Smoking on dubs in clubs, blowing up like Cocoa Puffs.

[hostage]

WHO: Jesse & Tiffany
WHERE: Nonah thereabouts
WHEN: 2 hours after this
WHAT: Just two sad adorable tweakers, that's what.
WARNINGS: It is fucking Jesse Pinkman and Pennsatucky, I mean, just figure it out.

[Jesse takes the long route to Tiffany's place. It helps that he's in a rental car (and not his flashy yellow convertible that's probably got a bug planted somewhere on it) but he can't be too careful. He's checking the rearview the whole ride, keeping an eye out for tails the way his favorite hitman mentor taught him to. It shouldn't have to be this way, just going to hang out with a friend, but it is the way it is. Chilton's cautionary questions about Walt were at least enough to get Jesse's attention.

He pulls up alongside the apartment complex and honks twice. Normally he'd go to the door, be a gentleman about it, but things aren't ordinary and he doesn't want to get out of the car right here. He'll make up for his rudeness once they're at the bar.]

Comments

[tucky]

[Ever since Maurtia Falls's residents have started feeling even more sour towards imPorts, Tiffany has been spending the bulk of her bar nights right here in Nonah. It's a little bit of a disappointing change - Maurtia Falls had felt just a little bit like home - but nothing she can't roll with. It's been over a month now, and she's already compiled a mental list of good places to go and cool regulars to hang out with when she gets there. The one she's chosen for tonight is one of her favorites - a dive bar that's on the small side, but that's also popular and almost always crowded.

When she hears the honk, she flies down the stairs of her building, jumping into the passenger seat. The fact that he hadn't come to the door doesn't register as rude or unusual to her - she just shoots him a carefree grin.]

Hey!

So I can give you directions. It's right here in this city.

[hostage]

[He flashes her a smile in return and waits for her to get settled before he starts pulling away from the curb.]

Sweet. I'm pretty much never up here, so I got no idea where anything's at.

[tucky]

Cool. Is a regular bar okay? 'Cause I could take you to a club, if you want, but I don't know any of 'em as well.

[hostage]

[Jesse gives a short laugh.]

A bar's fine. I'm just here to spend time with you. Anyplace you wanna go.

[tucky]

[That just makes her smile more, relishing the idea that someone would care that much about spending time with her. First Raina, now Jesse - how did she manage to get such cool friends?]

... Yeah, okay. Great! Thanks.

It's, uh. It's just up here a little ways. Make a right.

[hostage]

[He turns where she directs him, with another glance to the rearview mirror.]

So what's been going on with you lately?

[tucky]

Not a lot.

[Even though she's just a passenger, she keeps her eyes on the road.]

I been laying low, I guess. After the swear-in... I don't know. Getting attention for being an imPort feels weird if people are gonna hate us for it.

[Better to be a nobody than a target.]

[hostage]

Nobody's been threatening you or anything, have they?

[tucky]

No. But I thought we were gonna get bombed at the hotel. Stupid, right?

[hostage]

Not so stupid. I mean... It's happened before.

[tucky]

Yeah, I heard about that. And people acted like I was crazy to be worried.

[She snorts, shaking her head.]

I don't even know if I'm gonna go to the next one.

[hostage]

I figure I better. Everything that's happened this month... I wouldn't feel right, leaving 'em short a healer. Just in case.

[tucky]

... Yeah, you're probably right. I'm a healer, too. I should go.

-- Parking lot's right there.

[hostage]

[Quick on the wheel, he turns into the lot and parks it without missing a beat. He kills the engine, then looks to Tiffany with a little smile.]

You know, you don't gotta do it just 'cause I'm doing it. I wouldn't think less of you if you didn't wanna put yourself through all that.

[tucky]

But you got a point. I'm supposed to be a hero. I wouldn't be a hero if I stayed away just 'cause I was scared.

[hostage]

Everybody's got a right to be scared and to keep their nose outta trouble if that's what they wanna do.

[tucky]

[She just sits there for a moment, thinking this over. Then she nods resolutely and opens the car door.]

Nah, it's okay. I'm used to trouble.

[hostage]

[He looks unsure about that, but he gives that a pause at her cue and opens his door to climb out of the car.]

...This trouble might be a little bigger than you're used to.

[tucky]

Everything here is bigger than what I'm used to.

[hostage]

[Jesse snorts ruefully as he locks up the car.]

That... makes two of us, I guess.

[Much as it amazes him. Just when he thinks things are as bad as they can get, they get worse. But he gives Tiffany another small smile, just to avoid being a downer.]

[tucky]

[She bumps her shoulder lightly against his arm as they walk to the bar's front door.]

Then I guess we gotta try to stick together sometimes, right? Help each other out.

[hostage]

[In response to that nudge, Jesse slips his arm around her shoulders.]

Anytime you need me, I'll be there.

[tucky]

[She copies the gesture, and they go in arm and arm.]

Thank you. And same goes to you; I got your back.

And now I'm gonna buy you a drink. Anything you want.

[hostage]

Whatever's on tap'll be just fine for me.

[If she's paying, he's not getting a good whiskey that won't get him drunk anyway.]

[tucky]

Not picky, huh?

[She heads on up and orders from the bartender, who seems to be familiar with her; they chat briefly, then she comes back with a beer for each of them.]

They got good stuff here.