West Richland Tavern.

[celestialdragon]

Alexa returned the hug and after Jack headed downstairs, went into her bedroom. Locking the door, she undressed and put on some clean comfy clothes before quietly crying.

What if this time tomorrow, she didn't have a place to stay, a job? What if she had to leave? These thoughts swirled in her head. It would be only right, though. She was the one who fucked up. Not DJ, not Tess.

No one but her.

She packed her things up, in case Tess or Hannah wanted to fire her. She'd understand if they did.

She got up and wrote a quick note. Withdrawing her tips and the money she earned from the romp with Jack, she took those and the note and quickly unlocked her door. Quietly, she padded across the hall and slid the money and the note under Tess's door.

"Tess-

I am sorry for what happened. It is my fault.

This is all of my earnings from tonight, including what Jack gave me. I don't deserve it; you do. Also, if you want me gone, let me know. I'll understand. I lied to you and was late to work. That is unacceptable, no matter the line of work. I'm across the hall if you need me.

-Alexa."

 

[1millionsecrets]

Hannah had jumped viciously as the sound of perturbed voice hit her ears. She peered out of the kitchen her hands still wet and soapy from dishes. She watched everything uncoil and shook her head. Carefully she made her way to the bar and read Dj's note. It was a really nice offer but when would the girls even have the time?
Most of the fighting seemed to stem.from inter work relationships she Hannah knew what the best measure to be taken truly was.

Walking to the kitchen she set the kettle on the stove to boil water. Then carefully she made out a rule list sheet.
1. No dating, or sexually advancing upon co-workers period. Payed relations or not. Until matter can be resolved maturely without anger.
2. Because of short handedness, the bar will only be open from 5:30 to 2:30 on week days and 12:30-3:00 and 5:30-4:00 alternating shifts Saturday. Closed Sunday.
3. Until more employees are available the show will not be happening. For ANYONE.
4. LEAVE ALL PERSONAL CONFLICTS IN YOUR PERSONAL LIVES. Work is work.

The kettle screamed and she jumped again. She made a cute sign reading "free cocoa" and left it with two steaming mugs on the counter. Then pinned the rules on the bar and made her way up the stairs. First she knocked on Tess' door. With no reply and it being locked she sighed pinned the note and left her mug next to her door on the plant stand. She then pinned a note on Alexa's door and knocked softly too. No answer either she left th cocoa on the plant stand and took all but.one to.the lounge. She left a rules flyer there, and realized at that moment to end conflict with others she had to end her relationship with Troy.

She second guessed herself for just a moment then shook her thoughts away. Gradually with the.empty tray and her cup.of cocoa she made her way back downstairs. Once there she put up nearly all the chairs, scrubbed down.counters and sighed. The bar stools were left untouched as well as the booths.
Hannah sat on her little stool behind the bar, and left the doors open for floaters.
In silence she sipped her cocoa and sighed.

The evening being so nice, the taverns windows were open a crack, letting the cool night air in. "Good morning world." She whispered mostly to herself... It was Tuesday.

 

[celestialdragon]

Alexa came out of her room, yawning. It seemed to be forever for her to fall asleep, but when she did, it was deep, but brief.

She saw Hannah's note and the mug of cocoa. It was still warm. She swore softly under her breath. Taking her cocoa, she padded downstairs into the bar and sat near the stage, sipping it silently, not disturbing Hannah. She wanted to be alone with her thoughts, and she felt a tear or two leave her eyes and drop into her cocoa.

 

[raiguy]

After getting no reply, DJ headed home. He knew that there would be plenty of things to do, and that it would take a little time for things to cool off. He drove home quickly, before locking up and heading to bed. He surprising fell asleep quickly, knowing that he could only just move forward.

 

[1millionsecrets]

Seeing Alexa Hannah sighed and rose. She made her way down stairs, and began undressing. She stepped into her shower, flipped it on, closed the curtain and sat in the bottom of her tub. She was so.stressed she swore her head would explode. The.cold.water beat against her flesh like daggers of ice and soon filled the tub around her.
"Fucking tavern..."

 

[celestialdragon]

Alexa saw Hannah go upstairs and she shrugged, figuring that everyone needed time alone. Fine by her.

Setting her hot cocoa off to the side of the stage, she stood up, and began to dance, with tears running down her face as she did so, dancing her emotion out in peace.

 

[wombat9966]

Troy had been waiting for Hannah in her room for awhile. He had slipped down there just after closing time thinking that they could talk quietly and that she would be down shortly. He had taken the chair near her bed, not wanting her to get the wrong idea but after an hour he had gradually dozed off. The sound of the shower woke him up and he wondered what time it was. Damn if he said anything now he would probably scare Hannah half to death, but if he didn't and she walked in on him she would probably freak out even more. What was he to do?

"Hannah," He began softly, "Don't freak out, it's only me Troy. I ah waited down here for you after work and I guess I dozed off. I just didn't want to scare you when you got out of your bath, so I can leave if you want me too."

 

[merryohmd]

With Hannah around Rex had stopped working the bar and just focused on keeping up with the dirty dishes, flatware and glasses. He had said nothing and just went about his business. He was the last person in the tavern by the time he finished all the cleaning. He put the final chair on the table and locked the door. He left through the kitchen, which smelled really good from all the food that had been prepared that night. He had grabbed some here and there as he had worked. He fed the dogs, jumped the fence and walked to his room. He'd made some good tips at the bar. Best of all, Hannah had not said a word to him about his attire, tee shirt, jean, and sneakers. He hated her rule about his attire and hoped she was done trying to prove she was the dominating manager of the tavern and that she'd just be the boss. He respected her for trying this operation but more than that he truly appreciated the chance she had given him by hiring him. "Tomorrow's another day" he said to himself and he drifted off to sleep.

 

[1millionsecrets]

Hannah teared up at the sound of Troy's voice and flipped off the shower. She then stood and bound herself in a towel. Her gaze remained low the entire time she approached him, and when she finally stood a mear two feet from him her mouth opened. She just couldn't speak. She trembled softly and regretted the stupid rule, but it was better this way. Everyone was better off this way.

"Stay." The silence finally broke... She sat upon her bed, her skin tinted blue and freezing from the cold water.

 

[wombat9966]

Troy saw how cold she was and got up grabbing the blanket from the bottom of the bed and wrapping her up in it. Hugging her to him he began to rub her arms and body trying to get some heat into her body.
"Geez Hannah, what has been wrong with you lately. First off I know what is under that cuff of yours so don't even try to deny it. Now you are trying to freeze yourself. Cmon, you know how I feel about you and you go and pull this crap on me. I know it's got something to do with your dad so you better tell me what it is or I will have to go beat the crap out of him and get him to tell me."
Troy grinned at her as he continued to rub her body.

 

[1millionsecrets]

She froze and held her breath. Her eyes closing, she leaned against him and bit her lip. "Dad... is just Dad... It's what he does. Everyone is fighting over a coworker so I banned inter work relationships.. I can't be with you Troy.The tavern is falling apart, I'm losing employees." Her voice shook more and more with each word until she was sobbing. Tears rolling down her cheeks.
She hated herself for breaking down like this. She hated herself for not being able to stop fighting, not being able to make her dad love her...

She pulled from him softly and just wanted to fade. To be gone forever. "I'm sorry." She started.

 

[wombat9966]

Troy looked at her and smiled. "Hey, Fine we can't have sex anymore. Am I happy about that,no. Do I understand it, yeah. I have seen it happen at other places and up until now I have kept it strictly business myself. However that doesn't mean I can't offer comfort to a close friend now does it. I am not going to sit by and watch you self destruct Hannah. You are not going to do any more of this," Troy grabs her wrist and takes of her cuff. "Do you understand me. This shit is not on. I catch you doing it again and I will put you over my knee and belt your ass and it won't be pleasant. So your dad doesn't love you. Yes it's a big deal but guess what, there are a lot of other people that do so concentrate on them instead of him."
Troy was a little flushed after telling her off so he moved to the end of her bed and looked over at her. "Sorry if I overstepped my bounds Hannah but that's just how I feel."

 

[1millionsecrets]

She didn't dare look at him..didn't move, didn't breathe. Finally she nodded and closed her eyes slowly. "Thank you..." She spoke softly and curled up in her blankets in silence.

 

[wombat9966]

"Go to sleep Hannah," Troy smiled softly, "I will watch over you tonight. Nothing will get to you, I promise."

Troy made himself comfortable in the seat again and watched as her breathing became slow and regular.

 

[feistyphoenix]

Being off her feet for awhile helped the nerves and muscles in Tess' legs calm down enough that she could sleep. She floated between sleep and semi consciousness for awhile, she kept hearing things but couldn't quite wake up. Eventually she fell into a deep dreamless sleep.

In the wee hours the dreams invaded her consciousness, they were violent and disturbing for her. She woke several times crying softly, and panting. Every time it happened she found herself wanting Eric's closeness. He calmed her nerves and eased her pain. She hated admitting she needed him, but she knew it was true. She would have to force herself to go slowly with him, she feared letting her emotions run away with her because that was when she made the worst decisions.

She finally woke up and just decided to get up for the day at 11am. Her body was exhausted from the fitful sleep but she dragged herself into a sitting position and noticed the note and money on the floor. She frowned, what the hell was that, she thought.

She yelped in pain as she got out of bed and gingerly bent down to pick up the note. She read it twice before sighing and letting herself fall backwards onto her bed again.

"Why is everyone so melodramatic around here?" she asked the ceiling.

Tess put the money and note on the nightstand, she'd have to talk to Alexa about it. It wasn't Tess' role to hire or fire anyone and she wasn't even mad that Alexa had slept with DJ at all. She was only angry about the lie, and a little about her being a half hour late. But mostly the lie. Tess' issue with DJ was a little more serious than that.

 

[celestialdragon]

Alexa had gone upstairs after dancing for hours and fell asleep.

She woke up about 11:30 the next morning and stretched. She got in the shower and washed the sweat and dirt off of her body from dancing the night before.

She dressed for work in another modest type dress, this one in a midnight blue, and made her way down to the bar and began getting everything set up, alone, singing softly under her breath.

"Won't you come see about me? I'll be alone, dancing you know it baby. . ."

 

[feistyphoenix]

It took Tess an incredibly long time to get ready because of the pain in her legs and feet. She remembered Eric saying that he was in charge of the shop while Wolf was on vacation and she wondered if that meant he wouldn't have time for her. She didn't want to trouble him, so she decided to wait for him to come to her.

She checked the hall before getting in the shower and saw Hannah's note. She was thankful for the new hours. It would mean more recovery time for her, but she was disappointed in the postponement of the show. Tess felt a bit guilty for possibly ruining something between Alexa and DJ, maybe she could smooth things over today with them and with Hannah. That reminded her she still needed to get Hannah to talk to her about what happened with Vince. She groaned, so much drama!

She slowly headed downstairs after her shower in a pair of yoga pants and t shirt carrying Alexa's note and money. Alexa was hanging out puttering around, Tess yawned as she descended the stairs. She put the money on the bar and turned around.

"I came to gave this back to you, maybe I was too hard on you and I just wanted you to know I am not really that mad. I was more mad at DJ. He said he'd do something and then he bailed on me when I needed him, I hope you understand. It wasn't really about him sleeping with you. And i'll talk to Hannah about the rules. I don't really think she can keep her hands off Troy long enough to obey that first rule," Tess' voice was a little pained from her restless night.

She poured a cup of coffee and sat at the bar, she couldn't stand for more than a couple of minutes anyway.

 

[celestialdragon]

Alexa smiled sadly and walked over to where Tess was, getting a cup of coffee herself. "It sure feels like I caused everything, though," she said, sitting down across from the older girl. "You know? I feel like I made DJ bail on you, I feel like I caused this whole thing to blow up in everyone's faces. I know you're madder at DJ, but," she shrugged. "That's just how I feel. Back home. . . If I was even a minute late to an appointment with a client, I would've only gotten half of my wages and never hired again."

 

[Wolfias]

Eugene finished eating dinner and his beer and put Ethan's business cards into his pocket. The tension in the tavern was palpable, shaking his head as he stood reaching into his pocket. Takes a chained wallet from his pocket, pulling out a 20 dropping it on the table. Stepping over to the bike polishing the tank, she deserved to be ridden and enjoyed frequently. Hopefully Troy would take Hannah out for a weekend ride.

Heading to the door with a wave to Hanna, stepping out of the tavern onto the sidewalk. As Eugene was halfway across the street, it hit him that he'd forgotten Eric's dinner. ''Oh shit...you did it again!'' Reaching the shop unlocking the door Sadie greets him, picking the little dog up she licks his face. ''Hey girl, missed me?'' Walking into the back of the to find Eric eating, Eric held up a plate of Shepherds pie.

''Mom called asking if we'd eaten yet, told her you'd stepped out to get something.'' Eugene grins at his brother chuckling. ''Obviously, I forgot to bring you something.'' Eric took a big bite grinning up at him. Taking a drink of iced tea before he spoke. ''How was Tess doing bro?'' Eugene sat himself on a work stool. ''Her eyes lit up when I mentioned you, but the poor girl was in pain bro. Her legs were giving her a lot of trouble.''

Eric frowns, the news Tess was troubled him. ''I gave her legs a deep tissue massage a few days ago, sounds like I'll have to again for her tomorrow.'' Eugene reaches out brotherly patting Eric's shoulder. ''I can tell you've fallen for her bro, only advice I is treat her like precious jewel.'' Standing he stretches with a deep grunt, petting Sadie Eugene turns to head to bed.

''Oh, we have a new customer, here's a business card. He wants me to see his project, I'll pack my bags for my trip, and swing by there tomorrow.'' Eric stood to follow his brother upstairs. ''Goodnight bro.'' Eugene heads to his bedroom, undressed climbing into his bed. ''Goodnight bro.'' Eric did the same and the brothers were soon sound asleep and snoring.

 

[merryohmd]

Rex slept until nearly 10 AM. It had been a long time since I felt good waking up. He dressed and headed for the park and walked around the perimeter twice before going back to his room. He showered, shaved and head out for the tavern. He hoped someone was up to let him in since going around back set the dogs off until they knew it was him.

When he arrived at the tavern there were light on but the door was locked. He pounded on the door and waited to see if someone would respond.

 

[feistyphoenix]

Alexa smiled sadly and walked over to where Tess was, getting a cup of coffee herself. "It sure feels like I caused everything, though," she said, sitting down across from the older girl. "You know? I feel like I made DJ bail on you, I feel like I caused this whole thing to blow up in everyone's faces. I know you're madder at DJ, but," she shrugged. "That's just how I feel. Back home. . . If I was even a minute late to an appointment with a client, I would've only gotten half of my wages and never hired again."

"I know it feels that way but truthfully, it was completely his choice to do that," the older girl told her wisely.

Tess refilled her coffee and headed back upstairs to lay down thinking maybe if she just rested long enough that she would feel better without having to bother Eric. She worried she was becoming too attached to him too soon.

She fell back into bed lightly and sighed.

 

[1millionsecrets]

The pounding on the ask door over her head startled her awake. She jumped up and grabbed her robe and.hurry upstairs to unlock it and let Rex in. At first she was confused as to why he would be banging on the door at 11:30. But soon assumed he had moved back to his previous place of housing. "Morning." She grumbled and.turned away, walking to the stairs half naked. She noticed the full cocoa mugs and Alexa's empty one and sighed. She picked them up carefully and carried them into the kitchen. There she found Alexa and smiled weakly.
"Morning hun..." Her voice was soft, her wrist was still sore but well enough to leave unwrapped. She quickly washed the mugs and made her way back to the bar. The new rules caught her eye and she sighed.

"Fuck this..." She whispered softly and tore it to shreds. She left the pile on the bar for everyone to see and not being completely sure where the rest of her rule.pinnings went to she made her way down stairs. Quietly she pulled a blanket from.her bed and curled onto Troy's lap as he snored away softly. She covered him up, and.closed her soft eyes as her head found comfort on his chest.

 

[wombat9966]

Troy came half awake as he felt a weight settle on his lap. Looking down through sleep filled eyes he saw Hannah curled up in it with her head on his chest. Smiling down at her he wrapped his arms around her, kissed the top of her head and went back to sleep with a smile on his face.

 

[Wolfias]

Eric rolls out of bed to rush through his morning routine, like the military's three S's as his Grandad says. ''Shit Shower and Shave sonny boys daylights burning, the trout won't wait to eat breakfast will they?'' Dressing quickly in loose fit Levis, a red and black Wolf Customs bowling shirt, black converse hightops.

Eric didn't bother opening the Shop, Eugene probably already had that covered, Bobby hutch Hutchison the part time employee, would be promoted to full time now. Picking up Sadie she was great therapy dog, a note that read ''Borrowing Sadie to visit Tess, be back sometime later bro.'' Putting the note in a canister and capping it, he drops it into the old restored pneumatic delivery system.

After this Eric left Eugene's apartment, locking the door behind him then trots downstairs. Crossing the street as the light turned red, reaching the tavern to look in the doors little window. Someone let him in and he thanked them, heading for the stairs stealthy sneaking upstairs to knock on Tess's door. ''It's me, Eric.''

 

[feistyphoenix]

Tess was pulled out of her half sleep by Eric's voice, she tried to get up too quickly and her eyes started watering from the pain. She took a couple of deep breaths and steadied herself before trying again. This time she made it to the door. She smoothed her long hair down and opened the door.

"Morning," she smiled up at him despite her pain and sleep deprivation. She patted the little dog that was nestled in the crook of his arm.

Tess gingerly stepped back into her room after taking his hand and leading him through the door.