Hard Time's

Take Me to Church

You thank Louis for his help but the battle isn't over yet not by a long shot and the police will be back soon. You need to get your girl out of there and somewhere safe. 'Thank you.' you hug Louis again when he gives you his coat and a bag of clothes for you and the Baroness. Some of it can be useful not everything is tacky and you are a designer. The Baroness is withdrawn and on edge, she has a brandy sitting in front of her she's sitting at a table alone in the closed nightclub. You walk over to her seeing she looks tired you have a hold-all bag on your shoulder. 'What will happen now?' she looks up at you. 'Don't worry, I have a place we can stay no one would look for us there. Let's go it's quiet outside you'll be safe.'

The Baroness looks up at you she looks tired and defeated. Standing up she allows you to wrap her in your old boss's coat and heads to the club exit.

-flashback I think I'm in love again-

"She doesn't thank you and you don't mind, she winces as she steps off the last stair. You notice she is struggling but doing her best not to show she's in pain as she marches on. It's only when you catch up with her you startle her a little. You snake your arm around her waist allowing her to lean her weight on you and save her dignity. 'I got you.' you whisper helping her to the car. Her hand is uncertain as she eventually allows it to rest on your upper arm."

You immediately see her struggle from everything she has been through and in a second are by her side, your arm wrapped firmly around her waist. 'I've got you.' you speak firmly. The Baroness is quick to grip your upper arm she looks at you from the side of her eye. 'Well I know that.' she replies in a sarcastic whisper. You laugh a little and take her to a fancy apartment building much nicer than your place. You find a key hidden in the door frame. Letting you both inside you lock the door and she raises her eyebrows. You smirk. 'What? Didn't think Id have any fancy-ass friends?' The Baroness looks like she is about to apologise but she's already healing. 'No I didn't think you would.' she replies rudely which makes you grin.

'What makes you so sure no one will find us here?' she asks curiously. 'Because the last place they'd look for you is in the apartment belonging to a man you supposedly stabbed.' you explain. The Baroness blinks. 'This is John's apartment?' she looks around. You nod. 'He brought me here one time after I got trashed that nightclub with Cru- That time I got trashed.' you finish awkwardly not wanting to remind her of Cruella. 'What are you looking for?' you ask seeing her look around. 'Nothing, I just never imagined John living anywhere.' You look confused. 'Well where did you think he went when he wasn't at work?' you ask. The Baroness shrugs. 'I never really thought, he was just always there when I needed him then disappears when I don't.'

The Baroness proceeds to examine the room curious about the identity of her most trusted employee. You stare at her and admire just how ridiculously self-absorbed she is rolling your eyes you sigh with exasperation. 'Alrighty, certainly not getting boss of the year any time soon.' you dump the holdall on a chair muttering to yourself. You hear a door click open and look up to see her peering into his bedroom. 'It's a one-bedroom.' you say awkwardly. 'Not that it's a problem the last time I slept over, I couched surf we can do that again. I mean that is, you can take the bed, and I'll sleep on the sofa.' Why in the name of all that is holy and unholy can you not shut the fuck up rambling it's just a bed. If the earth could open up and swallow you whole now would be great.

The Baroness looks over her shoulder thoughtfully at you and then walks to a small drinks trolly setting out two glasses. She lifts the glass decanter of amber liquid pouring you both a drink, she offers you a glass. 'Thanks.' you take it and take a sip the liquid burns your throat. Her eyes are studying you intensely as she also takes a sip. 'Thank you.' her voice is again unnatural. 'For, rescuing me, and aiding my escape.' You smile at her words softly and incline your head respectfully. 'Any time your ladyship.' You set the glass down and grab your bag to place it in the bedroom. When you return. FUCK! You see the Baroness sitting on the sofa with several open newspapers. Although you had been on a media blackout John's papers had still been delivered.