Moving In (Roxie)

[the_next_avenger]

The night after their discussion, Joe followed Roxie's instructions to get into the building and headed upstairs to the apartment to check it out. He politely declined the doorman's offer of assistance as he didn't want to frighten the poor guy with the weight of his bags or their contents. Between all the clothing and weapons, Joe knew Uncomfortable Questions might be asked so he avoid the whole situation by carrying his own things.

 

Once he got through the door, Joe turned on some lights and checked the place out. Roxie had really good taste; the place was furnished much better than the places he'd been in the last few years. He didn't even see any rats scurrying once the lights were on. The cleanliness of the place made him realize just what kind of dumps he'd been inflicting on himself since he left Colorado Springs.

He sought the nearest empty bedroom and found it, sitting his bags down and taking off his coat.  He was about to figure out what he'd sleep on when he remembered something about a rooftop garden. Now, he had to see it.

He found the access to the rooftop and stepped out, looking around at the place. Whatever he'd expected this place to be, this was so much more. Joe simply walked around a bit, getting an idea of the space. He could put a heavy bag right over there, in the corner, if Roxie didn't mind...

for a moment, Joe let all of his worries and trepidations about the world fall away and he stood near the edge of the building with his head titled back, eyes closed and just enjoyed the sounds of New York by night.

Comments

[avengingwarbird]

Okay, that? That felt good.

Roxie wanted more of that.

She closed her eyes again and pushed those thoughts away.

"Like you have to ask," she said, pulling her hair up into a loose bun. She slipped her helmet back on and lifted the visor up, winking at Joe. "I could probably pick up a couple of non-Olympian friendly weapons while we're at it."

[the_next_avenger]

Joe grinned and let her go so that he could slide onto his bike. He put on his helmet and kicked the bike to life. He waited for Roxie to get settled.

"You got any knives? I've grown fond of those in my travels." he said, smiling and ignoring the weakening in his knees at that wink.

[avengingwarbird]

"A collection of ancient Greek ones, yes," Roxie nodded. "Did you want to borrow them for the evening, because you're more than welcome to." For her part, Roxie was probably going to choose a lasso. The easier to rope and throw them with.

[the_next_avenger]

"Yeah, a knife for the evening oughta to do it." he said. Once she was seated and secure, Joe would take off toward their brownstone. They'd head back in through the garage and Joe would turn off the engine in the slightly darkened area and smile.

"This is the place." he said, waiting for her to get off the bike the first. Then he'd rise and head for the door leading into their apartment.

[avengingwarbird]

It took her a moment. Roxie was starting to realize that sitting there, on the back, her arms wrapped around his waist, was probably the closest she was ever going to get to him.

Finally, she slid off the back, tugged the helmet off, and nodded at Joe. "I have to admit, I'm excited. Besides the Avengers, I've never really patrolled with anyone before."

[the_next_avenger]

Did he imagine that she didn't get up right away, that she was avoiding letting go as much as he was hoping she wouldn't? He sighed slightly. He wanted her, but there were so many reasons in his head that they couldn't be close like that.

"I'm really looking forward to this, too. I haven't had a partner in a long time. I've gotten so used to solo work that I'd forgotten what it's like." Joe said.

"Roxanne..." Joe said, feeling his mouth go dry. He wanted to ask her if what she said earlier about carrying a torch was only talk about the past. Then he remembered everything she'd been through and that she was still hurting, deep down. She needed more time.

Joe was trying to respect what she needed.

"It shouldn't take me long to get dressed. I'll be back in a few." he said, heading inside to change and get his gear.

[avengingwarbird]

Roxie paused and watched Joe head inside. A light frown crossed her face. The way he had said her name there for a moment...what had he been about to say?

She set the helmet down on the bike and then followed Joe up to her penthouse suite, lost in thought and hope.

[the_next_avenger]

Joe went to his room and closed the door, stripping down quickly and getting his SHIELD-issued gear together. He put on his uniform and boots, followed by his black trenchcoat. He put on his shoulder holster, equipped with his Glock and grabbed his combat knife, strapping it to his belt.

When he emerged from his room, he looked for Roxie.

"Hey, you." he smiled. "Can I still borrow that knife?"

There was at knock on the door just then.

[avengingwarbird]

Roxie had suited up in her own black armour. Though the mace still hung from its place over her belt, Joe would also notice the addition of a lasso - faintly glowing red - wrapped a little provocatively over her hips. Not on purpose, for once. It'd just be easier to unleash when she needed it during whatever thugs they ran across later that night.

She had been about to say something when there was a knock on the door. Roxie frowned. Her address was for the most part unlisted, and it was generally hard as hell to get into the building without the doorman letting you in.

She tossed an ancient, lethal-looking knife to Joe (it was, thankfully, wrapped in a Hydraskin sheath) and moved past the living room to get the door.

[the_next_avenger]

Joe caught the knife and inspected it, pulling it from the sheath. The quality and craftsmanship were exquisite. Joe had seen a lot of knives in the last few years and this one beat them all, hands-down.

He was about to tell Roxie exactly that when the knock came from the door.

When Roxie opened it, the doorman stood there with an odd expression on his face.

"Hi, Miss Danvers. I think someone's watching the building...they've been circling the block. Today. Three times. They came while you were gone...with a message..." he said, finally, before collapsing in the door way, face-first.

Roxie would see the knife in the doorman's back as he went down.