One Hit Wonder/retconned

From Unofficial Handbook of the Virtue Universe

((This is an old story I wrote a long, long time ago. I have since completely revamped the character and nothing in this story actually happened. Just posting it here to share with some friends, will probably be deleted soon.))

Jenny Ashton swallowed the tequila in one long gulp and slammed the shot glass down on the bar. She shuddered at the taste, wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and called out to the bartender, “Another!”

The bartender came over to stand in front of her. “I think you’ve had enough, miss.”

“Twelve isn’t nearly enough, gimme another!” Jenny demanded.

“I’m sorry, miss, but I think you’re done,” the bartender insisted.

“I’ll tell you when I’m done!” Jenny yelled, throwing her hands into the air. A nearby table burst into flames. A waitress screamed and ran for a fire extinguisher. The bartender swore and grabbed the one behind the bar, running over to the flaming table. The two quickly got the fire under control, but the table was a lost cause.

Jenny stared in horror. “Oh god, I’m sorry! I’m so sorry!”

The bartender walked back over to her. “Miss, I’m going to have to ask you to leave.”

“Oh no, please let me stay,” Jenny begged. “It only happens when I’m angry. It won’t happen again, I promise! Please, just let me stay and have a few more drinks.”

“I really think you need to go home, miss,” the bartender insisted.

“Home? I can’t go home!” Jenny wailed. “My god, what would my parents think? And my brother… oh god, my baby sister! She can’t see me like this!” She collapsed on the barstool, burying her head in her hands.

The bartender sighed and went back behind the bar. He grabbed a bottle of cheap tequila and pushed it across the bar. “Here, take this with you, but please, just go. I don’t want any trouble.”

Jenny looked up, wiping the tears off her face. “I’m so sorry.” She grabbed a wad of cash out of her purse and tossed it down on the bar. “That should cover the damages. I’m so, so sorry.” She grabbed the bottle and stumbled out the door.

Taking swigs from the bottle, she walked down the street, hoping for oblivion if she just drank enough. But the alcohol didn’t affect her like it used to. She’d been drinking for two years straight, practically, but she could still remember everything. The fire. The screaming. The body bags.

She stumbled around a corner and ran into a solid mass. She hugged the bottle to her chest as strong arms encircled her, keeping her from falling.

“Jen?” said a voice like stones grinding. Jenny stiffened, readying herself for a fight. She looked up into the face of her “rescuer” and her eyes widened.

“Sabbath? What the hell are you doing here?”

“I was going to ask you the same thing, girl.” Sabbath smirked. “What the hell you doing in this dump?”

“Oh Sabbath!” Jenny threw her arms around his neck, spilling a bit of the tequila on him. She burst into tears.

“What the...” Sabbath held her indecisively as she cried. “What’s going on? Where did you go? You disappeared! I’ve been looking for you for two years!”

“Oh god, no questions, please.” Jenny pulled his head down to hers, capturing his lips and kissing him passionately. “Please, Sab, just take me to bed.”

Sabbath picked her up, turned around, and headed back to his hotel. “Let's see what I can do...”

Three days later, Jenny woke up to the sun warming her face, and a male body warming her back. She smiled, stretching languidly. As she sat up, the pendant of her necklace slipped across her chest. She frowned, lifting it up and looking closely at it. The memories came rushing back and she bit back a sob, dropping the pendant as if it had burned her.

Turning around, she stared down at Sabbath. She hated using him like this, he was her best friend, but the memories were just too painful. She had to forget, if only for awhile.

She laid down again and began stroking and kissing him. He woke up slowly. Finally opening his fiery eyes, he focused on her and leered. “You trying to kill me, Lips?”

Jenny gasped, sitting up suddenly and staring at him in horror. Sabbath sat up, looking concerned. “Lips? You okay?” Jenny burst into tears. “Hey, it's okay, c'mon.” Sabbath enfolded her in his arms, holding her tight. “Alright, talk to me. Tell me what the hell is going on.”

“Oh god, Sab! It’s all my fault!” Jenny wailed. “I didn’t mean to! I had no idea!”

“What, babe? What did you not mean to?”

“I killed them! Oh god, Sab, I killed them!” Jenny tried to push away, but Sabbath just held her tighter.

“Killed who?”

“Those people in my apartment building… oh god, that place went up so fast… I tried to warn everyone… but… oh god, I killed them!”

“Girl, that place was a damn fire trap. I had the place checked. One small kitchen fire and the place was toast. The landlord was arrested. It wasn’t your fault those people died.”

“Yes it was! I started that fire!” Jenny finally broke free of his arms and began pacing the room.

“Were you cooking again? I thought we agreed you wouldn’t try that.” Sabbath sneered, trying to lighten her mood.

Jenny stopped pacing, placed her hands on her hips and looked at Sabbath gravely. “I wasn’t cooking, Sab. I was reading the newspaper.”

Sabbath looked confused. “Reading the newspaper?”

“You know that reporter that hates me? I was reading a particularly scathing review he had written, and I got really pissed off. Next thing I knew, my kitchen was in flames. I couldn’t put it out! I ran through the building, pounding on doors, trying to get everyone out. But some of them didn’t make it. Five people died and it’s all my fault!” Jenny threw herself on the bed, sobbing uncontrollably.

Sabbath stroked her hair, waiting for the sobs to quiet down. Finally they did. He pulled her up and into his lap, cradling her. “Okay, you’re saying you got angry and your kitchen spontaneously combusted?” Jenny nodded. “And how the hell do you think you did that?”

“It’s this necklace, I’m sure of it.”

Sabbath picked up the pendant and looked at it. “Not too shabby… where'd you get it?”

“My ‘biggest fan’ sent it to me.” Jenny said with a sarcastic laugh.

“Not true... Tried to take it off?”

“I’ve tried! Believe me, I’ve tried. The chain is apparently impervious, and the clasp seems to be fused.”

“Interesting...” Sabbath turned the pendant over in his hand, examining it closely, his curiosity now fueled. Finally he dropped it, cupped her cheek and kissed her tenderly. “Tell you what, babe… as much as I’d love to stay in this bed with you forever, let’s get dressed, get out of this hellhole, go to my place and see if we can figure out the this little bauble of yours.”