05-Jul-2003
Title: Identity 2/?
Author: The Elemental
Rating: R (for Violence)
Archive: LOVERLY www.GWAddiction.com has hosted me *gives Tyr a cookie!* Under Elemental
Feedback: writerz_bloc@yahoo.ca
Pairings: some 1+2 2+5 1+2+5 hints and whatnot, nothing cemented yet... (Mainly because THEY haven't decided yet!!)
Warnings: Violence, OC POV (NOT a Mary Sue!!!) Gang/medical terms abound.
Notes: I'm almost embarassed by how short this is, I had wanted this chapter to be much longer, but I ended up writing myself into a corner and didn't want to ruin the flow by continuing when my muse is telling me to stop.
Please enjoy, and remember, the amount of feedback i get is directly proportional to how quickly I write more.. :P *evil grin*
(again, apologies for the brevity.)
On to the fic!
~ I am the Breeze of Wisdom, I am the Wind of Insanity~
The Elemental
"Eight ball, corner pocket."
The cue ball, white surface marred by the blue of chalk, traveled down the felt surface and smacked into the black ball dead centre, sending the darker ball at an angle down the table where it fell into the pocket with a definite thunk.
A few of the lookers-on cheered the good game, and one teen clapped a hand across Duo's back. "Don't worry man, Dita's never lost a game, and she's been playn' for like, ever!"
A few of the other watchers muttered their agreement and moved on, hitting the bar or the arcade games, attention already lost. Dita grinned, then shook her head happily. "That was the closest game I've played in a long time. You almost had me there for a few shots!"
Duo laughed, "If I hadn't fucked up that five-ball shot, I would have won."
Dita's eyes gleamed, "Maybe, maybe not." She gestured to the table, where a white cue ball and one solid ball still remained, "Looks like you owe me a drink, though." Hanging up the pool cue, she headed towards the bar. Duo paused and she turned back, "Hey, you comin' Max or what? Not gonna shirk out of a bet, are you?"
Duo grinned back and hung up his cue, following after Dita as she swaggered into a seat. She's incredibly comfortable here, Duo thought to himself. It's strange how much her personality can shift. Not like I can't handle it, considering what the guys can be like at times. Still, I never expected her to be this outgoing. AND I can't believe she beat me! I haven't lost since I was, what? Eleven? Twelve? Well, it didn't matter. Jumping up onto the bench next to Dita, he motioned to the bartender, who viewed him with an even eye. Looking back and forth between the pair, he allowed Duo the smallest of a smirk. Duo grinned back, "Get this talented lady whatever she wants, and give me a Crowbar."
The bartender nodded, pulling a shot glass out from under the counter, and looked at Dita, "So Di, what's it for you today?"
Dita shrugged, "The usual. Mad Hatter. And if you use peach juice again I'll shoot you."
Duo blinked as he watched the man mix vodka, peach schnapps, lemonade and coca-cola, then strain them into a shot glass. A few seconds later his own drink, Crown Royal, rum and tequila in a shot, was placed in front of him. Picking up the glass, he motioned towards Dita, "Cheers. To... "
Dita finished: "To a good night." She downed the glass with Duo close behind, and motioned to the bartender. Seeing the look on Duo's face, she smiled, "Don't worry bub. Just one drink was all you were coverin'. This one's on me." She didn't even have to tell the bartender what she wanted, he re-appeared a few seconds later with a tall glass, filled with Coke. When ‘max" quirked an eyebrow, she grinned. "Don't drink too much. Makes for mistakes. Besides, I've got work in... bout an hour.
"Oh?" Duo paused, and when Dita made no attempt to elaborate, he poked her in the shoulder lightly, "Where?"
Dita stood, draining her glass. "I'm an... they call me a ‘Crash Nurse'. I do a lot of the grunt work so that the nurses can handle the bigger stuff. They're understaffed." Dita headed for the door, Duo close behind.
"Grunt work?"
Dita shrugged, slipping her jacket on and turning up the collar to the chill breeze that blew down the street. The sun was beginning to finally set, close to eight o'clock. It coloured the sky a deep crimson, and tinted the shadows on the ground violet. Cramming her hands into her pockets, Dita spoke as she walked, eyes on her surroundings, not Duo. "My mom was a nurse, taught me a lot. She's not nursing anymore though, so I offered to help St. Catherine's. I dress wounds, change bedpans, help feed and clothe patients. I stitch up minor stuff, keep the Emergency Room organized, that kind of thing. Whatever I can do that takes up time for the others."
Sensing her discomfort, though not sure why, Duo let the subject drop. "That's cool." He checked his watch and sighed dramatically. "Unfortunately, I've gotta go. Business." He grinned and Dita raised an eyebrow, but said nothing. "See you tomorrow."
Dita nodded, "Yeah. Be careful." And headed west down the street. Duo watched he leave, then turned right and made his way towards his safe house for the mission. He needed to grab some supplies and change into something a little more suited for the night. He still hadn't picked up any hash, but he doubted it would pose a problem. If anyone asked, he could just quote an incredibly high price and they'd leave him alone.
A lot of things were beginning to bother Duo however. This area seemed to be completely devoid of police or anything resembling law enforcement. Areas were defined by gang territory, yet he'd seen very little gang activity. Certainly, there were groupings of teens hanging out in alleys and doorways. But they were keeping to themselves- no one issued any challenges to him, or to each other. To Duo, who'd lived, bled, and almost died for his gang, this was as wrong as the sun setting to the North. It just simply wasn't done.
If this place was so overrun with gangs, why didn't he se anyone out on the street? Those he did see kept clustered together, seeking protection in numbers. And there was nothing for them to be afraid of, as far as he could tell.
Which of course just meant he didn't have enough information yet.
"Dita babe, grab this guy's chart and give it to Freya on third, and then you can pack it in for the night."
I sighed and grabbed the chart out of the nurse's hands., "Call me babe one more time and I'll poison your coffee."
He laughed for a few seconds, then stopped when I smiled back. Some of the other workers have told me my smiles are unnerving. Sometimes that can bug me... today, I enjoy the fact.
I gave Freya, the graying, harried pediatric nurse the file, though she didn't really acknowledge it. I don't blame her since she was trying to explain to a new intern how to administer insulin to one of our long-term children.
It's early June, and that normally means it's incredibly hot and stuffy down here, the smog making the temperature a good five degrees higher than necessary, but this year's been exceptionally cold, so I'm still wearing a jean jacket to keep the chill off my back. It's late, almost one o'clock. I was planning on leaving by midnight, but then that car accident came in...
What the hell am I going to do about him?
Ok, Dita, think. Do you like the guy? Yes. He's funny and intelligent and decent and looks amazing, when he's not scaring the piss out of someone.
Does he like you? Possibly. He seems to be having a good time and hanging around because he wants to, but he could still be looking for info or a way to grab my trust.
Do you love him?
...
No...
He's... frightening. I like him, playing pool was fun. But there's just something he's hiding that I can tell isn't good. He's at least been honest about hiding from the cops. It's understandable, wanting to drop out of sight...
But I still don't know enough about him to trust him for a flat second.
Still... it's nice to have someone to talk to. No harm in talking, right?
Why am I trying to convince myself? Argh! Ok, internal discussion ends... .NOW!
I hate it when I catch myself doing that. I don't know, it seems so silly to talk to yourself. Besides, it's such an unimportant thing...
I'm almost home. There's a gang of Crips hanging around across the street, but they're quiet. Another one of theirs turned up today, near the beginning of my shift. He looked...
I have to swallow bile in the back of my throat. I never want to see something like that again.
There's been a lot of those lately. On the plus side, it's keeping the gangs quiet, clustered together. Everyone's been hit, so they can't suspect each other...
But Gods... . Why would anyone do that?
End Part 2
(:./elemental/ident2)
