fire away

tara york. 26. newly graduated law student. your resident vigilante.

[taraycrk]

marlcygrace

Marley’s eyes met Tara’s and said, “It was in one of the first few weeks, the longer he did this the less he got injured.” She said with a shrug trying to reassure the other girl.

Marley nodded as her hand found their way to Tara’s body feeling around her abdomen and back trying to make sure that she wasn’t injured more than they thought, “Just tell me if the pain increases.” Her left hand rested on Tara’s side while her right hand glided over the other’s back lightly pressing to make sure that everything was still in it’s place.

Tara nodded at the reassurance. It was good to know that things would get easier. She was starting to think she’d end up like this every night, as long as she kept with it. Tara held her breath as the other’s hand touched her body. She was trying to hide a little too many emotions at this point. Her body felt like it was going to implode. She cleared her throat as Marley touched the part that hurt her most, right under her ribs. “Increased.” was all she could manage as she closed her eyes.

[taraycrk]

marlcygrace

Marley scoffed and rolled her eyes, “Tara I’ve seen worse I promise. One time Brent came back here with a broken nose, a dislocated knee, and road rash all up and down his body.” She said with a small smile remembering her former boss.

When her eyes met the bruises that littered the other’s abdomen she felt her eyebrows narrow, inspecting the area, “I’m gonna have to feel around to make sure that nothing is dislocated or broken. It’s probably gonna hurt.” She said simply to Tara, not trying to sugarcoat it.

Tara shook her head at the image of the man she was trying to replace in that much pain. Was this really something she was prepared to be apart of? “I couldn’t even imagine.”

She winced once again, even at the thought of having hands on where she was the most hurt. “Okay. I can deal with it. I have to, right?” 

[taraycrk]

marlcygrace

Marley sighed at the other girl and shook her head, “No one wants to feel pain.” She said watching the other close her eyes. “It’s not, I can’t take my nervousness out on you.”

She looked at the other and squinted her eyes, “Tara. Suit off. Let me help, please.” She practically begged the other. “And I know I’m right, just like I’m right about the fact that you need to take your suit off.” She said matter of factly.

Tara rolled her eyes. She knew Marley wasn’t going to let it go, and she had to comply if she wanted to just get the night over with. Without saying a word, she pulled herself up to a sitting position. “Don’t, like, overreact or anything.” she glared at her partner as she pulled her sleeves off her arms. 

She pulled the top of her suit down to her waist, and sighed as she looked down. Her abs and stomach were all cherry red, and definitely were going to be purple in a few hours. She could feel her insides churn as she tried to focus on something other than the pain. 

[taraycrk]

marlcygrace

Marley watched as the other’s face tensed, “You’re allowed to feel pain, you know that right?” She asked with a lilt of humor in her voice. She sighed as the other spoke, “I know.. and I’m sorry that I’m so overbearing.” She said with a shrug

Noticing the other struggle to shrug she backed away, “C’mon, suit off, I need to see the damage.” she said simply before shaking her head, “You won’t let me down and you won’t let the city down. You got those hostages out of there and that’s all that matters.”

Tara laughed. “I may be allowed to, but I really don’t want to.” she closed her eyes, trying to ignore any pain she was feeling. “It’s alright.” 

She sat up a little as Marley backed away. “Nah, I think I’ll be okay,” she cleared her throat to hide her groan from her abs hurting. “I guess you’re right. They got away though.”

[taraycrk]

marlcygrace

Marley watched as the other winced, as she poured peroxide onto a cotton round, “This is gonna hurt.” she said gently ignoring the other’s comment. She swiped the round over the wound on Tara’s head, trying to be gentle.

“You know why I like to be connected right?” she asked before grabbing a bandaid to put on her head. “I’ve already lost one hero… “ She paused and took a deep breath and then looked Tara in the eyes, “I would prefer if I didn’t lose another.”

She put the bandaid on the other’s head before responding, “You will be able to eventually, but you’re new at this.. it takes time.” She said quietly to the other and then nodded, “I’d appreciate that Tara.”

Tara closed her eyes as her partner prepared her. She tried not to show any sign of pain, but she was never good at hiding her emotions from her face. She swallowed hard as she realized that her stomach was already feeling bruised, but she didn’t want to show Marley just how much she screwed up.

“I get it. I just need some space.” she went to shrug, but realized it hurt to much to do so. “I mean, I don’t know. I ended up like this regardless. I just don’t want to feel like I’m personally letting you down, as well as letting down the rest of this goddamn city.”

[taraycrk]

marlcygrace

Marley had been nervous ever since her coms with Tara had disconnected. Her heart hammered as she feverishly tried to find camera angles so that she could at least keep on eye on her new partner. She found an angle in plenty of time to see Tara getting the shit kicked out of her. She closed her eyes and let out a sigh not wanting to watch the other lose at a fight. All she wanted to do was help, but with no connection to the other she had no way to do that, and was forced to wait for it to be over.

After the fight was over she followed Tara home on the street cameras. She still wasn’t happy about the way things had turned out, but at least Tara was making her way back to the hideout in relatively good shape, she’d seen Brent almost dead, and was glad that she didn’t have to deal with that right now.

She turned around hearing Tara walk in, “You are a fucking idiot.” She said before grabbing the first aid kit and making her way over to the other. “Why did you disconnect us?” She asked sitting next to her.

Tara winced as she shifted herself on the couch. She hated being in pain. She hated feeling weak, and right now she felt her worst. She was so proud and confident in herself that to fail like this was emotionally painful for her as well. She rolled her eyes at Marley when she reiterated her own insult to her. 

“Because you wouldn’t shut up!” she reacted. She knew that. Tara took in a deep breath, and let it out before replying with how she should. “Because I thought I could handle it myself,” she gestured at her bleeded forehead. “But obviously.. I cannot.” 

Admitting defeat was not something she had ever been good at, especially in recent weeks. “I will try not to do it again, okay?”

[taraycrk]

“Ow, fuck.” Tara whispered to herself as she physically pulled her leg up and around her motorcycle. This wasn’t the first time she was in this bad of shape -but hopefully she’d get her shit together and it’d be the last. The first time this happened was the first time she met Marley, and she should have known better thanks to that experience, but this was arguably worse. Even after a couple of weeks of training harder and learning more, she wasn’t going to get anywhere near the absolute hero she was attempting to replace. She just knew she had to try harder next time. Next time, she thought. Next time I won’t have blood dripping down my face when they’re done with me. 

Tara dragged herself into her and Marley’s hideout, which was still an odd feeling for her, having a place she called her own. She could barely move her leg. She hadn’t gotten up the bravery to look at it. Gun shot or just a really bad hit to the leg? Who knew. She could feel the blood slowly dripping down her face still, even though the fight had ended about 10 minutes before. She griped her leg as she barged into where Marley was.

“I know,” she yelled, out of breath. “I’m a fucking idiot.” she flopped herself onto the couch in the middle of the room. “But you’re going to tell me anyways, I’m sure. “