InsaneJournal

Who: Neena, Velma and Logan
Where: A bar near the edge of the county
When: A day or so after this log
What: Letting the ladies meet, and going for drinks
Rating: PG13 for drinking, language, and Logan
Status: Complete



Logan didn’t get nervous. He didn’t get scared or worried or terrified or any emotions of that sort. Except the thought of Vel and Neena meeting was worse than Vel and Kitty meeting. Neena was...a unique individual and his feelings for the woman were complicated at best. There was no need to dress up, but he did wear his favorite cowboy hat.

Velma had worn something practical, if only because at this point, you never knew when you needed to haul ass. She was in skinny jeans and a simple shirt, nothing too eye catching. Her hair was down, if only because putting it up would have been a pain and the ass and an invitation for someone to yank.

She’d agreed to meet Logan and his friend Neena at a bar just out of town, and when she walked in, she scouted around for them - she’d seen Neena on the network. She did see Logan, and she bit her lip not to grin at the hat. “Trying to blend in?” It was actually sort of sexy on him, which was ... strange. Realistically she knew he’d spent time anywhere and everywhere, but she thought of him so much more as a gearhead.

Neena was late, because reasons. Most of which had to do with trying to put makeup on. She wanted to look good, though she couldn’t explain why. For her tight jeans and a low cut shirt constituted dressing up, and the black shirt only made her new coloring more obvious. Her hair was up in a neat bun, and she had her revolver in a holster at the small of her back, covered by her shirt.

She spotted Logan first, then Velma. She wondered how this meeting would go. She was nervous, but couldn’t say why. What the hell did she care if Velma liked her or not? She made her way over to the pair, wishing she’d found a way to cover the damn tattoo. She got a couple looks, but it felt like twenty to her.

Because Neena was family, an’ Vel needed to meet the family, Logan would tell her. He noted the tattoo and the skin coloring, but except for the initial recognition he didn’t point it out. He’d seen her (all of her) like that so much in his dreams that it was normal to him. “Hey darlin’.”

On seeing Neena up close, Velma couldn’t quite hide the nerves. She didn’t remember the tattoo from the Valarnet pictures, but still, the woman was very pretty. She held out a hand, trying to be as chill as possible. “Hi. I think we talked a little on the network. It’s nice to meet you in person, Neena.”

Neena smiled at Logan, then turned her attention to Velma. She shook the other woman’s hand, sizing her up a little. “Yeah, nice to meet you. You guys didn’t start without me, right?” She leaned against the wall a little, not sure what the hell she could talk about in front of Velma. She was planning on telling the story of her job with Wade, but now she wasn’t sure that was a smart idea.

“No, didn’t start, but I’d need a three week head start just to get buzzed,” Logan joked, probably more relaxed than either woman was. He gave Neena a look, as if to reassure her that there pretty much wasn’t a taboo subject.

"I get the feeling I'm the lightweight in here," Velma said, looking between the two of them. Neena probably had powers like Logan - call it a hunch - and she figured she'd have to be careful to not look like a twat. "I could do keg stands in college, but that was a while ago."

Neena shrugged. “Everyone’s a lightweight compared to Logan.” It was just life. “Which works out fine for me.” She grinned at him. “So what do you guys want to start? I picked the place, so I’ll buy the first round.” It was only fair.

Logan snorted, though he had the incredibly tempting thought...oh fuck it. "Figure if I get you two drunk enough....." He smirked.

Velma rolled her eyes, though she had to laugh. "There are other things I do when I want to be nice to you. No offense, I prefer guys." This last was to Neena. "But I do kinda wish I had your rack. And a gin and tonic would be good, if that's okay."

Neena rolled her eyes and punched Logan’s shoulder. “Yeah, you keep wishing.” She smiled at Velma. “Alright, one gin and tonic, one horrible beer that you don’t get to complain about, and whatever I want. Be right back.” She went over to the bar, taking a deep breath. Velma seemed okay, which was good to know.

Logan followed Neena with his eyes for a moment, before turning to Vel and putting his arm around her. “You don’t need to be nervous, Vel.” And yeah, he’ll keep wishing.

"I'll be ok. She's just really pretty, and I'm pretty sure she's one of you." If Logan ever did throw her away, Velma was reasonably sure it'd be because she couldn't protect herself. She wasn't about to talk about it much, but still. "I'm also thinking she could kick my ass with her pinky." Which he'd also probably ogle.

Neena ordered the drinks, tapping her fingers on the bar. She hated being nervous. She barely got nervous before infiltrating known terrorist office buildings, she’d shot worse people than Velma in the face almost daily in the future. This sort of thing was new and different. What the hell was she supposed to do? Obviously Logan wanted her to like Velma, and Neena already did, but she didn’t know what to say or talk about. She knew she was overthinking it, but she couldn’t help herself.

Logan had never really hooked up with anyone else before.

“Maybe she could teach you. Her style would suit you better an’ that’ll help you two get to know each other,” Logan replied. It was a sneaky plan, but a good one. He also knew that Neena would keep Vel safe if something happened, and also help teach Vel to keep herself safe.

Not a terrible idea, and she wouldn't wind up getting distracted like she did when Logan tried to teach her self-defense. "I'd be game if she is, but if she says fuck no, so be it." She wanted to learn, but only when she wasn't going to be some burden or pain in the ass. She managed to smile a little. "Is she your best friend, your ex or both?" She didn't care that much either way, but she was curious.

“Best friend, fuck buddy, might’ve been.” There was no use in not speaking the truth to it. “Too complicated to ever let there be any strings between us.”

She appreciated the honesty, really. It was still kind of intimidating, but Vel always preferred knowing where she stood. She nodded, smiling a little. "Had to ask. Aren't you worried if we get to know each other that she'll give up all your dirty secrets?"

Neena brought the drinks over, setting them in front of their owners before taking her seat. “Yeah, I’m gonna tell her all the embarrassing shit you’ve done.” She smiled at Logan, daring him to complain about it.

“Ain’t nothin’ I can do to about it,” Logan replied, shrugging a shoulder as he took the terrible(tm) beer. He didn’t seem that put out, and was even a little amused by the idea.

“You do suffer from the usual guy thing, sorry.” Velma took a pull of her drink. “I called him cute as a joke once and you’d have thought I kicked him someplace sore.” She understood why, in all honesty, but if she couldn’t poke a little fun at him sometimes, what was the point? She could dish it out and take it.

Neena laughed at that. “You’ve met his collection of girls he’s taken under his wing, right? It’s ridiculous, I don’t know how he has time to threaten all their boyfriends.” She sipped her Long Island, making a little face. “You know, I’d like to go to one bar that doesn’t water their drinks down. If I wanted flat coke, water, and whiskey I’d make it myself.”

Logan rolled his eyes. He didn’t say anything about it. It just sort of happened and he’d given up trying to figure out it. “All I need is freakin’ Hisako to show up an’ I’ll have most of the set.”

“I’ve met ...” Velma counted on her fingers, inwardly grateful that Neena wasn’t counting her as one of them. “At least three of them. Four. Depends what you mean by taking under his wing.” Eli counted, but there was obviously no sex going on there. “And that’s why I tend to stick to gin & tonics; it’s hard to fuck up two ingredients.”

“You’re a smart woman.” Neena said, looking at her drink with disappointment. Oh well. “Hisako’s cute, I think I like her best of the strays you picked up in the dreams.” Kitty wasn’t really bad ass until she graduated out of his ranks.

“She’s fine if she stays off the fuckin’ twitter,” Logan muttered, downing his drink.

“The twitter?” Velma smirked, but it turned into a laugh. “I think some part of the dreams is coming through. You’re 39, not 40-and-up.” She wondered idly if he’d get all neurotic about that birthday when it happened. It’d be funny as hell if he did.

Even Neena laughed at that. “He was born a grumpy old man. Trust me, that’s one part of his dream self he comes by honestly.” She grinned at Logan, daring him to deny it.

Logan glowered at them both, then walked away to order them some drinks, and threaten the bartender with bodily harm if anything was watered down.

Velma had to laugh. “I asked him if he was sure about this. It’s his own fault if he gets bent out of shape.” She downed more of her gin, watching him. “By the way. I do know some of the dream type stuff. He hasn’t told me anything about you other than that you’re there, but I’m not totally in the dark.” She knew about their little band of special people, and that they did things at least in the dreams where they were organized enough to need a leader.

Neena chuckled. “He’ll live. So what all has told you about? I’m kind of curious what he thinks is important enough to talk about.” She was having trouble figuring that out herself. Things were working on a need to know basis at the moment.

“Well, some shit I had to know when Creed attacked us.” Velma said softly. “Logan mentioned names that he had to get in contact with after that went down. He’s told me a decent amount of his own history, like you might think. Scott Summers, the Blackbird. What else.” She thought. “He told me about a school he set up at one point. Told me about Laura. Here and there.” She couldn’t think of anything else right now, but it might come up.

The school. That made her laugh. She wondered if Scott and Emma remembered it. “Sounds like you got a pretty thorough rundown of stuff.” She finished her drink. “So what happened with Creed?”

Velma tried to be as unemotional as possible, finishing her drink. Showing weakness to this woman would have bothered her. “We were in the countryside, near where Mariko and Amiko are buried. Were.” She shook her head. “He invited me to come to their graves, and we walked over there from the ryokan. When we got there, the graves had been dug up.”

She told the rest of the story to Neena calmly, even when Logan got a bullet in the eye, and when she’d kicked Creed in the junk. “He shot me - just grazed my arm here.” She pointed to her forearm, bandaged under her sleeve. “Logan went to me instead of Creed, and he ran.”

Neena made a face. “Yeah, he’s bad news. I’m glad you didn’t get hurt worse.” She patted Velma’s hand. She’d wait until Logan got back to mention that she’d had a run in with Creed while camping.

Logan would have a small cow. He came back with another gin and tonic, a bottle of whiskey, and some tequila. He put the latter in front of Neena. “They can’t water that down.” He didn’t ask what they might have talked about. He figured he was in for it no matter what.

Velma nodded her thanks. “You’ve got your own bar, right?” she asked Neena. She’d seen her talk about it on the network a bit. “Must be nice. If a little crazy. I’m trying to go into business. I was a hellraising bitch as a kid and then I kinda grew up.”

“You’re a good man,” Neena said with a smile, before opening her bottle. “Yeah, I’ve run the place for over five years now. It’s ridiculous when you first get going. I’d go weeks without a day off, I was always having trouble with my suppliers, or my customers, or whatever. Now the bar runs fine my life’s ridiculous, but at least I can drink at work, which was my goal when I opened the place.” She just didn’t drink while bartending or doing paperwork. “How long have you been coming to see me, Logan? Two, three years?”

“Four,” Logan replied. It had been one of the first bars he’d found when he’d first come to the area. Something about the really fine ass behind it and the fact that the beer wasn’t shitty. “One of my favorite places after the club shut down.”

“I bet I know why you started coming in.” Velma joked. She leaned against the bar. “Too bad she isn’t red-haired.” She was loosening up a little bit, and it felt good. She couldn’t drink too much if only because fucking Creed could be anywhere, but still.

Neena did her best to hide her reaction to Velma’s statement. She wasn’t going to think about what might have been. “I’d look like crap as a redhead, now.” She took a long drink.

“Red hair, red lipstick, white skin, it would be hot.” He might have put some thought into that one. Logan took a drink right from his bottle.

Velma smiled, but felt a trifle awkward. Neena had taken just a little too long to answer. “I’ve been to business school,” she said, trying to change the topic a little. “so I’m hoping that’d help if I do get someplace off the ground. My family has money, but my family are also assholes, so I want to do it on my own.” Hopefully the woman wouldn’t turn her nose up at that admission.

Neena had no response for Logan but to kick him under the table. She turned to Velma, to answer her question. “Yeah, it’s not hard. If you have a little money it goes easier. I was lucky in that regard, bought the bar outright from someone who’d done all the hard work and wanted out. What kind of business were you wanting to run again?”

Logan looked between then, kicked Neena back under the table, and took another glug of whiskey. He was paying attention, but he also had an ear and nose craned for Creed.

Velma wasn’t stupid, but decided to ignore it. “Was thinking of opening a flagship store for my shoe line - heels and asskicker boots, mostly.” She really hoped that didn’t make her sound spoiled or stuck up. “Too much fucking trouble to sell to a bajillion different stores. I’d rather have it all coordinated.”

“Makes sense. It’ll be a little easier if you’re already in charge of a business. You’ll have good credit or whatever the fuck they look for. Loans are a pain in the ass, but it’s better to use them than not.” She took a drink of her tequila, trying to go slow with it. She didn’t want to get stupid drunk tonight.

Logan wished he could get stupid drunk. He looked between them, then shrugged a shoulder. “What if we all did somethin’ together. Related to motorcycles.”

“What’re you thinking?” Velma sipped more gin. “Now that my fuel pump doesn’t sound like you, I could probably go for a ride.” She had to smile at the memory of Eli laughing with her about that.

“If you’re talking about a business, that’s a really bad idea.” She wasn’t going to buy a motorcycle, either. She had to keep herself in guns if she was going to keep losing them.

“Nah, more like...” Logan took another sip. “Cross promotions. Motorcycle gear for Vel. Our logos on them, an’ on Neena’s glasses. Shit like that.”

Velma cocked her head, thinking. “I do sell motorcycle boots. Might not be a bad idea. I was going to say, with an actual business, I don’t do anything where I mix money with friends or lovers.” That was just asking for trouble.

Neena chuckled. “You’re not going to find a market for fancy shoes at my bar, and I charge for promotions.” She winked at Velma. “Did he tell you I’m a mercenary in the dreams?”

Logan didn’t remember if he’d mentioned that. He didn’t think it mattered. Neena was among the more reputable people he’d ever interacted with and that was saying something.

Velma chuckled. “No, but you do what you gotta do.” What did she care? She knew this woman would never do anything to hurt Logan, and she personally wasn’t significant enough to get on anyone’s radar. Except Creed’s. Maybe her father’s.

“Oh, hey, that reminds me of a funny story.” She took another drink of her tequila, and launched into a vivid retelling of her job with Wade. She included all of it, the shattered window of the semitruck they were driving, the musical interludes, the beef jerky, accidentally setting Wade on fire for a second trying to hotwire a drink machine at a rest stop, the angel costume and acts, and the boy’s parents’ faces when they thought and angel of the Lord was telling them to let their son get kidney surgery.

She left off the part where she’d dashed home to meet Thomas for their first date. There was too much relationship talk already for her taste.

“Fucking Wade.” Logan shook his head in complete astonishment. “Fucking hate him. One time, he clocked Kitty just to get me to fight him.”

Velma just listened, both incredulous and laughing delightedly. “Jesus. Remind me to run in terror if I ever meet this guy.” She didn’t have much patience for crazy. At least not crazy on that level. “How’d you not kill him, Neena?”

“Can’t.” Neena shrugged. “I’ve shot him at least five times in the dreams, he just won’t die.” Beside, he was the only mercenary she knew, and she was definitely looking to get into that line of work again. If she wasn’t going to have a great social or romantic life (and things with Thomas were still iffy enough that she worried), she was going to have a fun job that kept her on her toes. “But he’s a real asshole, so if you do meet him don’t make eye contact and don’t do anything interesting.”

“She’s right. Just stay away from him. He ain’t totally a bad guy, but his motivations are suspect. He’s fuckin’ out of his mind though. Think the cancer went to his head an’ ate his brains.”

“Cancer?” Velma echoed, raising an eyebrow. “So you’re running jobs with a cancer patient?” Must be a special kind of person - like Logan and Neena, obviously - but that would be extra-super-special. She needed more gin. “Anybody else need another?”

Neena looked at her bottle of tequila. “I’m good.” She wasn’t going to finish what she had before the night was over.

“Always need another,” Logan said, a little grumpy now that Wade had come up. “Jus’ be careful around him, darlin’. Ain’t no tellin’ what chaos he’s up to.”

Velma sketched a mock salute and went over to get another round for her and Logan. She still felt a little weird, a little out of place, but it was getting better. She just didn’t quite know what to do around someone like Neena; someone a lot like her. There was probably some weird psychological thing for that, but oh well.

Neena shrugged. “I’d get into more trouble on my own.” She took another drink of tequila. Velma really was a lot like her, and she didn’t know what to think about that, or the conversation they’d had earlier about her having red hair. It bugged her, but she didn’t want to make a big deal out of any of this. She just wanted to be happy for Logan that he’d found someone. “So I ran into Creed while I was camping.”

Logan nearly choked on his beer. He'd been wondering about some things - how much alike the two women were, for example, and if that meant something. He'd just about decided that it shouldn't mean anything (making it mean something would be a disservice to both women). His claws popped. "What."

Neena shrugged. “I figured he’d find me eventually, I just didn’t think he’d find me there. He caught Thomas and I off guard. I got shot, but I shot him back.” She was really glad the world had people like Faiza in it. “He threatened Nate.” That was the only part that made her truly angry. There were very few people in the world she considered to be important, and Nate was number one on that list.

“Is he dead?” Logan asked the question, even though he knew the answer was probably ‘no’. A guy could dream, right?

“I would have, but I was already weak when he found us. Plus it was a stomach wound, and I was running around like an asshole with it for maybe a minute before I figured it out. But I’m not going to wait around for him to hurt anyone else.” Especially not some of the girls Logan ran around with, or her squishier friends. If he knew about Nate then he knew about James, and James couldn’t protect himself. She kind of hoped Creed messed with Nate. If he didn’t kill the bastard she figured Scott or Emma would.

Velma came back with new drinks, setting them down and immediately taking a pull of hers. “Sorry, there was a line,” she told Logan. While she was feeling slightly more bold, she turned toward Neena. “Is there anything you want to ask me? Or anything you think I missed out when I told you what went down?” She didn’t like feeling so awkward.

Logan frowned, looking down at her stomach like he could gauge what sort of wound it was. That Creed had found her pissed him off. “You got him though. He’ll lay low for a bit. Give us time to figure something out.”

"Got him?" Velma wasn't an idiot. "You had a run-in, too?" The woman seemed no worse for wear, but Christ, still.

“Yeah. Thank God for Faiza.” Neena took a very long drink of her tequila. “This is the second time she’s saved my life. Or at least my ability to do shit. He mentioned maybe having another person working with him.”

The tips of Logan’s claws popped out, and it took some effort to bring them back in. “Maybe. Coulda been bluffin’. Tryin’ to get a rise out of you. Maybe even get you to kill him.”

“Why would he want her to kill him?” Velma shook her head. “I’m pretty sure you’re his main target.”

“You can’t count that kind of shit out. He might be pissed that Logan didn’t kill him the first time around.” Neena really wished she’d shot him. Whether he had help or not she’d at least feel a little better about it.

“‘Cause they’d lock Neena away, or some shit. I wouldn’t put it past him to do something like that, but he’d probably rather get me put away, or someone even closer to me.” Logan snorted.

Velma shook her head. Even a little tipsy that didn’t make sense. “You guys know him better than me, but I saw his face. Whatever he thinks you did, Logan, he wants you to suffer. That would suck, but that’s not suffering.”

Neena shrugged. “I doubt it. He knew he shot me, he was just waiting for it to hit. Hell, he might have been there long enough to hear me talking to Thomas about his powers, so he knew I was already under the weather.” She shrugged. “But I’m killing his fucking ass next time, no matter how much time I’d do.” They had to catch her to put her in prison.

Logan shook his head. “No. His ass is mine. But if you can get him immobile long enough for me to get there, I’ll take his head off and shit in it.”

She didn’t entirely blame him for putting it like that, but she didn’t like being ignored. Creed wasn’t exactly a threat if all he wanted to do was put this woman away. Would that cripple Logan that much? Velma just figured fuck it, downing more gin. “You two know him better than I do. I’ll just do my best to stay out of the way.”

“If I get a shot I’m taking it.” Neena said with a shrug. “I’m not putting my life or anyone else’s in danger for your pride.” Or her own. “It’s obvious he’s going to go after everyone you know. The sooner we kill him, the better.” She didn’t want Creed going after Alyssa or Eli.

Logan growled, but he didn’t argue the point further. Neena was right, but he wouldn’t be satisfied until he saw the man dead with his own eyes. He knocked back the rest of his bottle.

Velma rolled her eyes. “How about we not measure dicks. Or you two. I know it’s personal, Logan, but as long as the man’s dead, what the hell do the rest of us care? If she gets the shot, you can bury his corpse upside down or whatever would be the ultimate insult.” She didn’t dispute Logan’s right to kill the bastard, but she wouldn’t blame anyone for shooting first and asking questions later.

Neena couldn’t help but laugh. “You’re alright, Velma. Beside, it’s clear I have the bigger dick, so we don’t need to measure.”

Logan looked between them. He was outmatched, and he knew it. “Yeah, it’s as long as my arm.”

Velma smirked. “Hopefully I can surprise people,” was all she said. She didn’t want to get into all her bullshit. This wasn’t about her. Even when neither she nor Neena were a hundred percent sober. “I have actually had worse gin, damn.”

Neena just grinned at Logan and drank again. “So what do you do for fun, Velma?” It was a less depressing topic than Creed and who needed to be shot.

“Not all that much; I work my ass off. Read.” Get laid. “I’m learning to pole dance? Apparently it’s a kick-ass workout.” She said it as innocently as she could, hoping both she and Neena could laugh at Logan’s face.

The look on Logan’s face could be described as a mix of lecherous and shocked. It was an odd mix on his face. “...the fuck?”

That was a pretty epic look. Velma laughed, throwing her head back. “It’s even true! I got sick of treadmills and shit. Apparently it’s the best thing for your arms ever.” She still somehow didn’t want to allude to her and Logan getting close in front of Neena. Maybe she was being paranoid, but she didn’t want to piss off the other woman.

Neena snorted. “Yeah, I saw the post about it.” It was best not to talk about the fact that she’d instantly texted Alex to come over and get drunk. “I have heard it’s a really good workout.”

Logan’s face could still best be described as ‘da fuq?’

“Unfortunately, the most exercise I usually get besides running is yelling at people on the phone.” Velma was getting both drunker and more tired. “So I’m sure it’ll kick my ass. Though that look might make it all worth it.” She smirked faintly in Logan’s direction.

Neena laughed and shook her head. “Gross.”

“You two drunk enough to kiss yet?” Logan finally said, trying to turn the tables on them. Not that he really expected anything, but he figured it was expected he ask again, so he did.

And it was better than talking about the look on his face.

Neena eyed Velma, as though she was sizing the other woman up. She moved closer, until she was about an inch away. Then she turned her head away and took another drink. “Nope.”

“Damn.” Logan said it good naturedly, and went to get some more booze for himself.

Velma sighed, realizing she’d probably put her foot in it again. “Sorry,” she said to Neena. “I’m not great at this kind of thing. I’m used to people I can either order around or flirt with, and I wouldn’t try to do either with you.” A small joke. She wasn’t going to make a big deal about it, but at least she could try and explain why she felt so damn awkward.

Neena shook her head. “It’s not you. I’m not into women, and making Logan horny is your job now.” She took another drink of her tequila, which was getting a little low. “You’re doing fine, I’m pretty easy to entertain.”

Logan knocked back another shot, giving them a few moments. He wanted to give them a few minutes to talk together.

Being slightly drunk did help. Velma shrugged. “I would like to come check out your bar, if that’s all right. I like finding good spots to drink where nobody’s going to let bad shit go down.” There was no way in hell Neena would let anyone get out of order.

“Sure, that’s fine. It’s just a bunch of old bastards complaining about their sports teams, but it stays pretty orderly.” Neena didn’t care who came into her bar, if they were paying. “You might wind up going back before I do, I still don’t have a good excuse for the tattoo.”

“Why do you need one?” Velma shrugged. “It’s your bar. It’s your face, for that matter. I’m guessing it has something to do with the dreams?”

“Yeah, it’s a dream thing.” She didn’t feel like getting into her reasons for explaining her tattoo away. She didn’t like to explain herself under the best circumstances, and she wasn’t drunk enough to bother. “Don’t show up on a game day if you want any kind of quiet.”

She got the message. “The only thing I’ve gotten from my dreams so far is a stage costume - I was a showgirl - but I’m sure nasty crap is just waiting for me.” Velma finished her drink. That was probably enough, unless she really wanted to make a twat of herself.

Logan sauntered back over then, taking swigs directly from a bottle. He could really be a lush if the damned shit ever actually affected him. “Hope not. Too many people get nasty crap as it is.”

“No shit.” Neena made a face. “I really hope your memories are better than mine.” At least she knew why she was so fucked up in the dreams, now. It was amazing she wasn’t worse.

“First couple were great. Dancing on stage with my sister, making money, the toast of the town. And then I got popped for killing my sister and husband. Now I’m dreaming about being in jail, and the only ones on my side are a greasy lawyer and a matron who really seems to like me.” Velma made a face, too. She didn’t care about the liking women thing. She cared about not being bullied in fucking prison. It made her wake up sweating.

Logan looked at her over his drink. “Didn’t know that part. Most lawyers are greasy though.”

“Sounds rough.” But normal, which was good for Velma. She wished her dreams had a little more prison time and a lot less. . . everything they actually contained.

“Could be worse, from what I get. But it’s not fun, no.” Velma shrugged. “Lawyer’s actually kind of funny. Held a press conference and made me look like a convent girl.” She grinned. “I completely blacked out! I can’t remember a thing.” She mimed, looking as innocent as she could.

Snorting, Logan shook his head. “Coulda used a man like him a few times in our dreams. Shit.”

Neena laughed. “I knew a guy like that, actually. He was a slimeball, but useful. Thankfully I rarely got caught.”

“Only rarely?” Velma had to smile. “Well, maybe the guy will show up. My family has lawyers, but they’re just as slimy as my father, so I tend to find my own people.” And the less said about her dad, the better. Shut up, Velma, you’re drunk.

“I just try not to leave evidence,” Logan joked.

“Yeah, yeah. I’m the novice in the room, I know.” It was a joke, though. She couldn’t help where she’d come from. Nobody could, after all.

“Eh, Logan needs someone around who won’t jump at the chance to shoot people for fun. If you left us to our own devices we’d never stop causing trouble.” Which was probably bad. She was rethinking a lot of things after the camping trip with Thomas.

Logan smirked. “Ain’t nothin’ wrong with a little trouble every now an’ again. An’ don’t go countin’ Vel out, she’s trouble wrapped in an enigma.”

“You’re just saying that ‘cause I kicked Creed in the junk.” Velma was proud of that, but mostly because she’d managed to keep Creed from hurting Logan any further. She wasn’t dead weight. Hopefully none of this shit was out loud.

Neena snorted. “That’s because secretly, trouble is your type, and all the redheaded Asian ladies in the world couldn’t satisfy you if they couldn’t kick a man’s ass on their own.”

Logan didn’t dispute that. In fact, he eyed Velma. "Nothin wrong with a little sass."

“I knew Asian was his thing. Didn’t know about the redheads, though it doesn’t surprise me.” Well, that explained Alyssa. Velma tried to make a little joke out of it, as it seemed to be the way things were less awkward. “I’m just surprised as hell every time I spend time with a guy who calls everyone darling and yet isn’t stupid enough to treat me like a piece of ass.”

“Yeah, most men are assholes. I’m amazed at some of the losers I see girls with.” She took a drink again. “That’s why I didn’t date forever. I figured I’d found the one guy who was going to be amazing in my life, and I could either deal with douchebags or get a hobby.” So now she was really good at kung fu, for all the good that did her.

"I strangely don't feel the urge to defend my gender."

“Eh, no need. At the risk of sounding stupid, there are a few good ones. And I’m sure there’s a bunch of guys at tables someplace whining about how women are evil.” Velma chuckled. “‘Cause we are.” Most people sucked; that was just how it went.

“That’s true.” Neena said with a shrug. “I don’t discriminate, I think all people are assholes.”

“Also not gonna defend your gender,” Logan said, taking another drink.

Velma held up her last glass. “To people being assholes.”

Neena tapped her bottle of tequila against Velma’s glass.