In a different life.

[theexterminator]

Fet got a new job from his boss when he was still dusty from the first. He brushed off the mess before getting back into his car. He opened the report and glanced over the complaint. Scratches in the walls, gnaw marks on the doors and molding. He flipped the page over, getting the address. He knew New York like the back of his hand. He could get there in ten minutes. He pushed his coat back and checked his watch. If he could get in and get out in under half an hour he could go home in time for the game. How complicated could it be?

"Dutch," he said aloud after seeing the name of the renter. Who named their kid Dutch? Was she dutch or did the parents just like how it sounded? Maybe she was foreign and in her country this was normal. Tons of kids named America and England running around too. He huffed at the idea, amusing himself.

He drove to the apartments, found parking and got out. He stood in front of the building, looking it over. It was one of the older estates. He swatted down in front of the grassy patch out front and watched the grass. There were obvious rat runs parting the grass like knife cuts in a jello mold. This might not be a twenty minute job, but it was only supposed to be a consultation.

Walking up to the door, he buzzed the manager. He stated his business and then went up. He talked to the landlord for a moment and the man was pretty certain the woman was home. That wasn't Fet's favorite way to do business, but he could work around her. He was given the green light and went to the right apartment.

He knocked, leaning on the doorway and looking oddly unprofessional. He didn't do this for the people, he did this for the hunt. He wasn't here to make small talk and he hoped miss complainer would stay out of his way.

Comments

[curiousnotmalicious]

Dutch nodded when he said that his job kept him busy. It was clear that he was dedicated to his job, a feeling Dutch knew all too well. When she got into coding or hacking something it was very difficult to pry her away. Not all that many people could ever hope to find their passion the way that she did. In that respect, she could see herself in him, or at least she could see that one trait.

All it took from him was that one smile for Dutch to smile right back at him. This was business, though, she told herself. Even if he was a nice guy with big hands and beautiful blue eyes.

She smiled a little brighter when he held the door open for her. “A gentleman. Thank you.” Dutch stepped inside and started walking back up the stairs. She looked back over her shoulder at him. “So, Mr. Fet, what do you do when you’re not working?”

[theexterminator]

What did we do when he wasn't working? The question caught him off guard. He thought of what he was going to go home and do. He was going to make dinner, mix a new poison and test it tomorrow. He was going to water his plants and then read. He was going to read.

"I do a lot of reading," he said before realizing how lame that sounded. He grunted as he lifted the largest trap onto the elevator. He got in and the motioned for her to follow him. It was going to be a tight fit.

"And I make poison," he said wondering if she would get into an enclosed space with him.

[curiousnotmalicious]

Dutch managed to fit in the elevator, traps and all, even if she did have to hold them in a way that was awkward. Her building’s elevator was a cramped place. She didn’t even ride it with some of her neighbors.

She nodded when he mentioned reading. Dutch’s instincts told her that he was an introvert. She wondered briefly if talking about life outside of work would have been awkward for him because of that, but decided that small talk was basically harmless. “Yeah?” A tiny smile formed on her face. “What genres are you into?”

When he brought up making poison, Dutch’s eyebrows raised for the briefest of seconds before she realized he was probably talking about making rat poison. “For work?” She asked, just to be 100% certain.

[theexterminator]

He didn't go out to parties nor did he have a lot of friend. So, yeah, it was a little awkward. He didn't go fishing or watched sports. His interest were all about rats and war theory. He read more non-fiction than fiction. So he even skipped explaining.

"What do you think?" he asked in regards to the poison. He kept an eye on her, wondering what she'd think of him. Did she need to be reassured he wasn't a serial killer? Well, it wouldn't be the for the first time. People said he gave off an creepy vibe. He'd never been able to pin that one down. He doubted she had the same opinion since she stayed to talk with him.

[curiousnotmalicious]

Dutch smiled a little bit. “Well, I didn’t think you used it on people who’ve pissed you off. It was a bit of a dumb question. Everyone takes their work home with them at some point, I suppose.” She’d been accused of doing so on more than one occasion. Nikki had said that the thing that drove the two of them apart had been Dutch’s laptop, something that Dutch fervently denied.

She jabbed at the button for her floor on the panel of buttons inside the elevator. “I’m not keeping you too long, am I?” Dutch paused for a millisecond. “Do you have somewhere to be after you finish up with me?” Watching him carefully, she cracked a small smile. She was not so subtly putting out feelers to see if he was busy later on.

[theexterminator]

He tensed at her question. He didn't know why she was asking. Well, he had a feeling. Was she interested in stepping out after he was done with his work? In grabbing a beer? All of that suggested some sort of interest, rather sexual or romantic. Which was absurd so he pushed the thought aside. He was an oddity and that's what she enjoyed. He didn't mind being the center of that focus.

"No. I've got no where else to go and I'm in no hurry to finish with you," he said carefully. He walked out of the doors as they opened and didn't look back. He didn't want to appear anxious.

[curiousnotmalicious]

“Perfect.” She smiled. “Well, if you’re up for it after all of the work is done, would you like to grab a drink?” Dutch shifted slightly. The traps were a little heavier than they looked. It must have been quite a job lugging these things up and down from apartments.

“First round is on me?” Dutch said, to make the offer a little more tempting. Usually she didn’t have to do a lot of work to convince people to go out for drinks with her, but something about him felt hesitant. She wasn’t quite sure why.

“I know a bar that’s not too far from my place. Nice atmosphere.” She followed close behind him.

[theexterminator]

He got to her apartment and managed not to answer or look back. He put the trap down then turned to her, greasy hands on his hips. He couldn't quite look at her yet. So, he picked a new favorite part on the floor and focused there instead.

"Let me get this straight..." he said carefully, hoping she realized what she was doing as well, "Are you asking your exterminator out for...drinks?"

He didn't want to say date. Date sounded too serious. This was a pacing fancy, nothing more. She was trying to be naughty and sleep with the help maybe.

[curiousnotmalicious]

Dutch couldn’t help but crack a smile. When he said it like that it really did sound sort of ridiculous. She stood by her decision, though. If she had her way, after they wrapped things up at her place they’d be heading out for drinks. Who knew? Maybe they’d wind up back at her place again.

“Don’t tell me you’re declining just because I met you on the job.” She looked over her shoulder as she made her way into her apartment. His reaction made her wonder if her curiosity about him was one-sided. Dutch thought that he was an interesting guy and suspected that he would only get more interesting after a couple drinks.

Honestly, Dutch wasn’t used to people being hesitant about going out with her. It wasn’t her being cocky, it was simply the way things were.

[theexterminator]

He was definitely curious about her, but he didn't want to seem too anxious. He was a bit nervously, honestly. This didn't happen. He closed his eyes for a second as he followed her.

Okay. He could do this. Hot woman was talking to him. Hot woman had asked him out. He felt like a caveman. It was a shame he didn't have a log to hit against the ground. He let out a breath then looked her over again. He was so scared and so excited.

"No, I'm not declining," he said with a little smile, "No. I'm saying yes. I haven't had drinks in a long time."

[curiousnotmalicious]

Her expression brightened up with a smile. She simply nodded at Fet. “Good. Everyone deserves a night out sometime.” It felt like a little victory, getting him to say yes to going out, even if it wound up just being drinks and conversation. It lifted her mood a little bit.

“Where should I put these?” Dutch nodded to each of the traps that she held in her hands. He was the pro, in this case. He knew best. The sooner they finished up here the sooner they could kick back and relax at the bar down the street. Dutch so wanted to learn more about him. She’d imagined that there was much more to him than reading and making poison for work. She wanted to see if her instincts were right, having pegged him a secretly more complicated than he let on.

[theexterminator]

He should be more diligent with the traps. He should get them into the ceiling and put them in the walls. Instead he was going to be lazy and settled them into the kitchen. They might catch something, but it was less likely. He wasn't even that careful about putting them together.

"Simple," he said once the job was done, not bothering to exaborate. He was excited. He was thrilled about going out with someone. He didn't do that. He didn't even like blondes normally, but she had an edge he was drawn to.

"Did you want to go now or later?" he asked not wanting to seem overeager, but he was,

[curiousnotmalicious]

This was the first time Dutch had ever contacted anyone about the rat problem in her apartment, so she wasn’t very familiar with the way things were done. Still, she got the sense that Mr. Fet was rushing through the work. Truthfully, she didn’t mind. It was kind of flattering that he just wanted to skip right to the fun part.

“I’ve never been very good at waiting.” She grinned. “I say we go now, unless you object.”

With that, Dutch led the way out of the apartment. She looked over her shoulder to make sure she wasn’t walking too quickly for him. That wasn’t really a likely possibility, when she thought of it. Dutch was a tall woman, but Fet was still taller than her. His legs could probably carry him faster than any speed she could travel at.

“So, Mr. Fet, should I call you Vasiliy now that you’re off the clock?”

[theexterminator]

He'd do better work the next time he came over. He'd set up poisons. The rats were invasive to her home yet and they wouldn't hurt her. He didn't have to feel guilty about doing the job half assed today. She'd distracted him after all. He'd remind her of that if she gave him a hard time.

"In my work clothes? I don't mind, if you don't," he said not sure what else he had. He might have a tux in the back his closet, but that would be overkill for a bar. Best he didn't go home to get changed.

"Only if you want. Friends tend to call me Fet. Just easier to say."

[curiousnotmalicious]

Dutch was far too laid back to give him a hard time. That and on some level she knew that she’d distracted him. She could have stood back, asking only a few, vital questions, but instead she’d enjoyed chatting him up. And look where it had led them! No, Dutch would never consider getting closer to her exterminator a mistake.

She turned to face him, taking slow backwards steps. “You look fine. I was on the floor, too, so we’ll both be a little dusty.” A smile spread across her face. “Don’t worry. This isn’t exactly the swankiest bar in Brooklyn. We’ll fit in just fine.”

“Fet.” She nodded. It was simple and she liked it. “Perfect. And you can call me Dutch.” Her lips curled into a smile and she turned back around, walking forward once again. “Unless you’ve got a clever nickname for me, of course.” She laughed a little at the suggestion. They’d just met. It wasn’t time for friendly nicknames just yet.

[theexterminator]

Well, if they were together more than he could get the rats for good. He wouldn't need to get paid to do it. He'd do it for her. Hell, if she asked right now he'd do it. If that was her goal, than he was already on board.

"Dutch," he said letting the sound roll of his tongue. It wasn't a normal name, hell it might not be her real name, but it didn't matter.

"Not yet, but spunky is up there," Fet teased, hoping to get a feel for her personality. He knew so little about her, but he'd already fall her like a puppy if she asked him too.

[curiousnotmalicious]

The sound of her name on his lips was actually something that Dutch found she liked a great deal. It brought a smile to her lips, but she said nothing on the matter. When he suggested ‘spunky’ as a nickname she chuckled.

“Not the first time I’ve been called spunky.” Dutch shook her head. It wasn’t the first word that came to mind when she thought of how she might describe herself, but she’d heard it enough for her to accept it as a trait of hers. “Must be some truth to it then, yeah?”

She led him around a corner and there it was - Just a humble, family owned place that was slightly rough around the edges. Dutch opened the door for Fet with a smile on her face. “Here we are.”

[theexterminator]

He wasn't surprised someone else had called her spunky. She was a ball of energy and mischief. It was something he already liked about her, but he wasn't about to start dealing out compliments. He didn't want to make a fool out of himself.

"Looks like somewhere I would go," he said once they arrived at the bar. He liked it. It was anonymous and dark. He was glad they had similar taste. He wasn't dressed for a cocktail lounge.

He opened the door for her, ignoring how close they were going to be. He wasn't fifteen.

[curiousnotmalicious]

A smile formed on her face upon hearing his comment regarding the bar. She was glad he liked it. This was where she hung out when she wasn’t holed up in her apartment with her laptop. The atmosphere was friendly enough and not elitist like so many of the swanky bars in New York City were.

She slipped inside, just barely brushing against him as she did so. “It’s fun. They’ve even got a pool table, but I’m crap at the game so I usually just watch the more adventurous patrons playing.”

Thinking nothing of it, Dutch took Fet’s hand in hers, leading him to the bar where she released him from her grip.

“What’ll it be? First round’s on me like I’d promised.”

[theexterminator]

Fet didn't touch. He was a big guy, but he rarely bumped into anyone. He kept a personal bubble that no one tried to break through. So, when she took his hand Fet almost pulled away. He didn't know what to do with that touch. He felt like electricity was flowing through his arm. She'd been so casual about it that he felt silly for going stiff and awkward as she pulled him.

"Borbon," he suggested his breathing still a bit uneven, "Straight for me, but you can mix it with whatever you like. It's a bit harsh."

[curiousnotmalicious]

Dutch had absolutely no trouble at all waving the bartender down as she took a seat. He knew her, but even if she hadn’t she hardly ever had any trouble catching people’s attention. It was a curse and a blessing.

“Two straight bourbons.” She flashed a winning smile at the man behind the bar as he set to work, pouring their drinks. He slid two glasses over to Fet and Dutch and Dutch took a sip, raising her eyebrows in approval.

“I don’t usually get mixed drinks.” Dutch admitted with a shrug of her shoulders. “I mean, I’m not all that picky, but...” She sighed.

“So, Fet,” She smiled at him. “What part of New York are you from?”

[theexterminator]

He was impressed by her drink choice. He didn't know a lot of women that could drink straight booze. Then again he didn't know a lot of women and saw more of them on TV than in real life. Not that he planned on telling Dutch that just yet.

The question about where he lived sent off alarm bells. Was she trying to break into his place? Find a sugar daddy to live with. He felt stupid a second later. She wasn't coming onto him for any particular reason. She was just...bored maybe.

"Are you trying to place the accent?" he asked raising a brow at her, "Because it's not all New York."

[curiousnotmalicious]

“I was,” She confessed with a smile. “I’m usually pretty good at figuring accents out, but yours is a little different.” Dutch leaned a little closer, propping her elbow up on the bar and taking another small sip from her glass.

“What’s in that voice of yours besides a touch of New York, then, hmm?” Dutch raised her eyebrows slightly. She’d invited him out for drinks to learn more about him and she was going to do just that. It was clear to her that Fet was a man with layers to be discovered. That made her feel like a bit of an explorer.

[theexterminator]

It took him a moment. He was deciding rather he should tell the truth or not. It wouldn't matter anyways. She didn't know the politics and his parents were here to breath down his neck. She wasn't going to look up his family and find his grandfather's sins.

"Ukraine," he admitted, "Plus a few other languages. Learned them young. All the kids did where I was from. Tradition. Americans really miss out. Learning at fifteen is much harder than at five. Czy to prawda, piękne?*"

His Polish was a bit rough, but she wouldn't hear the mispronunciation.

"What about you? That's...London I would guess."

*Isn't that right, beautiful.

[curiousnotmalicious]

Dutch nodded. She’d heard that what he’d just said about learning languages was true. Her eyebrows wrinkled at the statement in Polish, though. It wasn’t a language she even came close to speaking. On a good day she could order a cup of coffee in French. Dutch had never had much of a need for anything other than English and various forms of computer code. “What did you just say?” She eyed him curiously, a tiny smile playing on her lips.

“London is correct. Moved there when I was fifteen. Picked up an accent and a love for Cadbury chocolate.” She smiled, waves of nostalgia washing over her. Living in England had been a good period for Dutch. She’d just escaped that asshole her mother had married and was finding her way on her own. Independence was a good thing for her. She’d thrived on her own. It was only a few years ago that she’d found herself missing New York City and moved back. If only there was a way to spend a week in London and the next in NYC without breaking the bank.

[theexterminator]

"Nothing," he said not willing to admit the pet name he used on her. It wasn't the first time he'd flirted with a girl unknowingly in other languages. Maybe that was why they never knew he was interested. Americans just didn't know enough languages.

"My parents drank a lot of tea. Not sure where that came from, but they gave me a taste. I get a good black imported from England every month. Keeps me warm in the winter especially," he said wondering if they could really connect over something so basic. People did it all the time. He watched it, but on the outside. It didn't happen to him.

"Could give you some if you liked."

[curiousnotmalicious]

She eyed him skeptically, smiling all the while. She’d have to try and figure out how to spell what he’d just said so she could Google translate it later that evening. If she remembered, that was. Sometimes her memory failed her when she got started drinking. There was no guarantee that she’d be spending her evening alone at home by her computer, either.

“Tea!” Dutch grinned. “Oh, that’s one custom I really did enjoy. Just sitting down with a hot cup of tea with maybe a biscuit or two.” She sighed, remembering her afternoons in London. There was less time spent drinking tea in New York. It was available, of course, but there was less time for it. “People in this country don’t know what they’re missing.” She half-joked, smirking as she took another sip of bourbon.

"You'd really share with me?" She smiled a little bit. Of course she would like that.

[theexterminator]

He hoped she didn't remember. He'd be humiliated if she did. Although in his mind she was definitely going home to her computer. Girls didn't exactly jump all over him. Girls like her never did. She was just bored, like a housewife with nothing better to do.

"Yeah, I'd share. I got biscuits too. I'll bring them over on my next round. I'll make sure to hand them over before I touch any rats alive or otherwise," Fet told her with a half grin. He was sure she was going to wince and look disgusted. Most women did when he talked about work. Maybe he was pushing her just a little bit, but he was getting curious as to what sort of woman wanted to be around him so much.

He ordered another borbon and started sipping it down.

[curiousnotmalicious]

There was a laugh at what he said. “Yes, please share the tea and biscuits before handling the rat shit and poison. Some things are best not eaten.” She smirked at her own comment, taking one last sip of her bourbon. Dutch quietly flagged down the bartender, ordering another drink.

“What’s it like, anyway? Your job, I mean. What does it entail?” Dutch had a vague idea of what exterminators do. She’d even gotten a tiny glimpse of what Fet was doing with her specific case. There had to be more to it, though. He had to have a story or two to tell, right? “I feel like my job must be boring in comparison. You get out, see the city, and I stay cooped up inside.”