[Mercy Merchant]

She will stop spinning and reach out a hand to take yours, momentarily putting it up to her cheek.  "Thank you, Bryant.  That is the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me.  So, one day at a time.  And before long I will be needing crutches because this chair will be history."  She drops your hand and begins moving around the garage area, seeming to get the knack of it down quite well.

[Zen Gypsy]

He got up from the couch, a felt a little on edge.  He wasn't used to divulging this much about his past, nor had he with anyone other than Dr. Osterhagen, his Shiawase sponsored psych counselor.  Had it not been for her kindness, her concern, her natural charm he highly doubted he would have.  Hell, he hadn't even told Barbara half of what he just discussed with Rowena, and in a god damn Vory safe house too.  He needed to be more careful, he chided himself mentally as he walked towards where she was practicing turning in tight circles.

"Shall we go see what Vlad, his cousin, and B., have dug up on our pursuers?  Hopefully we'll get something we can use, so we can stop running, so we can get off defense." it felt wrong to be anxious to hurt someone, to anticipate the violence, but there it was.  These guys had hit friends, and shattered lives, and he wanted nothing more than to hit them back.

[Mercy Merchant]

Rowena nods at you and follows you to the stairs leading to the next level up.  Her voice goes soft as she says, "Um.............maybe you should go alone this time.  I don't think I am ready to....................well, you know."

[Zen Gypsy]

He stopped, turned to her and knelt alongside the chair, "It's good for you to practice, to learn, and to overcome, but you need to remember that you're not alone in this," he placed a cool metallic hand over her soft, warm one, "I can carry you up the stairs if you'd like, in fact I want to."  He squeezed her hand gently, "I just don't want to aggravate your injury, so if it hurts tell me?"

He slid an arm under her legs, beneath the crook of her knees, and another around her shoulders, he did so slowly, bringing his face close to hers, and preparing to lift her out of the chair.  He paused, waiting for her response, a warmth spreading through him at being this close to her.

[Mercy Merchant]

Rowena nods and lets you pick her up, placing her arms around your neck.  Her face is quite close to your and she leans forward just a bit to bring her lips into contact with yours, tentatively at first, then harder.  You can feel her torso treble a bit but she does not pull away for several seconds.  "Sorry.  I just wanted......I wanted to do that.  Just to feel it once, I guess.  I do not want to be a burden to you, Bryant, in any sense of the word.  You have already done so much for me and I don't think I can ever repay that, but, well, kissing you seemed like the thing to do at the time.  I am so nervous I am just babbling, so you can tell me to shut up at any time."

[Zen Gypsy]

As her lips found his, he felt something stir within him, he returned the kiss, tentatively at first, and then deeply, hungry for human contact.  As she pulled back to apologize, he hushed her, "Shhh, shhhh, no Rowe, don't apologize.  I've done nothing, not until we've got out from under the events of yesterday.  We can explore everything else once we know you're safe, saavy?" 

He brushed her cheek with his lips, then continued up the stairs, holding her under the legs, her arms around his neck while his opposite hand supported her back and shoulders.  He walked down the corridor towards the office that Vlad, his cousin and B., had entered when they began the data search.  He rapped the door frame with his toe, while he held Rowe in his arms, and despite the situation the weight of her against his chest felt natural, comforting.

[Mercy Merchant]

Not only does the weight feel natural, but you have no real difficulty holding her and climbing the stairs.  She nestles into you during the climb, but as you reach the top she says, "I could let you hold me like this for a long time, Bryant.  I feel safe and protected.  I hope that I do not let you down.  And I will walk again, someday, just wait and see."  From the top of the stairs, you can see down the hallway to where two hard men are standing guard at a door.

[Zen Gypsy]

He shook his head as she spoke, "I don't know why you're talking about letting me down, I don't expect anything, and everything you do give is just ...," he sighed unable to express what he hadn't, subjectively, ever remembered feeling.  His slight smile turned to a frown as he looked down the hallway, the two soldiers looked hard, their posture, their stony faces, indicated that they were expecting trouble.  He looked down the corridor in the opposite direction, and saw a chair by a small ornamental table across from the guest rooms.

"Those gentlemen don't look as if they've had their morning coffee, why don't you have a seat here and I'll go speak with them, ok?"  He gently set her down in the hallway chair, and proceeded to walk towards the two soldiers, returning their hard look with a thousand yard stare of his own.  He nodded in greeting, "I need to speak with Vlad, find out where we're at with the data search.  Working from his office I assume," he indicated the door they were guarding.

[Mercy Merchant]

Rowena nods and allows you to put her in the chair at the table.  The two men watch you as you walk towards them, but do not seem to take any extraordinary actions.  One nods at your question and speaks to you in Russian.  The other says something to him then looks at you.  "My friend here is playing dumb.  I will see if the boss can see you.  Will you wait here?"

[Zen Gypsy]

Bryant watched impassively as the translation scrolled across his field of vision, he looked to the gentleman who had spoken to him in Russian, "Playing dumb is a valid tactic, never hurts to have your opponent underestimate you, eh?"

He was resigned, and while he waited for his message to be delivered to Vlad, he flashed a wink at Rowena, the irony was not entirely lost on him.

[Mercy Merchant]

The second man chuckles as he knocks on the door and enters.  The first man plays his role well and does not seem to understand what you have said.  The door opens and the second guard motions for you to enter, closing the door behind you and presumably resuming his post.  Inside the room, you see Barbara and the young man who had driven the van sitting at a table, slumped back in their chairs and apparently unconscious.  Vlad is smoking one of those hideous cigarettes and standing near the table.  He motions for you to come over to his desk, where sits and offers you the chair in front.  "I do not think they hears us.  They are gone to the VR and I do not know when they return."  He looks over to where Barbara is sitting and sighs.  "She is so beautiful, yes?  And brave, too.  So many skills in one person.  I hope you can say nice thing about me when this is done so I might have a chance at a date?  And how is the Miss Rowena?  Getting used to her confinement?  I have heard that she is determined to walk out of here.  Not sure if is possible, but she is brave, too, I think."

"I have been watching up on the news feeds.  You are still wanted, my friend.  There is a reward for only information and a larger one for informing of your location.  It is good for you that I am an honorable man.  But there are some in my Bratva that might be tempted, so let us get you away from here as soon as possible, eh?"

[Zen Gypsy]

Bryant spoke softly, "Bound by your obligation to Aisha, your men bound by loyalty to you.  I am afraid my presence unbalances your organization, as you would be forced to discipline your own soldiers, quickly and harshly, should they, in fact do, what may be in the best interest of the organization.  I understand your predicament, and I hope that we can find information that will allow us to strike out on our own, and therefore absolve you of your duties as host and protector."

He nodded with respect as he continued, "Both B., and myself, understand your predicament, and I hope that, perhaps, once the current situation is resolved that we can count on your continued goodwill.  I would be glad to make any reparations that you feel our stay has incurred with either yourself, or your organization."

He almost withdrew a slim, but restrained himself.  "B., hates the odor of the Szczepanski, if she jacks out and is in a cloud of that she'd assume it was me," he held out his hand, "let me finish, and you can blame me, yeah?"

[Mercy Merchant]

Vlad holds out his hands.  "You are no trouble to me, my friend.  You may all stay as long as you need.  Any discipline needed I will deal with.  My men are loyal to me and to the code.  But I will agree that it is better to get it over."  He shakes his  head when you offer to take the blame for the smoking.  "No, thank you my friend.  I will take my chances, but I will stop smoking in her presence."

[Zen Gypsy]

As Vlad spoke, Bryant could only agree."Then best we find the data, and it lead to a conclusion eh?"  He paused, smiled at the larger man, "While I am marked by Errant, and I would not want that notoriety to damage your operations, but should you need my services ..."

He left the offer unsaid, "I am not a patient man, and something to do other than waiting would be useful, both to me, and perhaps to you."

[Mercy Merchant]

Vlad moves to an ashtray and stubs his cigarette out.  "Thank you for asking, my friend, but it is unnecessary.  I am stopping anything except protecting this neighborhood until you are safe and away.  I do have to admit, though, that watching these two do their thing is about as exciting as watching paint dry and I could use a walk.  Come with me?"