[CLOSED]This is the start of something lethal

[Cameron Duke Anderson]

After talking to one of his buddies at the warehouse Cameron had learned that Cordelia Price might be looking to hire some new people. With the way she seemed to get rid of people and all it seemed like she was always looking to hire someone. So it was off to see the woman herself. He'd heard if he wanted to speak to her the office she spent the most time in was in her home. So it was off to the woman's home he went. He tried to look at nice as he could. So he'd put on a short sleeve black t-shirt and his camo pants along with his combat boots, his dog tags were tucked under his shirt. He politely knocked on the door and waited for an answer. He assumed whoever opened the door was one of her staff and when he said her name he was pointed in a direction to go. He raised an eye brow some at the lack of security in this place. He figured someone like her would have this place on lock down.

Since he didn't carry a gun maybe they'd see him as no harm. But that's where they were wrong. He was the weapon. He made his way to where he was pointed and quietly watched the woman behind the desk work for a moment. She seemed familiar to him, why or how he just couldn't put his finger on but after a few seconds it didn't matter. "My friend forgot to mention how pretty you were when he sent me your way" He said with a knock as he stepped into the room. His eyes continued to scan her over, still something about her was familiar. "I was told you might be looking to hire some staff and um .. isn't there supposed to be someone watching your door?" He used his thumb to point to the door behind him. He'd been told there would be guards around but he hadn't seen one. But his eyes never left hers. Eye contact was always good. You could read people that way, and it was good for his potential new boss to see he has nothing to hide from her.

[/center]

[Cordelia Antonia Price]

A man's home was his castle, or in this case, woman's. Cordelia was accustomed to no one trespassing in her private space. You wanted to talk to her? You called. You show up at the house, there better be a damn good reason for it. There were very few people who were allowed to just drop in any old time. As it was, when the woman chose to work from home rather than being out, she assumed she wouldn't really be bothered unless it was top priority. Considering how much time she spent behind her desk at home, it really was no wonder she rarely had business associates stop by. A stack of papers sat next to her, and her blonde hair fell in front of her face as she studied them closely. Jay continued to be the resident whiz with numbers, and as usual had given her the monthly reports. Reviewing them was never a task she particularly enjoyed, but one had to keep on top of things, there wouldn't be much good in being the boss if she had no clue what kind of state the finances were in. A small frown of concentration graced her face as she flicked the page, bright blue eyes scanning the rows of numbers.

She was startled out of her concentration when someone spoke, though she kept her composure well as she looked up. The only indication she was really surprised by the appearance of the tall man was a slight dent of her eyebrows. Though a flicker of annoyance passed her eyes. A) Because of his words- she'd spent a long time making sure people didn't see her as a pretty face and B) Because she had no fucking clue who he was or why he was interrupting her. What was sure to be a verbal diatribe for the ages was stopped short as he continued talking. She vaguely heard something about wanting a job, but what stuck out was that there was no one at the door. “ God damn it” she scoffed, pushing her chair back and standing from the desk. She strode to the door, past the stranger and out into the hall. Where the hell was Vinny? She loved the guy, she did. Vinny was a left over from her father's days- a mean ass giant who'd take a bullet for her or give one to someone else. But he wasn't quite what he used to be- a few too many knocks to the head left him a little vacant at times. Now would be the prime example. He was supposed to be there, all the freaking time. Cordelia wasn't really worried about danger here, not in her castle. The place had a few key staff that were... well, more than they appeared, and Cordelia was more than able to fend for herself if needed. But she hated when the place looked like a prison, hence keeping it on the downlow. It was a house afterall, not max security. But god damn Vinny was supposed to be there, it was his one freaking job. Even if someone was stupid enough to think they could try something on her own turf, Vinnt would be there to stop them. For fucks sake, the man even wore an ear piece and was notified when someone came into the house, so he was freaking prepared. So, again. Where. The. Fuck. Was. He? “ Jesus Christ Vinny” she grumbled, pushing back into her office. She stared up at the guy, though barely 5'2, she had a way of presenting herself as bigger- the chihuahua who thinks they are a pitt bull “ And who the fuck are you exactly?”

[Cameron Duke Anderson]

Cameron watched as she looked up. He tried to be sort of friendly while presenting a serious composure. He did after all want her to hire him. But then she was moving passed him. His eyes watched as she did so. She was rather small. Her attitude was made for someone who should be bigger than she but he was sure she made a good boss or she wouldn't still be in charge however she needed someone to protect her just in case. And since obviously who ever was supposed to be there wasn't there she didn't have to protection she needed to have. He would have assumed that he'd be patted down for weapons.

Then she was coming back and asking him who he was. "Lieutenant Cameron Anderson. Well probably just Cameron now. Most people call me Cam or Duke. What ever you prefer. You don't have to worry. I don't carry a gun. I don't need one. There isn't much need out there for what I learned as a ghost but for you I could put that to use. I'm not bad with first aid and ah I'm good in chaos and being shot at doesn't really scare me. I'm trained to deal with little sleep and my recon skills are pretty good." He thought he'd make a pretty good body guard. She'd never have to have another person in the house ever again that's how confident he was in himself. The tattoos on the under parts of his forearms read semper on the left and fidelis on the right. It was pretty obvious he'd started out as a marine. "I could be a great body guard for you if you give me a shot." He didn't know if she needed to see proof of anything. He didn't really know how joining the mob worked.

[/center]

[Cordelia Antonia Price]

It was a longer answer than Cordelia was expecting, or wanted. Mostly, what she wanted was for the stranger to scarper out of her office and for Vinny to get his fat ass back where it was supposed to be. But apparently this Cameron fellow didn't give a shit about what she expected to happen. Because there he goes, just rambling on incessantly. She didn't need a bodyguard. She had one. A jack of all trades who was at her side constantly. Except when he disappeared. Her irritation at Vinny kept her from just booting him out on his ass. Instead, she rubbed her temples, muttering under her breath as she walked back to her desk and sat down. Most of what he said made little sense to her, though she gathered it was something to do with the army, or whatever- what with the Lieutenant bit, though she had no clue what a ghost was.

She held up her hand, worried that left to his own devices, he'd just keep going. Weren't military men supposed to be strong and silent? “ Enough. Congrats on the balls, brazenly walking in here, but I don't need a body guard. Please see yourself out.” she said with a wave of her hand, already going back to the paper work on her desk. At that moment, Vinny dashed into the room, looking startled and with an unmistakable smear of whipping cream on his chin. Undoubtedly from the fresh canollis in the kitchen. The irritation came back full force. Vinny was important to her, a rare emotional like tie that she didn't have with many people, she was... fond... of the man. But that didn't curb her anger. Ice blue eyes narrowed at her longtime bodyguard. He immediately made a move towards Cameron, a little on the late side, since had he been a threat, army guy could have caused any number of damages. “ Stop” Vinny paused, looking confused between Cordelia and Cameron. “Who is this guy boss? You need me to get him out of here?[/color]” [/b] he asked, his eyes confused. “ He's your new sidekick.” she said, irritation making make a split second decision She got up and walked over to him, swiping the cream off his chin. “ I'd hate to get shot while you were... in the bathroom, guess you need some help.” she said acidiclly, wiping her finger on his suit. She turned to Cameron “ No one who works for me wears …. what ever those horrendous pants are. You need a suit. Go to Vinny's tailor, he'll sort it out.”

[Cameron Duke Anderson]

Cameron nodded some when she said she didn't need a body guard. She did she just didn't realize it yet. And when she did realize it she was going to wish he was there instead of who ever it was that was supposed to be there now. Cause chances were she wouldn't have the protection needed when said time came. But he wouldn't tell her that. He did what he came to do and he wouldn't beg for the job. But before his feet even started moving the guy he assumed was her body guard was coming into the room. He couldn't help but smile a tad when he saw the whipped cream on his face. Left his post for food. That was a no no. You ate when you were told. And by the looks of it the man could stand to do some sit ups.

Cameron made no movement when Vinny made a move towards him. If he felt the need to defend himself the man would be on the floor in tears in a matter of seconds. And Vinny couldn't make him leave. He thought that was humerous as well. But he didn't interrupt the lady while she was in the middle of speaking to him. So he got the job after all. Maybe out of irritation with Vinny but he'd take it. When she commented about his pants he looked down at them for a moment before looking back up to the woman. "With all do respect ma'am. These are marine issued and they've worked for me the last ten years. I'd hate to invest in a suit I can't afford before I know if this is going to work out." He'd gladly get a suit when he was sure she wasn't going to change her mind on him again. First telling him to get lost and then telling him to stay. Seemed like she couldn't make up her mind. He then decided to turn his attention to Vinny. "Don't ever think you can remove me from any where. I'll cripple you without a weapon. The fact that both of you are packing .. it doesn't scare me. Just so we're clear" He gave the guy a small smile to lighten what he'd just said. Then he looked back to Cordelia. "I'll buy the suit .. When I've proven myself useful to you enough for you not to change your mind again." He stuck his hand out for her to shake. Still she looked so familiar. He wished he knew where from.

[/center]

[Cordelia Antonia Price]

Cordelia raised her eyebrows, wasn't exactly normal practice to tell the person who just hired you 'no' on their first request. Cordelia didn't take to being told no well. She was pretty used to snapping out an order and having people fall in line to obey it. Marine or not, those horrendous pants had to go, even if she had to pull them off of him and burn them herself. Throwing a ma'am in there didn't change that. She smile a little, not overly friendly, a shark smile that was the most the majority of people got to see from her. “ I'm sorry- Cameron, right? Does it look like we're in the jungle, or desert, or whereever marines do their thing? No. We are in an urban city. I am a business woman. The people I surround myself with look a certain way. And those pants, marine issue or not, have got to go. We've got an account at the Tailor's. Vinny, call up Mike, set up an appointment- tell him you'll be down with Mr. Duke here later in the afternoon.... and don't let him shaft me this time.” she said with a brisk nod.

Cordelia couldn't help the smile when the new guy gave a bit of a talking down to Vinny. A real smile, not the mean one she normally wore. She had to begrudgingly admit, he had balls and a certain style. Judging by the sullen look Vinny was giving the both of them, it would certainly make things interesting. So long as he kept that mouth geared to Vinny. She wouldn't be able to take that much back talk before snapping. Or so she assumed, no one had ever really dared back talk her, so who knows how she would actually react. “ Sounds like new guy is issuing a challenge Vinny. Now stop staring and go call Mike.” She turned back to Cameron, just assuming the suit debate was over. She looked briefly at his hand before stepping forward to shake his hand. “ Welcome to the team Cameron. Do not make me regret this decesion.” she said giving his hand a firm shake. She frowned a little, looking up at him, something a little familiar about his blue eyes. She couldn't quite place it though. “ You look a little familiar.” she stated simply

[Cameron Duke Anderson]

What Cordelia didn't realize was that Cameron had been all over the world in his ten years as military. Not just jungles and deserts. But artic tundras and even cities. Their uniform changed depending up what they needed to look like. He understood her wanting him to wear a suit. And if she was willing to invest in it .. then he'd wear it. He might not like it but he would. He knew one day she'd come to depend on him. He was good at the job she just gave him. He defended a whole country, and helped other countries as well protecting one person wasn't going to be to hard. So instead of saying something he just nodded. He let his eyes shift back to Vinny when she spoke. "It wasn't a challenge. It was a warning" He didn't like it when people thought they could do something they couldn't. He had training Vinny sure didn't. He was sure he could take Vinny.

Cordelia had a nice firm hand shake. "You won't regret it. I promise" He didn't make promises he couldn't keep. He was sure she'd be happy to know she'd made the right decision down the road. When Vinny went to sleep he'd still be awake and working. And he'd continue to work until she gave him what ever breaks you got doing this job. He'd even learned to close his eyes and rest while staying alert. His skills were sharp she wouldn't regret that. The marines were stupid to have let him go. Then she was frowning and looking up at him, telling him he looked familiar. She looked familiar as well. He brought the hand up that wasn't shaking her hand and touched her cheek. You'd think he'd remember where he saw someone as beautiful as she was. "I don't know how I would forget a face like yours if we had met before." He smiled some to her. He was pretty much saying he didn't really remember her.

[/center]

[Cordelia Antonia Price]

Cordelia didn't regret things. Regret made you weak. And if there was one thing that Cordelia made sure she never did, was show weakness. The woman simply couldn't afford it. And of course, if she did end up, regretting the decision made mostly out of spite towards Vinny, she would deal with it as she dealt with all disappointments. A man could be the toughest thign on two legs, but it wouldn't stop a bullet to his head. Of course, she was getting ahead of herself. Hiring this GI Joe guy might not be a bad thing, he seemed pretty competent. Or at least he seemed confident. And seemed like the kind of person who would take his job seriously. She didn't really think she needed some over eager body guard, but it really couldn't hurt.

When he reached up and touched her cheek, it took her a minute to react. People just didn't do that. Ever. Touching Cordelia Price when she didn't ask for it was a good way to get yourself killed. It didn't matter if you were a begrudgingly attractive man, you just didn't do it.. Vinny tensed, regardless of the so called warnings, his hand when for his gun, though it was probably the shock at the new guy's audacity that kept him from pulling it out. Cameron's words were what ended up breaking through her surprised stupor. Anger was an emotion that tended to knock down shock nicely. She reached up and ripped his hand off her face, all thoughts of his familiarity out of her head. “ Let's get something straight, you don't touch me, and you make one more comment about how I look, and there will be so many guns pulled on you, it won't freaking matter you were some hotshot Marine or whatever. We clear?” she snapped

[Cameron Duke Anderson]

Cameron wished he knew why she looked so familiar to him. A face like hers should never be forgotten. He was so caught up looking at her that he didn't pay Vinny no attention. He knew the doctor had said he had memory loss. But he thought he would have gotten it back by now. He wished there had been a way to choose what was lost. Like losing two of his team members. Two of his very best friends. He'd made the wrong choice in how to execute their mission and it cost them their lives. He wished he had forgotten that instead of his child hood. He was going to do what he was going to regardless of how Vinny was reacting. It was Cordelia that mattered here.

When she pulled his hand off her face he knew instead of this being a pleasant surprise this was something that scared her enough to make her angry. And anger was what came out. Not just at being touched but because he thought she was beautiful. She should think so too and like hearing that but again instead of saying something he let go of her hand and nodded his understandment. Probably best to get on with learning the lay out of the place so he knew what he was dealing with. Maybe it was that Vinny was watching. Or maybe she was just uncomfortable with every thing. One day she'd be comfortable with being both the boss and a woman. She just had to let herself. For now he'd just show her how good he was at his job.

[/center]

[Cordelia Antonia Price]

Cordelia's eyebrows furrowed, she wasn't used to people looking at her like that. It seemed like he was studying her. She couldn't quite figure out why. Staring at her, touching her. Weird. At least he was keeping his mouth shut now, keeping opinions to himself. It was lucky that it was just Vinny around, she would let it go this time. A warning, but as long as he didn't behave like that in front of anyone else, and wasn't a complete fuck up like a certain other body guard... she took a second to stop looking at the new guy to shoot Vinny a disapproving look, then she'd pretend it hadn't happened. She stepped away from him, and walked back to her desk.

Sitting back down she looked up, frowning as both men were still looking at her. What the fuck, wasn't it pretty clear that they were done here? “ Vinny! What the hell are you still doing in here? Go wash your damn face and get back outside where you're supposed to be.” the man blinked in surprise, seemingly like he was shaken out og a trance, and nodded before leaving the room. She looked back to Cameron, still perplexed about why he seemed familiar, but shrugged it off, she'd figure it out. “ You to. Aren't you supposed to be buying a suit? Go. You can start tomorrow.” she said dissmissively.