hacked title number 4

Ashton tried to keep his reactions to a minimum, giving Tramp a mild look before retreating. "Good doing business with you." He ended before he left to find Lex again.

Tramp wiggled his fingers at Ashton and slipped away.  First to find Bobo, then to get his hair decent again!

Lex was waiting patiently for Ashton, ready to head home.

Echo was actually on the streets today, doing some flipping of her wares for some extra cash. Today, it was jewelry, her specialty. She had a good eye for authentic wares, and her fingers nimble enough to slight someone of a watch, bracelet, or ring without them noticing. She was quieter and more reserved these days, and when she smiled now, it didn't seem to reach her eyes at all.

Ashton nodded to Lex. "Satisfied? Ready to woo Layla and sweet her off her feet with your heroism?"

Lex glanced at Ashton as he sauntered along.  "Why would I tell her?" he asked, honestly confused.  Then he noticed something and nodded down.  "The girl's back."

Ashton snorted. "Because why else would you go out of your way to bust someone that wasn't threatening you or me? And what girl?" He looked in the direction Lex was.

"Yeah, but she doesn't need to know," Lex shrugged.  "That Echo girl.  Wonder how she's doing."

"Ah." Ashton shrugged. "Why don't you go talk to her? I'm just heading home. Might pick up a couple of things on the way back."

Lex considered then nodded.  "Kay.  Cautious, kid."  It was his standard way of telling Ashton to be careful without nagging.  He slid down and slipped up behind Echo on soundless feet.  He stood behind her, waiting for her to notice him.

Ashton nodded and slipped away.

Echo didn't seem to notice Lex, but suddenly whirled around, brandishing a knife, ready to use. Once she saw it was just Lex, Echo relaxed, swearing softly and rubbing her face as she put the knife away. "Hi." She said quietly. "Sorry about that. I'm.... jumpy."

"I didn't notice," Lex drawled.  He gave her a moment to calm down, walking more toward the side and out of the way, moving in a manner that indicated she should follow.  Once out of the way, he said, "Saw your friend."

Echo followed Lex, looked up at him when he mentioned seeing "her friend." She thought that could only mean Tramp, and she felt a roil of emotions in her. "Y-ya did?" She asked hesitantly. "H-how... was he?"

"Well now he's a few clams happier, but otherwise seemed good," Lex said with a half shrug.  "Asked him for help with a job and split ways with him."

Echo looked down and sighed. "Glad he's doing well." She said softly. It still hurt a lot that he didn't want anything to do with her, but knowing he was doing all right certainly helped.

"He'll come around.  He's not that big an idiot," Lex shrugged.  "Maybe having a boyfriend will settle him down."

Echo's head snapped in Lex's direction. "Boyfriend?" She asked, maybe a tad too defensively to not be suspicious. "Tramp has a boyfriend? Who is he?!"

Lex's eyes narrowed.  "Huh.  Should have known it.  You're crushing hard on him, aren't you?"

Echo's eyes rounded and her cheeks flushed, more than confirming Lex's suspicions. "P-please don't tell him..." She begged. "I... I already know he doesn't like me back in that way, and no use making it awkward, even if he decides to talk to me again...." Echo looked down again, hugging herself some.

Lex gingerly patted her shoulder then moved away a bit quickly.  "Relax, kid.  I've only talked to him once.  I'm not going to spill the beans."

Echo shifted a little awkwardly. "Does... does Tramp seem happy at least?" She asked Lex softly.

"Nope.  But he's not hurting," Lex answered bluntly.  Easing up, he explained, "He's a drug addict on the streets who's alienated his only friend.  Not easy to be happy that way."

Echo sighed sadly. "Do you think I did the right thing, by asking you to help me shut that guy down?" She asked softly.

"Yes."  There was no hesitation in the answer.  "If he isn't careful, the drugs are going to eventually kill your friend, but the stuff that guy was using before we closed him down would have killed him inside a week, him and a bunch of others.  He was a murderer."

Echo nodded, seeming a bit more relieved hearing that at least. "And again, thank you for that."

Lex slipped on his shades.  "No big.  Oh, hey, I lost my coat over on the corner of Grant and Franklin.  If you can get ahold of it, would you get it back to me?  I like that coat."  He wasn't worried about anyone finding anything in it, he just loved his coat.

Echo nodded. "I'll keep my eyes open for it. I was actually thinking of flipping some clothes later. With the sudden burst of mild weather, people tend to leave perfectly good outerwear here and there."