Fic: A Little Evil Comes A Long Way (Kahlan/Cara) 6/33
Title: A Little Evil Comes A Long Way
Author: raug_moss
Pairings: Kahlan/Cara
Rating: NC-17
A/N: modern AU
Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Chapter 5
Chapter 6
There stands a man in front their door when she returns to the apartment. He bangs his fist against the already brittle wood and Kahlan fears that he’ll break it into a thousand tiny pieces.
“I doubt that anyone’s home,” she says as she walks closer to him. “By now you would’ve already woken the dead with the noise you’re making.”
She isn’t really up for another fight but she would give him a bloody nose if he asks for it.
“Who are you?” he grunts as he turns toward her. He is about as tall as Kahlan, and his grey sweater and jeans make him look like he’s just another ruffian.
“I could ask you the same thing,” she answers calmly.
“I’m looking for Dahlia not one of her bitches. Tell her I want the money or this will end badly,” he says, taking a step toward her.
“Is that a threat?” Kahlan asks, a dangerous spark in her eyes.
The man merely raises one eyebrow. He seems intelligent enough to understand that he isn’t playing in the brunette’s league.
“No. I’m warning her. My boss wants what is rightfully his.”
Kahlan looks at him with narrowed eyes.
“Alright, how much does Dahlia owe your boss?” There’s no use in arguing right now. Should Dahlia really owe money to someone it is wiser to gather information first.
“Ten grand.” The man answers.
Blue eyes close for a split second.
“Who is your boss?”
“Why should I tell you that?”
“Because I want to speak to him and not some henchman.” She glares at him, her entire body daring him to try something stupid.
He sizes her up from head to toe and his glare lingers on her for a moment before some tension leaves his shoulders. He’s obviously decided not to mess with the woman in front of him.
“Fine. Come to the Lion’s Den tomorrow night. I’ll make sure you get your meeting with the boss and I advise you nicely to get the money together ‘cause others might not be as charming as I am.”
Kahlan snorts quietly but steps aside as he walks past her. She doesn’t know what the Lion’s Den is but she’s sure she can find out before tomorrow night. Right after giving Dahlia a good ass-whopping for getting into so much trouble.
She stands there and watches the man walk down the hallway. At the top of the stairs he turns and sends one last unhappy glare in her direction.
Kahlan takes a deep breath and lets it out in a huff.
She waits until she can hear the echo of the main door closing and then turns to the apartment.
She forgot to ask for a key the day before so she stands in front of a closed door without a way to get in. Maybe she should’ve let the guy beat it down anyway.
With her back against the wall she slides to the floor. Crossing her legs at the ankles she leans her head back and looks up at the single bare light bulb that hangs from the ceiling.
“Why does this always happen?”
She raises a hand and absent-mindedly touches her sore throat with her fingertips, remembering the attack that'd taken place only two hours ago. She should've been more careful and prevented that guy from getting his damn hands anywhere near her throat but instead she is feeling absolutely miserable. Not that she's unfamiliar with pain, but she just loathes being hurt when it could've been avoided.
After sitting there for a while longer she closes her eyes and feels the exhaustion of the last couple of hours wash over her.
That’s why she doesn’t hear the steps that come continuously closer only to be replaced by ragged breathing that is definitely not her own.
“Hello, have you locked yourself out sweetie?”
Kahlan opens her eyes and forces herself not to jump up and knock the poor guy in front of her out. After everything that’s happened she feels a little on the edge.
Instead she puts on a friendly smile and nods. “Yeah.”
The man returns the smile and Kahlan can barely see past the sparkling white teeth that momentarily blind her. “Would you like to come in hon? I live right down the hall and you can wait there until the locksmith is here.”
The man digs in his purse for the keys and it’s then that Kahlan notices his skirt and heels.
“Actually I’m waiting for my cousin. She works late and will be here in a couple of hours...” She answers, still gazing at him.
“Well then you need a place to wait anyway, the floor can’t be really comfortable.”
Kahlan slowly gets up from the floor and groans quietly as her aching muscles protest. The little skirmish she’d gotten into earlier really had exhausted her.
“I’m Tess by the way,” he introduces himself and walks toward his own apartment. Kahlan sighs in jealousy at seeing how perfectly Tess can move in his heels. It’s been a while since she’s tried on shoes like that and back then she’d almost broken her ankle. She slowly follows him into the apartment and is quite astonished when he turns on the lights. The interior is tastefully furnished and looks very inviting.
“In case you’re wondering why I let you inside just like that,” he says and turns to Kahlan. “I know Dahlia and she’s been a good neighbor ever since she moved in. And I’m sure if you’re her cousin you’re a nice person too. What would life be like if people couldn’t even trust others on a basic level?”
Kahlan nods slowly. “Could be a tad dangerous though.”
Tess chuckles. “I like a thrill every now and then.”
They walk further into the apartment and Tess takes off his heels while throwing his purse on a table nearby at the same time.
“Would you like anything to drink?”
“Water’s fine.” Kahlan follows him to the kitchen and realizes that the apartment is exactly the same as Dahlia’s only mirror inverted.
Tess hands her a glass and Kahlan downs the cool liquid. Swallowing however proves to be more difficult than she would’ve thought. Her sore throat constricts painfully and she begins coughing like she’s going to cough up her lungs and spread them all over Tess’ floor.
He looks at her with worried eyes. “You alright?”
“Fine!” Kahlan croaks and puts the glass aside before it can slide through her fingers.
It takes several more minutes and a few pats from Tess to her back before she’s over the coughing fit.
They’ve settled on the couch and Tess has changed into more or less comfortable spandex pants and a loose fitting sweater. His face has a dark complexion and contrasts starkly with his light green eyes.
“You’re one of very few people who’ve not asked about my choice of clothing right after meeting me for the first time.” He must’ve caught Kahlan looking him up and down, but the brunette simply shrugs.
“Honestly? You’ve got more style than most people I know, hell more than me. Plus you’ve got the body to do it, so wear whatever you like.”
Tess grins cheekily at her and cocks his head to the side. “I knew I liked you honey. And if you’re ever in doubt about what you should wear, you just come and find me.”
Kahlan thanks him and returns the grin. She’s pretty sure that his offer might be useful at some point in time.
They keep on chatting for the rest of the night and Kahlan learns quite a bit about Tess’ life. It’s not his real name of course, but he says that if someone ever called him Terry again he would have to flee town.
He works as a designer in a small shop somewhere on the other side of the city and Kahlan has to promise to visit very soon. What better was there than a discount from a friendly neighbor? He and his partner were still waiting for someone to notice their designs so that they could actually make a lot of money. But they weren’t the only ones and competition was stiff.
And despite his affection for dresses and heels Tess is a rather normal guy. He enjoys a good fuck just as much as the next person and doesn’t discriminate against either gender. Plus he’s a real pleasure to be around with his enthusiasm and wit.
When they hear the slamming of a door hours later Kahlan gets up and moves to peek outside. Noise seems to come from Dahlia’s apartment and she quickly walks over and knocks.
Her cousin flings the door open and stares wide-eyed at Kahlan.
“Oh god there you are! Hell I was worried! I realized that you didn’t have a key and came here as soon as I could.”
“Yeah well, luckily Tess came and invited me inside.”
The dark-skinned man comes scurrying down the hallway and hands Kahlan her leather jacket. “That’s me. Always known for my hospitality.” He grins.
Dahlia gratefully nods her head. “Thanks bud. We’ll make it up to you somehow.”
Kahlan also thanks him, once again promising that she would take a look at his shop and follows Dahlia into the apartment.
“We have to talk.” She says gravely.
Dahlia turns to her with a forlorn expression. “Every conversation with that beginning always means trouble for me.”
Chapter 7
Author: raug_moss
Pairings: Kahlan/Cara
Rating: NC-17
A/N: modern AU
Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Chapter 5
Chapter 6
There stands a man in front their door when she returns to the apartment. He bangs his fist against the already brittle wood and Kahlan fears that he’ll break it into a thousand tiny pieces.
“I doubt that anyone’s home,” she says as she walks closer to him. “By now you would’ve already woken the dead with the noise you’re making.”
She isn’t really up for another fight but she would give him a bloody nose if he asks for it.
“Who are you?” he grunts as he turns toward her. He is about as tall as Kahlan, and his grey sweater and jeans make him look like he’s just another ruffian.
“I could ask you the same thing,” she answers calmly.
“I’m looking for Dahlia not one of her bitches. Tell her I want the money or this will end badly,” he says, taking a step toward her.
“Is that a threat?” Kahlan asks, a dangerous spark in her eyes.
The man merely raises one eyebrow. He seems intelligent enough to understand that he isn’t playing in the brunette’s league.
“No. I’m warning her. My boss wants what is rightfully his.”
Kahlan looks at him with narrowed eyes.
“Alright, how much does Dahlia owe your boss?” There’s no use in arguing right now. Should Dahlia really owe money to someone it is wiser to gather information first.
“Ten grand.” The man answers.
Blue eyes close for a split second.
“Who is your boss?”
“Why should I tell you that?”
“Because I want to speak to him and not some henchman.” She glares at him, her entire body daring him to try something stupid.
He sizes her up from head to toe and his glare lingers on her for a moment before some tension leaves his shoulders. He’s obviously decided not to mess with the woman in front of him.
“Fine. Come to the Lion’s Den tomorrow night. I’ll make sure you get your meeting with the boss and I advise you nicely to get the money together ‘cause others might not be as charming as I am.”
Kahlan snorts quietly but steps aside as he walks past her. She doesn’t know what the Lion’s Den is but she’s sure she can find out before tomorrow night. Right after giving Dahlia a good ass-whopping for getting into so much trouble.
She stands there and watches the man walk down the hallway. At the top of the stairs he turns and sends one last unhappy glare in her direction.
Kahlan takes a deep breath and lets it out in a huff.
She waits until she can hear the echo of the main door closing and then turns to the apartment.
She forgot to ask for a key the day before so she stands in front of a closed door without a way to get in. Maybe she should’ve let the guy beat it down anyway.
With her back against the wall she slides to the floor. Crossing her legs at the ankles she leans her head back and looks up at the single bare light bulb that hangs from the ceiling.
“Why does this always happen?”
She raises a hand and absent-mindedly touches her sore throat with her fingertips, remembering the attack that'd taken place only two hours ago. She should've been more careful and prevented that guy from getting his damn hands anywhere near her throat but instead she is feeling absolutely miserable. Not that she's unfamiliar with pain, but she just loathes being hurt when it could've been avoided.
After sitting there for a while longer she closes her eyes and feels the exhaustion of the last couple of hours wash over her.
That’s why she doesn’t hear the steps that come continuously closer only to be replaced by ragged breathing that is definitely not her own.
“Hello, have you locked yourself out sweetie?”
Kahlan opens her eyes and forces herself not to jump up and knock the poor guy in front of her out. After everything that’s happened she feels a little on the edge.
Instead she puts on a friendly smile and nods. “Yeah.”
The man returns the smile and Kahlan can barely see past the sparkling white teeth that momentarily blind her. “Would you like to come in hon? I live right down the hall and you can wait there until the locksmith is here.”
The man digs in his purse for the keys and it’s then that Kahlan notices his skirt and heels.
“Actually I’m waiting for my cousin. She works late and will be here in a couple of hours...” She answers, still gazing at him.
“Well then you need a place to wait anyway, the floor can’t be really comfortable.”
Kahlan slowly gets up from the floor and groans quietly as her aching muscles protest. The little skirmish she’d gotten into earlier really had exhausted her.
“I’m Tess by the way,” he introduces himself and walks toward his own apartment. Kahlan sighs in jealousy at seeing how perfectly Tess can move in his heels. It’s been a while since she’s tried on shoes like that and back then she’d almost broken her ankle. She slowly follows him into the apartment and is quite astonished when he turns on the lights. The interior is tastefully furnished and looks very inviting.
“In case you’re wondering why I let you inside just like that,” he says and turns to Kahlan. “I know Dahlia and she’s been a good neighbor ever since she moved in. And I’m sure if you’re her cousin you’re a nice person too. What would life be like if people couldn’t even trust others on a basic level?”
Kahlan nods slowly. “Could be a tad dangerous though.”
Tess chuckles. “I like a thrill every now and then.”
They walk further into the apartment and Tess takes off his heels while throwing his purse on a table nearby at the same time.
“Would you like anything to drink?”
“Water’s fine.” Kahlan follows him to the kitchen and realizes that the apartment is exactly the same as Dahlia’s only mirror inverted.
Tess hands her a glass and Kahlan downs the cool liquid. Swallowing however proves to be more difficult than she would’ve thought. Her sore throat constricts painfully and she begins coughing like she’s going to cough up her lungs and spread them all over Tess’ floor.
He looks at her with worried eyes. “You alright?”
“Fine!” Kahlan croaks and puts the glass aside before it can slide through her fingers.
It takes several more minutes and a few pats from Tess to her back before she’s over the coughing fit.
They’ve settled on the couch and Tess has changed into more or less comfortable spandex pants and a loose fitting sweater. His face has a dark complexion and contrasts starkly with his light green eyes.
“You’re one of very few people who’ve not asked about my choice of clothing right after meeting me for the first time.” He must’ve caught Kahlan looking him up and down, but the brunette simply shrugs.
“Honestly? You’ve got more style than most people I know, hell more than me. Plus you’ve got the body to do it, so wear whatever you like.”
Tess grins cheekily at her and cocks his head to the side. “I knew I liked you honey. And if you’re ever in doubt about what you should wear, you just come and find me.”
Kahlan thanks him and returns the grin. She’s pretty sure that his offer might be useful at some point in time.
They keep on chatting for the rest of the night and Kahlan learns quite a bit about Tess’ life. It’s not his real name of course, but he says that if someone ever called him Terry again he would have to flee town.
He works as a designer in a small shop somewhere on the other side of the city and Kahlan has to promise to visit very soon. What better was there than a discount from a friendly neighbor? He and his partner were still waiting for someone to notice their designs so that they could actually make a lot of money. But they weren’t the only ones and competition was stiff.
And despite his affection for dresses and heels Tess is a rather normal guy. He enjoys a good fuck just as much as the next person and doesn’t discriminate against either gender. Plus he’s a real pleasure to be around with his enthusiasm and wit.
When they hear the slamming of a door hours later Kahlan gets up and moves to peek outside. Noise seems to come from Dahlia’s apartment and she quickly walks over and knocks.
Her cousin flings the door open and stares wide-eyed at Kahlan.
“Oh god there you are! Hell I was worried! I realized that you didn’t have a key and came here as soon as I could.”
“Yeah well, luckily Tess came and invited me inside.”
The dark-skinned man comes scurrying down the hallway and hands Kahlan her leather jacket. “That’s me. Always known for my hospitality.” He grins.
Dahlia gratefully nods her head. “Thanks bud. We’ll make it up to you somehow.”
Kahlan also thanks him, once again promising that she would take a look at his shop and follows Dahlia into the apartment.
“We have to talk.” She says gravely.
Dahlia turns to her with a forlorn expression. “Every conversation with that beginning always means trouble for me.”
Chapter 7