Chapter 40 — "Life's Work"
(Act 2 — Panam's Jobline)
The sun bled molten orange across the Badlands as Alaric leaned on the hood of Panam's Thorton.
She slammed the driver's door with a grunt. "Great. Nash screwed me over. Again."
Alaric crossed his arms, lazy grin in place.
"Sounds like you've got a type."
Panam's brows shot up. "Excuse me?"
He shrugged. "Rogue, Nash… guys who make deals and don't deliver. Good thing I'm more hands-on."
Panam gave a dry laugh, rolling her eyes — but didn't move away when he stepped closer.
"You're an arrogant bastard, you know that?"
Alaric leaned in, voice low.
"Arrogant… or right on the money?"
Their eyes locked, the desert heat thick between them. For a flicker of a second — just a flicker — Panam didn't answer.
Then she gave a sharp grin.
"Get in the damn car."
---
They hit the road. Dust kicked up, wind whipping hair and tempers alike.
On the ridge, watching Nash's convoy below, Alaric loaded a mag into his pistol with a lazy flick.
"Plan?"
Panam glanced over, expression tight.
"We hit 'em fast. Hard. No mercy."
Alaric smirked, cocking his head.
"My kind of date."
Panam huffed a laugh despite herself.
"You call this a date?"
He leaned against her shoulder slightly — a teasing bump.
"Unless you've got better ideas for how to spend the night."
Panam shook her head, but a faint flush touched her cheeks.
"Let's kill Nash first. Then we'll talk about… ideas."
---
The ambush was textbook.
Alaric moved like a phantom — bullets singing, slicing through the gang like a reaper in chrome.
When it was over, Panam gave him a long, lingering look.
"You… weren't kidding."
Alaric wiped blood from his knuckles with a grin.
"I never do."
---
Nightfall.
Back at camp.
Panam sat on the hood, legs stretched out, beer in hand. Alaric dropped beside her, their knees brushing.
She tilted her bottle.
"So… no strings, huh?"
Alaric took a sip of his.
"Not unless you want 'em."
Panam looked away — but her smirk was soft, the edge gone.
"Cocky bastard."
Alaric smirked, letting the night settle between them.
But both of them knew… this wasn't over.
Not by a long shot.
---
[System Feedback - Emotional Metrics Updated]
Panam Palmer
[Affection +15] — Impressed by Alaric's combat prowess
[Trust +10] — Appreciated his support without strings
[Attraction +10] — Reacted to flirting with mild fluster, intrigued
Judy Alvarez (Off-screen update)
[Curiosity +5] — Noted absence, wonders if Alaric is off charming someone
Evelyn Parker (Stable)
[Loyalty +5] — Comfortable at home, feels secure in relationship
---
> "Looks like you're stacking points with Panam, hotshot."
— System Comment