Broken Engines, Broken Hearts (Guillermo)

[ROSE MERCER]

For the next week, Rose hadn't been in the best of moods, much to the displeasure of her coworkers. Even Fernando was aware that something was amiss. On top of that, Stefano and Hiro seemed to find it necessary to argue about everything. EVERYTHING! It was not a well hidden fact that the source of this tension was that Stefano and Hiro's sister Misa were dating exclusively, a HUGE break in the 'Bro Code' according to Hiro. At the moment, they were discussing Cartoons, while Rose sat behind the wheel of a honda. "Transformers were the obvious winner, Man."

"The Transformers were fucking stupid man." Stefano laughed, leaning against the car.

Hiro looked slightly offended. "Fuck off, they were more than meets the eye. That was like my childhood. And you ask my Mom, they were a gift from God. She'd stick me in front of the television when Transformers came on, it was like no having a kid in the house for thirty minutes."

"You're such a homo." Stefano laughed. "Transformers a gift from God, purleeze. That shit is so blasphemous, you should shower in fucking holy water after watching it." Passing Hiro some tools, Stefano spoke informatively. "Now Thundercats-"

"Gay."

"Were the shit."

Rose, whose patience was thin, stuck her head out the car window. "Can we focus on this piece of shit please."

Hiro side stepped so she could see him. "I'm working on it, don't get your panties in a bunch."

"Well, work fucking faster, instead of talking about the fucking Gobots." Hiro stared bitterly at Rose. "Seriously, what does it matter whose favorite cartoon was superior, though the obvious choice IS Tom and Jerry."

"Misa and I-" Stefano started, as Hiro's genial face turned into a snarl. "Aw, c'mon Hiro, really?"

Rose groaned as Hiro pumped himself up for another Misa-related blow out, interrupting him. "Oh my God, can we just drop the Misa shit? Jesus, Hiro. If you want to be pissed off, do it on your time. It's called keeping your professional and personal life, fucking seperate."

The boys stared at her, as if unsure if they should be offended or amused. "I'm not even going to point out the irony here."

Hiro snorted dismissively. "I will. Rose, Babe, don't you think it's a little hypocritcal for you to give us that nuget of wisdom. Didn't you just screw your boyfriend-"

"Ex-"

"The point is, you did it, right in the supply closet, while you were suppose to be working." Rose scoffed at him, climbing out of the car and taking a look under the hood herself. Of course she realized he had a point.

Her eyes scanning the innards of the car, she spoke in a dry voice. "Yeah, well, we won't have to worry about that anymore, will we?"

Before the boys could respond, if they were going to, Rose's Uncle Fernando's voice shouted from the waiting room. "Rose? Hiro y Stefano puede manejar eso. tengo un trabajo especial para usted."

"¿Qué es?" She shouted back.

"La formación del nuevo empleado."

Rose's brow furrowed, as Hiro and Stefano looked at her inquiringly, neither speaking Spanish. "New em-" Turing, she saw Fernando enter with... OF COURSE... Guillermo. She stared in mild confusion, overwrought with a bit of anger. "-ployee." What the HELL!? WAS EVERYONE ON THIS GUY'S SIDE?

Hiro bounced a little, looking excited. "No way! Guillermo's gonna work here! That's fucking sweet-" Rose shot him a skin peeling glare, making him take a step back, his voice becoming wounded but stubborn. "Well, it is."

Rose was at a rare place, completely lost for words, as she watched her FAVORITE UNCLE pat Guillermo on the back proudly.

[GUILLERMO SALAS-ORTIZ]

Guillermo stood in the small waiting room in Fernando's shop wringing his hands nervously. He was very grateful to Fernando, as he had needed a job for some time. Anxiously, he had paced his apartment, trying to decide if he would accept or not. At eight o'clock in the morning, he had finally called and Rose's uncle had warmly agreed, asking him to come in for an interview. It was just an interview for all intents and purposes, but it was more of a casual chat with the kind Colombian man.
"Estoy seguro de que va a encajar bien aquí. Usted ya está familiarizado con los demás. Todo lo que necesitamos ahora es alguien que se entrena un poco."
"Gracias, señor,"Guillermo said humbly.
Fernando stood, beckoning him into the other room. Guillermo rushed to his side, stopping him momentarily.
"E-Estoy nerviosa por ver a Rose," Guillermo confessed, stuffing his hands into the pockets of his khaki shorts.
Fernando clapped his hand on Guillermo's back, chuckling softly.
"¡Ah, mí hijo. Usted tendrá que enfrentarse a su más pronto o más tarde. Mejor hacerlo antes de tiempo, ella puede pensar que un cobarde de tu. Ella tiene que recordar lo mucho que ella preocupa por ti."
His dark eyes twinkled knowingly as Guillermo flushed pink.
"Ya no es así. Ella y yo no veo ojo a ojo."
"No importa que usted no ve ojo a ojo. Los dos de ustedes ven corazón a corazón."
Guillermo sighed, running a hand through his dark hair.
Fernando squeezed his shoulder comfortingly.
"No se preocupe. Todo va a estar bien."
Taking a deep breath, he nodded and followed Fernando into the garage.
"Rose? Hiro y Stefano puede manejar eso. tengo un trabajo especial para usted."
He heard Rose before he saw her.
"¿Qué es?"
"La formación del nuevo empleado."
"New employee?"
Her eyes found him, narrowing instantly.
Hirp grinned widely, "No way! Guillermo's gonna work here! That's fucking sweet-"
He stopped when Rose shot him a glare.
"Well, it is."
Fernando patted Guillermo's back, making him feel slightly guilty as he watched the fury in Rose's expression.
Shit.

[ROSE MERCER]

Guillermo had a guilty look on his face, as the tension that suddenly clouded the garage could be cut with a knife. She wanted to throw a fit, too kick and scream until she got her way. But, at this point, her Dear Uncle might just fire her and give Guillermo the job, as he seemed to have taken to him so well. So, though the ice in her voice would make Antarctica seem like a pleasant place to go on holiday, she kept her dignity. "He's not qualified." She said, finding her words finally.

Hiro snickered a little, earning another glare from Rose. "I dunno Rose. Did you say he was AWFUL GOOD with his hands?" Stefano, who always tried to stay neutral in situations such as this, couldn't help a startled snort at this, as Rose's cheeks flushed red.

Oh. Ohho, he was going to pay for that.

Fernando, who seemed to have missed the meaning of the joke (more for Rose's sake, than really not understanding), gave a more logical sense of reasoning. "Es por eso que le enseñara. Él es un estudiante rápido, que puedo decir."

"But-"

Putting on his most severe face, which came out so rarely that even though it still showed his inner kindness, all three seasoned members knew there was no arguing this. "Rosa, yo no estoy pidiendo como tío. Te lo digo, como su jefe para capacitar a nuevo miembro de nuestra facultad." It was not a request, it was an order.

Rose kept her face stiff, giving a short nod. "Yes Sir." The iciness was gone, but bitterness tainted her complying voice.

Fernando clapped his hands together, happy that the discussion was over. "Buena. Tengo que volver al trabajo. Buena suerte, Guillermo." With that, the Patriarch of the Shop left, leaving the for standing there.

In the thick silence that followed, Hiro decided it was best to lighten the air as only a Hiro could. "Don't be a grouch about it Rose. Like you said: It's about keeping your professional life and your personal life separate-"

Rose couldn't stand his smug face. Bastard. "Shut the fuck up, Gobot." He pretended to be stung by her comment, not even bothering to hide the fact that he was laughing as he went back to the Monte Carlo. She, who was not a violent person by nature, wanted to hit something at that moment more than she had ever wanted to in her life. It was a combination of things: Jealousy that Guillermo was so well liked in her circle, the realization that she would have to see a face she was trying desperately not to love every day, the almost poetic irony of the situation given what she said earlier, and the fact that she could do exactly nothing about it. "Stefano? Where are the extra jumpsuits. Mr. Armero needs to order one with his name on it later." Three things could be taken in her statement: She was in the I'mma-just-pretend-I'm-not-angry anger mode, as her tone was polite and professional. She had called her Uncle Mr. Armero, showing she was not pleased with him. And her inability to say Guillermo's name at the moment.

Stefano thought a moment. "Well... there's Richard's old- Oh Rose, Gee doesn't need a-" He said suddenly, filled with a weariness.

"Company policy, all employees must wear a jumpsuit for safety. Now where is it?" She said, her voice like finely spun barb wire. He pointed at a box on a high shelf, which Rose retrieved, tossing Guillermo a clean jumpsuit. It was not in bad shape; no holes or odor. But it did say 'Dick' on the name tag.

So yeah.

There was that.

Popping a piece of gum in her mouth, Rose took a deep breathe. "Let's get this over with."

[GUILLERMO SALAS-ORTIZ]

After Rose was reprimanded by Fernando, he left, making Guillermo feeling extremely vulnerable. Why couldn't Stefano have trained him in?
"Don't be a grouch about it Rose. Like you said: It's about keeping your professional life and your personal life separate-"
"Shut the fuck up, Gobot."
Hiro merely chuckled, walking back to his work.
"Stefano? Where are the extra jumpsuits. Mr. Armero needs to order one with his name on it later."
Guillermo winced lightly.
Jeez. Someone was in a bad mood.
"Well... there's Richard's old- Oh Rose, Gee doesn't need a-" Stefano said, sighing.
"Company policy, all employees must wear a jumpsuit for safety. Now where is it?"
Rose tossed him the suit when she retrieved it. He glanced at the name.
Dick.
Nice.
He wanted to glare at her, but considering the fact that she was now so angry that she wasn't yelling or throwing a fit, he decided against it.
He didn't want to end up with an emergency brake shoved through his stomach.
"Let's get this over with."
He lowered his gaze, avoiding her glare.
"Sure, sure."
He felt that she was overreacting. Fine, she wanted to overreact? He would help her along.
"¿Estás bien, Rose? Usted parece muy enojado."
His voice had an undertone of taunting deviousness.

[ROSE MERCER]

"Sure, sure." He answered, his tone unreadable at first. But then, oh then. Then he got a little big in his britches, and took a dangerous tone that was well applied with the name he wore. "¿Estás bien, Rose? Usted parece muy enojado."

Rose blue eyes flashed at him, but she pasted a nonchalant smile on her face, her nose twitching ever so slightly from the strain. "Peachy keen. You should really put on your jumpsuit, Dick. Safety reasons and all that." Popping her gum a little, she gave a mean little grin, deciding his name would be Dick for the day. Oh, what a lovely coincidence that someone named Richard had worked there once upon a time. The rumbling sound of a tow truck came from outside, and Rose was suddenly filled with a great sense of happiness that she was sure could last her all day. "Hot damn, I SAID HOT DAMN!" She squealed, bouncing on her feet a little.

"Guillermo, if you're gonna do that to her man, bring her to the supply closet." Hiro said from under the hood of the Monte Carlo.

Unfazed by his quip, Rose sauntered over to him, grinning smugly. "Ohho, you're so cute Hiro, under your shit-rust bucket Monte Carlo. But you know what will be cuter? When I, moi, me, when I am working on a Porsche Carrera GT right over there." Both Stefano and Hiro looked up at her, there faces suddenly very seriously, before clamoring over to the window.

"Bullshit!"

"I can't believe it."

"Who would have one of those in New York!? It's like begging for it to get jacked."

"ROSE! I will give you a weeks pay, if you gimme that job." Hiro said suddenly, grabbing her shoulders.

Putting her hand up to her face in a thinking pose, she pretended to give it a moment to mull over. "See, here's the thing... Personally speaking, as my friend, I would LOVE to let you have that car. Nothing would make me happier. But PROFESSIONALLY speaking, I'mma tell you to kiss my freckled ass, cause that car is mine!" She watched his hopes dash, grinning widely at him, before rushing out the door to greet the driver. He was young, and blond, muscular, and handsome for that type. Rose was more into the car, really. Mostly because blond's weren't her cup of tea. Or... really anyone other than Guillermo seemed to get much of a rise out of her these days. But her excuse for the moment was that she wasn't into blond's. Letting out a low whistle, she touched the hood gently.

"H-hey, watch the paint-"The owner snapped, suddenly getting a good look at Rose. His expression changed from one of annoyance to one of pleasant shock damn quick. "You're my mechanic?"

"That's why I'm wearing the jump suit." She answered eyes on the car. It was gorgeous, sleek, a peculiar shade of red. "Nice paint job-"

"Thanks." He said, his voice deepening, as he crossed his arms over his chest, showing off his 'guns' or whatever. "I had it custom made. It's called Dragon's Blood." Now Rose was not so thick that she was unaware when someone was flirting with her. This said, she gave him a polite smile, still more interested in the car. "My name's Todd. And you are-" He leaned in close to her, reading her tag out loud. "Rose. That's a pretty name-"

"You're too sweet." She said, looking for any outside damage to the car. "What seems to be the issue?"

"Oh." He said, as if he had forgotten about the beautiful piece of machinery in front of them. Blasphemous in Rose's book. "Uh, it won't start." Todd looked over at Guillermo, giving him a quick nod. "I really don't know much about cars."

"Well, it could be the battery or the carburetor. We'll just have a little looksee, alright? You can go on in the waiting room if you like-"

"Do you mind if I come and watch. I'm sure there's some interesting stuff you could teach me." Todd replied, in a way that indicated to Rose he wasn't really talking about cars.

She honestly hated it when customers watched, but it was supposedly their right or something. Anyway, she didn't need Fernando on her case, and it wasn't like she wouldn't be teaching anyways... "Sure, why not. HEY LOU, BACK HER ON IN!" Rose waved the tow truck guy in, her eyes falling on the car dreamily. What a beaut.

Todd, who was enjoying a view of his own, smirked at Guillermo. "She is really into cars, huh? Lucky me." Giving himself a pre-congratulatory chuckle, Todd followed, looking a little nervous at touching anything for fear of filth getting on his fine cloths.

[GUILLERMO SALAS-ORTIZ]

"Peachy keen. You should really put on your jumpsuit, Dick. Safety reasons and all that."
He scowled at her, tugging the suit on over his shorts and t-shirt.
"Hot damn, I SAID HOT DAMN!" She squealed, bouncing as she stared dreamily out the window.
"Guillermo, if you're gonna do that to her man, bring her to the supply closet." Hiro said from under the hood of the Monte Carlo.
"Ohho, you're so cute Hiro, under your shit-rust bucket Monte Carlo. But you know what will be cuter? When I, moi, me, when I am working on a Porsche Carrera GT right over there." Rose grinned smugly at the guys as their jaws dropped.
"Bullshit!"
"I can't believe it."
"Who would have one of those in New York!? It's like begging for it to get jacked."
"ROSE! I will give you a weeks pay, if you gimme that job." Hiro said suddenly, grabbing her shoulders.
She pretended to consider, before crushing Hiro's dreams.
"See, here's the thing... Personally speaking, as my friend, I would LOVE to let you have that car. Nothing would make me happier. But PROFESSIONALLY speaking, I'mma tell you to kiss my freckled ass, cause that car is mine!"
"H-hey, watch the paint- You're my mechanic?"
"That's why I'm wearing the jump suit. Nice paint job-"
"Thanks. I had it custom made. It's called Dragon's Blood. My name's Todd. And you are- Rose. That's a pretty name-"
Rose was leaning towards the car, completely enthralled. The guy leaning towards Rose was completely enthralled by HER. Guillermo gut wrenched horribly and he glared at the floor.
"You're too sweet. What seems to be the issue?"
"Oh. Uh, it won't start."
'Todd' glanced over at him, nodding.
"I really don't know much about cars."
"Well, it could be the battery or the carburetor. We'll just have a little looksee, alright? You can go on in the waiting room if you like-"
"Do you mind if I come and watch. I'm sure there's some interesting stuff you could teach me."
Guillermo could see the look in that guy's eyes from a mile away. Hell, he had invented that look! He felt like snapping something in half. Like Todd's arm..
"Sure, why not. HEY LOU, BACK HER ON IN!" Rose waved the tow truck guy in, her eyes falling on the car dreamily.
Todd smirked at Guillermo.
"She is really into cars, huh? Lucky me."
Guillermo snarled.
"Like hel-"
He was cut off as Stefano dragged him backwards by his suit.
"Would you cool it? I know you're pissed. Seriously that guy is checkin Rose out like she's a library book-"
"Wanna get to the point, man?" Guillermo growled impatiently.
"Look, he's a customer, okay? And Rose "doesn't mix her personal and professional lives." But you can't go beat this guy's ass. You have any idea how pissed Rose would be if you lost her this car, foo?"
Guillermo sneered and removed Stefano's hand, knowing he was right.
Hiro came casually to the other side of Todd and grinned at Guillermo.
"Hey dude! You wanna throw me that wrench? I need to get the grease off it."
Guillermo picked up the tool and threw it to Hiro. It hit Todd's shoulder, not only swiping it with black grease, but also making a painful sounding thud.
"Oh, man, I'm sorry. Lo siento. Sólo soy un estúpido mexicano. Nuestro objetivo no es bueno cuando vamos por la frontera, ¿sabes? I was aiming for him," Guillermo said, putting on a thick Hispanic accent and pointing at Hiro, not sounding at all remorseful.

[ROSE MERCER]

Rose opened the hood of the car, finding a thick layer of dust and grime underneath. This Tad or Tib or whatever should be put to death for war crimes, it was in such a bad state. And worse, he was insisting on talking to her. Tuning out a little, though keeping up a polite nod, she went to work cleaning in attempts to find the problem. Leave it to a jerk to ruin something as beautiful as a Porsche Carrera GT. It wasn't until she heard Hiro's voice, that she really was too aware of what was going on around her. "Hey dude! You wanna throw me that wrench? I need to get the grease off it." There was a sudden thudding noise, as Tad or Tim fell to his knees, grasping his shoulder.

"Oh, man, I'm sorry. Lo siento. Sólo soy un estúpido mexicano. Nuestro objetivo no es bueno cuando vamos por la frontera, ¿sabes? I was aiming for him." Funny, Guillermo didn't SOUND sorry. Though he did seem to find an accent in all the drama. How interesting. Hiro took a less sneaky approach to the victory, bracing his jaw so as to keep from exploding with laughter.

"Are you okay?"

The man, who noticed oil on his fingertips from the spot it had made on his back, snapped at her furiously. "Do I look okay? What kind of idiots are running this place?"

Stefano, who looked on the scene with mild interest, like he had been expecting SOMETHING to happen, shifted a little. Hiro seemed to have gotten control of himself, though he still didn't bother to look contrite in anyway. In fact, he looked a little proud. "Stef, can you bring him to the restroom and give him some of that oil pretreatment-"

"Fucking stupid ass border jumper-"

Rose waved her hands, prompting for Stefano to hurry, which he did. "Now, there ain't no need for name calling, Sir. He said he was sorry, and I'm sure he meant it. Let's get you cleaned up-" The man cursed under his breath, mentioning something about a letter and getting Hiro and Guillermo fired, but allowed Stefano to lead him. Once they were out of the garage, Hiro burst into laughter, using Guillermo as a crutch to stay standing.

Rose rounded on them quickly. "WHAT THE FUCK YOU GUYS?" Sure, the guy was a spoiled prick, but damn. What if they had hit the car! Or the guy demanded that her commission be cut!

"Don't yell at him, it was my idea."

Rose smacked her forehead, feigning surprise. "Color me shocked! What the hell, man, are you trying to get shit canned? He could have really been hurt you idiots!"

"Oh fuck him! The only thing hurt is his pride. Besides, you should be thanking us. He looked two steps away from starting a tea party on your ass." Hiro defended, shrugging.

"Oh God! If I had a nickle for every guy that stared at my ass here, Hiro, I'd never have to fucking work again. And you would contribute a good five dollars." Hiro shrugged, neither confirming nor denying. "You don't give a rats ass he was oogling, you just thought it would be funny."

"It was pretty fucking funny."

"Yeah, thanks Nostradamus. Go work on your piece of shit now." The scolding off from him as water in a greased up pan, Hiro walked away, smirking at Guillermo. "And you-" Her blue eyes flashed at Guillermo, though her voice softened a bit. "Guys are going to look at me, and you can't be throwing wrenches at them every time they do. I don't need some white knight coming to my rescue, I can handle it myself. If you are serious about this job, great, then apologize SINCERELY when he gets out here." It wasn't really a necessary thing. More a thing of pride, she supposed. This shop was her sanctuary, and if he was going to invade, then he needed to show how committed he was too it. Even if it meant swallowing his pride to a complete cockbite.

"But on a side note, nice shot." This was said more privately, before she undid the top half of her jumpsuit, and tied it around her waist, blue tank top exposed.

[GUILLERMO SALAS-ORTIZ]

"Are you okay?"
Rose looked surprised and a bit irritated.
"Do I look okay? What kind of idiots are running this place?"
Whoa! Hey, no! He can't seriously be bitching at Rose for that!?
"Stef, can you bring him to the restroom and give him some of that oil pretreatment-"
"Fucking stupid ass border jumper-"
Guillermo's grin disappeared, rolling up the sleeves of his jumpsuit, but Hiro came over and nudged him hard in the ribs. He was in enough trouble as it was..
"Now, there ain't no need for name calling, Sir. He said he was sorry, and I'm sure he meant it. Let's get you cleaned up-"
Hiro leaned on Guillermo as he cracked up. He joined his friend in hearty laughter
Rose rounded on them quickly.
"WHAT THE FUCK YOU GUYS?"
"Don't yell at him, it was my idea."
Rose smacked her forehead, feigning surprise. "Color me shocked! What the hell, man, are you trying to get shit canned? He could have really been hurt you idiots!"
"Oh fuck him! The only thing hurt is his pride. Besides, you should be thanking us. He looked two steps away from starting a tea party on your ass." Hiro defended, shrugging.
"Oh God! If I had a nickle for every guy that stared at my ass here, Hiro, I'd never have to fucking work again. And you would contribute a good five dollars." Hiro shrugged, neither confirming nor denying. "You don't give a rats ass he was oogling, you just thought it would be funny."
"It was pretty fucking funny."
"Yeah, thanks Nostradamus. Go work on your piece of shit now. And you-"
Her blue eyes flashed at him, but her voice was somewhat softer.
"Guys are going to look at me, and you can't be throwing wrenches at them every time they do. I don't need some white knight coming to my rescue, I can handle it myself. If you are serious about this job, great, then apologize SINCERELY when he gets out here."
Guillermo's brown eyes stared sullenly into hers.
He hated this. He couldn't apologize. It wasn't fair. Rose was HIS! He lowered his gaze, nodding while staring at the floor.
"Buton a side note, nice shot."
A smile played on the corners of Guillermo's mouth.
He glanced over at her, a look of hope mixed with longing. He wanted everything to go back to how it was.
He had to start at the bottom and work his way up.
Todd returned with Stefano, still grumbling while wiping at his sleeve.
"Hey, man." Guillermo stopped the guy, "I'm sorry. That was out of line. My friend and I get carried away sometimes. I apologize."
His tone was sincere, but he held onto the accent. His eyes were flint. Dark and brooding but with a slight ghost of a dangerous fire. He tried to smile politely at Todd and held his hand out to shake Todd's.

[ROSE MERCER]

Rose had been expecting him to get up and leave, honestly. Hoping. Dreading. Whatever. But that was just what Guillermo's did in situations such as these. Unbending moral ground, even for the most trivial offenses. How many times had he just walked away from one of their ridiculous fights, or at the very least grew silent until the subject changed. At times his moral fiber would make Rose feel guilty, for having so little herself. So, she was understandably shocked when he lowered his eyes, and nodded glumly. A part of her believed that it was his need for a job. Another part was in that hope-fear limbo of it being about her.

He looked up at her, smirking a little at her quiet approval, his eyes breaking her heart a bit. Of course she wanted the same as him, she was not so far gone in denial that she could even refute this truth. But he didn't trust her, and that was an issue. With no trust, there is suspicion, and soon jealousy, hatred, bitterness. But certainly not love. Rose's eyes lowered, pointing to the car. "I need to get back to- yeah." Clearing her throat she did so, checking the battery terminal cable connections, and finding them very corroded.

"Hey, man. I'm sorry. That was out of line. My friend and I get carried away sometimes. I apologize." [/i] Guillermo said, keeping his accent thick. Rose gave him a look that was not quite a smile, though a part of her appreciated it. Todd stared at Guillermo's hand for a moment, before seeing that Rose was watching them, and seizing it firmly.

"Accidents happen. Don't worry about it, Dick." Todd replied, smiling through his teeth, his eyes flitting briefly to Guillermo's name tag.

Behind her, Rose heard Stefano whisper in her ear, as he handed her a wood handled screwdriver. "You're admirer over there, on top of being a racist assface-" The two watched Guillermo and Todd release grips. "But a lady friend named Whitney." Holding the screwdriver, Rose raised her eyebrow at the scandal.

"So, I think I might have found the issue." Rose said, breaking the staring contest. "Guillermo, you should come see this." She waved them closer, wondering a little what Stefano meant about Todd being a racist. True, she had heard the border jumper comment, and a part of her wanted to roll up her sleeves and join Guillermo in the imaginary beating. But had he said other things. Not bright, this Gringo, bringing his hate into a cage (for all intensive purposes) filled with minorities. She jammed the point of her woodened handled screwdriver in between the connector and the terminal post, twisting it to lodge it firmly.

"Are you sure you know what you're doing. Maybe one of them-" Rose ignored him. AS IF anyone of these guys could outdo her mechanically. MAYBE Fernando, but he had a few years on her.

"Can you go start your car, please, Tad?"

He looked at her for a moment, as if unable to believe his ears. "Todd- and how am I suppose to start it? There's a screwdriver in it."

"Tell you what, Todd, if the car doesn't start, I'll let you buy me dinner." OH PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE START! But she did hate, OH SO MUCH, when people decided she didn't know what she was talking about. ESPECIALLY when she did. Grinning at the chance, he went to the driver side.

START START START START-

The engine gave a weak purr, and a part of her wanted to reach out and stroke it through it's pain. Stupid baboon, not taking care of it. Still, she sighed with relief. "Well, look at that." He grumbled, as Rose walked to the window smugly. "So, can I still get dinner?"

"Sure, have your girlfriend Whitney call my girlfriend Mallory, and we'll make a thing out of it." She purred.

He looked taken aback by her knowing about Whitney, but seemed to titillated to be too sorry. "Really?"

"Mmmnope. But I can give you a very sensual bill for how much it'll cost to fix the damages to the car." He looked a bit surprised, as she walked away, not having had expected to be shot down. "Let's see here. New Cables will run you about $150. Plus cleaning the undercarriage here will be about $75. I wouldn't normal extend it, but I can't work through all this mess. Plus man hours is... $30 bucks an hour, it would take approximately five hours for two people..."

"Did you just shoot me down?"

Rose snapped her fingers to get his attention. "Stay with me here Tim. This will run you about $525, plus a tip of 25% for each of us for gratuity." She indicated her and Guillermo, though she had a feeling Todd wasn't listening anymore.
[/color]

[GUILLERMO SALAS-ORTIZ]

Todd stared at Guillermo's hand for a moment, before seeing that Rose was watching them, and seizing it firmly. Guillermo bit back a growl as Todd spoke.
"Accidents happen. Don't worry about it, Dick."
Guillermo gripped Todd's hand tighter, hearing his knuckle crack under his palm. His dark eyes glared subtly at the blonde guy, releasing his hand.
Rose spoke, snapping the concentrated glower. She waved them closer.
"So, I think I might have found the issue. Guillermo, you should come see this."
She shoved the point of her wooden handled screwdriver into the car and Todd spoke up.
"Are you sure you know what you're doing. Maybe one of them-"
What a fool. Rose was the best mechanic around.
"Can you go start your car, please, Tad?"
"Todd- and how am I suppose to start it? There's a screwdriver in it."
Rose looked a irritated.
"Tell you what, Todd, if the car doesn't start, I'll let you buy me dinner."
He seem excited at the prospect and tried it out. Rose squeezed her eyes shut and Guillermo willed the car to start up.
The engine did start, though it wasn't a very strong, confident rumble.
"Well, look at that." He grumbled, as Rose walked to the window smugly. "So, can I still get dinner?"
"Sure, have your girlfriend Whitney call my girlfriend Mallory, and we'll make a thing out of it."
She was lying.
The fool of a man believed her.
"Really?"
"Mmmnope. But I can give you a very sensual bill for how much it'll cost to fix the damages to the car. Let's see here. New Cables will run you about $150. Plus cleaning the undercarriage here will be about $75. I wouldn't normal extend it, but I can't work through all this mess. Plus man hours is... $30 bucks an hour, it would take approximately five hours for two people..."
"Did you just shoot me down?"
Guillermo couldn't hide his victorious grin. This guy was really thick.
And he couldn't be happier that Rose had rejected him.
Rose snapped her fingers to get his attention. "Stay with me here Tim. This will run you about $525, plus a tip of 25% for each of us for gratuity."
Guillermo was surprised when she indicated him as well.
Todd was looking stunned still, unable to get over the rejection.
Guillermo smirked at the guy.

[ROSE MERCER]

Rose watched as Todd grasped the concept of being shot down. It would have been amusing, had she not been having a bad day already. She could see Guillermo smiling, and it both pleased and bothered her. Ugh, that was what was going to be weirdest about him working here. The mixed feelings on everything. "Do you have a boyfriend?" The customer reached, trying to place a reason with to make up for the undesired outcome. Shaking her head, she went to the car, starting to unclasp the hood stand. She felt the guy swoop in behind her, Rose's back stiffening by the unwanted closeness. Her eyes instantly went to Stefano, who nodded, standing over next to Guillermo to stop any whisking to her rescue. "C'mon, I'll promise you a great time, Baby." The man pressed himself close to her, his hands resting on the open hood of the car.

Smiling a little, she spoke in a light and nonchalant voice. "Now, Tom, that's unwanted touching right there." With that, she slammed the hood shut, before he could move his hands out of the way. Todd let out a cry of pain, as Rose turned and sat on the hood of the car. "Now, listen to me close, because I am not a patient person. But when I make a promise, I always keep it. Promise one: You have ZERO chance of taking me on a date. I know 'no' is a hard term for your type to handle, but I'm afraid you're going to have to cope." He seemed to only be half listening, as he tried to yank his hands out of the closed hood. "And promise two, the fact that I have tits aside, you will not find a mechanic in New York more qualified to put this beautiful creature back in it's proper state."

"Unlock the hood, you fucking bitch!" Todd spat, earning an impatient sigh from Rose, how hopped around him and did as he said. Once released, he clutched his red hands, tears fighting to come out of his eyes. Angrily, he got in Rose's face, which stayed in a bored calm. "I'm gonna write the paper and all of your ASSES are getting fired."

"Really, for what? Being injured in a garage?"

Stefano gave a condescending laugh, shaking his head. "My man, I saw an accident."

"You tripped." Hiro shrugged, grinning.

"You know what I think would be a great story for the paper. Son of a wealthy man comes into a auto shop, spouting all sorts of racial, sexist, shit..."

Todd pulled away from her, trying to keep his composure. "My Father-"

Rose gave a curt nod, smirking widely. "Honey, you're, what? 20-21? There is no way in hell you could afford this baby on your own."

Rubbing his hands, he considered his options. "I'll expect it ready by Friday." Victory! Rose held back a laugh, motioning Stefano to take the young champ to fill out the paper work. As the two vanished into the waiting room, Rose gave a indulged smile at Hiro's faux scolding stare.

"I thought you said for us to be nice to the customers?"

"No, I said to not throw wrenches at them." Rose corrected, pulling the sleeves of her jumpsuit tightly around her waist. She knew she was in the wrong here. She could have, after all, really hurt the jack ass. Or, worse, the car. Shrugging a little, she looked at Guillermo, who she remembered she was suppose to be mad at. Damn him, and his ability to make her forget that. Clearing her throat, she did not go back to scowling, but more an awkward formality. "So, uh, right. This thing." Jabbing her thumb at the car, she reopened the hood finding two little dents where Todd's hands had been.

Opps.

She'd have to fix that for free.

[GUILLERMO SALAS-ORTIZ]

"Do you have a boyfriend?"
Guillermo wanted to yell the affirmative, but Rose shook her head. Todd obviously wasn't getting it, as he pressed up against her, his hands resting on the car.
His brown eyes darkened and he caught himself emitting a low growl, his insides burning in anger.
"C'mon, I'll promise you a great time, Baby."
"Te voy a mostrar un gran momento. ¿Qué te parece meter mi pie en tu culo..?" Stefano appeared next to him, squashing his plan of grinding Todd's face into the cement floor.
Rose was all over it though.
"Now, Tom, that's unwanted touching right there."
The hood of the car slammed shut so fast Guillermo couldn't even be sure that Rose had actually done it. Todd squealed like a little girl. Rose jumped up to sit on the hood, giving him a slightly dangerous, smug smile.
"Now, listen to me close, because I am not a patient person. But when I make a promise, I always keep it. Promise one: You have ZERO chance of taking me on a date. I know 'no' is a hard term for your type to handle, but I'm afraid you're going to have to cope. And promise two, the fact that I have tits aside, you will not find a mechanic in New York more qualified to put this beautiful creature back in it's proper state."
He wasn't paying much attention, trying to yank his hands from the hood, which was probably only making it worse.
"Unlock the hood, you fucking bitch! I'm gonna write the paper and all of your ASSES are getting fired."
He got up in Rose's face when she released him, and Stefano had to grab Guillermo's shoulder to stop him from ripping the guy's head off.
"Really, for what? Being injured in a garage?"
Stefano laughed, shaking his head.
"My man, I saw an accident."
"You tripped." Hiro shrugged, grinning.
"You know what I think would be a great story for the paper. Son of a wealthy man comes into a auto shop, spouting all sorts of racial, sexist, shit..."
"My Father-"
"Honey, you're, what? 20-21? There is no way in hell you could afford this baby on your own."
He apparently agreed with this.
"I'll expect it ready by Friday."
Stefano brought Todd into the other room.
"I thought you said for us to be nice to the customers?"
"No, I said to not throw wrenches at them. So, uh, right. This thing."
Rose seemed to remember that they weren't supposed to be getting along. Jabbing her thumb at the car, she reopened the hood and slumped a little.
There were some dents where his hands had gotten slammed in.
Guillermo chuckled a little, attempting to diffuse the tension she had built up again.
"I'd say to leave them there as a reminder, if I didn't know he'd make you fix it anyway, or tattle on you."

[ROSE MERCER]

"I'd say to leave them there as a reminder, if I didn't know he'd make you fix it anyway, or tattle on you." Rose looked over at Guillermo, who was looking at the same damage as her, giving him a small grin. He really wore that jumpsuit too well. The light, cornflower blue, was not marred by grease like hers and the others, and it went well with his skin tone.

Frustrated in more ways then one, Rose gave a slight laugh, with a shrug. "Nah, I wouldn't do that to this car. Besides, I don't think he'll need any help remembering that..." It did feel good to show Guillermo that she could take care of herself. She wore her smile with a little pride, before it fell at the mess under the hood. "I get that people don't exactly dust under here, but this is just a shame. You know, he probably hasn't even had the hood opened since he got the damn thing." The disapproval trickled out of her voice, as she rubbed at some of the crud. "We're going to have to wash it... HIRO? Can you get me the power hose?"

Hiro did, revealing why she didn't get it herself. It was a mammoth of a contraption, even Hiro having a little trouble lugging the thing.True, few were more savvy in the realms of automatics than Rose. Grunting as he set it down, he grinned at Rose. "You know Rose, you really should carry your own weight-"

"Sorry I'm built like a girl?"

"Don't be. I can name a few who definitely aren't." Rose ignored the impish grin Hiro shot at Guillermo, instead focusing on hooking the power hose to the actual hose system.

"Right!" Rose said, as she held the washer handle in her hand. "This doohicky is of Hiro's invention. Power Washers are generally a little too harsh on the more delicate innards of a car, but regular hose's don't have enough oomph. So, we use this thing, which is a happy medium." Rose tried to squeeze the handle, frowning as it seemed to be stuck. "Hiro-"

"You gotta jiggle it a little. It's been sticking."

Sighing, Rose did as she was told, her frown deepening. "Stupid thing-" As if relenting against her abuse, a sudden outburst of water came from it, unfortunately in the direction of Guillermo. Gasping she dropped it, the water ceasing, as she looked at her soaked ex. Rose covered her mouth, trying to hold the laughter in, as she let out an apology. "I am so- *snort*- so sorry! That was a- hehehe- total accident." She couldn't hold it in, letting out the laughter as she wrapped her arms around her gut.

[GUILLERMO SALAS-ORTIZ]

She shrugged lightly, smiling.
"Nah, I wouldn't do that to this car. Besides, I don't think he'll need any help remembering that... I get that people don't exactly dust under here, but this is just a shame. You know, he probably hasn't even had the hood opened since he got the damn thing."
She looked quite annoyed, obviously viewing such treatment as a criminal offense.
"We're going to have to wash it... HIRO? Can you get me the power hose?"
Hiro tugged the huge hose over, and Guillermo's eyebrows flew up skeptically.
"You know Rose, you really should carry your own weight-"
"Sorry I'm built like a girl?"
"Don't be. I can name a few who definitely aren't."
"Right! This doohicky is of Hiro's invention. Power Washers are generally a little too harsh on the more delicate innards of a car, but regular hose's don't have enough oomph. So, we use this thing, which is a happy medium. Hiro-"
The hose didn't start and Rose threw a confused look at Hiro.
"You gotta jiggle it a little. It's been sticking."
Rose frowned instantly.
"Stupid thing-"
She shook it and Guillermo was suddenly doused in icy water. Rose cut the water flow, dropping it to the ground. He spluttered, wiping the liquid from his eyes.
"I am so- *snort*- so sorry! That was a- hehehe- total accident."
He looked over at her, a devious glare filled his face as he shivered.
Guillermo rushed to her and lifted her in the air, bear hugging her, getting her as wet as possible. He put her down and picked up the hose.
"You look a little too dry, Rose."
He sprayed it, narrowly missing Rose as she ducked, soaking Hiro instead.
"Oh, shit, man. Sorry."

[ROSE MERCER]

He had that look in his eye. Rose stepped back a little, automatically, though Hiro pushed her back to Guillermo, who wrapped her in a very wet hug. Giving a weird noise, between a whimper and a groan, she wriggled a bit, trying not to breath in his natural citrusy smell that had a newly mingled odor of gasoline to it. Rose quite liked that, much to her dismay. He released her, picking up the hose. "Guillermo, don't you-"

"You look a little too dry, Rose." Guillermo said, pointing the hose at her. Gasping she crouched, the water hitting Hiro in the face, before he could make some clever joke. "Oh, shit, man. Sorry."

Hiro laughed, wiping his face. "Man, make her wet, I don't like you like-" Rose stood back up, punching Hiro in the gut. She regretted this almost instantly, as his hand wrapped around her wrist. Squealing, she tried to pull away, but he wrapped her own arms around her, crossing them across her chest from behind. "Dude, get her."

"NO! No, no, no! Guillermo!" Rose said, trying to squirm away from Hiro's iron grasp. "Don't do it, it was an accident!" She tried stomping on Hiro's feet, but he had the height advantage, hoisting her over his shoulder. Seriously, guys need to stop doing that. Totally cheating.

"What do you want to hit first? Ass or head?" Hiro laughed, as Rose squealed. In truth, this was a little fun, even though water hitting her hair would make for a terrible afro.

She gave a pleading little laugh, she tried to look over at Guillermo, putting on her sweetest face. "Guillermo, you're not gonna, are you?"

"Before you get lost in those eyes, Man, take a look at your name tag-" Hiro said, earning a feline-like snarl from Rose.

"Hiro, shut up!"

"-And ask yourself: To soak, or not to soak." Rose began fighting more, kicking her legs. Lucky for her, Hiro had less of a grip than Seth, so her legs were prime for beating him aimlessly. "Ask yourself quicker!"