Gridlock and Mozzie Adventures

Crack Open a Cold One

Tori was on her family farm today. A break from military work for once and she was happy to be back home. It's not that she doesn't love what she does, she just longed for the day she'd be back home. Sure the family farm was in debt, but she never had any problem taking responsibility for the farm and getting her four younger siblings and extended family to help out. She made sure everyone was taken care of and felt right at home, but even she got tired of going back and forth from the farm job and the shooting the bad guy's job. So it was days like this that she loved, and even her dog Izzy didn't mind Max when he showed up. So long as it gave Tori an excuse to take a break from the long hard labor and backbreaking hours she put in.

"There you are, Tori! Nice arvo isn't it?"

"Its almost dusk Max, she chuckled as she put down a metal barrel full of feed, what're you doin' here." 

"That's not my...anyway I came here because I knew you'd be workin' yourself to death and well," He gestured to her a knowing smile on her face and he returned it in kind.

"So what'd you bring?" She asked dusting off her trousers.

"A case of cold ones, straight from the Bottle-O, fancy a few with me?" 

"Oh I dunno, what brand is it?" 

He brought an offended hand to his chest as he was grabbing the beer case. Does it matter?

Yes, because you always choose the ones that taste like piss.

I am offended by that, but jokes on you cause you still drink it.

Get on over there on the picnic table before I knock your block off.

He crouched over and made a face at her (a rather weird taunt that looked like a literal bootleg chicken dance). She took a swing that nearly hit his head, and he ran away before their play-fight turned into a real one. Not that it would but Tori is taller and stronger than him. He remembers that one time when a guy was making fun him for being his size and in the army. He wasnt expecting Tori to care, but Max had wondered why the man had suddenly stalled in his bullying. Wasnt until he turned to look behind himself; he saw Tori with the angriest look hes ever seen. Her muscles were flexing with the intent to kill, cracking her knuckles and all that good shit.

Max was gonna tell him off. But there his friend was, threatening to do things he thought best not to repeat when he told her siblings the story. He did find it funny how embarrassed she was, as if it were nothing, but he appreciated it even if she didnt want him too.

Tori wiped her hands clean of dirt with a handkerchief as she sat on the other side of the wooden table. Max had an open beer waiting for her on her side of the table. She thanked him and took a swig. They remained silent together, and Max seemed okay with it for a while. They watched Izzy chase and bark at some of the free-roaming farm animals for a while, and sometime later Max coaxed Izzy over and joked about letting her taste some of his beer. "Oi, Tori, Izzy seems kinda interested in it.

Tori only glared at him as she took a sip from her bottle, snapped her fingers and before he knew it the dog had abandoned him for her. Max pouted for a while, but they continued to talk. They talked about Rainbow, the White Mask terrorist threat, Australian politics, places they would like to visit on off duty hours, and about their gadgets. But the longer they talked night came, and Tori was wondering if Max was ever gonna go home. Hed probably spend the night, he has before so it wasnt unusual. They were both on their third and last beer when an interesting topic came up.

The farm looks pretty nice yknow. Doing a real bang-up job. Max said looking around the place.

Tori only hummed in response, breaking eye contact with him. The farm was in serious debt, but she wasnt gonna give it up. He wouldnt want that.

A moment of silence passed and not a second later she heard Maxs frustrated sigh, What, too quiet again? she asked with a playful glint in her eye, but it disappeared when she saw the serious look Max held on his features.

Yeah it is too quiet, but that aint why Im pissed with ya, he leaned in closer to her, his butt barely on the seat, the farm is almost out of debt, hell if I didnt know any better Id say it is out of debt. You rallied your extended family and your siblings. Whyre you still pouring your heart into this? He sounded angry, and he probably knew the answer to his question, but he would much rather see his lifelong friend devote her life to her job as a soldier rather than to this bloody farm.

I guess I dont want to let go of this place. I grew up here, and me mum bought this place with my dad. Dont have much interest in, well, letting the place go; leaving this place.

Bloody hell, Tori! I aint askin you to leave this place. Jus stop frettin over it. It really isnt a good look on you, he chuckled to himself a bit, I mean I know a lot of men and women thatll be all over you-

He was cut off when Tori tipped the table over. He fell on his back and spilled what was left of his beer all over his shirt and face. He looked a bit pissed at first, but he couldnt help but laugh with Tori, especially when Izzy came up beside him and began to lick the beer off his face.

Fuck you, mate. He laughed out as he tried to push Izzys wet nose out of his face. Tori walked over to him and reached out her hand. He took it and she pulled him up onto his feet.

Yeah, fuck you too.