Stranger Things Have Happened {Gabe}

[AJ Robertson]

Ok, seriously... there were just some days it didn't pay to get the fuck out of bed. Days when a girl would be better off taking those nice little white pills to ward off the hangover from hell, crawling back underneath cool sheets and forget about the rest of the world for as long as possible.

But did she take her own damned advice?

Oh NOOOOOOOO.

She had to go and play wonder woman and start tracking down leads on what looked and sounded like a series of werewolf attacks in the city. With bodies of pimps being found gutted like deer and hookers dissappearing only to be found in the same shape floating in the nearby river, it was safe to say that she'd been on the right track.

Which lead to her next encounter that had sent her sprinting down a dead end alley and heaving heavy breaths as she tried to formulate a new plan of action against the beast that she knew wouldn't be far behind.

Glancing down at her side, she snarled to see that her leather coat was ripped and claw marks now marred her white t shirt. Not a good thing... Wounds of any sort from a were were bad news and this one had definitely gotten the drop on her by climbing out of the dumpster unexpectedly instead of from behind it where the body had been sprawled.

All of that on TOP of the fact that she'd only just healed up from a gunshot wound to her OTHER side after facing off with ANOTHER damned were.. A damned were that had almost gotten her killed and then dismissed her without so much as a by your leave. A fact that, logically, she knew she should have been happy with but for some reason.. IT just irritated her.

For Christ sake, she'd saved his sorry hide when she SHOULD have been burying a buckshot load of silver into his veins!! Something she figured she'd come to rue someday in the very near future.

Turning her thoughts back to the current circumstances, AJ forced her brain to think about the situation as she grabbed for breath. She now suspected the were had been lying in wait for her but she couldn't figure out how it had known it was being hunted. Something about the killings made her uneasy and instinct told her that it hadn't targeted the area on a whim. There was a reason it was killing here.. now.. and in this specific spot. It was almost like it was leaving a calling card for someone and inviting trouble.

Whatever the intent though.... the outcome was the same.

It had managed to lunge for her before she could bring the gun up and gotten in a good swipe before a cop car had suddenly appeared and it had taken to the shadows. She'd scurried in the other direction at the shouts of the police officer and been DAMNED glad that her hair and form were hidden underneath the leather coat. The policemen would have a hard time describing her at least.

Risking a quick peek around the corner of the alley to the street, AJ searched the shadows but saw nothing moving. Frowning, she realized the street was vaguely familiar but it wasn't till she looked down the street in the other direction that she figured out why.

Talk about out of the frying pan and into the fire, she swore at herself as she saw the Cantina sign swinging about the entrance in the breeze. Oh Happy Happy Joy Joy. Now she had not only one were to watch out for but Two. Didn't that make her all warm and fuzzy inside?

NOT!

Then, suddenly a thought occured to her. HOLY SHIT. Why hadn't she put two and two together before now? The clues were all there and she'd been to slow on the uptake. Obviously, she'd been on the right track thinking that the were responsible for the killings was leaving a calling card... But it hadn't been for her.. It had been for the owner of the Cantina. He'd been issuing a challenge and she'd stepped right into the path.

Well, fuck a duck.

Growling low in her throat, AJ contemplated her next move when a shifting movement from the corner of her eye caught her attention. A figure slinked towards her with slow menace. Gritting her teeth, the huntress palmed her blade and waited for the creature to draw closer, knowing that she'd only get one chance at this. Finally, when she knew it was a hairs breath from pouncing, the petite brunette turned and stared directly into its eyes as it gathered itself. This wasn't her first rodeo and this vile creature wasn't going to get her without a fight.

As the insanity in its eyes burst into raw blood lust, the were shifted and through itself towards the woman. Not bothering to try to run away, she dropped underneath of the creatures lurking form and tried to shove her silver blade into the beast's belly. A bellow of almost human rage tore from its throat before it spun and savagely snapped at her knife hand. Only quick instinct had the limb away from harm before she again tried to slam the blade into the furry body. Vaguely, she felt more claws ripping at her body as the beast used her for a launching board and tried to maneuver away.


"Come on you son of a bitch!" she hissed at it, her own eyes flashing with adrenaline and fury. "You wanna piece of this? Come and get it then, Fido!"

Snarling with insanity, the were galloped back at her and its heavy weight soared through the air once more. Using her own weight, AJ let its momentum carry them both over and used her boots to send the creature continuing into the wall. Leaping to her feet then, she bounded towards the worse of two evils at the moment, knowing she couldn't take the were on a head to head fight.

The Cantina.

As the sound of pursuit rang in her ears, AJ covered the distance between her and the door as swiftly as possible. She could practically feel the hot breath on the nape of her neck even as she reached for the door handle and suddenly felt pain rip through her shoulder. As the door pushed open, AJ felt heavy weight on her and glanced over at her shoulder to find fangs sank into flesh.

"HOLY FREAKING HELL!" she screamed, even as bouncers seemed to come out of the wood work and the monster bounded off her and out of the damned door. "SHIT, SHIT, SHIT!" she swore over and over as she helplessly stared at the place that the were had bitten her before pushing back to feet and almost starting after the beast. "Come back here you stupid son of a bitch!"

Unfortunately, before she could make it out hte door, another figure appeared and AJ found herself breathing heavy and staring into the eyes of yet another freaking creature she didn't have the patience to deal with.

"Well well.... Looks like the asshole got his wish after all!" she snarled, glaring up at the man. "Guess you could consider me flowers and chocolate because it looks like I just got served up as your little Hello gift. Seems to me that Asshat #2 is going to a lot of work to catch your attention.... You get these sorts of admirers a lot? I find dinner and a drink usually does more for me if I wanna get screwed but to each their own I guess..." she said with a dry sarcasm.

[maddog]

The night had started off nice enough; quiet and peaceful in its own way. He’d had fun with a few small time drug dealers late on their payments, checked in on a few players from out of town and shot the shit with his boys. He’d even gotten some nice blond afternoon tail, which took the edge off. Despite all the niceties, the “quiet,” Gabe just couldn’t shake the feeling that he was being watched.

And then there were the killings. There wasn’t any heat on him persay, but the method the sicko was using rang a familiar bell; vicious animal attacks, when with their throats torn out. It was much too reminiscent of killings during his time in New York, and it was only a matter of time before the Feds caught on. He couldn’t risk his hold on the West Coast by going under again, or by getting slammed, for that matter. Someone was talking to him; taunting him.

He was not fucking amused.

So, back at the Cantina, he’d ordered a slew of his guys to head out and find the dead man doing the killing. The animal inside wanted to hunt, but he ignored it, hoping like fuck that it was some moron hired by the local Powers to draw heat on his operation. It couldn’t be another freak like him. But, as he sat at his empty bar, giving the whisky bottle in his hands a thoughtful look, he couldn’t help but wonder. He’d made a name for himself in the human world; the notorious gang boss, Gabe ‘Mad Dog’ McFearson. But he hadn’t put his fingerprints on the monster’s world, had he? He was an unknown; a nobody, there.

His fingers tightened around the glass until it splintered. He wasn’t a nobody. He was a BOSS! Red hot anger shot through him and his eyes burned as his pupils turned to slits. When his guys got a bead on that dead fuck, he was going to tear him to pieces. There would be blood in the streets of Kansas, because this down was HIS town in exile. He would show them all who they were fucking with.

Just as a snarl rolled from his throat, the back door crashed open and Gabe smelled blood. Had the killer come straight to his door? Whirling, ready for a fight, he was taken aback at the sight of a bloody woman instead of the monster he was ready to face. Barking out orders, he had his men usher her to a nearby table. A frown pulled at his lips as he listened to her speak, and his mouth opened to return a scathing reply.

But he never got the chance. A scent, foreign yet familiar, wafted in through the open door and every human thought in the gangster’s head disappeared. With a sound more animal than human, he launched himself at the door and the night beyond.

”Keep her there!” He howled over his shoulder. He took off like a speeding train after the scent of his enemy.

The wolf in his head demanded release and he willingly gave it. His clothes were lost in a flurry of arms and legs, and when he ran again, it was on paws. He took off after the one threatening his territory, his city, all snarls and claws. The freak tried to sneak up on him a few blocks down, obviously noticing his presence just as he had, but Gabe was ready. The dirty alleyway twelve blocks down became a battlefield, as the two males fought. Thank God that the place was empty…he tried to think; to use his vast knowledge of dirty fighting to help himself, but the wolf would have none of it.

He clawed, he bit, he used his weight and instinctive cunning and he became the animal. Blood and few flew, snarls erupted in the air. Gabe went for the kill, but the fucker was too fast. In a frantic move, his enemy swiped his claws across the gangster’s eyes, blinding him. Gabe shook his head, going after the big body in front of him, but with a whine, the prick ran off. He started after him, but he couldn’t see. A furious howl erupted from him, as he snarled and spat in the direction of the other wolf.

There had to be a winner! Come back and fight, you fucker! Come back and DIE!

Silence was his only reply. He could go after the male, but he chose to lick his wounds. Perhaps this was his first show of power? His first show of defending what was his? The other werewolf might come back, but it would be known that HE’D chased the fucker off. Black lips tilted up in a monstrous smile, and he turned to limp toward the Cantina. He changed back when he reached his clothes and padded barefoot back into the bar. Clad only in jeans, he was dirty and covered in blood. Slashes, already healing thanks to his screwed up genetics, marked his face, chest and back, but a huge smile was on his face. He brushed off his men as they tried to help him, and motioned for them to leave. Then, it was just him and the woman.

He was giddy, on a buzz of adrenaline. Carefully, he eased down onto a barstool across from her.

”You got bit,” He remarked, nostrils flaring as he smelled her blood again, and underneath…he smelled himself. His kind. The wolf was still awake and aware, and damn but it wanted to mate. He wanted to fuck…and that scent was like sweet perfume. He wanted to make himself known in this new world…maybe he would make a pack. A pack of bad ass wolves, loyal to him.

And every pack needed an alpha bitch, didn’t it? Hmm…

”Tell me what happened; how you got involved in this. Then I’ll tell you what’s gonna happen to you, baby girl.”

[/blockquote]

[AJ Robertson]

This was SO not the life she signed up for.

As hands grabbed her and practically tossed her into a chair at the table, AJ surpressed a snarl of pain and then caught "the boys" attention with a glock that slid smoothly out of a shoulder holster and into her hand. They immediately backed off a little way but watched her narrowly for any sign of movement that might signal her desire to disobey the Boss's orders.

Letting out a sarcastic snort, the young huntress began the work of shrugging out of her leather coat and stared at the damage the were's teeth had left in her flesh. A low, long hiss of words that would have made a sailor blush left her lips and when she was finished, she turned a glare so dark on the bartender that he literally stepped back before he realized he was suppose to be a tough guy.

"Are you going to stand there all night or find me some god damned whiskey?" she snarled, feeling her arm and shoulder starting to burn. "Whats a girl gotta do around here to get a drink? None of you are pretty enough to screw so unless ya'll want a bullet in the head... Maybe you could see to getting me a bottle instead of standing there with those dumb ass expressions on your faces."

As one, the men grumbled and more than a few looked like they wanted to do her bodily harm for her brass but she'd learned early on that the only way to get any respect around these sorts was to give as good as she got. If even one of the idiots tried to get funny, she had no qualms about putting a bullet straight through their cranium and calling it all in a days work.

It wasn't anything personal. It was just business.

It was also what kept her alive at the end of the day and not fitted with cement boots and floating in some body of water somewhere.

As one of the big bouncer brought over a bottle of red eye whiskey, Aj gave him a short nod and took it. Using her teeth to pull off the top, she took a hug slug and reveled in the burn at the back of her throat. She had a feeling she was going to need everything in the glass jug and then some to get through the coming few hours.

From the corner of her eye, she saw another of the men approach and she raised a cool eyebrow before she saw the towel he held out. Realizing that she was bleeding all over the place, she unbent enough to thank him roughly before putting the material to the savage wound and hissing. Yup, this one was going to leave a mark. In more ways than one.

Which got her thinking that instead of trying to stifle the flow of blood, she should be thinking about a bullet through her own brain. She had no doubt that she was infected by the virus because even now she could feel heat radiating down her arm and tingling her side. Never one to pussy foot around an issue, AJ knew her days of being the hunter were over and she just switched teams to bat for the others side.

Son of a fucking bitch.

Just as those realizations were settling in, the door flew open once more and the tavern owner strolled in a conquering warrior. Which, she supposed he probably was from the looks of things. He was shirtless and covered in blood. The idiot even wore the big ass grin of a successful hunt.

Greattttttttt... Just what she needed to deal with. A male on a macho kick. This night just kept getting better and better.

Then, to her surprise, the huge man dismissed the others and the bar was soon emptied. Stiffening in her chair, AJ took another swig of whiskey and stared at him over the bottle neck. Her eyes were dark but fierce as she lifted her chin and arched a brow coolly.

"Well, you see.... I'm the one who makes those things that go bump in the night wet their collective panties... Its my job to hunt down and take out killers that prey on the innocent... Or at least.. WAS until about.. oh... an hour ago... I make it a point to follow up on any strange or weird occurrences and since I was recouping from our last encounter.... I kept up on things in the area... Unfortunately, this case was a tad bit different than any other i've taken.... This one seems to have a bigger agenda than just random killings and feeding on bodies... It seems to have a plan and thats just plain weird ..... Especially since all of the killings have centered around your lovely little establishment." she drawled out, keeping her gaze locked on his face and hiding any discomfort she might be feeling. "Asshat seemed to think I might be its next play toy but... I don't take kindly to being a chew toy.. for anyone...."

Lifting the bottle again, she took another long drink before setting it down and leaning forward.

"Now... What exactly is it that you thinks going to be done TO me? Because I can assure you... I might look small.. but .. you know what they say.. Dynamite comes in small packages.... And I'll be all you can handle and then some..."

[maddog]

Gabe couldn't help the feral smile that slid onto his face as he watched her. She was so damn delectable, with that sassy attitude and cocky snarl. Not to mention that she had an ass that he was fucking DYING to-- wait, was she talking? Shit, what was she saying?

Reluctantly, the wrewolf forced his lust addled brain to focus on her little tale. Jesus, was she telling him her life story? All he really wanted to know was why she came THERE, to his Cantina...and how fast she could undress. Oh, God, he wanted her so fucking badly, his fucking TEETH hurt. Thank God she was intent on focusing on her story, or she'd have surely recognized the little tent in his lap. Shifting slightly, he bent a knee, hoping to hide his reaction.

Was this a werewolf thing? Because damn...he'd been in scrapes and dirty fights before, and had never felt this keyed up afterwards. The need to dominate was practically pouring out of him in waves, man! And the fact that she smelled like wolf AND his enemy...he wnanted to go over there and replace that foreign scent with his own.

His alpha bitch. She was his!

...And that was pretty much all the enticement he needed to shove the wolf back into its cage. What the effing FUCK was that? Welcome to friggin Crazy Town, population him.

With a wave of his hand, Gabe dismissed her question and the warnings that followed. "Yeah, yeah, you're a tough chick; we covered that the other night. So...you're one of those 'hunter' pansies, huh? I ran into a couple of your brothers back in New York. They were even a friggin' challenge," A smirk came onto his lips as he leaned back. "Must really suck ass to be playing for the other team now, huh? Guess you'll know what it feels like to get a silver stake shoved up your ass. See how you like it."

He quirked his brow almost mockingly, before turning. Reaching over his shoulder, he snagged a bottle of booze and chugged down a few gulpts. His tone was almost conversational as he eyed her bloody shoulder.

"I remember when I was a chew toy. Fucker almost ripped me in half when I came to collect a debt for my boss. But in the end, he did me a favor, dig? This life...it beats everything. Like this, I'm faster, stronger, meaner. A better form of human, you can say." He eyed her over his bottle as he took another swig. "So what're you gonna do now, baby? Gonna off yourself and die human? 'Cause if you don't and you wanna live, I could show you a whole new world."

[/blockquote]

[AJ Robertson]

Wow, if this was his idea of sweet talking a girl, he was sadly in need of lessons. But then again, gauging from his demeanor, he was probably the sort that thought a woman outta kiss his boots for dinging to notice her. If he expect that outta her.. He had another thing coming.

AJ was a firm believer in never doing the expected so instead of taking exception to his comment, she leaned closer and grabbed the bottle before taking another long drag out of it. Letting it slam to the wooden table, she met his gaze with a slow, easy smile.

"Unfortunately for that fuckers sake... I'm not really the self sacrificing type. The asshat screwed with the last bitch that he should have and the game is on.... I want his blood more than you do right now and when I catch him?? Hes going down and it won't be in a blaze of glory...There isn't going to be enough of him left for the police to identify.. If you follow me.... You can teach me what I need to know... but the thing about being a hunter?? I've got a whole new avenue of skill to bring into the equation. I plan to make all that knowledge work FOR me.. instead of against me and fuck anyone who tries to mess with me in the meantime...."

Letting those words settle in, she arched a brow and then licked her lips as she intentionally.... deliberately .. let her eyes drop and run over his body. Her attention caught for a moment on his lap and then a slow grin spread over her face as she eased back in her chair. Taking up the bottle again, she took another drink and eyed him over the rim.

"Now, you plan on talking all night or are you going to do something about that little... problem you have?" she taunted, figuring if she was in for a penny, she might as well make it a pound and do it right. "That is... if that fight didn't wear you out to bad... I'mma the type of girl that is more interested in action than a lot of chit chat.... Dunno.... You might not be able to keep up."

Then, giving him a toothy grin, she braced herself for his reaction and hoped like hell she didn't get eaten. Then again... Maybe eaten would be good. A girl could hope, right?

[maddog]

Ooh, the sounds of bloodthirsty threats made in such a sweet, deceptively innocent voice. Gabe couldn’t help but shiver as the woman proceeded to threaten his enemy’s life. While part of him was a bit miffed at the fact that she was claiming the kill, when the ‘asshat’ was his to rip apart…the other was much too pleased by the dark promise in her words. She looked to angelic, so demure, but there was a monster lurking underneath the cherubic façade, wasn’t there? Had it been there before she’d been bitten?

The werewolf thought back to their first meeting; to the fact that he’d walked away from her and her insults, when on any normal day, he would have taken out his frustration on her hide. He was curious as to the hitch in his normal personality, and eyed her with an increased intensity.

”If I follow you?” He repeated, raising a brow. An amused expression slid onto his face as he continued to watch her, and he shifted once again, doing his best to regain some semblance of comfort on the barstool. And when she declared that she were going to continue her choice of profession, he scowled. ”You know…it’s probably not a good idea to let the monsters know that you’ll still be hunting them,” He informed her. ”And knowing that, what makes you think I’ll still teach you how to live your new life? What if you come after me down the road, hmm? Or do you give ‘live and let live’ discounts to all your teachers?”

He crossed his arms over his chest, and frowned. Fuck, he did enjoy the bloody threats she was making- not to mention that his gut was telling him she was liable to back them up…mmm, stimulating- but he couldn’t have a werewolf/hunter on his ass in the future! Killing her now would be the best action to take; kill her before she got any stronger and could protect herself. He could pull out the glock from behind the bar, load her skull up with lead…then maybe rip her to pieces, just to make sure she didn’t come back. She was such a pretty thing, he mentally wailed. He wanted her so badly!

But the wolf, who was still snarling and snapping in his head, seemed to have the opposite reaction. It would not allow his human mind to carry out the death of the female. It wanted her; it wanted her with an intensity that surprised him.

So, when she smirked and settled back in her chair, attracting his eyes to the lush curves of her body…he was practically shaking with conflicting emotions. Kill or fuck? Kill…or…

Shit, there really wasn’t any choice, now was there? Damn, he was gonna regret this.

Before she could stop talking, Gabe was out of his chair and towering over her. He braced his hands on either side of her and leaned down, until his face was inches from hers. His eyes were alight with desire and madness, closing in pure ecstasy when he took a deep breath of her scent.

”You smell like him,” He said, voice a low rumble. ”You smell like the wolf who bit you. I want to take the scent off you…and replace it with my own. On you…in you. Why aren’t you afraid of me? Everyone’s afraid of me.”

He didn’t give her a chance to answer. His wounds were almost fully healed as he slid his arms beneath her legs and back and hoisted her out of the chair. One little swipe at the table beside her had it clear, and he slowly lowered her to it. His eyes were locked on her face and his lips pulled back as a growl spilled from his throat. Almost tenderly, he bent his head to gently nuzzle the bloody towel she’d used as a bandage.
”Poor little wolf…I can make you feel better.” The words were murmured, beneath the almost continuous rumble of a growl. He didn’t give her the chance to protest or pull away; just shoved at the impeding fabric between them and took what his wolf whined they both needed.

Thank God that most of the bar walls were soundproofed, because he was sure his boys would’ve called for reinforcements, given the explosion inside.

Later, his back scored by the hellcat’s kitten-claws, his voice hoarse from all his growling and muscles he didn’t even knew he had were sore, he felt as if he’d never move again. His head rested against the soft curve of her uninjured shoulder, and he absently nibbled at the smooth skin. They had somehow made it back to her chair, and he leaned back against it, holding the purring woman in his lap close to his chest.

[/blockquote]

[AJ Robertson]

There came a time in every persons life when you either made the conscious choice to take the high road or you decided that not everything was black and white and the low road was more fun. For Aj, she'd faced alot of those decisions over the course of her career as a hunter but never one such as the one she faced over that table. The were obviously wasn't stupid and she'd seen the juggling match he'd waged with his inner beast as he tried to decide if letting her live was even feasible. Her hand good hand crept towards the dagger on her thigh sheath but then fell away as she read his expression and then smirked.

"Baby..... If I want you dead.. You'll be the first to know it.... And I won't come at your back... I'm more of an "in your face" sorta girl. I don't care how many crocked assholes you kill as long as you clean up your mess and get rid of the filth..... Obviously, I'm not your typical hunter or I would have made a try at you that first night.... and I think you damned well know it.... I could have called for reinforcements or given your jig up but... I believe that everyone has the right to live as they see fit as long as they don't abuse the privilege. Call my logic fucked up but I think some humans are more monsters than the beasts that go bump in the night."

Then, before she could get another word in the were was up and on her with something besides intent to kill on his mind. With his face buried in the nape of her neck and his arms pinning her in the chair, AJ froze as she heard his words. Before she could react though, he was scooping her smaller frame out of the chair and the whiskey bottles crashed to the floor even as he made good used of the newly emptied space.


HOLY HALLELUJAH!

There was definitely something to be said for leather skirts and kick ass biker boots. While the mini might not be real feasible for sulking around late at night, the boots made for good traction material for other activities at least.

Besides running her ass of, that was.

Since she hadn't exactly planned on landing herself in a mess of trouble tonight, she hadn't thought much about the fact that she'd been wearing her party clothes when she hopped by to check on a quick lead. She'd given even less thought to her clothing once the real fight had started but the current moment definitely gave her reason to be thankful for lifes small miracles.

With the things her wolf was doing... OH GAWD THE THINGS HE WAS DOING... She was definitely thanking whatever god was responsible for her choice of evening wear. It made things just a bit more... Accommodating when your lover was an impatient beast intent on pillage and plunder.

God, there really was something wrong with her when it took was an overly dominating hard ass to make her engine rev.

Finally, when the world quit spinning and the bar quit rocking, the tiny brunette found herself sprawled over the wolf like some kind of wet blanket. His own breath seemed to be coming in heavy rasps and she suddenly felt the prick of sardonic amusement. Pulling back enough to look into his dark eyes, she let her inner laughter shine through her dark eyes. With her body like a well rung dish rag, she made no move to get off of his lap as she teased him with dark humor.

"Damn, baby... I think I'm going to have to rethink this whole animal thing..... If regular sex for a were is anything like THAT was.... I might just die a happy lady.... Someones definitely been keeping this damned secret close to heart.....Maybe I should sent the asshat a Thank You card instead of killing him.... "

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