Chapter Text
One thing Sara was always good at was reading people. As a bartender she had seen it all…blind dates gone wrong, ladies on the prowl for a man, bachelor parties, breakups, hookups and everything in between. It was a Wednesday night which was usually the slowest night of the week, but not tonight. A group of guys rolled in right at the end of happy hour to do a fantasy football draft. Their arrival kept a group of ladies who sipped martinis for the last two hours in their seats trying to find a nice place to dive in. Sara tried not to laugh as the guys were completely oblivious to anything the ladies were throwing at them.
On the other side of the bar was a group of 8 young people, probably only a year or two out of college, clearly celebrating something but Sara couldn’t figure out what it was yet. There was one guy that sat off to the side just close enough to be tied to the group working on a nice collection of beer bottles. Two girls were trying their best to be involved in the group conversation but they often drifted off into their own flirtatious world. They weren’t together yet but Sara knew it would only be a matter of time. The same couldn’t be said for the dorky guy in glasses giving googly eyes to the guy that she has told 10 times to not smoke inside.
“Try and smoke again and I will break your fingers,” Sara said grabbing the unlit cigarette from his lips and snapping it in half.
“Oh love a guy is just trying to get a fix.”
“Fix it outside.”
“I’ll go with you Johnny,” Sara heard the guy in glasses offer jumping off his stool.
Sara rolled her eyes and walked back behind the bar after bringing the fantasy football guys a round of pitchers. The two other guys in the group were bro’ing out with each other over going to a concert the following weekend. At first, she thought they were typical meat heads until they started discussing the history of WW2 and how science could have ended the conflict sooner and without such a loss to life.
That left one person in the group that Sara simply was having trouble reading. The tall blond always had a smile on her face but it was clearly masking something. She appeared to be having a good time but there was a heaviness that weighed on her. She made specific actions to engage each person around her, even getting a grunt of two from the gruff looking beer guzzler. All outward signs said this girl was just out having a good time, but something just wasn’t connecting for Sara.
“Happy birthday,” Sara said placing a shot in front of the tall blond as she approached the bar.
“Excuse me,” the blond asked confusion displayed on her face?
“Your group of friends is celebrating something and from all the cheers you have been getting I figured it was your birthday.”
“Oh…oh no it’s not my birthday.”
“But you are being celebrated?”
“I guess I am the reason for the gathering tonight,” the blond tried to downplay.
Sara pushed the shot glass back in front of the blond.
“So, what is the big honor if not your birthday? Promotion? Engagement? Breakup,” Sara enquired?
“You celebrate breakups,” the blond asked with a chuckle?
“Some breakups absolutely should be celebrated,” Sara laughed.
The blond couldn’t help but chuckle.
“Yeah I guess you’re right. It is nothing major I am just traveling soon and with this group it really doesn’t take much to get them to come out and have a drink. They actually had to pull me out tonight.”
“Well, I am glad you came out tonight,” Sara said with a smile, “I am glad you’re all here it makes my night go by faster. I am Sara by the way.”
“Ava.”
“So, Ava where are you traveling?”
“No place exciting and mostly for work. Seems pretty busy in here, it always like this,” Ava asked hoping to deflect away from her.
“No, usually just our regulars come in on Wednesdays but that group of guys is here doing a fantasy football draft which has kept that group of ladies here trying to get their attention. So far it has been hilariously unsuccessful.”
“Oh I can only imagine…thanks,” Ava said taking the shot and placing the glass back on the back.
“You’re welcome. Plus, there is your group, fascinating dynamic.”
“Really? How so?”
“I’m pretty good at reading people…perk of the job. That guy that is kind of by himself but also with the group…rough guy gets himself into some shit doesn’t care about much…except this group. I am guessing he is pretty protective of this lot and when shit goes down, he is the first one there.”
Ava looked impressed.
“That’s pretty accurate…Mick, he’s run into some trouble had a tough time growing up, but we are his family and you don’t cross a man’s family.”
Sara was pretty proud of herself for the accurate description.
“Those two girls need to get a room and in a hurry. They aren’t together yet but damn you can cut the sexual tension with a knife.”
Ava couldn’t help but laugh.
“Yeah, I am pretty sure they are the only two that don’t know they are inevitable. Charlie and Zari will figure it out eventually…hopefully sooner rather than later. I think they will be pretty good together.”
“Zari and Charlie are their names…seriously? They are practically made for each other.”
“All right three down who is next,” Ava asked curious as to what Sara could read of her friends?
“Well, there is the goofy guy with glasses that is pinning over the toolbag that wont stop trying to smoke inside.”
“Ha yeah Gary he is a good guy but John is going to stomp all over his heart. I think John has a crush on you so he is being extra aggravating tonight.”
Sara couldn’t help the hysterical laugh that came out of her mouth.
“He has a crush on me…oh man that’s a good one.”
“Not you’re type?”
“I mean he looks like he could be fun but I more prefer the ladies. Plus, smoking is a turn off.”
Ava eyes the shorter blond up filing that information away for another time.
“At least Gary still has a chance tonight.”
“And that leaves the bromace and you.”
“Bromance?”
“Yeah, but they aren’t your typical guys are they.”
“Ray and Nate? No, they certainly are not.”
“Ray is super smart like other worldy smart and Nate has a weird love of history. Those two have been having some confusingly smart yet entertaining conversations tonight.”
“Yeah, I always learn something with them around but a lot of time I just have to nod and smile when they are trying to explain things to me.”
“Somehow I don’t think that is the case. I think you’re way more brilliant than you let on. You try and deflect a lot of attention away from yourself but I have a feeling you have done some pretty amazing things in your life.”
“And how do you gather that?”
“Just call it a hunch. What do you do for a living?”
“YO HOTPANTS GET ANOTHER ROUND,” Mick yelled.
Ava couldn’t help but laugh as she rolled her eyes.
“You heard the man, another round please. I should really get back to my friends, I am the reason we are all out tonight.”
“Nice deflect. I will send the drinks over Ava, it was nice talking with you.”
“Likewise.”
Sara watched the group closely for the rest of the night. She couldn’t help but smile at the group of friends that clearly shared a close bond. Often times Sara’s eyes met Ava’s and they shared a smile, there was still something mysterious about the tall blond…Sara wanted to know more.
“Closing out for the night,” Sara asked seeing Ava approach the bar again credit card in hand.
“We are, I still have some stuff to get done before I leave. I don’t want to be totally hung over tomorrow.”
“It’s your night out and you’re paying,” Sara questioned?
“They already Venmoed me way too much to cover the tab and a very generous tip for you…plus I get the bonus points on my card,” Ava smiled.
“And you’re the most sober of your friends so you can actually pay the bill.”
“That too.”
“Greatly appreciated.”
Sara closed out their tab and gave Ava the receipt. She watched as she filled out the tip and sign the bottom.
“Here you go, thanks for the drinks and good conversation.”
“You are very welcome. Hope to see you in here again.”
“Might be a while…”
“Right traveling…to where again?”
“BLONDY UBER IS HERE,” Mick yelled out.
Ava smirked at Sara.
“Guess I should get going,” she said avoiding the question once again.
“Touché Ava…have a good night and a safe trip wherever your travels take you.”
Ava offered Sara another smile before heading back to her friends and out of the bar.
The next night found Sara back at the bar, Thursday being significantly busier than Wednesday nights. Sara barely had time to breath between the end of happy hour and the start of the college kids rolling in for thirsty Thursdays. Every time a new group walked in Sara couldn’t help to glance at the door hoping to see Ava and her friends. She knew it was unlikely to happen but a girl could hope.
“Looking for you mystery woman.”
“Put a sock in it Snart.”
“Can I get a beer?”
“I am on my break.”
“Pleeease no one pours it like you.”
“It’s beer Snart…not complicated.”
“No but they either get too much foam or don’t put it in a frosty glass. You always take care of me.”
“Oh god don’t make this dirty, Sara shot back at her friend before placing a beer in front of him.
“Ahh simply the best,” he smiled, “I saw you chatting her up last night.”
“Who,” Sara played dumb?
“Your blond lady friend…couldn’t close the deal huh you must be slipping,” he laughed taking another swig from his frosty glass.
“I wasn’t trying to close a deal. I was just talking with her. She was hear with from friends…as a going away party.”
“She is moving? That’s a shame she looks fun.”
“Back off, she is just doing some extended travel for work.”
“You like her,” Snart said like a sudden realization came over him.
“I don’t know her. I talked to her for like 15 minutes.”
“But you want to know her…Ms. Lance do you have a crush?”
“Shut up it isn’t a thing because I am never going to see her again.”
“I wouldn’t be so sure about that,” Snart said looking over to the door before getting up and heading back to his table.
Sara followed his eyes and was shocked to see Ava had just walked in and was scanning the bar. Their eyes met after a minute and she smiled before heading over to the bartender.
“Hey Ava. I didn’t think I would see you so soon.”
“I actually wasn’t planning on coming back here tonight.”
“I’m glad you did. What can I get you,” Sara asked putting a napkin on the bar even though she was on her break?
“Oh umm just a water please.”
“Easy enough,” Sara said getting her a glass of water.
“Thanks.”
“So what brings you in?”
“You,” Ava said without thinking.
Sara raised an eyebrow a little shocked by her bluntness.
“I mean I feel like I owe you a little more of an explanation than what I gave you yesterday.”
“Ava really it is ok…you don’t own me anything. I’m a curious individual, one of the downfalls of my job. I always want to know what people are doing and what make them tick.”
“I don’t think that is a downfall, it is actually a very useful skill. Besides in the sort time we spoke I really enjoyed it and I wish we had more time to talk and get to know each other.”
“Well, maybe I can get your number and we can talk a little more while you’re traveling,” Sara asked thinking this was her opening.
“I would like that, but my travel will make that a little complicated. I really would like to get to know you more so here,” Ava said handing Sara a slip of paper.
“What is this,” Sara said opening the slip of paper.
CPT Ava Sharpe
Unit 56049 Box 509
USA-I
APO AP 09334
“It the only way to really reach me and I really do hope I hear from you. I have to get going.”
“Wait, what is this,” she asked not understanding what was written down?
“An address…put it down exactly like that and any letter or package will get to me. Bye Sara.”
And just like that Ava was going leaving a still confused Sara by the bar.
“So you got her number…way to close the deal,” Snart said plopping onto the stool Ava occupied a few moments ago.
“I am not sure what I got,” Sara said still looking at the paper.
“Not her number?”
Sara passed the piece of paper to her friend.
“Oh shit,” he said shocked.
“What?”
“Your girl is a Captain in the Army…this is the address of her base.”
“What,” Sara said shocked.
“You might have found the one woman more badass than you.”
“Shut up…where is she going?”
“I don’t know what these codes mean but somewhere overseas…what did she say?”
“Just that she would like to hear from me and using this address will get any letter or package to her.”
“I suggest you start writing than…don’t want to disappoint your girl.”
“Shit, I suck at writing.”