I'm not noble; I'm honorable

[Text] What kind of help do you need?

[Text] I’ll do my best!

[text]   Well the holidays are right around the corner… then Mel’s birthday… then Valentine’s day….

[text] I need to figure out gifts that are special… but not too special.  

[Text] Okay first of all, I need to know your definitions of ‘special’ and ‘too special’ :P 

[Text] What kind of help do you need?

[Text] I’ll do my best!

As soon as he caught hold of her, she wrapped her arms and legs around him to hold herself firmly in place. She could feel that familiar solid strength that was as much a part of him as his eyes, and she felt that sick tight knot inside her chest finally give way. She took in a deep shuddery breath as she fought back the weirdest need to cry now that it was all over. “I’m fine. I’m fine I promise,” she whispered back to him, wanting to give him whatever reassurance she could. Her eyes fluttered closed the feel of his lips across her skin before she sank deeply into a kiss that felt so much like coming home. “You made it through okay. Right?” She barely pulled away long enough to ask that question before diving back into him. 

Jim nodded, although he had no intention of leaving the streets until he was sure his family was safe. It wouldn’t be the first time he’d been rounded up if he did get caught - and if he couldn’t outrun a couple of Watch officers doing a sweep he deserved what he got. “Stay safe. Hopefully next time I see you we’re on the same side of the bars.”

Mel had to pause and think back on what she said before she snorted. “Would you believe me if I said that one wasn’t intentional? But if it gets you here faster, I’ll pretend it was.” She had to smile as he promised to bring her more caffeine in a variety of forms. But when he said he was here, she scrambled to her feet, bumping her head and swearing softly as she did so. She slammed the button to open the gate for him before dropping her phone and racing downstairs towards the front entrance and to him. As soon as she saw him, she put on a final burst of speed and leapt into his arms, confident he would catch her. Because he was here. 

It was actually difficult to believe she’d made an unintentional sex reference, but perhaps it was the stress and uncertainty of the night before.  But her very wicked mind was just one of the things he loved about the submissive.  He heard a couple of crashes and he called out her name but she didn’t reply but the gate opened and he started running for the Estate and then there she was and his face broke out into a smile.  He could sense she wasn’t going to stop and he prepared himself to have armfuls of his beautiful girl.  Nic lifted her into his arms, wrapping his arms around her tightly, and taking a step back to accommodate the shift in his balance.

“Oh god Mel,” he whispered.  “You’re okay?  You’re sure you’re okay?”  He started pressing kisses blindly all over her face until he found her mouth.    

[Text] Hello?  Who’s this?  :P

[Text] I was thinking the same thing.  And when I saw Mateo out a couple of nights ago I went over to see if you were out too.  Sadly, you were not.

Text: Let’s do the 2nd so you have a full day to recover :P 

Text: Excuse me, I will have you know Lord Capulet and I enjoyed two lovely meals together and that was it. 

Text: But if that’s what you were implying… then yes, I do know him better and you’re a wonderful man and I can’t see why he wouldn’t accept it.

[Text] Oh, I’m going to need days to recover huh?

[Text] Yeah.  I remember.  And I also remember you gushing a little about him.  

Jim didn’t know how to feel about knowing that the Capulet Lord was trying to get to two Montagues, even if one of them had left the family. It seemed almost as backward as the thing that had started all the riots in the first place. “I haven’t seen any of them,” he said shortly. But then he had to pause. “I’m just looking for family. Trying to get them out of this shit and clear. And one person I hope was smart enough to stay home.” Not that he was sure he had faith in that, what with Emery’s altruistic streak. But the longer he went without seeing her, the more stubborn that hope became that he wouldn’t see her at all. 

“Do that.  Keep doing that and then get yourself off the streets too,” Nic intoned.  “I’m serious.  Who knows how this is going to go and when they’re going to call us to just start rounding up who ever, where ever, just to clear the streets and make it safe again.”  The Dominant shook his head.  “I wish everyone could have been that smart tonight.”  Instead,  insanity seemed to breed more insanity.  

[Text] Thank you for reaching out to me. You can just call me Leo, thank you.

[Text] However, yes. If Mel is going to be living with you I would definitely like to make sure that security is up to par for the both of you. Please let me know what your schedule is looking like, and we can work out a day and time that works best.

[Text] Any of those dates work. I’ll make time for you. Believe me, I will make it work. We’ll shoot for one of your off days as I see no point in making you suffer after your overnight shift.

[Text] Can you meet around lunch time on one of your days off? That’s usually easiest, just in case for some odd reason I can’t manage to shift things around in my schedule.

[Text] I couldn’t agree with you more. Better we make it safe now, anyway. No point in waiting.

“Oh yeah. Because you had a rope tied around me dragging me out into the streets against my will, it’s definitely your fault.” Even her sarcasm sounded tired, but she had to make an attempt. There was no point in him apologizing for something that wasn’t his fault. “Ok. Good.” She nodded although he couldn’t see her. “Yeah. A lot of it is going to be trying to get security back online in the different areas that got hit. Then reinforcing everything so no dickhat takes advantage to sneak something shitty in cause he thinks we aren’t looking. Luckily I just restocked the coffee here.”

Nic’s breath hitched at Mel’s description.  “Don’t even tempt me right now with thinking about you all tied up Melodie,” he said his voice deep, low, and breathy and not just from jogging towards the Estate.  The Capulet Estate, and Mel by extension, couldn’t come into his view close enough.  “Well I’ll try to remember to bring you some more, and perhaps some of the chocolate covered espresso beans to snack on too.  And well, despite all the work you have to do, we both do, there are other things I’ll make sure get taken care of.”  As he came upon the Estate, Nic blew out a breath and paused.  It looked safe.  “I’m here,” he whispered, walking up to the gate and pressing the button.

Text: Thank you Nic. You are more than welcome at the Estate. Please check in with Leo to let him know you will be staying there. I realize Melodie is stubborn but please make it clear to her that leaving the estate without security is not an option. Invoke my name if you must.

Text: Thank you. If Melodie pushes back, I want to know immediately.

Text: Thank you Nic. You are more than welcome at the Estate. Please check in with Leo to let him know you will be staying there. I realize Melodie is stubborn but please make it clear to her that leaving the estate without security is not an option. Invoke my name if you must.

[Text] Thank you for reaching out to me. You can just call me Leo, thank you.

[Text] However, yes. If Mel is going to be living with you I would definitely like to make sure that security is up to par for the both of you. Please let me know what your schedule is looking like, and we can work out a day and time that works best.

Jim didn’t know exactly where he was. Somewhere in Montague territory, trying to find whoever of his family was still out in this bullshit. He knew he’d taken a couple punches from various people, but he wouldn’t feel any of the bruises until tomorrow. He dove into one group to pull out a woman who looked overwhelmed, then shoved her towards a clear part of the street. She only offered a quick thank you before running off again. At the words, he turned around and caught sight of a familiar figure. Ah. The cop. The one who had interrogated him last year around this time. All the same, he’d struck Jim as sensible so he relaxed slightly. “Doing the same thing you’re doing I’m guessing. Unless you moved to firefighter.”

Nic chuckled bitterly.  “Nope, still just with the Watch but that training, or that of a paramedic might come in handy tonight.” he admitted.  “We need to get the streets cleared of everyone as quickly as possible.  Some people will use anything as a reason for destruction like this and then others just get swept along in the tide and things get way out of hand.”  It wasn’t the first time he’d seen things erupt in Verona but it had been a while.  That only seemed to have served as more fuel to this fire. “Are you looking for anyone specific in your family?  I know Lord Capulet is out in this mess trying to get to Lucio and Diana.  And I’m trying to look for Mel and Posey and still do my job.  I’m hoping they’re together and safe, or that Posey is possibly with the Montague she’s involved with and he’s keeping her as far from this as possible.”  

“We got separated.” Liana had to wonder if the man that was suppose to be her security would still have a job when this all ended. “I’ll find somewhere, Sir. I promise. I don’t want to be out in this any longer than I have to.” The fear and anger were palpable, and it was beginning to feel a little overwhelming.

Nic felt bad for the young woman but there wasn’t a safe spot in his zone.  “I can radio ahead to the station, and have them waiting for you,” he offered.  Then he reached into his work belt and pulled out a whistle and a couple of glow sticks.  “I wish I had more to give you, to protect you.  But this whistle will help alert anyone if you get in trouble.  And the glow sticks are for light if needed, or to signal where you are.”  He looked around.  “I’m going this way about another 5 blocks before I turn south and head back towards the river.  If you want to come with me.”  

Georgie felt herself relax only slightly at the familiar arms that held her tight. She wanted to ask him to go home, to plead with him to get somewhere safe, but she knew that wasn’t a possibility. “I had a meeting. I should’ve just cancelled it but we didn’t realise the tension would turn into… well whatever the hell this is.” She explained quickly before nodding, “We are, I promise. We’re just trying to get to the car, it’s just slow trying to make sure we don’t get involved in anything.” Every time a group walked past, Georgie’s bodyguards would grab her and either stop her until they’d passed or hurry her through. At his question of Mel, she felt her chest tighten - she wished she had news to share. “I haven’t no… But maybe she’s just at home - or at work, right? She’s most likely just hidden somewhere safe.” 

Nic felt like he’d been living with this for years.  Sure it had calmed considerably in the last two years, but tonight, the sting, the tension, the memories of the night of Greta’s death were very vivid.  “This?  This is Verona.  It’s not terribly surprising sadly.”  He nodded his head.  There was no point in sharing that Lord Capulet didn’t know where she was either.  “You’re right.  She’s smart and is probably somewhere safe and cursing my job,” he laughed.  The Dominant looked over Georgie’s shoulder at her her bodyguards.  “Get her home, now.  Don’t let her out of your sight.  Trust me.”  He gave Georgie another quick hug.  “Stay with them.  Get home safe.  Stay safe.  I’ll check in with you once I can.”

He was okay. He was okay and walking and near a place that didn’t seem like it had been too hit by all the danger which meant he was going to stay fine for at least a little bit longer. Her eyes closed in sheer relief and she laid her head back against the drawers of her desk.

“I’m totally fine. No scratch or bruise in sight.” Which considering her brief expedition into the outside was probably a bit of a miracle, but she wanted to save that exact story for when he could see her and would know there wasn’t anything to worry about. “I’m at the Estate. Leo got a weird vibe and wanted me to work long today to monitor everything. Guess his vibe was pretty on target. But does that mean you’re coming here?” The hope was plain in her voice as she asked that last question, biting her lip as she waited for his answer. 

Nic let out another breath as Mel said she didn’t have a single bruise or scratch. He didn’t think he did either but he was exhausted and sweaty and had soot and dirt and whatnot on him and his uniform from helping others through the night. He was sure he looked worse off than he was. And he should probably be focused on getting back to the station and into a clean uniform. But he couldn’t. Not yet. “Yeah, I guess it was,” Nic agreed, as he set off towards the Capulet estate, practically jogging. “I’m sorry I almost pulled you out in this.” Although he couldn’t see her Nic nodded his head. “Yeah. Stay put and I’ll come to you before I start again for the day. And I’m sure you’ll have more than enough work to deal with today too at the Estate.”