"I was trying to stay awake while doing my painting."  Darius was going to repeat his excuse of loss of hearing, but he decided to simply apologize.  "I'm sorry about the music, Jane.  It won't happen again.  Truce?"  He extended his hand to her once again, giving her an embarrassed smile.<br/><br/>If this was his neighbor, Darius had lucked out.  She was far younger and more attractive than most in this apartment complex.  Then again, an older neighbor might have been as hard of hearing as he was and might have forgiven him for playing his music so loud.  The gun was becoming uncomfortable against his backbone, so as much as he was admiring his neighbor, he was hoping she was going to accept his hand and his apology so that he could close the door and remove the gun.