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Second Chances	By : demonsangel Category: M through R > Red Eye Views: 3289 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Red Eye, any characters from it nor any of the ideas behind it. I also do not own Kaori Yuki who is referenced later on. I am making no money what so ever with this story, it is purely for fun.

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            After taking a few minutes to catch his breath, Mitch finally got up off the floor and the two men made their way downstairs.

“You groped her? Why the hell would you do that? Sounds like a good way to get yourself killed,” Jackson said. To be honest, the thought of Mitch touching Rae had caused him to instantly tense again, especially after what he had just heard. Mitch just laughed.

“Honestly? It’s the best way to keep the kid from killing you if she’s mad. As you can probably already guess, Rae doesn’t really trust anyone anymore. Took two years for her to warm up to my sister, and nearly four to get her to warm up to me. The fact that she’s already become so attached to you is simply amazing,” Mitch said, shaking his head.

Jackson stared at him incredulously. “How the hell is groping someone going to keep them from killing you?!” He was seriously starting to question this man’s sanity.

Mitch just stopped by the door leading to the bar and laughed. “Well okay, maybe it won’t stop her from killing you. But it’s a fairly good way to keep her from doing any serious harm. If Rae is mad all you do is grope her and then all she really wants to do is get away from you. Sure, she may hit you or flip you on your back. But other than that she tends to just leave. Unless she’s really mad. Then you’re just screwed either way. Now come on, it’s already pretty busy and Rae’s out there on her own. We’ve got a lot of work ahead of us.”

Before Jackson could respond, Mitch had disappeared through the door. He just shook his head and followed. Jackson looked around as he entered the bar area. Things looked a lot different now. The tables in the middle of the room had been moved aside revealing what looked to be a dance floor. A few people were even already out there dancing to the music coming from the band on the stage. All the chairs were down and several of the tables and booths were already full, as well as most the bar stools. The lights along the walls had been dimmed while the center lights over the dance floor were on as well as those over the stage.

The music wasn’t as bad as he’d thought it would be. At the moment, the band was playing “Bleeding Love” by Leona Lewis. Rae was behind the counter taking orders and serving drinks, a small hand towel hanging from her jean pocket. Her hair was pulled back again and she was moving quickly, never once faltering as she grabbed bottles and mixed drinks, smiling at the customers as she handed them over, taking their money and returning what change was required.

That smile quickly disappeared when she turned her head, catching sight of Jackson. The song had just changed and the band was now playing another song by Leona Lewis: “Broken.” Wiping her hands on the towel, Rae passed it to Mitch as she walked by him. Mitch took it, tossing it over his shoulder as he took his place behind the bar. The anger was still visible in her eyes but what stung Jackson the most was the hurt.

It was then that Jackson came to a startling realization. That’s exactly what Rae was. Broken.

This quiet girl who was always quick to smile or trying to help was broken. That’s why she lived so far from the city and why she didn’t seem to have many friends outside of the small family she’d created for herself; she didn’t trust anyone. And if he had to guess, he’d say she probably was also scared and lonely, and that she never felt comfortable in most places.

Unlike Jackson, she hadn’t chosen this. He had chosen to distance himself from others. To take a job that kept him from having to get close to anyone, where he spent most of his time alone. Rae hadn’t. She simply never had a chance to make those connections with people and decide if she wanted to sever them. What she was doing now was simply a result of the life she’d lived, more like a defense mechanism used to protect herself. What was worse was that she had given him her trust and even offered some semblance of friendship, no strings attached and he’d just thrown it right back in her face.

            She was now standing directly in front of him, hands on her hips, a scowl on her face. “As you can see, tonight is our monthly dance night. It’s going to get a lot busier then this. Mitch will be tending the bar tonight while I work the tables. Ben’s got the door. Your job is to go around and gather the empty glasses and bottles,” she said, handing him a gray tub. “Bottles go in the can on the left under the bar. When it gets full, take them out back to the recycle. The glasses go in the dish washer. Once they are clean place them back on the shelves. Also keep an eye on the trash bins. If they get full, empty them. If you see anyone you suspect is underage let one of us know and we will check their id. Do not stand there and socialize with the customers or any of the girls working here. You are here to work. Not chit chat. Got it?”

            Jackson nodded, not wanting to argue with her at the moment. “Rae,” he started, reaching out to touch her arm as he got ready to apologize. The look of hurt in her eyes only intensified, followed by confusion as she stepped back, shaking her head slowly.

“Don’t,” she said, turning away. “Just don’t, Jackson. You best get to work. We’ve got a long night ahead.” With that she disappeared into the crowd, heading to the booths in the back to start taking more orders.

            “Don’t mind Rae,” a soft voice spoke up from behind him. Turning quickly, Jackson came face to face with a blonde woman with hazel eyes. She was dressed in a rather skimpy outfit.

She smiled at him. “She’s always got some sort of stick up her ass. Just ignore her. Name’s Amanda. I’m one of the dancers here. Normally we’re up on the stage entertaining the customers, but on nights like this, we’re supposed to be there to entice others onto the floor. After all, the more they dance, the more they drink.”

            Jackson shifted the tub to his other hand as he turned away and began gathering the empty containers. “I wasn’t aware this was that kind of bar,” he replied, really not interested in woman trying to flirt with him, or any of the others that were eyeing him slowly.

Amanda just threw her head back and laughed, following him around. “It’s not. Rae doesn’t allow that kind of dancing here,” she rolled her eyes. “I don’t see why. Best way to get customers is to show a little skin. Don’t you agree?” she asked, leaning forward, the tops of her breasts showing.

Jackson just scowled and continued to work. One of the girls came up and whispered something to Amanda causing her to pout. “Oh poo. I have to get back to work now, but I’ll talk to you later,” she winked flirtatiously as she walked away.

“I hope not,” Jackson grumbled.

            A few hours later and things were in full swing. Jackson had just gotten back in from taking out yet another can of empty bottles and was currently emptying the dishwasher in the back room. He finished loading all the various sized glasses into the portable rack, carrying them back out to the bar. He was glad Rae had insisted on him getting a pair of tennis shoes. They were a lot more comfortable right now then his normal ones would have been. Especially considering he had yet to sit down.

            As he put the glasses in their proper places he realized that it was no longer Mitch behind the bar but one of the girls, Jasmine, he thought her name was.

“Where’s Mitch?” he asked. She just motioned out to the floor. “The bosses are out there.” She said. Sure enough, when Jackson looked out at the dance floor he spotted Rae and Mitch dancing very closely to “Take a Bow.” Too close for Jackson’s liking.

He stopped what he was doing and just stood there, watching as their bodies moved together to the song, occasionally coming together. Rae’s body moved slowly, twisting this way and that as she moved, her dark blue jeans and white tee accentuating her curves. Her shirt had ridden up a bit as she slid in Mitch’s hands, showing off a bit of her stomach and what appeared to be a belly button piercing and even a tattoo that started on her hips and went all the way around her lower back. Jackson looked closer, trying to discern what it might be but he was unable to tell.

At that moment Rae looked over, catching him staring as their eyes locked. The stayed that way for a minute or so, though it felt like much longer, her body never stopping its movements as she continued to dance in perfect harmony with Mitch. She looked away, seemingly embarrassed and turned around to face her partner once more. It was when Mitch placed his hands on her hips and started to grind against her that Jackson had finally had enough.

All but slamming the glass in his hands down on the bar, he quickly went over to the two, weaving in and out of the other dancers. Mitch had seen him coming and casually stepped back as Jackson grabbed Rae’s arm, whirling her around to face him. She let out a shocked squeak as she fell against his chest.

She stared up at him in surprise as he began to move with her to Cascada’s “Evacuate the Dance Floor,” a look of determination on his face, his eyes daring her to pull away or for anyone else to interfere for that matter. Rae’s brows came together as she quickly rose to the silent challenge, moving with him smoothly.

Mitch moved away unnoticed and took his place behind the bar once more. “You planned that, didn’t you,” Jasmine stated casually, leaning against the bar. Mitch just chuckled, pulling out a bottle of water.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about, Jazzy. But it’s about time,” he winked at her causing her to laugh.

“Oh Mitch. You’re terrible,” she said with a smile. “But at least they both seem more relaxed now,” she observed. Mitch simply nodded, wrapping his arm around her and kissing her briefly.

After a few songs, Rae finally pulled away. “Break’s over. We need to get back to work.”

Jackson was a little disappointed she’d ended it so quickly but nodded just the same. At least she didn’t seem as mad at him now. They both went over to the bar and got some water before going back to work. Rae switched places with Mitch behind the bar as it was his turn to work the floor and began mixing drinks once more.

Jackson had moved over to an empty table near the wall and was clearing it off when someone placed their hand on his arm. Turning around quickly, he once again came face to face with Amanda. “I told you I’d come talk to you again,” she smiled, pressing against him teasingly as she held onto his arm.

“I saw you out on the floor with Rae. You’re really good. Why don’t you come over to my place after work and I’ll show you one of my dances?” she purred.

Jackson looked down at her in disgust and tried to pull away but she just moved with him, not letting go of his arm. “No thanks,” he said.

She stuck her lip out, pouting for a minute. “Come on. It’ll be fun. I promise I’ll treat you right,” she said, running a finger up his chest. Before he could try and push her away someone shouted for her.

“Amanda! Pack your shit and get the hell out! I warned you about that. This is a bar, not your personal whore house,” Rae shouted.

Amanda just sniffed, finally letting go of Jackson, turning her full attention on Rae. “You can’t fire me. Mitch is the one who hired me in the first place,” she responded haughtily, arms folded across her chest in defiance.

“The hell I can’t. I never wanted to hire you in the first place. You’re just a cheap slut who can’t make it on the streets. This is my bar and you are not welcome in it. Now GET, OUT,” Rae growled, her already sore temper rising.

Amanda just ignored her and turned back to Jackson, reaching out for him again, but before she had a chance to even brush her fingers against his arm she cried out in pain, her hand going to the back of her head where Rae had a fist full of her hair. As she tried to claw at the hand Rae was using to hold onto her hair, Rae’s free hand came up and caught hold of her wrist, twisting her left arm up behind her back.

“I said, get the fuck out,” Rae growled, forcing her to the door. With one final shove, Amanda was thrown out of the bar and landed hard on her hands and knees.

“And don’t let me catch you around here again, you stupid bitch.” Amanda quickly turned over to glare at her.

“What about my stuff?!” she yelled. Within minutes, all her belongings were thrown out the door at her, Jazzy having gone to grab them as soon as the confrontation started. With that, Rae snapped a quick picture using the Polaroid they kept and slammed the door in her face.

Rae pinned the picture on the board and went back behind the bar. After a few minutes, everyone who had stopped to watch was once again drinking, dancing and enjoying their night. The other girls made sure to avoid Jackson the rest of the time. It was clear from his display earlier on the dance floor that he wasn’t interested in the other girls, the display just now showing that Rae didn’t like anyone messing with him. Though they clearly had some issues they needed to work on.

Finally, it was time to close. The last of the customers had left as well as the dancers. Rae was wiping down tables while Ben followed behind, putting chairs up once they were clean. Mitch was cleaning the bathroom as he’d drawn the short straw tonight. Jazzy was still there and was currently sweeping the floor. Jackson was doing what he had been all night. Rae finished with the tables and threw the rag down on the bar, heading into the back room.

“Help me restock while you’re waiting for those to wash,” she said. He nodded and grabbed the boxes she told him to, carrying them out to the bar while she refilled the shelves.

By this point, Mitch had started in on the mopping. Once they had finished restocking Rae pulled a book out from under the counter and opened the register. She quickly started writing, marking down how much was made, what was used and what had to be re-ordered as well as dividing up the tips that were earned that night.

She finished about the same time everyone else did. Before Ben left, Rae handed him an envelope with that month’s check and gave him a quick hug. She did the same with Mitch and Jazzy, both of which headed upstairs. Jackson yawned and stretched, blinking in surprise when Rae held out an envelope for him as well.

“What’s that?” he asked, taking it.

She just rolled her eyes. “You worked didn’t you? That’s what you’ve earned tonight as well as your share of the tips. Though, you get cash instead of a check since you probably don’t have a bank account right now.”

He blinked and looked at it, nodding faintly. He hadn’t expected to get paid. “Er, thanks,” he mumbled, pocketing it.

She just waved her hand dismissively and yawned. “Whatever. Let’s go home. I’m tired. Dance night is always long,” she said, heading for the door.

Jackson followed her, eager to get off his now aching feet. How they stood all that time every day, he didn’t know. All he wanted now was a hot shower and to go to bed. It had been a long time since he had worked that hard.

Once they were home they both said good night and parted ways, each heading to their own shower. There was no smoking in the bar, so they didn’t smell like cigarettes but they were still tired, sore and sweaty and the thought of a hot shower was very welcome. Afterward, they both climbed into their respective beds and were soon fast asleep, the day having worn them out both physical and emotionally.

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Chapter 9 written 8/1/10 Also, I would like to apologize as this is a re-post of number 9. Due to it being 3 am when I posted it last time I didn't realize I hadn't edited it. Another thing, I am currently going through each chapter adding italics to the words that need them. I didn't realize I would have to code these things in, thus I am just learning how to do that. Please bear with me. Limunari Lilium.
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Second Chances