Rock looked at his eyes pensively in the mirror of his bathroom. He stood there a long while, probing his soul, asking questions about his life and what it was all leading to. All he knew for certain was that he couldn't remain as he was any longer. Standing in the twilight, preaching virtue and decency one moment as he danced with the devil the next. It was all bullshit. Their was no darkness, no light. It was just him and the choices he made based on what he cared about. It took him a long time, but Rock finally figured out what that was. He opened up his dopp kit, took out an electric razor and got to work.

It was almost noon; another beautiful, ugly day in the city of immorality. The sun rose clear over the south-China sea, illuminating the decaying european-esque buildings and sun-bleached casitas of Roanapur. The clean sea air mixed with the perfumes of the local whore houses and imported tobacco smoke; it was intoxicating, and deadly, an analogy for the city itself one could say.

Rock opened his apartment door and walked calmly down the second floor corridor of Lagoon Company's building commune. Dutch and Benny leisured together inside the office headquarters midway up the hall. Knowing his new appearance would provoke a reaction, Rock opened the door smoothly and without interruption. Benny tapped away at his laptop in the armchair while Dutch sipped on his morning coffee on the nearby sofa, thumbing another page of his Communist Manifesto.

"Rock, glad you're finally awake. I need to talk to you about the weapon collation you did on our last shipment." Dutch looked up from his book.

A cadence of silence filled the room and Benny looked up from his laptop as well.

"Uh, hey guys. What's up?" Rock asked, chastened and unassuming.

"Rock, you, you have a mohawk!" Benny stood up, dumbfounded.

"And you changed your clothes." Dutch followed proudly.

Rock's comrades moved to get a better look at him, and Rock met them in the middle.

"Never thought I'd see the day you'd hang up your tie, businessman." Dutch, placing his hand supportively on his friend's shoulder.

"Yeah, and where'd you get that hawaiian shirt from? Looks kinda like the one Revy got you way back when. I thought you hated that thing." Benny leaned in closer as he adjusted his glasses, not believing his eyes.

"I just thought it was time for a change, ya know?" Rock excused himself modestly, shying the question.

The before and after was startling. Rock had traded in his clean white work shirts and black dress pants for faded form fitting blue jeans, modest brown leather cowboy boots, a tight-fitting wife-beater, and the fitted red and blue hawaiian shirt he'd reluctantly received from Revy when he first arrived in Roanapur. On top of his new relaxed iro-buzzcut and south pacific tan, Rock resembled little of his old self and someone a little more Martin Scorsese-inspired.

"Well, I'm gonna miss that white-collar look you gave us for our customers, but as long as you can still talk a fast game, I don't gotta problem with it." Dutch said and smiled, patting Rock on the back.

"What the fuck is everyone blabbering about? Did I miss something?" Revy interrupted, strolling through the open doorway annoyed, as she rubbed the sleep from her eyes.

"Revy, check out Rock. He's new and improved." Dutch said, standing behind him.

"Hm?" Revy focused her eyes for a moment, and her expression went blank. "R-Rock? What… why?" Revy couldn't believe it.

"I think you wrinkled her brain, Rock." Benny chuckled.

Revy groaned as she clutched her head. It was too much for her take at once. After all, she had a hangover that would put rockstars to shame.

"All right people, enough doting, everyone take a seat 'cause we got business to go over." Dutch returned to his own seat on the far side, setting the example.

Everyone quickly followed; Benny in the armchair to the right and Rock on the couch opposite Dutch. Revy was the last to sit, however, careful not to give any unwarranted attention to Rock's new look, though it didn't stop her from sitting next to him.

"We got another job people. And this one's gonna require a little more finesse than usual, so you'd better sober up and listen, Revy." Dutch remarked sarcastically behind his signature sunglasses.

"Suck my dick, Dutch! I wrote the fucking book on finesse!" Revy exclaimed, then gripped her head in agony.

"Anyway, the target is a luxury cruise vessel called the Queen Regent,Balalaika has business with a certain passenger aboard who just so happens to be a high-level Yakuza boss."

"So do we kill the guy or what?" Revy, already bored to tears as she lit up an American Spirit.

"It's a little more complicated than that. Despite Hotel Moscow's growing presence in Japan's criminal underworld, they still don't have the influence they would like. Word on the streets, however, this Tanaka Matsumoto, is doing backdoor deals with Yakuza competitors. He controls the entire southern peninsula of Japan's drug trafficking and everyone wants a piece of the action." Dutch continued, taking another sip of his coffee.

"Especially, Hotel Moscow." Rock commented, intrigued.

Revy took this opportunity to give Rock a good once over. She couldn't believe how different he looked. Did all of her verbal abuse over the last 18 months finally do some good? Not sure, but she couldn't let the others catch wind of her amazement.

"So we intercept the ship, and then what? Do a deal on Balalaika's behalf?" Benny inquired sheepishly.

"No." Dutch smiled as he lit up a cigarette of his own and crossed his large boots on the coffee table. "We're gonna kidnap the son of a bitch."

Revy snapped out of her obscene ogling of Rock and cried out, "You're not serious, I hope!"

"Not only that, we gotta make it look like an assassination from a rival clan." Dutch furthered.

"I get it, now. Balalaika wants him for his connections and operational knowledge, but once his former partners find out, they'll try to kill him. But, if we leave the calling card of lets say the Sumiyoshi clan or the Inagawa clan, it'll cause in-fighting, making it that much easier for Balalaika to exert control over the power-vacuum." Rock deduced candidly.

"Very good, Rock. In exchange for amnesty and seclusion, Tanaka will give the keys to his entire operation over to Hotel Moscow and that's why their can't be any doubt into his death at Revy's hands." Dutch, subtly leaving that last part at the end.

Revy shot to her feet, startling Rock and Benny. "What the fuck, Dutch! Have you gone fucking crazy! Are you trying to get me killed?! This job is way too hot for us!"

"What's wrong, Revy? Scared?" Dutch taunted shamelessly.

"Fuck you, Dutch! Just because you've lost your survival instinct, doesn't mean I'm gonna go spending the rest of my days looking over my fucking shoulder. I, for one, wanna live to spend my money!" Revy proclaimed as she turned to storm out the room.

"Revy!" Dutch shouted, stopping Revy in her tracks as he almost never broke his cool demeanor. "Don't you wanna know how much?" He added strategically.

"What?" Revy responded after a curious pause.

"A cool Mill." Dutch voiced each word slow and emphatically as he grinned.

A chill ran down Revy's spine, then turned her head slowly back to her employer; her outrage now replaced with an evil and toothy grin. "Well, why didn't you say so, Dutchy?"

Dutch's smile became a smirk, knowing he'd pushed all the right buttons. "Payment on delivery." He concluded, taking another drag of his cigarette.

Revy exploded with thieving joy as she leapt back over the couch, howling like a mad woman. She wrapped her arm tightly Rock's neck and pulled him close as she began firing her cutlass wildly into the ceiling. Benny erupted into his own brand of joy, all in all Dutch smiled on with gratitude and admiration for his crew.

"All right, team. We're going to need some unique supplies for this job. Revy," Dutch started with her first. "You and Rock take this order to the Ripoff Church, all our expenses are paid this time, so tell 'em not to jack us off like always. Benny, I need you to get me all the information on this Matsumoto person. I wanna know everything there is to know about the guy before he steps foot on my boat."

"No problem big-man." Benny resounded, thumbs up.

"Uh, Dutch?" Revy raised a suspicious tone as she eyed the list Dutch handed her more closely. "What exactly do you plan on us doing aboard this little love boat?"

Rock managed to slink out of Revy's iron grip before he suffocated. "Why? What's on the list?" Rock choked out as he rubbed his throat.

Dutch chuckled. "I know it's going to take some convincing, Revy, but trust me, I've thought this one through."

Rock leaned in to see the list, and he and Revy met each other with a confused gaze.

"We got six days, people. Let's get a move on!" Dutch announced.

A short time later, the engine of Lagoon's '65 GTO roared down main street towards Roanapur's city limits. Rock drove while Revy sat in the passenger side, her hands resting behind her head, feet on the dash and grinning ear-to-ear.

"Two-hundred and fifty G's, baby!" Revy loved math. "After all this is over, I'm gonna take a nice long Vey-K."

"Revy?" Rock queried.

"What's up, Rocky-baby?" Revy took a break from her gleeful day-dreaming and looked over at her partner.

He was very calm, and had a warm smile as he spoke. "What do you think you'd want to do, you know, when you finally have enough money?"

At first Revy, didn't know how to answer the question. "Rock, don't get all sentimental on me, ok? You know I don't think about that shit. I live one day at a time, one bullet at a time, one drag at a time, ya dig?" That was Revy's cue to light up.

In a practically unfathomable display of kindness, Revy placed two cigarettes between her lips and brought them to ember, handing one to Rock as he drove. Rock took the smoke from her, pausing a moment before he inhaled, knowing his lips would touch where Revy's had been.

"Sooo Rock…" Revy couldn't hold it in any longer. "What made you wanna change your look so suddenly?" Doing her best to sound as ambivalent as possible. "Did you have a nervous breakdown or something?" She mocked pithily.

Rock had the answer, but he couldn't tell her just yet, it wasn't the right time. "Just felt like trying something different, I guess." Rock chuckled a bit, never diverting his gaze from the road.

Revy huffed at his feint, resting cheek to fist as she looked out her open window. "Whatever, I'm just glad you finally ditched that damned work shirt and tie. Speaking of shirts, thanks for not throwing out that hawaiian shirt I bought for you. Looks good." Revy paused for a moment, and blushed realizing the unintentional compliment she had just given him. "I mean… good for a pint-size poser!" Quickly following with an insult.

Rock chuckled amused and smiled at his flustered partner. "It's not so bad. To be honest, it's kinda grown on me. Fits pretty good, don't you think?" Rock's eyes were a testament to the warmth he felt for Revy, in spite of everything that had happened between them in recent months.

Revy looked back to meet Rock's gaze with timid surprise. She studied his face. He wasn't lying or being disingenuous. He was acting like the same gentle person she always remembered. Ever since that scare he gave everyone three months ago; between the Maid, Garcia, and those FARC guerrillas, the whole team was skeptical of his resolve.

Revy soon realized she was staring too long again and quickly returned her cheek to her fist, brokering with closed eyes as she spoke. "Of course it fits. I bought if for you, remember?" She huffed again, "Told ya I had taste."

Rock held his smile and returned his attention to the road.

Another half-hour passed and Revy was back to pounding on the locked chapel door of the Ripoff Church, like she always did. "Hey Yolanda, open up you old skank! It's Lagoon company! I got another order for ya!"

"Maybe they're out?" Rock pondered aloud.

Revy growled under her teeth. "Hey you fuckin' bitches!" Revy yelled as she hammered on the front door like a machine gun.

An old locking mechanism was heard, and the door finally opened to reveal the church's apprentice.

"Hey-hey! Two Hands! How ya been?" Rico greeted cheerfully, excited to see his favorite gunslinger.

"Can it, Rico. We're here on official Lagoon business. Where's Yolanda?" Revy, business as usual.

"She and Eda are on an errand, but I can take your order and get it started for ya." Rico did his best to keep Revy from peering into the church.

"Oh right, like I'd trust your dumb ass with something this important." Revy insulted, jabbing her index finger into Rico's chest, determined to get past the young priest-in-training.

"Aw come on, Revy. You know I got nothing but love for ya, but they're just not here right now." Rico started to sweat behind his goofy smile, intent on keeping his crush from going inside.

"Oh, Riicooo." Revy's voice was now soft and demure, and she purred like a cat as she invaded his personal space. Rico's cheeks were now bright as a cherry; Revy's come-hither lips moving closer to his own, as she grazed his chest with her ample breasts.

Rico finally spoke up, "Uh, ha ha… yeah?"

"Get the fuck outta my way!" Revy erupted with a sharp uppercut to Rico's jaw sending him flying inside the church. "Dipshit." Revy snorted as she walked past the semi-unconscious boy lying on the floor.

"Sorry, Rico." Rock added regretfully, following close behind his partner.

"Th-thaz okaaay." Rico slurred, his goofy grin still fixed to his face.

Rock and Revy made their way down the main aisle. Eda and Yolanda clearly in sight behind the altar.

"Hey! Sister Mary-Clueless! Why'd you send pea-brain out, huh? We got business with you." Revy demanded, hands on her hips.

The nuns didn't answer, continuing to mull over their countless documents strewn about the antique table.

"Maybe we should come back later?" Rock suggested quietly into Revy's ear.

"Grrrrr, hey you wrinkly old cunt! I'm talking to you!" Revy clearly only had dollar bills for eyes right now.

"Would you shut up, you stupid bitch!" Eda snapping back at her, sorta-friend.

Revy was taken aback for a moment, then readied herself to retaliate, Rock holding her back as always.

"It's not a good time, Rebecca. Come back tomorrow." Yolanda said sweetly, though failing to look away from her work.

Revy was about at her limit and Rock knew it was time to step in and do what he did best, talk. "We apologize for the intrusion Sisters, but there simply isn't time. We've been commissioned for a job, and every second counts on this one. Of course we'll make it worth your while."

Yolanda, always appreciative of Rock's manners finally looked back at her guests and spoke, "Oh? Sounds important, and who may I ask commissioned you for this little job, young man?"

"Nunna yer fuckin' business, you dried up…" Revy's words were stifled by Rock's adamant approach, moving ahead of her before she could finish her insult.

"Sister, you know Lagoon Company has a strict client-confidentiality clause. Breaking that would damage our reputation and affect future business. I'm sure you understand." Rock chose his words carefully. He knew that Ripoff dealt mostly in smuggled guns, and 'special orders', and that they were on friendly terms with Chang and the Hong Kong Triads. But because they also dealt secretly in drugs, that put them in dangerous proximity to Hotel Moscow, if they were ever found out, of course. It had always been this leverage that Lagoon exerted over Ripoff to get what they wanted, when they wanted it, but this time seemed different for some reason.

"Boy, I like you're new uniform, but eventually you're going to have to step onto the field and play ball. If you're not going to tell me who your client is, at least tell us about your assignment." Yolanda asked smartly, insistent on advancing the Church's position in Roanapur.

"Like hell!" Revy objected, her advance was quickly halted, however, by Rock's outstretched arm.

"That's fine." He agreed.

"Rock." Revy whispered under her breath, frustrated.

"We've been contracted to relocate the figurehead of a certain criminal organization, but that's all I can say on the matter." Rock informed them calm and collected, Revy clutching her fists.

Yolanda looked back at Eda, who assured her with a silent nod of something, then returned to the conversation. "Well, that wasn't so hard now, was it? Eda will take your order now."

The situation finally defused, and Revy huffed as she pushed past a smiling Rock, who seemed a little too content with his negotiation skills.

"Here." Revy vexed as she handed the paper over.

Eda took a quick scan of the items. "These are some rather unusual requests, when do you need all this by?" She asked with a perplexed look on her face.

"This time, the day after tomorrow." Revy stated bluntly.

Eda chuckled loudly, "Well, it'll be three times the regular rate for expedited shipping."

"What?! You blood-sucking slut!" Revy raised her fist in protest.

"This isn't FedEx, bitch. It's a seller's market, and we sell, got that? Ya overgrown she-male." Eda denigrated rhetorically as she adjourned the steeple.

Revy was practically foaming at the mouth as her hands twitched for her cutlasses.

"Thank you Sisters, we'll be back in two days." Rock extended his gratitude, then placed both hands on Revy's shoulders as he turned her to leave the chapel, his calming touch bringing her just slightly below boiling and Rock quietly thanking God they were at sea-level as they narrowly avoided yet another unnecessary shootout.

"Thanks for stopping by, and do come again." Yolanda smiled, waving goodbye to her favorite businessman.

Rock made good use of Pontiac's classic 389 power train and blasted back to the city of pleasure, doing his best to relax the plum-haired warrior woman at his side.

"That fucking bitch! Who the hell does she think she is charging us triple?" Revy grumbled and pouted, arms crossed as she repeatedly kicked the glove box like a spoiled child.

"Revy, the money doesn't matter, remember?" Rock did his best not to excite Revy further.

"Huh?" Revy inquired, her cigarette hanging from her lip.

"Hotel Moscow's covering all our expenses for this job, so it doesn't matter how much we have to spend."

Revy froze, embarrassed, realizing she had forgotten to register that little tidbit back at the office. "Yeah! I knew that, smart-ass!" She didn't. "It's not about money, its, it's the principle of the thing, got it!" It was all about the money.

"Whatever you say, Revy." Rock couldn't help but laugh at her bluff.

"Fuck." Revy submitted, sorely. Outwardly, she hated Rock's almost profound ability to defuse verbal time bombs, emphasizing diplomacy over force, but secretly, admired and respected him.

A calm began to wash over the GTO's occupants as they crossed back over Roanapur's famous overland entrance, the lone noose still hanging to claim its unknown victim.

Rock was the first to break the silence this time, not realizing he'd wake Revy from a catnap. "Hey, Revy?"

"What?" She answered, annoyed, resting comfortably on her lowered backrest.

"Can we make a pitstop?" He asked.

"Sure, I'm starving. Let's get some of that shitty chicken yakisoba you like so much. I think I can stomach it without vomiting today." Revy was such a bad liar, she loved those thick noodles after a night of hard drinking.

"Yeah, a late-lunch sounds good. Then after I was thinking maybe something else?" Rock, now raising Revy's interest.

"What did you have in mind?" She asked, now very intrigued, peaking out at him from under her long eyelashes.

Plainspoken as always, Rock simply said it, "I want to buy a gun."

Revy rocked forward, thunderstruck. "What?!"

A short time passed and Rock and Revy were sitting down at their usual market outdoor luncheon with two hot bowls of noodles to be enjoyed, but only Rock was eating. Revy was still wrestling with his earlier declaration.

"Rock… what do you wanna gun for?" Revy hated how stupid that question made her sound, but she had to mask her concern with something; she chose doubt.

"Why wouldn't I want a gun? Its time, don't you think? I want to pull my own weight from now on and it's a smart move too. A gun has lots of other uses than just killing people, ya know?" Rock stated diplomatically, before helping himself to a piece of chicken.

"Like what?" Revy, asking a legitimate question.

"Um… well…" Rock stalled for time, embarrassed having no immediate answer.

Revy groaned in aggravation then followed up sarcastically. "Look Rock, I like your new look and everything, and your enthusiasm is utterly adorable, but you're simply not cut out to handle a piece, okay? So just drop it." Revy, terminating the subject, finally got to work on her own bowl.

A few minutes passed, and Rock spoke up again, his tone now more serious than before. "Why?" He asked.

Revy stopped mid-slurp, opening one eye as she realized Rock had just talked back to her on the same subject. "Come again, Rock?" She asked rhetorically, now very annoyed by his obstinance. "I didn't catch that."

"Why won't you help me choose a gun?" He asked again, his tone rising.

Now Rock was starting to piss her off, even still, Revy refused to back down. "Because… I said so, Rock."

"Fuck that, Revy! I want you to tell me why, right now!" Rock exclaimed, slamming his fists on the table as he stood with objection.

Amused, Revy mocked him, sarcasm oozing from her voice as she spoke, "Aw! Wittle-baby Rocky wants a toy, bang-bang gun, huh? Well, too fucking bad, junior! I decide who's qualified to strap in this crew, and that's Dutch and me! If I let a pussy like you carry a piece, you'd sooner shoot your own dick off than help anybody with it. More likely you'd get one of us killed! You're the paper-pusher, Rock. So take a letter, you cunt! You. Will never. Have. A gun! Period! Get the memo, asshole!" Revy's ruthless verbal abuses were brought to an end when a heavy hand slapped her suddenly across the face.

Revy was left prostrated, wide-eyed, raising one fingerless-gloved palm to her burning cheek as it swelled with redness. She rose to her feet slowly, her chair creaking with an augury of death, and she spoke with cold, unfeeling eyes. "Rock. You just made the biggest fuckin' mistake of your stupid, little life." Revy reached with her free hand and unsnapped one of her Beretta 92's from its leather restraint.

Rock would have only one chance. This wasn't the first time she'd pulled a gun on him, but he would need a fucking miracle (and a little luck) to make it out alive this time. The two stood like statues, eyes cocked and locked; Rock's hands stiffly holding either side of the dining table, and Revy's on the ivory grip of a single Praiyachat Sword Cutlass Special.

Her eye finally twitched and Revy drew her weapon with lightning speed and the shot rang out… but it missed! Revy's aim was knocked off course by the debris Rock had sent flying into the air as he flipped the table away. Revy was quick to correct her aim, but Rock's diversion tactic put him just far enough ahead to intercept her. He raced forward, grabbed her gun-hand, forcing it upwards into the sky as she managed to squeeze off another round. Four hands then wrestled for supremacy, but Rock managed to finagle the weapon between them, muzzle up, as he peered into her deadly, heart-broken eyes.

"Of all the battles we've survived, Revy, you've tried to kill me more than any enemy we've ever faced! So tell me, if your supposed to be this badass, psycho-killer, bitch everyone thinks you are, then tell me, why are you so fucking bad at your job!" Rock shouted with ridicule, rolling his strength to one side then sharply launching Revy's weapon into the opposite direction.

Revy reached for her backup, but not before Rock took hold of the leather straps on her cross-draw rig; yanked them back over her shoulders, followed by a swift downward jerk. He then pulled with all his might until her arms and body were snared against his. And with that, it was over, Rock had won.

Revy thrashed and clawed and shrieked violently against Rock's solid, unyielding hold on her; her arms and body bound so tightly against his, it hurt. This is truly what happens when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object.

"Get off of me! God, damn it, let me go! Rock, I fucking hate you!" Revy, screaming as loudly as she could into Rock's face.

"Yeah! You hate me?! Good! I hate you too, Revy!" Rock retorted viciously as he forced her to look at him. Then his voice delved low and severe when he spoke again, "Tell me, Revy, out of all the people you've killed, why can't you kill me?"

Their faces just inches apart. Revy looked at him with scornful eyes, trembling against his body as her adrenaline dwindled. She tried to break his gaze, but Rock now had an even firmer grip of her soul. "I... I don't know." She whimpered in defeat, finally giving in to him.

"After all that's happened between us, after everything we've been through together; if you hate me as much as you say you do, then tell me why you've never taken the time to sneak into my room one night while I was sleeping and put a bullet in my brain!?" Rock waited for Revy to respond again, but she held her tongue, not wanting to give him the satisfaction. "It's because from the first moment we met, you've always thought of me as this innocent, carefree guy who's never known real suffering and had his whole life handed to him on a platter. You stole my right to be anything different in your eyes and you've denied me that dignity ever since, because you needed to believe that I was innocent, you needed to believe that I was this constant, unchanging moral compass in your hands that never faltered amidst the darkness; all so you wouldn't have to accept just how broken and alone you really are."

A single tear stung at Revy's wounded cheek.

"I can't save you, Revy, and I have changed, but you can change yourself too, if you want to." Rock finished, finally releasing Revy from his iron-grip.

Revy stepped back, shell shocked, almost tripping on her gun leather as they slid from her limp arms around her combat boots. Rock's adrenaline began to subside now as well and he finally caught his breath. He stared at her fragile, wounded face with self-reproach, regretting everything he'd just put her through so she'd listen to him.

Rock finally calmed down and spoke again, this time with guilt in his voice. "Revy… I'm just tired of always getting kidnapped and then putting you in danger every time you ride in to save my dumb ass. That's the only reason I want a gun." He admitted sincerely.

"Fuck you." She dejected, shunning his intimate gaze. She felt naked without her 92's, holding her sides for security as she continued. "Ya know, you really should've swiped a crucifix while we were out, it is the prop for martyrs, after all. You're such a fucking hypocrite."

"Maybe I am, but it's still my choice, Revy." Rock was standing his ground. "All I'm asking you for, is your support."

Revy said nothing, unable to look him in the eye.

"If I'm the hypocrite for wanting to protect myself and the people I care about, then what does that make you?" Rock posed.

Revy's hands began to tremble, her bottom lip quivering as emotions she'd worked so hard to repress finally started to float to the surface. "Shut up!" Revy shouted, on the defensive again.

"I won't! Ever since we met, Revy, you've used your skills to protect me and everyone else aboard the Lagoon. All I'm asking for is the opportunity, no, the right, to do the same… for you."

Rock's words pierced Revy's heart like the silver bullet they once talked about, and for a single moment, Revy felt something other than hatred and disgust; something that stirred deep down inside her soul as she looked into Rock's now loving gaze. It was something she hadn't felt since before she was a little girl… safe. For that single moment, Revy felt saved. However, no matter how he made her feel, Revy would never forgive him for how he had just treated her.

She lowered her head, her bangs concealing her eyes as she spoke. "You think I care about you, Rock? Boy, you really are a dumb fuck, aren't ya? I don't."

Her words stung like venom, but Rock stood there and took it.

"But you know what? You were right about one thing, Rock. Ever since we picked you up a year ago, your arrogance and stupidity has put me and this crew in danger more times than I can count. The only thing you ever brought to the table was that faggy shirt and tie and the squeaky clean image you put on for our customers, that's all! And now, you don't even have those anymore. Don't you get it, Rock? You're dead weight. And now you think I'm gonna let a pussy like you carry a gun around us? Don't make me laugh. Fucking Mister Rodgers would be an improvement over you. You're the bottom of the food chain, Rock. If I had anybody else, anyone, I would. All you are, Rock, is the best of a bad situation, nothing more." Revy sneered her fangs as she spoke, staring at him with eyes more callous and unfeeling as he'd ever seen them before. She waited for his response, ready to taste sweet revenge for his transgressions against her.

Nothing. Rock stood there quietly, seemingly unfazed by her brutal assault. They waited there a long time, holding each others gaze. The weight of the silence forcing Revy to reflect on the things she had just said, and during that time… came to regret every word. Her eyes began to sting, and moisten with each passing second. She tried looking away, but couldn't. She tried speaking, tried to say his name, tried to articulate how sorry she was, and how much she really did care for him, but couldn't; choking on the massive lump that had formed in her throat.

"R-rock… I… I mean… I didn't…" That was it, all she could muster.

Rock reached into his pocket and took out the car keys, and let them fall at her feet. And with that gesture, he turned and walked the other way, leaving her alone. She considered the gravity of what she had just done, and what he might never do again because of it. She realized, she didn't just deny Rock a gun, she denied him the right to choose his own way, denied him his dignity, and in doing that, she lost everything. It was more than she could bear. The sight of him abandoning her, though, poisoned her soul with every step he took and slowly Revy's remorse turned to hate.

"Hey! Where the fuck do you think you're going, you little faggot! You don't walk away from me! Hey! Hey, I'm talking to you, you, you impotent cunt!" Rock very far away now, still said nothing, Revy going over the edge. "Fine! Leave! You fuck! But don't think we'll take you back! Ooh no! Hey! You hear me, cocksucker! If I ever see you again, I'll fucking kill you!"

Revy couldn't hold back any longer, heavy tears streamed down her cheeks as Rock disappeared into the distant, low hanging mirage of the cobble stone street. She fell to her knees, hiding her face in her hands, trying desperately to put a cork on the water works, and failing. The world around her eventually began to fall back into focus. The faint sound of police sirens drawing closer and closer as Revy realized everyone in market around them had vanished; hiding behind parked cars, street lights, and pay phones boxes.

"What the fuck are you looking at, huh!" Revy shouted some more, quickly retrieving the cutlass at her feet to sweep any onlooker who dared note her tears.

Bystanders screamed and scrambled in fear; hardened criminals and their whores climbing over each other to get away, all the while the police sirens getting closer and closer.

Revy barely made it back home in one piece, pushing the GTO to its limits to get away in time. She parked out front, and ran inside, bypassing the elevator for the stair case, as she darted to reach the second floor. It was her rotten luck, however, that Benny was traveling down their company hallway with important documents and data in hand. She almost knocked him on his ass as she plowed through to her room, opening and slamming the door in one swift motion.

Revy didn't know what to do. She stumbled forward, knocking her loading table over as she struggled to maintain her balance. Her knees buckled and she collapsed to the edge of her bed, hiding her face in the ruffled sheets. All of the terrible things she'd said to Rock came back to haunt her in full tilt. She clutched her pillow to her face and screamed as loud as she could. When she removed it, tear shaped streaks stained her pillowcase. Revy realized she had been crying the entire way home.

A half empty fifth of rum called to her from her bedside table. Omitting its nearby glass, Revy unscrewed its top and began to chug what was left, the liquid solace burning her throat as she drank. She wallowed in frustration when the bottle finally emptied, and smashed it against the wall in a fit of rage. Revy thought to Rock's stupid, gentle face. His warm smile. The reassuring touch of his hand on her shoulder. With these memories, Revy tortured herself for the rest of the evening. She cried and cried, and then she cried some more. She cried until she finally passed out from exhaustion.

For a few brief hours, Revy found peace in the darkness. And then, the nightmares came. Flashes of her alcoholic father, the beatings, the cop who raped her; and her, suffocating under the bodies of all the people she had killed. She reached up, reached out for someone to pull her out of the living hell that was her life, to the profile of a single figure whom she knew so well, walking further and further away.

Revy choked awake, eyes wide, frantic and searching in the darkness. It took her a moment, before she finally came to, remembering where she was and what had been. Her digital alarm clock read 3:23 AM. She had sweated clean through her sheets. Everything seemed so hot in her room, even at night. She did her best not to move, as every time she did sent the Earth spiraling around her. She was dehydrated, and needed water.

Cautiously, Revy moved to the edge of her bed, letting her legs fall to the floor as she pushed strong side up, doing everything she could not to vomit. I guess, that's what she got for going almost a whole day without eating again. She was starving; the water first though. Revy pushed onto her feet and took tiny, careful steps to her fridge as her eyes were having trouble adjusting to the darkness. She finally found the handle and opened the door, and her studio illuminated with soft white light. She reveled in the coolness of the air against her skin. Grabbing her large water bottle, she unscrewed the cap and took giant, hurried gulps. Forgetting to pace herself, she choked and water streamed down her mouth and throat; coughing until her lungs burned, then finished what was left.

Revy started to get her head back, then helped herself to slice of cold pizza and a cigarette. After she finished both she returned to her grimy bed, and became instantly aware of her need for a shower. She made her way to her to her bathroom, and kicked off her boots once inside. She then stripped off her signature black sports bra and daisy duke shorts revealing her strong curvaceous figure. She stepped into the shower. The water arriving icy cold when she turned the valve, as always taking several minutes to warm. She chilled, but she didn't shake, the cold numbed her senses. Hot water finally arrived to the point of scalding, but Revy didn't even bat an eye. She was the undead, as Mini-Maid had put it; a walking skeleton.

Ten, fifteen minutes passed, then Revy got out. She padded her self dry with a small wash cloth, brushed her teeth, then returned to her room to acquire her last pair of clean black panties and a rare white tank top from her dresser drawer. Revy stood there, looking at herself in the mirror, not knowing whether to believe or not believe anything that happened the previous day. Was it real? Or was it all just a bad dream? Revy's curiosity soon got the better of her, and she left the solitude of her room in search of her answer. She tiptoed down the dark hallway, the wooden floor creaking with every step. She stood for a moment when she arrived at his door, afraid of what she would find or wouldn't find if she opened it. Revy swallowed her fear, and turned the handle. It was unlocked.

At first, Revy couldn't quite make out what she saw in the room and so she stepped further inside, shutting the door behind her. As she moved closer, her heart skipped a beat, slowly beginning to make out a figure lying on a bed. Was it Rock? Was he really there, asleep? Or was she just imagining things? It seemed to Revy, Rock was resting peacefully on his frontside, his head turned away to face the open window as the cool sea air poured in to soothe him. Revy didn't know what to do, what to think. All she knew was what she felt... hope. Hope for this moment, as she might not ever have this chance again.

Revy stalked quietly to his bedside, and then she began feel warm all over as she watched his body rise and fall with each breath. She was quiet and careful not to wake him, though she wanted to. She sat down on the bed next to him, the old box spring mattress creaking as she did so, yet still Rock remained asleep. His crisp, clean sheets cooled her skin as she leaned forward to get a better look at him. The narrow patch of hair that remained atop head was still the same length as it had been before he cut it. Revy had to admit, he made that mohawk work for him. She couldn't resist any longer, she'd been wanting to touch it all day, prior. She reached out and ran her fingers gently through his soft black locks and down the nape of his bare neck and back again.

Rock stirred, and Revy froze. He couldn't really be there, could he? Not after everything she'd said during their fight. After all she was still a little drunk. She'd wished he was just a figment of her imagination or some ghostly apparition come back to haunt her, but as sure as she was sitting where she was, and his body turned in his sheets to face her, she knew for sure he was really there.

Rock's eyes opened slowly, looking up from his pillow to the soft white figure sitting at his bedside. Was it a devil disguised as an angel? Or the opposite? As she came into his focus, the warmth and gentleness he conveyed in his eyes upon realizing who it was made Revy feel born again.

"Hey." Rock whispered, a tender smile grazing his lips.

She waited to respond, "Hey, yourself." Revy smiled back, with restraint, cautious not to let him upset her again.

They looked at each other a few more moments, before rock finally showcased his quick wit, "Do I get any last words?" He jested, never breaking his tender gaze of her.

He made Revy laugh, and she stared at him endearingly for how safe he made her feel in that moment with him. "Sure." She said, unguardedly radiant in appreciation of his dark sense of humor.

Rock's eyes weighted quickly with remorse as he spoke, "I'm sorry." He said.

Revy's heart ached, and she sat there wishing Rock would grab her again, as tightly and as painfully as he had during their fight, and in admitting that to herself, she began to cry.

"Revy." Despite his fatigue, his tone was that of genuine concern for her.

Did he forget all the terrible things she'd said to him? Did any of it really happen at all? Rock raised himself up by his elbows, exposing his long lean muscles and broad shoulders. Strange, Revy never noticed them before. He must've been doing his push-ups.

Revy didn't know what to say. Neither knew what to say. The hurt they felt for one another become more real and painful in that moment than anything they had experienced together up to that point. Still, though, somehow staring into Rock's vulnerable chestnut eyes grounded Revy, and gave her the strength to try.

"Rock." Her voice was almost inaudible, like the coo of a dove.

Unfortunately, that was all she could manage as the lump in her throat returned to hamper her words yet again; she kept trying.

"I-I'm… I lo… I'm so… so…" Revy lost all sense of herself and broke down. Her damn pride getting in the way again. She just couldn't say it, she just couldn't say what she really felt. Rock had stripped her of her armor. All she could do was cry and wait, defenseless.

Rock watched with a heavy heart as Revy sobbed uncontrollably into her palms. He had never once seen her cry before, and knew most likely, he would never see it again. This was Revy hitting bottom. It was happening here, now, right in front of him, and he had to decide how to move forward. Rock finally sat up, meeting Revy on her level, even though she couldn't bare look him in the eye a moment more. He moved closer to her, careful not to startle her as wounded animals are known to lash out in self-defense. She wasn't an animal, though, Revy was a woman. A strong, fragile, ugly, beautiful woman in need of the one thing she was always denied and as result, denied herself.

Rock brought his hands to cover hers, and finally he touched her. She stiffened just for a moment, then relaxed as Rock's warm hands guided hers away from her face. He enveloped them with his own then reached out to cup her soft bruised cheek, the very same Rock indiscriminately struck the day before. Revy followed, clutching his strong hand against her face, interlinking her fingers with his. Rock then guided her other hand to his tone chest, letting Revy feel his heartbeat. She looked at him, her beautiful amber eyes glowing in the darkness. It was with this simple act of contrition and compassion, that they forgave each other for the things they had done and said.

Revy didn't know what to do, except cry. She snaked her hands through his arms and around his back. Rock followed, holding her tightly as he enveloped her small frame into a loving embrace. He stroking her moist clean hair, cradling Revy's crying eyes with the strong, warm nook of his neck. She tightened her grip on him, digging her fingernails into his back so deep they risked breaking the skin. Rock winced with pain and tenderness, wishing none of this had to happen, but grateful it did. They become lost in each other, as the shade of night began to lift and the blue twilight of early morning began to creep through the shades of Rock's window, but Revy wasn't ready to say goodnight just yet.

She pushed forward on top of him, kicking his blanket aside; pressed her half-naked body firmly against his as she continued to bawl into his arms. Neither could deny the apparent and primal need for release that each felt growing inside of them, especially Rock, but if he acted on his urges, this moment would be lost forever. Though, making love to Revy would be a profoundly beautiful experience in its own right, it wouldn't save her from the hopelessness she was feeling now.

Rock resisted, continuing to hold Revy close until her tears began to subside. It was a long and agonizingly slow process, but eventually her sobs lessened to sniffles, and then sniffles to whimpers, until finally quiet breathing triumphed over all and she laid there against him, hands resting gently atop his bare chest, her face still safely hidden in the crook of his neck. Together, they could feel their heartbeats against one another. They were exhausted, and still a little drunk, but something happened then that Rock did not intend for. Revy began to act strangely. Her heartbeat sped up, and her breath quickened. She moved against him, cuddling-like at first, but Rock soon gathered that she was starting them both down a path to which there would be no return if he followed.

Revy began to writhe and rock her hips against his, pressuring Rock's growing arousal against her own. She glided her jawline along Rock's, searching for his lips, but he evaded her. A wicked smile now grazed her mouth and she began to coo, and hum, and purr nondescript words as she nuzzled her face against his like a cat, or more accurately, a tiger preparing to feast on its prey. Rock had to put a stop to this, before things got out of control. He released his hands from around her back then placed them gently onto the sides of her arms as if to simply roll her off of him, but Revy reacted quickly to this careful maneuver. She intercepted his hands and took firm hold of his wrists, pushing them to either side of his head; finally, straddling his thighs between her legs, ensuring her victory, and sealing his fate.

Rock was helpless now, and he knew it. Eyes closed, he tried to think of a way out of this, some way without hurting her feelings again, but he just couldn't see it. She now began to lightly peck, and nip, and lick at his face, taking special care to nibble on his chin or earlobe wherever the opportunity presented itself, and it drove him mad. She was playing a dangerous game of cat and mouse. Rock struggled to skirt her advances, but it was all for nought, and Revy eventually found her prey, gliding her tongue effortlessly into his mouth, providing for a deep and lustful kiss they had both yearned so long for. She probed, and searched, and violated him, begging Rock to loose control with her.

Revy moaned into his mouth as she kissed him, biting and suckling at his lips, all the while, continuing to grind and gyrate her hips against his now rock-hard member. Rock was about at his limit. He struggled desperately to think of a way out of this, but it all just felt so right. He couldn't deny his wanting this for a very long time, but not like this; not this way.

Revy brought Rock's wrists to a cross above his head so she could continue holding him down with one hand, freeing her other for more sinister pursuits. She did all this whilst, continuing to explore his mouth, like a fearless and searching conquistador. She glided her fingers along his neck, then along his overworked torso, before Rock snapped back to reality as Revy's soft hand invaded his boxer shorts.

He finally broke the kiss and gasped with whispered breath, "No Revy, we can't… not like… ohh." Rock groaned as she took hold of him.

Rock's sizable erection surprised Revy, but it wasn't anything she couldn't handle. She started slow, running her fingers along his length before she began to caress and fondle his cock, sneering her fangs with sinful delight for every groan and grunt she could emit from him.

"I just want a little, okay? Just a little bit more, then we'll stop, I swear." She lied, her eyes said it all. They were no longer the eyes of a defeated, tragic heroine, but those a wild tiger toying with her meal.

"Revy… please, ugh, ohhhh." He moaned even more, as she began to stroke him.

"Revy, please, what? You have to speak up when you want something, Rocky-baby." Revy taunted him mercilessly, as she expertly worked his shaft, it was maddening.

Rock managed to get a hand loose, trying to stop her, but was again intercepted, ceasing his torture for just a moment.

"Come on, let me touch you, Rock. Touch me." Revy guided his hand back north along her midriff and pulled her tank top above her collar bone exposing her pert yet ample d-cups.

She forced his hand against her breast and she moaned with pleasure as he took to its appropriate kneading with ease. Revy quickly returned to stroking his cock, causing Rock's eyes to roll back into his head. Things were getting too hot between them. Revy's requests were becoming more and more like hypnotic suggestions. Eventually Rock wouldn't be able to resist anymore.

"Oh Rock, you're making me so wet. Your cock… it's so big. I want you to fuck me with it." Revy pleaded into his ear under labored pants and moans, then met his lips with yet another passionate, ravishing kiss that molested his senses.

This was it, the point of no return. After this, Rock would no longer be able to discern right from wrong any further. He would disappear into his primal urges and that moment of understanding, healing, and love they both shared earlier would amount to nothing. He had to stop this, even though he didn't want to, he had to do it, for Revy's sake.

Revy was loosing patience, still sensing some antiquated moral confusion still irking in Rock's soul. She quickened her pace and pumped his cock harder and faster now, trying to force Rock over the edge.

"Come on, already! Do it. Fuck me. Fuck me, Rock. Fuck me!" At that moment, Revy lost control of herself and released Rock's other hand so she could quickly hike off her panties with her thumb, but Rock didn't miss his chance.

"No, Revy!" Rock shouted as he grabbed Revy's arms and forced her off of him.

She fought with him for a for few moments, legs still straddling his waist as he wrestled her arms between them. They sat there in stillness, the moment lost. Rock looking deep into Revy's eyes. His gaze was compassionate, yet stern and unwavering; a bulwark against her tempest. Revy's, however, spoke of desperation, anger, and most profoundly, hurt. He knew she knew why he did it, but would she accept that, was the real question.

"I'm sorry, Revy, we just can't. Don't your realize, this won't solve anything?" Rock realized his words now fell on deaf ears, making him immediately regret his patronizing tone.

Revy had become wrought up, perplexed, despondent. She'd hidden her eyes behind her bangs again and said nothing as she readjusted her tank top and panties, then lifting herself off of him to sit on the edge of the bed; her back turned, palms resting on either side.

Rock looked at her with sadness in his eyes and spoke, "I really am sorry, Revy. It's not that I don't want to, I do. It's just… I care about you too much to take advantage of you like this." Revy's shoulders began to tremble at his every word, either due to hate or sadness, or both. Rock tried his luck, one last time. "Don't you see, Revy?" He paused. "You're just in pain."

A long while passed without a word uttered between them, but it was Revy who finally broke the silence, and when she did, she toiled in obscurity. "I'm in the dark here, Rock." She said, without feeling or emotion.

For the first time, Rock didn't know what to say. He reached out, hoping to comfort her again when suddenly Revy stood up, and turned to look down at him. At that moment, swiftly and without warning, she slapped Rock hard across his face; damn near knocking his head off his shoulders. He winced with incredible pain and shock, and by the time the sting finally wore off, Revy had already left the room. Rock sat there alone, in silence again, regretting how he'd handled the situation, and grateful she didn't have her guns with her. Though, Rock wished he was dead. Revy murdering him out of spite would have been easier than living with what he'd just done to her. She opened up to him, and he turned her away. That's what really happened here. That was all that would be remembered after this crazy night of torment and lust concluded.

Rock looked out his window into the twilight of the early morning, a fitting metaphor for his life right now. A place where Rock, might be doomed to walk forever if he didn't make his choice soon. He laid his head back down and tried to close his eyes, knowing full well the swelling pain in his groin would grant him no rest for however much time he had left to do so. He supposed the punishment fit the crime, in his case.