Crooked Triangles (Bran & Kit)

[JORDANNA HAILE GARCIA]

The darkness was having a weird affect on everyone and everything it seemed. Jo had force shifted two nights in a row and it had freaked her out completely. She had a couple of Therian friends and found out it happened to them as well. Everything happened so suddenly without any warning at all! One minute the Avisaille leader decided that the Avis and Gargoyles were going to out themselves, the next the city was shrouded in darkness. It became difficult to try and spend intimate time with Brandon since her evenings were spent in a tiny mouse's body, and he was often with his sister during the day. When she did get to see him he was quieter, not his normal joking self. She could see he was trying to cheer up and Jo decided that it was time they both tried to perk up. This darkness was hanging around for a while and dammit she wanted that guy who had taken her to the Masquerade!!

She had cleaned her apartment and had gotten food to cook for him. They were going to have a date inside where Jo could finally seduce this sexy beast of a man and attempt to really get his mind of losing his leader and his sunlight. She knew his energy was a little down, but that didn't mean they couldn't have a good time.

Their date was going as Jo had wanted it to. She had gotten a few laughs from him and he'd done the same. It certainly helped that she had gotten a couple beers into him already. Currently they were playing a version of twenty questions to get to know each other, but it was maybe a little too PG and Jo needed to spice it up. "OK.." She said, sitting up on her knees on the couch and facing Brandon, smiling over at him. "Strangest place you ever had sex?" It was her own way of starting the sexy talk in the hopes that it might lead to some heavy petting, and if she was lucking a little something more. "Me first." She licked her lips and cleared her throat. "A friend of mine was in the hospital after she got in a car accident. She was fine, just banged up pretty good. Anyway the guy I was dating at the time cornered me in the stairwell and..yeah we sort of did it right there." She laughed, reaching for her beer and taking another sip before nodding at him.

"Your turn!"

[BRANDON GARCIA]

To say Brandon was experiencing a rough couple of days was an understatement. It felt like Mordecai’s blood was still on him and he could still smell the fire that had burned him on Megsy Isle. Melanie had thankfully come also, crying and horrified at the sight of Mordecai’s blood all over her older brother, but she hugged him anyway. He needed her to hold on to, feeling some sense of normalcy in doing so. The night had been too strange. The masquerade was wonderful and he’d left feeling elated that he would see Jo again later that night. When he arrived at her house, he was weary and exhausted and smelled of smoke. He’d told her what he was, shown her his brown and black wings. She had confessed she was a Therian, a mouse to be exact, and he suddenly felt more drawn to her. They were both guardians, which made things so much easier than women in the past. A lot of times he just didn’t want to go to the effort of explaining and kept his shirt on when he could down to business with women. Jo was different. It wasn’t going to be just a one time thing, so he was glad she wouldn’t be freaked out by his wings.

Even though he had Jo to cheer him up, he and Melanie spent most of the next day in bed. They both felt exhausted, like they were sick, and the darkness blocking out the sun wasn’t helping. Maybe that was why they felt sick. Well when the fuck would it go away, then?! He found out from Jo that she was force shifting every night and it appeared to Brandon that this darkness was messing with everyone. It just made him want to stay in bed more, but he made his way to Jo’s on the third day. He needed to escape the thoughts of his leader, dead and cold in his arms and the way his torn back appeared on the tree. His thoughts wandered on occasion when he was with Jo, but the more time he spent there, the better he began to feel. He was able to laugh, albeit not as heartily as before, and she got them started on a cute game of twenty questions. She was making such an effort, he really felt he had to cheer up.

They were sitting on her couch, enjoying a couple beers as they played, and he watched her readjust her position with a smile. “Ok…Strangest place you ever had sex?” Brandon raised an eyebrow, feeling his familiar smirk come back to his lips. Oh, so she wanted to play like that, huh? “Me first. A friend of mine was in the hospital after she got into a car accident. She was fine, just banged up pretty good. Anyway the guy I was dating at the time cornered me in the stairwell and…yeah we sort of did it right there.” It made his jaw drop playfully as he stared at her. “So scandalous!” he teased before laughing. The thought of doing that with Jo…kind of turned him on. Actually, it really turned him on, but that could have been helped by the fact that he’d had a few beers. “Your turn!” He sighed, looking to the ceiling. “Well…I was in Brazil and I was out with this big group of friends out in the jungle. We were just exploring for the day and came across a series of waterfalls. I was seeing one of the girls in the group and she showed me a little cave in the back of one of the waterfalls and…well, that’s just so romantic, I couldn’t really help myself.” He grinned wide, his eyes alight with mischief as he took another sip of his beer.

“But you know,” he started, leaning forward to set his beer on the table and reaching to do the same for hers. With a sultry smile, he moved so that he was right next to her, making sure she couldn’t squirm away…not that she would. “I’ve never done it on a mouse’s couch before.” His tone was playful and his grin wicked as his black eyes flashed from her eyes to her mouth and back again. He leaned forward slowly, making sure she wasn’t going to protest before kissing her. The kiss started out slow and passionate, but it heated steadily, his hand coming to her hair and the other wrapping around her back to pull her close. He was losing himself in her, which was exactly what he needed. And God, her lips were sweet…Who could think about doom and gloom when they were kissing her?

[JORDANNA HAILE GARCIA]

He seemed to like her answer by his witty little remark. “Well…I was in Brazil and I was out with this big group of friends out in the jungle. We were just exploring for the day and came across a series of waterfalls. I was seeing one of the girls in the group and she showed me a little cave in the back of one of the waterfalls and…well, that’s just so romantic, I couldn’t really help myself.” Her brows raised when he mentioned it being romantic. It was sort of odd that he was the one to have the awesome romantic sex, while hers was dirty and "scandalous", as he had put it. She felt her heart throb a little at the thought of him liking romantic sex. Jo had never had romantic sex. She had lost her virginity to her boyfriend Gabe back in high school, and she decided that was the first and only real romantic sex she'd had. They broke up shortly after though they had messed around plenty while split up. Kit sex was always drunk sex. Other than that, sex had mostly been for lust, never for romance.

Despite him talking about romantic sex in the jungle under a waterfall, he had a look of mischief in his eyes which made her smirk curiously. What was that look for? “But you know,” He said, trailing off as he placed his beer on her table and then took hers and did the same. “I’ve never done it on a mouse’s couch before.”

Jo felt her heart pound as he said it. "Watch it, bud.." She teased, but her voice was breathy as he leaned in to kiss her. Jo didn't like to be called a mouse, though that was what she was. It probably had to do with the constant taunting that had come from Kit. This was it; she was finally going to have this man! How long had she been waiting for this moment? She thought about it and realized since he knocked her table over on the Pier. Their kiss became hotter and when he pulled her closer she lifted on of her legs that had been folded underneath her and draped it over his leg. She easily slid onto his lap, straddling it with both knees pressing against the back of the couch. Jo slid her arms over his shoulders and laced them around his neck as she let her mouth open a little, her tongue easing out to meet his.

"There's a first time for everything.." She said against his lips as she continued to kiss him, giving him permission to have her. "I've never had sex with an Avisaille.." She smiled against his lips, her hips starting to grind gently against him. This was happening.. This was definitely happening.

[BRANDON GARCIA]

Brandon took in a breath through his nose as Jo slid her leg over him, sitting in his lap. His arm wrapped tighter around her small waist his hand sliding through her hair and then to her jaw, where his thumb brushed along her cheekbone. Her arms slid around his shoulders and his hand slid up her back and back down again, meeting her tongue with his. The woman knew how to kiss and it made him hungry for more of her. She pulled back a little and he opened his eyes slowly, panting lightly by now. There was definite tug in his pants. “There’s a first time for everything.” Yeah, that tug was getting worse. He gladly accepted her lips again. “I’ve never had sex with an Avisaille…” She was grinding gently against him now, smiling against is mouth, and he smiled too, giving a soft groan of approval. “That’s funny,” he said softly against her lips. “I’ve never had sex with a Therian.” His hand moved down from her hair, his fingers brushing down her neck and collarbone, his hand gently moving over her breast and down her stomach to her hip, all the while his mouth working hard against hers. He dipped his hands under her shirt and let them wander up her back, then skin hot beneath his fingers. She was so soft…

His hands moved to her hips and he moved her so she was lying beneath him. He kissed her deeper, his tongue melding with hers. A hand slid under her shirt again, feeling over her flat stomach and moving higher to her breast. They were far from large, but they were a handful, that was all you really needed. He groaned again at the way it felt in his hand, his hips dipping so they could grind against hers. It was more handful of bra that he got, but he squeezed lightly, wanting to get her worked up. He moved his lips from hers over her jaw lightly, brushing them over her skin without kissing. When they reached her neck, his kisses were hard and hungry, his lips lightly sucking at her pale skin. That hand in her shirt moved back down, dragging slowly, wanting to hear her panting.

Brandon slipped his lips to her throat, gently nudging her head back so he could get better access. Her neck looked longer with her head tilted back like that, and he admired it as his mouth adored it. She was much more beautiful than she gave herself credit for. His hand dipped below the band of her pants, inching closer to its intended destination. He pulled back a little to watch her face, liking the anticipation he saw there. He kissed her again hard, devouring her mouth before his hand went any further. There was a knock on the door. Brandon pulled back just a bit to look down at Jo, hoping he hadn’t really heard it. He was praying they weren’t getting interrupted now.

[KIT RATHBONE]

Everything just really sucked ass lately.

Between the damn sky deciding it wanted to just go all dark and freaky, Kit couldn't stop shifting at night! He didn't mind shifting and did it often during the day, but when he had a bar to run it made things a little tricky! He'd had to call Kevin and ask him to help him out, just to watch over Gavin since he seemed to be the only other non-Therian employee that Kit had around. Why did he have to hire all Therians?!

But that wasn't even the worst part.

About 65% of his clientele were Therians. And when everyone began shifting he found himself losing a lot of business. You couldn't serve drinks to animals, now could you?! And if you could what were those animals going to pay him in, shit?! No. Nope.. no he was in a tight position and he needed a little help.

So who better to go to for help than the last person in the world who wanted to see him? Of course he was standing outside of Jo's door and knocking, waiting for the mousy girl to answer. He knew she was home! Because she wasn't at her damn store! He tried there first and it wasn't like Jo had a LIFE.

"JO!" He called out and started knocking more. "Jo open the damn door I know you're home!" He was almost too impatient to wait for her to open it and started to feel around the top of the door frame for the hide-a-key that she had there.

[JORDANNA HAILE GARCIA]

“That’s funny, I’ve never had sex with a Therian.” His touch was like fire, igniting her to the core. His touch was soft yet rough at the same time, and when he slid his hand under her shirt she didn't dare try and stop him. She wanted this. She'd wanted this for a long time. As his hand moved under her shirt, exploring her body, her own combed through his light brown hair and then down the back crease of his ear and over his neck, gripping the nape gently. She focused on the feel of his fingers, her hips slowly, steadily rocking against his building erection. There was no denying what was going to happen between them now.

Brandon shifted so she was now on her back, and she watched hungrily as he climbed on top, wanting nothing more than to tear his clothes off. It didn't help that this whole darkness thing had made her feel like an animals. Mice, though small, were sort of known for their sex drives and Jo was no different. She needed this... His lips on hers were the only thing keeping her quiet, but the second his hungry kisses moved to her neck she felt her breath grow more ragged and shallow, moving in and our of her lungs quickly. The hand groping her chest made her cry out softly, sucking in a sharp breath afterwards. She grabbed a fistful of hair and tugged gently, moaning as his hand nestled into her pants. She pushed her hips up slightly, aching to feel him, any part of him, inside her. His mouth found hers again and she met it fervently, starving for his affection.

Things were just getting good when there was a knock at the door. Jo tilted her head back, staring at the door upside down with Brandon still so tauntingly close to giving her what she needed. Who the fuck was at her door? "Ignore it." She said breathlessly, pulling his face to his once more, forcing him to kiss her again.

"JO!"

The blood drained from her face at the familiar scream. "Oh dear sweet Jesus, not now..." She whimpered, pouting against Brandon's lips. Of all the fucking times for Kit to make his grand old fucking entrance! "Jo open the damn door I know you're home!"

Jo felt herself heating up with anger and the look on her face showed it clearly. She shook her head. "Ignore him.." She pleaded, trying to kiss him again. "I liked what you were doing.. I don't want you to stop.." She lifted her hips to meet his as if to show him how much she wanted him, but when she heard the doorknob jiggle she knew she was in trouble.

The hide-a-key! She'd forgotten to move it! "Fuck!" She snapped, pushing Brandon off before Kit could burst in and catch her i the throes of passion with Brandon. Last thing she wanted was Kit to witness that! "I'm going to fucking murder him!" She growled getting off the couch, and she meant it. She was THIS close to getting laid! It had been ages since she'd had a good fuck and she was NOT about to let Kit Rathbone, world renowned fuck up, ruin it for her! Not again!

[BRANDON GARCIA]

Brandon still wasn’t sure if he had heard the knock at the door or not, but Jo’s breathless voice caught his attention again. “Ignore it.” He closed his eyes and moaned lightly as she pulled his face back down. His tongue was about to slip back into her mouth. “JO!” The man’s voice made Brandon pull back and look at Jo with a furrowed brow as if to ask, “Who’s that?” The look on her face made it clear she knew who it was and she wasn’t happy about it. “Oh dear sweet Jesus, not now…” He felt her pout against his lips and he had to laugh a little at the whole situation, otherwise he was going to be busting heads open. “Jo open the damn door, I know you’re home!” How the hell did this guy know that? Brandon just wanted whoever it was to leave and let them get back to it, but he was also really curious as to who it was.

He could see the anger on her face, but she seemed determined to stay right where she was. “Ignore him…” Her mouth was back near his and he closed his eyes again. “I like what you were doing…I don’t want you to stop…” She was pleading and her hips rose up into his, and he just groaned in defeat, pressing his lips to hers again, needing her desperately. There was a jiggling at the door handle and Jo sprang back from him. “Fuck!” She pushed him away and he sighed heavily, moving off her and resting his forehead on the back of her couch. That choice word was exactly the one pounding in his head. All he wanted to get fucking laid! Nothing was working out for him these days it seemed. Jo was stomping to the door, furious and he watched her with an amused and weary smile.

“I’m going to fucking murder him!” She was fuming and he rested his chin on the back of the couch as he watched her go. “Well, who is it, baby?” he asked, wondering why the jiggling of the doorknob would make her spring up the way she did. Did this guy have a key or something? Why would he have a key? Brandon was definitely the jealous type and he wasn’t about to fight for Jo’s affections if she had another boyfriend. He liked her a lot, but that would really wound his pride. His eyes were fixed on the door as he remained seated on the couch looking slightly disheveled.

[KIT RATHBONE]

Kit could hear the shuffling of feet inside which only proved that the little mouse WAS home! The hide-a-key was in the lock and with a twist he was able to push the door open to see Jo coming straight toward him and boy did she look pissed. He thought of just leaving the door open and walking away, pretending that he hadn't been there and just leaving with the look on her face. But there was a reason he was there and he stepped inside.

"Jo just calm down, okay? I just need a favor and then I'l-" He noticed that Jo wasn't alone in the apartment when he spotted a head poking out from the couch. A male head. And although he and Jo hadn't dated in years he felt a little jealous to see another man in her apartment. On the couch that he usually crashed on.

He bulked up his chest a bit and stared at the other male in the room. His animal side was coming out big time lately with all the shifting, and since he was a dog he didn't like seeing another man hanging around his bitch. Kit nodded at the man and then turned his eyes back to Jo. "Who's this douchebag?"

[JORDANNA HAILE GARCIA]

Jo barely heard Bran ask who was at the door as she stormed her way over, reaching it just as Kit pushed it open. She was beyond livid as she glared at him. How dare he let himself in! That key was not hidden there for his own personal use! She didn't even have time to answer Brandon before she was literally face to face with the intruder and it took all her energy not to fling her fist back and punch him square in the jaw. She was horny, dammit!

"Jo just calm down, okay? I just need a favor and then I'l-" Her fists were at her side as she saw it dawn on Kit that Jo was not alone as he had expected. She watched him take his macho stance, puffing his chest out as he glared at Brandon who was kind enough to stay put on the couch. "Who's this douchebag?"

No one angered Jo like Kit. It was like his own super power. "First of all he's not the douchebag Kit, you are. Second of all it's none of your God damn business who he is. THIRD of all, that key? That's not for you to use!" She pushed past him and took it out of the door and turned around facing the inside of her apartment again and tossed the key clear across the entire length of the apartment, not wanting to ever see it again. She would just need to make sure she always had her key on her! "Fourth, I'm done doing favors for you! I thought I made that clear the last time you drunk visited!" She grabbed his shirt and tried pulling him towards the door. "This has to stop, Kit! I told you, I'm done! I've moved on, you need to do the same."

[BRANDON GARCIA]

Brandon remained on the couch, watching as the guy on the other side of the door made his way in. Jo was furious, and apparently the other guy was smart enough to know she was. “Jo just calm down, okay? I just need a favor and then I’l—“ The guy finally noticed that Brandon was there and he rested his temple against his knuckles as his elbow rested on the back of the couch. He saw the guy readjust the way he was standing and Brandon fought back his snort. The Avisaille didn’t scare easily. The guy nodded at him and Brandon did the same, wishing he would just say what he came here to say so he and Jo could get back to what they were doing. The guy looked back to Jo. “Who’s this douchebag?” Brandon’s brow lowered over his eyes. “Douchebag?” he echoed irritably. He was the douchebag? At least Jo wanted him there.

Jo jumped on it before Brandon could even try to retaliate. “First of all, he’s not the douchebag Kit, you are. Second of all, it’s none of your Gad damn business who he is. THIRD of all, that key? That’s not for you to use!” Brandon watched with raised eyebrows as Jo went to snatch the key from her door and tossed it clear across the room. He had to really try hard not to laugh. She was actually pretty cute when she got mad. When she turned back, she picked up right where she left off. “Fourth, I’m done doing favors for you! I thought I made that clear the last time you drunk visited!” She grabbed him by the shirt and Brandon watched with curiosity as she started dragging Kit out of her apartment. “This has to stop, Kit! I told you, I’m done! I’ve moved on, you need to do the same!” Brandon had a thoughtful look on his face, putting the pieces of this puzzle together. Was this the ex she had told him about? She’d never said a name that he could remember, but it was becoming more and more apparent that it was. He didn’t like that; not one bit. But he could play along.

He sat calmly on the couch, just waiting for the two of them to finish their talk. Brandon didn’t look uncomfortable and he didn’t move, making it clear he wasn’t going anywhere unless Jo asked him to. Even if she did, he wasn’t going far. Kit had interrupted their evening, and he was intent on resuming it as soon as they were alone again.

[KIT RATHBONE]

Kit just rolled his eyes when Jo started to count at him. She always just blabbed and ran her mouth just making noise, squeaking just like a damn mouse. "Fourth, I'm done doing favors for you! I thought I made that clear the last time you drunk visited!" She wasn't going to let him get a word in and she was really trying to get him out of there. "Jo-" She was grabbing at his shirt and trying to tug him out of her apartment. He wasn't going to leave without talking to her first but when she tried to force him to leave he did take a few steps back towards the hall but not out the door. Not yet.

"This has to stop, Kit! I told you, I'm done! I've moved on, you need to do the same!" What, did she think he was drunk? That he was there to try and ask for a quickie or a place to sleep?! "JO!" He raised his voice and grabbed her by the shoulders to get her to stop. "Chill the hell out, alright? Do I look drunk to you?" He asked and then realized that he didn't look that much different when he was drunk. Or at least when he first started drinking. "Do I smell drunk?" He knew her nose would be just as strong as his own right now and she'd be able to smell if there was any alcohol on him. Truth be told, he couldn't afford to drink his own damn supply at the moment and even if he could he didn't think he would. Not when he was shifting everynight. If he drank the night of a shift he usually woke somewhere strange the next morning naked as a jaybird and trying to find his way home.

"I haven't been drinking. This is a different favor. It's important." He told her harshly and looked over to the dick who was sitting on her couch. He didn't know who that was but he didn't like him. Kit was always overly protective of Jo even when he was hating her and she was hating him. He just couldn't help it, she'd been one of the few women that he'd actually loved. "I just.." he glanced at the man and then leaned in towards Jo so he could talk a little quieter, "I need a loan.." She was going to blow up, he knew it before he even asked.

[JORDANNA HAILE GARCIA]

"JO!" He grabbed her shoulders and she shrugged them to get him off, glaring up at him. God, how did he stir up these feelings in her so easily? One look at his handsome face made her realize she would probably never completely get over him. She still loved him. She would always love him, but God dammit he was toxic and she needed him gone so she could bone the sexy sailor on her couch who was taking this intrusion far better than she was.

"Chill the hell out, alright? Do I look drunk to you? Do I smell drunk?" No.. no he didn't look or smell drunk, but it didn't mean she was okay with his presence! She huffed looking into his familiar green eyes. "I haven't been drinking. This is a different favor. It's important." Weren't they all important in some way. She did her best not to roll her eyes at him. What could possibly be so important that he had to charge into her house uninvited while she was with another man? Another man would surely want to end things now that he got a dose of what was potentially to be expected in the future. It was clear she was never getting rid of him, not unless she moved to the opposite side of the country. Which wasn't a terrible idea...

"I just.. I need a loan.."

Jo gawked at him. He had the audacity to come and ask for a loan? Her eyes slid shut and she reached a hand up, gliding it over her face as she sighed. He wanted.. a loan. Kit Rathbone was crawling to her for money. "Kiiit.." She groaned, cradling her head in her hands and shaking it. Truth was she probably could afford to give him his loan, but for what...his bar? She hated that damn bar. As far as she saw it the bar was just a way for him to get fucked up every night and it was beginning to make sense that he was sober. He didn't have money to spare to drink his own booze.

She continued shaking her head, her hands dropping to her sides as she opened her eyes and looked up into his eyes, her own almost sad. "No." She said, her tone surprisingly gentle. "Kit, I don't want you to lose your business, but you know I think it's toxic. I don't like you being around that much booze, not with your problem." She half wished Brandon wasn't there to witness all of this. "I'm sorry.. if you needed the money for surgery or something crazy I'd give it to you but.. I don't condone you running that bar." She gulped, waiting for him to try and convince her. He wouldn't take that sort of news easily and he would surely pitch a fit.

[KIT RATHBONE]

All Kit needed was a little money to keep him afloat until things started to go back to normal. And for a hot minute he thought that maybe Jo would understand. Kit's credit sucked, even though he was good on making his payments every month the bank wasn't going to give him any kind of money for his bar. But it was so much more than that for him.. it was his home. He lived above the bar, sure, but it was the fact that he was able to love what he did, socialize with different sorts of people who enjoyed coming to his place. It was like a family that he never had, and it was the only family he'd probably ever have.

"Kiiit.." He knew what that meant before she even said it. And sure enough she was telling him that she wouldn't give him the loan. "Kit, I don't want you to lose your business, but you know I think it's toxic. I don't like you being around that much booze, not with your problem." Problem?! If his drinking was a problem then being broke wouldn't have stopped him from drinking his own inventory. Hell, the way the world seemed to look like it was about to end he could have just closed shop and drank himself to death! Would have been better than shifting every damn night. He couldn't get laid, he couldn't make money and he couldn't just run away from this problem the way he'd done most things in his life. No, he didn't see his drinking as a damn problem at all!

"I'm sorry.. if you needed the money for surgery or something crazy I'd give it to you but.. I don't condone you running that bar." His face tightened, trying to keep back the anger he felt boiling up. He didn't ask her whether or not she would invest in the damn bar, just give him a loan until he could get back on his damn feet!

"I'm not asking you to buy half the damn bar, I'm just asking for a little bit to get me through until next month! You know-" he looked over at the guy still sitting on the couch and then lowered his voice to try and keep the conversation just between the two of them. "You know this bar means everything to me. Most of my customers are like us and they can't come by at night anymore apparently. I'm asking you.. please.. this one time. You know I'm good to pay you back. Pretend I'm getting open heart surgery if you want just don't let me lose my bar.."

[JORDANNA HAILE GARCIA]

Jo was trying to be patient, but she was annoyed and now sad with his plea. She didn't want to be his enabler, but that was what he was asking her to do. It was such a messed up situation. On the one hand he would lose his livelihood and home, and all of his happiness, but on the other hand maybe it would help him be around booze less. Even Jo knew that wasn't true. Kit would find a way to drink himself stupid and probably whirlwind out of control if he lost everything he had genuinely worked so hard to achieve. Still, they weren't even supposed to be friends anymore. She couldn't let him keep sucking her down like this, it wasn't fair! Didn't he know how much it hurt to even look in his face?

"You know this bar means everything to me. Most of my customers are like us and they can't come by at night anymore apparently. I'm asking you.. please.. this one time. You know I'm good to pay you back. Pretend I'm getting open heart surgery if you want just don't let me lose my bar.."

She couldn't just pretend he was getting surgery. She didn't even know how much he needed! She didn't even know how much she could afford to loan him. She had to factor in that she might never see that money again, and if that was the case could she really afford it? Her stores were both doing well, but even her business had slowed down since the darkness. No one wanted to go out when it was dark at noon.

Jo peaked over at Brandon and then Kit. "This is a really bad time." She told him softly, her fingers coming together nervously. "Look, I don't have money right here anyway. I don't even know how much you expect to even borrow from me, but now isn't the time to discuss this. Stop by the store in the morning and we'll talk in my office. I'm not promising anything, though!" Her voice was stern, making sure he knew she wasn't agreeing yet. Her eyes were sad and she frowned lightly at him. Why did he have to make everything so difficult all the time.

"Now if you don't mind, I'd really like to get back to my date."

[KIT RATHBONE]

"This is a really bad time." He followed her eyes to the dick on the couch and a part of him wanted to just nag her and bother her more so that she couldn't get any alone time with the douchebag. Truth be told he didn't even know who he was and he didn't want to. A part of him still loved Jo, and he'd even told her that, but it didn't mean he wanted to be with Jo. He just still got a little jealous at times and the only way to make him feel better was to torture her so she could be just as miserable as he was. But if he wanted her to do this favor for him then he would have to just bite his tongue and suck it up.

"Look, I don't have money right here anyway. I don't even know how much you expect to even borrow from me, but now isn't the time to discuss this. Stop by the store in the morning and we'll talk in my office. I'm not promising anything, though!" That was all he needed. Promises or not he knew that pretty much meant he'd get what he needed. How could Jo say no to a beautiful face like Kit's?

"Now if you don't mind, I'd really like to get back to my date."

He rolled his eyes but knew he had to just go. "Fine. Thanks, Jo. Really.." he reached up and gave her a little pat on the top of her head. "..thanks." He meant it, even if the pat seemed a little demeaning, but he wasn't going to be an asshole and kiss her or she'd wig out and he'd probably end up getting chased out by the damn mouse with a baseball bat.

"I'll come by tomorrow." He nodded and stepped back out of the still open door. There was no use sticking around and he didn't feel like watching his ex-girlfriend get all slutty with another guy.