Hate Love (for Nolee)

Nolee turned her head, her eyes cold, "COdy if it isn't my good friend. Whats the problem?"

"I, um..." Cody started, the words he'd been about to say not coming out like he'd intended them too, distracted by the cold look in Nolee's eyes. "I don't have a problem, I-I just..." He trailed off, looking down at his feet instead, the behaviour more like something he would have done when he was yoinger.

"You just what Cody?" Nolee asked, not looking at him, "you just came by to say something before you started your shift?"

"Well yeah...I guess I did." Cody said softly. "Um...you know I'm not going to act any differently to how I normally would around you, right?"

"I don't know what you're talking about," Nolee smiled, "your going to be working from now on. Do you understand?"

"I worked anyway..." Cody pointed out, looking confused. "I meant how we acted as friends..."

"Well I don't care," Nolee replied, "you haven't worked in two nights. A broken nose is no excuse. If you don't get out there, you'll be sold to a family you can work for. The DiBiase's."

She knew it was cold but at the moment she didn't care.

At the mention of the DiBiases, Cody froze, quickly going quiet. He'd been about to respond to the comment about being sold until she'd mentioned them. Instead of trying to say anything else to her, Cody just turned and quickly left the room, going to find Lucas, trying not to panic over the idea of being back with Ted as he walked.

Lucas frowned, "Whats wrong doll? What did she say to you?"

"Nothing." Cody said a little too quickly, keeping his eyes on the ground. "Let's just go..."

Lucas frowned, "Something's wrong. What did she say?"

Cody shook his head. "I'll tell you later." He said, pulling on Lucas' hand so he'd start walking.

Lucas nodded, leading Cody to his motorcycle, "You ever ride one before?"

"Um...a couple of times, never on my own though." Cody said as he looked at the bike.

Lucas smiled, "You won't be alone. Maybe sometime I'll teach you how to ride it alone.:

"Maybe," Cody said, giving a small smile before moving closer to hug Lucas. "For now though we have work to do..."

"I have work to do, you still don't know how to use a gun,"Lucas replied.

"I still have to go though..." Cody reminded him. "So it's still work either way."

"But you aren't...welll...doing your job..." Lucas softly said.

"I....I can use a gun, I just don't like it." Cody said quietly, looking at his feet.

"You don't have to if you don't want to," shrugged Lucas.

"What if I don't have a choice...?" Cody asked quietly. "I wouldn't want him to hurt you..."

"He wouldn't hurt me. Better men have tried," shrugged Lucas.

"Doesn't mean I won't end up worrying about it though." Cody frowned. After a pause he sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I've barely seen him since I ended up with the DiBiases..." He mumbled.

"You won't ever have to worry about him after this..."