They Fight Crime. (Thoma - Jess)

[Thoma Hirako]

"I don't do my job for SPD; I do it for myself," he said, shrugging a bit, "I hate being considered an SPD officer; a cop. I really do. I only joined to get out of prison and to find Yuka's killer. You don't have anything to worry about; they'll never find out about any of this, Laura."

He put his hat back on, "Look, this is no place to be talking. Why don't you come with me to my hotel? You look like you could use a place to stay, and probably a meal."

[Jessica Jane]

"... Sure." She said slowly. "As long as you're paying."

The offer was yet another red flag about this whole mess. But her gut told her that Thoma was on the level, she was willing to trust that instinct... for the moment. But if he made one move that looked moderately suspicious, she was going to transform and get out of her.

"Uh, look..." She tried to turn her thoughts to less awkward matters. "This guy you're after... I'm going to need to know some things about him. What he did, what he looks like... What sort of dealings he has in the area, preferably of the shady kind... You know the drill."

Despite his claims to the contrary, if he was SPD, then he should have at least some idea of the kind of information that could make or break a case. She hoped he had some in him.

[Thoma Hirako]

"I would never let a woman pay when I take them somewhere," he said, "That's not who I am."

He started to walk down the alley, gesturing for her to follow, "Come; we'll discuss all of those things, and more, at dinner."

He had the man's file on his SP License, but he also had it memorized; it was important. He had to know everything he could, but even then, even having everything SPD had on him, he couldn't figure out where to find that man.

And he couldn't convince SPD to go after him; he wasn't a priority. So he kept it all to himself, planning on getting that man by any means necessary, outside of killing him, or crossing the line.

[Jessica Jane]

"Sure." Jess shrugged.

She turned and followed after Thoma, wondering just what she had gotten herself into. Whatever it was, it was shaping up to look more and more like a grand scale mess. Here was an SPD who didn't want to run with the SPD... why? There were so many questions going on right now, it wasn't even funny.

Her stomach grumbled, reminding her of priorities. Right. First things first, get some food, then try and track down the mystery murderer.

[Thoma Hirako]

"I assume that's all you have for clothing," he said offhandedly as he walked about two feet ahead of her, getting out of the alley and getting back to the main streets.

[Jessica Jane]

"No. My other suit is a Vera Bradley." Jess snapped back without missing a beat. There was probably a bit more snark in those words than should be given to someone providing a free lunch, but she wasn't about to take flack from anyone.

She kept in step behind him, not bothering to try and catch up to him. If he was too ashamed to walk alongside her, then that was his problem.

[Thoma Hirako]

He wasn't ashamed; he was trying to find something, "I figured as much," he commented, not really minding her snark or her words; he had it coming, but he had a point to bring up, "I'll buy you something, then. Where we're going, you'll want a fine set of clothing. And I'd rather have you off the streets; they're no place for you. You could stay with me for the time being."

He was making the offer not out of needing her help, but because he really did think she would appreciate the offer. He didn't want to know that a young woman such as her was out on the streets like this, when he could help her.

[Jessica Jane]

And that was red flag number... whatever it was. There had been so many lately that she'd lost count. It was one thing for him to invite her home, but for him to offer to pay for her meals, clothes and expect her to stay at his place? That was just squirrelly. It made her wonder what he expected of her in return, if he was willing to make this much of an investment in her.

She patted her pocket, and felt a surge of relief that her two Gaia Memories were still there. As long as she had them, she could handle any unsavory intention this guy might have. A part of her wondered how much of her thought process was influenced by a free meal and change of clothes (she wasn't that far gone, was she?) but she ignored it for the moment.

"Well, dang." She decided to try and make a bit of humor to lighten the mood... and maybe make up for her prior rudeness. "If I'd known you treated criminals this good, I'd have tried getting blamed for a higher crime."

Yeah. That joke sounded better before she'd said it.

[Thoma Hirako]

None the less, he gave a short laugh, "I can't let a young woman remain on the streets and do nothing to stop it," he said, "And before you say anything, I give a lot to charities and the like to try to prevent things like that."

He wasn't going to say where he got his money from, but he was sure she could figure it out.

He stopped suddenly, "Here; we can get you some clothing here," it was a nice looking store with more expensive items, but Thoma was willing to buy whatever she would need. And he would prefer such clothing to go with his since he planned on going to a restaurant with her instead of eating at his hotel; as he had no food there, at the moment, having just recently arrived.

[Jessica Jane]

The name on the storefront didn't mean anything to her, but the clothes on display more than made up for that. She felt her stomach twist again at the way the evening was headed; then she turned and gave her escort a raised eyebrow.

"That's a little overdressed for chasing crooks, don't you think?" She asked.

[Thoma Hirako]

"I didn't say anything about chasing crooks," he said, turning to her, "For dinner. Of course, if you want anything else for chasing crooks, as you put it, we can go elsewhere after this."

He didn't understand why she seemed to have apprehension or anything, which he could feel coming off of her. His intentions were pure; did she not believe that? But that part never really crossed his mind.

[Jessica Jane]

"Yeah... about that..." It was definitely way past time to put the breaks on this train. "I don't know what you're looking for or what your plan is, but... I'm in this to help find the slimeball, not become anyone's girlfriend or feed their guilt complex."

Jess' mouth deepened into a frown as she continued: "Not that I'm not grateful for the offer, but I hope you realize that my plan is to move on just as soon we get this guy behind bars. Once that happens, I'll be out of your hair and on my merry little way. So, in light of that information, are you sure that you still want to play the role of creepy stalker guy who plays dress up with the girl and sinks a bunch of cash into her? You tend to end up with more broken hearts that way."

Maybe it was a bit blunt, but it would be better to get the lines drawn now rather than try to establish them after the fact. Long term relationships were not something open to her-- not with the price on her head. So not only did Jessica not want to feed his hopes and dreams, she also didn't want to get involved in a situation that was definitely not what was advertised.

[Thoma Hirako]

He sighed, but not for the reason she would probably think, "Look, I'm not in this to try to make you mine, or anything like that, like you think. I want to help you as you help me, so I figured you might want clothes, a place to stay, at least for a time. Laura; you can decline my offers, I don't mind, I just have to change some plans, like lunch and dinner, but at least know that I'm not doing anything to further some agenda involving you."

He crossed his arms over his chest as he continued on, "My only interests in you are your help in finding that man, and to help you at least have a bit more of a normal life, for a time, anyway. That's it; nothing more, nothing less. Please believe that."

[Jessica Jane]

Jessica stared at him for a long moment, checking his eyes for any uncertainty or deception. After a moment, she lowered her arms and issued a small apologetic shrug. She wasn't quite satisfied with the entire thing, but... she was willing to give him the benefit of the doubt.

Which meant that she was now left looking like quite the jerk.

"Sorry." She said with all of the awkwardness of a person not used to such a concept. "A person just has to be careful, you know? There's a lot of sickos on the street and I've seen more than one person disappear never to be seen again. I... didn't mean to upset you. I'm... just paranoid. I'm not used to people actually caring about a bum. So... I apologize."

Egg meet face.

[Thoma Hirako]

"I do know how you feel," he said to her, "I understand your need to be careful, your apprehension of trusting me and what I've said and offered. But I'm not like the people you've mentioned; I'm really not."

He put his hands back into his pockets, "I accept your apology. Now...what is it that you want to do? Do yous till want to take my offers for clothes, shelter and food? Or would you rather not accept my hospitality? And please...don't call yourself a bum; I hate to have to see someone like you say that about herself."

He was trying to be as kind and sincere as he could be. He hoped she would accept his words, and that they could hopefully get going into a partnership, rather than arguing like this.