WELCOME

It had been one of those days and Tommy was tired of being that guy. The guy who ended up getting fucked over because of some girl. The guy who was too nice and did what was asked of him only to get passed over again and again. It was bad enough dealing with his ex-wife but it seemed everyone these days wanted to treat him as if he was someone to use. Fuck this, fuck them and fuck the whole damn world. Fuck it. Just fuck it. Tommy stood up from his desk and sighed. ”I’m taking the day.” he announced to no one in particular but he knew he needed to get out of work, and just go someplace else and be someone else for a while. He hated this he didn’t want to stick around the city much longer. There was no point he had nothing here, he had no one here. His ex had found someone else and those he had thought were friends really weren’t. In short he was alone. Maybe that was the problem with being someone else’s idea of something. He didn’t do anything for himself anymore. He should be selfish, or something. He should be something that wasn’t this. At least he thought he shouldn’t be himself anyway. He never seemed to get anywhere or do anything. He sighed pulling his jacket on and stepping through the door into the sunshine. He could use a little sunshine here and there. There was no point in being cooped up all the damn time. He needed to get out he needed to breath he needed air. He needed…. He didn’t know what he needed and that was probably part of the problem. Now he would be just another surly cop. He sighed. Perfect just what he wanted to be a surly cop. He had done everything in his power not to end up that way and yet he could feel it in his bones. This was his fate and he was in no way able to stop it. It was good that Lexi had gotten out. That way she could at least be happy without him around to rain on her parade. After all she was made for something better than him, someone richer who could afford to spoil her. He had her on a budget, he tried to get her everything she wanted but she just got a fraction of it all. Maybe this new guy gave her everything. At least he could say one thing, he had really loved her. This was why it had been so hard to let her go. Or at least let go of the relationship. With a light shrug of his shoulders he headed towards Wall Street he would enjoy the air, and take the shortcut home. His partner had picked him up and he didn’t feel like getting in a taxi. They were dirty and smelly and he liked breathing. Even if the New York air was heavily polluted. Someone once told him he needed to go to Montana or something if he really wanted fresh air. tommy side stepped a woman with her dog and turned around to check her out. She was amazing, petite dark hair, dark eyes a tight rear. Yes perfect. He should have gotten her number or something he should have but as usual Tommy failed with all things female. Looking up he hardly had time to move out of the way of the person headed right for him and as it were he clipped them his shoulders twisting on impact. ”Oho! Sorry there….” He said getting his balance back. ”didn’t uh see ya there.” Because he had been too busy looking at someone’s ass….

A KISS ON THE HAND

Belle had gotten off early, she had finished her sketches and sewing and rather than linger around the frantic office she has excused herself and ducked out. She may have lived in New York for years but it still fascinated her. The bustling city was so different than her home in the Ukraine, so different than her brief stay in Paris. It had a different soul, it pulsated, it was brutal, it was harsh, it was fashionable and... it was intoxicating. With no where in particular to go, Belle wandered, her heeled feet clipped against the pavement. It was a beautiful day, she should have been heading towards the park or flying away to Long Island but instead...

Instead she went to the heart of the living city. Times Square was normally reserved for tourist who wanted to see the ridiculousness that was the naked dancing cowboy. They wanted to see the giant signs, the congested streets full of people, wanted to take their picture before the advertisements. Times Square was the heart, it was the place to be... and Belle wanted to be there. A smirk crossed her face as she walked down the street nearing the congested core. It would have been quite a sight to fly over, to look down and watch everyone bustling like ants, but that would only draw attention. The last thing she needed was a Legend -or a Syndicate member- chasing her down either to catch or recruit her. No, today she would act like a civilian.

And apparently acting like a civilian meant being bumped into by a large man.

This seemed to be a trend lately. First Noah had clipped her should and now this man. Belle turned and looked at him, praying that she had not harmed him. Her skin was tough, her body could be forceful when she wished it to be. She could break his shoulder by running into him like that... if it was the right angle anyway. "Its okay," she said, truly it was. She was unharmed and unbruised...it was him she was worried about. "Just... be more careful." It as typical in New York, the being rude. The French accent also explained it as did her Chanel suit. She looked the part of a snob, but... she tilted her head, noting that this man seemed to be having a very bad day. It was written across his face. "Are you okay? " Or perhaps she had just hurt him.

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Now the force that he felt his shoulder jerk back was well not what he expected once he settled on the woman he had just clipped. She was smallish and pretty. He felt like he hit a linebacker... Typical Tommy, he stared a bit opene mouthed before he realized what he was doing and clamped his mouth shut. ”you’ll catch flies.” he could hear his mother now…she always seemed to pop into his head at moments like this… of course it was really more because he was looking at one the most attractive women he had ever met. Well he hadn’t actually met her so the most attractive woman he had ever bumped into. Damn. He scratched the back of his neck and tried to think of what words would be good in this situation. Oh! She had asked him a question… one he should probably answer. ”Oh uh…” As far as bad days went this one had taken and interesting turn, he had assaulted a pretty woman and he had no idea why he couldn’t think straight. Maybe it was Lexi, she had gotten under his skin this morning and her claws seemed to be stuck. That and his partner was too busy being a jackass to see the mistakes he was making. Tommy liked his partner, Tommy liked his partner’s girl however what tommy didn’t like was the way his partner treated his girl. Kelly was the most amazing woman and she deserved much better than Felix, he had not only gotten her pregnant but was sleeping around on her but holding her to a double standard. Tommy had once said he was going to make a pass at her and Felix had tackled him to the ground. It didn’t make sense Felix could do whatever but Kelly had to be the perfect girlfriend…But that wasn’t really relevant… Not now anyway. Now he needed to focus on this conversation with this woman. Now that he made up his mind to check on Kelly later. They had become close in the past few months and he felt like maybe she could use a friend. He hadn’t told her about the other women, he couldn’t bring himself to but he would just be there as much as he possibly could. ”Yeah I’m good, fine even.” he managed to sputter before he laughed. ”Sorry, I’m a bit bull headed I guess. Running into people all the time.” He smiled and held out his hand. ”Tommy… its nice to meet you, or well run into you as it were…” he felt like he was rambling… how the hell did you ramble an introduction. He was mentally face palming… this was another one of those things he should be better at by now.

A KISS ON THE HAND

"In my experience most men are bull headed," Belle said with a shrug, her French accent clipping along nicely. It rolled off her tongue adding an air of intrigue to her, coupling with her appearance, contrasting sharply with her Eastern European cheek bones. "So no need to apologize for something that is a prerequisite for your gender." It she had not been smirking it would have sounded feminist, but instead, she had her lips tugged into an almost flirtatious smirk.

Not that Belle was actually flirting. She was a man eater, and flirting was a defense mechanism, it kept her from having to actually converse with people. If she really spoke to them then she was vulnerable, and no diamond skin could shield her. It seemed that her ears were here weakness, words could hurt her more than bullets... and flirting was the bullet proof dress of conversing.

"Belle Simon," she said offering her hand. It wasn't for a handshake but a kiss on the hand. She was French, but it was a playful offer. A grin pulled on her lips, waiting to see how this 'bull headed' Tommy would react. It was bound to be amusing and she bet he would stumble. "It's a pleasure to meet you as well, promise me you're not hurt." She was subtly asking if she broke his collar bone with her shoulder. It wouldn't have been the first time.

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”Right…” Tommy said with an air of embarrassment for his gender. That was true… they were all kind of big hulking oafs who had nothing better to do than just run into women and mess up relationships. Or something anyway. Not that he would know much about relationships… other than he messed his up with Lexi and his partner was messing things up with Kelly. Had he found Kelly first… well he wouldn’t have knocked her up and then promised her to be exclusive only the sleep around on her. Not only that he wouldn’t sit around and not appreciate who she was. Apparently Tommy had a crush on Kelly… One he would never get to act on because he knew his partner would kill, not only that he wouldn’t be good for her. Instead he was just trying to be a good friend and a good friend didn’t sit around and think about way to ask the other on a date. Besides she was pregnant and that seemed a little on the sketchy side. What kind of guy wanted to be with a woman who was having someone else’s kid… some kind of fetishist that’s who. And well Tommy was as vanilla as they came. Not that it was bad, he just didn’t have any kink to him really. Lexi hadn’t minded and neither had any of the other girls they had dated. Sure he mind have brought the handcuffs out a few times but only on very special occasions. Even then it had taken some convincing for him to get them out. They were after all his handcuffs and not to be played with. That would be an embarrassing conversation the LT. and Tommy Already had a few of those under his belt. ”Belle, that’s a pretty name.” he was not the most original guy out there but he did think it was pretty so at least it was honest idiocy rather than a lie. She held out her hand and Tommy shook it gently before letting it go. He didn’t know that people did the whole kiss on the hand thing anymore. That and he usually met women who wanted to be treated equally and well Tommy was not smooth at all. He had no idea how to be charming and smooth and James Bond like. He had watched the movies sure but when he acted like that… he came off as a huge tool. ”No, I am fine.” he said reassuring her. ”there isn’t much you could do to me anyway you are such a slight thing.”He had no idea that she could possibly hurt him, looking at her she was beautiful and little and perfect… or something. ”Sorry, that might be offensive… I uh. You didn’t hurt me.” He stumbled over his words and smiled. ”um can I walk you to where you were headed…?” Might as well pretend to be a gentleman.

A KISS ON THE HAND

Belle took another look at this man. Good, she hadn't hurt him and he seemed polite enough. And handsome enough. His brown eyes were quite enticing. They were dark, deep and Belle found herself looking at them from behind her sunglasses. But then she heard his comment and smirked.

Couldn't hurt him?

The poor man, he hardly knew. Belle may have been a slight thing but she was genetically engineered to be strong, to fly and could turn her skin into a diamond... a llittle side effect from having undergone so much pressure during the rather painful surgery. She could do whatever she wanted to him and there was no stopping her. Nothing this poor man could do would even hurt her. "You're right," she said with an innocent chuckle. "The worst I could do would be step on your toes. You look so strong." That he did, he defiantly didn't work a desk job. He was far too in shape.

She scrutinized him for a moment, wondering if he was a super... but his flustered speech pointed towards no.

"Truth be told I'm playing tourist for the day... you're welcome to join me... provided you give me your name." Belle gave a coy smile. Perhaps, she would even ask for his number later.

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Tommy all but blushed at the woman who insisted he was a strong looking man. It was nice to hear it especially from someone so beautiful. Tommy had terrible luck with women, he would never end up with anyone who would actually love him and put up with his job. He had reconciled that fact around the time his divorce was finalized. The sick part of it all was he still loved her in some respect. Not only that he was falling for his partner’s girl. That was even worse, not only was she unavailable she was off limits. He sighed at the thought of her. As far as unavailable women went he had them in spades. “Tourist huh?” He bowed and offered her his arm. “Well I am Thomas Keegan, a detective for this fine city and I would be happy to show you around. It is my civic duty.” It really wasn’t he was just supposed to keep everyone safe. But if he could use to it flirt with a beautiful woman and then escort her around all day? Why the hell not right? It wasn’t like he got this opportunity often. He smiled as wide as he possibly could before he started walking. “So what do you do when you are not assaulting officers of the law?” He asked finding he had gotten better at the small talk thing over the years, he no longer sounded like he was in an interrogation room all the time.

A KISS ON THE HAND

A cop?

Damnit.

Belle looked Thomas, studying him and trying to decide if she should ditch him. Belle had a good reason to avoid cops -particularly detectives- she was a super, a thief, a burglar who recently broke into a museum and stole hundred of carats worth of diamonds. Having someone know that wasn't on her agenda. There was more than just her own secrets as well. She was recently invovled with a Russian mobster by the name of Yakov. He was no kingpin, but the way people looked at him meant he was not a no body. Belle knew he would not like knowing that his recent squeeze was sighted with a cop.This was indeed a dangerous game. A very very dangerous game.

And she would play.

"A police officer? she said, fasely impressed. "On top of a gentleman, well aren't you just a modern knight in shining armor." Belle took his arm, not caring if one of Yakov's men noticed. She already knew he was watching her phone, let him know she was playing. Always always playing their game. "But I'm nothing so interesting," Belle assured him. She even threw in an exasperated sigh. As if she hated her job... the truth was anything but. Belle loved her job as a designer and seamstress at Chanel, she was one of the best and quickly rising. "I'm a simple seamstress," she lied, not even caring that her clothing was far too nice for a profession normally found at an Asian dry cleaner. "So nothing interesting, assaulting police officers is the only fun I have."

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The woman took his arm and Tommy was pleased really. It had been a long time since he had a conversation with anyone who was not a part of his cases. He liked his job of course, but he got tired of it. Really tired of it. It was hard enough to meet people, especially women. Though Tommy figured much like every encounter he had this would end horribly and yet he kept trying to have a normal interaction with a woman. Well if it was only for a fleeting second he was able to talk to her he would have to settle. He was not the sort of guy who should get attached to anyone or anything. Everyone screwed him over in the end. “It’s not that interesting.” He said with a small flush4 on pink in his neck. He didn’t really think he was that special not anymore anyway. “Well with supers running around, we are just a well-dressed crowd control these days.” He shrugged, he wasn’t bitter he just wished he had some super power and he didn’t have to sit around and wish to be better all the time. He chuckled. “A seamstress in New York, that could mean anything…. I have been around the block a time or two.” He shook his head. “Nothing is ever at seems here, maybe you are a simple seamstress maybe but it’s all who you know and who you work for.” Tommy was being playful he didn’t know. Maybe she was just a seamstress, but she was dressed to nice to be simple. “I don’t think you are very simple though.”

A KISS ON THE HAND

"You're a detective," Belle countered. "Like Sherlock Holmes or the Hardy Brothers, that sounds interesting to me." And dangerous. Originally, she had planned on playing with this handsome man but now she was looking for a way to ditch him without making him curious. If any of Yakov's friends saw her she was in danger, if he figured out who -or what- she was she was in danger. Being around a man of the law wasn't good. Not when she broke the law so often.

"What do you work on mostly? Organized crime? Supers? Murders?" If she was't involved with the first two she would indeed be interested in him. Probably would have brought him to her home already.

He was too smart for that though, he didn't believe her about her career and was talking about how he did not think her simple. Yes... far too smart for his own good. "You're right," she said with a shrug. "Was it the Chanel suit that gave it away?" The vintage blazer was at least two thousand dollars... but Belle got it for a song simply because she worked at the firm. "I'm a seamstress at Chanel, I make all of the clothing you see on the runway." Not that he probably saw it, he was a man, and looked like a man's man. He probably didn't even know what Chanel was.

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