~ Part 3 ~

Vamp was in the kitchen making dinner for his friend, which unfortunately also meant fixing dinner for everyone else. He shut the oven door satisfied his work was nearly done. He walked over to Solidus who was by the fuse cupboard.

"Here is the problem" Solidus said as he stood up holding a flash-light up to a small fuse.

"You didn't need to fix the light sol, I see perfect." Vamp replied.

"Yeah but not everyone can see in the dark!" Solidus replied as he flicked on the light, blinding Vamp.

"Dad! you fixed the light!" Raiden exclaimed as he walked down the stairs.

"Not thanks to you." Vamp whispered to Raiden as he walked by.

"Dad...while I'm here... we need to talk.." Raiden said, totally ignoring Vamp's quiet remark.

"Oh? What about?"

"Well, I need to buy some more books and study material for my night school."

"I thought your room-mate was going halves on your books."

"Dad! That was so...like...two months ago, but I have a new dorm-mate."

"What happened to the last?" Solidus asked

"Ohh...well, he dropped out of the class and then just left my dorm. But this new ones really great and he helps me study!"

Vamp folded his arms while staring at Raiden. "Yeah, Biology..."

Raiden coughed loudly to detract from Vamp. "Aaanyway. I need money."

"Sure, get anything you want and have them bill me."

"But...Dad...I really need cash." Raiden implored.

Vamp stepped quickly behind Solidus and started waving the receipts that exposed the fact that Raiden was blowing on his money on clothes, drink and the high life.

"But how can you need Cash?" Solidus answered. "Your allowance gets paid into your Chequeing account every month from mine, and then there's your...whatever you called it, art business..."

Vamp laughed before he could stop himself. "I hardly call posing naked for life art classes an 'Art business'."

"What did you say? …..and why are you standing behind me." Solidus said as he grabbed Vamp's arm and shoved him in front next to Raiden.

"Errr he's just kidding Dad! My art studio is...err...becoming very well known and established!" Raiden said desperately as Liquid walked down the stairs.

"I smell food and I'm Starved."

"You can make your own." Vamp added as Liquid walked past.

"Whats that in the oven?" Liquid asked as he bend down, staring through the glass.

"Nothing!" Vamp replied hastily as he grabbed Liquid's arm which was reaching for the Oven hatch handle.

Raiden took the opportunity to pull open the oven door as Vamp and Liquid were slapping each others hands. "Hey! This looks like some kind of pie..." he annouced.

Vamp rolled his eyes as Liquid stared at him. "You made...a pie..?" he mocked in his strong Londoner accent.

Raiden looked quite excited as he turned back to Vamp and Liquid "And its a big one so there's a slice of three for me!"

Vamp spun to face Raiden and pointed in his face. "You can have something else.."

"I want Pie..." Raiden demanded.

"Would you shut up about the pie.." Vamp warned.

"I really can't believe you've made a pie.." Liquid continued in the background.

Solidus walked back into the room frustrated by their incessant bickering. "What the fuck are all of you bitching about?" he said in a low no-nonsense tone as he poured himself a glass of water.

"Dad! Vamp's made a pie and says I can't have any!" Raiden exclaimed

Liquid stared at Solidus with disdain. "I bet its unhygienic.."

Solidus lent down and looked through the glass into the oven. "Yep. Its a pie aright, but its massive and there's enough to go round..."

"But...but..."Vamp said in his deadpan drawl as he looked gutted.

"Anyway, you can all have mine.." Solidus added as he placed the cup back down on the side and scratched his head. "I'm not hungry anyway." He added before walking out.

Liquid held up his hand to high-five Raiden. "More Pie for us!" they yelled as they opened the oven and took the pie out.

"You're all Bitches!" Vamp said as he picked up the half-drunk glass from the side and followed Solidus into the side room as he drank.

Solidus hung up his coat by the door, picked up a pile of papers and walked up the narrow stairs which lead up to the rooms above the club. He walked into his room and sat in one of the two chairs near the bed, while he flicked through invoices. Vamp followed him in and slumped down in he seat next to him making him throw him a cursory glance before returning his glaze back to the papers.

"Aren't you going to bed?" Solidus mumbled.

"What's the point. Those fuckers in the kitchen are going to make noise until they pass out." He said as he drank the last from the glass then stared into the bottom of it.

"Those 'Fuckers'? I hope in all honesty you are not referring to my son aswell."

"Hmm.." Vamp answered while planning to change the subject. "Well, tomorrow we open. This is all such a magnificent plan of yours."

"Well it is once we get the desired clientèle and turn this place into a secret arms depo."

"You're a genius!" Vamp exclaimed making Solidus throw him a comical stare. Vamp fidgeted with the empty glass then turned to his friend. "Boss...can I talk to you about something..?"

"Sure..I'm listening."

"Hmm...about that son of yours..." Vamp started, gauging his words carefully as he felt that Raiden was above criticism due to Solidus' lack of understanding of his true behaviour.

"Yesssss..?"

"Well, how do I put this..."

"Try straightforward..." Solidus said while continuing to flick through papers.

"Well...He seems to be a total money trap. You plough all this time, effort, energy into him and I just don't see anything coming from it."

"What are you trying to say? Speak concisely." he replied after putting down the papers and turning to sit facing Vamp.

"I just mean...well, what I'm trying to say is that..." Vamp was frustrated by his own lack of straightforwardness when it came to some subjects with his closest friend, who he seemed to now have the full attention of – for once. He realized it was far better just being blunt as they shared a unique friendship and Vamp often got away with things that Solidus simply wouldn't tolerate from anyone else. "I just don't think he will ever reach your expectations or ever be as great as you. Why you adopted him is anyone's guess. You're a great man and I just hate to see your efforts so...wasted."

Solidus stared at him for afew moments and he noticed a distinct look of understanding all that he had and hadn't said. "Listen, I understand full well your concerns. I'm fully aware he's not, by any stretch of the imagination, a model student nor son. I am not blind to all these factors, but it is also my own sin as a 'father' that I must allow him some sway and room for improvement. I've raised many children on and off and you have to understand the undeveloped psychologies you are dealing with."

"I don't think his psychology will ever develop boss. I just hate seeing such a dead weigh around your neck." Vamp mumbled.

"I get the distinct feeling that you dislike him personally.."

"Oh no, no! I'm just pointing out that he is not your best...venture." Vamp said carefully.

"Well, give him a little time. He may yet bloom. He has not yet exhausted my patients."

"You're strangely so massively paternal."Vamp said as he thought that Raiden was already blooming..into a misfit, and would probably exhaust Solidus' money faster then his patients.

"Well, Kids are cute, in all their various little life stages. It's rewarding watching them grow and become successful and powerful." Solidus replied nonchalantly.

"Do you stay in contact with any of your foster children?"

"Yes.."

"Hmm...why Sol?"

"Because...They're my children..." he replied as he held his hands up. "They have an affinity for me and for all intensive purposes, I am all they have."

"Do you want to adopt me?" Vamp asked in a deadpan voice.

"No." Came the swift reply.

Vamp decided to change the subject after feeling completely confused and confounded by all the recent revelations. "Okay, Anyway...when are we kicking your brother out?"

"As soon as possible. He grates on my nerves and I find him simple-minded and irritating. However, he is so very easily led and in that respect I may find a use for him."

"I hate his whiny accent." Vamp said bluntly. "You would think that being British he would speak properly."

"Vamp, you speak better English then he does, and you're Romanian." Solidus grinned.

"You have much finer elocution then he does, and you have a massive vocabulary and deep understandings of...everything." Vamp replied.

"Don't kiss my ass."

Vamp lost his train of thought after afew mental pictures went through his mind. "Sol, I have an idea.."

"You do? That's amazing!"

Vamp smiled back. "Why don't we watch a movie or something?"

"What, now?"

"Yes!"

"Not now, I'm tired." Solidus said as he rubbed his forehead with his palm.

"But...but, it'll be fun! I love watching films with you...especially when you point out stuff and inaccuracies and...stuff." Vamp said as he heard the loud talking of Liquid and Raiden who had walked up the stairs and gone into their shared room.

"Maybe tomorrow night.."He started. "Who's choice film is it anyway? Yours or mine?"

"I think its yours Sol."

"Oh yes. I remember. Last time we watched that weird freakfest that didn't even make any sense to me and was little more then plain pornography...Your choice." Solidus pointed at Vamp.

"That was an artistic film. Though your starring at me was distracting, but it was a great film, not enough sex though." Vamp casually replied.

Solidus raised an eyebrow at his friend. "Not everyones' a sex freak with an ferocious sexual appetite like you. It made no sense what-so-ever."

"All Compliments are graciously appreciated Sol. Though you must have found it interesting."

"No, I found it boring, and I was trying to figure out what was going on...besides an Orgy."

"Want me to explain it?" Vamp volunteered.

"No thanks, I have no interest in such things." Solidus replied casually as he turned on the tv and flicked through channels.

"Which things?"

"Any of the above."

Vamp stared at his friend wide-eyed. "Really? Since when."

"Well, I have no interest in aimless situations, sex and all the drama that goes with it."

"Surely that can't be true! That sounds a bit Asexual to me Sol... That concerns me. But I don't think you're being honest with me. The quiet ones are the worse, I know this. It probably takes a lot to get them going but once they are, they vent all their frustrations out. I've known people like that...their the best... " Vamp answered totally aghast at his friend, even though he was being irritated by the sound of Raiden and Liquid singing loudly off-key in the room next to them.

"No, its just there's no point to it all, and will you go to the other room and tell Liquid to shut up. He's giving me a headache.."

Vamp slammed the glass on the table and walked over to the door, he opened it and lent into the hall and shouted "Liquid you tone deaf piece of shit, can it!". He then casually walked back into the room and sat next to Solidus. "Its one of my favourite past-times. Sex is a great laugh.." he added in his deadpan way.

"Yes but do you have to have sex all the time?" Solidus raised his eyebrow at Vamp.

"Well...I'm not having sex right now!" Vamp replied feeling accused.

"Thank goodness..." Solidus grinned.

Moments after, Liquid slammed the door open and stood arrogantly in the doorway dressed in his pyjamas, which he hadn't done up the front to , as he stared angrily at Vamp. He held his hand to his chest dramatically. "I require an explanation!"

"You'll 'require' a punch in the mouth." Solidus said while staring up impatiently at Liquid.

"You wouldn't dare!" Liquid shouted back. "You think you can punch...this?" he added as he waved himself with his hand."I'd love to see you try! I'd put you right in yer place! And anyway I wasn't talking to you, I was talking to that...thing."

Solidus sighed and pushed the table away from the chair he sat in and stood up, resulting in Liquid dashing out of the room and shouting from the doorway of the room he shared with Raiden. "You've always bullied me! Just because you're Half American and think you're so much better then anyone else!"

"Ohh...here we go..." Solidus rolled his eyes to Vamp.

Liquid continued shouting from the safety of the other doorway. "Just because you were always the favourite and everyone thought the sun shone out of your arse...!"

"And I'm 3cm taller then you..." Solidus shouted back.

"OHHHAAAAHHH...And you're over an inch taller then me! OH! Your such a wanker! I HATE YOU! YOU'RE JUST LIKE FATHER!"Liquid Screamed

"Isn't that the point..." Solidus shouted back in a bored tone.

"You're worse then his precious Solid Snake!WELL! Britain is the best country in the world! ALL-ways has been, ALL-ways will be! So I'm better then you AAAAAAAAAnyway! " Liquid screamed back before slamming the door.

"I like how he vanishes as soon as you stand up ready to hand him his ass. His British pomposity vanishes almost as fast as he does!" Vamp laughed.

Just then they heard a voice called out, muffled through the wall."Daaaaaaad! I don't wanna sleep in here with uncle Liquuuuid!He's rocking back and forth, his eyes are all red and I think hes having a seizuuuure.." Raiden called.

"Just ignore him Jack, with any luck he'll just die...If I don't kill him myself." Solidus replied.

"Why do you put up with this?" Vamp leant over and held his hands out as he implored his friend."Why don't you just have him killed! He's another noose round your neck! Have that creepy old guy whos coming round tomorrow sort him out."

"Who Ocelot? Hmm...I only have dealings with that man when its absolutely necessary. He can't be trusted and he has his own agenda, and I am more then aware of that, also the way he leers at me is disgusting, and then...he'll tell me something sleazy that I really didn't want to know."

"Yeah...I noticed.."Vamp replied while folding his arms in disgust."I think he wants to bed you..."

Solidus curled his lip in disdain as he stared at Vamp. "That's fucking repulsive Vamp...Come on!"

"Its true! I see these things! You don't!" Vamp answered quickly as he pointed his finger into Solidus' chest. "That guy trips over his tongue every time he sees you. Well! He's getting near you over my dead body!" Vamp added.

"He is the master-class of Stealth Faggotry, I can tell from the way he moves that he's most likely gay, but that's none of my business. As long as he does what he's told."

Vamp tilted his head and stared at his friend. "Faggotry? I'm getting a Homophobic aura off you Sol."

"All these people who have the 'Gay Plague'. You see, Bad choices or morals are a disease of the heart. Homosexuality is a disease of the mind. These men must have lost their minds." Solidus sighed as he lent back in his chair.

"Yet...You have no problem with me?" Vamp said to his friend as he stared at the floor.

"No. Actually I don't. Do you actually think you would live in such close proximity to me if I distrusted you?"Solidus said to his obviously deflated friend. "We've been friends for a long time and you have my respect, so what you do personally is your own business. Although I have seen you pull some very pretty girls. However, if you plan to sleep your way through all the staff, its fine, as long as I don't end up with lots of drama on my hands...like usual."

Vamp shrugged. "I just do what I want really.."

"Haha I noticed!" Solidus laughed.

Vamp reached out and put a hand on his friends back. "And don't worry, no drama."

"Well, I'm turning in. I'm exhausted." he said as he got off the seat and sat on the bed and started unbuttoning his shirt until he noticed Vamp still sitting in the other seat. "Well...go on then."

"So I sleep on the sofa?" Vamp asked.

"Yes, because my brother and my son are in the next room and the other is filled with crates."

"I can sleep here on this seat?"

"No...look, you're hardly going to be comfortable there! Anyway, you'll be sleeping all day tomorrow as you'll be up all tomorrow night running the club. That will work out perfect for you!"

"Can we chat some more?"

"Vamp...go lay down. You'll be asleep before you know it." Solidus added as he pat Vamp on the back.

"Okay..." Vamp sighed. "Sleep well. I'll be right outside if you need anything.."

"Thankyou."

The next Evening the Club was open and packed in no time. All of the illegal immigrants all doing their various jobs under the mindful eye of Vamp, who was at the bar mixing drinks. He was taking a small break from selecting the music, with was currently an instrumental version of 'Alejandro'. Vamp glanced over at Raiden who was sitting at the bar drinking with Liquid and chatting to a woman who was one of the Korean bar staff. Vamp glanced to the other side and saw Solidus leaning over the bar chatting to another Korean woman, who was taking food orders out, in French. Liquid overheard the conversation and turned towards them joining in, though his French was heavily accented by English.

Vamp walked over to Solidus and the woman and folded his arms. "What are you two saying?"

"Apparently theres something wrong with fridge." Solidus answered.

"So...why not in English?" Vamp added as he lent against the bar.

"Because, she speaks French fluently and and is more coherent then in English." he added as she walked by carrying a large tray.

"I don't trust her." Vamp said bluntly.

"You don't trust anyone...which is good, but sometimes unnecessary."

"No! I see what the scheme is! She's planning to ingratiate herself with you to gain a stronger position among her peers." Vamp spat irritated.

Liquid poked Vamp in the back. "You don't speak French do you?"

"Well apparently neither do you." Vamp sneered back. "Anyway...I can't make those fucking sounds." he said as he swept two glasses in front of him onto the floor smashing them.

"Ohhh not so calm now!" Liquid taunted.

Vamp was about to answer until he overheard commotion, even over the loud music that filled the club. Two of the armed guards disguised as bouncers had engaged someone who they knew was armed and had refused to hand over his weapons.

"Oh its you.." Vamp said as he saw the guards holding on to Ocelot.

"Well look at this!" Ocelot replied. "Where-ever he is, you are. Funny that."

"Yeah get used to it old man. But I don't remember you getting an invite."

"Then you obviously don't know what your lord and master is up to all the time. He invited me!"

Vamp looked visibly irritated. "Doesn't change a thing! I'll check that with him myself before you're let in."

"I can't stand you, you're a revolting creature and I have no clue as to why Solidus holds you as such a close friend...I mean, I could hazard an educated guess...but I hope its not that.." Ocelot added.

Vamp was so annoyed he just decided to wind Ocelot up as best he could. "Look. Him and me, we're like this." he said as he held up his entwined index and middle finger. "I'm young, you're old – get over it." he said as he turned his back on Ocelot and pulled out his mobile to call his friend. "...and I'm not giving you his personal phone number..."

"What? Wait! You have his phone number?" Ocelot yelled.

Solidus heard walked down the stairs to the main lobby after hearing the commotion to see Vamp standing in the doorway with his arms folded having a vitriolic exchange with Ocelot.

"I can take it from here." Solidus said as he put his hand on Vamps should and stood out from behind him.

Instantly Ocelots tone and posture changed dramatically and he held his hands out. "George..." he said in a mixture of sarcasm and awe.

"Adamska..." Solidus replied to prove they were on the same level, then held out his hand motioning Ocelot to sit down.

"I knew you were here personally... I knew it!" Ocelot said slowly as he walked towards Solidus.

"Oh? How did you know?"

"Because no other nightclub owners I know have armed guards hidden in the lobby and walk around in Armani shirts with that many platinum rings on their fingers. Then there's that strong cologne you wear, I can smell you before I even see you." Ocelot responded.

Vamp leant over and whispered in Solidus' ear "He knows other nightclub owners?"

"Hm..."Solidus breathed as he sat on the chair opposite Ocelot as Liquid walked down the stairs into the main lobby area.

Ocelot took an over deep breath. "Ahhh...looking at you... takes me forty years back in time..."

Vamp mumbled "Shame you didn't stay there..." before Solidus elbowed him.

Ocelot purposely ignored Vamp and continued. "What a masterpiece you've become, you're truly...amazing, handsome and talented. You're so tall and muscular. Look at the way your shirt clings so tightly to your form in places. Beautiful Champaign platinum blonde hair...~"

Vamp facepalmed while mumbling "He's inventing colours now.."

Liquid stared up at the ceiling arrogantly while rolling his neck, fed up and said "Sunshine...Arse..."

Solidus just started talking over him "Look, there are important issues to address. I have some documents you must sign and there are some things you have to get done. I will give you instructions. Don't fuck it up."

"When have I ever 'Fucked up'" Ocelot protested to Solidus.

"Do you actually want me to read out the list?"

"Er...no."

"Okay then. I'll get the papers and explain your role in the plan." Solidus said casually.

Ocelot sprung up from his chair. "Then! You and I will enter into agreement! Lets shake on it." he added as he held out his hand.

No sooner had Solidus offered out his hand and shook. Ocelot pulled him close and embraced him. He took a deep breath, taking in Solidus' smell and said quietly "Ahhhh John...".

Solidus pushed Ocelot away to the floor with near violent force and turned around to retrieve the papers from the other room. Ocelot looked at his hand and said "John would have never pushed me away..."

Vamp stood over him. "Only cause he liked to see you suffer emotionally, wanting him. He used to play those games but Solidus doesn't."

Ocelot braced himself on the chair to stand up. "What do you know? You know nothing about him or me! You just want George for yourself! That man is the last link I have to John... Its an agony seeing him, hearing him, forever frozen in time, forever young. Having a different character from what I'm used to."

Vamp sneered. "John is dead. He's never coming back. Its George all the way now. You're just a sad old gay who never got over the love of his life... pathetic."

"The others aren't like him, but he...he's just like him..." Ocelot stopped and looked up while putting a thoughtful finger to his chin. "Actually...I wonder if he is...just like the Boss in …...every respect..."

"Look, You can just go fu..." Vamp stopped then leant over to Ocelot. "What exactly are we talking here?"

Ocelot held out his hands in the air to give an mental estimation of length. Vamp stared wide-eyed. "You mean..." he said as he held his hands up copying the same gesture.

Ocelot nodded. "Yep..."

Liquid looked right and left and pulled open the top of his trousers and looked down. "Damn those fucking scientists and their gene switching! I've been fucked over yet again!Bollocks!"

Solidus walked back in holding some papers and glanced at Ocelot and Vamp with their hands up. "What are you two doing?" he added as he sighed and shook his head.

"Nothing!" they both responded.

Solidus placed the papers on the small table, and forced a pen into Ocelots hand. "Read and then sign." He said bluntly.

"Your skills of persuasion are so seductive...I hope you're not always so dictatorial." Ocelot moaned sarcastically. "So what is the plan anyway? And why have you opened this place all in Vamp's name?"

"Well, your going to love this. I have a three phase plan in which this is the first move in. I purposefully opened this place to..." Solidus was cut short by Raiden running into the room.

"Dad! Dad! There's someone in the club I think you should see! There's a man here who looks like you but with long brown hair. He's here with an effeminate skinny guy. Their sitting in the corner drinking!" Raiden explained.

"One moment.."Solidus said to Ocelot before following Raiden out.

Up Next! Hal and Dave! Please read and review!