Washington DC, Saturday Afternoon

[l1ttle_billy]

Billy didn't immediately return to the metro for the return trip to Fandom. He needed to walk off his frustration and, to be honest, fear. Being inside that building again brought it all back to the fore. Made it all fresh as if it had happened just last week.

If he really was honest with himself, what he really wanted right now was a fight.



"Holy crap check it out, Captain Hook." Someone said roughly.

Billy turned and spotted a group of teens dressed like the kinds of kids most people were afraid of. Sort of a mix of thug, goth, and punk.

they stared at him openly.

"Hook was missing a hand. Not an eye." he said evenly.

One of the girls snickered. Which made the boy standing nearest her bristle. Oh, good.

"Where you from Cap'n?" the boy asked challengingly.

"Lot's of places." Billy countered.

By now, the group had closed the distance between them, and started to semi-subtly surround him. The girl hung back, watching the scene with amused eyes.

"Not from around here?" one asked, grinning predatorily. "Tourist?"

"Something like that."

"Lose your way man? You're a long way from the tourist traps."

"Seen 'em." Billy said shortly. Would they just get to the point? If they weren't going to start a fight, he had places to go.

"Well I'll tell ya son," another said. "You wandered into some kinda unfriendly territory y'know? All kinds a unsavry types 'round here."

"That a fact?"

"Yeah. That's a fact."

Billy sighed. "Look are you gonna mug me or wax clever all afternoon?"

The girl snickered again, and her possible boyfriend took a knife from his pocket. "Strait to business. I dig it. Okay man empty your pockets."

"Do I look like I have anything worth stealing?" Billy snorted. "Or are you just as bored as I am?"

"I thought you were in a hurry." the leader of the little band snapped. "Now so am I. You gonna empty your pockets or do I have to cut 'em off ya?"

Without a word, Billy slapped the knife out of the boy's hand and kneed him in the stomach. Immediately two of them siezed his arms, while the rest backed up, to see what happened.

Coughing, fighting to regain his breath, the leader of the pack forced himself up from his doubled up position. "You're gonna pay for that you son of a &*%#@."

Billy kicked him in the jaw and down he went. The two holding his arms jumped back, startled. Billy landed one punch on one of them, before having to dodge quickly as the other pulled a knife on him.

He grabbed that boy's wrist and put him in an arm lock, forcing him to drop the blade. Swinging him around, he knocked him into his friend.

It was about that time that those who'd hung back jumped him.

Thank god for street thugs. Billy thought as he straitened his eyepatch. His opponents had fled, leaving him with a few bruises, and even a split lip from a headbutt.

He heard sarcastic applause and he turned, to see that the girl was leaning against a trash can, smirking.

"you always go down back alley's looking for thugs to bully?" she asked.

"Only when I'm in the mood for a fight and I can't find anyone tougher." Billy retorted. "That your boyfriend?"

"He thought he was." she grinned. "But since he kinda left me in the lurch I guess he's out." Her grin turned to a frown. "He was supposed to be showing me a good time. Thanks for ending our date."

Billy couldn't help but smirk back at her. "Sorry about that."

"yeah, sorry don't steal me lunch or somethin' pretty to wear. You got a name Long John Silver?"

"Billy."

"Billy?" she snickered. "What are you five?"

"What's your name?" Billy challenged.

"Zanya."

"In, teresting."

"Yeah eat me Bill. You chased off my date. You owe me lunch."

"Now that you mention it, I am a bit peckish. In the mood for overpriced museum food?"

"Long as your buyin' I ain't picky." she grinned.

Billy grinned back. "Shall we then?"

"Don't get all formal on me Long John it doesn't suit you."



And off they went for an afternoon of food and weird looks from the strait laced tourists.