Chapter Text
Jackie sighs in relief, brushing her sweaty hair out of her face as she lowers herself down off the pole. God, she’s tired.
Once in the back, she pins her hair up off her neck and pulls a few makeup wipes from the box on the counter to clean off her face. The other girls are chattering to each other, making plans, but Jackie is just ready to go home.
She pulls on her coat, grateful for the extra layer over her skimpy dance costume as she steps out into the frigid air and starts to make her way across the parking lot.
She stops suddenly as a strange sound reaches her ears.
“Nah man…” A slurred voice says softly, “I don’t do this shit when I’m drunk…”
Jackie frowns. She follows the sounds of scuffling and spots them in an alley, one man pressing the other roughly up against a wall.
The trapped man is sharply dressed in a black suit which is now dirty and rumpled, a fearful expression on his face. The way he leans against the wall suggests he is extremely drunk, probably unable to stand on his own. The other man is tall and thin, with hunched shoulders and a mean smirk. Jackie feels her teeth clench a little as she watches him run a possessive hand down the drunk man’s chest.
“Whoa, hey!” The drunk man’s voice is surprisingly clear, “I said no! Get off! Get the fuck off me!”
Jackie wastes no more time, reaching into the inside pocket of her coat for the small pistol she keeps there. In a city like this, with a job like hers, it’s always best to be prepared.
Her heels click loudly on the pavement as she approaches, but the tall creep is too busy fumbling with the other man’s zipper to notice until the cold metal of the gun is pressed against his temple.
“Touch him again, and it will be the last thing you ever do.”
The tall man freezes.
“Whoa, lady, this isn’t what it looks like--”
“Yes it is, you piece of shit.” Jackie snarls. “Now step the fuck away.”
“Okay!” The man raises his hands above his head and steps back. “Jesus, crazy bitch…”
“Walk away.” Jackie tells him flatly.
“Okay, Okay, Christ…” The man starts walking.
Jackie watches him disappear around the corner before tucking the gun back into her coat and bending down to examine the drunk man, who has slumped against the wall, his breathing becoming erratic.
“You okay, buddy?”
He avoids her eyes, laughing nervously.
“Wow, you, uh, sure came right in the nick of time there… I-- Thanks for that--”
“Don’t mention it.” Jackie tells him. “And breathe.”
“Right.” He nods, starting to focus on slowing down his breathing.
Once he seems to have calmed down a bit, Jackie stands up and offers him a hand. He’s heavier than she expected, but also does a much better job of supporting himself, only leaning on her a little bit for support as they head back to the parking lot.
“Hey, you want a ride home?” Jackie offers.
The man shrugs.
“Was gonna take the subway…” He mumbles.
“Driving’s probably better.” Jackie encourages. “Especially after… all that…”
“Yeah.” The man nods slowly. “Yeah, okay. Thanks.”
“No problem. My car’s this way. My name’s Jackie, by the way.”
“I’m Geoff.” He tells her.