[ficlet] Seduced by Moonshine (PG)

[tiptoe39]

Title: Seduced by Moonshine
Author: tiptoe39
RAting: PG for tommy guns and pinstriped suits.
Summary: An anachronistic, historically inaccurate AU. Matt pounds the beat in Chicago, trying to keep law in order in a town of gangsters and bootleggers...



Matt awoke to the disconcerting realization that he couldn't move his hands. His arms were bound tight behind a wooden barrel. The whole place smelled sick with alcohol, and the basement concrete was cold and damp beneath his legs.

He vaguely remembered the chaotic shootout and the barrel of his gun going silent and obstinate. Then there was the choke of a strong arm and a growl in his ear, and everything went quiet.

Now, as his eyes adjusted to the dimness, he was able to make out the gleaming silver tip of a cane. He followed the length of it upward to the gentle, dark hand that held it, then to the diamond cufflinks (just one would pay his salary for a year) and pinstriped suit, then up to the deceptively angelic face framed with dark curls and a bowler hat.

"'Moonshiner' Suresh," he muttered.

"My given name is Mohinder," the man said, taking a few steps toward him. "That nickname is one you police bestowed upon me. I rather prefer the one my mother gave me."

"Does she know what you've become?" Matt challenged, hoping the gangster had revealed a weak spot.

No such luck. "And what is that?" Mohinder laughed. His smile was dazzling. "A successful, legitimate businessman?"

"For the love of Pete, 'Moonshiner.' How can you say that in this place? Take a whiff."

"I assure you," Mohinder said, coming to stand just above him and leaning his free hand on the top of the barrel that held Matt prisoner, "this is all purely medicinal alcohol. For sterilization purposes. I am also a doctor, remember?"

That was his other nickname, Matt remembered. Doctor to the Mob. Any number of unsavory characters had been seen entering and leaving his clinic, which he claimed was a public service. Sure, if you had a bullet wound or a knife in your back. He hadn't heard about many cases of mothers taking their kids there when they had the flu.

Matt took advantage of the moment to hook his leg around the end of the silver-tipped cane, yanking hard and toppling Mohinder to his knees beside him. He leaned forward as far as his bonds would allow. "I'm going to bring you down, Suresh," he sneered.

"You just did," smirked Mohinder. Their faces were inches apart, and through his frown Matt felt his heart speed up. He wished he had the use of his hands.

---Why? To punch him out? Or to grab him and kiss him?--

He tossed away the spare thought and glowered. "Mark my words, you'll be in jail when I'm done with you."

"So you've made annoyingly clear," breathed Mohinder, his face flushed by the fall. His eyes kept falling to Matt's mouth. "Why do you think I've brought you here, Officer? Use that detective's mind of yours. Why didn't I just have the Zombie kill you? I know I'm dying to find out if he really eats brains."

"Then it was Gray who grabbed me." Zane "the Zombie" Gray was a notorious hit man. He'd gotten his nickname after one too many corpses had been found with half their heads cut off. "Thanks for the confirmation. I always knew you ran with that crowd."

"Hardly admissible in a court of law, however," Mohinder pointed out. "Truly, I do worry about your qualifications sometimes. However are you to maintain law and order in this town if you can't even remember to get a decent handle on evidence before making your empty threats?"

He touched Matt's face. The hand was not just gentle but warm. Matt flushed. "But I like you, Officer. A good deal." He leaned even closer. Matt's pulse went into overdrive. The smirking mouth was so frustratingly close. "And a good deal," he went on, tilting his head to whisper into Matt's ear, "is what I'm willing to make you."

"And what kind of deal is that?" Matt was barely able to spit out the words. He was breathing in the scent of Mohinder and moonshine so rapidly that he thought he might be drunk already. His head was spinning.

"All this," Mohinder whispered. "Whatever you want, whenever you want it."

The words took their time in making sense. Matt hoped his captor didn't suspect what he'd thought for a shameful moment. "Booze," he sad weakly.

"That's right. For yourself. To keep. To sell at exorbitant prices. A lifetime of happiness, all yours for the taking."

Matt barked a harsh laugh, and Mohinder drew back as if struck. "Sorry, Doctor," Matt said with a triumphant grin. "But I'm immune to that particular temptation."

Mohinder stared at him for a moment, blankly. Matt felt a rush of excitement at his small victory. But then the leering smile returned. "I'll just have to find something else to tempt you with, then," he said as his lips captured Matt's in a hot kiss.

And Matt knew then what it was to be seduced by moonshine.

:end:


I have another anachronistic, historically inaccurate ficlet on the way. In this one, Mohinder is a representative of the Company...
a certain Company you probably already know about.

cheers!