#billy:gale

"You've gotta be kidding me." Billy growled, freshly re-broken ribs aching with every shallow breath. "The vulture herself. What, you smell blood in the water and come for your scoop?" His words were clearly sarcastic, but, there was a flicker of fear in his teary gaze that he couldn't quite shake. His body instinctively tense, as if bracing for impact. "You never quit, do you?" He spat, voice trembling a little more as anger and paranoia got the better of him. "Always gotta be the one who comes out on top, huh? You happy now?" He let out a harsh, barking laugh, but it quickly turned into a wince as the movement pulled at his wounds, a fresh tear slipping down his cheek. "Get the hell outta here. Go write your shit stories somewhere else."

Billy looked up as Gale entered, still on edge every time the door opened. "Figured you'd show up eventually." he said casually, offering a carefully practised smile. "Guess you couldn't resist a story like this, huh?" he leaned back, letting out a sigh that felt just the right amount of weary. "Let's just say I've had a lot of time to think about things, about what happened. Can you imagine if he'd managed to get to the that little girl instead of me?" he shook his head, "That would have been a whole different type of story, that's for sure. It's just a shame he's still out there."

"You're always so...dramatic, Gale." he grimaced, shifting uncomfortably, his face a twisted mixture of irritation and faint amusement. "That's how it works. Nothing comes without a price." He paused, "But, standing alone? That's just a good way to get yourself killed." His lips curled into a mocking smile, despite his own situation. "We both know you'll never stand alone. You need an audience too much."

Billy's eyes narrowed, a hint of a smirk playing at his lips. "Specific?" he parroted, his voice somewhere between mocking and threatening. "You think that's all I've got?" He leaned closer, his gaze never wavering. "I'm not here to throw vague threats around. I've got details you wouldn't believe if I told you. And trust me, they're coming." He let his words hang in the air, watching her almost as a satisfied audience member to his own performance. "So, go ahead. Underestimate me. It'll make what's coming even more interesting."

Billy's eyes were pinned upon Gale as he tossed down an oil-stained bandanna onto the table between them. The bandanna, clearly well worn and having doubled up as both a rag and bandage throughout its lifetime, was a stark reminder of his recent threat. "Recognise this?" He asked, voice laced with a playful contempt. "Just a reminder of what's coming. Unless you're willing to do what I say."

Billy couldn't believe his luck. After all his planning to get back at Gale and finish what they'd started, of course she'd managed to run into him when he was still injured and alone. Sure, treating his wounds at home was making things take a little longer than he'd like, but, it was still preferable to being cooped up in hospital. "What the hell are you talking about?" He scowled, leaning back in his seat to subtly make space between them. "They didn't fix your head in there, then. Still completely out of your mind." He rolled his eyes. "You're playing a dangerous game coming to find me. You just don't learn, do you?"

"Well, if it isn't the famous Gale Weathers. You've certainly…changed." A small smirk toyed with his lips, noticing just how different she was since they'd last clapped eyes on one another. He was surprised to see her, but, it gave way to curiosity. He wanted to pick her brains, in more ways than one. "I almost didn't recognise you. Still out chasing the headlines, are you? I suppose some things don't change."