Guardian

Chapter Four

Blake stood outside of Crosshares and stared at her phone anxiously. It was almost eight. Yang should be there soon. She adjusted her shirt for the tenth time and leaned against the brick wall of the pub.

"Are you sure you don't want to wait inside?" Velvet stuck her head out of the door and stared at her in concern. "It's a little chilly out tonight. You'd be warmer in here."

Blake shook her head. "No thanks Vel. The fresh air is nice."

"If you say so," she sighed and ducked back into the bar to tend to her patrons.

"It's almost eight," Blake huffed. "If she isn't here by eight ten then I'll just head home. It's not like it's far."

"Well well," a familiar slurred speech to her left made her snap her head up. It was the drunk man from the bar last night. "How about that drink?"

Blake rolled her eyes, silently wishing she hadn't left her weapon on its rack at home. "How about no," she snapped.

"I don't see the harm in a little drink among friends."

"Oh is that what we are? Call me skeptical but I don't always want to connect my fist to my friends' face. Repeatedly."

He inched closer and Blake flattened herself against the brick wall. "We could be great friends if you just let me buy you that drink."

"This didn't end so well for you last time," she hissed. "What makes you think today will be any different?"

He leaned in even closer and Blake could smell the alcohol. His whole body reeked of it. "Because you don't have that pretty blond around to save you."

Just as he reached his hand up to try and touch her, and before she was able to react to him, the roaring engine of a motorcycle shook the air. The biker had driven up onto the sidewalk and put their motorcycle between Blake and her attacker. When the man tried to make another move the biker jerked their bike forward, almost knocking him over.

"C'mon Blake get on!" The voice coming from under the full faced helmet was undeniably Yang.

Blake jumped onto the back of the motorcycle and wrapped her arms around Yang's waist. "What was that about not having a pretty blond around?" She teased as Yang sped off down the street.

As soon as they were a few blocks from the bar Yang pulled into an empty parking lot and turned her engine off. She expertly spun herself around on her bike so she was facing Blake and whipped off her helmet.

"Are you okay?" She asked frantically, concern etched into her face. "He didn't touch you did he? I swear I'll kick his ass."

Blake placed a hand on Yang's arm instantly calming her. "Breathe Yang. He didn't even touch me. Now that's twice in two days that you've managed to save my ass. From the same guy no less. I feel like I should be paying you!" she chuckled and hopped off the motorcycle. "So what's for dinner?"

Yang let out a relieved breath as she hung her helmet off her handlebars. "I hope you like seafood," she flashed Blake a grin that made her heart skip.

How did she guess that it's my favorite food? Blake kept her question to herself and instead nodded enthusiastically. "I love it."

The restaurant Yang brought them too was only a couple blocks from where she parked the bike and it was much fancier than Blake had anticipated. Inside the building was dimly lit and soft piano music played in the background. She almost felt underdressed not to mention Yang's casual look made her stand out even more than her already fiery aura made her.