Reunion | Binder & Hannah
The smile that crossed Binders face was like that of a much younger man without the years of hard-bitten cynicism. Part of him wanted to scold her about rule number 1 or ask why she hadn’t trusted him with her hate of Dresden. Binder has never been a fan of the white council and their high-minded ilk. But he did enjoy the protection their presence offered most of humanity. Binder didn’t waste his breath on any of that. “Hannah muppet you’re alive!” He spoke breathlessly and caught her in his arms.
The embrace was a quick and without any reservation. Binder knew that it was possible if not likely that someone was running a game on the old thief, he didn’t care. The thing of it was Binder could play too and if this wasn’t his Hannah he would flay those responsible. With a steadying breath, Binder took Hannahs elbow and lead her to the nears pub. “I need a pint, and you have a lot of explaining to do my girl. I have been trying to find a way to get you out of the down under the better part of 2 years don’t.”
At the bar, the pair found a booth with a good view of both exists and wall at their backs. Throwing a few bills on to the table top for the waitress Binder spoke in a terse tone “A Guinness and whatever my companions in the mood for and do keep the Pints coming deary, I have a feeling it’s one of those days.”
Leaning back into his seat Binder finally let go of Hannah his grip hadn’t been rough and he had avoided manhandling the girl he took off the streets. Her loss has cut him deeper than anyone would have guessed, the fact was he loved Hannah, not as a man loves a woman but as a father adores and indulges their daughters. Binder had needed to touch her and feel her presence to assure himself she wasn’t a figment or a cheap trick. She might still be a trick but an impressive one. Binder shoved down all the joy hope and affection he felt for the first person he could call friend in years and spoke calmly “it’s grand to have you back love, now do tell uncle Binder how you managed it. Then we can discuss what you’d been thinking accepting that bloody coin. I know damn well I taught you better. Do you need money or a place to stay? I’m here for you love.” Binder patted and held her hand before his beer came then set to the task of getting rascally drunk.
Hannah stood, more than a little confused, as Binder threw his arms around her in a hug. They’d gotten along well ever since he’d taken her under his wing, but he’d hardly ever been the touchy-feely type.
What is Uncle Binder’s Rule Number Two?
Keep your eyes on the money.
That’s right. Don’t take things personal, don’t get emotional. We’re professionals, love.
She returned the embrace, a little stiffly, patting the older man on the back.They broke apart, and he was quick to take her by the elbow, steer her toward a little pub on the corner and through the doors. Ordered a Guinness and whatever Hannah wanted–she echoed his order, a little absently. The strange situation seemed much more important than what they were drinking. Binder sounded like he wanted to catch up.
Maybe he just wanted answers.
It’s grand to have you back, love. His voice was calmer now, but she knew him, and could hear the sincerity in it. Hannah was sure that if she ever saw Binder again, he’d want nothing to do with her. Dresden must have told him about what happened down in Hades’ vault, about Hannah’s deal with Nicodemus Archleone, and Binder must have thought less of her for it. That only made sense.
What is Uncle Binder’s Rule Number One?
Money or nothing. Anything else costs too much.
But here he was, happy to see her. Relieved she was alive. Saying he’d been trying to find her for two years now.
“If there’s one thing I’m good at by now, it’s getting myself out of bad situations,” she told him. She waited to say more until the bartender brought them their drinks, and once he’d gone, she leaned in and lowered her voice. This wasn’t a conversation she wanted overheard.
“Dresden Wicked-Witch-of-the-East-ing me with a couple tons of molten rock was… definitely a worse situation than usual, but you know me. Fire and heat aren’t ever much of a problem for me… and the help of my new friend makes it real tough to put me down permanently. I take it Dresden mentioned her to you, since you brought up the subject of coins.”
There wasn’t a lot more of the story to tell. Her memory of actually leaving the vault and returning from the Underworld was a little hazy; Lasciel had done a lot of the heavy lifting there, literally and figuratively.
“So… that’s about it, really. I got out because Dresden picked a stupid way to try and kill me and my friend in low places helped me claw my way back up here. Not too complicated, really.”
She took a sip of her drink and watched him, wondering how he’d respond.