The New Girl in Town [Eve Avery & Thomas Blake]

[Deleted]

Eve Avery was new to Gotham City.  She had just arrived a few days ago and was getting a feel for the town.  Tonight, she was visiting a seedy bar on the east side of Gotham.  Hanging out in low dives reminded her of growing up as a teenager in El Salvador.

A few minutes after Eve had slipped into one of the back booths of the bar, a redheaded man with a potbelly, full face, and receding hairline approached her with two other men.  All of them wore black leather jackets, black t-shirts, and ripped jeans with studded belts and leather boots.  It was obvious they were a gang of some sort.  Eve wasn’t impressed.  They looked like old men trying to recapture their youth.

“Are you hurt?” the stranger asked, checking her out from head to toe.

"No,"  Eve replied, reading her menu.  “Why do you ask?”

“You must’ve gotten hurt when you fell from heaven, angel,” he explained in a loud bellow.  His partners laughed obnoxiously, drool leaking out the sides of their mouth as they shined their dingy yellow teeth.

“Don’t call me that,” the young woman ordered.  “I’m no angel."

“Even better!” the leader laughed.  “I’m no angel either.  Would you like to join me in one of the upstairs rooms for some fun?  We can get to know each other.  C’mon?  Pretty please?  I promise I’ll give you a proper welcome to Gotham City, baby -- one you’ll never forget!”

As the trio regarded her with lustful eyes, Eve noted that the head honcho was starting to sound a little desperate, since they all knew exactly what he had in mind.  While a fling sounded like fun to him, she had a feeling that starting something with this man would quickly turn complicated.

“I think I’ll pass,” Eve replied, avoiding eye contact with all of them.

“You hear that boys?” the man asked, petting her hair.  “She thinks she has a choice!  You sure are purdy.”

Eve sat there silently, pretending to ignore them.

“You gotta watch these quiet ones, boys,” the man sneered.  “They’re nymphos in disguise.”

“Look all you want, boys, but don’t touch,” Eve ordered, swatting the stranger’s hand away.  “It doesn’t cost anything to look.  Even I enjoy window shopping.”

“Well, it’s time to disrobe the mannequin!” one of the other men exclaimed, grabbing her by the collar of her jean jacket.

Eve stood to her feet and shrugged him off.  “I’m warning you.  Don’t.  Stop.”

“You hear that, boys?  She doesn’t want us to stop!” the leader drawled, giving his men the cue to take her down.

Eve looked around to see if there was anyone to help her.

[Deleted]

Thomas didn’t like being in places like this, but it was a sacrifice he had to make. They didn’t even carry high ball alcohol here! He sat at the bar, his back to the rest of the crowd. People were playing pool and there was a lot of talking. He sat on his stool staring at the dissipating foam of the mug of beer. It smelled like old alcohol and hops. It was nothing miraculous. And definitely nothing really worth drinking. No, he wasn’t really planning on it, but he was getting thirsty. He maybe had a few decent beers up in his apartment, but that was so far right now and he was listening to things around him, allowing his tracker skills to give him some valuable information.

And it was those ears that picked up the sounds of something a bit more unpleasant than the latest secret ingredient in a new drug. He stood up, his full frame reaching six feet and bulked with strong muscles that he honed in this wilds of South Africa. Thomas stepped into the little group and narrowed his green eyes while furrowing his brow, “The lady asked you to stop.” He was an imposing figure on a good day, but he was particularly sensitive about women getting attacked. He had been an aggressor more than he would like to admit, but this woman was on her own in this place and these men were being very rude. “Now….we can do this the easy way, or the fun way. Personally, I’m not wanting to touch you gentlemen. I don’t know what you’re carrying.” He smirked slightly a bit of a twinkle in his green eyes.

[Deleted]

Eve stared at the handsome stranger as he ascended from his bar stool and approached to lend her a hand.  One of the bikers still held her stationary by the collar of her jean jacket.  Relaxing, she waited for the newcomer to make the first move.  Then she would join in the fun.

Eve was in the mood to kick some ass.  Perhaps that was the real reason for her visiting the east end of Gotham City.  It had a bad reputation, and she was looking for trouble.  It hadn't taken her very long to find it.

The scowl on the leader's face was a dead giveaway that he didn't like or appreciate Thomas' interruption.  "Why don't you just shut the fuck up and mind your own business, buddy?" he strongly suggested, turning confrontational.  There was a glint in his eyes as he examined Thomas' body from head to toe.  "I haven't seen you here before either.  Are you new to Gotham, pretty boy?  Maybe me and my boys should give you a proper 'welcome', too.  You'll have to wait your turn though, but I promise it'll be worth the wait."

With that, he signaled to his blond and brunette partners.

"Zeke, escort pretty boy upstairs.  Russ, follow with the angel.  We're going to be making ourselves two new friends tonight!"

"You got it, Leroy," Russ replied, letting go of Eve and pushing her forward toward the staircase.

Meanwhile, Eve watched Zeke retrieve a switchblade from the pocket of his leather jacket and take a step toward Thomas.  "Let me show you what I'm carrying," he growled in response to Thomas' comments, waving the weapon and cutting the air with it.  "You may not know it yet, but you're mine, pretty boy, and, believe me,  you'll do more than touch me.  I'm gonna take great pleasure marking you by carving my initials in your nice tight ass!"

Eve blinked her eyes.  These three stooges were a piece of work -- a whole clan of crazy!  Inhaling sharply, she mentally prepared to help Thomas take down these jerks.

[Deleted]

Thomas grinned, baring a bit of teeth to the man. “Sir, I’ve lived in Gotham since I was a cub, and I know full well what sort of trash this city produces.” He would have continued on further but they didn’t know who they were dealing with. He wasn’t well known, and he was okay with this. He was just some guy in a bar a few minutes ago, and now he was suddenly ‘pretty boy’. He hoped that name didn’t stick. And he was really missing the savannah right now. But it wasn’t without its bullies.

He shook his head and shrugged a bit again at the pretty boy comment. Then the knife. He had to keep himself from chuckling. It was less than a kitten’s tooth compared to what he carried on him. No. This was starting to become insulting, in a few different ways. “Oh, please, show me. I’m giddy with excitement.” He let out his own growl, his more primal side was coming out as he was being threatened. He was trying to reign it in, but he felt the rush of testosterone and the heat of the moment. He missed these pure feelings.

Thomas first threw his head forward into Zeke’s nose the tossed his neck back as the back of his head would connect with his chin. Zeke would probably stumble about, but if he was as badass as he thought he’d stand a little while longer. Thomas had used this technique on Batman once, and it was enough to make him go back, but not end their fight.

While Zeke was stumbling, Thomas grabbed the little switchblade twirling himself around as he tossed the little tooth into Russ’s wrist. Hopefully it was enough to immobilize but not make him bleed out. Thomas was being as ginger in this as he could, and not killing these men, but there was still that primal lion in him wanting to shred these guys around. He bared his teeth at Leroy as he stood, crouched a bit lower than his normal height. His muscles twitched and waited patiently for him to spring on the leader as the other two fumbled with their injuries. “Oh…what…you don’t want to play with me, Leroy? I’m hurt!” His lips grinned, baring more of his teeth. Thomas was ready to pounce, but how dangerous would he allow himself to be if he continued?

[Deleted]

As Thomas addressed the men in a playful, condescending tone, Eve kept silent.  He sure had a pair on him!  She began to wonder if he was packing heat like she was.  When he showed his teeth and started growling like some wild animal, her eyes stayed fixed on his mouth.  She was allured by his animal magnetism.

The moment Thomas connected his head with Zeke’s nose and chin and hurled the switchblade into Russ’s wrist, Eve sprang into action.  With an angry scream, she shoved her elbow into Russ’s abdomen and flipped him over her shoulder.  To her surprise, when the man hit the ground hard, he jumped back up almost immediately and retaliated by kicking her in the chest.  Eve went flying backwards into a wall.  She was all right, but the impact knocked the breath out of her.  There were no broken bones.  Yet.  His, not hers.

“You like it rough, don’tcha, baby?” Russ goaded, waving the bloody switchblade at her with his good arm as he walked towards her.  Eve could tell by his wincing that he was in pain from his injury inflicted by Thomas.

When he got close enough, Eve gave Russ an uppercut to his chin and knocked a few of his teeth loose.  Again, he went down, and again he bounced up.  Eve had never witnessed anything like it in her entire life.

Jumping the man from behind, Eve put him in a chokehold and wrestled the knife from him.  He spun her around a few times, making sure he knocked her head into the wall.  Then he grabbed her by the hair and threw her over his shoulder and to the ground.

Although Eve was seeing stars by now, it was her turn to bounce to her feet and attack!  In a stream of motion as beautiful as any ballet, she jumped into the air and launched herself into a flying kick, connecting with the man’s jaw.

He was down but not out.

The next thing Eve knew, Russ was standing and facing her again.  A quivering smile cracked his lipless mouth.

Eve felt a shiver run up and down her spine.  Something wasn’t right.

An instant later, Russ drew a gun and fired, completely focused on Eve and ignoring everyone else in the bar.

“Watch it!” Eve screamed to Thomas, diving behind whatever shelter she could find.  “That asshole’s got a gun!”  When bullets whizzed over her head and sank into the wall behind her in rapid succession, she rolled her eyes.  Russ wasn’t a very good shot.  “Damn amateur,” she muttered under her breath.

When Russ ran out of ammunition, Eve grabbed her revolver, bounced upright, and aimed with deadly precision, glaring at her intended target.  “Drop your weapon now, biker boy, or I swear to God I’ll drop YOU!”

[Deleted]

Thomas was in the middle of losing himself in the fight when he heard a woman’s voice shout out for him to watch out. It, and the sound of gun fire seemed to be enough to snap him back into the idea that this wasn’t a fight to the death. No, as much as he desperately wanted to slice these men from stem to sternum, he’d have to hold off. If anything it was a test on his new way of life. His new promise that killing wasn’t going to the way to settle things. As much as these men deserved it.

Thomas, acutely aware that the bar had not completely emptied out as the fight began, ran over behind the bar, and grabbed the bartender down to makes sure the old gal didn’t get shot. “Listen, I know this is old hat in this town, but, you should probably get out of here or call the cops.” Luckily, this fellow was a very, very bad shot. He probably made Imperial Stormtroopers look like sharpshooters, but Tom wasn’t about to poke his head up until he heard the click of the gun running out of bullets. He was regretting not taking his claws with him tonight. “Fuck it…” He growled and took a church key from behind the bar. It wasn’t an ideal weapon, but it was this or a bottle of something. He stood up and was ready to throw the church to Russ’s wrist and jumped over the bar, putting himself between the bartender and the idiot with a gun. “Just do as the lady says, it’ll be less embarrassing for you.”

[Deleted]

“EAT SHIT AND DIE!” Russ screamed, turning to aim his weapon at Thomas.  The anger and frustration on his face were clearly evident.

He’s out of ammo, right? Eve wondered.  She couldn’t take the chance of being wrong.

Firing her weapon, she shot the gun right out of Russ’ hand.  That made Russ roar with anger and lunge at Thomas.  Eve saw Leroy running to attack Thomas, as well.

Surprisingly, Eve wasn’t concerned though.  Something told her that her fighting partner was more than capable of taking care of himself.

“Hey, Tiger!” she called to Thomas, getting his attention.  The corner of her mouth curled up into a half-smile.  “Sic ‘em!”

[Deleted]

His green eyes looked to Russ as his goat was getting up. He grinned and shook his head. This lady had no idea what kind of monster she was trying to unleash. But he did agree that Russ needed to be put down for the safety of people too drunk to get themselves out of the bar. Tom’s conscious was weighing him down.

One side told him to use this old church key to rip into the man’s jugular and let him bleed out onto the floor. The other side told him a non-lethal wound would work just as well. He wanted to keep looking to that horizon. There was something worthwhile there.

Tom lunged forward at Russ, tackling him down to the ground as he growled, lifting his fist to nail him in the eye as something to remember him. He hadn’t used the church key yet, but he didn’t need it unless it was going to become a lethal fight. Thomas had enough strength to fight lions, he had enough strength to take down a man and beat the man bloody. But he still had to hold himself back as he threw his punches. He picked up the man and threw him into the wall, getting him away before Thomas could lose control. “Lady, I say we call the cops.” His voice was a growl, like he couldn't control himself. He didn't recall, but may Russ landed a hit or two because his ribs felt a little sore. Either way, he wasn't in a drinking mood anymore.

[Deleted]

After she gave the order to kick ass, Eve caught the snarly smile that appeared on Thomas’ face.  The green-eyed man was enjoying the brawl way more than she thought he would.  He was definitely In his element.  He seemed to welcome the challenge of two-against-one because it was a fair fight.

Yes, Eve could tell he was THAT good.

When Thomas squared off against Russ, Eve cut Leroy off at the pass to protect her partner.  “Ready to rumble?” she asked, standing in his way and taking a kick-ass pose.  “Bring it.”

“Oooh!  I’m soooo scared!” Leroy exclaimed sarcastically, stopping dead in his tracks to avoid plowing her over.  “Careful, Angel.  Keep getting in my way, and I might break more than just your fingernail.”

As he screwed up his face into a mock pout and wiped an imaginary tear from his eye, Eve scowled.  It was time to end this once and for all.

Dropping her weapon, Eve leaped into the air and landed a brutal kick to Leroy’s shoulder.  When he started throwing punches, naturally, she responded with her own arsenal of Kung Fu moves, ending the fight with a sucker punch to his gut.  The impact knocked the wind right out of him!  Doubling over, Leroy sank to the ground and ended up in a fetal position, gasping for air.

Eve forced a thin smile as she retrieved her gun and heard Thomas' request for her to call the police.  His voice was raspy and reminded her of a wild animal.  After using her cel phone, she walked over to check on Thomas.

“Don’t worry,” she assured him with a nod to her pistol.  “I have a permit for this.  The police are on the way.  Thanks for the help.  I’m Eve.  What’s your name, Tiger?  You did really well.  I’d say you have definite talent.  I like your . . . moves.”

As she spoke, her mind was racing to figure out a proper way to repay him for coming to her rescue.

[Deleted]

Tom had knocked Russ back and got him pretty good. But it was still a disappointing fight. It had been a letdown and he still had energy to burn. He looked over to the woman as his red hair covered his face. Was she for real? Was she calling him a tiger? “I used to have a tiger…” He muttered to himself as he looked around.

He wasn’t sure how to respond to her as he pushed his hair back and offered a small smile. “I don’t care about permits. Look at where you’re at, miss.” There he was, being polite again with women. He had changed he supposed. He wasn’t such a man to them, he actually thought of them as human beings, but this one, she confused him. “And the name’s Tom.”

He turned his back, heading for the exit. He didn’t need to be here when and if the cops showed up. He knew they couldn’t pin anything on him, but he also didn’t need them to actually try. “Have a good night, miss.” He waved behind him as he made for the exit. He was mindful of the glass and debris, and the fallen idiots on the floor but his boots couldn’t help but hit Russ in the ribs one last time before he left.

[Deleted]

Eve studied Tom’s features as he spoke to her and told her his name.  Then she cocked her head and smiled.  There was something about this guy -- his scarlet mane, his fiery passion, his feral nature, or maybe it was those sexy eyebrows.  He was . . . distracting.

Her eyes lingered on his for a moment, and then she felt a familiar frisson in her stomach.  Attraction.  For the bad boy.

Suddenly, Eve’s pointy-toed black boots became very interesting to her.  She could feel her cheeks flushing slightly.  When she looked up again, her eyes widened.  Tom was leaving!?!?

“Wait!  Tom!  No!  Come back!” she called, stalking after him.  “Dammit!  Wait a minute!”

Eve finally caught up to him outside.

“Where are you going, Tomcat?” she scolded, grabbing his arm and turning him to face her.  “Hit-and-run -- is that your style, Tiger?  Not cool!  You didn’t even let me thank you properly.”

At that moment, she eyed his teeth.  She couldn’t tell if he was smiling or snarling at her.

“Wow!  I didn’t know they made teeth that white!” she complimented with a dry, little laugh, keeping her composure and showing no fear whatsoever.

As she spoke, Eve entwined her fingers with Tom’s.  His skin was so smooth.  When she squeezed his fingers, it sent shivers up and down her spine.  She began to wonder if his lips were as soft as his hands.  They were so close . . . .

Suddenly, she leaned toward him.  To her, it seemed like the most natural move in the world.

In an instant, her lips were on his.  The kiss was so soft that at first, it felt like a dream.  Then she pressed harder -- or was it him?  As she melted into the kiss, her lips were tingling.

When they broke the kiss, Eve smiled at Tom and whispered on his lips.  "Why don't you stick around so we can get to know each other better, Tomcat?"

[Deleted]

Thomas was out of there and back out into the night air, it was a bit cool, but it was comfortable to him. Then she broke out from the door and was chasing after him. He was a bit in shock that she would chase after him. He arched an eyebrow a bit, still confused by her. Helena would have thrown something at him, and then made a snarky comment. He stared at her as the confusion stayed in his mind at her actions. His hands had slipped into his pockets and he just tilted his eyes at her, like a curious lion cub. “Thank me? What the hell lady?!” He glared at her as she raised her voice. He looked around making sure they weren’t the stares of some new reality show and shook his head at her. “I didn’t do it to be…”

Before he could finish his sentence she was on him. She had been staring at him before, but he didn’t pay attention to that, people often stared at him, trying to place his face. He hated being that guy. He didn’t have the face but everyone sort of recognized him because of his dad. This woman had no idea who Thomas was. She didn’t know about the darkness him.

He tensed instantly, he felt the guilt swelling in him and gently, put his hands on her shoulder and pushed her back from him, taking a step back again as he looked down at her. “Listen….You’re getting a different signal than what I’m sending out.” He put his hands back into his pockets and let out a sigh. She was a pretty gal, there wasn’t anything against that, but she wasn’t the one he wanted. “I’ve got…” He reached up and pushed his hair back as he thought of the nicest way to let her down. “I came to Gotham for someone. And I need to get my life right before anything else...no offense...” Tom tilted his head to the side again and shook it and shrugged. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to give you the wrong signal or anything.”

[Deleted]

Eve stood there and looked at Thomas for a long moment.  Why was he apologizing?  She had come on to him, not the other way around.  She was disappointed, and embarrassed for herself.

“I should be the one apologizing,” she corrected, not knowing what else to say.  “You didn’t do anything wrong.  I did.  I’m sorry.”

As she spoke, she studied his face, his beautiful eyes studying hers just as intently.  She wondered if he felt a connection, too.  There was something about him that made her . . . want him.  The attraction was undeniable, on her end anyway.

Just then, Eve noticed the look of shock still on Thomas' face.  “No, you’re not dreaming,” she whispered, reaching to pet his hair.  “This is really happening.  I’m standing right here . . . “

Suddenly, the blare of sirens in the distance brought Eve back to reality.  Nervously, she withdrew her hand from Thomas and tried to compose herself.

“Well, I guess this is it,” she said reluctantly.  “You better get out of here.  I’ll hang around and talk to the police.”

She looked away and then back to him, drinking him in one final time with her eyes and wondering if she’d ever see him again.  He was about to walk away into the night and out of her life forever.  Something told her, though, that if he ever wanted to find her, he would.  The question was, would he ever want to find her?  She hadn't even been in Gotham City a week, and she’d already gotten her heart broken.  That was some sort of record for her.

Forcing a smile, Eve swallowed hard, but managed to say two little words.

“Goodbye, Tomcat.”

[Deleted]

Tom had opened his mouth to say something but realized, that he probably shouldn’t. He was a good looking man, and he was aware of this, but his brain and mouth didn’t always communicate very well. Tom stared at her again, and arched a flame hued brow. He only nodded, having the feeling that if he spoke he’d only get himself wrapped up in something he didn’t want to be in. He tipped his imaginary hat, brushing back some of his ruddy curls in the process and nodded politely to her. “Be safe…” Those were his parting words, and turned his back, heading down the nearest alley to escape from the sirens that were starting to close in on them.

If anyone stayed in Gotham long enough, you knew it was just a giant circle. You can't avoid running into people you've met in your past unless you know the city better than you know yourself. But tonight Tom wasn't planning on running into cops who had arrested him years ago for being stupid.

No good deed goes unpunished but he wasn’t certain what was going on with Eve. He looked up, almost hoping to see his favorite vigilante looking down at him, but then he felt a bit like a stalker. He let out a sigh and pulled his phone out, sending a text out to his feline compatriot. She had offered him something and he was now willing to take her up on that offer.

[Deleted]

Eve watched Thomas until the darkness swallowed him whole and he disappeared from view.  Be safe?  In Gotham City?  He was kidding, right?  She was alone and female.  The odds were already against her.  The deck was stacked against her.

Then she remembered the bar’s name and laughed out loud.  It was fitting and too ironic for words.

Suddenly, her cel phone rang.  She didn’t waste any time answering it.

“Hello? . . . Yes, I’m in town.  I’ve been checking out the city . . . No, I haven’t found a place to live yet.  I’m still working on that . . . . Breakfast in the morning?  Sure, I can be there. What time? . . . Okay.  I look forward to seeing you again . . . ‘Bye.”

Ending the call, Eve shook her head.  The way her luck was going, maybe she’d meet and fall in love with Batman next.  He was the baddest boy in town, right?  The very thought made her laugh out loud again.

As she turned to go back inside the building, she kept looking over her shoulder, hoping Thomas would come back to her.

Deep down, she hoped someday he would.



~ FINI ~