oh mickey you're so fine

“i’m not sure if i love or hate it yet,” she admitted but she knew she hadn’t been there long enough. part of her was unsure if she wanted to be there long enough to figure it out. either way she would stay as long as she was needed. she was shrugging as she glanced around the diner and then back at him,” i have run into that situation a few times.” of course she knew that it was the same for everyone. a laugh came from her and she was nodding,” i think we all fall into that trap.” she was going to take a few more bites of her piece of pie. if only to give herself a few moments to think. she was shrugging at his question since she wasn’t entirely sure what she had expected,” honestly? i figured that this wouldn’t seem so normal,” she admitted,” i mean save for the bikers and everything, this is just like any other place i’d assume but not everything is what it seems is it?” 

If he could tell him that there were leads, that they were being able to narrow down the list of suspects, he would be feeling so much better, because it would mean that they were going somewhere, but sadly, that wasn’t the case, “Just a list of suspects, I think that this may have been someone from a new gang,” he remembered that some of them visited the city, and the shooting happened, so why wouldn’t they try to kill them again? “But it’s not really something that I can prove, and just a theory,” his voice was low, so the other was the only one that could hear, if someone else did, wouldn’t only be bad for Eddie, but for the other too, since he was an undercover cop, and people could suspect. Why else would a cop be telling him that?

“You think?” his voice is intentionally lower, just so no one could actually hear them. He hadn’t heard of another gang, but it was always possible. For him, he figured people wouldn’t be that stupid--- he also kind of believed that whoever committed the murders was actually someone they would all know. Had it be. It was a purposely targeted event. However, rivalry gangs coming in and causing chaos wasn’t something to be ruled out--- especially when it had already happened. “How’d you think you’d prove it?” his theory that was. If it was a thought he’d offer to the force, then he needed solid evidence to back that up, right? The last thing Mickey would want would be Edward hitting a sorry end for pushing too hard.

A relaxed smile eased onto her lips because she truly liked the easiness that Mickey brought to every situation. It was a calculated risk taking him on this run and exposing a new face to the people that he was about to meet. Sure they weren’t really anyone important and the amount of product was not significant compared to their usual haul, but change wasn’t always appreciated around those who lived off of paranoia. His questions proved that he wasn’t just merely along for the ride, making her detail out every single piece of the plan. That the wheels were turning and that this was just as important to him if she hadn’t been there to lead the way. That same potential that had her ready to throw him into the mix and why he was there now. 

“Oh you won’t be in the background. All eyes will be on you.” Scoffing because he had the right idea but everyone would be wary of the newcomer. “You have nothing to worry about though. Should be a fairly quick exchange. We’ll walk in, the boys love to have a bit of small talk but I’m guessing today it will be geared towards you so expect some hostility. It’s not you particularly, it’s that they don’t know you.” Paying attention again to the road as she navigated the intricate series of turns they were now making as they neared the warehouse. “Then we’ll get what we came for. Shouldn’t be too hard, just routine. It’s more to introduce you to the twins.” Pulling in now to the building she had been looking for and right up to the big loading dock. “You ready?”

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“Alright then.” he nods, kind of expecting the attention to be on him. Newbie and all. He wasn’t nervous because of that thought, no, Mickey had a knack for remaining utterly calm and poised in no matter the situation he was in. So at least that was something. The last thing he wanted was for the eyes that would be on him to suddenly suspect something was up--- or wrong, or dodgy, as if so, in turn that meant this little outing would be the first and also the last time. Which was something he wanted to avoid. “Do they know I’m tagging along or will it be known when I walk in?” he asked, not because he was bothered but mainly to know where he stood, he figured they did and by the sounds of it, with him bracing himself for hostility they were not exactly trusting of new faces. 

“Seems simple enough,” and sure he knew that was also easier said than done, but on paper it appeared to be straight forward enough. Looking out the windscreen he sees the warehouse as they approach, he’s guessing that with how out the way it was and large, the drops usually happened here. So that was something. “Ready as I’ll ever be,” he offers her half a smirk, “You ready for me to take centre stage?” he’s messing, joking around, relating back to how she wasn’t the one standing there looking pretty today; it was gonna be him. He now waits for her to make the move before he does, of course here to follow her directions.

“not exactly. i wasn’t kiddin’ about the reconstructed rib-cage,” he gave a small chuckle and a shrug. “i got injured, uh– badly,” rib-cage aside. “and i wasn’t fit for duty anymore, not that i wanted to go back after that. i was honourably discharged. ten years ago now,” he blinked a little when he realised that’s how long it had been. sometimes it still felt like yesterday. “someone knew what they were doin’ though, huh? got all our spikes up, it’s like waiting for the first man to yell.” because they both knew, it only took one member from either side to spin them all out into a bloody fight. “it’s just shit. who wants a war? i know i don’t. leave me in peace, y’know? i’m old and tired,” he half scoffed, half laughed, tipping back his drink before topping them both up. “you’ll never find light at the end of something that started with darkness. old friend once told me that. beginnin’ to think he was onto something.”

“shit man,” he winced his features briefly; truth was he thought he was just fucking around earlier. apparently not.  he wasn’t about to start questioning him on why or how he got injured, he knew not to. it wasn’t because it was cain, it was out of respect. “ever miss it? or does the mc scratch that itch?” he knew of some people that could never sit still once they came home, it was hard to transition to normal after fighting wars for months or years on end. “yeah some fuckin tool somewhere is laughing at us all.” that’s what he thought, anyway. everyone knew how it looked and it was a case of sitting ducks. waiting for whatever the hell to happen next. he choked back a laugh, shaking his head a touch, “you and me both.” last thing he wanted was to be in a visibly divided town with everyone at each others throats, give him-- them, a break, right? “you friends with some deep fuckers, man,” he chuckled, before deliberating, “can’t say he’s wrong though.”

“part of the small town life right?” she asked, knowing it was true. she let out a laugh since she knew he made a good point. marianne had moved around a lot ever since she was a child. granted now that she was adult and a detective to boot she had control of her own life. that was what had led her to charming. she was still unsure about the whole situation in the town but she was doing her best to figure it the hell out,” a change of scenery that led you here?” she figured that most people either blew through charming or didn’t actually know it existed. she was nodding since she figured that it was best to tell the truth,” work,” she admitted,” and it’s not like i had anything keeping me where i was so i figured why not move?” she was going to take a small bite of her pie and stared at him for a moment,” though this place is not at all what i expected, it’s very..colorful.” 

“do you?” she shrugged. “you said it was something you needed at the time… but what drives someone to become a whole new person?” she was asking him what happened to him, in so many words. figuring it had to be something that triggered that lack of care for how he could end up shot and in a shallow grave. if they’d learned anything today it was that things like this always find a way of coming to light. she’d hate for the last thing he sees to be the barrel of a gun. “why not? most others would.” she scoffed. slightly pessimistic which was maybe a bit of a surprise considering how much she came across like a people person. “if i see it any other way i’d have turned into a certified whack job by now.” harley shrugged, dropping her head onto her knees and sighing quietly. she could feel herself already considerably calmer, not happier, but calmer. “i think you’ve been a cheap bastard, you have a whole other pay packet i didn’t know about. what’s a couple bucks to you?” she was teasing, even managing a lopsided smile before clasping her hands together. “what now then?”

“life fucked me over.” he figured she would get that---- considering her own past, sure, he knew hers, but she didn’t know his but his answer was enough to tell her that there was more to it. he wouldn’t let on too much, not because it was some big secret, it wasn’t, it was because whilst he had more or less become a different person--- like she had said, he wasn’t exactly someone who had dealt with the shit that had gone down. it was heart breaking and it was the reason why he drank more than he should have done. his increased alcohol intake had started way before charming. it was something that was always commented on every time he had to do a surprise check up at the hospital, though his excuse was him fitting in. which, wasn’t entirely far fetched for a town full of alcoholics. “not that kinda person.” he offered, more because she was questioning him not screwing her over to save himself. harley was decent, he knew that. she didn’t deserve what had happened to her--- and she sure as hell didn’t deserve for more shit to be dropped before her. “my mom has my other pay packet, so..” he lifts his hands, “cheap bastard for a reason.” he choked back a chuckle, countering that as more of a joke. “what happens now is i get you out of here and you go home, sound good?” 

It was the way he looked at her that had caused her to take a half a step backwards retreating to her ‘corner’. She wanted to keep pushing. Her gut told her to keep pushing - and her gut had never proved her wrong before but so many other feelings where occurring inside of her. She bit them back long enough to shake her head. “Mickey,” She whispered softly her voice raspy. “You were there when nobody else was. I want to think you aren’t trying to pull the wool over my eyes but something….” She paused shaking her head. “Something is telling me that something isn’t right.” 

Not with him. Not with this situation. None of it was good. She closed the space between them so that her body was close and reached out for his hand but not because she wanted to hold it but because she wanted to feel his pulse why he lied to her. 

“Are you working with the Devils.”

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To say he’s confused is an understatement--- all of this? From his point of view was plucked out of nowhere. She was what? Thinking he was deceiving her because he hadn’t reacted a certain why towards Katrina’s murder? That’s how he was judging her sudden accusation anyway. Sure him actually being someone with a hidden agenda rang true, but was it apparently that obvious when there were other members reacting the same way as he was? He didn’t think so. He began to feel more conscious of his own actions and the way he was coming across and he wasn’t shifty, he wasn’t sweating, he wasn’t sat there visibly upset for either party. Maybe that was why? Perhaps he only had himself to blame for that---- sue him for being built to sustain emotions in a way he wasn’t easy to read.

His brow arches, more at her now taking a step forward after only just backing away from him. She’s holding his hand and he doesn’t pull away, purely because he wasn’t going to stand there and give her another apparent reason to completely look at him in a different light. Are you working with the Devils. There’s a pause on his part, his brows knit together as he’s looking down at her, wondering if she was actually being serious and when he realises she is, he shakes his head faintly. “No?” his answer is genuine because it’s true. “Is that what you think?” he’s also wondering how the hell she had come up with that conclusion, because it’s not something he gets. “You think I’m working with them.. why?” he asking her to explain, that’s if she would-- considering she already was tainting him with a different light.

It wasn’t the first time that he heard something like that, the majority seemed to think that to be a good cop, you have to care about others. In a way he saw what they meant, and usually he thought the same, but there were some that thought that it would only make you think with your heart not with your head, but they weren’t right. Despite how soft he was, he didn’t let that stop him from doing his job right, “I guess you have a good point, it’s what I think most of the time too, that it just means I will work extra hard to protect others,” he was just human though, so he had a lot of insecurities, more than most people did, so there were times that he doubted himself, “I don’t think so, the list of suspects, is still pretty big, but we’re working our butts off, to find whoever did this, and I believe in the station, I know we’re capable enough to find them.”

“Yeah I’m sure you are..” working their butts off that was, it was protocol after all. Despite dealing with murders himself since, each and every time one occurred he was always reminded of his fiancée. She’s the reason why he’s more reserved, as well as someone with a very good handle on their emotions. Not that it was public knowledge. Or should we say Charming’s public knowledge. “Good. Got any leads yet or just a long list of suspects?” like he had said. He figured they didn’t, especially if they hadn’t narrowed it down yet. It was also something you’d read in the local newspaper, they always gave daily updates--- though he rarely bought a paper, he usually just used the app on his phone. It was easier.

it wasn’t that nellie didn’t appreciate mickey’s concern for her wellbeing, of course she did. knowing that she had people around that looked out for her was reassuring, but when his way of checking up on her involved the use of the word kid, she couldn’t help the roll of her eyes that was practically a reflex at this point. “ seriously, i’m twenty-five. are you ever gonna stop calling me that or do i have to file for some sort of emancipation for that to happen ? ” of course she was only joking, but the expression on her features said otherwise. “ i’m fine. really, i am. i mean, watching my back a little more than i normally would, but i’d say that’s a good thing, wouldn’t you ? ” shoulders shrugged, as if this whole situation didn’t affect her at all. “ your turn. ”

“not anymore,” an army guy, that was. a solider. morals, restraint, the will to survive. “the fall from grace is a harsh one.” he adds, a quiet chuckle sounding in his throat as his attention remains on the dogs, who he knew would happily let him sit here stroking them for hours. “hell yeah, she was awesome. scrappy little thing, not sure my mother loved her like i did but i’m sure my sister had something to do with stoppin’ her shipping the dog straight back to me.” breaking into a light laugh, he gives the dogs a last ruffle on their heads before getting back up on his feet. there’s a small little wheeze and an arm that wraps around his ribs that were probably already bruising. “tense.” cain sighed miserably. “yeah… he was. he didn’t deserve to go out like that.” pausing to shot back his whiskey, he took to refilling it almost instantly. “sorry about katrina too, man.” he was sincere, he didn’t wish murder on anyone. just because she was a wolf didn’t mean she deserved it & just because mickey was one didn’t mean he wasn’t going to be civil and sympathetic for his loss. “headin’ up shits creak, ain’t we? if that’s not an excuse to drink, i don’t know what is.” 

“no? leave by choice then?” he asked. it’s merely making that small talk--- of course he’s curious but he’s not nosy. whilst he had to stick himself in a certain number of scenarios for his job, outside of that he wasn’t really the type to do so. which, was laughable considering how much he literally contradicted himself in this town. well, more mentally anyway. “least she had a good life.” the doggo, that was, or the end of it. as cain got up both of the dogs he was fussing looked up for more and once they realised he was sitting on his stool for good, they soon settled, sitting and then laying with a little sigh. “nah, no one does.” deserve to go out the way both martin and katrina did. period. the way some people had no care for human life was terrifying. he faintly smiles, he knew he was being sincere. knocking back the last of his whiskey, he’s soon following suit and refilling. nodding his head a touch, he’s in agreement, shit really was hitting the fan. “makes you wonder who’s tryin’ to cause the rift.” it’s more a thought spoken out loud, it’s the conclusion he’s come to at least. someone was trying to cause trouble, it was just the question of who.