Hi there! This fanfiction takes place 4 months-ish after the events in the OVA Roberta's Blood Trail, which takes place after season 2 of the anime. If you have not seen that yet you should go watch it because there are juicy spoilers a-plenty in this fanfiction. I'm adding only one OC that I have pretty fleshed out already, he'll only be around for a few chapters and in the background in others. He will enter the story and exit, one way or another. I plan to include all the characters in the anime, but mostly the Lagoon Company. I own nothing and all credit goes to Rei Hiroe and all respective publishers of his works. This is a fanfiction and a transformative work that is not intended to infringe in any way on the original creator's and publishers' works. Rated M in case you missed it. Thanks for reading.

Chapter 1 The Lagoon Family at Rest

The Lagoon Company was returning to port with their tails between their legs after a job moving intel for the Hong Kong Triad went sour. Returning with a shot and unconscious Revy and Dutch sporting a new gunshot dressing just above the left shoulder.

Rock sat on the bow of the Lagoon as it idled towards the port of Roanapur, feet dangling over the sides with his cigarette resting between his lips, tie loosened and hanging around his neck. The rain had ended a good ten minutes prior to their arrival, giving way to a late afternoon heatwave.

Rock thought out loud, "If there is anything that could make that city look even remotely nice, I'd say the rain is the only thing that comes close."

Every time after a heavy rain, the city quiets down for a short while. Almost as if it's ashamed of what the rainfall hid from the world, or of what it might have washed away. He looked up at the mist rising up over the filthy streets of Roanapur, enjoying the relative quiet while it lasted.

As the Lagoon passed on by the Blind Buddha, Rock ran a hand through his hair and considered that he may now have more in common with the noose hanging on the bridge on the other side of the city. Especially now after all that has transpired since he first joined Lagoon Company. Rock exhaled a cloud of smoke and gazed into the mist rising up off the city once again.

"Almost like the blood and bile is evaporating right into the afternoon sun." He said.

Dutch had overheard Rock as he was climbing out of the top hatch of the Lagoon.

He spoke with an unlit cigarette in his mouth, "You know, I can see what you mean Rock. Back when you and Revy were helping Jane escape those bounty hunters, along with Eda and her well thought out plan," He paused, checking his pockets for a lighter. "Benny and I were gunning it back into port, and he made a comment when he saw the building on fire. Before I saw what was going on, I joked, wondering if they finally dropped a nuke on Roanapur."

Rock raised a brow, turning his head in the direction of an approaching Dutch, who offered a Heireken beer to him. He took it, and held up his own lighter towards his boss.

Accepting the light in return, Dutch continued, "Some of these days we've had, and the jobs we've taken on, I start to think that's the only thing that could remedy this cesspool of a city. But when you think about it, I doubt that'll even do the job, it'd just turn into some dystopian, post-apocalyptic version of the same thing."

Rock let out a tired sigh and a sound of agreement in response.

"I wouldn't be bothered if one day the balance of power shifts in Roanapur, I'd rather have the likes of Balalaika on top of the pile instead of Mr. Chang. But I know I can trust him on his business dealings, he's never screwed me and that's really all that matters at the end of the day." Dutch said.

Rock was quick to reply to Dutch, "If I were in your shoes, I would prefer Balalaika too I suppose. Neither one makes for the most reassuring business deals, but knowing now how Balalaika is in your debt like she is, I'm with you there, even more so after that train wreck of a job we just had."

Dutch responded with his own tired sigh and a grunt of agreement.

The two sat and finished their cigarettes and beers silently, getting in as much relaxation as they could before the Lagoon pulled up to the company building and pier.

Dutch piped up as they closed in on the pier, "Heh you know that was sooome stunt you tried to pull with Mr. Chang back then Rock. I'm still surprised that Chang didn't have both your legs broken and leave you riddled with bullets.

Rock responded as they got up off the nose of the lagoon, "Yeah I still feel really sorry about that Dutch, it's like I was a man possessed, I guess I really went a litt.."

Dutch cut Rock off, "Nonsense Rock, don't apologize anymore for what you did, I really haven't got the patience for it right now."

Rock replied with a sheepish, "Okay."

"Besides, your ultimate goal might have fell through for you, but we got paid after the dust had settled, and that's really what matters to me and the rest of the company." Dutch said.

"Yeah, I guess we did, and that does count for something, but I get sick of those thugs running Roanapur, they don't understand just how deeply their own actions are affecting these people. I can't even help a stranger on the street, the people in this city are too afraid to accept help for even some of the simplest things."

"Ohhh I don't know about that Rock, those bosses understand very well what they are doing to these people, and boy I would forget about taking swings at the Roanapur hierarchy for a good long while." Dutch tossed his cigarette butt into the water. "Your luck and the position you have in this city really rely on one another. Both of those things are subject to change in some nasty ways every day you walk this city, you know that."

Rock replied, matter-of-factly, "Yeah that's very true. It makes me very thankful for Revy when she is around."

Dutch chuckled, "You ought to tell her that Rock, your falling on deaf ears here you know."

"Yeah, I really should, shouldn't I?"

The Lagoon Finally arrived at it's destination.

"Hey tie off the Lagoon to the dock, would you?" Dutch said.

"Got it." Rock tossed the inflatable boat fenders over the side of the Lagoon, and tied off two ropes to the pier and back to the boat, securing it in place.

Dutch continued, "I took this job hoping to get some better arms for the Lagoon without having any cash exchange hands and just look at where that got us. Chang had the deal lined up with the Rip Off Church, if this job went off without a hitch, I would have gotten some of the guns I've been lusting after to outfit the Lagoon. Not too different to how these old PT boats were armed during the second World War."

Rock replied, "You told me about that before we left Roanapur Dutch."

"I did? Huh, seemed to slip my mind. Well, I'm going to go in and help Benny get Revy out of the Lagoon, god help us if she's woken up from her nap." Dutch said.

Rock raised a brow as he made a suggestion, "Are you sure you got Revy taken care of? You got shot Dutch. I can help benny hoist her out of the Lagoon you know."

Dutch had a tinge of pain in his voice and a half smile when he replied, "I should be good Rock, I'm only missing a small hunk after all."

As Dutch went back down into the lagoon, Rock grabbed a wooden lid off an empty crate that was lying about. He laid it down across the gap between the Lagoon and dock, in anticipation of what came next.

"FUCK!" Dutch hollered.

Benny grumbled to his boss below deck, "I told you to send Rock down to help Dutch, you need to give that shoulder a rest. You know it's a through and through, but it's not from a pea shooter."

Dutch climbed out of the Lagoon, and then looked back down at Benny with a grin on his face.

"Shit I know. I just figured you needed the help getting Revy out of the Lagoon, seeing as you haven't lifted up a woman in a good while."

Benny replied with a smirk, "You know, it's unseemly when a big guy such as yourself yowls like a school girl when he gets shot. I'm still trying to decide if it's a good or bad thing for company morale."

"Yeah yeah, uh huh, Rock grab a stretcher from the front cabin and get it ready for Revy up here, I'm going to go head up and pull the GTO around." Dutch said.

As Benny laid Revy back down across a cot below deck, Rock hustled towards the forward cargo hold to find said stretcher.

Dutch was halfway up the stairs to go in the office when he heard Benny shout from the Lagoon, "Make sure you redress that wound when you're up in the office Dutch! We don't need you fainting like a princess with all the stress you've been through!"

Dutch chuckled, and replied with a middle finger before disappearing up the stairwell.

Rock opened the bulkhead door inside the Lagoon, and offered the stretcher to Benny.

Rock smiled, "I found the stretcher Benny, you head topside with it, and I'll lift her up."

Benny understood, and quite liked the idea. "Gotcha, I wouldn't want to be the one holding her anyways, be just my luck she decides to wake up when I've got her draped over me."

After Revy was safely secured on the stretcher, Benny watched Rock with a grin. Rock was double checking the stretcher, checking Revy's bandaging, and her pulse again, for what seemed to be the 50th time on their return trip.

Benny teased, "You know you might accidentally choke her to death if you keep that up Rock."

Rock's hand recoiled, and he looked at Benny with a brief face of horror until he saw his co-worker's expression.

"I'm worried about her, she's been out a lot longer than she was when Roberta first came to town." Rock said, concerned.

"Something tells me that devil woman will wake up any moment now Rock, don't you worry about that."

Rock motioned for Benny to grab his end of the stretcher. "Yeah, well you better be careful Benny, she might be able to hear you." Rock said.

Benny replied, "I sure hope not."

The two men brought her across the gap between the Lagoon and the pier. Then walked her over, slowly, and laid her down onto the concrete portion of the pier where the car could pull up.

As he sat her down, Rock looked at her, and began to recall how his heart sank, how he wanted to scream, when Dutch radioed back saying Revy was down earlier in the day. The information sent a chill down his spine. That icy cold fear, that instinctual inkling of terror that manifests itself when something goes terribly wrong. The same exact feeling he got when Revy shot at him, and nearly killed him, when he was first brought aboard the Lagoon. That was when his new life, unbeknownst to him at the time, really began.

Rock had a realization.

Looking back, it really does seem like a dream now.

Rock knew enough about how Revy behaved in combat, he knows she can handle herself and then some. Though he always gets a small chill running down his spine when she starts letting off shots. Sensing the rage, and borderline pleasure, that she gets out of gunning down her adversaries, it always makes him wonder, almost every time, what she had to go through in life to get the way she is. He's had some inklings though, and a solid hint when the plan with Garcia and the mini maid came to a close. He's been waiting, hoping that she'd really open herself up to him first, and trust him with parts of her past, regardless whether those parts are good or bad, before they have another falling out.

Rock contemplated for a bit.

I guess it makes sense, that kind of demeanor and broken spirit comes from living in an evil home, with a sick or cruel family. No, not a home, home is absolutely the wrong word for an environment and upbringing that could twist someone's soul up like that. The kind of upbringing that teaches a person to respond to minor annoyances with hostility or violence, the kind that takes a toll on the person's view of the world and the people that inhabit it.

Rock stared out at the south China sea, as he remembered what he had said to her, while he tried to get her to back him up during the job with Garcia and Chang a few months back. He needed her help, and had begun to miss her company, like a part of him was vacant. It was all the excitement and the trepidation, the adrenaline too, that he had become so accustomed to, strangely enough.

He remembered, vividly, how he found himself running his gaze along her bent over form as she was scrounging about her fridge that day. He thought nothing could tear his eyes away as she was doing that, but it was the words she spoke to him made him come to. Rock knew he had convinced her to join him at that point, and that his plan would succeed now, or so he thought at the time. He told her that he needed her to be his gun, because he really was useless in a place like this, just like a bullet lying about, with no gun to fire it. Useless without her, in simpler terms.

Benny interrupted his daydream-like recollection by waving a fresh cigarette in front of his gaze.

"Helloo, Earth to Roock" Benny said.

Rock snatched the cigarette, "Where's Dutch? I figured he'd have the GTO down here already."

Dutch replied, "Right behind you."

"My bad Dutch, I had my head in the clouds." Rock said.

Dutch said, "Yeah, we noticed, we only had to say your name twenty times or so." He tossed the keys to Rock, who caught them instinctively.

Benny remarked, "And a few other names too, matter of fact."

Rock smiled. "You guys are the worst."

He kneeled down and lifted Revy up to load her into the backseat of the GTO.

Benny had already climbed into the backseat of the car. He took the opportunity to taunt Revy, as Rock carried her over. "Here comes the bride, here comes the bride." Producing a deep laugh out of Dutch, and an explicative from Rock.

Rock replied, "I swear, she'd castrate you if she could hear you Benny." Rock shuffled back into the driver's seat after getting her secured in the backseat. He started the GTO.

"I'm certain she would, that's why I'm saying it while she's unconscious."

Just then, a certain gloved hand reached up from the seat beside, and clamped itself around Benny's throat.

Revy growled, "Benny, I swear to fucking god… I will cut it off, if you keep up that fucking bullshit."

"OH MY GOD! You're awake!?

Revy replied with a squeeze. "YUP!"

Benny shrieked, "Sorry! I am so sorry Revy! You know we were just bullshitting right!? We were just bullshitting right Dutch!?"

Dutch replied through a mouthful of laughter, "Just bullshitting Revy!"

Even Rock got a good laugh out of it. He mashed the pedal to the floor, peeling out towards Hotel Moscow's mob doctor, with a hollering Benny, and fuming Revy in the backseat.

The Lagoon Company was about a kilometer from the mob doctor's apartment beside Hotel Moscow HQ, when Dutch spoke up, "Thanks for the heads up on the radio today Rock, I got a feeling we would have came back with a few more holes if you didn't call out those skiffs creeping on by. Your getting to be a much better lookout than I had anticipated."

"Thanks Dutch, yeah my senses out on the water might not be as sharp as the rest of you guys, but I'm getting there." Rock said.

Dutch continued, "Mhmm, and good work handling the Lagoon Benny, that torpedo was well timed and on target, I know I can trust you to handle the Lagoon well."

Benny replied, jokingly, "Damn right you can, and I'll say it was easy letting that thing go when it came down to it. It was either preserve my youthful innocence like good ol' Rock here, or keep the whole family together. I mean I gotta keep you alive after all, I need those paychecks for building my own terminator Dutch."

Rock tightened his tie a bit. "Hey I've made my contributions now, Dutch might be too proud to say it but I got a feeling the company has been making a lot more money since I've came onboard." Rock said.

"Well I can't say we were in dire straits before, but, you're not wrong there Rock." Dutch said.

Revy had her say on the matter, "What's gotten into you Dutch? Talking all sweet now, you gonna fucking die on us or something?"

Dutch leaned back into his seat and let out a groan. Rock glanced over and saw blood seeping through his bandages, it was dripping down his arm onto the GTO's upholstery.

"Oh, now that's not good." Rock said.

"What?" Came in unison from the backseat.

Not taking his eyes off the road, Rock motioned with a tip of his head towards Dutch and said, "Have a look for yourself, hang in there Dutch were not far from the doctor."

Benny saw the blood soaking in to the carpeted floor. Immediately, he piped up, "Oh, come on Dutch! I just got this thing cleaned last week!"

Revy teased, "HA! Look Dutch, your leaking!"

"Looks like someone didn't bother to replace their own gunshot dressing like they were told." Benny said.

Taking a shaky breath, Dutch spoke hoarsely, "Just hurry the fuck up and get me to the doc, I swear I'll fire you dickheads."

By the time the Lagoon Company pulled up to the building, Dutch had slipped unconscious. It took all three of the Lagoon Company to get their boss out of the GTO.

Revy pushed Dutch out of the passenger side and remarked, "One fucking bullet, Ha! Who would've guessed that's all it took!"

Rock shuffled around the GTO and lifted Dutch's upper half, carrying his limp body by wrapping his arms around his torso. "Balalaika's never going to let this down that's for sure, as soon as she hears about it, I'm sure she'll be right over."

Benny carried him by the legs, commenting, "I'm with Revy on this. Just one shot and the Boss is down for the count, who would've thought."

The group had almost reached the front doors, and almost lost their grip on Dutch twice. They managed not to drop him, but still had a couple close calls. Revy opened a door and held it open for them.

Rock said, "It's probably been a long time since Dutch has last been shot, if he ever has been hit before."

They were met by two doormen, who stopped them from continuing further. The guards held back hints of amusement on their faces.

Revy lost her nerve, "Ohhh nooo you don't..."

After Dutch came to, and the doctor was finished treating both him and Revy, the Lagoon Company made their exit from the building. They walked back to the GTO parked on the street.

At the same time, Balalaika's motorcade came around the corner, stopping beside the GTO.

The back window rolled down on the fourth sedan that stopped. Balalaika, puffing a fresh cigar and sporting a wicked grin, cocked her head to the side as she eyed Dutch.

She teased, "Well welll, now that is a sight I never thought I'd see. Dutch, are we getting slow on the draw in our old age, partner!?"

Dutch massaged the bridge of his nose out of annoyance. "Not you too, man, I swear." He shook his head and sighed. "Go ahead and send me the bill for this, I'll see to it getting paid in full at the end of the month."

Balalaika let out a small laugh before she spoke, "Oh, most certainly Dutch, you can be sure of that. And my my, I heard your men had to carry you in, is that right?"

"My soldiers told me it was quite the sight to see those two stumble their way into Doctor Anton's building with you." Balalaika laughed some more. "It's a crying shame I missed that, oh what a sight that must have been."

"Your really got one sick sense of humor woman, is that all you came by for? To poke fun? I've got a call I need to make to Chang, so if you don't mind."

Dutch started to walk towards the GTO where the rest of Lagoon Company were waiting idly by, listening to the back and forth.

Balalaika spoke up, "Dutch, I went ahead and told Chang the news at the meeting I just attended, since I got a call from one of my men at the front door here."

This information caused Dutch to stop immediately in his tracks.

She spoke dryly, "I got that call right in the middle of that meeting, actually." Balalaika laughed lightheartedly, but the expression on her face was dangerous. "They said something along the line Revy had a gun in Andrei's mouth, and one mashed in Mikhail's groin when they tried to stop your wounded party from entering."

Dutch warned, "Revy.." He scowled at his employee.

Revy waved it off. Before she turned to get into the GTO, she piped up, "Hey pardon me sis for getting a fucking bullet in my hip, I just really wanted to get shot here and then have a nice chat with the goddamn doormen, give me a fucking break."

As Revy spoke, she thumbed down the side of her daisy dukes, showing Balalaika her wrapped lower abdomen.

Balalaika flashed a fake grin. She took a jab at Revy, "Oh, nice undergarments Revy! They really seem to fit your personality."

Revy turned away and sneered, "Fuck off sis." She got into the GTO.

The back and forth with Revy changed Balalaika's violent expression to a polite and slightly amused one. She turned her attention back to Dutch.

Balalaika cooed to Dutch, "You know you're supposed to call ahead when you need to use our services Dutch, I can't have people appearing to get walk in treatment now, even if it is you Mr. Lagoon."

"Hence why I said you'll be paid in full Balalaika. Now if you don't mind, I need to be going back to the office."

Balalaika asked politely, "Oh but I do mind Dutch, come closer, I need to speak to you."

Dutch sighed, reluctantly walking over and leaning on her car.

Balalaika said, "Who got you Dutch? Do you expect it was Chang? Is that why you came to one of my own for treatment? I know you're not one to just rely on others like that."

After blowing a cloud of smoke up at the towering man, she offered her own cigar, which Dutch took.

Dutch replied, "I really didn't want to lean on Chang after failing to follow through on our end with the business we were conducting for him. And to be honest, I don't trust that greasy bastard he said we could use if we ever come back in pieces. I got a suspicion we'd all end up in a fucking bowl of beef and rice if we went to that motherfucker."

He savored the cigar she gave him. "Damn, this's one of mine I delivered, isn't it." He commented.

Balalaika smiled a half grin at that. "I figured you sample your own cargo." She said.

"Quality assurance just so happens to be a company practice for some goods, mm damn, that's good."

Balalaika continued, "Well Dutch, I should tell you the meeting with Chang and the other apes got cut short, when I told him you were checked in to our good doctor."

"Is that so? Hmm."

Balalaika warned, "You should be careful of Chang Dutch, I know he's been straight with his dealings with you, but do remember, I've had a better track record with stable work, so maybe that's a sign."

Dutch replied, "Yeah that's not something I'll be forgetting any time soon, so don't go worrying about that."

Just then, the horn blared from the GTO parked nearby.

Revy shouted, "Would you hurry the fuck up! Jesus Christ are you two fucking tonguing eachother?! Come on Dutch, lets go get some food!"

She was hanging outside the passenger side window of the GTO trying to kick the horn again, with a disgruntled Rock trying to pull her back in the car.

Dutch said, "Sorry about that, she's going to be a handful these next few days, those painkillers really bring out the best in her."

"She's all bark and no bite when it comes to me Dutch, so no harm done."

Dutch asked, "Did you tell anyone else at the meet about us showing up here?"

Balalaika grinned wickedly. "No, like you Dutch, I often try to play my cards close to my chest."

He replied sarcastically, "And I'm one of them, yeah all right. I get it Kapitan."

Dutch had heard enough. He quit leaning on the car and began walking back over to the rest of Lagoon Company waiting in the GTO.

"Dutch, if you end up needing a hand dealing with anything related to the matter, or anything else, you know I'm always a call away."

"Yeah I know you are, God forbid I need to, I'll call you next time."

As Dutch walked back to the company car, Balalaika caught Revy's eye.

Flashing another wicked grin, she shouted out the window of her sedan while her motorcade passed by, "Cyka blyat! Вам нужна морда!" Translates to: Whore bitch, you need a muzzle!

Revy produced two middle fingers, shouting back, "Go choke on your fucking potato water, fry face!"

"All right, can it Revy. Rock, let's get go grab some food, you can drive again. Benny, you get to soothe the bride in the backseat." Dutch said.

This caused Benny's face to turn a shade whiter in the rearview mirror.

Revy retorted, "Screw you Dutch." She changed seats and Dutch got in the car.

The group motored their way through town, now under the cover a dingy night sky and neon lights lining the streets. They were on their way to one of the few fast food joints in Roanapur. As to be expected, the line was longer than the great wall. This prompted the Lagoon crew to join the line and wait.

Upon returning to the Lagoon Company office, they all were exhausted and out of steam. The group sat down sprawled out in the main room, and ate what was left of their fast food in a tired silence.

After taking a long drag on her own cigarette, and exhaling a large cloud of smoke, Revy said, "What a fucking day." She passed around a new pack of smokes after her comment.

"Tell me about it. I can't say I was expecting that much heat while just moving some god damn intel." Dutch said, taking one and passing them on.

Revy said, "You're lucky you weren't on the job the first time we moved intel for him. Seriously, me and Rock moving intel?!" She paused to take the final bite of her cheeseburger and consume a greasy pinch of fries. She continued with a mouth full of food, "That was a disaster then, but this was much fucking worse."

"This is the second time we've had trouble on a job with Chang over intel, but this time we actually failed to make the delivery. Dutch, I think we ought to have a look at what's on this hard drive, considering the circumstances." Benny stated, concerned.

Dutch gave Benny a long hard look, weighing whether or not violating the agreement made with Boss Chang would be a good idea.

Already knowing the answer, Dutch spoke plainly, "Benny, you know we can't do that. I think we have to return it, seeing as how it never made it to its destination after all."

"I bet we could really get some valuable intel on the criminal dealings in Roanapur if we do though, and I'm fairly certain I can access the information without a leaving trace anyone even has." Benny said.

Rock piped up, "He has a point Dutch, I think it's a great idea. We could expand business using that information if that's what it turns out to be."

Rock spoke with a certain look on his face. A look that Dutch hadn't seen since Roberta's last rampage. It was a look that didn't set well with Dutch, a look of someone up to no good, an expression not commonly seen on Rock's face.

"I think you two dipshits should shut the fuck up and leave it up to Dutch, it's his choice to make… but that being said, I'm interested too. I almost had my pelvis fucking blasted to pieces by those fuckwits on those shitty boats for this damn thing." Revy said, glaring at the hard drive.

"I'm just as interested in that hard drive as the rest of you, but you need to remember, we failed that job." Dutch said.

"Revy you and me barely made it out of there alive, and shit it was you Rock that noticed those skiffs were riding so low in the water cause of all the heavy artillery they had on board, artillery meant to kill us." Dutch continued.

"So fucking what, we made it out alive Dutch, so why the fuck not?" Revy said.

"Revy you know the implications if we do that, and really, all of you need to think about that while you curb your curiosity, got it?" Dutch stated.

"Okay." The group responded.

"Besides, what I was getting at is we really had a close fucking call today, and the last thing we need to do is violate an agreement with the Triad. Chang said we were to deliver the hard drive, and not to read it under any circumstances." Dutch said.

"Right, well in that case, I think I'm going to call it a night you guys, and you all should too, we've got more damage control to do tomorrow." Benny concluded with a yawn. He walked off to his room down the hall nearby.

"Yep I'm in agreement with Benny boy on that. Rock, you walk Revy back to her place tonight, ok?" Dutch said. Dutch began to make his way towards the hall to retire for the evening.

Rock was happy to oblige, even though he knew she'd be a handful in her current state. "Yeah sure thing." He looked over at Revy, whose hand twitched away from where it sat on her wound.

She wasn't having it, "Dutch, are you fucking serious? I can get home on my o.."

As she spoke, Dutch's posture changed, he turned, looked her square in the face, and cut her off. "Walk home with your god damn partner or don't get payed on the next job we do." He boomed.

"Geez alright alright, Christ Dutch, no need to go there, I'll walk with him." Revy said.

She looked away from Dutch, and over to Rock, who was busy retrieving a set of crutches out of the hallway closet for her.

Dutch joked, "Good, I'll see you two tomorrow afternoon then, we may have damage control to do but Benny needs his beauty sleep."

Benny broke out into laughter, and spoke up from his room, "You mean your beauty sleep, right princess!?"

Dutch replied, "I swear to god, I will dock your pay too if you keep that shit up Benny." He retreated down the hall to his own room, chuckling.

"Rock, I don't need those stupid things, I can still walk on my own, dipshit." Revy spat.

Rock urged, "You won't be able to walk much longer if you don't listen to what the doctor told you Revy, you need to keep the weight off of your legs.. take one at least."

"Ugh, Fine. Give it here."

Donning the crutch on one side and Rock on the other, they made for the door together. The short walk from Lagoon HQ into town was a quiet one. When they reached the bridge, Rock adjusted his hold on her, forcing a blush to her face. Soon they were met with the usual sounds and smells of Roanapur nightlife. The scent of heavy drug use clung to their clothing on one street, putrid, rotting flesh accompanied them on the next. Screams, either cries for help or wild orgasms, could be heard coming from a nearby alleyway as they rounded one corner. A nasty stench of piss and sex wafted up to their noses as they continued onwards. The brothel across from Rowan's strip club wasn't very well maintained. The two walked on under the soft glow of the streetlights, taking their time, hearing the occasional gunshot in the distance.

Revy was grateful for Rock's company, knowing she could handle any issues with her cutlasses easily, it was times like these she appreciated Rock's presence regardless. He had a way of always being decent to her, even though he has his high functioning standards of morality he too often tries to hold her up against.

It was something that she had already accepted long ago, that she'd never get away from the shit stain cities and places she found herself in, so she would adapt, like she always had to. Roanapur had grown on her though, she didn't have to play nice to a single soul in a place like this. Revy felt her cutlasses bounce against her body every other step she took. They reminded her of one of the many reasons why she enjoyed where she was now in her life.

These two nines, hmph. They sure have made me a lot of dough, and they'll make me a helluva lot more I'm sure of it.

God help those who get in her way, especially those who've tried and failed to best her in combat. As she thought about what had happened when she was shot and collapsed earlier in the day, it set her mind racing again. She heard Rock through the radio, he sounded panicked when he spoke.

Revy had a bit of a grey area in her memory, Of course, I can't remember a damn thing he said, go figure.

Rock interrupted her train of thought, "We're here Revy."

"Yeah, I didn't get shot in the face Rock, I can still see."

They entered her apartment building. Rock offered his help again, "Here, Let me help you up the stairs."

The novelty of his concern for her wore off quickly.

"This is fucking driving me nuts! I can walk on my own for fucks sake!"

Rock didn't relax his grip, rather, he helped her anyways, knowing she didn't have the energy to follow up her words with actions.

"You should know by now Revy, I'm not going anywhere, and you know I'm not going to shrink away from you like I used to."

Even as the fatigue caught up to her, hot anger flared up through it.

"Yeah, I get it Rock, save me this shit for another time ok? Your lucky I'm fucking disabled for the moment, or you'd be pulling my boot out your ass right now."

Revy fished around impatiently in her back pocket and found her key to her room, only to fumble it and drop it on the floor when she went to unlock her flat.

She palmed her forehead, shrieking, "Oh, GOD DAMMIT!"

Rock held onto her hand as he squatted down and grabbed the key. After unlocking her door and resuming his duty as her other crutch, he guided her into her room and over to her bed. He let out a small chuckle, knowing she was bound to run out of piss and vinegar soon.

He sat her down onto her bed and said, "Yeah your probably right Revy, I would be pulling your boot out my ass."

The fatigue from her close call was beginning to sap her remaining energy.

Revy replied breathily, "Yeah, you would be."

She proceeded to dress down until only her panties remained, as per her usual nightly attire, paying no mind to Rock standing nearby as she stripped. She let out a deep sigh of relief when she finally laid back, flat on her bed, feeling the cool sheets against her bare skin.

Rock had been speaking in that same calm and soothing manner ever since they left the doctor's office. The same way that he had back when he took care of her recovery after the job in Japan.

That soothing tone, when he talks like that, it's so foreign and kind. So seriously out of place in this world I live in, like another language I don't know how to speak.

Rock came back over to her after starting the AC and killing the lights. He brought over a large glass of water from her fridge, a cold beer, and her bottle of pain pills. After he made her take the pain meds and drink all the water, Revy turned to lay on her good side, flaunting her nudity in an attempt to draw his gaze. She managed to make brief eye contact with Rock before he turned around and sat on the ground, leaning back into the bed.

Too damn modest, as usual. It's not a crime to look Rock.

She closed her eyes and listened to the sound of the AC drone on. Rock popped the cap off his beer using his belt buckle.

"I'm going to spend the night with you Revy, I want to make sure you don't have any issues, and that you keep up on your pain meds."

Her eyes shot open in the dark, a look of surprise flashed over her features briefly.

She stared at the back of Rock's head and replied, "I don't need a babysitter Rock, seriously, you can take your leave now partner."

"I'm not going anywhere partner, not now, not when your shot up like this. I don't think I could keep looking at you anymore if you had a limp in your step."

This earned Rock a smack upside the back of his head.

Rock spoke with a smile, "I deserved that one."

"Yeah you did, partner."

The two relaxed, though unable to sleep just yet, they simply enjoyed the silence for some time, together.

Revy blurted out a thought that crossed her mind, "You still kept the picture of that little yakuza schoolgirl in your wallet, didn't you."

"I thought we've been over that already Revy. That being said, yes, yes I did, I have it in my wallet right here."

Rock pulled out his wallet as he got up, holding it up for emphasis. He began emptying out his pockets onto the overturned beer crate she was using as a nightstand. His tie followed, and so did his shoes and pants, folded and set down neatly.

Sitting down on the ground next to her bed at eye level, Rock looked into her eyes as he spoke to her.

"Like I said then, and I'll tell you again, it's a good luck charm Revy, nothing less, nothing more."

She replied with a short, "Hmph."

She still had her doubts, she remembered how devastated Rock was after that ordeal.

Revy rolled onto her back and away from Rock, settling on other side of her bed. She stared at her shot up ceiling.

She muttered under her breath, "This is why it isn't fair."

"Hmm? Wha.. what isn't fair?" Rock asked, yawning. He spun around and faced her, making eye contact, refusing to let his eyes stray to where they shouldn't. Not that he didn't want to, Rock just figured he shouldn't get interested if he wanted to live to see his 30's.

As if someone had pressed a button, Revy was glaring at Rock from across the bed with that cold, soulless stare. The kind of expression you see on her face when she's either about to kill you, interrogate you, or berate you on another level.

Rock stared back at her with one of his best stoic expressions, all the while nursing a small tinge of fear in the back of his mind. Knowing she's in no condition to do anything, he still didn't like that look regardless. He didn't mind her topless body though, that certainly was not a problem. He thought he could get used to that image. His eyes had darted to her nude form for a split second.

Dropping the act immediately, Revy muttered sleepily, "If you don't wanna wake up tomorrow with a sore neck, you best get in bed and sleep next to me Rock."

This caused Rock to forgo his own expression and exhale a deep sigh of relief. That, in turn, made Revy to cut up in laughter, though it didn't last long. Her laughter tapered off into steady breathing as her day from hell had finally caught up with her. She found she had a hard time keeping her eyes open.

The last few things Revy was aware of before sleep took her, was a warm body easing its way onto her bed beside her, the blanket being pulled up to her neck, the smell of her favorite cigarettes, and the faint scent of Rock's cologne.

END Chapter 1

There we have it! My first chapter! I shot Dutch! I don't think that dude has ever been shot before, he's just too damn sharp, and I wanted to show the camaraderie that the Lagoon Company shares. What a strange way to do it right? When I first watched the OVA during that scene in her flat when Rock was getting Revy onboard with his plans, you can bet your ass I was yelling at the screen during the shower scene to get in there and give her something! I don't think I'm alone there, at least I hope not, heh. If you liked this fanfiction, give me all the feedbacks and questions. If you don't like it, or just don't like me, express yourself! If you want to criticize, ask questions big or small, suggest an edit, or just simply comment, please do! Thanks for reading.