Dark Angel--closed for fae_bella

[dragonrazor]

Several years after the series ends, we find Max still living in the city, surviving on a paycheck and living in a squatter's residence. She had left Logan after realizing that he was only interested in his work, and had given up on him. A large package was given to her boss, Normal, with specific instructions about its delivery. So Normal sent her with it, wondering as to what was in it, which was unusual for him.

Meanwhile, waiting for the package, a young man with a house full of new and old firearms, mostly confiscated by his father in the PD. He was a collector, and worked painstakingly to restore all of them to working condition.

 

[fae_bella]

Max begrudgingly climbed onto her bike, heading out for the delivery. This had to be one of the stranger deliveries she'd had in awhile... but hey, money was money. She wasn't about to pass that up over a "mystery box". The address was also a bit cryptic... No reciever's name, just the basic address and instructions on where to leave the package.
She weaved through traffic, arriving in no time at all and hanging her helmet on the handlebars, walking her bike to the back of the house as instructed. She rang the bell, glancing up at the house as she took a few steps back, the box tucked under her arm. Some people could afford places like this... and she was working her butt off to make it in a rundown mess. There was karma for you.
"Hello?" She rang it again, sighing. All these instructions, and no one was there?

 

[dragonrazor]

The young man walked out to the back door, carrying the revolver he was still in the process of cleaning. He had a cleaning wire in one of the chambers, even as he pushed the button for the gate, and waited for the young woman he had been told to expect. She had been picked because of her reputation, asked for even, and he knew she'd keep the delivery secret. Once she stood in front of him, he smiled, looking into her eyes. He could get lost in eyes like those. He finished cleaning the revolver, then opened the door for her. "Come on in. Would you like something to drink? I just have to finish up this revolver."

He walked back inside, heading for the room he did most of his cleaning in, a square, grey room with bright lights and guns in racks and boxes along the walls. He set the revolver down on the table in the center of the room, looking at it under the light, before setting it in a glass case.

 

[fae_bella]

"Ah- no, no thank you."
She followed him in, a bit surprised at the inside of the house. her eyes widened slightly as she saw the guns, glancing at him. What was all this for? The box was still under her arm, Max having yet to pass it off to him.
"I... take it you're a gun collector?," She asked hesitantly, taking in the room he led her to as well. If he had brought her in here for other reasons... well, he'd have a very unpleasant surprise if he tried anything. "You certainly have a number of rarities in here..."

 

[dragonrazor]

He nodded, then turned to look at her. He studied her carefully, seeing her tense up at the sight of the guns. He smiled, and then followed her gaze to some of the weapons, many of which were illegal before the Pulse. He shrugged, and then shook his head. "Yes, I collect them. I also practice with some of them. In that box is a piece for my collection. A disassembled eighteenth century gatling gun, if memory serves. That one will be a display piece. That is, of course, if its pieces are still intact. Also, there's the matter of your payment. He stood up, and walked through another door, into a room lined with books, and sat down at a desk, pulling out a case and counting out money.

 

[fae_bella]

Max gave a quick glance to the box as he mentioned their condition, now slightly worried that she may have hit a number of bumps a bit too hard... "Hey, well, you know the saying. Don't shoot the messenger. Ha... um."
He had already left the room. Right. Well.
She took a little lap around the room, peering at the guns- stopping as she reached the doorway, her eyes lighting up a bit as she saw the money he was taking out for her pay.

 

[dragonrazor]

He smiled, looking up just in time to see her eyes light up. He grinned at this, as it made her much better looking. He counted out a few bills for her tip, and then looked up again. "What's the delivery fee?"

 

[fae_bella]

Max stared at the money in his hand a moment, then looked up at him. "Ah- for this one? Uh-" She fumbled to get her book out, tallying it. "It's ah- 16 even." She paused, glancing to the box. "Why don't we make it 8 instead." She gave him a nervous glance. It wasn't that she didn't trust herself... but, she did have to make a few little detours to get here without too much damage to her bike, let alone the box. That, and... well, he was pretty cute.

 

[dragonrazor]

He raised an eyebrow, then shrugged, and handed her the payment for the delivery, plus her tip. He studied her face again, and then smiled, deciding to introduce himself. "I'm Jack. And you?" He watched her face for a reaction.

 

[fae_bella]

"Uh- Max. I'm... Max." She took the money, pocketing it and holding out her other hand. Why was she introducing herself? No one ever really cared who it was they were talking to when she dropped off a package... Heck, half the time they barely said boo to her, not even Thanks... Just the money and package swap.

 

[dragonrazor]

Jack smiled, and took her hand, raising it to his lips and kissing it gently. He noticed her rough hands, and figured she was used to doing her own repairs. Then again, he heard she was stronger than most people her size, so he pondered what she did before becoming a delivery girl. He let her hand drop, then smiled again. "So what kind of guy do you go for?"

 

[fae_bella]

"Kind of g-" Max yanked her hand away hasilty, giving a slightly nervous laugh. "Ohh, wait a sec. I think you, ah, got the wrong idea about me and everything... The discount.. that was because, um, well.. I don't think I was exactly the gentlest with your box." She whinced, knowing she had just admitted that she had been a bit careless on a delivery. If Normal heard about that... Damn, she should have fessed up on the other end- that she really did find him cute.
She did a quick tally in her head- she wasn't due for her mating cycle again, was she?!

 

[dragonrazor]

Jack started laughing, nearly falling over. He had been joking, well, partially anyways. But the look on her face was priceless. That and she seemed to start mentally counting and trying to explain herself. He couldn't help but grin as his laughter died into a fit of giggles, as if he had been given Nitrous.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you there, I was trying to make you laugh."

 

[fae_bella]

"Oh. Ah- Sorry. Not many people I deliever to really want to chat... so I guess I didn't really know what to..." Max trailed off, then shook her head with a sigh. "I'm sorry. Again."
She took a more straightened stance, looking at him with a smirk. "Tell you what. I'll forget the work aspect and give you an honest answer." She tapped her chin, thinking. "Now what type of guy do I go for? Hmmm... A guy that knows how to handle himself... a sense of humor... and a little spending money isn't a bad thing either." Her smirk grew as she folded her arms. "Hey, I told you I'd be honest."

 

[dragonrazor]

Jack grinned again. He increased her tip by about double, then handed her the money. On an impulse, he decided to ask her something she probably wouldn't be expecting. "Mind having dinner with me?"

 

[fae_bella]

"Dinner?" Max blinked a few times at that. He was a fast one, wasn't he? Ah, what the hell. "Sure. Why not." She smiled. If anything, she could get a good free meal.... and there'd be something interesting to look at. She wanted to say something about the money he handed her- but changed her mind, pocketing it. She couldn't keep refusing money from him- she was starting to run out of cash as it was!

 

[dragonrazor]

Jack smiled, and then looked at one of the statues she was eyeing. "That's one of my father's. Not my taste, really."

 

[fae_bella]

"Hm." She folded her arms, leaning back a bit on her heels. "Well.. you asked me.. so now I'm returning the favor. What's your type?" She gave a light smirk, eyeing him over. Something about him made her feel.. comfortable. She hadn't felt that in awhile. Not since-
Hmmph.
Not for awhile.

 

[dragonrazor]

Jack thought for a moment, considering the question. What was his type. "Well, let's see. Dark hair, dark eyes. Strongwilled, determined, athletic. Knows her guns and blades, and knows how to use them..."

 

[fae_bella]

Max laughed. "Strong, sweet, and deadly, hmm?" She raised an eyebrow. "Why do I have a feeling it wasn't just coincidence I ended up with your box?"

 

[dragonrazor]

Jack grinned again. He flipped a switch, showing her video monitors filled with footage of her. "I did some digging. Turns out my father was once a security officer on a Project Manticore. It was interesting, because he had said that he had attained access to their work, and used it on me when I was an infant. In other words, I'm like you, except without the government training."

 

[fae_bella]

Max's eyes widened as she saw the videos of herself, the smile dropping immediately from her face. "What-?"
She gave him a stern glare, her face solemn as he explained himself. "So... you think you're like me?" She shook her head slightly. "There's still that one huge difference. You didn't go through what I went through... You're not considered military property, are you." She paused, seeing the look on his face and giving a soft sigh. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean- I guess you could say its a slightly sore subject for me to talk about..."

 

[dragonrazor]

Jack smiled, listening to her apology. He shook his head, then stood up, and walked over to her. "Look, you've been through a lot. We all have. It's been a rough life in this city. If you need a place to stay, or just about anything, let me know. If I can't get it, I know someone who can."

 

[fae_bella]

He was offering her housing? That caught her ears. "I- uh-"
She gave a soft sheepish smile. "Actually, I could use a place to stay. Where I am right now isn't exactly the safest, considering everything..." His other comment, however, made her curious. "Just what do you mean by you can get me anything? I can come up with some pretty unique requests, you know..."

 

[dragonrazor]

Jack raised an eyebrow, then laughed. "Well, barring a tac nuke..." He grinned. He had plenty of room, working showers, and a few other things already. Plus, he could offer her a training room. He wondered briefly how much exercise she had to do to keep her body that hot.