An Unlikely Courtship

The motorbike finally made its way to the Warriors's base, and Ajax immediately dismounted it. As he entered the building, nearly every Warrior noticed the sound of the doors being pushed open, except Swan.

"Hey...I thought he was done for by the police!" Cowboy exclaimed.

"He actually made it out alive?! Jesus Christ, and to think he got his ass handed to them!" Vermin added.

"Ajax! Where've ya been?!" Snow asked as he ran over to Ajax.

"Heh, I knew you guys would miss me. Where's Fox? Or better yet, where's Swan?" the hot-headed man responded.

"Fox? Well..." Rembrandt managed to say but Swan cut him off by saying, "Mercy told me that he was taken in by the cops. But there was some news report claiming that someone was run over by a subway on the night we made our way back home, and assume it was him all along."

Recognizing Swan's voice, Ajax went over to him and grinned as he asked, "Hey, Swan, did you miss me?"

The warchief suddenly took notice and simply responded with, "I wasn't expecting you to return, Ajax. If you didn't fool around with that woman on the bench, you would've returned to Coney with us."

"Well, who did you expect? The tooth fairy?" Ajax said with a snarl.

"Hey, at least we're glad you came back. Thought you'd spend the rest of your life in the big house." Cochise said as he grinned towards him.

"Too bad Swan's not happy about your return." Vermin added, before the rest of the Warriors came over to Ajax to congratulate his return.

"Yeah, thanks for the warm welcome, boys. But now, I gotta get me some action, haven't had any since I was arrested. C'mon, Snow, let's go crash a bar or something!" the young man said, tapping Snow on the shoulder and convincing him to follow his lead.

"Right on! It's been quite some time since we found some girls and had a little fun with 'em." Snow replied as he went out the door with him.

"Maybe he can loosen me up whenever Swan's not around." Mercy said with a broad smile before she rolled her eyes and said as she began to approach Swan, "Nah, not gonna happen. But I know he's glad to be back...c'mon Swan, you should be thankful for him."

However, Swan still didn't seem to be sure about trusting Ajax all over again, especially when they quarrelled over the situation that got him arrested in the first place. However, the others were convinced he needed to make amends with him so that they could get along all over again.

As the two Warriors left, Carabello had finally entered the building, out of breath and saying, "Okay guys...I...I think I got your friend back! Man...that was a long trip! I need to get my bike back...but thanks for letting me hang out! See ya!"

"No problem. From this point on, you and the rest of the Crescent Moons are welcome to help us out if we're in trouble." Swan replied.

Carabello nodded before he went out and got back on his motorbike, and drove all the way back to Sea Gate. He was eager to tell Slattery and the others about his successful hijack.

I don't want to lose you, this good thing
That I got 'cause if I do
I will surely
Surely lose a lot
'Cause your love is better
Than any love I know
It's like thunder and lightning
The way you love me is frightening
You better knock, knock on wood, baby

• Knock on Wood, Amii Stewart

  ---

  "It's good to see you're back, Ajax. Me, Cowboy, and everyone else were worried that you would've been convicted." Snow said as he and Ajax downed a few glasses of beer.

  "Yeah, it's fuckin' great. Not to mention the possiblity of us getting laid with some chicks; you see any?" Ajax asked.

  "Well, judging from the people here in the bar, I'd say there's a few of 'em. Hey, check that out!" Snow said as he pointed towards a small group of people, including a woman and two men in blue jackets.

  These people belonged to the Little Italy Bluebirds, led by retired brawler turned mob boss James. They were considered to be reckless and brash, but when not out attacking enemy gangs and protecting their turf, they enjoyed gambling, especially with the money they got from the civilians in Little Italy.

  The group had a total of five people, three women and two men. They were all going to have drinks and play pinball, and when Ajax and Snow took notice of them, it seemed that one of the women really caught the former's eye.

  The particular woman was Diana, the Bluebirds's main artist and little sister of one of their muscle, Nuzo. Known for her ice queen demeanor, she is easily aloof at first, but easily opens up if the person talking to her is friendly towards her.

  Yet, she did have a little problem with her brother: the aspiring boxer-to-be had a lingering obsession towards Diana, but she always averted his abnormally flirtatious behavior towards her, even convincing him to get a girlfriend one of these days. So it seemed good that she was able to have some time off on her own hanging out with her friends.

  "Say, who do you want? I'm goin' for the brunette." Ajax asked Snow.

  "Diana? That's the Bluebirds's artist, not to mention Nuzo's sister. Heard he's got some issues with her." Snow replied.

  "Really? Looks like I was not aware of that. But tell me, which of the other chicks you want?" the short-haired man said.

  "I think I'll try my luck with the blonde, she looks fine." the dark-skinned Warrior said.

  The two Warriors split up to try and flirt with Diana and the blonde woman in the glitzy green dress; as Snow began a conversation with the blonde, Ajax approached Diana and gave her a smile grin.

  "You're looking real nice, toots. Heard you're the girl that lays burners around Little Italy. What's your name?" Ajax asked.

  Diana then looked him with a neutral gaze and responded with, "It's Diana. Who are you, and why are you talking to me?"

  "The name's Ajax, and if you're lookin' for a good time, I'm available!" the short-haired man replied.

  "A good time? With you? Oh, please. All the other men I've dated are gentlemen...and you're not a gentleman to me." Diana said, before she sat back and sighed. "Then again...I'm getting sick of the gentleman type. Really wanted a guy who's more laidback and more sexually charged." she added.

  "Now you're talkin' my language, babe. Hey, maybe we can hook up some time, whaddaya say?" Ajax said.

  Diana pondered the idea for a moment before she responded with, "I'll give it a week, then I'll give you my answer."

  "Fuckin' A. Catch ya soon, Diana." the young man said before he checked on Snow, who was busy engaging in a conversation with the beautiful blonde.

  "Hey, I think your friend really likes her." The blonde told him with a grin, and he nodded as he asked, "So what's your name, baby?"

  "I'm Carlotta. What's yours?" Carlotta replied.

  "It's Snow; nice to meet ya. So when can we hook up sometime?" Snow asked.

  "I dunno, it depends, since I'm so busy on the streets. But don't worry, I'll catch up with you when the timing's right." Carlotta said with a smile.

  "Hey, how come you guys came here to party? Didn't like the pizza back home?" Ajax asked as he immediately interrupted their conversation.

  "Excuse me? We were just having a good time, looking around new places." One of the male Bluebirds said as he approached him after playing a game of pinball.

  "Really? Which reminds me, if either you or that other wimp is dating Diana, then you need to break up with her on the spot." Ajax replied.

  "Neither one of us is dating her, you weasel!" The other male Bluebird said, about to attack the short-haired man before Diana told him, "Hey, we're all on good terms here. Besides, the Bluebirds have found this other gang to be quite friendly."

  Diana then asked Ajax and Snow as the two men were preparing to leave the bar, "What's your gang again?"

  "We're the Warriors. Remember that." Snow told her as they exited.

  Diana sighed in relief as she said, "Take that, Nuzo." while grinning broadly.