You know when you see someone familiar from the distance and you can't help smiling like an idiot as you approach them? That's what's happening to me as I walk over to Lance and TC. We had a rough start, which is common in this business, but I guess I've grown to like them in the, uhhh, hours since.

"Guys! Over here!" I exclaim, raising my plastic cup.

Luckily, the stupid smile is wiped off my face when I see who's walking right next to Lance and TC. Un-luckily, I hate that guy.

"What are YOU doing here?" I ask when all three arrive.

Steve Richards grins, but his smile is the exact opposite of mine. Instead of making him look like he's mentally challenged, it turns him into Han Solo's even cooler older brother. Gobdammit, I hate that guy. "My pals Larry and Tobias told me they met you kids, so I figured I'd come along to this party you invited them to... Small world, eh?"

"You know this guy?" I ask TC.

"We go way back," he replies. "You don't mind that he came along, do you?"

"No... of course not." I'm aware that I don't sound very convincing, but I DON'T CARE. Take that, Richards. "So, uh, anyone want a beer?"

"Yes, thank you," Richards says, helping himself to my plastic cup. "Honestly, Will, when heard you were having a party and didn't invite me, I nearly... What the fuck is this?"

"Soda," I say, as he hands me back my cup. That's nice of him, though I don't intend to drink something he choked on and spit back.

"You fucking pussy, I shoulda known it. Where's the beer?"

Richards is off to search for alcohol. Oh, Jesus, he's gonna be even more annoying when he's drunk, isn't he?

"So... how do you know him?"

"He once had an 'run-in' with a group TC and I used to roll with..." Larry answers. "You're not the only one here who got his ass kicked by us on the first date!"

"I see. Do you usually keep in touch with people you beat up? Is this, is this something you guys do?"

"Eh, Steve helped us on a case later on," TC says. "He used to hang out with the wrong crowd, but he's an okay guy."

Larry nods. "I knew he worked with Strikeforce rookies, so I mentioned our encounter to him and, whadda ya know, he told me he's your local contact in Thunder!"

"Yeah, lucky us." Damn, I hate coincidences. That's just lazy writing.


Meanwhile, elsewhere in the party...

"Dude, you think the bitch's gonna find out we're on a party instead of looking for the Strikeforce guys?" Circle Jerk asks.

"Nah!" Vertigo Man replies. "What are the odds of that?"

"Yeah, you're right."

Both young men then go back to sinking their heads in the beer-filled bathtub.