Cut and Run 1 - Cut and Run

over at Zane and cleared his throat self-consciously, turning toward him again as he slid into the shirt. He wasn't sure why it bothered him that Zane could see the scar, but it did. Perhaps because he hadn't been the only one that particular bullet had gone through.
    The other agent just caught sight of the scar, recognizing it for what it most likely was. While Zane had been lucky enough to avoid being shot, he had plenty of other scars, inside and out. He made no comment and pretended not to have noticed.
    "So where we going for dinner, garçon?” Ty asked as he grabbed his wallet and stuck it in his back pocket.
    Dragging his eyes away from Ty's body again, Zane ignored yet another new nickname and answered, “Morrison told me about a barbecue place down several blocks. Family-owned, original recipes."
    "Mmm, New York barbeque,” Ty responded sarcastically with a wrinkle of his nose. “No go. I need ... fish."
    "Fish.” Zane shrugged. “Okay, we can find a place. Unless you already have something in mind?” He really didn't care. He'd eat anything. It was just the cocktails that got him in trouble.
    "We'll walk,” Ty suggested as he attached an ankle holster and checked that his backup was loaded. He dragged out his shoulder holster and did the same, then slipped his beaten leather jacket on and flexed his shoulders experimentally with a frown.
    "Strap's twisted,” Zane offered. He walked over and reached up under the jacket to flip the buckle so the strap laid flat along the back of Ty's shoulder. Ty turned his head wordlessly and raised his eyebrows as Zane stepped into his space and fucked around with his weaponry.
    Now, Zane wasn't a stupid man. He'd seen Ty tense earlier at a slightly perceived threat. It wasn't ignorance on Zane's part, getting so close without being invited. But he wanted his new partner to know that he wasn't afraid of him. That he wasn't quite the paper-pusher he made himself out to be.
    Zane straightened the length of strap and pulled Ty's jacket back down to cover it. “Let's go. I could eat a whale,” he said absently, already warring within himself. Had he truly wanted to telegraph a message? Or had he simply taken advantage of the chance to touch the hard muscles he'd been seeing? Danger zone, Garrett.
    Ty cleared his throat and followed silently. Not many people had the nerve to step into his reach and touch him without his permission or some sort of forewarning. Either Zane really didn't give a shit—which was contrary to his demeanor and actions—or he had no clue how dangerous Ty really was. The third option was the most frightening; that he knew what Ty could do to him and he wasn't concerned. Either way, it left Ty slightly unsettled as they went in search of food.
    * * * *
    Their hotel was located just a block or two from Little Italy, and they had no trouble finding a restaurant there, which seemed to suit Ty just fine. Zane followed along as they were led to the table, eyeing the bar across the room with an internal sigh. He sat down at the table and immediately opened the menu.
    Ty, however, left the menu in front of him and turned to the waitress with a grin. He went about ordering his Guinness and dinner with a series of well-honed innuendo and rakish grins that had the girl giggling at him as she moved away.
    Zane ignored what was becoming his partner's customary behavior. Sitting back, he reflected that maybe they should have kept looking for a different restaurant. One with televisions. Here, there was nothing to do but look at each other.
    As he sat, Ty was observing the other patrons in the restaurant idly, noticing things about them that most people didn't notice. His training forced him to take in who looked anxious, who seemed to be waiting for someone, who was wearing a coat too large for them that might conceal a weapon, who looked out of place. The list went on and on. “So,” he huffed as he looked back at Zane. “What now?"
    "As opposed to what then?” Zane said, leaning back in his chair. “You had the plan, remember?"
    "You hijacked it with dinner,” Ty pointed out as the little waitress came back and slid Ty's drink onto the table. “Thank you, darlin',” he drawled as she passed by. He took one long draw from the bottle, then glanced around and placed his palm flat on the opening of the bottle before turning it upside down. He patted himself down with the beer like someone would have done with a bottle of cologne, taking another gulp