet dreams, and didn't want to be woken back to the real world just yet. He wasn't going to try and control this. For once, he decided to give up on control, and then, a new feeling seemed to flow through him like rain and he followed after her, turning over onto his side as well, scooching closer and closer, inch by inch.

Revy fluttered in elation when she felt Rock begin to swaddle her small, feminine frame into his large, sheltering physique. He knew she was awake by the way she snuggled back into him; rearing her tight, round ass teasingly against his privates. They spooned for a long while, loving the feel of each other's bodies against one another. Revy was surprised at how much she liked it, wanting to get even closer to Rock. All that warm, male strength. All the protective comfort he offered. The way his hands felt on her hands. So strong, yet so gentle. Or his breath in her hair; so warm, yet so deep. His body hard, yet giving. His scent a comfort, and a distraction. Revy couldn't remember the last time she felt so safe with someone. So understood.

And then her eyelids moistened at the revelation of something only she knew, and she found herself turning her face into the pillow away from him so as not to be seen. Revy began to feel some new pain she had never felt before. A twinge in her heart far more powerful than memory alone. She couldn't describe it. Like a swelling in her chest that never burst. A wonderful ache. A terrible longing. It was unbearable, and then, she was saved by a welcome distraction.

Rock began to kiss lightly at the bend behind Revy's ear, tenderly following the line of her neck with his lips. She crooned blissfully in response, pushing herself harder against him now. He propped himself up on his right elbow for a better angle and Revy began to slowly caress his groin with her supple backside. She loved the way he moaned for her, loved the feel of him growing with desire. He placed his hand atop her bare tummy to help guide her rhythm and Revy imagined those strong hands touching every inch of her body, making her shiver in anticipation. Revy was done with feelings. Done with all this touchy-feely, lovey-dovey, bull-crap. Right now, she just wanted to fuck.

"Don't start something you can't finish." Rock, the mindreader, grated on a low moan before taking her earlobe into his mouth.

Revy bit at her lip as he sucked and nibbled her. She wasn't exactly sure what game they were playing, but it fucking turned her on. A voyage into uncharted waters, where they could both be conquerers if Rock let them.

"I'll do what I want, you… fucking dick." She moaned back, hiding a tickled smile into her pillow.

Jesus! She was already so wet for him. Revy loved the rich timbre she heard in Rock's voice when he was randy and knowing like this. Deep and husky. Like he was an entirely different person with her, yet still somehow the same. The same gentle, caring, kindhearted boy she'd met a year ago, and yet, thisRock, was so not a boy anymore. Not after everything they'd been through together. This was a man. A gentle, caring, kindhearted man, and he wanted her. He wanted her and she wanted him and Rock wasn't going to let this opportunity slip away again.

She rotated her upper body to look back at him, and he ceased his teasing suckles and nips to meet her come-hither gaze. Revy felt her heart ache when she saw him. His face, she thought. His poor, beautiful, ruined face. She reached up with her left hand to cup his swollen cheek, and Rock closed his eyes, easing into her touch, relishing its warmth, its solace, then kissed the inside of her palm. When he opened his eyes again, the look he gave Revy made her heart fill up so full she almost felt a slight drowning sensation.

That stoic brow, that noble chin, those chestnut eyes. It was strange, even behind all his fresh cuts and bruises, Rock was still so handsome to Revy. In fact, his wounds only made him seem sexier to her. All the fear and anger and confusion she'd felt for him over the last year seemed to finally loosen its hold, and give way to a slow-building heat, a heat that settled low in Revy's belly and flared to fire when she saw the answering flame in Rock's eyes.

She ran her fingertips delicately across the small cut on his bottom lip, then cooed with surprise when Rock opened his mouth to suck her digits inside. He lapped and tasted her, biting playfully as he went, making Revy remember that tongue from the previous night in the shower, and all the things it had done to her, and made her feel.

Turning over to lay flat on the bed now, Revy put herself on full display for him now. Rock surveyed her body hungrily and she licked her lips in approval, feeling him wade his hand tantalizingly across her smooth, naked stomach. She arched her back against his palm. Her tiny pink nipples peaking out from under her Springsteen-crop top. Rock abided her body's silent request and slid his hand under the white cotton-T to capture her left breast. He caressed and squeezed her; emoting long, breathy sighs and moans from Revy in response as she squirmed beneath him. He massaged her thoroughly, then moved over to pay equal attention to her right.

Revy then sucked in her breath on a rush when Rock finally dipped his head down, taking her mouth into a long, eating kiss that she never wanted to end. She loved it. She craved it. Needing more and more. She didn't care about anything anymore, except that she needed to keep on kissing him. Needed to know what he tasted like deep down inside. What he felt like when he was wanting as badly as her; her grey cotton thong now soaked all the way through.

Revy snaked her hands around Rock's neck as he slipped his tongue inside, not so tentative now, not so tame. Still kneading her right breast, pinching her nipple ever-so-lightly. Revy arching her back more and more with each new pleasure-jolt. He was driving her crazy! She pouted when he broke their kiss, and then gasped on a thrill when he scattered wet, openmouthed kisses along her neck, pulling her crop top up past her collar bone to find her left breast. She then let out a whimpering cry when he drew her nipple deep into his mouth. Sucking, and laving, and feasting, as if she were his last meal, or his first meal, or his only meal.

Sharp, exquisite pleasure shot from Revy's nipple, arrowing deep into her belly, and searing it's way between her thighs. Long. It had been so long since she'd felt arousal so electric. Such an edgy, achy yearning for another person. Even longer since it had been a man. Maybe she'd never felt it. Not this intensely. Not this desperately. Revy was beyond desperate now, her back now painfully arched towards Rock's mouth, pulling his head deeper into her breast.

Rock didn't miss a beat. He hooked his right arm around her waist, pulling her over onto her side to face him. He shifted his mouth to her other breast, making sure he took the time to do this right. The cadence in Revy's pant's and moans were becoming shorter and shorter now, feeling like she might die any moment if she didn't have him soon. He moved his left hand up and down the length or her body, wild for the feel of her. Her slim waistline, her flared hips, her pert, round buttocks, her silky-smooth thighs. He couldn't get enough.

Revy begged under laboring pants, "Rock… pl-please… please… just… just fuckin' do it already."

Rock silenced her pleading whimpers and took her mouth again. All hungry suction, and greedy tongue. Shocking her, he tunneled his left hand between them, invading her panty line. Cupping her, absorbing her damp heat, then swallowing her gasping moan when he plunged a finger inside. Revy jerked against his hand, stunned by the instant searing pleasure. The breathtaking shock of his invasion. She lost awareness of the bed beneath them; of anything before this moment. She was aware only of his need and hers. Hyperaware of his touch, of her inner muscles clenching as he slid another finger inside. Her hips rocking instinctively against his palm, her body alternately softening and tensing as he glided in and out of the damp, delicious heat he'd created for her. Revy pulled away from his mouth on a whim of desperation, Rock continuing to smother her cheek and jawline with his mouth, having copped the back of her neck in place with his other hand.

"Rock… Rock, please… please, you're—you're killing me… please just… just fuck me..." Managing on more broken whimpers and grinding rasps, as a restless urgency to feel more, be more, take more, drove her every thought. "I need… Oh God!... I need… fuck! Rock! Now! I need you, now!" She couldn't stand it any more.

Revy's urgency made Rock loose all sense of himself, pulling her amazing body tightly against his, and with one swift, wild rush, yanked her soaked thong from her quivering legs and ankles. She then gripped at his powerful shoulders and rolled him on top of her, parting her legs to make room for him.

Hot. My God, he was so hot! Revy wanted to lose herself to all that heat. Immerse herself in the power of it, the taste of it. Let it take her over, take her under, take her away from the reality of money and murder and the living hellhole that was her life.

Rock, ravenous with desire, pinned her to the bed with his weight, making her ache with every move. Loosing her breath on a serrated sigh when he pumped his powerful hips hard into her naked sex, causing her to yelp with pleasure. Darting his tongue into her mouth when she did. Revy tugged at her ratty old towel down past his hips as she kissed him, taking the time to grope his rock-hard ass, and finally unveiling his throbbing manhood. Taut, noble, proud. Revy molded her fingers around the long, thick erection, proof that Rock was just as turned on as she was.

"Revy, wait." Rock, breaking their kiss on a hushed and panicky breath.

Revy moaned in protest as he pulled his head away.

"We can't. I don't have any—uh-unhh… p-protection. Oh—oh, Jesus!" Rock's objections, quickly silenced by a few of Revy's expertly timed strokes.

"We can." She revised him, intent on seduction, and squeezed, feeling Rock's amazing body tense all over from above.

She ushered him forward, Rock loosing all hope as he followed.

"Revy, please… we… we…"

Revy then rocketed her head upwards, cutting off Rock's words with another deep, carnal kiss of clashing teeth and questing tongue, bringing the tip of his cock to the center of her heat. Damp met damp. Heat met heat. Soft met hard. My God, he was so hard.

Gripping violently at the tuff Rock's mohawk, she broke the kiss and ordered onward, "Shut up and fuck me, you fuckin' idiot!"

On a defeated groan, Rock gave up the fight, and finally pushed inside of her. The phrase, careful what you wish for, coming to Revy's mind as he proceeded. His thrust, long, slow, strong, and possessing. Revy felt her eyes grow wide as her innermost walls stretched and yielded and opened to him in ways she never thought possible. It was mind-boggling! Just when she thought Rock might've finished, another girthy inch squeezed it's way inside, filling Revy so full by the end, she cried out at the pressure. Rich, erotic, amazing. Her eyes rolling back into her head as Rock completed his journey, going farther and fuller than any one before him, leaving Revy only thinking of one thing… more.

Revy wanted more of this astounding, electric friction. More of Rock filling her up. She hooked her ankles around his waist, lifting her hips against his, and rocked away. She lifted, and rocked, and back again, over and over, taking all he had to give her, dying a little each time she pulled away. Then Rock began to move his hips against hers as well, matching her rhythm, bringing a supportive hand under her hips to lift her up. Enhancing the contact to such exquisite depths that everything in Revy's world was reduced only to the awareness of the way their bodies connected and rubbed and filled.

Revy, wanting nothing between them for this moment, releasing Rock's upper body to pull her crop top up over her head, and Rock (now reduced to a brainless, primal state) made this nearly impossible for her. His thrusts were becoming harder and faster now, bringing her pleasure to ever-increasing heights, so much so Revy couldn't concentrate on anything else. She managed the makeshift-nighty only part way past her eyes when Rock attacked her mouth yet again. Another ravishing, moaning kiss as he fucked her, and Revy gasped for air upon breaking free. She tossed the wrinkled garment to the floor, wrapping her arms around his broad, damaged back, pulling tightly against him again; crazy for the feel of one another now completely uninhibited.

Revy pulled his face into the hollow of her shoulder, moaning into his ear, running her fingers through his hair as he fucked her good and hard. Rock couldn't get over the feel of her nakedness against him. Her velvety nipples pressed against his bare chest that seemed to spur him on like a wild stallion. He fucked her so hard, Revy thought her creaking metal bed frame might shatter to pieces, and she loved every second of it! It was ecstasy. The friction was combustible. The sensation indefinable, and so, so unbearably good as Rock increased his pace, pounding into Revy now with a frenzy that matched her own insatiable need for release. Revy pulled back for a last look into Rock's eyes before it was all over.

"Don't stop!" She begged, so very close now.

"I won't." He panted, never breaking their gaze, or his rhythm.

"Promise me!" She cried out.

"I promise! Oh God, Revy!"

"Rock!"

She clutched back against him, overwhelmed by his assault. All the sensations that he had built and bred and had her clawing his arms, biting his shoulder, begging, begging, begging for the release she'd both wanted and dreaded her entire life, and then, at long last reached, on a breath-stealing, spine-tingling, heart-stopping explosion of rich, raw pleasure!

"Oh, God... oh, my, fucking, Goood!" Revy cried out; Rock lifting her clear off the bed and onto his lap as she came.

Her head thrown back as she clung to him, and squeezed him, clinching around him, holding on for dear life as she rode Rock to her peak. Fiercely clinging to an orgasm so acute and intense she could hardly bear it, yet didn't ever want it to end. Shuddering uncontrollably, mindless with sensation, her eyes tearing from the intensity. Lasting only a few brief minutes that felt like a hopeful eternity. She savored the free fall, the weightless sense of floating, and the knowledge that no man had ever taken her this high. Had ever made her feel this safe. Ever earned so much of her trust.

Rock eased her descent back onto the bed, before collapsing on top of her out of sheer exhaustion. Struggling for breath from above, his face hidden in the hollow of her shoulder. Revy lovingly caressed the back of his neck and shoulders while they both frantically fought for air. Unhooking her trembling legs of his waist, she wilted beneath his wight and she held Rock close and smiled, grateful to still be alive, and then, she felt everything, all at once, from utter jubilation, to euphoric laughter, to weeping joy.

"M-m-my heart's beating so faast!" Revy bellowed in delirium, as a huge sob racked her body.

She was overcome by emotion, never having felt such happiness in her life. It took her many moments to settle back down, then rotated her head right to nuzzle and kiss the side of Rock's face, adoringly.

"Let's do it again." She swooned into his ear.

Another moment passed and Rock responded, "I-uh… don't think I can." He muffled back into her pillow.

Revy bit her lip and giggled, feeling his rock-hard member still twitching with life inside of her.

"Doesn't feel that way." She playfully inferred, flicking her tongue along the inside of his ear.

Rock surprised Revy when he slid out of her suddenly, raising his head away to rest on his elbows from above. His face looked pained, eyes closed, as if unable to look back at her; cold. Revy didn't know what to make of it.

"What's wrong?" She asked, equal amounts of anger and hurt coloring her tone. "Is it your rib? Did I hurt you?"

"Yes… I-I mean, no. Yeah, it hurts like hell, but that… that's not it." He toiled.

"Then what is it?" Imploring him now, clasping either side of his face.

Rock tucked his chin inward, shaking his head as he replied, "If we keep making love like this, Rev… I-I won't be able to stop myself again." He trembled.

Again?… Make love? Revy was confused. Then slowly dissected the implication in his voice.

"You… you didn't?" She didn't have to say it.

"No." He answered shamefully, somehow feeling like less of a man.

Revy's first reaction was a self-conscious one, but then quickly realized that this wasn't about her at all. It was Rock. She could see it his beleaguered expression, embattled by something deep down inside himself. She reached out to touch his face, guiding his gaze compassionately back to hers and smiled.

"Hey…" She whispered warmly, "Don't be a pussy, alright?" Then jested, breaking the unnecessary tension.

Rock chuckled at this.

"Come on. Just fuckin' talk to me."

The look in her eyes emboldened Rock with the courage he needed and finally, he spoke, "I-I just couldn't put you in that position, Revy. I couldn't… live with myself… if it wasn't what you really wanted."

Revy's heart ached upon finally hearing him admit it. She'd had a feeling that's what this was all about, but she needed to hear him say it first… and it killed her. He was talking about her getting pregnant… He cared. He really, really cared. Even when she was ready, and wanting, and willing, and had all of him, all at once, he still managed to hold himself back, out of respect… for who she was. Revy felt a hot tear run down the side of her temple.

"Rock, you… you fucker." She choked, embarrassed by her vulnerability, and then pleaded with that same terrible lump in her throat, "Why? Why are you so good to me?"

Rock looked at her now with beautiful concern, gently wiping away her tears with his strong hang, and then cradled her cheek as he answered.

"Don't you know?"

At that moment, all the muscles in Revy's face relaxed and softened at once, and the two peered deep into each other's souls with heavy-lidded eyes. Raising her head up slowly, him lowering his as well. A brief buss of her lips against his. Sweet and loving. A gentle friction as they brushed their mouths back and forth. Soft to supple, warm to hot, opening to taste one another again. Rock felt his resolve begin to give way, Revy wrapping her arms back around his neck, her legs around his waist. Their sweaty bodies bounding together again, Revy ready to receive him again, Rock ready to take the plunge again, and then…

THUD! THUD! THUD! THUD! THUD!

The unmistakeable rapping of their employer.

"Revy! Are you in there?!" Dutch boomed.

Panic! Neither knew what to do. Rock, the idiot, hid his face back into the hollow of her shoulder, and Revy (also an idiot) clung back, cradling his head against her with jealous guarding as she tried to compose herself to respond in time.

"U-Uh, yeah! What's up?!"…What's up? Revy smacked her hand over her face. She never said, What's up?

"Revy?" Dutch paused, confused, then erupted, "What the fuck happened!? Where have you been? Where's Rock?! He's not in his room!"

Revy did her best to relieve Dutch without suspicion. "Its fine! He's in here with me!" Revy shouted back, then cringed to bite her lip in frustration, slamming her head back into her pillow. Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!

"What?" Dutch, now sounding very confused.

"Uh—yeah!" She stalled for more time. "He's using my shower!"

Rock, paralyzed with indecision, shuddered against her with nervous trepidation.

"Th-The waters out on his side of the building!" She couldn't keep this up much longer.

"I'm coming in." Dutch announced.

"No, wait!" She shrieked.

Her rusted door knob jiggled, but didn't turn, and Revy thanked God if there was one, having forgotten locking her door after arriving home with Rock the previous night. A true first for her.

"Revy? Your doors locked." Dutch, now very, very confused. "Get your ass out here! We need to talk!"

Revy was livid now.

"For fuck's sake, Dutch! Give it a rest! I'll be out in five fucking minutes, alright! Fuck!"

Silence.

"Meet me in the office." Dutch, with a resigned ultimatum.

"Okay!" Revy exclaimed.

"Right now!"

"Alright!"

Revy'd had enough, reaching above her head to click on the stereo under her TV. She rounded the volume on high; the hard rock sounds of a Detroit-classic effectively ending Dutch's ill-timed wake-up call.

Kick out the jams motherfuckers!

Yeah! I, I, I, I, I'm gonna

I'm gonna kick 'em out!

Yeah!

Rock and Revy held their breath as they listening for Dutch's guerrilla-like stature to move away from her door. Revy wanting to die; mortified at the incredible awkwardness of the situation.

Well I feel pretty good

And I guess that I could get crazy now baby

Cause we all got in tune

And when the dressing room got hazy now baby

"That was a close one…" Rock stifled into her pillow, then reached up to lower the volume so they didn't have to shout. "You know this building only has one water heater, right?" He asked, turning to look at her.

"Shut the fuck up." Revy imposed through a hushed pant, trying not to have a heart attack, then groaned in humiliation, "Ugh! God, I wanna die!" Reaching above her head again, she grabbed her lighter and cigarettes off the TV stand.

I know how you want it child

Hot, quick and tight

The girls can't stand it

When you're doin' it right

Let me up on the stand

And let me kick out the jams

Yes, kick out the jams

I want to kick'em out!

Rock pushed himself back onto his knees allowing Revy to sit up, her hair falling all around her shoulders and back as she did.

"Put a gun to my head and paint the walls with my brains." She muttered depressingly to herself as she rooted through her pack.

She tapped her last American Spirit out and placed it between her lips, tossing the empty onto the floor then whipped open her all-brass zippo to begin thumbing the flint wheel. Much to her dismay, however, she produced only sparks.

"Goddammit!" Revy cursed, irate by her current circumstances.

Yes I'm starting to sweat

You know my shirt's all wet

What a feeling

In the sound that abounds

And resounds and rebounds off the ceiling

She continued striking the flint in vain when Rock calmly seized the lighter from her hands.

"Hey!" She demurred in annoyed surprise.

He closed the lid, then shook it upside down a bit, before opening it right ways up and cooly striking it to flame with a snap of his fingers, and for a brief moment, Revy was speechless.

"Hmph! Fuckin' show off." She huffed, doing what she could not to appear impressed.

You gotta have it baby

You can't do without

When you get that feeling

You gotta sock'em out

Rock smiled warmly as she leaned forward into his glowing palms, bringing the tip of her Spirit to ember and inhaled long and deep.

Leaning back to exhale into the ceiling, Revy looked back at him, smiling with gratitude.

"Thanks." She said.

She had a look of sincerity Rock had never seen before.

"Don't mention it." He replied, smiling back.

Put that mike in my hand

And let me kick out the jams

Yes! Kick out the jams

I want to kick'em out

A blushing moment of dalliance passed between them, and then Revy leaned back further on one hand as she tilted her head to enjoy another long, sensual drag. She moaned with satisfaction, not remembering the last time a smoke tasted so good. Rock felt his gaze idle on those large, perfect breasts of hers. The way they rose and fell with her every breath. Watched the sun beams gleam, and dance off the glistening sheen of love-sweat that moistened every inch of her beautiful naked body.

So you got to give it up

You know you can't get enough

Miss Mackenzie

Cause it gets in your brain

It drives you insane

With a frenzy

"Geez! You're like a dog with a bone." Revy jabbed, snapping Rock out of his locker-room ogling.

"Uh, sorry!" Rock apologized, embarrassed by his boyish arousal for the second time.

The wigglin guitars girl

The crash of the drums

Make you wanna keep-a-rockin'

Till the morning comes

Revy chuckled, "I'm kiddin'. You're just lucky you're so fuckin' cute about it."

Rock was stupefied. Was she teasing him?

She sighed and leaned back onto her elbows. "First time being with a real woman. Am I right?" Revy haughtily boasted.

Let me be who I am

And let me kick out the jam

Yes, kick out the jams

I done kicked em out!

Her cigarette dangled between her lips as she stared back at Rock with dark, lusty eyes. He looked back, utterly transfixed by the hexing spell she seemed to be casting on him. In an unexpected turn, however, Rock closed his eyes, and smirked, before confidently reached out to steal her cigarette from her mouth, and taking a long drag of it himself.

Okay. Now, Revy was impressed.

"Dick." She cracked, Rock never ceasing to surprise her.

He pulled the cigarette away, taking Revy off-guard as he stalked forward like a lion whilst holding his breath. He then released a long spectral, plume of smoke all along her body, starting on her thigh, moving upward along her stomach, billowing over her breasts, before finally finishing on her neck. It was (for lack of a better word) hot; hovering closely over her now from above as he penetrated her defenses with a cocky, sexy stare.

Damn! Revy wanted to fuck him again bad. She wanted to throw him onto her floor and sit on his face. Wanted to ride his cock until he was a zombie and feel him throb inside of her when she finally made him come. Closing her eyes, she inched her face upwards, hoping to taste his mouth again.

"Better not keep him waiting." Rock smugly interrupted

Revy opened her eyes in disappointment, and then, smirked something sinister when the thumping beat of one of her favorite rock ballads kicked on. Pouting playfully in return, she pressed her pelvic bone enticingly against Rock's privates and replied.

"Ohhh, but I don't wanna go to school today."

Rock grinned wider, tilting his head to one side as he studied her lips, considering his approach, then leaning back down to take that kiss she offered.

Violently and without warning, Revy elbowed him off, giggling mischievously as she went. Rock chuckling in pain as he fell to the side, rubbing his chest as he watched her spring to her feet and jaunt to her dresser with rocker-chick attitude.

We've been here too long tryin' to get along

Pretendin' that you're oh, so shy

I'm a natural ma'am doin' all I can

My temperature is runnin' high

She flung her panty drawer open, then cutely crossed her arms as she touched an inquisitive index to her cheek whilst surveying her options, all the while rocking her hips and heels to the beat of the music. Rock laughed again in charmed delight. He'd never seen this side of Revy before. So unguarded, so carefree… and thinking maybe he had something to with it meant everything to him.

Cry at night no one in sight

An' we got so much to share

Revy threw a selection back over her shoulder, looking back at Rock like a minx as she offered up a lacy, lavender-colored thong for his approval.

"Oh-ho, scandalous." Rock endorsed humorously, now grinning ear-to-ear.

Talking's fine if you got the time

But I ain't got the time to spare, yeah

Do you wanna touch?

(Yeah)

Do you wanna touch?

(Yeah)

Do you wanna touch me there, where?

Opening two more drawers, Revy grabbed a fresh pair of denim shorts and a baggy black crop-top, before jaunting impishly back to the center of her studio. Rock took another a drag of her cigarette and sat up on the bed, sensing a show coming on, his arm resting on his knee in enthusiasm. She turned to sit back in her chair, arching her back on reflex, profiling her perfect body for Rock's gaze. She leaned over slowly, stealing a devious glance at Rock along the way as she slipped her skinny ankles through the leg holes of her prurient pick. She pulled the sweet nothings teasingly up her long, smooth legs, lifting her cute butt ever so lightly to secure them around her hips. Then finishing with a resounding snap of her waistband, she succeeded in giving Rock one hell of a rager as a result, watching him discreetly cover himself with her bed sheet.

Do you wanna touch?

(Yeah)

Do you wanna touch?

(Yeah)

Do you wanna touch me there, where, there, yeah?

Yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah

Yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah

Revy beamed with satisfaction at her accomplishment, then stood back up to finish getting dressed, taking a break every so often to strum an air guitar and head-bang her violaceous locks with riot-girl moxie.

Rock seized this rarest of opportunities to really sit and admire Revy (while she was still naked enough to do so). She truly was in a league of her own. Immeasurably attractive in every dimension. No comparison. But if Rock had to go out on a limb, he'd have to start by saying she had body on par with Raquel Welch in her heyday (albeit a few, slightly more curvaceous endowments). She possessed the pouty good looks and provocative sensuality of Joan Jett, and she embodied the no-B.S. attitude and strong sense of self-reliance seen in Sigourney Weaver's Ellen Ripley, or Linda Hamilton as Sarah Connor. A peculiar combination, Rock admitted, but it all amounted to one hell of a woman in his eyes. Talk about your fatal attraction…

Revy wrapped up her little reverse-strip tease for Rock and secured her denim shorts with a spare firehose belt she'd had laying around. She then threw on a very rare, black vintage band-T with the sleeves sliced off (no bra, of course). Black Sabbath's Master of Reality tour showcased in purple and green lettering. Revy knotting it's waistline tightly to one side to keep her cute navel and tone midriff exposed as per usual. Finally, she pulled on her fatigued combat boots, then grabbed a black hair-tie off her gun rack before starting back towards Rock.

Every girl an' boy needs a little joy

All you do is sit an' stare

Beggin' on my knees baby, won't you please?

Run your fingers through my hair

"You'd better stay in here awhile." She said, working her plum-locks up into her signature ponytail. "I'll bring you some of your clothes later."

"What about Dutch?" Rock asked.

"Let me handle Dutch, alright?" Revy insisted, resting one knee on the edge of the bed. "You just stay in here and be quiet."

"What I am I supposed to do with myself?"

My, my, my whiskey and rye

Don't it make you feel so fine

Revy sucked in breath of sarcasm through gritted teeth and replied, "Ooh! Yeaahh. Um, that really sounds like more of a you-problem, not so much a me-problem. Get what I'm saying?"

Rock frowned, reminding Revy instantly of puppy-dog eyes. She groaned in frustration.

"Ugh!Goddammit, how the hell should I know!? Watch a movie or somethin'. Die Hard's still in there, I think." Alluding to her VHS player.

Rock cringed at it's mentioning.

"We've watched that almost every night this week." He complained.

Right or wrong don't it turn you on

Can't you see we're wastin' time, yeah?

"Uh, yeah! 'Cus it's fucking perfect!" Revy proclaimed, finishing the last loop in her hair to then rest her hands on her hips and give her best Bruce Willisimpersonation, "Come out to the coast, we'll get together, have a few laughs." She giggled. "Fuckin' classic."

Rock chuckled at this as well and then Revy leaned forward to retrieve her cigarette from him, taking one last drag of it before cacheing the butt in the ashtray nearby.

Do you wanna touch?

(Yeah)

Do you wanna touch?

(Yeah)

"Guess I don't really have much of a choice now, do I?" He submitted, staring at the bloody rags that were once his clothes in the waist basket nearby.

"No, you don't. Now quit your bitchin' already! It's not attractive. I'll be back as soon as I can… Okay?" Revy, ending their flirtatious bickering, moved back off the bed to turn and walk towards her door.

Do you wanna touch me there! Where?

She then let out a girlish yelp when Rock seized her wrist suddenly and yanked her back to the bed on top of him, catching her mouth with his. Revy fluttered cutely into his throat as he kissed her, tickled by his coltish new disposition. She kissed back as Rock touched the side of her face, not wanting to let her go; Revy not wanting to leave, yet she knew she had to.

"Okay." She broke away once, then moaned into his mouth more when he pulled her back. "Okay." Trying her luck again, "I have to—Mmm!" She squealed. "Rock!" Her words continuing to be quelled by Rock's greedy mouth. She pushed off his chest in frustration. "Hey, asshole! Are you trying to get us both shit-canned!? I actually need this job, ya kno—!"

Do you wanna touch?

(Yeah)

Do you wanna touch?

(Yeah)

Revy let out a short gasp when Rock rolled over on top of her, slipping his tongue deep into her mouth. She quickly gave up the fight, going weak with want under his weight as she wrapped her arms around his lean waist. They risked a few more moments so they could taste each other again, and then Rock eased off to share a powerfully intimate gaze with Revy... scaring her a little.

Do you wanna touch me there, where, there, yeah?

Yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah

Yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah

"What?" She trembled, unsure of what to say next.

"Nothing." Chagrined, Rock replied, "I just… wanted to kiss you, is all."

Damn. Things all of the sudden had gotten way too real for Revy. She didn't know how to act in this kind of situation. It was too foreign to her.

Sensing her anxiety, Rock rolled off to the side, Revy quickly sitting back up. After an awkward pause, he spoke up again.

"So I'll see you in a little bit?" He asked, a slightly jilted note in his delivery.

She hesitated again, "What?… Oh! Uh, yeah. I mean, I shouldn't be too long." Revy stammered as she readjusted her top.

How. Pathetic. Revy kicked herself. She was behaving like a flustered little school-girl.

She took a calming breath threw her nose, then exhaled through pursed lips before hopping up off the bed. She kept her back turned to Rock as she recomposed herself, then after a curious pause, spoke up again.

"Oh, Rock?" Soliciting with a queer undertone.

"Yeah?"

Do you wanna touch?

(Yeah)

Do you wanna touch me there?

Do you wanna touch?

(Yeah)

Do you wanna touch me there, there, yeah?

Revy turned back around to face him and leaned forward, resting her hands on her thighs to meet him at eye-level. Her eyes were listless, worn inside a hollow, slightly unhinged expression as she spoke, "If you ever tell anyone about this, and I find out about it… boy… Rocky-baby. I'll gouge your eye sockets out with my cutlass, then skull-fuck you until the mag is empty… got that?"

Rock felt an icy chill run up his spine, and he tittered with frightened discord in his voice as he responded, "Um… y-yes?"

"Good." Finishing with a demure wink.

And with that statement, Revy reasserted her dominance in the relationship, just the way she liked it, then gave Rock a playful peck on the lips before turning to leave.

My, my, my do you wanna touch me there?

Touch you, touch me touch, everybody

You touch me, you know where, there

Oh yeah, oh, yeah

As she walked to her front door, Rock was left with two distinct impressions. The first, that maybe Revy was only just teasing him again, and it was all just part of their new little game of sex and intrigue, and the second… that she was in fact, very, truly, deadlyserious. Rock wasn't going to go and push his chips to find out which. After watching her close the door behind her, he breathed a welcome sigh of relief as yet another classic-rock ballad on Revy's mixtape queued up. Moving to the edge of the bed, he let his feet fall to the hardwood floor to sit up, then chuckled aloud to himself at the irony of this particular musical selection.

"Of course... it had to be Nazareth." He humored, slouching forward to clasp his swollen eye.

Love hurts, love scars

Love wounds, and mars

Alone. What a strange feeling? Rock thought. It seemed almost foreign to him now. Like he'd lived a lifetime in the last forty-eight hours. Even after all the crazy shit he'd been through over the last year, somehow, the last two days felt more significant than the rest.

Any heart

Not tough or strong enough

To take a lot of pain, take a lot of pain

Love is like a cloud

Holds a lot of rain

Love hurts...ooh, ooh love hurts

Rock winced as he nursed his side. He'd had put on a brave face for Revy up until now, but the reality of his discomfort was no laughing matter. Every breath warranted an equally gnawing reverberation in his rib, but he was intent on following her advice; breathing as deeply as he could muster. He scanned the room for something to distract himself, his gaze idling on the many vintage movie posters that graced Revy's own walls and smiled.

Geez... what a geek. He thought.

Revy treated movies like they were a religion, even the bad ones. Among her favorites were such recognizable cult classics as The Warriors, Death Wish, Assault on Precinct 13, Aliens, Terminator 2, Hard Boiled, The Road Warrior, From Dusk Till Dawn, Scarface, La Femme Nikita, Léon: The Professional, Natural Born Killers, and The Wild Bunch. In combination with the small arsenal of guns, knives, and automatic weapons strewn about the place, Revy's apartment seemed a shrine to action movies and crime dramas everywhere. That wasn't even counting the boxes of videotapes and graphic novels she had stashed under her bed. On top of being a cinephile, she was also a closet comic book junkie with a penchant for Marvel, DC, and Dark Horse. Although, it was so clearly Revy's keen fascination with violence that remained the overarching motif of her emotional education. So prominent at times, it even bordered on the erotic. However, only Rock knew of Revy's secret love of Mel Brooks' films, for when she was feeling particularly down in the dumps. Another little tidbit to which Rock was sworn to secrecy under threat of castration.

I'm young, I know, but even so

I know a thing or two

I learned from you

I really learned a lot, really learned a lot

Love is like a flame

It burns you when it's hot

Love hurts...ooh, ooh love hurts

Rock stood up, relieved to feel the pain in his side lessen a bit as his weight settled. As long as he was either standing or laying prone, the pain was bearable. He took a breath, and then bravely fell toward the floor like an oak tree, palming the hardwood in the nick of time to break his fall. He then exploded back upwards to slap his hands before catching himself again, repeating this military push-up a hundred more times.

Literally having taken a page or two out of Charles Bronson's book, Solitary Fitness, Rock had started and stuck with a hardcore workout regimen every morning now for the last three months. It was tough, at first, absolutely. Changing his diet. Feeling miserable all the time, but eventually (and oddly enough), Rock began to like it, and after the first month, the results spoke for themselves. Now Rock had gone and turned into one of those guys he was always hated back in Japan: the fitness junkie.

Some fools think of happiness

Blissfulness, togetherness

Some fools fool themselves I guess

They're not foolin' me

He paused mid-set, hearing an argument brewing down the hall. He only got the gist of this heated little exchange, however, as the loud music and lengthy distance kept him from getting any of the actual details. It was faint, but Rock didn't have to be a rocket scientist to discern Dutch making an attack on Revy's character. Something about her "loosing her nerve" and "jeopardizing the mission",and Revy denying the allegations intensely. Rock shrugged, feeling responsible for all of it, then feeling himself resenting Dutch's recent flare for hyper-professionalism as their employer. He knew he'd be reprimanded himself thoroughly in due time, so Rock could voice his complaints then.

I know it isn't true, I know it isn't true

Love is just a lie

Made to make you blue

Love hurts...ooh, ooh love hurts

ooh, ooh love hurts

Rock braced his forearms, racking his body into a planking position to flex his core. He wouldn't be able do any crunches (obviously) so he focused on long planks with intermediate sets of leg lifts as an alternative.

I know it isn't true, I know it isn't true

Love is just a lie

Made to make you blue

Love hurts...ooh, ooh love hurts

ooh, ooh love hurts

On top of her cinematic and literary pursuits, Revy also had a varied, and respectable taste for music, and Rock fervently enjoyed her latest mixtape as he continued his workout. In the past, if he was ever was ever so inclined to happen by her room at the right moment, it wasn't uncommon for him to catch a rock n' roll sample of something blasting from behind her door. Aside from Joan Jett, Revy enjoyed the histrionic stylings of notable female rock legends like Stevie Nicks, Grace Slick, Pat Benatar, and Janis Joplin. That being said, the girls were most often always outnumbered by much harder classic rock groups like The Doors, The Who, Iggy & The Stooges, ZZ Top, Black Sabbath, AC/DC, Motörhead, Metallica, MC5, and Judas Priest, to name a few. Some darker, more industrial contemporaries managed to sneak their way in from time to time. Rock was still learning to appreciate modern bands like White Zombie, Nine Inch Nails, Pantera, and Tool, but he smiled when a song from the English alternative rock band, Radiohead, eventually queued on. A band he once recommended to Revy when he was first getting settled in Roanapur (and met with almost violent rejection at the time).

After finishing with his core and legs (minding his injuries along the way), Revy's mixtape finally ended, and the room fell silent again. Rock was shocked to realize almost an entire half hour had passed and was starting to get anxious now.

What could she be doing? He asked himself. Could she have forgotten about him? He wouldn't put it past her, but still, it would be a stretch considering the events of the last two days… and this morning.

Rock moved to the pull-up bar, determined to keep himself distracted with exercise. He eyed the thing apprehensively, not knowing how his rib might react to the stress. Taking in a breath, he reached up with both hands and gripped the cold, round steel to pull to his weight up off the ground, getting his chin just under the line when the shooting pain in his side returned with a vengeance! Rock spat, pausing for just a moment, then pulled his chin up over the bar, completing his first rep. Then he went again, and again, and again, cringing as the pain intensified. He attempted at one last rep before finally buckling from the strain, releasing the grip to fall down to his feet. He clutched at his side, gasping for air, leaning up against the pull-up bar for support.

"Fuck!" He cursed in frustration, knocking his head into frame.

Normally Rock could manage fifty-plus reps on the bar in his closet, but with this new injury, he barely managed thirty.

"Well, aren't you just full of surprises?" Revy, candidly surprising him from behind.

Rock turned round hastily to face her.

"Uh, Revy! I… didn't hear you come in." He replied, trying his best to hide his discomfort.

She'd obviously been there a while. Hand on her hip, his clothes tucked in the other, smirking in delight. She must've crept in on cat's paws…

"Here." She chuckled, tossing him an unfolded outfit from the dresser in his room.

"Thanks a lot." He replied, indebted.

"So…" Pausing now to cross her arms. "Do you always work out in the nude?" She teased.

Rock gave her his best sexy-stare and replied, "Only when someone's watching." He countered, playfully.

Revy giggled, "Perv."

Rock, now switching gears as he moved back towards the bed, "Hey, I'm sorry about everything with you and Dutch. You okay?"

Revy shrugged her shoulders a bit and then replied, "Okay, enough. I can't say the same for you, though." Back to busting balls.

"I don't think I've ever heard him so pissed before. You sure you're everything's okay?" Rock asked again.

"Please. I can handle Dutch."

"What did he say?"

"He gave me a load a crap about me… forgetting what we were doing here, or some stupid shit. Said I was letting myself get distracted. Can you believe that?" Revy, not quite sure who she was trying to convince.

Rock simpered a little hearing this.

"I'm sure he's just worried about his partner, is all."

Revy huffed, "Whatever…" And then her eyes saddened a little as she looked to the ground. "Big lug."

Rock, not knowing what to say, looked at the clothes in his hands and turned to sit back on the bed. Revy quickly snapped out of her rare moment of reflection and followed after him, stopping to lean on her pull-up bar, smiling and studying over crossed arms.

"Rock, you numskull." She nagged, secretly vying for his attention.

"What?" He answered in a bemused chuckle.

"You've bled through all your bandages. I don't have to time to re-tape you, ya know?"

He hadn't taken the time to notice. The white medical tape on his back and chest, blood-kissed along their centers.

"Why? What's going on?" He followed, too occupied in his search for boxer shorts.

Following a pregnant pause, Revy revealed, "Sis is gonna be stopping by soon."

Rock stopped.

"What? Miss Balalaika's coming here? Why?" He asked, upset to feel reality starting to close back in on them again.

"She's gonna go over the job in detail, and knowing her, she'll treat it like some, weird, military-style briefing or something." Revy was bored just thinking about it, and yawned, "All dates and locations while avoiding any use of clarifying pronouns... So be a good boy and behave yourself, okay, sweetie-pie!" Needling Rock with a satirical wink as she approached him.

Rock couldn't help but pick up on the slight, resigned tenor in Revy's voice, but was intent on keeping their flirtatious new relationship in a forward direction. He reeled back onto his palms, looking up at her as she craftily scooched her way between his knees.

"I'm always good." He replied, with a disarming grin.

Revy lost her smile by this for some reason, and then leaned over with her palms on the bed as if to steal a kiss… and instead, said something sadly truthful into his eyes.

"Yeah, but lately you've been bad." She whispered with a ruminative look in her eyes.

Rock was taken aback at this comment, and then frowned self-consciously as she reached up to thumb the dimple in his chin.

What was he supposed to say to that?

Revy stood back up and concluded, "Now hurry up and get dressed. Dutch said she'll be here any minute."

On that note Revy turned to leave him again, and Rock his felt his expression sadden more, not getting to have more time with her. Everything was moving so fast again, and Rock didn't like it. It was like he'd woken from a dream and reality had come crashing back in. He needed to know where he and Revy stood first, before doing anything else.

"Revy?" He queried timidly, watching her open the door.

"Hm?" Looking back.

And… he pussied out.

"You—uh, forgot my boxers." Following with a sheepish chuckle.

Revy paused again, then smiled naughtily in response. "No, I didn't." She corrected.

Rock's self-conscious feelings quickly subsided and then smiled again as well; Revy giving him a final, flirtatious wink of assurance before closing the door behind her.

Rock didn't waste any time getting dressed, knowing his rib would add an extra minute or two to the process. Revy had procured him a clean pair of white socks, dark-blue Levi's, and his now signature red Hawaiian shirt. After slipping his boots and belt back on, and smoothing out his mohawk, he attempted at composing his disheveled appearance in the reflection of her mirror, and then quickly gave up.

"What's the use?" Remarking acerbically at his reflection. Not with this mug, he thought.

Exiting Revy's apartment, then unenthusiastically starting down the hallway. Rock became instantly depressed realizing Hotel Moscow had arrived; two of Balalaika's soldiers already standing guard outside the main office. They were each of them wearing cheap Bulgarian-made suits and brandished AKS-74u's and pineapples. Idle chatter could be heard inside as Rock approached, and he stopped before entering the toom, taking a moment to audit any conversation.

"How do you take it?" Dutch, asking someone, about something.

"Lot's of cream, lot's of sugar, Dutch. Thank you." A sultry, feminine voice replied. It was smooth and smokey, like bourbon, and Rock knew could only belong to one person. "Now… where is he?" A dangerous air of impatience on her last note.

Rock checked to make sure his shirt was buttoned properly before entering, the Russian enforcers each throwing him a judgmental glance before turning to look at each other in covert agreement of something.

Assholes. Rock divided unto himself.

Ignoring them, he turned and walked through the open doorway.

Two more of Balalaika's soldiers stood either side the door next to Rock as he entered, mirroring the first sentry. Dutch and Balalaika were at the room's center. Dutch holding two mugs of coffee, one in an outstretched hand and Balalaika poised to accept it. Boris was there also, setting up some kind of portable white canvas display while Benny and Revy each sat together on the nearest sofa, their backs to the door.

The arrival of Rock's heavy gait caused obvious heads to turn, and then the room fell silent; Balalaika surprising everyone in addressing him first.

"My word!" Eliciting shock, Balalaika hid her mouth behind her rose-painted fingertips out of unexpectedness… or was it intrigue?

"Rock, what the fuck happened to you?!" Dutch quickly followed, staring at Rock in incensed annoyance of his unprofessional appearance.

"Holy shit, Rock! Are you okay, man? Your face looks like Baghdad." Benny now, with more general concern in his voice as he stood from his seat to turn and face his friend and co-worker.

Revy was the only one not to respond, remaining seated, legs crossed, quietly sipping on a mug of black coffee in apropos disinterest.

Rock froze like a deer in headlights. Revy clearly hadn't informed any of them as to the events of their previous day, and he panicked trying to think of what to say. Did he lie? Did he tell the truth? A partial truth? But—but what about Revy? What the fuck was he supposed to do?!

"We got into it with some guys at the bar last night." Revy, casually enlightening her criminal-compatriots with glib despondence; once again to Rock's rescue.

Dutch looked over at her, disbelievingly.

"What?" He probed with an unconvinced tone.

"Yeah." She continued candidly, feeling his eyes on the back of her head. "Some assholes were giving us shit, and I my cutlasses were still in the shop, sooo yeah… it got kinda ugly." Rotating her profile left as she offered up the bruise on her temple as proof of the vague account.

She was choosing her words very carefully, Rock could tell, watching her hang an arm back behind the sofa's backrest as she went on.

"Of course, Rocky Dennis here, got the worst of it by far... but luckily, your's truly was there to save his dumb ass, as per usual." She feigned with boastful detachment.

Ow. That hurt a little more than Rock thought it might. He knew Revy had to make it sound convincing, but still… ow.

Revy stretched out in her seat with a slight look of duper's delight while everyone turned to see Rock's reaction, feeling his gaze recoil into the floor before speaking up.

"Uh, yeah… that's what happened." He lied, reluctantly affirming Revy's half-true recollection.

Another uneasy silence followed before Balalaika broke the silence again, "Oh, Rock… you poor baby!"

Nobody could believe it.

"Come, let's have a look at you." She impelled, her voice eerily maternal as she approached him.

That cold thing only Balalaika could inspire crept into Rock's gut, and he felt himself retreat back against the wall as she moved closer towards him.

Closing the gap, she clicked her tongue at him like a caged bird, "Tsk tsk tsk. Now, now, don't be shy." She assured, wickedly elated by his reticence.

Inside of a moment Rock had nowhere to go, and Balalaika was standing only inches from his person. What was it with women and his fucking personal space lately!?

"Sergeant!" Calling her second-in-command, Balalaika held Rock's fretful gaze.

"Uh, yes Kapitan?" Boris answered.

She turned her head to look at her comrade.

"Be a dear and bring us some ice from that fridge there, won't you?" Asking sweetly.

"Right away, ma'am."

Nobody said a thing, did a thing, except watch uncomfortably as Balalaika continued to dote over Rock, thumbing his face from side-to-side as she inspected his wounds. Lagoon Company always expected a degree of eccentricity when dealing with Balalaika and Hotel Moscow, but frankly, this was ridiculous. She was obviously working some kind of angle, but what?

"Oh! Look what those bad men did to you, Rock." She continued, gently running her fingertips over the cuts on his face. "Revy, I trust you didn't leave any of these individuals alive, yes?" An over-the-shoulder address.

So much for subtlety. Rock thought. Balalaika suspected something, he knew it. Maybe even unriddled them. Either/or, it was clear she was toying with Revy's emotions, trying to incite her typical jealous-response and expose them.

Revy ignored the taunt, surprising Rock, as he almost always knew her reaction in this kind of situation. He peaked around the mature mafiosa's large ponytail to look at her. She had uncrossed her legs to slouch forward, her eyes darkly hidden behind her bangs. She seemed to be trembling, as if she were trying to hold something in. Rock needed to put a stop this; diffuse the tense situation before it finally erupted.

"It's really not as bad as it looks, Miss Balalaika, but thank you for your concern." Doing his best to respectfully slink out from her clutches.

In a frightening turn, Balalaika slammed her hand into the wall aside Rock's face, cutting off his escape.

"Don't be modest, Rock. It doesn't become you anymore. Now…" Inching her face closer towards his now, her large breasts starting to graze his chest, "Tell me where it hurts."

Her voice was mellifluous, yet maleficent. Her demeanor; tempestuous, yet frightening.

In another life, Balalaika, maybe. Rock thought… Yeah right! Maybe if he felt like being married to Satan!

Plink!

"Goddammit." Revy cursed under her breath.

Everyone except Balalaika turned to look at her. Revy's mug had inexplicably shattered into her palm, consequently cutting her hand.

"Revy, you're bleeding." Benny observed with concerned alarm.

"I'm fine! Chintzy fuckin' mug is all…" She grumbled in annoyance, slinging a mix of blood and hot coffee from her hand.

"Revy." Rock muttered her name absentmindedly, occupied with obvious worry as he gently pushed past Balalaika to go and check on her.

Everyone breathed a little easier as the room seemed to regain cabin pressure.

Rock moved around the furniture and sat down next to her, his proximity startling Revy a little as he pulled a red, vaquero-style bandana from his back pocket.

"Here. Let me see it." He said softly.

Revy's feelings betrayed her, disarmed by Rock's confidence. Going weak with wanting again as he took her small hand and began bandaging her up. They shared a brief moment of eye contact, before Revy began to feel prying eyes studying them, then yanked her hand away in frustration.

"I'll do it myself, thanks!" She pridefully exclaimed.

Standing up suddenly, Rock remained seated, sequestering a frown as he watched her move to the couch on the opposite side hugging the window as she secured his bandana around her hand with her teeth. Realizing in that moment, Revy fully intended on keeping their new relationship secret.

Balalaika hummed inquisitively as she watched the heated little exchange, then released a breathy sigh of reward.

"Well, Dutch. I'd say we had better get started. Wouldn't you agree?" She proposed, oh so delicately.

Dutch looked back at her, furrowing his brows over his sunglasses as he replied, "Benny… get the lights."

The Floridian hacker did so quickly and quietly; drawing the blinds shut while Dutch took his seat in the armchair. Benny sat back down alongside Revy when Boris returned with the icepack Balalaika had requested earlier. Tossing it at Rock, he reached over to grab a black actuator off the coffee table. Rock noted its small face of controls connected on a long black wire to a Kodak carousel slide projector in the middle of the table. Rock felt a slight bout of what he could only describe as PTSDupon recognizing it. He was all too familiar with these stressful machines from his days as a yuppie-corporate climber in the high-stakes business world of Japan. Attending countless stock market meetings, proposals on exponential growth, and tedious presentations on emerging variable-cost models. He held the cold, blue icepack to his left eye as Boris moved out of sight into the room's corner, listening attentively for his next order.

On that queue, Balalaika began, "I hope you've all used this time to properly to rest and prepare for what happens next." Moving to stand alongside the white canvas display. "I know Dutch has already informed all of you as to the nature and importance of your mission, so I won't waist precious little time explaining it all again. Sergeant!"

Boris promptly clicked the actuator in his palms and the projector hummed to life. A blank, luminescent square filled the white display before quickly disappearing as the carousel began it's clockwise revolution; the all-too-familiar ticks and clacks of staccato mechanisms and machinery subsequently setting Rock's teeth on edge. A low-resolutionphotograph then filled the screen; an image of what appeared to be a massive ocean liner still under construction. The undertaking appeared gargantuan, being erected in the shipyard of some nondescript Chinese city Rock wasn't familiar with. More images began to cycle in quick succession, with brief glimpses of the ship's assembly nearing completion, before stopping on one in particular.

"Pretty boat, isn't it?" Balalaika glossed.

The photograph was recent; an image of the completed vessel receiving its ceremonial sendoff by thousands of celebrating masses in the ship's harbor.

The Queen Regent, Rock affirmed unto himself.

"MS Queen Regent. On record as the largest vessel of her kind to date.This photo, here, was taken just two days ago, when our noble lady shipped on her maiden voyage from Dalian. Next slide, please."

Dalian, of course! Rock's recall was getting rusty. The Liaoning province had the greatest reputation for shipbuilding in all of China, exceeding even that of Shanghai, and Tianjin, and Dalian was its main port.

The projector cycled again; the new image a map of the East China Sea. Balalaika pulled a laser pointer from the inside pocket of her scarlet, skirt-suit, designating locations as she continued.

"Her destination: Hong Kong, set to arrive there in just four days time following a pleasure-tour of the Ryukyu archipelago. The Queen left Amami early this morning, at zero-seven-hundred on time, and is currently en route for Ishigaki. After her last bout of sightseeing, the Regent will depart Taiwan's Orchid Island tomorrow to pass through the Bashi Channel; strategically, your most apt seaway for an insertion method, Dutch. Her ETD from Orchid is exactly twenty-two-thiry. Lagoon must depart Roanapur no later than nineteen-thirty today to make the zero-dark-hundred incept-point on time."

Benny looked away suddenly over crossed arms and scoffed.

Red flag! If Benny thought it was a good idea to undermine Miss Balalaika in the middle of a presentation of this importance, then there was probably a damn good reason for it.

"Something on your mind, Benny-boy?" Dutch asked carefully.

After readjusting his glasses, Benny spoke up, "It's impossible, Dutch, we won't make it."

"I'm not saying it'll be easy, Ben, but nobody said it would be." Dutch followed.

"Its simple numbers, Dutch!" Benny, exclaiming slightly.

"Elaborate! Why isn't the Black Lagoon capable of making this voyage on time?" Balalaika interjected impatiently, hand on her hip.

"It's too small of a window. Simple as that. The Black Lagoon is limited to coastal waters only. She's not designed for deep sea crossings. Even at top speed, and providing sufficient stops to refuel, it would still take us roughly sixty hours to get there. And on top of that, we gotta somehow dodge both the Chinese and Taiwanese Navies!"

"Benny!" Dutch shouted, breaking his classic cool once again.

Shaken, Benny looked back at his captain, instantly regretful of his hindering morale and apparent lack of faith to the mission.

Dutch drew on a pause, then smiled, finding his ability to lead again.

"I've charted a shortcut from Sanya through to the Pratas Islands. It'll limit our exposure and stops for fuel, so don't worry so much, okay, buddy? We can do it."

Dutch barely succeeded in consoling his trusted friend and navigator, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder, but Benny could only simper unconvincingly through doubting eyes.

"So… will this be a problem, Dutch?" Balalaika, annoyed by the unwelcome interruption.

"No. None, whatsoever." Dutch bolstered assuredly.

Balalaika smiled again.

"Good. Now—after the package has been secured, Lagoon will rendezvous with our contact in the Philippines—next slide, please." The new image a map of the Luzon Strait. "Here, on Batan Island, whereupon Matsumoto will finally be relinquished into our protection aboard the Maria Zelesca. After that, you can all retire to a little private island of your own." She concluded with a wink.

Boris clicked off the projector and drew the blinds open again, illuminating the room to everyone's strained eyes.

"Thank you, Comrade Sergeant. Any questions?"

Where to begin? Rock thought, raising his hand half-heartedly from his seat.

"Yes, Rock, what is it?" Balalaika addressed, always amused by Rock's candor.

"Miss Balalaika, forgive me for being blunt, but…" Rock hesitated.

"Hmm?"

"Can't we see a picture… or get some kind of description of—ya know, the package? Something we can use? I mean, it would be helpful if we knew what he looked like, don't ya think?"

Everyone was secretly thinking it.

Balalaika sighed over crossed arms, "Yes, well. That is a very good question, Rock. Unfortunately, we can't show you a picture of Matsumoto, because we're not entirely sure what he looks like ourselves."

The room filled with an awkward silence.

"You gotta be fuckin' kidding me!" Revy broke first, unable to hold it in any longer.

"Revy." Dutch growled.

Revy looked over at him and went on, "I don't get it, Dutch! How are we supposed to find this guy if we don't even know what he looks like!? I don't know if I'm supposed to be looking for a giant or a midget! Is he a skinny guy or is he a fuckin' fat-ass!? How certain are we that he's even a dude!?" She fumed.

Balalaika asserted behind closed eyes and an irritated grin, "Shut it, Revy." Her scarred eye twitching as she spoke.

"Revy, its fine. Benny-boy's been working non-stop the past two days gathering every shred of intel on the guy. I'm sure he's found something we can use. Benny?" Dutch asked with a confident smile, looking back to Benny to help back up his claim.

Benny didn't respond, his eyelids wrought with insomnia, blankly staring at his laptop on the coffee table.

"Benny?" Dutch queried again.

Still nothing.

"Benny!"

At that moment, Benny dropped his head into hands, wailing loudly as he spoke, "There's nothing! I-I couldn't find… anything! Not a single goddamn thing! Ohhh, I'm washed up!"

Revy cringed in embarrassment, wondering what happened to Benny's balls as she tried to slide away from him on the couch.

Dutch felt a headache coming on.

"Goddammit, Benny." He stressed, massaging his temples.

"I'm sorry, you guys." Removing his glasses to wipe away his tears and then Benny continued. "It's the strangest thing. I-I've never seen anything like it before. The guy's a ghost. Nothing but mere conjecture and unconfirmed sightings all across the deep web. Here-say at best. Based on that alone, all I could really say for sure is that he's Japanese, male, and somewhere between the ages of one and a hundred."

"I'm surprised a blubbering moron like you got that far." Balalaika ridiculed; drawing the attention of the room back to her. "Our own intelligence network surmised more or less of the same. His identity is Matsumotoclan's best-kept secret. Comrade Sergeant wasn't even able conduct negotiations with him unless blindfolded. We do have some information, however, to help assist you in your search."

Balalaika's signal for Boris to begin, and he started around the room to his commanding officer, expanding on the details for Lagoon as he went.

"He knows you'll be looking for him, but for his own safety will refrain from actively seeking you out, so he'll hide himself in plain sight, instead. Keep to public areas and attend all major dinners and events once onboard. By the sound of his voice, he's elderly. Look for an older man; late sixties, perhaps even early seventies. Odds are he'll have bodyguards and stick out in like a sore thumb in a crowd. This information alone should be sufficient enough to make a positive ID. Once you've zeroed him in, make contact when he is alone, and then, recite these words exactly..." Clearing his throat. "Look after your clothes when they're spick and span… and after your honour when you're a young man."

"That's an old Russian proverb." Rock analyzed.

Lagoon Company looked at back him with curious stares before the large Russian clarified.

"Yes. Say the first half only. If it's really him, he'll know the second, and reply accordingly. This password will ensure accountability on both fronts. Lastly, it is imperative Lagoon exercises extreme caution once onboard. Do nothing that might draw unnecessary attention to yourselves when conducting your search, as Hotel Moscow's association in this matter must remain entirely anonymous." On that final, illusive note, Boris wrapped, and then proceeded to pack up the equipment, starting with putting the projector back in its travel case.

"As I'm sure Dutch has informed each of you, Matsumoto-clan and they're bodyguards are not yet aware of their leaders intentions to defect, which is why his disappearance must be made to look like an assassination; either by a competing Yakuza clan, or a member of his own entourage." Balalaika stressed these details just as Dutch had two days prior; clearly her most important, and entirely unscripted condition.

"And how exactly are we going to make a kidnapping look like a murder, Sis?" Revy probed."His cronies are probably gonna need a body or somethin' to take back to their higher-ups, don't ya think? And more importantly—How the hell are we supposed to get close to this poor bastard with all these supposed bodyguards breathing down his neck, huh?!"

Revy was annoyed. Feeling the only one asking the obvious questions for a change and Balalaika remarked disparagingly.

"What's the matter, Two-Hands? Lost your nerve?" She jabbed.

Revy eyes flared briefly at this, but restrained her anger out of respect.

Balalaika continued, "Besides, I have faith you and Rock's good judgement will figure it out." Throwing a wink Rock's way.

If Revy didn't like this job in the beginning, she really didn't like it now. How could they be expected to find one man on a ship that size, based on such flimsy evidence? Lagoon had never done a job like this before, ever. They were a delivery company; transporters, not political players. If they failed, a military response would be unavoidable, and if they somehow lived through that, they would be tried, sentence, and executed as international criminals. Their were just too many variables unaccounted for on this one… or was Revy just making excuses for herself?

"Revy, it's alright. I've already got everything planned out." Dutch said.

"So why don't I feel any better?"

Balalaika was clearly getting fed up with all the discourse she was witnessing. "Of course, if Lagoon Company isn't up to it to the task, no hard feelings. Simply say the word, and we'll part ways here. I can always hire somebody else, but, be prepared to pay a penalty for wasting my time." Balalaika informed plainly.

She then walked to Boris who readied her coat. Was it a bluff?

Rock surprised Revy when he leaned over on an urgent whisper to their captain, "Say no, Dutch."

Lagoon's captain said nothing, staring blankly back at Rock.

Revy followed up supportively, "Dutch. Rock's right. It's not worth the risk. Say no."

Dutch shifted his gaze back to the coffee table, wading interlaced fingers tentatively across his lips, still refusing to speak.

Boris draped Balalaika's signature military coat back over her shoulders, and she threw her long ponytail back before turning to walk out the room. Rock and Revy looked at each other with dreadful concern while Benny held his face in apprehension of whatever happened next.

"Dutch, come on! This whole thing is fucked and you know it." Revy pleaded.

Placing his hand on Dutch's arm, Rock attempted to reach his friend one last time, "Please, Dutch... Let it go."

"Would you two shut up." He finally responded, rather hatefully, before rising to his feet. "Balalaika!"

She and Boris turned upon hearing her name.

"We'll do it." Dutch declared.

A solemn feeling of hopelessness washed over Lagoon's crew and Balalaika smiled villainously in response.

"Glad to hear it, Dutch, I would've regretted having to end our relationship this way… professionally speaking, of course." Disguising the insidious undertone in her voice, then turned to make her exit.

Once again, Balalaika had won, just like she always did. Rock had to do something.

"Wait, Miss Balalaika!" Rock called out, standing to the right of Dutch.

"What is it this time, japoński?" Balalaika requisitioned, as she turned back to face him.

"Tell us… why do you need Matsumoto?" Rock asked.

"Rock!" Dutch shouted.

Rock continued unfazed, "Why does Hotel Moscow's backing have to remain secret?"

"Rock, stop it!" Benny warned.

"We need more information if we're gonna pull this off!" Rock argued, desperate to ensure their survival. "It may increase our chances of finding him and maybe even—oomph!"

Rock was finally silenced by the closed fist of his employer, punching Rock hard across his face, causing him to fall to the hardwood floor.

Revy rocketed to her feet. "Dutch! What the fuck?!" Shouting angrily in objection.

Rock propped himself up on an elbow as he nursed his cheek, wincing in pain and frustration as he looked up at his employer. Dutch stared back indignantly, saying nothing. He didn't have to. Rock knew why he did it. He let his emotions get in the way again and broke the cardinal rule of doing business with Hotel Moscow: never ask too many questions.

Revy resisted the need to run to Rock's aide, knowing it would only make things worse for them later on. Luckily, Benny did it for her, moving off the couch to help Rock back to his feet.

"Jesus, Dutch, was that really necessary?" Benny asked, getting on one knee alongside his friend.

"Yes, it was." Dutch specified.

Benny extended a helping hand and Rock grudgingly accepted it, pulling himself back to his feet as he nursed his already injured cheekbone.

The tense exchange diffused, and then, the soft, musical snickering of Balalaika began to pervade the room. Her chuckles grew louder, and louder, and louder, until eventually she roared with twisted gratification for the moment like a hyena. Lagoon's crew did nothing but wait nervously for her to finish, and she sighed in contentment when she did.

"Well, that was entertaining." She said.

Balalaika then took a few steps back into the room, smiling fiendishly at Rock as she spoke, "The only thing you need to know, Rock, is that the package must be acquired at any cost…" Pausing for effect. "All other priorities are rescinded."

Rescinded? Rock cogitated. "Wait—what... what are you saying, Miss Balalaika?" Afraid for her answer.

Balalaika grinned even wider now.

"What I'm saying, Rock, is that under no circumstances is Matsumoto allowed to step foot in Hong Kong. Should Lagoon fail to intercept him, or Hotel Moscow's endorsement in this matter is compromised in any way whatsoever… your orders are to destroy the Queen Regent, along with everyone on board."

Rock went wide-eyed, unable to breathe.

"But it's not going to come to that!" Dutch interposed confidently, hands in his pockets. "We'll find your man, Balalaika."

"I know you will, Dutch. You always do such… smartwork for us." She said, then turning her head back to address all at once. "Well, I do so hate long goodbyes. So I'll simply say, good luck, Lagoon." She advocated, then turned her gaze on Revy. "Oh, Two-Hands?"

"Hm?" Revy responded hesitantly.

"Won't you join me for a smoke up-top before we part ways?" Balalaika asked sweetly, holding up one of her cuban cigars.

Revy frowned, knowing it wasn't a request. She took in a nervous breath, then forced a grin. "Sure, Sis! Why the fuck not?"

She walked around the couch and Balalaika moved aside, encouraging Revy to lead the way.

"After you." She insisted.

Revy caught Rock out the corner of her eye as she exited the room, giving him a single worrisome look of unease. Hotel Moscow left the room after her with Boris the last to leave behind Balalaika. Rock began to feel incredibly anxious now, knowing Revy was more or less on her own, but more so that he would now be alone with friends who most likely hated his guts at the present moment. When Rock really thought about it, though, they had every right to be angry with him, given his recent flakey and uncooperative behavior.

"Oh, and just one more thing, Rock!" Balalaika vehemently announcing from the hall.

She stared at him through the doorway, malignant inclination in her eyes, her soldiers in close proximity around her, and Rock looked back with numb reservation for whatever she might say next.

Smirking, she vexed, "Love the mohawk." Leaving on a devilish wink.

The rest of Hotel Moscow followed her out of sight to the service elevator down the hall, while the men of Lagoon Company prepared for an argument they all knew was long overdo.

Meanwhile, on the rooftop of the company commune, Revy gloomily waited for Balalaika to meet with her. She leaned over the concrete balustrade, resting chin to palm as she overlooked downtown-Roanapur. Revy hated this; waiting on other people. Didn't keep her from lighting up a Spirit ahead of time, though. Figured as soon as she was done, she could cut things short and get back. Revy knew what to expect from Balalaika in this kind of situation, and it sure as shit wasn't girl-talk. She closed her eyes and breathed deep, welcoming the cool, ocean breeze in; mixing clean, salty-sea air with drags of hard-earned tobacco smoke. Crestfallen upon reopening, Revy noted the wine-red silhouette that had crept into her peripheral.

Think of the Devil, and she shall appear, Revy thought to herself.

Damn. If she'd been a snake, Revy'd have gotten bit. How B managed to creep up on her in those heels was beyond her. An obvious testament to her abilities, no doubt, reminding Revy instantly why she had so much respect for the Afghan-vet in the first place.

Balalaika said nothing, smiling as she looked over at her, pulling a cigar from the inside vest pocket of her military coat before placing the rare Cuban between her teeth. Balalaika surprised Revy, however, when she extended her a second, identical cigar as well. Revy shrugged, knowing she'd be a lunatic to refuse such a generous gift; never having tasted a true Cohibabefore. Revy flicked her Spirit away and placed the cigar in her mouth.

A solid gold zippo ignited in Balalaika's hand, and she took a few easy puffs to ember while Revy, once again, struggled to ignite her brass. Why didn't she remember to refill the damn thing when she'd had the chance?

"Fuck." Revy murmured, thumbing the flint wheel for the second time that morning to no avail.

Balalaika snickered, offering out her own as a consolation. Revy accepted and leaned into B's grasp, puffing on the sweet, aged smoke that made her head flutter with pleasure.

"Need somebody else to light your fire these days, eh, Two-Hands?" Balalaika remarked snidely.

Revy straightened up at this.

"What the fuck's that supposed to mean?" She asked threateningly, hearing an implication in her friend's voice, and resenting it.

"Oh nothing, merely making an observation." She eluded, turning her head back to the scenic overlook.

Revy let it go, opting to pick her battles instead. The two stood there for several minutes, puffing away as they stared out over the shimmering waters of the Thai Gulf.

"I love this city after a good rain, don't you?" Balalaika began again. "Really helps gets rid of the stink." The breeze picked up as she took another puff and mused, "Someday… I hope a realrain comes and just washes this city away."

Revy had had enough.

"Alright, Sis, out with it." She stipulated, not interested in playing games any longer.

"Hmm? I'm not sure I get your meaning, Two-Hands?" Balalaika feigned, testing Revy's patience further.

"I'm really not in the mood, okay. So just say whatever you're gonna say so I can leave."

"Now, Rebecca, that hurts. Can't a girl share a friendly smoke with her favorite gal-pal and talk about something other than work?"

That did it.

"Can the shit!" Revy exclaimed, turning to face Balalaika now. "You didn't ask me up here just so you could wax prolific about the fuckin' weather, so quit jerkin' me off already and get to the point… And don't call me Rebecca!"

"Fine then." Balalaika was bored now anyway. "Revy, I would like to discuss your future." Turning to face her now.

"My… future?" Revy hesitated, taken off guard by this comment.

"Yes. Revy—you don't really intend on staying in Roanapur forever, do you?" Balalaika, asking with a more inquisitive tone now.

"No, but—wait…" Revy paused. "What are you driving at?"

Balalaika turned back to look out over the horizon and sighed. "I'm tired, Revy. Even I can't do this by forever by myself." She admitted, the twinge of disappointment in her voice surprising even her. "So… I'm going to need a little more help as time goes on. You know… in the little things."

"What kinds of things?" Revy queried after a thoughtful intermission.

Revy was letting herself be lured in by Balalaika's predicament,and the beautiful Russian smiled, thinking she'd never ask.

"Oh, the usual: racketeering, trafficking, extortion, grand larceny, and that's just the boring stuff. Political assassination, rendition, terrorism, sabotage—Hotel Moscow is looking to expand its influence and play a much larger role on the international stage. In order to achieve this, however, I need someone I can trust. Someone without ties to our organization who can move abroad freely without representation… Any thoughts on this, Rev?"

Revy broke their gaze to look down at the floor, then let out a sarcastic huff on reflex. She looked back at her from under a cagey eyebrow, and the corners of her mouth formed a sneer when she replied.

"So, what you're saying is… you wanna be totes besties, huh?" She quipped, unable to take B seriously anymore.

"More like a partnership." Balalaika cooly corrected.

A chuckle escaped Revy's lips, and scoffed, "Come on, Sis."

Balalaika's face darkened now.

"I'm serious." She maintained.

She was serious, and Revy wised up quickly, placing a peremptory palm on the balustrade.

"And why should I, hmm? What do I get out of it?" She asserted, gesturing to herself as dueness owed.

Balalaika raised a curious eye at the unexpected resistance she was getting. "Is that even a question?" She asked.

Revy knew now what Balalaika was offering, but she needed to hear her say it.

"Hey, last I checked, it was you who invited me up here." Turning to lean back against the balustrade, her elbows resting on the concrete. "So, go on then… dazzle me." Grinning behind her cigar.

Balalaika sneered at the dare, "Alright…" She conceded, then went on with her plans to tempt Revy further. "For starters: security. You'll make what I make." Moving around her, she continued, "The keys to any Vory V Zakone safe house in the world. A passport into every country. A bank account in the Caymans." Now finally face-to-face, "Cars. Clothes. And guns… lots of guns." Strongly emphasizing that last part.

Silence.

A gust of wind knocked Revy's cigar loose from her gaping mouth, and it fell to her feet with a burst of red fire and crackling ash. She was speechless. She didn't know what to say; skeptic, fey, irresolute.

Why?… Why!? Revy asked herself.

Balalaika noted Revy's obvious internal conflict over this, suspect to whatever or whomever might be holding her back.

"You asked me what I could offer you, Two-Hands, and I told you." Fomenting, Balalaika stepped closer now. "What you get is the very thing you've wanted most… The world, Revy… and everything in it." And smiling that damn smile of hers, "So… what do you say, partner?" She asked, with an outstretched hand.

Revy looked down, then up again, and the two waited there for many moments before anything else was said. Revy wanted to say yes, in fact, she wanted to scream it… but just couldn't for some reason.

"I see." Deeming, Balalaika pulled her hand away. "I understand. It's a lot. Take some time and think it over. I'll wait… for a while."

Balalaika turned and walked back to the open rooftop access door, before interrupting Revy's opportunity to breathe.

"But remember what I told you, Two-Hands… no one lives forever." She piqued, then delivered her final taunt whilst disappearing down the dark staircase. "Well, ta-ta, for now… it's been fun."

She listened to the clacking of Balalaika's heels drown away as she descended the concrete staircase.

Revy felt sick. Her breath—muted, shallow, and uncatchable.

"It's not fair." She whispered, her palm still resting on the balustrade as she hung her head in silence.

Why? Why!? Revy couldn't stop asking herself that question. Why did B have to do this to her now? Just when she was starting to feel something again? Roanapur, the Black Lagoon, Dutch, Benny… Rock; they all felt so far away from her, and now, standing on this rooftop, the wind in her hair, the far reaching horizon seeming her only limit. At long last, it all felt attainable for Revy. Possible. Money, power, control. All of it, and yet, she was afraid. Afraid—she might actually get it?

Revy knew Balalaika. Better than most. In the criminal underworld, your word was your bond. She didn't make empty promises. This was real, and Revy was going to have to make a choice… but not today. Not yet.

Revy eventually descended the rooftop herself; back down the rabbit hole, back into the dark, back into her own personal little slice of hell.

After rounding the first set of stairs and coming back to the second floor corridor, she started down the hallway. Her every step was solemn, and prevaricating, and then, suddenly, she heard a crash. Followed by faint shouting that grew louder and louder as Revy approached the main office, and then Revy finally remembered—she had left Rock alone with Dutch and Benny…

Revy took off running as the shouting intensified.

"What the hell is wrong with you!?" Dutch boomed.

"Me! What about you?! You didn't even try to listen! To Revy, or any of us! That's what being a good leader is, Dutch! Listening to the members of your team!" Rock angrily retorted.

"You little, fucking punk!"

This was bad. Revy turned inside, sharp and swift, stopping to witness Rock in the grips of their employer.

"What the fuck, you guys?!" Revy exclaimed.

Dutch had backed Rock against the Western-facing wall, holding him up by his shirt collar, while Benny was trying his hardest to amicably pull him off. They all stopped promptly upon Revy's vocal return, looking back in embarrassment. Guess she got there just in time.

Rock took advantage of the distraction and swiped himself out of Dutch's grasp causing his Captain to try and reinstate his control.

"Damn it, you guys! Knock it off!" Benny, forcing his way between them.

Dutch backed off finally and walked to the other side of the room, but that didn't stop him or Rock from throwing each other fuck-youlooks while trying to calm down.

Revy did nothing but stand and stare, arms crossed, hip to one side in ireful judgement of her fellow sailors. They were supposed to be closer than family. Why was this happening?She wondered.

"Ya done?" She asked, disappointed by her crew's behavior.

"Hey, Rock started it." Benny volunteered.

"Fuck you, Benny." Rock doubled back, wiping a fresh line of blood from his nose.

"Hey!" Benny retaliated. "For the record, Rock! You're the asshole here. Not me. I'm not the one who quit talking when we needed him most. I'm not the one who shot my mouth off in front of Hotel Moscow and almost got all of us killed! Take some responsibility! I mean, what the hell were you thinking, man? You should know better than that by now!"

Rock opened his mouth to defend himself and then stopped discouraged, turning a saddened gaze to the floor, knowing deep down, his friend was right.

Benny shrugged, "Let me explain something to you, Rock, 'cause I know better than most. In this situation, when it comes to the mafia, you don't say no after having already said yes!"

"He's right, Rock." Dutch seconded, stepping back into the ring after regaining his composure. "What you did was arrogant and reckless. You knew we were already under contract and you still tried to stir things up. I don't know what's got into you… but you've forced me to have to rethink your position in this company."

"That's enough!" Revy announced, finally stepping in. She walked over alongside Rock, in his defense. "For fuck's sake, you guys! Cut him a little slack, would ya? You don't know what he's just been through."

"That's no excuse, Revy!" Dutch interposed immediately.

He moved around Benny towards them, Rock repositioning himself for another close encounter, but Revy reacted quickly, placing herself between the two.

"Leave him alone, Dutch." She dictated, low and intense.

Dutch stopped, now squared toe-to-toe with his second-in-command, and then the room filled with heavy silence.

"Revy… you know as well as I… Rock can't stay with us any longer, he's too unpredictable."

"Talk to me! I'm standing here!" Rock exclaimed, wanting to fight his own battles.

Dutch didn't respond, holding Revy's gaze.

"He's a danger to us all. At this rate, we'll all be dead or in prison by the end of the killing season." Dutch stated with stentorian gusto.

"Son of a bitch!" Rock countered from behind.

"Rock." Revy growled, holding Dutch's gaze.

"I'm dan—! You're one to talk! I'm not the one who signed us all up for a fucking suicide mission!"

"Rock!"

"You're supposed to be our captain! Our leader! I mean, for God's sake you're supposed to display some kind of judgment!"

Revy lifted her hand up, finally silencing Rock's objections.

"Rock… just sit this one out, okay? This is between Dutch and me, got it?"

Rock reacted apprehensively, "Revy…" He wanted to fight for her, for them, but knew in his heart that it wasn't his fight anymore, it was Revy's now.

The inflection in her voice marked the beginning of a new, powder keg tension in the room. Dutch and Revy stared at each other severely. They're fists clenched. Neither one of them backing down. Revy spoke first, doing her best to keep the peace.

"Dutch… we can't do this without him, and you know it. If I'm going to find this sorry sack-a-shit, I need someone who can speak the language. I can't do it alone." She pleaded her case as objectively as she could. Rock's reason coming out of her mouth.

Dutch paused.

"Is that the only really reason, Revy? Or is their something else?"

The tension was growing.

Revy felt her blood begin to broil, clenching her firsts so tight she thought she might draw blood.

"I don't know what you're talkin'… moon cricket." She evaded.

Dutch's brow furrowed, but he didn't take the bait. He knew what she was trying to do. He knew she knew what he was driving at, and now she was just trying to trip him up. Make him angry. It wasn't going to work.

"Revy…" He continued, unfazed. "Don't let your personal feelings get in the way. It's just business."

"Don't even start with me on all that again! I don't need another lecture. I'm warning you, Dutch. I've just about reached my limit." She growled.

"I know he's important to you, Revy. There's no shame in that, but—"

"Shut up!" She cracked.

"You're defending him because you've become infatuated with him!" Dutch finally erupted.

In the blink of an eye, Revy's fist clocked Dutch with the most violent right cross she could muster, sending his vintage sunglasses flying to the floor to the left of them. Dutch's face had given way, but not his body, not having moved an inch like the mountain of a man he was. Revy's felt her fist begin to throb as her adrenaline depreciated, frittering with a rabid franticness in her eyes.

Dutch turned his head back slowly, still wearing a hard, yet now, slightly bewildered expression and Rock was shocked to lay witness to the true color of Dutch's eyes for the very first time… Blue. Like the ocean.

Dutch frowned looking down into the furious glare of his esteemed partner and friend, knowing their relationship had just taken an irreparable hit. He turned and walked slowly to where his sunglasses had fallen, kneeling down to pick them up, then turned to sit down onto the wood floor, resting his back against the sofa. He shrugged long and loud, then re-secured his spectacles before readying a cigarette to his lips, lighting it in quick succession.

"I'm getting too old for this shit." He muttered, exasperated.

The rest of Lagoon remained silent, watching their employer take a drag that nearly burned half the length of his Spirit, then exhaled long towards the ceiling before speaking up again.

"Benny?" Dutch queried.

Benny listened, but said nothing in return.

"It seems that with present circumstances being what they are, you're the only impartial one of the four of us now. We already know which side of the fence they're on, so you have the deciding vote… What do you think? Can we can pull this off without him?"

Benny wasn't expecting that kind of pressure! All the sudden he was six-years-old again, back in the courthouse, being asked to choose which of his parents he wanted to live with. He looked back at Revy, who returned him a dejected, yet pleading expression of forlorn hopefulness. He didn't want to have to pick sides, but he had to speak his truth, for everyone's sake.

Looking back at Dutch, he answered, "No… we can't. Revy's right, Dutch. We need him on this one."

A small kindling of relief washed over the secret lovers, but only Revy managed to hold her pokerface.

"I see." Dutch replied. His inflection was disconcerted, but his resolve malleable, and he rose back to his feet before placing his hands in his pockets. "Then it's decided. We leave at dusk. Benny—where are we with Yolanda and the Ripoff Church?"

"Eda called an hour ago to confirm delivery. It's all in a bunch of shipping crates at the dock waiting for us."

"Could you go on ahead now and make sure it's all accounted for? I don't wanna leave anything to chance on this one."

"Sure."

"Revy?" Dutch pausing before he looked at her again. "What about that laundry list I gave you? Did you and Rock get everything done?"

Revy didn't respond, unable to curb the bitter and resentful taste in her mouth, so Rock spoke for her.

"We got the documents from Jane, but we still need to pick up Revy's cutlasses and my suit."

"Benny picked up your suit and Revy's dress from Feilong's early this morning. We gotta call you both left without paying yesterday. I was going to ask what happened, but frankly, I don't give a fuck anymore."

Rock looked over regretfully to Benny, knowing his friend probably had better things to do than pick up their dirty laundry, to turn a phrase. If only he knew the reason why…

"Thanks, Benny." Rock lauded, contrite and ashamed.

It didn't do any good. "Yeah, whatever." Benny scoffed. "Alright, Dutch. I'm heading out."

"I'll catch up with you."

Benny threw Rock some fleeting bitterness of his own before turning to leave the room, an expression that quickly faded into rueful depression once finally out of sight.

"Let's go." Rock whispered behind Revy's ear.

They motioned to take their leave, but Dutch was quick to halt their speedy exit.

"Rock!" Dutch voiced from the back of the room.

Rock looked back at him from the doorway, ready for whatever Dutch threw his way.

"You're on for this… but don't let their be any illusions. When the job is over, consider yourself officially retired from the Lagoon Company." Dutch dictated, with solemn inference.

Revy cringed at this, ready to curse Dutch like never before, but Rock peacefully stepped ahead of her.

"That's fine." He submitted. "I expected as much anyway." Turning to face Revy now. "I'll meet you out front in five, okay?"

After a plaintive pause, she nodded yes.

Hesitating at first to follow Rock out, Revy shot Dutch one last wistful look of contempt before exiting the room herself. Dutch releasing a compunctious shrug, stooped his head in silence, reflecting sadly on the things he had done and said. He hoped he'd done the right thing. For everyone's sake. But did he do it because he thought it was right? Or did he do it because it was easy? He'd never know for sure.

Rock was first to arrive in the entryway of the building commune. One OD green military style duffel bag suspended from his right hand. Revy obviously needed a few more minutes to cool off, so Rock decided to wait for her in the car. He passed through the dilapidated front doors of their building and braced himself as he stepped out into a staggering mid-afternoon heat at one-hundred percent humidity. Rock was surprised to find the Goat still parked outside, expecting Benny to have taken it with him to the dock. He proceeded forward, walking around the back to pop the trunk and throw his bag inside. He sighed after closing the lid, realizing Benny hadn't actually left yet, but was standing only a short ways behind him back on the sidewalk, leaning against a light post, quietly smoking a cigarette.

"You're not gonna take your car?" Rock asked morosely, looking down at the Goat.

Benny replied despondent after a quick flick of ash into the street.

"I called a cab." He said, then returned the Camel to his lips.

A few more moments and a few more cars passed as each waited for the other to speak again, and then Rock volunteered.

"Hey." Stepping back up onto the sidewalk, facing their building. "I didn't thank you for going to the plate for me up there. If it hadn't been for you, I—"

"I didn't do it for you, Rock. I did it for Revy."

Rock didn't know what to say, Benny continuing after another drag.

"By my math, her chances go up significantly if you're there… besides I owed her one."

Rock was perplexed. "I don't understand." He said.

"I told you about it when we first met a year ago… how she saved my life? I got myself into some pretty heavy shit back in the old US of A. I don't have time to go into all of it right now, but long story short, things went south for me real fast, and I'd be dead today if not for what she did for me. I've been working to repay that debt ever since."

Benny dropped his butt onto the sidewalk and stamped out the ember, then turned to face his friend.

"It's been obvious to us all from the start that she has feelings for you, man, and I'm willing to bet you do too… but Rock, ask yourself, really—What do you really know about her?"

Rock took offense, "What do you mean?" He asked.

"I mean what do really know about her? Her childhood, where she grew up, things she's done, places she's been, her parents. Anything!… Ask yourself, Rock—What had to happen to make her what she is today, really?"

Benny was calling him out big time, and when Rock opened his mouth to defend himself with informed testimony, no words came, realizing in that moment, he still knew almost nothing about the woman he loved. Embarrassed having no retort, Rock evaded Benny's gaze.

"You see? Right there. You've never stopped to ask yourself the question because deep down, Rock, I don't think you really wanna know who Revy is. You're afraid once you learn the truth, you'll loose your precious damsel in distress, because you'll finally know to a certainty that's she's just as beyond saving as the all others… and that's why you've changed, Rock. You don't want to loose her, but you don't really wanna know her either. So you built a home in the darkness where you both could live. But Rock—trust me on this! Changing who we are so we can hold onto the people we care about isn't enough. Real relationships are much stronger when they're based on truth and honesty. It isn't enough to just break bad!"

Rock scoffed, "You don't know as much as you think you do, Ben." Turning to face him now as he attempted to shut his friend down.

Benny scratched at his head in frustration, then exclaimed.

"God, you're such a fuckin' retard!"

"Hey!" Rock snapped back.

"What?! You change everything about yourself, almost over night, and you think that's suddenly enough to keep her interested? Revy has suffered, Rock! She has sorrows… and not from some bullshit existential crisis, like you. I'm taking actual sorrows. Deep-seated—emotional scars. Things probably so terrible… you and I couldn't even begin to understand her pain."

Rock remained close-mouthed, staring silently into the sidewalk between them, not wanting to dignify Benny's words with a response.

Benny sighed, finally giving up on him, but not without a final word of caution.

"Rock, I know you care about her, but if you love her, then just leave her alone, man. Leave her alone and let her keep doing what she's had to do to survive. It's kept her above ground this long, and that's a miracle in its own right. The last thing she needs is false hope from some emotional tourist who doesn't really understand her, or really even wants to, for that matter. Someone like you's only gonna get her killed in the end."

"That's—you're wrong!"

"Am I?"

"Yes!"

"What happens to everyone you try to save, Rock?"

Rock's eyes went wide for a moment, and then he cringed. He wanted to scream at Benny. Wanted to curse and shout, and refute the accusation with unquestioning authority. But now, he was afraid. Afraid if he acknowledged Benny's words, and dignified them, they might take precedence and maybe even become true. A self-fulfilling prophecy, as it were.

While Rock struggled for an apt defense, Benny's cab pulled up along side them just as Revy appeared from the doorway, giving Benny the final word as he opened the rear passenger door.

"Think about what I said, Rock."

And with that, Benny stepped inside the yellow cab, and drove off.

"What was that all about?" Revy asked curiously, standing alongside Rock now as she watched Benny speed away.

Rock looked back at her, unsure of what to say… so he lied.

"Nothing." Giving her a small, unconvincing smile.

Revy didn't smile back.

"Come on." She said, and started towards the car. "Praiyachat's should be open by now."

"Do you want me to drive?"

"No! I mean… I'd like to drive, if that's cool."

Rock was surprised at the reticence he heard in Revy's voice. Her head and her heart so obviously at war with one another.

She threw her own matching duffel into the trunk next to Rock's then let herself into the driver's seat. Rock followed into the passenger side after her, and the two started off towards Praiyachat's, this time with Revy's heavy boot on the gas.

It was yet another quiet car ride for these employees of Lagoon Company, rife with pregnant pauses and fleeting looks, and every accidental meeting of their gaze was met with a naiveté and timidness, returning quickly to the world outside their windshield. Rock wanted so badly to reach over and touch her again, and taste her sweat. Kiss those incredible full lips as he entered her slowly, before making violent love to her again. But most of all, Rock wanted to see Revy smile again, like she had when they were alone. Like a child's face. Honest, and free, and young at heart… like when the world was new.

Rock reluctantly meditated on Benny's spiteful candor and contemptible insinuations, resenting his friend's reductionist little pep-talk to know bounds, but Rock knew he couldn't stay mad at Ben or Dutch forever. Knowing in his heart, they both only did the things they did, and said they things they said out of fear, because in reality, they really did care about them both.

Rock had no idea that his most recent life choices would upset the dynamic of the group so much. Enough time had passed that the co-workers of the Black Lagoon were no longer just co-workers to each other. They were like family, whether any of them admitted to it or not. Revy's words in the submarine still echoing into Rock's head.

"A ship's crew is like family. They wouldn't kill each other if they knew they were gonna die. The only one who would bother starting shit, would be the outsider…"

Rock had always been the black sheep of the group. The fish out of water. The new guy. Even after all the shit they'd been through together. Was it possible, though, he had been a wolf in sheep's clothing this whole time? Was the possibility really that strange to consider? Rock was always the problem child of his own family growing up back in Tokyo. The disappointing after-thought at the dinner table after his brother finally finished listing off his scholastic achievements for the day. Always getting into fights on the playground. Waiting in the superintendent's office for his parents to take him home. And his father… no, Rock didn't want to open that chapter again.

It was foolish of Rock to assume the others would accept the new him overnight, yes. Selfish even maybe, but in his defense, he'd felt this change coming a long time now. Like a seismograph detecting the earliest waves an impending earthquake years in advance. Well, last night it finally happened and now there was no going back. The plates in Rock's mind had shifted, and the image he once had of himself shattered forever. Rock had finally woken up; evolved into something else. Something more than human, and yet less of a human being. It scared him. Afraid of no longer being himself, and at the same time, afraid maybe he finally was.

"Hey."

"Uh—yeah? What's up?" Rock, awakening from his contemplative state.

"The car feels a bit heavy. Know anything about that?" Revy curiously asked, her eyes glued to the road.

Rock was confused. "Um, no? Not really."

"Cause you got the weight of the fuckin' world on your shoulders."

She made him smile.

"Come on. Talk to me, psycho-boy." She smirked, continuing her playful little jabs.

Rock quickly returned pensive and despondent, watching the passing buildings go by.

"Just thinking about my résumé, I guess… trying to think about how I'm going to explain this gap in my work history, ya know?"

An attempt at humor Revy didn't find amusing, her expression discontented as she held him in the corner of her eye.

"What's wrong with saying you worked in shipping the whole time?" She indulged him, though her expression relayed reluctant.

"Why?" Finally tilting a smile back at her. "You think Dutch would write me a recommendation?" He cleverly retorted.

A chuckle escaped Revy's throat, "Fuckin' smartass."

Yet, after another moment's silence, however, Revy's eyes saddened once again, keeping her gaze on the road.

It was useless. Nothing could distract her from obvious truth of things. Rock was finished at Lagoon Company, and there was nothing she could do about it. This was going to be their last job together. Revy began to feel a resentment forming towards Rock out of reflex. Why couldn't he have just kept his fuckin' mouth shut? She asked herself. Why couldn't he have just left well enough alone? But nooo, that would have just been too Goddamn easy. He had to go and play hero like always; try and save everyone not worth saving. Goddammit. Why did he have to be the way he was? Why did Rock have to be so… good?

A short while later they arrived at their destination. Revy parked the GTO on a decline several car links up the road from the entrance. Reaching down behind Rock's seat, Revy grabbed her gloves and gun leather where she'd stashed them the previous night, and then got out without a word. Rock didn't think it necessary to follow her for this errand so he simply sat and watched her make her way down the sidewalk to Praiyachat's front door, then disappear behind the tinted swinging glass.

Rock didn't want to brood any longer on the slighted opinions of his soon-to-be former colleagues in crime, focusing on retiming his breath for longer intervals to help aid the mending of his broken rib as Revy had recommended. This was a chore, however, made all the more demanding as the inside of Benny's car felt hot as hell. He grabbed his pack of Spirits off the dash, then groaned at its empty weight, realizing Revy had once again pilfered his last smoke. Feeling a nic-fit coming on, Rock raised a forearm and wicked away the sweat of his brow, before throwing open his car door in a burst of agitation.

He stepped out for some air. The moist, sticky sweat of his back clinging to his Hawaiian print as he peeled himself from the leather bucket seat. The sun beating down on him did nothing for his comfort level, either, but at least now Rock could catch a breeze if he was lucky, unbuttoning his shirt to the minimum one at it's center, exposing his glistening chest and abdomen.

Rock thanked God realizing Revy had parked them right next to a small convenience stand advertising cheap bottled water in blue Siamese characters. This stand, which was basically just a shack cobbled together with sheets of corrugated metal roofing and swollen driftwood, was painted in a thick coat of hunter green and was vaguely reminiscent of a New York style magazine kiosk. Painfully wedged between a bar closed for renovations almost a year ago and some kind of local apothecary dealing in witchdoctor pharmacologies like pipe-smokes, and poultices.

Rock walked forward, his Ariats clacking against the cracked concrete sidewalk as he approached, raising the interest of the stand's bilious proprietor.

"A-rai!" The teller greeted from behind her podium.

"Uh… hello." Rock replied with a small smile.

She was a small, angular-looking woman growing into middle age, yet her wrinkled, sunbaked complexion betrayed her for someone much older at a distance.

"Ngai ter bprà-sŏng?"

Yikes. Rock was embarrassed. Just over a year and a half in a foreign country and he was still no further along in understanding Siamese than when he'd started, always letting Revy or Dutch speak for him in his place. He knew some basic phases. Outside of Japanese (Rock's native language), business school had helped him competently achieve fluency in English, Spanish, Mandarin, Russian, and Latin… and yet, their was just something about listening to two people speak in a Central Thai dialect that made Rock wanna punch a baby. A sound he euphemistically described as a couple of cats pulling their intestines out through each others throats. Still, he attempted at hello.

"Uh, sà-wàt-dee?"

"Séu dton-née!" She harped, annoyingly loud.

Rock didn't need to understand whatever that was in order to catch the gist of it. Either Buy now or fuck off, most likely.

"Nám." He replied plainly, meaning water. Rock knew that much. "Two, please." Emphasizing the number with his fingers.

An illuminative smile graced the middle-age teller's cheeks and her cracking lips curled upwards in response, "Ahh! Châi châi kâ!"

Success. Rock gave himself a mental pat on the back as he watched her turn from the pressure treated countertop, and disappear into a red and white Igloo cooler at her heels. He took a quick left-to-right scan of the petite little native's wares and sundries while he waited. At passing glance, the booth suggested a fairly touristy aim in mind for it's customers base. Postcards, sunscreens, disposable cameras, etc. However, Rock discerned something quite peculiar upon a closer inspection. The line of straw fedoras and sun caps hooked horizontally above his head possessed a weave of quality far exceeding that of your cheap Malayan or Chinese imports. The same went with name brand wrist watches hung front-face on hooks up and down the back wall behind her. Expensive sunglasses filled a modest rotating rack on the countertop to his left, noting several designer brands along the way.

Rock chuckled sardonically at the irony of things. Go to any first world country at a similar venue and your offered nothing but cheap crap at overinflated prices. But let yourself be shanghaied to a seedy, backwater city in Southeast Asia, and you get your pick of the litter up front.

Inside of a moment, the teller returned him his waters and spoke, "Hòk rói!"

"How much?" Rock asked, needing the figure reiterated again.

"Hòk rói! Hòk rói! Jàai òk! You pay now!"

"Okay, okay, I got it! Hold on." Rock didn't feel like haggling with the old crook, pulling his brown leather billfold from his back pocket.

Rock couldn't believe this horse shit. Six-hundred baht converted almost eight dollars American per bottle. Quite a little racket this old witch had for something so unassuming. Guess that was the whole idea.

He placed a twenty on the mantle, then sadly realized that he was still out of smokes.

"Um, cigarettes?" He reluctantly inquired.

The teller tilted her head at him like a curious dog.

"Cigarettes…" He said again, then signed a smoking motion with his right hand. "You know, American Spirits. You got 'em?" He could feel himself starting to get irritable now.

"Ahh! Châi kâ! Yes! I have!" She giddily announced, then leaned down to reach under her counter for a blue pack of filtered regulars. "Bpàet rói!" She harped again, sliding them forward.

"Son of a bitch." Rock cursed under his breath, handing her yet another twenty which she greedily accepted.

She was really bending him over a barrel now, but Rock accepted his nicotine addiction for what it was, and took the pack. He broke the plastic, gave a few brisk taps of the seal into his palm, and snapped out a fresh one before loading into his lips, doing all of this with the fluid motion and skill one only sees in veteran smokers. After lighting up via his brass zippo, Rock looked left down the road to Praiyachat's, wondering what was taking Revy so long?

Accidentally catching his reflection in the mirror of the sunglass rack, Rock breathed in an open sigh of frustration; tired of being reminded of his fucked-up face at every turn. The swelling around his eye had finally gone down, thank God, but the skin was left visibly bruised a hideous shade of blue and black, and combined with the small cuts on his nose, and lip, and forehead, he looked like he'd been sent through the fucking meat grinder and back.

He lifted a pair of American Optics from their mount, and held them out with a curious hand, afraid to ask the next part.

"How much?"

The teller only grinned evilly in response, and about thirty-seconds later and two-hundred bucks lighter, Rock walked back to the Goat donning a handsome new pair of Original Pilots with gold frames, polarized green lenses and bayonet temples, all in an attempt to distract and conceal the ruin of his otherwise gallantly handsome countenance. Had Rock still been paying taxes, he would have written that one off as a business expense.

He breathed long and deep on his tobacco product, then broke the cap of a water bottle, sucking down a few gulps before leaning his head back to pour a steady stream down his face and neck, trying to avoid heat stroke. He tossed the empty into the back seat, then returned to his cigarette as he leaned against the hood of the GTO, one cuban heel raised up and resting against the white-lettered BFGoodrich.

Summer in Eastern Thailand was no walk in the park. June marked the beginning of their rainy season as evidenced the previous night, and Rock could only hope for one of those cooling, five-minute sun-showers he enjoyed so much, as he had the year before around this time.

And then, Rock registered the distant sound of Praiyachat's swinging glass door being thrown open again. He turned his head to see Revy storming up from the gun shop in a huff, obviously upset by something.

"Goddamn, cock-suckin', mother fucking, sonuvabitch…" Running out of curses as she b-lined up the sidewalk towards him.

"What's up?" Rock asked still leaning against the car.

"He's not done yet!" She denounced, passing Rock by to bash her fist atop the GTO's metal roof. She was infuriated, whipping her old, rotting gun leather off her shoulders to sling into the back seat.

She then turned to lean on the frame for support facing Rock, stewing her head in frustration.

"Does it usually take him this long?" Rock asked, extending her his cigarette, knowing she probably needed it more than he did.

"No!" Standing back straight, she took a step towards him, leaning her left side into the hood close to Rock as she accepted. "Still have more to do, he says! Another—thanks—another half hour, he says! Fuckin' bullshit." Pausing for a quick drag. "I guarantee ya the old fart drank my deposit and forgot all about me. Now he's playing catchup or else he knows I'm gonna euthanize his ass." And then another.

Revy rubbed the back of her neck as she exhaled, feeling the dull throb of a headache coming on. The extreme temperature only serving to exacerbate her temper.

"Fuuuck. This heat." She groaned in complaint as she tilted her head back.

Rock hopped his butt up onto the hood and extended her his second water bottle.

"Here." He said.

Revy opened her eyes, and then smiled, almost sweetly, gratefully trading back Rock's cigarette for it.

Rock was then left to accidental voyeurism as he watched Revy roll the ice cold water bottle over her head and along her neck like Cindy Crawford in a Pepsi commercial. Falling pray to an immediate and unexpected sexual tension between them. She was standing so close to him now, her hip resting against the side of the car, grazing his thigh as she broke the cap for a drink, and proceeding to pour the bottle out over her head and body just as he had done earlier.

Jesus-titty-fucking Christ! This woman was a walking wet dream and nightmare, all in one. Rock felt his cheeks begin to flush as that all too familiar stirring in his jeans returned, and he quickly searched for an appropriate distraction, furtively dragging a hand over his face. Trying his damnedest to mentally stall the reaction in his loins from getting any more out of control, but he was only a man for God's sake! Watching the water sluice down her incredible body, slow, and unconsciously sensual.

Rock coughed as he looked away, "So, uh, you wanna get something to eat?" Awkwardly scratching the back of his head as Revy took her final, emptying sip.

Revy brought the bottle down from her lips to raise Rock a queer eyebrow. She then slowly decrypted the cause of his jarring antic when she eyed the unmistakeable bulge of a very healthy erection in his Levi's. Smiling darkly now, she reached around Rock's head to steal his cigarette from his lips, thus guiding his timid gaze back to hers as a result.

Revy took a drag before replying, her expression seemingly remote as she blew the smoke back in his face.

"Depends." She said, ashing the butt a little. "You gonna slap me around again for no damn reason at all?" She was alluding to their volatile luncheon two days prior.

Rock picked up on the snarky, daring tone in her voice and then slowly his timidness turned to an attempt at tenacity of his own.

"Only if I have to teach you a lesson." He replied, intrigued.

Revy giggled, "Bastard." Stepping closer against him now.

Rock reeled back on his palms as Revy closed the distance between them, leaning her hand on the hood between his arm and torso as she pressed her moist, Sports Illustrated figure seductively into his side. She reached up with her right hand, lifting his new pilots back over his eyes to rest them over his hairline.

They looked at each other with need, and then Rock's expression saddened a little, feeling as if Revy had just removed a piece of armor.

"Revy." He started, breaking eye contact to look down. "I… I'm so fuckin' sorry for how I treated you the other day. And yesterday at Feilong's. I—"

Revy cut him off, silencing his lips with her fingertips.

"Shh! Whoa! Whoa. Easy there, cowboy. Why you gettin' all serious on me all the sudden? I was only bustin' balls." She assured him, smiling sweetly.

They didn't need go over all that shit again. As far as Revy was concerned, what happened, happened, and that's all there was to it. She could care less right now, anyway. After all, Rock's sincerity was obvious by the tone in his voice and that was enough for Revy. Now it was her turn to apologize.

"Hey... look at me." She said, softly cupping his cheek, guiding his gaze back up to meet hers. "I'm sorry for the way I've acted too. I know I haven't exactly made things easy for you these past few days… well… actually… come to think of it, I've never made things easy on you."

Rock laughed heartily at the illuminative look and tone in Revy's delivery, and she quickly followed suit, and when they both finally finished getting out all their laughs, they were left to silently simmer in the sultry heat of each others proximity. Rock looked down at the gloved palm resting over his heart, while Revy eyed the delicious sheen of sweat and moisture that covered his exposed chest.

Damn! She thought. Rock's body was retarded. It was like all of his muscles were all trying to pop out of his Hawaiian like he was the Incredible Hulk or something. Revy knew he probably unbuttoned out of comfort, but still. The way his sleeves went taught around his biceps with every motion. The way his loose shirt tails splayed off his hardened obliques like a high-school play curtain. The way those undeniably erotic lines of an overworked torso fed low into his jeans with that hot V shape like a Calvin Klein model. Revy wanted to throw him back onto that hood, lick the sweat off his abs and fuck him retarded right then and there!… Whoa… where did that come from? She thought.

Felling herself staring again, "So, uh, what do you want?" She asked, shaking her head a little before taking a breath. "Chink, gook, continental?"

Rock paused a moment as if to think on this, then threw her a smoldering pair of bedroom eyes.

"How 'bout American?" He asked with subtle inference. His voice deep and husky, glancing briefly down at the heart-shaped gap between her legs that seemed to call to him.

Revy's mouth fell open a little in amazement, immediately picking up on the dirty, little innuendo. And then she smiled something devious and titillating when she replied herself.

"So… American is what Rock wants to eat, huh?"

Revy moved around his body so slow it was almost painful for him. Cunning as a cat, sly as a fox, vexing him with undeniable do-me eyes. He flinched on his palms when she touched his knees, spreading them apart to squeeze her hot little body between the bunchy muscles of his legs, molding herself against him.

"Yeah, so?" He quibbled, feeling his mouth going dry.

Rock did his best to be cool, but it was useless. Revy already felt the huge, quaking need in his loins pressed against her tone little tummy, the way he drew on a ragged breath when she squeezed his legs, groan as she ran her gloved fingers forward toward his arousal, soft and tantalizingly slow.

"No reason." She purred, her hot breath fanning his chin and lips. "I just might know a place, is all."

She nuzzled at Rock's handsome, ugly face, loving the feel of his thick, dark stubble sting her skin, yet resisting every chance to connect with and taste him again.

Rock was dying, his eyes closed, his heart pounding so loud he couldn't hear anything else.

"Is it close?" He asked, almost desperate, sensing her lips so close to his now.

"Mmm, very. Wow, you must be hungry."

As always, he didn't miss a beat, opening his eyes to darkly blend a scowl and a smirk together, making Revy moisten a little, biting her lip at the thought of him inside her again.

"After this morning…" He replied. "Starving, actually."

Good answer. Revy hummed a moan and smiled that hungry, toothy grin of hers. She nibbled on his strong chin, felt him flinch again when she squeezed at his thighs, grazing his arousal, revving his engine just the right way, never breaking eye contact.

"I'll bet you are." Sighing a breathy coo. "I guess, I can sympathize. I suppose we'll just have to eat 'till we've had our fill." Closing her eyes, she finally parted her lips, moving towards his mouth.

Rock closed his eyes as well, only too ready to receive her, and yet nothing came! No pun intended. Revy had put the brakes on with devastating effect.

"You're buyin'." She murmured, mischievously.

He opened his eyes just in time to see the contemptible wink she threw him, and then she released his legs to step back onto the sidewalk, leaving Rock with a look so dumbfounded and a fever so debilitating he thought he might pass out.

"Oh, come on!" He bitched, watching Revy giggle more as she turned to walk back down the street away from him.

What a little cock-tease!? Rock thought. Never in his life had he ever felt a such an urge to spank a woman who played such hell with his libido. He could tell she was starting to enjoy this little, inadvertent effect she seemed to be having on him. Maybe even a little too much, and if Rock didn't do something about it soon, he'd soon be brain-dead on account of swollen balls.

Super Big Time USA #1 was a silly-sounding joint, but it was the only hole in the wall in all of Roanapur that could grill up a prime cut of Mongolian ground beef and pass it off as an American staple. Revy was surprised realizing how long it had been since she'd last eaten there. Only just around the corner from Praiyachat's, it stood on prime beachfront property with a view of the ocean and for being such figurative a hole in the wall, it had managed to stay in business since '83. Quite a feat considering the city in which it was located. It had a used clay brick exterior, teal double doors with matching trim, and in lieu of windows were vibrant hand-painted murals depicting a humorous, yet ernest perspective on North American culture and values.

Rock and Revy sat in the small, but intimate patio area separated by an even smaller rod iron bistro table, which was elegant without being industrious. They enjoyed bacon-cheeseburgers cooked rare with french fries, and two bottomless mugs of ice cold Coors Banquet to wash them down. Rock looked on with reverence of Revy watching her put away the cheesy, grease-soaked quarter-pounder with ease.

"Listen, Rock." Revy said, throwing a ketchup soaked fry down her gullet. "Don't let Dutch stress you out, alright? He's pissed, but he'll get over it." Pausing to take another bite of her burger. "Couldn't even tell you how many times he's threatened to can my ass after I fucked things up, and I've pulled shit a lot worse than you."

Rock believed her, and even though he was visibly touched at her sloppy attempt to console him, as things stood, Rock was inconsolable on the matter.

"I don't know, Revy. Dutch isn't really the type to change his mind on these kinds of things." He said and sighed. "Let's face it. You have more redeemable qualities than I do. To Dutch, I'm just an ex-business man with a habit for getting us into trouble."

Rock didn't want to talk about it anymore, taking a big gulp of beer, while Revy frowned at his defeated words.

He tried to change the subject. "So? What did you and Miss Balalaika talk about?" He asked, taking a bite out of his own burger.

Revy hesitated a moment on an empty pallet.

"Nothing." She replied, not looking at him.

"You two were gone a pretty long time—"

"It was nothing!" She snapped, surprising Rock a little.

Revy threw the last bite into her mouth, turning her head sideways to rest her temple on her fist as she chewed.

"Look, she said the same shit she said to all of us, okay? She just said it over again." Revy hated how it felt to lie to Rock, but what good would it do telling him the truth now? It was hopeless. Her and Rock, together? It was stupid of Revy even to imagine it.

Rock was depressed, reading Revy's body language as she turned sideways in her seat, crossing her legs effeminately in preparation of her usual post-meal smoke. He began to sense a growing distance forming between them; like there were somehow new forces at work that were out of his control, trying to keep them apart. Was Rock really supposed to just forget about her? Just pick up and leave after all was said and done? The night they survived, the morning they shared, their history as partners in crime… Was he really supposed to just let it all go?

No.

Rock wouldn't stand for this. He wouldn't give up. Not now. Not without a fight. Yeah, the odds were against them, but what else was fucking new? Besides, he'd been through too much fuckin' shit over the last year to just go and give up on Revy now. As far Rock was concerned, he was no longer an employee of Lagoon Company. So now, he didn't have anything left to loose. Not anymore.

Inside of a moment Rock's demeanor changed entirely. His posture straightened, and his carriage was majestic with confidence and invitation, smiling when he spoke up again.

"Hey."

"Hey, yourself." She replied with looking, casually firing up her smoke.

"Tell me something."

Revy stiffened in her seat a little, her eyes cornering curiously in Rock's direction as her cigarette continued to burn in her mouth.

"Like what?"

"Tell me something I don't know about you."

Revy now raised him a perplexing brow as she looked over at him, smirking as she spoke, "Nothing to tell. Why?"

"No reason." Doing his best to keep things light.

"Okay, sooo why bring it up?" Ashing her smoke before taking another drag.

Rock had to be careful. Revy had always jealously guarded her past with the utmost privacy and the fiercecest sense of independence, and right not she wasn't unlike that of a wild animal that had wandered into his backyard; perhaps even something more illusive and uncatchable, like a unicorn maybe. Say the wrong thing, make one wrong move, and she'd turn and run. Gone forever. Rock HAD to tread lightly.

"Nothing, it's just… It finally dawned on me, is all. So much has happened since we first met, and yet, I think we still know as much about each other as we did back then. Just feels… kinda wrong, don't ya think? What with my last job and everything?"

"It's worked out fine for us so far. If it ain't broke, know what I mean? Come on, Rock. Silence is golden."

"No, of course… you're right." Rock needed to try a new approach. "On the other hand. Depending on how you look at it, my career as a pirate is pretty much over. Sure would be a shame for us to part ways knowing so little about each other. By way of a for instance—"

"You know enough!" Revy snapped, looking back on him with a cold expression, then darkening considerably. "Like how I feel about nosey-types… Damn it, Rock! Can't we—can't we just have one meal together that doesn't end with me trying to kill you like always?"

Rejected, Rock retired back into his seat, lowering his gaze back onto the table, and Revy's heart ached seeing his wounded expression…

Damn those puppy dog eyes. She thought.

"Look, Rock… I know what you're trying to do, all right? And I appreciate it. I do. It's just… It's no use, okay? I'm not wired this way. I'm not the couch-type and I don't talk about myself. Period. Besides, you're not really interested unless it affects you. I'm not an idiot. I've been through all this shit before."

Rock sat up almost insulted by this accusation, then crossed his arms, intrigued by the shifting dynamic in their palaver.

Finding his confidence again, "I could be genuine, you don't have any way of knowing."

Against his better judgment, he continued to goad her on, determined to prove her and everyone else wrong about them.

Revy's voice fell low and bitter now, feeling herself falling back into old habits, pushing Rock away out of self-preservation.

"I have eyes and I have history. Trust me, Rock. You'll back off. As soon as you realize your not the first, and I'm immune to your help." Using her cigarette as an excuse to look away from him again.

He didn't believe her, she was trying too hard. Thus confirming Rock's earlier hypothesis: It was going to take a hell of a more than just giving this woman an orgasm to make her trust him the way he wanted.

"Ya know something, Revy?… You're a hard person to like sometimes." He jibed, with an impossibly sexy smirk.

Revy threw him an incredulous, yet obvious sneer of attraction, secretly stimulated by the playful little jab. She couldn't believe the balls on this guy, utterly blown away by Rock's persistence. She didn't get it, he usually gave up by now…

"Really? I had nooo idea." Oozing sarcasm, she shifted in her seat to face him, leaning forward over the table to rest her chin in one hand as she subtly emphasized her bust. "So Rock, what other amazing insights do you have that I'm too stupid to see?" Attempting to lure him into horny miscalculation, once again.

He was impressed. She must've been pretty damn desperate to change the conversation using sex as a bargaining chip. Still though, Rock wouldn't be dissuaded by childish games. His resolve remained steadfast, determined to thaw Revy's icy heart by any means necessary.

"I know your scared." Rock persisted, measuring her response through narrowed eyes. "I know you work overtime at not letting anyone get close. My question is, why?"

Angered by her failed attempt to persuade him, Revy shifted back in her seat and turned away.

"Screw you. You don't know me. I've had enough of this." Retiring scornfully inside crossed arms, annoyed at Rock's assiduousness.

Rock had her on the ropes now.

"Fine with me." He replied candidly, calling her bluff.

"Right. Your too needy. That's not my thing." She feigned, continued to hide her face from him.

Rock smiled, amused at her pitiful attempt to duck him.

"Right." He replied, ironic.

"Stop that! Stop playing with me! This should be easy. Why—Why aren't you easy?" She was starting to get upset now, feeling her lack of control over the situation, and yet eyed Rock longingly from her peripheral.

Time to reel her in.

"Yeah. Freaks you out, doesn't it?"

And in a move so bold it would've shamed Alexander the Great, Rock reached around their table, bypassing Revy's perfect legs to take hold of her chair, and proceeded to drag her across the grey yukon pavers to meet him. Revy startled at the sound of the rod iron grinding against the patio beneath her feet. It happened so fast, she had no time to react, now reluctantly face to face with the man she loved to hate, or was it the other way around?

"Leave me alone, Rock! I don't want this!" She yelled, fighting to stand against him.

Now, intimidating like King Henry the Eighth, Rock kept her seated. His grip fused to the seat either side of her butt. Revy in the middle, her spine molded against her backrest, perched on her palms with shoulders high like a panther backed into a corner, ready to strike.

"You're lying." He said.

"Don't tell me what I feel! I've been here before and I know what I need. For me!"

She fought to resist him, and yet, found herself fighting to get closer at the same time, as if she'd fallen into Rock's orbit, and gravity was slowly pulling her in.

"How about a little effort here, Rev? I'm getting pretty tired of this wall of yours." Rock was standing his ground, but so was Revy.

She scoffed in return. "Why should I? I'm not interested in some dumb-shit love affair. It never goes right." Evading his intense gaze.

"You're honestly gonna sit here and pretend like you don't feel anything for me? After everything we've been through? The submarine. Tokyo. Last night… I mean, for fuck's sake, Revy! Did this morning mean nothing to you!"

Revy's hand instinctively met Rock's uninjured cheek with a resounding smack.

"I told you never to talk about that again!" She yelled, her lip quivering a little by the surge of adrenaline as she panted with unchecked emotion.

Rock released Revy's chair to lean back into his own seat, irritably tonguing the cut on his lip that started to bleed again.

Angered and bewildered, he spoke, "Wow. So that's how it's gonna be, huh? We're just not gonna talk about it? It never happened. That it?"

Revy choked a whimper back into her throat, crossing her arms as she looked away again, her bottom lip quivering more as she replied. "That's right." Why was he doing this to her?

"Wow… o-kay then."

Rock then pushed back his own chair to stand and walked around Revy towards the entrance of the bistro. He leaned against the satin white wooden arch above him, reaching for the pack in his pocket to ready an American Spirit.

Revy didn't know what to say, wistfully looking at him from over her shoulder as he lit up, praying he wouldn't stay, yet hoped he would never leave. It was maddening. Revy was beginning to feel even more insane by him than she already was, if that was even possible. She couldn't bare the thought of being without him, and yet she hated the way he made her feel when she was with him. Always vulnerable, always out of control.

Revy did remember their time together, though. How could she forget? The dream she never wanted to wake up from. The feel of Rock's broad shoulders, rising and falling with every ragged breath as he moved his body against hers. The way his tongue made her shudder with pleasure as he explored the peaks and valleys of her breasts. And the way he made love to her, with what Revy could only describe as violent tenderness, the way only a man could give it, and the blissful soreness she felt between her legs as a result. All of it…

But Revy did wake up. Dutch and Benny and Balalaika made certain of that. Stacking the odds so high against them for the possibility to even seem realistic. And yet, watching Rock now, silently smoking his cigarette in sullen despondence of her, ready to walk away at any moment. The thought of loosing him again, was simply too much for Revy to bare a second time.

"I'm sorry." She cooed, hating herself for how she had just treated him.

Rock stood in abject silence for another moment, then shrugged his shoulder in reply. "I'm sorry too." Apologizing for his own brash behavior.

He turned back around to face her, then started slowly toward her as she spoke again.

"I didn't… I didn't mean any of those things I said, Rock. Really. And… I do feel something for you. It's just…" Now feeling his powerful presence next to her, she paused, trying to find the right words. "Do you know what its like?" She asked. "Feeling like you've been alone your whole life, and then suddenly, find out you're not?"

Rock smiled, answering without any hesitation or doubt in his voice, "Pretty much, yeah."

"You don't have to answer so fast, you fucker!" She sassed, smiling a little now, both tickled and annoyed at the promptness of his response.

"If you need to think about this, Revy, I understand. I'll wait for as long as I can."

"I just… this is so strange for me and you just keep pushing. What am I supposed to do with that?… You're weird, Rock." And now, surprising him a little, Revy eyed him slyly from her chair as she finished. "That kinda gets me off." She said, smiling up at him, at last with bedeviling inclination in her eyes.

Rock smiled again also, perhaps a little too satisfied with his efforts, and Revy began to feel hot all over as he closed the gap between them, lurching forward to take hold of her seat once more as he hovered over her from above.

"If that's the case, then you better get ready, Rev." He lorded with a deep voice.

"And why's that, asshole?" She whispered, taken by his power, trembling with desire as she looked up at him, their faces so very close again.

"Cause I'm about to get so weird for you." He said, and winked.

"You perv!" She squealed in enjoyment, playfully jabbing him in the gut.

Rock laughed as he fell back into his seat and rubbed his stomach, feeling a bit of human punching bag of late. Revy laughed as well. Her girlish giggles combining with his hearty chuckles in an almost musical harmony that each rode to straight to perfect laughter, and ending in contented hums and crooning smiles.

After finally catching her breath, "So Rock," Revy started again. "What did you wanna know about me?" Pausing to enjoy his suddenly baffled reaction, "Obvious shit like what's up with my ink? Or something else just as boring?"

Rock wasn't going squander this rare opportunity, taking whatever he could get at this point.

"Okay, I'll bite, what's with the tattoo? I've always been curious about it." Sitting forward attentively, propping himself up on his knee as he listened.

Revy surprised herself at how easily the answer came, "What? This old thing? I did it myself… well… not all by myself. My cellmate and I did it together when I was in the clink. She had one like it, and I figured… Hey, why the fuck not? Then again, there isn't a whole lot to keep you entertained in prison besides desecrate your flesh."

Rock listened as if in a trance, hanging on to her every word. He continued onward, "You've made mentioning's about your time in prison in the past… What was that like?"

"Buzzr! Wrong!" Terminating the topic with a loud buzzer noise one hears on a game show. Revy then pilfered Rock's cigarette for a drag of her own, but held her flirtatious smile. "Come on, Rock! You were doing so well. Don't spoil it asking me about depressing shit. Ask me about something a little cooler, 'kay?" And winked, crossing her legs as she enjoyed what was left of his smoke.

Revy carried her smoke from her lips as she looked at him, holding the ember out with an exposed wrist the way only european women did, waiting for his next question. Rock could tell she was enjoying his attention a little more than she might like to admit, and so (against his better judgment) decided to go a little bolder with his questions.

"Okay, how about this: Where'd you learn how to dance like that?" He foolishly dared.

Revy went wide-eyed all the sudden, freezing in her seat on an instant. Devastatingly aware of what Rock was alluding to. She'd hoped he'd forgotten about that, hoped to have never heard it mentioned again, and if that happened, then maybe it hadn't happened at all.

"W-wha... I… I—I don't know what you're talking about." She stammered, now desperate to get out of the very hole she'd dug herself into.

"Last night. At the Yellow Flag. You remember."

Revy began to feel her face go hot in embarrassment, straining her neck a little to hide her blushing cheeks.

"Rock… I don't wanna talk about that, okay? I mean it." She threatened.

She was ready to kill to keep that part of her life secret, gripping a handful of her hair so hard she thought she might pull it out.

"Ya know…"

Revy couldn't believe it. He was actually going to do it!

"Rock! I'm warning you." She seethed through gritted teeth.

"You really know how to move." He complimented, innocent and sincere.

"You asked for it, ya little shit!" Revy exclaimed, as she rocketing herself from her seat to tackle Rock from his chair.

She hit him like a battering ram, causing his chair to tip over backwards, with him still sitting in it. Revy caught his head from smacking against the pavers, but that's only because she intended to cut his throat with the stake knife she had swiped from their table. Straddling his stomach, holding the tuff of his mohawk in place as she copped his head back, exposing his jugular. Pressing the knife dangerously against his neck without breaking the skin.

"Well… that was something." Rock, cracking wise.

"Shut up!" She shouted into his face. "You just fucked with the wrong bull, motherfucker! Now its mine turn with the questions. So, why so inquisitive all the sudden, Rock? Huh? Why do really wanna know what's in my head? You got an angle in all this, don't you? You snake! Tell me, why are you asking me about all this shit, really?"

Rock paused for an answer, "I don't know… small island?"

"You eyeing me up!? Huh!? That what that is? 'Cause if this is just about sex for you… maybe you should just fuckin' say so." She dared, sneering her fangs with hungry desire as she bore down on him frighteningly from above, ready to eat Rock alive.

His hands in high surrender alongside his head, Revy having accidentally aggravated his injured rib, Rock returned her a wincing smirk of unparalleled confidence.

"I'm in no hurry." He grunted. "I wanna know what makes ya tick first."

Revy irked in response to this, unsure of what to say next. It was all she could do but scowl as darkly as she could muster, holding Rock's gaze in a staring contest for the ages to see who might break first.

Rock's unwavering determination, his contemptible perseverance, infuriated Revy to no end. And then, for no reason at all, she let it go. Just like that. Her face softening, bit a bit. Feeling warm all over as she looked deep into Rock's beautiful, loving, chestnut eyes. Drinking in his musky scent again, feeling his hard body against hers, their faces just inches apart…

And then Revy caught herself, pushing herself back off of Rock like a spooked mare.

"Goddammit. I can't even look at you when your like this." She scoffed, rooting through his pockets for more cigarettes while still straddling his waist. "Why you always gotta be such a pain in my ass, huh?" Grumbling more as she placed a fresh one between her lips, and standing up to light it.

Rock remained still, staring up at Revy from between her legs.

"Oh, and for the record, Rock: You don't know need to know someone to sleep with them. You just have to know where to put it... dumbass."

She finally stepped off him before surprisingly offering out a helping hand to him.

Accepting it, "I'll keep that in mind." He replied, grateful to still be alive, wincing more as he pulled himself back to his feet with her help.

Revy, having calmed back down, took her seat again, finishing what was left of her Coors, before taking another drag.

Propping his own seat back up to sit back down, Rock chucked a little into his throat wondering just how close he'd come to yet another untimely death. He really was pushing his luck lately. He declined to speak further, watching Revy with sincere and genteel hopefulness, like a dog begging for scraps. Revy doing her best to avoid those puppy dog eyes of his as she continued to smoke, leaving her to feel like she was sitting inside a pressure cooker... and eventually she popped.

"Fine, Rock. You win!" Revy broke, much to Rock's surprise.

How was it that only Rock had this effect on her? She wondered.

He quickly readjusted his posture to attention and waited patiently for Revy's collective breath to end, trying to compose herself as best she could before starting.

"I came to Roanapur four years ago. I had no money, no job, and no reputation to call my own. I was starting from the bottom, all over again." Pausing for another drag. "That's how I met Rowan."

Rowan "Jackpot" Pigeon. Rock was starting to put it all together now. His constant harassment. All his brazen solicitations for Revy to come and "work for him again". It was all starting to make sense now.

"You gotta job working at Rowan's strip club." Rock illuminated, absentmindedly.

"Do you wanna hear this or not!" She roared.

"Uh, sorry!… Please continue." He should've known better.

Revy shrugged, "There was this girl I met on the boat coming over from Bangkok… She was nice to me. Introduced me to Rowan. Helped get me a job dancing in his S&M show. Figured I had to start somewhere, so, at the time, seemed as good a place as any… if just for while."

Rock began to worry now, "Did he—I mean…" He couldn't even finish the thought out loud.

"What?—You mean Rowan!" Revy guffawed at the idea. "Don't make me laugh! He wasn't stupid enough to try anything like that with me. He knew what I was capable of the first month I started working there. The night I killed a group of up and coming Triads who thought they were hot shit. They thought it was a smart idea to kill my friend…" Her demeanor darkening considerably. "Well, I had a smart idea too, and I put them down like the mangey dogs they were. After that, nobody thought twice about fucking with me again."

Rock's heart sank inside his chest, visibly distraught at the pain and torment he'd read on Revy's face as she told her story. He didn't think such a simple question could yield such a terrible answer, but then again, this was what he signed up for, when he decided it was a smart idea to fall in love with a psychopathic murderer.

"I'm sorry about your friend, Revy." Rock, offering up his sincerest sympathies.

"He's sorry, he says. What do you know, Rock? They raped her, then left her to die in that alley like she was a piece of trash. When that happened, I promised myself one thing… That it would never happen to me."

"I'm so sorry, Revy." Guilt stitched in every word.

It was useless. Revy had her armor back on and Rock was feeling a real scumbag making her drudge all of that shit up again. He'd gone and lead her into a complete circle since they'd started eating and now he was no further along now in understanding her than when they began, except this time he managed to upset Revy in the process. What an asshole…

Rock's apology failed to register a facial reaction in Revy. Taking a final drag of her Spirit, she wrapped things up, "Yeah… well… dumb bitch shouldn't have put her self in that position anyway, or else she might still be alive. I'm alive and that's all that matters now." Cacheing her Spirit out into the ashtray, and thus subliminally marking the end of her tale. "Anyway, after that, I got picked up on a protection contract for a local crime lord, and the rest is history… as they say."

Rock eyed his watch sadly, deciding it best to quit while he was ahead.

"Your cutlasses are probably ready by now… maybe its time we get going?"

"Yeah… maybe its time we do."

Rock pulled out his billfold and placed an American fifty on the table, then pushed his seat back to stand up. He motioned to start out first before Revy gently called his attention back to her.

"Hey, Rock?"

"Yeah?" Turned to look down at her.

Still sitting sideways in her seat, arm hanging over the backrest, her eyes hidden beneath her bangs as she finished.

"Nobody's ever asked me about this shit before… It's strange to talk about." The slightest sense of relief tethered in her voice, then Revy uncrossed her legs to stand, "So fuck you… and thanks for asking." Then departed.

She went out ahead of him, rounding around the wooden archway to the sidewalk and back around the corner, up towards Praiyachat's place.

Rock watched her, unsure of what to think at first, and then found his smile again. Sensing maybe his attempt at reaching her hadn't been completely in vain, after all. He omitted the entrance in and hopped the fence after her. Followed her back up the street and watch as she make her way left for the shop while he deviated right for the car. He opened up his passenger door, and then Revy surprised him hearing her call to him from afar.

"Hey, Rock! You coming?"

"What's that?" He asked, calling back.

Too late, Revy had disappeared back into the shop. Rock reached inside to grab Revy's gun leather, then shut his passenger side door perplexed, before taking off on a light jog towards the front entrance to let himself in. Revy stood inside at the shop's center with her back to the door, hand on her hip, eagerly awaiting the return of her cutlasses.

Praiyachat appeared soon after the brass bell above Rock's head stopped ringing. He slouched, and hobbled, and puttered from his workshop like an old Buick engine carrying Revy's newly polished cutlasses out on a wooden cutting board wrapped in a tattered micro-fibre cloth stained black by years of cleaning processes.

"Apologies again for the wait, Revy." Praiyachat submitted. "Truth is, I had another client ahead of you and their order required…" Snickering a little. "A bit more attention than I originally guessed. Can't play favorites, ya know!"

"Yeah, yeah. Like I give a shit. Hand 'em over, old man." Revy replied unsympathetic.

Praiyachat smiled a rotting, toothless grin and handed Revy her guns one-at-a-time.

"Hell yeah! There's my boys!" She haughtily announced, and then her voice became uncharacteristically sweet and mothering as she fawned over their return, "Did you miss your Mommy? Did you? I missed you! Oh yes I did!"

After inspecting them properly, Revy donned her cross-draw rig and re-holstered her trademark sidearms, taking time to pose with them shamelessly in a floor length mirror by the main desk. Rock couldn't help but smile, entertained by her antics, watching her rotate her hips from side-to-side like that of a coquettish ingénue.

"Hey! Praiyachat!" Turning to eye her pert backside in the mirror's reflection. "If you really feel bad about making me wait, then how 'bout giving me a discount?… And set up my guy here with a real nail driver, would ya!"

Rock became instantly slack-jawed, unknowing of what to say.

"Revy—ar—are you sure?"

"What did I just say, dumbass?" Revy sighed, in apparent disinterest.

She then turned her head to look over at him, before chuckling into a toothy grin, as she winked him her blessing.

She was serious!

The next half hour was filled with a combination of heated, yet playful debates, explosive arguments, followed by bitter settlements; all in regards to what type of gun suited Rock best. He must have held three dozen or more before they were done. Revy, all the while, manically shifting from fiery to serene, rational to lunatic, youthful optimism to suicidal boredom in mere moments. Still though, Rock didn't think he'd ever seen her so excited about anything before; acting a kid in a candy store.

"Oh, Rock! What about this one!?" Revy giddily exclaimed as she lifted yet another full-size automatic from it's pegboard mount. "This is the one, Rock! I know it! Its perfect for you!"

"I don't know…" Rock wearily replied. "They're all starting to run together at this point."

"Quit your complaining. Go ahead, try it on!" She jested, handing him her latest selection.

Rock took the gun from Revy's outstretched hand.

"Ahh!That high-quality piece! Rock Island Armory." Praiyachat educated. ".45 caliber. Two-tone. Otherwise the same as any standard 1911."

"You hear that, Rock! It's even got your name on it!" Revy endorsed excitedly. "So, what do you think?"

Rock didn't want to annoy Revy anymore than he'd already had, and so he unenthusiastically indulged her by extending his grip to line up the sights. He didn't like it. It was as simple as that. All the levers and buttons seemed too complicated for practical use, and the linear checkering on the back strap of the grip felt strange in his hand.

"Ummm…" Procrastinating his answer, Rock chuckled nervously through a goofy grin, "Got anything lighter?"

Revy, already having invested a bit of time and energy into the subject, finally erupted.

"Son of a bitch! I give up! You're on your own, Rock! Goddammit!" She fumed, storming several yards down the way before hopping her butt up onto a glass display case and firing up a smoke.

"You can't rush this sort of thing, Revy." Praiyachat interjected calmly as he retrieved his merchandise from Rock's hands. "If it doesn't feel right to him, he shouldn't shoot it. Besides, Rock; I don't think you cut out for automatic anyway."

"Uh—you don't think so, sir?" Rock queried timidly, respecting the man's opinion.

"No! You tend to twist your elbow during dry-fire. That more revolver technique—help absorb recoil better and whatnot."

"Mister Praiyachat, sir… what would you recommend for a first-time user?" Rock asked respectfully, watching Praiyachat carefully hang the custom piece back on his display.

"Well… depends. What you looking for?" The old man submitted, before inhaling on a Camel below the knuckle of his left pinky and ring finger (as so many south-east asians were known to do).

Rock extrapolated as best he could, admittedly knowing next to nothing about guns. "I don't know. Something simple. Something I can handle."

"Hold out your hands." The Thai elder requested.

Rock did so and Praiyachat brought his cigarette into his mouth to take hold of Rock's wrists and curiously study his open palms. Revy cackled at the sight as she crossed her legs.

"What are you gonna do, old man? Tell him his fortune?"

"Young lady, you really must learn to respect your elders!" Then muttering ruminatively under his breath, "Hmm, yes… yes, .38 snubnose. That will do just fine."

"You—you gotta be kiddin' me?" Revy challenged, crossing her arms. "A fuckin' six-shooter!?" She was flabbergasted.

Praiyachat then walked to his display on the other side of his workshop and lifted a small, glossy black pocket-pistol from its hook and returned it to Rock.

"Here, Rock. Try this one."

Rock took the small revolver from the old man. Waded the weapon up and down in an outstretched palm to scale its weight. He noted a gambler's spade etched into the scrimshaw of the grip, inked black at the center of it's polished ivory; similar to the jolly roger on Revy's cutlass.

"It's heavy." Rock commented as he looked back down at the venerable gunsmith, familiarizing his fingers with the handsome i-frame.

"This original from Colt. American-made. Dual-chambered for .38 and .357 magnum. Has two and a half-inch barrel. Royal blue finish. Ivory grip. Very accurate, but—uh—heck of a wallop." Praiyachat informed.

"Rock. Don't you think that thing's a little small for you?" Revy asked from across the room.

Rock extended his forearm to acquire a sight picture as he replied.

"Hey, it's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog." Rock quoted.

"Well said, Rock. Mark Twain?"

Revy scoffed in response and looked away.

"Yeah, but what if the other dog is a fuckin' Rottweiler?" She grumbled depressingly to herself, cheek to fist.

Rock was surprised at how natural the motion felt. Panning his aim right slowly before resting on his own mirrored reflection. He slowly squeezed back the trigger, providing for a release so smooth it was noticeable even to him.

"I like it." Rock said plainly.

"Well, Jesus-fucking-finally!" Revy, guardedly intrigued, as she hopped off Praiyachat's work table to get a better look next to Rock.

"What do you think, Revy?" He asked, offering it up for her approval.

Standing only an inch from his person, Revy shared a brief moment of eye contact with Rock before bringing her Spirit between her lips, and taking the revolver for an assessment fit only for the most seasoned of gunfighters. She performed a field strip and full reassembly in under a minute. She disengaged the release to test the strength of its swing-out crane, and timed the cylinder revolutions before snapping her wrist with perfect lockup. Finally, she extended her arm out to line up the sights, and cocked back the hammer for a dry-fireof her own. She approximated a trigger pull of roughly three-point-five pounds,and secretly reveled in its reputable butterfly action she'd heard so much about, though pridefully restrained an admission of it out loud. Hunching her shoulders high as she turned, she flared her palms out and to the open and professed in glib response.

"Meh!It's a pea-shooter, at best." She gibed, her cigarette cornered into her grin.

She then landed the magnum with an overhand motion back into Rock's unwitting grasp, and ashed her smoke a bit.

"But a nice one." She followed. "I'll give ya that much, old man."

"What you mean pea-shooter!? This Rolls-Royce of double-action revolver!" Praiyachat defended.

God she loved messin' with this guy.

"Look, at the end of the day it's not up to either one of us. Its Rock's decision. So how about it, Rock? What do you think? Remember—that 1911's got your name all over it…" Musically remembering him to her obvious preference.

Rock hummed a smile at Revy's clumsy attempt at a double-entendre, but was more so visibly touched at the significance of her simple gesture. It had finally happened, he realized, just like he asked. She had finally given him her blessing. Revy had finally given him a choice… and Rock wouldn't forget it.

He looked back down on the gleaming, polished Colt in his hands, and then, after a long and introspective pause, replied, "I'll take it."

Revy immediately slung her head back to groan disappointed into the ceiling, while Praiyachat tittered and grinned with ever-inflating hubris.

"You won't regret it, Rock." He assured him.

A short time later, after payment was made and an illuminating secret liaison between Rock and Praiyachat transpired, Lagoon's associates were back to their old routine: Rock manning the wheel of the Goat whilst proceeding them to some undisclosed location per Revy's request, while Revy herself trifled querulous and uncommunicative in the passenger seat. She was too frustrated with him at the current time to concentrate on anything else, let alone driving. She huffed and pouted, not unlike a petulant child (with a smoking addiction), trying to garner Rock's attention, then grumbled more into her fist when his calm and happy expression continued to illude her.

She huffed again, and Rock finally panned his eyes right to speak.

"Hey… you doing okay over there?… Wanna talk about it, champ?" He jested, wholly aware of her immature behavior.

"I just can't believe you… I just can't fucking believe you sometimes, Rock!" She exclaimed as she looked over at him. Then her voice rang high and shrill to a contralto the twanged in annoying mockery of Rock's vocal patterns, "I want to buy a gun. Why won't you help me? I need your support—What a load of fuckin' crap! Out of the three or four perfect choices I recommend, you go and choose the fuckin' Saturday Night Special! Glad to know how much you respect my opinion. Dick."

Rock had grown so accustom to Revy's abuse, that her slights and slanders seemed to have no effect on him anymore. Unfazed, it was all he could do but simper and wait for her to finish.

"And what the fuck's up with that idiotic tie-down, huh!? You think you're fuckin Steve McQueen or somethin'!?"

She was referring to the shoulder holster Rock had also purchased. Similar to Revy's, it was made up of a beautiful, non-acrylic, musket brown leather. Hand made in Mexico. Where most under-the-arm shoulder holsters were designed for drawing at either the vertical or horizontal assembly, this one had the pistol worn upside down with the barrel pointing up into the armpit. These types of holsters were distinctive, and dangerous, and not recommended for first time users, as their principal design philosophy was created around quick-draw purposes.

Rock tried to laugh it off, "You got me, Revy! You know how much I love Bullitt."

"This isn't a fucking movie, you arrogant son of a bitch!" She roared. "Its real life, and if you get killed for a lack of shooting back, don't come crying to me!"

Revy receded back into a fiery little ball, tucking her legs sideways into her seat with her as she looked out her window, cheek to fist, as usual.

"I'm sorry, Revy." Rock's voice embodied the very soul warmth and sincerity. "It wasn't personal, I swear. I wasn't trying to hurt your feelings. I just feel like Praiyachat was onto something back there, ya know? About me feeling comfortable?"

"Well, far be it from me—right here—to keep you from being comfortable, you stupid… jerkface." Revy was running out of insults.

"Where we going?" Rock asked, curiosity getting the better of him.

"It's a surprise, dumbass. Not that you deserve it."

They had just gotten off of Rachiada Street and were back on Central, going out west to the abandoned warehouse district on the other side of the island. It was half past three, and the temperature was beginning to round its high point again, that combined with the humidity made the heat feel simply sweltering, thus making Revy even more irritable than was considered safe to be around.

"Aghhh! Fuck, it's hot in here!" Revy blared, right on queue.

She had been blasting the AC while simultaneously hanging her head from her open window with her tongue out like a dog.

"Ya know?" Turning on Rock now. "It's a miracle we walked outta there with anything at all, you fuckin' deadbeat! How do you not have any money saved, Rock!?"

Rock's expression tweaked as he took his eyes off the road to talk back at her, "I asked you not to pay for me, Revy. I told you that. I was going to put my scuba gear on consignment, remember?"

Revy huffed, returning her gaze to the passing scenery outside, "You just wanted me for a loan, you fuckin' snake in the grass."

"You know that's not true."

"Yeah, whatever… cheapskate. Just don't forget to pay me back when this is all over with, dip-shit, or I'll put your balls on consignment. Catch my drift?"

It was time for Rock to relieve the pressure in this canopy a little.

Looking back over her at to speak again, this time with a confident, and somewhat patronizing tone to his voice.

"You wanna get an ice cream? 'Cause you seem a little fussy."

"Mother fuck—!" Revy was prepared to tear Rock a second asshole for that, unsnapping her cutlass before being immediately disarmed by the cocky, sexy, twinkle in his eye when she looked over at him.

Following with a smirking wink of his own brand, Revy realized—he was teasing her now!

She found herself smiling unintentionally behind a vexed look of intrigue, and soon became tickled by the dry sarcasm she recalled hearing in his voice. Wanting to giggle, she immediately shifted her gaze right into her car door to hide her reaction.

"I hate you." She evaded, trying to hide her enjoyment of his flirting with her again.

Rock continued, "It's no trouble. Come on, two scoops, any flavor you want… except chocolate. You know how you get."

A snorting chuckle betrayed her, "Stop!—Stop. Stop makin' fun of me or I'll kneecap ya, you son of bitch." Catching herself, she wanted to stay mad at him forever.

Rock, too damn proud to stop now, doubled down.

"What! Who did that! Somebody's makin' fun of you, babe? You want me to talk to him for ya?" Changing his character from paternal father to protective boyfriend at the drop of a hat.

Revy couldn't take much more of this, "Yes! His name's Rock and he's bein' a fuckin' asshole!" She exclaimed, unable to resist playing along any longer.

"You got it!" Rock then comically shifted the rearview to scold his reflection. "Hey! You shut the fuck up, ya hear! You're bein' an asshole."

Revy finally cracked, laughing so hard she thought she'd piss her shorts, and Rock smiled pridefully in adoration of the joy he had just evoked from her.

Finally catching her breath a little, "God! You are so annoying!" Thumbing a teary eye before composing herself back over crossed arms, "Turn right after the gate, then go to the end of the pier, you cock-smoker."

Rock did so, downshifting into second. Revy had navigated them into an abandoned shipping container terminal used for loading and unloading freight cargo. It reminded Rock to the one Revy and Roberta had used for their climatic duel following Garcia's kidnapping, but this port was far too dilapidated for comparison. It was derelict with decades-old shipping containers, and broken down powered equipment long since retired from active service, all of them rusted from their original red or blue or silver paint lusters. Rock took the GTO to the end of the landing as Revy had requested and stopped the car. When they stepped out, the warm, clean sea air invigorated them, and Rock was surprised at the level of privacy he realized they had there.

They were far enough out at port that the island couldn't be seen from around the large shipping containers to their left; some stacked three or four high, in some cases. It was approximately four o'clock and the sun had already begun its descent back towards the horizon. Rock always awed the sunsets of warmer subtropical climates; thinking them the most beautiful in the world. What lasted maybe only thirty minutes north of the equator, lasted almost hours in Roanapur, its blue skies drenched in endless shades of saffron gold, and tangerine orange. He awed the more at the beauty of this particular day, however, as the passing of last night's hurricane had left an unusual concentration of stratocumulus and fleeting cumulonimbus clouds in the atmosphere. That, in combination with June's porous humidity, and a little luck, caused a rare left hand sun dog to flare in the sky, causing crepuscular rays to beam down in random pockets along the ocean and platform around them.

Even Revy herself was not so jaded and war-wearied in her life that she couldn't stop and admire the beauty of this very rare phenomenon. Rock walked around the hood of the car to stand next to her, and the two looked on in silence together of Earth's natural majesty. Listened to the ocean's lapping against the support structure beneath their feet. To the caws and squawks of spot-billed pelicans fishing for brightly colored tuna and wrasse.

"You seein' this, Rock?… Now, that's fuckin beautiful." Revy cooed, her head tilted slightly in a daze.

"Yes, it is." Rock replied, whisper-like as well.

Revy turned her head to look at him, and was then quickly embarrassed to discover Rock already staring back at her. His gaze—so disarmingly powerful and at the same time, tender and safeguarding. Her legendary confidence escaping her again, as she started to feel that feeling. That terrible, wonderful, aching feeling—to pull him close again. Be his again.

"So what now?" Rock asked.

Snapping herself out of it, Revy responded rather beguilingly and pulled her long beautiful locks free of her black hair tie. Then she grinned something devious, knowing something Rock clearly didn't.

Bkam!

Bkam!

Bkam!

"Come on!" Revy groaned. "You're not even trying to hit them anymore!" Her arms authoritatively crossed as she stood behind him.

"I am trying, I swear!" Rock assured her, shouting over his shoulder at her.

"Try harder!"

Bkam!

Bkam!

Bkam!

In the time it took them to set up their slipshod gun range, to Rock's first shot and miss, Revy had already instructed him on the basics of gunslinging one-o-one. They'd constructed a slap-dash shooting gallery compromised of a waterlogged two-by-six placed atop two overturned, white five-gallon paint buckets, using empty Heinekens and Budweiser cans as reactive targets. They had enough to go around as the trunk of the Goat had a large black trash bag filled with them. Benny liked to sell their scrap aluminum for roughly twenty bahtper kilo. All part of his new "green-initiative" to recycle more, but Revy thought she made better use of his new hippie-BS.

Klick!

"Well, congratulations, Mr. Eastwood. You're dead… and you still haven't manage to hit a single one. I swear, Rock… you're fucking hopeless!"

Revy wasn't the most patient of teachers.

"It's my first time. What do you want from me?" He defended, turning around to face her.

She walked up to him, "For starters? A little fucking effort would be nice!" Throwing him a bullying shove into his right shoulder. "Now reload and do it right this time!"

Rock, discouraged by the experience he was having thus far, disengaged the swing-out crane and indexed the ejector rod to expel his spent brass. Revy felt bad watching him hand feed each new round from the left pocket of his Levi's. Contrary to what others might think about her, she didn't actually enjoy hurting Rock's feelings, but she couldn't go easy on him. Not with something this important. Not with so much on the line this time around… but Revy didn't want to think about that.

She sighed in frustration, "You gotta learn this shit, Rock. Okay? I'm not kidding. It's important…" Her expression saddening a little as she continued, "I'm not always gonna be there to bail your ass out when you get yourself into trouble. Okay?… Rock!?"

He snapped to attention hearing the severity in her voice.

"When that time comes, you have to know what to do! You have to—" The air fleeting from her lungs for just a moment. "Just trust me on this, okay? Learning the right habits now will keep you from forming bad ones later… They'll save your life one day, Rock. I promise."

Rock was dispirited hearing Revy speak in such bleak absolutisms, the funeral inference in her voice. She'd never spoken to him like this before, so blatant in acknowledgment of her feelings towards him and his safety. Rock needed to do his part here and help put her mind to rest. And the only way to do that was to swallow his pride and her abrasive teaching-style whole. He thumbed the wheel back into frame, then took a breath. His confidence partially renewed when he looked back up at her and smiled.

"Okay, Revy. Tell me what to do."

Revy, very serious now, moved close against him, taking gentle hold of his waist, and rotating him back towards the targets.

"Square off your hips," She began again, swallowing the lachrymose lump in her throat. She lightly kicked a gap between his feet. "Stand shoulder-length apart with your weight on the balls of your toes. Lean into the gun, not away from it." Then taking hold of his elbow, she extending his Colt forward as if they were both one person now. "Good. Now, relax your shoulders. Eye—down the sight. It should feel like an extension of your body, like pointing your finger… Relax! You're too stiff."

Rock couldn't help it. Feeling Revy's rock-hard body molded against his again, her chin resting on his shoulder as she hushfully instructed into his ear, left arm banded around his waist, palm resting low on his abdomen… and then she slapped him on the back of the head.

"Wake up, sailor!" She ordered, feeling his concentration slipping.

"Uh, sorry."

"Alright… Now, find your sight picture… Got it?"

"Yeah."

"Okay. Place your front sight just under the target. Squeeze the trigger, and—"

Bkam!

Nothing.

Revy sensed Rock's immediate disposal to aggravation in missing again and stopped him before he could proceed with his pity party.

"Keep your aim. Try harder! Try again." She kept him focused, not allowing him any more opportunities to become more discouraged.

"It hurts my ears." Rock said, wincing at the sound of the gunshots.

"You'll get use to that, trust me. Until then, you're anticipating it, and it's making you nervous, so you jerk left before the gun even goes off. Remember: don't pull the trigger; squeeze the trigger… and try to imagine someone you hate." She whispered. "Helps you focus… Okay, ready?"

Rock swallowed, "Yeah."

"Breathe through your nose… now, exhale through your mouth—stop. Hold your breath right there. Now aim careful… and reach out and touch that son of a bitch."

Rock squeezed.

Bkam-klink!

An empty Budweiser snapped off its stand and was sent flying to the concrete platform on which they stood, plinking several paces away like a skipping stone. Rock couldn't believe it.

"I got it!" Rock cheered, smiling gratefully at his success.

"Easy there, Sundance." Revy corrected, maintaining her hold on him. "Don't shoot in your pants just yet. You still got four to go, remember? Now, do it again and this time, do it without my help."

Rock's smile doled a little feeling Revy release herself from his frame, then returned his front sight to the lineup steadfast, determined to impress her, eventually.

He took his time, following Revy's instructions to the letter. Slowly, he found his sight picture again, readied for another shot, and then…

Blam!

Startled by the blistering ring in his ears, Rock spun around.

"Fuck! Revy!—What the—!"

Blam!

She was firing her cutlass into the air right next to his head!

Blam!

"Stop that! What are you doing?!" He shouted, taking hold of her wrist as he stepped into her.

She stopped, looking back up at him with that blank, emotionless stare he hated so much, and let her go.

"How am I supposed to get better at his with you firing into my ear like that?!" He shouted, angered by her strange behavior.

"You just don't get it, do ya? You just don't get it, do ya, Rock!? In a real gunfight, you don't get time to practice your aim! You don't get time to think, or breathe, or react! In a real gunfight, you're forced to rely on your wits 'cause in the end that's all you've really got! You have to be the one who acts first, Rock! Don't you understand?! This is isn't a training exercise, our lives are riding on this, and if you loose, your worm food! Now turn your ass back around and shoot those fuckin' cans!" She stipulated as she forcefully shoved him back, then continued her assault on his eardrums.

Blam!

"But—!"

Blam!

"How am I supposed to—!"

Blam!

It was no use. Revy was done talking, continuing to fire her cutlass recklessly into the sky above them. Rock gave up his protesting; growling infuriated as he turned back around to require his sight picture in spite of the circumstances.

Blam!

He tried to calm himself. Breathe deep. He thought.

Blam!

Goddammit! How could he be expected to hit anything like this? It was unreasonable for her to ask this of him!

Blam!

"Do it, Rock!" Revy ordered, yelling into the cadence, disrupting Rock's focus more.

Blam!

"Don't even think about pussyin' out on me!"

Blam!

"Come on! Do it!

Blam!

"Do it!

"I… I can't!" Rock yelled back, trying to keep his hand from shaking.

Blam!

"Yes, you can, Rock!" She continued, stepping her shots closer into Rock's headspace.

Blam!

"Do it!"

Bla-klick!

Her cutlass emptied with a resounding snap of the slide-lock and Rock gave up, wildly pulling his trigger without even aiming.

Bkam! Bkam! Bkam! Bkam! Klick!

Nothing.

Each of them stood there in silence. Rock panting in frustration, his gaze lowered into the concrete platform beneath them. Revy staring icy daggers into the back of his head.

"Reload." She ordered, cold as ice.

Rock quickened his breath a little, wanting to scream something at her, but he bit his tongue instead, opening the cylinder of his Colt Python for the third time to pop the brass. When he finally finished reloading, so had Revy, who without any explanation at all walked up alongside him and stabbed the blistering hot barrel of her cutlass hard into his temple.

Rock froze, "Ah! Hey… What—what are you—"

"Shut. Up." Revy said, imposing herself with a chilling stillness Rock had never heard before. "Now you listen and you listen good, Rock. I am not going to waste one more bullet trying to toughen up your pansy-ass any longer. You fuckin' get me? Not. One. More. No more games, Rock. You're gonna prove yourself to me, right here and now! Prove to me you're actually worth a damn. You're gonna prove it to me, or you're gonna die… It's as simple as that."

She wasn't bluffing, Rock could tell, and not even he was capable of talking himself out of this jam.

A sheet of silence draped over them in the form of a cooling sea breeze, gently blowing wisps of hair across their faces, and when Revy spoke again, Rock didn't hear another malicious threat, but something entirely different now; a tender, vulnerable, honest declaration of her feelings toward him, doing everything she could to hold back tears, trying to keep her hands from shaking. Her voice, so soft, he strained to hear her over the wringing in his ears, and the racing in his heart.

"Rock… you won, okay?… You got me. Dead to rights… but… I am not gonna fall any farther for a guy… for some limp-dick son of a bitch, who isn't even going to try and protect himself when the chips are down… knowing what he means to me… You hear me, Rock! I've got too much fucking blood on my hands to be responsible for your's too!"

"Revy…" His eyes saddening as he said her name.

It was difficult for Rock to comprehend the logic of her ultimatum. As if she were saying, If I can't have you, no one can. He supposed it made sense, in a Revy sort-of-way. In her insane world, it was the sanest choice.

"I'm not gonna be the one who buries you, Rock. I'm not. You—you can't ask me to do it. I won't do it... I can't." Whimpering on her final note as a single perfect tear streamed down her soft, beautiful cheek.

"Now…" Finding her self again, she thumbed back the ring hammer. "Shoot the cans, Rock."

This was it. Rock's nerves began firing. The hands on his wristwatch slowed. The air in his lungs getting hotter. The rain of an offshore raincloud falling straighter. Sounds began to amplify, and Rock's entire life flashed before his eyes. He realized it then, right then. That everything he had ever experienced, everything he had ever heard, or seen, or felt; all of it, had all been moving him towards this; this one moment. It all happened for a reason, and it couldn't have happened any other way. He chose this, he knew that now, but ever more so, he understood why he made the choice. Because of her. He remembered now! He chose her! And now it all hinged on this final gamble. Going six for six!

And then, for no reason at all, a random memory of Rock's high-school poetry teacher, reciting the words of T.S. Elliot popped into his head.

"This is the way the world ends. This is the way the world ends. This is the way the world ends. Not with a bang, but a whimper."

Bkam-klink!

Bkam-klink!

Bkam-klink!

Bkam-klink!

Bkam-klink!

Bkam-klink!

When the smoke finally cleared, Rock was left panting once more, his eye still needled down the sight of his new Colt Python, and Revy lowered her cutlass from his head to walk downrange ahead of him, dumbfounded.

"H-holy shit, Rock!… You—You got 'em." She guffawed. "You fuckin' got all of 'em!" Turning back around to see the bitter expression on his face.

Rock was too angry to respond, doing everything he could to quell the piping hot blood pumping through his veins. Revy didn't care. She rushed to him regardless, leaping up into his arms, wrapping her legs around his torso, her arms around his neck, pulling his face deep into her bust as she howled into the sky like a wolf to the moon. The force at which she hit 'em surprised Rock so much, it was everything he could do not to fall back on his ass with her on top of him, struggling to regain his balance like one of those wacky inflatable tube men one sees at an American car wash.

"Woo-hoo!" She howled, flipping Rock's dead beer cans the bird. "Yeeaahh! You got fucked!"

Under normal circumstances, Rock would relish this kind of attention from her. Her arms and legs wrapped around him in happiness. But on this particular occasion, trying to manage her almost non-existent hundred-and-sixteen pound weight banded around his frame caused sharp, stabbing torment to radiate from his injured torso.

"Revy!" He grunted in pain. "My rib!"

"Oh." Revy stopped, releasing Rock's face of her breasts to pull away and blink at the man who'd sent her heart into orbit for the second time that day. "Sorry." She apologized, still giddy with bounce as she slid back to the ground.

Rock sucked in on a rushed and panicky breath as he held himself up by his knees, trying to keep from passing out.

"What… the fuck… was that?" He managed between raspy pants.

Sensing his impending anger, "Ah! Come on, Rock! You wouldn't have hit anything without a little motivation." She said, patting him on the back as if nothing had happened.

Rock saw red.

"What, so… you—you were just… taking me for a ride!?" He exclaimed in disbelief, tilting his neck upward to look at her.

"Well, Jesus! I'm sorry! I was only trying to help. You sure as shit weren't hittin' anything on your own. You should be thanking me, you fucker!" Placing her hands on her hips in defense of her actions.

"Thank you?" Willing his heart to settle and his backbone to stiffen up, Rock clutched at his left side in hardship as he stalked towards her, gritting his teeth in anger. "I'm closer to strangling you!"

Revy could tell she'd rattled his cage a bit, and sure, she felt a little bad about what she'd done, but unfortunately, she was too distracted by the dark, sexy scowl on Rock's face to care anythings for his feelings at the present moment. Feeling herself getting a twisted little kink at being on the receiving end of the threats for a change. She tried to keep her head, but the nearness of him again. Dear God. His hot pants billowing over her mouth. The husky inflection she heard in his gruff voice. His sweaty, musky, masculine scent dulling her senses, and the fierceness with which she wanted to fuck again because of it all almost as frightening as his threat of strangulation. Still, she couldn't help but giggle at his frustration.

"Ya know? You're pretty cute when you're angry." Teasing him with a flirty wink.

Rock was confounded, shaking his head a little seeing after seeing the look of obvious titillation on her face. That sly smile, those piercing amber eyes, that damnable pouting mouth that just begged to be kissed. He was unable to find the words to express his contempt for her in that moment, all the more infuriated with the return of that same traitorous swelling in his loins.

"Oh, forget it." He gave up, knowing his efforts to intimidate her were so utterly useless and in vain it wasn't even funny. He stepped back, turning to extend a palm against the nearest shipping container to lean on for support, soothing his aching rib, allowing him adequate time to loose his hard-on.

"Okay! Class dismissed!" Revy announced vexingly, then rubbed her palms together in excitement. "Now, go set up some more targets, Rock! I want to sight in my boys and get in a little practice of my own before we leave."

Rock peaked out over his bicep at her as she turned to cut a pixie-like gait back to the Goat. Rock wanted to stay angry with her forever, but that was made all but impossible for him when he noticed a single, subtle, indescribably cute skip-to-my-loo in her step. Obviously still beaming with glee over his freak-accident sharp shooting. The only thing she seemed to be forgetting was that now, Rock's success as a gunslinger depended entirely on him having a loaded gun pointed at his head!

She arrived at her improvised loading table and unholstered her Beretta's before performing a full field strip and reassembly of each atop the bare metal hood, all the while softly humming some bluesy, rock ballad, that seemed vaguely familiar to him.

After straightening back up, and re-holstering his Python, Rock took in a calming breath of salty sea air before chuckling painfully to himself. Wondering the more at the blessing or curse or whatever God knows what that had allowed him to cheat death this long.

Looking back over at Revy, watching her bob her slim hips to the beat in her head. How free she seemed now to express herself here with him. It dawned on Rock finally that he had never once been to this part of Roanapur with her before, never even so much as heard it mentioned. A surprise she called it. He realized that this place, this abandoned platform was special to Revy. It was a place where she could be alone to think, to scream, or shoot. To be whatever or whomever she wanted to be. Or, just a place where she could be herself and stand at the precipice of her soul, and see nothing out ahead of her but open ocean and possibilities.

Rock approached Revy calmly now, stopping a few steps behind so as not to spook her in the middle of her loading rituals.

"Hey, Revy?" He asked softly.

"Hmm?" Her back still turned to him.

"Do you do this a lot?"

"What? Come here to shoot skeet? Yeah! All the time." She laughed, slapping a fresh clip into the mag well.

"No. I mean, have you ever brought anyone else here before?"

Revy faltered a little upon hearing the question.

"Oh… No." Her voice softening now considerably, "Nobody else ever mattered enough."

At that moment, Rock threw caution to the wind, moving towards her now.

"Hey, those can's ain't gonna set themselves up, ya know?" Revy bossed, turning to see what the hold up was.

She was immediately taken off guard by the closeness of Rock's invasion, not giving her any time to react to him. He gently touched his fingertips to her elbows, stepping forward to let Revy feel him against her again, and then his strong hands moved around her back, pulling her into him, enveloping her in an embrace so devastatingly giving and tender it was almost painful for her; Revy, trembling inside the power of him.

"Thank you." He whispered, his eyes closed.

Revy opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came, dolefully eyeing his face from the corner of her eye. The swelling in her chest had returned, feeling like she might cry again. Her parted lips pressed into the crook of Rock's shoulder, breathing in the sweat of his collarbone, drowning in his musk. And then her eyes fell shut as well, utterly overwhelmed, feeling her hands move around his waist to receive him like they had a mind of their own. Whatever this was, it wasn't about sex. Not this time. This was something way more intense. Revy couldn't describe it.

Rock pulled back to look down at her, and Revy nervously cleared her throat, beset by the intimacy of his powerful gaze once more.

"Um… Okay?" She cooed, choking on emotion.

"I wanna give you something." He said.

Rock released her to move around the side of the car, giving Revy time to shove a treacherous tear back into her eye with a leather palm.

He reached down through the open window to retrieve a medium size parcel from the floor of the back seat. Rock returned carrying the dark stained wooden case under his arm, the very same Revy assumed earlier as the nothing more than the empty carrying case for his new Colt.

"What's that?" She asked, turning sideways to face him as he rounded the front of the car.

He stopped next to her and placed the case on the hood.

"Open it." He said, taking a step back.

Revy eyed the thing like a curious deer, giving Rock an intrigued double take before stepping forward in front of it. She thumbed the silver retention clasps open, and when she lifted the top back, lost her ability to breathe.

"Please, don't be angry with me." He asked with a smile.

Revy couldn't be angry even if she wanted to. She was without words, overwhelmed but the unmistakeable profile of two, brand new, custom Beretta's laying shoebox style; dreaming sweet dreams atop a bed of rich purple velvet, but these were no ordinary Beretta's, however.

"93R's?" She heard the words escape her lips, or at least she thought she did.

Rock moved in close to stand next to her now. "R for rapier." He said.

Rock looked at him wistfully when he said it, then returned her gaze to them, utterly mesmerized by the beauty and craftsmanship she was laying witness too.

"How did—?"

"I didn't." Rock cut her off, knowing where she was headed. "After our fight at Chalquam market the other day; I just felt so bad for… what I did. I pooled what was left of my savings and commissioned Praiyachat to make these for you as my apology. I don't know anything about guns. So I asked him to just give you everything you had ever asked for, but could never afford."

Revy didn't know what to say, what to do, what to think; spanning her fingers delicately across their dazzling surfaces. A brand new cross draw rig there was also, rolled up and tucked neatly into the velvet sleeve inside the top portion of the case. Hand made in Italy. The leather was thick, yet supple to the touch. Dyed in non-acrylic undertaker black, and thus dwarfing the quality of her old cracking and faded cutlass leather.

The rapiers (as Rock had so eloquently labeled them) were nothing like the brutish, hacking simplicity of her old, war-torn cutlasses (which lately seemed to be falling apart at every turn). No. These were works of fucking art. Nearly every part of these highly sought after machine pistols had been expertly crafted and customized from scratch. They were weapons of finesse and skill and accuracy. Revy almost felt bad when she lifted one from its plush nook for a closer inspection.

Instead of a stainless steal finish like she was used to, these possessed the highest quality of electroless industrial chrome plating. Their surfaces pinged like glass at the flick of her nail, and yet, amazingly produced little to no glare from the sun. Clearly some kind of thermoset polymer top coating had been added to guard against reflective luminosity, thereby increasing their hardness, and helping to reduce friction. It was space-age technology in an old west package. Their elegant, ghost gray grips having been carved from the rarest mother of Tahitian black pearl, and instead of an engraved jolly roger at their center like on her cutlasses, instead was the same design in the form of a twenty-four karat gold emblem permanently fixed in the same spot. And that was just for starters.

The rapiers had custom stainless steel magazines with twenty-one round capacities (one more than was commonly heard of for this model). The mag wells were beveled wide to speed up reloading, while the feeding ramps had been polished to a mirror sheen to all but eliminate on jamming. The slides had been replaced with reinforced versions to mesh perfectly with the frames, and the frames themselves had been iron-welded, and scraped down multiple times for maximum precision. The front strap of each grip was checkered to dig into the user's hand and help to prevent slipping, while the base of the trigger guard had been filed down to accommodate a higher grip and provide overall better control during rapid fire. The original iron sights had been also replaced. They were a three-dot type now, with an enlarged front sight for superior target acquisition. On top of all that, each white dot had an irradiated tritium diode at it's core, thus enabling them to glow in the dark for nighttime combat! The original ring hammers had been enlarged to enhance cocking control and increase hammer-down speed. An extended safety lever and slide release were also added for more precise handling, and the mag release button was also cut down, making it harder to hit by accident in the middle of a firefight.

The two most unique features on these versions, Revy noticed, were that not only had the controls and ejection port been reversed on one of them to accommodate a left handed user (a feature she had always desired in her twin right handed cutlasses), the selective firing control on both had been amended to allow for a very rare third option. Normally, the Beretta 93R could only alternate between two different firing modes: semi-auto and three shot burst, but these had both been modified to allow for firing at full automatic! Revy almost started to drool at the thought of their eleven-hundred round-per-minute firing rate pumping round after round in her hands.

"Well… what do you think?" Rock queried after a long pause, now on pins and needles for her response.

Revy didn't say anything, her bangs concealing her eyes as she was so often known to do when she was upset by something, making Rock very nervous.

If only he knew it was because she had finally realized the truth. That this was the reason why he had no money to pay for his Python today. Feeling more and more moved as the whole picture was now finally fleshed out for her in three-dimensional color, her shoulders beginning to shudder as she fought back tears.

Seeing her struggle, Rock begged her forgiveness.

"Ah jeez, Revy—I'm sorry. Please, please don't cry. God, I'm such an idiot! I should've asked you first, I know… And, if you really don't like them, of course I understand—"

"I love them." She whispered, cutting him off.

Rock stopped with the pity party to look at her, "You… you do?" He asked.

"I love them." She said it again.

Revy then turned her gaze back on him, showcasing the most positively radiant, wistful, starry-eyed smile, the likes of which Rock had never seen before.

Damn, she was beautiful. He thought, at a loss for words.

And then the wind rose sharp and sudden, each stirring as they felt a sudden two or three degree drop in the temperature. Electricity permeated the air against their skin, signaling the approach of a fugitive summer-rain, ready to fall on them at any moment.

Now Revy, in a race against time, shouted suddenly, "Quick!" Shoving Rock sideways. "Put up some targets before it starts!"

She could hardly contain herself, excited as a kid a Christmas as she slid out of her old gun leather to don her new one, and Rock smiled in excitement for her, turning to rush down the firing line and set up more cans as quick as he possibly could.

He ended on fourteen when he heard Revy rack the slides of her rapiers back. Her first rounds loaded and ready to go.

"That's good! Now get out of the way!" Revy called out.

"Hold on! Just a few more!"

"Rock!" Shouting angrily now.

Rock turned around, then felt his heart stop when her saw her. Rapiers in hand, cocked, aimed, and at the ready, with Rock on the stupid end of things. That beautiful, vulnerable smile he'd seen earlier was now gone. Replaced by the stuff of nightmares: that unmistakable, bloodthirsty sneer of Revy's Whitman Fever!

Rock leapt forward towards the platform on a moments instinct for survival, and just as his head left the line of her crosshairs, Revy unloaded her new rapiers with three-shot-bursts in rapid succession.

Brrrkam! Brrrkam!

Brrrkam! Brrrkam!

Brrrkam! Brrrkam!

Brrrkam! Brrrkam!

Brrrkam! Brrrkam!

Brrrkam! Brrrkam!

Brrrkam! Brrrkam!

The scream of each trigger pull bisected a beer can with the skin-crawling whine of a buzz-saw. Deadly accurate, and blazing fast. Revy emptied half her clips before Rock had even hit the ground to cover his head, and when the crying echo of the gunshots finally rippled out into distant quietus, Rock finally tilted his nose up from the concrete platform to look at her.

She had a look on her face like she'd just gotten laid (Rock would know). Panting behind a satisfied, open-mouthed grin, before finally catching her breath. She then parted her lips to blow cool air into the blistering hot muzzles of her new boys, which sounded comically similar to that of an open beer bottle.

Rock stood up to look behind him and assess the damage. Not a single can was left standing. What remained were the glittering scraps of inside-out aluminum littering the pier on the outset, like they'd just been run through the fuckin' shredder. Rock cringed knowing that could have been him, and finally blew his top.

"Revy! What the hell were you thinking?!" He roared, turning to scold her.

Revy, once again, had re-donned her usual, bored, close-mouthed, expression holstering her new rapiers one-at-a-time as Rock continued to hoarsely shout at her.

"You lunatic! You could've of killed me! Fuck!"

After securing her new boys with a snap of each black strap, Revy began nonchalantly starting towards him, undaunted by his raving gestures and furious rants. He was madder than a hornet, madder than she had ever seen him before in her life. His sexy mocha eyes, now a fiery shade of sorrel.

"Goddammit!" He continued, watching her close the distance between them. "Why the hell do I put up with you, Revy?! Huh! I swear to God, this is the last straw! I mean, for fuck's sake! You couldn't you have waited five more—!"

At breakneck-speed Revy gripped Rock's shoulder with her left hand, copped his neck with her right, and with all her strength, nearly yanked his head clean off his shoulders, pulling his mouth so hard into hers, it hurt. She then ignited in his arms with an instantaneous and explosive effect of sensations, darting her tongue into Rock's mouth so fast and furious, he fought to breathe.

Now having adequately silenced Rock's bitching, Revy wrapped both arms around his neck and he quickly gave up fight to receive her. Slipping a strong arm around her waist, cradling her tight ass with the other as he pulled her tighter against him. She was soft, and warm, and almost weightless. They pushed and pulled and rotated at random inside the cooling tropical sunshower that had just arrived. Rock cherished the feel of her against him again; the silken skin of her lower back as he covertly untied her side-knot in an attempt to feel more, moving his hand under her now loose-fitting Sabbath-tank.

In a flash, Revy broke the kiss with a swift jerk to Rock's mohawk, and murmured, "Uh-uh."

Then grabbing him by the seams of his shirt, she offset his weight with a light shove, and then slingshotted him backwards towards the Goat!

Rock stumbled off his feet as a result of the whiplash, tripping on the bumper, then smashing down onto the hood with a metallic clap to his spine. The sharp painful stab of his cracked rib rebounding throughout his body, barking at the intensity of the pain as he racked his elbows beneath him to take his weight off. Revy didn't give him any opportunity to recuperate, however, launching herself between his legs and clobbering his head back down onto the hood with her now wild and ravenous mouth.

She roughly held his head in place, his jaw in one hand, a tuff of his hair in the other, then swiped the wooden box and her cutlass leather off the Goat's hood to give them more room. Rock eased back in submission, knowing he'd only hurt himself more if he struggled. Like a glutton for punishment, he pulled her against him again, running his hands downward along the small of her back, resting his large palms on her tight, round ass to grope her a little.

Revy responded to his delicate treatment of her by kicking his mitts away with her thighs as she pulled herself on top of him. Straddling his waist, she reached down to undo the lone button of his silk Hawaiian and flung the thing open on a swift and wild rush that made Rock gasp rugged and fractured, then drone painfully into her mouth as she dragged her fingernails along his exposed torso like a cat. Rock motioned to lean upwards and touch her again and Revy laughed at his pitiful efforts before manacling his wrists hard into the hood either side his head, grinding her sex painfully into his denim cock as she feasted on his lips. All fire and fury and pure animal lust.

Dear sweet Lord and baby Jesus! He couldn't tell if Revy was trying to make love or commit murder. Maybe both! His pleasure and pain mixing in equal measure as she assaulted him over and over with her mouth and her claws. He needed to find a way to get the upper hand on this woman soon, otherwise she might actually just succeed in her mission to fuck him to death!

"Ow!" He cried out.

Revy had nearly taken a chunk out of his bottom lip, reopening his cut as evidenced by the coppery taste in his mouth. Now, Rock was pissed.

"Oh! I'm sorry, baby. Did that hurt?" She sneered, savoring the look of anger and agony on his face.

Revy chuckled sadistically into her throat, lapping his blood from her lips like a vampire, smiling like the devil, humming with seduction as she stared ferocious into Rock's eyes.

Now was his chance.

"Not really…" He answered, wincing through an arrogant smirk of his own. "But this might!"

Grabbing Revy by her silken locks, Rock wrapped it once around his palm, and then sharply pulled back on her hair, making her cry out at both the pain and excitement of his retaliation. He then surprised her even more when she felt the punishing thwack of a firm, open-palm, slap on her ass, making her hiss and snarl and gyrate like the sexy, wild love tigress she was.

"Oh-ho, baby!" She guffawed, then hummed a moan as she bit her lip, feeling Rock give her some slack to look down at him and whisper, "I wanna fuck you."

Closing her eyes again, she opened her mouth to him, delicately slipping her tongue back into his mouth.

Rock had her by the reigns now, taking advantage of the moment to flip over on top of her, and pin Revy to the hood. Her feminine legs wrapping unconsciously around his waist as he dominated her with his weight.

Rock showed her a few tricks of his own now, noshing, and gnawing, and suckling at her neck and jawline, making her moan loud and primal, feeling herself smiling more at the pain as he pulled harder on her hair, keeping her exposed, keeping her vulnerable, loosing all control. The gloves had finally come off and Rock lifted her hips with his other hand to pump hard into her crotch, making Revy gasp and bleat at the sudden and thrilling sharpness of his arousal.

The sunshower began to pick up, falling faster and harder now, their clothes and hair now completely soaked, but Rock wasn't going to let anything douse this fire now... anything.

He released Revy's hair to push up off the hood and back onto his feet, taking her with him. Her legs still banded around his waist. Her sweet, sexy ass filling up his palms as she knotted her hands behind his neck to kiss him again. Long and deep. Over and over. Once again, molesting his senses with her tongue as he walked her around the hood of the Goat to the passenger side door. Reaching out, he thumbed the stainless button handle with a subsequent pop, then flung the door open in desperation as Revy persuasively sucked and nibbled on his earlobe.

He sheltered the top of her head as he lowered her in out of the hard rain and into the canopy, intending to use the leather bucket seats as their bed. Revy was beside herself with joy, giggling and smiling and laughing as he fell on her, running her fingers along the hard, ropey muscles of his moist back as he molded his body against hers again. Revy closed her eyes as he took her mouth for another long, eating kiss. Deep and powerful. Violent, yet tender. Her moist nipples now hard as little rocks, broadcasting their presence through her vintage band-T. Revy arched her back against him so Rock could feel them against his chest, letting him know he'd been spotted by her secret searchlights.

And then Rock pulled his head away from her lips suddenly to look down at her. He moved a hand up and palmed her wet bangs out of her eyes, penetrating her soul once again with his gaze. She loved the way he looked at her when he was like this. So masculine, yet so vulnerable. Begging her with all his heart to promise him that it wasn't all just a dream, all without even opening his mouth. Revy would say nothing in return, and yet she did promise him, smiling romantic and wanton to reassure his doubting heart. Her beautiful face made all the more gorgeous by the droplets of summer rain still clinging to her skin like tiny beads of glass. And her eyes… those beautiful amber eyes, now seeming the most lustrous shade of pink gold… like two gilded roses.

This woman. This woman was reality, Rock thought. As real as it got, and the two shared a crooning smile at the realization of their paradise finally found, having been in front of them all along. Then Rock dipped his head back down, taking Revy under in a kiss that erupted with a passion and a fire and a need so sharp and huge it stunned her. She was afraid for them both now. Afraid that if they didn't hurry up and get on with it already, that this unfathomable fire they'd cultivated together might just burn them both alive!

Revy wasn't going to waste any more time. She pushed Rock off of her to sit up and immediately start getting out of her new, gun leather, biting her glove and Rock's bandana from her palms as she went. Rock watched her, abashed at first, then quickly deciphered her urgency, following her lead. He was slow on the draw, though, as he struggled to manage himself out of his overtightened rig just as Revy finished whipping her favorite Black Sabbath crop-top up over her head. Rock decelerated at the sight of them, eyeing her two perfect breasts with immoral intentions. He wanted to taste the sweet, caramel colored skin of those bounteous globes once more. Wanted take each berry-pink nipple deep into his mouth, and suck them 'till they were cherry-red. Rock thought all these things and more as he slowly wicked his sopping wet Hawaiian back off his rippling shoulders.

Revy's heart fluttered at the sight of him undressing for her, biting her lip as she watched her belated gift to him slide carelessly from his bulging biceps, and defined forearms. Rock, such a testament now to all that was rugged and male and dangerous. His pacific-bronze skin, his newly muscled physique, his bleeding bandages, and that idiotic bulge in his jeans.

Revy unsnapped his belt buckle and yanked the leather strap free of his Levi's and Rock gasped a little himself when she ran her tongue upwards along the river of sweat between his abdominals. His panting increased, his groans growing louder as she trailed wet, open mouthed kisses back down his pulsing abdomen. Felt her small, kneading hands work open his Levi's to expose a dark thicket of manly hair. All nestled above the hilt of one truly, glorious and awe-inspiring manhood, still half-sheathed in denim. He touched the sides of Revy's face as she continued her teasing, little kisses, drifting lower and lower to the base of his cock, and then tilted her chin upwards to look at him. Her face joyous, and beautiful, and loving, then returned her lips to kiss his maleness.

Rock felt himself turn into something of a zombie, or a caveman, or a great white. Something primordial, and ravenous; void of conscience, void of compunction, or principles. Loosing himself to that single, primal, and all-consuming function of nature: the innate, and atavistic desire for flesh. Pulling her head back rougher than before, Rock forced her to look up at him again, staring down voraciously at those sinfully luscious, and pouting lips of hers. He felt himself lurching forward on top of her, Revy grabbing the silver bullet dangling from his neck as she pulled his mouth back to hers.

She allowed him a few brief jounces of hawkish tongue-play before he betrayed her lips suddenly to slink down and take a nipple into his mouth. Revy ached at the attention of his flat, leathery tongue on her tits. Felt goosebumps form where his thick three day stubble rasped against her sensitive skin.

Fuck the foreplay, Revy thought. She wanted him now; forcing him back off her again to finish getting undressed.

Rock, now at wits end, gnarled in frustration as he fought to get back to her and Revy parried his second barrage with quick boots to his chest, bracing her hands into the door above her head as she fought to keep him at bay. Goddamn! He was incorrigible when he was horny. She damn near had to kick him back out of the car in order for him to get the hint.

Rock finally wised up to her non-verbal request and started working her out of her combat boots, tossing the first into the leg well at his side as Revy unlatched her firehose belt, raising her hips up to free herself of her denim shorts as fast as she could. He tossed her last boot away with time enough to reestablish his dominance and yank those damnable, perpetually splayed daisy dukes from her long legs with prejudice.

And then, Rock's mouth went dry at the sight of her, likening Revy to the first swallow of wine after crossing the Sahara desert. Wet and dewy-eyed and wanting, sitting up on her shoulders to look back at him. All those golden, sun-drenched limbs of hers. The endowments of a valkyrie goddess. The perfect woman. And the lavender-lace thong; soaked, sticky, and white hot where it so wrongfully concealed her. Her roaring womanhood, waiting to be unleashed. Rock intended to finish what they'd started that morning. The inviting do-me look in Revy's eyes guaranteeing him his shot at mindless, numbing oblivion, and hers.

One hand on the dash, the other on the backrest, and Rock readied himself to strike, then launched himself at Revy like a stag in rut.

Pow!

"Ow!" Rock groaned in pain, palming his now aching jawbone where she had just sucker-punched him.

He turned an expression equally colored in pain, confusion, and outrage, and when he looked back at her, Revy had already impishly retired herself into the back seat away from him, panting and trembling; eagerly awaiting his retribution against her.

Rock reached over to the keyed ignition as if possessed, and turned on the battery to the GTO. The orange hue of the radio powering to life with the classic hard rock tunes of MC5 appropriately setting the mood for the second time that day.

"What's that for?" She asked with an ambitious grin.

"So no one can hear you scream." He replied, smirking dark, sinister, and sexy.

Revy licked her lips in approval.

"Well then… come and get me, big boy. After all, no one lives forever, baby!"

And Rock rocketed into the back seat after her, claiming her mouth as his own!

Oh now, yeah!

Yeah! Heeeey, hey, yeah, yeah, yeah

I see you lyin' here

You're so close, you're so near

The sensation was explosive and indescribable. Burning lips and teeth and tongue; frenzied limbs and perilous need. Salty. Slippery. Hotter than the sun, wetter than the sea. More real and right than anything either had ever felt up until this point. When Revy finally managed to wrestle him back into their leather love seat, Rock pulled her incredible body over to straddle him. Feeling himself getting drunk on her intoxicating scent as they continued kissing each other. Some amazing mix of floral lilac, and sun, and sea, and gunpowder, and something… hell, he didn't know. Intrinsically female. Undeniably sexual.

Causing sensations rollin' through me

Comes on strong, feels just like a spell

Sensations rollin', turnin' from me to you

Causing this aura of heat to swirl

Rock lifted his hips against hers and fed his open jeans down the length of his thighs while Revy explored his muscles like a speed-reading blind man to braille. And then, her small hands finally found him, rock hard and huge. Rock letting out dying moan into her mouth as she stroked him. Once. Twice. Three times.

"You like that, baby?" She teased, torturing Rock over the music, her other hand behind his neck. "Let yourself go for me this time, okay?" Whispering her plea into his ear.

She wanted an answer, and Rock resounded with the only word he could think of.

"O-okay."

He surrendered to her entirely, feeling Revy's tongue dart back into his mouth as he gave up control.

Your lips, your undulating hips

Squeeze me, oh so tight

Fulfill me through the night

He skimmed his hands frantically up and down her body, wild for the feel of her. Crazy for her cute curves. Fondling her breasts. He wanted all of her, all at once. And he wanted her yesterday, banding an arm around her waist and pulling her tightly against him. Then with his other hand, grabbed the band of her intimates and watched her eyes flare with fire and gasp in excitement as he effortlessly ripped the delicate little thong from her feminine hips. His urgency fueled hers. Revy, reaching behind her to find him. Dear God! He was too hard for finesse. Too huge to stop this now; not at this stage of the game. Not as she positioned herself over the tip of his cock and welcomed him home. Rock, driving inside of her with one fierce, possessive thrust!

Causing sensations rollin' through me

Comes on strong, feels just like a spell

Sensations rollin', turnin' from me to you

Causing this aura of heat to swirl

"Oh, f-fuck!" Revy exclaimed.

Sucking in her breath on a terrible, and wonderful gasp of pleasure, Revy clenched around him, only too happy to have him inside her again, while Rock damn near sank into the bottom of the seat. Mindless with pleasure. Operating solely on instinct now, he gripped her perfect ass, and began to move her up and down the length of him with ease. When she ebbed, he flowed. When she went right, he'd go left, and as Revy began to ride him on her own, Rock lifted a hand to press between her shoulder blades, pushing her breasts closer against him, experiencing her diamond-tight nipples cutting against his chest and face, driving him crazy! Pulling her all the way down to his hilt, making Revy yelp at the sudden increase in pressure, already having forgotten how big he was. And then he found a nipple, and sucked, and Revy felt her inner muscles relax around him as he caressed her with his tongue. Pushing off her knees a little, Rock began to pump into her now hard and fast. Feeling her fold her body around him as she gave him her other breast. Her breath coming in ever increasing shrieks and moans.

Yeah

(Comes on strong)

Yeah baby, baby, baby, baby, baby

(Comes on strong)

Don't you know my blood is raging?

(Comes on strong)

Darling, darling, darling, darling

(Comes on strong)

I'm tired of all my failings

Bring me close and burn, burn, burn

Jesus! Sweet Lord Jesus! If Rock died right now, he'd die deliriously happy. And judging by the look on Revy's face, so would she. Her eyes closed. Her fingers knotted around his neck. Her head thrown back as he repositioned her for a different angle. Wet hair trailing loosely behind her as it slapped against their bodies to a rocking rhythm made all the more intense by the blaring tunes, the pounding rain, and the powerful surf crashing into the platform around them.

Heat gives way to sweat

My body's soaking wet

We slide and slip

From hip to lip

Revy cried out again. At least he thought she did. Rock was so far gone, so far beyond anything he could ever explain, he wasn't sure of anything but sensation. The pleasure which had consumed him. Feeding a craving Revy had created and only she could satisfy. The sounds she made. It drove him wild. Kitteny sighs. Breathless, uncontrollable gasps. Quivering little screams as he hammered himself into the tightest, slickest, most mind-bending heat he could ever imagine. Revy bracing her arms above her head as Rock attempted at fucking her through the roof. And then he dipped her backwards suddenly, catching one of her erotic little screams into his mouth. Felt it settle on a low, humming note of pleasure, letting him wonder and greed as he sucked on her tongue, and then he fucked her some more.

Causing sensations rollin' through me

Comes on strong, feels just like a spell

Sensations rollin', turnin' from me to you

Causing this aura of heat to swirl

Forever inside her wouldn't have been long enough, but that wasn't going to happen! Rock had maybe another minute at best. The first inklings of a powerful, orgasm building low in his groin. Shit! Revy still wasn't there yet, and so Rock quickened his pace in desperation, determined to ravish her to the end, slapping himself into her harder and faster as she whimpered him on, begging to be destroyed, same as he had done earlier that morning.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

Oh baby, baby!

"Revy! I—I'm—!" He struggled for words.

"Me too! Keep going!" She cried out, affirming his release and hers.

And with that, Rock gave up, loosing all hope, and he shot into Revy like a cannon. All blinding speed, and noise, and fury, with an explosive fire that seared Revy's very soul. Rock, groaning her name along the way, pressing as deeply as he could muster, aware of only her hands in his hair, her panting breath on his face, and her melting heat that seemed to pour all around him when she came shortly thereafter. Trembling-like at first, followed by a few quaking spasms, before finally erupting in full-blown convulsions throughout her body. Milking him of everything he had, leaving him nothing in return, lasting several minutes before finally collapsed against him on a long, keening sigh of blissful fulfillment.

You'll always make me hot

Come on and gimme all you've got

Yeah, yeah, yeah I, yeah, yeah

I, I, I, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

When Rock came back to himself, it was in a blurry haze. He breathed in slowly. Drank in Revy's wet hair as he cradled her head with his shoulder. Breathed in the sweet scents of summer, and sea, and sex as the sunset closed in around them. Revy had utterly wilted against him. Exhausted, and pliable, and ruined while Rock continued to hold her close, felt her raspy, intermittent swallows for air heave against his chest. Feeling too damn proud that he was the man who'd made her that way. Awe. Pride. Amazement. He felt it all. Along with the slowing of his heartbeat and the drain of the adrenaline that had kept him conscious this long.

Still tucked inside of her. He lifted her head up to meet his gaze. Found her ruined and semi-dozing with her hair falling every which way over her eyes. He reached up, and brushed away a fall of plum silk from the awesome mess he'd made of her amazing hair. That wild tangle of hair that he itched to sink his hands into again. Slowly she opened her eyes, reacting to his sexy scowl with a sweet, and sleepy smile. He admired his handiwork. Her sexy, swollen lips. Those sated, rose-gold eyes. Her breasts, pink and pouty where he'd sucked them, and the curls between her thighs, wet from his come, and hers.

They waited there for what seemed like forever, and they could have too if that was how the world really worked, but when the rain finally stopped, Revy was first to break their intimate silence as usual with one of her jarring little proposals.

"You know I'm just gonna fuck you up, right?" She warned, still smiling as she held either side of his neck.

A warning? A dare? An existential truism? Rock wasn't sure, but did it change they way felt he about her?… Not a damn bit.

"Here's hoping." He replied, confidently holding her gaze.

Revy was visibly surprised at the convincing tone in his voice, and then smiled grateful for him.

"God, you make the best mistakes." Moaning with satisfaction of his answer as she moved toward his lips again.

Rock craned his neck for her and stole the last kiss before Revy melted off of him into the seat to his right. The two then spent a few trifling, minutes of giggling bliss as they lazily scavenged for soggy articles of clothing strewn about the interior of Benny's car.

After pulling herself back into her denim shorts, and vintage band-T, Revy pushed her wet hair back behind her ears before pulling her boots back on, then scoffed at the condition of her now ruined intimate balled up into the corner of her leg well.

"Damn it, Rock. These were the only cute pair I owned." Offering them up, as if demanding an explanation.

"I don't think I've ever heard you use the word cute before." He smugly replied, failing to notice her as he fed his belt back into the loops of his jeans.

Revy felt her jaw drop a little at this, then giggle in return. "God, when did you turn into such a dick?"

Rock then reached into the front seat to grab his cigarettes off the dash, and fired one up, and Revy watched him, admiring how handsome he looked when he smoked.

"Hey… You gonna give me one of those cowboy?" She asked, feeling a little jilted.

Throwing her another one of his vexing, sexy smirks, he offered up his own without a word, frustrating Revy to know end.

"Don't get too cocky there, bucko!" She warned, taking the smoke from him. "You got me this time, but next time, you might not be so lucky." Eyeing him from the corner of her eye as she readied herself for an epic drag.

"So there's a next time?" Rock asked, smiling warmly at her now as she breathed the sweet fire into her lungs.

Flinging her head back into her seat, she peaked out at Rock from her under long eyelashes and exhaled, "Oh, hell yes." And then her eyes winced shut again as if she were in pain, "God damn!"

"What's wrong?" He asked again.

Running her hand over her face and body as she pulsed with pleasure, Revy opened her eyes at him and smiled in contentment, as if she'd just been brought to orgasm for the second time.

"That's the best fuckin' cigarette I've ever had in my life." She replied, joyous and exasperated.

Rock chuckled into his smile, then scooted over into the seat next to her, Revy repositioning herself as he wrapped his strong arms around her again, staring up into his eyes. And then he kissed her. Long, wet, and deep. This kiss was different from the others before it; more emotion than need, more feeling than fire, and Revy didn't know what to think of it other than never wanting it to end.

And then their mouths slowly separated so Rock could finally say the words.

"I love you, Revy."

Revy frittered a little inside in his arms when she heard it. Unable to look away, feeling that dreaded lump return in her throat.

"Rock… I… I'm… I'm not ready to say that yet." Trembling in her response.

Rock's eyes saddened a little at this, crushing Revy's heart as she watched his gaze fall a little between them. She caught his crestfallen heart by his cheek, brought his eyes back up to meet hers again.

"But I'm getting there, okay? So please—please—just wait. Just a little bit longer? Okay? Please?… Rock?"

Rock found his smile again as Revy plead her case with fitful kisses hemmed between her words, and then he confidently pushed another lock of wet hair back behind her ear before he replied.

"I'm right here where I'm sittin', Revy… I'm not anywhere else."

Revy felt her eyes pool with emotion.

Rock remembered. Those words which resounded in her heart just as they had the first time she heard him utter them a year ago.

She remembered that day like it was yesterday. The two of them, locked in the back of that dingy cop car after their fight. Taking her first true leap of faith on someone in years. And then, the kiss they shared… kindled through the union glow of their cigarette's single ember. In that moment she knew, Rock had lit the fire in her heart, and had been carrying the torch for her ever since.

Revy kissed him one last time before it came to time to leave.

"Come on." He said. "We better get going."

And they left, and when Rock drove them out of that old shipping terminal, Revy realized they had accidentally left behind her old cutlasses and gun leather. Normally she would've reacted to this with fretful worry and alarm, but she didn't. Feeling the plush black leather of her extravagant new rapiers suspended beneath her arms. Looking over at Rock, him feeling her gaze, and turning to smile back at her, she realized, she wouldn't miss them.

Rock took his time with the drive back; in no hurry, at all. Light-footing the accelerator, he kept the Goat ten miles under and avoided the highway. Opting for surface streets instead as he navigated the edge of Roanapur's cape to make their way back up the coast. Revy relished the gorgeous evening breeze that came billowing through their open windows like sweet perfume. Watched the sun finish his journey into the glittering waters of the south-pacific as he kissed his sky goodnight like parting lovers, leaving behind ever-changing shades of coral, and peach, and periwinkle.

Real human being… And a real hero

The hard, unforgiving world in which Revy lived now seemed to fade into a distant memory, and feeling the chains of her pathos finally broken, Revy began to hear a secret music playing just for her. A melody which echoed out of thought and time. Reverberating from her soul like some alien receiver, granting sweet promise that brought tears to her eyes. She reached out, and touched Rock's strong hand resting atop the shifter. Their fingers interlacing almost instantly, and for the very first time in her life, in those few brief moments during that blissful car ride back to the dock, Revy let go of her past, and her pain. Like feathers to the wind. And not unlike Dorothy taking her fist steps into the Wonderful World of Oz, Revy's world had lit up in full, vibrant technicolor. The light seeming sharper to her now, the sounds richer, becoming filled with the deep, powerful presence of life, and love, and possibilities. The secret music resonating inside both their hearts now in crisp, clear stereo sound.

Back against the wall and odds

With the strength of a will and a cause

Your pursuits are called outstanding

You're emotionally complex

Against the grain of dystopic claims

Not the thoughts your actions entertain

And you

Have proved

To be

A real human being

And a real hero

Real human being

And a real hero

Real human being

And a real hero

Real human being

And a real hero

Real human being, being, being, being

Real human being

When the pair finally arrived at the dock of the Black Lagoon, Dutch and Benny had already gassed up the tank and began chain-loading the last of the cargo onto the ship's bow. Rock and Revy retrieved their gear from the trunk of Benny's car, then proceeded down the wooden walkway towards them, Rock leading the way this time.

Benny was first to notice them, standing up on the port side of the ship, signaling down at Dutch who was also standing on the walkway. Turned promptly to face them, he reacted with an almost befuddled expression before grinning a little behind his sunglasses.

"Well, this is a surprise. Almost didn't think you two were gonna show."

Rock spoke up first, his tone stoic, unafraid of whatever judgments, or resentments his employer may still have harbored towards him.

"Where do you want me, boss?"

Dutch's expression returned downbeat, and level-headed.

"Help Benny finish loading the last of this freight. Revy—go manually prime engine two and get it ready for a hard start. We're shoving off now."

"Aye aye, sir." She sassed, all dry sarcasm over an ironic salute.

Slinging her duffel onto the ship's deck, Revy leapt across the water and made way for the engine room. Dutch completed a last minute inspection of the ship's hull before stepping aboard himself; heading for the bridge. Rock helped Benny with the last of cargo just as he was instructed. As he finished handing Benny the last of the heavy crates, Rock generously untied the mooring linesfrom the dock and underhanded each thick manilla rope across the rift to his colleague. Then, bracing his back against a peeled-pole pillar, Rock shoved his boot with all his might into the bow of the old PT boat, wading it away from the dock.

Rock then readied to quickly leap across himself while there was still time enough to make it, and then, in a surprising turn, was shocked to notice Benny offering out his hand to him. He was wearing a genuine, if slightly woebegone half-smile and Rock hesitantly eyed the trusting gesture of good faith before letting out a short, and exasperated sigh. Putting any resentments he may still have had with his friend aside, Rock pulled himself aboard with Benny's help. Then, with quick teamwork, Rock and Benny carried the two biggest crates into the bridge with Dutch for the time being.

The hum of engine two's hard-start vibrated throughout the length of the ship. Dutch was slowly opening up the throttle, angling the ship right, rounding away from the harbor. Benny took that as his queue to leave Rock to the remaining smaller cargo and proceeded down the access hatch into the radio house.

"How we looking, Benny-boy?" Dutch's voice clicking on over the intercom.

"Right on schedule, big-man!" Benny, shouting from below deck as he proudly powered on his beloved instruments.

"Hey, Ben! Play us out, would ya!?" Now Revy's voice, shouting from the intercom of the noisy engine room.

"I thought you'd never ask!"

Dying to try out his vintage Yamaha CR-1020 receiver on the ship's new PA system, Benny popped a company favorite into the disc drive of his Audio Research SP-3 preamplifier, then hit play.

All three of Black Lagoon's fighter jet engines finally roared to life, accelerating to eighteen knots without skipping a beat. Rock smiled at the sudden and thrilling whip of warm, sea air against his face, cooling his partially exposed cranium. Closing his eyes, savoring the complete and utter sense of freedom it granted him. And then, he heard the gentle strum of chimes, followed by absorbing synthesizers, haunting organs, thumping bases, western acoustics, and eighties rock electric rising from the loudspeakers atop the ship's chart house. Rock smiled, continuing the grunt work, as he heard Revy's approving roar from below deck.

"Oh, fuck yeah!"

It's all the same, only the names will change

Everyday it seems we're wasting away

Another place where the faces are so cold

I'd drive all night just to get back home

I'm a cowboy, on a steel horse I ride

I'm wanted dead or alive

Wanted dead or alive

Sometimes I sleep, sometimes it's not for days

And the people I meet always go their separate ways

Sometimes you tell the day

By the bottle that you drink

And times when you're alone all you do is think

Revy sauntered through the ship's corridors below, reaching the galley, dancing and lip-syncing to the music as she reached into the company fridge for four ice cold beers, one for each of her crew. She entered the radio house through the watertight bulkhead door, Benny inputing coordinates on his computer with a surprised look on his face when he noticed her. Smirking, she tossed him a Heineken, then climbed the ladder up into the bridge.

I'm a cowboy, on a steel horse I ride

I'm wanted dead or alive

Wanted dead or alive

She approached her captain and long-time partner harboring no feelings of bitterness or ill-will against him, leaning over with her arm on his shoulder as she handed him his favorite Belgian brew. Dutch looked up at her from the captain's chair, unfeeling almost at first, and then smiled at her. Revy smiling back as well, incapable of feeling anger towards the big lug forever. How could she? Life was too short to be angry with your companions, and right now, Revy was happy, truly happy for the first time in her life.

I'm a cowboy, on a steel horse I ride

I'm wanted dead or alive

Rock had quickly and efficiently finished stacking the smaller wooden crates onto the fore deck, securing them with industrial grade textile netting, a canvas tarpaulin, and a midshipman's hitch to the port cleat. He made good use of isometric tension to keep the mysterious cargo from sliding around the deck; knotting a chain splice into one of the four steel eyelets located at the bow, then finishing with the dreaded and highly challenging trucker's hitch knot around the starboard cleat.

And I walk these streets, a loaded six string on my back

I play for keeps, 'cause I might not make it back

I've been everywhere, and still I'm standing tall

I've seen a million faces and I've rocked them all

'Cause I'm a cowboy, on a steel horse I ride

I'm wanted dead or alive

"Hey, Rock! Think fast!" Revy shouted, appearing from behind.

Rock spun around from his project with time enough to clumsily catch the Budweiser Revy had rocketed into his palms. Smiling mischievously at him when he looked up at her, hand on her hip, Rock smiled back before popping the seal, knowing he'd be greeted with an instant explosion of cold, frothy beer, and Revy giggled as he chugged down a huge gulp to contain the mess. She walked up to him, enjoying her own Bud as the ship passed by the famed monolith containing the ruined likeness of the Buddha Gautama.

'Cause I'm a cowboy, I got the night on my side

I'm wanted dead or alive

And I ride dead or alive

I still drive, dead or alive

Revy smirked as she looked up into his eyes, standing close to Rock now, unashamed of whatever Dutch might think if he happened to notice them from the windows of the ship's cockpit. Rock smiled back too, and the two turned their heads to look out at the endless ocean ahead of them. The sunset having long since passed, and yet the waters still twinkled under the iridescent glow of dusk.

Rock looked back down at Revy, and she up at him, and in that moment the two made a silent vow to each other. That no matter what, they wouldn't betray each other again. That they would go the distance, they'd beat the odds. In spite of whatever anybody else thought about them and their chances. They would persevere. They would become the hero's of each other's lives. The masters of their fate. The captains of their soul. Now, the same soul; the same fate, one they would each now share, to whatever end. To the world's end.

Dead or alive

Dead or alive

Dead or alive

Dead or alive

—

A Note From The Author

Howdy friends!

Well, it's been a long and arduous six months to get to this point and I apologize to all of you for the wait, and thank you for your patience, kind words, and overwhelming support in Attrition Warfare. This was the hardest chapter for me to write up to this point. Not just in terms of sheer length, but in trying to fully commit to the exactness of each character, while at the same time trying to flesh out their emotions and personalities in newer, more interesting ways. While not much may have happened in this chapter in terms of driving the plot forward, yes I know. I assure all of you, however, that this was crucial for character development. I wanted this chapter to be the emotional anchor for the rest of my story, simply because there's so much on the line for our main characters this time around.

I don't expect each chapter to get this long, in fact I'd like to avoid it. Please review and share your thoughts. What few sources of fulfillment I have in life, your reviews are definitely one of them. It lets me know I'm now wasting my time. Please continue your support and let's make Attrition Warfare great together! Stay tuned for the action-packed follow up, filled with excitement, adventure, and romance on the high seas, in Chapter 4 Venture Capitalism.

Stay frosty, sailors.

—NoirFan7