Despite that, she still found herself not caring. She didn’t want to stand around listening to a bunch of men discuss new world problems, and the mask covering her face was really starting to bother her. Funny, considering she always found her mask a sort of security. Having her face hidden gave her a certain power around others. And even though she still felt that power, she also felt the urge to be able to show her face, and just be free and open.
Later, she reminded herself. The men all left, filing out with their heads down, and shoulders hunched. They looked like the equivalent of a group of kids leaving the principal’s office after getting in trouble. Ludwig had been hard on them all morning, his patience at an abnormal low. Even she’d found herself flinching a couple of times when he snapped at them. It really wasn’t their faults, but Ludwig didn’t care. Someone needed to be accountable for the lower production rates, and apparently he had decided it would be them. Dinah almost felt sorry for them – almost.
The door shut with a resounding bang, leaving the three of them alone. Roman sighed, finally moving from his spot behind Ludwig’s chair to take a seat at their leader’s right. Dinah followed suit, sitting on his left.
“They’re all a bunch of idiots,” Ludwig said.
“In their defence, this really isn’t their fault,” Dinah said. They both looked at her in surprise. She was a little taken off guard herself. She didn’t normally stick up for anyone. Meeting their gazes, she kept her expression neutral.
“Are you feeling okay?” Roman asked.
“Shut up.”
“I don’t care if it’s not their fault,” Ludwig went on, ignoring them. “They had better find a way to make more food, or they’ll all be fired.” Translation; they’d be killed on spot. Fired was just another way of saying ‘they’ll all get a bullet in the head’. Dinah was pretty sure they were aware of this as well.
“I’m sure they’ll manage,” Roman said.
His face was red with anger as he turned his stare to Dinah. “How did last night go?”
Her heart rate increased at just the mention of it, but she kept an outward calm. “Fine,” she answered. “They accepted me in. Told them I was new to the city. I stayed for a couple of hours and then left, so it didn’t look too suspicious. Figured I’d just establish a presence before I integrate further.”
Ludwig nodded. “Good,” he said. “When will you go back?”
“Tonight,” she said, flinching slightly at how quickly it came out. Did it sound too eager? She hoped not. “I’ll try to hang around them a bit longer, see if I can start breaking down some of their defences,” she continued in a more bored voice.
He turned slightly in his chair so he was facing her more, capturing her eyes with his. “Get me the information I need, Di,” he said. “I’m counting on you.”
Dinah nodded, swallowing awkwardly against the dryness in her mouth. In order to keep Ludwig happy she was going to have to betray McKay and his friends, and suddenly that just didn’t feel right.
Two hours. It had actually taken her two hours to get ready tonight. She was slightly disgusted with herself for acting like such a girl. She had taken a long shower, dried her hair so it was super straight, and put on make-up again. She even went as far as to find and wear the black sparkly tank top Roman had bought for her one year for her birthday. She remembered thinking there was no way in hell she’d ever wear it. And yet, now she stood in front of her mirror watching the way the light sparkled off the sequins covering the shirt. She was like a dark disco ball.
Pulling on her boots, she took another look at her watch and decided it was late enough. She didn’t want to be right on time, but she didn’t want to be too late either, otherwise he might think she wasn’t coming.
The ride through the upper section and into the ghetto was as calming as always when she rode her bike. She parked it a little further from the pub than she had the night before, in case there were people outside smoking again. If anyone saw her riding a motorcycle they’d know she was some sort of upper. She walked the couple of blocks, enjoying the mild temperature of the night. As she neared the pub she slowed her steps, her nerves getting the best of her.
What if he wasn’t there? What if this was some cruel joke? It would make sense, considering he knew exactly who and what she was. Maybe he would find it funny getting her to show up when he has no intention of doing the same. The sick feeling in her stomach was getting worse the closer she got. But when she turned the corner and instantly recognized his tall frame out of the others standing around him, she breathed a little easier. That is, until someone nodded in her direction and he turned to meet her gaze. Then breathing became a little difficult again.
McKay flicked his cigarette on the ground, speaking to the others before breaking away from the group and walking toward her. They met in the middle, awkwardly.
“I wasn’t sure you’d come,” he said, taking her in slowly. She pulled her leather jacket tighter around her body, suddenly feeling stupid for wearing the fancy shirt beneath it.
She shrugged, looking around instead of at him. “I didn’t have much else to do, so I figured why not.” He snorted, but didn’t reply. She stood there, waiting for him to speak. When he still didn’t, she gave in and looked up at him. His face was unreadable as he looked at her. “What?” she snapped, irritated. She hated when people watched her closely, especially him. Those green eyes did funny things to her and she didn’t like it.
“I’m just trying to figure you out,” he replied.
“Why?”
Now it was his turn to shrug. He looked away finally, glancing down at his watch. “We should go, or I’ll be late.”
“Go where?” she asked curiously. They were going somewhere other than the pub? He had already turned to walk, with her following, when her steps faltered. She stopped, watching his back as he took a few more steps before realizing she was no longer moving. Where could he be taking her? Was it some sort of trap? What had she really expected? He was involved with the same group set on destroying Ludwig, plus everyone and everything associated with him. Didn’t that include her? What would his people think if they knew who she really was? She’d be dead for sure.
Her thoughts were going a mile a minute. She looked around her, wondering if even now they were watching her. Would they want to make sure McKay followed through with delivering the enemy? She was so preoccupied that she hadn’t noticed McKay move until he stood toe to toe with her, and his hand was gently lifting her chin until they were looking into each other’s eyes.
“Hey,” he said gently. “Calm down. I’m not going to hurt you.” He must have read the question on her face, because he added, “or let anyone else hurt you. There’s just this thing I have to do tonight…somewhere I need to be, and I wanted you to come with me.”
Dinah let that soak in, watching him carefully to see if he was lying. She was so used to being able to just look inside a person to tell whether or not they were telling her the truth that she was having trouble deciphering it from facial expressions alone. From the way he was looking at her though, she knew he was being honest.
“I promise,” he assured her. The tension in her shoulders eased away. She nodded. McKay dropped his hand and took a step back. Her skin tingled where he had touched her, and she found herself wanting him to move closer again. There was something seriously wrong with her head, she decided.
McKay reached out and laced his fingers through hers, pulling her along with him as he began to walk again. Dinah looked down at their joined hands and a thrill ran through her. His hand was warm, the skin rough and callused against her softness. No one, well aside from her parents when she was younger, had ever held her hand like this. Her father had always been so strict growing up that, at sixteen, she still hadn’t had a boyfriend. She’d had boys that were friends, but never in the romantic sense. Even Bridgette hadn’t really done the relationship thing when they were younger. This was all so new to her.
When she looked
back up she noticed McKay was watching her again, a small smile tugging at his lips. “You really are a hard girl to figure out,” he said.
Dinah shrugged. “I’d get used to it if I were you.”
McKay chuckled, looking forward again. They passed by the group in front of the pub, no one that Dinah knew, and continued walking through the empty streets. The heat and pressure of his hand holding hers was distracting. Neither spoke, but for some reason she didn’t find it at all awkward. It was a comfortable silence that one might find with someone they’ve known for a long time. This couldn’t be said for the two of them, and yet it really wasn’t awkward at all. And McKay seemed either unaware or completely content to continue holding her hand.
Dinah wondered if it was normal to overanalyze things like this when it came to the opposite sex? Maybe that was why the girls in her school when she was younger always seemed like idiots to her when it came to boys they liked. Was she just as bad as them now? God, she hoped not or she’d have to slap herself.
They were walking down a new street where more people were about, when she heard the distant notes of music. McKay led them to another pub, the sign overhead reading Jack’s Beanstalk in red lettering. A few people outside called out greetings to McKay, their eyes roving over to her interestedly. Inside, the pub was a lot different than the Bull’s Eye. This one didn’t seem nearly as rundown. Where the other pub was long and narrow, making it a little crowded, this one was wide and open, despite all the people inside. The entrance and bar were a level higher than the seating area below. Square tables were strewn about, already full of patrons. At the far end of the room was a small stage where a band was playing country music from years back. The lighting was lowered, except on the stage, where they were illuminated for the crowd to see.
There was a welcoming and comfortable feeling about it. Everyone was smiling, some talking to each other, most watching the band. A few couples were dancing in the small, open area right in front of the stage. Dinah watched the musicians play, smiling to herself. Her father used to play the guitar for her. She remembered listening to him as she fell asleep, loving the acoustic sound of the old melodies he’d play.
Listening to live music always soothed her soul. She was extremely glad she had decided to join McKay tonight, otherwise she would have never known this place existed. Maybe she could even come back here on her own some nights. She tore her eyes from the stage and met McKay’s amused look. Her smile turned into a frown instantly.
“What?” she asked defensively, raising her voice to be heard over the music.
McKay laughed, leaning in closer so he could speak into her ear. She breathed in deeply, loving the smell of him, a mixture of whatever shampoo he used, cigarettes, and what she assumed was just McKay. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you look so happy,” he said.
She pulled back to glare at him. “You’ve hardly seen me at all,” she pointed out, making him laugh again.
“I guess not,” he conceded. “But I’m betting you don’t normally look like that too often.” He was bang on and it bothered her. She wanted to argue that there wasn’t much to be happy about in this world, but decided she didn’t want to ruin the night by fighting with him. Her silence seemed to be a confirmation to him. He squeezed her hand, offering her a small smile, before motioning with his head for her to follow. They moved through the crowd, heading toward the bar. An older man behind it broke out into a huge grin when he spotted McKay. He wiped his hands on a dirty looking hand towel before lifting a section of the bar to come out and meet them.
“There you are,” he said happily. “I was wondering if you’d make it tonight. I never know with you.”
“I know, I’m sorry,” McKay apologized. “Sometimes…well, things just come up.”
The man nodded, a certain understanding crossing his face. “Well I’m glad you made it tonight. Everyone has been asking about you for weeks.” Dinah had no idea what they were talking about so she stood silently by his side. The man looked at her, his eyebrows rising in surprise. “And who is this?” he asked.
McKay tugged on her hand so she stepped forward a bit. “This is Dinah,” he introduced. “A new…friend of mine. Dinah, this is Jack, of Jack’s Beanstalk.”
The man smiled meeting her eyes. She offered him a smile of her own, pulling her hand from McKay’s so she could shake his. “It’s nice to meet you,” she yelled over the noise. He held her hand, shaking it slowly, his gaze roaming over her face.
“What did you say your name was?”
“Dinah,” she supplied again.
“Dinah?” He nodded slowly, narrowing his look. “You remind me of someone I knew a long time ago.” What was she supposed to say to that? There was an awkward silence before he let go of her hand and took on an easy grin again. “Well it’s nice to meet a friend of Pete’s here. I hope you enjoy your night with us.”
“Thank you,” she said.
“I’ll get you two some drinks. Why don’t you go down and take your usual table,” Jack suggested. McKay reached out and took her hand again as if it was the most natural thing to do and led her down the steps to the lower area. Dinah noticed how people looked up and recognized him with a level of excitement. They walked around the tables to a small one just left of the stage, the only one still empty for some reason.
“This is my table,” McKay said.
Dinah cocked a brow. “So no one can sit here but you?”
McKay laughed with a slight hint of embarrassment. “I never said that, but I guess they usually leave it empty in case I come by.”
That was strange, she decided. He pulled out a chair and motioned for her to sit. That was also strange. It was like they were on an actual date, which they weren’t. Enemies didn’t date. And yet, McKay was being considerably nicer to her than he had the night before after practically ignoring her the entire time. Was it because his friends weren’t there to see it?
He pulled out the chair beside her, letting his long legs stretch out. A waitress arrived just then to place two pints of beer on the table. She smiled shyly at McKay before walking away.
“What do you think?” McKay asked, his voice near her ear. Dinah turned to find his face inches from hers.
She let her eyes roam over his face slowly. “Amazing,” she answered. Was that breathy voice hers? She should have been mortified, but the way his entire body tensed and his eyes heated had her pulse racing, and all she could do was stare back. She had been referring to the bar – hadn’t she? Maybe she should clarify that. She licked her lips, the air suddenly overly warm and dry, but whatever she was about to say froze in her lungs as she watched his eyes follow the trail of her tongue. She cleared her throat. “How did you get the black eye?” she asked, changing the topic. The energy between them was more than she could handle. It felt like she was about to combust at any moment, and yet she couldn’t look away to break the connection.
“I had a bit of a disagreement last night,” he answered in a low voice.
She failed at her attempt to smile lightly. Licking her lips again, his eyes glued to the motion, she said, “I bet you get in a lot of disagreements.”
He chuckled, his voice husky. “I bet the same could be said for you.”
“I don’t walk away from my disagreements with a black eye,” she countered.
“That would definitely be a shame.”
Her face felt like it had burst into flames. Was that some sort of round about compliment? Were they flirting? Oh God! She didn’t even know! How utterly lame was that?
“Were they soldiers?” she asked. Wrong question apparently. McKay sat up straighter, moving his gaze to the stage, effectively breaking their connection. She felt the loss immediately, while at the same time finally felt like she could take a decent breath.
“No,” he answered stiffly. Okay…she had no idea what she said wrong or why his mood changed, but she wasn’t about to press the subject. She didn’t know McKay, and wasn’t about to test his limits. Sh
e really wanted the night to go well so he’d welcome her back. So you can do your job, she reminded herself. Not so you can just hang out with him more. Right.
“I really love live music,” she said, changing the subject again. She looked up at the band playing. If only she could play an instrument. Maybe if she had learned, she wouldn’t be so bored in her room back at headquarters all the time. Dinah could feel McKay looking at her again, so she turned her head slightly. He was smiling appreciatively, his face and body relaxing once more.
“I’m glad you said that,” he said.
“Oh? Why?”
He winked, picking up his glass to take a sip of beer. “You’ll see,” was his only answer.
They watched the band play while they drank, him taking gulps, her tiny sips. She really did not enjoy the taste of beer. When the song ended everyone cheered and then the singer looked right at their table, his face split into a smile.
“We got a real treat for you all tonight,” the singer announced. “Mr. Pete McKay is here with us.” Everyone clapped and hollered. She looked over to find Pete grinning from ear to ear. He lifted his hand in a quick wave at everyone as they continued to whistle and cheer. His eyes met hers and he sent her another wink before getting up and walking to the stage.
What the…? Dinah watched, stupefied, as McKay grabbed an acoustic guitar from the side of the stage and strode confidently up to the mic.
“Ah! We made it just in time.”
Dinah jumped at the voice. Seamus plopped down in the seat McKay had just vacated. Garrett and Trent dragged two more chairs to the table, each settling in like this was a normal thing for them.
“And how are we, this fine evening?” Seamus said to her.
“Fine, thank you,” she answered.
“Drinking like a fish again, I see,” Seamus commented, looking at her barely touched drink. Garrett laughed while Dinah smiled sheepishly. Apparently they noticed her dislike for the stuff. She reached for the glass, taking a larger gulp than normal just to prove a point, keeping her face neutral as she swallowed the bitter liquid.
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