Boris chuckled at her, they were kindred spirits these two. Hardened by Russia, wanted criminals, and fellow bar patron. 

"Naughty girl! I am wanted in Russia too, we are kindred spirits, you and I. Lets drink to that!"

Boris raised his bottle and took a big swig out of it, laughing all the while with her.

Once more she reached for the bottle, her vision was starting to get a little blurred at this point. As she reached a grabbed it, it slipped out of her hands and tipped over. The wine started pouring out of the bottle, quickly she picked up the bottle putting it upright on the bar. 

"Dammit, look at all that good wine wasted."

The owner quickly came over with a couple of rags to clean up the mess she had just made. He was going to ask her if she wanted some more but there was still a little bit left in the bottle even after the spill and plus he didn't want to be responsible for her. Sophia glanced up catching the guys at the other side of the bar pointing and laughing in her direction. It was something she didn't take lightly.

"What the fuck is your problem over there, you have something to say? Come over here and say it to my face."

The guys looked at eachother and continued to laugh, by this time she had almost immediately become sober and the rage ensued within her. She reached in her bag and grabbed a hold of her knife.

Boris slid his bottle in between them, offering to share it once he noticed her spill. He was after all, a gentleman. When Sophia started to get made fun of, he too did not take kindly to that, he noticed the girl go into her bag and grab the knife. He reached out a hand to signal her to stow it, he would deal with this. Boris had always been a large man, he was 6'5 and 280 lbs, with barely any fat on his large frame. It had made it an obvious choice to go become a criminal, and it was how he was a career bouncer as well. He stood up and made his way over to the table. 3 average size guys, he liked his odds.

"You leave now, maybe I not break your skinny legs and drag you out."

The large bouncer cracked his neck and brought both of his large hands in front of him, slowly cracking the scarred knuckles of his large hands. He liked this girl, and like the gentlemen he was, if you made fun of her, you made fun of him. Nobody made fun of him.

Initially she had no sense of her surrounding, with her knife in hand she was just about to get off her chair when Boris big hand caught her eye. Almost instantaneously she snapped out of her trance, she looked up at the big guy who was motioning her to calm down and put the knife away. Now usually she would disregard anyone's help or protection, she was one who was used to dealing with her own problems. There was something about this moment though that swayed her mind, perhaps it was the potential joy watching what was about to unfold or she just wanted to see what the big guy had to offer. 

With a quick swipe Sophia plunged the knife into the bar top and pulled herself back up into her chair. Her eyes still locked onto the group of guys who were still haggling her.

Boris smiled broadly and laughed with the men when they began to laugh at him too. Funny bunch of guys, without breaking out of his laughter, in one motion he grabbed the head of the closest man and slammed it into the table as hard as he could. He heard the nose break, and he watched the man go limp from the impact. He stopped laughing, and so did the other two, neither sure if they wanted to fight the large man. One of them decided to throw his plate at Boris to cover him getting up, but the large man was familiar with tactics like this, with one hand he swatted the plate away and with the other he grabbed the mans face in one large hand. He had learned a long time ago that if one could control the motion of someones head, their body would follow, and so he threw the man across the room and without waiting to see what the next would do, he planted a large meaty fist in his face over and over until he too was limp. The one who had been tossed gathered himself and it appeared that he wasnt in a laughing mood anymore.

"Let me get them and go. We didn't mean no harm, we just been drinkin is all."

The man, who was younger then Boris, pleaded with him. He was on the opposite side of the room from the exit, and he didnt like his odds of passing the Russian unharmed.

"This is fine. Grab friends and go. First though, you pay bartender for damage and disruption. Take their money for all I care. Second, you apologize to lady, and mean it, or I will make example of you."

Boris had bounced at the honey hole since Tommy built it, he knew the unsubtle arts of intimidation, and he was an artist of pain. 

Sophia watched as Boris went over to the group of guys and with ease started to defused the situation. She smirked as the first guys face smashed against the table, the fear and terror in their eyes the moment Boris disabled the first guy was priceless. It didn't even look like he broke a sweat, she could tell this wasn't something new to him. As if he had done this multiple times before. Normally she would have never sat back and watched, she is a feisty one when it comes to things like that. You would never guess it from her appearance but since that day in Moscow, she was one who getting her hands dirty.

At one point she couldn't see around Boris big frame, she stood up on her tippy toes to try and get a better vantage point but it just didn't work. Next thing she knew one of the guys went flying across the bar. Immediately she burst out in laughter, laughing so hard tears steamed down her cheek. This amused the hell out of her, part of it was probably the wine still it had her in tears.

She was still smiling when Boris had dragged one of the guys over to her, the moment he stood in front of her. The laughter went away and a straight serious look went across her face. The man apologized sincerely but she knew it was because of the fear of Boris. After he was done saying his peace Sophia reached over and pulled the knife out of the bar top and placed it to the mans cheek.

"Consider yourself lucky, cause if it were me who went over there at least one of you wouldn't be going home this evening."

She softly pushed the blade further into his cheek to the point a drop of blood started to appear.

"Make sure you pay the owner, oh and guess what. You just paid for me and my friend as well."

The guy reached into his pockets and pulled out every last dime he had, placed it on the counter and slowly stepped back. Making sure to keep his eye on this crazed woman. Moments later he grabbed his boys and they all stumbled out of the bar. Sophia turned back to the bar, placed her knife back in her back, grabbed the bottle of wine and finished the contents.

"I think I'm done here."

She looked over at the big guy.

"Let's go find somewhere else to drink."

Boris watched with curiosity as she raised the knife to the mans face, he almost thought that she would kill him, but she didn't. But he did not doubt that she was serious when she said that one of them would not have gone home. They were lucky that they were able to walk at all, Boris was not a fan of being mocked, and he was protective of people that he liked. 

"I think you might be right. Vhere we go now?"

Boris wasn't too concerned where they went, so long as they went together. This was the most Russian date he had been on since coming to America, they drank bottles of booze, beat the hell out of people and cut someone. He was having a great time.

It was settled, this place out grew it's welcome. Sophia grabbed her bag and hopped down off of the stool, being tiny had it's downfalls. Sitting in those bar stools she was never able to reach the floor, it was just something that she had gotten used to by now. Once down she proceeded right to the door, passing the battered group of guys on her way out.

"Was fun boys, hoping we run into each other again sometime soon."

She glanced behind her thinking Boris would be right on her coat tails but he was still at the bar pounding the last of his vodka. She shook her head, turned around and walked outside. She hooked a right and walked for tiny bit until she came upon a bench, it was the first one she say and it was calling her name. With a plop she sat down pondering what to do next.

No Russian left vodka like that, he paid for it and he would finish it. He pounded what was left of the bottle and set it down. He pulled out some extra money, and gave it to the stressed bartender with a sympathetic nod. He knew that what happened here was not an ideal night for the man. He then hurried his large frame outside to catch up to his красота, he found her sitting at a bench. He was feeling the effects of the alcohol, he took a deep breath as he sat down, blinking several times to straighten his vision up.

"That was fun. Where can we go to get ourselves into more trouble like that."

She threw her head back slowly looking up at the stars and inhaled a deep breathe. The air was a tad crisp, making it perfect to just be outside. Plus the crisp air was better for the major buzz she had going on. It was a good buzz, one she hadn't had in a while and at this rate it was one that she didn't want to lose. With a tilt of her head in the direction of Boris she muttered a couple of words. 

"I need another drink."

She smiled at him before giving him a hard smack on the shoulder.

"Come on, you're buying."

The large man chuckled standing up to follow her to their next destination, it was a great night for a walk, which was good because his driver wasnt set to show up for another few hours. Poor Andy would be in for a surprise when he found out the Russian was long gone. Boris chuckled to himself picturing the grouchy old man and his consternation.  

"Pick a place that has decent Vodka, I vould like to get drunk tonight."

Standing up her legs wobbled beneath her for a moment, perhaps she was a bit more buzzed then she thought. She grabbed a hold of the arm rest on the bench to compose herself. It took a couple of seconds for her head to slow down and for her to get her sense of direction. Slowly she turned her head in each direction. To the left it was dimly lite except for the tiny establishment they had just left. To right the lights shone from the street lamps and the sound of people filled the air. She picked up her bag and pointed to the right.

"I'm going that way."

Taking a couple steps in that direction she stopped to look behind her. It was something she always did, well since after her experience in Moscow. Was almost a nervous twitch she had but it was more predominate when she had some liquor in her. 

Boris shrugged, that way looked as good as any to him. He began to walk after her when she turned and looked behind her. He stopped and turned around scanning the area behind them, he didn't detect anything or anybody. But he checked one more time just to be sure.

"I not see anything behind us. Did you hear something?"

He asked as they began to walk to the lights.

Quickly she turned back around and ran her hand through her hair.

"I uh.. I kind of always watch my back. People think I'm paranoid or just plain crazy, it's just something I do. At least ever since Moscow."

She chuckled and repeated.

"Crazy..."

After a brief chuckle she went silent for a moment then suddenly out of no where began humming to herself. As if a switch had been flipped. 

"I'm only a little crazy Boris but shh don't tell anyone."

Boris understood completely, luckily he had never been in a situation quite like that. Each and every one of his brothers had though, so he related at a deep level. 

"Your not crazy, you are....." 

Boris stopped trying to think of the English word, but he was stumped so he finished it the way he knew. 

"You are особый. This is not bad, good trait. Anyway I am crazy. All Russians are born crazy, you know."

He gave her a warm genuine grin as he said that. 

"Special, did you just call me special...."

She fell to the ground and started to sob.

"You just met me and even you think I'm special, what the fuck is wrong with me. Maybe I am crazy, maybe I need committed."

She sobbed some more for a moment until her sobs turned into laughter. Picking herself up off the floor she turned and smiled at Boris. It was all an act, she just wanted to see his reaction.

Boris was walking beside her when all of a sudden she fell to her knees and began to sob. The large man was confused. Had she misinterpreted his Russian? Special. This was the English translation, maybe it did not translate well. 

"Ehhh. I am sorry. English is not my first language. I thought this was good translation."

Then she started to laugh, the confused Russian just looked at her in confusion, but he shrugged his shoulders and waited for her to continue walking. It was far from his first time that a woman utterly caught him off guard and confused him. They were strange complicated beings sometimes. 

Sophia continued to walk down the sidewalk, Boris made sure he was close by her. It was a funny combo them two standing next to each other, he over towered her by well over a foot and with his size he could have picked her up and tossed her if he wanted. She didn't care though, to her it didn't matter who you were or how big you were. The way she figured it, with a weapon everyone is just about equal in size.

They walked for about a mile until they came across another bar, this one was a bit more crowded not usually her cup of tea but they had liquor and right now that was what she was craving. There was a pile of people around the door, it was like a clogged storm drain. No one could in and no one could get out. She huffed and let out a sigh. That's when she remembered who was with here, if anyone could get through this mess she was sure Boris could.

She turned back towards Boris and gave him a nudge.

"Help a girl out here."

Boris looked at the crowd and with a chuckle he picked the tiny Sophia up and forced his way past people, some moved and others were moved. He carried her in, and then set her down once they were past the crowd. He caught a few dirty looks but most wouldn't even do that, his size was a deterrent for assholes. 

"Sorry I pick you up, I not risk them separating us. Pick a seat, and I vill go get us drinks. Vodka for me, and vine for you?"

The large man smiled, pulling his wallet out, ready to go grab the drinks. 

Taken back by the events that just occurred, Sophia had to compose herself for a moment. She was in a trance in her own mind, she was not a big fan of people invading her personal space let alone being picked up. She could hear Boris voice echoing in the background, even though the two had just met recently she could pluck his voice out from the mix. Almost instantly she snapped back into reality, she wasn't sure he had actually said to her but it didn't matter.

Without hesitation she grabbed his shirt collar into her fist and pulled him towards her, down to his level. For a moment there you could see a smile beam from Boris face. He must have thought for a brief moment he was getting a kiss but boy was he mistaken. The moment his face lined up with her she let him have it.

"Don't you ever and mean fucking ever do that shit again. Do I make myself clear? HUH? I'm not here for you just to pick up anytime you fucking feel like it, I mean honestly who the hell does that?"

She let go of his shirt and turned around.

"Fucking hell..."

Without hearing his response she walked around the one side of the bar and found herself a place to sit.