So what now? (Katydid50 x 5Bulletproof-Marshmellows)

[5Bulletproof-Marshmellows]

Elenore swallowed thickly when Daniel opened the door. Her eyes met his beautiful blue ones. She didn't know what to say to him and he stayed silent even though his lips parted briefly. This was the first time she was seeing him after telling him about their child. She wished it could have been better.. not in the door way that lead to their insane boss. Then again.. would they have said anything to each other either way? He looked tired though.. The smell of alcohol wasn't on him anymore. Perhaps he had sobered up. She didn't know. Elenore wished she could ask him how he was doing but the next moment, he nodded and left.

Lowering her head, she let out a heavy sigh. Nothing. Not a single word had left his lips. She closed her eyes briefly before walking into the office. Ruggles motioned for her to close the door. She did as she was told without even thinking about. "I brought the flash drive," she walked up to the other side of the table and handed it to him but he didn't take it.

Ruggles watched as the redheaded woman walked up to him. She didn't look all that happy but he could change that soon enough. "Pull up the file on the computer so we can take a look at it," he told her, moving away from it slightly though she would still have to slide in between him and the machine. It would only take a few more minutes before things went as planned.

Elenore hesitated for a moment. Biting her lower lip, she moved over though, and searched for the right port for the flash drive. Hovering over the computer, she finally found it and plugged it in just as she felt hands slid up the front of her legs and Ruggles press up behind her. "What do you think you're doing?" she snapped at him, turning around with ease and she pushed him away but that only pressed her towards the table.

Ruggles knew that she would start to panic and try to break free. Sitting her down on the table though, he ignored the punches as well as the other attempts that she made to escape. Forcing her legs around his midsection after he hoisted up her skirt, he pulled her closer and pushed the rest of her body onto the desk. Yet she continued to fight. This woman never did learn did she?

She had only been able to get a few good punches in before he pushed her down. She tore at his shirt and searched for something to grab and throw at him. It seemed like he had already been expecting that since the computer screen was already on the ground and the pens that were usually on his desk, gone. Feeling absolutely hopeless as she could see him bucking even though he still hadn't fully gained possession of her.

Tears formed in her eyes as she tried to fight him off once more but they only ended up moving and falling to the ground. Hitting her head, she moved her hands up to it just as he pursued her. A moment later though she heard a loud bang. The door flew open...

Ruggles looked up. "What the hell do you think you're doing here?" he yelled at Daniel, still holding onto Elenore though. He barely was able to register Daniel's rage.  

[Katydid50]

Daniel just stood there. The corner of his upper lip twitched as though he was surpressing a snarl. His eyes, which were usually calm and cool had taken on an icy glint. At his sides, his fingers balled into fists before relaxing again only to start the cycle once more. His heart and breathing steadily increased. After several, long seconds, he reached behind him without taking his eyes off Ruggles and pushed the door closed with a calmness that surprised even himself. Just as calmly, he locked it. The click resounded eerily through the room. It didn't do much. It wouldn't take much force for someone to break the other hinge but it would stop anyone short of desperate.

Suddenly, he sprung into action. Moving with the speed of someone half his age, he was on Ruggles in a heartbeat. Grabbing the man by his overly-gelled hair -it was amazing Daniel's fingers didn't slip right through it- he pulled the man off Elenore and away. With his free hand, he snatched a letter-opener from the floor at the same moment that he jerked Ruggles to his feet. With a single, fluid motion, he had Ruggles against the nearest wall, the point of the letter-opener pressing against the man's throat.

The letter-opener trembled in Daniel's grip, but not out of fear or adrenaline. Rage coursed through him and the urge to plunge the metal object into Ruggles' throat was almost overwhelming. As it was, he pressed the tip in just enough to cause a trickle of blood to whell up and fall, a message to Ruggles that he wasn't to be messed with.

Leaning in close, he said, "If I were you, I'd be a bit more respectful than that." His voice was quiet, as though he was sharing a secret that he didn't want anyone outside the room to hear.

((So much shorter but I really want to read Ruggles' reaction before I have Daniel do anything else)).  

[5Bulletproof-Marshmellows]

Ruggles watched Daniel, loosening his grip on Elenore and she managed to slide away from him, her shoulders were shaking. Then everything changed. When he grabbed his hair, he breathed in sharply and his hands balled up into fists. He was about to start throwing punches, when he felt a blade against his neck. It wasn't big but it was still a threat. With his knuckles pressed against Daniel's stomach, he narrowed his eyes.

He coughed when he felt the blade puncture his skin. Hearing his voice, he felt a chill run down his spine. Why in the world was he protecting Elenore? Why go to such lengths? Those questions quickly disappeared though. "Now, now.." he began, his voice low, "What good would it do to resort to violence?" He didn't think Daniel would resort to killing him, but then again he hadn't thought that he would step up for her like this.

Elenore moved away from the two, shivering and fixing her clothing. She was trembling from head to toe. She barely lifted her head to see Daniel pinning Ruggles to the wall. Of course she was grateful that he had come back. The coldness in Daniel made her shiver even more though. Biting her lip, she slowly pushed herself up so that she was standing. Gaining her balance, she didn't know what to do anything. She wanted to leave. She never wanted to see her boss again. Ever. Swallowing, she looked at the two but didn't fully comprehend what was happening.

She had to leave.. yet, she knew she couldn't allow Daniel to do anything that would harm him in the long run. He was saving her again. She couldn't bring herself to walk up to the two though so she was left standing there, on the verge of a break down. There was no way she could go back to work after this. She couldn't stay in this building. She couldn't stand seeing Ruggles. Feeling faint, she slid back down the wall and was left sitting there, looking miserable.
((It's alright ^^ ))  

[Katydid50]

He wasn't aware of anything. Nothing. Nothing but the sort-of blade in his hand and the pathetic little weasel in his grasp. Daniel purposely blocked out the sounds coming from behind him. He couldn't afford to be distracted now. It wasn't a life-or-death matter, not for him anyway, but it could still turn out dangerous. Not that he thought Ruggles was much of a threat. The man was all bark and not bite whereas Daniel was the exact opposite. A person could have no idea how much Daniel hated them before he struck.

When Ruggles' spoke, his voice was calm, low, as though trying to soothe an animal. Daniel's eyes narrowed before his mouth twisted into a dark sneer at the man's question. "If nothing else, it would make me feel a Hell lot better." He would do it, too. He'd dispised the man for years, ever since he'd found out what Ruggles was really like. Now, it was personal.

Pressing the letter-opener in further, just enough to turn the trickle of blood into a steady stream, he said in a voice that was eerily calm and deadly serious, "Now, if you ever so much as think of laying a hand on her again, I will find out and I will kill you. Do you understand?" There was nothing in his tone or expression to suggest that he wouldn't, gladly, carry out his promise. If anything, it looked like he might kill the man then and there just to make sure Ruggles didn't touch Elenore again.  

[Katydid50]

((Bump.))  

[5Bulletproof-Marshmellows]

Ruggles swallowed and smiled weakly at him. He recognized that look in his eyes. He had gotten before. He had even given it at one point to another man. Daniel wasn't joking around and Ruggles knew that the minute he got out of this sticky situation, Daniel wasn't coming back. He could find another job in the city. Elenore on the other hand.. he would steer clear of her even if Daniel wasn't here. He had gotten enough trouble from her as it was.

Grimacing when he felt the blade dig further, he pressed his spine against the wall. His muscles were all tense. If it went further he would attempt to fight Daniel. "I understand," Ruggles answered, his formal business speech leaking out now. This was almost like signing a contract, except this time it was with blood. More was on the line. "Go ahead and take her. Get out of here." It wasn't a demand, he just wanted them gone. Ruggles' voice was still low but it had gained an emotionless tone. For once he actually looked quiet serious and mature.

Elenore slowly moved over to Daniel, she shivered though when she looked at Ruggles. She should have known that something was going to happen. She should have told Ruggles she was busy with another project and that she would send someone else up with the flashdrive. She could have come up with so many different excuses. Then this.. this wouldn't have happened. Daniel wouldn't have to worry about getting a job. She wouldn't have to worry about getting a different job. Everything would have been fine. A sigh escaped her lips and she slowly reached out to touch Daniel's shoulder. She wanted to go but wouldn't leave until he did.

((I'm really sorry it took this long for me to reply >< ))  

[Katydid50]

Daniel could feel Ruggles trying to move away from him, pressing further against the wall. It didn't do any good. He couldn't escape. Even if he somehow did manage to, Daniel would catch him. He hadn't survived for so long on the streets, and then in the underworld, for nothing. Granted, Ruggles didn't know of his past. Even Elenore didn't fully understand. At least, she hadn't. Maybe she did now, at least in some respects.

When Ruggles finally spoke, Daniel didn't move. He had half hoped that Ruggles would fight, give him an excuse to plunge that letter-opener into the man's throat. But he was a smart man, was Ruggles. The business world had a different sort of ruthlessness and Ruggles hadn't gotten successful for being stupid, no matter how much he may have acted like it.

The corner of Daniel's mouth twitched and he tightened his grip on the letter-opener. A quiet sigh from behind reminded him that they were not alone. When he felt the hand on his shoulder, a momentary tremor traveled outward from the point of contact. However, it didn't last. Blink and a person could have missed it.

His hand suddenly jerked downward. The tip of the letter-opener cut through Ruggles skin, and even part of his shirt, and its way down. The cut wasn't life-threatening. It probably wouldn't even scar if the stitches were done properly. Nonetheless, blood rushed out, quickly coloring the front of his shirt red and spreading outward from the center. "Something to remember me by," he all but snarled before turning away.

When he faced Elenore, it was all he could do to meet her eyes. He didn't even dare comtemplate what she must think of him. Then again, she was a fair woman and he had only did it to protect her. With his free hand pressed to the small of her back, he started to guide her towards the door, pausing beside the clutter that had once belonged on Ruggles' desk. He grabbed a tissue from the box on the floor and wiped the blood from the letter-opener before stuffing both in his back pocket. No need to leave any evidence.

Continuing towards the door, he stopped again and looked back at the man who had once been his boss. "Oh, and I wouldn't suggest calling the cops. I have friends in very low places, friends who have nothing to loss should they get caught finishing what I started." That said, he turned back to the door, unlocked and opened it and led Elenore out, closing the door behind him.  

[Katydid50]

((Bump))  

[5Bulletproof-Marshmellows]

Ruggles didn't even look at Elenore as she came up behind Daniel. He knew that she didn't want Daniel to kill him simply because of the consequences. After all, he wouldn't be surprised if Elenore wanted him dead. Keeping his eyes on Daniel, the bus boy, he could see that he wasn't going to get away with no payback.

A hiss left his lips when the blade cut his skin. A chill ran down his spine before he moved his hands to the wound. Once Daniel finally turned his attention away from him, he reached for his phone and called the hospital. There was no way anyone in this building would help him willingly, unless they wanted a pay raise, so he would have to fend on his own or get the paramedics to help him.

Ruggles heard Daniel's last comment just as the person on the other line answered. Well, the least he could do was fire him. He didn't even know if he should keep Elenore on the job or not..

Shivering as he turned to face her, she didn't know what he thought of her now. A woman who was almost taken by her own boss. Some would say it was her own fault.. if they found out that is. When he touched her though, she couldn't help but flinch. She wanted to hug him, to cry into his shoulder like a child and have him say that everything would be alright.. and yet she simply walked with him, her arms tightly wrapped around her waist. Her knuckles had even turned white at this point.

Walking out of the room after Daniel had opened the door for her, she let her gaze fall to the floor. The secretary was sitting behind her desk, typing away, and she could only hope that she wouldn't look over. She knew that she was a mess. She felt absolutely disgusting. Closing her eyes for a brief moment, she slowly headed towards the elevator hoping that Daniel wouldn't leave her. There was no way she was going back to work.. and she had no idea what he was planning on doing. Biting her lip, she reached out gingerly and pressed the down arrow.

((I can finally reply regularly! biggrin ))  

[Katydid50]

As Daniel led Elenore out of the room, he was painfully aware of the mess behind him. There was no way he would be able to work here again and not just because Ruggles would fire him. He wouldn't be able to come into work everyday knowing what Ruggles had tried to do to Elenore. Daniel would snap sooner or later, find that letter-opener again and plunge it into Ruggles' throat. Looks like I'll have to find myself a new job, he thought dryly, feeling only a minimal twinge of regret. He hadn't overly liked the job but it had suited him. Oh well.

The secretary outside of Ruggles' office typed on, unaware of what had occurred just behind her. People were so blind, either willfully or otherwise. The woman didn't even bother to look up! Then again, Ruggles probably had so many people coming and going that another two people didn't garner any interest.

Once they were out of the office, Daniel let her take the lead, following after her as she walked toward the elevator. His hands stayed by his sides, no matter how much he longed to pull Elenore to him, to comfort her and tell her that everything was going to be alright. That wasn't the time or the place and he certainly wasn't the right person. Her life was a mess because of him, even more than it had been. He'd made an already difficult situation even worse. What right did he have to comfort her?

When they reached the elevator, he stood beside and slightly behind her, scanning the room every few seconds. At one point, it looked like a man intended to get into the elevator with them. A sharp glare from Daniel had the man scurrying back the way he'd come.

Once the doors finally opened, Daniel followed her inside. Without waiting for her to, he pressed a button that would bring them to the ground floor. He didn't move, didn't even speak, until the doors were closed.

"I'm sorry you had to see that," he said quietly, staring at the closed doors. "It was only a matter of time before Ruggles got what was coming to him, but I'm sorry that it took you nearly getting hurt to do it." He fell silent again, lowering his gaze to stare thoughtfully at the floor. Finally, he looked at her. "You're not working here anymore. I'll find you a new job, a better one." He couldn't stand the idea of her coming to work here every day. Ruggles had almost hurt her, would have hurt her had Daniel not intervened. He wouldn't be there anymore and he wouldn't tolerate her being there without some sort of protection.  

[5Bulletproof-Marshmellows]

Elenore stood there, staring at the carpeted ground. It was a slate-gray-blue-ish color. She didn't even know why she was looking at it. Mostly to take her mind off what had happened.. and here came the horrible thoughts again. Swallowing for what seemed like the millionth time, she wished that the elevator would hurry up. She needed to get her things and leave. She didn't know where she would go.. Home, maybe? It would be awfully lonely there. She didn't have the heart to go to Aunt Rose's. She would have loved to stay with Daniel. He had barely touched her since the last time they were actually together.. He probably wouldn't want to be near her now.

Hearing the light ding announcing that the elevator was here, she then stepped inside and slowly turned to face the closing doors. Leaning against the back wall, the bar that was meant for people's hands dug into her back but she didn't bother to stand straight. She wanted to sink to the floor and lay there. She didn't care about who would look at her.. who would think that she was weak.. she just wanted to escape reality at the moment.

Daniel's voice reached her ears and she looked over at him for a brief second. He was apologizing. "It's not your fault.." she said, her voice barely audible. Closing her eyes as tears formed in them, she bit her lower lip as well. Elenore barely heard the words that he said about finding a job for her. She didn't want to think about that now.. but she did know that she needed a job no matter what. Even if it meant working here...

She didn't want him to leave.. but she couldn't ask him to stay with her either. She didn't want to tie him down. Taking in a deep breath, she tried to relax and yet the muscles in her back and shoulders stayed as tense as ever.  

[Katydid50]

Daniel stood with his back ramrod straight, the back of his shirt only just brushing the metal bar. His arms hung limply at his sides. His thoughts raced over all the places he had influence at that he would be happy with Elenore working at and that would pay her bills. Granted, she would still be recieving child support from him -he would get the money one way or another- so that would help. He would find her a job first and then he would concentrate on how in the world he was going to make money. His mind immediately flashed to one option in particular but he pushed it away. He would only go there if it was absolutely necessary. He didn't want to go back there but he would if he had to.

When Daniel finally looked at Elenore, his heart broke. Her closed eyes may have hid the tears but he could see it in her expression, in the way she bit her lip and in the tension in her neck and jaw. All his inhibitions went out the window at the sight of her pain. Stepping closer to her, he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her to his chest, resting his chin on the top of her head. One arm stayed at her waist while the other hand ran up and down her back. "It's okay," he whispered. "It's okay. It's over now. He can't hurt you anymore."

Elenore was most definitely not going to work there anymore. He would kill Ruggles if that was what it took but she was not going to be working for the man anymore. Ruggles had already proven that he had no problem with forcing himself on a woman. Seduction was one thing, blackmail was one thing, but rape was something else entirely. Daniel did not have the best record when it came to women. He had used seduction. He'd used drugs and drink. He had not, however, ever forced himself on a woman. He hadn't had to and he certainly wouldn't have even if he'd had to to get any action. Ruggles was scum, less than scum, and he didn't deserve to keep his life. But, that was risky and Elenore needed Daniel just now. He wouldn't do anything that would make things even more difficult for her.

((Oh pft. When you wrote about Elenore not wanting to tie him down, I got the mental image of him stripped to the waist, laying on a bed with his wrists tied to bed posts. XD ))  

[5Bulletproof-Marshmellows]

He just stood there.. they both did in silence and what seemed like an ocean was between them. That is until he hugged her. His warm embrace let her finally let the tears slide down her cheeks and a moment later she had her arms around him. Burying her face in his shoulder, she couldn't help but cry. Her hands took hold of the back of his shirt as she stood there, utterly helpless. At the moment he was the only protection she had, her guards were down. She still trusted him..

"Don't go.." she managed to say that between the breath of air that she got. Her voice was quiet.. She didn't know whether he would want to stay around her while she was in the state. He had hugged her though.. and she didn't want him to let go. Her face moved to the crook of his neck as her tears subsided a little. She was sure that she looked horrible but nothing could be done about that. Hearing the elevator doors open, she made no attempt to move, leaving that up to him. He could take her anywhere he wanted now... but she certainly hoped that he wouldn't leave. She couldn't handle being alone right now. Not after what Ruggles tried to do... More tears slid down her cheeks.

((lol. short sorry >< ))  

[Katydid50]

Daniel breathed easily as he held her in his arms. He could feel her tears soaking into his shirt but he didn't mind in the slightest. It was just a plain flannel button-up, nothing special. They were a dime-a-dozen, like most of his clothing. As it was, he was glad that he was able to comfort her. He didn't move as her hands clutched at the back of his shirt or when she buried her face into the crook of his neck. It felt right, holding her like that. They couldn't be together, he was too dangerous and he wouldn't be able to provide for her and her kids fully unless he fell back to his last resort but he could let himself dream, if only for a little while.

At her whisper, he whispered back, "I won't go until you tell me to." He would be there for her as long as she needed him, until she was strong enough to stand on her own again.

When they reached the ground floor and the doors slid open, he glanced over, relieved that there was no one there wanting to get on. He pulled back half a step, just enough that he was able to see Elenore's face. "Come on," he said. "I'll drive you home." That was where she needed to be, somewhere familiar and safe. He would stay there with her until she could manage on her own. He didn't know what they would do if she was still upset when her children got home. He figured they could deal with that if and when the time came. Until then, he would comfort her and figure out how in the world he was going to find a job for both her and himself.  

[5Bulletproof-Marshmellows]

She had known Ruggles had been scum from the start. He slept with women left and right but never had there been a case where he had to use force. It made her sick to her stomach just thinking about all of this. She was pulled from her thoughts a moment later when he spoke. She would have smiled but instead her arms tightened around him slightly. Elenore couldn't help but hate how weak she felt.. She still didn't know how he didn't push her away.. then again he was the one that embraced her.

When he took a step back, she slowly let her arms fall to her sides. She nodded her head at his plan, she was in no state to drive at the moment. Walking past the receptionist, who looked at bit startled when she saw her, she didn't question them though, Elenore made it past the automatic doors and then stopped for a moment when she was outside. The fresh air felt nice on her skin and she sighed with relief, glad that she had left that wretched building. She would have to go back for her things eventually.. but that would be in a good week or so.

"Which car?" she said after a moment, realizing that they hadn't established that. She didn't want to make him walk back to get the other car either.. but it seemed like that would be the case unless she decided to drive.