Unwanted Conflict [Brendan]

[Jake Hanniger]

26th May 2009

Jake was loving this life. He was working for someone to do this, but he was hoping that the deal he made with Reefer Sullivan was going to work out right for him as well. Jake agreed to work this job of selling this drug for Reefer, and then Reefer would work Jake's job of getting the files of his from his old company. Jake just hoped that both of them would keep to their word.

Jake had fun the night before. Working as a bartender was fun, and sexy to all the lovely ladies who he met. One in particular, he didn't quite here the name of, as she didn't talk to him, but she was fine. And he also recognised the face, but again couldn't remember her name. Though luckily for this woman, she got the attention of another. As Jake had mentioned to Reefer, he would slip some of this drug into some drinks. Jake knew that this particular person's drink wasn't expensive, he still slipped some in it. He wondered how it would go, as he was relieved of his duty that night before he saw her leave.

So now, once again, Jake was bartending at the same bar. He had a vile tucked into his jacket that was part of the uniform. Jake occassionally fiddled with it, in order to know it was still there. At this time of day, there weren't many people around his age or younger, so there was no need for him to slip any in anyone's drink.

[brendan]

Brendan wasn't a happy bunny right now. Alright, that was technically wrong, he was a very happy bunny, he had just managed to meet the most gorgeous and wonderful girl ever the night before, but that aside, he wasn't a happy guy at all, because of what had happened to Stacey. Brendan was determined to find out who had done this to her, and so, after he and Stacey had said their goodbyes, sadly, he made it his mission to go back to that bar and try and find out what happened.

He was a reporter after all, so it was his job to try and find these things out. He had already submitted a feature on the new 'drug' to The Chronicle, but now, he wanted to try and find out who the culprit was. If he did manage to find out, then he was going to bring them down, and make sure the whole of America knew about it and to stay away from it. Because, if he did get to the bottom of it, not only would he submit it to The Chronicle, a newspaper run by Evolved Humans for Evolved Humans, he would also submit it to a National Newspaper as well.

He stepped into the bar and took a look around to see if he could immediately pinpoint anybody suspicious looking, but he had no luck. Then his eyes fell upon one of the barmen. Brendan didn't know why, but he looked damned suspicious to him for some reason. So Brendan walked up to the bar, and slammed his hand down on the bar. "Wouldn' happen to know anythin' abou' a dangerous drug would ya?." He asked in a loud voice, the anger evident in it. If they guy he was speaking to didn't know anything, or refused to talk to him, then he'd demand to speak to someone of higher authority.

[Jake Hanniger]

The slamming noise on the bar made Jake jump, who had his back to the bar for a few seconds. Once again he was fiddling with the vile inside his jacket. He almost lost it to the floor, when the noise came about. Then when he turned around, he heard a loud male voice supposedly talking to him. Jake looked at the guy, and he looked very familiar to him. "Hi sir. I am not sure what you are talking about?"

Though for Jake, he knew about the drug. He tried to look the guy in the eye, trying to be all confident, but he knew that if this guy got rowdy at all, he would find the drug on his person. Jake tried to be professional, as he could be, and began to talk to the guy, trying to calm him down. "I don't think we have a drug problem at this bar, or the casino for that matter. You must have the wrong place."

Then it clicked in Jake's head. This was the guy he saw last night with that brunette, that was all over him. Jake raised an eyebrow, but didn't want to attrack attention, making this guy remember that this bar was in fact the one he was at last night. "Can I offer you a free drink at all, in order to calm you down a bit?" What else could Jake do? Tell this guy he infact was in the right place, and was speaking to the actual guy who slipped the little something into his friend's drink?

[brendan]

Brendan shook his head when the guy said he didn't know what he was talking about. Alright, so maybe the guy really didn't know what Brendan was talking about, but the more Brendan looked at him, the more suspicious Brendan became of him. "Well lemme tell ya wha' am talkin' abou' then." Brendan said in a clear, loud voice, he didn't care who else in the place might hear him. "Ma girlfriend got her god damned drink spiked in here last nigh', an' I wanna find out who done it." Brendan said, keeping his voice to the one level, loud and firm, but not losing his temper as such, at least, not yet anyway.

When the guy tried to put him off by saying he must have the wrong place and they had no drug problem there, Brendan could feel the anger building within him. He would have to watch what he did, he didn't want his ability to go into overdrive and freeze dry another casino and bar, like he did the last time at The Corinthian, although, at the same time, it didn't really matter, he had the money to pay for damages if necessary.

"Don' go tryin' to tell me am in the wrong god damned place, cause I know I sure as hell am in the righ' place. This was where it happened." He shouted, his temper rising, as the anger built more within him. He looked around and saw the booth he and Stacey were in last night, just thinking how lucky he was to meet such a wonderful woman. How lucky he was to feel love again when he thought he never would love again, at least, not for some time anyway.

It took Brendan all his time not to laugh when they guy offered him a drink, in order to calm him down. Didn't the guy get it? Nothing on earth was going to make Brendan calm down right now. Not when he kept seeing the look of fear on Stacey's face when her hands went on fire. It wasn't right. And it was bad enough for normal people wanting to have an ability, even if Brendan was used to his and kind of liked it, but to force it onto humans who don't have a clue, it just wasn't on.

"No!" Brendan said in a thunderous voice, "Sorry to disappoint ya, but a drink ain't gonna calm me down. An' after last nigh' I wouldn' wan' a drink from here. So, once again, ya wouldn' happen to know anythin' abou' a drug goin' aroun' this place?" And with that, he slammed his fist down on the bar. It was taking him all his time not to go round the other side of the bar and grab the smug bastard by the collar. But for one, he didn't want to draw attention to himself, and for two, he didn't want to end up in prison for fighting Stacey's honor.

[Jake Hanniger]

When Jake had said that he had no idea what he was talking about, this guy went on about telling him about what had happened the night before. Shit, this guy really had a good memory. He must not have gotten drunk enough to forget those couple of hours. Jake put his hands up, "Okay man. So it was here that it happened." What else what there to say or do. The next thing he was waiting for was for this guy to actually recognise him.

Jake watched the guy's anger rising when he suggested that this guy was in the wrong place. Obviously this guy knew that, but Jake was hoping that he wouldn't remember. This guy knew that it was the right place, and seemed to Jake that he would not take no for an answer. Jake saw that no false answer was going to get this guy to leave, satisfied.

When the drink was knocked back, Jake had to compose himself enough to not show any sort of emotion. Jake always had this thought in the back of his mind that he would get caught selling these drugs for Reefer Sullivan. Why didn't he just listen then and there, and he wouldn't be in this predicament right now. Jake was trying to rack his brain for something else to say, but all he could do was look around the bar, hoping that there was another staff member around. Though there was no such luck.

Jake had to restrain himself from giving up his identity. The fist slamming down on the bar was almost the last straw for Jake, but he seemed to be able to compose himself. "Okay sir. Maybe I can get someone else who might have also worked last night. They might be able to help." Jake hoped that saying this would help the situation. He gulped, and then waited for the guy to respond.

[brendan]

Brendan shook his head. "I don' need god damned confirmation ya idiot, I know damn well fine tha' it happened here, I wanna talk to someone abou' it." Brendan replied, his anger building steady the whole time. If this guy didn't watch it, Brendan was going to blow and it wouldn't be a pretty sight. He had one deep rooted temper and it did take a lot to bring it out, but when it was out, it was out in full force.

Brendan continued to stare at the guy, in fact, he was beginning to think he recognised him from last night. What with Brendan already thinking he was suspicious, he really did begin to wonder if he was the one who had done it. What made Brendan wonder even more, was the simple fact that he seemed to be denying everything which happened last night so much. After Brendan knocked back the drink, there was a bit of silence from the guy. Brendan didn't have a lot of patience when he was angry.

"Wha's wrong? Cat got yer tongue? An' ya know wha'? Am beginnin' to recognise ya, ya were damn well in here las' nigh' an' don' go tryin' to deny it either." Brendan yelled, he looked around, but there didn't seem to be too many people in there at that moment, and anybody who was there, just kept looking in the opposite direction as if they were keeping well out of it. Well, good for them thought Brendan. They wouldn't want to get involved in this.

When the guy started talking about getting someone else to help, Brendan couldn't help it, he flipped. He put his hand on the bar and basically swung himself around and so he was face to face with the guy. He grabbed him by the collar and shook him a little, "Ya know wha'? I don' think I wanna talk to anyone else, I think ya'll do jus' fine fer me." He shouted as he drew his face close to the other guys. "Now, why don' we try this again. Who spiked ma girlfriend's drink las' nigh'? Cause ya know, I got this feelin' ya migh' know somethin' abou' tha' yerself." Brendan yelled, as he pushed him against the bar, if he'd been a cop he'd have started going through the guy's clothes to see if he had anything on him, but as it happened, he wasn't, so hopefully if he was hiding anything, the guy might just spill and tell all, or, something might just happen to slip out during his rough handling of the guy.

[Jake Hanniger]

Jake didn't know where to look when Brendan said that he that he recognised him from last night. Fuck, there was no way of backing out of this situation without blowing his cover, and being dragged to hell by this guy. He did indeed mean business, and Jake knew he should keep his cool, but it was a bit hard when this guy was being rather demanding. He knew he should keep cool seeing he was in the uniform for the casino, but Jake would now be up for anything now.

"Maybe I was here last night, but that doesn't mean that I was the one involved." Jake felt his palms begin to sweat. Then when Jake mentioned about getting someone else to help, he soon enough found this guy's hands on his collar, pulling Jake towards his face. Then he started yelling at Jake, saying that he didn't want to talk to anyone but Jake. The guys face got closer still, and he continued to yell, demanding to know who spiked his girlfriend's drink, and feeling that Jake knew something about it. Jake thought to himself, man, I know more than you know.

Jake hoped to hell that the vile wouldn't fall out of his jacket, as he was shaken slightly by this guy. As soon as that thought came about, Jake heard a click of glass bouncing on the ground. Fuck. That was the only word that came to mind for Jake. He knew instantly that what had hit the floor was the drug that was supposedly tucked up in his pocket.

Just then another bartender came out from the back of the bar. His eyes widened as he was met with the scene that was unfolding before him. There was Jake being roughly handled by a customer. But then the bartender's eyes fell on the small glass vile, that was slowly rolling to a stop on the floor. He picked it up, looking at it with a frown. "What's this Jake?"

[brendan]

When Brendan said he recognised the guy from last night, he said nothing again. The silence from this idiot was really beginning to piss Brendan off big style and nobody would like a pissed off Brendan. He was angry enough just now as it was, but a totally pissed off Brendan could kick in his ability, and he really, really didn't want that. He didn't want this guy to know that he had an ability, so he was doing his best to keep his emotions in check enough for his ability not to kick off with no warning. However, the casino bar area was beginning to get somewhat cooler in the air, no matter how hard Brendan tried, he was so angry he was beginning to make the temperature drop in the building.

"Ya don' like talkin' much do ya?" Brendan shouted at him, and that's when the guy did finally say something and agreed that he might have been there last night, but it didn't mean he was the one involved. Well he actually had a point, but Brendan knew the guy was suspicious, so really, he wasn't buying it for a moment. "Well hows this? I don' believe ya. Yer lookin' guilty as hell, an' I can see the sweat on ya. I know yer involved." Brendan growled at him. Come on, come on, don't let it go fully Brendan, for all they know their air conditioning got turned up more.

After Brendan grabbed the guy by the collar and shook him, he heard something fall from the guy's pocket. Brendan looked down and immediately his face twisted. It took a lot for Brendan to get so angry he resorted to cursing, the strongest he normally used was god damned, damn, dammit and son of a bitch. "I fuckin' knew it was ya, I jus' fuckin' knew it." Brendan yelled into his face, and he couldn't help it, as much as he was keeping his ability under control, he couldn't keep his fist under control, and he swung it at full force at the guy's face hoping that it would connect. Served him right.

"Ya come anywhere near ma girlfriend again, or I find ya givin' this to anyone else, ya'll end up in intensive care, ya got it?" Brendan growled at him, as he kept a firm hold of his collar and pushed him against the bar again. Just then another bar guy came from the back, and then picked up the vial and asked the guy what it was, and even said his name. Brendan now knew his name. One for the paper, he thought, secretly keeping it tucked away in the back of his head.

He looked at the other guy, "I'll tell ya wha' it is. It's a god damned drug is wha' it is, an' this here Jake, spiked ma girlfriend's drink with it las' nigh' an' she was really ill. God damned son of a bitch." Brendan spat the words out. "An' the only place he should be goin' is the god damned lock up." He added as he let go of Jake's collar before pushing him against the bar one more time.

[Jake Hanniger]

Jake was met with a blast of anger in his face from this guy. With that mouthful fo swearing, and confirmation of what Jake actually did, the guy swung at him, and hit him in the face. Boy did it kill. After it connected, Jake's face tingled and ached like anything. All Jake could do was rub the area with a hand. Then Jake just looked at the guy, so waiting for another punch to connect his face, but nothing. Though this was when the other barman came in and asked him what it was.

Jake just rolled his eyes, knowing that he was in for it now. And the guy now knew he name. He was definately in deep shit. Then the guy replied to the other barman, whose name was Ben, telling him what he was holding in his hand. Once again Jake was pushed against the bar as the guy let go of his collar. All Jake could do was to cough a little, and continue to rub his face. Fuck, that guy had a good right hook.

Jake looked at Ben, just as he was hurrying out the back of the bar. Great. There goes his job to get rid of the drug all together for Reefer. Though Jake did remember that he did say that if he got in any trouble to ring that number that he had on the card, which Reefer gave him. Jake had kept his nose clean all this time, and now he was going to go down doing some guy's dirty work. What a fuckin' way to go.

Jaked eyed off the guy. "Don't worry, you hick. I won't be going anywhere your little precious girlfriend. At least I know the stuff works." Well Jake hoped it had, or what he did was a waste of time. Jake looked away with a smirk, thinking that he had been able to sell all of the first case he was given. No one knew where he was living, so that was a good thing, as the second case was hidden away there.

[brendan]

When Brendan swung at Jake's jaw, it connected, and he knew it must have hurt the guy, because it had hurt Brendan's knuckles, but he didn't care, Stacey was worth all the bruised knuckles in the world. Jake had better just make sure he stays away from Stacey and himself, because he might not be able to keep control of his actions in a future confrontation. As Jake rubbed at his jaw, Brendan could only chuckle to himself inside, serves him right, although with the anger in Brendan, the guy was lucky he wasn't bleeding. Obviously Brendan hadn't hit him as hard as he would have liked.

Brendan watched as the other barman he had just told about the drug, run out the back of the bar. Where was he going? Why wasn't he calling the police? Or was that where the phone was in this place? Brendan decided he couldn't take the risk of the police not being contacted, so keeping his angry eyes peeled on every movement Jake was making, he flipped his phone open and dialled 911, asking for the police. He then gave the name of the place, and where it was situated and the nature of the incident, they said they would be there as soon as they could.

"Well, looks to me like the only place yer goin' any time soon is the lock up." Brendan growled, with a slight smug look on his face, but that's when Jake decided to get smart with him, calling him a hick and saying he wouldn't go anywhere near his precious girlfriend and that at least he knew it worked. "If tha' was all ya wanted to know, then why the fuck didn' ya try it on yerself ya son of a bitch. An' nobody calls me a hick." And with that Brendan swung his fist again in the direction of Jake's jaw, which if connected would get him square on the nose, and this time Brendan hoped he drew blood, because it really would serve the bastard right.

[Jake Hanniger]

Jake heard Brendan chuckle at him when he was rubbing his jaw. It did hurt, as he hadn't been hit like that before. Jake saw the barman run out, but never saw him come back out. That was a bad sign. Ben was probably going out to inform the big boss of the casino. This day was going from bad to worse. And the worst of it was about to come.

Jake heard the guy on the phone, where he asked for the police, and told them of where he was and what the situation was. He wondered if he was able to escape, but no such luck. There were now a few more people in the area, and knew that any one of them would back up this guy, and tackle him he made a mad dash for it in either direction.

When the guy went off the phone, and began to tell Jake where he would be ending up, Jake just rolled his eyes. Well, that was what I was afraid, he thought. He just hoped that the number Reefer gave him actually worked, or else Jake might be spending some time in jail however long he was given. He had heard a lot about jail, and he began to panic. He didn't want any of that to happen to him. But Jake knew he might be able to handle himself. If only he could get a hold of that vile and take the drug, just to see what ability he would get. Would it help in anyway?

Jake knew as soon as he called this guy a hick, he knew that he was going to cop another punch, and boy was he right. But for him, it wasn't his jaw again. Jake saw stars as this time his nose was punched. Then his eyes watered a little. He bent over, putting his hands right up to his nose. When he removed one hand, there was blood on it. "What the fuck? I should tell them that you assaulted me. Fuck!" That word kept playing in Jake's head, just has the sounds of sirens rang in his ears.

[brendan]

Brendan couldn't stop chuckling as Jake rubbed at his jaw. Served him right anyway. It would teach him a lesson, not to go messing around with people in Brendan's life. Brendan didn't stand for it, as proved only moments before. Brendan had then called the police, as he had wanted to make sure they would get involved, not being sure where the other guy had gone to who had come out only moments before and then went running into the back of the bar again.

After Brendan told Jake where he would be going, he rolled his eyes at Brendan, it took him all his time not to punch him again, but he refrained, for now. Knowing that the police wouldn't go too easy on the guy and that he might very well be locked up, was enough for Brendan. He would feel as if justice had truly been served.

After Jake called Brendan a hick, he couldn't hold himself back and he swung at him again, this time busting the guy's nose. He was glad to see that he had indeed drew blood this time. Although Jake wasn't too amused, and started shouting about getting Brendan done for assault. "Really? An' ya don' think wha' ya did to ma girlfriend wasn' assault? Ya spiked her drink ya son of a bitch, an' trust me tha's more of an assault than ya gettin' a bloody nose." Brendan growled.

Just then Brendan could hear the sirens as the police were on their way, and they were soon inside the hotel casino. "So, what's going on here then?" One of them asked, and Brendan immediately turned to tell them the story. He grabbed at Jake's collar. "This one here, thought it migh' be funny to go spikin' people's drinks with drugs. An' he spiked ma girlfriend's drink las' nigh' an' she was ill. He should be locked up, only thing is, the other guy's got the vial of the drug on him, he went out the back." Brendan said, hoping that the police would go out the back and get the other guy.

None of what he said would be of any use, if they didn't get the vial with the drug from the other guy, and Brendan wanted this Jake to go down. He would feel as if he had accomplished something, and protected Stacey's honour, if the guy was arrested.

[Jake Hanniger]

All Jake could do was say, "Whatever," half-heartedly, when the guy said that what Jake did was assault. Jake didn't care much now. He just knew that he was going to go and get locked up for doing another guy's dirty work. That was all that was playing on his mind now. Would he rat out Reefer? Jake wasn't the kind to do that. All he would be able to say to the cops was that he was working alone. What else could he do? If Jake did infact rat him out, what would happen to him? For all Jake knew, Reefer had some powerful contacts, who might do away with Jake.

Jake just kept holding his nose, and soon found a tea towel that he could use to help with the blood. Now the sirens were right outside, and soon footsteps were heard coming in the direction of the bar. All Jake could do was slowly look up. Here it comes, thought Jake. He watched as one of the cops asked the other guy what was going on, and of cause he blabbed everything that had happened last night. Just as he mentioned about the other bartender having the vile, Ben came out then, along with the manager of the casino. Jake just then let his head rest on the bar. This day was going from worst, to disasterous in Jake's book. What the fuck could top off this fantastic day? Well Jake's thought was then just answered.

The manager, walked right up to the cops. "I had no idea that he," the manager pointed a finger at Jake, "was doing this. Whatever has happened, I am sure that he will be dealt with the proper punishment. This has never happened at my casion, and I will damn well make sure that it never happens again." The manager then handed the cops the vile, that Ben had given him, after Jake let it slip.

Then after that short conversation, Jake felt a hand come aroudn his right write, and then felt the cold metal of the handcuffs going around it. He quickly grabbed a hold on the tea towel with his left hand, trying to keep the blood at bay. But then his left arm was twisted back, which led to Jake letting go of the towel. His nose hit the bar, and in that split second, Jake saw stars again. "Fuck. Easy on." The cop who just finished handcuffing Jake let out a laugh. "This is easy compared to where you will be going, I can image."

Then Jake was thrusted backwards, and was soon being escorted out into the foyer area. As he walked passed the guy who had called the police, Jake smiled. "Say hi for me to your little girlfriend will yeah." Jake knew that he would get something for saying that, but he didn't care. It was the least of his worries.

[brendan]

Brendan just shook his head in a disgusted way, when Jake said whatever. Obviously he didn't think he had done anything wrong. What planet was the guy from? Course he'd done something wrong. He'd spiked Bambi's drink with drugs, and god knows how many others. It made Brendan begin to wonder just how many other daft and dirty stupid things the guy had done, but he figured he didn't really want to know. He would just be happy to see the guy done for what he did to his Stacey last night.

Brendan then watched quite smugly as Jake tried to stop the bleeding with a tea towel, it was quite pathetic. He didn't think he'd hit him hard enough to break his nose, but he was glad he'd done it hard enough to draw blood anyway. He wanted to see this guy go down, it would give him great pleasure, and then he'd do the biggest article on it ever. Brendan was glad to see the bar man come back through from the back with another guy, Brendan could only assume was the manager.

Again he continued to watch smugly at the scene unfolding in front of him. When the manager told the police he had no idea that Jake was doing what he was, Brendan couldn't help but reply with, "Well, maybe ya should take better care of who ya hire in future. Ma girlfriend was petrified las' nigh'." He knew it wasn't really the manager's fault, but he was still so angry, he really couldn't help himself.

The next thing, Brendan saw, happily that Jake was getting cuffed. The police weren't exactly handling him easy either, which was great, so he had to stifle a laugh as he saw Jake's nose smash off the bar. When the police spoke, Brendan laughed out loud. "Yeah, an' he didn' have it easy with me either." The police guy just nodded his head. Brendan was ready to leave it at that point, let the police do their shiz and go home to Stacey, but Jake then said to say hi to his girlfriend for him. Talk about the final straw?

"Like hell I will, an' I told ya afore, don' go talkin' about ma girlfriend." And with that, he swung his fist again, in the general direction of Jake's abdomen, not even caring if it connected or not. One of the other police guys then pulled Brendan away, "Alright Sir, let the police handle this now." Brendan just shrugged the police guy off.

"Yeah, alrigh' am finished with him. Damn son of a bitch." He grumbled the words and then wondered if the police wanted him to come with them or not. "D'ya need me to come with ya fer any reason?" He asked, if they did, then he'd send Stacey a text saying, he'd get back as soon as possible. He had told her she could stay at his house as long as she wanted to.

[Jake Hanniger]

All Jake could do was roll his eyes when this guy said that Jake didn't have it easy with him either, when Jake was being rough handled by the cops. Then when Jake spoke to the guy, telling him to say hi to his girlfriend, Jake knew that once again he would cop something off him. But he really wasn't thinking that he would do anything as there were cops around. But was Jake wrong.

When the guy spoke, Jake waited to see if he was able to get to him, but he did. Instantly, Jake's abdomen copped a blow. This led to Jake doubling over in pain. But due to his arms being cuffed behind his back, he wasn't able to hold his stomach at all. The pain was worse than the pain in his nose, which had started to subside. After the guy punched him, Jake smirked when the cops basically told the guy to back off, and let them handle it.

Jake waited to see if the police needed him at all. Then one responded. "Maybe for a short time, Sir. Just to get your statement on what happened, that is all." The police officer told the other officer to take Jake to the police car, and put him in the back. Jake soon felt himself being pulled in the direction of the cop cars, and was put in the closest one. The cop opened the door, and practically pushed him inside, putting his hand on his head so that Jake wouldn't bump his head on the way in.

Jake just sat in the car, waiting for the car to start. Looking out of the window, Jake saw the police with the guy. He just couldn't imagine what was to come next, but he knew it was going to go downhill from now on in.