After days of being cooped up, Piper was sick of it. The hours of inactivity while they waited for things to come together had slowly driven her insane and all she wanted was a few hours of "normal" behavior. Seeing as it was Saturday night and the dancer was used to keeping night owl hours? The itch was all the worse that evening as she paced around Jacks old house and stared at the clock. Finally, just when she thought she might climb the walls in boredom, an idea hit her and a slow smile curved over her lips.

Turning to the tawny haired racer who kept her company, Piper gave him a gambit grin and told him of her plan. With a bit of convincing, she had his agreement and set about putting things to motion. To her mind, it was pure brilliance because it would kill two birds with one stone and get them out of hiding for an evening if nothing else.

An phone call and an hour later, the pair of them were in the Evo heading down to Long Beach. Directing Jack through traffic, they soon pulled up to a busy nightclub that had a line of people waiting outside. After waiting for her lover to find a parking spot, the blond checked her makeup before climbing out of the car, wearing an azure blue number that made her eyes sparkle and laid bare creamy expanses of skin. It was a provocative number but suited for the purpose she had tonight.

Waiting for Jack to join her, Piper linked her fingers through his before grinning up at him. Excitement sparkled in her eyes even as she tugged him along, walking backwards so she could watch his expression. "Noah said he'd meet us here. If anyone can get us those new passports we need, he can. I think you'll like him." she drawled, just happy to be out of the house and excited by the prospect of relaxing a bit. "I've known him forever and hes the man to go to around here if you need something.. Unusual. Hes also a fountain of information and might be able to tell us who we can count on and whos compromised."

The sun was down, leaving the sky a clear inky blue by the time Jack tossed the wrench into his toolbox with enough force to slam the lid shut. A banged-up, old mechanic's work-light was glazing white fluorescence over the import he'd been working on for the last couple of days. He could still remember the state the Evo had been in after the crash; jagged holes had marred the surface of the metal where the truck had hit, with paint chipping away from the edges and large dents cratering the surrounding area. It wasn't the most pleasant of memories, but a little hard work thankfully could fix a lot. Apart from the the body panels that still needed painting, the Evo looked almost like her old self again.

Calling it a day for now though, Jack turned off the work-light before he headed back towards the old rental house. He could already hear Piper pace around restlessly inside the living room when he entered the kitchen to grab a cold one. He couldn't blame her; with the mob on their asses and him crashing the Evo in reckless race against his brother, the last couple of days hadn't exactly been fun filled for either of them. Yeah, he knew he should count his lucky stars. Not many women would've be able to put up with this kind of shit, not like Piper did. The fact that she was smoking hot only made it all the better.

Popping the top off the cold one and taking a drink, Jack leaned his shoulder against the door post while he watched Piper pace for a moment longer. Just then, she seemed to notice his presence as she turned around, a trouble-spelling grin spreading across her delicate features.

Jack raised a brow at her plan, but then, what the hell, right? Tired or no, they could both use a night out to unwind.

Some time later, Jack was backing the Evo into an empty parking space of a busy nightclub. Climbing out of the car, he couldn't help his eyes from wandering over Piper's lithe form as he walked towards her. The little dress she was wearing left little to the imagination, sure to catch the attention of any red-blooded man.

...Yeah, smoking hot was an understatement.

"Noah said he'd meet us here. If anyone can get us those new passports we need, he can. I think you'll like him. I've known him forever and hes the man to go to around here if you need something.. Unusual. Hes also a fountain of information and might be able to tell us who we can count on and whos compromised."

With Piper's fingers laced through his and her walking backwards watching him, Jack took the opportunity to pull her towards him, pressing his lips against hers in a deep kiss. His free hand moved to slide down her back and around her waist. With his hand on the small of her back, he pulled her in closer against his body as he pulled away from their kiss.

"I'll take your word for it, beautiful. But if he tries anything..," he said looking down to her, smirking a bit as he let his sentence trail off. The hand never left the small of her back despite the fact that their kiss had broke.

"Let's go find him, huh?" Allowing his smirk to grow a little wider, Jack began to lead Piper towards the entrance of the club, his usual confident swagger clear in his step. Whether Noah would be able to provide what they needed or not, the nightclub seemed to promise that tonight was not going to be a waste.

The appreciation shining in Jack's eyes made Pipers middle melt and tiny waves of anticipation flutter up her spine. As he pulled her close, the intent of his actions was all the incentive Piper needed to lean into his embrace and return the kiss with matching desire. The chemistry between them hadn't lessened over their time spent hiding out together and the dancer was, in fact, surprised to find it had only grown brighter. The discovery was more than welcome seeing as how they were currently stuck with each other till things either worked themselves out or they were dead. If she had to be in close quarters with someone, she was just glad it was with a man who had the ability to turn her on with just a look or touch. There were definitely worse ways to pass time.

Feeling Jack's hand spanning the small of her back, the blond licked her bottom lip as he pulled back and slanted him a glance from beneath heavy lashes. Letting an impish grin quirk up her lips at his words, she shrugged before moving with him towards the doors. “Noah's Noah. Hes no choir boy but neither are you so as long as you two can keep the testosterone levels down.. I'm sure things will go just fine.” she returned, tossing her long waves over one shoulder even as she caught one of the bouncers eyes and gave a wave. Immediately, the big man motioned them forward with a smile and Piper arched a brow over at Jack even as they walked over to meet the man.


“Piper Blair. Its been awhile, sweet cheeks. Where you been keeping yourself?” the giant asked even as he scanned Jacks features, seeming to measure him up even as he spoke to the blond. “Whos your friend? Anyone I need to check out?”

Rolling her eyes, the young woman shook her head even as she winked at him. “Dillon, this is Jack. Jack, meet Dillon. He pretty much runs this place and makes sure nobody starts any trouble. He's Noah's right hand man, you might say.” she said by way of introductions, already trying to look into the club even as the two men acknowledged each other.

Giving Jack a nod, Dillon moved out of the way so that they could move inside even as he chuckled. “If that were so, Trouble, you'd be the first one I banned from here. You have a way of stirring things up at times. Just take it easy this evening, would you? I'd hate to have to toss your pretty ass out on the street.”

Laughing, Piper waved to Dillon before looking to Jack, eyes dancing with mischief. “No promises there, D. I plan to have a bit of fun tonight, one way or another. I've got a lot of energy to burn.”

Then, practically dancing through the door, the blond was hit with a rush of music, laughter and people. Feeling the vibe lift her spirits and excitement thrum through her veins, Piper glanced at Jack and grinned. “Where to first, Babe? Drinks, table, or do you want to just mingle? Noah is probably up by the stage somewhere getting ready to go on but we can see if we can get up there if you want.” she called, lifting voice above all the noise. “Or, we can go dance.....” she finished, giving a little brow wiggle at him. “Your choice!”

“Noah's Noah. Hes no choir boy but neither are you so as long as you two can keep the testosterone levels down.. I'm sure things will go just fine.”

A short chuckle escaped Jack's lips and he subtly shook his head as they headed towards the long line outside the nightclub. Music throbbed from behind the plain, dark double doors that opened at random intervals, spitting out sweaty, drunken clubbers and swallowing new, eager bodies whole. It was obvious it was going to be a while before they'd be inside, that was... until one of the bouncers caught Piper's attention, seemingly recognizing her, and waved them over.

“Piper Blair. Its been awhile, sweet cheeks. Where you been keeping yourself? Whos your friend? Anyone I need to check out?”

While Piper introduced the two of them, Jack remained visibly apathetic at the appraising up and down glance the big man gave him even as both men briefly acknowledged each other with a nod.

Once all the pleasantries were exchanged, one last cursory glance over the unfamiliar face was all that followed before the doorman stood back to let them inside the cramped, dark cavern of flickering lights and moving bodies. The pounding beat combined with the heat, the smells and the mass of writhing bodies surrounding them made Jack realize he hadn't been to a place like this in a long time. Far too long, if you asked him.

“Where to first, Babe? Drinks, table, or do you want to just mingle? Noah is probably up by the stage somewhere getting ready to go on but we can see if we can get up there if you want. Or, we can go dance..... Your choice!”

As the speakers of the nightclub started spreading a new beat for the dancing crowd, Piper's little brow wiggle had Jack grinning a cheeky, shit-eating grin of his own.

"How about we burn off some of that excess energy first. I'd say Noah and those new passports can wait a little bit longer," he replied loudly, leaning in so she could hear him over the pulse of the bass on the floor.

Already knowing it was the answer Piper wanted to hear, Jack lead her into the writhing throng of humanity and heat on the dance floor. His fingers splayed across the hips sheathed in azure, satin like material, tempted to rumple it up and touch the silky skin underneath it as he pulled her lithe body flush against his.

Soon, their hips glided against one another in slow, rhythmic circles, though it didn't take long before Jack turned Piper in his arms with a deft gesture so that her back pressed against his front, none of his movements ever missing a beat of the music. His breath ghosted over her ear as he moved one calloused hand over Piper's hip, while his other hand brushed her long, blond hair off to one side. No sooner his mouth was against skin and he skillfully kissed the long column of Piper's neck, lips moving across the silky skin. Finally his lips touched ever so softly against the skin behind her ear, before he nipped playfully at her cartilage as his fingers splayed across Piper's abdomen.

"So Trouble, huh? Can't imagine why anyone would ever see fit to give you that nickname," he murmured teasingly, smirking slightly as he let his words glide directly into her ear. To him, calling Piper trouble was putting it lightly. She had a way of drawing him into situations without thinking, the way they'd met being a clear testimony to that. Not that he in the least bit minded; Piper's sense for mischief only made the already incredibly sexy woman that much more alluring.

Playing with fire. Thats exactly what Piper was doing as Jack took her hand and guided her on to the dance floor. She knew it and she revealed in it. Here, in this place, she was in her element and the beat of the music had her gliding up against her lover in an age old manner that had nothing to do with dancing and everything to do with seduction. Since passion had never been a problem between them, the blond let the rhythm take her until she'd lost track of anything but the music and the man. Gone were the worries of the last couple weeks, gone were the fears of the grim reaper stalking them. For once, she was simply enjoying being a woman out with her man.

Her man.

The words rolled around in her brain even as she realized that is exactly what she considered him. How that had happened, she wasn't sure but somewhere in the whirlwind of danger that they'd found themselves tossed into, she'd fallen for Jack O'Conner. He was crazy, unpredictable and a maybe a bit insane but she loved every part of what made him a man. Yes, she probably needed her head examined at the first available opportunity but she figured the good made up for the bad. He'd saved her not once, but twice and he had put up with her crazy roommate when Tessa might have driven most men daft. Not to mention, he was sexy as hell in a rugged, durable sort of way that made her want to jump his bones right here in the middle of the dance floor.

Oh wait, maybe that was due to the fact his lips on her neck were burning her to cinders. Shit, the man knew to well what he did to her senses and he wasn't holding back tonight. The thought made a sly smile curve her lips up as she glanced back at him over her shoulder, eyes hooded with desire and wondered if they could possibly make it to one of the restrooms so she could get him alone. Common sense, though, told her that it would be her luck to run into a line and it made her let out a little groan.

To hell with playing with fire, they were dancing in it, it seemed.

Twisting around in his arms, Piper reached upwards so that she could wrap her arms about his neck before licking her lips. It was an intentional action designed to bring his attention to her ruby lipstick and she smiled with sultry intent. "hmmmmmmm I don't know either..." she teased back, swaying her body against his even as her fingers curled into the hair at the nape of his neck. "Maybe its due to the company I keep? Of course, I suppose I do have a track record for landing in the thick of things but I'm innocent of any intent, promise!!"

Then, ruining her protestations with a grin, she stood on tiptoe and pressed her lips into his for a kiss that silenced any of his counter thoughts. Distraction at its best, she figured as she tasted him on her lips and inhaled his scent, feeling it leave her weak in the knees. Oh yeah, she'd definitely fallen for this crazy ass driver. She was in so much trouble.

Breaking away finally as the sounds of the song faded away and the band announced its intent to take a break, the slender blond stared up at him a long moment before seeming to gather herself. Her inner thoughts caused her gaze to be more serious than she'd intended but she quickly brushed it off as she arched a brow. "Drinks now? I don't know about you but... its damned hot in here..."

Letting his lips linger on the pulse point at her neck, Jack could hear the little groan fall from Piper's lips. Had he not been standing so close to her, the loud music around them probably would have covered the sound up. But as it were, it only served to up the erotic nature of her movements against him. God, no matter where they were, the woman was always able to drive him wild with even the slightest touch or smallest sound; it was a damned shame indecent public exposure was frowned upon, or else he would have had her out of that little azure dress of hers to have his way with her already.

Piper seemed to sense his inner turmoil, and grey eyes collided with blue when she turned around in his arm. The desire between them was so thick he could taste it in the back of his throat as Piper continued to move her body in slow circles against his, keeping her eyes locked on his face. He knew she could see the instant his desire sparked into something he had to fight to contain, and watched the slow delight of triumph spread across her features. His concentration waned even further when her tongue slowly moved across her ruby red lips just under his eye line, her fingers curling into his hair at the back of his neck.

"hmmmmmmm I don't know either... Maybe its due to the company I keep? Of course, I suppose I do have a track record for landing in the thick of things but I'm innocent of any intent, promise!!"

An amused grin of his own crossed his features, but anything he could and would have said in return to Piper's words was soon stopped dead in its tracks. Once the seductive blond moved onto her tiptoes, pressing her body flush against his, Jack could no more have stopped himself from returning her kiss then he could have stopped the sun from rising. Her hunger for him was contagious in the embrace as he leaned forward and claimed her mouth in much the same fashion hers was claiming his, immediately feeling her lips parting beneath his as he slid his tongue past them to taste her.

There was no thought involved really; one of his hands came up to cup the back of her head underneath the thick golden strands of her hair, his thumb stroking over her pulse point, leaving it no secret he craved her with every cell in his body as he relished in nothing but Piper's scent, taste and feel against him. Yeah, she had him, and she had him good.

By the time the song that had been playing was ending and the band announced a break, Piper pulled away to give them both a chance to breathe. She stared up at him then, with such a serious intensity that for a moment, Jack wondered if something was off before she seemed to recover.

"Drinks now? I don't know about you but... its damned hot in here..."

"Yeah, sure. Nothing like a bit of alcohol to help cool down a bit," he answered, letting a crooked grin lift the corners of his lips.

Before long, he was leading her through the crowd to the bar where they flagged down a bartender to take their order. While they waited, he put his arm around her waist, allowing his hand to rest on her hip as he leaned into her a bit.

"Something on your mind, babe? You looked kinda serious back there."

Letting out a small sigh of half disappointment,half relief as Jack took her suggestion, Piper let him lead the way to the bar. As they moved through the crowded place, she struggled to tamp down the mixture of emotions that suddenly threatened to do her head in. Especially when she caught sight of one female giving Jack a looking over that instantly made Pipers hackles rise. Without thought, the dancer "accidentally" swayed over a bit to knock the witch's drink down the front of her dress and gave her a wide eyed apology on her way by that was as insincere as the returned commentary.

Then, they were at the bar and Piper was relieve to note that Jack hadn't seemed to notice a thing. Jealosy was so unbecoming she'd always thought and she honestly wasn't sure if she even had the right to be. It wasn't as if they'd talked about anything beyond saving their asses and when things turned to other subjects, they always seemed to end up in bed. While that was a good thing in ways, it didn't exactly tell her anything about where they stood as a man and woman.

Suddenly, the idea of him just being "Stuck with her" made her tense as she slide up to the bar next to Jack. Yeah, she definitely needed something to drink. The stronger the better, she thought absently.

Feeling flustered from the heat of the club and the desire that still vibrated in her veins from earlier, Piper almost jumped out of her skin when her companion leaned in close. Slanting vibrant azure eyes up in his direction, she licked her lips and forced her lips up in a smile as the bartender approached and took their orders. It gave her a few seconds to gather her composure before his next words made a mockery of her defenses.

"Something on your mind, babe? You looked kinda serious back there."

Damn it all to hell, he was getting way to good at reading her, Piper thought absently as she stared up at him. What the hell was she supposed to say here? Hey baby, I was just wondering if you minded being stuck with me, dragging you into this life or death game of cat and mouse? What the hell was he supposed to say to THAT?Somehow, Piper couldn't quiet bring herself to ask even though it was always there, in the back of her mind.

After all, she wasn't stupid. This couldn't have been anything Jack would have wanted to landed in. It was his acquaintance with her that had put him in this danger, no matter what he said about having already been in trouble. By all rights, he should have just left her to her own devices but he didn't. He was to good of a guy even if he didn't believe it himself.

Problem with all of that though? Piper suspected that she was starting to fall for him harder than she ever should have and it suddenly scared the living hell out of her. It wasn't like her to throw caution to the wind like she had in the past few weeks and her reaction to the woman on the dance floor spoke volumes. The sudden thought occurred to her that maybe she should give Jack a choice. Noah was here somewhere and he could quite possibly help her if Jack wanted his freedom.

"Jack, let me ask you something.... If it wasn't for all the shit that happened this last week, would we be here now?" she asked, meeting his blue gaze with searching ones of her own and then sighing, realizing she wasn't putting her words out properly. "What I mean is...You've kind of gotten a lot dumped in your lap with all this. Me, the you know what. You haven't had much choice in all this and.. well, I just don't want to be someone that you have to be with if you don't want to be." Biting her lip a moment, trying to find better words, Piper looked away, not wanting him to see her sudden insecurity. "I know that its to late for you to get away scott free now but theres always the chance that going it solo might be easier. I don't want you to feel tied down to me... If you don't want to be. I think I could deal with anything but that, you know?"

So many conversations between them were light, flirtatious, carefree. This one though, he could already sense was not going to be one of them.

The moment he asked his question, Jack noticed a tension rise in Piper's body. Her posture, her face, every bit of her told him that something was bothering her. It made him realize that whatever she'd had on her mind had her very worked up, though she was trying to hide it, and he was instantly on edge when Piper finally looked up at him with uncertain eyes.

"Jack, let me ask you something.... If it wasn't for all the shit that happened this last week, would we be here now?"

Almost no one would notice the slight clenching of his jaw, the shift in his eyes from grey-blue to a more intense blue, the tightening of the muscles in his shoulders, so subtle that even a close friend might miss the signs of his awareness. He didn't say a word just yet, though. He would make her continue first. It usually got her over-talking enough that he could figure out what was really going on in her mind without too much probing.

"What I mean is...You've kind of gotten a lot dumped in your lap with all this. Me, the you know what. You haven't had much choice in all this and.. well, I just don't want to be someone that you have to be with if you don't want to be."

His frown only deepened now as her words registered. Jesus, was she blind? He'd be the first one to admit that attraction was easy to feel, easy to succumb to with a woman like Piper. But what terrified him was that it was not simply attraction, not with her. She was bewitching, provocative, mesmerizing. She was not the only woman he had ever wanted, but she was the only woman he wanted now. She had found her way into his blood like a drug, and now all he saw whenever he closed his eyes was her face, her body, her eyes. It was unsettling.

"I know that its to late for you to get away scott free now but theres always the chance that going it solo might be easier. I don't want you to feel tied down to me... If you don't want to be. I think I could deal with anything but that, you know?"

Piper was looking away from him now, avoiding his gaze, but Jack slid his fingers under her chin and lifted it until she was meeting his eyes again.

"Baby, listen to me. I'm here in this with you because I want to be. Not because I feel I have to be, okay?" he said before he let the corner of his mouth tick up into a small smile. "I've got you, whether you want me to or not."

Then he leaned in, pressing his lips against hers and kissing her deeply, like a drowning man seeking his air, not giving a damn about any audience they may have. Not one to be able to easily put his shit into words rather than actions, he put everything into the kiss, and didn't break it until the bartender set their drinks on the bar. Pulling back from the beautiful blond just a bit, Jack stared at her, eyes heavy-lidded and intense even as he smirked.

"Maybe we should go find Noah now. Get those passports before I do something that'll get us both kicked out."

From the gallery above the club Noah had been watching who was coming in and leaving with who. He liked to know what was going on in this dark establishment with the falshing lights and loud music.
Crushing out his cigarette he stuck the butt in the laces of his boot to keep the floor clean. Nobody else would smoke in here but he did. the least the big, blonde guy could do was keep the floor clean, right?

With interest he watched Dillon talk to a familiar blonde girl and a guy who was with her. A tall lanky hot shot judging by his looks. Maybe her boyfriend.

Noah leaned his elbows on the reiling and tilted his head back to take a swig from his beer when Dillon left them and the couple moved on to the dance floor to grin on each other. Shaking his head he grinned and decided to move on down when Dillon found him up on the gallery.
"Guess, whose here." He asked but Noah only nodded to let him know he'd been watching.

On his way down he motioned for the bar keeper to get him another cold one and then slowly approached Piper and her friend.
There was only the hint of a smile on his lips when he finally stepped up to them and nodded at the young woman.
"Piper. Good to see you." he offered her a kiss on the cheek and shot a glance at Jack while he was doing it letting the guy know that Piper and him had history.
"What brings you back here?"

"Baby, listen to me. I'm here in this with you because I want to be. Not because I feel I have to be, okay?" he said before he let the corner of his mouth tick up into a small smile. "I've got you, whether you want me to or not."

Those words made Pipers eyes light up even as he leaned close, laying a kiss on her that put paid to his claim. Melting against him, Piper closed her eyes and enjoyed the sensation for as long as it lasted before he pulled away.

"Maybe we should go find Noah now. Get those passports before I do something that'll get us both kicked out."

Laughing lightly, the young woman grinned up at him and then nodded. "Yeah, we wouldn't want that. I think we already have enough people on our asses." she told him, leaning into his side even as she took a drink and then stepped away as if to turn and look around.

Before she could, however, the sound of a deep, familiar baritone rang out and Piper almost dropped her glass as she turned to face the speaker. "Piper. Good to see you."

"NOAH!!" she chirped out happily, letting him kiss her cheek before giving him a quick hug, completely missing the by play between the two men.

"What brings you back here?"

Grinning up at him, the blond rolled her eyes even as she shook her head at him. Eyes dancing with mischief, she tossed her blond hair before winking at him. "What brings us here? What, am I not welcome here anymore?" she teased, knowing full well that wasn't the case. "Maybe I was just in need of hearing some good music and I wanted to introduce my two best guys."

Turning to Jack, she slipped her hand into his before looking back to the other blond. "Jack, this is Noah Hendrix... Noah, this is my boyfriend, Jack. Now you've met and can make friends." she continued, beaming at them both. "Jack, Noah is an old friend of mine.. We go way back. He was a big help when I first moved to LA and actually helped me find a place to live and everything." not to mention a few other things but now didn't really seem like a good time to mention that, she continued mentally before outwardly shrugging and looking at Noah. "Jack here is my knight in shining armor. Hes really good at pulling my ass out of trouble."

The way she smiled at Noah with that sparkle in her eyes when she winked made him wish she would have never left for a very brief moment. The times they had together were truly beautiful because she was very special girl. Piper still had a spot in his heart and could always come to him with whatever she needed. Most other girls Noah had dated didn't enjoy that priviledge.
"Maybe I was just in need of hearing some good music and I wanted to introduce my two best guys." He heard her say. The first part was a bunch of crap. Sure, Piper liked good music but that was never the reason to come to him.
With interest he learned that the blonde, out-of-bed looking guy was now included into the circle of her 'best men', which told him he had to take him serious even though everything inside of Noah screamed. 'He's ridiculous, mock the hell out of him'.
"Two best guys, huh?" He muttered under his breath when he looked back at Jack...
He raised his chin and offered his hand. Well, welcome to my playground, boyfriend Jack."
The next words didn't go down so well when Piper reduced him to 'an old friend'. Surely they had been much mire than that but for some reason she wasn't ready to openly announce that.

"Jack here is my knight in shining armor. Hes really good at pulling my ass out of trouble." She said but Noah retorted with a slight grin.
"Then why are you here, if you're not in trouble?"

Briefly his eyes flickered to Dillon, who was motioning for the front door. Close to it two police men in uniform were starting to look for somebody.
"Did you bring company?" He asked Piper and Jack while keeping his eyes trained at the two coppers.

You wanna have a stare down fight with me while smoking a cigarette, bitch?! Cause I will whoop yo ass, man! This shit's on like Donkey Kong!

Who the man now, huh?! Yeah!

Bwahaha, couldn't resist... Will post for reals asap

Haha, good one, but man, you don't look good without hair. Hope you're not going bald anytime soon.

As Piper did the introductions and slid her small hand into his bigger one, Jack pulled her close so that she was draped against his side while a lazy grin strolled onto his face, breaking through the stubble around his mouth.

"Well, welcome to my playground, boyfriend Jack."

Jack nodded as a small greeting while he reached out and shook the guy's hand. Without realizing it, he had already begun scrutinizing every detail on the man, looking for the tell tale clues that would help him identify whether he could be trusted or not. Meanwhile though, he kept his mood purposefully light, intent on having a good night with his girl as a hint of a smile once again lifted the corner of his mouth at Noah's next comment. The obvious distaste the other man seemed to have towards him was entertaining enough, at least.

That was, until Noah's attention turned elsewhere...

"Did you bring company?"

Jack had barely turned his head to peer back at what Noah was referring to when more cops (though these were suited up in black SWAT uniforms) busted through the doors of the club, spilling out like well-armed diarrhea.

"LAPD! EVERYBODY STAY WHERE THEY ARE!"

Oh joy...

Behind the SWAT team came in three more men, all three wearing neatly pressed, dark suits, looking for all the world like either real estate agents, or Feds.

Make that double the fucking joy....

A few months back when he'd made it to the FBI's most wanted list, Jack had been a very proud man indeed, as though it was some kind of achievement, a record of how badass he was. As the months passed by however, his notoriety with not only the law but with one of the biggest drug cartels this side of the pond as well, was becoming more and more of a pain in the ass. Being an outlaw had its moments, yes. This one though, was not one of them.

Moving through the panic stricken crowd, the pigs were clearly well prepared and efficient as they surveyed the many faces. Sure that the cops had most exits surrounded by now, Jack's expression darkened as he picked up his shot of whiskey and knocked it back before he turned his attention on Noah.

"This place wouldn't happen to have any less conventional exits, would it?"

Without really waiting for an answer, Jack began to move, pulling Piper with him and using the crowd as camouflage as he began to push his way back through the packed club towards the direction of the restrooms. Places like this, they usually had a small window that could prove to be an escape, because at this point he didn't really trust Noah. This whole thing was a little too orchestrated for his tastes; it felt more like a tip-off than anything else, and who else knew they'd be here tonight?


(OOC: Hey! You know he looks totally badass! )

Clueless as to the byplay going on between the two men, Piper smiled at them both happily even as the night went to hell in a handbasket. One minute, she was standing there enjoying a drink and talking to her two favorite people and the next? It was as if mass confusion had hit.

"Did you bring company?"

Huh? What on earth was Noah talking about?

A question that answered itself five seconds later as panic hit the place and shouts were heard above the noise.

"LAPD! EVERYBODY STAY WHERE THEY ARE!"

Oh shit. While there was every chance that they weren't the ones being searched for, there was every chance that the police would nab extra catch in their net this evening if they didn't get the hell out of there. Confusion made her brain foggy though as she spied three men in suits step through the door and briefly, one of them seemed to meet her gaze over the crowd. When he immediately nudged his buddy, Piper felt panic well in her middle even as Jack was moving, grabbing her hand and already passing Noah.

"This place wouldn't happen to have any less conventional exits, would it?"

The question barely registered in the blonds mind as she was pulled along through the crowd towards the back hallway. Moving more on instinct that anything else, the dancer's brain worried over how the hell they'd been found so quickly even as the thought of Noah betraying her didn't even enter her brain. None of it made any sense, she thought absently even as they raced away from the trap that seemed to be closing around them.

The club wasn't searched or stormed by the LAPD every day. Every now and then, yes, but usually not with a SWAT team. There could be various reasons or people among the crowd. It could be his own little business that they were after but in this case it looked like Jack and maybe Piper were the target as they instantly started moving away from the cops and asking for 'back exits'.

The crowd acted as a perfect disguise as most guest did not obey the police orders but ran around wildly.

Jack and Piper were already on their way to the bathrooms when Noah caught up with them and waved them towards the stairs that led up.
"There actually is, come on."
He didn't care much about the new boyfriend but Piper was still very close to his heart. Pretty women just don't belong in jail.

With fast steps he led them up the stairs, casting one quick glance back at the cops to make sure they didn't follow them. Unfortunately one of the guys noticed them and started pushing his way through the crowd hollering for them to stop. "Freeze!" he ordered. Maybe he had recognized Noahs face from some old mug shot or was familiar with the club.

"Move, move!" he shoved Jack forward.
In the back office. There's a back door that leads to the next building."
In a sudden hurry he unlocked the office door and crossed the room to push a shelf aside. behind it was a door.
"In here."
Outisde heavy boots against concrete could be hear over the noise over the crowd.

"There actually is, come on."

Seeing the men in uniform getting closer, cutting off their way towards the restrooms, Jack was left with no other choice but to change his tactics and trust Noah for now. Wasting no time, he lead Piper back through the throng of panicking people, losing precious seconds as the pigs swarmed the place.

Better know what the fuck you're doing, Noah...

Keeping up with Noah before him, Jack followed the man down a corridor, towards the stairs with Piper in his wake. By the time they'd gotten to the foot of the stairs, Noah was already half way up them, saying something about an office with a back door leading towards the next building. At the back of his mind, Jack still wondered if this whole thing had been a set up, a trap to lure them in, especially since only Noah knew they'd be here tonight. It would explain the Feds' well-coordinated raid, but surely if Noah had sold them out, then he wouldn't be going to great lengths to help them get the fuck out of dodge, would he?

Theorizing how all this came about took a speedy second place to taking a hold of the office door and closing it, locking it back up behind them to buy them some time.

"In here."

A look of quiet rage crept into his eyes as Jack turned on his heel, reached for the gun hidden underneath his shirt and grabbed Noah by the collar of his, shoving him against the wall next to the hidden door.

"Was this you? Did you fucking sell us out?" Holding the barrel of the gun pressed underneath Noah's chin, Jack's words came out between gnashed teeth. A brief reprieve of silence hung in the air while he waited for an answer, broken suddenly by the loud bangs on the door.

"LAPD! OPEN THE FUCK UP!"

Sneering, Jack pushed Noah back and let go of his shirt. His rage still simmered under the surface as he motioned for Piper to go. Whether Noah was a rat or not, there was no way he was going to let her get caught. Not now, not ever.

Holy hell. Where they ever going to catch a break?

Those where the thoughts rolling around in Pipers head even as they blasted through a back hallway and into an office. For a girl who was usually content to mind her own business and kept her nose out of trouble, she'd sure found herself in way over her head. Granted, it really hadn't been her fault but she was seriously a fish out of water when it came to the sort of thing that she currently found herself dealing with and now, it seemed not only the mafia was after them but a god damned Swat team too?

Damn it to hell, this was just growing more insane by the minute.

The slamming of a door brought the blond out of her thoughts though as did Jack as he went on attack. As his hand whipped about with the gun, her azure eyes widened, gaze shooting between him and Noah even as thuds sounded at the door. What the hell? Leave it to men to get in a pissing match, she thought sarcastically even as she shook her head.

"JACK!! NO! Noah wouldn't do that!"she cried, even as a louder cry topped hers from the cops outside the door.

"LAPD! OPEN UP"

"Come on, baby.. We don't have time for this... Noah, I'm sorry. I don't have a clue why they are here. I honestly don't. The only trouble I knew of was from a bunch of Russians. This .. This crap.. I don't honestly have a clue," she told the other man, blue eyes filled with fear and confusion. "We gotta go though.. We can't get caught or we are all dead.. Understand? Even you now if they know we were coming here for something..."

The cops on their butts bringing heavy artillery into the club had Noah preoccupied enough to miss the small bump under the back of Jack's shirt. Under any other circumstances he would have spotted it but now he only noticed it once the gun was aimed at him. It wasn't the first time he was looking down the barrel of a gun but surely the most surprising time because he figured that since Jack was with Piper he'd be at least somewhat 'friendly'.
He also didn't appreciate being shoved against the wall one little bit, at least not by guys. 
So his hand shot up curling around Jacks wrist when the young hot head shoved the cold steel right into his jaw and accused him of ratting them out.
If it hadn't been for his ex girlfriend in the room Noah would have snapped Jack's wrist right there and then without thinking about the consequences. Wouldn't be the first time. Her presence however toned his suddenly erupting anger down to a dangerous sparkling in his eyes.
Through gritted teeth he warned Jack. "Take the fucking gun..."

The LAPD interrupted their little feather ruffling and sure enough Piper pulled back her puppy and reminded him that her ex was on their side. She then went on to ramble about not knowing what the cops were after ...except sth about Russians.

For a moment Noah disregarded her. Despite the obvious time pressure he stared Jack down and then shoved his finger in the blondes shoulder. "Make that piece of junk disappear NOW."
He had no idea why Piper chose an idiot like Jack as her new man. Couldn't be for the good looks now, could it? Smarts, no...so why? Maybe he was rich.

Turning his head to the door he hollered. "Hang on a second, don't tear down my door. I'm opening up!"
Another hard knock almost busted the lock on it.

So Noah motioned for Piper to get a move on. "Move. Go to my garage and wait there."
He tossed her a set of keys, waited for both of them to make it through the small hidden door and then pushed the shelf back where it was before to hide the secret exit.
He then walked towards the door, rattling the keys in the lock for a moment.

A second later it practically flew in his face when the cops pushed it open and pointed their guns at Noah.
"Where are they?" Men with no face or name demanded to know.
"Who?" Noah asked playing his role very well.
"The man and woman who came up here with you?" He got shoved against the wall once again, which made him grit his teeth for the second time within a few minutes. It became harder and harder to hold back that anger threatening to brake loose deep inside of him. Now was not the time or place to pound somebody though.
"They ran down the hallway, towards the bathrooms."

Men. Why was it they always had to see whos dick was bigger?


Shaking her head, Piper grabbed Noah's keys and made a fast beline for the hidden door. Ok, so maybe the knowledge that it was there gave her past relationship with Noah away but she didn't pause to think about that as they made a fast get away. Tugging Jack along behind her, she swore as the door shut behind them and they were left in near darkness. Muttering low under her breath, the blond felt along the wall, moving as silently as possible as they navigated the passage to the personal garage of the staff.

Once they reached the end, she carefully eased open the portal, glancing this way and that before waving a silent Jack forward. His angry expression made her sigh even as she tossed him the keys to one of Noah's "toys". Since he usually road the Harley, she knew it probably belonged to the black SUV sitting in the far aisle.

"Come on , babe.... We'll talk when we get home, all right?" she told her lover before they ran for the vehicle. Thankfully, there didn't seem to be any police lurking about and they were able to get out of the lot and on the street home without any more hassle.