Consequences

Did You See What Happened?

Did You See What Happened?

Rae was running late the next morning, she wanted to stop at the Jade to check on how everything was left since Roma and Duke were in charge, and she had to meet up with Markus to drop off a few sketches for his clients. Surprised to find that Avery was up and sitting in the kitchen drinking a cup of coffee already. “Morning,” Rae quickly blurted out, but was surprised that Avery didn't respond immediately. “Avery... you okay?,” Avery was focused on whatever was sitting on the table. Rae looked over her shoulder, and found that she was studying the newspaper. “It happened again last night... Rae, another person was attacked. And it was near the bar,” when Avery finally looked up she could read the fear in her eyes. Rae took a moment and sat next to her, rubbing her shoulders and back. “You have nothing to worry about. Looks like it's only men that are attacked, and besides, it's not like your alone, you have Xander. Stop worrying, really.” Rae looked at the paper and was horrified when she read that the police were unable to identify the victim, at least until the swelling had gone down in his face. He was found with no wallet a few hundred feet from the bar. “Where is Xander anyway? I thought he stayed over last night?,” Rae kind of looked around briefly before starting to gather her things once again. Avery didn't respond. The expression she was giving was just another stage of the relationships Avery has. This was where she started to worry that something is wrong between them, the first signs of guilt of things she may have already done to other men while in Xander's presence. Still working out on the proverbial buttons she could push and get away with pushing. “He's still in bed. He didn't touch me at ALL last night. I rubbed his feet and tried to blow him, but he told me he wasn't in the mood and just rolled over and fell asleep.” She folded her arms on the table, and buried her face in them, wiggling her shoulders, as though mocking in sobbing tears that Rae knew would never make an appearance. Not wanting to get in the middle of whatever it was that they were going through, Rae was trying to quicken her step to get the hell out of the that room, let alone the house.

Just as her hand was on the door knob, she felt Avery's hand on her wrist, “Do you think that maybe you could talk to him tonight? I have the late shift at the Jade, and he was planning on coming over. I want you to talk to him, and get some Intel for me. Maybe the bastard is cheating on me with another woman? Either way, I have to have a plan of attack. He's not going to make a fool out of me and think that he can get away with it.” They were both distracted by noise in the background, it was Xander moving about in the kitchen. Emerging with a cup of coffee in his hands. “Morning ladies,” as he took a sip. “Morning baby,” Avery ran to his side and gave him a peck on the cheek. Shooting daggers at Rae as a means of telling her not to forget about getting information out of him tonight. But Rae just worried with the thought of being alone with Xander, would lead to herself being the “other woman” Xander would be cheating with.

Pulling into the parking lot of the Jade, Rae rushed inside, hoping it wouldn't be a bloody mess since she had left the responsibility of keeping everything together on a brother and sister team who at times were each others worst enemies. But a quick glance around the dining area, she was amazed of how everything looked fantastic actually. Hesitating on walking into the kitchen, preparing herself to walk into a horror movie, but as she flicked the lights on, again she was relieved to find that everything was in it's place, wiped down, cleaned up, and it working order for today when they would start up again. She was surprised to hear a voice behind her, “You wouldn't be checking in would you?” She smiled, knowing that it was Roma's voice. “I would never. I had perfect trust in the both of you regarding last night. Why would you think that?” Roma slowly took her time making her way around Rae before being able to stand right in front of her. The glare she was giving was full of agitation, that is, until she let out a loud laugh, and gave Rae a hug. “I know how you are. And yes, last night Duke and I were at each others throats with a few things, but we worked together and compromised on a few things. If we are to be guilty of anything from last night, it would be because we were too loud with arguing from the kitchen. But... no one was murdered.” Another voice crept up behind her and whispered into her ear, “With all four walls still standing,” Duke made his way around Rae before making his way over to the counter and hopping up on the edge, letting his feet dangle off. Rae took a huge sigh of relief, and laughed at herself. “I will never doubt either of you again. And yes, that was my fear last night. I thought you two would have killed each other over the silliest of things.” Roma looked over at Duke, still perched on the counter. Rae excused herself, and headed for the door on her way to Ink Kink. Once they thought she was out of range to hear anything the duo would say, “Keep the fork incident to yourself, and I won't tell her about the freezer thing. Keep those lips sealed, you hear me?” Roma spoke with a stern tone in her voice. The moment those words slipped from her mouth, she heard Rae respond, “I heard that!” Roma lowered her head in shame, she had just given up their secret she warned Duke of not being able to keep.

The Wildcat pulled up out front of Ink Kink, and Markus was already at the door waiting for her. “Your late,” he stared down at her with stern look of disappointment. She rolled her eyes and hurried right passed him. She carried in coffee and donuts putting them in the back room. Already feeling that Markus was behind her, with his booming presence of a voice, “No excuse Rae. Especially with the crap I saw in the paper this morning. I'm worried Rae!”, he sat down at the long dinning table that was set up in what they referred to as a break room. Rae kept to adding additional sugars to her iced coffee, before even acknowledging Markus and his comments. “Come on, I'm a big girl. And just like I tried to convince Avery this morning, whom ever it is, is going after men, and not women.” Pulling out her sketchbook, she started to rip out a few things before starting on something completely new. “Don't ignore me Rae. You know that I worry about you, and this s**t seems to be getting closer and closer into town.” Markus sat in the seat next to her, resting his head in his hands, “Your right, I can't tell you what to do, and I can't help that I worry about you... You know how I think the worst of everything, it's been a curse my whole life. I just don't want to see anything bad happen to you. I would definitely lose my s**t if something ever did. You know I've been to prison once before, and I have no problem going back.” Rae rested her coffee up on the table, and leaned into Markus's large arms, “I know how you are, but I've got something not too many people have these days, and that's common sense!” That at least was enough to get Markus to chuckle, even though he didn't want to break his serious tone of the conversation with her. “I've got the best of both worlds. The common sense, and thanks to you Papa Markus... street smarts. I can read a situation, and I know what to be on the look out for. If anything does happen...”, she leaned over into her bag and pulled out her can of mace, “I have this to fend an asshole off.” Markus's shoulders eased a little, and he leaned his head back, “What am I going to do with you baby girl?”, he said, grabbing at her chin.

 “So what plans do you have tonight?” Markus was always concerned with anything and everything Rae did, making sure that he was aware of where she would be at any and all costs. “I have the night off actually. Gave the Boyash family the run of the kitchen last night, so let's see if they can handle two nights in a row.” He laughed loudly, causing all eyes to shift into the back room, “And they didn't kill one another?” Rae shook her head as she sipped her iced coffee, and sketched an outline on the blank page, “If they did any damage, they cleaned up quite well. But aside from that, Avery wants me to talk to Xander tonight... She thinks he is cheating on her,” finishing by rolling her eyes. Markus stood up, getting ready to prep his booth for his client, and gave Rae a looming glare, “And you do exactly what she says. Damn shame.” Rae thought about it for a moment. Sure she was doing this as a favor, but at the same time, she is getting the chance to spend some time with Xander.