Can't You Help Me As I'm Starting to Burn?

[vanessa]

The rain began to fall a bit harder around them now, however the overpass above them shielding them somewhat. The wind blew just enough to sling some of the cold and wet Vanessa's way, causing her long sleeve top to cling to her already damp torso. Her hair clung to the side of her face, the bounce taken out of it almost completely, but the state which Vanessa found herself in at the moment really sucked out any sort of caring emotion or thought. The night had been fun so far, but she was tired and wanted to relax now, but Rand's situation sort of put a hold on that want. Vanessa would patch him up, not because she really cared one way or the other about him, but because if Sebastian found out that 'his' Black Rook had been harmed while in Vanessa's care, well....then things might begin a very rapid downhill decent.

Vanessa heard Rand shuffling along behind her and smiled weakly, apparently due to the fact that he wasn't crying about being shot and threatening her with Sebastian or that bitch Emma...although the latter only merited a laugh. Emma and Vanessa shared a very troubling past together and the hatred between the two had only grown over the years, but as long as Emma was the 'White Queen' and a standing member of the Hellfire inner circle, Vanessa didn't really have much choice but to obey any command given by Emma....well....almost any, after all, Sebastian called the shots and his word was law.

As she opened her door and slid into the driver's seat, turning the key and cranking the engine, she smiled and glanced to Rand as he painfully fell into his seat beside her. "I usually just dump 'em in a dumpster after I'm done with 'em, count yourself one of the better ones," she said giving a small laugh before slamming the car in gear and tearing off once again. Speed was just one of many of Vanessa's dangerous and questionable vices, as was made apparent by her driving and the way she chewed on her bottom lip with a crooked smile.

Vanessa took one turn after another, sometimes backtracking the same three blocks two or three times just to make sure she wasn't being followed in any way. Once she was satisfied, after about twenty minutes, Vanessa's abode finally came into view, a three story old abandoned warehouse, apparently one that might have held furniture or some other type of goods once upon a time. She killed her lights and pushed a small red button just above her visor, opening on of the thick metallic doors located around back. The car slowly coasted down a ramp (a one time loading dock perhaps) and into a pitch black room, which only became that much darker as the doors closed behind them once again.

"Home sweet home....sort of," Vanessa muttered as the sound of another switch could be heard, a few lights now coming to life with a soft hum, revealing a rather vacant garage save for another car covered with a tarp and several tools and toolboxes lying around. Vanessa had quite an amount of time on her hands and judging by the layout of the place, she was quite the mechanic. "Come on killer, two more floors up before we find rest," she said as she opened her door, pushing against Rand's arm as she almost fell out onto the concrete garage floor. She slammed her door and slowly made her way over to an elevator of sorts, no doubt used for transport of large items and slid the large wooden slate gate upward, giving Rand a glance over her shoulder as she waited.

[Rand O'Neill]

The engine roared to life as Vanessa started up the old El Camino. Rand's eyelids felt like lead as he struggled to keep them open, fatigue setting in after the duo's long action packed night. Taking a deep breath he returned Vanessa's smile as she replied to his statement.

"I usually just dump 'em in a dumpster after I'm done with 'em, count yourself one of the better ones,"

They both laughed softly as they tore off into the rainy night once more. Tiredly, Rand fumbled for his seat belt as Lesson Two of Vanessa's School of Maniacal Driving commenced. For twenty minutes they backtracked their route several times, Vanessa making sure they weren't being followed, they arrived at a three story warehouse. It was a dumpy looking building, abandoned long ago by the look of it. Oddly, it seemed to fit Vanessa perfectly. Rand glanced over at Vanessa as she turned the lights off, pressing a red button above the visor.

A large metallic door opened and the El Camino coasted quietly down a ramp into a very dark room, the only light coming from outside. As the door closed, the darkness enveloped them completly.

"Home sweet home....sort of,"

Rand turned his head in the direction of her voice, wincing as the pain radiated through his shoulder. Suddenly, the lights came on with another push of a button. Squinting due to the brightness he opened the door of the truck, stepping onto the stained pavement of the old warehouse. His eyes took in a tarp covered car, and a few scattered tools and toolboxes. Impressed, as Vanessa seemed to be quite the mechanic he followed her over to the elevator.

Her voice echoed slightly in the large, basically empty warehouse.

"Come on killer, two more floors up before we find rest,"

Rand exhaled loudly as the wooden slate slid up, allowing him to step into the elevator. Pressing the button "F2" he allowed Vanessa to join him as he slid the wooden slate back down forcefully. With a sharp jolt, the elevator started to move slowly upwards. Leaning against the back of the elevator, he waited for the elevator to bring them to their destination.

[vanessa]

In a similar manner as to the way Rand rested himself, Vanessa chose to lean forward against the wooden slate gate of the elevator as it slowly ascended up to her private loft. The dim light in the elevator flickered once or twice, the illumination Vanessa could see through the thin skin of her eyelids cued her in on this and being what she was, she automatically caught on and counted how many times and the seconds in between...<Two times....three seconds apart..>..she thought to herself, leaning back and taking a deep breath just before the elevator stopped at the top floor, the seconds no doubt counted and memorized in this as well. Vanessa took her job very seriously and left nothing to chance, every little thing accounted for and taken into consideration in any task she performed.

The elevator shuddered and jolted as it stopped, Vanessa's body swaying and moving with the sudden movements, more out of habit than actually thoughtful performance, and she showed no signs of difficulty as she bent over, raising the wood slate gate slowly. Vanessa of course didn't step out into the dark loft right away, no, other measures had to be taken before that would happen. You see, in Vanessa's line of work, one tended to make many enemies, all of whom would stop at nothing to exact their vengeance upon her, so being the every prepared girl she was, Vanessa had taken the liberty of 'safe proofing' her humble abode. Trip wires and laser lines were set up around every possible entrance of the room and each one of those linked to enough plastic explosive and TNT to level the entire building, including the one across the street.

"Abigael's Mercy," Vanessa said casually as she continued to hold onto the raised wooden gate, her body slumping forward a bit and her eyes closing. The laser line which Vanessa's feet danced so dangerously near blinked once and then cut off, a series of similar blips and beeps coinciding throughout the loft. "Don't get any idea's Rand, it only responds to my particular tone pitch," she said smiling as she let go of the wooden gate, stumbling forward into the loft, hitting a switch on the wall beside the elevator. Light slowly filled the loft as Vanessa walked inside, revealing a rather well kept and expensive studio loft. New light hardwood floor ran the entire expanse of the loft with few soft fur rugs thrown here and there protecting the floor from the very expensive furniture which decorated things. A dark tan couch with a wooden frame sat in the middle of the loft, a large oval glass table in front of that decorated with some sort of antique vase, pale white with some red oriental lettering on it and a fresh arrangement of red carnations placed inside. A matching single chair was flanked on each side of the couch, a single small pillow placed on each one. This pleasant scene appeared to be just that...a scene....a play of some sort of perfect life that Vanessa didn't really seem capable of by any means.

Vanessa moved past this 'sitting' area and headed off to the right to what appeared to be her 'bedroom' and I use that term loosely. Vanessa didn't have many visitors, so the need for walls was kept to the main supporting four. A large four poster bed complete with canopy was situated with the iron framed headboard against the back wall. A red satin comforter, trimmed in black, along with red satin sheets and pillows decorated the bed, long see through black curtains hanging from the canopy and framing off the bed. A large white fur rug was placed underneath the bed and covered quite a large expanse of area, even allowing a small dresser to sit on it as well. Another antique vase decorated this dresser, however no followers adorned it in any way. Vanessa kicked off her sneakers long before she ever reached the fur rug, making sure to remove her wet socks as well. "On the couch Rand, I'll be there in a minute to take a look at that wound," she said casually and lazily as she proceeded to empty her pockets onto the dresser next to her bed...keys, phone, and some loose change all clanked about noisily as Vanessa rolled her head, popping her neck.

Vanessa never really had any sense of modesty, not any more and so in typical fashion, she pulled off her damp shirt, revealing a black lace bra and several small scars across her back and abdomen area. She tossed the shirt into a hamper against the wall to her right, scrunching her toes together letting the fur of the rug slip in between her toes, taking just a moment or two to find some sort of relaxation before she tended to Rand.

[Rand O'Neill]

Rand opened two bloodshot eyes as the elevator came to a sudden stop. His body swayed slightly as he pushed himself away from the back wall of the elevator. He watched as Vanessa lifted the slate slowly, as if with caution. It was dark in her quarters, the only light coming from the top of the elevator, the bulb flickering and casting eerie shadows on the walls. Rand was deep inside of himself, trying in vain to block out the pain that was throbbing and burning in his injured shoulder. He stood on his two feet by shear force of will, all energy had been long sapped out of him ever since he had 'dealt' with the authorities. He was dimly aware of Vanessa as she spoke, her words seeming slow and far away simultaneously.

A single red laser line caught his eye for a moment as Vanessa, unsteady on her own feet, entered her apartment. Light slowly flooded her rather well kept apartment. He was impressed as his tired eyes took in the suprsingly nice furniture that decorated the place. Damn, Vanessa, how much do we pay you? he thought wearily. Rand looked around the room and began to notice that indeed...it was basically one large room. Sighing, he blinked slowly as he took in the rest of her rather nice living area.

"On the couch Rand, I'll be there in a minute to take a look at that wound,"

Nodding almost to himself, he did as she suggested and made his way over to her dark tan couch. Almost unsure of himself, as he was soaking wet and bloody, he hesitated as he sat down on the edge of the couch. Vanessa emptied her pockets and placed the contents noisily on her dresser. Head falling forward into his hands, he removed his hat and placed it on the table near the couch. Rand's wet hair stuck to his scalp, seemingly slicked back with gel. He exhaled slowly, eyes closing once more. This time, he wasn't sure if he would be able to open them again. He managed a spare glance at the clock on the wall, which read 1:57 a.m.

Locating a sink sitting in a corner, he rose to his unsteady feet as he wearily sulked over. Turning the tap, he cupped his hands and gathered a handful of water. Splashing it on his hot face, he seemed to wake a bit more. Grabbing a towel, he dried his face and walked back to the couch.

"Ready when you are, love"

[vanessa]

Vanessa's body was a bit more relaxed now, the liquor and pills loosing some of their effect due to the adrenaline that was pumping through her veins not too long ago. Being back in a more comfortable and familiar environment always seemed to ease her, to put her chaotic mind at ease, even if Abigael's damned voice kept ringing in her ears. Over the years Vanessa had learned how to ease and mute the echo of her long dead partner's voice within her mind, but whatever had really happened, it was too powerful to silence altogether.

As Rand tried to wake himself up, Vanessa was already rummaging through the dresser next to her bed, grabbing some gauze and bandages, along with a needle, thread, and lighter. She had sewed up countless knife wounds and bullet holes, both to herself and a few others, namely Abigael back in the day. When Rand let her know he was ready, Vanessa was already turning, pushing the dresser drawer closed with her foot. "Jacket and shirt off," she ordered him, not really caring if he objected or not, after all it was body not hers and if wanted to bleed all over the place all night, well then he could get his shit together and do it outside. Vanessa may have seemed sloppy sometimes, but when it came to her home, she was neat and organized, a surprising twist I know, but hey, we're all a bit mysterious underneath.

Vanessa moved past Rand smoothly, setting down the assortment of things from her dresser drawer on the table and then moving on into what passed for a kitchen. It was just another opening much like the area where her 'bedroom' was. A medium sized bar separated the supposed lines of the living area and kitchen which was then followed by another counter against that side wall complete with chrome sink and refrigerator. Four tan wood cabinets were hung on the wall just above the sink and Vanessa opened the one farthest to the left, revealing quite the stash of liquor. Vodka, rum, tequila and several other bottles whose labels were very similar lined shelf after shelf. Vanessa ran her finger over the bottles, stopping on a small and stout brown colored one, carefully tipping it forward and catching it with her right hand as it fell. "Shirt off or you can go back outside and bleed to death....," she said as she glanced over her shoulder, apparently annoyed that Rand wasn't moving fast enough to comply with her 'request'.

[Rand O'Neill]

(Sorry, holidays. Probably not my best work. I hope you won't beat me up)

From his seat on the couch, Rand watched in silence as Vanessa gathered her first aid supplies. Yawning, he jumped a bit as Vanessa closed the drawer with her foot. As his heartbeat returned to normal, Vanessa spoke:

Jacket and shirt off"

Gingerly, he began to undo the buttons on his jacket, starting from the top and working his way down. When he had finished, he let the coat drop to the floor softly. Grimacing, he pulled his bloodstained silk shirt over his head, revealing a well toned upper body but nothing to gawk over. He let the shirt drop next to the jacket and began to inspect his bloody wound. His shoulder had become swollen and tender, a hole the size of a nickel could be seen against a background of splotchy red.

His eyes returned to Vanessa as she set the first aid equipment on the table and continued into the 'kitchen'. His tired eyes watched as she rummaged through her quite plentiful stash of alcohol.

"Shirt off or you can go back outside and bleed to death....,"

Rand noticed that Vanessa seemed to be a bit annoyed, so he didn't bother to inform her that his shirt was off, he merely sat there and waited for her to get a good look at him. Once she did, he would be obligated to give her a 'Don't you feel stupid' look. Smiling to himself, as he often did, he waited.

[vanessa]

When Vanessa fully turned now and saw Rand had already complied with her rather demanding request, she smiled and shook her head, mentally berating herself for not paying better attention, another mark on her record for the night. Usually Vanessa was very alert and very little slipped past her, but the booze and pills had taken a much larger toll on her than even she was aware, but hopefully by now, they would be wearing off and she would be getting back to her pain filled self. "Good boy," she said as she staggered back toward Rand, a bottle of vodka in tow and her eyes drifting over his torso, giving him an approving look, even if it was a mediocre one at that.

In a very questionable move (well one that most other ladies wouldn't jump right into) Vanessa straddled Rand on the couch, the bottle of vodka falling onto the cushion and her nimble little fingers already working and poking at the bullet hole in his shoulder. "Through and through," she said as she leaned in and narrowed her eyes inspecting the wound, glad to see that she wouldn't have to be digging out any bullets tonight, "A simple stitch job....easy enough," she said as he leaned back, rather nimbly of course, her legs still straddled across Rand and upper body leaned all the way so that her head and perspective were upside down. Vanessa was rather limber and agile, another gift contributed to the mutant x gene no doubt, and the way she easily picked up the needle and thread, slipping the thread through the eye (after one or two attempts) only showed just how skilled she was in other areas. "It's gonna hurt like hell at first so hold the crying until I'm done," she said leaning back up, lighter in one hand and needle in the other. The lighter clicked and sparked, producing a red orange flame and she held the needle there, sanitizing it somewhat.

Hot metal and a fresh bullet wound didn't really go together, but hey, after several minutes of threading the needle through Rand's tender and swollen skin, Vanessa was done. Her fingers were bloody, but that was quickly wiped away on her pants as she slid off Rand, her right foot slipping underneath her and her left stretching out across his lap. Vanessa laid back on the couch and opened the bottle of vodka, taking a long drink before handing it to Rand, "It'll help for now....just take it easy pretty boy," she said jokingly, holding the bottle out for Rand to take.

[Rand O'Neill]

Rand may have been half awake when Vanessa staggered over to him, but once she reached him and basically sat in his lap, the bottle of vodka dropping softly onto the sofa's cushion, he was startled out of his sleepy fog. The alcohol must have done more to her then I thought. Rand winced as Vanessa began to work on the bullet wound in his shoulder, muttering to herself as she went. His startled eyes took in yet another feat from the amazing Vanessa Madison as she showed off her limberness and flexibility.

The wound burned and ached as she began to work at it with a hot needle. Rand occasionally winced as she worked at the tender bullet wound. All through the 'procedure' Rand fought back expletives through hard clenched teeth. Memories rippled through his mind, like those in a pond after a stone has been tossed into its depths. Other men's bloody memories surfaced, and he recalled being stitched up in a similar fashion countless times before after a brutal battle. It seemed that he and his ancestors had a knack for finding fights and being lucky enough to escape with mere cuts and bruises.

Shaking his head slightly, he tried to clear his clouded mind. The memories had taken the place of his own, but they weren't like normal ones. It was hard to stop remembering once you began, but Rand had grown used to it. He was beginning to grow worried, because lately not only memories crowded his troubled mind, but voices had begun to accompany them. Rand now had an appreciation for the telepathic, feeling a little empathic to their troubles with distinguishing thoughts from voices.

Vanessa's voice stirred him from his own thoughts as she held the bottle of vodka for him to drink. He hadn't even realized that she had finished her needlework...but he was glad nonetheless. Her foot now rested on his lap, and she herself sat next to him. Taking to bottle without a word, he began to drink. Moments later he handed the bottle back to her, wiping his mouth on the back of his hand.

Looking down, he observed the job that Vanessa had done. She had done a good job it seemed, the wound still bled, if only a little. Sighing, he leaned his head back on the couch and closed his eyes momentarily.

"Thanks Vanessa..." he began seriously.

"What do I owe you?" he finished with a melancholy grin.

[vanessa]

A sly grin played across Vanessa's face as she watched Rand take the offered bottle and down a good portion of it, she wasn't too sure if Rand could handle what he was drinking, but if he couldn't that was his own fault. Vanessa knew she could out drink him, easily, but that was old news as there wasn't many she had met that could match her drink for drink, and speaking of drink, she took the bottle of Vodka back from Rand as he handed it back to her. The mix of shock and Vodka had already took a major effect on his body, making his hands a bit shaky and weak, but it was all nothing a good night of rest wouldn't fix.

Taking a large swig of the Vodka, Vanessa tried to calm herself, the pain in her head still there but a bit calmer now. She lowered the glass bottle from her lips and smiled again as Rand laid his head back, closing his eyes in the process. He was rather handsome and tempting somewhat, but Vanessa knew better than to mix business partners with her personal life, after all, you never shit were you eat. Besides, Rand wasn't really Vanessa's type, too pretty and soft to survive a night with her.

"You don't owe me anything Rand, Sebastian pays me for stuff like this....remember," she said before taking another long swig of her drink, taking the bottle down to about half.

((I know, kinda short and not really my best, but the best I have right now...sorry ))

[Rand O'Neill]

(It's fine, where do you want to end this?)

The alcohol drowned the pain somewhat, dulling his senses. It also silenced the montage of voices that persisted to break through in his fatigue. Opening his eyes once more, which was getting harder each time he closed them, he glanced over at Vanessa as she gave him an answer. A quiet chuckle escaped from him as he leaned forward, putting his his damp head in his hands.

He felt weaker than a newborn lamb, but he knew it was nothing good rest wouldn't be able to mend. Rand breathed in heavily as he glanced over at Vanessa, who had just taken another long swig of vodka to go along with the mixture of painkillers and other things that she had probably let into her system...

Vanessa wasn't a bad looking woman, not the one that you would normally associate with her line of work. Rand knew that she would never go for someone like him, they were just too different to be anything more than friends or partners. Rand didn't have trouble getting women, he was good looking, charming, and above all else...just plain lucky.
Rand took the vodka bottle, which was now down to half empty, and took another long swig, setting it down on the table when he was done.

[Rand O'Neill]

((I was wondering where this was!))