It's only business [Sian] }{ Jack's apartment

[Jack "Trigger" Briggs]

[continued from Crash//Burn]

Jack's bodyguard, a tall, dark man named Cypher, followed them at a distance as Briggs and Sian left O'Hanrahan's pub. Jack chatted her up with vapid, uninteresting conversation as they walked the short distance to a couple of office buildings. He obviously did not want to attract attention or discuss business, even though the rain had not completely stopped yet and there were very few people on the streets.

He whistled as he unlocked the door to one of the buildings. A group of men and a couple of women, some of them familiar to Sian as people that worked with and for Jack, were gathered around a poker table. A couple of them gave playful catcalls to the Companion, but it was clear they were a pretty jovial bunch. A couple even bowed their heads in a respectful sort of greeting. "'ey, now!" Jack called out as Cypher closed and locked the door behind them. "That is no way ta talk to a lady, men. I oughta shoot every las' one o' you." The group laughed at this, each knowing how terrible Jack was at shooting and that the piece at his side was just for show.

Jack led Sian to the back of the room, where another locked door led to a small staircase. He allowed her to go first, locking the door behind them and then following her up to the small landing outside a red door. "Sorry 'bout that...I don't let 'em out much," he said with a playful wink, deft fingers in his red fingerless gloves moving to unlock quite a few locks on this door. He opened it into a modest, sparsely-decorated apartment. "Ladies first," he said with a nod, then locked the door behind them. "You can 'ave a seat on th'couch or at the table, luv. Want a drink or summat?"

[Sian]

Jack pressed a drink into her hand, for once she drank it down. Her throat burned as the dark liquid ran it's course, she coughed a little. Sian didn't normally drink, but with the day turning out like this it might take the edge off a little. The companion slipped her arm to intertwine with Jack's, nodding at Cadan and smiled. "Thank you for the drink and it was nice to meet you Cadan."

Sian let Jack lead the way, she had confidence in him. He'd been a gentleman and generally a nice guy since they'd met. She listened as he spoke about various things; nodding every so often as to not give any on-lookers the idea that anything was going on other than what the obvious dealings with a companion would be. When they entered the building Sian received various welcomings; even a few heads bowed to her, which she returned with her own. She smiled at Jack with his comment towards his men and their reply of laughter.

"You should at least take them out for a walk every so often, perhaps they could sniff out the location of your hat for you." Sian playfully said, commenting on the fact that his usual hat was missing. It hadn't been lost on her since she first spotted him in the pub, she just didn't comment about it until now. Walking into his apartment, taking his offer of the couch for seating. However she shook her head at his second, "I think I've had enough, thank you. Someday I'll let myself try getting drunk, as long as you promise to keep a look on me. Can't have anything happen that I'd kick myself for in the morning, other than a migraine." Her smile had widened at the last half of her sentence. She has never been much for drinking, never had more than just a couple drinks. Sian always tried to keep her wits about her and alcohol wouldn't allow for that.

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((If you want me to add more to this one so you have more to go off of in Jack's post just let me know ^_^))

[Jack "Trigger" Briggs]

Jack laughed lightly at her joke, running a hand through his hair in an almost self-conscious manner. The loss of his hat was something he got a lot of teasing for amongst his clients. "Yeah...that's what I get fo' being such a ladies' man, eh? Gave it to a pretty girl an' never saw 'er again. Jus' my luck." Hopefully he'd run into Sasha again sooner or later; Jack was rather fond of that hat. He could find the girl if it came down to it, but he didn't want to scare her.

Despite Sian's protestations that she did not want anything, Jack put on the tea kettle. "I didn't necessarily mean a nightcap, luv." He turned to her with a shy sort of grin, ruffling the damp from his hair with his fingers. "Night like this, I'm gonna want a cuppa, anyway. In any case, the day comes you wanna get a little done in? You can bet I'll be watchin' out fo' you, not takin' advantage. No, definitely not takin' advantage." He winked to show he was teasing and moved to settle down on the couch next to her, not so near as to allow their bodies to be touching and angled slightly in her direction to make for better conversation. "As for the migraine, I'll show ya how ta drink smart so's to avoid the hangover."

His smile faded some and he shrugged, spreading his hands slightly. "But you dint come here ta discuss boozin'. You came 'ere to talk bus'ness. What's the deal with that?" At that moment, the kettle began emitting a very quiet but quickly escalating high-pitched whistle. Jack held up a finger, "'old that thought fo' me, will ya?" and quickly went to the kitchen. He took the kettle from the stove and poured the tea into two mugs, popping a tea bag in each. He pulled a tiny metal pitcher from his refrigerator and set it on a tray with the mugs and then carefully brought it all back. He set it down on the short table in front of the couch with an overly dramatic flourish. "Real milk an' everythin'. If you want it. Takes away the chill," he said. He smiled at this last as he sat beside her, this curving of the lips actually looking empathetic and genuine rather than his usual playful or flirtations grins and smirks. "Anyway...is somethin' botherin' you? Did you really seek me out jus' to talk bus'ness? You know you coulda jus' sent me a wave..." He hedged this topic gently, not wanting to offend her or upset her. "Not that th'company's not enjoyable," he quickly added, grinning as he scooped a couple of sugar cubes into his brewing tea.

[Sian]

Sian smiled, Jack was always considerate when she was around, it made her wonder if it was just her or just how he was. Not that she minded in the least, in fact it made their friendship and business arrangement pleasurable. He offered to teach her how to drink, it amused her to no end, she had no doubts that he'd be a perfect gentlemen. Her only worry was what kind of drinker she'd be, the last thing she wanted was to do or say things she'd regret. "I may just take you up on that Jack," Sian replied, taking a pause as he sat, noticing he didn't sit too close. She let him continue, though she shifted herself so she was facing him more rather than just sitting straight forward on the couch. Just as she was about to reply he held up a finger and rushed off to the whistling kettle.

She watched him intensely, she always did, somehow he always had her full attention even if he didn't mean to. Sian watched his face carefully, he had that look again, she knew he'd gotten to know her very well. There was no use hiding it when she was upset around him, but it was her way, he knew that. They knew each other this well but they still played the game of masks and charades. She slowly poured some milk into a mug that was meant for her, adding a sugar cube afterward, she stirred it, "Thank you. Of course I didn't come all this way to discuss drinking, however it was a helpful distraction for a time." Sian managed a smile before taking a sip of her tea, keeping it in her hands, the warmth was nice. "You know me too well Jack Briggs, I think that should worry me a tad, though I'm sure you know I also enjoy your company. However I did come to see you about business, a wave didn't suffice this time."

Sian paused again, swirling the mug in her hands, watching the dark liquid go round; she felt like she was at war with herself. All her years of training had taught her to keep her personal things to herself, she was a Companion, her life was her clients not her own. At least that's how she felt at times. She was lost in her thoughts for a minute before she came back to the conversation before her. "I hate to do this to you again Jack but I've got to postpone our meeting for tomorrow, not cancel mind you, just postpone. It'll be the final time I assure you. I've a ship waiting to take off to Sihnon, there's an emergency I need to tend to.." Sian took a slow deep breath, "I'm not sure how long I'll be away, but when I get back I'll have time to take on extra clients. So in addition to the potential I was to meet with tomorrow if you could sort out four more for me to meet with it would be appreciated."

With that she put down her mug of tea and pulled a pouch from her small bag. Leaning over Sian placed it on the table that sat in front of them close to Jack. If he chose to open it now he'd find enough of his usual fee as if he would have her six. She had decided to pay Jack double for the meeting she was having to postpone, plus the others she requested in advance.

[Jack "Trigger" Briggs]

Jack may have treated every woman with the same amount of flirtation and chivalry, but that did not mean the man did not feel for some of them. He did have emotions, after all, as some would be surprised to discover. Sian was one of those women he had a special place for. Perhaps it was the dance they both did, halfway between all the niceties and half-truths their positions both required and the fact that both did in fact actually care about the other underneath this same facade. She intrigued him. At her words about taking him up on the offer of his guarding her drunken antics, he smiled widely. "I look for'ard to that day," he said.

She was watching him closely as he spoke, and he felt a little hot under the collar with the intensity of her gaze. Even a ladies' man had a right to feel embarrassed by a beautiful woman every now and again. He had the grace to continue to act businesslike, however. It as what she was doing, and as she was a Companion, Jack almost always followed her lead when it came to etiquette. "I fear I'll neva know you well enough," he said fluidly into her pause. Hoping for a smile. She was worrying him; something was wrong.

When the words finally came from Sian's perfect mouth, Jack almost immediately began shaking his head. Not because he was displeased at her canceling, but because he would hear nothing of her apology. Almost before she was done speaking, he had already raised a hand and waved it back and forth. "No, no, no. Don' you worry 'bout a thing, luv. Our meetings can always be rescheduled for a 'mergency. O' course they can! I won't 'ear another word about it." He removed his red fingerless gloves so that he, too, could savor the warmth of his cup against the skin of his palms. He sipped his tea and then smiled. "It's neva a problem ta find a woman such as you more clients. I'd be happy ta bring you some more. But I 'ave ta ask..."

He paused, then, looking confused with himself for a moment. She was a Companion; he was a businessman. This was no place for sentimentality. Still, his lips moved once more, almost of their own accord. "Is ev'rythin' alright? I mean...you're not in any trouble, yeah?" Though he was trying to appear casual, it was clear there was some concern in his voice. Jack cared about her well-being; she was becoming the closest thing to a friend a man in his position could have.

It was bad manners to count the money in front of her, as he trusted her to always pay up what she'd promised. But something made him lift the pouch. Being in the life as long as he'd been, Jack had become pretty apt at estimating the amount of coin without looking at it. He set the pouch on his hand, eyes locked on hers as he bounced it a couple of times in his palm. "This is too much."

[Sian]

Sian raised a brow when Jack mentioned having to ask something; he didn't usually ask questions about things other than business. She watched his face change as though he was confused for a moment. His words left his mouth, she felt her face begin to warm up. Jack's open concern for her was making her cheeks turn pink with a blush. This was out of the ordinary, she didn't say anything; Sian wasn't sure how to respond. She simply sat and watched him, after another moment passed he picked up the pouch of coin she'd put down.

Her eyes went to his hand when the words left him, this wasn't what she was hoping. Jack had noticed that it was too heavy, damn. She looked back up, his gaze was locked on her. "I counted it three times Jack, it's the exact amount I intended it to be I assure you." It was technically too much, but she felt the need to pay double for the rescheduling issue. Not to mention the fact that she had no time frame to give him for a reschedule. Despite his not worrying about changing things, she felt it was a burden for him; even if just a small one.

Sian smiled then, just a slight smile, "As for your..question,' She'd almost said concern instead of question, 'I'm in no trouble, at least not in the way you mean." Pausing she took the mug of tea back into her hands, taking a drink. Slowly. She needed a second to think; not sure what to tell him. If she gave in to speaking too many details she might break. While Sian was sure Jack wouldn't hold it against her it wasn't a situation she wanted to find herself in. "I'm...losing one of my off-world clients, so the only trouble will be making up for the lack of income." Income wasn't her only loss but it was all that she'd speak of, she wasn't worried about the money at all.

She was pondering too much in her mind, the solid wall was beginning to waver. Sian placed the mug back to the table and stood from the couch, she turned just a bit so that her face was out of Jack's view. A tear, one small tear escaped and streaked down her cheek.

[Jack "Trigger" Briggs]

The businessman set the pouch of money back down and crossed his arms, gallantly ignoring the blush, as attractive as the flush made her appear. Her insistence was met with a tightening of his eyes, a mild annoyance at her stubborn manner. However, it was part of what he liked about her. "Right. Well, I'll jus' have ta make sure those clients I get ya are worth what you're payin' me, eh?" His lips curled at one corner in a smirk. The man would earn his money for sure; he was not to be treated as a charity case, especially when she had an emergency.

He was finishing his tea as she worked on a proper response for him. His question had broken a bit of protocol, and they both knew it, but the dance continued. One hand closed in a tight fist, frustrated at their situation but unwilling to be the one to break the barrier of their business relationship. Her answer was just as cryptic as would be expected, though the words were surprising. So she was losing a client. Surely they came and went often...what was the problem with that?

"I'm sorry abou' that, but I'm sure you'll 'ave many willin' replacements, an' soon..." she stood and turned her face away from him, his frivolous words trailing off. Briggs stood quickly and moved towards her. His professional manner gone, he gently took her chin in his fingers and brushed the tear from her cheek with one thumb.

Sighing, he stepped back and folded his hands behind his back, as if realizing he'd crossed a boundary. A little shy, for once. However, his words are steady. "Let's cut th' tzao gao, beau'iful...somethin' is wrong an' you can either tell me an' I can try ta help in some way or we can go back ta this little song an' dance we're so used to. But I want ya to know I actually do want ta know...whatever that's worth." His eyes dropped for a moment, then he went back to watching her.

[Sian]

Sian had heard Jack get up, she knew this was going to get more complicated. Her eyes widened as he held her face, his hands were warm. He wiped away the one tear she could not hold back, but more welled up inside of her. It was such a small show of affection, the weight that hit the companion was like a back of bricks.

He stepped back as if he'd done wrong, but she'd been the wrong one. She should have known better than to have him alone in the state she was in. Her acting and self control was better when others were around, more of a reason to hold it together. His outright words of concern tore down what was left of her will. Sian felt her face and body let go, no more of the solid companion standing in front of Jack Briggs. Just a broken young woman.

She felt the urge to embrace him, but stopped herself short after her body seemed to begin to move toward him of it's own free will. Sian clasped her hands together in front of her, her eyes followed her head that lowered just a bit. She was going to hate herself in the morning.

Several more tears fell from her brown eyes, she inhaled deeply to steady her voice, "If you could cure death that'd be helpful.. " She let off a tiny grin, but still not meeting his gaze. "I'm losing my client to death Jack, he's not just tossing me away for another companion...." She left a long pause at the end of her sentence as though she had more to say but the words wouldn't come. Sian's legs gave way then, slowly, she went to her knees and she cried.

[Jack "Trigger" Briggs]

He shouldn't have touched her. That much was clear. Whatever willpower had been holding back the deluge of tears evaporated and she was suddenly just a person. Just a sad, crying person. At first, Jack was at a loss. Her sudden and complete abandonment of the Companion mask she usually wore was surprising and a little unsettling at first. Apparently his concern had struck a chord.

However, this was what he had caused by reaching past that wall. He had known there would be consequences to him caring, and now he needed to pick up the pieces. "Hey now, hush luv. It's alrigh'" Moving to close the gap between them, he reached out to gently put a hand on her shoulder. A small gesture, all he was willing to do for the moment at the risk of making things worse.

Her words struck him and he winced, free hand moving to run a hand through his hair frustratedly. Death. She must have cared about the client very much. "'Fraid I don't 'ave a cure fo' that, milady..." and then she was falling to her knees, crying more. Jack inhaled sharply and dropped down beside her. "Sian?"

All bets were off. She was broken and he was not going to just let her ride it out alone. His arms moved to wrap around her tightly, one hand cupping the back of her hand. "Shh...Beauty. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." He stroked her hair softly, holding her close like a child if she let him. "There's nothin' I can do to 'elp that. If you don' wanna go alone, though...I can go wit' you." He didn't expect her to take him up on his offer at all, but he had to offer something. In a situation where imminent death was involved, his company was the only tool he had.

[Sian]

The companion in her was yelling, screaming at her to pull herself together, this was not proper. The twenty-five year old young woman inside her was glad to be open and free, she just wanted to be held. Sian was at odds with herself as usual, but this time the companion was losing the fight. It surprised her that Jack came to her, even more-so that he comforted her. She didn't realize until now how close they had really become, even with the banter they most often used as companion and businessman.

His arms moved around her tightly, one of his warm hands holding onto hers. She let him, it was wrong of her in so many ways, but right now she needed someone. In return she leaned into him, listening to his words. She shook her head when he mentioned that he'd come with her. There was no way that was going to happen, for alot of reasons. Sometimes a wall has to be brought down so you can build up a new, stronger one right? Things would go back to the way they were before wouldn't they? It was something she didn't have an answer to.

Sian let herself cry as Jack pet her hair and she clung to him, seconds passed, then minutes. It was a new feeling for her, someone being there for her with her emotions instead of vice versa. After about ten minutes her crying finally began to falter and slow, the companion was fighting back with a vengeance. Carefully she pulled herself back from Jack's embrace, despite some inner protest, and looked at him, her mascara and eyeliner smeared from tears. "I'm sorry Jack..I..didn't intend to have a breakdown in your home.." Her words were barely a whisper as they came out. She was starting to feel guilty and ashamed. Surely this wasn't how a man like Jack Briggs would want to spend an evening, dealing with an emotionally broken woman.

She sat back completely, still very close to the man who let her cry in his arms, letting her knees relax from holding her weight. Sian stared at him a minute, not saying a word, just watching him. A small smile crossed her lips and she looked down, "There's no need for you to accompany me to Sihnon...but I should probably go I think.." Her face was beginning to flush lightly again, heating up as her feeling of embarrassment settled in.

[Jack "Trigger" Briggs]

What an odd state of affairs; the criminal holding an upstanding citizen like a Companion, trying to make her feel better. Though he had a good heart, the man was still only a little bit above the dregs of society. Suddenly, he was very self-conscious of that fact. A woman like Sian should not be crying in the petty crime den of Persephone, in the arms of a man on a short leash held by the most evil woman in the 'Verse. She should be with her own kind, being comforted by other Companions or by friends of similar status.

The fact that she even was allowing him to be so close worried him a bit. Was she so lonely that her only comfort was a man like him? Or did it just so happen that he was the only one who took the time to ask her what was wrong? Surely this would make for awkward business relations in future, perhaps even cause her to cease communication with him completely. He found that, as he held her and let her cry into him: he didn't much care. This was more important.

She cried for a long time, and Jack eventually sank into a seated position to give his knees some relief, though his hand never strayed from her hair, his arms still locked firmly around her. When she pulled away, he felt suddenly cold where her body had been folded into his. He tugged a handkerchief from a pocket in his vest and gently dabbed away some of the makeup smears, shrugging at her words. "S'alright, luv. Ev'ryone's gotta have a good cry now an' then. I expect death is one of the better reasons for't." Offering her a quick, encouraging grin, he handed her the handkerchief in case she wanted to dab her eyes or clean herself up more.

As her eyes fell on him, almost as if she was studying him, he felt that self-consciousness creep up once more. Though he'd never felt as though he were simply a lowly criminal barely scraping by, just sitting next to a woman like Sian made him feel all kinds of not good enough. He dropped his eyes as she spoke, the fingers of one hand restlessly picking at a loose thread in his carpeting. When she spoke, he glanced back up and realized something that was almost a comfort to him: she was embarrassed, too.

He stood first, offering a hand to help her to her feet. "Of course, Lady Sian..." Reaching over to the couch, he lifted his jacket from the cushions and wrapped it around her shoulders. "Take this wit' you, in case it's still rainin'. Wave me if ya need somethin'. Anythin' at all..." he trailed off. He'd gone a bit too far with that last. Almost nervously, he backed up a step from her. "I'd be a terrible person not ta offer you an escort; my man Cypher will take you whereva you need ta go." Because Jack was obviously pushing his luck.

[Sian]

Jack was a gentleman about her episode, as expected, however this was very unlike her. She had never been one to cry in front of anyone much less be held while doing so. It was almost hard for her to push herself away from him, a man who was her business partner. Their occasional flirting banter was one thing, but letting herself get into this situation was overboard. Sian worried silently about how this would effect their meetings and business; if he'd be willing to still do business with her at all.

He'd seemed to pay no mind to her tears, even used his own handkerchief to wipe away some of the mess from her face. She took it when he offered it to her, giving her a grin; she just held it as she looked at him. At the moment she wasn't too worried about the state of her makeup, it was fixable later. The state of their relationship was what was on her mind.

Sian realized she had caused an uncomfortable moment, watching as Jack's gaze fell. That's why she decided it was time to go, there was no telling what would transpire if she didn't. The relationship between them would be awkward enough after this, she didn't want to add to it even more by overstaying her welcome.

She took his hand in helping her up, pulling his jacket tight when he wrapped it around her. Looking at his face as he spoke, she was in a state of confusion but did her best not to show it. Her jaw clenched as he backed away from her, then offering his own bodyguard to escort her back to the docks. Sian couldn't tell exactly what was going on between them. Did he want to be rid of her before she had another breakdown? She had expected that he'd offer himself as an escort, but this was different. Sian was almost feeling hurt about it, but she gave him a small smile.

She tucked his handkerchief away in one of the jacket's pockets and started to move toward the exit as she spoke. "That would be nice, it is getting rather late. I'll wave you as soon as I'm back home and I'll be sure to return your jacket as well." She gave a grin at the last comment, remembering he had lost his trademark hat by giving it to a pretty girl. Maybe that would lighten up the atmosphere a bit? Her words had been steady and calm, the companion in her was making sure she didn't get emotional again. She looked over to Jack, trying to get a read off him.

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((Decided to put together an outfit that she'd been wearing in this thread ^_^ www.polyvore.com/cgi/set?id=38813226 ))

[Jack "Trigger" Briggs]

It was obvious Sian thought it best to end the awkward moment as well, and Jack watched her closely as she reacted to his words. Perhaps he should have offered to escort her himself, and he normally would have. However, he feared if he spent more time with her, he would pry too much and push her away. That was the last thing he wanted to do. Contrary to her fears, Jack would never chase her away because of a fear of her breaking down.

He either did not notice or did not care that she was leaving with the handkerchief. Walking her to the door, Jack unlocked all of the locks and opened it slightly. For sudden, inexplicable reasons, he was struck with the desire to ask her one more time if she wanted him to go along. All the more reason for Cypher to escort her and not himself. She'd already turned him down; he'd look a fool to ask again.

At her comment about returning the jacket, he smirked a bit. "'Preciate that, luv. I lose more good clothes by givin' 'em ta pretty girls than I'd like ta think about." His lips thinned a bit, though, and he reached out to gently squeeze her upper arm. "Take care o' yourself. Jus' ask Cypher to go for a walk. He'll go wit' you, no problems." He nodded and held the door open a bit wider so she could get by him. "Be safe. Lookin' forward to yo' wave."

[Sian]

Sian was confused and worried, Jack's response to her attempt to lighten the situation didn't comfort her at all. If anything it put more worry into her mind. Despite her inner turmoil she gave him a smile. He squeezed her arm just a bit as he told her to take care of herself, before she could think her own hand covered his. It was a breif touch, light.

She tilted her head aside as Jack opened the door wider, "Thank you Jack, you take care as well." Her words came out soft, not confident like normal. Sian nodded and walked through the door held open by the man she was so confused about, her body brushing by his lightly. She paused just for a split second, but forced herself to keep walking.

A few of Jack's men were still around, she said goodnight to them as she walked up to Cypher. "Care to walk with me this evening Cypher?" The dark man simply nodded and began to open the door for her, the Companion took a last glance towards the way that she came from before leaving. They walked in silence, she'd never known Cypher to be much for chit-chat. They approached the docks where the captain of the ship she'd contracted with was still waiting on her. He was sitting inside the cargo bay to avoid the rain, though it was only a drizzle now.

Cypher told her to have a safe trip when she thanked him for escorting her, there was sort of a sad look on her face now. Sian shook her head and turned to board the ship, it was off to Sihnon now.