Unveiled Emotions

Rei sat silently beside Vicious listening to his dark thoughts.

"Do I get paid for being you chauffer?" Stinger asked.

"As I've said before, don't push your luck," Vicious said then glanced at Rei. "Is anything wrong?"

"No. I'm just getting used to you again," Rei said and leaned against him. "I must have been really sick to be gone for so long."

"You were. This is the first time I've seen you in six months."

"Hey at least you've kept yourself busy. You've gained a lot of revenue in your gambling operations," Stinger said and Vicious said nothing. He was watching Rei from the corner of his eye. She seemed a bit unstable still, but he was sure that was a result of being removed from society. He felt her hand on his neck and he glanced at her. He smiled slightly; allowing compassion to show on his lips then glanced coldly at Stinger.

"What's that look for?" he asked as Vicious leaned forward in his seat.

"You missed the turn," he hissed and Stinger glanced at him.

"I know."

"Why? Explain. Now."

"Well, it's her first day out of the inst…that place and I thought she'd like to see the city."

"You'd better watch how you say things. I'm not above killing you even if you're still useful to me."

"Boy, that would be kind of stupid, don't you think? To kill the guy driving the car."

Vicious leaned back in his seat, mentally cursing Stinger out. He relaxed slightly as Rei ran her fingers through his hair. He had forgotten that she could hear his thoughts and his silent string of curses had concerned her.

"If you want, I can take you to an out of the way place where you can…you know," Stinger said.

"Have you always been this annoying?" Vicious asked as Stinger turned a corner.

"Hey, I don't know what you're thinking but I know one thing. You've missed your personal gratification even though you won't say it."

"There's an appreciation party for the police chief next week. We're going."

"How'd you get an invitation for her?"

"She's my escort. You will go as my bodyguard. Any more questions?"

"There's more to this than you're willing to tell me, isn't there?"

"Spike may show up."

"Why?"

"Apparently there's a sizable bounty on one of the guests. Spike might try for it."

"So if he does, you think he might try for you as well?"

"He might, but I doubt it. He may try for someone else and I don't think she's regained enough to be able to defend herself."

"You mean…?"

"Yes. Now where the hell are you taking us?"

"Right here. Go ahead and get out. The moons will be rising soon. I'll bring the drinks."

Vicious watched Rei get out of the car, and then opened his door. He stepped out and took off his trench coat. He took out a watch from his suit pocket and glanced at it then at Rei, who stood staring at the sky.

"I'm not dreaming, am I?" she asked as Vicious walked up to her.

"Why do you think you are?" he asked as he placed his hands on her shoulders.

"It's so beautiful. This can't be reality."

"It is."

"It'll be even more beautiful after you have a drink," Stinger said as he walked up to them. "Here. I'd help you drink it but I've already pissed him off enough times today."

"You know I can always send you to some physicians I know that would be more than willing to use you for experimentation," Vicious said and Stinger looked at him.

"Don't even make me bare my claws," Stinger said.

"Is that a threat? You know what I do to people who threaten me."

"HI'm I'm not an idiot. I know where I stand with you."

"And the thin ice you're standing on is going to crack soon."

"Take this blanket and go near the lake. She'll be able to see the moons really well. I'll keep watch."

"Why do you do this? I don't know whether to hate you or not now."

"Go ahead and hate me. It'll make things easier. Go on. I'll keepch."ch."