Live and Learn

Her eyes go wide. He's asking her?

"I dunno. I'd have to do some research."

She's looking at him, her heart in her throat. She's had the same thought he did, only possibly that she's put Richard in harm's way by her ill spoken remark.

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"... That was years ago?" Ace offers, making sure they're all on the same page. "Like I said, seems like she's changed her skill set. She sure as heck wasn't Sir Rots-A-Lot last 'round."

Ace has this thing. With big bads. Where she really doesn't respect them at all. Knows to get innocents out of the way, but really never pays the proper respect.

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That's all right. Ryan will be plenty respectful for the both of them.

"Hostage situations are a rather ancient means of getting what one wants," Ryan points out flatly. "I wouldn't think I'd have to tell you, of all people." Timelord, after all.

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"Richard. You don't think..."

For the first time, there's a genuine thread of fear in her scent.

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Ace...

Yeah, she's the one over there on the couch facepalming. Dogs are so dramatic.

"You two do realize that if she didn't know I consider Raven m'brother, an' he returns the favor, she most likely wouldn't even care t'know m'name? I got my arse targeted last time 'cause she was tryin' t'pin Raven down, not me. She thinks I'm funny, I'm sure. Bint."

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Ryan shuts his eyes and takes a deep breath before answering, as much to gather his thoughts as ignore Ace's making light.

"I don't know, River. I know interfering makes one a target, or at least an obstacle. Ace, you interfered today, which I assume you intend to continue doing? In addition to that, you're still tied to Raven.

"River also interfered, and threatened, and regardless of how much of a threat she actually poses, Blodwen recognized that. She called you Goldeneyes, yes?" He shakes his head slightly. "I can't say if that's enough to make her pursue either of you. Ace, I'd say she has a definite interest in you due to past history. River...I don't know.

"The question we should be asking is, if she does, what do we do?"

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She keeps a hand over her mouth, looking down at the steaming mugs. Slowly, she wraps her hands around one and carries it to Ace.

"I agree. Because if that's how she treats someone she thinks is 'funny'," she puts particular emphasis on Ace's choice of words, "what would she do if she really had it in for us."

This is their home, she thinks. Their territory. And this woman will not prosper here, not if she has anything to say about it.

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Ace blinks at the pair of them, while taking her tea.

"I do sincerely hope you two aren't plannin' some sort of attack. An' while that might sound hypocritical as hell, dead is sommat that happens t'other people. People like you two. An' I've already done that whole buryin' someone here thing, an' it's rubbish."

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"We're not going to attack her," Ryan says firmly. "Not without provocation and certainly not without knowing how to take her down. Given her power level, this seems the sort of thing you only have one chance at.

"In fact, striking at all seems a very poor idea." He gives Ace a look.

He hates to admit it, but, "I doubt any of us are sufficient to stop her."

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"Oh heavens, no. I wouldn't dream of it."

"Richard's right, even with the not-being-able-to-die part, Ace, it's not a wise idea. Who knows what powers she has now?"

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Ace snorts into her tea.

And fails to tell them she'll probably have a decent running list on the outside of a couple months.

If they're seriously thinking she's going to stop, when that bint's hurt her brother, they'll just have to find out after the fact. Ace fails spectacularly at dealing with things in a strategic fashion (unless that strategy be 'full steam ahead damn the torpedos') where family is concerned.

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Yeah, that'd be why Ryan's assuming she intends to not stop harassing Blodwen. And if she doesn't stop, what are the odds River will stop stepping in as well?

He's scowling a little bit as he looks at River.

What Ace does is no concern of our pack. Are you going to keep making it our concern?

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River's brow furrows as she looks back at her mate.

She's my friend. And I didn't know she couldn't die.

"Well, I never said you were sane," she says to Ace, still looking at Richard.

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"Yeah well. Time travel rots the brain an' all that." She grins crookedly, giving the glib answer. Truth is, she's always been a bit on the unconventional side, and she's had a while to just get nuttier.

And people keep encouraging this behavior, oddly enough.

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Ryan's still meeting her gaze. I thought as much. And then he blinks, once, before looking at Ace again.

"Just as long as Blodwen doesn't get at you again, hmm?" It comes off sounding a little pissy.

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You would do the same. If it were Deitmar or Suzi.

"And it doesn't rot the brain. I bet you were half way there when you met the Professor the first time," she tries to keep her voice light, teasing.

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"One quarter." Ace returns, for clearly craziness can be negotiated. "A third, at the most. I still stand by my decision that high explosives can be art."

It was brilliant. It also got her kicked out of school for a month.

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