The Ai, the Thief and Recovery

[depthlesslock]

Who: Agent Washington (Native), Agent York (Native) and Sigma Ai
What: First meet, coffee and trickery
Where: The Green Fairy
When: Midday
Warnings: Tricks and lies and the possible exposure of both

York is well aware of his habit of being late for things, so he sets in his mind that he's meeting Sigma and Wash at ten to twelve and is rather pleased when he makes it there at five to. He's the first one there so he leans back against the wall and waits for his friend and boyfriend to show up.

This is going to be fun. Ever since Sigma agreed to the facade, he's been grinning every time he thinks about it. That's going to have to stop. If they're going to fool Wash, Sigma's not the only who's going to have to pretend. Fortunately, being caring and protective over him isn't going to be hard to do. It's keeping a straight face that will be the hard part, but he'll give it his best shot.

Comments

[ambitious_muse]

Sigma arrives two minutes early and finds York lounging outside the shop. Thank goodness he's here already so Sigma didn't have to meet this friend alone. "Hey," he says, trying to sound soft but probably coming across as sultry.

[searchandrecovery]

Wash arrives exactly on time, only to find that both of them are already there. Was he late? Was he supposed to arrive earlier? York's never beaten him to anyplace before.

He waves at York, and then his attention turns to the boyfriend. They're still in helmets, so Wash doesn't know what his face looks like, but he's got a nice body. Kind of skinny, but hey, York did say he was delicate.

"Hey, York." He turns to face Sigma. "Sigma, right? I'm Washington."

[depthlesslock]

York grins widely under his helmet at Sigma's tone and reaches out to take his hand. 'You're adorable,' he tells him.

Wash shows up a couple of minutes later and York schools his expression even though he still has his helmet on. 'Hey, man. Glad you could join us.'

[ambitious_muse]

"Hi Washington." He reaches a shy hand out for York's friend to shake. "Nice to meet you."

[searchandrecovery]

Wash takes Sigma's hand. York was right about the delicacy: it's not a firm handshake, but rather, a soft one. Wash gently shakes Sigma's hand, remembering that he's not supposed to scare off the boyfriend and ruin York's relationship and quite possibly his happiness.

"Nice to meet you too. York's, uh, said a lot of great things about you." While that's not strictly true, York has only said positive things. So Wash is gonna go with that.

[depthlesslock]

Wash has a very firm handshake when he wants to and York can see that the one he gives Sigma is anything but. Got him. Now to keep it up for a while. It's going to be a bit harder once helmets come off, but Sigma's proving himsef a right little actor.

'There's plenty of great things to be said,' he says truthfully, wrapping one arm around Sigma's shoulders and turning them to the Green Fairy. 'Come on, are we going in?

[ambitious_muse]

Slipping his arm around York's waist and leaning in certainly isn't an act. He has learned from the best, after all: even Gamma knows that the best lies are based in truth.

"I hope you didn't say too much," he says, feigning embarrassment. He would much rather have a boyfriend who takes pride in him. "I'm ready to go in if you are."

[searchandrecovery]

It hasn't even been five minutes and Wash has already managed to make the kid embarrassed. Great. He's set a new record.

"Come on, you two, let's get you some coffee." They're pretty cute. For some reason, Wash wasn't expecting cute from York. He was expecting teasing and who knows what. Maybe he'll get to see a different side of his friend today.

Wash holds the door open for them. "After you, lovebirds."

[depthlesslock]

York chuckles as he guides Sigma inside. 'Best keep your cats away if we're lovebirds,' he says as they pass Wash. 'Sig, did I tell you that Wash is not-so-secretly an old cat lady? He loves the things.'

The airlock is slightly crowded with three people in, but it was designed for bigger groups so it's not too bad. Once inside, York has to let go of Sigma to take his helmet off, but his arm's back around his boyfriend's shoulders once it's tucked under his free arm and he leads the way to a nearby table.

[ambitious_muse]

"You didn't," Sigma says. "How many do you have at home?"

He waits until they reach the table to remove his helmet, and even then, he's careful to avoid making eye contact with Washington.

[searchandrecovery]

Wash removes his own helmet and gives York a well-practiced pout. "I am not an old cat lady. I'm a trained fighter."

Oops. He wasn't supposed to say that. He turns bright red and immediately starts babbling about his cats, hoping that Sigma didn't catch what he'd just said.

"Uh, yeah, I've got two that are with me all the time, and then a rotating cast of cats that I rescue from plague clouds. You know. Strays, poor kittens that don't have any place else to go."

[depthlesslock]

Nice, Wash.

'You're a martial artist,' he says, rolling his eye and tucking Sigma a little closer. 'Technically it's illegal for you to get in a fight unless provoked.' Not that many people obey the laws around here. Especially in the circles the For Hires operate in. 'But you're still an old cat lady.'

[ambitious_muse]

Sigma would much rather know about the martial arts than the cats, but he does have a part to play. "Two cats wouldn't be so bad. What are their names?"

York has a friend who is a trained combatant, plus the entire ensemble of mercenaries he knows? He wonders if his boyfriend's job is as legal as he has been led to believe.

But why lie? York knows Sigma is comfortable around mercenaries. Right?

[soldierinblack]

Why did they always run?

It only made this a bigger mess for them. The wait for her DNA results brought her to pick up a last minute job for this morning that's quickly running into the afternoon. It should have been a simple exchange, her client having requested a bodyguard and insurance that a promised deal went through without trouble.

And yet the assholes were trying to take the goods and run. Even after being introduced to her. Things would have been easier on them if they hadn't taken to the streets. The idiots were running past the Green Fairy with her hot on their tail. She has her rifle out, but the problem with public streets are too many extra targets. Not that the brazen dumbasses are having that dilemma, but she wants a clean shot lest she endanger an entire crowd.

The opposing mercenaries dash to take cover, finally halting in their escape near the entrance to the cafe allowing her to do the same nearby.

"You're wasting both of our time," she calls out. Taunts are the fastest way to get them to peep out for a good shot. "Hurry up so I can get you in shallow graves before sun down."

[ambitious_muse]

One of the goons peers out and tests her cover with a spray from his auto rifle. A stupid move, one that alerts everyone inside to the conflict outside.

[depthlesslock]

At the sound of gunfire, chaos erupts in the cafe. People scream and dive for cover even though none of the bullets break into the shop, the sound of breaking crockery ringing out as mugs, plates and glasses are dropped or knocked off tables. York doesn't think, he just grabs Sigma and pulls him down under the table, wrapping himself around him to try and shield him. Fuck! What now?!

[searchandrecovery]

Really? Now? They have to run into surprise merc bullshit now, when they're trying to keep it a secret from York's 'delicate flame,' who's hopefully not as delicate as York says he is. But at this point, it's more important to keep everyone safe than keep a secret. Wash pulls on his helmet and draws a pistol from the inside of his jacket. He's always prepared, he has to be, but he wishes he had something a little bigger.

Under no circumstances is Wash going to let those goons get inside the shop. It's too small, the people inside are too easy targets. Wash moves toward the airlock, but his head is turned towards York and Sigma when he says, "I'm gonna go outside, hold 'em off, get them the fuck out of here. You coming? Or are you staying with Sigma?" Wash doesn't wait for an answer. There's no time.

He's out of the airlock now, and he can't believe who he sees.

"Tex? The fuck are you doing here?"

[soldierinblack]

She rolls her eyes at the sound of gunfire. Damn amateurs trying to make a mess out in public. A familiar voice draws her attention, but only for a moment. Wash isn't a threat.

"Working. What the hell does it look like? Make space so I have a clear shot," she orders.

[ambitious_muse]

Sigma wants to tell York that he's fine, but that wouldn't exactly be true. The sound of gunfire paralyzed him, and if not for York's quick thinking, he would probably still be sitting in his chair, possibly even in the line of fire. He isn't shaking, though, which is a step up from last time.

---

"Recovery's here too? See if you can grab a hostage!"

Getting the goods is no use if they can't get out alive, and if they can get hold of one of the cafe patrons, Recovery is usually pretty soft. He might even talk the Soldier into letting them go.

[depthlesslock]

He has to get out there and help. But god dammit, this is not how he wanted Sigma to fine out about what his real job is. But he doesn't have much choice.

'Stay here and stay down,' he tells Sigma, grabbing his helmet. Just before he gets up, he grips Sigma tightly for a single moment. 'I'm sorry.'

Then he's up and running, fitting his helmet on as the airlock lets him on. Before he can grab his pistol, one of the goons tries to push past him to get into the cafe. Not happening. York grabs his arm as he runs past, twisting it behind him until he drops the gun. He kicks the man in the back of the leg, grabs his own pistol with the other hand and knocks him out by hitting him in the back of the head with it. The guy drops and York turns back to the main fight.

'They're trying to get into the shops,' he yells to the others. 'I'll keep them out.'

[searchandrecovery]

"You got it!"

Wash isn't sure who he's yelling to, nor does he care. York's joined the fight which is good, it'll be easier to keep those goons from getting into enclosed areas with lots of civilians if there's more people on Wash (and maybe Tex's, Wash still isn't sure what she's doing here) side.

Wash is in full-on Recovery mode now, taking in so many images and sounds quickly, and reacting even faster. He hears something about a hostage, and that's simply unacceptable. There's not gonna be any hostages, not today, especially when York's boyfriend has a chance of becoming one. Whichever asshole said that is going down first.

"Hey, asswipes! Sorry to let you know that you're not gonna be taking any hostages today. Instead, I think you'll be getting the fuck out of here? Doesn't that sound good?" Wash aims his gun at the closest goon and shoots him in the leg. Not enough to kill him--Wash won't kill if he can't help it--but enough to slow him down, and hopefully, more than enough to scare him.

Wash moves to the side, both to give Tex the room she wanted and also to get a better view of exactly how many people she brought with her. Too many. This should be interesting.

[soldierinblack]

She rolls her eyes at the mention of hostages. Damn wimps if they feel like they need to hide behind unarmed civilians.

York's got the shops covered, so at least there's that and Wash is coming in hot. Extra eyes will help now that the assholes have decided to bring this out into the open. Wash serves as a perfect distraction for her to charge to new cover for a better angle. She fires in quick, controlled bursts at the thugs and pulls back before they can get their bearings and return fire. Unlike Wash, she's not shooting to wound. They forfeited that privilege when they chose to bring the fight out in the open.

"Take them out before they get someone killed in the cross fire," she barks in the general direction of Wash and York. It might not be their style, but she's not dragging unconscious bodies around the city.

[ambitious_muse]

There's so much York didn't tell him. He watches his b--York's retreating back and feels anger flaring in his chest. Why not say anything? Why, when it grew so increasingly obvious?

Why couldn't he know?

---


One of the thugs grabs the package and sprints into the alley beyond the cafe. Several people parked motorcycles there; she hopes the rest of the crew will distract the mercs long enough for her to jump a free ride.

[searchandrecovery]

"Nobody's getting killed, not if I can help it," Wash shouts back. He didn't sign up for this to become a killer, and he's not about to become one now. Not unless it's absolutely necessary, and Wash doesn't think it's necessary. Not yet. He'll deal with the unconscious bodies if he has to. Better that than taking lives. It may be a naive way to operate, but Wash doesn't care.

One thug is fleeing, and that catches Wash's eye. Looks like she's holding something. "Tex! I think your objective went that way." He cocks his head in the direction of the fleeing thug. He and York can hold the rest of these assholes--if Tex has a job to do, then she better go do it. "York and I got this, right, man?"

[depthlesslock]

'I second that!' York yells as he knocks out another thug trying to get into the shop next door and shoots a third in the side. If things get any worse or if any of them start to make it past him, he might stop holding back if there's no way he can knock them out in time. His mind keeps going to Sigma and how their next conversation is going to be very awkward and possibly relationship threatening.

That thought almost costs him his pistol as one of the thugs jumps him and tries to grab it. He deliberately falls onto his back, crashing the goon between him and the side walk. While the creep is still stunned, York rolls off and knocks him unconscious. Asshole.

Getting up, he hears Wash's warning and looks up to see the target disappear into the alley. 'Yeah, we've got this,' he shouts, shooting a nearby goon in the leg. 'Go get the sucker!'