Interlude: Trouble Before Work

Author's Note: I know I promised no more inundations of lore so after suffering through those five pages Saturday here's a little treat for all you Guys and Girls out there. This chapter though short will show you a side of Aaron that you haven't seen yet so Enjoy.

"But Honey you'll be late.," Cyndi complained as she and Aaron pulled into the parking lot of the third high class market in the past 15 minutes.

"I was late before we left the house. The least I can do is bring a peace offering when I make my apology.," Aaron said as he opened his door to get out.

"But you had a Doctor's Appointment.," Cyndi offered.

"Yes. Yes, I did. But I'd rather not lean on that as an excuse for tardiness.," Aaron stated in a serious tone as he bent down and looked at his Mother.

"What a Responsible and Handsome Young Man you are.," Cyndi said with a smile, reaching across the seat and ruffling his hair.

"I'll just be a few minutes. I only need a few more things."

"Okay sweetie I'll be here.," Cyndi's voice was so chipper that Aaron couldn't help but smile as he shut his door and walked toward the store.

Aaron had been here before so he knew exactly where everything he wanted was.

"First Stop The Back.," Aaron thought, giving the fairly attractive female clerk a charming smile as he headed to the back of the store.

[Ding... Ding]

Aaron heard the bell as someone else entered the store but he didn't stop to see who it was. Aaron gathered the rest of what he needed and headed to the counter to ring out. Aaron noticed two Men at the front dressed in the stereotypical black trench coats you see bad guys wearing in old movies. Aaron noticed the one he pegged as the leader given he was the one doing all the talking. He was also the one pointing a shotgun in the clerk's face while the other was holding a Chromed Out Desert Eagle Extended Mag, no doubt loaded with heartstoppers. They were popular among gangs nowadays.

Even as Aaron analyzed the situation he didn't stop moving forward. He was calm, perhaps a little too calm as he approached the armed Men, taking in everything in his immediate vicinity.

Aaron was a few feet from the Man holding a shotgun when he tapped him on the shoulder, causing the Man next to him to turn and point his gun at him., "Where'd the fuck did you come from?"

"Who is it?," The leader asked, not taking his gun off of the clerk.

"Just some kid.," His right hand confirmed., "Hey kid, Whatchu want?"

Aaron frowned at the Man's earlier use of language but smiled none the less., "I was in the back getting a few things. Mind if I pay for this?"

"What you talkin' 'bout Man? This here's a robbery."

"I can see that."

Aaron's calm demeanor to say nothing of the wide smile on his face seemed to unnerve the punk with the Desert Eagle trained on him and he nudged his boss's shoulder and said., "Hey Man, Get a load of this dude. I think his house is missing a few cards."

"Cover her.," The Leader said as he turned to face Aaron, his shotgun pointed dead center of Aaron's chest.

"I'm kinda in a hurry so if you don't mind I'd like to pay for my items and leave."

"Haha Leave he says.," The Leader laughed as he nudged his buddy who also laughed.

"Now listen here you little shit... This is a stick up. We were only going to take the money in the register but now we want everything you got like you'r clothes and that fancy watch of yours... Oh and I definitely want that ring of yours too."

"Yeah give'em over!," The other guy said, half laughing.

Aaron's expression instantly changed as without taking his eyes off the Man in front of him he set the bag of items on a cart at the end of the isle not far from where he was standing and the Man holding the shotgun felt a shiver slither up his spine. Aaron knew what was about to happen and he was already in motion, knocking the gun to the side with his right forearm before the Man in front of him could even pull the trigger. Aaron immediately followed up with a devastating back knuckle attack to the Man's left temple, wrenching his neck to the right with a crack.

"What The....?," The other Man spun, pointing his gun at Aaron who deftly stepped to the side then inside the Man's reach before striking upwards into the Man's chin with the palm of his hand, lifting him several feet off the ground.

It was over in less than three seconds, Aaron stepped up to the counter, setting the bag down in front of him. "I'd like to pay for these items Miss if you don't mind."

The clerk was still a bit shaken so Aaron repeated., "Miss, You're alright now... Everything's okay. Please ring me up and then call the police."

The Female Clerk slowly nodded and while she scanned the items with her still shaking hands, Aaron checked on the two would-be thieves. They were both still alive though ****. The second Man seemed to be the most injured, having a deep gash in the back of his head after hitting the counter on his way to the ground.

[Beep.... Beep... Beep... Beep]

The Clerk looked over the edge of the counter as Aaron was tying the the two Men up with some nearby extension cord.

"Getting To Be So A Guy Can't Even Shop In Peace Anymore.," Aaron thought as he stood back up and straightened his tie, The Clerk quickly pulling back, her cheeks flushed red.

"That'll be $22.43.," The Clerk chirped.

Aaron removed his pay card and swiped it through the reader and watched as The Clerk wrote something on his receipt before handing it to him.

Aaron smiled, Seeing a name and number beautifully written on the little polymer stub along with the words "Call Me!"

Aaron retrieved his items, thanked The Clerk whose name he learned was Amber and headed for the door, feeling Amber's eyes all over him.

"Such Manly Shoulders...," Amber thought, biting her lip.

"Get everything you were looking for?," Cyndi asked as Aaron placed his bag in the back seat and got back in the car.

"Yep. Just one more stop and we'll be set.," Aaron said as he gave his Mother a winning smile.