(no subject)
Author: Nathalia
Rating: PG
Challenge:
Margarita #01 - wield
Quince #05 - any other bright ideas
Extras / Toppings: chopped nuts, hot fudge (Mara), malt (bachelor auction: Gianni/Mara, 1300 words), milkshake, pocky chain
Word Count: 1,456
Story: Ash & Sal / Misfits
Summary: Bishop and Johnny do business and Mara’s and Gianni’s paths cross.
Notes: casino night: chopped nuts, hot fudge, cherry and sundae weekend: hot fudge. Maybe this isn’t exactly a date but I can’t see Mara really going on dates or Gianni asking her out, so ...
The meeting with one of Johnny’s business partners suddenly gets a lot more interesting when Bishop, the business partner from New York, doesn’t come in alone but in company of a redhead.
Gianni doesn’t know what she is, secretary or just company. Her clothes aren’t all that much of an indication, a black long-sleeved shirt and dark jeans. She is quiet through most of the meeting, listening while Johnny and Bishop discuss things that Gianni can’t focus on all that much. He’s busy staring at the redhead as discreetly as possible.
***
Business meetings aren’t Mara’s favorite part of the job by any stretch of the imagination but someone has to keep an eye on Bishop. God forbid something should happen to him. Besides, he doesn’t like to travel alone.
She is the only woman in the conference room and she keeps a vigilant eye on everyone, both Bishop and his partners, but when her eyes fall on what she assumes must be Johnny Moretti’s or Sal Torre’s muscle.
All of a sudden, the meeting has become much more interesting.
***
“Have you seen that redhead?” Gianni asks Sal once it’s all over and Sal grins. Those two have known each other far too long for Sal to not understand what Gianni is trying to get at.
“Careful there, that one’s not your regular girl. We did some research on her before we met with Bishop in New York last year. Mara Ivanov. Bishop’s right hand who’ll do just about anything for him. Former ballerina though I get the feeling that’s not really what she was.”
“Assassin?”
Sal nods grimly. “That’s what I think.”
***
Once back in her hotel room, she starts digging through the files she’s compiled on these mobsters. She doesn’t really understand why Bishop wants to do business with them but then again, she’s not paid to question his decisions. He’s the genius when it comes to multiplying money.
His is the last file she finds and also she shortest: Gianni Moretti, son of Johnny Moretti. Bodyguard. Not exactly what she expected from the boss’ son but that doesn’t change the fact that he’s quite handsome and she won’t be here for very long.
***
They spend the evening at Jack Fitzpartick’s bar so Sal can try to hit on Ash only to be threatened by her. Sal doesn’t seem to mind all that much and Gianni lets him get in trouble. If the man wants to kill himself, then so be it.
Sal has just disappeared into the kitchen and Gianni is looking around when he spots Mara Ivanov, the redhead from earlier today, coming in. She’s still dressed the same and she seems to be looking for someone.
Gianni can’t believe it when he realizes that it’s him she’s walking up to.
***
She sits down across from him as if they’ve agreed to meet here. It’s not like it’s been hard to find him, she just had to make a few inquiries. It took far less time than she had expected it to take.
“Interesting meeting today, huh?” Gianni asks and she can tell that he’s trying to act as if this here is completely normal.
“I’m not much of a fan of business meetings,” she says in a throw-away tone. “Where’s your boss?”
“In the kitchen, trying to get the cook to go out with him. Crazy fucker won’t give up.”
***
She nods. “That’s why you’re in this dump?”
“That’s why we keep coming back every time she turns him down,” Gianni confirms.
“And you? Obviously not as determined as him. Usually, the son of the boss has something more important to do than be someone else’s door mat.”
Gianni doesn’t answer at first, takes a sip of wine. He’s heard this too often to be hurt by it but there’s no point in explaining it to her. “How’s assassin pretending to be ballerina turned secretary who does dirty work any better?”
***
She smiles for what must be the first time. “Touché.” She reaches for the other glass on the table that hasn’t been touched yet -- Torre’s she assumes -- and pours some wine out of the bottle onto it. “If you had done your research a little better, you would know that it wasn’t a cover. I was a ballerina. A really good one.”
“And an assassin?”
“Even better one.”
***
Gianni figures that the way she calmly states all of this is her way of scaring most men away. Not him though. He likes a strong, feisty woman. In a way, he’s just like Sal, just that he hasn’t been threatened with a knife so far during his first conversation with Mara.
He notices that her glass is empty and fills it up again, then his. “You’re gonna finish that up so we can order a second one or what?”
Mara doesn’t answer, just looks at him over the rim of her glass.
***
Usually, she doesn’t drink on business but then again, Bishop knew she didn’t want to come along and still made her. And the man can damn well take care of himself. She’s probably not even coming along to tomorrow’s meeting. There is no need to. Maybe accompany him there and then lurk around outside or something until he’s done sounds better than sitting in on it again.
She’s making an exception to her rule tonight. Well, another exception. She’s already made a few tonight. Fraternizing being the first one.
Sometimes, she needs a tiny kick.
***
“I need to get out of here,” Mara sighs after they have finished the forth bottle of wine and Sal still hasn’t come out of the kitchen. “And get a clear head.”
“Back to the hotel? To sleep?”
Gianni is feeling the alcohol himself. He has only had a sandwich for dinner, not expecting Sal to take so long today. Usually, Ash throws him out much sooner.
“No. I’m not really in the mood to sleep.” She closes her eye for a second. “Any shooting range nearby? I wouldn’t say no to emptying a few rounds.”
***
The shooting range isn’t all that far away. Maybe twenty minutes by foot and on their way there, Gianni wonders repeatedly if this is really happening, if he’s really going to a shooting range with this woman, both of them more than a little tipsy which is one of the reasons he suggested they walk instead of taking the car.
“I don’t need a gun,” Mara tells the owner when they arrive, pulling out hers that she has kept concealed until now.
Of course, he’s brought his own, too.
***
She can’t help running her hands over his gun admiringly. “Never seen an All American up close before.”
She loves a man with a good gun and one she’s never held in her hands before always turns her on just a bit.
“If you want to shoot with it, give me yours and I’ll try that.”
She grins, knowing that he’s probably been thinking of how to suggest that since he’s seen her get out her gun. Not that she will object. She wants to try this.
***
Gianni wakes up in a room, not his, to the sound of someone knocking at the door and his cell phone ringing. He reaches around blindly for it while a slim body slips out of bed, a thin white blanket wrapped around her and makes her way to the door.
He has a headache and the events of the night before are very much on his mind though they seem blurry. He isn’t sure how he ended up in the hotel room, just knows that he did.
***
Bishop is at the door, in a bad mood. She’s late for the meeting and he wants her to come along and stay there. Mara almost rolls her eyes but doesn’t, assuring that she will be ready in a minute.
“I’m late,” she tells Gianni as soon as she’s closed the door. “So are you.”
“Tell me about it.” Gianni is already scrambling for his clothes. “And I need to go get my car first or something. It’ll look suspicious if I come with you.”
“And Bishop would kill me,” Mara adds, pulling her hair into a ponytail.
***
He almost falls asleep at the meeting, only kept awake by Sal who kicks him under the table whenever his eyes fall shut for too long. Johnny keeps shooting him reproachful looks but other than then, nobody seems to notice.
Mara has managed to excuse herself -- important phone call -- and has been gone for about ten minutes now.
“Long night, huh?” Sal whispers while the others are going over papers.
“Don’t even ask,” Gianni grumbles. “Just get this over with. I need to sleep.”
Rating: PG
Challenge:
Margarita #01 - wield
Quince #05 - any other bright ideas
Extras / Toppings: chopped nuts, hot fudge (Mara), malt (bachelor auction: Gianni/Mara, 1300 words), milkshake, pocky chain
Word Count: 1,456
Story: Ash & Sal / Misfits
Summary: Bishop and Johnny do business and Mara’s and Gianni’s paths cross.
Notes: casino night: chopped nuts, hot fudge, cherry and sundae weekend: hot fudge. Maybe this isn’t exactly a date but I can’t see Mara really going on dates or Gianni asking her out, so ...
The meeting with one of Johnny’s business partners suddenly gets a lot more interesting when Bishop, the business partner from New York, doesn’t come in alone but in company of a redhead.
Gianni doesn’t know what she is, secretary or just company. Her clothes aren’t all that much of an indication, a black long-sleeved shirt and dark jeans. She is quiet through most of the meeting, listening while Johnny and Bishop discuss things that Gianni can’t focus on all that much. He’s busy staring at the redhead as discreetly as possible.
***
Business meetings aren’t Mara’s favorite part of the job by any stretch of the imagination but someone has to keep an eye on Bishop. God forbid something should happen to him. Besides, he doesn’t like to travel alone.
She is the only woman in the conference room and she keeps a vigilant eye on everyone, both Bishop and his partners, but when her eyes fall on what she assumes must be Johnny Moretti’s or Sal Torre’s muscle.
All of a sudden, the meeting has become much more interesting.
***
“Have you seen that redhead?” Gianni asks Sal once it’s all over and Sal grins. Those two have known each other far too long for Sal to not understand what Gianni is trying to get at.
“Careful there, that one’s not your regular girl. We did some research on her before we met with Bishop in New York last year. Mara Ivanov. Bishop’s right hand who’ll do just about anything for him. Former ballerina though I get the feeling that’s not really what she was.”
“Assassin?”
Sal nods grimly. “That’s what I think.”
***
Once back in her hotel room, she starts digging through the files she’s compiled on these mobsters. She doesn’t really understand why Bishop wants to do business with them but then again, she’s not paid to question his decisions. He’s the genius when it comes to multiplying money.
His is the last file she finds and also she shortest: Gianni Moretti, son of Johnny Moretti. Bodyguard. Not exactly what she expected from the boss’ son but that doesn’t change the fact that he’s quite handsome and she won’t be here for very long.
***
They spend the evening at Jack Fitzpartick’s bar so Sal can try to hit on Ash only to be threatened by her. Sal doesn’t seem to mind all that much and Gianni lets him get in trouble. If the man wants to kill himself, then so be it.
Sal has just disappeared into the kitchen and Gianni is looking around when he spots Mara Ivanov, the redhead from earlier today, coming in. She’s still dressed the same and she seems to be looking for someone.
Gianni can’t believe it when he realizes that it’s him she’s walking up to.
***
She sits down across from him as if they’ve agreed to meet here. It’s not like it’s been hard to find him, she just had to make a few inquiries. It took far less time than she had expected it to take.
“Interesting meeting today, huh?” Gianni asks and she can tell that he’s trying to act as if this here is completely normal.
“I’m not much of a fan of business meetings,” she says in a throw-away tone. “Where’s your boss?”
“In the kitchen, trying to get the cook to go out with him. Crazy fucker won’t give up.”
***
She nods. “That’s why you’re in this dump?”
“That’s why we keep coming back every time she turns him down,” Gianni confirms.
“And you? Obviously not as determined as him. Usually, the son of the boss has something more important to do than be someone else’s door mat.”
Gianni doesn’t answer at first, takes a sip of wine. He’s heard this too often to be hurt by it but there’s no point in explaining it to her. “How’s assassin pretending to be ballerina turned secretary who does dirty work any better?”
***
She smiles for what must be the first time. “Touché.” She reaches for the other glass on the table that hasn’t been touched yet -- Torre’s she assumes -- and pours some wine out of the bottle onto it. “If you had done your research a little better, you would know that it wasn’t a cover. I was a ballerina. A really good one.”
“And an assassin?”
“Even better one.”
***
Gianni figures that the way she calmly states all of this is her way of scaring most men away. Not him though. He likes a strong, feisty woman. In a way, he’s just like Sal, just that he hasn’t been threatened with a knife so far during his first conversation with Mara.
He notices that her glass is empty and fills it up again, then his. “You’re gonna finish that up so we can order a second one or what?”
Mara doesn’t answer, just looks at him over the rim of her glass.
***
Usually, she doesn’t drink on business but then again, Bishop knew she didn’t want to come along and still made her. And the man can damn well take care of himself. She’s probably not even coming along to tomorrow’s meeting. There is no need to. Maybe accompany him there and then lurk around outside or something until he’s done sounds better than sitting in on it again.
She’s making an exception to her rule tonight. Well, another exception. She’s already made a few tonight. Fraternizing being the first one.
Sometimes, she needs a tiny kick.
***
“I need to get out of here,” Mara sighs after they have finished the forth bottle of wine and Sal still hasn’t come out of the kitchen. “And get a clear head.”
“Back to the hotel? To sleep?”
Gianni is feeling the alcohol himself. He has only had a sandwich for dinner, not expecting Sal to take so long today. Usually, Ash throws him out much sooner.
“No. I’m not really in the mood to sleep.” She closes her eye for a second. “Any shooting range nearby? I wouldn’t say no to emptying a few rounds.”
***
The shooting range isn’t all that far away. Maybe twenty minutes by foot and on their way there, Gianni wonders repeatedly if this is really happening, if he’s really going to a shooting range with this woman, both of them more than a little tipsy which is one of the reasons he suggested they walk instead of taking the car.
“I don’t need a gun,” Mara tells the owner when they arrive, pulling out hers that she has kept concealed until now.
Of course, he’s brought his own, too.
***
She can’t help running her hands over his gun admiringly. “Never seen an All American up close before.”
She loves a man with a good gun and one she’s never held in her hands before always turns her on just a bit.
“If you want to shoot with it, give me yours and I’ll try that.”
She grins, knowing that he’s probably been thinking of how to suggest that since he’s seen her get out her gun. Not that she will object. She wants to try this.
***
Gianni wakes up in a room, not his, to the sound of someone knocking at the door and his cell phone ringing. He reaches around blindly for it while a slim body slips out of bed, a thin white blanket wrapped around her and makes her way to the door.
He has a headache and the events of the night before are very much on his mind though they seem blurry. He isn’t sure how he ended up in the hotel room, just knows that he did.
***
Bishop is at the door, in a bad mood. She’s late for the meeting and he wants her to come along and stay there. Mara almost rolls her eyes but doesn’t, assuring that she will be ready in a minute.
“I’m late,” she tells Gianni as soon as she’s closed the door. “So are you.”
“Tell me about it.” Gianni is already scrambling for his clothes. “And I need to go get my car first or something. It’ll look suspicious if I come with you.”
“And Bishop would kill me,” Mara adds, pulling her hair into a ponytail.
***
He almost falls asleep at the meeting, only kept awake by Sal who kicks him under the table whenever his eyes fall shut for too long. Johnny keeps shooting him reproachful looks but other than then, nobody seems to notice.
Mara has managed to excuse herself -- important phone call -- and has been gone for about ten minutes now.
“Long night, huh?” Sal whispers while the others are going over papers.
“Don’t even ask,” Gianni grumbles. “Just get this over with. I need to sleep.”