AN: First of all, thank you all for helping me retain the top 5 spot for 5 days. Never imagined I'd get over 2.3k powerstones. Thanks again. Now, time to start a new week. So, GIVE ME THOSE POWERSTONES. [Oh, and do check out my new ff> Two and a Half Men: Waking up as Charlie Harper]
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Alex stood a little way from the chaos, watching as flashing red and blue lights painted the night in pulses. The steakhouse was completely sealed off. Yellow police tape fluttered in the breeze. Cops barked orders, pushing back curious bystanders. Two ambulances sat with open doors while paramedics wheeled out bodies under white sheets. Forensics worked quietly, scanning and bagging whatever evidence they could recover. A man in a vest was snapping photographs of shell casings and blood trails, his flash slicing through the dark.
Then there were those reporters swarming around for a scoop.
It looked like a warzone.
Alex stayed still, leaning casually against the hood of a parked sedan. Hands in his pockets. Face unreadable. Not blending in, but not drawing attention either. No one would be able to tell by his expression that he killed seven assassins and dodged bullets.
Chloe stood near the entrance of the restaurant, talking with the officer in charge. Her body was tense, jaw tight. She nodded at something he said, then handed over a statement on a clipboard and signed it.
When she turned, her eyes scanned the crowd.
She spotted him across the street.
Alex caught her gaze and gave a small nod. Then, without a word, he turned and began walking away, slipping down the sidewalk, the hem of his coat swaying behind him.
Chloe didn't hesitate.
She left the perimeter, ducked under the tape, and crossed the street, trailing him at a quick pace. He turned into the nearest alley, slipping between a trash bin and a narrow loading dock. By the time she rounded the corner, he was already waiting for her near a stack of old pallets, arms crossed, perfectly calm.
Chloe stepped closer, stopping a few feet away. Her voice dropped low.
"What the hell was that back there?"
He tilted his head. "Define 'that.'"
She shot him a look that could've burned through steel.
"Seven trained men. Armed. Coordinated. And you dropped them like you were ordering coffee. You didn't even flinch. Didn't miss. Every single shot was clean. You stabbed a guy with a wine bottle like it was a goddamn penknife."
Alex shrugged slightly. "They were sloppy."
"That's your explanation?" she hissed. "They were sloppy? Come on. I've worked homicide for a decade. I've seen ex-military, ex-cops, bodyguards, mercs. I've seen pros crack under pressure. But you?"
"Yeah, told you, I got a plan. Remember?" He replied with a smirk.
Her voice dropped to a whisper.
"What are you?"
Alex looked at her, quiet for a moment.
Then he said, "Alive."
"That's not good enough."
"I know."
"Were you military?"
"No."
"Private security? Assassin? Trained since birth by some black-ops group?"
"No."
"Then how?"
"It must be that kiss. Yeah, it's definitely the kiss. It gave me superpower."
Chloe blinked. "The kiss gave you superpowers?"
Alex nodded solemnly. "Clearly. One kiss from Detective Decker and boom, bullet time, bottle jabs, elite marksmanship unlocked. You've got dangerous lips, Detective."
'This guy, haha,' She stared at him for a beat, trying to keep a straight face. "You're unbelievable."
"No, no," he said, stepping closer. "You kissed me. That makes you the unbelievable one. Pretty sure there were sparks. I might've blacked out for half a second. Could explain the sudden upgrade."
Chloe opened her mouth. Closed it. Then burst out laughing. "You're seriously blaming my kiss for your kill streak?"
"Blaming?" Alex placed a hand on his chest. "I'm thanking you. That kiss saved lives. Well, mine. And yours. And technically, that one guy in the corner who was too scared to move."
She shook her head, grinning now. "You're insane."
"I'm alive," he repeated with mock drama, holding her gaze. "And I think you owe me."
'Oh, no!' Chloe's eyes narrowed. "Owe you? I just watched you take down seven men with your bare hands and a wine bottle. I can't even reveal your name, and even if I did, no one would believe it. The CCTVs are all down. Even the civilians are refusing to give a statement. And I had to make up a story. You have any idea how hard it is? If anything, you owe me therapy."
"No, no, no," Alex said, finger wagging. "You promised. Right before I walked into almost certain death, you made a promise."
Her smile faltered, suddenly realizing where this was going. "Don't."
"Oh, I will." He took a step closer, eyes glittering. "You promised. Are you gonna break it?"
Chloe's face went crimson.
"I was buying you time!" she said quickly. "You were about to die! It was emotional manipulation! No sane man would've remembered that!"
"Photographic memory, remember?" Alex said. "Also, your wording was very clear. Not 'maybe,' not 'we'll see,' but a direct promise. As a detective, I imagine you take verbal commitments very seriously."
Chloe looked skyward like she was begging for lightning to strike her. "I swear to God, if you ever repeat this in front of another human being..."
"Too late," Alex said, tapping the side of his head. "Already archived."
Chloe groaned, turning around in a full circle like she could physically escape the moment.
Alex chuckled and leaned casually against the pallet stack. "You kissed me, promised a peek at your boobs if I survive, and then you watched me turn into a superhuman with wine breath. I'd say that's a solid first date."
Chloe rubbed her temples like she was trying to massage the embarrassment out of her skull.
"You're lucky I don't have a taser right now."
Alex grinned. "You'd tase a man after he saved your life?"
"I'd tase you for the smug smile alone."
He leaned in just slightly. "Come on. Admit it. You were impressed."
"I was horrified."
"But impressed."
"You stabbed a guy in the neck with a cabernet sauvignon."
"It was a merlot. Please show some respect."
Chloe threw her hands up. "You are unbelievable. What even are you? You look like a billionaire, move like a veteran, and flirt like a high school drama teacher during parent-teacher night."
Alex tilted his head. "That's oddly specific. And slightly concerning."
"Whatever. Point is, that was not normal."
"Neither is promising to flash someone before a sniper tries to blow your head off."
She groaned again. "It was a joke."
"Your boobs are no joke, Chloe."
Her jaw dropped. "You did not just say that."
"I said it with respect. Like a man complimenting the Sistine Chapel."
"Oh my god."
"Would you prefer I call them majestic?" Alex asked, raising an eyebrow.
"I will end you."
Alex nodded solemnly. "Death by boob joke. It's how I've always wanted to go. Maybe throw in a kiss or two."
Chloe turned, started to walk away, then stopped mid-step, spun around, and pointed at him.
"You're going to forget that promise ever happened."
"Sure."
"Really?"
"No."
She narrowed her eyes. "You know I'm a detective, right? I carry handcuffs."
"Oh, kinky. Never thought you were into BDSM. Looks can be deceiving, huh?" Alex said with another smirk.
Chloe stared at him, face halfway between murder and secondhand embarrassment.
"I meant arrest handcuffs," she snapped.
Alex nodded, dead serious. "Of course. Naturally. The law-abiding kind of cuffs. With paperwork and everything."
Chloe's hand twitched toward an imaginary holster. "You know, I almost miss the part where bullets were flying at my face."
"See?" Alex smiled. "That's the effect I have. I make life's worst moments feel oddly comforting by comparison."
"Comforting? You're a walking headache in a tailored coat."
He tugged the hem of his coat with a flourish. "Thank you. It's imported."
She squinted at him. "Is that wine on your lapel?"
"It's vintage," he said. "From the guy whose head it shattered on."
Chloe made a sound like a tea kettle about to explode. "You need therapy."
"I've been saying that for years. Rachel even bought me a gift card. I gave it to the valet guy."
"Of course you did." She paced, fingers massaging her temple. "I just want one normal night. One. No guns. No gangs. No mafia wars. No jokes about my boobs in alleys."
Alex's face lit up like he'd found a rare Pokémon. "So you admit they're joke-worthy."
Chloe gave him the slowest, most judgmental blink in LAPD history. "I swear, I'm going to put 'Don't flirt with billionaires' on my gravestone."
He shrugged. "Better than 'Died alone with a dry steak.'"
"HEY. That steak was excellent, thank you very much."
"Oh, it was. Tender. Juicy. Perfect sear. A beautiful meal... until you pulled me down."
They both paused.
Then Chloe muttered, "You just had to be hot and funny."
Alex perked up. "So we've confirmed it. I'm hot."
"Nope. I'm striking that from the record," She smiled.
"Too late. Archived. Along with 'boobs' and 'flash' and that kiss that made me briefly invincible."
Chloe turned and leaned against the alley wall, hands over her face. "God, please let a sinkhole swallow me."
Alex walked to her and leaned next to her, shoulder brushing hers.
"So… now what?" he asked.
"Now I go home," she said. "I pour a glass of wine, kiss my daughter goodnight, and pretend this night didn't happen."
He grinned. "Want company for step one?"
She snorted. "You show up at my apartment, and Trixie will tase you before I even get the chance."
"Not if I give her a set of unreleased comics as a bribe."
They stood in silence for a few seconds. The street beyond the alley was returning to normal, as normal as it could get after a gunfight. Sirens still hummed, but the panic was fading.
Alex cleared his throat. "In all seriousness… thanks."
Chloe turned, surprised. "For what?"
"For not freaking out. For not running. For being… you."
She softened slightly. "I've seen worse."
"Have you?"
"Well…" She looked him up and down. "You're definitely in the top three 'weirdest nights' category."
"That's an honor."
"Right under 'accidentally arrested a mime' and 'gave CPR to a goat at a children's zoo.'"
He blinked. "I… don't even want to know."
"You really don't."
They both chuckled.
Then Alex nudged her lightly. "So… detective… give me a lift."
...
[Alex's penthouse]
The elevator doors slid open with a soft chime. Chloe stepped in slowly, eyes scanning the space with practiced suspicion, like she was expecting booby traps or an elaborate villain monologue.
"No funny business," she said firmly, heels clicking as she crossed the threshold. "I mean it."
Alex raised both hands in mock surrender. "You have my word. This is a strictly PG-13 evening. Maybe PG if we ignore the blood on my collar."
Chloe glanced over. "You should really get that cleaned."
"Dry cleaning's booked until Friday."
"You're worth billions."
"Dry cleaners still don't care."
She rolled her eyes.
Alex walked ahead, loosening his jacket and slinging it onto a nearby chair with casual elegance. Chloe followed him into the living room. Huge sofa. Massive TV. Bookshelves. The usual... (Not going to describe the penthouse everytime lol)
"I have to admit," she muttered, "this place is less evil lair than I expected."
"I was going for 'eccentric recluse with good taste.'"
"Mission accomplished."
Alex disappeared into a side room.
Chloe wandered a bit, looking at the framed photos and awards. There were no family pictures. Just movie posters, magazine covers, and one hilariously blown-up comic panel of a chibi version of a girl (Max Prime) punching an alien in the groin.
She stopped in front of it. "What… is this?"
From the study, Alex called out, "That's from our April Fools comic. 'Max Prime vs. The Alien Dong Invaders.' Limited run. Still at work for the next year."
Chloe blinked at it. "You know what? Not even surprised."
A moment later, Alex returned, holding a stack of pristine comic books. All sleeved. All carefully packed in a black, sealed box.
"What's this?" Chloe asked, taking it with both hands.
"For Trixie," Alex said. "Ten unreleased Titan Comics aimed for childrens. Not out for another six months. Zero leaks. No spoilers. Collector's grade. Numbered copies. She'll be the first fan in the world to read them."
Chloe stared at him. "You're trying to bribe my child."
"Absolutely."
"She's ten."
"Ten is the perfect age for psychological manipulation through art."
Chloe shook her head, laughing. "You're the worst."
"Also included," he said, pointing at the box like a proud infomercial host, "are two original sketches signed by me, a custom-themed bookmark, and a limited edition Titan enamel pin."
Chloe blinked. "There's a pin?"
"There's always a pin."
She looked at the box again, then at him. "So, this is you bragging about how you keep your promise, huh?"
"I don't half-ass anything, Detective. Especially not bribery and promise."
She narrowed her eyes playfully. "So you're telling me, your strategy is: survive a sniper attack, flirt with a cop, and then win over her kid with exclusive comics."
"Exactly."
"And what do you get out of this?"
Alex leaned casually on the back of the couch. "Maybe she'll let me come over for breakfast one day. Maybe she won't shoot me if I call at 2 AM."
"I still might."
"But you'll think about it first."
She tried to hide a grin. "I'll give you this, your villain arc for Batman is very well-written."
"I try."
She tucked the box under one arm, clearly impressed despite herself. "Trixie's gonna lose her mind when she sees this."
"Just tell her to read in a well-lit room."
"She'll ask me if you're a superhero."
"Tell her I'm more like a morally ambiguous side character with plot armor."
Chloe laughed again, then looked around.
"Okay. No funny business. I got my comics. I should go."
Alex walked her to the door.
"Safe drive."
She paused, hand on the handle. "You, uh… Thank you. For everything. And to be honest, I approached you because I was investigating a case and... Well, I now feel bad. You are a good person, Wilson."
"Oh, a compliment. Thanks. I'll take it," Alex said with a smile. "And don't feel bad. Thanks to that investigation, I got to meet you, kiss you. Let's just say, it was worth it."
Chloe shook her head with a little chuckle.
"Oh, I almost forgot, can I get your number?" He asked.
They exchanged their numbers...
Chloe opened the door.
"Thanks for the ride," he said.
She stepped out into the hallway, then turned back. "Thanks for… not dying."
Alex grinned. "Anytime."
The door shut softly behind her.
He stood there for a second.
Then turned around and muttered, "She didn't flash me."
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[8 advance chs] + [17 chs of Two and a Half Men: Waking up as Charlie Harper] [All chs available for all tiers]
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