Tristen laughed as Becca declared he spoke too much. It was a common observation people made of him. Only made worst by the unfamiliar feeling of the redhead not only sitting over him but now moving on to his lap. To grin on his face vanished as she pulled the close fitting shirt over his head. Her instructions to keep things simple almost glimpsed past his attention and bewilderment looking up to the woman. Her skin was hot against his as she guided his hand up her torso. The look she gave him alone was intoxicating. Though he opened his mouth with intentions to say something smart her demand was all that rang through his mind.

Eyes dancing between hers and her soft lips as she leaned closer to him. The confident man suddenly found his ego shattered. Under normal circumstances he was fine with women but there was something about Becca that made him a new kind of stupid. Different from the normal stupid he got whenever a woman dared to give him the time of day. As her lips met his he pressed into the kiss gently at first, savoring the feeling. Though as the moment passed his discomfort succumbed to passion as he wrapped his free hand into her fiery hair and pulled her closer still.

---

"Well where's the fun in that?" Geo spoke to Becca as he took another long swig of the lager in his grip. Of course he had her number but he always liked to try and catch Becca when she wasn't expecting him. He liked giving spontaneity to the woman who he knew to be anything but. Everyone could use some of the unexpected in their lives. Of course the thought brought it's own list of memories in their history. In the very bar itself.

The elemental picked at the bar as the thought crossed his mind. It was still hard for him to think of Becca in those days at time. When he had first been picked up by the X's he had quickly got caught up in passions for the older woman. A young boy who got star eyed for the breath taking woman, though it always held more weight with him than he suspected he did with her. Of course he was no good for her, something that became apparent to him the older they had grown. She was responsible, meant for great things. The elemental had trouble finding himself solid ground ironically enough. Looking to try and steer away from the past he instead compensated with more humor.

"Besides, then you have a chance to warn people I'm coming. Takes all the thrill out of the chase." He forced a grin as he ran his sandy hand down the length of his tie. Theatrically he looked the length of the bar as though scouting the talent it offered this evening. It was all for show though, the man knew better than to go trying to pick up women at the Rock Bottom. Besides, he always found himself paying more attention to the owner.

Tristen obviously thought to make one more comment, but his better judgment kicked in, if that was something he truly possessed. He allowed her to kiss him, taking the lead where he hesitated. The kiss was gentle at first, as Rebecca learned her way around another’s mouth for the first time. She was bold because she was inexperienced, and she did not want him to realize that. Every touch… every kiss… every… well, everything else. All firsts she would brazenly stumble her way through with Tristen, the boy who had grown so fixated on.

---

Rebecca could give Tristen grief, but he had a long history of surprising her at the pub. She tried to shoo the thoughts from her mind, but it was hard when they involved the bar-top she was leaning over. It had been two years since anyone had touched her like that, and she was ashamed to admit she was getting restless.

True to himself, Tristen was witty and playful; the wit, she still told him was a newer addition, but he had never stopped being that playful, flirtatious free spirit. He matured a lot, but people seldom changed who they were at their core.

He joked about coming to her bar to indulge in “the chase,” but it was all talk; she knew Tristen did not pursue women at The Rock Bottom Pub. Of course, he chased women almost anywhere—like a dog chasing cars, it was his favorite pastime. The key was that this place had always been off limits. Rebecca never imposed the rule, and she never would, but it was just an unspoken decision Tristen seemed to make on his own.

Then again, it was still on her to be the one to tease him. She considered ways to bust his chops, but what she settled on was notably nicer than one of her usual barbs. ”I don’t know, Tristen. I’ve seen the clientele; even you could probably do better.” She took a swig from her rum and coke. ”Probably,” she added with a smirk.

Geo's grin stayed strong as Rebecca turned the joke around to the customers of the bar. A cough erupted from him as the beer caught in his throat mid drink. The coughing slowly turned into laughter as he caught his breath, working the drink out of his lungs. A older gentleman sitting down the bar seemed to catch his eye at the loud interruption. Still fighting through bouts of spasms the elemental held up his hand to dispel worry. Simply mouthing 'wrong pipe' to the man. His eyes, bright with fresh tears, then flashed over to the barkeep.

"Ought be careful there boss." His voice started with more grit that usual before clearing his throat brought him back to the usual gravel. "Don't want to say that too loud. Might hurt your tip percentage." As he spoke his eyes moved down, glancing at the well presented cleavage that wasn't too uncommon while she was working. Raising his eyebrows Geo took another drink of his beer as he averted his eyes back to the scenery.

"Though I think at this point that would be fair. Stacking the deck a bit don't you think?" He asked with a coy smile on his face as he gestured to her attire. Not that he would complain. Rebecca knew was a fan of her attire even if such things had remained somewhat buried over the years.

"And I do just fine thank you. Just know better than to ruin my favorite bar though." He spoke the half truth as he clicked his fingers against the bar, shaking a bit of sand onto the finished bar. "Could you imagine if every girl I've upset knew where I drank? I'd have more trouble than the whole team could manage." He sealed the thought with another quick swig.

Watching Tristen choke on his drink was satisfying; she still liked how unpredictable she could be to the geomancer. When things began, she was the cold, proper young woman on the team. She broke away from her typecast personality that first night at the bar. It was weird to think about how much a year of youthful indiscretions could shape the life Rebecca ended up leading. It was something she would not admit to anyone except herself.

Jokes of scaring away tips did not concern Rebecca. Their conversation was not so loud that any of her patrons would give them much attention. There were more men at the bar than women, so tips were guaranteed for the same reason Tristen was struggling to maintain eye contact. He was not shy about looking or commenting, and she should stop that.

Should.

Or she could lean against the bar, improving his view. ”It’s that just life though? Using what you have to get what you want?” Cleavage in a low cut top created opportunities, from financial benefits to a boost in confidence. She was no stranger to being stared at, but there was a difference between being admired by someone who wished they could touch you and someone who wanted to and could.

The idea of inviting Tristen’s list of scorned and offended women to the bar sounded like a party. The man was a cad, but a sweet one, if that could exist. A respectful womanizer. He made no sense sometimes. ”That sounds like a good business opportunity for me. Ex-lovers of Tristen Ogle drink half off, pitchforks and torches at the door.”

She was still smirking when she sighed and shrugged her shoulders. ”I’m not sure if this place could handle that many people at one time. I guess you’ll have to settle for one ex giving you grief all night.” Rebecca was never one to share, anyway.