Chapter Text
Chapter 1
Teresa and company were all back at the compound catching some much needed rest, well almost everyone. Teresa was down in the kitchen browsing new places to live over a cup of tea. It was 2 in the morning and she couldn't sleep. She heard a clatter and she immediately reaches for the gun she had on the table. She cocks it ready to shoot when she sees Javier come into view. He holds up his hands in defense. “Don't shoot chica! It's just me.”
Teresa sighs, “What are you doing up?”
Javier passes the counter seeing a bottle of Tequila sitting there and a couple of shot glasses they had left out to dry. He swipes everything off the counter and makes his way to sit next to Teresa.
“It’s obvious you don't sleep much, so you are going to need something much stronger than that tea, if you want to relax.”
He pours them each a shot, “plus I want to drink with the pretty Mexicana that took down that puto Epifanio Vargas.”
Teresa doesn't pick up her shot, she closes her laptop lid. “He had it coming.”
Javier downs his shot with expertise, “You know I look forward to working with you and my cousin, I may just have to visit Phoenix more often.” He is clearly hitting on Teresa.
“I have all the manpower I need.”
Javier pours another shot, “Not from what I hear.”
Teresa looks at him taking the shot, wanting to feel the smooth liquor burn in her stomach. She stares at him, “And what exactly do you think you hear?”
“That you will have an opening on your team. I couldn't help but overhear you and Soldier Boy outside, he’s an idiot if he doesn't take your offer.”
He pours her another drink, “If I had a woman like you at my side, I would never let you go. I hear you are one bad bitch. Taking out the Comisión all in one shot. I know you aren't just a boss who sits back and watches.” he gestures to her face, “You get down with the big boys, not afraid to get your hands dirty.”
Teresa takes her second shot while Javier is on his third or fourth. She ignores his comments about her.
“I may not know you Mendoza, but I can see a fire in you. Determined to be the only one on top. I reckon you have done a lot to get that way.”
He pours them another shot, and he can see from the low light he could see Teresa had a tattoo on her arm. He couldn't make it all out due to her having her sleeves only half rolled up.
He points to her arm, “You show me yours and I’ll show you mine.”
Teresa lets out an unladylike snort, “That line is so old.”
“Come on Mendoza, tell me the story behind your ink.”
Teresa sighs, “Fine.” She rolls up her sleeve and he makes out the word.
“It means “She who creates herself.”
“That's deep.”
“It wasn't my choice, it was a gift from El Santo.”
“Man I thought my cousin was crazy, but the stories I have heard about him, makes me even fear him.”
“He’s not all that bad, well he wasn't.” She gestures to her face, I was requested to go to Bolivia and a non follower of his bombed the entire place, I was the only one that made it out alive.”
She wants to lighten the mood so she smiles softly, “I showed you mine now it’s your turn.”
A little harmless flirting never hurt anyone, Teresa thinks.
What they didn't know was they weren't alone, James had made his way downstairs when he heard talking and went to go check it out. He was waiting behind the corner of the kitchen listening in. he knew it was wrong but if Javier tried to make a move on Teresa he was going to be right there. The more he listened to them the more he heard Teresa laughing, he couldn't remember the last time he heard her laugh. He listened for a while telling himself it was to make sure Teresa was safe, but a bigger part of him wanted to know how she has been doing.
He hears the shot glasses “thump” against the table and then he hears a conversation about El Santo, and tattoos.
He had to grit his teeth so many times as he listen to Mr. Smooth try to make a move on Teresa, but he knew or at least hoped she wasn't falling for it.
His ears perk up when he heard them talking about him again.
“So I have to know. How did you get Soldier Boy to leave Camila?”
“I didn't, he left on his own. We weren't on speaking terms for a while and then he tracked me down in Europe, saved my life actually.”
“What did he do that you weren't in contact?’
Teresa lost count on how many shots he poured her but she shrugged downing another one, “You know how the story goes, guy betrays your trust, guys gets girl shot and almost killed, then guy tries killing girl himself.”
Javier lets out a long whistle, “Damn girl. And you forgave him?”
“He’s done a lot of good since coming back.”
Teresa looks at the nearly empty bottle and sighs, Pote was going to kill her for drinking all the Tequila...again.
“Anyone who sees you two, can tell there is something going on….”
Teresa cuts him off, “I’m not talking about it.”
“But you should, might do you some good.”
Teresa lets out a deep sigh, “Nothing to talk about, he wants to leave, and I can't stop him.”
Javier pours a shot, but he doesn't take it. “Take it from me, if you find that special someone, don't let them go. Fight tooth and nail for them, because life is short.”
Teresa looks up at him like he has two heads.
“Before I was the leader of the Death Squad, I fell in love. Pretty Mexican girl like yourself. I met her while working with Boaz, she made me want to get out of the life. Go legit.”
Teresa could sense this wasn't a happy ending, she knew that more than anyone.
“What happened?”
“The rival Cartel put a hit out on me and instead got her.”
Teresa can't help but be sympathetic, “I’m sorry.”
Javier shakes his head, “So you see, when you find the one. The one that can challenge you in any way, you do whatever you can to keep it. And if Soldier Boy does leave you, I will definitely keep you warm on those lonely nights.”
Teresa lets out another snort, “Got any skills with a sniper rifle?”
Javier perks up at that, “I can handle any gun Mendoza, but I have a feeling Soldier Boys would be hard to replace.”
“He’s irreplaceable.”
Javier looks around the kitchen and their surroundings, “I have to admit it, you have good taste in safe houses.”
“It’s not mine, it’s James’”
“It’s still some nice digs, but it’s not something I would picture you living in.”
Teresa looks at him, “What’s that supposed to mean?”
Javier holds up his hands “no disrespect, I just mean, I picture you in a massive mansion, you decorated in his end furs and all the riches in the world.”
“I had that once before, trust me that girl that had those things, died a long time ago. I like it here, it feels more like home.”
James was still plastered behind the wall listening in, it was hard to hear a lot of it since they were talking low but he heard Javier give Teresa a few more lame one liners, making her laugh each time. He knew he had a decision he had to make, should he stay and try and have a real relationship with Teresa, or should he go and never see her again. That second option made him sick to his stomach.
He knew he needed to get some rest, and he heard Javier stand up from the chair, “This chat has been real fun Mendoza, but we should really get some sleep. We have a big day tomorrow.”
Teresa shakes her head, “I don't need much sleep, I’ll be fine.”
Javier winks at her, “Well if you change your mind and want something to warm you up, I’m right down the hall.”
Teresa laughs at that, “Good night Javier.”
James made a quick beeline for his room before he got caught. He wanted to ring that SOB’s neck. He knew Teresa and he were on the outs right now, but he loved her and he couldn't bear the thought of losing her.
He slips into his room, and collapses on his bed. He ended up tossing and turning most of the night.